Some years ago a lady heard

A faint mewing in her yard

White socks and vest but mainly black

She found a hungry little cat

And placed a full dish by the wall

She loved God’s creatures great and small

The pussy ate up all the food

And thought "this hotel is rather good"

So called around each night at seven

Thinking surely this Heaven

Returning every night to bed

In the Churchyard, by the dead

All too soon this cat gave birth

By a bush on hallowed earth

Placing Betty in a fix

A feline family of six

Coping with six cats’ demands

So four of them stayed with the vet

And Betty kept her little pet

And a kitten to be tamed

Jet and Biddy they were named

However, Biddy chose to roam

While Jet stayed happily at home

Betty, keeping to her deal

Prepared for them each evening meal

Until there came the acid test

Poor Betty now was laid to rest

A friendly neighbour full of zeal

Took on the task of evening meal

Then he found a new abode

And packed their dishes and their food

Taking them to pastures new

A move the mother cat did rue,

A moment when he dropped his guard

She bolted back to the churchyard

But trouble follows mother cat,

A letter landed on the mat

Graveyard cats - against the law

Biddy’s bedroom is no more

But Biddy cannot understand

Why she’s evicted from this land

Where she’s slumbered all these years

Now it’s ending all in tears

But to the rescue, full of pity

Comes the kind Knott Hall Committee

"Have your dinner little cat

We’ll put out the welcome mat"

Could not people all be kind

And understand a Moggy’s mind

A meal each day, a resting place

Is all she needs to rest her case.

On 16th December, 1944, a B17 Flying Fortress returning from a raid on Germany flew into low cloud covering The Cheviot in the border hills between England and Scotland. Due to failure of the navigational equipment and the fact that the aircraft had to fly at low altitude because of severe icing, it crashed into the summit of West Hill killing two of its crew. Three of the remaining seven made their way down to Mount Hooly farm in the College Valley. One of the three was George Kyle, the pilot, who had suffered severe head wounds. He was later taken from the farm to a field hospital at Milfield aerodrome and from their to Newcastle General Hospital.

In June of 2000 the squadron of which he was a part had a reunion at Molesworth, their base during the war.

Jim Corbett, an aviation archaeologist of Newcastle upon Tyne had been researching this aircraft for a number of years and had the most informative website of it available. Twelve months prior to the reunion, Carol Kyle Sage, the pilots grandaughter, accessed the website and immediately contacted Jim Corbett stating that she, her father and a family friend would be attending the reunion and they would like to meet him afterwards. This they did and together with Him Corbett’s father spent three delightful days together, with Carol visiting the wrek site then all touring Northumberland by car. The final night of the visit was spent in the Swan Inn, Heddon on the Wall where all had a most delightful evening.

For a full account of the accident, and the events which followed, visit the North East England Aircraft Crash Research website at www.aircrashuk.freeserve.co.uk

The saga of the route of the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail is a fairly lengthy and interesting one which I have hopefully entertained you with on at least one other occasion in this publication. The bone of contention between the Parish Council and the Countryside Commission (as was) was the Commission’s proposal to bring the trail over Heddon Common which had just achieved the status of Local Nature Reserve, in addition, the proposed route did not actually take walkers to the splendid streatch of exposed Wall in the village .... a curious, if not downright careless ommission you might think! Of course most of us would think, as so many hikers following the line of the Wall from Wallsend or Bowness on Solway over the years do, that in the Heddon area the obvious route is to follow the Military Road and Hexham Road, but according to the Commission we would be wrong. Apparently, serious hikers following the National Trail will much prefer to ignore the Wall for the entire distance between Wallsend and Heddon and walk along the river bank instead. I wonder why Hadrian didn’t think of that!

We made all the obvious points on why, in our view, the route needed changing which was re-inforced by the Commission’s own figures or the likely usage of a National Trail such as this. They confidently predict that we will have several tens of thousands of people walking the Trail annually!! A large proportion of whom will be day walkers on easily reached sections of the Trail from the main connurbation. Clearly the Heddon area will be one of those.

In opposing the Trail coming over Heddon Common, because of its Nature Reserve and local amenity status, the Parish Council also recognised the economic value of increased visitor numbers to businesses in the village. We had several meetings with the Trail Development Officer and the County Council’s National Trail Officer and eventually reached agreement on the route in the Parish.

Nothing would budge them from the idea of following the river bank and then crossing the golf course on the Public Right of Way at the east end of Close House and up through the estate to Heddon Banks. The route will follow Heddon Banks to the junction with Towne Gate where it will turn right through the village to the Roman Wall. From the Wall it returns a short distance along Towne Gate and turns right along Chare Bank which it follows back to Towne Gate at the Knott Hall and Memorial Park and then crosses the main road to the Three Tuns and leaves the village along the Military Road, eventually crossing a stile into the field leading up the hill to Rudchester. The route from the bottom of Heddon Banks and through the village is the route proposed by the Parish Council when it became clear that the Trail organisers would not be dissuaded from the river route.

We believe that it firstly protects the status of Heddon Common as a LOCAL Nature Reserve and, secondly, it gives the businesses of the village a chance to make the most of the presemce of more tourists.

The National Trail will be well sign posted over its entire length including the village and the positioning and design of the signs has been the subject of our latest discussions with the County National Trail Officer. The Trail is due for completion in about a year’s time and not only does that mean sign posts but it also means the upgrading of the Trail, where needed, to a certain standard. So far as the village is concerned, that will mean some work being done on Chare Bank including an investigation of the old well near the entrance to the Memorial Park in case it needs capping.

These things do take a considerable amount of time and effort but in this case we feel the outcome will be worth it.

Ian Armstrong

First of all THANK YOU to everyone who entered this year’s show and CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL CUP WINNERS.

The first show of the new millennium was a great success. Right from when the doors opened at 9am we had a steady flow of people coming with entries.

Entries overall were up on previous years which meant more price money being paid out. The afternoon attendance was quite staggering so another BIG THANK YOU to you all

The Hexhamshire Lasses and Morris Dancers provided pre-show entertainment and gave another performance at 3pm. I am sure we all enjoyed their dancing and it was nice to see some younger people amongst them.

The show was officially opened by our President, Dr. Brian Selman. Mr. Stan Hall presented the Heddon in Bloom competition winners with their awards and Dr. Selman presided over our prizegiving.

The judges were very impressed by the high standard of workmanship and had some difficult decisions to make.

THANK YOU also to the WI ladies who kept everyone going with their excellent teas.

We are constantly thinking of new ideas to maintain an interest in the show but if YOU have any ideas for something new please let a committee member know.

We hope to see you all again next year.

CUP WINNERS - 2000

Vegetables ................. L.Young

Garlic ........................... Mrs. Gardner-Medwin

Flowers - Dahlias....... G. Parker

Sweet Peas ... H. & G. Simpson

Floral Art .................... Mrs. S. Watson

Wine & Beer .............. K. Bruce

Photography .............. I. Armstrong

Cookery ...................... Mrs. K. Quinn

CRAFTS

Special Craft Award ... Daniel Anderson

Children’s Trophies

5 & under................... Jenny Dobson

6-9 years .................... Sophie Laws

10-13 ........................... Rachel Smith

Cup Winner .................. Rachel Smith

ST CUTHBERT'S WAY

In early August 2000 a small group from Heddon Ramblers set out to walk the St Cuthbert's Way, which stretches 62.5 miles from the town of Melrose in the Borders, to Holy Island, off the Northumberland coast. The group consisted of Les and Joy Kirby, Keith and Anne Tulip and Pat and Margaret Farnaby, ably assisted by Ian and Pam Wallace. Ian and Pam not only moved the bulk of the luggage each day, but also reconnoitered the local eating and watering holes in advance. This ensured that when the weary walkers arrived at their nightly destination they were assured of the best in the way of resuscitation.

The first day started from the 12th century Melrose Abbey and involved climbing over the Eildon Hills (1400ft) and dropping down to follow the meandering banks of the river Tweed, before joining the old Roman Road, Dere Street, which originally ran from York to the Forth. After a long, hot and tiring day, we left Dere Street to come down into Jedburgh for an overnight stop, having completed the first 18 miles.

On day two we rejoined Dere Street for a few more miles, before leaving it to make our way to Morebattle. We had a couple of hours of rain but fortunately it cleared up as we left Morebattle to make the ascent over Grubbit Law (1150 ft), so that we were able to make the best of the views, before dropping down into Town Yetholm, having covered 14.5 miles. We had heard Town Yetholm described as the land that time forgot and this proved to be true when some in the party were forced to share the very limited bathing facilities.

Keith, who appeared to be powered by a mixture of cereal and red wine, tended to lag behind the rest of the group in the early morning, but as this strange concoction took hold he was able to power past the rest and take the lead as the day progressed.

On day three, leaving Town Yetholm, we were fortunate to have a hot sunny day to climb over the Cheviot foothills, enabling us to appreciate the beautiful views, as we crossed the border into England, and dropped down into Wooler. A short walk of 13 miles but with some steep climbs and descents.

Day four was very wet as we left Wooler, to travel past St Cuthbert's Cave, on our way to Holy Island. Bryn Tailford and Anne Anderson braved the weather to give us a welcome lift, by walking with us for a while. We were welcomed on the causeway by Mike and Alison Laker, complete with balloons and frieze, depicting the walkers. Our welcoming committee also included Ian and Hazel McMurtry.

On the final day we had covered 17 miles. There were some blistered feet and aching limbs, but a sense of achievement was shared by all. The group received sponsorship for breast cancer, which has benefited by about £387.00. I personally gained 6 pounds (2.7kg).

More details on the walking of St Cuthbert's Way can be found on the Heddon Web Site at www.heddon.co.uk. Follow the links, Things to do, Walks, St Cuthbert's Way.

(See inset photo of walkers with frieze under the statue of St Cuthbert on Holy Island)

Links, are what has turned the Internet into the World Wide Web. Links are those parts of a Web page, which when clicked on, load other Web pages or Web sites. There are currently reputed to be over 1000 million Web sites in total.

With all those Web sites it is miraculous that anyone ever finds what they are looking for. A common way of locating sites that have the information that you want is to use a Search Engine. These are vast databases, which store keywords, and associated links to the Web pages that contain those keywords. There are many Search Engines to choose from, some of the better known ones you may have recently seen advertised on the TV. "Lycos" is the one where the dog helps out the Scottish piper, who is missing part of his apparel, and "Ask Jeeves", the helpful butler, is another. My favourite Search Engine, because of it's size, speed and simplicity is Google (www.google.com). You may wonder who thinks up the names of Search Engines, when you discover that two other favourites are "Hotbot" and "Dogpile".

Another method of trying to get people to visit your Web site is by linking sites together in Web Rings. Heddon Web Site belongs to several Web Rings, the most local being the Morpeth Net (www.morpethnet.co.uk). Through this Web Ring, Heddon Web Site is linked to a rapidly expanding network of Northern towns and villages, who also have their own Web sites. The Morpeth Net Web Ring includes Amble, Alnwick, Belford, Berwick on Tweed, Blaydon on Tyne, Blyth, Haydon Bridge, Hexham, Lindesfarne, Lowick, Morpeth, Rothbury, Seaton Delaval, Ulgham, Whickham, Warkworth and Wylam.

Heddon Web Site continues to attract visitors from near and far. Recent foreign visitors include a lady from Australia who visited Heddon about 2 years ago because her great, great, great, grandmother was born here. Another was a gentleman from Key West, in Florida, who "painted both our churches and many houses in Heddon, about 15 years ago".

By way of an update, the Crowes, who contacted the site from New York (see June issue of the Gossip), have been put in touch with some possible relations in the Haltwhistle area, and we wait to hear if there is any family connection.

Having started by explaining that the World Wide Web is built on links, one of the main aims of the Heddon Web Site is to provide links, to connect together people, who for one reason or another are part of the community of Heddon, wherever they may be.

LETTERS

Poor support at excellent entertainment

Dear Editor

On Saturday 19th August, 2000, I attended a ‘gig’ at the Knott Hall by the ‘Heritage Hall Stompers’.

This was an excellent concert and appeared to be thoroughly enjoyed by the dozen or so residents of Heddon who made the effort to be in the audience to support this local function.

The committee deserves better support than this and must be very discouraged by the ‘turn out’ and the promises of attendance not kept.

I can only hope that future events will be better supported.

K.White, Walbottle.

Heddon Library - Exhibitions

From Tuesday, 10th October

Heddon Art Group will display a selection of member’s work.

From Tueaday, 7th November

Knitting and Needlework Exhibition by Sue Barras

Sue has been knitting and embroidering, both for herself and others for over 45 years and has exhibited very successfully at local Shows. Having recently taken redundancy she is now putting her expertise on the market. Anything will be considered from a new project to finishing off old projects consigned to the back of the drawer! An advisory service is also available.

Best of the Best

As announced at the Village Show, this year saw perhaps the best ever number of entries in Heddon in Bloom’s ‘Best Kept Garden Competition’. A luxurious 40 or so entrants gave the judge a difficult but most enjoyable task to accomplish.

In third place was Mr. Potts, Remus Avenue, while second were Mr. & Mrs. Glenton, next door in Remus Avenue. The hotly contested first place went to Mr. Young, East Heddon. Each received a gift voucher from Hall’s of Heddon who once again generously sponsored the event.

Highly Commended certificates were awarded to Mr. Tiffin, Miss Walker, Mr. & Mrs. Law and Mr. & Mrs. Laverick all of Blue Row., Mr. Young, Allerburn and Mrs. Barber at Ravenside Farm. Mr. Parker and Mr. Wright both of Trajan Walk. Mr. & Mrs. Tiffin, Remus Avenue, received a Best New Entry/Most Improved Garden Certificate.

Two gardens were also entered into the Castle Morpeth Competition and one has progressed to the Finals of a national competition run by a major gardening magazine. So, all in all, we had a very good year.

In the Business Competition sponsored by the Village Show, the third place went to Mr. & Mrs. Burdon (Liz’s) Shop), Second to Abacus Nursery and first place to The Swan.

In the Northumbria in Bloom competition the village was pitched against around 50 other large villages in the region. Despite extra work this year we didn’t make it into the prize list., but with the continued support of The Swan Leek Club, Halls of Heddon, the Parish Council and everyone in the village, every effort will be made next year to achieve the regional recognition we so righly deserve.

Around £80 was raised by Heddon in Bloom at the Swan Fete. This will go a long way to adding an extra splash of colour next year.

There are now around 20 helpers working with Heddon in Bloom following last year’s recruitment drive. Everybody with an interest in plants and flowers, the outdoor life and the appearance of the village generally will always be welcome to join in the fun. Interested? Call Dave Chambers on 852740 or Tom & Terry Glenton on 854650

David Chambers

For your information and comment below at the Judges remarks

"Very active committee willing to listen to and implement ideas. Excellent idea to have a website for ‘awareness’".

Residential Areas
"Most gardens show a good standard of maintenance and planting "

"This is a period which could do with more consideration. More Spring colour needed especially in the Knott Memorial Park. "

"Although very good efforts have been made with planting, in several areas the planting is too sparse."

Planting

"Good display at the Pubs. Peace Garden and Church have some good planting but there is room for improvement."

"Butterfly Haven - an excellent project - we’re looking forward to see it develop"

Cleanliness and Re-cycling

"Litter pick was well advertised and effective. Generally looks clean, tidy and cared for."

In August we spent a pleasent evening sketching in St. Andrew’s Church which contains such a wealth of subjects that we hope to be able to make a return visit.

Jason Skill’s watercolour demonstration was fascinating and well attended, thanks to those visitors who came along for the evening. We learned a few new techniques and saw how he could produce the most dramatic seascapes from wet paper, thick paint and blotting paper!

We are now working towards our 25th Annual Exhibition to be held on Saturday, 7th October from 10.30am to 4.30pm in the WI Hall. We are in the process of producing a new version of the village map and Ian Armstrong has kindly agreed to draw the raffle and present the Rose Bowl. For more information look out for our posters around the village.

As an occasional National Express traveller I saw a leaflet in Gallowgate Buss Station about tickets to London which included entrance tickets for the Dome ... so at the beginning of August I decided to make up my own mind and visit the Dome!

We travelled down on the overnight coach and arrived in London on a sunny Tuesday morning. We had a picnic breakfast on the Embankment opposite the London Eye then set off for Greenwich on the Tube. We were among the first people at the Dome that morning and when the gates were opened our tickets for the Body Zone meant that we could visit it between 9am and 9.45am so no queues there. As it happened, I would have been very disappointed if I had had to queue very long because, of all the attractions, the Body Zone was the most disappointing. When we came out I wondered if I had taken a wrong turning .... there seemed so little to see. However, the rest of the visit was very enjoyable.

The Learning Zone with the school was well done and, at the end, the screen we were watching opened and we were invited to go through to what seemed to be a large dark forest with millions of tiny lights in the trees. On looking closer we realized it was all done with mirrors. The effect was magical to see.

The work area of this Zone was busy all day with people trying out team-work and puzzles or playing on the largest table soccer table with about twenty players on each side controlling the handles

I had not seen a fifty pound note until I was in the Dome but standing in the Money Zone with hundreds of notes making up the walls (all enclosed in plastic) you realised how many piles of cash you would have if you won the Lottery.

There was plenty to see and do to keep both young and old occupied. Lots of different eating establishments including McDonalds who did not charge exhorbitant prices.

The Show in the Arena was bright, noisy and fast moving with action going on all around the audience.

I was pleased we had gone early because by early afternoon queues had built up at all the attractions and we were glad to go outside into the sunshine and explore the action going on between the Dome and the river. We travelled back on the overnight bus feeling very tired but glad to have been and I know that, given the chance, I would visit again.

Would you like to help with this project to brighten Christmas Day for a child or young person less fortunate than ourselves living in another part of the world?

IF YOU WISH ..YOU CAN HELP by doing any of the following -

1. Filling a shoebox

2. Providing an empty shoebox

3. Providing individual items to fill shoe boxes

Leaflets giving details of items which are acceptable are available from Heddon Library and

Heddon Methodist Chapel . They set out very plainly how each of us can help. The Chapel will be open between 1.30pm and 3pm on Monday afternoons in October to receive full shoe boxes, empty shoe boxes and individual items.

They also have helpers who will be knitting hats, mits, etc... DEADLINE 1st NOV.

Imagine children’s faces in war torn countries when they open their own shoebox!

will present a 3 Act play "CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS" in the W.I. Hall, Heddon on Thursday and Friday, 2nd & 3rd November, 2000. Curtain up at 7.30pm

This very funny comedy is set in the period just after the war when families still lived together. Grandma enjoys her ‘we drop of comfort’ each night while working out which line to do on the pools. When her Grandson, Billy, comes home bringing an exotic dancer with him who wants to borrow some of his Father’s pigeons to dance with "the cat is truly among the pigeons"!

Tickets will be available from Edith Hartle on 01661 853627 or Sarah Elliott on 0191 2676834

The prices will be Thurs. 2nd Nov. - Adults £2.50: Children £1.50

Fri. 3rd Nov. - Adults £3.50 : Children £2.50

On the first and third Monday mornings of the month between 10am and noon the Chapel is open for anyone to drop in for a Coffee & Chat (or Tea & Chat!). Why not come along? October and November dates are in the events diary.

The Pathfinders Walking Group continues ‘apace’ and welcomes anyone who enjoys an easy walk with good company. Don’t fotget to bring a packed lunch. Meet at the Chapel - dates and times as above.

Don’t forget that there is a Mums and Toddlers Group which meets every Wednesday between 1.30 and 3.30pm in school term time.

Two years ago in 1998, at the request of some of those in the village who served their country in the armed forces, Heddon Methodist Church held a short service to commemorate Remembrance Day on the actual day - 11the November. It proved to be well received and was repeated in 1999. We propose to continue this tradition for as long as there are folk who feel they want to honour their past comrades in this way. This year’s service will fall on a Saturday so will perhaps enable more to come. Refreshments are served following the service. Everyone is very welcome.

I do hope to saw Heddon Butterfly Haven in its wild flower glory, it was a magnificient sight. Unfortunately, we organised the last Community Day on a Friday prior to a Bank Holiday, obviously not a good idea - sorry. However, for those who did come along together with the BTCV team a very interesting range of ‘Mini-Beasts’ was found. It was particularly noticeable that there was a much wider range this time than when we did a similar hunt just before we started the project last year.

Using some of the insects as models, before releasing them, we produced four excellent and very bright banners which formed a good backdrop when the photographer from the Hexham Courant came along. The Haven was photographed for the Saturday Express magazine but I don’t think it has been featured yet.

There will be a Community Day on Saturday 30 September when the meadow will be cut and raked

The Butterfly Haven will be even more personalised. BTCV together with two artists will be in Heddon at the end of September to teach basic stone carving skills, the resulting hand carved stepping stones will be used to make paths to the seat on the Haven.

Another exciting project will be the FUNGAL WEEKEND, 13/14 and 15 October. There will be Spanish guests in Heddon, including Dr. Mariano Quintana (a member of both British & Spanish Micological Societies)

Fri. 13th - in the WI Hall at 7pm

A slide show and an introduction to Fungi

Sat. 14th in the morning

A Fungal Foray looking at and identifying fungi

In the afternoon, back at the WI Hall will be Family Activities

Microscopes and stains will be used to look at fungal spores and sections and identify them

Spore prints, fungal banners will be made.

Education material by the British Micological Society will be trialed

Sun. 15th - A full day on the Butterfly site including (in the morning)

Tree planting

A Fungal Walk on Heddon Common led by local experts and our Spanish guest

In the afternoon

There will be "Spirit Walks". Guided walks with fungal characters in full costume.

This is a continuing partnership with BTCV, AGE CONCERN and HEDDON PARISH COUNCIL with the lastest project funding coming from NORTHUMBERLAND ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIPS.

Ian Armstrong & Ann Lockey

AN APPEAL FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL

There is NO VILLAGE HANDYMAN.... Paul, previously doing this job was offered and accepted full time employment which explains why small jobs around the village are not being done.

In the Summer we managed to survive but the Winter is on the way ... what will happen then? The Handyman looked after such jobs as snow clearing, gritting and salting and other Winter duties which are essential, especially where elderly people are concerned.

If you think you can help your community by contributing two or three hours per week please get in touch with me, Tom Bates, Tel. 01661 852682 or at 12 Antonine Walk. Heddon. The position is paid at a rate of £4 per hour. I look forward to hearing from our future HANDYMAN. ....... Tom Bates, Clerk to the Parish Council

KNOTT MEMORIAL HALL

Dates for your diary at the Knott Memorial Hall

NTC Touring Theatre Company present "MARY BARTON" by Elizabeth Gaskell

Tickets £6/£4 concessions, from Heddon Shops, on the door or Tel. 853359

Ceilidh and Pie & Pea Supper

Live Bank and licenced bar.

Tickets £5 inc. supper, available in advance only from Heddon Shope or Tel. 853359

Ad Murum Choir present an evening of festive music with mince pies and ginger wine and the Knott Hall’s Grand Christmas Draw.

Further details and ticket information to follow.

Flu Jabs
We are currently trying to arrange flu inoculation sessions at the Hall with both the Throckley and Ponteland/Wylam surgeries. Please watch village notice boards for more information.

To book the Knott Hall for your private party, children’s parties, clubs, etc., please telephone Karen Quinn on 01661 853359

Exhibitions

From Tuesday, 10th October

Heddon Art Group will display a selection of member’s work

From Tuesday, 7th November
Knitting and Needlework Exhibition by Sue Barras

Sue has been knitting and embroidering, both for herself and others for over 45 years and has exhibited very successfully at local Shows. Having recently taken redundancy she is now putting her expertise on the market. Anything will be considered from a new project to finishing off old projects consigned to the back of the drawer! An advisory service is also available.

The Fete was a bigger success than could have been hoped for considering the large black clouds that loomed over on the Bank Holiday morning. At 2pm the car park was full and hoards of people were waiting to come in ... then the excitement began.

The egg throwing and catching was won by the Ord brothers with a throw of 50m.
Charlie Scott won the Welly Throwing with a hoy of 34m

Half a dozen managed to get the ball through the hole for the Penalty Shoot Out and only lucky winner walked away with a pair of Newcastle United tickets.

Despite the weather the Tug of War went ahead, the winners now sport Guinness Sweatshirts. The first past the post in the Three Legged Race enjoyed a Meal for Two at the Swan.

The youngsters enjoyed themselves on the Bouncy Castle, having their Faces Painted.

The Junior Treasure Hunt was won by three girls from Houghton.

The Coconut Shy, Electric Buzzer, Cash Point and the 6" Challenge brought smiles to all.

The W.I, Heddon in Bloom and the Church all participated with stalls and MANY THANKS to everyone who attended on the day. With your support, maybe we can make this a yearly event.

Marianne Kelly

As the new season gets under way St. Andrew’s under 16 year old six a side teams have been put through their paces at recent training sessions with assistance from a local marathon runner. It is hoped this will have built up the player’s stamina after the long Summer break. Good Luck to the teams.

HEDDON WI

As you will have noticed, our Hall is looking very smart on the outside and we have even had a light fitted above the entrance ready for the dark nights.

Our next task will be to decorate the main hall which has nott seen a paint brush for several years. Then, hopefully, if funds can be found, the roof will be renovated.

After that we will relax for a while and enjoy our meetings and social events.

he October meeting on Monday, 2nd October will be a ‘Display and History of Thornton’s Chocolates’ talk

On Monday, 6th November, Miss Neave will give a talk entitled ‘Hark the Herald Angels’. If you have never heard Miss Neave you must come along for she is very entertaining.

In October we are hoping to revive ‘Tuesday Teas’ in the WI Hall with tea and home-made cake for £1. This will happen fortnightly but keep an eye on the village notice boards for the first date.

Look out, too, for our first ‘Soup & Bun’ day on Saturday, 11th November.

Do join us at any of these events. We are sure you will enjoy them.

Joyce Laws, Secretary

HEDDON CARPET BOWLS CLUB .... have enjoyed their Summer using the Knott Hall.

On 14th September we held our first Match of the season. It was good to have the facilities of the kitchen and Supper Room. We played a team from Wylam ... it was a good match with the scores close until half-time. After a lovely supper Heddon forged ahead winning the match 77 shots to 43.

Audrey Browning

AD MURUM SINGERS are now back in ‘practice mode’ after their Summer break. New members in all parts of the Choir are always welcome but particularly in the Soprano and Tenor sections. The Choir meets for practice in Heddon Methodist Church Hall at 7.30pm each Tuesday evening ... you will be very welcome. Audrey Harrison

A lot of village events have taken place since the last Heddon Gossip and most appear to have been a success and not too badly affected by the weather. This issue has more information about interesting and exciting events planned which can only benefit the village environmentally and culturally.

Thinking of events in the world ... Operation Christmas Child is well worth supporting and can cost you as much as you want to give. Apologies to those whose articles I have been unable to use this time ... they are first in line for the December issue.

Ann Lockey, Editor. 01661 852832