Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 24th December 2020
- St. Peter’s church, Falstone, would like to thank everyone in the North Tyne Valley for donating chocolate selection boxes to the West Northumberland food bank. A total of 125 boxes were donated, which is amazing – and will make a real difference. Sadly, due to increasing numbers of CV-19 cases in the valley, the church has had to cancel its scheduled outdoor crib carol service on Christmas Eve. The church will still be open for private prayers, however, and the prayers tree is in the church yard. If anyone would like to subscribe to the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ church magazine, please contact Jill Swaile on 240168 - you will get 11 issues for just £6.50. Everyone at St. Peter’s would like to wish you all a happy Christmas.
- Because the rate of cases of CV-19 in the Bellingham and North Tyne local area and because the government are advising great caution over the Christmas period, St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn has also taken the sad decision to cancel the traditional Christmas Day Communion service at 11.15am. The church will remain open for private prayer, however, and is entered into the Tarset Christmas Challenge, so is beautifully decorated. There is a prayer tree in the porch and carol sheets are available, which you are welcome to borrow and return at a later date, or to use whilst in the church to sing carols in your family bubbles. The church will also be regularly sanitised to make sure it is safe for visitors.
- If you have anything you would like me to include in the Village Notes over the next couple of weeks, please note that the deadline for letting me have any info for the edition which will be coming out on December 31st is Weds December 23rd, and for the January 7th edition, it is Weds December 30th.
- In the meantime, I hope you all stay safe and happy this Christmas and that everyone has a wonderful time in spite of the strange circumstances we find ourselves in!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 17th December 2020
- The outdoor Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be on Sunday 20th at 4pm and will go ahead unless the powers-that-be advise against it, or the weather is too terrible! On Christmas Day, there will be a Communion Service will be at 11.15am inside the Church. If you are bringing a large family bubble please can you let Caroline know in advance so she can plan the safe distanced seating accordingly. For those who can’t attend in person, there are services online and by Zoom both from this area (contact Elaine 01830 520212 [email protected]), from Newcastle Cathedral, and from the Church of England.
- A thought for Christmas from Rob Tindall, taken from the Newcastle Guardian & Tyne Mercury, Saturday 24th August 1861 (‘Holt’ occurs a lot for ‘Hott’ a number of times in the Victorian press): “On Wednesday last, the children of the Presbyterian School Holt, near Bellingham, took a trip to Hexham, where the Hexham Band of Hope joined and escorted them through the town. The sight was rather a novel one, as three-fourths of the youngsters had never been from home before. Some of the most diminutive of the lot said they did not think there was such large place in the world.”
- If you have anything you would like me to include in the Village Notes over the Christmas period, the deadline for the December 24th edition is Weds, December 16th and for the December 31st edition, it is Weds December 23rd.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 10th December 2020
- A quick reminder that if you want to join in, the Tarset COVID-Christmas challenge starts on the 13th December, running till 6th January 2021 and between these dates, there will be a public vote for people’s top three favourites. Categories include: Window decorations that can be seen from the road, path or driveway, door wreaths or dressing, a tree in the garden, an outdoor Christmas scene or scarecrow, something unique to your home or something COVID related. All “installations” of course, can be set up whenever the urge takes you! Even if you don’t yet know what you’re going to make, Please let Daryl and Sarah know that you are joining in, and they will produce and circulate a map showing the locations for people to keep an eye on.
- This year, the annual Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn will be outdoors. The service, still by candle-light, will be based on the theme of ‘Comfort and Joy’ and will take place on Sunday 20th December at 4pm. Please wrap up warm and bring your mask, a torch or lantern, mulled wine, mince pie and seat if you need one. Come along and join in the Christmas celebrations - this promises to be a lovely evening.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 3rd December 2020
As we all know, Christmas is likely to be somewhat different this year, but the various churches in our area are very much focussed on what they can do to celebrate Christmas and Advent. St Peter’s, Falstone is still collecting for the West Northumberland Food Bank and is also collecting chocolate selection boxes for disadvantaged children (please leave all food donations and chocolate boxes in the foodbank collection point at the gate of St Peter’s by 16th December or ring Jill Swaile, Jean Swailes or Marie Ness on 240168). It is also hoped that St Peter’s will be able to hold a Children’s (and adults’) Crib Carol Service on Christmas Eve around the Cross in the Church Yard at 3.30pm on 24th December, and will be able to sing well known and loved Christmas Carols. Also at the gate of St Peter’s is a Memory Christmas Tree for people to place wooden decorations (which are provided) celebrating the lives of people they love and miss. In the meantime, each Sunday at 9.30am you can join a service online (via “Zoom” or your telephone - please e-mail [email protected] or call 01830 520212 for further info) and St. Peter’s Church is open at all times for private prayer.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 26th November 2020
- There will be a change of time and venue for the annual Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, this year. The service, still by candlelight, will be outdoors and based on the theme of ‘Comfort and Joy’ (which thoughts may be firmly in your minds, depending on the weather) on Sunday 20th December at 4pm. Please wrap up warm and bring a torch or lantern, mulled wine, mince pie and seat if you need one. Although the reason for the service being outside may be a sad and unusual one, the service itself promises to be unique and lovely, so why not come along and join in the Christmas celebrations!
- If you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it. If you have anything you want to publicise or simply tell people about, please email your info to [email protected] on the Sunday so it can be included in that week’s paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 19th November 2020
- This year for Christmas, donations of chocolate selection boxes for disadvantaged children are being collected at St. Peter’s church, Falstone. If you are able to help, please leave them in the collection point at the gate of St. Peter’s before the 6th of December. Thank you in advance(!) and please feel free to contact Jill Swaile for further details: 01434 240168.
- Tarset COVID Christmas Challenge update: The details have now been finalised and the idea is to give everyone something positive to chat about and enjoy without going into someone's house or garden. Categories include: Window decorations that can be seen from the road, path or driveway, door wreaths or dressing, a tree in the garden, an outdoor Christmas scene or scarecrow, something unique to your home or something COVID related. Please remember we are in a Dark Skies Park, so no bright lights! The challenge will run between Dec 13th and Jan 6th 2021, but obviously installations (*ahem*) may begin whenever the urge takes you, and between these dates, there will be a public vote for people’s top three favourites. Even if you don’t yet know what you’re going to make, Please let Darrell and Sarah know that you are joining in, and they will produce and circulate a map showing locations. May the spirit of Christmas creativity be with you!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 12th November 2020
Challenging all residents of Tarset: Darrell and Sarah are proposing a safe, COVID-compliant challenge to help bring the community together (in a socially distanced way!) and provide a bit of fun and entertainment over the Christmas period as well as giving us all something to work towards during these long, dark nights. The idea is for each household to create a Christmas-themed trail around the valley so that each participant would place outside their house, in a prominent place (or in an easily-visible window if you don’t want to go outside), a Christmas scarecrow, puppet, tree, model, sculpture or scene. A map would be provided so that residents could visit them (either by walking, running, cycling or in cars) any time from the week before Christmas until twelfth night and people could then vote for their favourites. If those who made the Christmassy creations could provide photos, the map could be updated to show which items can be found at which houses. Please remember that we are in a Dark Skies park, so entries shouldn’t contain bright lights. Please let Darrell and Sarah know asap whether your household would be willing to take part.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 5th November 2020
This week, while we wait to find out what new ‘lockdown’ restrictions are in store for us, here’s just a little reminder that if you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it, as I can’t include things or events that I haven’t been told about. Things you can include are local news, live events, details of online meetings and events, announcements, invitations, reviews, amusing happenings in the area or simply general things that you would like people to know about. If you have anything to include, please do email your info to [email protected] on the Sunday, so it can be included in that week’s paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 29th October 2020
- This Sunday sees Parish Worship at St. Peter’s, Falstone, at 11am - celebrating All Saints’ Day and commemorating All Souls’ Day. There is a pebble cross in the church yard where anyone is welcome to add a pebble to remember those they have loved and lost. Inside St. Peter’s, there is also a board where you are invited to pin a heart with your loved one’s name on it, to remember them.
- Throughout November this year, there will be services at churches all around the area to remember those we have loved and lost. At St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, from 28th October to 7th November, there will be a cross outside the church where you can place a stone in memory, and the church will be open so that those who wish to can place hearts in memory of their loved ones on the white cross inside the church. On Sunday 8th November, there will be a Remembrance Sunday Parish Worship service at 6pm in memory of the fallen.
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, was recently used as the background for a short YouTube online murder mystery, set in Tarset(!), for the launch of Anne Cleeves’ latest book “The Darkest Evening”. Why not watch it at https://www.anncleeves.com/vera/witness.html and see if you can guess who the murderer is…
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 22nd October 2020
- A quick reminder that there is a food collection point (for donations to the West Northumberland food bank) at the gate of St Peter's Church Falstone and any donations of non-perishable food would be gratefully received. The collection point also has a new receptacle, which has been very kindly donated by Aimee, Tracy and Carl from Falstone Tea Rooms. There are also collection points at St Cuthbert’s, Bellingham and at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn. Donations are urgently needed at the moment, so if you have any non-perishable foods to spare, please do just donate what you can – many people donating a little can make a lot of difference.
- Remembrance Sunday is on Sunday November 8th and churches across the region are organising Remembrance services. 2020 will, of course, be slightly different in that most will be held outside - strict social distancing rules will apply and you will also need to wear your masks. A number of services may also be available online for people who need to isolate or who can’t make it to the services themselves. Please contact your local churches for details.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 15th October 2020
This week, there’s just a little reminder that if you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don't forget to let me know about it, as I can’t include things or events that I’m not aware of! Things you can include are news, physical events, details of online meetings and events, announcements, invitations, reviews, amusing happenings in the area or simply general things that you would like people to know about. If you have anything to include, please do email your info to [email protected] on the Sunday, so it can be included in that week’s paper. I only have 250 words to play with, but it's surprising what can be included in that limit...
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 8th October 2020
- A quick reminder that St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be holding its Harvest Festival Service this Sunday (11th October) at 6pm. The plan is to meet outside at 6pm so people can safely socially distance and sing a harvest hymn before going into church for the rest of the service.
- An update on the what your local Community Choir has been doing over the course of the year. Song Reivers stopped meeting in person on March 16th with a beautiful and moving final sing and from that point onwards, everything has been moved online. Kathryn Davidson, the choir’s leader, has now started to run the choir via Zoom, and everyone is having lots of fun with it. On Monday mornings at 10am you simply log on to the computer with a cuppa in hand and your music printed out ready (you can even join in wearing your pyjamas of you wish...) and you can then chat and sing for an hour. Zoom choir works by being able to hear everyone when they are chatting but when singing, everyone hears Kathryn only (if you're nervous about hearing your own voice, then wearing headphones can make it easier for you). It's not quite as amazing as being able to sing together live, but it is fantastic if you want to see what choir is about without the worry of anyone else hearing your voice, or if you're feeling a bit lonely during this very strange and isolated year. If you want to be added to the list then please email Kathryn at [email protected] and she will make sure you get the link for the following week's session.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 1st October 2020
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be holding a Harvest Festival Service on Sunday 11th October at 6pm. The plan is to meet outside at 6pm so people can safely socially distance and sing a harvest hymn before going into church for the rest of the service. You can donate tins and dry goods (which will go to the West Northumberland Foodbank or to anyone locally that needs them) and there will also be boxes at the back of the church if you would like to donate something but do not want to come to the service. If you want to donate fresh garden produce or fruit and vegetables, please drop them off with Caroline. They will be used to decorate the church and will then be made into soup and tarts and distributed locally to the older members of our community and anyone who is isolating, sadly without prolonged visiting.
- Given the rapidly developing situation and the current COVID 19 regulations in force in Northumberland, the Village Hall committee has taken the decision to suspend planned events for the time being. This is disappointing but it was felt that the current uncertainty left the committee with little choice. This does mean that the First Thursday Film series originally planned for relaunch on Thurs 1st October, has been postponed until it is felt safe to resume. The committee would like to thank you for your understanding and will keep you updated on plans as things change.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 24th September 2020
It is clear that the latest restrictions are likely to keep changing as the COVID-19 situation develops and as a result, Tarset Village Hall (TVH) Committee has made some changes to its proposed programme of events. Assuming our local restrictions remain as they are, First Thursday Films’ new season will start on Thursday 1st October with the Tom Hanks film, ‘Big’ (places are strictly limited, so you will need to book in advance) and the week of 4th - 10th October will see the ‘Lockdown Art, Craft and Photograph’ Exhibition. The Hall is classed as COVID-19 secure, has undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment and has put extensive mitigating measures in place. The current level of uncertainty, however, makes planning for larger events very challenging and the committee has therefore decided to postpone the return of ‘Pointless’ originally scheduled for early October, and to cancel the Tarset Christmas Party on 12th December. While this may be disappointing news, it is unlikely to come as a surprise. Events will be re-scheduled as soon as it is safe to do so and in the meantime, the Committee will keep you informed of any further changes as and when they occur.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 17th September 2020
- The next Communion Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be on Sunday 27th September at 11am. And there will be a Harvest Festival Service on Sunday 11th of October at 6pm – details (and logistics) to follow.
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, has some maintenance tasks to carry out on the church and its grounds before winter – such as climbing ladders, tidying the churchyard, small joinery and painting jobs, etc. Please let Caroline (01434 240210 - [email protected]) know if you can help in any way and she will put together a rota so that social distancing restrictions are adhered to at all times.
- A quick reminder that if you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it - unfortunately, I can’t highlight events that I don’t know about! If you have anything to include, please email your info to [email protected] on the Sunday so it can be included in that week’s paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 10th September 2020
A note from Jeff Mills: "A socially-distanced Tarset Leek, Flower and Vegetable Show was held in the village hall on Saturday 5th September when, due to the virus situation, we were forced to go ahead without the floral and industrial sections. As our main source of income is from the auction, raffle and door money, we were looking at running at a loss however, we received a very generous cheque from Tarset 2050 CIC which allowed us to pay our prize money and expenses, leaving us just in the black. There was a good show of quality leeks, with Stephen Baty leading the field (and also winning best leek in show award) with Jeff Mills and John Basset giving him a good run for his money. Caroline Russell won the best ladies leek with an exhibit that left seasoned leek growers amazed and stunned! There was a nice show of onions with Roy Bell, John Herron and Jeff Mills taking the prizes. Again we would like to thank Tarset 2050 CIC and many other locals for their kind donations."
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 3rd September 2020
- A quick reminder that there is a collection for Great North Air Ambulance on Wednesday 9th September. A GNAA van will park outside Falstone Village Hall between 10.00-10.45am and Tarset Village Hall between 11.00-11.45am. Bags can therefore be put directly into the vehicle. Please put clothing etc in any adequate bag and tie it securely to avoid spillage. Books should be in separate bags or boxes and so should mobile phones, CDs, and print cartridges. Thank you for your continuing support!
- On Friday 4 September 7.30 pm (online) you are invited to join John Grundy and Peter Ryder in conversation about St Cuthbert's Bellingham (including the chance to watch video clips and take part in a Q&A session with them). If you are interested in attending, please e-mail Elaine at [email protected] and she will send the link to you.
- On Saturday 5 September, why not join Bishop Christine and many others as they walk the newly re-opened St Cuthbert's Three-Church Trail. The walk begins at 9.00 a.m. from St Cuthbert's Elsdon – and breakfast (even if you are not walking) is available from 8.30 am at the Bird-in-Bush at Elsdon (order in advance from [email protected]), a picnic lunch is available at the Bay Horse, West Woodburn (order in advance via Susan [email protected]) and the walk finishes at St Cuthbert's, Bellingham, in the late afternoon. The full route is 14-15 miles cross-country, but you can walk as much or little of the Trail as you wish.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 20th August 2020
- St Cuthbert’s Festival will take place over the first weekend in September and, although not as ambitious as originally planned due to restrictions, it will still be a lovely weekend. On Friday 4th September, “John Grundy and Peter Ryder in conversation” will be happening online and will cover a range of topics relating to St. Cuthbert’s. Please email Susan ([email protected]) for details of how to join the event.
- On Sunday 5th September, the St Cuthbert’s Festival Walk will take place between 9am and 5pm. The Bishop of Newcastle will be there all day and will give a blessing to inaugurate the ‘St Cuthbert’s Three Church Trail’ which now crosses the River Rede at the newly reinstated and altered Smoutel Ford. You are welcome to join the walk at any point between Elsdon, Corsenside and Bellingham, and walk as far as you wish. If you don’t wish to carry a picnic, the Bay Horse at West Woodburn can supply individually boxed picnic lunches (which meet all Covid-19 Regulations). For further information and to book your lunch, please contact Susan ([email protected]) and let her know numbers and any dietary requirements you may have. Weather willing, this promises to be a lovely event, and everyone is welcome to join in for all or part of the walk.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 13th August 2020
- There will be a Communion Service at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, on Sunday 23rd August, to start at 2pm (not 11am, as stated in the Parish magazine). Please remember that you will need to wear masks whilst inside the church. There will be music during the service (although no community singing is allowed yet) and refreshments afterwards.
- Also at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, there will be a service for St Aidan’s Day on Monday 31st August at 2pm, which will be followed by a Picnic in the churchyard. Please bring your own picnic and chairs. It is hoped there will be music from the ceilidh band and someone who can tell us more about St Aidan himself. It is also a great opportunity for a safely distanced get-together!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 6th August 2020
- On Wednesday 9th September 2020, the next Great North Air Ambulance Collection will take place at venues across the region. Falstone from 10am till 10.45am and Tarset from 11am till 11.45am. For this collection, GNAA will not be able to use buildings due to Covid-19 restrictions, so at each venue, a GNAA vehicle will be parked outside so that all bags can be put directly into the van. Unlike normal collections, you will not be able to drop your items off in advance. Please make sure you bring your items with you to the venues only during the time slot stated. If you can’t make the slot or miss it, you will need to take your bags home with you this time and keep them until the next collection - there are no storage facilities available. The timings are obviously very important for this collection. Another thing to note is that because of the risks, no official bags will be distributed for this collection. Please put clothing/fabrics in any adequate bag. Books should be put in separate bags/boxes, as should mobile phones, CDs, cassettes, and print cartridges. All bags should be tied securely to avoid any spillage.
- A quick reminder that a Parish Worship service will take place at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, at 6pm this coming Sunday (9th August).
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 30th July 2020
- Hard to believe it’s nearly August already. The Village Hall is preparing for its re-opening in September and is currently (somewhat hampered by the weather) being decorated outside so it looks smart and fresh for the new season. Obviously, Covid-19 restrictions mean there are some changes to the way that we are allowed to use the hall, but all precautions are being taken and there will be more news nearer the re-opening time.
- The next services at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be Parish Worship on Sunday 9th August at 6pm and Communion on Sunday 23rd August in the afternoon. There is also a special service planned for St Aidan’s Day on Bank Holiday Monday 31st August - followed by a picnic (weather permitting).
- As always, please don’t forget to let me have details of anything you would like to see in the Notes, especially as businesses and social activities are starting, cautiously, to resume. Just drop me an email by (latest) the Sunday evening before the Courant is printed on Thursdays. Email: [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 23rd July 2020
- A small update: the Tarset and District Leek, Flower and Vegetable Show will be taking place at Tarset Village Hall on the 1st Saturday in September. The format will be substantially reduced, with entries invited for Leeks and Onions only and with full social distancing measures in place. More details will follow nearer the time. For further information, contact the show secretary, Jeff Mills on 240302.
- Worship in our churches has now been allowed (following strict guidelines) again and St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be holding its first Communion service Sunday 26th July at 2pm, followed by the APCM (church AGM) – which will be held in the churchyard if there isn’t sufficient space to socially distance inside. All residents of the parish are invited to the vestry meeting and everyone on the electoral role can participate in the whole meeting. It would be good to have some more members join the PCC from Thorneyburn and Greystead – so please speak to Caroline (240210) or Susan if you are interested.
- The Courant’s "Village Notes" is a place for you to let people in your community (which covers the whole area from Greenhaugh to Kielder) know what’s happening - whether that’s in the form of events, local news, or simply anything that you think people in your area might like to know about. With the best will in the world, I can't include your news if you haven't told me about what's happening, so please do remember to let me know! I need to have the information on the Sunday to be included in Thursday’s paper and you can email me at [email protected].
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 16th July 2020
- The Tarset Arts, Crafts and Photo challenge. Tarset Residents have been challenged to create original crafts, artwork, and photographs – both to document our time during the Coronavirus crisis and to showcase our collective talents. You can use any medium (from knitting to painting, baking to photography) or subject and there will be a prize for each category (categories to be confirmed). The idea is to create a week-long exhibition in the Village Hall - for appropriately socially-distanced viewing and possibly even online viewing. The date for the exhibition has not yet been set, although it is likely to be in October, but further details will follow.
- Barring any further Covid-19 developments, the Tarset and District Leek, Flower and Vegetable Show will be taking place at Tarset Village Hall on the 1st Saturday in September. The format will be substantially reduced, with entries invited for Leeks and Vegetables only (no flower entries or industrial entries this year) and with full social distancing measures in place. More details will follow nearer the time. For further information, contact the show secretary, Jeff Mills on 240302.
- A date for your diaries: Thursday 1st October will hopefully see the return of the (appropriately socially-distanced) First Thursday Film season at Tarset Village Hall. More details will follow nearer the time.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 9th July 2020
As we see the restrictions start to lift over the coming weeks, it is likely that more things will be happening in the area, so this is just a reminder that the Courant’s Village Notes are a place for you to let people in your community know what’s happening in the area – whether that’s in the form of events to which the community is invited, in the form of news that might affect residents of the local area, or simply anything that you think people in your area might like to know about. The Upper North Tyne area covers the whole area from Greenhaugh and Lanehead, through Falstone and up to Kielder - and we are small but busy communities. If you would like to have anything included in the notes, please do let me have the information on the Sunday before the paper is published on the Thursday. The email address to send information to is [email protected] so please do drop me a line!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 25th June 2020
As various restrictions are now starting to ease and some ‘non-essential’ shops starting to open again, it is perhaps important to remember that restrictions are still very much in place in terms of social distancing, and wearing masks in crowded spaces is still recommended. At the same time, some vulnerable people are still shielding and self-isolating (and may need to do so for some time yet). Village Halls and community buildings have just been issued strict instructions about re-opening (which won’t be allowed to happen for at least two or three weeks yet), hygiene restrictions/requirements, the number of people physically allowed in the buildings and the types of activities which are still not allowed. So please bear with the volunteers running your halls as they get to grips with the new legislation.
A reminder also that Churches across the region are already being allowed to open for quiet meditation and prayer for individuals and small family groups – no large groups are yet allowed.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 18th June 2020
Churches all over the country have now been allowed to re-open for private prayer or meditation, as long as visitors follow the hygiene and social distancing guidelines. Visitors are therefore welcome to go into St Aidan’s Thorneyburn at any time (it is never locked) and to use both the church and churchyard as a space for quiet reflection, prayer and shelter.
A huge thank you to everyone who has bought plants from the stall at Horsley Cottage in Greenhaugh. Over £450 has now been raised in aid of church funds and there are still more plants available, so if you are passing please stop and take a look. We also hope to organise a garden walk, when it is safe to do so.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 11th June 2020
The Hollybush Inn, Greenhaugh, has started a Friday evening Diners’ Club and Sunday Lunch takeaways. Both are proving a huge success, and details are being forwarded via the Tarset Mailing list - so if you are interested, please find out more by emailing [email protected] or by texting 07946 804590 or ring the pub 240391 (most afternoons).
A brand new Arts, Crafts and Photo challenge for Tarset - Brenda had the excellent idea of challenging Tarset Residents to create original crafts, artwork, and photographs – both to document our time during the Coronavirus crisis and to showcase our collective talents. You can use any medium (from knitting to painting, baking to photography) or subject and there will be a prize for each category/medium. The idea is to create a week-long (possibly longer, depending on the situation) exhibition in the Village Hall - for appropriately 'socially-distanced' viewing and possibly even online viewing (if we can work out how best to do it). Further details to follow via the Tarset Mailing List.
Some hugely sad, but perhaps unsurprising news now – the organisers of the Falstone Show this year have reluctantly taken the decision to cancel this year’s show in order to keep all involved safe. This is only the second time in over forty years that Falstone Show has been cancelled, the previous time being the year of the Foot and Mouth epidemic in 2001. It is a huge blow for all concerned and it is hoped that next year’s show will take place as normal.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 4th June 2020
The Courant’s Village Notes are a place for you to let people in your community know what’s happening in the area – whether that’s in the form of events to which the community is invited (which are, sadly, on hold at the moment), in the form of news that might affect residents of the local area, or simply anything that you think people in your area might like to know about. The Upper North Tyne area covers the whole area from Greenhaugh and Lanehead, through Falstone and up to Kielder - and we are small but busy communities even under the current restrictions. If you would like to have anything included in the notes, please do let me have the information on the Sunday before the paper is published on the Thursday. The email address to send information to is [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 28th May 2020
Unfortunately, the car park at Kielder Castle was used as the location for an overnight party over the Bank holiday weekend. Those attending burnt timber items from the car park and left behind a tent and large amounts of rubbish. As a result, rangers will be forced to work longer hours and Elf Kirk and Skyspace car parks will remain closed until further notice. Overnight camping (including in motorhomes) is currently forbidden and barbeques/fires are not allowed. If you spot a campfire or see an illegal camp, please call 999 as soon as you have phone reception – it seems that, sadly, this is the only way to protect the area.
All visitors, whether they are simply wanting to enjoy a walk around the parks, or enjoy a day’s fishing, should be allowed to do so without having to contend with those who do not wish to observe the rules and while Kielder Water and Forest Park does not have the powers to enforce social distancing, it does maintain the right to review the opening of its sites for the wider public good. It would also urge anybody who does choose to visit to be respectful of the local communities, to stay away from village and residential centres, and strictly observe Government guidelines on social distancing wherever they are.
In spite of Dominic Cummings’ recent jaunts around the country, the advice for the rest of us remains in place: as much as possible, please continue to stay local and exercise close to home.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 21st May 2020
The 75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War has been commemorated by a new exhibition at the Heritage Centre, Bellingham. Once the Centre re-opens, you will be able to visit physically, but for the moment, you can explore virtually via their new website (there is a link on the first page). https://bellingham-heritage.org.uk/
You can hardly have failed to notice the sheer number of visitors to the area over the last few days – and in fact, visitor numbers at beauty spots across the entire region have been unprecedented, with many car parks being full to overflowing. Of course, this has given rise to major concerns about the increased risk to local residents – many of whom have been shielding successfully for the last seven weeks. The vast majority of visitors have been courteous and have been carefully observing social distancing advice, but please do carry on with your safety and hygiene routines.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 14th May 2020
A massive thank you must go to Helen Brown and the rest of the unnamed but vital team who have, with their drive and enthusiasm, made the Tarset News such a popular part of Tarset life over the years. In fact, its influence spreads far beyond Tarset, with subscribers all over the country.
As most of you already know, for its Summer edition, due out in early June, the Tarset News will be getting both a new Editor (Chris Reekie), a new look and a new name: the Tarset Diary.
For the first edition, Chris is looking for your wedding photographs. For some, it has *ahem* been quite some time since their wedding days, so the idea is for readers to see if they can guess who the people in the photographs are. If you can’t send photos electronically, just let Chris know and he will hopefully be able to help.
Of course, there’s a somewhat inconvenient ‘bug’ doing the rounds which may present difficulties for printing and distribution of this new-look magazine, but Chris will make sure that there is an online version and will try to have a few hard copies printed for those who don’t have access to the internet (if you are one of those people, please let Chris know asap so he can add you to the list).
Please send your contributions (news, local interest, fun stuff, tales of lockdown madness, VE day celebrations, etc.) plus any photographs you would like to share to [email protected] or telephone 01434 240947. The deadline for submissions is Sunday 17th May, so you still have a few days!
Here’s hoping the Tarset Diary will continue to be the hugely successful and well-subscribed newsletter it has become over the years under Helen’s leadership, and we wish Chris all the best for his new role!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 30th April 2020
On Sunday 27th April, on Radio 4, there was a genuinely lovely programme ( ‘The Dam’) about the damming and flooding of Kielder, and the role of music, dance and song within the valley. Presented by Alistair Almond, it featured, amongst others, Mike and Kathryn Tickell with playing by Georgia Russell. If you didn't catch it, it is repeated next Saturday on BBCR4 11.30 pm, or you can listen to it on the BBC Sounds website ( https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hmxn ).
Swallows and Martins are back in the area now, as are many of our other avian Summer visitors. Bullfinches are gorging themselves on the buds of my fruit trees, Long-tailed Tits have also visited the garden and have been loudly squabbling (as is their wont) and I have had have heard reports from elsewhere of Redstart, Chiffchaff and Stonechat, amongst others. Adders are active now that the daytime temperatures have risen, so please be careful on walks with your dogs - especially if you are going ‘off-piste’ so to speak. Ticks and tick nymphs are also plentiful at the moment, so make sure your pets’ tick medicines are up to date and check your animals after they have been outside (with your ‘tick twisters’ at the ready). If anybody in the area has any unusual or new nature sightings – or just things for people to be aware of, please do feel free to let me know.
A quick reminder that a lot of local business and social activity is being carried out online with church services, concerts, choirs being available online and even some Parish Councils managing to hold their meetings online. Local shops and businesses, as well as the church, continue to provide exceptional levels of support. Contact numbers for all those services can be found on the Tarset website (https://www.tarset.co.uk/).
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 23rd April 2020
It looks like ‘social distancing’ is likely to continue for a few weeks yet but thankfully, people are extremely resourceful in providing amusement and entertainment for their fellow prisoners. The brains in Tarset have come up with the excellent idea of challenging all who are on the Tarset Mailing list with a series of short quizzes. Initially, these were daily, but they will be weekly from now on, so look out for the next one popping into your inbox on Friday at 5pm. If you haven’t already subscribed to the Tarset Mailing list, you can do so on the Tarset website (https://www.tarset.co.uk/) – just scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click on the link to join.
The weather continues to be excellent, although gardeners may be bemoaning the frosts which are happening overnight at the moment. The very weather, combined with some somewhat contradictory and unclear advice issued by the police, however, means that there are once again quite a few visitors to the area, so it’s worth being aware that you may need to take extra care to wash your hands frequently and be careful to avoid contact with ‘vulnerable’ friends and neighbours. The police advice re. travel appears to be at odds with the Government's directive - which basically repeats the 'stay at home' and 'only travel when it is essential' mantra.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 16th April 2020
A huge thank you to all who attended Margaret Bird’s needle felting course days in mid-March, and to Margaret herself for organising them. She has let me know that the workshops raised a healthy £80 for the Great North Air Ambulance, which has been sent off to them.
A call to all young folk musicians: EDFSS (English Folk Dance and Song Society) will be running its Youth Folk Sampler Days online in May 2020. The physical events have obviously been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, so they are encouraging young musicians to take part from home. The National Youth Folk Ensemble team will deliver virtual workshops introducing young musicians to folk tunes, techniques and creative ideas, with a planned mix of pre-recorded tutorials and interactive activities using readily available online technology. Please register for your preferred Sampler Day date via their website: https://www.efdss.org/learning/young-people/national-youth-folk-ensemble/sampler-days . Each date is still tied to the venue where it would have taken place – but wherever you live in England, you can now apply for any of the eight dates. Young musicians can still audition for the 2020-21 National Youth Folk Ensemble by registering for a Youth Folk Sampler Day and it is hoped that the final auditions will still happen in person at Cecil Sharp House on 11 and 12 July 2020. If this is not possible, an alternative will be arranged. Further information will be added to the website as soon as it is available.
Finally, and right on time, the Swallows are starting to reappear. The earliest recorded in the North Tyne Valley were in Falstone and Tarset on the 10th April, but they have started arriving in numbers now with new arrivals at Charlton on the 13th. I am still waiting for 'our' Swallows to arrive (they are normally here around the 14th or 15th), so it's eyes to the skies at the moment as we wait for signs that Summer is on its way!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 9th April 2020
Welcome to the new Upper North Tyne Village Notes page. Following various recent changes to The Hexham Courant, this page has been made available to publish the North Tyne Village Notes in full each week, so you can see further detail about what's happening in the area.
Of course, we are now in the full grip of the 'Stay at Home' policy due to the government's attempts to control the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), so there isn't much in the way of Arts and Entertainment currently physically happening locally (with Village Halls, Schools, Pubs, Cafes, Guest Accommodation and Churches all officially closed). However, there is plenty going on online both locally and nationally. I watched an episode of 'Have I Got News For You' a couple of nights ago where presenter and contestants were all at home in their respective living rooms broadcasting live via Zoom. The marvels of modern technology!
One of the amazing things about the unprecedented situation we currently find ourselves in is the ingenuity and sheer generosity of people in our local community. Shops and businesses are adapting and staying open, making deliveries and selling things they would never normally sell in order to help make sure they and their communities are able to carry on with as little disruption as possible; new shops are opening to serve their local communities; musicians, artists, choir leaders and teachers are making the most of technology and are performing from their living rooms and balconies and using online meeting programmes (such as Zoom) to hold online training sessions. Everything from Church services to meditation sessions is on offer online both locally(!) and nationally, and social media is finally coming into its own, allowing people to connect with friends and family.
Keep watching your Tarset Mailings for further information and if you haven't already joined the mailing list, instructions on how to join can be found here.
I hope you will find this additional information useful. It also means you can let me have more information than you normally would, as well as even (*gasp*) some pictures if you would like those included.
If you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, just give me a call on 240767 or email me the relevant information on [email protected]
In the meantime: Here are a few useful numbers for our area. Thank you to Caroline Waitt, who compiled the initial list:
Gary Cant: Milkman. Tel 604674 or 07485 091877. Email: [email protected] Gary will deliver milk in glass bottles, juices, yogurts and free-range eggs.
Bellingham Pharmacy: Caroline Waitt has arranged with Bellingham Pharmacy for herself and a team of volunteers to collect and deliver prescriptions and toiletries within the Tarset and Greystead Parish while they are self-isolating. Phone Caroline on Tel 240210 to discuss.
Boe Rigg: Takeaways, delivery only, between 12-8pm every day. Tel 240663. Menus can be found at www.theboerigg.co.uk
Phillip Troop: Tarset Fresh Produce on Facebook or by Tel 240407 is doing home delivery of veg, fruit, bread and milk etc.
Falstone Tea Rooms: on Facebook - Tel 240459. They have set up as a local shop and will deliver around the Falstone area.
Jennings Fruit and Veg: on Facebook - Tel 07497 583309. They will deliver across the area.
Brett Pet Shop: on Facebook. As well as pet food, they will supply (and deliver locally) basic foods and supplies.