Issue 18 - Winter 2005.

New Parish Councillor

As a result of the sad death of Bill Bouch, Broomley & Stocksfield Parish Council has a vacancy for one Parish Councillor. The Council is looking to co-opt a resident of Broomley & Stocksfield with an interest in the well-being of the community who is prepared to take an active role in village life.

Formal business is conducted at Parish Council meetings, which are generally held on the first Monday of each month (except August).

There are also other opportunities to participate in the activities of the Council. Currently the Parish Council has sub-groups with particular interest in Planning and Highways, Footpaths and the Environment, Sports and Leisure.

The Sports Group, in partnership with the Sportsfield Management Committee, is looking at the redevelopment of the multi-sports area at the Sportsfield, while the Leisure Group is looking at ways to regenerate Branch End Play Area. The Footpaths & Environment Group’s main interests are the Parish footpath network and environ- mental matters.

If you are interested in being a Parish Councillor or would like further information, please contact the Clerk.

Scout Post in Stocksfield NE43

Following the positive response last year, Scout Post is again available to deliver your local Christmas cards to addresses within the NE43 area only - from 6th December. Last collection 5 p.m. 20th December, The Scouts are asking for a donation (minimum 10p) for each card posted and would like to acknowledge with gratitude, the help of the three shops who have agreed to accept a Post Box - both of our Post Offices and Whitelaw’s the Butcher. The Scouts hope you will be pleased with the service they are offering and equally pleased to support the young people as they endeavour to raise funds for their new Scout Hut.

If there are any queries, please phone Philippa Harpin, 01661 842302.

The Parish Council is very grateful to Allendale Estates for the provision of Christmas Trees. We are also grateful to Broomley School and the Doctor Syntax and Branches Restaurant for their support in the lighting of these trees. We are sure that they are much appreciated by residents.

Remembrance Day 2005

Ex Servicemen were joined at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday by representatives of youth organisations and the Parish Council and residents of Stocksfield.

Bywell Arts Festival

The 2005 Festival made a magnificent £2100 profit. Congratulations and thanks to all concerned.

The Arts Festival Committee is now starting to plan the 2006 event. As in previous years there will be an art exhibition, a concert, music and stalls. The Committee is also considering a children’s activity area and face painting.

In 2006, as part of the Arts Festival, there will be a new feature, a photographic competition – so get "snapping"! Entry forms will be available in the New Year, but early details are:

Three classes: Under 12s - Under 18s - Adults.

The subject for all three classes is "Bywell". Photos can be taken anywhere in Bywell village and can be either inside or outside, of buildings, wildlife, residents, animals, etc. There will be cash prizes for the first three winning entries in each class. Entry fee in the Adult class is £1 per photo, in the under 18s 50p and in the under 12s classes 20p per photo. The maximum size of each entry (including any mount) is 7 x 5”. Photos can be colour black and white or digital.

In 2006, the Festival will be held over the weekend of 1st and 2nd July.

If you would like to receive an entry form, please drop a line to:
Margaret Williams, 205 New Ridley Road, Stocksfield, NE43 7QD
Or you can Click to e-mail.

Equestrian Matters

In recent weeks, concerns have been raised about potential conflict between horse riders and car drivers, particularly on the narrow roads around the parish. Can we remind riders that:

• Horses should be ridden on the left and changes in direction should be clearly signalled.
• Keep a horse you are leading to your left.
• Never ride more than two abreast and ride in single file where the road narrows or on approach to a bend.

Can we remind drivers that:

• Horses are unpredictable and their riders may be inexperienced.
• Take care on narrow roads and be prepared for pedestrians, horses, cyclists and children.

Further information can be found in the Highway Code.

Dog Owners

The Parish Council has received reports that the owners/walkers of dogs are not picking up the excrement deposited by their dogs.

Dog excrement is a health hazard. It is also very unpleasant if it is trodden into the house or sprayed about when the grass verges are cut. Residents allege that they are unable to use certain footpaths or pavements because of the amount of dog excrement left lying.

Responsible dog owners "Pick it up, Bag it and Bin it". If you don't you will be fined, up to £1000.

Skate park

I C E

The Parish Council has tried for over a year, without success, to identify any area of land which could be used for a Skate Park without diminishing the quality of life for nearby residents. In the light of existing heavy commitments for both funding and councillors' time, it was recommended and agreed that no further time be spent on the possible creation of a Skate Park in the Parish unless or until there is a major change in relevant circumstances.

Put some I C E in your mobile now! Store the word I C E in your mobile phone address book and against it the number of a person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency". For more than one contact name use ICE 1, ICE2, ICE3, etc. E-mails suggesting that people who have created ICE entries on their mobiles are at risk of a virus are a hoax

Safeguarding Your Electricity Supply

Garden Refuse

The Parish Council has been advised that over the coming months NEDL will be undertaking vegetation and tree clearance works in our area to help safeguard against unnecessary disruptions to the electricity supply and improve safety.

The Parish Council is continually trying to keep the village tidy and would appreciate it if residents did not use the grass verges and edges of foot- paths as places to dump their garden refuse. Such refuse should be composted in your own gardens or taken to the tips at Prudhoe or Hexham.

Local History Society

Recycled mobiles & printer cartridges

The next meeting will be on 11th January. We understand that the booked speaker is now unable to attend. It is hoped that the subject will still be about the Romans.

8th February - Northumberland Dialects

8th March - The Hexham Riots

The Scouts have joined a National Scheme for Scout Groups and would be grateful if you could let them have your old mobile phones and empty cartridges and toner. These can be delivered to the Scout Hut on Monday evenings or given to a Beaver, Cub or Scout or contact the Scout Leaders to arrange collection. Alternatively contact Mrs Harpin on 01661 842302.

Progress at Branch End Play Area

Branch End Play Area Improvement Fund

The Play Area Regeneration Group continues to meet and work to raise funds for the provision of new equipment for this popular facility. So far around £25,000 has been promised but as you can see from the diagram there is still a long way to go. The Group is continuing to apply to major funders for assistance but support from residents is also vital. Funders are much more likely to support projects where residents and users of facilities have been seen to make a contribution to the fund raising. Please do support us in our endeavours to refurbish this play area. In addition to the work of the Regeneration Group, and following an inspection by RoSPA, over the winter the Parish Council will be carrying out a series of minor improvements and repairs to Branch End Play Area. Most of these are cosmetic and will not affect use of the equipment.

YOGA Gentle therapeutic Yoga. All abilities catered for. No need to have previous experience. A popular course which is now in its second year.

NEWTON AND BYWELL COMMUNITY HALL, (Newton Village) Every Thursday 7.00 – 8.30 pm
Professional Tutor- Karen Merkin-Ayre Charge - £30 for six weeks or £7 per session
ALL WELCOME

No Waiting Restrictions

At the October meeting of the Parish Council proposals to introduce no waiting restrictions were discussed.

Birches Nook Road – the Parish Council meeting was preceded by a short meeting of residents of Birches Nook, parish councillors and the County Council Engineer. Residents were given the opportunity to air their views on the proposals. Of particular concern at present was the fact that parked cars can impede or prevent access to Birches Nook Road by large vehicles such as the refuse collections vehicles, and, by inference, fire engines and perhaps ambulances. Most present were broadly in favour of the principle but concerned about the implications of the introduction of parking restrictions on Birches Nook Road. Concerns were raised about personal safety for those residents who would be forced to park some distance from their homes and possible consequences for shops should there be increased parking on the Main Road. The County Council Engineer was thanked for attending the meeting and it was hoped that he would take the comments of residents on board.

Cross Street – these proposals were also briefly debated. It was however noted that no comments or objections from residents of Branch End had been received by the Parish Council.

Tesco Vouchers

Broomley County First School is collecting Tesco vouchers for sports equipment. The children at Broomley School are aiming to collect 9,000 vouchers and are looking for your help. The school would be grateful for the donation of any vouchers from the community. Please post them through the school letter box or hand to a Broomley family. Thank you.
The Governors, staff and children wish you a merry Christmas and a peaceful new year.

Blood Donors The next session for blood donations is 27th December at the Community Centre between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Note change from usual times.

Kate's Plain

Most readers will be aware that Kate's Plain has been the focus of several recent articles and letters in the Hexham Courant. Since new play equipment was installed in June 2004, the play area itself and the surrounding footpaths and roads, and also the station area, have become an informal gathering-place for young people on a Friday evening. This has resulted in levels of noise which are unacceptable to the local residents, in offensive language and behaviour, and in under-age drinking.

The distress caused to residents of Mount View Terrace and Brumwell Court has been made clear to your Parish Council at meetings throughout the autumn, and is a major concern. The health and well-being of the young people are also a concern – councillors have them- selves seen people as young as 14 who are obviously drunk, and therefore very vulnerable to accident or harm.

The Parish Council however has no statutory powers to deal with law and order issues. We can only urge the Police and the Youth Service to tackle this local problem with some urgency, and this we have done and keep doing. We would like to make clear our belief that only a minority of young people are causing this disorder, and that some recent publicity creates a risk of alienating their more sensible contemporaries. Constructive suggestions from the young people themselves and from concerned parents would be welcome.

The maintenance of the play area is of course the Council's responsibility, and we regret that, even before the project was completed, the perimeter fence had been deliberately cut in several places. Expenditure on repairs such as these means that less of your money is available for other requirements in the Parish.

Guessburn Footpaths

Many residents will have noticed that the footpath which runs alongside the Guessburn behind the tennis courts and the Scout Hut has, over recent months, gradually been eroded away. Following a recent inspection, the County Council Footpaths Officer has taken the decision to close this section of the path until the spring of next year when it is planned to repair it. Unfortunately winter weather conditions will make it impossible to repair the path until next spring

A695 – Road Slippage - Smithy Burn

As residents will be aware, the A695, near the Smith Burn Bridge, has been breaking up and slipping since the storms in January 2005. The Parish Council was initially advised that it was hoped to repair this landslip in the summer of 2005.

Tests and measurements have however indicated that the problem is much more complex than originally thought. The slippage effects the road, the railway and the sewer above the railway and any repair will have to be carried out in conjunction with all the relevant authorities.

The Parish Council is in regular contact with the County Council highways engineers about this problem and understands that the complexity of the situation means that repairs will not be carried out until all tests are complete and an effective solution arrived at.

Stocksfield Institute Community Association

YOUR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOU!
Unless you have recently moved into the parish, you will be well-aware of the existence of Stocksfield Institute Community Association, or S.I.C.A. as it is known to most residents of Stocksfield. If you are already a member, you will know all about the aims of S.I.C.A. and the opportunities provided at the Community Centre at Mount View Terrace.

The Community Centre was built over 100 years ago as a centre for the residents of Stocksfield and the community association in its present form was founded through the efforts of an energetic and committed group of people over 40 years ago. Many of the successful groups and clubs currently operating out of the community centre today were founded about that time. S.I.C.A. has developed as a centre of the community and with the help of its members would hope to continue to develop and serve the residents of Stocksfield and its surrounding communities. Currently activities in the S.I.C.A. include;

There is also a small library offering books and videos.

S.I.C.A. is run by a management committee made up of members representing the various groups and sections that meet at the centre. This committee has become somewhat concerned in recent years at the decline in membership numbers. There is no current concern about the financial state of S.I.C.A. for this remains sound as a result of the extensive and increasing use of the centre, plus regular fund raising activities. There is concern, however, that only a small proportion of the residents of Stocksfield is involved as members. Currently out of about 1400 households in the parish, only about 320 households are members of S.I.C.A.

There are financial benefits to member- ship through reduced rates for hiring the various rooms and other facilities that are available. Membership rates remain very low as you can see from the membership application form alongside.

If you would like to know more about S.I.C.A., why not pick up a copy of S.C.A.N. (Stocksfield Community Association News) which is published each month and delivered to members. It is also available at the MACE store at the station and at Branch End Newsagents.

If you would like to be involved in the work of S.I.C.A. or have ideas for a club, activity or service that might be run from or through the centre, please get in touch with the Warden, Mary McArthur - 01661 842346 - she would be delighted to discuss any suggestions that you might have.

Stocksfield station at risk

The Department for Transport has commissioned an enquiry into services on the Northern franchise (which provides passenger services along the Tyne Valley line). This exercise is wholly focussed on saving money, and could lead to service reductions and station closures. It neglects the social and environmental benefits of the railway at a time when traffic levels and parking problems are increasing. Stocksfield is one of the stations at risk.

Pressure groups throughout the North East are campaigning against these cuts. For information about how to add your voice to this campaign, please contact Malcolm Chainey preferably by e-mailing Malcolm Chainey or Julie Gibbon.

Residents and passengers should be aware of the threat to services on the Tyne Valley line and use the train and your local stations or risk losing the service.

Are you stuck for Wheels?

Is Lack of Transport your problem?Tynedale Wheels to Work can help you access education, training and employment by providing scooters and cars on 'loan' to people throughout Tynedale (subject to eligibility)

Tynedale Wheels 2 Work aims to assist people who are geographically disadvantaged by providing transport to enable them to access employment, training or further education.

The scheme is open to anyone who lives or works in Tynedale and is aged between 16 and 65. Tynedale Wheels 2 Work aims to provide a short-term solution to break the 'no wheels, no work' cycle.

For further information contact:
Edwina Little, Tynedale Wheels 2 Work, A.D.A.P.T., Bluebird House, Haugh Lane, Hexham, NE45 3PU
Tel/Fax: 01434 600599. Click to E-mail

Neighbourhood Watch Advice

One of my many jobs as the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Liaison Officer for the South West of Northumberland Area Command is to try and reassure Neighbourhood Watch schemes, and Neighbourhood Watch contact persons, by keeping them informed about the low levels of property related crime in the Tynedale area.

There are currently three Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in the Broomley & Stocksfield Parish area. These schemes each have a co-ordinator who is kept informed of property related crime in the area and is supported by myself, a civilian member of Northumbria Police based in Hexham. I pass on advice and information on a weekly basis to schemes in the Hexham, Prudhoe, Bellingham, Haltwhistle and Corbridge Police areas. This information comes from a variety of sources including local Police Officers, Community Beat Managers and the Crime Prevention Officer.

This year many communities have been concerned about thefts perpetrated by Bogus Callers posing as business officials or workers, and ID Theft. These types of crime, which can affect us all, generate a lot of fear in communities, but by taking some extra security precautions, you could reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

The Home Office produces advice literature free for Neighbourhood Watch purposes and they recommend following four steps to try and prevent becoming a victim of a Bogus Caller and being distracted by them resulting in theft or burglary to.

LOCK, STOP, CHAIN and CHECK

NEVER LET SOMEONE INTO YOUR HOME WITHOUT CHECKING THEIR ID FIRST. If someone produces their ID card, this still could be bogus. So ask them for a phone number to ring to check their ID. If you still have doubts, KEEP THEM OUT. Ask them to call back at a convenient time, when you can invite a friend, relative or neighbour over to support you.

Similarly, if you are sending personal or banking information through the post, over the phone and internet via email or website, PLEASE CHECK THE INFORMATION SENT IS GOING TO A VALID ADDRESS. Your bank should be able to offer advice on security.

If you are worried about Bogus Callers in your area or are concerned you may have been a victim of I.D theft please contact Northumbria Police, Tel: 01661 872555 and ask to report an incident. For further information, or to report a non urgent incident, please visit Northumbria Police Website, www.northumbria.police.uk

If you would like to contact your local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator or would be interested in starting a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and become a contact person for your scheme or community please contact me Tel: 01661 861439 and leave a message or Click to e-mail.

Michelle Owens, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Northumbria Police

Lets's go for a walk in Stocksfield

A winter walk keeping to roads and pavements. This walk is a circular route and can be joined at any point. It can also be varied by making detours along various cinder-paths. On a bright winter's day this is a pleasant walk offering good views across the Tyne Valley and the possibility of sightings of a variety of birds and other wild- life. Although this route uses roads and pavements, it is probable that they will not have been treated and could be icy in winter-time.

Starting in Guessburn, near the tennis courts, follow the road to Ridley Mill passing Christmas Cottage. Note the old mill at Ridley Mill. Carry on to the junction with Batt House Road and turn right towards the fords. Go over both fords and continue up the hill towards New Ridley. At the junction with New Ridley Road, turn left and head back down New Ridley Road, passing the golf club, until you reach Meadowfield Road. Turn left down Meadowfield Road and follow it over the Painshawfield Road cross roads. At the junction with Cade Hill Road, turn left down the Scaur Steps (this part of the walk and the part by the fords are the only parts of the route which might be slightly muddy and uneven), over the bridge and turn right back onto Guessburn.

If you have a favourite route, do let us know about it and tell us what you find attractive about it.

BRANCH END SURGERY
Out of Hours - evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays:

In the case of a medical emergency please ring 999 for an ambulance. If you require a doctor when the surgery is closed, please telephone 0191 215 1333 for the out of hours service.

Parking

We would respectfully request residents to park with consideration in or near bus stops.

The Highway Code states: DO NOT park your vehicle or trailer on the road where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users. For example, do not stop:

• near a school entrance
• anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
• at or near a bus stop or taxi rank

Where vehicles are parked near bus stops it is possible that the bus driver's view of potential passengers could be obstructed and the bus subsequently fails to stop to pick up passengers who cannot be seen.

DO NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, the visually impaired and people with prams or pushchairs. Thank you.