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Construction work is now nearing completion on the second phase of the regeneration
of the Branch End Play Area. Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery, and the
hard work put in by the Branch End Play Area regeneration group, we will soon
have a new play area for 8-16 year olds.
A massive £50,000 was received from the Big Lottery Fund, part of the National
Lottery, and additional funding came from Northumberland County Council, Waitrose
Supermarket and Tynedale Council, who also helped with the application for Big
Lottery funding. The remainder of the money came from generous donations and
from fundraising events.
The Grand Opening of the new play equipment will take place in early January,
possibly on Saturday 5th, but the exact date, when known, will be announced on
the website, and in the Hexham Courant. The Parish Council hopes that the newly
installed equipment will be enjoyed and looked after by all.
The next stage of the regeneration of the play area, is the construction
of the new access ramp and footpaths. Once that is complete the Sensory Garden
will be made and by early summer 2008 the regeneration of Branch End Play Area
will be complete.
Once again we extend our thanks and appreciation to everyone who has been
involved in or made a contribution to this enormous project.
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 Last
year, the Stocksfield Scout Post proved once again to be very popular. Now in
its sixth year, Scout Post is again available to deliver your local Christmas
cards, to addresses within the NE43 area only, from 3th December. Last collection
is at 5 pm on 18th December.
The Scouts are asking for a donation, minimum 12p, for each card posted and
would like to thank the two Stocksfield Post Offices who have generously agreed
to accept a Post Box.
When posting, if you are a tax payer, please complete the green envelopes,
the Scouts get an additional 28p for every pound donated. All profits go to the
Scout Hut rebuilding fund. Any queries please to Philippa Harpin, 01661 842302.
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Football Foundation
As you may be aware by now the Football Foundation have made a grant of £73,000
towards the cost of the improvements to the Multi Use Games Area. This is in
addition to the £50,000 already granted by SITA. Great news! The old games
area has been demolished, and work to construct the new games area has already
started.
Regeneration
Congratulations are due to the members of the Regeneration Group who have worked
so hard to prepare the documentation which has resulted in the successful outcome
of these bids.
Training facility
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 our Football, Cricket and Rugby Clubs, and will also be available
to Broomley First School.
Bookings
Work is currently under way to set up the booking system for the new Games Area,
which will be available for both one-off and block bookings. Details of the charges
and conditions of use will be put on the website as soon as possible, and will
also be available from the Parish Clerk.
Car Parking
During construction it is likely that the car parking space at the Sportsfield
will be much reduced. We hope it will not be necessary to remove the recycling
skips from the site, but if this becomes unavoidable please remember the alternative
facilities at the Co-op in Prudhoe, the Wellington in Riding Mill and of course
the public amenity tips at West Wylam and Hexham.
Launch
We look forward to announcing the grand launch of the new Multi-Use Games Area
(MUGA) in early spring. Details will be on the website.
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With best wishes for a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and
prosperous year in 2008, from Broomley & Stocksfield Parish Council.
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The Parish Council is working to make the walk to school safer and more pleasant
for children and parents.
We have written to several haulage companies, asking them to consider implementing
measures to reduce the risk of accidents. This includes routing vehicles away
from Stocksfield, and avoiding driving through the village at the start and end
of the school day.
The Parish Council is considering introducing two Vehicle Activated Calming
Signs, the flashing signs triggered by cars that are exceeding the speed limit.
We have identified locations where these signs will have maximum effect, and
have budgeted for these signs. If you wish to comment on this proposal, please
contact the clerk, or any Parish Councillor.
Plans for a new route for heavy vehicles from Prudhoe to the A69 will not
now be implemented for at least twenty years.
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Information Card
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Unfortunately there are a couple of errors in the recently delivered Information
Card. Our apologies
to anyone who has been inconvenienced by these errors. The amendments, and any
up-dates, will be included on this website.
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The Parish Council is very grateful to Broomley School and
the Doctor Syntax Pub for their support in the lighting of the Christmas trees.
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Local Government Reorganisation
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The Parish Council has been consulted by the various authorities concerned
with the re-organisation of local government and the creation of a new unitary
authority for Northumberland, and is making representations, primarily about
the parish’s place in a ‘Belonging Community’.
If you have any views on this matter which you would like the Parish Council
to put forward on your behalf, please contact the Clerk, the Chairman or any
Parish Councillor as a matter of urgency.
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Recycling Facility
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The wheelie bins at the recycling area at the sportsfield,
which have been provided for plastic bags etc, will soon be removed. This is
because on too many occasions these are being used for inappropriate waste and
for fly tipping.
As in other areas where there are re-cycling skips for glass,
paper, etc. no additional bins for waste will be provided.
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Stocksfield Burn
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Concern was raised at a recent meeting of the Rights of Way & Environment
Group of the Parish Council regarding the tipping of garden waste onto the bank
of Stocksfield Burn along the footpath behind Mount View Terrace and Guessburn.
The bank is very steep at some points and the garden waste is falling into
the water. When the burn is in flood this waste will be carried away down stream.
At other points the garden waste is encroaching on the newly created footpath.
Residents
are respectfully asked not to tip their garden waste onto the footpath or into
the burn.
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Despite the expectation that the non-urgent emergency number 101 service would
be rolled out nationwide, funding is to be withdrawn from the successful scheme.
The Northumbria area 101 service
will be discontinued in February 2008.
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Possible new footpaths along the south bank of the Tyne
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The Parish Footpaths Group has recently agreed to extend its brief to include
environmental issues and is now renamed as the Rights of Way & Environment
Group. It has a major project on which to direct its efforts in the establishment
of a new footpath along the south bank of the Tyne from Eltringham to Bywell
Bridge. This will also include developing the ponds formed on the site of Merryshields
Quarry as a conservation area.
Anyone who is interested in becoming involved with an environmental project
in Stocksfield would be most welcome to join the ‘Rights of Way & Environment
Group’ please contact the Parish Clerk or Norman Hooks, the Parish Councillor
responsible for Environmental matters.
The Group or the Parish Council would very much welcome ideas for debate,
suggestions for projects on matters involving environmental issues, development
of footpaths etc. which you might like to put forward.
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Father Tom Emmett retires
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After twenty years service to Bywell St. Peter’s Parish and St. George's,
Mickley, Father Tom's last service here was on Sunday 25th November. He
preached to a packed congregation and was later joined by many parishioners in
St. John's Hall for a finger buffet and a farewell presentation, including
the gift of a teak garden chair. Tom, and his wife Jennifer, are now looking
forward to a long and happy retirement, but they aren't going far. They
are swapping the Vicarage, for a house on Castlefields in Prudhoe.
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Hanging Baskets
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Earlier this year the Parish Council purchased ten hanging baskets to supplement
the twenty given us by Tynedale.
We have now collected in all the hanging baskets and replanted and distributed
the ten we own. We are very grateful to those organisations who are continuing
to look after hanging baskets through the winter. We are sure they are much appreciated.
Hopefully we will have more hanging baskets next summer to distribute around
the village.
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Parish Council Contracts 2008-2011
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The Parish Council is looking for individuals or organisations to submit tenders
for the contracts for Parish Handyman and for grass cutting for a three year
period, starting on 1st April 2008. Full details can be obtained from the Clerk.
Tenders are needed by 15th February 2008.
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Future Parish Council Meetings
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Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month in the Community Centre
starting at 7.30 p.m.
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Monday 21st April. Members
of the public are warmly invited to attend Parish Council meetings and Public
Participation is always included on the agenda. The full Minutes of Parish Council
Meetings are posted on the notice boards and on this website, click the 'Meetings'
link on the left.
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