Although not enough candidates were put forward to enable us to have an election to the Parish Council this year, we now have six new or returning councillors to replace the six who retired in May. The current make up of the Council is shown below.

Peter Barrass has lived in Stocksfield for 3 years having moved here from Newtown, mid Wales, via Horsley. He is new to the Parish Council and hopes to represent the views of families with young children. Outside work, his interests are playing with his son and cycling.

Lizzie Clark has lived in Stocksfield for many years. She has a young son and interested in horse riding. She works locally. She believes that she can bring the view point of the younger generation to the Parish Council.

Diane Hinchcliffe has lived in Stocksfield for 13 years and through her involvement with Branch End Play Area regeneration she was invited to join the Parish Council, where her main sphere of interest will be play facilities and recreation. She is married with three children aged 15, 11 and 4 and can often be seen out with her white fluffy dog. Diane has recently been appointed as pre-school leader at SICA.

Norman Hooks has been a member of the SICA Management Committee for 7 years and Chairman for the past two years. In 1999 he joined the Parish Footpaths Group. He is also a member of the Environment Group which carried out the Parish habitat Survey. He hopes to give particular attention to all environmental matters, helping the Parish Council to fulfil its statutory responsibilities.

Melna Martin has lived in Stocksfield for over 30 years and been a parish councillor for more than 20. She is an active member of Bywell WI Drama Group and of Stocksfield WI. She has worked locally in the health & social care field for over 25 years and feels she is able to assist in promoting, improving and maintaining life in the Parish for residents of all ages and abilities.

Tracy Warhurst-Walker is a member of the 6th generation of her family to live in Stocksfield. She is interested in Planning & Highways issues and the needs of young adults in the village. With a son who plays golf and a daughter who loves her horse she says village life is great.

Another Stocksfield resident has expressed an interest in becoming a councillor and will be co-opted onto the council at the September 2007 meeting.

Retiring Parish Councillors

This year has seen the retirement of seven of our Parish Councillors.

Anne Davison retired in late 2006, and her input to the village's play facilities was acknowl- edged in the December issue of NE43 News, but we are grateful for her continuing efforts as a member of the Branch End Play Area Regeneration group.

Malcolm Chainey first joined the Parish Council in 1995 and since then has worked tirelessly on footpaths and environmental matters and also on transport. He has been Chairman of the Parish Council and convenor of the Footpaths and Environment Group. His has made an immense contribution to our understanding of, and response to, various policy and technical documents and his expertise will be sorely missed.

Eileen Drew also joined the Parish Council in 1995 and her particular interests have included planning and health. She too has been Chairman of the Parish Council and is now a district councillor. Eileen's knowledge of legal issues has also been most helpful.

Marcia Hedley and Lorraine Wade were co-opted to the Parish Council in 2000 and Jodie Barwick-Bell and Darren Levitt in 2003. Marcia's particular interest has been the footpaths and bridleways of the parish whilst Lorraine's efforts have been directed to the regeneration of Branch End Play Area and planning. Jodie was interested in Planning, the Branch End Play Area regeneration, and the development of the website, and her advice on financial matters was also appreciated. Darren has been involved in planning matters.

On behalf of the residents of the parish we would like to record our thanks for the dedication and enthusiasm of all these former councillors, and wish them well for the future.

Branch End Play Area - Regeneration - Phase 2

Many thanks to everyone who took part in the bag pack at Tesco on 21st April. A magnificent £740 was made towards the costs of this project.

On 29th April a Charity Candle Sale was held at the Dr Syntax with the proceeds being split between Cancer charities and Branch End Play Area. £100 was made for the Play Area and thanks are due to all concerned.

If you can help in any way to raise funds to help pay for the second phase of the play area regeneration and help us provide new equipment for older children, please contact Diane Hinchcliffe on 01661 843991.

Careless or Inconsiderate Vehicle Drivers

Parking in Stocksfield At a recent Parish Council meeting concern was again expressed about thoughtless parking near road junctions and in narrow streets. We know that it is difficult for residents without off-street parking to park near their properties, but equally it is dangerous and contravenes the Highway Code to park too near junctions and opposite other parked cars. Recently an ambulance found it difficult to drive down Guessburn because of poor parking: the very large refuse collection vehicles also find it difficult to access certain roads, with the result that they have to return later or not empty the bins. Several junctions on New Ridley Road have limited visibility, but are made more hazardous by cars and large vehicles being parked too near to them. It is difficult for drivers to emerge safely on to New Ridley Road.The junction of Painshawfield Road and New Ridley Road is a particularly difficult one, and it has been suggested that some additional hard-standing could be created at the entrance to Birkdene. Would they be used by residents of Painshawfield Road? Please let us know your views.

Finally a reminder of the Highway Code:

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.

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
• opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
• near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
• opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle
• where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users
• in front of an entrance to a property
• on a bend.

Dog Walkers

Congratulations on picking up your dog waste but please take the plastic bag and put it in the nearest dog waste bin, or, failing that a litter bin, or take it home and put it in your own dust bin. Please do not just drop the plastic bags into the nearest grass verge or hedge back. The bags do not rot and look extremely unsightly.

We have also had complaints about the amount of dog mess on certain paths, particularly that between 107 and 109 New Ridley Road. Can we urge dog owners to pick up their dog's waste. Apart from the health hazard to young children in particular it is very unpleasant having to negotiate footpaths through large quantities of dog waste.

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

Provision of facilities for young people in Stocksfield

At the recent Annual Parish Meeting the main topic for debate was The provision of facilities and services for young people in the Parish. The meeting highlighted the fact that the parish is well- provided with sports facilities (cricket, football, tennis and golf in particular) and that these are mainly taken up by boys. There are regular youth club sessions at the Community Centre and Baptist Church Hall, and thriving Scout and Guide movements, with waiting lists for the Cubs. Scout and Guide activities might be able increase if there were more volunteers to help run the groups. The Mid Tyne Kids Club (based at Broomley School) provides out of school care for children aged between 4 and 14 both during term time and in the school holidays.

Could we have a Youth Council or Forum, so that younger residents feel more involved? Due to exams and school work it seems difficult for young people to give on-going commitment to such a project. If you are under 18 and think otherwise, please let us know!

Larger youth clubs and facilities in both Hexham and Prudhoe are open to our young people, including such things as swimming pools, skate parks and gyms which cannot be provided in Stocksfield. The Parish Council has made a donation to the Selefest in July, and we hope our young residents will enjoy this event.

There appears, however, to be a shortage of activities for girls and for those young people who are less interested in sport. There are venues in Stocksfield which could be used for non-sporting activities, but the provision of these (and indeed those activities already well-supported) depends on the active support of dedicated volunteers.

If you have ideas for another activity for young people (particularly perhaps for girls – a dance club? – or for those with non-sporting interests) we would be very pleased to publicise it in NE43 News. The Warden at the Community Centre (842346) or members of the Parish Council, or the booking secretaries of our various church halls would, we are sure, be very pleased to help you set up and develop such a group. The Council is empowered to give small grants to voluntary organisations in the Parish.

The Parish Council will be re-issuing its Information Card later in the year and would welcome input from any club or organisation. This information is also available on this website, click on Local Information, to see what clubs and organisations already operate in Stocksfield and to discover the contact details of their secretaries.

A full report on the Annual Parish Meeting will be posted on the website.

Successes!

If your team or organisation has been particularly successful or has something to celebrate, do let us know. The next issue of NE43 News will be published in the early autumn. Contact the Clerk Margaret Williams - 01661 843114 - Click to e-mail for further information.

Some recent sporting successes

The Football teams have had a very successful season, as their report shows:

• Senior Team won promotion to the 1st Division of the Northern Football Alliance. The team suffered no defeats in 2007 which helped them achieve this amazing feat of promotion in their second year as a Saturday team.
• Senior Sunday Team won Hexham & District league for the second year running and have confirmed they are the leading team in the area.
• Under 17s won league and cup double.
• Under 13s won cup.
• 1st ever ladies team.

During the season, an average of 35 kids (aged between 3 & 10) turned up for Saturday soccer on a regular basis. This has been a great opportunity to develop the children's football skills as well as teaching them team work and communication and giving them exercise. Thanks are due to all players, coaches, team officials and volunteers for their continued support and hard work towards the development of Stocksfield FC. The club is not only renowned for its quality football teams but also for its fairplay and hospitality for all teams.

And Netball: Congratulations to all the girls who play for Stocksfield Netball Club, as we understand that they have enjoyed total success in all the different age groups of the local league during the winter season. All those Saturday morning practices have produced the desired results!

Selefest 2007 Saturday 7th July 12.30 p.m. to 6.0 p.m

The Sele Hexham Parks Selefest 2007 is a major free event for young people in Tynedale. Expect the trademark mix of board, blade, bmx, live bands, acoustic acts, acrobatics, dance, graffiti, workshops and more. Come and join professionals from Team Extreme on the skate park for a day of demos, competitions and coaching; other highlights include Hang Trapeze Act and workshops, Terpsichore Dance, lots of live bands, acoustic acts and a 7.5 metre climbing wall for all ages. Selefest is for 8 to 25 year olds and everyone who is young at heart. Selefest is an alcohol free zone. Young people under 13 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Check out Tynedale Council's website www.tynedale.gov.uk for further details or call 01434 652344 or 65224 in office hours.

Spruce up Stocksfield Day

Many thanks to all of you who took part in this event either on the Saturday morning or at some other time during the week. Your efforts are much appreciated. We are sorry that the skip was taken away so soon. This was entirely beyond our control.

Kate's Plain

Parish Councillors were disappointed to hear that once again the fence behind the teenshelter at Kate's Plain has been damaged. Can we re-iterate that there is no access to Kate's Plain from the A695. The field is private property and there is no footpath or right of way across it.

Can parents and guardians please bring this to the notice of their children. Thank you.

Fly Tipping

While anxious not to create a sterile environment, the Parish Council also tries to ensure that the roadsides are kept tidy and free of litter, to this end we would ask residents not to tip garden waste on verges or in hedge backs. Garden waste that cannot be disposed of within your own gardens can be taken to the County Council waste disposal facilities at Prudhoe or Hexham.

Annual Concert

In aid of the ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY Peter Pengilly and his friends will be giving the Annual Concert in aid of the Alzheimer's Society in Stocksfield Community Centre at 3 pm on September 29th. Songs, musical comedy numbers and operatic arias. Tickets £5 from Peter at 01661 842130 or at the door.

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 with a request for information.

If your organisation has not yet received an update request,please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council, Margaret Williams - 01661 843114 - Click to e-mail.

This information is already available on this website by clicking the Local Information link.

Multi Use Games Area Regeneration

At the recent Annual Parish Meeting it was acknowledge that this facility continued to deteriorate. It was reported that funding for its refurbishment was now being sought and that applications had been submitted to various bodies. The current position is: Funds secured/promised £40,000 Funds applied for: SITA £50,000 Football Association £75,000 It is expected that notification of the success (or otherwise) of these applications should be received in the late summer.

Hedge Cutting

Can we ask that when you are cutting your hedges you cut them back far enough to ensure that all footpaths and pavements are wide enough to enable pedestrians, wheelchair and electric scooter users and parents with buggies to use them safely and comfortably. Many thanks

Website - www.stocksfield.org Calendar

We would like to start building a calendar of events and claiming dates on the website. If you have an event you would like to publicise or date you would like to claim for a future event, please contact the Webmaster with details of the date of event and venue. Please visit the website for contact details. www.stocksfield.org