Northumberland communities - Amble

Volunteers help out at Coquet Island

2009-11-10T14:18:43Z

A team of volunteers and staff from Northumberland Wildlife Trust returned to Coquet Island, off the Northumberland Coast, to help the RSPB with management tasks which are vital to the successful breeding of terns and other birds on the site.

The group spent the whole day strimming and raking up areas of long matted grass to open up some of the breeding plots.

Coquet Island is a very important breeding site for seabirds including the rare and protected roseate tern as well as arctic, common and sandwich terns and puffins.

Share your Northumbrian dialect words

2009-11-10T14:18:14Z

Deek at these kenspeckle words and see if you can save 'the venerable grandmother' of the English language.

What some people call the 'purest form' of English, the Northumbrian dialect, has been eroded over time and no-one knows how much Northumbrians and Geordies still have their own way of speaking.

Words like yari, jugal and skumfish used to be heard regularly but the Northumbrian Language Society is desperate to get a snapshot of the state of the region's dialect and see which Northumbrian words are still in use.

The call comes after Collins English Dictionary asked people to look at three Northumbrian words and let them know, via Twitter, if they are used. If not, they will write the obituary for the dead words.

But if they are still in common use, the words will be reinstated into the Collins Corpus database and could even be included in future dictionaries.

The Northumbrian Language Society chose the three words for Collins to take to the public but they have many other words and want to take the opportunity to learn more about the health of Northumberland's dialect.

Kim Bibby-Wilson from the Northumbrian Language Society said: "It matters. If we all spoke hybrid American English, it would be a very boring world.

"As far as the Collins project is concerned, it's good - it's going to get a high profile and remind people of these words. When you speak about dialect people are fascinated.

"But the more life goes on, the less people hear the speech patterns. It's whether they are speaking these words or not. From anecdotal evidence we're losing words because they're not relevant anymore."

Unlike Scottish dialect, Northumbrian words do not get full recognition, meaning there is no European funding for researching and promoting the dialect, as well as projects to record people still speaking in the tongue.

Northumbrian only holds observer status under the European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages.

Kim said: "We would love to have the funding. We should be looking at how the Scots dictionary is constructed.

"Northumbrian dialect is the venerable grandmother of English, not a poor cousin. It has always been isolated, by the North Sea, the Pennines, Cheviots and moors, and it is a purer form of English. It has been reserved here for longer because the Vikings and Normans didn't have a great deal of interplay with the locals.

"It's very important, because the language that's spoken in a particular area tells you so much, just like castles do and cathedrals and football teams. You wouldn't knock down Bamburgh Castle because it's no longer used for defence."

Many of the words used in Northumberland are from the Angles, while certain areas also picked up gypsy words because of nearby camps.

For instance, 'gadgy', now used to mean a man, was originally used to refer to non-gypsies, while charver, now a derogatory term, used to mean friend.

Which of the words below do you still use? Do you know of any other current Northumbrian dialect words?

Click on the link on the right to share them

SPREADING THE WORD

THE THREE WORDS COLLINS ARE RESEARCHING ARE

Shawm - to warm yourself

Hippletyclinch - walk with a limp

Bari - beautiful/handsome

FURTHER SUGGESTIONS FROM NORTHUMBERLAND

Deek - to look at

Yari - egg

Jugal - dog

Mort - wife

Netty - toilet

Oxter - armpit

Kenspeckle - distinctive

Skumfish - tired

Spelk - splinter

Gully - sharp knife for meat/general purpose

Puzzly-os - noughts and crosses

Lowp - to jump

Kist - strong box

WELL-KNOWN REGIONAL TERMS

Gadgy - non-gypsy man

Charver - friend

Gan - go

Lang - long

Canny - good

Hoy - throw

Ahad/ahaad - caught fire

Stotty - round bread

NEW ONES

Windy-pick - pneumatic drill

Starry head - Phillips screwdriver

New info panels at Hauxley reserve

2009-11-10T14:17:30Z

Visitors to Northumberland Wildlife Trust's reception hide at Hauxley will now be able to learn more about the building from four newly-installed information panels.

The panels were made possible thanks to generous funding from The Community Foundation and include information on the hide's construction from Scandinavian timber, its geothermal heating system and wildlife friendly turf roof.

Blood donor sessions

2009-11-10T00:00:00Z

The following sessions take place in the Dovecote Centre in Amble, NE65 0DX:

Wednesday 11 Nov 2009, 14:00 to 19:30
Wednesday 06 Jan 2010, 14:00 to 19:30
Wednesday 10 Mar 2010, 14:00 to 19:30
Wednesday 21 Apr 2010, 14:00 to 19:30

For more information or to book an appointment visit www.blood.co.uk.

Northumberland coast visitors on the increase

2009-11-05T11:16:08Z

Free-to-access National Trust sites along the Northumberland coast have seen a huge surge in visitor popularity.

Kevin Redgrave, trust acting head warden on the Northumberland Coast, said: "This has been an exceptionally busy year for us. The car parks have been full to overflowing.

"Locals who have lived around here all their lives say they haven't seen it this busy since the 1960s."

More on this story »

Northumberland day care centres axed

2009-11-05T10:25:45Z

Controversial plans to axe seven cherished day centres in Northumberland were rubber-stamped last night.

Northumberland County Council voted to close the facilities used as meeting places by elderly and disabled people at Amble, Blyth, Bedlington, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Ponteland and Prudhoe.

In a named poll at its meeting at Morpeth's County Hall, the council voted 46 to 11 in favour of proposals to close its centres, which are used by around 300 people every week.

The authority says the facilities are under-used and it is closing them to cut costs and is instead to offer users and the many others who need assistance personalised budgets to spend on their preferred method of care.

It says anyone who wants to continue receiving traditional, building-based day care will be able to do so via other providers - voluntary and independent agencies.

The council has came up with a range of alternative provision in each of the affected areas. Hundreds of people had signed petitions calling for the seven centres to be saved, claiming they offer elderly users a vital chance to meet friends and give relatives an important break from looking after them.

The meeting was attended by a band of centre users, carers and union leaders who vented their anger at councillors after the vote was taken. Thomas Mosey, 80, of Newcastle Road, Newsham, Blyth, has used the town's Lyndon House site for around five years, having previously been moved out of its Tynedale House by the council.

He branded the decision "disgusting", "absolute shameless" and "shocking". The council had been due to take a decision on the centres at its meeting in September, but opted to defer after Conservative and Labour opposition councillors joined forces in a bid to drum up interest from potential providers in running the sites in Amble, Bedlington and Blyth.

But last night, the Labour group hit out at the Tories for now backing the closures and for tabling an amendment with the Lib Dems which it claimed showed little change to the proposals put forward in September.

Labour members asked why the council could not offer a mix of centres and alternative care. They also accused the Lib Dems of using the personalised budgets as "a smokescreen" which allows them to axe day centres.

Coun Deirdre Campbell said: "The public are not silly. Personalised budgets weren't an excuse to close the homes.

"I just can not believe you are back in here today and you are still intent on taking away a brilliant service that is used by the elderly.

"I would say to people - do not get old the Lib Dems will crucify you.

"I think you have declared war on the elderly. The one thing you have not got to do in Northumberland is get old."

The Lib Dems had called on the council to make the decision to end uncertainty for centre users.

Coun Simon Reed said: "We have to modernise and transform our service. We have to give people more choice."

His party also stated that no centres will be closed until alternate provision has been arranged for users.

Amble photo exhibition and coffee morning

2009-11-05T09:07:15Z

Visitors to an exhibition by Amble Photographic Group later this month may be able to solve any remaining Christmas present dilemmas.

Photos will be on display and prints for sale during the coffee morning at Trinity Methodist Church Hall in Amble on Friday 27th November, from 10-11.30am.

Bric-a-brac, books, tombola, raffle and home baking will all be on offer at the event.

The £1 entry fee covers refreshments and a raffle ticket.

Amble held to stalemate at Hexham

2009-11-04T13:00:48Z

Only a single point is separating leaders Amble from second-placed Wideopen & District in the Northern Alliance Division Two- but North Shields Athletic are coming up on the rails.

Amble have picked up only a single point from three recent outings and could only draw 0-0 with hosts Hexham, who are proving difficult to beat at Wentworth Park (photo provided by Doug Robson of Hexham FC).

Gateshead Rutherford are four points clear at the head of the First Division, but with games in hand both Percy Main and Amble United are snapping at their heels.

Amble United marked their return to action with a 5-1 victory away to Newcastle East End. Brent Aisbitt opened United's account in the first half but straight after the interval Anthony Johnson levelled for the East Enders.

But in the last half-hour, Amble's pressure paid off in the shape of goals for substitute Darren Riddell (2), Greg Dance (penalty) and Paul White.

Warkworth villagers are branded racist

2009-11-04T09:00:22Z

Residents living in a quiet village have been plagued by graffiti branding them racists.

People living in Warkworth have woken up twice in the past week to discover that graffiti branding them 'Nazis' and 'BNP Scum' has been spray painted on their homes and cars.

Among those targeted was prominent BNP member Peter Mailer who owns the village's Black Bull pub. But a number of other non BNP supporters who live in the village were also singled out in the attacks and had property damaged.

Police are now trying to track down those responsible and are appealing for the public's help. The Black Bull was first spray painted in the early hours of Friday morning.

Around 48 hours later in the early hours of Sunday morning the same vandals are believed to have returned.

The Black Bull was attacked once more but a restaurant and a number of people's private homes and cars were also spray painted.

One message simply said 'Nazi Town'. The graffiti has shocked residents of the village. Parish Council chairman Stuart Elliott said: "Nothing like this has ever happened before. To be attacked twice in just a few days is really disturbing. We have one resident who is a prominent member of the BNP and his views have been known for a number of years.

To target anyone for their political beliefs, even if they are considered unpleasant, is something which can't be condoned. There are also people who, as far as I am aware, have no connection to the BNP who have been singled out."

Mr Elliott believes the attacks are a result of BNP leader Nick Griffin's recent appearance on Question Time.

Apart from the Black Bull the nearby Warkworth House Hotel and Restaurant, two holiday cottages and a bed and breakfast were also daubed in graffiti. Two Mercedes Benz cars were also emblazoned with swastikas.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Police received seven reports of graffiti being daubed on property and vehicles in Bridge Street, Warkworth." Anyone with information should call 0345 604-3043 ext 69191

Spooky goings-on at Acklington pub

2009-11-03T14:40:55Z

The new owners of a Northumberland family pub have reported spooky goings-on since their arrival.

Stuart and Susan Collingwood, at The Railway Inn in Acklington, say tables have rocked, scraping noises have been heard, glasses have smashed, and then there was the mystery voice in the men's toilet.

Susan said: "Me and Stuart don't really believe in ghosts, but we have had a few spooky happenings.

"Firstly a table rocked in the bar while I was sitting next to it. It is a heavy solid table and no way could it have just rocked. That was really weird."

The Inn's previous owners have said they too noticed odd occurrences and rumour has it the property is haunted by a former landlady.

Susan and Stuart are now keen to find out more about the history of the building.

New calls for dualling of A1

2009-11-03T09:31:06Z

A Northumberland Tory peer has called on the Government to spend money planned for Europe on dualling the A1.

Lord Vinson, of Roddam Dene, near Wooler in Northumberland, hit out in the House of Lords at plans to give £7.9bn in annual membership money to the European Union in 2010.

In a question to Lord Myners, financial services secretary to the treasury, Lord Vinson - former chairman of the Rural Development Commission - said the money would be better spent on improving this country's infrastructure.

He questioned why the Government had not made money available to dual the A1 throughout Northumberland, and for improvements to the A69 which links Newcastle with Carlisle and the M6.

Lord Vinson said afterwards: "Magnificent roads and railways have been built in Spain, Portugal and Ireland, substantially with British money. It would be much better to spend the £8bn here at home. The A1 is a glaring missing link in the infrastructure supporting our regional economic prosperity.

"An investment in the road will be rewarded by the business growth it stimulates. It is absolutely lunacy that we pour money into Europe when we have got a third world infrastructure in this country.

"What other country of the world would have its A1 major trunk route not even dual carriageway? It is mind-blowing.

"The A69 between Newcastle and Carlisle is probably just as important.

"The thing about the A1, where it needs dualling, there are no issues of going through towns or conurbations, it would be a relatively easy part of road to dual.

"If you get roads right and infrastructure right, the economy follows."

In response, Lord Myners said transferring the money to the EU would have no impact on spending on Britain's infrastructure, but did not mention the A1. He added: "Our membership of the EU does put British interests first. It gives us direct access to a community of 490 million people.

"The EU accounts for 20% of world trade but 57% of Britain's trade. Some 3.5m jobs in Britain are directly attributable to our membership of the EU, as is the fact that we receive over 25%

Lord Vinson's was backed by Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Conservatives' parliamentary candidate for Berwick.

Mrs Trevelyan is the founder and co-ordinator of the A1 Action Group, which is campaigning for the road to be dualled throughout Northumberland.

She said: "I am incensed by the amount of taxpayers' money due to go to the EU next year, when just a fraction of this sum would be enough to dual the A1.

"Lord Vinson is absolutely right that we must put our national interest first."

LORD VINSON

Nigel Vinson is a former businessman with strong connections across Northumberland.

Now 78, he was the son of a farmer and was educated at the Nautical College in Pangbourne. He served in the Queen's Royal Regiment from 1948 to 1950, reaching the rank of lieutenant.

He was director of the Sugar Board from 1968 to 1975, director of British Airports Authority from 1973 to 1980, and director of the Barclays Bank from 1982 to 1987. He is co-founder of the Centre for Policy Studies, for which he worked between 1974 and 1980. He was also chairman and deputy chairman of various firms and trust.

From 1976 to 1978 he was Honorary Director at the Queen's Silver Jubilee Appeal and was member of the Northumbrian National Parks and Countryside Committee between 1977 and 1987.

In 1985 he was made a life peer as Baron Vinson, of Roddam Dene in the County of Northumberland.

He has been married to Yvonne Collins since 1972; they have three daughters.

Man with sea in his blood finds coastal inspiration

2009-10-31T13:23:09Z

Continuing last week's coastal theme, Environment Editor Tony Henderson talks to an artist who knows every nook and cranny along the region's shoreline.

When artist Ron Thornton read last Saturday's report in The Journal about a pioneering management plan to protect the Northumbrian coast, he could not have been more pleased.

For Ron has devoted a lot of time and energy over the past two and a half years on the North East coastline.

He has visited sites from the Borders, through Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham to the Humber, producing 52 watercolours of coastal views along the way, with descriptions and stories about the locations.

They appear in his new book, launched this week, called A Coastal Voyage in Watercolour, published by Hexhamshire's Wagtail Press at £19.50.

It is not the first time that Ron has drawn inspiration from the natural assets and landscapes of the North East.

In 2002 his book of 78 watercolours of the River Tyne from the sea to the source was released. Having explored the many facets of the Tyne, it was perhaps inevitable that Ron, 73, would turn his attention to the coast in all its diversity.

He was, after all, born and grew up in South Shields, where he collected sea coal on the beach and pushed sackloads back home on the crossbar of his bike to help eke out the family budget.

He and wife Ann, also from South Shields, lived for four years in Craster on the Northumberland coast .

"At the bottom of the garden was the sea," says Ron.

"I have always been fascinated by boats, water and the sea and we have a great coastline in the North East.

"In Northumberland, the wealth of historical attractions, combined with miles of golden sands and dramatic cliffs, produce what many consider to be one of the finest stretches of coastline in England."

In addition to the well-established attractions of the Northumbrian coast, Ron enjoyed discovering locations on the County Durham shoreline, now recovering after years of dumping of mining spoil.

"I love the variety of the Durham coast with all its denes and they have done wonders in cleaning the place up," he says.

"Unbelievably, they simply dumped waste on to the beaches and rocks, turning them into stretches of foul sludge. Visitors kept well away. But to visit them now is a delight."

Ron, who is a self-taught artist, retired from teaching in his 50s to paint full-time.

His career spanned Ocean Road, Cleadon Park and Stanhope secondary schools in South Shields, deputy headship posts at Belford and Beaumont Middle School in Hexham, and headships at Chevyside School in Newbiggin Hall and Gosforth Middle School in Newcastle.

His idea to explore the Tyne came when he hired a small boat and spent a week between the estuary piers to paint the Tall Ships as they entered the river in 1986. "I thought it was worth recording places up to Newcastle, then it became Corbridge and it just grew from there," he says.

Then came his mission along the coast of the old Northumberland.

"The coast is an increasing asset for the region. There are some idyllic places," he says. "But what does sadden me is the decline of fishing. It is quite heartbreaking."

An exhibition of the watercolours from the coast book will be held at Newcastle's new city centre library from December 14-19.

View an image gallery of Ron's paintings »

Weakened Amble pay the penalty at BT

2009-10-28T14:35:12Z

In the Second Division of the Northern Alliance, leaders Amble took a weakened side to face hosts Newcastle BT and paid the penalty in the form of a 4-0 defeat.

The BT lads had drawn their three previous home games, but soon set out their stall in this one with both Greg Palmer and Anthony Stobbs finding the net within 15 minutes of the kick off.

Richard Beverley increased the lead on the stroke of half-time before Neil Clubbs scored his first goal for six years to complete BT's tally.

Amble are now sharing pole position with Wideopen & District who have won 10 of their 12 league games and hammered hosts Willington Quay Saints 6-0.

An idle Saturday for Amble United saw them nudged out of second spot by Percy Main in the First Division.

The Main stretched their unbeaten run to nine games by beating hosts Peterlee Town 4-2.

However, both Amble United and Percy Main were happy to see current leaders Gateshead Rutherford spilling a couple of points. Rutherford drew 2-2 away to Hebburn Reyrolle but still extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

Have a say about Amble supermarket plan

2009-10-27T09:03:20Z

People in a Northumberland seaside town are being invited to a meeting tomorrow night to discuss controversial plans for a new supermarket.

The Duke of Northumberland's estates was given outline planning permission in May to build a supermarket and 49 homes on land at Amble.

Since then, there has been a groundswell of opinion in the town that people were not consulted properly prior to that application being approved.

A public meeting was organised in September to give people an opportunity to air their views before the full planning application is submitted.

At that meeting, the results of a survey were announced which showed that 79% of people felt they hadn't been properly consulted by local planning authority Northumberland County Council and 81% felt they hadn't been properly consulted by the estates. Now a second meeting is to take place tomorrow night.

Town councillor Ray Saunders, who is to chair the meeting, said: "It's about giving people the opportunity to see any plans, and comment on them before the formal planning committee of the town council sits.

"We want as much knowledge of what the people of Amble want, and if they have concerns these can be expressed as part of our formal response."

The meeting will be held at the Dovecote Centre at 7pm.

New strategy for Northumberland coastline

2009-10-24T11:21:11Z

A strategy which is a UK first aims to protect one of the best coastlines in Britain. Environment Editor Tony Henderson reports.

A pioneering management plan has been launched for a coastline hailed as a national treasure.

The strategy, unveiled at an event in Berwick before more than 60 representatives of a wide range of organisations and groups, covers the Northumberland Coast area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site (EMS).

For the first time in the UK, the integration of the management of the two sites links the land and the sea across the intertidal area and also crosses the Scottish border.

The AONB runs from Amble to Berwick while the EMS covers the adjoining marine area from Alnmouth to Fast Castle Head, north of St Abbs in Scotland.

Together, they include some of the most dramatic coastal scenery and marine features in the country , and are recognised internationally for their landscape features, wildlife and historical and cultural heritage.

The themes in the plan cover the natural and historic environments, environmental quality, enjoyment, living and working and land use and marine planning within the sites.

Natural England's chief executive, Dr Helen Philips, said: "The Northumberland and Berwickshire coast is a nationally important environmental treasure and a uniquely important natural asset for northern England and the Borders.

"This pioneering management plan is the first of its kind in the UK to take into account the future management of both the area's coastline and its inshore waters. I congratulate everyone involved on a ground-breaking approach to the future management of a beautiful coast.

"As well as being an amazingly beautiful part of the country in its own right, this coastline contributes to the regional economy by attracting thousands of visitors, creating employment, and delivering many far reaching public benefits. This new plan will ensure that this superb natural asset remains well-managed for future generations to enjoy."

Pat Scott, AONB Partnership chairman, said: "We believe this plan will deliver our shared goals and ambitions to conserve and enhance this most beautiful and spectacular coastline of Northumberland and Berwickshire with its great variety of colourful marine life and stunning coastal scenery."

The plan says: "We now regard it as inconceivable to manage the coastal and marine areas in isolation."

Northumberland County Council Executive Member for the Environment Alan Thompson outlined hopes for AONB status to be extended beyond Amble.

He said: "While the launch is about the area from North Berwick to Amble I would like to have the very positive advances that have been made in areas like Newbiggin by the Sea recognised through extending protection status to the whole of the Northumberland coast from the border to Tynemouth."

The plan aims to protect the special qualities of the coastline and inshore waters and highlights potential opportunities and threats.

One such issue is tourism, which is becoming more important economically as the traditional coastal farming and fishing sectors shrink.

In a survey of 87 businesses in the AONB, three quarters said that the quality of the landscape affected the performance of their business and half said it influenced their decision to locate in the area.

But the economy is now changing to one where tourism is one of the most important sectors.

One of the challenges will be striking a balance between increasing numbers of visitors who come to enjoy the natural, historic and leisure attractions of the coast, and the pressure and damage such numbers can cause.

"There is an inherent tension in visitor management between making the area accessible for visitors and preventing damage to the very resource that attracts visitors," says the plan.

"The area's popularity with visitors, rising numbers of cars and an increasing variety of sports activities pose threats to the landscape, seascape, wildlife, historic environment and experience of visitors."

This could be sharpened by the new Marine and Coastal Access Bill.

"Such a level of access is an opportunity for recreation and also a potential threat to biodiversity and will need to be implemented very carefully," says the plan.

" In a time of great environmental upheaval the coast is at the forefront of the challenges posed by climate change.

"As the popularity of the area rises, so pressures on the landscape and environment increase, such as new housing, marine structures, growing visitor numbers on land and at sea and changing farming, fishing and industrial practices.

"It is essential that the management of the AONB and EMS rises to these challenges while conserving the unique natural features, tranquility and specialness of the area.

"Many hundreds of thousands of visitors along with local people enjoy the area each year for relaxation, recreation, education and general enjoyment which together enhance quality of life and benefit health.

"Visitors to the coast provide a vital economic resource and visitor interest and spending stimulates and supports the conservation of some historical and natural assets. "However, visitors are also a source of pressure on the special and qualifying features. "

Main visitor attractions include the miles of sweeping sandy beaches, castles, islands, nature reserves, wildlife, the underwater world, fishing villages and harbours, houses and gardens, museums, Christian heritage and crafts .

THE FACTS OF COASTAL LIFE

The 10,000-strong population of the Northumberland coast is mainly in what were traditional fishing and farming villages.

Employment in farming has greatly reduced with just 380 people directly employed out of a total working age population in the AONB of just over 6,000.

With continual declines in white fish stocks the fishing industry is experiencing a decline in vessels, fishers and landings.

Fishing activity is now focused mainly on crabs, lobsters and prawns and limited processing of local salmon and other fish.

Half the population of the AONB earn less than £16,500 a year and the lack of economic prospects has forced young people out of the villages.

There is a disproportionately high level of people over 60 with 30% compared to the national average of 21%.

Since 2003 the affordability ratio of income to house prices has worsened across Northumberland, but particularly in the rural areas including the previous Alnwick and Berwick local authority areas.

House prices are affected by the high level of second home ownership which reaches 41% in Beadnell (pictured), the second highest rate of all wards in England.

There is high car dependency among residents in the AONB with a third of all households owning more than one vehicle and 88% of visitors to the coast arriving by car, with only 3% using public transport.

Increased personal mobility has made the AONB more accessible to those who work in larger towns and conurbations such as Alnwick, Berwick and Tyneside and this has contributed to rapid property development in some parts of the AONB.

The popularity of the AONB as a visitor destination has also led to an increase in second and holiday homes and visitor-related facilities.

The plan says some of these developments pay little reference to traditional coastal building styles .