In 1987 a report on behalf of the World Commission on Environment and Development, called the Bruntland Report, identified that 80% of the consumption of the world’s natural resources could be attributed to 20% of the world’s nations - the developed countries. It pointed out that the pattern and rate at which natural resources were being depleted presented a growing threat to the long-term wellbeing of the planet and its people.

The concerns raised by the Bruntland Report led to the Earth Summit at Rio in 1992 when a blueprint (a global action plan) to achieve sustainable development was put forward called Agenda 21. This was endorsed by over 150 countries, including the UK Government. It called for action to create a fairer distribution of resources between developed and developing countries, put right environmental damage, reduce the consumption of natural resources and the production of pollution and waste and protect fragile eco-systems

How, might you say, does this affect Heddon. Well, Agenda 21 called for action at all levels - international, national, regional and local, hence we have in Northumberland Local Agenda 21, which has just been published. It has been prepared through a body called the Northumberland Environment Forum which has drawn on the ideas of many organisations, groups and residents in Northumberland.

If you are still wondering what this had to do with Heddon can I just ask you two questions which are posed in the strategy -

If we give serious thought to answering those two questions we would be taking a big step forward.

We can all make a difference by making sure -

• that the resources we use are used efficiently and with care so that we minimise waste and damage to the environment.

• any emissions to the air, water or land produced by us are limited to levels which do not harm our or other’s health and/or damage natural systems.

• ensure that nature and wildlife are valued and protected

If all this sounds high powered believe me it isn’t because at the end of the day it comes down to how much you, the individual, cares about the quality of life you have and what sort of world you want to leave for future generations. As good citizens we should all care about these fundamental issues and do our best to achieve them.

On the subject of ensuring that wildlife is valued and protected, I would still like to receive records of red squirrels in and around the village It is important that we keep monitoring our red squirrels and equally important that we keep an eye open for greys. Please report any of these North American interlopers as soon as they are seen. In spite of the Hexham Courant recently claiming that the spread of the grey squirrel into Tynedale has just been proved they have been here a bit longer than that. One was trapped in the grounds of Heddon Hall in 1998 and at least one other was a regular visitor to a Killiebrigs garden for a few weeks last year.

Even monitoring our red squirrel population makes a contribution to Local Agenda 21 but there is lots more being done and still to be done. IT’S UP TO YOU IF YOU CARE.

If you would like a copy of the working document and/or summary of the Northumberland local Agenda 21 Strategy please contact the County Council’s Local Agenda 21 Officer on 01670 534043.

Tom Bates is now Clerk to Heddon on the Wall Parish Council. He took over his duties on 1st April this year. Obviously, he is still settling in and and getting to grips with the many and varied tasks of being a Parish Council Clerk. He can be regularly seen around the village both on foot and in his white car (do all Clerks have white cars?) He will be pleased to help with any queries or point you in the right direction to get answers. Tom can be contacted on 01661 852682 and at 12 Antonine Walk, Heddon on the Wall.

Are you a visitor to our historic village of Heddon on the Wall? If so, a very warm welcome to you.

Heddon is known for its piece of Hadrian’s Wall and is a regular stopping off point for the tour buses making their way to or from Scotland. Unfortunately, for many tourists, Heddon is a ‘photography stop’ with only a few minutes given to look at the Wall and take a photograph. If you can stay a little longer you will see that the village has a rich history. The circular walk detailed below will take about 20 minutes. It begins and ends at the Swan (probably where your bus has parked). Walking anti-clockwise the main points of interest are marked on the route below with a very brief description. If you would like more information about the points of interest, when you get home visit Heddon’s Website - www.heddon.co.uk to get more details. Or if what you are looking for is not there send us and email and we will do our best to help and, of course, it would be lovely to hear how you enjoyed visiting our village. Enjoy your trip.

1. THE SWAN. Constructed in 1899. Notice the rhymn on the sign on the front of the building.

2. Opposite is the OLD SCHOOL founded in 1892 abd ckised ub 1963. Now a private house

3. St. Andrew’s Church dating back to 680 A.D.

4. Church House. A former Ale House

5. Jubilee Tree (Golden Sycamore) planted to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1897

6. Methodist Chapel founded in 1877

7. Heddon Women’s Institute Hall. The first Women’s Institute in Northumberland 1917

8. Hadrian’s Wall

9. The Three Tuns. An Inn since 1825

10. Knott Memorial Park and War Memorial. Presented to Heddon by Sir James & Lady Knott in memory of two of their sons killed in the 1914-1918 war.

11. Knott Memorial Hall. Built in 1936 by Sir Garbut Knott to the memory of his Father & Mother.

The Webmaster, Pat Farnaby, recently received the letter below - note the address. It reached Pat via Northumberland County Council, the County Records Office (where a lady working there had attended one of Pat’s Courses) then Ponteland High School where he is based, who posted it to Pat.

There have also been emails congratulating Pat on the Website he runs and its content. It certainly seems to have put Heddon on the worldwide IT map.

Regarding the family of Marion and Dorothy Crowe, would anyone be willing to do some searching, if so please get in touch either with Pat or the Editor.

New York
April 17, 2000

Web Site
Heddon-on-the-WaIl
Northumberland, England

To the creators of the Web Site:

We are among those in the"wider world" who have an interest in Heddon-on-the-Wall. We are involved in tracing our family background. This leads us to seeking facts in such places as Heddon-the-Wall, Haltwhistle, and Hessle.

We were tremendously impressed by your Web Site presentation. Heddon-on-the-Wall is a name that we have known for years and years. It is written on the Family page of a Bible belonging to our grandfather. The entry: "William Crowe and Elizabeth Scott married at Heddon on the Wall December 12th 1847. William and Elizabeth are our great grandparents.

It wasn’t until recently when we became caught-up in researching our background, that Heddon-on-the-Wall became more than a name. We came to know of the place and were excited by all that we discovered.

Although your Web Site didn’t help us in revealing more of our family history, we were fascinated by the variety of information that you presented. We were excited by the possibility of discovering more about Elizabeth Scott and her parents Henry Scott (a land agent) and Mary (Charlton) Scott. Supposedly they came from the area. Our great grandfather William Crowe was born in Haltwhistle and for a number of years lived there with his family as did his father and mother William Crowe and Margaret (Hudspith)Crowe.

We were unable to fill inblanks in our family background, but we could see that Heddon-on-the-Wall is a place of loveliness and charm and possesses an interesting history. You are to be congratulted on your informative and well-designed internet presentation.

Sincerely,

Dorothy Crowe and Marion Crowe

There will be a Strawberry Tea and Raffle on Saturday, 15 July, at 2pm in the WI Hall. Entry £1.

HEDDON VILLAGE SHOW is on 2 September. A new class has been introduced in the Handycrafts Section - "any handicraft by a person under 14 years of age" the winner will receive a special award.

Show Schedules will be distributed in July.

No bouffant hairstiles, fake tans, sequinned frocks and figure hugging body suits required for Ballroom and Latin dance classes held on Tuesday nights in the Knott Hall. There’s no problem either with backstage rivalry or moody prima donnas as we attempt a ‘Split Cuban Break’, ‘Turkish Towel’ and ‘Sliding Doors’ (Yes this is dancing not DIY). We may not have the obvious attributes and agility of Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez but even so the mental and physical energy we expend necessitates a ‘quickstep’ to the Three Tuns at the end of the evening. On television recently a young football team took part in Latin American dance classes to improve their flexibility so her is an opportunity for sporting enthusiasts to develop their footwork and to take their partners out for a couple of hours!

If you would like to learn Ballroom, Latin and Sequence dancing do come and join us from 8-10pm on Tuesday evenings. Experienced dancers are also welcome. Enquiries Telephone 0191 2365878 or 01661 853798.

Having read April’s edition of Heddon Gossip I was sad to learn Dave Newman was no longer to coach Heddon Soccer School. His enthusiasm in coaching the children has not only improved their knowledge and skills of the game but has also taught them valuable lessons about disipline and team building. I know Dave gets a lot of satisfaction out of coaching and I’m sure would have continued had it not been for the unfounded anonymous rumours circulating the village., unfortunately, questioning his integrity which has brought this excellent initative to an abrupt halt.

On behalf of the many parents and children I have spoken with I would like to express our sincere gratitude for all the time and effort Dave has taken in coaching our children. We hope in the future he may be persuaded to reconsider.

Wendy Mudie.

HEDDON W.I.

At its 83rd Annual Meeting Mrs. Aileen Rand was re-elected as President (for a 6th year of office). However, she certainly could not do the job without the support and goodwill of the committee and members as she said at the meeting.

The following events are arranged for the next two months -

The Craft Group has completed a wonderful wall-hanging depicting different aspects of village life relative to the W.I. Hall. The hanging was co-ordinated by Mrs. Sheila Taylor and Mrs. Dorothy Hankey and sewn by members at the Thursday Graft Group. It will be hung in Hexham Abbey as part of a Millennium Exhibition. The Exhibition is from 30th June to 9th July.

A member of the Churches together (North East) Football League http://www.heddon.co.uk. E-mail - enquiries.heddon@virgin.net

The 2nd Season of football for the St. Andrew’s teams has just finished on a high. A marked improvement in the performances of both teams has been noticed and will be a base for even greater things next season. The club has developed due to a larger squad of players (the number has doubled since last year) and also a more focussed training plan assisted by the purchase of equipment provided by St. Andrew’s Church.

A review of last season’s games can be found on www.heddon.co.uk

Blue Team - John Stewart; Phil Edmondson: Tom Naylor: James Glasper: James Burns: Chris Owen: Craig Lonsdale: George Bullock

White Team - Ian Edmondson: Richard Glasper: Ben Naylor: Dan Anderson: Simon Burns: Andrew Thirlwell: Mark Turner: Stephen Noble.

Leaders - Peter Carr and Gordon Stewart

HEDDON BROWNIES

The Brownies have recently gained their 'Jesters' badge. They all took part in a short play and they displayed a range of talents such as piano playing and singing.

We have turned our attention to the 'Artists' badge and the girls have decorated photo frames and drawn pictures to put in them.

We will be taking part in 'STOMP' day at which the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from the area will meet together at Whitehouse Farm, Morpeth for what we hope will be a fun day out in June.

Taking advantage of what we hope will be the good weather in the coming weeks, we intend to walk along to the Butterfly Haven. Ian Armstrong has kindly agreed to talk to the girls about the project.

Hopefully the weather will allow us to undertake more activities out of doors so we may see you out in the village on Wednesday evenings.

Wendy and Jan

AN EVENING OF MIDSUMMER MELODIES

AD MURUM SINGERS will be holding their Annual Charity Concert on SATURDAY, 10th JUNE in the Heddon Village Knott Memorial Hall at 7pm.

The varied programme being presented will be under the baton of our Musical Director Dr. J. Douglas Hunter and our accompanist Mrs. Audrey Harrison. We will be pleased to have as our Guest Artiste ....LEXIE DALZIEL

Admission (including light refreshments) will be £3. Tickets available from choir members

There will also be a raffle.

The Charity we are delighted to support is the recently launched - ST. OSWALD’S JIGSAW APPEAL

THE CHOIR WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AS BIG A CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHARITY AS POSSIBLE. WE EARNESTLY ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT. COME ALONG ON 10th JUNE TO AN ENJOYABLE MUSICAL EVENING AND SUPPORT A WORTHY CAUSE.

Stan Hall, Chairman

What’s going on at the Hall?

The Knott Memorial Hall is a facility for the whole village of Heddon on the Wall and the last decade has seen the Hall transformed from a run down shadow of its former self. There is still much work to be done and the Management Committee has to tread a careful path when preparing the programme of events. A number of our events are extremely well attended, such as the annual Ceilidh and Carol Concert (which is run in conjunction with the Ad Murum Singers) but some have not attracted the audiences that the events deserve. Well attended events provide the Hall with additional revenue which is used to repair and improve the Hall. This year we will be starting a programme of repainting and will also be looking for Lottery Funding to assist in the refurbishment of the toilets, part of which will be the provision of disabled facilities.

This year we are trying out a number of new ideas to attract more people to the Hall and, hopefully, get them to use the Hall for their own leisure and educational pursuits. The current programme is set out below: -

Saturday, 19th August New Orleans Jazz evening with the Heritage Hall Stompers

Saturday, 16th September Local History Day led by John Grundy

Saturday, 7th October NTC present ‘Mary Barton’ by Elizabeth Gaskell, author of ‘Wives and Daughters’, in a new adaptation by Stewart Howson

Saturday, 14th October Ceilidh

Saturday, 20th January Fire Fawn (Pantomime by NTC) Matinee performance.

NTC is a professional theatre company and their performances in the Hall have been well received - especially the annual pantomime. We would like to see more of their productions in the Hall and need your continued support as the costs of these productions are increasing each year. MARY BARTON is an HISTORICAL DRAMA set in the 1840’s and is an epic tail of love, murder, poverty and injustice ... Please do try to attend this production - this will give us encouragement to continue our association with the Northumberland Theatre Company.

The same goes for the JAZZ EVENING - if there is sufficient interest we will do this again. The band performs at Jazz Festivals in Britain and Europe and are performing in Denmark ahead of the Heddon event.

Further new ventures will include a RACE NIGHT and/or a CASINO EVENING. These will be good opportunities to have some fun and to raise some money.

A number of Heddon residents have expressed an interest in adult education and we are delighted to be able to run a pilot course - SPANISH FOR BEGINNERS - in conjunction with Newcastle College. This will start on Monday 5th June for twelve weeks. For retired people and those on benefits, income support the course may be free - otherwise the cost is £35 - well worth it!

We are trying to assess interest in a STEP AEROBICS class - if you are interested please contact Karen Quinn on 853359

It is hoped to form a YOUNG PEOPLE’S DRAMA and ARTS CLUB on Saturday mornings. Hedon’s Stephanie Watkins will run the Club for young people aged between 7 and 13 - although this may be stretched for brothers and sisters! Further details on notice boards or from Rose Furlonger on 853156. There will be a small charge to cover costs.

The VILLAGE APPRAISAL clearly indicated that the residents of Heddon wanted more leisure and education opportunities - the Knott Hall has made a start in addressing this need. We now need your support and ideas.

If you want to use the Hall (even for an hour) or would like to contribute to our programme of events then contact Ken Quinn on 853359.

HEDDON LIBRARY NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

This was featured in the last issue of Heddon Gossip and you will be very pleased to hear from Diane, the Librarian, that you have responded. Since April the Library has thirty new members, including 5 junior members. Keep up your support.

The Big Bus is a self-contained ‘youth club’ and it will be in Heddon on a Monday evening from 5th June. It is for children aged 8 - 14 years and will be parked in Heddon First School Playground.

All sorts of activities are available from computers to crafts and music. During the Summer months there will be organised and supervised team games in the nearby Welfare Field. sounds good. Watch the village noticeboards for information.

(Twice a winner in Her Majesty the Queen Mothers birthday awards

www.heddon.co.uk e-mail address - enquiries.heddon @virgin.net

Now that we have seen the last of the frosts (although a frost in June has been recorded) it is time to get the garden planted so that when the Summer comes and we get that lovely warm sunshine we can sit back and enjoy it in beautiful surroundings.

Heddon in Bloom are again organising The Best Kept Front Garden Competition sponsored by Halls of Heddon. Also The Best Kept Business Competition sponsored by The Heddon Village Show

The entry form can be used by the Entrant or by a Person Nominating a Garden or Business.

1. These very popular Competitions will be Judged on a date in mid-late July - the exact date to be announced.

2. The Competition may be won by an entrant on no more than 3 consecutive years. In this case the entrant would receive a trophy to mark the event and will be excluded from the Competition for one year thereafter. (It is hoped that the entrant will allow the judges to view their displays during the exclusion period).

3. Although the prime consideration of the Judges will be on the Summer displays, entrants are invited to submit photographs of this year’s Spring displays, when available, which may assist in making the final decision.

4. Entries are free and can be made in two ways (a) by the entrant completing and submitting an entray form, or (b) by way of a nomination, i.e., by a friend, neighbour or other interested person, with the entrans’s permission

5. Only amateur gardeners within Heddon are eligible.

6. The Judges will take into consideration the size/style of individual displays and may award certificates for certain categories as they feel appropriate

7. The Competition winners will be announced at the Heddon Village Show which is always held on the first Saturday in September. All entrants are encouraged to attend this event.

8. All entry forms must be submitted to the HEDDON IN BLOOM Competitions organiser, Mr. David Chambers, 20 Calvus Drive, Heddon on the Wall, or to the e-mail address given above, before 6th July.

Entry Form

Entrant’s Name ............................................

Address .......................................................................

Tel.No ......................................................

Date .......................................

E-mail address, if applicable ......................................................

Nominated by ....................................................

Address ............................................................................

HEDDON POST OFFICE ......be aware of what is happening

Recently we have been hearing on the radio, TV and also via the newspapers of Banks and Post Offices closing in rural areas and the inconvenience, to say the least, this is causing to the village people. Heddon is probably not truly a rural area, but consider for a moment what the closure of Heddon’s post office would mean -

Pensions and benefits could not be collected with the ease that they are now

Anything other than a first or second class letter could not be posted

The nearest Post Office is Throckley - it is only one and a half miles away but consider the cost of the bus fares, the time spent and the inconvenience.

At the present time the government is considering paying pensions and child benefit by the Automated Credit Transfer (in plain English - through a Bank Account!) in 2003

Apart from the inconvenience caused to a lot of benefit recipients, both old and young, this could have a knock-on effect for sub-post offices.

The National Federation of Sub-Postmasters is very concerned about the threats which are currently facing Sub-Postmasters as a result of the Government’s intentions to pay pensions and child benefit by automated credit transfer in 2003, and makes the following key points -

• Around half the UK’s population - some 28 million people - visit a post office every week, and sub post offices are the heart of many communities.
• Sub-Postmasters are paid for each transaction they undertake, loss of work therefore equals loss of income.
• Benefits represent over 20% of post office income (more in many offices) and also account for around 50% of customer visits to post offices - which provide the opportunity to make additional sales
• Without the benefit payment work it would be impossible to run many post offices successfully and thousands would close.
• There is evidence which shows that many benefit recipients do not want their benefit to be paid into a bank account. In fact, fewer than one in three opt for payment by ACT.

What the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters wants the Government to do -

• Commit to providing benefit recipients with a real choice to receive payments in cash at their local post office - i.e., make it as easy to choose the post office as it is to choose automatic credit transfer and to promote each option equally.
• Put real, tangible pressure on the banks and building societies to offer basic services through post offices.

BE AWARE OF WHAT THIS PROPOSED MOVE COULD MEAN TO YOUR POST OFFICE AT HEDDON ON THE WALL and THE KNOCK-ON EFFECT IT COULD HAVE.

EDITORIAL

In this issue I have included an article geared towards any visitors to Heddon. Details of the short walk on the front page gives them a taste of what Heddon has to offer and also how to find out more details from Heddon’s Website when they return home.

I am getting extra copies of the Issue printed and will put them in the pubs, the Tourist Shop and the Church.

You will see from the Website article that Pat is getting an increasing number of emails congratulating him on the Website and its content and from Americans and Australians trying to trace their roots ….. I find this really exciting and it is a credit to Pat’s good work.

Ron Hall, the Heddon Postmaster, is concerned about the Government’s intention to pay benefits by the Automatic Credit Transfer system which could have a knock-on effect for the Post Office trade….. Please be aware of what is and could happen and look at the wider implications for the Post Office at Heddon.

EVENING STROLL by Jadzia Race

Luscious blooms the lilac, clustered cream and purple

Cherry blossom floats in a dreamy, drifting breeze

Sweet aubrietia sleeps on crumbling walls at twilight

Daffodils now fading, are nodding near the trees

Fresh and green the sycamore, tall and standing proudly

Crisp and bright the hawthorne and neatly trimmed beech hedge

Wherein hide the sparrows, flirting, chirping, breeding

And feeding prescious fledglings at the border’s edge

Glorious the gardens lush with marigolds and pansies

Scented in the air as I stroll along Blue Row

Cosy Clara Vale gleams warmly in the distance

Look towards the Tyne and its handsome ebb and flow.

Tired, the travelling tourist, wandering round our village

See the Roman Wall! Pause softly by the Church

Savour the view across our lovely valley

Rest up at the Inn, then onward with your search

Horse and rider canter, bridlepaths abounding

Through the winsome woodland. Hear the cattle low

Peep along the pastures. Ewes and lambs lie resting

Magnificent the month of May in amber evening glow

My key is in the latch and music’s gently playing

Kettle whistles on the stove as I step into the hall.

Fragrance of magnolia, lingers as I settle

Happily at home, at Heddon on the Wall

The butterfly site is now beginning its first growing season and it is very much a case of having patience And letting things develop. I can say , though, that those of us on the small management team are very happy with the way it is developing and everything seems to be coming along as we expected.

The management group has just had a meeting and discussed further developments at the site and elsewhere on the Common so we shall be in touch with our team (over 60 on the mailing list now) within the near future.

An interesting item to come out of the meeting was that under the auspices of our friends in the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers a team of Spanish Mycologists (fungus folks to thee and me!) will be visiting this part of the world, including Heddon Common, in October. They will be staying in the village for three days so those of us who have taken advantage of the new Spanish Classes in the Knott Hall will be able to fluently ask them ‘what colour the pen of their aunt is’ … or is that French?