The Annual Parish Meeting will be held in the Community Centre, Stocksfield on Monday, 23rd April 2007, 7.30 p.m.

The subject of the debate will be the provision of services for young people in Stocksfield. There will also be opportunity to bring up matters of concern with the Parish Council.

It is planned to have a panel which should include representatives from the youth service, local sports organisations and the Scouts. It is also hoped that all providers of facilities in Stocksfield will take up the opportunity to showcase what they have to offer. Parents, guardians and young people are urged to attend the Annual Parish Meeting in order that we may debate this topic and see if we receive value for money from our contributions.

Currently the Parish Council budgets around 15% of its annual expenditure by direct grant to young people's organisations. The Parish Council also contributes around a further 16% of its budget to provide facilities at the sportsfields and the play areas and the Community Association. The Annual Parish Meeting is open to all residents of Broomley & Stocksfield, do come along and see what your Parish Council does for YOU. All welcome.

Keep Stocksfield Tidy - Saturday 21st April

SPRUCE UP STOCKSFIELD THIS SPRING
What can you or your organisation do to help?

On Saturday 21st April the Parish Council is organising a Spruce up Stocksfield Day. Can you help between 9.30 a.m. and 1 p.m?

Can you litter pick a particularly untidy part of the village, sweep the area in front of your house or shop, clean a phone box or bus shelter, clean the street signs,clear litter from the grass verges and hedges or anything else that will improve our local environment?

The Parish Council can provide litter pickers, gloves and bin bags. These can be collected from the Community Centre between 9.30 a.m. and 10 a.m. and full bags should be left in the skip at the Sportsfield Car Park.

Stocksfield Guides will be serving refreshments at the Community Centre between 10 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. so even if you cannot help with the Spruce Up Stocksfield Day do come and have a coffee and a chat.

There will be a skip in the Sportsfield Car Park from around mid to end April. For further details contact the Clerk to the Parish Council, Margaret Williams - 01661 843114 - Click to e-mail

Branch End Play Area Regeneration Phase 2 - Tesco Bag Pack - 21st April 2007

The plans for the second phase of Branch End Play Area are proceeding and serious fund raising for the project, which will provide exciting new play equipment for 8 year olds and over, is now starting.

The Regeneration Group has now agreed a fund raising strategy and as part of this have arranged a bag pack at Tesco's in Hexham on Saturday 21st April. Volunteers are needed to help with this bag pack. If you can help with this, or have any other ideas for raising funds for this exciting project please contact Ian Hall on 01661 843049.

As well as new play equipment, Phase 2 of the Regeneration of Branch End Play Area includes the provision of an additional entrance to the play area and the development of the Sensory Garden.

Sensory Garden Project

An extension to your garden?

A Sensory Garden, for all ages to enjoy, is to be planned / planted in a sheltered scenic area of Branch End Play Area.

A working party made up of members of the Churches Together Group and the Parish Council is seeking donations of ferns, grasses, lavender, willow, rowan, etc. for use in the garden. If you have any of these in your garden and would like to share cuttings / saplings with our garden or would like to help develop the area we would be delighted to hear from you.

If you would like to make donations of plants or would like to help in any way with the project, or would just like more information about it, please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council, Margaret Williams - 01661 843114 - Click to e-mail

www.stocksfield.org

This website is the website about Stocksfield run by your Parish Council for you, but it's so much more than just minutes of Parish Council meetings.

It's a resource for all of us who live in Stocksfield. Already you can find a page about walks in and around Stocksfield, a page full of useful local information, telephone numbers and websites. You'll find Doctors and Dancers, Schools and Stencils, Plumbers and Post Offices, and many more useful contacts. All that, and the latest Stocksfield news is already there, but we want you to add to the site.

What isn't here now, that you would like to see? Tell us and we'll add it to the site.

Click to e-mail the clerk. Remember it's a website and is always changing, add it to your bookmarks and if you want local information make www.stocksfield.org the first place to look.

Congratulations Ivor!

Congratulations to IVOR GRAY MBE. Ivor "the Engine" Gray was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours for services to youth football and we offer him our congratulations. Ivor has coached generations of young footballers both in Stocksfield and Tynedale and this recognition of his contribution to local sport is well-deserved.

Walk Your Way to Health

The Walking the Way to Health scheme has been a national success, started in Surrey by an enlightened GP who felt that some of his patients would benefit more from a walk than from a prescription for more drugs. The Countryside Agency (now Natural England) took up the idea in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation and, with the help of funding from the New Opportunities Fund and Kia cars, new health walk schemes started across the country.

Tynedale has its very own Health Walks project, with Stocksfield being an important part. The walks are designed to be about an hour in length and travel at a fairly relaxed pace over terrain that is as easy as it can be in Tynedale. Much as it would be nice to say that every walk is over flat ground, it is virtually impossible in and around Stocksfield.

The walk in Stocksfield takes place on a Monday morning, with everyone meeting at 10.00 a.m. in the station car park. From there the routes vary, sometimes with a short, shared car journey to the start. There is no charge and no booking procedure, just turn up and there will be a trained walk leader there to welcome you.

The walk leaders are all volunteers and have undertaken a standard training course provided through the Walking the Way to Health Initiative. On the first walk you attend you will be asked to fill in a very simple health questionnaire, as this is a requirement of the insurance policy which covers the leaders; once the form has been filled in you can attend any of the walks in Tynedale without the need to fill in another one.

As an added incentive and a further opportunity for a chat, the church hall is open for refreshments after the walk.

Everyone is welcome on the walks, so please come along one Monday morning, or if you would like to speak to someone about it first you can give the Tynedale Health Walks Co-ordinator, Alison Carter a ring on 01434 613227. Alison's post is a part time one so please do leave a message if she is not in when you ring and she will get back to you as soon as possible.

Development of New Footpaths

The Parish Council in partnership with members of the Footpath & Environment Groups have for some time been considering the long term future of the former Merryshields Quarry. The Parish Council has long aspired to see the creation of a path along the south bank of the Tyne between Bywell Bridge and the Belliasis Burn (which is the boundary with Prudhoe).

Given the serious topographical obstacles, not least of which is the need to bridge Stocksfield burn, this hasn't progressed. However, a circular permissive route around the new ponds is being negotiated with the landowner and tenant. There is a conflict between uncontrolled public access, particularly walkers with dogs, and conservation interests, which members of the Environment Group are trying to resolve. It is hoped to bring more definite news of this project in the near future.

Residents will also be aware that a new access to the footpaths along the Guessburn has also been completed by the County Council. The new entrance is by the road bridge over the burn just to the east of Graham House. This takes you down to the burn and then along to join the original paths along the Guessburn.

New Police Contact Number

Northumbria Police have recently purchased a new 'single' contact number for the force for use by members of the public for non-emergency contact.

This number is 0845 6043 043 This is in addition to the existing 999 service for emergencies and 101 number to report antisocial behaviour or community safety issues.

Careless or Inconsiderate Vehicle Drivers

The Parish Council has been advised that the police have certain powers in relation to the way a vehicle is driven. If the driver has driven in a careless or inconsiderate manner or has driven a vehicle on common land, moorland, land which is not part of a road, a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway in a manner which is causing, has caused or is likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public, the police can warn the driver and vehicle under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002, in the first instance, or in the second instance the vehicle can be seized by the police and to get the vehicle back will cost £105 +VAT.

If you have any concerns with regard to this matter you should contact the Beat Manager at Prudhoe Police Station.

Northumberland Fire & Rescue Service Home Fire Safety Check

Northumberland Fire Service can offer advice to residents about the safety of their own homes.

Our nearest fire station is Prudhoe and they can be contacted and asked to visit your home to do a safety check and give advice on the installation of smoke alarms. Contact: 0800 731 1351

Bywell Arts Festival

The Arts Festival Committee is now starting to plan the 2007 event. As in previous years there will be an art exhibition, music and stalls. There will be two concerts this year, one on the evening of Friday, 29th June and the other on Saturday 30th June. Watch out for further details nearer the time.

In 2007, as part of the Arts Festival, there will be a photographic competition. Entry forms can be obtained from the Secretary: There will be three classes: Under 12s, Under 18s and Adults. The theme this year is the first verse of the hymn "All things Bright and Beautiful".

There will be one cash prizes 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 is 10" x 8". Photos can be colour, black and white or digital. In 2007, the Festival will be held over the weekend of 30th June and 1st July. If you would like to receive an entry form for the photographic competition or would like further details about the rest of the festival, contact, Margaret Williams - 01661 843114 - Click to e-mail

Bogus callers

There have been reports of bogus callers in the area. Please remember:

• Think before you let anyone into your home
• If you are not expecting anyone - keep them out.
• If you do open the door, use the chain
• Look for logos on vehicles and clothing
• Examine the caller's identity card - if necessary shut the caller out while you call the company to identify the caller.
• If in doubt - KEEP THE CALLER OUT

For more information you can visit this information website or download a very useful pdf document containing of useful tips on how to prevent bogus callers gaining access to your home.

Parking in Cade Hill Road

In recent weeks, the Parish Council has received complaints about vehicles being parked near the apex of the blind summit in Cade Hill Road. When vehicles are parked on this blind summit it is impossible to see them when approaching from the south until one is nearly upon them and when approaching from the A695 it is impossible to see over the summit.

Motorists are concerned that it is only a matter of time before an accident occurs at this point with a badly parked vehicle being the root cause. Can we ask you to ensure that whenever possible you park well clear of the apex of the blind summit and thus ensure the safety of other road users. Many thanks for your help in this matter.

Stocksfield Tennis Club

The Tennis Club has recently appointed a club coach, Sarah Stevenson, who is busy arranging various groups to suit young players of all abilities, ranging from 4-year olds playing 'mini-tennis' indoors at the weekends to under-16 teams practising hard at the club. There will be open sessions in the Easter holidays, so if you have a budding Andy (or Andrea?) Murray in the house, ring Sarah on 07984 804299 for further information. Adult players will be welcome at the opening day of the season on Saturday 14th April from 2.00 p.m. General information is available from the Club Secretary on 833637.

Multisports Area Regeneration

The Regeneration Group and the Parish Council are to make two bids for major funding for this project in the next few weeks. Support for the redevelopment of this facility from residents and users of the sportsfields and potential users of the Multisports Area would be very welcome. If you can help in any way please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council, Margaret Williams - 01661 843114 - Click to e-mail

Parish Information Card Issue 9 Autumn 2007

Every four years the Parish Council publishes an Information Card for householders to keep by the phone as an easy reference guide to services and organisations.

The Information Card is due to be published in the late summer and organisations will be contacted over the coming months with a request for information. In the meantime, if you would like your organisation to be included, please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council, Margaret Williams - 01661 843114 - Click to e-mail.

We regret that because of the space constraints only those commercial organisations based in and offering a service to residents of Broomley & Stocksfield can be included.

This information is also available on this website on the Local Information page.

Teen life check – 'check it before you wreck it'

The Department of Health has launched this new website where young people can check how healthy their lifestyle is and access advice services.

The site will have a high profile launch in the near future but is open for business now at: www.teenlifecheck.co.uk You don't have to give your name - you can use a nickname instead and it doesn't ask for any personal details just your age and the first part of your home postcode.There are only 12 questions so it only takes a few minutes but at the end it tells you how you are doing and suggests a load of local places where you could find out more if you want to.

Although aimed at young people age 11 and above, the site has links to 'Dr Ann's virtual surgery' and the website of a 'Teenage Health Freak' both of which have loads of useful advice and information for young people and professionals.

City & Guilds 3071 - The Learning Power Award.

A 10 week, accredited Personal & Social Development Course for young people in Tynedale. If you are aged between 16 and 25, living in Tynedale and would like to achieve qualifications in a friendly relaxed environment then this may be the course for you.

The course covers: First Aid Training, Motivational training, Teambuilding, Literacy & Numeracy, Help with jobsearch and CVs, careers advice, information and guidance. For further information contact: Jacqui Farrell at LINKS 01434 607850 or e-mail jacqui@linkstynedale.co.uk

Climate Change - An Inconvenient Truth

The film "An Inconvenient Truth" recently won an Oscar for the best documentary. Churches Together in Stocksfield is arranging to show this film in which former US Vice President, Al Gore, makes a powerful case for the need for us to cut carbon emissions.

This event will be held on 10th May at 7.30 p.m. at the Baptist Church and there will be time for discussion and suggestions for practical action. Everyone is welcome.

Recycling News

Up to a third of all the rubbish that's thrown away each year in the UK could be transformed into compost. Just think what a reduction there would be to the amount of rubbish being sent to landfill if we all composted this waste at home!

Bargain home composters for £10 only including free home delivery, are available through the Recycle Now Composting campaign. Order online at www.recyclenow.com or call 0845 077 0757.

We know that not everyone has appropriate space for a compost bin. If you might be interested in a local community compost scheme, please take the trouble to mention it to Clerk to the Parish Council, Margaret Williams - 01661 843114 - Click to e-mail. If there is sufficient interest, the Parish Council will investigate the possibilities.

Buying a used car

The Driver and Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA) have advised Police Forces to be on the look out for stolen vehicle registration certificates.

Motorists who are actively looking to buy a car are urged to check that the V5C vehicle registration certificates are genuine, prior to the purchase of a vehicle. When viewing a vehicle, ask to see the registration certificate.

Check the colour and if possible make a note of the serial number that appears at the top right hand corner. You can ring the DVLA on Helpline Tel: 0870 241 1878 to check the validity of the certificate.

Northumberland Credit Union

If you would like further information on the services that can be offered by a credit union either contact your local branch in Prudhoe on Thursday mornings at the Info Point, 82 Front Street, Prudhoe between 10.00 a.m. and 12 noon, or contact the Northumberland Credit Union at 37 Shields Road, Morpeth, NE61 2SA. 01670 503666.