best wishes for a very happy christmas and a peaceful

THE NEWSLETTER OF BROOMLEY & STOCKSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

Issue 63 December 2017Planning thefuture of Broomley

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Best wishes for a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful & Prosperous 2018-Broomley & Stocksfield Parish Council

Have you or a friend or relative beenbothered by nuisance calls? Worse still, doyou know someone who has beenpersuaded to give their debit or credit carddetails to one of these nuisance callers fora service they either don’t need or thatdoesn’t exist? If so, getting help may beeasier than you think.Northumberland Trading Standards nowhas a small number of call blocking unitswhich can be loaned to Northumberlandresidents suffering from unwanted phonecalls. These TrueCall systems check everycaller’s number and intercept or block thenumbers that are not recognised as“trusted”. Trading Standards will send youa regular log of all calls made or received,which is particularly helpful if you aresupporting an elderly or vulnerable person.For more information about theTrueCall systems and how to borrowone, contact Northumberland TradingStandards at Business Compliance andPublic Safety Unit,Fire and Rescue Service,West Hartford Business Park,Cramlington,Northumberland NE23 3JPTel. 01670 623777, or onwww.northumberland.gov.uk

How to stopnuisancetelephone calls

Rowlands Gill residents David andMargaret Raw, who have family links tothe Irish artist, Pauline Bewick, are tryingto identify a house in Stocksfield that wasonce known by the name ‘Banchory’. It was occupied by Corbett Bewickbefore he purchased Bat Cottage in1935. If you have any information, thenthey would be pleased to hear from youon 01297 543450.

Heard ofBanchory? On a cold but clear morning, the young

and the not so young residents ofStocksfield joined officers from 3rdRegiment of the Royal Horse Artillery ina service led by lay minister Robert Peersto remember those who have lost theirlives serving their country in conflicts

around the world. As usual the traffic wasbriefly stopped to enable the two minutesilence to be observed and the Council isgrateful for the patience of drivers. FionaForsyth and her team of Guides providedteas and coffees after the service andraised £80 for the Royal British Legion.

We will remember them

www.stocksfieldpc.org.uk

National Hill ClimbCycling Time TrialOrganised by north east club GS Metro,the National Time Trial saw 221 cyclistsheading up the 1.1 mile climb with 128metre height gain from Stocksfield toHedley. Setting off at one minute intervals,the quickest overall was Dan Evans in atime of 3 minutes and 54 seconds.

Pictured above is Julian MacBride ofBlaydon waiting at the start. Also picturedis Andrew Bolton of Otley, just after havingbeen caught by Joe Agnew of Edinburgh.

NE43 Newsletter 4pp AW Issue 63 December 2017_Layout 1 28/11/2017 10:35 Page 3

Volunteering for Citizens Advice hasbeen described as ‘the most rewardingexperience of my life’ by one of ourcurrent volunteers. Citizens Advice is aregistered charity and we rely onvolunteers to provide the invaluableservice which helps so many peoplewithin your local community.Last year, the Citizens Advice offices acrossNorthumberland helped over 13,700people on a wide range of subjects. Theproblems we are most often asked aboutconcern benefits, employment, debt,housing or relationships but we will helppeople who come to us with any enquiryincluding consumer rights, legal matters,and immigration.Citizens Advice Northumberland iscurrently looking for more volunteeradvisers, to join our teams across ouroffices in Ashington, Berwick, Morpeth andHexham. Training is given to help youdevelop the skills and knowledge you needto help our clients and we are able tocover expenses such as travel costs.People volunteer with us for lots ofdifferent reasons, but one thing that ourvolunteers tell us is that volunteering withtheir local Citizens Advice is enjoyable,rewarding, challenging and varied. Formany volunteers, the best thing is gettingto meet a variety of new people, whilst for others it's learning new skills and gaining confidence.There's a real team spirit and we providea supportive environment to make surethat you get the most from your timewith us.Whatever your reason forvolunteering, this is your chance tomake a real difference to the lives ofother people. You can read aboutvolunteering opportunities atwww.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/support-us/volunteeringFor more information, please contactMichelle Turnbull by:telephone on 01670 522008 or bye mail: [email protected]

Stocksfield Quakers came together in earlyOctober to celebrate national QuakerWeek 2017 at their New Ridley RoadBranch End Meeting House. The aim wasto shine a light on what they do as aQuaker community within the village andhow they can help people find out moreabout Quaker beliefs and Quaker worship.The Quakers, or Friends as they callthemselves, opened their Meeting Housethrough the week from 10.00am to 4.00pmand offered tea, biscuits and cake to visitorswho called. Several Friends were availableto speak to visitors, guide them through theMeeting House and introduce them to the“Quaker Way”. Others offered an addedattraction of talking informally to visitors ona range of Quaker-related interests. This included hearing Michael Richardsonof Wheelbirks Farm and Ice Cream Parlourtell the story of his family’s 300 years asQuakers in Great Ayton, Newcastle uponTyne and Stocksfield. Michael produced anenormous and up-to date family tree datingback to 1600 and many other familyrecords and photographs. His story wasalso told in the “Hexham Courant”published a few days before Quaker Week.Michael’s relatives include Robert SpenceWatson, Lewis Fry Richardson, the pioneermeteorologist and the eminent actor SirRalph Richardson. One of the organisers of the highly regardedand successful “Hexham Debates”, CarolineWestgate, mounted an exhibition in theentrance hall. It told the story of the QuakerPeace Testimony since its first declaration toCharles II in 1660, through opposition toconscription in two World Wars, to thepresent day challenges of increasingmilitarism and witnessing against devastatingmodern weaponry such as Trident and thedeployment of armed drones.From Newcastle Meeting, Faith Goodfellowwas on hand to talk about NorthumbriaQuakers making a commitment to Tyne &Wear Citizens, a social activist organisationand a chapter of Citizens UK. The Quakersare now members of Tyne & Wear Citizensand are influencing its policy and actionsthrough Northumbria Conflict ResolutionNetwork, part of Northumbria Quakers. Ruth Thompson, a sculptor in willow, hasfeatured recently in several editions of the“Hexham Courant” and its communitymagazines. She spoke of her Quaker faithwhilst leading Friends and visitors in somebasic and easily mastered techniques of

creating shapes and objects with a few twists of the pliable willow. Tim Thompson, Ruth’s husband, is alsomuch gifted in craft work and has almostsingle handedly remodelled the interior of Stocksfield Quaker Meeting House to its current comfortable, warm and inviting atmosphere. The final day saw three Quakers sit downto speak about their faith journeys, theirexperience of finding Quakers and their lifeas Quakers today. The conversationengaged other Quakers that day and led toa deep and moving, low-key and worshipfulgathering which has remained with thoseFriends. So, did the plans for Quaker Weekwork as hoped for by Stocksfield Quakers?Well they sort of did. But perhaps in anunexpected way. This was the first time the Meeting had triedto have a full week of welcome for visitors.And visitors did come through the week toshare in the set-piece conversations. Butnot in any great numbers. Even thoughcakes, scones and biscuits were at the readyin the kitchen. And visitors were made verywelcome, provided with leaflets and, wehope, inspiration by learning about theQuaker story over its 365 years. The week was planned as Quaker outreach.And we enjoyed the company of ourfourteen visitors. But what also happenedwas Quaker in-reach. That is, we were ableto have time together in twos, threes, foursand more. And to talk to each other aboutourselves in a way that is less easy atSunday’s Meeting for Worship. We got toknow each other in the Spirit. A much valuedQuaker experience. As a lay communitywithout church, liturgy or clergy, Quakersrely on each other and being Quaker, doingQuaker. And this is at its best when we knoweach other as friends as well as Friends.

Our small Quaker Meeting in Stocksfield isalready looking forward to Quaker Week2018 and planning how we can once againengage people in Stocksfield with theQuaker messages of peace, simplicity andsustainability, equality and justice, truth andintegrity. And sharing our Quaker belief ofthat of God in everyone. Stocksfield Quaker Meeting House,Branch End, Stocksfield, NE43 7NASunday Meeting at 11.00 am Children’smeeting 2nd and 4th SundaysClerk, Caroline [email protected]/stocksfield/

For an Information Pack about Quakers:www.quaker.org.uk [email protected]

New Year,New Challenge- make a difference by volunteering

“That Was QuakerWeek, That Was!”

– Michael Long reports


A small steering group has organised fourDementia Friends talks in Stocksfield inthe past year. These are part ofAlzheimer’s Society’s plans to raiseawareness of the needs of those withdementia and to help them continue todo the things they want to do for as longas possible. Countrywide, two millionpeople have signed up to be a DementiaFriend with a target of 4 million by 2020.By registering to become a DementiaFriendly Community we hope thatorganisations, societies, services, businessesand churches will become more aware ofthe small changes they can introduce tomake life easier for those with dementia.SICA, the Tuesday Club, the churches,Boots pharmacy, Branch End Surgery, theTennis Club and CK Design hairdresserare already considering what they can doand the Golf Club and Cricket Club havehosted meetings, which were wellattended. As over 80 people have nowattended the talks, it is obvious that thiscause is close to people’s hearts. We are currently working on producing aleaflet informing people of all the coffeemornings available each week, wherepeople can come along and chat andsocialise-very important for everyone’smental health.If you would like to know more or wantyour organisation to join the projectplease contact [email protected] orlook up dementia friends on the web.www.dementiafriends.org.uk

DementiaFriendlyStocksfield

FREE SMOKEALARMS!

It’s bin goingto happenThe Parish Council has reviewed itsexisting stock of waste bins, prompted bycapacity issues with a number of dog bins.Residents may have seen wrapped dogwaste adorning the tops of the bins andthe surrounding ground (see photo).Wrapped dog waste can be deposited ingeneral waste bins and, in line withNorthumberland County Council’s(NCC) policy, over the winter monthsevery dog waste bin will be removed andreplaced with a larger general waste bin.An exception is where a general wastebin is already very close to a dog bin andin those circumstances the dog waste binwill not be replaced. If you see a bin thatis overflowing and needs emptying,please telephone NCC (who empty binsfor the Parish Council) on 0345 600 6400or report it online. Please don’t pile uprubbish on top of or around full bins!NCC has adopted a ‘Green Dog WalkerInitiative’ which relies on volunteers for itsdelivery and uses a non-confrontational‘keep it friendly’ approach to encourageresponsible dog ownership. Green DogWalkers talk to other dog walkers, offerfree poop bags, distribute leaflets andencourage other dog walkers to sign upto the green dog walker pledge.For more information go online at:http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Protection/Animals.aspx#thegreendogwalkers-responsibledogownership

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Serviceprovide free home fire safety checks andsmoke alarms to members of the publicwho live in Northumberland.Protect yourself from the devastatingeffects of a fire by applying for your homefire safety check and smoke alarms bycalling Prudhoe Fire Station on Mondayevenings between 6.30 and 9pm formore information. Prudhoe Fire Station: 01661 834598Alternatively, phone NorthumberlandFire and Rescue Service anytime onthe following number: 0800 731 1351

If you have unwanted visitors who,amongst other things, may try to sellyou items or claim that your houseneeds building work, you don’t needto let them in. Remember it is yourhouse and you decide who youanswer the door to. Always ask foridentification if someone claims to befrom a public organisation or a utilityservice and don’t open the door ifyou have any doubts.Please cut out and display on thewindow at your front door.Let’s put things into perspective –we live in a relatively safe villagewhere crime is unusual but don’t becomplacent and don’t give anyonean opportunity to make you a victim.

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Would you like to join us?If you are new to the village, looking tomake new friends, meet up with oldones or would just like some company,why don’t you try one of the followingactivities to be found here in Stocksfield?Stocksfield Community Centre:Mount View Terrace Every Tuesday is the Tuesday Club from10am-2pm with a wide variety ofactivities and lunch(if you book it - tel 844040 or 844863)

Methodist Church: Mount View TerraceMondays weekly 10.30-12.30Drop in for coffee and a chat.Craft Club 1-3pm fortnightlyWednesdays (Weeks1,3,5) Coffee Club10-noon, often with a speaker.Fridays (last in the month) 7.00pmFilm NightSaturdays (1st in the month)Charity Coffee Morning 10-noon.

St John’s Church: Meadowfield Road Wednesdays (Weeks 1 and 2)Coffee Morning 10.30-noonBaptist Church: Main RoadThursdays (Weeks 2,4) noon onwardsLunch Club – ring Sheena to book alunch. (01661 843162)Useful websites www.stocksfieldmethodists.org.ukwww.bmscofe.org.uk(Church of England)www.stocksfieldbaptistchurch.netwww.stocksfieldca.org.uk

If you need a lift or someone to keepyou company ring 844040 or 843081to find out more.

New PriestannouncedThe Bishop ofNewcastle isdelighted toannounce thatthe Revd PatMoran has beenappointed to be the priest in charge of theBenefice of Bywell (which includesStocksfield) and Mickley. Pat is currently anassistant curate at St Mary’s Monkseatonand also works with both the OpenUniversity and at Newcastle University asa linguist. Pat is married to Julio and theyboth look forward very much to joiningour community. Pat will be licensed by theBishop on Monday 8 January at 7.30pmin St Peter’s Church Bywell.The appointment of a priest in chargesignals that the Bishop is activelyconsidering long-term reorganisation ofresponsibilities in an area, which for legalreasons is easier to achieve when there isa priest in charge. When a vicar isappointed to a post, the person appointedhas the right to stay in that post until he orshe resigns or retires. This was theuniversal way it used to be and many ofus remember vicars staying in a parish forseveral years. The terms and conditions ofa priest in charge are such that it is easierfor their role description to be changed.So to all intents and purposes, nobodywill notice any difference! However,whilst having the same pastoral andleadership responsibilities as Revd BillRigby had as vicar, Pat has been appointedwith everyone knowing that futurereorganisation is expected. She will bringher own gifts and experiences to her timein the village and we are delighted that shewill become part of the Stocksfield family.

Latest information and opening times:Northumberland Adviceline Monday toFriday 9.00am to 4.30pm 03444 111 444Pre-booked appointments only atThe Spetchells Centre, Prudhoe.Hexham Wednesday and Friday drop inor appointments 9.30am to 3.30pm.Debt advice Monday to Friday 9am to4.30pm 01670 339960 or text ‘debt’ to81400 for a call back within 2 working days.

As you will be aware from the meetingsI had earlier this year at the school andthe minutes from the Parish Councilmeetings the County Council is tointroduce a 20 mph speed limit on the A695 around the school area.Following the accident at the Ford Risebend many residents have asked if Icould give a brief report on how theroad safety plans are developing. At the present time the County Councilis collating all traffic incidents in the areabetween the Ford Rise bend and thewest of the school to build up evidencebased on the real issues in that area. Theywill also be erecting a traffic monitoringvideo camera for a short period of time tomonitor the traffic in that area. I am awareof everyone’s concerns and I am workinghard to ensure that every single issue isaddressed and included in the project.The project will then be designed takinginto account all the evidence gatheredincluding police statistics and all road safetyoptions will be considered for furtherdiscussion. A drop in event for all theresidents of Stocksfield will take placeearly in the new year so that you can viewthe road safety measures to beconsidered and discuss any issues youmay have with officers from CountyCouncil Highways team. Please do contact me if you would likeany further information by e.mailing meat [email protected]

A695 Update fromCounty Cllr Dale

STOCKSFIELD JUNIORPLAYERS PRESENT:

A Journey toMagical LandsJanuary 26th and 27th 2018At Stocksfield Community

Centre Starting at 6:00pm

Featuring “The Lion, the Witchand theWardrobe”

and “ Alice in Wonderland”Tickets: £6 adult / £3 children

Tickets available fromJoy - 01661 682547

Karen - 01661 844119An evening of entertainment

on your doorstep!

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- Check your front and back doors are locked.

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IF IN D

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EEP THEM

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Citizens Advice on 0345 404 0506 or the Police on 101

In an emergency alw

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eed help finding a business you can trust? Call 0333 920 2128

or visit ww

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Working together to help you find quality local businesses


Stocksfield Festival2017

Despite the threat of heavy showers,and several duly arrived during theafternoon, some 400 - 500 peopleattended this year’s Stocksfield Festival.The entertainments marquee was well-filled all afternoon following the officialopening at 12 noon by BBC LookNorth’s Carol Malia. The variety andquality of the musical entertainmentwas again outstanding – and allpresided over so very professionally byChris Pentney.It was good to see so many families therethis year with children enjoying theattractions - climbing wall, archery,bouncy slide, tea cup ride, fire engine etc- and the veteran cars, popular with oldervisitors. The food vendors seemed to bedoing a brisk business and WI teas againproved very popular - perhaps because itwas possible to take a break and sit downat a table - and the offerings inside thevendors’ marquee attracted lots ofinterest particularly during heavy showers!So the Festival Committee’s efforts toproduce a wide variety of attractionswere very successful though theCommittee may have to consider somechanges ready for the next Festival. Forexample some of the less supportedactivities of the Festival which are nolonger attracting much interest may wellnot appear in 2019. At particular risk of‘disappearing’ will be some, or perhapsall, of the competitions. If this were tohappen it would create an opportunity toput on something else.

The Festival Committee is grateful toCarol Malia for coming along again ( Carolopened the 2013 Festival); to Thompsonsof Prudhoe for re-surfacing the entranceto the sports fields and the car park field;to Chris Pentney and all the musicianswho freely provided such outstandingentertainment and the many volunteerswho helped on the day. Finally thepresent Festival Committee would loveto hear from anyone who would like tobe involved in the next Festival.

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Contact the Parish Council at:Broomley & Stocksfield Parish Council,at Stocksfield Community Centre,Mount View Terrace, StocksfieldNE43 7HL. Telephone: 01661 844667email: [email protected]: www.stocksfieldpc.org.uk

Stocksfield Community CentreFor more information 01661 842346

Mondays 6.30 - 7.45pmLow Impact Aerobics/BodyToning

Tuesdays 6.00 - 7.00pmStep Aerobics

Thursdays 6.45 - 7.45pmPilates using Stability Balls

Fridays 9.30 - 10.30amLow Impact Aerobics/Legs,Bums & Tums

Stocksfield RetiredMen’s AssociationMeets at 10.30am at Stocksfield BaptistChurch. For more information contactDavid Guy 01661 843390(† indicates ladies’ days).

18 Jan Ancient Medical language& PracticeProf. Peter Jones

1 Feb Are your fillings killing you?Mr. John McCabe

15 Feb SS GoolistanMr. John Patterson

1 Mar † Past, Present and Futureof BeamishMr. Julian Harrop

15 Mar Hen Harrier ProjectAimee Nicholson

5 April Blood Bikes NorthumberlandMr. Nigel Barlow

19 April Peter Sellers: Family,Films and FortuneProf. Neville Harris

3 May To be confirmed Mr. Malcolm Smith

17 May Acoustic Music and MusiciansSteve and Carol Robson

7 June Bee Talk Revd. Tom Jamieson

Stocksfield Plantsand Gardens SocietyMeetings are at 7.30pm inStocksfield Community CentreTuesday 16 January 2018Trevor Jones‘The Alnwick Poison Garden’.Trevor, the Head Gardener at AlnwickGarden, will be coming to talk about thepoison garden which was created inFebruary 2005. He will be describinghow it features intoxicating and poisonousplants and has a mission to provide drug education.

Tuesday 20 FebruaryGary McDermott‘Plants for Winter Interest’Gary McDermott, will be making a returnvisit from Harperley Hall nurseries, justoutside Durham. Harperley Hall is anaward winning specialist plant Nursery,which sells a wide range of rare andspecialist specimen plants to both thepublic and wholesale. Gary will bebringing spring potted bulbs and plants.

Saturday 3rd MarchMatthew BiggsInter-Society Garden lectureThe annual Inter-Society Garden lecturewill be held in Corbridge Middle School at2.30 pm. It will be given by Matthew Biggs,who is best known for his appearances onthe long running BBC Radio 4 programmeGardeners' Question Time and has beena professional gardener for over 20 years.The talk is entitled ‘Lessons from GreatGardeners’. Tickets price £7, includingrefreshments.

Tuesday 21st MarchAlistair Baldwin‘The Design and Planting ofWynyard Hall Rose Garden’Alistair is an award winning gardendesigner, based in North Yorkshire. Hewas commissioned in 2005 to create thenew rose garden at Wynyard Hall in itsrestored wall garden which has 3000 roses.

Tuesday 15th MayMartin Fish‘Gardening on the Menu’Martin has over 35 years experience ofhorticulture. He and his wife, Gill, will beproviding a joint talk, which covers fruitand veg growing and also what to do withyour harvest, called 'Gardening on theMenu'. It will look at about 12 differentveg/fruit with lots of hints and tips forgrowing and cooking, and they willprovide 3 tastings at the end of the talkwith recipe sheets.

News fromStocksfieldGolf Club Widely acknowledged as one of the mostscenic courses in Northumberland, yourlocal club is always happy to welcomevisitors or new members. Our newcatering manager would love you to popin for a snack, lunch or just a coffee.This year, we have introduced severalnew starters through the ‘Get into Golf’initiative and this will run again in theSpring, when 5 lessons cost only £25. Forthose who already play, full membershipfrom now until March 31st 2019 is only£495, while Flexible membership(Monday-Friday) is £378. There’s neverbeen a better time to join the club that’son your doorstep!If you fancy a preview, why not come tothe monthly quiz night – always a goodevening with lots of friendly banter! Bringa team of four or more; last Sunday of themonth starting at 8pm.Full details available from any member orby calling the club 01661 843041.

Quaker Meeting for Worship will beheld in the Quaker Meeting House,Branch End, NE43 7NA at 11.00am -12.00noon on Sunday 24th December. No Meeting will be held on Christmas Day.

The Parish Council is grateful to membersof the various churches in the village fordelivering the December edition, and tothe one or two of the regulars who still dothe outlying areas. As always, if you havean item of interest that you would like tosee in print, please contact the Clerk.

NE43 Deliveries

Broomley & StocksfieldParish CouncilThe Parish Council meets in the CommunityCentre at 7.30pm. The agenda and minutes ofthe meetings are posted on the notice boardsand on the website (www.stocksfieldpc.org.uk).Next Parish Council Meetings in 2018:Monday 8th January

Monday 5th February

Monday 5th March

Monday 9th April

Members of the public are welcome to attend anymeeting of the Parish Council. Residents alwayshave the opportunity to raise issues of concernduring a public participation section at the startof the meeting.

Exercise to Musicwith Mary Huggin


best wishes for a very happy christmas and a peaceful

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