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Inside Morpeth is a community magazine published by Ian Leech Publicity Services. All rights reserved. Every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of material published in Inside Morpeth. All information is accurate at time of going to press. The publisher does not endorse any advertising material published in INSIDE Morpeth. No parts of the publication can be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher. INSIDE Morpeth c/o The Lodge, Carlisle Park, Morpeth NE61 1YD

Railway links – past, present and future – are very much a theme running through this issue of

Inside Morpeth.

We can exclusively reveal Greater Morpeth Development Trust’s plans to innovatively create new office space for small businesses at the town’s railway station, utilising redundant parts of the building first opened nearly 170 years ago.

We meet two budding entrepreneurs who have already gone into business together at the station, offering welcome cuppas to travellers at the start of their journeys from Morpeth.

And we talk to two local friends who are working together on an amazing project that looks set to create a wonderful new heritage railway visitor attraction in Northumberland.

Also read all about a weekend of Heritage Open Days’ events showcasing Morpeth’s past including a not-to-be-missed talk by broadcaster and author John Grundy’s marking the 300th anniversary of Morpeth Town Hall.

THIS ISSUES OUR CONTRIBUTORS

R

Medi Parry The manager of the Sanderson Arcade’s latest precinct report

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FRONT COVER: Workspace plans revealed for Morpeth Station. Photo – Trevor Walker

insideMORPETH

Editor and Publisher of Inside Morpeth

Ian Leech

BUILDING A PLATFORM FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AT MORPETH STATIONOn the right tracks for an enterprising office space venture at railway station

4

CHEERS! JOIN IN A FEAST OF THE BEST IN FOOD AND DRINKTasty and tempting treats galore at town’s second food and drink feast day

10 WONDER AT MORPETH’S HERITAGE WITH AUTHOR AND TV BROADCASTERDon’t miss John Grundy’s Morpeth Town Hall 300th anniversary HODs talk

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TRUST DELIVERS AGAIN TO THE ‘GOOD LIFE’ OF THE TOWN’S PEOPLE Another key 12 months’ contributions to town’s ongoing development

14

WALKING THE WALKS AROUND THE BEST OF OUR LOCAL FOOTPATHSThree enjoyable day’s walking to local beauty spots and along heritage trails

42

RAILWAY PALS HELPING CREATE A MARVELLOUS VISITOR ATTRACTIONHow Chris and Les are restoring a classic piece of railway rolling stock

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inside Morpeth 3

Editorial: Ian Leech, Tel: 07968 102 547 Advertising: John Matthews, Tel: 07751 156 160 Email: ian-leech@sky.com

Morpeth Town Council All the latest local news in Morpeth’s Town Cryer edition

King Edward’s Read all about the top marks for KEVI from Osted team

Barnabas Safe & Sound Summer news in our regular series from young people’s group

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The proposed development would not only create much-needed quality bespoke accommodation for small, start-up businesses in the town, but would restore the 167 year old Grade II listed building to its former glory.

If the proposal goes ahead it would be the second time GMDT has been responsible for the restoration of one of Morpeth’s most historic buildings. Nearly five years ago the Trust successfully devised and project managed the much praised improvements in Morpeth Town Hall which this year celebrates its 300th anniversary.

Since Morpeth railway station was designed by Newcastle architect Benjamin Green and built for the Newcastle & Berwick Railway Company in 1847, it

has been the gateway into Morpeth for travellers along the East Coal main line between the capital cities of London and Edinburgh.

Although a number of Green’s railway buildings still survive, Morpeth is the only one continuing to provide passenger facilities. Over the past decade, however, much of the main building on the Up platform heading into Newcastle has stood empty giving the station a somewhat run-down appearance with unused space falling into a state of disrepair.

Under the GMDT proposals £1m would be invested in general station building repairs and improvements as well as the creation of around 500 square metres of ground and first floor office space to accommodate up to seven small businesses. The station’s portico entrance will be opened up in line with the original design, along with improved cafeteria, ticket office and toilet facilities. Dedicated

parking spaces for office users would also be provided.

Currently GMDT is actively exploring a number of funding streams that could provide what it calls a ‘cocktail’ of financial support to enable the proposed development to go ahead, at the same time as preparing submissions for planning approval for the work.

Among the potential funders could be the Railway Heritage Trust established nearly 30 years ago to offer advice and grants to support the preservation, upkeep and future sustainability of buildings and structures that together form Britain’s great railway heritage; the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Heritage Enterprise programme that assists historic assets in need of repair to be developed for beneficial and commercial uses; the Government’s Rural Growth Network and Regional Growth Fund.

Trackside platform for small business!Greater Morpeth Development Trust has released details of an ambitious and innovative plan to create office space for small businesses in a unique trackside location in the town’s railway station buildings.

Pictured outside Morpeth Railway Station are (left to right) John Curtis, Doug Phillips, Cllr Ian Lindley and David Lodge.

Report: Ian Leech, Pictures: Trevor Walker

Network Rail and train operators Northern Rail are both also understood to be enthusiastically supportive of the plans.

To enable the project to progress to the stage it has, GMDT has had funding support from the Railway Heritage Trust, Northumberland County Councillor Ian Lindley (Stobhill Ward) and the Homes & Community Association’s community-led project support fund to assist with the planning application process.

The Railway Heritage Trust gave its grant to help GMDT develop a conservation management and business development plan for the station, as the first step towards what it says it hopes will be a successful restoration and re-opening of the main building.

Director John Curtis from Newcastle architects Napper who designed the Morpeth Town Hall improvements, has been engaged to design the station remodelling which, if it is goes ahead, could be undertaken in 2015/2016.

“We are taking on a quite a challenge with this project not least of which will be to attract the necessary funding,” said GMDT Chief Executive David Lodge. “However, we are confident the experience we gained through working on the successful restoration of the Town Hall and making sure it was fit for purpose as a 21st Century asset whilst retaining its historic and heritage characteristics, will stand us in good stead and enable the station project to go ahead.”

The Trust, he said, needs to generate fresh sources of income in the future to continue to sustain the excellent regeneration and improvement work it has done in and around Morpeth over the past decade, to enhance the quality of

life opportunities for local people. Rental income from companies occupying offices in the station development would help the Trust to do that.

“As a commercial development the project probably does not stack up, but we hope to use our charitable status as a Trust to get sufficient partners on board with us to allow it to go ahead,” said Mr Lodge.

“We know there is a demand for bespoke office developments for small businesses wanting to move into Morpeth, and already without really going public with our proposals, there have been a number of enquiries about renting space at the station.”

Councillor Lindley said he was pleased to be able to provide some practical support to allow GMDT to progress the plan. “The station building is iconic – the gateway to Morpeth and, indeed, Northumberland for many travellers,” he said.

“However, at present most of its internal space is unused and externally it is run down, giving a very poor impression. So any redevelopment will have aesthetic

as well as economic benefits by helping kick-start new businesses through the provision of high quality office space.”

Andy Savage, Executive Director of the Railway Heritage Trust, added: “We have been delighted to help GMDT in the initial steps of this project which offers a real opportunity to bring this historic building back into use and, at the same time, to assist in improving the station surroundings. We look forward to a further, more substantial grant for the actual restoration work.”

Doug Phillips, who chairs GMDT, said the station is a key building in Morpeth not just historically but as the gateway into the town for many visitors. “Every year thousands of people also pass through Morpeth on trains heading north and south on the East Coast line, so the station needs to create the right impression among those travellers as they look out of their carriage windows,” he said.

“Our plans will replicate what we successfully achieved at the Town Hall by bringing an important link in the rail network on the East Coast main line, sympathetically up to modern standards for travellers and business people whilst retaining all its mid-19th Century charm and characteristics.

“We think it could also be a marvellous marketing opportunity for new small businesses to be housed in such a unique environment. Every new business needs to get noticed quickly in today’s competitive market place, so being based in such an unusual location as a working East Coast main line railway station would be a unique selling point for them to exploit.”

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The proposed design for the remodelling of Morpeth Railway Station couldn’t be in better hands. Greater Morpeth Development Trust has appointed Newcastle-based Napper Architects to come up with plans for restoring the main station building and converting its present empty space into bespoke offices for small businesses.

Heading the Napper team is director John Curtis, one of a handful of accredited AABC conservation architects, who led the practice’s involvement with the work carried out at Morpeth Town Hall and is also credited with the design of

the unique Treehouse for the Duchess of Northumberland’s Alnwick Castle gardens; the £7.2 million remodelling of the Grade I listed Theatre Royal in Newcastle; and the partial restoration of the Grade I Guildhall in Newcastle. He was also engaged as the consultant conservation architecture involved in the design of the major improvements for John Dobson’s Newcastle Central Station.

Napper Architects regularly work with the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle on restoration and conversation of historic churches in the region; with English Heritage’s conservation area partnership scheme for Amble; and with Northumberland County Council on elements of Townscape Heritage Initiatives for Blyth, Bedlington and Berwick.

Station’s design is in good hands!

“A real opportunity to bring an historic building back into use.” Andy Savage Railway Heritage Trust

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Picture courtesy of David Clark

Morpeth Station continues to play its part in that transport heritage legacy by being regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of architect Benjamin Green’s ‘Jacobethan’ style mid-19th Century railway buildings that were recognised as among the most handsome of their period.

Dr Bill Fawcett who has written many books and periodicals about the history of railway architecture throughout the North East, has set the proposals for Morpeth Station in its historical context for the Greater Morpeth Development Trust report.

He records that the station was built in 1847 by the Newcastle & Berwick (N&B) Railway Company to Green’s designs.

Robert Stephenson’s railway route included a number of significant river and valley crossings, the most spectacular of which are the High Level Bridge over the Tyne and Berwick’s Royal Border Bridge taking trains over the Tweed. Close to Morpeth, Stephenson’s viaduct is still an amazing sight for walkers to enjoy in the Chapel Woods from Whorral Bank to Bothal.

Benjamin Green was born in 1813, the son of architect John Green. After studying architecture in London he returned to Newcastle as his father’s business partner. The first example of his influence on their partnership was the rather lavish Roman classicism of the Theatre Royal, while father and son were later responsible for the iconic Grey’s Monument and the Penshaw Monument folly.

By 1854 the N&B already transmuted into the York, Newcastle and Berwick railway, merged with other companies to form the North Eastern Railway (NER). Three years later Morpeth’s role as a railway centre began to change with the opening of the Blyth & Tyne Railway’s branch from Newsham and Bedlington, first to freight and then to passenger traffic.

The B&T company built a station across the road from the NER buildings at Morpeth and from 1862 this was also used by trains from the Wansbeck Railway that had been set up as a satellite of the Edinburgh-based North British Railway (NBR). By 1872 Wansbeck line passenger trains were able to use a new link to run into the NER station and – in the same year – NBR took over the line to Rothbury, branching off the ‘Wannie’ at Scots Gap, meaning trains running out of Morpeth could transport passengers to the village as well as to Bellingham.

In 1874 the Blyth & Tyne services were merged into North Eastern Railway and six years later a new platform was built at the main station allowing the B&T one to be closed.

After fire gutted the original Benjamin Green goods shed in 1879 it was demolished making room for a new platform and tracks.

By 1952 branch line services began to contract and passenger trains were withdrawn from services to Bellingham and Rothbury although goods traffic continued until 1963 and 1966 respectively. Although the Blyth & Tyne line continues to handle mineral traffic,

passenger services were withdrawn during the Dr Beeching cuts of 1964.

The original cost of Green’s Morpeth Station is recorded by Bill Fawcett as just £9,500. Later platform developments were accompanied by modest changes in passenger facilities, but one major improvement in 1881 saw Green’s Down line passenger awning replaced by a more extensive canopy recycled from Sunderland’s Fawcett Station at a cost of £110!

The final extension of the station took place in 1890 when a handsome roof was constructed over the exposed eastern end of the Up platform, although the real transformation took place on the Down platform where the meagre facilities were replaced by an extensive canopy and a range of timber buildings including refreshment and ladies’ waiting rooms.

By the early 1970s, however, the withdrawal of the bulk of branch passenger services meant most passengers were leaving Morpeth for Newcastle, and the north-bound platform facilities were demolished entirely to be replaced by a modest open-fronted brick shelter.

A recent improvement at Morpeth Station has been the provision two years ago of lifts to supplement the subway steps to reach the north-bound platform. Today the Newcastle-bound platform retains the 1890 roof complete with its NER cast-iron valancing while the only surviving features from the Fawcett Street station roof are a series of cast-iron columns bearing the present flat canopy.

History of Morpeth Railway StationBritain’s railway architectural heritage has enriched the travelling experience of rail passengers for two centuries. As the rail network spread across Britain in the mid-19th Century, railway architecture began to display a vast variety of designs, styles and vision that has stood the test of time and left behind a rich legacy of attractive, well designed buildings and structure in stations large and small right across the country.

Ben (27) and 24 year old Kyle have just set up their Bean There coffee cart business outside the station serving not just train travellers but passers-by as well.

Five days a week they are ready to serve their customers from 6am until Noon with a first-class cup of gourmet coffees, free trade coffees and teas.

The two friends who met whilst working at The Sun Inn, Morpeth, started planning their business venture more than 10 months ago. Ben had gone to university to study business management while Kyle had continued to work in the hospitality industry at hotels across the country.

When they spotted a gap in the market at the station which had no refreshment facilities to offer the 300,000 travellers who pass through the station each year, it was very much a case of location, location, location which prompted them to go into

business together. Since then the location and the business plan has turned out to be the perfect fit.

As well as serving rail passengers Ben and Kyle are attracting regular customers going to work or visiting businesses on the Coopies Lane industrial estate.

“Lots of people have all sorts of business ideas going through their heads,” said Ben. “The hardest part is turning those ideas and dreams into reality.” Having the ideal location, however, made taking the plunge not a difficult step to take for them, added Kyle.

So the friends bought their bicycle powered cart from a seller in London and have now been running their business for a few weeks. “The response from people who have become our regular customers has been so enthusiastic,” said Kyle. “They think what we are doing is a great idea.”

As well as trading from the station site, Ben and Kyle say they are available to set up stall at weekend events and functions. “If the business continues to go well we might think of buying a second cart for another location or who knows, one day we might even have a bricks and mortar coffee shop of our own.”

While we are talking customer Madelaine Ryle drove into the station lay-by to order a cup of tea. “What Ben and Kyle has done is such a good idea,” she said. “It is far easier stopping here for a cup of tea or coffee rather than trying to find somewhere to park in Morpeth to pop in for a drink to go. Bean There is almost like having Morpeth’s own drive—through coffee bar!”

inside Morpeth 7

Coffee to go!Budding entrepreneur pals Ben Lavender and Kyle Shaw are one step ahead of the game when it comes to getting a new business on the right tracks at Morpeth Railway Station writes Ian Leech.

Contact Ben Lavender or Kyle Shaw email: beanthere.expressobar@gmail.com

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8 inside Morpeth

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This part of the season sees us welcome thousands of visitors from all over the world into the beautiful county of Northumberland. Whether you live a million miles away or simply around the corner, don’t forget that we’re here to help you plan your scorching summer itinerary.

We have a wide range of discounted tickets for some of the top attractions in Northumberland; why not save up to 10% when buying Alnwick Castle and Gardens, Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens and Bamburgh Castle tickets with us?

We even have discounted Glendale Show tickets on sale, it’s a fabulous day out for all the family and to top it all off, kids under fifteen go free! Those expertly saved pennies can go towards a tasty ice-cream to cool you down in those deliriously hot days that are just around the corner…

To get the kids summer holidays off to a stress free start why not pop down and see our fabulous

selection of old fashioned toys and games, story books, activity books and loads loadsmore.

We even have teepees for sale which I promise are fun for all the family. (Trust me they’re amazing, they’re big enough for grown-ups to fit in and even have dressing up clothes included, which of course I did not try on…) We also have a discount promotion running on selected despeche activity books so it’s worth coming down to grab a bargain!

All of our efforts are currently going into organising and promoting our extra special charity event that will be taking place on Friday 19th of September at The Chantry when we are aiming to raise as much money as possible for Northumberland County Council’s chosen charity – Motor Neurone Disease and for Morpeth Community Cinema which is hoping to buy a new projector for the much loved cinema nights at the Town Hall.

Tickets will be on sale very soon from The Chantry for only £5.50 for something that is set to be an amazing night with all proceeds going to fantastic causes.

We will be having a super prize auction where jewellery, artwork, homeware, vouchers and luxury items will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

There will also be entertainment throughout the night from some fabulous acts that will be sure to keep your feet tapping and hands clapping.

There are only a limited amount of tickets available so don’t delay in buying yours today! We are also looking for donations to be auctioned off at our charity gala and would be delighted if you could help us. For more information please contact us

on morpeth.tic@northumberland.gov.uk 01670 623455. Keep your eyes peeled for more information on the event very very soon.

As a new month dawns it seems only right to roll in a whole stack of new artists and products to get those summer days shining.

Keep an eye out for our new local talent that will be joining us over the next two months: Photographer Lee Kershaw, Artist Angela Wilkie, Acrylic Artist Barbara Anderson, Watercolour Artist David Marsh, Artist Tilly Gormely and Riverside Studios. We also have some fruitacular jewellery heading our way from the very talented Charlotte Dowson from By The Shed (pictured). From strawberry earrings to raspberry necklaces to carrot bracelets, these quirky and creative pieces really do give you one of your five a day!

To round off our summer perfectly we are hunting for the best jam maker in all of Northumberland. In collaboration with Morpeth Food and Drink festival on Saturday October 4th we will be hosting Morpeth Jam Competition which will be judged at The Chantry.

The winning jam maker will then be given the opportunity to have their wonderful creation stocked and sold at Morpeth Chantry.

So if your raspberry is unrivalled, your strawberry is sock knocking-off good or your blackberry is blooming delicious then get in touch with us and let’s get jamming!

Chantry Chatter – another in our regular series written by Rachel Williamson

Summer! It’s finally here right? Trust me; you only need to take a walk down Bridge Street to see that the best season of the year is in full bloom at Morpeth Chantry. As those smooth, shimmering, sunny days are setting in we’re getting ourselves ready and raring to go for one of busiest times of the year.

Jewellery from By The Shed now available at the Chantry.

The Chantry’s in full bloom for summer!

inside Morpeth 9

10 inside Morpeth

And fingers crossed we still have a good month of this lovely weather to go!

The In Bloom judges have been and gone and the results will be revealed next month. We’re hopeful that we’ve done enough with our gardener Raymond’s fabulous hanging baskets – so let’s hope they went home impressed!

Last month we welcomed our 10 millionth customer through the Arcade – a great milestone for us! The excitement was building throughout the day as we were all waiting in anticipation – counting down and looking out for the lucky customer. The surprise was fantastic! The Beadles greeted them with the announcement, a delicious hamper, flowers and the lucky 10,000,000 numbers - all hand painted in gold!

Exciting plans are also well under way for Christmas 2014! Christmas planning for us starts in the summer as we have so much to plan and organise to make your Christmas extra special. And this year, during our biggest event of the year ‘The Christmas Lights Switch On Event’ we will be celebrating the centre’s 5th Birthday – with some really BIG celebrations! So if you like Birthday cake with your mince pies – please feel free to join us on Saturday the 15th of November!

And last but not at all least, a HUGE HUGE THANK YOU to everyone for helping us achieve the £10,000 for The Sick Children’s Trust. The charity is a fantastic cause and we’re all very excited to see the children’s playroom complete after the £10,000 investment! The big cheque presentation will be held next month and don’t miss the next edition for photos and further information as to where your help and support has gone!

Thank you very much indeed!

To keep up to date with events and offers at Sanderson Arcade visit www.sandersonarcade.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @sandersonarcade and if you’re on Facebook please give us a like.

Festival feast of tasty tempters!Following on from the success of Morpeth’s initial food and drink 10 months ago the event will be back in October – even bigger and better than last year!

Saturday October 4th is the not-to-be-missed date to note down when new event additions will include Northumberland’s first chocolate festival and Morpeth’s very own jam-making competition plus, of course, the monthly Farmers’ Market.

More than 10,500 visitors attended last year’s festivities and the organisers are expecting even more this year with more stalls and new venues right across town.

For instance the Riverside Leisure Centre will host the chocolate festival as well as the KEVI Corner where students will be selling produce grown and made at the school. The Chantry will also stage the Morpeth Jam Competition with the winning jam on sale to customers.

Morpeth Town Hall will welcome a number of local breweries and wineries as well as a mouth-watering array of cheeses, chutneys and olive stalls to tempt visitors. The display kitchen staffed by local chefs showcasing dishes available at Morpeth restaurants, cafes and coffee shops in the town, will be back with a different demonstration every hour.

There’ll also be children’s entertainment and music from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers’ Band.

Zoe Christopher – the new addition to Sanderson Arcade – is working on the event with the Morpeth Town Team. Anyone interested in booking a stall or taking up one of the available sponsorship offers, can contact her on zoe.christopher@sandersonarcade.co.uk. And don’t forget to watch our for more publicity nearer the date.

Plenty in store to keep this great summer rolling on right up until Christmastime!

By Medi Parry – Sanderson Arcade Manager

What a glorious few months it has been at the Arcade. The sun has been shining, summer fashion has been flying off the shelves, BBQs, salads and summer dishes have been a sell-out, and let’s not forget – its only August!

inside Morpeth 11

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12 inside Morpeth

That is the message contained in the Trust’s annual report for 12 month period beginning in April 2013.

For the past eight years the Trust has worked to promote and improve the town and surrounding countryside for the benefit of people living and working in Morpeth, by delivering community based projects through partnership working and the promotion and delivery of urban and rural regeneration.

In that time GMDT has designed and project managed the stylish refurbishment of the 300 year old Morpeth Town Hall; managed the tremendously successful improvements at Bluebell Woods, the trail from Whorral Bank to Bothal and the paths along to Mitford, that have made access far easier for local walkers to enjoy superb ancient woodlands on the outskirts of the town – a scheme that was part of an ongoing portfolio to deliver the aims and ambitions of the Castle, Woods and Water (CWW) initiative originally launched by former Castle Morpeth District Council.

As part of the CWW initiative GMDT has greatly enhanced people’s enjoyment and understanding of local heritage

and beauty spots through the commissioning and installation of colourful and well researched signage and interpretation boards.

Through its interest groups covering the community, arts and culture, heritage and the environment, a small staff team invaluably supported by dedicated and committed volunteers, supports

community events such as the annual Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering as well as organising and delivering the Picnic in the Park family fun day; the Community Cinema that screens movies monthly to enthusiastic audiences; Morpeth’s annual Heritage Open Days’ and Walking Festival programmes; and increasingly publishes books by local authors on topics of interest to the town.

For instance, the Trust has published four local interest books by author Bridget

Gubbins who comments: “If it wasn’t for GMDT these books would not be on the shelves. Between us I think we have provided some historically accurate interpretations of some of Morpeth’s history.”

Through its partnership working GMDT has become a key player in the Morpeth Town Team formed as a result of the bid for funding from the

Government’s Portas Initiative.

Alongside partners Morpeth Town Council, Morpeth Chamber of Trade and Sanderson Arcade, GMDT chairs the Town Team through Chief Executive David Lodge, that promotes and markets what Morpeth has to offer residents, visitors and shoppers as it bids to reinforce its position as the premier modern market town in Northumberland.

GMDT is also an important contributor to the development of a Neighbourhood Plan

that will plot the future of Morpeth and its surrounding communities for the next 20 years, and, as an active member of the Chamber of Trade, has developed a flourishing relationship with the town’s commercial and business sector.

The Trust has also established a strong working link with the Heritage Lottery Fund which has enabled diverse events such as the Heritage Open Days, the Emily Inspires! Programme and book publications to go ahead, showcasing the strength of the heritage of the town.

Last year saw some notable events that put Morpeth on the national and even international map. During the year the town marked the 100th anniversary of the death of suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, with GMDT being a driving force behind a year-long programme of events to tell Emily’s true story to the world. GMDT was instrumental in securing £117,000 of external funding to deliver the programme that culminated in a weekend of intense activities marking Emily’s death and subsequent burial in St Mary’s Churchyard.

The Emily Inspires! Programme was a short listed finalist in

‘Trust us to deliver strong commitment to Morpeth’Despite the ongoing ‘challenging’ financial climate currently facing community organisations and public sector bodies like Greater Morpeth Development Trust (GMDT), the Trust once again delivered a strong and positive contribution to the economic and social well-being of Morpeth over the year.

“The key to ongoing success in Morpeth will be judged by the

strength of partnership work done...”

inside Morpeth 13

both The Journal Culture Awards and the National Lottery Awards.

2013 saw Morpeth at last be victorious as the best floral town in the country in the Britain in Bloom awards, and the judges noted the contribution made to the entry by the Bluebell Woods improvement works which also won a Best Conservation Project Gold Medal in the regional Northumbria in Bloom awards.

In their annual general

meeting report Trust chair Doug Phillips and David Lodge say GMDT has to retain its focus on future income generation during the current ‘challenging’ operating environment, to sustain the excellent work it has done in and around Morpeth since 2006. Consequently, proposals are being developed to generate sustainable income through affordable housing, the provision of new office space – in this issue Inside Morpeth reports on the Trust’s plans to create workspace at

Morpeth Railway Station – and events’ management.

“The key to ongoing success in Morpeth will be judged by the strength of partnership work done at a time when resources are being reduced and stretched across the whole spectrum of the economy and this is impacting on the public, private and third sector alike,” they report.

“We need all our partners to embrace the challenges facing Morpeth, the town and its surrounding communities. GMDT has worked tirelessly to achieve this and will continue to do so in the years to come.

“However, we do rely heavily on the support of our many volunteers – existing and new – and, as funding streams dry up, they are even more vital for sustaining our work in Morpeth.”

The Trust actively encourages new volunteers to sustain its activities but is also aware that volunteering can help people further their aims and ambitions for the future which,

in some cases, could lead them on to job opportunities.

By offering a range of volunteering opportunities GMDT hopes to carefully match volunteers to a suitable activity so that they can enjoy the experience.

Anyone who is passionate about Morpeth and would like to offer some time to support GMDT activities through volunteering, can contact the Trust on (01670) 503866 or email info@gmdt.org

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14 inside Morpeth

Morpeth Town Council, Morpeth Town Hall, Market Place, Morpeth NE61 1LZ Call 01670 514314 email edna.whittle@morpeth-tc.gov.uk or mayor@morpeth-tc.gov.uk or visit www.morpeth-tc.gov.uk

Keeping you informed with the latest News from Morpeth Town Council

TownCryer!

Thanks to everyone who has sent their congratulations and good wishes for my Mayoral year. Many people will have already seen me walking about town wearing the mayor’s chain; this isn’t me showing off, honest (!) – it is simply that without a car, I have to walk to all the mayoral functions. It’s a curious thing: as a councillor, I’ve become used to people complaining about actual and perceived failings of the council (and of other councils) and trying to explain the reasons behind council decisions. But now as mayor (so far anyway) people are treating me with a level of respect and warmth which I can only explain by realising that the mayoralty is an embodiment of the town. People love and are loyal to Morpeth and their respect for the mayor is a reflection of that.

There’s an awful lot of history in Morpeth and 2014 is the 300th anniversary of the original Town Hall, designed by Vanbrugh. This has already been celebrated at the Gathering, through the Antiquarian Society’s exhibition over Fair Day weekend. Pupils at the two

Middle Schools have produced some great artwork for a competition themed on the anniversary, and I’m hoping we’ll get some of their paintings on display in the Town Hall sometime in the school holidays. The Town Hall anniversary also featured strongly at the Picnic in the Park (20th July) as it will at the Heritage Open Days in September.

Apparently one of the main purposes of the Mayor is to present awards, and it has been really inspiring to meet so many young people and help mark their achievements including:

• a road safety poster competition – where I was struck by the emphasis on walking and cycling

• the Young Community Leadership awards – where youngsters planned and carried out their own litter-picking projects, and

• the John Muir awards

And it has been really great to meet children from the whole range of schools who had entered the Mayor’s School Garden Competition, part of the In Bloom event. These children were just bursting with pride and enthusiasm for the gardens they’ve helped create and really keen to show me what they’ve done. And I’m particularly pleased

that through the Town Council, these schools have been able to take part in government-backed trials of peat-free compost. Results from a series of proper scientific trials that the children carried out as part of this year’s competition will be sent to DEFRA, and will inform future government guidance. I hope we get feedback to pass on to the schools.

I’m proud to have been acclaimed the ‘first Green Mayor of Morpeth’ (and no, it doesn’t refer to marks left by the Mayor’s chain!). It is a little tricky because I mustn’t be party political as Mayor, but being Green goes beyond just environmental issues – it is about stewardship, recognising what we’ve got, taking only what we need and passing on the stewardship to future generations.

For me, the slogan “enough for all, forever” sums up quite a lot of what it is all about. Morpeth has a lot going for it, and our generation’s role – as I see it – is to enjoy and appreciate what we’ve got, but without exploiting or wrecking it, and ensuring that it is in good condition to pass on to the next generations.

Councillor Nic Best Mayor of Morpeth

Mayoral respect reflects people’s pride in Morpeth

Morpeth Town Council

inside Morpeth 15

The Northumbria in Bloom summer judging took place on Monday 14th July and Morpeth is once again aiming to retain its position as ‘Best Town’ in the competition.We are so fortunate to have many supporters without whose special endeavours we would just present pretty floral displays.

Instead, there are many new interesting and exciting projects to show the judges, most of them with an emphasis on sustainability and environmental awareness.

During July, The Mayor, Councillor Nic Best, and the Clerk, Gillian Turner visited Morpeth schools to judge this year’s Mayor’s Gardening Competition.

This year the competition was held in connection with DEFRA’s peat free trials and the schools were supplied with peat free compost for use in tubs and containers and were asked to monitor growth against normal growing media.

The judges were impressed by the quality of gardening projects and most especially with the knowledge and enthusiasm shown by all of the students, together with their culinary prowess!

The winner of the trophy was Abbeyfields First School. Morpeth First (Goosehill), Morpeth All Saints and Stobhillgate First received silver awards and Chantry Middle School, Collingwood School and Media Arts College and Morpeth 4th and 6th Scouts received bronze awards.

Well done to everyone involved and a special thank you to all of the teachers!

Morpeth Town Council

Sustaining Morpeth’s ‘In Bloom’ challenge

AbbeyfieldsGoosehill

Chantry Middle All SaintsAbbeyfields School winners

Stobhillgate

16 inside Morpeth

Morpeth Town Council

Every year, on a Thursday or Friday afternoon in August, the public are invited into the Town Hall for a slice of cake and a cup of tea and an opportunity to meet the Mayor. This year – you are all invited to join me and the Mayoress, Joan Howard, on Friday 22nd August from 2pm till the cake runs out (maybe 4pm if we are lucky!).In the old days, we used to call it the “Mayoress’ At Home” but someone pointed out this was confusing because the Mayoress doesn’t actually live in the Town Hall. So now it’s “Meet the Mayor” – and with a bit of luck, you’ll get to meet some of the other town councillors as well.

Usually, we just send the Town Clerk out to buy five or six of the largest cakes she can find – it’s one of her particular areas of expertise, but this year we are going to try something different. We are planning to buy in cakes from a range of the excellent tea rooms, coffee shops and cafes in Morpeth so that people can sample locally produced cakes and support local businesses.

I do hope you’ll be able to come along on Friday 22nd August from 2pm.

Cllr Nic Best, the Mayor

The paddling pool, playgrounds and parks of Morpeth are enjoyed by many residents and visitors especially when the sunshine makes an appearance.

The paddling pool and adjacent play area located within Carlisle Park is a free facility provided by Morpeth Town Council. Play areas can also be found at Stobhill, Stobhill Manor, Church Walk, Boundary Drive and Bluebell Rise in Kirkhill.

We want to ensure that all children have fun and be safe as they play. Play encourages children to be creative and to learn about risk and gives them a sense of independence.

How many toddlers have had their first experience of water play in our paddling pool or their first experience of climbing unaided up one of our slides?

Our paddling pool, play areas and parks are well looked after, inspected on a regular basis and are safe and accessible.

In recent years we have improved the paddling pool and water play features, repaired damaged safety surfacing

and introduced new play equipment and colourful line marked games onto surfaces.

Morpeth Town Council will continue to provide children’s play facilities which are stimulating, exciting and attractive.

Play-ing our part in fun for young

As you may have seen, this year’s Mayor, Cllr Nic Best, has chosen the local branch of the Samaritans as his charity. The Samaritans are there to talk to any time you like, day or night, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal, in fact only one in five callers are. Sometimes it is just easier to talk to someone who doesn’t know you, won’t judge you or tell you what to do.

Some people do not have the support of friends or family. Others do have friends or family to talk to, but find that talking to someone neutral can also help. The Samaritans keep conversations private, they won’t pass the information you give them onto anyone else you know, and won’t let their personal opinions influence the conversation, or insist on giving advice.

Samaritan volunteers are ordinary people trained to listen properly, and be supportive but non-judgemental.

As the Mayor’s Charity, the Samaritans of Northumbria will benefit from fundraising which will help towards the cost of the office and their phone bills – but they also badly need more volunteers. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Samaritan volunteer, do get in touch (on-line at www.samaritans.org/volunteer_interest/form)

More information about the Samaritans is available in the Town Hall. To call the Samaritans tel 08457 909090

Can you spare some time to be a listener?

It’s a piece of cake Mr Mayor!

inside Morpeth 17

Morpeth Town Council

An open evening was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday 15th July to discuss the formulation of a Community Agreement for Morpeth. The “agreement” will document the way in which the Community, the County Council, the Environment Agency and Morpeth Town Council together with other partners such as the Morpeth Flood Action Group will work in partnership to improve the community’s resilience to and recovery from flooding within the Town.

Many organisations, businesses and individuals attended during the evening to offer support in various shapes and forms – everything from the Soroptimists of Morpeth sponsoring clean-up materials following a flood to a lady offering to confirm when the flood gates on the High Stanners are closed.

In September a full rehearsal of the flood action plan will take place – including the deployment of emergency vehicles, evacuation of underground car parks and the setting up of reception centres.

If you wish to be part of this community initiative, being the “Eyes and Ears” of the community of Morpeth please contact the Town Council Offices.

MORPETH TOWN COUNCILLORSMorpeth North Ward:DR NIC BEST T. 01670 517915 M. 07878 896 292 E. nic.best@ymail.com

LES CASSIE T. 01670 516424 M. 07739 259 254 E. leshcassie@aol.com

DAVID CLARK T. 01670 503033 M. 07971 451 906 E. davideunsonclark@hotmail.com

RON FORSTER T. 01670 517431 M. 07840 871 882 E. ron@the4stars.f9.co.uk

BOB ROBERTSON T. 01670 516399 M. 07885 297 556 E. bobrobertson@fsmail.net

Morpeth Kirkhill Ward:KEN BROWN T. 01670 515760 M. 07935 214 569 E. ken.brown1@outlook.com

DAVID PARKER T. 01670 516218 E. davidparker12@sky.com

ADRIAN SLASSOR T. 01670 517678 M. 07795 592 224 E. adrian@slassor20.freeserve.co.uk

ANDREW TEBBUTT T. 01670 511631 M. 07767 338 509 E. Andrew.Tebbutt@northumberland.gcsx.gov.uk

JOAN TEBBUTT T. 01670 511631 E. joan.c.tebbutt@gmail.com

Morpeth Stobhill Ward:ALISON BYARD T. 01670 515391 M. 07963 306 549 E. alisonbyard65@gmail.com

MARK HORTON T. 01670 513758 M. 07803 078 438 E. mhcouncil2000@gmail.com

STUART LISHMAN M. 07840 800 805 E. stuart.lishman@gmail.com

RACHEL MOORE M. 07950 815 031 E. rachelmoore.cllr.mtc@icloud.com

DAVE POPE T. 01670 515806 M. 07714 143 640 E. dpope@morpethnet.co.uk

Council Meeting Timetable - See noticeboards and website.

Meeting Timetable for the period 1st August 2014 – 31st October 2014. All meetings will be held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. Committee meetings commence at 6:30 pm and Full Council at 7:00 pm, unless otherwise stated on the posters or website.

Full Council 24th September 2014

Planning and Transport Committee 13th August 2014 3rd September 2014 17th September 2014 1st October 2014 22 October 2014

Finance and General Purposes Committee 10th September 2014 15th October 2014

Property and Asset Management Committee 20th August 2014 29th October 2014

Home addresses are available from the Town Council Offices or website

A Community Agreement for Morpeth

18 inside Morpeth

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Over the last few months the Morpeth Market has been welcoming new and regular faces – which is fantastic to see! The weather has helped, of course, but the general atmosphere, offer and entertainment on the Market is certainly on the up!

With the school holidays now in full swing, family entertainment will continue on the market place every Wednesday until the end of August!

The remaining schedule of events is as follows from 10am to 2pm:

Wednesday 13th August FREE face painting

Wednesday 20th August Dragons Den Display.

Wednesday 27th August Live Music

And if this isn’t enough…don’t miss out on the fantastic ‘sizziling’ deals from the Wednesday traders. Throughout the month of August they will be offering between 10% to 25% off products, deals on breakfast sandwiches and money off items. There’s also the “Deal of the Day” by Geordie Wardle Plants and Julian’s Fruit & Veg – two more great reasons for visiting Morpeth Market!

The next monthly Farmer’s Market is held on Saturday the 6th of September – the day before one of the largest events in the North East – the Great North Run. We’ll be celebrating with a Great North Run Theme with the market offering a number of high protein organic produce as well as high carb meals, making sure runners are all ready for the big race! The usual mouth-watering array of stalls will also be available on the day including

Northumberland poultry, fish, jams, local cheese, honey, cupcakes, meat, game and freshly baked bread.

A date for your diary – Don’t miss the Morpeth Food and Drink festival on Saturday the 4th of October from 9am until 4pm.

Morpeth Market is managed by Northumberland County Council and Sanderson Arcade, working in partnership with Morpeth Town Council, Morpeth Chamber of Trade and other local organisations through the Morpeth market working group.

The Morpeth Markets are run from 9am to 3pm on the Marketplace.

For further information regarding the Morpeth Markets please visit ww.moreinmorpeth.co.uk follow us on @moreinmorpeth and like us on facebook.

Find out about markets across Northumberland at: markets.northumberland.gov.uk

Market message is getting through!

Weekly Wednesday MarketMonthly Farmers’ Market

every 1st Saturday

www.moreinmorpeth.co.uk @moreinmorpeth moreinmorpeth

MorpethTownCouncil

More in... marketMorpeth Food & Drink Festival Saturday 4th October

Offering fresh,local produce

Support your Local Market in Morpeth - our message definitely seems to be working writes Keith Grey

20 inside Morpeth

Perhaps best known for his ‘Grundy’s Wonders’ television programmes where his passion for the region’s great buildings and landscapes shone through, John will examine a piece of Morpeth history that this year reaches a milestone of its own.

It is 300 years since Sir John Vanbrugh designed and built the Town Hall and John Grundy will not only look back at its legacy but also the darker chapter of its history when it was severely damaged in a fire in 1870 before being re-built by architect Robert J Johnson.

In an exclusive interview with Inside Morpeth John spoke of the ‘exceptional presence’ in a small North East market town of a building he said would be considered an accolade for any community.

Work on the Town Hall began in 1714 at the time when Vanbrugh was building his first great house at Castle Howard in

Yorkshire for Charles Howard, the third Earl of Carlisle who also happened to be MP for Morpeth. “There was a general election the following year at which he was to step down and his son Henry who bore the title Viscount Morpeth, was to become Morpeth’s representative in his place,” John told us.

“The building that Vanbrugh created is typical of him and in my talk I will be exploring his style and how Morpeth’s example fits in with the body of his work. It is a building of splendid and dignified design instantly recognisable as the product of a prodigious talent and a truly impressive mind.

“And then it burnt – if not down exactly – but badly, and the man called into effect the repair and the rebuilding, was a pretty remarkable character in his own right who was described in the Victorian architectural magazine ‘The Builder’ as

the finest architect in Britain never to have worked in London.

“So I will be looking at Johnson’s skill including his willingness to rebuild the façade of the Town Hall precisely as Vanbrugh had designed it, despite the fact this style of Baroque architecture was not at all fashionable in 1870.”

As part of events to mark the 300th anniversary of the Town Hall, Morpeth Town Council is supporting the John Grundy talk.

John Grundy will deliver his talk appropriately enough in the Ballroom in Morpeth Town Hall, at 7.30pm on Thursday September 11th. Full details of how to enjoy four full days of Morpeth’s Heritage Open Days programme from Thursday 11th to Sunday September 14th can be found on the following two pages of Inside Morpeth.

How Grundy will work hiswonders at Morpeth talk!

50 Newgate Street, Morpeth, NE61 1BE01670 511171 www.sewing-box.co.uk

Enjoy all our summerplants and �owersLocal, national andinternational deliveries54 Newgate Street, Morpeth Tel: 01670 512939Open Mon - Sat 8.30am - 5.30pm

Greater Morpeth Development Trust is

delighted to have secured the services of

noted broadcaster, author and champion

of North East architecture John Grundy for

what promises to be an inspirational talk

during September’s local Heritage Open

Days’ programme.

inside Morpeth 21

Heritage guest speaker John Grundy

22 inside Morpeth

CHILLINGHAMFOUR CASTLES WALKEvent Type: Guided walk, approx. 7.5 miles Date: Friday Sept 12th, 11.00am start Suitable for children: No

A guided all day walk featuring Chillingham Castle, Ros Castle, Hepburn Bastle and Hepburn Fort. Hilly in places and can be muddy. Bring a picnic lunch.Meet at Hepburn Woods car park. OS Grid ref: NU073248. Postcode: NE66 4EG For more details contact David Barker on 01670 515351 www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk

MORPETH AREAMEG OF MELDON WALKEvent Type: Guided walk, approx 4.3 miles. Date: Thursday Sept 11th, 1.00pm start Suitable for children: Yes

A guided walk through Meldon Deer park taking in the sites associated with the story of Mad Meg of Meldon (said to have been a witch and miser who planted hoards of treasure around the local countryside) followed by optional tea and scones at the Kitchen Garden. Meet at the roadside verge on the B6343 outside Meldon Park entrance. NE61 3SW. Can be muddy so boots essential. For more details contact David Barker on 01670 515351 www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk

JOHN GRUNDY TALKEvent Type: Talk Venue: Ballroom, Morpeth Town Hall, Market Place, NE61 1LZ Date: Thurs, 11th, 7.30pm Suitable for children: Yes

TV presenter and author John Grundy talks about architect Robert Johnson who rebuilt the Town Hall in the 1870s For further information please ring 01670 503866. www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk

PAST AND PRESENT: NEWGATE STREET, OLDGATE AND NEWMARKETEvent Type: Exhibition Date: Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th Suitable for children: Yes

A photographic exhibition in shop windows showing how the town and its shops have changed over the years. For further information tel: 01670 513308 www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk and www.northumbriana.org.uk/antiquarian%20society

TOWN TREASURES!Event Type: Exhibition Venue: Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber, Town Hall, Market Place, NE61 1LZ Date: Thursday 11th: 2pm – 4pm Suitable for children: Yes

A chance to see Morpeth’s magnificent collection of civic treasures, including the Medieval Town Hutch, cannon balls from the 1644 siege of Morpeth castle and the 1604 silver gilt mace, the oldest working mace in the country. For further information tel: 01670 503866. www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk

ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, BOTHALVenue: NE61 6SW Event Type: Property opening/Tour Date: Thursday 11th - Sunday 14th: 11am - 4pm Suitable for children: Yes

A beautiful church which has the finest collection of medieval stained glass in Northumberland. There will be local crafts available to view and buy. Refreshments available. Music will be played throughout, and guided tours will be available at selected times over the weekend. Guided tours of the grounds of nearby Bothal Castle available on Sunday.For further information tel: 01670 510793 www.standrewsbothal.btck.co.uk

THE CHURCH OF ST JAMES THE GREATEvent Type: Property opening Venue: St James Terrace, Morpeth, NE61 1BP Date: Thursday 11th - Sunday 14th: 10am - 4pm Suitable for children: Yes

Complimentary tea and coffee in church Information leaflets will be available. Guide books and handmade cards will be available for purchase. For further information tel: 01670 515806 www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk/stjames

THE CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGINEvent Type: Property opening/Exhibition Venue: St Mary’s Field, Morpeth, NE61 2QT Date: Thursday 11th - Sunday 14th: 10am - 3pm Suitable for children: Yes

The oldest church in the Parish and one of the best preserved medieval churches in Northumberland. Come and see the glorious 14thC Jesse Window. Small exhibitions include suffragette Emily Wilding Davison (Emily’s grave is in the churchyard); Joseph Crawhall (Glasgow School of Artists); Women in stained glass; Images of St Mary’s by Morpeth Camera Club. Live background music on Saturday: lute, guitar, Northumbrian pipes, organ. For further information tel: 01670 503326

www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk/stmary.htm

Morpeth Heritage Open Days - four day programme of events

Organised by Greater Morpeth Development Trust. All events are free to attend but some do need to be booked.

11 - 14 SEPTEMBER

inside Morpeth 23

ST MARY MAGDELENE CHURCH, MITFORDEvent Type: Property opening Venue: Stable Green, Mitford, NE61 3PZ Dates: Thurs 11th 2-4pm, Fri, 12th 10-12pm, Sat, 13th 10-4pm, Sun, 14th 8-12pm & 4-6pm Suitable for children: Yes

The church is a beautiful Grade I listed building opposite the ruined remains of Mitford Castle in a very picturesque setting. The church has what is thought to be the oldest church bell in the country. The building has disabled access – hearing loop. For further information tel: 01670 503866 www.mitfordchurch.org

ST ROBERT OF NEWMINSTER RC CHURCHEvent Type: Property opening Venue: Oldgate, Morpeth, NE61 1QF Date: Thurs, 11th: 1- 4pm Suitable for children: Yes

A glorious church with stained glass windows by the renowned William Wailes. Refreshments available in Collingwood House. For further information tel: 01670 513410 www.strobertsmorpeth.com

COLLINGWOOD HOUSEEvent Type: Property opening Venue: Oldgate, Morpeth, NE61 1QF Date: Thurs, 11th: 1- 4pm Suitable for children: Yes

An opportunity to walk in the footsteps of one of our greatest naval heroes Lord Collingwood, “Hero of Trafalgar”. Refreshments available. Nearby St Robert’s RC church also open. For further information tel: 01670 513410 www.strobertsmorpeth.com

PARKHOUSE AND QUARRY WOODSEvent Type: Guided walk, approx 3 miles. Date: Friday 12th: 11am – 1pm Suitable for children: Yes

A gentle guided walk with Alan Davison along the route of the Netherton railway finding relicts of Morpeth’s market garden history and much more. Hilly in places Walk starts/finishes at east end of Staithes Lane, Morpeth For further information tel: 01670 519545 www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk

NEWMINSTER ABBEY TALKEvent Type: Talk Venue: Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum, Bridge Street, NE61 1PJ Date: Fri, 12th, 7pm Suitable for children: Yes

Local historian Chris Hudson brings to life the ruins of Newminster Abbey, a

Cistercian foundation that once graced the outskirts of Morpeth For further information please ring 01670 503866. www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk

WILLIAM TURNER TALK & WALKEvent Type: Talk & Walk Venue: Ballroom, Morpeth Town Hall and Turner Garden, Carlisle Park Date: Fri, 12th, 11-12(talk) and 1.30 pm (walk)

A talk by Dr Marie Addyman on William Turner, born in Morpeth and who went on to become England’s first great botanist. Talk followed by a guided walk in the Turner Garden, Carlisle Park For further information please ring 01670 503866. www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk

THE CLOCK TOWEREvent Type: Property opening Venue: Oldgate, Morpeth, NE61 1QF Date: Saturday 13th: 1.30 – 3.45pm Suitable for children: Yes

Built in the early 1600s and containing the oldest original peal of civic bells in the Britain. Guided tours & ringing experience every 45 minutes. Pre booking essential. For further information and to book please ring 01670 503866. www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk

MORPETH’S HERITAGE EXHIBITION AND DROP IN SESSIONEvent Type: Exhibition Venue: Corn Exchange, Morpeth Town Hall, Market Place, NE61 1LZ Date: Saturday 13th: 10am – 1pm Suitable for children Yes

Exhibition relating to the 300th anniversary of the Town Hall. Family history research advice. Refreshments.For further information tel: 01670 513308 www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk www.northumbriana.org.uk

ST GEORGE’S UNITED REFORMED CHURCHEvent Type: Property opening Venue: Bridge Street, NE61 1PD Date: Saturday 13th: 10am – 4pm Suitable for children: Yes

Featuring local musicians with music for all tastes. For further information tel: 01670 517431 www.urc-morpeth.org.uk

MONKSEATON MORRISMENEvent Type: Traditional dancing Date: Sat, 13th, 10.15-12 05 Venue: Market Square 10.15-10.55 Sanderson Arcade 11- 11.20 Joiners Arms 11.45- 12.05

Monkseaton Morrismen, together with guest teams from around the country, will be dancing at various locations in Morpeth For further information please ring 01670 503866. www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk

MAGICAL MYSTERY HERITAGE COACH TOURSEvent Type: Coach tour Date: Saturday 13th: 10.30am & 1pm Suitable for children: Yes

Two hour coach tour with local historian Barry Mead. Discover how much heritage there is on your own doorstep. Starts/finishes Morpeth Bus Station. Pre booking essential. For further information and to book please ring 01670 503866. www.morpeth-heritage.co.uk

WOODHORN MATTERS – MATMAKING DEMONSTRATIONSEvent Type: Exhibition Venue: Morpeth Methodist Church, Howard Terrace, Morpeth, NE61 1HH Date: Sunday 14th: 12pm – 4pm Suitable for children: Yes

Demonstration of traditional ‘hooky’ and ‘proggy’ matmaking by the Woodhorn Matters. Plus a small exhibition of work completed by members of the group. For further information tel 01670 503866. www.morpethmeth.org

BOTHAL CASTLE (GROUNDS ONLY)Event Type: Guided tour Venue: Bothal Village, NE61 6SL Date: Sunday 14th: 11am - 1pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm Suitable for children: Yes

Informal guided tours of the grounds of one of Northumberland’s hidden gems with archaeologist Barry Mead. Please note there is no access into the castle building itself.Further information tel:

01670 503866.

AUGUST

MEET THE MAYORPop in for tea and cake with Morpeth Mayor Councillor Nic Best and Mayoress Joan Howard.

Date: Friday 22 August Time: 2pm – 4pm Venue: Morpeth Town Hall Cost: Free Contact: 514314

MUSIC IN THE GREENLocal performers sing and play traditional folk and pop numbers. Refreshments available for small fee. Limited seating or bring your own,

Date: Sunday 24 August Time: 2pm Venue: Old Bakehouse Millennium Green Cost: Free

SEPTEMBER

MORPETH COMMUNITY CINEMAEnjoy one of the all-time favourite movies ‘Casablanca’ starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, set in African in the early days of World War II

Date: Friday 5 September Time: 7pm Venue: Morpeth Town Hall. Cost: £6 Contact: Tickets at the door or from GMDT (503866); The Chantry (623455); or Town Hall (514314)

MORPETH FARMERS’ MARKETCelebrates the Great North Run with stalls offering high protein organic produce and hi-carb meals. Plus the usual mouth-watering array of stalls. Also weekly Wednesday market.

Date: Saturday 6 September Time: 9am to 3pm Venue: Morpeth Market Place Contact: For stalls call 0790 005 2446

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCINGClub meets every Thursday evening 7.30pm – 9.30pm in Chantry Middle School Hall. Beginners and those with previous experience of all ages, are welcome. No need to have a partner. First autumn term class Thursday 11 September

Date: Saturday 6 September free ‘taster’ session Time: 2pm – 4pm Venue: St George’s Church Hall, Morpeth Cost: ‘Taster’ session is free. Cost for 12 week term £40 Contact: For more details call Sheila Trafford 07713 708 711

MORPETH PEACE VIGILSAn hour-long vigil for peace. All welcome. Bring your own candles and banners

Dates: Thursday 11 September; Saturday 11 October

Times: 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Venue: Morpeth Market Place Contact: Nic Best (01670) 517915

MORPETH HERITAGE DAYAt St George’s URC – the church by Telford Bridge. Live music and craft demonstration. Tea and coffee served all day

Date: Saturday 13 September Time: Church open from 10am Venue: St George’s URC

COUNTRY DANCE CLUBMeets in the Church Hall. Bring your own refreshments. All dances called.

Date: Saturday 13 September Time: 7.30pm Venue: St George’s URC Cost: £2 entrance

LUNCH TIME CONCERTFeaturing The Border Directors with Kim Bibby-Wilson. Tea, coffee and biscuits available.

Date: Wednesday 17 September Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm (Doors open at 12 Noon) Venue: St George’s URC Cost: Tickets £3 at the door

TEA TIME TALKDr Jared Johnson talks about Bannockburn, followed by afternoon tea with jam and cream scones.

Date: Thursday 18 September Time: 2.30pm Venue: St George’s URC Cost: £2 entrance

LUNCHTIME ORGAN RECITALFeaturing Francesca Massey from Durham Cathedral

Date: Friday 19 September Time: 12.30pm Venue: Morpeth Methodist Church Cost: Free

PEARLS OF AFRICAAn uplifting, vibrant, exuberant and energetic performance of dancing and

More events Inside ...

24 inside Morpeth

More events Inside ...

Morpeth Town Council

If you are planning an event and would like it listed in our ‘What’s On’ pages contact Laura Robinson at Greater Morpeth Development Trust on (01670) 503866

inside Morpeth 25

singing by the Pearl of Africa children’s choir.

Date: Saturday 20 September Time: 7pm Venue: Morpeth Methodist Church Cost: Free but ticket required with opportunity to donate on the night Contact: Morpeth Methodist Church for tickets (01670) 511078

TAI CHI CLASSESLocal Tai Chi and Chi Kung classes. Enjoy gentle movement for health

Dates: Mondays at Hepscott and Wednesdays in Morpeth Times: 6.30pm – 7.30pm Hepscott Parish Hall 1pm – 2pm Storey Park Community Centre, Morpeth Contact: Amanda on 07885 682078 or (01670) 820464

OCTOBER

MORPETH COMMUNITY CINEMAScreening of the 2011 British drama ‘My Week with Marilyn’ that depicts the making of the 1957 film ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’ starring Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) and Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) and the time Marilyn spent being shown around London by Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne) on whose books the film was based.

Date: Friday 3 October Time: 7pm Venue: Morpeth Town Hall Cost: £6 Contact: For tickets – GMDT 503866; The Chantry 623455; Town Hall 514314

FOOD’N DRINK FESTIVALShowcasing all that’s best in local food and drink. Meet the chef demonstrations, stalls, entertainment, a chocolate festival plus the regular farmers’ market

Date: Saturday 4 October Time: 9am – 4pm Venues: Morpeth Market Place, Town Hall and Riverside Leisure Centre Contact: To book a stall or be a sponsor contact zoe christopher@sandersonarcade.co.uk

FAIR & COFFEE MORNINGHome-made jams and cakes, bric-a-brac, books, crafts, toys and games, jewellery, tombola, bargains, music, gardening stall, raffle. Tea, coffee and light refreshments available

Date: Saturday 4 October Time: 10am – 1pm Venue: St George’s URC Morpeth Cost: Free entry

MORPETH MUSIC SOCIETYFirst of the new season concerts featuring Di Cremona Quartet. Music by Boccherini: Quartet in C Maj. Op2; Puccini: Crisantemi; Verdi: Quartet in E minor; Beethoven: String Quartet Op 131

Date: Thursday 9 October Time: 7.30pm Venue: Morpeth Methodist Church in Howard Road

Cost: £14 - children free with adult Contact: For tickets – Chantry TIC and Methodist Church or www.morpeth-musoc.org.uk

WANSBECK MUSIC FESTIVALCoffee morning and entertainment by young musicians. Raffle, tombola and cake stall

Date: Saturday 11 October Time: 10am to Noon Venue: St Robert’s Church Hall, Morpeth Cost: Entry free

ROLAND BIBBY LECTUREThe Northumbrian Language Society’s annual lecture with guest speaker Dr Warren Maguire of Edinburgh talking on the dialect of Holy Island. Refreshments before talk. Book/CD stall

Date: Saturday 11 October Time: 1.30m for 2pm Venue: Corn Exchange, Town Hall Cost: No tickets – all welcome Contact: For further details call (01670) 513308

LUNCH TIME CONCERTFeaturing the musical Murray family – David (piano), Jennifer (clarinet) and Christopher (cello). Tea, coffee and biscuits available

Date: Wednesday 15 October Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm (Doors open 12 Noon) Venue: St George’s URC Cost: Tickets £3 at door

TEA TIME TALKSpeaker George Brigham. Afternoon tea with jam and cream scones

Date: Thursday 16 October Time: 2.30pm Venue: St George’s URC Cost: £2 at door

26 inside Morpeth

Summer fun at CragsideWith summer now upon us, it’s a great time to get out and about and discover new places. So if you’re looking for inspiration, there are endless adventures to be had at Cragside.Visitors can see our new artworks which have been specially commissioned for LUX, at various locations around the Cragside estate. A flying swan in the House and golden apples in the Formal Garden are just two of artworks to be viewed.

Families can enjoy an array of activities and events and join in with Victorian dressing up, Science Quest trails and create some wild art, as part of our 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ events. Don’t forget to head up to our labyrinth and children and young people will find much to enjoy at the adventure playground too.

Round off the visit with some well-deserved tea and cake in the Tea Room or browse through the quality gifts and tempting treats in the newly revamped shop.

EVENTS

Science Quest Until Monday 1 SeptemberA trail for inquisitive families. Delve into the mind of Lord Armstrong and discover the wonder of science on this one mile trail. £1 per pack.

Science Lab Mondays 11 and 18 August, 11am – 3pmJoin Carole, our Learning Officer for fun and practical investigations of some Victorian bright ideas that shaped our world. Free, normal admission applies.

50 things - Create some wild artTuesdays 12, 19 and 26 August, 11am - 3pmCragside is hosting an art exhibition between June – November 2014 so why not explore your artistic side by creating some wild art with the natural materials provided. Then tick off number 18 and collect a sticker for your scrapbook in the shop. Free, normal admission applies.

Time to DressWednesdays 13, 20, 27 August, 10:30 - 11:30am, 12 - 1pm, 1:30 - 2:30pm and 3 - 4pmThe famous saying is walk a mile in my shoes - we say, try half an hour in a corset. This summer we are offering your children the chance to dress up in child sized adult Victorian clothing, from bloomers to hat, with a personal maid to assist. You will soon find out why they needed a servant for dressing! £10 per 1 hour session. Booking essential call 0844 249 1895. Suitable for ages 4 - 12. Maximum three children per session.

Gardens of ImaginationThursday 7 and 28 August, 11am - 3pmInspired by Lord Armstrong’s innovative gardens use your imagination to design and create your own miniature garden with the materials provided. £2 per garden.

For more information call: 01669 620 333 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragsideFind us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Cragside, National Trust, Rothbury, Northumberland, NE65 7PX.

Tuesday 10 June – Sunday 2 November 2014

A new art exhibition at Cragside, Northumberland Featured artists: Catherine Bertola, Andrew Burton, Imogen Cloët, Jem Finer, Dan Fox and Bob Levene.

Cragside, National Trust, Rothbury, Northumberland NE65 7PXwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside01669 620 333

Facebook.com/cragside @NTcragside

inside Morpeth 27

Tuesday 10 June – Sunday 2 November 2014

A new art exhibition at Cragside, Northumberland Featured artists: Catherine Bertola, Andrew Burton, Imogen Cloët, Jem Finer, Dan Fox and Bob Levene.

Cragside, National Trust, Rothbury, Northumberland NE65 7PXwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside01669 620 333

Facebook.com/cragside @NTcragside

Barnabas fun filled summer

The summer has arrived and, with it, comes Northumbria in Bloom. There has been a flurry of activity at our office at Wellwood House, where young people have planted lobelias and marigolds to add a splash of colour to our already `blooming marvellous’ town – and, as a result of this planned activity, these young people have received accreditation through the AQA Award Scheme.

The charity continues to provide safe, supported accommodation to young people aged between 16 and 25-years-old and has recently received the fabulous news that The Northern Rock Foundation will award £50,000 towards the purchase of a property in Ashington, providing an additional three bed spaces to young people in need of a helping hand, and some support to get their lives back on track. Over the past month, in order to meet demands for additional night time support and security, we have provided extra staffing at our main office premises.

However, we don’t stop there – we’re working hard at the Barnabas Stobhill Centre to connect with local young people and other like-minded community groups. Three of the staff team are now based

at the Centre from Monday to Friday during office hours, so there is more of a presence on site - and we now have a sign to say who we are, and how you can contact us.

Our Friday evening Youth Club averages an attendance of around 20 middle school aged children. Since our last article, they’ve been able to get outside in the sunshine for games such as football on the green behind the building.

Over the six week school holiday period we have arranged for James Watling, Morpeth’s very own World Ranked Professional Kickboxer, to deliver a programme entitled `Superheroes’. This focuses on the attributes of our favourite superheroes in a way to promote personal strength, while building character and self-esteem. We’re also hoping to brighten up the building with some painting very soon. Or, if climbing is your thing, why not come along to Morpeth Bouldering Wall to try out our clubs for under/over 9s.

Come rain or shine, one thing is for sure: for Barnabas Safe & Sound it’s going to be a fun filled summer with truly positive outcomes for young people.

The newly titled Barnabas Stobhill Centre is located in the heart of the community on Ninth Avenue.

If you are interested in making a booking, please contact Chris Menzies or Gill Monaghan on 01670 517721 to discuss your requirements.

Alternatively, you can visit our new website www.stobhill.com for further information and to access a Booking Form.

In addition, we offer room hire for Children’s Birthday Parties from only £10 per hour depending on the space you need.

At your request, we can also add-on extra services for an additional cost, and subject to availability: Zumba dance parties, bouncy castles and discos.

Planting Up – Residents planting flowers at Barnabas Safe & Sound Office, with help of Support Worker Sandra Wright.

It’s going to be a busy summer for Barnabas Safe & Sound, with exciting developments at the Barnabas Stobhill Centre and Morpeth Bouldering Wall. The charity’s Gill Monaghan tells us more…

Barnabas Stobhill Centre

28 inside Morpeth

What’s happening at the Barnabas Stobhill Centre?Monday

Northumberland Futsal Group

5.30pm to 6.30pm 6-9 year olds. 6.30pm to 7.30pm 10-13 year olds Email: dan@newcastlefutsal.co.uk

Tuesday

Zumba with Bethan

7.00pm to 8.00pm. Email: zumbawithbethan@live.co.uk

Wednesday

Power Kickboxing Academy

Contact James Watling on 0776 540 3779

Thursday

Bad Apples NE

Various activities available for all ages. For further information contact Caroline Ball on (01670) 528414 or visit www.badapplesne.co.uk

Friday

Barnabas Junior Youth Club for 9 - 13 year olds

6.00pm to 8.00pm Contact Kerry Hope on 01670 514881 for further information

Barnabas Stobhill Centre, Ninth Avenue, Stobhillgate, Morpeth, NE61 2HS. Telephone (01670) 517721.

You can book the centre from £10 per hour. For further information contact Gill Monaghan or Chris Menzies on (01670) 517721

What’s happening at

Morpeth Bouldering Wall?Morpeth Bouldering Wall is located at our main office premises: Wellwood House, Dark Lane, Morpeth, NE61 1ST. Telephone (01670) 514881. We provide fun activity clubs after school on the following evenings.

Summer holidays - WednesdaysOpen Wednesday afternoons at £7 per session. Under 9s 1.00pm, over 9s 2.00pm. 3pm Open session for 1 hour (promt 3pm start)

Birthday Parties available at £60. Community Group hire from £40.

We encourage achievement through personalised challenges, promoting teamwork whilst developing strength, climbing technique and foot placement.

If your son or daughter is interested in climbing we offer advance block bookings for the period of one half term at £36.

Please contact Paul Cairns on 01670 514881 to register your interest in after school clubs from September onwards. www.morpethbouldering.com

Aileen Cunningham records the 70 year history of Morpeth Music Society for Inside Morpeth

Maintaining a musical tradition

The society is very proud of its long history. It was founded during the war under the auspices of the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts that was set up in 1940 to foster British Culture and in particular to provide entertainment for people who were unable to travel. It later became The Arts Council.

Concerts in Morpeth began under this scheme in 1941. Admission was 6d and audiences were treated with up and coming young artists such as Kathleen Ferrier.

Strong support from Morpeth Town led to the formation in 1944 of Morpeth Music Society. Records show that in 1949 there were over 100 members and distinguished names such as Ralf Holmes, Leon Goosens and Owen Brannigan, the local bass-baritone from Annitsford, were engaged by the Music Society. In 1974, in conjunction with the BBC the society hosted a recorded concert by the Lindsay Quartet.

During 70 years of concert planning chairmen and committees have worked tirelessly to maintain standards of performances and a varied programme of music. As new volunteers join they bring fresh ideas and the Society is constantly evolving. However, the

tradition of six concerts between October and April presenting professional artists of national and international standing, has been upheld.

In recent years musicians from the Czech Republic, USA, Germany, Italy, Russia and Japan have played in Morpeth as well as the celebrated British Artists John Lill and Joanna MacGregor.

Morpeth Music Society is a registered charity; it receives funding each year from charitable trusts, local organisations and Morpeth Town Council.

However, volunteer fundraisers over the years have continued to work tirelessly to maintain this income without which the society could not operate.

Young people are encouraged to attend concerts and become involved in the society. Two school representatives join the committee for a year or so and the society values their help and enthusiasm. A scholarship is awarded annually to a student from KEVI and the society funds master classes given by visiting musicians to students from local schools.

This special 70th season is varied and exciting. All the details can be found at www.morpeth-musoc.org.uk

inside Morpeth 29

Di Cremona Quartet – first guests in the Morpeth Music Society’s 70th anniversary season

The Aln Valley Railway project aims to re-connect Alnwick to the main East Coast Railway by rebuilding the branch line to Alnmouth Station that was first opened in 1850. Around 50 dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers are busy creating an all new Lionheart Station on the edge of a business park just a stone’s throw from the busy A1 road as it skirts the town.

When it is open the Aln Valley line will be the only standard gauge heritage railway operating in the county.

Already the volunteers have laid half a mile of track as well as starting work on the construction of two new platforms and a signal box and beginning to assemble an impressive collection of rolling stock that will eventually haul passenger-carrying carriages along the three mile scenic route to Alnmouth and back.

As well as the construction work much restoration of carriages and engines has to be undertaken and that is where Chris Lediard and Les English come into the

story. Chris, who is perhaps better known in the Morpeth area as chairman of the Mid-Northumberland Chorus and the owner of two vintage Leyland Tiger buses, is in charge of the restoration of the Aln Valley Railway carriages and called on the services of Les – the town Chamber of Trade’s ‘Mr Morpeth in Bloom’ – to use his skills as a professional upholsterer to restore the bench seats in a British Rail Mk 1 SK carriage to the same pristine condition they were in when it rolled out of the Derby train-building plant in 1956.

The carriage ran on the East Coast main line service until the late 1970s or early 1980s.

The carriage was bought by a consortium of members for £4,ooo from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway and was – in the words of Chris – ‘in a pitiful state’ after being left abandoned in a siding for 20 years.

Chris and his six-strong team are now rebuilding it,

renewing everything that needs renewing, including the seats from eight compartments.

“I was quite amazed when I started work because the springs were still in good condition,” said Les but every seat still took two weeks of work to re-upholster.

“It’s been a lot of work but I am really very proud to have been involved in a project that is going to bring an awful lot of happiness to so many people in the future,” he said.

The original branch line closed in 1968 and the Aln Valley Railway project which has so far been 18 years in the making, has received a great deal of support and backing from the Duke of Northumberland with the station terminus and workshops being built on his estate’s land.

The volunteers have set themselves a timetable of 2020 to get the railway up and running to Alnmouth.

The projected cost is around £7m which it is hoped will be funded through grants, donations and matched funding. A ‘Let’s Get to Alnmouth’ appeal has also been launched with a target of £1.88m in mind to help towards the overall costs.

In the meantime the site is open to the public during the summer holidays from Tuesdays to Thursdays and again on Sundays, when visitors can take a ride on either a Wickham Trolley or a diesel-hauled brake van – a small charge is made for rides. A number of days are also designated as steam operating days.

There are now five locomotives to see on site (two steam and three diesel) plus the Wickham trolleys, several carriages and freight wagons in various states of repair and refurbishment.

A café is also open providing refreshments alongside a shop selling Aln Valley Railway souvenirs.

30 inside Morpeth

Full steam ahead forrailway revival venture

Full details of what services are running on what days over the next few weeks or how to make a donation can be found by logging on to www.alnvalleyrailway.co.uk

Prospective volunteers can also use the same website to find out more about helping out on the project.

Two Morpeth friends have been working together for the past few months on a venture that promises to deliver a spectacular new Northumberland visitor attraction in a few short years.

Les English (left) and Chris Lediard who have been working on the Aln Valley heritage railway project. (Right) One of the engines already giving passenger trips

inside Morpeth 31

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Priced from £22,995, Visia models sport stylish 17” alloy wheels and are given further kerb appeal with an eye-catching signature strip of LED daytime running

lights. Inside, an array of technological features including Bluetooth connectivity and an MP3 compatible sound system, air conditioning, heated door mirrors, follow-me-home lighting and an electric parking brake are also among the equipment included as standard.

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32 inside Morpeth

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inside Morpeth 33

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34 inside Morpeth

School might be out for summer but Inside Morpeth still brings you these reports from King Edward VI School (KEVI)

On a mission to MexicoBy Georgina Wilkinson

By the time you are reading this I will have travelled along with 32 other students to Ensenada in Mexico to build a home for a poor family, as part of the organisation M10 Missions lead by Stephen Riley and other leaders.The charity has been going since 2009 sending a group of young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years old, to Mexico each year. It was set up by Stephen after he saw for himself what conditions were like for people living in the poorer parts of Mexico.

Whilst in Mexico we will not only be building a house but visiting rehab centres in Ensenada, doing light construction work around various centres and playing sporting games with children.

Our group has met monthly for talks with other charity leaders

and organisers who have made the trip possible, including Jane and Anthony Pollard. During these meetings we learned about Mexican culture, what it will be like while we are in the country, how to deal with issues we may face, as well as carrying out team building activities.

All of us had to fund raise £1,600 to go to Mexico. Some chose to organise events, do sponsored bungee jumps or arrange raffles. I also received a donation from senior students at KEVI to go towards my fund raising target. During our meetings we discussed methods for raising funds to help ensure we reached our goals in time for the deadline we were set.

I would encourage anyone interested between the ages of 16 and 25 years old, to apply for the experience. The group has all become incredibly close in a short space of time and no doubt the trip will be the experience of a lifetime.

KEVI’s an outstanding school report the Ofsted inspectorsAcross the board ‘outstanding’ accreditations in five subject headings! That was the news that KEVI staff, governors, students and parents were delighted to hear when the school’s latest Ofsted findings were published just before the end of the summer term.

Overall effectiveness as a school; achievement of pupils; quality of teaching; behaviour and safety of pupils; and leadership and management were inspection categories that all received the highest praise from the five strong inspection team who sat in on 45 lessons, talked to governors, senior KEVI and middle school leaders, looked at students work and took account of questionnaire responses from parents and staff.

More than 1450 students and pupils are currently being educated at KEVI which

is the founding school of the Three Rivers Learning Trust that also includes Chantry and Newminster middle schools.

These are a selection of the comments made by the inspectors in their report:-

• Students make excellent progress at KEVI so much so that by Year 11 their attainment is very high on all measures

• The most able students are extremely well supported to achieve the highest grades

• There is much outstanding teaching across the school, especially in the Sixth Form

• Teachers know their students well and are ambitious for them to do their best

• The behaviour of students is outstanding

• Students consistently demonstrate excellent attitudes to learning; they are keen to succeed and rise enthusiastically to the many challenges that teachers set

• Students welcome opportunities to make a difference to the school

• Leaders at all levels including middle teachers, are relentless in their determination to sustain the highest quality provision and outstanding outcomes for students

• Governors show exceptional commitment to the school’s continuous improvement

In a summary of their key findings the inspectors concluded that ambitious and excellent leadership and governance has ensured that KEVI’s high performance has been sustained since the previous Ofsted inspection in 2008.

The inspectors reported that A-level results are significantly above national levels so that the vast majority of students move on to their first choice universities including Oxbridge and universities in the prestigious Russell group.

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inside Morpeth 35

Come and learn the most intriguing game in the world, stimulate your brain and make

new friends!

Day and Evening classes starting September/October 2014

For complete beginners.

For improvers. Revision and consolidation of the basics of bidding and play.

An ongoing class for players with some experience.These classes are suitable for those returning to the game.

Available for small groups with other requirements.

For further information, including dates, venues and tutors, please go to our website at: www.morpethbridge4all.co.ukor call Tessa on 07773 889 597or call Aileen on 01670 504 475

BRIDGE TUITION

DEVELOPING BRIDGE

CONTINUING BRIDGE

BEGINNING BRIDGE Two recent initiatives by Greater Morpeth Development Trust (GMDT) have involved young people from the area learning more about their heritage as well as the importance of making sure their town is a neat and tidy place to live and work.

Applauding Morpeth’s youthful enterprise!

Chantry, Newminster and Goosehill schools were all invited to enter a GMDT art competition to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the building of Morpeth Town Hall.

Trust Community Director and artist Sue Dibben said there were lots of superb entries from children in the form of paintings or collages, many of which will be on display in the Butter Market on Saturday September 13th.

“We wanted to encourage children to be aware of and involved in the Town Hall anniversary and learn about its heritage,” said Sue. “The competition also tied in with a Picnic in the Park bunting art project I ran whereby visitors were able to decorate their own bunting flag to celebrate the anniversary.”

The Chantry and Newminster entries were judged by Mayor Nic Best, his deputy Councillor Alison Byard and Sue Dibben, while Alison and Sue judged the Goosehill entries. Chantry winners were: -

1st Danny Lillico, 2nd Georgia Taggart, joint 3rd Charlotte Barrass, Josh Lamb and Caitlin Woodcock.

Newminster winners were: Victoria Smyth (lst), Rose Gibson (2nd) and joint 3rd Milly James, Zoe Jones and Lucy Coulson. Goosehill winners were: Sadie Charlton (1st), Ruby Housman-Wilkinson (2nd) and joint 3rd Andrew Laidlaw, Danielle Carmon and Christian Molloy.

Art set prizes were kindly donated by T & G Allan of Morpeth.

Six KEVI students have also received the first GMDT Community Award medals for their efforts to pioneer a litter-picking initiative to help make Morpeth a cleaner and tidier place to live, work and visit.

Amy Hodgson, Kara Frizzell, Amy Scott, Harry Gunn, Callum Kearney and Ryan Lamb were all presented with medals and certificates by Mayor Nic Best.

The initiative was a joint venture between GMDT and KEVI with support from Northumberland County Council. The students spent up to 10 hours voluntarily picking up litter in their own neighbourhoods and now plan to share their experiences with younger children from Morpeth schools.

Cllr Nic Best (Mayor of Morpeth), Hugh Edmundson and Vanessa Braidwood of GMDT with the KEVI pupils at the Trust’s Community Awards’ presentations

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LUNCHTIMESPECIALS11AM-2PM

TEL: 01670 5128713 SECOND AVENUE, STOBHILL

O.A.P.SPECIALSLarge fish & small chips£4.705 Cod bites, chips & peas£3.50

OPENING TIMES: MON - SAT 11AM - 2PM / 4PM - 9PM OPENING TIMES: CLOSED SUNDAYS

Fish Bites • Nuggets (4) • Sausage

CHIPS sml £1.30 lrg £1.60PRIME COD (skinless & boneless) £3.60LINE CAUGHT HADDOCK £3.70CHICKEN & MUSHROOM PIE £1.60MINCE PIE £1.60STEAK PIE £1.601/2 CHICKEN £3.00SMOKIE £1.50JUMBO SAUSAGE £1.30SMALL SAUSAGE £0.80

SPAM FRITTER £1.20CHEESE PATTIE £1.00CORNED BEEF PATTIE £1.00FISH CAKE £1.10

CHIP BUTTIE £1.70CHICKEN STEAK £1.20CHOP SUEY ROLL £1.20PINEAPPLE RING (2) £1.00SCAMPI (10 with Salad) £2.50COD BITES (5) £2.30CHICKEN NUGGETS (7) £1.70ONION RINGS (8) £0.80FOLLOWING ITEMS SERVED IN A TRAY

CURRY & CHIPS £2.40GRAVY & CHIPS £2.40PEAS & CHIPS £2.40BEANS & CHIPS £2.40CHILLI SAUCE & CHIPS £2.40GARLIC SAUCE & CHIPS £2.40CHEESY CHIPS £2.40

All our kebabs include hot pitta bread,fresh salad & chilli or garlic sauce

DONNER KEBAB (LARGE) £4.50KABAB MEAT £4.50CHIPS & SALADSKEBAB MEATH WITH £3.50CHIPS (& SAUCE)

TRAY OF KEBAB MEAT £3.00(& SAUCE)

KEBAB CHIP BUTTY £3.50(& SAUCE)

PITTA BREAD & SALAD £1.50SALAD £1.50PITTA BREAD £0.50CHILL OR GARLIC SAUCE £1.00KEBAB WRAPS £3.90CHIPS OR SALAD, ANY SAUCE

In a toasted bun withsalad and saucePLAIN BURGER£2.20 1/4LB £3.00 1/2LB

CHEESE BURGER£2.20 1/4LB £3.00 1/2LB

CHILLI BURGER£2.20 1/4LB £3.00 1/2LB

CHICKEN BURGER£2.20VEG. BURGER£2.20MEAL DEALADD £1.50 GET CHIPS& A CAN OF POP

BATTEREDBURGER £1.20VEGETABLEBURGER £1.20SAUCES£1.00DRINKSFROM £0.75

2 DAY SPECIALMonday and Tuesdays only

BUY ONE FISH & CHIPS

& GET ONE FREE

CHIP BUTTYwith a splash of sauce

£1.50SAUSAGE SPECIALwith a splash of sauce

£2.00ANY PATTIE

& CHIPS£2.50

ANY PIE& CHIPS£2.50

KEBAB & CHIPSwith a splash of sauce

£2.50KEBAB CHIP BUTTYwith a splash of sauce

£2.50KEBAB WRAP & CHIPS

with a splash of sauce

£3.00

Unit 3 Arch Enterprise WorkshopsGreen Lane, Ashington, NE63 0EE

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38 inside Morpeth

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When Morpeth couple Dean and Alyson McDonald (pictured) began an internet search for a possible new home in the centre of town they quite literally got more than they bargained for.

Instead of finding an apartment they ended up moving into one of Morpeth’s most popular pubs as the landlord and landlady of the Black & Grey near the top of Newgate Street!

The move has meant the start of a new career for the couple. Dean previously worked in electronics while Alyson taught ITC for ten years at Bedlington High School.

But both have long harboured the ambition of going into the hospitality industry on their own account. Alyson remembers working as an 18 year old in a busy London pub and says: “At the time I felt the job was made for me and that one day I would run my own pub. But things

happen and circumstances change so it never happened until now!”

Dean who has also been involved in catering in the past, said they were looking for a business venture – as well as a flat - when the opportunity presented itself to run the pub.

“It seemed that all the arrows were pointing in the right direction so to speak, so we jumped at the chance,” he said.

After being a tapas bar for a number of years the pub has reverted back to its former name and Dean and Alyson have changed the décor accordingly to fit in with the style of a good old English pub. The other major change is that the menu now focuses on traditional British food seven days a week from lunchtime onwards through the evening.

There are, says Alyson, plenty of ‘family favourites’ as she calls them to choose from with two courses starting at just £8.50 per diner and lunch choices from only £5.00. “Everything is home-cooked in our kitchen using fresh produce,” she

said. “Not even the chips are frozen!”

Chef John Cranson who has been cooking for a living for 25 years, is in charge of the kitchen.

After just a few weeks in charge at the Black & Grey Dean and Alyson are starting to build up their regulars and they are also delighted to have received some very complimentary website comments from satisfied customers who have reported that they have thoroughly enjoyed their dining experiences at the pub.

Back in the Black...and Grey!

£5 LUNCH MENUMONDAY - FRIDAY UNTIL 3PM

EVENING & SUNDAY LUNCH

2 FOR £8.50

The Black & GreyNOW SERVING FRESH HOME COOKED FOOD

HOME-MADE BURGER NIGHTEVERY TUESDAY

Newgate Street, Morpeth NE61 1BU

T. 01670 504 312www.blackandgrey.co.uk

SELECTION OF REAL ALES

Looking good for summerMorpeth welcomes a new aesthetic beauty clinic this summer in the form of The Lipo Wave Clinic. The clinic, based at Watson House on Oldgate offers the latest in technology-based treatments to help boost body confidence through non-invasive lipo-sculpture, IPL hair reduction and inch-busting body wraps.

Owner Emma Alcock explains: “Body confidence is an issue for men and women of all ages and my clinic focuses on treatments that, combined with the right diet and lifestyle choices can really help people feel better about their bodies and raise self-esteem. A course of non-invasive lipo-sculpture using our Cavislim machine can help reduce post-natal pouch, bingo wings, cellulite, muffin tops and other areas of stubborn fat whilst the Inch Loss Wraps are a

fantastic morale boost for when time is of the essence and an important event is imminent!”

The clinic also offers IPL hair reduction and for many people unwanted hair growth is inconvenient, irritating and in some cases embarrassing. IPL or Intense Pulsed Light machines, send out flashes of high energy light to the area which damages the hair follicle reducing regrowth. As hair grows in phases a course of treatments is required.

“IPL is not suitable for everyone so it is important to have a consultation with a trained technician to determine suitability. At The Lipo Wave Clinic I offer a free consultation and patch test before a course of treatment may be undertaken,” said Emma.

To find out more or to make a booking contact Watson House directly on 01670 511293 or contact The Lipo Wave Clinic on 07572 246441.

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T: (01670) 511293 E: info@watson-house.comW: www.watson-house.com

23 Oldgate, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1QF

Relax into well-being...

Find out more about the wide range of exceptional therapies and classes at Watson House Holistic Therapy Centre

40 inside Morpeth

Owner Simon Dutson has created a truly holistic therapy centre in Oldgate which caters for all of its clients beauty therapy, physical therapy and mental health needs.

“We have the widest range of exceptional therapists in the region so anyone visiting us has access to all they need under one roof,” said Simon.

“In a fast paced world Watson House offers a calm and friendly sanctuary to allow you a feeling of complete relaxation during some precious “me” time.”

This is what Watson House can offer clients:

BEAUTY THERAPIES

• Carol Farley has set up a beauty therapy clinic in Watson House. She provides a wide range of beauty therapy treatments and fantastic luxury pamper packages. (www.farleybeautyandtraining.com)

• Laura Burn is also offering a range of beauty and relaxation treatments including reflexology, massage and facials.

• TheLipo Wave Clinic – body contouring specialists - offering laser hair removal and ultra sound lipo cavitation (non-invasive fat reduction).These treatments give fantastic results within a couple of treatments.

PHYSICAL THERAPIES

Watson House offers a fantastic range of physical therapies at Watson House. Therapists are extremely experienced and knowledgeable

• Chiropractor, Vincent Sharkey, has been serving the Morpeth area since 1998 and with an excellent eputation offers a completely personal treatment.

• A sports injury clinic in partnership with KW Sports Therapy (www.kwsportstherapy.co.uk) can help relieve your aches and pains while Ann Wright offers fantastic reflexology and massage treatments

• Podiarist and chiropodist Michelle Metcalf can deal with your foot problems as well as offering biomechanical advice and orthotics.

• Feras is one of the leading acupuncturists in the North East and can deal with a wide range of issues from aches and pains, menopausal conditions and fertility treatment.

• Judith Vigurs offers the outstanding Alexander Technique to help improve posture, release muscle tension and relieve neck, joint and back pain. The Alexander Technique teaches clients to bring awareness to their body and change the way they do things. Judith runs both group and individual sessions

MENTAL HEALTH

• Watson House has a range of counselling practitioners including Fiona Damm who offers person centred approach and specialises in workplace stress, anxiety, depression and relationship problems (www.smartcounselling.org.uk)

• Plus a range of hypnotherapy treatments including smoking cessation, gastric band hypnotherapy

and counselling. Veronica Fyland (www.thefylandsystem.co.uk) and Isabelle Knight are Watson House’s resident hypnotherapists

• Suzi Howey is a psychotherapeutic counsellor offering both short term counselling; often aimed at a general situation or behavioural issues, and also long term therapy that is directed at emotional concerns, this focuses on thoughts, feelings and how people process being in the world.

• Susan Wood practices homeopathy here at Watson House which is a respected holistic medicine practised extensively throughout the world and accepted as an exceptionally safe and effective approach to healing. Susan treats the 'whole' person mentally, emotionally and physically (www.susanwoodhomeopath.co.uk)

• Sara Scott is an intuitive, mediumistic and psychic and has studied various healing modalities and uses these as part of her intuitive work. Sara practices Angelic Reiki examines past life and ancestral influences, offers card readings, and connects with loved ones in spirit

“We also run a range of exercise classes including Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates suitable for all ages and levels,” added Simon.

To book in for any of these treatments or to discuss your

needs phone Watson House on 01670 511293,

email info@watson-house.com or just pop in for a chat

Watson House is a Holistic Therapy Centre in the heart of Morpeth with a range of expert therapists equipped to improve your mental, physical and emotional health.

inside Morpeth 41

Morpeth’s one-stop-shop holistic therapy centre!

42 inside Morpeth

Walk 1: Morpeth to Bothal Circular

Distance – 6.5 miles Grade – Moderate

Friday 19 September 11am – 3.30pm. Start and finish at the lay-by at bottom of Whorral Bank A197. Bluebell Woods, Stephenson’s Viaduct, Lady Chapel and mystery inscription (all will be revealed!) Stop-over at St Andrew’s Church, Bothal which has the finest collection of medieval stained glass in Northumberland. Bring a packed lunch.

Walk 2: Storey Park to Mitford Circular

Distance – 5.5 miles Grade – Moderate

Saturday 20 September 1pm – 4.30pm. Start and finish at Storey Park Community Centre. Delightful ramble through the Wansbeck valley full of natural and built heritage including the historic village of Mitford.

Walk 3: Clavering Heritage Walk

Distance – 6.3 miles Grade – Moderate

Saturday 20 September 1pm – 4.30pm. Start and finish at Bide a Wee Cottage Garden and Nursery, Stanton, Netherwitton NE65 8PR. Grid Ref NZ133901. Includes an owl sanctuary, a murder scene, a 17th C stronghouse and a stunning viewpoint.

Walk 4: Cresswell’s Curiosities

Distance – 1.5 miles Grade – Easy

Sunday 21 September 2pm – 4pm. Start and finish at Cresswell Ices. Local resident and archaeologist Barry Mead guides walkers to parts of this lovely coastal village not normally accessible to the public, including a 15th Century pele tower and the remains of Cresswell Hall.

Walk 5: Stannington and Blagdon Circular Distance – 5.7 miles Grade - Moderate

Sunday 21 September 1pm – 4.30pm. Start and finish at the Ridley Arms, Stannington. Features bus shelters designed by Edwin Lutyens, one of Britain’s great architects. Cost includes refreshments in the Loft Café at Bladgon Cheese Farm.

Why not get out and about in the beautiful countryside around Morpeth by joining in the 11th annual Morpeth Walking Weekend Friday 19 to Sunday 21 September. Five fascinating walks – all led by an experienced leader – following picturesque footpaths and heritage trails around and about the town.

Discover things you didn’t know on your own doorsteps.

Walks to suit all ages and abilities. Suitable clothing and sturdy

footwear are all you need plus £4 to cover the cost of each walk (£6.50 for Stannington Walk 5 as this includes refreshments at the Blagdon Cheese Farm).

Accompanied children go free.

Walks to be pre-booked in advance by contacting Greater Morpeth Development Trust, The Lodge, Carlisle Park, Morpeth NE61 1YGD Tel 01670 503866 or email info@gmdt.org

Morpeth Walking WeekendFri 19 to Sun 21 SeptemberOrganised by Greater Morpeth Development Trust in partnership with Morpeth Footpath’s Society and David Barker (Heritage Walks)

Walking the walks around Morpeth...!

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44 inside Morpeth