The Parish Council will be considering its budgets for 2008/09 over the next couple of months. Organisations wishing to be considered for support in the next financial year should submit their application to the Clerk by 1st December. Applications should contain details of the project to be funded, together with a copy of the organisation's most recent accounts.

Tynedale Local Development Framework – Site Allocations Plan

As part of the development of the Tynedale Local Development Framework, the Parish Council was asked to hold a public meeting to discuss the sites put forward for consideration for development in the future. Around 100 residents packed into the Main Hall at the Community Centre on 30th July. Full Minutes of the meeting will be prepared and will be published in due course.

However, the overwhelming feeling of the meeting was that there should be no development on green belt sites in Stocksfield. Residents also raised concerns about the impact that large scale developments would have on traffic levels, schools and Doctors' surgeries. The ability of current drainage systems to handle run-off in periods of heavy rainfall was also queried.

There were also concerns that young people were forced to move away from Stocksfield because of the lack of affordable housing. The views of the meeting formed the basis of the Parish Council's response to Tynedale on this subject. You can see our response here.

Branch End Play Area Update

All the necessary funding has been secured for the next phase of the improvements to Branch End Play Area. It is planned, therefore, that the installation of the new equipment will start in the first half of the autumn term. It is then hoped that the new entrance will be installed and paths made in the second half of the autumn term with the Sensory Garden being created next spring. We will then have a wonderful play area for all to enjoy.

Special thanks and congratulations are due to the Regeneration Group and to everyone else involved, whose hard work and dedication have brought this enormous project to a successful conclusion. Thanks are also due to all those organisations and individuals who have contributed towards the cost of this project.

Multi Use Games Area Redevelopment - Update

Over the summer the Parish Council was advised that SITA were to make a grant of £50,000 towards the cost of this project. News of other grant applications is expected shortly. Assuming that they are successful then refurbishment of the multi-sports area will take place early in 2008. Anyone who would like to make a contribution towards the cost (around £170,000 in total) should contact Julia Sayce on 01661 843523 or the Clerk 01661 843114 Click to e-mail.

Multi Use Games Area Redevelopment - Latest News

We have just heard that the Football Foundation is to grant £73,000 towards the cost of this project. This is in addition to the £50,000 already granted by SITA. This is great news and means that the project will go ahead in the late autumn. Congratulations are due to all from the Regeneration Group and the Parish Council who have worked so hard to prepare the documentation which has resulted in the successful outcome of these bids.

We are very grateful to both the Football Foundation and SITA for their support for this project.

This improved multi-use games area will provide a modern five-a-side football pitch and opportunities for various other games. It will be used as a training facility by out Football, Cricket and Rugby Clubs, and will also be available for Broomley First School.

Once the new area is complete full details of the games that can be played and the charges for its use will be published on this website.

Parish Council

At the July meeting of the Parish Council Steve Gleadhill was co-opted as a member of the Council, thus bringing the number of councillors up to the full complement of 12.

Steve Gleadhill, has lived in Stocksfield for nearly 22 years, and has recently retired after 32 years in local government as a librarian at Newcastle City Libraries (for 20 years) and in Area regeneration for Newcastle, Sunderland and South Tyneside local authorities.

While living in Stocksfield, he has been a playing member and a committee member of the Cricket Club and recently "retired" from the Stocksfield Players, where he was an active member of the cast. He is also a member of the Stocksfield Golf Club.

Over the next 12 months the Parish Council will continue to work for the benefit of the whole community and expects that the regeneration of Branch End Play Area and the Multi-Use Games Area will be completed.

Information Card

The latest edition of the Parish Information Card has been delievered to every house in Stocksfield. We have tried very hard to include up-to-date information and to ensure that the information is accurate - however, if we have made a mistake - our apologies. Although the Information Card is only published every four years, the information contained therein will be continually up-dated on this website, see the Local Information page.

If you have any amendments, additions or deletions to make, please either advise the Clerk 01661 843114 Click to e-mail, or contact the Webmaster 01661 844855 Click to e-mail.

What's on over the coming few months?

Below we give the autumn programmes for a few of our clubs and societies - please see the Information Card for further details of what activities are available in and around Stocksfield. If you have ideas for a new club or society which you would like to start, do let us know.

Stocksfield Retired Men's Association Meetings are held in the Baptist Church Hall on the first and third Thursday of the month at 10.30 a.m. Further information from Ian Newton 01661 843898. The programme to Christmas is:
4th October - Horticultural Matters - Mrs Libby Scott
18th October - Mary Queen of Scots - Prof. John Berry
1st November - History of Picture Postcards - George Nairn
15th November - Prison & Drugs - Barry Craven
6th December - AGM, Carol Service & Christmas Lunch
20th December - No Meeting

Stocksfield WI programme The WI meets at 7.30 p.m. in the Community Centre. Further information from Pat Brydie 01661 842938. The programme to Christmas is:
3rd October - Mrs Sheila Robson - Fit for Life
7th November - James Dobson - Festive Origami
5th December - Christmas Meal with entertainment
Visitors and new members always welcome

Stocksfield Local History Society Programme The History Society meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Community Centre. Meetings start at 7.30 p.m. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Contact Dennis Harding 01661 843170, for more information.
10th October - AGM and a talk by Andrew Palmer - The New Police of Tynedale 1857—1907
14th November - Jacobite Rebellion in Northumberland 1715 & 1745 - Mr M Furlonger
12th December - Castles in Northumberland - Dr. C. M. Fraser

Stocksfield South of Tyne Flower Club Meetings are held on 1st Thursday of the month in the Community Centre at 1.30 p.m. More information from Mrs M Chrisp 0191 413 2483. New members are always welcome.
4th October - Cynthia Scott AD - Spice of Life
19th October - Farm Supper - Entertainment & hat competition
1st November - Susan Hall AD - Seasonal Inspirations Additional Evening Meetings
23rd November - Open Evening Meeting - Venue to be arranged Tudor Christmas with Kate Russell & Patti Dawson

Plants and Gardens Society Meetings are held in Stocksfield Community Centre on the third Tuesday of the month at 7.30 pm. New members are always welcome Further information from Mrs Cathy Carter 01661 842126.
Tuesday 16th October - David Hall: 'Shrubs for Winter Colour'. Local Nurseryman, David Hall, will show how to extend the season of interest in the garden with a choice selection of hardy shrubs.
Tuesday 20th November - Susie White: 'Gardens of Northumberland and the Borders'. Susie White from Chesters Walled Garden, will talk about her recently published book, showing some of the gems we have on our doorstep. Her talk will be illustrated with Simon Fraser's stunning photographs.
11th December - Members' Evening and AGM

Stocksfield Art Club Programme Meetings are held in Stocksfield Community Centre at 7.30 p.m. New members and visitors are always welcome. For more information contact Mrs Muriel Pengilly 01661 842130.
25th October - Brian Sefton (Retired principle lecturer in Art History). He will give one of his interesting talks on a particular artist or group of artists and illustrating his talk with slides.
29th November - Sylvia Lynch, local artist and illustrator, will be giving a pastel demonstration. December - No meeting

Walk Your Way to Health

As part of Tynedale's Health Walks project, a walk is held each week in Stocksfield. 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 walks in Stocksfield take place on Monday mornings, 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. As an added incentive and a further opportunity for a chat, the Methodist 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.

WHAT'S ON AT SICA (Community Centre)

Regular weekly activities - starting in September - further details from the Warden, Mary McArthur, 01661 842346.

Membership subscriptions for Stocksfield Institute Community Association (SICA - Community Centre) are now due. To find out what goes on at the Community Centre and how you can become involved or start a new group or club, please contact the Warden, Mary McArthur, on 01661 842346.

Dates for your diary:

2nd October - Blood Donor Session - Community Centre

6th October - Scouts' Jumble Sale - Community Centre

29th November - 1st December - Stocksfield Players - Community Centre

7th December - Ravenswood Singers - Community Centre

8th December - Carol Service - Churches Together - Community Centre

Feet First Dance

An exciting new Dance Class is to start at the Community Centre on Saturdays from the beginning of October. This is for children (boys as well as girls) from 3 to 16 and will include Stage, Jazz and Pop.

For lots more information contact Lucy Hudson on 0785 576 1199 or Jayne Atkinson on 0773 857 2173. Call now as places fill up fast!

Kate's Plain (Guessburn) Play Area

Over the past five years residents and the Parish Council have raised tens of thousands of pounds to provide new equipment and safe places for our children to play. The Parish Council is extremely annoyed and concerned that one or two people apparently think that is acceptable to make a hole in the fence at Kate's Plain so that they can take a short cut into the field. The time and effort taken to "unknit" the fence could have been spent walking along the road to Mount View Terrace.

Every time the Parish Council has to repair this fence, it means that funds that might have been spent elsewhere have to be diverted. If you know who is damaging the fence, you might remind them of this fact and also of the fact that there is no right of way across the field from the A695. That field is private property. Thank you.

Sportsfield Oak Trees

Parish Clerk

The Parish Council has been advised that over the next few weeks NEDL's contractors, Bethell, will be pruning the oak trees adjacent to the Sportsfield Car Park by up to 2.5 metres. This work is necessary to establish statutory clearances to maintain safety and security of the electricity supply and to protect the public from gaining accidental access to the power line which could result in electrocution.

The Clerk will be taking leave of absence at the end of October until early December.

For matters relating to the Parish Council during this period please contact a parish councillor or the Chairman of the Parish Council, Julia Sayce, on 01661 843523.

Gatherings for the Elderly

The Churches in Stocksfield each hold regular meetings for senior members of the Community. You do not have to be a regular church-goer or a member of a particular denomination to join in these activities. Actually, you don't even have to be a pensioner. Do feel free to visit any of all these meetings for a pleasant hour or two with friends.

Methodist Church Hall - Coffee Club 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month 10 a.m.-12 noon. A minibus picks people up from the top end of the village (Birkdene/New Ridley Road, etc.) at a cost of £1 return. As well as a social gathering there are regular speakers and the occasional outing.

Baptist Church Hall - Luncheon Club - 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month Contact: - Mrs M Lennox - 0191 413 2205

St John's Church Hall - Coffee morning 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10.30 a.m. 01661 842272. For further information see the contact numbers under Local Churches on the Parish Information Card.

A new service for the local community.

Stocksfield couple Cathy and Brian Carter have just launched a new venture looking after pets and plants in the area, mainly whilst householders are away on holiday, but also during any period of absence. The service is aimed primarily at people with garden-care and watering requirements or those looking for alternative petcare.

Cathy and Brian have been accredited by the National Association of Registered Petsitters to board up to two dogs in their own home, as well as care for small animals in their familiar home environment. Pets and Plants is also there to fit in with the needs of anyone going away for whatever reason. Details can be found here or contact Brian or Cathy on 01661 842126 for further information.

KEEP STOCKSFIELD TIDY

Can we remind residents that the Re-cycling facilities at the Sportsfield are limited to Paper, Glass, Cans, Clothing and Books.

Please DO NOT leave any waste other than plastic bags in the Wheelie Bins. If the re-cycling skips are full please do not leave your waste beside them - take it away and bring it back when the skips have been emptied. If the skips are full please either ring Tynedale and advise them or ring the Clerk to the Parish Council who will ask Tynedale to empty the skips.

Please note: The Re-cycling area at the Stocksfield Sportsfield is not a civic amenity site and should not be used as such. Garden waste, furniture and other general waste should not be left at this site. THE SITE IS ONLY FOR RECYCLABLE WASTE.

The nearest civic amenity sites are at Prudhoe and Hexham. Bulky waste can be collected by Tynedale Council - please call 01434 652 121 for further information.

Northumberland STARS

STARS - Small Task & Repair Service - The 'Free' Handyperson service for anyone who is over 60 or has a disability now operates countywide. STARS can fix curtain rails, hang curtains, put in safety items, check & fit smoke alarms, move furniture, etc. To find out more about STARS call 01670 351135 or visit their website.

NEW NUMBER FOR OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS

Health Chiefs in Northumberland have introduced a single telephone number for Hexham, North Tyneside and Wansbeck Hospitals. It is: 0844 811 8111

Hedges

While we appreciate that the growth of hedges this season has been exceptional the Parish Council is continually reminded by residents that pavements and footpaths are becoming increasingly difficult to negotiate by pedestrians and those residents with pushchairs and electric wheelchairs. Can we ask everyone whose hedge borders a pavement or footpath to ensure that the hedge is cut back hard to enable users of the paths to do so in safety and comfort. Many thanks for your co-operation.

Christmas Cards!

Churches Together in Stocksfield will be holding their annual Charity Christmas Card Sale in the Community Centre on Saturday, 3rd November from 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon. If you would like to support your favourite charity by having a stall, please get in touch with Julia Sayce (01661 843523).

Father Tom Emmett

Hanging Baskets

We are very grateful to those traders and organisations who offered to take Hanging Baskets this summer.

The baskets are looking most attractive.

Our thanks also go to the Parish Handyman who has kept our tubs and planted areas looking fresh and colourful all summer.

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.

Car Parking

At the last Parish Council meeting, concern was expressed that where cars were being parked on pavements (Birches Nook Road and Cade Hill Road were cited in particular) users of electric wheelchairs and parents with buggies were then unable to use the pavements. Please park with consideration for both road users and pedestrians.

Street Lights

Street lighting Faults in street lights can be reported to the County Council. You will need to give the reference of the light, which is on the pole, e.g. KD6 and its location, e.g. on the railway bridge on the A695, Stocksfield. Freephone 08000 850029 Water Leakline - Freephone 0800 393 084 Potholes - Call Pot Hole Pete, The Pot Hole Fixer - 0808 100 8910

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Day is Sunday 11th November. As usual this will be marked by a short service at the War Memorial at 10.55 a.m.