HEDDON ON THE WALL ST ANDREW’S C.E. FIRST SCHOOL
THE EARLY YEARS GARDEN PROJECT
It all began in May, 2001 when the children of Heddon St. Andrew’s CE First School Nursery were studying a topic on ‘growing’.
As they needed somewhere to plant the flowers and vegetables they had grown they decided to create their very own school garden.
The entrance to the Early Years Unit seemed the ideal location and so the idea was born. Work on the garden began in June, 2001.
Naturally, in order to develop this project and bring the plans to fruition, funds were required. After many weeks of training, Sarah Breakey, the Nursery Teacher successfully competed in her first half marathon, The Great North Run. She raised £180 through sponsorship and so the fund was off to a great start.
The Nursery were also awarded a ‘Gardener’s Pack’ from the ‘Grow Your Own Garden with Percy’ (Percy the Park Keeper stories by Mick Inkpen) initiative for schools. The scheme was intended for those who were planning to create their own garden. The pack included gardening tools and lots of packets of seeds.
A tremendous boost to the funds was received in March, 2002, when Heddon St. Andrew’s School was one of only a few schools to be awarded a grant through Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Awards for Schools. A cheque for £499.80 meant that work could really begin in earnest and the transformation of the school entrance began.
Raised flower beds have been constructed, walls painted with appropriate murals, trellis adorns the walls and benches are situated informally in the area. Tubs, hanging baskets and pots of plants are abundant and plans are being made for a wildlife area and bird table. The garden is a delight to everyone who sees it.
In addition, the children are learning the value of ‘rubbish’ with the inclusion of a large compost bin. The garden will provide a valuable learning environment for the children at Heddon St. Andrew’s School as well as making a very attractive and welcoming entrance to the Early Years Department. As this project will be ongoing and will develop and grow in the weeks and months to come the school would welcome any contributions of plants, seeds, cuttings or just ideas!!
Thank you
CHANGED FROM GLORY INTO GLORY - A CELEBRATION IN FLOWERS
It is now just over two months until the Flower Festival and we only have one more fund raising event to go. On Saturday 22nd June at 2pm we are holding a Garden Party at Heddon Hall. We are extremely grateful to Mrs. Brims for allowing us to hold this event at her home and we hope the weather will be an improvement on last year!!!
There will be a variety of stalls (Tombola, Bric a Brac, Cakes) a raffle, games and refreshments. If anyone has any contributions for the stalls please give them to Esme Tingate, Jenny Kernahan, Hazel Thompson or any other Flower Festival Committee Member. Our last fund raising event, ‘Simply Flowers’ which was held in the WI Hall on 26th April, was a very enjoyable evening which raised over £130.
Claire Young gave a very interesting and informative talk on caring and prolonging the life of flowers in the home and impressed us all with her talent by making hand tied bouquets. Afterwards, we had a flower and plant quiz which was won by Mrs. Hotchkiss, a raffle and refreshments. We would like to thank Claire and everyone who helped and supported this event in any way.
FLOWER FESTIVAL DETAILS
The Preview Evening to be opened by Bishop Martin and his wife on Wednesday, 31st July at 7.30pm (Tickets available from Freda Phillipson)
The Flower Festival will be open in St. Andrew’s Church, the Methodist Church and the Knott Memorial Hall on:
Thursday, 1st August - 10am to 6pm
Friday, 2nd August - 10am to 6pm
Saturday, 3rd August -10am to 6pm
Sunday, 4th August - 11am to 5pm
Entry by Programme which covers all venues £4, concessions £3, children of school age free. Proceeds in aid of the Jigsaw Appeal, the Churches of Heddon on the Wall and other local charities.
It was very kind of the Parish Council to nominate us for the Meritorious Service Award to the Community. We had an excellent evening in the Mayor’s Parlour at Morpeth and had the chance to meet people from other villages in the area.
It was nice to be able to explore the Council Chambers at Morpeth Town Hall and to see some of the ancient manuscripts and artifacts on display.
We would like to thank all our customers over the last 10 years for their support which has kept the village shop alive. We have both enjoyed seeing the shop develop and have made many good friends. We would like to give a special thanks to Hazel Thompson who accompanied us on the night. She gave us excellent support and said some kind words at the Presentation
Liz and Ken
We have been working on pen and ink drawings incorporating watercolour washes this month, producing still life drawings, landscapes and pictures of buildings, all with our regular tutor, Barbara Clayton. We have agreed that her next class on 5th June should be a return to basic water colour techniques which we all need to remember at times, no matter how long we have been painting. On 29th May local artist, John Peace, has again agreed to take a class on Portrait Painting using the medium of our choice, although he prefers oil, pastel or pencil.
We would be very glad to welcome any visitors at any meeting (usually the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 7-9pm in the WI Hall) but particularly to augment our numbers when John Peace comes. Do come along.
Mary White, Hon. Sec. Tel. No. 852749
Since our last entry in the Heddon Gossip I am pleased to report that we have secured the services of Mr. Richard Pomfret to be our temporary conductor. Richard will be rehearing the choir every Tuesday night between now and our concert in May and he will also conduct the choir at the actual concert. Mr.Pomfret is a very enthusiastic, knowledge and experienced choir leader and we are enjoying his input even though it is only for a short time.
The Ad Murum Singers are looking forward to being part of the Heddon on the Wall Queen’s Jubilee Concert. This concert will be on Saturday, 1st June, 2002 at 7pm in the Knott Hall and will be widely publicised around the village nearer the time.
Chris Rand
The last meeting in April was a real treat! Colin Jewitt from Ladycross Quarry and adjoining Nature Reserve showed slides and told tales of some of the wild animals and birds to be found around Northumberland. And still on a Northumbrian theme, Ian Ausuts, the co-ordinator of the new Alnwick Garden talked to members from five local W.I’s on its planning, current building and future developments. What vision! What a wonderful county we live in !!
At the annual meeting in May all committee members were re-adopted and agreed to retain their current posts for another year. We were pleased to welcome Stella Patterson onto the committee. Adeline Burdon, our W.I adviser, was most helpful when we discussed "The Resolutions." These are items that National W.I ask the Government to particularly attend to. This year members will be voting on ‘Local Abattoirs’ and the ‘Importation of Foreign Foods.’
The new year for our members is beginning with a talk on the history of ‘The Bero Flour Cook Book’. This will be held on Monday, 10th June. On Tuesday, 18th June, we will be holding our annual charity event, a Coffee Morning to be held in Joyce Law’s garden (weather permitting) from 10am. This year we are supporting ‘Leprosy Mission.’
We would love to see any of you at these events where you will be made most welcome.
Aileen and Joyce
The firm which supplied the photocopier to Liz’s shop has made the decision that because, in their opinion, there is not sufficient use of the copier they have removed it.
Liz regrets the lack of this facility for her customers.
A member of the Churches together (North East) football league
The end of the Season - Well done! What a season for the Heddon Club. The players have all developed and learned how to play as a team (remember this has been our first season with First Division teams)
Peter Carr has announced his retirement from the everyday running of the Club. We thank him for all his efforts over the previous seasons. He will still maintain the accounts and liase with the PCC.
Social Night 30th March, 2002
A fantastic night of entertainment - the final amount raised (profit) for our club was £398, far more than was expected. Thank you for your support. Goal posts will be ordered soon for pre-season training.
Retiring Players. Thank you for taking part, we wish you all the best.
I wish to reply to an item in last month’s Heddon Gossip referring to the Butterfly Haven and the cut which leads through from Trajan Walk being damaged due to people riding their horses through. Although I agree that this may not be a Bridlepath I am sure that there is more damage being caused by the garden on one side constantly draining onto the path than a handful of horses using this per week. It is mainly used by young people on horseback to save going on the main roads to then join the Bridlepath through the Common. I am sure you will agree we don’t want to put our youngsters in unnecessary danger.
You also stated that they will not be allowed around the Butterfly Haven. I hope this rule also applies to the many groups of people who let their dogs off the lead as soon as they get through the cut to roam and crap all over this so called wonderful sight which has had unreal amounts of money spent on it. All I can say about this subject is that yet another door has closed for the younger generation of the village.
Tracey Sanderson
HEDDON LOOSES ITS RE-CYCLING BAY
Unfortunately, the re-cycling bay in the Back Lonnen has had to be removed at the request of Bays Leap Farm on whose land it was situated. Unfortunately, a small minority used the site as a refuse tip or misbehaved by scattering broken glass and littering the verge with waste paper and plastic, endangering the cattle.
I am afraid that poor maintenance by Castle Morpeth Borough Council exacerbated the problem despite many appeals by the Parish Council that this should be greatly improved. The hunt is now on for a new and better site.
Brian Selman, Chairman, Heddon on the Wall Parish Council
TIPPING OF GARDEN RUBBISH ON THE COMMON
Once again a small minority of householders have begun to tip garden rubbish onto the Common. This is particularly a problem where the houses in Trajan Walk back onto the Common. I realise that some of the householders doing this are new to the village, however, this practice is illegal and if it continues action will be taken.
Garden subbish should be composted in the owner’s garden (not on the Common), put in their dust bin or taken to one of the local waste disposal sites at West Wylam or Walbottle.
Please co-operate because Heddon Common is our Common. We own it and are proud of it and want to keep it looking as attractive as possible.
Brian Selman, Chairman, Heddon on the Wall Parish Council
RESULTS FROM THE WELFARE FIELD SURVEY
On the week end of the 9th and 10th March the Parish Council held an exhibition of the proposals which had been put forward for the improvement of the Welfare field. An important part of this was an opinion survey to find out what the residents of Heddon really wanted to happen on the Welfare Field.
In the event only 85 survey forms were issued and of these only 81 were returned. From this it could appear that the most telling result to be obtained from this exhibition and survey is that the residents of Heddon on the Wall do not care what happens to the Welfare Field.
The data from the survey forms has been analysed. This can be summarised as follows
This data was discussed at the Parish Council meeting held on 8th May. It was decided to form a committee to implement some of the ideas which the survey showed to be popular options. It is intended that this committee will have members both from the Council and invited members of the public. It is hoped that, after so much discussion, this will get things moving quickly on the Welare Field front.
HEDDON POST OFFICE WILL REMAIN OPEN
A considerable number of residents have expressed concern at recent press reports (and accompanying rumours) with regard to the closures of a large number of Post Offices throughout the country and how this will affect their local Post Office in particular.
I would therefore like to take this opportunity to assure anyone that Heddon on the Wall Post Office is not under consideration for closure.
I recently received a letter from the Post Office (Consignia) dated 9th April, advising me that the ‘Network Rreinvention’ programme would only apply to urban Post Offices and as the Government had designated any Post Office that served communities of 10,000 people or less as ‘Rural’ Heddon on the Wall Sub-Post Office therefore falls under the ‘Rural’ classification and thus outside the scope of the current Consignia Network Reinvention programme.
No matter what’s on the news or is locally rumoured, I can assure everyone that your local Post Office and Newsagent (Heddon News) will remain open, willing and happy to serve the local community with, of course, your very valuable business and support for the foreseeable future.
I certainly hope this reassures everyone locally but if you feel you need more information then please, ‘feel free’ to express any questions or concerns you may have to me personally and I will do my best to answer them.
Ivan Stoppard - Sub-Postmaster
HEDDON’S NEWEST PARISH COUNCILLOR IS SOLICITOR, BARRY AYLIFFE.
Barry lives on Clayton Terrace with his partner Gillian (a doctor). He moved to the village in September 1999 and works for The North of England P&I Association Ltd (**), a marine insurance company based down on The Quayside in Newcastle. Barry has previously lived and worked in places as different as London, Hong Kong and Norway.
Getting married in June, Barry and Gillian have decided to make Heddon "home".
"I was a little hesitant standing for the Parish Council at first" says Barry "conscious that I am a relative new comer to the villager. But the fact is that matters going on in the village effect everyone. And everyone should have a say. It’s disappointing that more people don’t take an interest. As evidenced by the Council only having received 85 responses to the recent questionnaire regarding the future plans for the Welfare Field.
Local democracy is being eroded. And unfortunately matters that most effect the village are ultimately outside the control of the Parish Council (such as the controversial decision to grant planning permission to knock down 10 Station Road and build new houses on the site). Personally I wasn’t aware of this decision and maybe the Council needs to be better at communicating what is going on with the village as a whole. I would like to see much more consultation - but the lack of response regarding the future of the Welfare Field isn’t encouraging in this regard.
What would I like to see most of all happening in the village? Insurers recognising that although Heddon has a NE15 postcode, insurance premiums shouldn’t be priced as if we were all living in the west end of Newcastle."
[** local historians may be interested to note that Sir James Knott Bt. Was a shipowner director of the company, and a photograph of Sir James dated 1900-02 hangs in the company’s boardroom.]
Have you seen the dragonfly mosaic that now occupies the triangle where the path divides around the stone butterfly? Designed and created by Donald Gunn a sculptor from Warkworth it is a really beautiful piece of work made from a variety of stones and sections of slate with the central motif a large stone dragonfly. The different coloured stones and slate compliment each other but look particularly good when they are wet. Something which shouldn’t be much of a problem to produce!
Donald is a sculptor who is commissioned by local authorities all over Britain and has also worked on major pieces in both Iceland and Sweden so we were lucky to get him for our project.
The dragonfly theme is a good one for the site because apart from the butterflies we are attracting we also have dragonflies patrolling the edges of the site during the summer and early autumn.
The work on completing the stone seat has been held up because David Miller, the BTCV team leader has been un-well for some time and has been given a couple of weeks off to recuperate hence the promised arrival of the large stone seat has not yet taken place. Dave confidently expects to back in action by the Jubilee week-end so I have arranged for him to have the stone delivered on Saturday 1 June as part of the village Jubilee celebrations. I know I keep saying this but it will be well worth waiting for and highly entertaining to see how the team get it into position. They have practised on it at the quarry so are confident that they can do it. Come along and cheer them on, they’ll appreciate the support.
In the mean-time the early flying butterflies have all been seen at the site including small tortoiseshell’s, peacock’s and orange tips.
Ian Armstrong
The plight of frogs in this country is well known. They have lost many of their traditional ponds over the years to drainage and reclamation so that these days garden ponds are enormously important to them.
When we moved house in 1999 one of the first things I did was to dig a small pond in the front garden and the following Spring import some frog spawn from a pond in the village to start things off. We had plenty of tadpoles right through the summer but never actually saw any small frogs develop so I was really pleased the other day to find that we had indeed been successful because we now have one year old frogs in the pond. They have just returned from wherever they have been spending the winter. Another load of frog spawn this year has produced some very vigorous tadpoles so hopefully the same thing will happen and next year we will have another group of one year olds coming back but by then some of this years one year old returners should have survived to mate and produce their own frog spawn without any need for me to supplement it. You need patience to get frogs in your pond but it is well worth it.
Of course ponds are great for all sorts of wildlife so if you have room why not brighten your garden by installing a pond. The effort is more than made up for by the pleasure it will give you
Our Minister, Rev Robin Brooks, will be leaving Heddon at the end of August to take up a new appointment in Roker, Sunderland. We thank Robin & Pat for their many contributions to life in our village, and especially for Robin's ministry at Heddon throughout the last five years. We extend a warm welcome to our new minister, Rev Ray King, and his wife; the whole congregtion is excited at the prospect of having, for the very first time, our own minister living in the village, at no 20 Aquila Drive.
We send our Congratulations and Best Wishes to Mrs. Florence Heslop who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION WEEKEND
Saturday, 1st June, 2002
A CONCERT in the Knott Hall at 7pm
The Admurum Singers
Myrna & Martin Luff
Beryl Amos
The WI Drama Group
Sharon & Amanda
Admission £1 - tickets from the Post Office and village shops or committee members
Sunday 2nd June, 2002 - events organised by The Three Tuns
9.30am - Pre-match Bacon Butties with a drink
10.30am - England v Sweden on big screen in The Three Tuns
12.30pm - Wheelbarrow race
1 - 3pm PICNIC IN THE PARK - in the Memorial Gardens - stalls - strawberries and cream - face painting -bouncy castle, etc. etc. etc.
3pm BEST CROWN & TIARA Competition
4pm PRIZE GIVING
5pm onwards - live entertainment.
Monday 3rd June, 2002 - events arranged by The Swan
JUBILEE ROAD SHOW
From 12 noon - in the car park of the Swan - ALL DAY DISCO
Bbq - CHILDREN’S FANCY DRESS - Go as you please - Tug of War
2 - 5pm FEMALE VOCALIST
6 - 9pm FEMALE DUO
9pm GRAND FINALE FIREWORK DISPLAY
Come along, join in and share the fun of this unique weekend in our own village of Heddon on the Wall