If you have anything you would like to see published in the Courant’s Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please email the details to [email protected] by 6pm on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week.
Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 4th April 2024
- Jess Storey and Annie Docwra have teamed together with some amazing supporters to start up Care for a Cuppa, which aims to bring together carers and those living with memory loss or dementia. Sessions will take place at Falstone Village Hall on the second Thursday of the month from 10.30am – 12 noon. This is a relaxed environment where you can meet others, find advice, support and enjoy activities over a cake and cuppa. The first session will take place on 9th May. Further details will be made available soon, so please look out for the upcoming posters and flyers.
- Many thanks to all who supported the recent collection for the Great North Air Ambulance. Between all our local collection points, we raised the equivalent of £3,100 this time – and over the years, we have managed to raise a truly impressive £122,274.50 in our North Tyne area. The next collection will take place on Wednesday, 18 September and further details will be forwarded nearer the time, as there are some changes to the items they will be able to collect - due to changes in legislation and increased costs associated with those changes.
- At Tarset Village Hall on 20th April 2024, acoustic duo Fool’s Gold present a new show for 2024: Old King Coal, which they describe as an ‘unashamedly nostalgic retrospective of life in the North of England in days gone by’. People have always liked mining songs and are fascinated by mining history, especially insofar as it impacted the little people - the miners, their wives, and their children. The miners’ stories, the conditions they lived and worked in, and how they let off steam are all subjects of this show. But it’s not just about coal - numerous places, events, and characters of the North all rub shoulders with tales of the pit. Those who have seen Carol and Steve perform past shows will know to expect quirky humour, fascinating facts and a blend of well-known and original songs, which all add up to a genuinely entertaining evening. If you would like tickets, please contact John by email at [email protected] or by calling 01434 240337. Doors and bar open at 7.00pm with the performance starting at 7.30pm.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 28th March 2024
If you have anything you would like to see published in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please email me ([email protected]) by 6pm on Sunday evenings. The Courant is the ideal way to let those folks who don’t have access to the internet or email know about events, invites and local news or anything else that’s going on in the community. It doesn’t have to be just events – you can include details of any interesting things happening in your own village or in the wider local North Tyne area, but I can’t include things I don’t know about, so please do remember to let me have the details.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 21st March 2024
- Saturday 23rd Mar 2024 (at 7.30pm) is the date for the North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society’s Easter concert: "Aspects of Spring” at St Mungo's Church, Simonburn. Music includes Stainer’s Crucifixion as well as seasonal music by Rutter and Kodaly, conducted by John Roper and featuring accompanist Henry Wallace. The ticket price includes light refreshments.
- Also this coming weekend, at 6pm on Sunday 24th March, there will be a Palm Sunday Evensong Service at 6pm at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn.
- Next weekend, Easter celebrations will be taking place throughout the region and on Saturday 30th March, Falstone will be running its annual Chocolate Morning from 10am-12 noon in Falstone Village Hall.
- On Sunday 31st March, there will be an Easter communion Service at 11am at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn. Children of all ages (1-99) are invited to make an Easter Garden on a plate to bring along to the Easter Service. The Easter Gardens can also be left in the church porch from this weekend onwards. There will be small rewards and Easter activities to do or take away.
- Finally, a quick reminder that if you do have anything you would like to see published in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to email the details to [email protected] by (at the latest) 6pm on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 14th March 2024
- A quick reminder that Saturday 23rd Mar 2024 at 7.30pm, sees the North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society’s Easter concert: "Aspects of Spring”. Music includes Stainer’s Crucifixion and seasonal music by Rutter and Kodaly, conducted by John Roper and featuring accompanist Henry Wallace. St Mungo's Church, Simonburn. The ticket price includes light refreshments.
- The annual Tarset litter pick is scheduled for this weekend. Caroline will put out high-vis jackets and litter pickers for those taking part, and for those who will be tidying their sections on Saturday, please let Julian know asap. The Parish Council will be sponsoring some well-earned refreshments for the volunteers at the Hollybush, and he will need to let John and Lynn have potential numbers.
- With Easter nearly on us already (it’s an early one this year!), there are various church activities and services around the parishes:
- At St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, there is a Palm Sunday Evensong Service at 6pm on 24th March and on 31st March, there will be an Easter communion Service at 11am. All children - aged 1-99(!) - are invited to make an Easter Garden on a plate and bring it to St Aidan’s Thorneyburn for the Easter Service or you can bring it along the week before and leave in the porch. There will be small rewards and Easter activities to do or take away.
- Meanwhile, Falstone is holding its annual Chocolate Morning on Sat 30th March from 10am-12 noon in Falstone Village Hall. They are also collecting Easter Eggs for disadvantaged children, so please give any eggs to Jill or Marie by 21st March.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 15th February 2024
- Everyone is welcome at a new series of Community Cuppa afternoons at Kielder - Coffee and Chat afternoons which are held in the school hall at Kielder School and Nursery from 2pm - 4pm on the second Monday of the month in term time. Each session offers the chance for a chat and a cuppa, as well as a different (optional!) activity. The next session will be on 11th March and the theme will be Fragile Earth…our Sacred Space with an additional story and craft activities led by Rev Frances and Jude. On 13th May, The Forestry Commission will be telling the group about its work. The session on 10th June includes a craft workshop (led by Sheila and Logan) Decoupage on glass/wood/metal and Felting, and on 8th July, there will be a minibus trip into Kielder forest to see the working forest in the Summer (led by Alex and David). For further information, keep an eye on the Kielder Community Village Facebook page or visit www.ccptynedale.org.uk
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, is holding a Special Evensong for Lent on Sunday 25th Feb @ 6pm led by Michel Nixon. The Communion Service in March falls on Mothering Sunday (10th March) at 11am and it is hoped that this will be a joint service with Bellingham. An Easter Communion service is planned for 11am on 31st March.
- Children’s work in the Deanery – Cloth of Hopes and Dreams: This year the church Schools group is working with local schools, looking at the concept of Our Fragile Earth and the pupils (along with other members of the community) have drawn images of what they love most about our planet. Volunteers are now needed to help transfer the children’s artwork onto fabric patches/blocks which can then be sewn together to create a Cloth of Hopes and Dreams for each school/area. Anyone who can machine sew, hand sew, embroider or even just stick fabric together would be most welcome. It is hoped that the Greenhaugh School’s designs will be incorporated into a new Altar Frontal at Thorneyburn. Adults are invited to make their own patches too, so please contact your church or school if you think you can help in any way. In the North Tyne area, where Bellingham, Greenhaugh and Kielder Schools have all been taking part Jenni Holland (240337) and Mandy Gray (240303) are the people to contact if you would like to help, so please do contact them.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 1st February 2024
- Sadly, last week’s notes were scuppered by intermittent power and internet problems, and those problems still appear to be manifesting themselves in a number of additional power cuts over a week later! Hopefully everyone who was affected now has both services working again – particularly those in Falstone, who appear to have had more problems than the rest of us with regard to their internet access.
- The AGM for the Falstone Border Shepherds’ Show and Sports will be held on Wednesday 21st February 2024 at 7.30pm at The Pheasant Inn, Stannersburn. The AGM is open to everyone local and to all those who have an interest in the Show.
- A guided community meditation is held at Land of Joy (Greenhaugh) on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month from 6pm to 7pm. If you live in the local area, why not join them for the next one on 7th February at 6pm. They would love to see you there. Further details, and information about Land of Joy’s full 2024 Programme of events and retreats is available on the Land of Joy website (https://landofjoy.co.uk/).
- Thursday 1st February sees First Thursday Films’ next showing. The film’s organiser says: What more appropriate for the month when St Valentine’s Day falls, than the highly acclaimed ‘Il Postino’, a 1994 film that movingly explores themes of love and friendship through sensitively depicted (and beautifully acted) relationships in 1950s Italy. The film tells a fictional story in which the real-life Chilean poet Pablo Neruda forms a friendship with a simple postman, Mario, who learns to love poetry. Eventually Neruda helps Mario win over the captivating Beatrice, 'the woman of his dreams’. Doors and bar open at 7pm and the film will start at 7.30pm.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 18th January 2024
- There will be a fundraiser, in aid of the Falstone Border Shepherds’ Show, taking place on 19th January at Falstone Village Hall. Starting at 7pm, teams of between 2 and 4 people are invited to take part in a Quiz Night. There will be a raffle and bar and there will also be a pooled supper, so please bring along something to share.
- Also for Falstone Show, here is an advance notice of a date for your diaries: The AGM for the Falstone Border Shepherds’ Show and Sports will be held on Wednesday 21st February 2024 at 7.30pm at The Pheasant Inn, Stannersburn. The AGM is open to everyone local and to all those who have an interest in the Show.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 11th January 2024
- Happy New Year! January can often seem a little underwhelming after all the activity and sparkle of the festive season, so to start you off thinking about the year ahead, there will be a Quiz Night fundraiser for the Falstone Border Shepherds Show happening on 19th January at Falstone Village Hall. Starting at 7pm, teams of between 2 and 4 people are invited to take part in the quiz. There will be a raffle and bar and there will be a pooled supper, so please bring along something to share.
- Song Reivers’ new term started this week and all newcomers get their first session free of charge, so if you would like to come along and join in, sit and listen or just pop in to see what it’s all about, please feel free to do so – you will be very welcome and you don’t need to read music or to have had any singing experience. It’s a great way to be social and to start the week – the weekly sessions run on Monday mornings from 10am – 11.30am at Tarset Village Hall.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 28th December 2023
- I hope everyone has had a lovely time over the Christmas holidays and I would like to take the opportunity to send good wishes for a Happy New Year and to hope that 2024 brings everyone health and happiness.
- Song Reivers is a community choir which is open to anyone who would like to come along and take part. The new term starts on Monday, 8th January 2024 and all newcomers get their first session free of charge, so if you would like to come along and join in, sit and listen or just pop in to see what it’s all about, feel free to do so – you will be very welcome and you don’t need to read music or to have had any singing experience. It’s a great way to be social and to start the week on a positive note (*ahem*). The weekly sessions run from 10am – 11.30am at Tarset Village Hall.
- Finally, if you have anything at all that you would like to see published in the Courant’s Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please email me at [email protected] by 6pm on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 21st December 2023
- Christmas is nearly here(!) and since the next Village Notes won’t be published until 28th December, I would like to take the opportunity now to wish you all a very Happy Christmas - in whatever form it takes for you.
- This year’s Candlelit Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will take place on Sat 23rd December at 7pm, with support from Song Reivers and Tarset Ceilidh Band as well as traditional carols and readings. Please wrap up warmly and bring candles and/or lanterns with you. A torch is always a good idea for navigating the churchyard and lane, as the ground may be uneven in places. Refreshments are being provided afterwards by Kate at the Old Rectory, but a plate of nibbles or a flask of mulled wine would be a welcome additional contribution.
- Falstone will be running its Family Carol and Christingle Service on Christmas Eve, at 4pm.
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn will not be running any services on Christmas Eve, but will instead be offering a Communion Service at 11am on Christmas Day.
- If you prefer to celebrate Christmas in a quieter or more reflective way, or if you find the usual Christmas celebrations difficult as a result of grief or loss, St Cuthbert’s in Bellingham is offering an alternative ‘Longest Night’ Service – a quiet, reflective service with music, at 8pm on Thursday 21st December. Hot chocolate and light refreshments will be available before the service, and all are welcome.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 14th December 2023
- Late night Christmas shopping has started at the Bellwether Gallery & Shop, which is located a 5-minute drive from Bellingham on the way to Kielder. The gallery is open from 5pm-8pm every Thursday evening in the run-up to Christmas, with a range of unique presents available - from stocking fillers to showstoppers!
- This is a final reminder that Tarset Village Hall’s Christmas Social takes place this weekend, on Sat 16th December. There will be a pooled supper, music and a raffle (with proceeds being donated to local good causes). This is a great opportunity for the community to get together for an informal celebration of the festive season. Doors and bar open at 7pm.
- This weekend also sees the North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society’s Christmas Concert (which this year takes place in St Giles’ Church, Chollerton): Christmas with ‘The Greats’. Conducted by John Roper with accompaniment by Michael Haynes, the programme features music by Berlioz, Handel and Mozart, as well as other well-known Christmas music from around the world. Saturday December 16th at 7.30pm. Light seasonal refreshments are included in the ticket price.
- Tarset Song Reivers will be joining Tynedale Community Choir and Dark Sky Voices at Hexham’s Trinity Methodist Church for ‘Hexham Christmas in Song’ on Monday 18th December at 7.30pm (advance tickets are available online via Ticket Tailor). Other, more local performances will be the annual ‘Carols by Car’ event, which takes place at various locations around Tarset and Greenhaugh on the evening of Tuesday 19th December, and they will also be taking part in the Thorneyburn Candlelit Carol Service, which happens on Saturday 23rd December.
- Please note: If you have anything you would like me to include in the Village Notes for New Year or for the first week in January, the deadlines are the same - for the Notes on Thursday 21st December, please could you let me have any copy by Sunday 17th December, and for the Notes which will appear in the Courant on Thursday 28th December, you will need to let me have anything you would like to include on Sunday 24th December (Christmas Eve!).
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 7th December 2023
- Tarset Song Reivers’ main performance for Christmas will be a joint concert with Tynedale Community Choir at Trinity Methodist Church, Hexham, on Monday 18th December at 7.30pm (prior to the concert, they will also be performing with Tynedale at the Hexham Farmers Markets on both Saturday 9th and Saturday 16th December). Their annual ‘Carols by Car’ event around Tarset will be on the evening of Tuesday 19th December, and they very much look forward to participating in the Thorneyburn Candlelit Carol Service on Sunday 23rd December. They look forward to seeing you at their concerts, but whether you are le to come along or not, they would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
- Tarset Village Hall Christmas Coffee Morning will be at 10.30am on 7th December. As usual there will be mince pies etc. and everyone is welcome! Since, coincidentally(!), 7th December just happens to be Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Save The Children, the organisers will be wearing their festive woollies (it’s not compulsory for guests, of course, but should you feel the need to display your *ahem* tasteful seasonal knitwear, there won’t be any complaints!) and there will be a collection for the cause. The draw for the last 100 Club winners of the year will also take place.
- Presented by First Thursday Films, December’s film, the 1946 Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life, will instead be shown at Tarset Village Hall on the second Thursday (14th). The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man whose life is torn apart by events beyond his control, prompting the intervention of a guardian angel. You may have seen it before(!), but perhaps not on a big screen - so why not go along for your dose of community Christmas cheer! Doors and bar open at 7pm and the film will start at 7.30pm.
- There will be a Christmas Social at Tarset Village Hall on Sat 16th December. Doors and bar open at 7pm and as with last year, there will be a pooled supper, music and a raffle (with proceeds being donated to local good causes). This is a great opportunity for the community to get together for an informal celebration of the festive season.
- Conducted by John Roper with accompaniment by Michael Haynes, NTRCP presents a Christmas concert for 2023: Christmas with ‘The Greats’, with music by Bach, Berlioz, Handel and Mozart, as well as other well-known Christmas music from around the world. Conducted by John Roper with accompaniment by Michael Haynes, the concert this year will take place in St Giles’ Church, Chollerton, on Saturday December 16th at 7.30pm. Light seasonal refreshments are included in the ticket price.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 30th November 2023
- The Christmas season is nearly upon us, so please keep an eye open for events and activities in your local areas. It’s likely there will be something for everyone, whether you celebrate Christmas or not - and even if you do celebrate but prefer to spend it more quietly. Decorations and lights are starting to appear all over the area and this year looks like it’s going to be a busy one!
- Carol services and singing are scheduled. On 18th December there will be Carols and Hot Chocolate at Kielder Primary School; Song Reivers will be running its annual Carols by Car on 19th December; 23rd December sees the Candlelit Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, starting at 7pm; Bellingham will be holding its Christmas Tree Festival from 11th – 16th December (see Bellingham Village Notes for details) and the North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society will be holding its Christmas Concert on 16th December (this year, it will be at Chollerton).
- You still have time to submit your contributions to the latest (Winter) issue of the Tarset Diary, but you will need to do so by Sunday 3rd December 2023. The deadline date has been moved forward this year to give the local community plenty of time to plan for the events that are taking place over the Christmas Holiday season. All contributions (whether that be Christmas memories, stories, events, anniversaries, birthdays, obituaries, births, newcomers’ introductions and photos, or anything else you would like people to know about) are warmly welcomed. Please send your information to [email protected] or call Chris on 240947.
- A quick reminder that St Peter’s Church in Falstone is collecting Chocolate Selection boxes for disadvantaged children this Christmas season. Please leave your donations in the food bank bin beside the gates to St Peter’s or inside St Peter’s by 10th December. Many thanks in advance, as your generosity really can make a difference for a child.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 23rd November 2023
- A quick reminder that there will be a Christmas Fair at Falstone Village hall this weekend (Saturday 25th November) from 2pm - 4pm. The event will include Christmas gift stalls, children’s crafts, cake stall, raffle, tombola, refreshments, mulled wine and lots more. This year’s competition (which is open to children and adults alike) will be for a piece of art or craftwork – no bigger than A4 size, please - depicting your interpretation of Festive Farmer(s) and/or Festive Farming.
- St Peter’s Church in Falstone is collecting Chocolate Selection boxes for disadvantaged children this Christmas season. Please leave your donations in the food bank bin beside the gates to St Peter’s or inside St Peter’s by 10th December. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.
- This year’s Candlelit Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will take place on Sat 23rd December at 7pm. Please wrap up warmly and bring candles and lanterns with you. A torch is always a good idea for navigating the churchyard and lane, as the ground may be uneven in places.
- A quick reminder that tickets for BADDs’ Christmas 2023 production of The Canterville Ghost are now available. Performance dates are Weds 6th to Sat 9th December inclusive, at Bellingham Town Hall, with doors and bar opening at 6.45pm for a 7.30pm start. A light supper is included in the ticket price. Tickets (cash only) are available at the Country Store in Bellingham, or you can order them online by emailing [email protected]. Numbers are strictly limited for each performance and advance booking is essential, so you are advised to book early.
- The deadline for the Winter/Christmassy issue of the Tarset Diary is Sunday 3rd December 2023 (slightly earlier than usual this year so it gives the local community plenty of time to plan for the events that are taking place over the Christmas Holiday season). All contributions, whether that be Christmas memories, stories, events, anniversaries, birthdays, obituaries, births, newcomers’ introductions and photos, or anything else you would like people to know about(!), are warmly welcomed. Please send your information to [email protected] or call Chris on 240947.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 16th November 2023
- Tickets for BADDs’ Christmas 2023 production of The Canterville Ghost are now available. Performance dates are Weds 6th to Sat 9th December inclusive, at Bellingham Town Hall, with doors and bar opening at 6.45pm for a 7.30pm start. A light supper is included in the ticket price. Tickets (cash only) are available at the Country Store in Bellingham, or you can order them online by emailing [email protected] (please include your name, address, number of tickets you require and the performance dates you need the tickets for). Please note that there will be a small additional transaction charge for online bookings (to cover the admin fees). Numbers are strictly limited, so early booking is advised.
- December’s ‘First Thursday’ Film, the 1946 Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, will be shown on the second Thursday (14th) in December. The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man whose life is torn apart by events beyond his control, prompting the intervention of a guardian angel. You may have seen it before(!), but perhaps not on a big screen - so why not go along for your dose of community Christmas cheer! Doors and bar open at 7pm and the film will start at 7.30pm.
- The Horsebox Gallery, Greenhaugh is holding a Christmas event this Saturday (18th November) from 11am - 6pm. As well as original paintings, there are Christmas cards, prints, notebooks, gift wrap, tags, raffia and string. A glass of mulled wine is also on offer. More information and directions are available on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GardenersCottageGreenhaugh/) and/or Instagram. Should the weather prove inclement, there is also a wet weather plan in place...!
- A date for your diaries: Tarset Village Hall is organising a Christmas Social on Sat 16th December. Doors and bar open at 7pm and as with last year, there will be a pooled supper, music and a raffle (with proceeds being donated to local good causes). This is a great opportunity for the community to get together for an informal celebration of the festive season.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 9th November 2023
- Lest we forget. On Sunday 12th November 2023, Acts of Remembrance will be taking place across the country, and our own area is no exception. At Thorneyburn, a special Remembrance Service, led by Michael Nixon, will also be taking place at St Aidan’s, starting at 10.30am. In Falstone, Remembrance Sunday will be marked at St Peter’s by meeting at 10.50am at the Cenotaph in the Cemetery of St Peter’s for the laying of wreaths, followed by a Remembrance Service at 11am. Donations for the Royal British Legion will be taken during the service.
- A date for your diaries: There will be a Christmas Fair at Falstone Village Hall on Saturday 25th November from 2pm - 4pm. The event will include Christmas gift stalls, children’s crafts, cake stall, raffle, tombola, refreshments, mulled wine and lots more. This year’s competition (for children and adults alike) will be for a piece of art/craftwork depicting your interpretation of Festive Farmer(s) and/or Festive Farming.
- Kielder Primary School will be hosting the Charity Cake & Bake Stall at next weekend’s Christmas Market in Bellingham Town Hall. There will also be a range of handmade and locally produced goods on offer - with gifts for friends, family and pets. Saturday 18th November 10am – 2pm.
- On Tuesday 14th November, Falstone Village Hall will be the venue for a Psychic Night, with Hayley Hope providing a group reading. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start…bring your own spirits! The event will be a fundraiser for Falstone Village Hall, and more details as well as ticket prices and pre-booking can be found at https://www.facebook.com/FalstoneCommunity/
- A final reminder that you will have the opportunity to meet VARC’s current artist in residence, Christy Burdock, at Highgreen this weekend. On Sat 11th Nov, there will be an informal drop-in session from 1-3pm, with a short artist talk at 2pm. Full details about the event and more information about Christy and her work can be found on the VARC website: https://mailchi.mp/4433920df806/meetchristyburdock
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 2nd November 2023
- Kielder’s 2023 Bonfire Night celebration will take place on Friday 3rd November on the playing field. The bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm, and fireworks will start at 7pm. The display will be followed by a night of music and dancing, with Jason Arnup playing live from 8.30pm to 11.30pm at Kielder Primary School. Please wrap up warmly, and don’t forget to bring torches and your own refreshments.
- Falstone’s 2023 Bonfire Night celebration will be on Saturday 4th November at Falstone Village Hall. Hall doors open at 6pm, with bonfire lighting taking place at 6.30pm and a special low noise firework display starting at 7pm. Hotdogs, soup, jacket potatoes and other refreshments will be available for purchase.
- On Tuesday 14th November, Falstone Village Hall will be the venue for a Psychic Night, with Hayley Hope providing a group reading. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start…bring your own spirits! The event will be a fundraiser for Falstone Village Hall, and more details as well as ticket prices and pre-booking can be found at https://www.facebook.com/FalstoneCommunity/
- Falstone Village Hall is also running its Warm Hub sessions in November and December. The dates for the rest of 2023 will be 7th November, 28th November and 5th December 2023. For those who don’t already know, Warm Hub mornings (which run from 10.30am – 1.30pm) offer a bite to eat and a warm drink as well as a safe, warm space for members of the community to come together over the colder months.
- A reminder that you will have the opportunity to meet VARC’s current artist in residence, Christy Burdock, at Highgreen on Sat 11th Nov. There will be an informal drop-in session from 1-3pm, with a short artist talk at 2pm. Full details about the event can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/4433920df806/meetchristyburdock and more information about Christy and her work can be found on the VARC website: https://varc.org.uk/artists/christy-burdock/
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 26th October 2023
- You are invited to meet VARC’s current artist in residence, Christy Burdock, at Highgreen on Sat 11th Nov. There will be an informal drop-in session from 1-3pm, with a short artist talk at 2pm. Full details about the event can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/4433920df806/meetchristyburdock and more information about Christy and her work can be found on the VARC website: https://varc.org.uk/artists/christy-burdock/
- Tarset Greenfingers invite you to its Christmas wreath making event on Sunday 10th December 1pm-3pm in Tarset Village Hall. Guest demonstrators, Carol Sanderson and Jean Thompson, will show attendees various techniques, after which everyone will have the opportunity to make their own wreaths. The modest entry fee (£5) includes all wreath-making materials, mulled wine and mince pies. For further information/prices and to ensure the organisers can make enough refreshments for all, please let Maureen (240372) or Megan (240426) know as soon as possible if you plan to attend.
- A quick reminder that there will be a concert this Friday evening (27th October 2023) at 7.30pm in The Bellwether Gallery, Charlton. Acclaimed singer-songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones is currently celebrating 20 years in songwriting and his “All Things Come” tour sets out to share his life in song. Tickets, as well as more info about Gareth, can be found at: https://garethdavies-jones.com/event/5258023/652893017/gareth-davies-jones-all-things-come-20-years-in-songwriting
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 19th October 2023
- The first of Kielder’s 2023 Bonfire Night celebrations will take place on Friday 3rd November on the playing field. The bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm, with fireworks starting at 7pm. The display will be followed by a night of music and dancing, with Jason Arnup playing live from 8.30pm to 11.30pm at Kielder Primary School. Wrap up warmly and don’t forget to bring torches and your own refreshments.
- Please note that Tarset Village Hall has postponed this weekend’s race night event due to its conflict with the Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and South Africa. Whilst the Hall is aware that a race night might appeal to non-Rugby fans, it is also aware that a fair number of its usual supporters are huge rugby fans(!), so race night will be re-scheduled in the new year - most likely in February.
- Tarset Ceilidh band will be playing up a storm on Saturday 21st October at 7.30pm, in the newly refurbished Byrness Village Hall. The ceilidh will be in aid of St. Francis Church, Byrness, and Holy Trinity Church, Horsley. There will be a raffle and a shared supper, so please bring your dancing shoes and a plate to contribute. You will also need to bring your own drinks.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 12th October 2023
- Tarset Village Hall will be hosting a ‘Race Night’ on Saturday 21st October, starting at 7.30pm, featuring real-life race action on the big screen. Punters (whether individuals or in teams) will be able to study the form guide and place their bets (not real money, of course) before watching the races unfold. Each race will have its winners (and losers) and there will be a modest prize at the end of the evening for whoever accumulates the greatest pile of winnings. So to enjoy the thrill of the races with no risk, why not go along. Admission is free and there will be a raffle. Doors and bar are open from 7pm.
- A quick reminder that this weekend sees an Apple Pressing Event at Hexham Farmers’ Market. If you have any excess or unwanted apples (whether from community orchards in our area or from your own trees), Transition Tynedale will be running an Apple Pressing Event on Saturday 14th October - from 9am to 1.30pm - at Hexham Farmers’ Market. Why not have a go at using an apple press to turn your apples into fresh apple juice? Things to bring: Apples, bottles (clean glass or plastic bottles), muscles and enthusiasm. Apples need to be washed and pulped prior to being pressed and your help with that process, as well as with operating the press, would be very welcome. In return for your help, you should receive some fresh apple juice. In the meantime, if you have any queries or would like any further information, please email [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 5th October 2023
- The annual Harvest Communion Service will take place at 11am on Sunday 8th October (this weekend) at St Aidan's, Thorneyburn. A collection is being taken for the West Northumberland Food Bank, so any donations of tinned and dried foods may be left at the church at any time, or you can bring them with you to the service. Lots of people are struggling with the cost of living at the moment, so please be generous if you can. Fresh produce and homemade jams will be given out in this community or to the local food pantry at Bellingham. There will be refreshments available after the service (nibbles and cheese and bread etc.) so if you want, please bring something to share. Anyone who would like to help decorate the church is invited to please come along on Saturday Morning (7th October) at 10:30am, armed with greenery, produce and enthusiasm. Flowers (from Halls of Heddon, as usual) will be there from Thursday evening - so if you cannot make Saturday, you are welcome to go to the church and decorate a windowsill (or whatever you wish) as and when you can.
- Apple Pressing Event: Should you be at a loss as to what to do with any excess or unwanted apples (whether from community orchards in our area or from your own trees) Transition Tynedale will be running an Apple Pressing Event on Saturday 14th October - from 9am to 1.30pm - at Hexham Farmers’ Market. Why not have a go at using an apple press to turn your apples into fresh apple juice? Things to bring: Apples - You (or your friends or family) can bring your excess or unwanted apples to the Farmers’ Market; Bottles – If you have any clean glass or plastic bottles (plastic milk bottles are great for freezing juice), please do bring them along with you; Muscles or enthusiasm (or both) - In order to ‘produce the juice’ (so to speak), apples will need to be washed and pulped prior to being pressed. Your help with that process and with the pressing itself would be very welcome and in return, you should receive some fresh apple juice. If you have any queries or would like any further information, please email [email protected]
- October at the Bellwether Gallery: Gareth Davies-Jones will be coming to the Bellwether Gallery on Friday 27th October 2023. A well-known and well-respected professional singer, songwriter, storyteller, and producer for twenty years, Gareth comes armed with a “rich distinctive voice, two decades of compelling songwriting, and sixteen solo and collaborative albums. All Things Come sets out to share his life in song.” Tickets (numbers are strictly limited) and further information are available under the ‘Tour’ section of his website: https://garethdavies-jones.com/event/5258023/652893017/gareth-davies-jones-all-things-come-20-years-in-songwriting
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 28thSeptember 2023
- A quick reminder that The Bellingham Practice will be holding walk-in flu vaccination clinics for all eligible patients: those aged 65 and over, those who are pregnant and those listed as being in an “at risk” category (details of which can be found on the NHS website). Clinics will take place at Bellingham Surgery on Thurs 28th September (8.10am -2pm and 2.30pm – 6pm); Weds 4th October (8.40am-12.30pm and 1pm-4pm) and Thurs 5th October (8.10am-2pm and 2.30pm-6pm). To protect people who are most at risk of serious illness if they develop flu, the Department of Health recommends flu vaccination each year for everyone who is eligible for the vaccination and for those who work with people or groups who may be vulnerable to the effects of flu (including carers and frontline health workers). The Bellingham Practice website has further details: https://thebellinghampractice.co.uk/news.aspx
- You are invited to a coffee morning on Tuesday 17th October at Falstone Village Hall. As well as meeting in a warm and friendly space for a free coffee and a chat, the regulars at the coffee mornings have been raising money each month for different charities (which are chosen by those who attend). For example, at July’s coffee morning, £165 was raised for Papyrus, a charity which aims to raise awareness of suicide prevention in young children. In October, any donations will be given to the Children’s Air Ambulance. November’s session will be on Tuesday 21st November, when any donations will be in aid of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. Sessions run from 10.30-11.30am at Falstone Village Hall (the Matthew Ridley Memorial Hall) and everyone is very welcome to come along for a cuppa and a chat. Please contact Marie Ness on 240679 for further details.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 21st September 2023
- The Bellingham Practice will be holding walk in flu vaccination clinics for all eligible patients: those aged 65 and over, those who are pregnant and those listed as being in an “at risk” category (details can be found on the NHS website). Clinics will take place at Bellingham Surgery on: Weds 27th September (8.30am -12.30pm and 1pm-4pm); Thurs 28th September (8.10am -2pm and 2.30pm – 6pm); Weds 4th October (8.40am-12.30pm and 1pm-4pm) and Thurs 5th October (8.10am-2pm and 2.30pm-6pm). To protect people who are most at risk of serious illness or death if they develop flu, the Department of Health recommends flu vaccination each year for everyone who is eligible for the vaccination and for those who work with people or groups who may be vulnerable to the effects of flu (including carers and frontline health workers). The Bellingham Practice website has further details: https://thebellinghampractice.co.uk/news.aspx
- The next collection for the Great North Air Ambulance takes place on Weds, 27 September between 11am and 11.45am at Tarset Village Hall. The van will be outside the hall to receive your donations: clothes, belts, pairs of shoes, bedding and curtains are welcomed, as are books, DVDs and used ink cartridges. Please pack your donations in any adequate bag, tying it securely to avoid any spillage. Books should be grouped together in separate bags/boxes, as should mobile phones, CDs, DVDs and print cartridges. Thank you in advance for your continued support.
- An advance date for your diaries: Gareth Davies-Jones will be coming to the Bellwether Gallery on Friday 27th October 2023. A well-known and well-respected professional singer, songwriter, storyteller and producer for twenty years, Gareth comes armed with a rich distinctive voice, two decades of compelling songwriting and sixteen solo and collaborative albums. “All Things Come” sets out to share his life in song. Tickets (numbers are strictly limited) and further information are available via his website - https://garethdavies-jones.com/event/5258023/652893017/gareth-davies-jones-all-things-come-20-years-in-songwriting
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 14th September 2023
You are invited to coffee morning on Tuesday 17th October at Falstone Village Hall. As well as offering a warm and friendly space for a coffee and a chat, the regular coffee mornings raise money for different charities chosen by those who attend. For example, at July’s coffee morning, £165 was raised for Papyrus - a charity which aims to raise awareness of suicide prevention in young children. In October, any donations will be given to the children’s Air Ambulance. Please feel free to join in - everyone is welcome.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 7th September 2023
- St Aidan’s Church, Thorneyburn, would like to invite you to take part in a walk and an Environment Service on 24th September. The walk starts at Redmire at 1.15pm and ends at St Aidan’s in plenty of time for the service at 3pm. The service will be Evening Prayer in the Iona Tradition, led by Michael Nixon. You are welcome to walk the whole route, join in at Greenhaugh (at about 2pm), or just come straight to the church for the service.
- Congratulations to all exhibitors, organisers and supporters of the 2023 Tarset Leek, Vegetable and Flower Show, which took place at Tarset Village Hall on Saturday 2nd The following is a brief summary from Jeff Mills, the Show Secretary: “Once again, there was a fine display of exhibits - although entries in the dahlia section were down due to one of the main exhibitors being ill. John Davies, from Bellingham, put on an excellent display of chrysanthemums and gladioli which resulted in him winning the trophy for the most points in the floral section and the rose bowl for the best floral exhibit. In the other floral classes, the main winners were Michael Dickenson, Robin Banks, Amanda Grey and Roy Bell, and Jenny Swaile was again the winner of the floral basket. The industrial section put on a very nice display of jams, chutney and bakery, with the main winners being Margaret Bird (who won the trophy for the most points in this section), Gloria Armstrong and Phillipa Ingledew. Phillip Spottiswood won the men’s only apple tart class (which will result in the Bellingham golf club being subjected to his skills with an oven), Alan Swaile came second and John Holland was third (which may well result in the Grumpies being the subject of a tutorial in the art of slicing apples). Clive Hymers won the leeks, followed by Stephen Baty and Mat Robson. The main winners in the vegetable section were Roy Bell, Stan Robson, Keith Robson, John Heron and Jeff Mills. The auction proved a success with some very lively bidding from a very generous crowd.”
- The North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society is hoping to encourage new members this coming term. If you enjoy singing, particularly classical music, they meet at the Methodist United Reform Church in Bellingham on Monday evenings from 7.30-9.30pm, during term time (from September to April). You are very welcome to turn up to their first rehearsal on Monday 11th September to have a sing and meet the choir members. This term they will be rehearsing a small selection from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Handel’s Messiah, as well as carols and other Christmas music, for their concert at Chollerton Church on Saturday 16th December. If you would like more information, contact John Roper on [email protected]
- Tarset Song Reivers would also be delighted to welcome new members in September. They meet at Tarset Village Hall on Monday mornings all year during term-time from 10-11.30am. You only need to enjoy singing a variety of music, and do not need to be able to read music to join. They arrange informal performances locally, ‘Carols by Car’ before Christmas, and have recently sung at the Bellingham Show. The first meeting of the new term will be on Monday 11 September and they look forward to meeting you then – you are welcome to go along to the rehearsal and see how you feel about joining in.
- Bellingham and District Dramatic Society (BADDS), will be starting rehearsals for its 2023 Christmas Play in mid-September, and this year the play will be Oscar Wilde’s brilliantly dark comedy: The Canterville Ghost. Performances will take place in Bellingham Town Hall and the dates and times will be published nearer the time. If you would like to be part of the group – whether on stage or behind the scenes, please email [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 31st August 2023
- The North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society is hoping to encourage new members this coming term. If you enjoy singing, particularly classical music, they meet at the Methodist United Reform Church in Bellingham on Monday evenings from 7.30-9.30pm, during term time (from September to April). You are very welcome to come to their first rehearsal on Monday 11th September to have a sing and meet the choir members. This term they will be rehearsing a small selection from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Handel’s Messiah, as well as carols and other Christmas music, for their concert at Chollerton Church on Saturday 16th December. If you would like more information, contact John Roper on [email protected]
- Tarset Song Reivers would also be delighted to welcome new members in September. They meet at Tarset Village Hall on Monday mornings all year during term-time from 10-11.30am. You only need to enjoy singing a variety of music, and do not need to be able to read music to join. They arrange informal performances locally, ‘Carols by Car’ before Christmas, and have recently sung at the Bellingham Show. Their first meeting will be on Monday 11 September and they look forward to meeting you then - just turn up at the hall to sing along and/or see how you feel about joining in.
- Bellingham and District Dramatic Society (BADDS), will be starting rehearsals for its 2023 Christmas Play in September – and this year the play will be Oscar Wilde’s brilliantly dark comedy: The Canterville Ghost. Performances will take place in Bellingham Town Hall and the dates and times will be published nearer the time. In the meantime, if you would like to be part of the group - whether on stage or behind the scenes - please email [email protected]
- A huge congratulations to the organisers of Bellingham Show 2023. In spite of the occasional deluge (which turned the lower car park exit into a veritable quagmire), the whole day was really well organised and a thoroughly enjoyable day out for all who came along!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 24th August 2023
- A final reminder that Bellingham Show is happening this Saturday (26th August), with plenty of entertainment happening all day for the whole family. The show field opens at 7.00am for Exhibitors and at 8.30am to the General Public. For further information, schedules and prices, please visit the Show website at https://www.bellinghamshow.co.uk/
- Also happening this weekend at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, is “Hymns and Pimm’s for St Aidan’s Day”, which will take place on Sunday 27th August 2023 at 3pm. Your choice of favourite hymns will be played courtesy of John Roper, with the accompaniment of a glass of Pimm’s (sponsored by the Hollybush Inn Greenhaugh). Please let Michael ([email protected]) or Caroline ([email protected]) know the hymns that hold a special place in your hearts, and they will try to include all of your choices.
- The 2023 Tarset and District Leek Show will take place in Tarset Village Hall on Saturday 2nd September. Exhibits must be tabled by 10.30am on Saturday morning, or you can take them down to the Hall on Friday evening if that's easier. The flower class is once again open to everyone and the gents’ baking class will be apple pies. Doors and bar will be open to the public at 3pm on Saturday, finishing with an auction of the produce at 5pm. For more details, rules and programmes, contact Jeff Mills on 240302. You are all invited to come along and support the show.
- Congratulations to the organisers of Falstone Show 2023, it was a very enjoyable show and the weather was kind (in spite of a few mostly dire and rapidly-changing forecasts!), making the whole event very pleasant. The new (or, should I say, old) show field worked well and the one-way traffic system was both scenic and prevented the usual bottle-neck on the one-way stretch of road by the river. The organisers may wish to pat themselves on the back, and maybe even allow themselves to rest for a whole week, before they take a deep breath and start the process of organising next year’s event.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 17th August 2023
- Falstone Village Hall welcomes you to its monthly coffee mornings for a cuppa and a chat - sessions run on the third Tuesday of each month, from 10.30am-11.30am. During the sessions, any donations made will be given to a chosen charity of the month, and suggestions for your favourite charities are welcome. The dates for the next three months will be: Tuesday 19th September (supporting MacMillan Cancer Care); Tuesday 17th October (charity yet to be chosen) and Tuesday 21st November (supporting Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal). This is a lovely, social event and everyone is welcome.
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, invites you to “Hymns and Pimm’s for St Aidan’s Day”, which will take place on Sunday 27th August 2023 at 3pm. Your choice of favourite hymns will be played courtesy of John Roper, with the accompaniment of a glass of Pimm’s (sponsored by the Hollybush Inn Greenhaugh). Please let Michael ([email protected]) or Caroline ([email protected]) know the hymns that hold a special place in your hearts, and they will try to include all of your choices.
- Here is a final reminder that the Falstone Border Shepherds' Show & Sports Day 2023 will take place this weekend (Saturday 19th August) in the show field at Falstone, which will be signposted from the village - gates open 9am. For further information, prices and timings, etc., the show has its own website: www.falstoneshow.com
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 10th August 2023
- The Falstone Border Shepherds' Show & Sports Day 2023 will take place next weekend (Saturday 19th August) in the show field at Falstone, which will be signposted from the village. Gates open 9am and there will be (amongst many other things) Sheep, Pony Sports & Jumping, Dogs, Foxhounds, Industrial & Craft Tents, Sheepdog Trials, Fell Race, Children's Crafts, Catering, Bar, Live Music, Children's Sports, Tug of War, Quoits, and ice cream. For further information, prices and timings, etc., the show has its own website: www.falstoneshow.com
- Bellingham Show & Country Festival 2023 will take place on the following weekend (Saturday 26th August) – so please keep an eye on the Bellingham Village Notes for further info or have a look at the show website at www.bellinghamshow.co.uk
- Finally, here’s a quick reminder that there will be a Poetry Book Launch at The Bellwether Gallery, Charlton, this Saturday (12th Aug 2023). Starting at 7pm, James Tait (a Northumbrian poet who writes in the dialect of Upper Coquetdale, near Rothbury) will be at The Bellwether presenting an evening of poetry readings from his new book ‘Golden Times, Golden Seasons’. There will also be live music, both from James himself and from talented Ukrainian singer, Viktoriia Rekun. A small bar will be available, with local beers, cider and gin on offer...as well as (non-local) wine. You can find more information and tickets at: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/jamestait/964584
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 3rd August 2023
- It’s that time of year again...! The Falstone Border Shepherds' Show & Sports Day 2023 will be on Saturday 19th August in the show field at Falstone. In the unlikely event you haven’t been to the show before, go to Falstone (the postcode is NE48 1AA) and simply follow the signs to the show field. Gates open 9am and there will be Sheep, Pony Sports & Jumping, Dogs, Foxhounds, Industrial & Craft Tents, Sheepdog Trials, Fell Race, Children's Crafts, Catering, Bar, Live Music, Children's Sports, Tug of War, Quoits, and ice cream – amongst other things! For further information, prices and timings, etc., the show has its own website: www.falstoneshow.com
- Bellingham Show & Country Festival 2023 will take place on the following weekend (26th August) – so please keep an eye on the Bellingham Village Notes for further info or have a look at the show website at www.bellinghamshow.co.uk
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 27th July2023
- Tarset Village Hall’s next community Coffee Morning will be at 10.30am on Thursday 3rd August 2023. This sociable coffee morning happens on the first Thursday of each month in Tarset Village Hall. Further info can be found on the community events page of the Tarset website: https://www.tarset.co.uk/community/events.cfm
- You are invited to a Poetry Book Launch at The Bellwether Gallery, Charlton, on Saturday 12th Aug 2023. Starting at 7pm, James Tait will be at The Bellwether presenting an evening of poetry readings from his new book ‘Golden Times, Golden Seasons’. There will also be live music – both from James himself and from fabulous Ukrainian singer, Viktoriia Rekun. A small bar will be available, with local beers, cider and gin on offer...as well as some non-local wine. You can find more information and tickets at: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/jamestait/964584
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 20th July2023
- You are invited to join the annual pilgrimage and walk the St Cuthbert's Three-Church Trail on Saturday 2nd September. Breakfast will be available from 8.30am at St Cuthbert’s Elsdon, with the walk starting at 9am, calling at St Cuthbert’s Corsenside for lunch, and finishing at St Cuthbert's, Bellingham, for tea in the late afternoon. The route is 14-15 miles cross-country and walking boots are needed. You can join in at any of the three St Cuthbert's churches and can walk as much or as little of the Trail as you wish, and there will be car back up. If you would like to take part in the walk, or help with transport or refreshments, please contact Cath Brennand [email protected].
- Thank you to everyone who came along to Tarset Village Hall on Monday 17th July to support the Song Reivers’ Coffee Morning. The event was a lovely celebration of the singing and laughter enjoyed by all members of the choir on Monday mornings over the past year, and raised a pretty impressive £118.95 for Tynedale Hospice at Home. Well done and thank you to all who organised the morning, contributed goodies (there was a lovely spread) and raffle prizes, and to all who attended. Song Reivers will now be taking its Summer break until the new term starts on Monday 11th September – you would be very welcome to come along and see what it’s all about, or even to take the plunge and join the choir.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 13th July2023
- Tarset Song Reivers are holding a Coffee and Cake morning in Tarset Village Hall, at 10.30am on Monday 17th July (their last session of the current term). In addition to hot drinks and edible goodies, there will be entertainment from the Song Reivers during the morning, as well as a raffle. This friendly community choir meets on Monday mornings from 10am - 11.30am and sessions are open to everyone who would like to join, regardless of your level of experience, training or ability. There are no auditions, you don't need to be able to read music and the emphasis is very much on fun, enjoyment and sociability – it’s a great way to start your week! If you feel like you might like to try it out, the first session is free of charge and you can join in as much or as little as you like.
- A quick reminder that the next Falstone Coffee Morning will take place at 10.30am on Tuesday 18th July at Falstone Village Hall. Everyone is welcome to come along to these popular mornings, which take place on the third Tuesday of each month.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 6th July2023
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, invites you to a Strawberry Cream Tea at Bent House - by kind permission of Ian and Gloria Armstrong. As well as the cream tea itself, there will be various stalls and a raffle. The event will be relocated to Tarset Village Hall should the weather prove inclement and Caroline Waitt has further details if you have any queries. Saturday 8th July, 2-4pm. *UPDATE RECEIVED FROM CAROLYN ON 3/7/23: The event won’t now be relocated if the weather is bad - it will still be held at Gloria’s!
- The next Falstone Coffee Morning will take place at 10.30am on Tuesday 18th July at Falstone Village Hall. Everyone is welcome to come along to these popular mornings, which take place on the third Tuesday of each month.
- If you have anything you would like to see published in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please email me ([email protected]) by 6pm on Sunday evenings. The Courant is the ideal way to let those folks who don’t have access to the internet or email know about events, invites and local news or anything else that’s going on in the community. It doesn’t have to be just events – you can include details of any interesting things happening in your own village or in the wider local North Tyne area, but I can’t include things I don’t know about, so please do remember to let me have the details.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 22nd June 2023
- A final reminder that this weekend sees Edinburgh-based jazz duo Ian Millar and Dominic Spencer at Tarset Village Hall. The duo have appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe with their show ‘Jazz at Lunchtime’ and are a familiar sound at jazz festivals. They also tour throughout the UK under their very successful ‘Jazz in the Village’ banner – which aims to introduce jazz to remote communities. So why not celebrate the summer solstice with some live jazz and a free glass of Pimms. For tickets and further information, please contact John at [email protected] or on 01434 240337. Doors and bar open at 7.30pm.
- A date for your diaries: on 8th July, St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, presents a Strawberry Cream Tea in the gardens of Bent House, Tarset – by kind invitation of Ian and Gloria Armstrong. There will be a raffle and various stalls (including a cake stall!) will be available. Saturday 8th July, 2-4pm. If the weather should prove to be inclement, the event will be moved to Tarset Village Hall. For further information, please contact Caroline Waitt.
- Please note: there will not be any Village Notes for the Upper North Tyne next week (29th June 2023) as I will be on holiday...normal service will resume when I get home.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 15th June 2023
- This Saturday, 17th June, at 7.30pm, there will be a live music night at The Bellwether in Charlton (NE48 1PE) to help raise awareness and funds for BAAFest (which this year takes place from Sep 7th-10th). A number of talented local singers and musicians are giving up their time to support the night and it should be a really relaxed atmosphere with a great variety of music. Included in the programme are the talented young folk trio FIDDOLIN from QEHS led by Samantha Bull on fiddle as well as Abbey Tilley, Adrian Langford, Stew Simpson, Hadrian’s Union, Ian K Brown, Paul Scott Massey, Dougie J and Landermason. Tickets are limited, as the venue is not huge, and can purchased from www.baafest.com (see the ‘Other Events’ section). Café, camping facilities and bar are available at The Boe Rigg next door.
- Also on Saturday 17th at The Bellwether, Fiona Lander is running an afternoon singing workshop, entitled 'Rounds, Reels and all that Jazz'. You will need to book your place in advance, and tickets are available via Eventbrite or via fionalander.com The event runs from 2pm - 4pm. Please contact Fiona for further details.
- Jazz fans are in for a treat on Sat 24th June. Tarset Village Hall presents Edinburgh-based jazz duo Ian Millar and Dominic Spencer, who have had great success at the Edinburgh Fringe with their very successful show ‘Jazz at Lunchtime’ and have toured throughout the UK under their ‘Jazz in the Village’ banner, often bringing jazz for the first time to remote communities. They are also a familiar sound on the jazz festival circuit. If you fancy celebrating the summer solstice with some jazz and a glass of Pimms, please contact John at [email protected] or on 01434 240337. The ticket price includes a welcome glass of Pimms. Doors and bar open at 7.30pm.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 8th June 2023
- The deadline for submission of content for the next edition of the Tarset Diary is this weekend - Sunday 11th June 2023. Please let Chris have any articles/notices/announcements, etc. by email - the email address to send info to is: [email protected]
- On Saturday 17th June at 7.30pm, there will be a live music night at The Bellwether in Charlton (NE48 1PE) to help raise awareness and funds for BAAFest (which this year takes place from Sep 7th-10th). A number of talented local singers and musicians are giving up their time to support the night and it should be a really relaxed atmosphere with a great variety of music. Included in the programme are the talented young folk trio FIDDOLIN from QEHS led by Samantha Bull on fiddle as well as Abbey Tilley, Adrian Langford, Stew Simpson, Hadrian’s Union, Ian K Brown, Paul Scott Massey, Dougie J and Landermason. Tickets are limited, as the venue is not huge, and can purchased from www.baafest.com (see the ‘Other Events’ section). Café, camping facilities and bar are available at The Boe Rigg next door.
- If you have anything you would like to see published in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please email me at [email protected] by 6pm on Sunday evenings. The Courant is the ideal way to let those folks who don’t have access to the internet or email know about events, invites and local news or anything else that’s going on in the community. It doesn’t have to be just events – you can include details of any interesting things happening in your own village or in the wider local North Tyne area. I can’t include things I don’t know about, so please do remember to let me have the details.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 1st June 2023
- A quick reminder that the deadline for content for the next edition of the Tarset Diary is Sunday 11th June 2023. Please let Chris have any articles/notices/announcements, etc. by email - the email address to send info to is: [email protected]. Please note that Chris will acknowledge all emails, so if you don’t hear back from him, it may be that your email has gone astray and you may wish to check with him that he’s received your details safely.
- VARC (Visual Artists in Rural Communities) at Highgreen Highgreen would like to invite you to Marilou Chagnaud's (the current artist-in-residence) end of residency show, ‘Mapping Air’. The opening drop-in event is on Sat 17th June from 11am – 5pm and amongst other things, features an Improvisational dance by Poppy Ismae performed at 1pm and again at 3pm. The exhibition continues on the following dates: Sun 18th June, 11am-4pm, drop-in event; Weds 21st – Fri 23rd June by appointment only (please email: [email protected]) and a final drop-in event on Sat 24th June from 11am-4pm. Please note that the exhibition is housed in various outbuildings at Highgreen and you can expect uneven ground with a slope and small steps in parts. Please also note that there is no accessible toilet. Parking is, however, available on site. Please do email [email protected] for further information or for any queries you might have.
- In the meantime, if you have anything you would like to see published in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please drop me an email (at: [email protected]) by 6pm on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week. Not everyone in the area has online access or is part of the local email lists, so the Courant is the ideal way to let them know about events, invites and local news or anything else you would like people to know about.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 25th May 2023
- The deadline for content for the next edition of the Tarset Diary is Sunday 11th June 2023. Please let Chris have any articles/notices/announcements, etc. by email - the email address to send info to is: [email protected]. Please note that Chris will acknowledge all emails, so if you don’t hear back from him, it may be that your email has gone astray.
- If you have anything you would like to see published in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please drop me an email ([email protected]) by 6pm on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week. Not everyone in the area has online access or is part of the local email lists, so the Courant is the ideal way to let them know about events, invites and local news or anything else you would like people to know about.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 18th May 2023
- On Sat 20th May, Wark Town Hall presents live music from Ian K Brown & Louise Ainsley, with guest performances from Maggie Feeney, Neil McHardy and Miserable Les. Doors, raffle and bar will open at 7pm. You can get further info and book your tickets in advance by messaging Ian K Brown on Facebook.
- You are warmly invited to VARC, Highgreen, for the various events at Marilou Chagnaud's end of residency show: Mapping Air. The opening drop-in event is on Sat 17th June from 11am – 5pm. This event also features an Improvisational dance by Poppy Ismae performed at 1pm and again at 3pm. The exhibition continues: Sun 18th June, 11am-4pm, drop-in event; Weds 21st – Fri 23rd June by appointment only (please email: [email protected]) and a final drop-in event on Sat 24th June from 11am-4pm. Please note that the exhibition is housed in various outbuildings at Highgreen and you can expect uneven ground with a slope and small steps in parts. Please also note that there is no accessible toilet. Parking is, however, available on site. Please email [email protected] for further information.
- If you are a jazz fan, you’re in for a treat. On Sat 24th June, Tarset Village Hall welcomes Edinburgh-based jazz duo Ian Millar and Dominic Spencer, who have had great success at the Edinburgh Fringe with their very successful show ‘Jazz at Lunchtime’ and have toured throughout the UK under their ‘Jazz in the Village’ banner, often bringing jazz for the first time to remote communities. They are also a familiar sound on the jazz festival circuit. If you fancy celebrating the summer solstice with some jazz and a glass of Pimms, please contact John at [email protected] or on 01434 240337. The ticket price includes a welcome glass of Pimms. Doors and bar open at 7.30pm.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 11th May 2023
- A reminder that a new series of ‘Moth Mornings’ is potentially being arranged on dates throughout the Summer in various locations around Tarset. Over the years, the moth traps have managed to catch some fantastic moths (as well as plenty of midgies!) at locations all around the area. The moths are not harmed in the slightest and it’s an amazing opportunity to appreciate just how varied and beautiful some of these understated but ecologically important insects can be. The proposed dates are: 14th June, 5th July, 26th July and 16th August with all sessions starting at 9.15am. Please let Kath (email: [email protected]) know if you would be interested in either hosting on one of the above days, or simply attending. The environment has changed significantly around here – particularly in the wake of storm Arwen, so it will be interesting to see if the moth population has changed too.
- Thank you to all those who helped to organise a lovely ‘Big Afternoon Tea and Ceilidh’ event at Tarset Village Hall to celebrate the Coronation weekend. The hall was beautifully decorated, the atmosphere was both busy and festive, and even the weather cooperated for once (a bit of a minor miracle, given the weather on the previous day and the miserable forecast for the Bank Holiday Monday to follow) with an afternoon of unbroken sunshine, which meant the newly-created decking area in the hall’s recently refurbished garden was put to good use for the occasion. The crowns created for the competition were impressive and the pooled afternoon tea was, as usual, excellent. Music was provided by Tarset Song Reivers and, later, by Tarset Ceilidh Band. Thanks again to all who organised and came along to support this truly enjoyable event.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 4th May 2023
- As part of the national celebrations that will be taking place over the weekend of the 6th to the 8th May, Tarset will be celebrating the Coronation with a ‘Big Afternoon Tea’ and a Ceilidh at Tarset Village Hall on Sunday 7th May. The event is intended to provide an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy each other’s company with a contributory tea and to raise a glass to the newly crowned monarch. You will be entertained by both the Tarset Song Reivers, who will serenade visitors during the afternoon, and the Tarset Ceilidh Band, who will help you work off any excesses in the evening. The event will start at 2.30pm and the ceilidh starts in the early evening.
- On Thursday 4th May (tonight!), the final film of this season of First Thursday Films is ‘Boy’, a 2010 New Zealand comedy-drama written and directed by Taika Waititi. Boy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an overall approval rating from critics of 87% and our local New Zealander says that this is one of his favourite films and that it has a bit of a cult following in his homeland...definitely one to watch, then! Doors and bar open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 27th April 2023
- I have no ‘official’ notes for you this week, so I'd like to remind everyone that I am always very happy to include info about any local happenings in the Village Notes - whether in the form of news, events, notices (births, deaths, marriages, special birthdays), achievements, or simply things you think the community might like to know about. Please feel free to let me know about anything you think people might be interested in. The email address to send your info to is [email protected]. You will need to let me have any info on Sundays (at the latest) if you would like them to be included in the following Thursday’s paper. The paper reaches a good number of people who don't have access to online or mobile sources of information, so can sometimes be the best way to reach them to let them know about things happening in the area.
- Please keep your eyes open next week for events (of which there will be many) in and around our area to celebrate the Coronation.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 20th April 2023
- A quick reminder that Tarset Village Hall presents ‘Dark Light, the Flannan Island Mystery’ by Fool’s Gold (multi-talented duo Carol and Steve Robson), on Saturday 22nd April. ‘Dark Light’ tells the story of a real-life mystery, which the audience is invited to solve. One night in 1900, in northern Scotland, three lighthouse men vanished during a wild storm and to this day, nobody knows what actually happened. The show includes storytelling, projected pictures and a live musical soundtrack which includes both original and contemporary songs – you may be surprised at how many of those songs you know. For further details and to book your place, please email [email protected]. Doors and bar open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
- A new series of ‘Moth Mornings’ is potentially being arranged on dates throughout the Summer in various locations around Tarset. Over the years, the moth traps have managed to catch some fantastic moths (as well as plenty of midgies!) at locations all around the area. The moths are not harmed in the slightest and it’s an amazing opportunity to appreciate just how varied and beautiful some of these understated but ecologically important insects can be. The proposed dates are: 14th June, 5th July, 26th July and 16th August with all sessions starting at 9.15am. Please let Kath (email: [email protected]) know if you would be interested in either hosting on one of the above days, or simply attending. The environment has changed significantly, around here – particularly in the wake of storm Arwen, so it will be interesting to see if the moth population has changed too.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 6th April 2023
- ‘Dark Light, the Flannan Island Mystery’ by Fool’s Gold (multi-talented duo Carol and Steve Robson), will take place at Tarset Village Hall on Saturday 22nd April. ‘Dark Light’ tells the story of a real-life mystery, which the audience is invited to solve. One night in 1900, in northern Scotland, three lighthouse men vanished from Flannan Lighthouse during a wild storm and to this day, nobody knows what actually happened. The show includes storytelling, projected pictures and a live musical soundtrack which includes both original and contemporary songs – you may be surprised at how many of those songs you know. For further details, please email [email protected]. Doors and bar open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
- The Easter weekend will be a busy one at St Peter’s Church, Falstone, starting on Saturday 8th April with a Chocolate Morning from 10am-12noon at Falstone Village Hall. With refreshments, a cake stall, tombola, a ‘make an Easter Bonnet’ stall, craft stalls and raffle, there will be something for everyone. The competition this year (which is open to all ages!) will be for the best decorated or dyed hard-boiled egg, with the theme being the King’s Coronation. Then on Sunday 9th April, at 11am, there will be an Easter Day Family Service in St. Peter’s. Children are invited to come along and take part in the service and there will be an Easter Egg hunt especially for the children after the service. Refreshments and chocolate treats will be available for everyone.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 30th March 2023
- St Peter’s Church, Falstone, will be holding its annual Chocolate Morning on Easter Saturday (8th April 2023) from 10am-12noon at Falstone Village Hall. With refreshments, a cake stall, tombola, craft stalls and raffle, there is something for everyone. There will also be a ‘make an Easter Bonnet’ stall and the competition this year (which is open to all ages!) will be for the best decorated or dyed hard-boiled egg, with the theme being the King’s Coronation.
- St Peter’s Church, Falstone, is collecting chocolate Easter Eggs for disadvantaged children this Easter. There is still time to contribute this week, so if you have any goodies to donate, please leave them in the church or in the foodbank collection point at the gate by Friday 31st of March. Huge thanks in advance for your generosity.
- A final reminder that the North Tyne & Redewater Choral Society’s Easter concert takes place at 7.30pm on Saturday 1st April in Bellingham Methodist United Reformed Church. Refreshments are included in the admission price.
- April’s First Thursday Film, on 6th April 2023, is ‘Bicycle Thieves’, a 1948 Italian drama film which follows the story of a poor father searching in post-World War II Rome for his stolen bicycle, without which he will lose the job which is his only means of supporting his young family. This award-winning film is regarded as being hugely influential was included on the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage’s ‘100 films to be saved’ - a list of 100 films that "have changed the collective memory of the country between 1942 and 1978." Doors and bar open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm.
- Thank you to all who organised, supported and attended Tarset's contribution to the 2023 Tyne Valley Film Festival, on Thursday 23rd March. Special thanks must go to Ann Cleeves, who very kindly rearranged her hectic schedule in order to take part. The hugely enjoyable event was organised by First Thursday Films in conjunction with The Forum Cinema in Hexham, and was an unqualified success - raising an impressive total of £660 for charity. The monies are to be divided between Cullercoats Lifeboat and the Tarset Diary
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 23rd March 2023
- St Peter’s Church, Falstone, is collecting chocolate Easter Eggs for disadvantaged children this Easter. If you have any goodies to donate, please leave them in the church or in the foodbank collection point at the gate by the 31st of March. Huge thanks in advance for your generosity.
- A quick reminder that the North Tyne & Redewater Choral Society’s Easter concert takes place at 7.30pm on Saturday April 1st 2023 in Bellingham Methodist United Reformed Church and the evening features Haydn’s Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis De Deo (‘The Little Organ Mass’) and Mozart’s Missa Brevis in C (KV 220) – also known as the ‘Sparrow Mass’, plus music by Eric Whitacre. Directed by John Roper, the soloist will be Rev Canon Sarah Lunn. Refreshments are included in the admission price.
- A huge thank you to all who have volunteered once again to organise and take part in the annual Tarset litter-pick. People’s generosity and time are incredibly valuable, making sure the area is kept clean and tidy for locals, visitors and wildlife alike. I have yet to hear what the most unusual item found this year is, but there are usually one or two items which make you scratch your head and wonder what goes through some people's minds! Those who were too late to 'claim' a particular area of verge to maintain may still be planning to walk their patch later on in the year, so thank you in advance to those volunteers also.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 16th March 2023
- You are invited to celebrate Spring with The North Tyne & Redewater Choral Society’s Easter concert at 7.30pm on Saturday April 1st 2023 in Bellingham Methodist United Reformed Church. Directed by John Roper and with Soloist Rev Canon Sarah Lunn, the choir will be singing Haydn’s Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis De Deo (‘The Little Organ Mass’) and Mozart’s Missa Brevis in C (KV 220) – also known as the ‘Sparrow Mass’, plus music by Eric Whitacre. Refreshments are included in the admission price.
- Marie Ness would like to say a huge Thank You to everyone who worked behind the scenes and to those who went along to support the Falstone Coffee Morning on Pancake Day . Many people enjoyed the pancakes made by Katrine and a very healthy £150 was raised for the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal. Coffee Mornings are held every 3rd Tuesday of the month at Falstone Village Hall, so the next date will be Tuesday 18th April at 10.30am. Why not go along and have a cuppa and a chat!
- St Peter’s Church, Falstone, will be holding a Mothering Sunday Communion Service at 9.30am on Sunday 19th March. The children will be taking part and there will be flowers for all mothers and carers. Refreshments and simnel cake will be available following the service. Please note that The church is also collecting chocolate Easter Eggs for disadvantaged children this Easter. If you have any goodies to donate, please leave them in the church or in the foodbank collection point at the gate by the 31st of March. Huge thanks in advance for your generosity.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 9th March 2023
- The deadline for content for the Spring Edition of the Tarset Diary is this weekend. Please let Chris have any articles/notices/announcements, etc. by 12th March at the latest. The email address to send info to is: [email protected]
- Come along to the free Tackling Rural Crime in Northumberland information event being held in conjunction with Northumberland National Park & the Rural Crime team. The event will be held at Tarset Village Hall, Lanehead, on Thursday 16th March from 2pm – 4pm. Topics covered will be: Crime Prevention Advice, Wildlife Crime, Safer Streets and the Rural Crime Partnership, the Rural Crime Team, and Rural Crime Volunteers. If you would like to attend, please contact [email protected] or call 07741 194309 to book your place.
- A reminder that free Dementia Friends Training will be available at Hexham Abbey on 21st March from 6.30pm-8.30pm, with refreshments available from 6pm. Run by the Alzheimer’s Society, with support from the Church and Community Partnership (CCP) Tynedale and Hexham Abbey, the training is intended to give attendees a greater understanding of Dementia, to recognise early signs, and to enable them to support those who are working with members of their communities. Following the training, attendees will be awarded Dementia Friendly status and will be entitled to wear the badge and state their status on their emails. There is no charge for the training since part of CCP’s aim is to help churches engage with the health and wellbeing of their communities. Pre-booking is essential, so please contact [email protected] before 16th March to book your place.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 2nd March 2023
- The Tyne Valley Film Festival is coming to Tarset Village Hall on Thursday 23rd March. The evening opens with a ‘fireside chat’ with Ann Cleeves, followed by a showing of ’The Edge of the World’, a 1937 British film directed by Michael Powell, loosely based on the evacuation of the Scottish archipelago of St Kilda. Powell was not allowed to film on St Kilda itself, but found another suitable location in the Shetland Islands (Shetland being the setting for Ann’s ‘Shetland’ series). In 1978, Powell and some of the surviving cast and crew went back to re-visit the island and made a new short film for BBC TV to complement the original film. This film, called ‘Return to the Edge of the World’ will also be shown on the evening. Doors and bar will be open at 7pm. All profits from the evening will be shared between Ann’s chosen charity Cullercoats RNLI and the Tarset Diary. If you would like tickets, please email [email protected] or call on 01434 240337. Tickets are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment! More details about the Tyne Valley Film Festival, are available on their website at https://www.tynevalleyfilmfestival.com/edge-of-the-world.
- A quick reminder that the deadline for contributions to the Spring edition of the Tarset Diary is Sunday 12th March 2023, so there’s still time to send in your articles, pictures and information - all contributions are most welcome! Please send info/articles/photos to [email protected] or please contact Chris on 240947.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 23rd February 2023
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, has organised a Soup and Pudding Social from 12 noon – 2pm on Thursday 9th March at Tarset Village Hall. Please contact Caroline on 240210 if you have any queries. Also, please let her know if you feel you might be able to donate a raffle prize or if you would be able to help in any way (whether by making soup or helping on the day). Everyone is welcome.
- Tackling Rural Crime in Northumberland: Those who live and work in our rural communities can be affected by rural crime, and this can have a devastating effect on rural communities and businesses. Northumberland National Park are working in conjunction with the Rural Crime team from Northumbria Police and are holding an information event at Tarset Village Hall, Lanehead, on Thursday 16th March from 2pm – 4pm. If you would like to attend, please contact [email protected] or call 07741 194309 to book your place.
- Dementia Friends Training will be available at Hexham Abbey on 21st March from 6.30pm-8.30pm, with refreshments available from 6pm. Run by the Alzheimer’s Society, with support from the Church and Community Partnership Tynedale (CCP) and Hexham Abbey, the training is intended to give attendees a greater understanding of Dementia, to recognise early signs, and to enable them to support those who are working with members of their communities. On completion of the training, they will be awarded Dementia Friendly status and are entitled to wear the badge and state their status on their emails. There is no charge for the training since part of CCP’s aim is to help churches engage with the health and wellbeing of their communities. Pre-booking is essential, so please contact [email protected] before 16th March to book your place.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 16th February 2023
- Friends of Greenhaugh School (FOGS) are holding a Curry Night fundraiser from 7pm-11pm on 24th March in Tarset Village Hall. Tickets and further info are available from Stephanie Wakefield and/or Tracey Robson, or by messaging via the FOGS page on facebook. It's always a lovely (and tasty) evening - and it’s for a very good cause, so why not go along and support the school.
- Tarset Village Hall’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at 7pm on Wednesday, 8th March in Tarset Village Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you aren’t able to get to the meeting itself but would like to send any comments/queries/suggestions, please email [email protected] before the 8th.
- Two full-day needle felting workshops will take place on Saturday 25th March and Saturday 1st April at Tarset Village Hall. Both workshops will run from 10.30am to 4pm and the modest entry fee covers the cost of all the materials and equipment you need as well as tea, coffee and biscuits. For more information and to book your place, please email Margaret Bird at [email protected] and let her know which day you are interested in.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 9th February 2023
If you have anything you would like to have published in the Courant’s Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please drop me an email ([email protected]) by 6pm on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week. Not everyone in the area has online access or is part of the local email lists, so the Courant is the ideal way to let those folks know about events, invites and local news. If you let me know what’s happening, I can include details in the notes - so please don’t hesitate to send me anything you would like to publicise or even just to share with the rest of the community. You aren’t limited to events only - you can let me know about news, reviews, events, announcements, birthdays, marriages, funerals, etc. – anything you think might be of interest for people in our area.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 2nd February 2023
- A final reminder that the AGM of the Falstone Border Shepherds Show and Sports will take place on Wednesday 8th February 2023 at 7.30pm at The Pheasant Inn, Stannersburn. Everyone involved with the Falstone Show and all local residents are invited to attend.
- This month’s First Thursday film is ‘Muscle Shoals’ - a 2013 documentary which gives an account of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, which was the birthplace of some of America's most creative and defiant music. Rick Hall, its founder (who also founded the FAME Studios), overcame crushing poverty and staggering tragedies to bring black and white together, against the backdrop of Alabama's cauldron of racial hostility, to create music for all generations and giving birth to the 'Muscle Shoals Sound' and 'The Swampers'. The documentary’s real highlights are the musings of some of the musicians who recorded there (including Aretha Franklin, Greg Allman, Alicia Keys, Bono, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Cliff, Ed King and Steve Winwood) who reflect on what went into creating the magical environment and the legendary recordings that it spawned. Thursday 2nd February (tonight!) at Tarset Village Hall. Doors and bar open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm.
- If you have anything you would like to see published in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please drop me an email ([email protected]) by 6pm on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week. Not everyone in the area has online access or is part of the local email lists, so the Courant is the ideal way to let them know about events, invites and local news or anything else you would like people to know about.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 26th January 2023
- A quick reminder that Coffee Mornings (run by St. Peter’s, Falstone) are held at 10.30am on the 3rd Tuesday in each month in Falstone Village Hall. Thanks to the generous support of all those who come along to them, over £350 was raised in 2022 for various causes (including the DEC Ukraine Appeal, Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Macmillan Cancer and West Northumberland Food Bank). Most importantly, though, it’s an opportunity for folks to meet up and have a chat over tea/coffee and biscuits (sometimes even cake!). The upcoming dates for the first half of 2023 are: 21st February, 21st March, 18th April, 16th May and 20th June.
- The AGM of the Falstone Border Shepherds Show and Sports will be held on Wednesday 8th February 2023 at 7.30pm at The Pheasant Inn, Stannersburn. Everyone involved with the Falstone Show and all local residents are invited to attend.
- The deadline for contributions to the Spring edition of the Tarset Diary is Sunday 11th March 2023. If anything exciting or interesting has occurred (or is about to occur) that you would like to share with the community, then the Tarset Diary is a brilliant way to do it. It’s also a great way to introduce yourselves if you’ve just moved into the area, and you can also submit general articles (including articles on the history of the area or anything funny and of general interest to the community), as well as photos. All contributions are most welcome. Please send info/articles/photos to [email protected] or please contact Chris on 240947.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 19th January 2023
- St. Peter’s, Falstone: Coffee Mornings are held on the 3rd Tuesday in each month (10.30am at Falstone Village Hall). Thanks to the generous support of all those who come along to them, over £350 has been raised in 2022 for various causes including the DEC Ukraine Appeal, Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Macmillan Cancer and West Northumberland Food Bank. Most importantly, folks can meet to have a chat over tea/coffee and biscuits (sometimes even cake!). The forthcoming dates for the first half of 2023 are: 21st February, 21st March, 18th April, 16th May and 20th June.
- Kielder Community Association would like to say a big Thank You(!) to everyone who supported the Christmas Bingo in any way and also to those who have given prizes and brought raffle tickets for the forthcoming Turkey Trot Whist Drive and Prize draw which will be held on Thursday 26th January 2023 at 7.30 pm in Falstone Village Hall. Everyone is invited to give the whist a try! In other news, The Community enjoyed an excellent trip to Newcastle Theatre Royal to see a performance of the pantomime Cinderella on Saturday 7th January – a good time was had by all and it was a great tonic to start 2023. Thank you again for all your support!
- Everyone involved with the Falstone Show or who lives in the area, is invited to attend the AGM of the Falstone Border Shepherds Show and Sports, which will be held on Wednesday 8th February 2023 at 7.30pm at The Pheasant Inn, Stannersburn.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 12th January 2023
- Next month’s First Thursday film will be ‘Muscle Shoals’ - a 2013 documentary which gives an account of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, which was the birthplace of some of America's most creative and defiant music. Rick Hall, its founder (who also founded the FAME Studios), overcame crushing poverty and staggering tragedies to bring black and white together, against the backdrop of Alabama's cauldron of racial hostility, to create music for all generations and giving birth to the 'Muscle Shoals Sound' and 'The Swampers'. The documentary’s real highlights are the musings of some of the musicians who recorded there (including Aretha Franklin, Greg Allman, Alicia Keys, Bono, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Cliff, Ed King and Steve Winwood) who reflect on what went into creating the magical environment and the legendary recordings that it spawned. Thursday 2nd February at Tarset Village Hall. Doors and bar open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm.
- The next Parish Worship Service at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be at 6pm on Sunday 22nd January 2023. All are very welcome.
- If you have anything you would like to see published in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please drop me an email ([email protected]) by 6pm on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week. Not everyone in the area has online access or is part of the local email lists, so the Courant is the ideal way to let them know about events, invites and local news or anything else you would like people to know about.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 5th January 2023
- I hope you have all had a lovely time over the Christmas holidays and I would like to take the opportunity to say ‘Happy New Year’ and to wish that 2023 brings you health, wealth and happiness. Good luck, also, with keeping any New Year’s resolutions you have set for yourselves and if you aren’t able to keep them, I hope that at least you can have plenty of fun breaking them!
- January’s ‘First Thursday’ film (on 5th January) will be ‘The Station Agent’, a 2003 American psychological comedy drama. The life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and wills him a railroad depot in New Jersey. He decides to relocate to the small town, where he befriends a talkative food vendor and a reclusive artist who is grieving the loss of her son. As their relationships deepen, quirky conversations and outcomes ensue. Doors and bar open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm.
- Song Reivers is a community choir which is open to anyone who would like to come along and take part. The new term starts on Monday, 9th January and all newcomers get their first session free of charge, so if you would like to come along and join in, sit and listen or just see what it’s all about, feel free to do so – you will be very welcome and you don’t need to read music or to have had any singing experience. It’s a great way to be social and to blow the cobwebs away on a Monday morning! Weekly sessions from 10am – 11.30am at Tarset Village Hall.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 22nd December 2022
- St Peter's Church, Falstone, and the Bellingham Deanery would like to say a huge Thank You for the chocolate selection boxes that were kindly donated this year - 210 boxes were collected in total, all of which were distributed to disadvantaged children.
- St Peter’s, Falstone, is offering two services over the Christmas period. On Christmas Eve, there will be a Christingle Carol Service at 4pm during which the children will be taking part in a fun (albeit potentially noisy) Nativity, with plenty of laughter, fun and singing. The service is being held in aid of The Children’s Society. On Christmas Day, St Peter’s would like to welcome you all to a Family Communion Service at 9.00am. Children (and adults) can bring their presents, and festive jumpers/hats are encouraged. Last but not least, St Peter's Church would like to wish all the readers of the Hexham Courant a happy Christmas and wonderful 2023.
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be offering a Candlelit Carol Service on Friday 23rd December at 7pm (as usual, please wrap up warmly and bring your candles and lanterns with you). On Christmas Day, communion will be taking place at St Aidan's at 11am, and all are welcome to this special service.
- Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Here’s hoping 2023 brings more settled times and good things for all!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 15th December 2022
- A message from John Holland: A big thank you to all of you who came along and so enthusiastically supported the Christmas Party at Tarset Village Hall last night, despite the weather and the competing attraction of the England versus France match. Highlights of the evening included the excellent pooled supper, David McCracken winning the appropriately named ‘Jura Winters Gold’ in the bottle shove with the maiden throw, and Fran’s friend, Lauren Brown, whose impromptu Irish dance demonstration blew us all away! My specific thanks once again to Amanda for her dressing of the hall, David for his excellent choices of music, to Val and her helpers behind the bar, and everybody else who at one point or another were clearing tables, washing up, etc. much appreciated. It was a great evening, and your support and generosity helped us raise £375 which will be split between the West Northumberland Food Bank and the Tarset Diary. But just as importantly, it was an opportunity for friends and neighbours to spend time together celebrating the festive season. Thanks and best wishes for Christmas and the New year!
- A reminder that ‘Christmas with The North Tyne & Redewater Choral Society’ takes place on Saturday 17th December at 7.30pm in St Michael’s, Wark.
- On Tuesday 20th December, Tarset Song Reivers will be singing carols, by car, around Tarset and Falstone from about 4:30onwards and will finish with carols in Greenhaugh (though at a slightly later time than usual). Please contact Caroline Waitt or Maureen McCracken to find out where they will be stopping and what the timings are for Greenhaugh.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 8th December 2022
- ‘Christmas with The North Tyne & Redewater Choral Society’ takes place on Saturday 17th December at 7.30pm in St Michael’s, Wark. Conducted by John Roper with accompaniment by Richard Simmance, the concert offers music by Schubert, Holst, Rutter and Wilcocks (amongst others).
- This weekend sees the ‘Tarset Christmas Social’, with profits being donated to local good causes. There will be a licensed bar, pooled supper, music and raffle. Tickets are available in advance by emailing [email protected] or by calling 240337. Saturday 10th December, 7pm, Tarset Village Hall.
- A Candlelit Carol Service will be held at 7pm on Friday 23rd December at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn. The service, as always, is open to the whole community and is a truly lovely event. Please wrap up warmly and bring your candles and lanterns with you - a torch is also useful for navigating the churchyard and lane.
- Saturday the 10th December is your last chance to submit any contributions to the next edition of The Tarset Diary. The email address to send any information to is: [email protected] or you can phone Chris on 01434 240947. Chris will usually acknowledge any and all information received, so if you have sent any information in and he has not got back to you, please give him a call - he has been experiencing some problems with the email address recently and is keen to make sure nobody’s contribution is missed.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 1st December 2022
- There will be a ‘Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly’ Christmas Fair at Falstone Village Hall this weekend. Christmas gifts, children’s crafts and cakes will be on offer on the various stalls, as well as a raffle, tombola, mulled wine, refreshments and lots more. There will also be a competition (open to all ages): a piece of art or craftwork, no bigger than A4 size, depicting your interpretation of ‘Away in a Manger’. Saturday 3rd December from 2-4pm.
- St Peter’s Church, Falstone, is collecting Chocolate Selection Boxes for disadvantaged children this Christmas. If you would like to donate, you can leave your boxes in the food bank bin beside the gates or you can also leave them inside the church. All donations must be received by 9th December, please. Thank you in advance for your support!
- St Peter's Church, Falstone, is running a family parish worship service for advent this weekend - on Sunday 4th of December at 11am, with refreshments afterwards. The service is open to everyone, so why not come along and take part.
- A Communion Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will take place on Sunday 11th Dec at 11am. After that, the next service will be the Candlelit Carol Service at 7pm on Friday 23rd Dec and finally, Christmas Communion will take place at 11am on Christmas Morning. All services are open to everyone, so please feel free to come along and take part.
- Don't forget to pick up your tickets for Tarset Village Hall's 'Christmas Social' on Saturday 10th December, starting at 7pm. There will be a licensed bar, pooled supper, music and raffle, with profits being donated to local good causes. Tickets are available in advance by emailing [email protected] or by calling 240337.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 24th November 2022
- ‘Tis the season...for Christmas planning at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn.
- Parish Worship falls on Advent Sunday 27th November at 6pm – the service is open to everyone in the community.
- There will also be a Candlelit Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, on 23rd December at 7pm. As usual, please wrap up warmly and bring your candles and lanterns with you. A torch is always a good idea for navigating the churchyard and lane!
- Finally, Christmas Day communion will be taking place at 11am on the 25th December, and all are welcome to this special service.
- Christmas with The North Tyne & Redewater Choral Society (conducted by John Roper and with accompaniment by Richard Simmance), will be taking place at St Michael’s, Wark, this year, with music by Schubert, Holst, Rutter and Wilcocks, amongst others. Saturday 17th December at 7.30pm.
- The Village Hall is organising a Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December, starting at 7pm. There will be a licensed bar, pooled supper, music and raffle, with profits being donated to local good causes. Tickets are available in advance by emailing [email protected] or by calling 240337.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 17th November 2022
- St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, is holding its long-awaited Soup and Pudding Social on Friday 18th November from 12-2pm at Tarset Village Hall. Everyone is welcome and any donations of raffle prizes would be most appreciated.
- A date for your diaries: December and Christmas seem a long way off, but time flies past so quickly at this time of year! The Village Hall is organising a Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December, starting at 7pm. Sadly the last two Christmas parties were derailed by the pandemic, so this will be a great opportunity to finally get together for an informal celebration of the festive season. There will be a licensed bar, pooled supper, music and raffle, and all proceeds will be donated to local good causes. Tickets are available in advance by emailing [email protected] or by calling 240337.
- A reminder that many community buildings are opening their doors to provide ‘warm spaces’ in the winter months this year, and Tarset Village Hall is no exception – initially trialling the scheme until the end of November. If successful, the scheme will carry on through the winter months, with the church running the sessions on the second Thursday of each month and providing additional refreshments for those days. Tarset Village Hall is now open from 9.30am to 12.30pm each Thursday to provide an opportunity for the local community to take advantage of a safe, warm communal area - either to work, to meet up with others for a chat, or simply enjoy a change of scene. The hall has high-speed broadband, and tea and coffee making facilities are available. Everyone is very welcome to come along.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes -10th November 2022
- Churches Together in Falstone will be marking Remembrance Sunday (13th November) this weekend. There will be a meeting at the Cenotaph in the Cemetery at 10.50am for the laying of wreaths, and this will be followed by a Remembrance Service at 11am in St Peter’s, Falstone. Everyone is welcome to come along and donations are being collected for the Royal British Legion.
- Bellingham Practice is hoping to protect as many people as possible from this year’s flu, as the forecast is for a very severe winter for flu infections. If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine and haven’t yet had your jab, there is still time to do so at the Bellingham Practice, which has plenty of stock for patients aged 65 and over, as well as for those aged 50-64. If you are in either of these age groups or have a clinical condition which entitles you to a free flu vaccination (you can check details/eligibility on the NHS website), please call the surgery to book an appointment. Appointments are available 9am – 2.30pm Mondays & Fridays and 12.30pm – 6.30pm on Thursday 10th November.
- One last reminder about tomorrow’s evening of live stand-up comedy at Falstone Village Hall. There is still time to reserve your place by contacting Tracey Robson (07866 090950) or The Blackcock Inn. The evening, organised by ‘Felt Nowt’ and the Friends of Greenhaugh School (FOGS), is in aid of Greenhaugh School, so why not come along and support. Performances start at 8pm on Friday 11th November.
- A message from Tarset Village Hall: Many community buildings are opening their doors to provide ‘warm spaces’ as we move into the winter months. From the 10th November, Tarset Village Hall will be open from 0930 to 1230 each Thursday to provide an opportunity for the local community to take advantage of a communal area either to work or meet up with others. The hall has broadband and tea and coffee making facilities are available. Initially this will be for a trial period to the end of November, and if we continue through the winter months the church will run the second Thursday each month and provide some refreshments. So, if you are a homeworker, fancy a chat or just simply a change of scene, you are very welcome to come along.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 3rd November 2022
- A reminder that on Friday 11th November at 8pm, ‘Felt Nowt’ and the Friends of Greenhaugh School (FOGS) present an evening of live comedy at Falstone Village Hall, featuring Sam Mayes, Harry Ford, Mike Wardley and Jason Donaldson. Advance booking is advised – tickets are available from Tracey Robson (07866 090950) and The Blackcock Inn. The evening is in aid of Greenhaugh School, so why not come along and support. Performances start at 8pm.
- Flu vaccinations at The Bellingham Practice: The NHS is forecasting a very severe winter for flu infections (some cases are already showing up and it’s indeed a nasty bug this year). The Practice has plenty of stock both for patients aged 65 and for those aged 50-64. If you are in either of these age groups (or are aged 6 months and over and have a clinical condition which entitles you to a free flu vaccination), please call the surgery to book an appointment. Appointments are available 9am – 2.30pm Mondays & Fridays and 12.30pm – 6.30pm on Thursday 3rd November and Thursday 10th November. The surgery is hoping to protect as many people as possible from this year’s flu.
- A vacancy has arisen on Tarset & Greystead Parish Council. Any person willing to stand as a Parish Councillor should apply to the Clerk in writing on or before 14th November 2022. The applicant’s name must appear on the current register of Voters List, or the applicant should during the whole of the twelve months preceding the relevant date have resided in or within three miles of the parish, or the applicant’s only place of work during the whole of the twelve months preceding the relevant date should be in the parish. The applicant must not be debarred from standing as a Councillor. Public elections cannot be held until the year 2025, but for the interim period the present sitting Councillors may co-opt to fill the vacancy. If you would like to apply, please contact Claire Miller, Clerk, 14 Addycombe Close, Rothbury, Morpeth, Northumberland. NE65 7QF
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 27th October 2022
- On Friday 11th November, ‘Felt Nowt’ and the Friends of Greenhaugh School (FOGS) present an evening of live comedy at Falstone Village Hall, featuring Sam Mayes, Harry Ford, Mike Wardley and Jason Donaldson. Advance booking is advised. Tickets (£12.50 advance booking or £15 on the door) are available from Tracey Robson (07866 090950) and The Blackcock Inn. The evening is in aid of Greenhaugh School, so why not come along and support. Performances start at 8pm.
- Bellingham Deanery invites you to a Family Communion service, starting at 10am in St Peter’s, Falstone, on Sunday 30th October. Everyone is welcome and there will be refreshments available after the service.
- November’s ‘First Thursday’ film screening at Tarset Village Hall will be 'Another Round’, an award-winning 2020 black comedy starring Mads Mikkelson. Four friends, all teachers at various stages of middle age, are stuck in a rut and embark on an audacious experiment proposed by an obscure philosopher, to see if a constant level of alcohol in their blood will help them find greater freedom and happiness. Thursday 3rd November - bar and doors open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 20th October 2022
- Some advance notice that the deadline for inclusion in the Winter/Xmas issue of the Tarset Diary is Friday 9th December. All contributions are welcome - please note that any contributions received after the deadline date may not be included in the Winter/Xmas issue and may have to be printed in the Spring issue, so please make sure you submit your info as early as you can to avoid disappointment. Please email [email protected] or call Chris on 01434 240947
- There will be a Christmas event at the Horsebox Gallery (Gardeners Cottage, Greenhaugh) on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November, 2pm-6pm. You are invited to call in and have a glass of mulled wine whilst having a look around at new original paintings, Christmas cards, notebooks and signed framed prints by David Lucas. There is also a selection of Christmas gift wrap by Eco friendly ‘Rewrapped’. Outside the event times, you are welcome to visit whenever the sign is out at the top of the drive - or you can contact David and Amanda to find out times and dates.
- Halloween is not far away now, and Bellingham and District Dramatic Society (BADDS), in partnership with Tarset Village Hall, present 'Tales of the Unexpected’, an evening of storytelling for Halloween on Saturday 29th October. The performance will start at 7pm and there will be a soup and pudding supper, licensed bar and raffle. Tickets (£5 for Adults and £3 for Under 12s) are available by emailing [email protected] or calling 240337. There is a limit on numbers so please book now to avoid disappointment.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 13th October 2022
- Firstly, John would like to say: ‘Thank you to all who supported First Thursday Films’ showing of ‘A Royal Night Out’ last week - it was great to see so many there!' Next month’s film will be 'Another Round’, an award-winning 2020 black comedy starring Mads Mikkelson. Four friends, all teachers at various stages of middle age, are stuck in a rut and embark on an audacious experiment proposed by an obscure philosopher, to see if a constant level of alcohol in their blood will help them find greater freedom and happiness. So please put Thursday 3rd November in your diary. Bar and doors open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm.
- A quick reminder that Bellingham and District Dramatic Society (BADDS), in partnership with Tarset Village Hall (TVH), presents 'Tales of the Unexpected’, an evening of storytelling for Halloween, on Saturday 29th October. Doors and bar open at 6.30pm and the performance starts promptly at 7pm. A ‘soup and pud’ supper is included in the entry price, and there will be a raffle. Tickets are available by emailing [email protected] or calling 240337. There is a limit on numbers so please book early to avoid disappointment and so the organisers know how much food to make.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 6th October 2022
- First Thursday Films will recommence on Thursday 6th October. Originally scheduled as a continuation of the Platinum Jubilee theme, this month’s offering will have added poignancy given the events of the last few weeks. ‘A Royal Night Out' is a romantic comedy drama loosely based on the true story of the teenage Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret venturing out of the confines of Buckingham Palace to enjoy the VE celebrations. The film is particularly notable for the big screen appearance of Tarset’s very own Ben Lucas! As usual there will be a bar available from 7pm and the film will start at 7.30pm.
- Bellingham and District Dramatic Society (BADDS), in partnership with Tarset Village Hall, is presenting 'Tales of the Unexpected’, an evening of storytelling for Halloween on Saturday 29th October. The performance will start at 7pm (doors and bar open at 6.30pm) and there will be a Soup and Pudding supper, licensed bar and raffle. The Soup and Pud Supper is included in the entry price, though the bar isn't! Tickets are £5 for Adults and £3 for under 12s, and are available by emailing [email protected] or calling 240337. There is a limit on numbers so please book early to avoid disappointment.
- As those who are signed up for Farmwatch, Northumbria Connected or Tarset Mailing bulletins may already be aware, Action Fraud has received 139 crime reports relating to fake text messages purporting to be from the UK government. The texts state that the recipient is “owed” or “eligible” for an energy bill discount as part of the Energy Bill Support Scheme. The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking websites that are designed purely to steal your personal and financial information. Sadly, if something looks or sounds too good to be true, it probably is... For more information on how to stay secure online, please visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 29th September 2022
- The Bellwether Gallery (located in a converted farm building situated behind the Boe Rigg at Charlton) will be holding its official opening on the weekend of 15th October with a joint exhibition of artworks and photographs by Julian and William Morrison-Bell. To celebrate the opening, a concert featuring local duo Landermason, and The Dark Sky Voices will take place at 7.30pm on 15th October. Pre-booking for the concert is a must as seating is limited. Tickets are available at the Boe Rigg, Olive and Myrtle gift shop (Bellingham) or online at https://www.baafest.co.uk/#associated (under ‘other events’) and you can also get tickets and more information by emailing [email protected]. The gallery will also be open on Sunday 16th October for those who would like to view the artworks.
- Visual Arts in Rural Communities (VARC) invites you to ‘Meet the Artists’ on Sat 1st Oct. This drop-in event takes place between 1-3pm at The Old Stables, Highgreen, Tarset, Northumberland NE48 1RP, where there will be an artist talk starting at 1.30pm. Why not come along and meet current artist in residence, Marilou Chagnaud, and hear about her practice and her plans for the ten-month residency at VARC. Two of VARC’s other recent artists, Bethan Harris and Will Copley, will also give a short overview of their residency experiences. There will be tea and cake, and a warm welcome for everyone.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 22nd September 2022
- There is a new gallery opening in Charlton – The Bellwether gallery will be opening on the weekend of 15th October with a joint exhibition of paintings and photographs by Julian and William Morrison-Bell. There will be a concert on the evening of 15th October, featuring Landermason and The Dark Sky voices - pre-booking for the concert is essential and tickets are available at the Boe Rigg or by emailing [email protected] The gallery will also be open on Sunday 16th for those who want to view the works and if you would like any further information, please contact the email above.
- Visual Arts in Rural Communities (VARC) invites you to Meet the Artists on Sat 1st Oct. This drop-in event takes place between 1-3pm at The Old Stables, Highgreen, Tarset, Northumberland NE48 1RP, and there will be short artist talks starting at 1.30pm. You can meet current artist in residence, Marilou Chagnaud, and hear about her practice and her plans for the ten-month residency at VARC. Two of our other recent artists, Bethan Harris and Will Copley, will also give a short overview of their residency experiences. Tea and cake will be provided and all are very welcome!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 15th September 2022
- Weekly Country Dancing sessions will be re-starting at 7.30pm in Tarset Village Hall on Monday 3rd October 2022. Sessions are open to everyone, so why not come along and enjoy Monday evenings with music, dancing and laughter.
- Following the sad death of HM The Queen, there have been various extra services all across the area, and there is a book of condolence available in St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, for people to sign and leave any messages of condolence.
- Members of the Falstone Whist Club are always very happy to welcome new members - they are a friendly, informal bunch and don’t take themselves too seriously! They meet every Wednesday at 6.30pm in Falstone Village Hall, so why not go along to a session and see if it’s something you would enjoy. Contact Johnnie Carse (Tel. 240125) for further info.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 8th September 2022
This week saw the Tarset Leek, Flower and Vegetable Show take place at Tarset Village Hall on Saturday 3rd September. Jeff Mills would like to say the following: “With over ninety floral exhibits from some of the best growers from over a wide area, the hall was a blaze of colour. The main winners in the floral section were John Davies, Michael Dickinson, Robin Banks, Margaret Bird, Jill Swaile and Jenny Swaile. Jenny also won the cup for the best floral exhibit with a fantastic floral basket. John Davies won the cup for the most points in the floral section. In the Industrial Section there was a really good display of baking and jam making, with the main winners in this section being Jean Thirlwell, Phillipa Ingledew, Victoria Byron and Anne Spottiswood, while Alan Swaile won the gents’ baking class. Phillipa Ingledew won the cup for the most points in the Industrial section. The vegetable section was very well supported and the main winners were Roy Bell, Jeff Mills, Robin Banks and John Bassett. The Leek show itself was won by Jeff Mills, followed by Clive Hymers and John Bassett. A very good crowd supported the auction with some lively bidding which raised a lot of money for the club's coffers. Overall, it was a very good day and we would like to thank everyone for their generous support.”
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 1st September 2022
- The Tarset and District Leek, Flower and Vegetable Show is happening this weekend (on Saturday 3rd September) at Tarset Village Hall. Doors and bar will be open to the public at in the afternoon, and the day ends with an auction of the produce. If you aren't able to get there, why not send someone down with some cash to bid in the auction on your behalf? That way, you can still support the show and maybe get a lovely surprise with the item(s) you win! For more details, schedules and timings, contact Jeff Mills on 240302.
- Falstone Show was a lovely (if occasionally soggy!) event last weekend. It is with sadness, but much much gratitude, that the show committee would like to say a fond farewell to the Falstone Show Secretary of the last 30 years, Gloria Armstrong. The work that Gloria has put in over this time is immeasurable and she will be a big miss at our future events! Thank you, too, to all those who have contributed to and supported the return of this year's show!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 25th August 2022
- This is your last chance to book a place on one (or both) of the Wet and Needle Felting Workshops which will be held at Tarset Village Hall on Tuesday 6th and/or Saturday 10th September 2022 from 10.30am-4pm. Suitable for both beginners and those who already have some experience, you will get to try both needle and wet felting (or you can concentrate on just one of them – it’s entirely up to you). Prices include all equipment and materials, plus tea, coffee and biscuits. You will need to pre-book your places, so please contact Margaret Bird on 01434 240691 or email [email protected] for further information.
- The Tarset and District Leek, Flower and Vegetable Show will be held on Saturday 3rd September at Tarset Village Hall. This year, there is a new trophy for the most points in the Industrial section, and all classes in the flower, vegetable and industrial sections are once again open to anyone. There is also an auction at the end of the day, where you could win some of the amazing produce on offer. Schedules and further details are available from Jeff Mills on 01434 240302. Please come along and support the show.
- Don't forget to get to the Falstone Tearoom to buy your ducks for the Falstone duck race on Sunday 4th September. The event promises to be great fun and there are cash prizes up for grabs, so why not grab your duck and take part!
- Finally, don’t forget that Bellingham Show is happening this weekend, with plenty of entertainment provided all day for the whole family. The new (expanded!) show field opens at 7.00am for Exhibitors and at 8.30am to the general public. For further information, schedules and prices, please visit the Show website at https://www.bellinghamshow.co.uk/
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 18th August 2022
- From September onwards, St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be changing its service times - with Communion on the second Sunday being moved to 9:30am. This earlier time will hopefully allow those who have activities planned for Sundays to be able to attend without disrupting their day. As usual, everyone is welcome.
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, is also planning an outdoor Eco/Environment Service for Parish Worship on Sunday 25th September. Plans are to have a meditative walk before the service and then meet at the church for the service itself, which will be in the afternoon (time yet to be confirmed).
- Falstone Jubilee committee would like to thank everyone who opened their gardens on Sunday 7th August. Although it was a cloudy day, everyone was impressed with the flora and fauna on display, and enjoyed chatting with the garden owners. Some of the local visitors have even started to think about opening their own gardens next year! Special thanks to everyone who contributed to the pooled tea and to those who helped on the day – all of which is very much appreciated.
- Following on from the Garden Walk, Falstone Jubilee Committee are holding a duck race on Sunday 4th September and if you would like to take part, ducks will be sold at Falstone show and in the tearoom thereafter! Cash prizes are up for grabs so why not buy a duck and take part.
- Finally, a reminder that the Falstone Border Shepherds’ Show is happening this weekend on Saturday 20th August! Opening at 9am, there are events and classes running all day, with live music in the evening to round the day off in style. Everyone is welcome!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 11th August 2022
Falstone Whist Club is always happy to welcome new members. We’re a friendly bunch and don’t take ourselves too seriously! We meet every Wednesday at 6.30pm in Falstone Village Hall. For further information, please contact Johnnie Carse Tel. 240125.
A date for your diaries: the new season of First Thursday Films in Tarset will start on Thursday 6th October. In honour of the Jubilee year, the film will be ‘A Royal Night Out’, a romantic comedy drama loosely based on the true story of the teenage Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret venturing out of Buckingham Palace to enjoy the VE celebrations. This film is particularly notable for the big screen appearance of Tarset’s very own Ben Lucas! Doors and bar open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm.
Two new Wet and Needle Felting Workshops will be held at Tarset Village Hall on 6th & 10th September 2022 from 10.30am-4pm. Suitable for both beginners and those who already have some experience, the workshops will give you the chance to try both needle and wet felting. Prices include all equipment/materials plus tea, coffee and biscuits. Early booking is advised as there are limited places available. Please contact Margaret Bird on 01434 240691 or [email protected]
A quick reminder that Falstone parish council are exploring the need for an improved local bus service between Kielder and Bellingham and would like Tyne Valley residents’ views on the following five questions (please email the parish clerk directly with your answers on [email protected] or phone 01434 240319): Do you have a public transport need? If it was available, how often would you use it (e.g. Ad hoc, instead of own car, other)? What would be an ideal route (e.g. direct from Kielder to Bellingham)? How often (daily/weekly/other)? Any other comments you have?
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 4th August 2022
- As part of its continued Jubilee Celebrations, Falstone is holding a Garden Walk on Sunday 7th August 2022, starting at the village hall at 1.00pm. Entry costs are reasonable (£6.00 per adult and £3.00 per child) and entry for under 8’s is free. Once you have your map, you can meander around the village, looking in the fabulous gardens, then pop into the village hall for your tea! The event will close at 4pm
- Falstone parish council want to explore the need for an improved local bus service between Kielder and Bellingham and would like Tyne Valley residents’ views on the following questions (please email the parish clerk directly with your answers on [email protected] or phone 01434 240319
1. Do you have a public transport need?
2. If it was available, how often would you use it? Eg: Adhoc, instead of own car, other?
3. What would be an ideal route? Eg: Kielder to Bellingham
4. What frequency: Daily / weekly/ other?
5. Plus any other comments you have.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 28th July 2022
- A message from Don Clegg: “The Jubilee Park in Falstone was alive with the sound of music last Sunday afternoon (17th July) as ‘Cross the Wannies’ ceilidh band and friends entertained a goodly gathering of Falstone Folk and visitors to a selection of Northumbrian and Scottish traditional tunes, poems and stories. Falstone tearoom, who had sponsored the event as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, very generously provided the performers with refreshments throughout the pleasantly warm afternoon (no midgies!). Thanks must go to the musicians and story tellers, many of whom had travelled the length and breadth of the county to be here, to the tearoom staff for their support and to all who came to listen and join in the entertainment. Among the many tunes played was ‘Doddie’s Dream’ in recognition of the great effort being made by Doddie Weir, the former Scottish rugby player, who has Motor Neurone Disease, to raise funds for research into this awful condition. A collection during the afternoon raised a wonderful £130! Thank you everyone!”
- On Thursday 11th August, from 10am – 12pm, everyone is welcome to the Bellingham Belle (The Heritage Centre, Station Yard, Woodburn Road, Bellingham, NE48 2DG) for a morning of drop-in art activities with current VARC artists in residence Bethan Harris and Will Copley. You will also have the chance to make a unique sun print with artist Lucy May Schofield. There will be something for everyone of all ages (from 6 years upwards) and further info can be found at https://bellingham-heritage.org.uk/ or https://varc.org.uk/news-events/
- You are invited to two new Wet and Needle Felting Workshops at Tarset Village Hall on 6th & 10th September 2022 from 10.30am – 4pm. Each workshop will give you the chance to try both needle and wet felting and is suitable for those new to felting as well as those who already have some experience. The course fee includes all equipment and materials as well as tea, coffee and biscuits. Early booking is advised as there are limited places available for each session and bookings are already being made. Please contact Margaret Bird on 01434 240691 or [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 21st July 2022
- Huge congratulations to talented local folk singer/songwriter Maggie Feeney, from Falstone, who won the competition for original song at Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival on 2nd July. The song is called Far Horizons and is about the history of our area from Roman times to present day.
- Find out all about Visual Artists in Rural Communities’ (VARC) new artists and upcoming events at Tarset Village Hall via its most recent newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/caff152a0f2a/newvarcartists. Based at Highgreen, VARC has put together a programme which provides plenty of activities for residents of the area to get involved with. Why not have a look at the newsletter to see what’s happening.
- This is the last call for entries for all classes in the Falstone Show, as the closing date is the 25th July. Schedules and class lists can be downloaded at www.falstoneshow.com. Additionally, if you would like to book a table in the Craft tent or place an advert in the show catalogue, you will need to do so as soon as possible. For further info, please contact the Show secretary on 01434 240964. You can keep up-to-date about show news and events via the show’s website (www.falstoneshow.com) or via facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/112362853366
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 14th July 2022
- The second of the Women Artists of the North East (WANE) Open Library & Reading Group events will be held on Friday 15th July at Tarset Village Hall. The Open Library sessions are a chance to explore the WANE collection and have a chat, while the informal Reading Group is for anyone that wishes to join in (no prior knowledge/experience is necessary) and each session will focus on two texts from their collection that explore a connection to art and craft, living rurally, or to landscape. More information/timings and the reading group texts are available to download in advance from the VARC website (https://varc.org.uk/) or from https://womenartistsnelibrary.wordpress.com/. Why not pop along to the hall tomorrow between 10am – 1.30pm to see what it’s all about.
- Find out all about VARC's new artists and the upcoming event at Tarset Village Hall (above) via the most recent VARC newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/caff152a0f2a/newvarcartists
- The Tarset and District Leek, Flower and Vegetable Show will be held on Saturday 3rd September at Tarset Village Hall. This year, there is a new trophy for the most points in the Industrial section, and all classes in the flower, vegetable and industrial classes are once again open to anyone. Schedules are available from Jeff Mills on 01434 240302.
- “Falstone Folk”, an afternoon of Northumbrian Music, Songs and Stories with ‘Cross the Wannies’ and friends (including Northumbrian Pipes, traditional songs and humorous tales of Tyne, Rede and further afield), will be held on Sunday the 17th July 2022 in Falstone Jubilee Park from 1pm to 4pm (adjourning to the village hall in the event of rain). Please bring a chair or rug, and refreshments will be available at Falstone Tearooms or the Blackcock Inn
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 7th July 2022
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be swapping its services round in July and Parish Worship will take place on 10th July at 3pm and the Communion Service will be at 6pm on the 26th July.
- For people living off-grid: Community Action Northumberland (CAN) has confirmed that NCC now has the funding to make payments to people living off-grid in the area. As the funding is no longer via the household support fund, there are no forms to fill in, but CAN does need your name and address so a payment can be made to you. If you wish to ensure you get this rebate, and haven’t yet contacted Leanne or Brian at CAN, then please do so as soon as possible with your name and address. Contacts: Leanne Shipley ([email protected]) and Brian Watson ([email protected])
- A quick reminder that the last of the Rural Churches for Everyone (RCfE) workshops will take place on 11th July (10am-4pm) at Elsdon. The project aims to help identify ways of keeping our rural churches open and sustainable. The churches would be grateful if you could encourage anyone who volunteers with or is interested in our churches to come along - the sessions are open to all. There will be lunch and refreshments provided at the meetings and any travel or other costs incurred can be refunded. If you would like to attend, please let Philippa Carter know (mainly so numbers for refreshments can be calculated). The link to the registration form is as follows: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoI9ppJk4amAHAOqNUqtXe4ZWVLysFiC3-eoxwzsxt1-R-hQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 30th June 2022
If you have anything you would like to have published in the Courant’s Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please drop me an email ([email protected]) by 6pm on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week. Not everyone in the area has online access or is part of the local email lists, so the Courant is the ideal way to let those folks know about events, invites and local news. If you let me know what’s happening, I can include details in the notes - so please don’t hesitate to send me anything you would like to publicise or even just to share with the rest of the community. You aren’t limited to events only - you can let me know about news, reviews, events, announcements, birthdays, marriages, funerals, etc. – anything you think might be of interest for people in our area.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 23rd June 2022
- Rural Churches for Everyone: You are warmly invited to a meeting on Monday 27 June, 7-9pm at Otterburn Memorial Hall. The meeting is open to everyone interested in the future of our local churches and will highlight what RCfE can do for you, your PCCs, and your communities, and will keep you informed about the intended development of a Sustainability Plan for the churches in the Bellingham Benefice. Please can you email Philippa Carter ([email protected]) if you intend to come – mainly so required quantities of cake can be arranged! If you want to find out more, the regular newsletter can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/474925f34846/rural-churches-for-everyone-newsletter-20163526?e=bc9d2a6f1d
- A quick reminder that Falstone Village Hall (Matthew Ridley Memorial Hall) is hosting a Table Top Sale this weekend (Sunday 26th June 2022) from 11am – 3pm. There will be crafts, clothes, accessories and a second-hand sale, with refreshments available to buy. For further info, please email [email protected] or telephone 07583 929353.
- Thanks to all who came along to the first of the Women Artists of the North East (WANE) Library’s Open Library & Reading Group events at Tarset Village Hall on Friday last week. The next sessions will be on Friday 15th July and Thursday 4th August (times to be confirmed nearer the dates). Further information, future reading group texts, and links to the WANE collection are all available on the VARC website (https://varc.org.uk/). Why not pop along to the hall for the next session, to see what it’s all about.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 16th June 2022
- Falstone Village Hall (Matthew Ridley Memorial Hall) will be hosting a Table Top Sale next weekend (on Sunday 26th June 2022 from 11am – 3pm). There will be crafts, clothes, accessories and a second-hand sale, with refreshments available to buy. For further info, please email [email protected] or telephone 07583 929353.
- As part of Women Artists of the North East (WANE) Library’s residency in Tarset, there will be a series of Open Library & Reading Group events at Tarset Village Hall over the summer. The Open Library sessions are a chance to explore the collection and have a chat, while the informal Reading Group is for anyone that wishes to join in and each session will focus on two texts from their collection that explore a connection to art and craft, living rurally, or to landscape. More information and the reading group texts, as well as links to the WANE are available to download in advance from the VARC website (https://varc.org.uk/). The first session is on Friday 17th June from 10am -1.30pm (with the reading group running from 11am-12.30pm) and this will be followed by sessions on Friday 15th July and Thursday 4th August. Why not pop along to the hall on Friday to see what it’s all about.
- Finally, it’s the last call for articles and photos for the Summer issue of the Tarset Diary, as the cut-off date is 19th June. The email to send info and photos to is: [email protected] or you can phone Chris on 240947.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 9th June 2022
- Now that the Jubilee weekend is over, the bunting is being removed and things are getting back to normal, thanks and congratulations are in order for all those people who have put so much time and effort into organising and hosting some excellent events for all the communities in our region.
- Also with the Jubilee in mind, I’d like to remind you all that the copy deadline for the Summer issue of the Tarset Diary is 19th June 2022 and the issue will be featuring the community’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations - as well as past Jubilee celebrations (and even Coronation celebrations if people have photos going that far back!). The email to send info and photos to is: [email protected] or for any other enquiries, you can phone 240947.
- There is plenty going on at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, this month. A Communion service will be held at 3pm on 12th June and Parish Worship on the 26th June at 6pm. St Aidan’s is also hosting a special Service at on 19th June (at 3pm) to say a fond farewell to Elaine and Peter Ryder and to wish them luck in the next chapter of their lives. All in the area who know them are invited to attend, and refreshments will be available after the service.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 2nd June 2022
- The deadline for the Summer issue of the Tarset Diary is 19th June 2022 and the issue will feature the many events around the community celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Chris would like to know how Tarset celebrated the Silver Jubilee in 1977 too, so if you have any photos or records of the events, please do send them in to him. Please also feel free to send in news of any special announcements (births, deaths, marriages and anniversaries) and for any aspiring photographers in the community, please feel free to submit any pictures of springtime from across the area. The email to send info to is: [email protected] or for any other enquiries, you can phone 240947.
- Falstone Village Hall (Matthew Ridley Memorial Hall) will be hosting a Table Top Sale on Sunday 26th June 2022 - with crafts, wears and a second-hand sale on offer, as well as refreshments available to purchase. The event runs from 11am – 3pm. Please note that doors open at 9.30am for sellers only and if you would like to book a table, you will need to do so in advance, as there are limited tables available. For further info or to book your table, please email [email protected] or telephone 07583 929353.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 26th May 2022
- A quick reminder that on Thursday 2nd June, Tarset Village Hall will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a film night, featuring archive material of national events of the time, together with film and photographs of local interest. Doors and bar open at 7pm. Following the film, a Jubilee Beacon will be lit at 10.30pm at Greenhaugh Community Orchard, and there will be a fireworks display. Everyone is welcome to come along to help celebrate this historic occasion.
- As people on the Tarset Mailing list will already be aware, the Parish Council understand that the bus stop is no longer used by official transport vehicles and would therefore welcome any suggestions for an alternative use. Any suggestions should be directed to Claire Miller, Clerk to the Parish Council, by email ([email protected]) or by phone on 01669 621565.
- The Tarset with Greystead Parish Council have asked NCC to conduct a Community Governance Review into the electoral arrangements for the two Parish Wards of Tarset and Greystead. Residents of both Wards are therefore being asked by NCC to comment on the proposed merging of the two Parish Wards into one, which would mean that all eight councillors on the Parish Council would represent the Tarset with Greystead Parish as opposed to the current situation where three councillors represent Greystead Ward and five represent Tarset Ward. All comments should be submitted in writing to Lesley Bennett, Senior Democratic Services Officer, Northumberland County Council, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland. NE61 2EF – or you can also submit comments via email to [email protected] The letter from NCC was emailed round via a Tarset Mailing on Thursday last week (19th May), but further copies can be obtained from Claire Miller (contact info above)
- Finally, Caroline would like to say a huge Thank You to all who have supported the plant stall at Horsley Cottage so far this year – it has made over £400 already. There are lots of plants still to go on the stall and if you have any spare seedlings or bedding coming on, they will always find a good home.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 19th May 2022
- All are welcome to VARC at Highgreen for the end of residency exhibition of sound and media artist Gil Delindro. The event will also premiere a sound piece by Marc Rigelsford (aka Magic Arm), and the Women Artists of the North East Library will have their collection on display. The opening day of the exhibition is a drop-in event on Sat 21st May from 11am-4pm. Refreshments will be provided. The exhibition will also be open on Sunday 22nd May from 12pm-3pm. Further viewings can be arranged on Mon 23rd, Tues 24th and Weds 25th May by appointment - please email [email protected] to arrange. Further information about the exhibition and about the artists, can be found on VARC’s website here: https://varc.org.uk/
- Tarset Village Hall will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Thursday 2nd Jun 2022, with a film night at Tarset Village Hall - featuring archive material of both national events of the time together with film and photographs of local interest. The doors will be open from 7pm (admission is free) there will be a licensed bar available. As darkness falls, we intend to make our way to the community orchard at Greenhaugh where, at 10.30pm, a Jubilee Beacon will be lit and there will be a fireworks display. Everyone is welcome to come along to help celebrate.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 12th May 2022
- A quick reminder that this Saturday (14th May) sees a walk and experimental sound workshop with sound and media artist, Gil Delindro at Highgreen from 1-4pm. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Places are free but limited, and you will need to book your place in advance. More info and details of how to book can be found on the VARC website at: https://varc.org.uk/walk-and-experimental-sound-workshop-with-gil-delindro/
- You are also invited to Gil’s end of residency exhibition – a drop-in event which will be held at Highgreen on Sat 21st May from 11am – 4pm. The exhibition also features a new sound piece by Marc Rigelsford (aka Magic Arm) as well as Women Artists of the North East Library. Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome. Please note that the work is installed in various outbuildings and you should therefore expect uneven ground with a slope and small steps in parts. Parking is available on site. Further info can also be found on the VARC website.
- The APCM (Annual Church Meeting) for Falstone with Greystead and Thorneyburn will be held at Tarset Village Hall on Tuesday 24th May at 7pm. Everyone in the parish is invited to the meeting, at which churchwardens and members of the PCC are elected. If you feel you might like to join the PCC, nomination forms are in the church or can be collected from Caroline at Horsley Cottage. There are only about 5 meetings a year (which isn’t a large commitment) and are vital in keeping the church going. Refreshments will be available after the meeting.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 28th April 2022
- A quick reminder that Falstone Parish is looking for photographs of any past events that have happened in the Parish, such as Falstone Show, Weddings, street parties, etc. If you have any photos you are willing to share, please message Helen Banks or ring 01434 240158 (your photographs will be copied and returned back to you). The display will be used as part of Falstone’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 4th, so the sooner you can get your pictures and information to Helen, the better.
- Walk and experimental sound workshop on Saturday 14th May, 1-4pm. Join sound and media artist Gil Delindro for a short walk around Highgreen, Tarset, to collect pieces of nature that you will later be able to 'listen' to back at the studio. You will learn how to use a contact microphone and Gil will make an experimental sound piece from all the collected recordings. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Places are free but limited and you will need to book your place in advance. More info and details of how to book can be found on the VARC website at: https://varc.org.uk/walk-and-experimental-sound-workshop-with-gil-delindro/
- First Thursday Films – Tarset Village Hall, Thursday 5th May 2022. The final First Thursday film of the season will be ‘The Sting’ (1973), a brilliant and multi-award-winning American comedy crime caper set in 1936. Two professional grifters (Paul Newman and Robert Redford), hatch a risky plan to con a mob boss with help from a team of other con artists - who all have their own reasons for agreeing to take part. Doors and bar open at 7pm.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 21st April 2022
- Falstone Parish is looking for photographs of any past events that have happened in the Parish – such as Falstone Show, Weddings, street parties, etc. If you have any photos, please message Helen Banks or ring 01434 240158 (your photographs will be copied and returned back to you). The display will be used as part of our Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 4th.
- The final First Thursday film of the season will be ‘The Sting’, a 1973 American caper film set in 1936, involving a complicated plot by two professional grifters played by Paul Newman and Robert Redford to con a mob boss (it was inspired by real-life cons perpetrated by brothers Fred and Charley Gondorff). The film is noted for its anachronistic use of ragtime, particularly the melody “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin. Regarded as having one of the best screenplays ever written, in 2005, The Sting was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. Tarset Village Hall, Thursday 5th May and as usual, doors and bar open at 7pm.
- A quick reminder (with plenty of notice) that the deadline for the Summer issue of the Tarset Diary is 19th June 2022, having been moved back from its original date so the issue can hold full reviews, and pictures, of the various community events that are celebrating the Queens Platinum Jubilee anniversary. The next issue will also include pictures from community events celebrating the Queen's 1977 Silver Jubilee, so if you have any special memories or stories from 1977, then please send them in to Chris (email: [email protected] or phone 240947)
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 14th April 2022
This week is Easter week and the churches in our area have put on a range of activities for everyone to join in with over the holidays:
- St Peter’s Church Chocolate Morning will be held at Falstone Village Hall on Sat 16th April 10am – 12 midday. There will be refreshments, cake stall, tombola, guess the Teddy Bear’s name, raffle and various craft stalls. There will also be a Make an Easter Bonnet competition and a Best Decorated hard-boiled egg (the theme this year is HM Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee) and the competitions are open to all ages.
- All children (aged 1-99...) are invited to make an Easter Garden on a plate and bring it along to St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, for Easter Communion at 3pm on Sun 17th April. If you can’t get to the service, or just want to drop your gardens off at the church earlier, you can leave them in the porch at the church at any time this week before the Sunday service. Everyone is very welcome to come along and there will be small rewards and Easter activities to do or take away, refreshments to follow the service and (depending on the weather!), wildflower planting in the churchyard.
- Churches Together in Falstone will be holding an Easter Day Family Service at 11am on Sun 17th April at St Peter’s in Falstone, with an Easter Egg hunt for the children following the service.
- Finally, there will be a Coffee Morning on Tuesday 19th April from 10.30-11.30am at Falstone Village Hall, to which everyone is welcome.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 7th April 2022
I have no ‘official’ notes for you this week, so I'd like to remind everyone that I am always very happy to include info about any local happenings in the Village Notes - whether in the form of news, events, notices (births, deaths, marriages, special birthdays), achievements, or simply things you think the community might like to know about. Please feel free to let me know about anything you think people might be interested in. The email address to send your info to is: [email protected] and you will need to let me have any info on Sundays (at the latest) to be included in the following Thursday’s paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 31st March 2022
The new date for VARC’s recently postponed 'meet the artist' event is Sat 2nd April 1-3pm. All are welcome to VARC at Highgreen to meet sound and media artist Gil Delindro, who will give a short talk about his work at 1:30pm. The event is free and drop-in, so there’s no need to book and tea and cake will be provided. There will also be a workshop and studio sale for Khosro Adibi at the Engine House, Highgreen, so please be sure to drop by to see what's on offer. Please note that the site is uneven with some steps in parts, and unfortunately there is no currently accessible toilet. There is parking at the venue. Full details and directions can be found in the news and events section of VARC’s website (at https://varc.org.uk/meet-the-artist-gil-delindro-sat-2nd-april-2022/ ) and in the VARC newsletter ( https://mailchi.mp/48cd01934946/meettheartistgildelindro2ndapril ).
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 24th March 2022
- The next collection for the Great North Air Ambulance will take place at Tarset Village Hall on Wednesday, 30th March 2022 between 11am and 11.45am, when a GNAA vehicle will be parked outside the village hall so that all bags can be put directly into their van. Please put clothing etc. in any adequate bag and tie it securely to avoid any spillage. As usual, books should be put into separate bags/boxes and the same applies to mobile phones, CDs, cassettes, and print cartridges (again please tie these bags). Thank you again for your continued support. For more information or extra bags, please contact Megan on 240426.
- Churches Together in Falstone will be holding their Mothering Sunday Service in the Falstone URC on 27th March at 11am. The children will be taking part, there will be flowers for the ladies and there will be Simnel Cake afterwards. Everyone is very welcome.
- At 6pm on Sunday 27th March (Mothering Sunday), there will be a special Evensong for Lent at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, led by Michael Nixon. Everyone is invited to come along to help celebrate.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 17th March 2022
- A date for your diaries: The North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society, directed by John Roper, will be performing a concert in memory of the late Dr Iain Mungall on Saturday 23rd April at 7.30pm in the Bellingham United Reform Church. Many of you will remember Iain, who was a long-serving member of the choir, a resident of Tarset and a GP in the Bellingham practice. The concert (which includes performances of the Missa Pastoralis by JM Nunes Garcia and Requiem op 48 by Gabriel Faure - accompanied by organist Henry Wallace and guest soloists, including Soprano Amelia Wallace) was planned pre-lockdown, but was delayed for obvious reasons. Entry is £10 and refreshments will be available after the concert. Everyone is welcome to come along to this special event to remember Iain.
- St Aidan’s Church, Thorneyburn, will be holding a Soup and Pud Social at Tarset Village Hall on Thursday 24th March from 12pm – 2pm, with proceeds going to church funds. Everyone is welcome to attend. For further details, please contact Carline Waitt ( via [email protected])
- Also on Thursday 24th March at Tarset Village Hall, in the evening, there will be a special illustrated talk by Lt. Fergus Holland about Life at Sea in the 21st Century and about his experiences in the RNLI as a volunteer crew member for the Swanage Lifeboat. Following this, the film ‘South’ (the fascinating footage of Shackleton’s attempt to cross Antarctica in 1914-16) will be shown. All profits from the evening will go to the RNLI. Doors and bar open at 7pm. The event is part of the Tyne Valley Film Festival. Please contact John Holland for further info.
- At 6pm on Sunday 27th March (which is also Mothering Sunday this year), there will be a special Evensong for Lent at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, which will be led by Michael Nixon, to which everyone is invited to come along to help celebrate.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 10th March 2022
- St Aidan’s Church Thorneyburn will be holding a Soup and Pud Social at Tarset Village Hall on Thursday 24th March from 12pm – 2pm, with proceeds going to church funds. Everyone is welcome to attend, and if you would like any further details, please contact Carline Waitt ( via [email protected])
- Also in the evening of Thursday 24th March at Tarset Village Hall, there will be a special talk and film screening as part of the Tyne Valley Film Festival. The evening will start with an illustrated talk by Lt Fergus Holland RN, about Life at Sea in the 21st Century and about his experiences in the RNLI as a volunteer crew member for the Swanage Lifeboat. Following the talk, the film ‘South’ (which is the fascinating restored found footage of Shackleton’s attempt to cross Antarctica in 1914-16) will be shown. All profits from the evening will go to the RNLI. Doors and bar open at 7pm. Please contact John Holland for further info.
- At 6pm on Sunday 27th March (which is also Mothering Sunday this year), there will be a special Evensong for Lent at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, which will be led by Michael Nixon. Everyone is welcome to come along to help celebrate.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 3rd March 2022
- A quick reminder that the copy deadline for the Spring Edition of the Tarset Diary is Sat 12 March 2022, so please can you send in your info as soon as possible to Chris via email: [email protected]
- Tarset Village Hall’s AGM will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 9th March in the Hall. Everyone is very welcome to attend, but if you are unable to get to the meeting but have any suggestions about the running of the Hall or about events you would like to see hosted there, then please let Simon Coxon know at [email protected]
- Just to keep you on your toes (well, in reality, due to a diary clash), this month’s First Thursday Film will actually be shown on the second Thursday. The classic feelgood comedy film ‘Cool Runnings’ will be shown at Tarset Village Hall on Thursday 10th March at 7.30pm. Doors and bar open at 7pm.
- Tarset Village Hall’s contribution to the 2022 Tyne Valley Film Festival will be on the evening of Thursday 24th March. The event will start with an illustrated talk by Lt Fergus Holland RN, an Engineer Officer in the Royal Navy about ‘Life at Sea in the 21st Century’ and about his experiences in the RNLI as a volunteer crew member for the Swanage Lifeboat. The talk will be followed by a screening of the film ‘South’, which is the restored footage of Shackleton’s heroic but ill-starred attempt to cross Antarctica in 1914-16. All profits from the evening will go to the RNLI. Doors and bar open at 7pm.
- The eagle-eyed amongst you may have spotted that the church's 'Soup and Pud Social' is also scheduled for Thursday 24th March, but this is an afternoon event running from 12pm - 2pm so you are very welcome to attend both events. Proceeds from the 'Soup and Pud' event will to go to church funds.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 24th February 2022
- The copy deadline for the Spring Edition of the Tarset Diary is Sat 12th March 2022. Contributions of news, stories, photographs & anniversaries/celebrations, etc, are always welcome. Currently, there is plenty of room left, but that can change quite quickly, so it’s best to send in your info as soon as possible to Chris via email: [email protected]
- There will be a return of the popular ‘Soup and Pud Social’ in aid of church funds on Thursday 24th March, from 12-2pm, at Tarset Village Hall and you are all warmly invited.
- Another date for your diaries is a special Evensong for Lent at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, which will be led by Michael Nixon. Everyone is welcome to come along and celebrate on Sunday 27th March (which just happens to be Mothering Sunday). The service starts at 6pm.
- The Rural Churches for Everyone project is well underway and in case you were unable to attend, the introductory session and welcome was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxBQ69g3fE0 . The first part of the project aims to look at how churches engage with their communities and to try to find at both new ways in which churches can be used and also how they can continue to be a key part of the communities they serve. If you are interested or want to get involved, why not have a look at the newsletter https://mailchi.mp/f500e5775bd5/rural-churches-for-everyone-newsletter-20128374 or join the facebook group ( http://www.facebook.com/groups/ruralchurchesforeveryone21/ )
- The Tarset Village Hall AGM will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 9th March in the Hall. Everyone is very welcome to attend, either to contribute or just to observe. Equally, if you cannot attend but have any suggestions about the running of the Hall or events you would like to see hosted there, then please let me know at [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 17th February 2022
If you have anything you would like to see published in the Courant’s Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please drop me an email ([email protected]) by 6pm on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week. Not everyone in the area has online access or is part of the local email lists, so the Courant is the ideal way to let them know about events, invites and local news. If you let me know what’s happening, I can include details in the notes - so please don’t hesitate to send me anything you would like to publicise or even just to share with the rest of the community. You aren’t limited to events only - you can let me know about news, reviews, events, announcements, birthdays, marriages, funerals, etc. – anything you think might be of interest for people in our area.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 27th January 2022
- Fingers and toes are being crossed that the Falstone Show will finally be allowed to take place this year. To this end, everyone is invited to attend the AGM for Falstone Show, which will be held on Wednesday 16th February 2022 at the Pheasant Inn, Stannersburn - starting at 7.30pm. Why not come along and find out what's being planned.
- Regular Parish Worship services have now re-started at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, and will be held at 6pm on every 4th Sunday of the month, while regular Communion Services will be held at 3pm on every 2nd Sunday of the month.
- The ‘Rural Churches for Everyone’ project, of which many of the churches in the Bellingham, Redesdale and Upper North Tyne area are a part, aims to strengthen the potential for rural churches to serve community needs, adapt to rural change, and share the memories and stories of those who came before us. St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, would very much like to ensure that the church will remain as valuable a resource for future generations as it has been for the past 200 years. There is a Facebook group you can join (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ruralchurchesforeveryone21) and you can get further information at: https://newcastle.anglican.org/ruralchurchesforeveryone/. There is also a newsletter (signing up for the newsletter in no way commits you to being involved in the project) and there will be an online welcome and introduction meeting at 10am on Wednesday 9th February, which is open to anyone interested in the project. You can find a link to book your free place on the meeting on the December 2021 RCfE newsletter: (https://mailchi.mp/943af4959f4a/rural-churches-for-everyone-newsletter).
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 20th January 2022
- Firstly, this is just a quick reminder that Kielder Community Association will be holding its annual Whist Drive at Falstone Village Hall on Thursday 27th January. The entrance fee includes supper and there will also be a raffle. The event starts at 7.30pm and is open to everyone.
- The next First Thursday Film will take place as usual at Tarset Village Hall on Thursday 3rd February. In honour of the late, great Sidney Poitier, who sadly passed away in early January this year, the film showing will be ‘The Defiant Ones’ – a 1958 American adventure drama which tells the story of two escaped prisoners, one black and one white (Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis) who are shackled together and who are therefore forced to co-operate in order to survive. The performances from both Poitier, Curtis and the rest of the cast (which also includes Lon Chaney Jr.) are excellent, and the film won multiple awards and universal critical acclaim. Doors and bar open at 7pm and the film will start at 7.30pm.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 13th January 2022
Well, they say ‘no news is good news’, although I’m not exactly sure that’s true for the residents of the Upper North Tyne, since there have certainly been some knock-on effects on social activities as a result of uncertainty surrounding the new COVID advice and restrictions. Some events have been able to go ahead with the appropriate protections in place, while many others have been cancelled as a precaution. Of course, all this means that I have very little in the way of news to share with you this week, except to tell you that Kielder Community Association is planning a Whist Drive at Falstone Village Hall on Thursday 27th January, starting at 7pm. If anything changes, the Village Notes will keep you informed.
In the meantime, here is just a quick reminder that if there is anything you would like me to include in the Village Notes (news and events etc.) please don’t hesitate to let me have your info via email address: [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 6th January 2022
No news this week, but I would just like to take a moment to say 'Happy New Year'! I'll admit I won't be entirely sorry to see the back of 2021 and I hope the coming year will bring better things for everyone, so best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022.
Don't forget to send me the info of anything you would like to have included in the Notes. Not everyone uses email/internet, so this is the best way to get your news and event info out to people who don't have access. As always, the email address to send your info to is: [email protected] and you will need to let me have any info on Sundays (at the latest) to be included in the following Thursday’s paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 30th December 2021
I hope you have all had a good Christmas and that you will all have happy New Year's celebrations tomorrow evening, and I also hope that 2022 brings better things and new opportunities for all of us!
I have no ‘official’ notes for you this week (possibly due to the as yet unknown situation regarding being able to socialise over the next few weeks), so I'd like to remind everyone that I am always very happy to include info about any local happenings in the Village Notes - whether in the form of news, events, notices (births, deaths, marriages, special birthdays), achievements, or simply things you think the community might like to know about, so please feel free to let me know about anything you think people might be interested in.
The email address to send your info to is: [email protected] and you will need to let me have any info on Sundays (at the latest) to be included in the following Thursday’s paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 23rd December 2021
- A message from St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, for those who aren’t already on the Tarset Mailing list:
“Just to let you know that we are planning to go ahead with our Candlelit Carol Service on the 23rd at 7pm unless guidance from the government or the church says otherwise. We have kept it shorter and simpler with less movement and no after-service mulled wine and socialising that would have been normal in other years, with the principal aim of keeping everyone safe. People will need to wear masks throughout, including when singing the Carols, so we have fewer Carols too. Please remember to bring a candle or torch to the service. I do hope you will feel able to come and join us and if you are planning to, could you reply to me either by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 240210, to let me know the expected numbers in your party so that we can plan accordingly.
We will also be having a Christmas Day Communion on the 25th at 11am and it is likely to be a less busy service if you are keen to attend a Christmas service but are worried about numbers. Can you let me know if you are planning to attend that too?”
- If you have anything you would like me to include in next week’s Village Notes (which will be issued on Thurs 30th December), please could you let me (email: [email protected] ) have your info on or by next Sunday (26th December - Boxing Day!) and in the meantime, I’d just like to say: have a very Merry Christmas!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 16th December 2021
- Sadly, under the circumstances, it was thought wise to postpone Tarset Village Hall's Parish Party (which was originally scheduled for Saturday 11th December) in light of new Covid restrictions coming into play. However, the event will be re-scheduled for a future date when it is deemed safe to do so, so please keep an eye open for Tarset mailings and follow the Village Hall’s facebook page for details of further events.
- On Friday, there will be a Christmas Lorry Parade, which will start at 5pm at Kielder and will make its way to Egger, stopping off at various points along the route: Stannersburn at 5.30pm, Bellingham at 6pm and Wark at 6.30pm. The parade aims to raise funds for two charities: Great North Air Ambulance and 'Santa's Little Helpers', which provides support for families in the North Tyne area who may be struggling at Christmas. In Bellingham, Fountain Cottage will be providing festive drinks and some free loaded potato skins. Thanks must go to all the Timber logging companies and their drivers who are kindly supporting this event. If you can't make it to one of the stop-off points, why not wrap up warm and go outside to give the parade a wave on its way past.
- Here’s a quick reminder that this coming Saturday (18th December) at 7.30pm, the North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society invite you to join them in St. Cuthbert’s Church, Bellingham, for “A Journey through Christmas”. The concert will also be streamed live to the Bellingham Deanery, so you can watch at home if you can’t make it to the live performance.
- There will be a Candlelit Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, on 23rd December at 7pm. As usual, wrap up warmly and bring your candles, lanterns and masks with you (as it stands at the moment, you will need to wear masks for the service, but you are still allowed to sing) and a torch is always useful for navigating the churchyard and lane.
- Christmas Day communion will be taking place at 11am on the 25th December at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, and all are welcome to this special service. Please note that the rules and restrictions may change yet again before Christmas, but if anything affects the services, the church will publish details as soon as possible.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 9th December 2021
- On Saturday 18th December at 7.30pm, you are invited to join the North Tyne and Redewater Choral Society for “A Journey through Christmas” in St Cuthbert’s Church, Bellingham. Please note, for those who are unable to get to the performance in person, it will be streamed, via Zoom, to the Bellingham Deanery, so you won’t have to miss out.
- Tonight (9th December), First Thursday Films will be screening its delayed showing of ‘Comfort and Joy’ - a genuinely funny 1984 Scottish comedy film about a radio disc jockey whose comfortable life undergoes a bizarre upheaval after he is dumped by his kleptomaniac girlfriend and having witnessed an attack on an ice cream van, unwittingly becomes embroiled in the struggle between two Italian families over the ice cream market in Glasgow. Doors and bar open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
- Sunday 12th December is the deadline for letting Chris have the details of anything you would like to see in print in the Winter edition of the Tarset Diary. Chris is also looking for (amongst many, many other things!) photos of your pets in festive dress for a ‘Pets’ Grotto’ feature, stories and photos of your experiences of Storm Arwen; any photos you may have of the glorious sunsets we’ve been having recently, and photos of Autumn landscapes around Tarset & Greystead. All news and photos should be sent to [email protected]
- On 23rd December at 7pm, it will be lovely to see the return of the Candlelit Carol Service at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn. Wrap up warmly and bring your candles or lanterns for the service (and a torch for the churchyard). There will also be a Christmas Communion service on Christmas Day at 11am.
- Finally, don't forget Tarset Village Hall's 'Christmas Social' on Saturday 11th December starting at 7.30pm. The evening is a celebration of both the brilliant community we live in and of festive season. The bar will be open and there will be a 'pooled supper’, music and raffle with all profits going to support the West Northumberland Foodbank. There is no charge on the door - just bring yourselves, some supper and of course, some cash for a good cause!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 2nd December 2021
Sadly, due to the fact that none of us in the area have had power, mobile signal or internet for the past three days, I haven’t been able to send in my usual Village Notes to the Courant, so there won’t be any in this Thursday's paper. However, power was restored last night, so below are the notes that I would have sent in had I been able to submit them...!
- Applications for project funding between £750 - £2k are currently being invited by the Bellingham Fund at the Community Foundation, Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. The Bellingham Fund is a small Community Foundation fund that makes grants in support of community activity in in Bellingham and the North Tyne Valley. As its name suggests, The fund primarily provides benefit to the Bellingham community, including Greenhaugh, Lanehead and Greystead areas, and support to this community will be prioritised over projects elsewhere in the North Tyne valley. Closing date for applications is 26th January and applicants are invited to apply online via the following address: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/group_grant/supporting-community-activity-in-bellingham-and-the-north-tyne-valley/
- Kielder Community Association ‘s Christmas Bingo Night will be taking place in Falstone Village Hall on Thursday 2nd December. The event starts at 7.00 pm and everyone is very welcome.
- On Friday 10th December 2021 at Falstone Village Hall, the Northumberland Theatre Company will be performing their Christmas Show for 2021: “Alice in Wonderland”. Doors and bar open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start and tickets are available on the door.
- Kielder Community Association’s Pantomime trip to the Theatre Royal in Newcastle to see "Snow White", will take place on Saturday 8th January 2022. For further information and to book your place on the trip, please contact June Banks 01434 240311 (between 9 am and 4 pm)
- A quick reminder that BADDS’ Christmas production of Whisky Galore starts this week and runs nightly from Wednesday 1st through to Saturday 4th at Bellingham Town Hall, with doors and bar opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start each evening. Tickets are available from Bellingham’s Country Store, though I’m not sure how many will be left.
- Tarset Village Hall is holding a Christmas Social on Saturday 11th December, starting at 7.30pm. The evening is intended as an informal celebration of the festive season and there will be a licensed bar, a 'pooled supper’, music and a raffle, with all profits being donated to the West Northumberland Foodbank. There is no charge on the door, just bring yourselves, a contribution to the supper, and of course, some cash (please note that cards can now be accepted at the bar)!
- If you do have anything you would like to see included in the Village Notes, please email the info to me on or before the Sunday before the Thursday paper goes out (anything received later than 8pm on the Sunday will have to be deferred until the following week). You can include anything you like that you think local folks might be interested in – news, views, events, announcements, etc. – and the only limit is that I only have 250 words each week in total. The email address to send info to is [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 25th November 2021
- St. Peter’s church would like to thank everyone who came to the Christmas Fair last Saturday. Vital funds were raised but most importantly, it was lovely for the community to get together and special thanks must go to the volunteers and stall holders, without whom this event would not have been possible. In the evening, following on from the Fair, Festive Falstone was also a wonderful event and thanks must go to the organisers, to all those in the community who contributed and/or supported it, to Santa Claus for visiting the children, and to his elves for giving out the Christmas gifts. The Christmas lights look wonderful in the Jubilee Park this year, too!
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be running a number of services over the Advent and Christmas season, starting with Advent Parish Worship on Sunday 28th November at 6pm, a Candlelit Carol Service 23rd December at 7pm and Christmas Communion on Christmas Day at 11am.
- Tickets for BADDS’ Christmas production of Whisky Galore are on sale at the Country Store in Bellingham and are selling fast. Performances are on Weds 1st, Thurs 2nd, Fri 3rd and Sat 4th December at Bellingham Town Hall, with doors and bar opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start each evening.
- Finally, here's a quick reminder that Kielder Community Association will be holding its Christmas Bingo Night in Falstone Village Hall on Thursday 2nd December. The event starts at 7.00 pm and everyone is very welcome.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 18th November 2021
- St Aidan’s church, Thorneyburn, is offering a special Advent Sunday service to help prepare us for Christmas. Parish worship will be held on Sunday 28th November at 6pm and everyone is welcome to go along to St Aidan’s and join in.
- Kielder Community Association will be holding its popular Christmas Bingo Night in Falstone Village Hall on Thursday 2nd December. The event starts at 7.00 pm and everyone is very welcome.
- On Friday 10th December 2021 at Falstone Village Hall, the Northumberland Theatre Company will be performing their Christmas Show for 2021: “Alice in Wonderland”. Doors and bar open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start, and tickets are available on the door.
- Kielder Community Association’s Pantomime trip to the Theatre Royal in Newcastle to see "Snow White" will take place on Saturday 8th January 2022. For further information and to book your place on the trip, please contact June Banks 01434 240311 (between 9 am and 4 pm)
- Monday nights at Tarset Village Hall are once again alive with Dancing! All ages and abilities are welcome and you can just turn up to any session and join in – the sessions start at 7.30pm.
- On Saturday 20th November, St Peter’s Church Christmas Fair runs from 2–4pm, followed by ‘Festive Falstone’ with carol singing, Christmas craft activities at the Village Hall and the official switching on of the Christmas Lights at Jubilee Park. In addition, the Tearooms are offering late night opening and a festive menu, and the Blackcock Inn will be open. Please note that the tickets for Santa’s Grotto are all sold out.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 11th November 2021
- Churches Together in Falstone are holding their Remembrance Service on Sunday 14th November. The service starts at 10.50am at the Cenotaph in the cemetery, and continues in St Peter's Church afterwards. People far and wide have been knitting poppies to celebrate the Centenary of the Royal British Legion and these will be displayed at the cenotaph, outside St Peter's, and inside the church itself.
- If you were unable to get to the ‘Living Off-Grid’ meeting (run by the Rural Development Centre and supported by Community Action Northumberland) which took place at Tarset Village Hall last Thursday, but would like to contact the project's organisers to find out more, they say please do get in touch. Tarset 2050 CIC (although not involved in the project itself) has the numbers to contact so please feel free to email [email protected] if you would like the relevant contact info.
- A quick reminder that tickets for BADDS’ Christmas production of Whisky Galore are now on sale at the Country Store in Bellingham. Due to COVID safety measures, ticket numbers are limited, so you may want to book early to make sure you can get your place(s). Performances are on Weds 1st, Thurs 2nd, Fri 3rd and Sat 4th December at Bellingham Town Hall, with doors and bar opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 4th November 2021
- A quick reminder that tomorrow night is Bonfire Night and the Kielder Village Bonfire & Firework Display starts at 6pm, with the firework display starting at 7pm. There will be a BBQ, and refreshments will be available, so if you’re going along, wrap up warmly, take a chair with you if needed and enjoy the evening.
- Tonight’s First Thursday Films screening will be “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” - a moving and fascinating French biographical drama based on the true memoir of Elle editor, Jean-Dominique Bauby, which documents his life following a massive stroke that left him with a condition known as locked-in syndrome. Doors and bar open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
- Tickets for BADDS’ Christmas production of Whisky Galore are now on sale at the Country Store in Bellingham (no online or telephone bookings are available for this production). Due to COVID safety measures, ticket numbers are somewhat limited for this production, so early booking is advised. The performances will take place in Bellingham Town Hall on Weds 1st, Thurs 2nd, Fri 3rd and Sat 4th December and should be just the thing to get you in the mood for the start of the holiday season! Doors and bar will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
- If you have any local news you would like to see publicised in the Village Notes, the email address to send your info to is: [email protected]. I will need info by the end of Sunday to be able to include it in Thursday’s paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 28th October 2021
- Bonfire night fun for all the family in Kielder. The Kielder Village Bonfire & Firework Display will be on Friday 5th November. Doors open at 6pm and the display will start at 7pm. BBQ & Refreshments will be available – but it may be cold so wrap up warmly and bring a chair if needed. Smaller items for the bonfire may be left at the side of the playing field but if you have larger/bulkier items, please contact Tom Grimwood (Tel: 250240), who will arrange collection.
- Tired of being disconnected? An initiative to help anyone still living off-grid is underway, and you are invited to a meeting in Tarset Village Hall, on Thursday, November 4th from 4-6pm. The Rural Design Centre (RDC) team, who are now working on the issue alongside Community Action Northumberland (CAN), would like to start by talking with you about the specific day-to-day problems you face, to see what help can be offered until long-term solutions are possible. If you can't make it on the 4th but would like to be kept informed, please let Tarset 2050 CIC know via [email protected]
- On 4th November, First Thursday Films will be screening a moving and utterly compelling film “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”, an award-winning French biographical drama based on the memoir of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, which documents the story of his life following a massive stroke that left him with a condition known as locked-in syndrome. Doors and bar open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 21st October 2021
- Congratulations to Dev Capps and Andrew Byrom, the “Tarset’s Pointless” champions for 2021. Huge thanks must go to all the contestants who took part, to everyone who went along to Tarset Village Hall to support the evening and particularly to all those who organised and ran the event. Over £750 was raised for the Great North Air Ambulance.
- A quick reminder that the Harvest Festival Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, takes place at 6pm this Sunday, being followed by a Soup Swap. The church is also collecting for the Hexham Food Bank and donations of tins and dried goods/non-perishables are needed this year more than ever. You can leave contributions either at the church itself or at Horsley Cottage, opposite the pub.
- The afternoon of Tuesday 26th October sees a Soup and Pudding Social in Tarset Village Hall (from 12pm to 2pm), organised by St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn. Additional volunteers would be very much appreciated (soup-makers, waiters, general helpers, and/or raffle prize donors), so if you think you might be able to help, or you would like any further info, please let Caroline know (240210).
- I am always more than happy to include info about local happenings in the Village Notes, so if you have any events or local news you would like to see publicised in the Village Notes, please feel free to let me know about anything you think people might be interested in knowing about. The email address to send your info to is: [email protected].
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 14th October 2021
St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, is holding its Harvest Festival Service on Sunday 24th October, and the service will be followed by its traditional Soup Swap. The church will be decorated for the service and enthusiastic decorators/helpers are very welcome to come along on Thurs 21st October at midday. Flowers and refreshments will be provided but gifts of produce and extra greenery would be very much appreciated. The church is also collecting for the Hexham Food Bank so tins and dried goods would be most welcome and are needed this year more than ever. You can leave contributions at the church at any time that week or at Caroline’s, Horsley Cottage opposite the pub.
Fresh Produce left over from the Harvest Festival Service will be used to make soups for an afternoon Soup and Pudding Social in Tarset Village Hall on Tuesday 26th October (12pm - 2pm) and everyone is most welcome. The ‘Soup and Pud’ Social is a great event and was very much missed last year. Anyone who would like to help will be most welcome, so anyone who feels they would be able to help with the Harvest Festival Service, the Soup and Pud Social (whether as cooks, waiters or general helpers), would be able to donate raffle prizes or could help with anything else, please let Caroline (240210) know.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 7th October 2021
- Tonight's First Thursday Films’ screening will be ‘Next Goal Wins’, a moving and uplifting adaptation of the 2014 documentary chronicling the national football team of American Samoa's attempts to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup following the indignity of a crushing defeat (the worst defeat in World Cup history) at the hands of Australia, and with headlines all over the world dubbing them 'the worst team on the planet'. Even if you don't like football, this is definitely one to watch! Thursday 7th October, Tarset Village Hall, 7.30pm (doors and bar open from 7pm).
- Tarset's Pointless 2 takes place at 7pm on Saturday 9th October in Tarset Village Hall. Please come and support eight gallant competitor couples as they raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance. Ticket price includes ‘soup and pud’ supper. Further info from Malcolm Brodie via [email protected]
- St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be holding its next Parish Communion Service (with Hymns) this Sunday at 3pm. In addition, it will be holding its Harvest Festival Service at 6pm on Sunday 24th October, which will be followed by a Soup Swap. The church is also collecting tins and other non-perishable goods for the Food Bank. All donations are gratefully received and are needed more than ever at the moment, with the reduction in Universal Credit top-ups coinciding with huge fuel hikes, which are likely to put even more families into food and fuel poverty over the next few months. Please give Caroline a call if you need any further information on where/how to donate (on 240210)
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 30th September 2021
- Supported by Parkside Pharmacy in Bellingham, a local COVID vaccination site is opening in the Masonic Hall (Manchester Square) in Bellingham from Monday 4th October. Appointments for the clinics are open for booster jabs, and for both first and second jabs for those who haven’t yet received them - including those in the 16-17 age group. Appointments for the clinics can be booked through the national booking system (www.nhs.uk) or by calling 119 - although you won’t be able to book a place for your boosters until 6 months after your second dose. Further info can be found in the North Tyne and Redesdale Community Hub on Facebook.
- A quick reminder that the official opening and blessing of the new steps linking Cuddy’s well and the churchyard at St. Cuthbert’s, Bellingham will be taking place this Sunday at 3pm. New signs and information boards have been installed both at the well and in the churchyard, giving more information about the history of the church and of Cuddy’s Well itself. Everyone is welcome to come along and help celebrate the occasion.
- First Thursday Films’ next screening will be ‘The Next Goal Wins’, a 2014 documentary chronicling the national football team of American Samoa and their attempts to qualify for the 201 FIFA World Cup following the indignity of a crushing defeat at the hands of Australia. Whether you like football or not, this is definitely worth a watch! Thurs 7th October, Tarset Village Hall, 7.30pm (doors and bar open from 7pm).
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 23rd September 2021
- Churches Together in Falstone will be holding their Harvest Service at St Peter’s Church on Sunday 26th September. The service starts at 11am and will be held outside, weather permitting. There will be collections taken of non-perishable goods for the West Northumberland Food Bank and also of clothes for the refugees from Afghanistan, so please feel free to bring items with you – donations will be gratefully received.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 16th September 2021
- Your opportunity to come along and watch Tarset’s Pointless 2 in action, will be on the 9th October 2021 at Tarset Village Hall. Why not go along and support the valiant teams of competitors as they take part in the struggle to identify the least well-known answers to their quiz questions! The event is for a very good cause, with profits going to the Northumberland Air Ambulance. There will be a ‘Soup and Pud’ supper available and an exciting raffle with some excellent prizes! For further details, prices and times, please contact [email protected]
- I am always happy to include all your info about news and events in our area in the Village Notes, so if you have anything you would like to see publicised in the Village Notes, please do feel free to let me have anything you think people might be interested in knowing about - events, celebrations, success stories, funny info – all is welcome. The email address to send your info to is: [email protected].
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 9th September 2021
The Tarset & District Leek Show took place in the Village Hall on the 4th September and despite this year’s heat and lack of rain making for a difficult growing season, there were plenty of flowers and vegetables to admire. Thanks must go to the Ukulele Band, to all those who donated special raffle prizes and to all the volunteers at the Village Hall for the efforts they put into making the day a success.
- John Davies, from Bellingham, won the cups for both the most points in the floral section and for the Best Floral Exhibit, although he faced keen competition from the other section winners (David Thirlwell, Robin Banks, Norma Blackith, Michael Dickinson, Sharon Walton, Caroline Waitt, Jill Swaile and Jenny Swaile). There were also some magnificent floral baskets, with Jenny Swaile winning the section with stiff competition from Jill Swaile and Margaret Bird.
- The Industrial section produced some very tasty-looking entries, with Sheila Brodie, Jenny Swaile and Jill Swaile being the main winners, while in the gents’ baking section, David Lucas took bragging rights, with Alan Swaile and Philip Spottiswood also producing some impressive cakes.
- The winner of the Leek show was Raymond Reay, who also won Best Leek in Show, narrowly beating John Herron and Roy Bell, while Amanda Lucas was the noteworthy winner of the Best Ladies’ Leek.
- The main winners of the Vegetable classes were Clive Hymers, Kelly Coulson, John Herron, Margaret Bird, Robin Banks and Jeff Mills.
Additional thanks must go to the auctioneer, who managed to extract much-needed funds from a generous (and somewhat competitive) crowd, and to all who attended and gave so generously of their time, produce and money to support the show.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 26th August 2021
- Tarset Village Hall sees the long-awaited and very welcome return of First Thursday Films on Thurs 2nd September 2021, with a showing of the much-loved classic 1988 fantasy comedy ‘Big’. Josh Baskin (Tom Hanks) is a young boy who finds a vintage fortune-telling machine and makes a wish to be ‘big’ so he can impress the girl he has a huge crush on. When he wakes up the following morning, he finds that his wish has miraculously been granted and he now has an adult body. The only trouble is that inside, he’s still the same 12-year-old boy and perhaps predictably, chaos ensues. The film has become a comedy classic for good reason - Tom Hanks is brilliant as Josh and there is an excellent supporting cast. The film was nominated for both Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards and Hanks won a Golden Globe for Best Actor for this role. Admission will stay at £4 as usual, and for further info and timings, please contact John Holland via [email protected]
- Work on the new steps to St Cuthbert’s (Cuddy’s) Well, Bellingham, has now been completed, and the improved access between St Cuthbert’s Church and the well now forms the final stage of the St Cuthbert’s Three-Church Trail. New signs and information boards have also been installed at the well and in the churchyard, giving more information about the history of the church and of Cuddy’s Well itself. There will be an official opening and blessing on Sunday 3rd October 2021 at 3pm and the service will be followed by refreshments. Everyone is welcome to come along and help celebrate, but it would be very helpful for the volunteers to know in advance exactly how many people are likely to attend so they know how much food they will need to prepare...so if you would like to be there, please RSVP by 27th September to Cath Brennand at [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 19th August 2021
- A date for your diaries: Saturday 9th October 2021 – keep your evening free so you can come along and support the valiant competitors as they take part in Tarset’s Pointless 2! The whole evening is for a very good cause - with profits going to the Northumberland Air Ambulance - and there will be a ‘soup and pud’ supper and an exciting raffle (there were some excellent prizes last time)!
- VARC’s ENTWINED: Rural.Land.Lives.Art programme culminates this September with an exhibition at Highgreen from 4th - 12th September. There will be a range of incredible art on show from the eight ENTWINED artists including print, drawing, painting and moving image. The work is based on the idea of what makes 'place' and the interconnectedness of nature and culture. 2021 also marks VARC's 21st anniversary, so this exhibition will be a very special one! Please contact Helen Pailing for further details: [email protected] Further info can also be found on the VARC website: https://varc.org.uk/end-of-programme-exhibition-at-highgreen-4th-12th-september/
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 12th August 2021
- I am always happy to include your info about news and events in our area in the Village Notes, so if you have anything you would like to see publicised in the Village Notes, you will need to let me have any details/info/posters by close of play on the Sunday before the Thursday paper goes out each week (the timings are due to the paper’s deadlines). Not everyone is part of email lists or accesses local information online and the info in the courant is therefore very useful for various folks, so please do feel free to let me have anything you think people might be interested in knowing about - events, celebrations, success stories, funny info – all is welcome. The email address to send your info to is: [email protected].
- The Tarset and District Leek Show will take place at Tarset Village Hall on Saturday 4th September and entries for all classes are now being invited - with new competitors being very welcome. Please contact Jeff Mills (show secretary) on 240302 to register your entries, for details about classes, for further information and for programmes.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 5th August 2021
- The Tarset and District Leek Show will be returning to Tarset on Saturday 4th September at Tarset Village Hall. Entries for all classes are invited (please note that entries for the Leek and Onion categories are limited to Leek Club members) and new competitors are always very welcome. This year, the Flowers and Industrial categories will be open once more, and this year’s ‘gentlemen-only’ cake section will be Sultana Cake, to a recipe of your own choosing! Please contact Jeff Mills, Show Secretary, on 240302 for further information and programmes.
- A quick reminder that there will be a Communion Service at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, this coming Sunday (8th August) at 3pm. The service will be followed by a picnic Social (weather and midge permitting), with entertainment from the Tarset Ceilidh Band. You will also be given the opportunity to take part in planting wildflower seeds for the creation of the new wildflower meadow. Everyone is welcome, so bring your own picnic and chair(s) as well as your face coverings for inside the church.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 29th July 2021
- There will be a Communion Service at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, on Sunday 8th August at 3pm. The service will be followed by a picnic Social (weather and midge permitting), with entertainment from the Tarset Ceilidh Band. In addition, the church hopes to start planting wildflower seeds in the unused part of the churchyard, towards the back of the church, with the aim of creating a wildflower meadow. Everyone is welcome, so bring your own picnic and chair(s). You will need to be prepared to still adhere to social distancing advice and to wear a face covering indoors.
- Tarset’s Lockdown Arts, Crafts and Photo Exhibition opens at the Village Hall this weekend, so don’t miss out on the chance to see what the amazingly talented community has been making during the lockdown period. The hall will be open on Sunday from 2-5pm (with cream teas available!), throughout the week from 10-11.30am and 5-7pm daily, and on Saturday 7th August from 2-6pm. Visitors will be able to select their favourites in each category for the ‘People’s Choice’ awards, which will be announced on Saturday 7th August. Further details are listed on the Tarset Website (https://www.tarset.co.uk/community/events/event.cfm/event/1678).
- Finally, a quick reminder that if you would like to have your news and views for our area published in the Village Notes, please let me have your details/info/posters, etc. by close of play on the Sunday before the Thursday paper goes out each week. The email address to send your info to is: [email protected].
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 22nd July 2021
Details of the forthcoming Lockdown Arts, Crafts and Photo Exhibition to be held at Tarset Village Hall from 1st to 7th August have now been released! The hall will be open from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 31st July for exhibitors to bring along and display their entries (which they will need to reclaim on Sunday 8th August) and the exhibition itself will formally open on Sunday 1st August from 2pm – 5pm, with cream and Prosecco teas available. Thereafter, it will be open 10am-11.30am and 5pm-7pm daily until Friday 6th August. On Saturday 7th August, the exhibition will be open from 2pm – 6pm and the event will finish with the announcement of the ‘People’s Favourite’ in each category. It is still not too late to enter, so if you are planning to exhibit, please let John Holland know in advance so the hall can make sure there is enough space for all the entries.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 15th July 2021
- As part of VARC's ‘ENTWINED’ programme, artist Bridget Kennedy is currently in residence at Bellingham Heritage Centre, where you can see her work in progress on Saturday 17th July 1-4pm. Tea and cake from the Carriages tearoom will be provided, as well as admission into the Heritage Centre itself. There’s no need to book in advance and the event is free, although donations will be appreciated. More details about Bridget's work can be found in VARC’s latest newsletter as well as on her page on the VARC website. Bridget is also looking for help with her research and is keen to hear from local weavers as well as anyone who has knowledge of, or connections to, Otterburn Mill. If you think you can help, please get in touch with Bridget on [email protected]. News about the other artists in VARC’s current programme of residencies can also be found on the website and although some of the artists’ projects have had their intended scope somewhat altered by COVID restrictions, residencies at Tarset Village Hall, Unison Colour and Kielder Wildwood have already taken place earlier this year and the artists have been getting involved in community life/events as much as they have been allowed to.
- Meanwhile, if you have any news or views for the Village Notes, please can you remember to let me have your info by close of play on the Sunday before the Thursday paper goes out each week. The email address to send your info to is: [email protected] and it helps if it's clearly marked as HC Village Notes (or something along those lines!). Not everyone is part of local email lists, and not everyone can accesses local information online, so having the info in the Courant is very useful for various folks.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 8th July 2021
Those of you who are registered for the Tarset Mailing list will already know that Tarset Village Hall has now been able to set the new date for the oft-postponed and long-awaited Art, Craft and Photo Lockdown Exhibition. The purpose of the exhibition is to show off the local community’s creative talents as they have been applied during the ‘lockdown’. There are three broad categories - Art, Craft and Photography - and the only rule is that any entries must have been undertaken after the 23rd March 2020. The exhibition will run from Sunday 1st to Saturday 7th August 2021. The hall will be opened on Saturday 31st July for all entrants to bring along their entries (which must be pre-registered with John) ready for viewing at the opening on Sunday. If you have already let John know details of your entries, there is no need to contact him again. However, if you are planning to enter something additional/new and haven’t yet let him know, then please make sure to email him (via [email protected]) with the number and categories of any creations you are planning to enter. There is no limit to the number of entries from any individual! Further details about the official opening of the exhibition will be sent out nearer the time.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 1st July 2021
“There are 21 American states whose name ends with an ‘A’. Of the100 people who were asked to name one, most people responded with ‘California’…but can you guess which state got the lowest number of responses?” For those who think they know (answers will be published soon via Tarset Mailing), it’s time to put your general knowledge to the test. The brilliantly fun and long-awaited “Tarset’s Pointless II” will be returning to the Village Hall on Saturday 9th October 2021 (Covid rules permitting) and eight teams of 2 contestants are needed. Why not have a go! Please contact Malcolm Brodie on 240403 or [email protected] for further details.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 24th June 2021
Following last week’s announcement concerning further delays in the easing of lockdown restrictions, Tarset Village Hall Committee has reluctantly decided to postpone the ‘Lockdown Arts, Crafts and Photo Exhibition’ which was scheduled for 4th -10th July. Whilst the regulations would allow the hall to stage the exhibition and open for viewing with limited numbers and social distancing measures, the committee really wants the exhibition opening and closing to be social events under as normal conditions as possible and therefore feels that the event should not go ahead until people are allowed to meet and socialise safely. Please keep your eyes open for the new dates, which will be published in due course. In the meantime, the hall will be open for bookings, provided these comply with the prevailing regulations and the COVID cleaning rules (which have been put in place by the hall both to meet the legislative requirements and to make sure the hall is as safe as possible for all its users) are adhered to. It is also worth mentioning that it is the event organisers/hall hirers will be responsible for ensuring the implementation of and compliance with the prevailing COVID restrictions for their event(s), so if you want to book the hall and have any queries about what that entails, please email [email protected]. The hall's requirements and the relevant rules (in place, it is expected, until the 19th July) are listed on the Tarset Website (https://www.tarset.co.uk/community/villagehall.cfm).
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 17th June 2021
This week, there’s just a small reminder that in order for me to include your info about news and events in our area in the Village Notes, you will need to let me have your details/info/posters, etc. by close of play on the Sunday before the Thursday paper goes out each week. The email address to send your info to is: [email protected]. Not everyone is part of email lists or accesses local information online, so the info in the courant is useful for various folks in the area. Please feel free to forward anything you think might be interesting to the community.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 3rd June 2021
- There will be a Communion service at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, on Sunday 13th June (2nd Sunday after Trinity) at 2.00pm. Please remember to bring your masks with you, as the social distancing restrictions and rules still need to be applied until at least the 21st June. The service is open to everyone in the community, so please do feel free to go along if you would like to.
- Just a quick reminder that in order for me to include your info about news and events in our area in the Village Notes, you will need to let me have your details/info/posters, etc. by close of play on the Sunday before the Thursday paper goes out each week. The email address to send your info to is: [email protected] and it’s worth remembering that not everyone is part of email lists or accesses local information online, so the info in the courant is useful for various folks! Please feel free to forward anything you think might be interesting to the community.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 27th May 2021
- St Peter’s Church, Falstone, is introducing its new regular pattern of Services. Parish Worship, led by Marie and Jill (authorised in Lay Ministry) will take place at 11am on the first Sunday of each month, and on the third Sunday of each month, there will be a Parish Communion Service at 8.30am. If you would like the zoom code for online services, please email the Rev Sarah Lunn (Rural Dean) on [email protected]. Everyone is very welcome, whether online or in person.
- St Peter’s Church Falstone will also be the venue for the Bellingham Deanery Outdoor Creation Service on Sunday 30th May 2021. The service starts at 2pm and everyone is welcome – you are allowed to bring a chair (deckchairs welcome!) if you wish to sit down during the service.
- Just a reminder that if you have anything you would like to see included in the next edition of the Tarset Diary, the deadline is Friday 18th June 2021. There is still time to submit any funny or interesting stories, memories of Tarset & Greystead, photographs, info about Birthdays, births, anniversaries, remembrance notices, etc. Also, if any newcomers to the community wish to introduce themselves, then now’s the chance. Please send all info to Chris at the new email address: [email protected]
- The Boe Rigg is currently looking for experienced bar and waiting staff, cleaners, kitchen assistants and a gardener/maintenance person. For further information about any of the jobs available, please contact 01434 240663
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 20th May 2021
- The Boe Rigg is now open for diners wishing to eat inside (you may need to book a table in advance), and will be following the government’s strict ‘rule of six’ guidelines. Of course, hardy souls are still very welcome to eat outside, and the usual rules apply wherever you choose to eat: please wait to be seated until you are asked to do so (this gives the staff the chance to sanitise the tables for you – there are signs to tell you which tables are still awaiting sanitisation) and it will be waiter service only. Hopefully, the rules will be relaxed in five weeks, but in the meantime, please be patient – the owners and staff are working their hardest to make sure you stay safe and things may take a little longer than usual.
- Meanwhile, don’t forget to let me know if you have anything you would like to see published in the Courant’s Village Notes (via email [email protected]). You will need to let me have your news/events/etc. by close of play on the Sunday before the Thursday paper goes out each week. Please don’t assume I will automatically find out about news and events…I’d much rather have two or three people telling me about the same event than miss out something important for the area.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 13th May 2021
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Falstone Tennis Club are holding an open meeting to discuss the future of the tennis court in Falstone. A socially-distanced meeting will take place at the court on Thursday 13th May at 7pm. If you are unable to attend, but would either like to be involved in the discussion or have any ideas to contribute, please contact Helen Banks and let her know your thoughts.
- If you have anything you would like to see published in the Courant’s Village Notes, please let me know (via email [email protected]) by close of play on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week. Not everyone in the area has online access or is part of the local Mailing lists, so the Courant is the ideal way to let people know about events, invites and local news. If you let me know about things, I can include them in the notes - so please do let me know if there's anything you would like to publicise or even just to share with the rest of the community...particularly as it looks like we may be on track to see a limited lifting of restrictions from 17th May and the total lifting of restrictions from June 21st, allowing the welcome return of a number of regular activities and entertainment in community buildings and businesses in the area.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 29th April 2021
- The Heritage Centre, Bellingham, is looking to recruit new Trustees, Committee Members and Volunteers. If you, or someone you know would be interested, please don’t hesitate to contact Steve Gibbon ([email protected]), and more information about the roles and opportunities the Heritage Centre has to offer can be found on its website here: https://bellingham-heritage.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering.html. The Centre continues to hold some of its committee meetings online, so distance is therefore no barrier to getting involved - whether as a Trustee/Committee Member or for some of the other volunteer roles. Anything from a short time each month to more involved project work would be really appreciated.
- The deadline for copy to be included in the Summer edition of the Tarset Diary is Friday 18th June 2021, and any interesting stories, photos, birthdays, weddings, parties, jokes, anniversaries, remembrances etc., would be most welcome. June sounds a long way off, but time passes so quickly (especially at this time of year!) and with a bit of luck and a following wind, we may even be able to meet up in person and start to get some of our community groups back together close to that date. The email address to send information to is: [email protected]
- In the meantime, if you have anything you would like to see published in the Courant’s Village Notes, please let me know (via email [email protected]) by close of play on the Sunday before the paper goes out each week.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 22nd April 2021
- The Bellingham Fund is currently open for small (£750 - £2000) funding applications. It is a small Community Foundation fund which makes grants in support of community activity in Bellingham and the North Tyne Valley (including Greenhaugh, Lanehead and Greystead areas). So if you have any projects that need funding, please visit their website for further information and details of how to apply. https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/group_grant/supporting-community-activity-in-bellingham-and-the-north-tyne-valley/
- The next service at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be Communion on Sunday 9th May and it will be followed by the APCM (the AGM of the Parochial Church Council (PCC)). The church would welcome more members on the PCC and if anyone would like to join Caroline Waitt as churchwarden, she would be delighted. Everyone who is on the electoral roll can attend this meeting and everyone in the parish can attend the first part of it - you will all be very welcome to attend. Please contact Caroline ([email protected]) for further information.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 15th April 2021
VARC is delighted to welcome a limited number of visitors in person to a Work in Progress Open Studios event at Highgreen on Saturday 24th April 2021, which will feature works in progress by artists in residence Catriona Gallagher and Shane Finan. The event is free to attend, but it is essential that you book online in advance via the Eventbrite online booking system (via the VARC website – link below), or by contacting [email protected] who will be able to book a time on your behalf. Visitors will be able to view a selection of the artists’ current work and will have the chance to meet and discuss the works with the artists. To ensure compliance with current lockdown restrictions and to maintain safe social distancing, attendance will be limited to six visitors per time slot. Please wear a face mask during your visit unless you are exempt, and understand that VARC will not be able to admit you outside of your pre-booked time unless places are still available for a different time slot. Contact [email protected] for assistance and more information. Further info can be found here: https://www.varc.org.uk/work-in-progress-open-studios-catriona-gallagher-shane-finan/
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 8th April 2021
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be holding an Easter Communion Service at St Aidan’s tomorrow (Friday 9th April) at 4pm and everyone is welcome to attend (the service will be socially distanced and safe for people to attend). It will also be Elaine Ryder’s last service before she begins her placement at Hexham Abbey to complete her curacy, so it is a chance to send her off with good wishes for the last part of her training. Children are invited to make an ‘Easter Garden on a plate or tray’ which can be left at the church before the Easter Service and all entries will be blessed during the service.
- What do you want from your new Rector? Churches Together is in the process of preparing a Parish Profile for a new Rector for North Tyne and Redesdale, which will be given out to prospective candidates. Your thoughts on the qualities you would look for in a new vicar, and what you think is special about your church and community, would be very welcome! You can get more information from Caroline Waitt, but you may need to be quick, as there is a tight deadline and she will need your completed responses by 12th April.
- The next Great North Air Ambulance Collection will be on Wednesday 14th April. As last time, a vehicle from the Great North Ambulance will be parked outside (so that all bags can be put directly into the vans) Falstone from 10am-10.45am and Tarset Village Hall from 11am-11.45am.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 1st April 2021
- The bells at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, rang out at noon last Wednesday (the 24th March) on the Marie Curie Day of Remembrance, to mark a year since the beginning of the first lockdown and to remember all those who have lost their lives during this strange and difficult year.
- As the restrictions start to ease and activities and businesses start to open up again, it is worth remembering that not everybody has access to online information, so if you have any news or events you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it so I can make sure your information is included. All you need to do is email your info to [email protected] by close of play on a Sunday so it can be included in the Thursday paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 25th March 2021
- The next Great North Air Ambulance Collection will be on Wednesday 14th April. As last time, a vehicle from the Great North Ambulance will be parked outside the usual venues, so that all bags can be put directly into the vans. No official bags will be distributed for this collection, so please put clothing/fabrics, etc. in any adequate bag and tie it securely to avoid any spillage. Books should be put in separate bags and the same applies to mobile phones, CDs, cassettes and print cartridges (again, please tie these bags). The GNAA are also now collecting used postage stamps now so if you have any to donate, please put them in a separate packet to be given to the driver. These collections provide a really valuable source of revenue for GNAA, so it’s a great opportunity to get rid of things that have accumulated during lockdown. In our area, the vans will be at Falstone from 10am - 10.45am and at Tarset Village Hall from 11am-11.45am.
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be holding an Easter Communion Service at St Aidan’s on Friday 9th April at 4pm and everyone is welcome to attend (it has been carefully planned to be socially distanced and safe). It will also be Elaine Ryder’s last service as curate before she begins her placement at Hexham Abbey to complete her curacy, so it is a chance to send her off with prayers and good wishes for the last part of her training.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 18th March 2021
Some lovely things have been happening in Falstone, Greenhaugh and Thorneyburn over the course of last weekend. Once again, it has not been possible for the region’s churches to celebrate Mothering Sunday this year and in fact, the weekend marks a full year of being in various forms of lockdown, since the Mothering Sunday service last year was the first to be cancelled at the beginning of the COVID restrictions. Volunteers from Churches Together marked this year’s Mothering Sunday by putting together numerous cheerful bunches of daffodils (the youngest of Falstone’s helpers was just 5 years old), which were left outside the URC (Falstone), St Aidan’s (Thorneyburn) and in Greenhaugh, for all members of the community to collect free of charge - either for themselves or drop off at the gates of others in the community who might like them. It was a lovely gesture which will hopefully have provided moments of cheer for residents and is yet another small example of the sense of caring and community which has helped make bearable what has been a challenging year for many. If the easing of restrictions goes ahead as planned, each church will be allowed to hold an Easter Communion Service during Easter Week, although dates are yet to be decided.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 11th March 2021
- Tarset Community Orchard needs some help with maintenance and pruning but as we are still in lockdown, it has not been possible to organise the annual pruning session this year. Although the Trees are in good shape after three years of pruning and expert advice from Peter Samsom, the Apple trees (although not the plums, as they need to be pruned in Summer) would benefit from some work on broken and/or crossing branches. If, on your daily exercise, you fancy slipping some pruning scissors into your coat pocket and calling in at the orchard to prune a few trees it would be much appreciated. If you aren’t sure what to do or have any questions, please give Caroline and Libby a call and they will be able to let you know what still needs to be done.
- If you have anything you would like to see in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it so I can make sure all your news and events are included. All you need to do is email your info to [email protected] by close of play on a Sunday so it can be included in the Thursday paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 4th March 2021
If you are looking for plants and have some to spare yourself, the new Plant Swap group (which is open to folks from the whole Upper North Tyne, Bellingham, Rochester and Otterburn areas), is going from strength to strength, with 100 members already. Its aim is to help people find hardy plants that work up here and reduce plant miles and consumables in order not to cost the earth literally or figuratively. The group has seen some great perennial herbs swapped already, and with the sowing and planting season almost upon us, it is hoped that more and more people will appreciate the chance to get locally-grown plants. Arrangements can be made to leave the plants to be swapped by a garden gates, so that nobody has to come close to each other. You can join the facebook group for further info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1029464037527993
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 25th February 2021
- The grass-cutting contract for Falstone Parish is up for tender and applications are welcomed. The contract is for one year initially, but can be extended to three years. For further details, please contact Mrs Josephine Sanderson, Clerk to Falstone Parish Council, by email at [email protected] or by phone on 01434 240319.
- Rural Churches for Everyone (RCFE) is a National Heritage Lottery Funded project supporting four clusters of historic Northumbrian churches (including 9 churches in the Bellingham and Upper North Tyne region) to secure their sustainable future. The project deadline has been extended to January 2022 and plans also include Newcastle Diocese’s commitment to becoming an Eco Diocese (with net zero carbon proposals forming part of the discussions). Further information (including contact information) can be found online at http://inspirednortheast.org.uk/rural-churches-for-everyone and you can also follow the project via Twitter (https://twitter.com/inspiredne) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RuralChurchesForEveryone). There will be fortnightly online meetings starting in March, covering topics such as examining the assets of the churches, the characteristics of the communities they serve, what their communities need, achieving eco church status, what the buildings need, funding and finance, and other subjects. If you would like to get involved or have some ideas to contribute, please don’t hesitate to get in touch - there’s plenty of opportunity to be part of this project and your input would be very welcome.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 18th February 2021
The Village Notes is a great place to let people (especially those who have limited or no access to the internet) know about upcoming events and what’s happening in the area (by which I mean everyone from Charlton, to Greenhaugh and Thorneyburn, and right the way up through Falstone and Kielder). If you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it so I can make sure your news and events are included. All you need to do is email your info to [email protected] by close of play on a Sunday so it can be included in the Thursday paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 4th February 2021
The Village Notes is a great place to let people know about upcoming events and what’s happening in the area. If you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it so I can make sure your news and events are included. All you need to do is email your info to [email protected] by close of play on a Sunday so it can be included in the Thursday paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 28th January 2021
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Land of Joy would like to wish everyone a belated Happy New Year! Although the centre is currently closed to all guests, the team is still keeping everything running smoothly and making good use of the downtime to do general maintenance (of which there is plenty). In the spring, they hope to build the third of their retreat huts and in the meantime, they are offering a varied online programme, so please feel free to take a look at their website for further info: https://landofjoy.co.uk/programme/
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If you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it so I can make sure your news and events are included. All you need to do is email your info to [email protected] by close of play on a Sunday so it can be included in the Thursday paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 21st January 2021
- St Peter’s, Falstone, needs help from all knitters in the North Tyne area. The church would like to have a large display of knitted poppies for Remembrance Sunday 2021, and they have wool and patterns available for anyone who would like to contribute. Please contact Jill Swaile if you would like to get involved (via [email protected] or 01434 240168).
- The annual subscription fees for The Meeting of the Waters (the North Tyne and Redesdale’s Parish magazine) are now due, and the annual fee of just £6.50 will get you 11 issues per year. Please contact Jill Swaile for further info.
- Tarset and Greystead Community Support is available to help with shopping, collect prescriptions, newspapers, and anything else you need. They can also offer transport (even in the snow) for those of you who are called for your vaccines and are unable to get there. Please ring 01434 240210 or email [email protected] and one of the volunteers will be there to help.
- Although there will be no public worship in our region’s churches for February, churches remain open for visits and private prayer. Online services are on offer from St Cuthbert’s Bellingham, as are Lent bible study sessions. For further info, please contact Elaine Ryder (01830 520212 or email [email protected]). ‘Daily Hope’ also offer services, prayers and hymns 24 hour a day (freephone: 0800 804 8044) and if you visit your local churches, you can hear bible readings recorded locally on Sundays, as well as other notices.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 14th January 2021
Hope you all had a good time over the Holidays. I can't say I'm in any way sad to see the back of 2020 and I'm hoping 2021 brings us new beginnings and improvements - and more than the odd glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel!
- If you are looking for plants and have some to spare yourself, there is a new Plant Swap group (only started about 7 weeks ago) which is open to folks from the whole Upper North Tyne, Bellingham, Rochester and Otterburn areas. The aim is to help people find hardy plants that work up here and reduce plant miles and consumables in order not to cost the earth literally or figuratively. The group has already attracted over 50 members and has seen some great perennial herbs swapped in this relatively dormant season. With the latest lockdown, it is hoped that people will appreciate the chance to get plants locally all the more and arrangements can be made to leave the plants to be swapped by a garden gates, so that nobody has to come close to each other. You can join their facebook group for further info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1029464037527993
- St Peter's Church, Falstone, would like to thank everyone who donated Chocolate selection boxes for the West Northumberland food bank – an impressive 119 boxes were sent in total. Please note that during the current lockdown, St Peter's is open for private prayer each day, and you will need to adhere to the COVID secure guidance in the church. There are Zoom online church services/bible study each week, so if you wish to take part in these sessions, please contact Jill Swaile who will ensure you are added to the email correspondence list for the codes etc. 01434 240168 /[email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 24th December 2020
- St. Peter’s church, Falstone, would like to thank everyone in the North Tyne Valley for donating chocolate selection boxes to the West Northumberland food bank. A total of 125 boxes were donated, which is amazing – and will make a real difference. Sadly, due to increasing numbers of CV-19 cases in the valley, the church has had to cancel its scheduled outdoor crib carol service on Christmas Eve. The church will still be open for private prayers, however, and the prayers tree is in the church yard. If anyone would like to subscribe to the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ church magazine, please contact Jill Swaile on 240168 - you will get 11 issues for just £6.50. Everyone at St. Peter’s would like to wish you all a happy Christmas.
- Because the rate of cases of CV-19 in the Bellingham and North Tyne local area and because the government are advising great caution over the Christmas period, St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn has also taken the sad decision to cancel the traditional Christmas Day Communion service at 11.15am. The church will remain open for private prayer, however, and is entered into the Tarset Christmas Challenge, so is beautifully decorated. There is a prayer tree in the porch and carol sheets are available, which you are welcome to borrow and return at a later date, or to use whilst in the church to sing carols in your family bubbles. The church will also be regularly sanitised to make sure it is safe for visitors.
- If you have anything you would like me to include in the Village Notes over the next couple of weeks, please note that the deadline for letting me have any info for the edition which will be coming out on December 31st is Weds December 23rd, and for the January 7th edition, it is Weds December 30th.
- In the meantime, I hope you all stay safe and happy this Christmas and that everyone has a wonderful time in spite of the strange circumstances we find ourselves in!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 17th December 2020
- The outdoor Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be on Sunday 20th at 4pm and will go ahead unless the powers-that-be advise against it, or the weather is too terrible! On Christmas Day, there will be a Communion Service will be at 11.15am inside the Church. If you are bringing a large family bubble please can you let Caroline know in advance so she can plan the safe distanced seating accordingly. For those who can’t attend in person, there are services online and by Zoom both from this area (contact Elaine 01830 520212 [email protected]), from Newcastle Cathedral, and from the Church of England.
- A thought for Christmas from Rob Tindall, taken from the Newcastle Guardian & Tyne Mercury, Saturday 24th August 1861 (‘Holt’ occurs a lot for ‘Hott’ a number of times in the Victorian press): “On Wednesday last, the children of the Presbyterian School Holt, near Bellingham, took a trip to Hexham, where the Hexham Band of Hope joined and escorted them through the town. The sight was rather a novel one, as three-fourths of the youngsters had never been from home before. Some of the most diminutive of the lot said they did not think there was such large place in the world.”
- If you have anything you would like me to include in the Village Notes over the Christmas period, the deadline for the December 24th edition is Weds, December 16th and for the December 31st edition, it is Weds December 23rd.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 10th December 2020
- A quick reminder that if you want to join in, the Tarset COVID-Christmas challenge starts on the 13th December, running till 6th January 2021 and between these dates, there will be a public vote for people’s top three favourites. Categories include: Window decorations that can be seen from the road, path or driveway, door wreaths or dressing, a tree in the garden, an outdoor Christmas scene or scarecrow, something unique to your home or something COVID related. All “installations” of course, can be set up whenever the urge takes you! Even if you don’t yet know what you’re going to make, Please let Daryl and Sarah know that you are joining in, and they will produce and circulate a map showing the locations for people to keep an eye on.
- This year, the annual Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn will be outdoors. The service, still by candle-light, will be based on the theme of ‘Comfort and Joy’ and will take place on Sunday 20th December at 4pm. Please wrap up warm and bring your mask, a torch or lantern, mulled wine, mince pie and seat if you need one. Come along and join in the Christmas celebrations - this promises to be a lovely evening.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 3rd December 2020
As we all know, Christmas is likely to be somewhat different this year, but the various churches in our area are very much focussed on what they can do to celebrate Christmas and Advent. St Peter’s, Falstone is still collecting for the West Northumberland Food Bank and is also collecting chocolate selection boxes for disadvantaged children (please leave all food donations and chocolate boxes in the foodbank collection point at the gate of St Peter’s by 16th December or ring Jill Swaile, Jean Swailes or Marie Ness on 240168). It is also hoped that St Peter’s will be able to hold a Children’s (and adults’) Crib Carol Service on Christmas Eve around the Cross in the Church Yard at 3.30pm on 24th December, and will be able to sing well known and loved Christmas Carols. Also at the gate of St Peter’s is a Memory Christmas Tree for people to place wooden decorations (which are provided) celebrating the lives of people they love and miss. In the meantime, each Sunday at 9.30am you can join a service online (via “Zoom” or your telephone - please e-mail [email protected] or call 01830 520212 for further info) and St. Peter’s Church is open at all times for private prayer.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 26th November 2020
- There will be a change of time and venue for the annual Carol Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, this year. The service, still by candlelight, will be outdoors and based on the theme of ‘Comfort and Joy’ (which thoughts may be firmly in your minds, depending on the weather) on Sunday 20th December at 4pm. Please wrap up warm and bring a torch or lantern, mulled wine, mince pie and seat if you need one. Although the reason for the service being outside may be a sad and unusual one, the service itself promises to be unique and lovely, so why not come along and join in the Christmas celebrations!
- If you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it. If you have anything you want to publicise or simply tell people about, please email your info to [email protected] on the Sunday so it can be included in that week’s paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 19th November 2020
- This year for Christmas, donations of chocolate selection boxes for disadvantaged children are being collected at St. Peter’s church, Falstone. If you are able to help, please leave them in the collection point at the gate of St. Peter’s before the 6th of December. Thank you in advance(!) and please feel free to contact Jill Swaile for further details: 01434 240168.
- Tarset COVID Christmas Challenge update: The details have now been finalised and the idea is to give everyone something positive to chat about and enjoy without going into someone's house or garden. Categories include: Window decorations that can be seen from the road, path or driveway, door wreaths or dressing, a tree in the garden, an outdoor Christmas scene or scarecrow, something unique to your home or something COVID related. Please remember we are in a Dark Skies Park, so no bright lights! The challenge will run between Dec 13th and Jan 6th 2021, but obviously installations (*ahem*) may begin whenever the urge takes you, and between these dates, there will be a public vote for people’s top three favourites. Even if you don’t yet know what you’re going to make, Please let Darrell and Sarah know that you are joining in, and they will produce and circulate a map showing locations. May the spirit of Christmas creativity be with you!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 12th November 2020
Challenging all residents of Tarset: Darrell and Sarah are proposing a safe, COVID-compliant challenge to help bring the community together (in a socially distanced way!) and provide a bit of fun and entertainment over the Christmas period as well as giving us all something to work towards during these long, dark nights. The idea is for each household to create a Christmas-themed trail around the valley so that each participant would place outside their house, in a prominent place (or in an easily-visible window if you don’t want to go outside), a Christmas scarecrow, puppet, tree, model, sculpture or scene. A map would be provided so that residents could visit them (either by walking, running, cycling or in cars) any time from the week before Christmas until twelfth night and people could then vote for their favourites. If those who made the Christmassy creations could provide photos, the map could be updated to show which items can be found at which houses. Please remember that we are in a Dark Skies park, so entries shouldn’t contain bright lights. Please let Darrell and Sarah know asap whether your household would be willing to take part.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 5th November 2020
This week, while we wait to find out what new ‘lockdown’ restrictions are in store for us, here’s just a little reminder that if you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it, as I can’t include things or events that I haven’t been told about. Things you can include are local news, live events, details of online meetings and events, announcements, invitations, reviews, amusing happenings in the area or simply general things that you would like people to know about. If you have anything to include, please do email your info to [email protected] on the Sunday, so it can be included in that week’s paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 29th October 2020
- This Sunday sees Parish Worship at St. Peter’s, Falstone, at 11am - celebrating All Saints’ Day and commemorating All Souls’ Day. There is a pebble cross in the church yard where anyone is welcome to add a pebble to remember those they have loved and lost. Inside St. Peter’s, there is also a board where you are invited to pin a heart with your loved one’s name on it, to remember them.
- Throughout November this year, there will be services at churches all around the area to remember those we have loved and lost. At St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, from 28th October to 7th November, there will be a cross outside the church where you can place a stone in memory, and the church will be open so that those who wish to can place hearts in memory of their loved ones on the white cross inside the church. On Sunday 8th November, there will be a Remembrance Sunday Parish Worship service at 6pm in memory of the fallen.
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, was recently used as the background for a short YouTube online murder mystery, set in Tarset(!), for the launch of Anne Cleeves’ latest book “The Darkest Evening”. Why not watch it at https://www.anncleeves.com/vera/witness.html and see if you can guess who the murderer is…
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 22nd October 2020
- A quick reminder that there is a food collection point (for donations to the West Northumberland food bank) at the gate of St Peter's Church Falstone and any donations of non-perishable food would be gratefully received. The collection point also has a new receptacle, which has been very kindly donated by Aimee, Tracy and Carl from Falstone Tea Rooms. There are also collection points at St Cuthbert’s, Bellingham and at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn. Donations are urgently needed at the moment, so if you have any non-perishable foods to spare, please do just donate what you can – many people donating a little can make a lot of difference.
- Remembrance Sunday is on Sunday November 8th and churches across the region are organising Remembrance services. 2020 will, of course, be slightly different in that most will be held outside - strict social distancing rules will apply and you will also need to wear your masks. A number of services may also be available online for people who need to isolate or who can’t make it to the services themselves. Please contact your local churches for details.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 15th October 2020
This week, there’s just a little reminder that if you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don't forget to let me know about it, as I can’t include things or events that I’m not aware of! Things you can include are news, physical events, details of online meetings and events, announcements, invitations, reviews, amusing happenings in the area or simply general things that you would like people to know about. If you have anything to include, please do email your info to [email protected] on the Sunday, so it can be included in that week’s paper. I only have 250 words to play with, but it's surprising what can be included in that limit...
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 8th October 2020
- A quick reminder that St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be holding its Harvest Festival Service this Sunday (11th October) at 6pm. The plan is to meet outside at 6pm so people can safely socially distance and sing a harvest hymn before going into church for the rest of the service.
- An update on the what your local Community Choir has been doing over the course of the year. Song Reivers stopped meeting in person on March 16th with a beautiful and moving final sing and from that point onwards, everything has been moved online. Kathryn Davidson, the choir’s leader, has now started to run the choir via Zoom, and everyone is having lots of fun with it. On Monday mornings at 10am you simply log on to the computer with a cuppa in hand and your music printed out ready (you can even join in wearing your pyjamas of you wish...) and you can then chat and sing for an hour. Zoom choir works by being able to hear everyone when they are chatting but when singing, everyone hears Kathryn only (if you're nervous about hearing your own voice, then wearing headphones can make it easier for you). It's not quite as amazing as being able to sing together live, but it is fantastic if you want to see what choir is about without the worry of anyone else hearing your voice, or if you're feeling a bit lonely during this very strange and isolated year. If you want to be added to the list then please email Kathryn at [email protected] and she will make sure you get the link for the following week's session.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 1st October 2020
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be holding a Harvest Festival Service on Sunday 11th October at 6pm. The plan is to meet outside at 6pm so people can safely socially distance and sing a harvest hymn before going into church for the rest of the service. You can donate tins and dry goods (which will go to the West Northumberland Foodbank or to anyone locally that needs them) and there will also be boxes at the back of the church if you would like to donate something but do not want to come to the service. If you want to donate fresh garden produce or fruit and vegetables, please drop them off with Caroline. They will be used to decorate the church and will then be made into soup and tarts and distributed locally to the older members of our community and anyone who is isolating, sadly without prolonged visiting.
- Given the rapidly developing situation and the current COVID 19 regulations in force in Northumberland, the Village Hall committee has taken the decision to suspend planned events for the time being. This is disappointing but it was felt that the current uncertainty left the committee with little choice. This does mean that the First Thursday Film series originally planned for relaunch on Thurs 1st October, has been postponed until it is felt safe to resume. The committee would like to thank you for your understanding and will keep you updated on plans as things change.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 24th September 2020
It is clear that the latest restrictions are likely to keep changing as the COVID-19 situation develops and as a result, Tarset Village Hall (TVH) Committee has made some changes to its proposed programme of events. Assuming our local restrictions remain as they are, First Thursday Films’ new season will start on Thursday 1st October with the Tom Hanks film, ‘Big’ (places are strictly limited, so you will need to book in advance) and the week of 4th - 10th October will see the ‘Lockdown Art, Craft and Photograph’ Exhibition. The Hall is classed as COVID-19 secure, has undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment and has put extensive mitigating measures in place. The current level of uncertainty, however, makes planning for larger events very challenging and the committee has therefore decided to postpone the return of ‘Pointless’ originally scheduled for early October, and to cancel the Tarset Christmas Party on 12th December. While this may be disappointing news, it is unlikely to come as a surprise. Events will be re-scheduled as soon as it is safe to do so and in the meantime, the Committee will keep you informed of any further changes as and when they occur.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 17th September 2020
- The next Communion Service at St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be on Sunday 27th September at 11am. And there will be a Harvest Festival Service on Sunday 11th of October at 6pm – details (and logistics) to follow.
- St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, has some maintenance tasks to carry out on the church and its grounds before winter – such as climbing ladders, tidying the churchyard, small joinery and painting jobs, etc. Please let Caroline (01434 240210 - [email protected]) know if you can help in any way and she will put together a rota so that social distancing restrictions are adhered to at all times.
- A quick reminder that if you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, please don’t forget to let me know about it - unfortunately, I can’t highlight events that I don’t know about! If you have anything to include, please email your info to [email protected] on the Sunday so it can be included in that week’s paper.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 10th September 2020
A note from Jeff Mills: "A socially-distanced Tarset Leek, Flower and Vegetable Show was held in the village hall on Saturday 5th September when, due to the virus situation, we were forced to go ahead without the floral and industrial sections. As our main source of income is from the auction, raffle and door money, we were looking at running at a loss however, we received a very generous cheque from Tarset 2050 CIC which allowed us to pay our prize money and expenses, leaving us just in the black. There was a good show of quality leeks, with Stephen Baty leading the field (and also winning best leek in show award) with Jeff Mills and John Basset giving him a good run for his money. Caroline Russell won the best ladies leek with an exhibit that left seasoned leek growers amazed and stunned! There was a nice show of onions with Roy Bell, John Herron and Jeff Mills taking the prizes. Again we would like to thank Tarset 2050 CIC and many other locals for their kind donations."
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 3rd September 2020
- A quick reminder that there is a collection for Great North Air Ambulance on Wednesday 9th September. A GNAA van will park outside Falstone Village Hall between 10.00-10.45am and Tarset Village Hall between 11.00-11.45am. Bags can therefore be put directly into the vehicle. Please put clothing etc in any adequate bag and tie it securely to avoid spillage. Books should be in separate bags or boxes and so should mobile phones, CDs, and print cartridges. Thank you for your continuing support!
- On Friday 4 September 7.30 pm (online) you are invited to join John Grundy and Peter Ryder in conversation about St Cuthbert's Bellingham (including the chance to watch video clips and take part in a Q&A session with them). If you are interested in attending, please e-mail Elaine at [email protected] and she will send the link to you.
- On Saturday 5 September, why not join Bishop Christine and many others as they walk the newly re-opened St Cuthbert's Three-Church Trail. The walk begins at 9.00 a.m. from St Cuthbert's Elsdon – and breakfast (even if you are not walking) is available from 8.30 am at the Bird-in-Bush at Elsdon (order in advance from [email protected]), a picnic lunch is available at the Bay Horse, West Woodburn (order in advance via Susan [email protected]) and the walk finishes at St Cuthbert's, Bellingham, in the late afternoon. The full route is 14-15 miles cross-country, but you can walk as much or little of the Trail as you wish.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 20th August 2020
- St Cuthbert’s Festival will take place over the first weekend in September and, although not as ambitious as originally planned due to restrictions, it will still be a lovely weekend. On Friday 4th September, “John Grundy and Peter Ryder in conversation” will be happening online and will cover a range of topics relating to St. Cuthbert’s. Please email Susan ([email protected]) for details of how to join the event.
- On Sunday 5th September, the St Cuthbert’s Festival Walk will take place between 9am and 5pm. The Bishop of Newcastle will be there all day and will give a blessing to inaugurate the ‘St Cuthbert’s Three Church Trail’ which now crosses the River Rede at the newly reinstated and altered Smoutel Ford. You are welcome to join the walk at any point between Elsdon, Corsenside and Bellingham, and walk as far as you wish. If you don’t wish to carry a picnic, the Bay Horse at West Woodburn can supply individually boxed picnic lunches (which meet all Covid-19 Regulations). For further information and to book your lunch, please contact Susan ([email protected]) and let her know numbers and any dietary requirements you may have. Weather willing, this promises to be a lovely event, and everyone is welcome to join in for all or part of the walk.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 13th August 2020
- There will be a Communion Service at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, on Sunday 23rd August, to start at 2pm (not 11am, as stated in the Parish magazine). Please remember that you will need to wear masks whilst inside the church. There will be music during the service (although no community singing is allowed yet) and refreshments afterwards.
- Also at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, there will be a service for St Aidan’s Day on Monday 31st August at 2pm, which will be followed by a Picnic in the churchyard. Please bring your own picnic and chairs. It is hoped there will be music from the ceilidh band and someone who can tell us more about St Aidan himself. It is also a great opportunity for a safely distanced get-together!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 6th August 2020
- On Wednesday 9th September 2020, the next Great North Air Ambulance Collection will take place at venues across the region. Falstone from 10am till 10.45am and Tarset from 11am till 11.45am. For this collection, GNAA will not be able to use buildings due to Covid-19 restrictions, so at each venue, a GNAA vehicle will be parked outside so that all bags can be put directly into the van. Unlike normal collections, you will not be able to drop your items off in advance. Please make sure you bring your items with you to the venues only during the time slot stated. If you can’t make the slot or miss it, you will need to take your bags home with you this time and keep them until the next collection - there are no storage facilities available. The timings are obviously very important for this collection. Another thing to note is that because of the risks, no official bags will be distributed for this collection. Please put clothing/fabrics in any adequate bag. Books should be put in separate bags/boxes, as should mobile phones, CDs, cassettes, and print cartridges. All bags should be tied securely to avoid any spillage.
- A quick reminder that a Parish Worship service will take place at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, at 6pm this coming Sunday (9th August).
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 30th July 2020
- Hard to believe it’s nearly August already. The Village Hall is preparing for its re-opening in September and is currently (somewhat hampered by the weather) being decorated outside so it looks smart and fresh for the new season. Obviously, Covid-19 restrictions mean there are some changes to the way that we are allowed to use the hall, but all precautions are being taken and there will be more news nearer the re-opening time.
- The next services at St. Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be Parish Worship on Sunday 9th August at 6pm and Communion on Sunday 23rd August in the afternoon. There is also a special service planned for St Aidan’s Day on Bank Holiday Monday 31st August - followed by a picnic (weather permitting).
- As always, please don’t forget to let me have details of anything you would like to see in the Notes, especially as businesses and social activities are starting, cautiously, to resume. Just drop me an email by (latest) the Sunday evening before the Courant is printed on Thursdays. Email: [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 23rd July 2020
- A small update: the Tarset and District Leek, Flower and Vegetable Show will be taking place at Tarset Village Hall on the 1st Saturday in September. The format will be substantially reduced, with entries invited for Leeks and Onions only and with full social distancing measures in place. More details will follow nearer the time. For further information, contact the show secretary, Jeff Mills on 240302.
- Worship in our churches has now been allowed (following strict guidelines) again and St Aidan’s, Thorneyburn, will be holding its first Communion service Sunday 26th July at 2pm, followed by the APCM (church AGM) – which will be held in the churchyard if there isn’t sufficient space to socially distance inside. All residents of the parish are invited to the vestry meeting and everyone on the electoral role can participate in the whole meeting. It would be good to have some more members join the PCC from Thorneyburn and Greystead – so please speak to Caroline (240210) or Susan if you are interested.
- The Courant’s "Village Notes" is a place for you to let people in your community (which covers the whole area from Greenhaugh to Kielder) know what’s happening - whether that’s in the form of events, local news, or simply anything that you think people in your area might like to know about. With the best will in the world, I can't include your news if you haven't told me about what's happening, so please do remember to let me know! I need to have the information on the Sunday to be included in Thursday’s paper and you can email me at [email protected].
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 16th July 2020
- The Tarset Arts, Crafts and Photo challenge. Tarset Residents have been challenged to create original crafts, artwork, and photographs – both to document our time during the Coronavirus crisis and to showcase our collective talents. You can use any medium (from knitting to painting, baking to photography) or subject and there will be a prize for each category (categories to be confirmed). The idea is to create a week-long exhibition in the Village Hall - for appropriately socially-distanced viewing and possibly even online viewing. The date for the exhibition has not yet been set, although it is likely to be in October, but further details will follow.
- Barring any further Covid-19 developments, the Tarset and District Leek, Flower and Vegetable Show will be taking place at Tarset Village Hall on the 1st Saturday in September. The format will be substantially reduced, with entries invited for Leeks and Vegetables only (no flower entries or industrial entries this year) and with full social distancing measures in place. More details will follow nearer the time. For further information, contact the show secretary, Jeff Mills on 240302.
- A date for your diaries: Thursday 1st October will hopefully see the return of the (appropriately socially-distanced) First Thursday Film season at Tarset Village Hall. More details will follow nearer the time.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 9th July 2020
As we see the restrictions start to lift over the coming weeks, it is likely that more things will be happening in the area, so this is just a reminder that the Courant’s Village Notes are a place for you to let people in your community know what’s happening in the area – whether that’s in the form of events to which the community is invited, in the form of news that might affect residents of the local area, or simply anything that you think people in your area might like to know about. The Upper North Tyne area covers the whole area from Greenhaugh and Lanehead, through Falstone and up to Kielder - and we are small but busy communities. If you would like to have anything included in the notes, please do let me have the information on the Sunday before the paper is published on the Thursday. The email address to send information to is [email protected] so please do drop me a line!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 25th June 2020
As various restrictions are now starting to ease and some ‘non-essential’ shops starting to open again, it is perhaps important to remember that restrictions are still very much in place in terms of social distancing, and wearing masks in crowded spaces is still recommended. At the same time, some vulnerable people are still shielding and self-isolating (and may need to do so for some time yet). Village Halls and community buildings have just been issued strict instructions about re-opening (which won’t be allowed to happen for at least two or three weeks yet), hygiene restrictions/requirements, the number of people physically allowed in the buildings and the types of activities which are still not allowed. So please bear with the volunteers running your halls as they get to grips with the new legislation.
A reminder also that Churches across the region are already being allowed to open for quiet meditation and prayer for individuals and small family groups – no large groups are yet allowed.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 18th June 2020
Churches all over the country have now been allowed to re-open for private prayer or meditation, as long as visitors follow the hygiene and social distancing guidelines. Visitors are therefore welcome to go into St Aidan’s Thorneyburn at any time (it is never locked) and to use both the church and churchyard as a space for quiet reflection, prayer and shelter.
A huge thank you to everyone who has bought plants from the stall at Horsley Cottage in Greenhaugh. Over £450 has now been raised in aid of church funds and there are still more plants available, so if you are passing please stop and take a look. We also hope to organise a garden walk, when it is safe to do so.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 11th June 2020
The Hollybush Inn, Greenhaugh, has started a Friday evening Diners’ Club and Sunday Lunch takeaways. Both are proving a huge success, and details are being forwarded via the Tarset Mailing list - so if you are interested, please find out more by emailing [email protected] or by texting 07946 804590 or ring the pub 240391 (most afternoons).
A brand new Arts, Crafts and Photo challenge for Tarset - Brenda had the excellent idea of challenging Tarset Residents to create original crafts, artwork, and photographs – both to document our time during the Coronavirus crisis and to showcase our collective talents. You can use any medium (from knitting to painting, baking to photography) or subject and there will be a prize for each category/medium. The idea is to create a week-long (possibly longer, depending on the situation) exhibition in the Village Hall - for appropriately 'socially-distanced' viewing and possibly even online viewing (if we can work out how best to do it). Further details to follow via the Tarset Mailing List.
Some hugely sad, but perhaps unsurprising news now – the organisers of the Falstone Show this year have reluctantly taken the decision to cancel this year’s show in order to keep all involved safe. This is only the second time in over forty years that Falstone Show has been cancelled, the previous time being the year of the Foot and Mouth epidemic in 2001. It is a huge blow for all concerned and it is hoped that next year’s show will take place as normal.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 4th June 2020
The Courant’s Village Notes are a place for you to let people in your community know what’s happening in the area – whether that’s in the form of events to which the community is invited (which are, sadly, on hold at the moment), in the form of news that might affect residents of the local area, or simply anything that you think people in your area might like to know about. The Upper North Tyne area covers the whole area from Greenhaugh and Lanehead, through Falstone and up to Kielder - and we are small but busy communities even under the current restrictions. If you would like to have anything included in the notes, please do let me have the information on the Sunday before the paper is published on the Thursday. The email address to send information to is [email protected]
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 28th May 2020
Unfortunately, the car park at Kielder Castle was used as the location for an overnight party over the Bank holiday weekend. Those attending burnt timber items from the car park and left behind a tent and large amounts of rubbish. As a result, rangers will be forced to work longer hours and Elf Kirk and Skyspace car parks will remain closed until further notice. Overnight camping (including in motorhomes) is currently forbidden and barbeques/fires are not allowed. If you spot a campfire or see an illegal camp, please call 999 as soon as you have phone reception – it seems that, sadly, this is the only way to protect the area.
All visitors, whether they are simply wanting to enjoy a walk around the parks, or enjoy a day’s fishing, should be allowed to do so without having to contend with those who do not wish to observe the rules and while Kielder Water and Forest Park does not have the powers to enforce social distancing, it does maintain the right to review the opening of its sites for the wider public good. It would also urge anybody who does choose to visit to be respectful of the local communities, to stay away from village and residential centres, and strictly observe Government guidelines on social distancing wherever they are.
In spite of Dominic Cummings’ recent jaunts around the country, the advice for the rest of us remains in place: as much as possible, please continue to stay local and exercise close to home.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 21st May 2020
The 75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War has been commemorated by a new exhibition at the Heritage Centre, Bellingham. Once the Centre re-opens, you will be able to visit physically, but for the moment, you can explore virtually via their new website (there is a link on the first page). https://bellingham-heritage.org.uk/
You can hardly have failed to notice the sheer number of visitors to the area over the last few days – and in fact, visitor numbers at beauty spots across the entire region have been unprecedented, with many car parks being full to overflowing. Of course, this has given rise to major concerns about the increased risk to local residents – many of whom have been shielding successfully for the last seven weeks. The vast majority of visitors have been courteous and have been carefully observing social distancing advice, but please do carry on with your safety and hygiene routines.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 14th May 2020
A massive thank you must go to Helen Brown and the rest of the unnamed but vital team who have, with their drive and enthusiasm, made the Tarset News such a popular part of Tarset life over the years. In fact, its influence spreads far beyond Tarset, with subscribers all over the country.
As most of you already know, for its Summer edition, due out in early June, the Tarset News will be getting both a new Editor (Chris Reekie), a new look and a new name: the Tarset Diary.
For the first edition, Chris is looking for your wedding photographs. For some, it has *ahem* been quite some time since their wedding days, so the idea is for readers to see if they can guess who the people in the photographs are. If you can’t send photos electronically, just let Chris know and he will hopefully be able to help.
Of course, there’s a somewhat inconvenient ‘bug’ doing the rounds which may present difficulties for printing and distribution of this new-look magazine, but Chris will make sure that there is an online version and will try to have a few hard copies printed for those who don’t have access to the internet (if you are one of those people, please let Chris know asap so he can add you to the list).
Please send your contributions (news, local interest, fun stuff, tales of lockdown madness, VE day celebrations, etc.) plus any photographs you would like to share to [email protected] or telephone 01434 240947. The deadline for submissions is Sunday 17th May, so you still have a few days!
Here’s hoping the Tarset Diary will continue to be the hugely successful and well-subscribed newsletter it has become over the years under Helen’s leadership, and we wish Chris all the best for his new role!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 30th April 2020
On Sunday 27th April, on Radio 4, there was a genuinely lovely programme ( ‘The Dam’) about the damming and flooding of Kielder, and the role of music, dance and song within the valley. Presented by Alistair Almond, it featured, amongst others, Mike and Kathryn Tickell with playing by Georgia Russell. If you didn't catch it, it is repeated next Saturday on BBCR4 11.30 pm, or you can listen to it on the BBC Sounds website ( https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hmxn ).
Swallows and Martins are back in the area now, as are many of our other avian Summer visitors. Bullfinches are gorging themselves on the buds of my fruit trees, Long-tailed Tits have also visited the garden and have been loudly squabbling (as is their wont) and I have had have heard reports from elsewhere of Redstart, Chiffchaff and Stonechat, amongst others. Adders are active now that the daytime temperatures have risen, so please be careful on walks with your dogs - especially if you are going ‘off-piste’ so to speak. Ticks and tick nymphs are also plentiful at the moment, so make sure your pets’ tick medicines are up to date and check your animals after they have been outside (with your ‘tick twisters’ at the ready). If anybody in the area has any unusual or new nature sightings – or just things for people to be aware of, please do feel free to let me know.
A quick reminder that a lot of local business and social activity is being carried out online with church services, concerts, choirs being available online and even some Parish Councils managing to hold their meetings online. Local shops and businesses, as well as the church, continue to provide exceptional levels of support. Contact numbers for all those services can be found on the Tarset website (https://www.tarset.co.uk/).
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 23rd April 2020
It looks like ‘social distancing’ is likely to continue for a few weeks yet but thankfully, people are extremely resourceful in providing amusement and entertainment for their fellow prisoners. The brains in Tarset have come up with the excellent idea of challenging all who are on the Tarset Mailing list with a series of short quizzes. Initially, these were daily, but they will be weekly from now on, so look out for the next one popping into your inbox on Friday at 5pm. If you haven’t already subscribed to the Tarset Mailing list, you can do so on the Tarset website (https://www.tarset.co.uk/) – just scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click on the link to join.
The weather continues to be excellent, although gardeners may be bemoaning the frosts which are happening overnight at the moment. The very weather, combined with some somewhat contradictory and unclear advice issued by the police, however, means that there are once again quite a few visitors to the area, so it’s worth being aware that you may need to take extra care to wash your hands frequently and be careful to avoid contact with ‘vulnerable’ friends and neighbours. The police advice re. travel appears to be at odds with the Government's directive - which basically repeats the 'stay at home' and 'only travel when it is essential' mantra.
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 16th April 2020
A huge thank you to all who attended Margaret Bird’s needle felting course days in mid-March, and to Margaret herself for organising them. She has let me know that the workshops raised a healthy £80 for the Great North Air Ambulance, which has been sent off to them.
A call to all young folk musicians: EDFSS (English Folk Dance and Song Society) will be running its Youth Folk Sampler Days online in May 2020. The physical events have obviously been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, so they are encouraging young musicians to take part from home. The National Youth Folk Ensemble team will deliver virtual workshops introducing young musicians to folk tunes, techniques and creative ideas, with a planned mix of pre-recorded tutorials and interactive activities using readily available online technology. Please register for your preferred Sampler Day date via their website: https://www.efdss.org/learning/young-people/national-youth-folk-ensemble/sampler-days . Each date is still tied to the venue where it would have taken place – but wherever you live in England, you can now apply for any of the eight dates. Young musicians can still audition for the 2020-21 National Youth Folk Ensemble by registering for a Youth Folk Sampler Day and it is hoped that the final auditions will still happen in person at Cecil Sharp House on 11 and 12 July 2020. If this is not possible, an alternative will be arranged. Further information will be added to the website as soon as it is available.
Finally, and right on time, the Swallows are starting to reappear. The earliest recorded in the North Tyne Valley were in Falstone and Tarset on the 10th April, but they have started arriving in numbers now with new arrivals at Charlton on the 13th. I am still waiting for 'our' Swallows to arrive (they are normally here around the 14th or 15th), so it's eyes to the skies at the moment as we wait for signs that Summer is on its way!
Archive: Upper North Tyne Village Notes - 9th April 2020
Welcome to the new Upper North Tyne Village Notes page. Following various recent changes to The Hexham Courant, this page has been made available to publish the North Tyne Village Notes in full each week, so you can see further detail about what's happening in the area.
Of course, we are now in the full grip of the 'Stay at Home' policy due to the government's attempts to control the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), so there isn't much in the way of Arts and Entertainment currently physically happening locally (with Village Halls, Schools, Pubs, Cafes, Guest Accommodation and Churches all officially closed). However, there is plenty going on online both locally and nationally. I watched an episode of 'Have I Got News For You' a couple of nights ago where presenter and contestants were all at home in their respective living rooms broadcasting live via Zoom. The marvels of modern technology!
One of the amazing things about the unprecedented situation we currently find ourselves in is the ingenuity and sheer generosity of people in our local community. Shops and businesses are adapting and staying open, making deliveries and selling things they would never normally sell in order to help make sure they and their communities are able to carry on with as little disruption as possible; new shops are opening to serve their local communities; musicians, artists, choir leaders and teachers are making the most of technology and are performing from their living rooms and balconies and using online meeting programmes (such as Zoom) to hold online training sessions. Everything from Church services to meditation sessions is on offer online both locally(!) and nationally, and social media is finally coming into its own, allowing people to connect with friends and family.
Keep watching your Tarset Mailings for further information and if you haven't already joined the mailing list, instructions on how to join can be found here.
I hope you will find this additional information useful. It also means you can let me have more information than you normally would, as well as even (*gasp*) some pictures if you would like those included.
If you have anything you would like me to include in the Upper North Tyne Village Notes, just give me a call on 240767 or email me the relevant information on [email protected]
In the meantime: Here are a few useful numbers for our area. Thank you to Caroline Waitt, who compiled the initial list:
Gary Cant: Milkman. Tel 604674 or 07485 091877. Email: [email protected] Gary will deliver milk in glass bottles, juices, yogurts and free-range eggs.
Bellingham Pharmacy: Caroline Waitt has arranged with Bellingham Pharmacy for herself and a team of volunteers to collect and deliver prescriptions and toiletries within the Tarset and Greystead Parish while they are self-isolating. Phone Caroline on Tel 240210 to discuss.
Boe Rigg: Takeaways, delivery only, between 12-8pm every day. Tel 240663. Menus can be found at www.theboerigg.co.uk
Phillip Troop: Tarset Fresh Produce on Facebook or by Tel 240407 is doing home delivery of veg, fruit, bread and milk etc.
Falstone Tea Rooms: on Facebook - Tel 240459. They have set up as a local shop and will deliver around the Falstone area.
Jennings Fruit and Veg: on Facebook - Tel 07497 583309. They will deliver across the area.
Brett Pet Shop: on Facebook. As well as pet food, they will supply (and deliver locally) basic foods and supplies.