Northumberland communities - Corbridge

Video: Recycling in Northumberland

2009-11-11T10:52:11Z

A video has been launched by Northumberland County Council to help it meet demanding Government recycling targets.

The tutorial video (watch below) shows Northumberland County Council's new recycling centre in action and helps residents understand what can and can't be put into the recycling bin.

In Northumberland the council is responsible for collecting waste from more than 140,000 households as well as thousands of business premises.

The council needs to meet Government targets of 40% recycling by 2010, 45% by 2015 and 50% by 2020.

If these strict targets are not met the council faces heavy fines as ministers push ahead with national environmental changes.

One of the key problems at the recycling plant is low-grade plastic such as yogurt pots and margarine tubs which become trapped among paper and card creating contamination problems for the paper mills.

The problem is made worse when these packs contain food waste which can also cause contamination of the other recyclable materials.

In an effort to reduce contamination the council no longer wants people to recycle these types of items which represent a tiny proportion of household waste and cause quality control problems at the plant .

The video offers advice on exactly what items should be recycled, such as plastic bottles (empty and lids removed), rinsed food and drinks cans, paper and cardboard and aerosols.

Visit www.northumberland.gov.uk for more information on recycling

Volunteers wanted for library transport

2009-11-11T09:56:12Z

Volunteers are needed in part of Northumberland to help people who can not get to libraries.

Northumberland County Council's library service is looking for helpers who live in Hexham, Ponteland or the surrounding areas of West Northumberland. Current volunteers and library staff will talk about what is involved at a free coffee morning in Hexham Library on Friday, November 20 between 10am and 12 noon.

For more information, contact Michelle Watson at Hexham Library on (01434) 652488.

Share your Northumbrian dialect words

2009-11-10T11:27:50Z

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

Blanchland shop up for Countryside Alliance award

2009-11-10T10:01:46Z

The village shop in Blanchland is among a number of high-quality community enterprises who are battling it out for four regional titles to go through to a national competition.

The Countryside Alliance Awards recognise quality, characters, skills, traditions and enterprise of the countryside through the people who work so hard to make it tick.

There are four categories and North East businesses have been nominated by customers and supporters. Winners will be chosen before Christmas.

These will then go towards the national titles, which will be announced at Parliament in February.

In the village shop and Post Office category, Blanchland Village Shop, Kielder Village Store, and Belsay Village Shop are competing.

In the local food category, Morpeth's Moorhouse Farm Shop and Dropswell Farm Shop in Trimdon Village, County Durham, go up against Piercebridge Organic Farm in Darlington.

In the Daily Telegraph traditional business group, The Crown at Catton, Allendale, R G Foreman & Son in Norham on Tweed, Northumberland, and Rothbury Family Butchers in Northumberland take each other on. And in the rural enterprise group Allendale Brewery, G & S Organics in Alnwick and the Country Barn, Widdrington, hope for success.

Countryside Alliance North of England director Steve Clark commented: "These finalists represent the very best of the region. The awards are a unique opportunity to celebrate not just the hard work that goes into businesses in the countryside, but also the heart and character of every individual who contributes to rural enterprise."

Corbridge and Stocksfield blood donor sessions

2009-11-10T00:00:57Z

Forthcoming sessions:

Stocksfield Community Centre, NE43 7HL

Friday 08 Jan 2010, 14:30 to 19:00
Friday 30 Apr 2010, 14:30 to 19:00

Corbridge First School, NE45 5JQ

Sunday 07 Feb 2010, 10:30 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 16:30

There are further sessions in Hexham and Prudhoe

For more information and to book an appointment see the National Blood Service website.

Christmas fayre at Brocksbushes

2009-11-09T16:17:00Z

Brockbushes Farm Shop and Tea Room near Corbridge will be holding its popular Christmas Fayre this week, with a wide range of seasonal wares on display.

Christmas poultry, trees and decorations will be available to buy as well as toys, crafts, confectionary and other gift ideas, and a food marquee will display produce from all of Brocksbushes' suppliers.

Extra catering facilities will provide snacks and beverages throughout the day.

The Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre will be held from Thursday 12th until Sunday 15th November, from 10am to 4.30pm each day.

There is free admission and parking over the four days.

Call (01434) 633 100 or visit www.brocksbushes.co.uk for more information.

Tynedale get back to winning ways

2009-11-09T14:19:07Z

Tynedale made light of three yellow cards in a fractious 21-15 win at Wharfedale.

Seeing off the Yorkshiremen, who had lock Alistair Allen sent off after just 20 minutes, the Corbridgemen ran in tries through Hamish Smales and Joe Graham to upset their hosts' hopes.

Stuart Hall's one conversion and three penalties made the difference as Mark Bedworth landed five penalties for Wharfedale.

Jamie Murray, Kevin Showler and Grant Beasley all spent time in the bin for their troubles, but Tom Borthwick's men will have been delighted to get back to winning ways - whatever the fashion.

Police appeal over Whittonstall theft

2009-11-09T14:06:03Z

Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of a horse box and trailer.

It was stolen on Wednesday between 11am and 2.15pm, while parked in a lay-by on the B6309 near to Whittonstall.

The horse box was an Iveco wagon, silver and blue, with the registration R722OTF.

The trailer was an Ifor Williams one, maroon with the registration MBM 1V.

Insp Kevin Oates, said: "Not long after the theft, we received a reported sighting of the wagon believed to be heading towards the Lanchester area. I'd appeal to anyone who thinks they may have seen the wagon to get in touch."

Call 03456 043 043 ext 69191.

Tynedale goal-kicker returns to action

2009-11-06T08:44:58Z

Prolific goal-kicker Phil Belgian returns after 14 months for Tynedale at Wharfedale tomorrow, providing a ray of light amid continued injury gloom.

The former Tynedale captain has worked back to fitness after more than a year battling back injuries, and is expected to feature at full-back in Yorkshire for tomorrow's National One clash.

Influential Belgian's return could not be more timely, with Tynedale preparing to break the 40-player barrier this term as their injury worries continue apace.

James Hoyle underwent surgery for his second broken thumb of the season, leaving him staring down another two months of rehab, while Gavin Beasley is likely to miss a month after aggravating his knee problem against Blaydon last weekend.

Given Tynedale's recent travails in front of the posts, Belgian's prodigious boot will be a boon for Tom Borthwick's men - as much off the tee and out of the hand.

Still poring over injury lists, rugby director John Shotton said Belgian will be a calming force on the side. "He's got this uncanny aura that makes him a special player for us," said Shotton. "Opposing teams are often frightened of his kicking and he seems to give our lads a boost too. He played the first game of last season down at Mounts Bay but has struggled with back problems and hasn't played since.

"So it's great to have him back, he's been going well in training so hopefully everything will be fine tomorrow."

Blaydon, meanwhile, go in search of their third straight league win when they host Blackheath at Crow Trees.

Newton gymnast takes on 100 mile ride for club

2009-11-05T14:17:35Z

A ten-year-old Northumberland gymnast has shown her stamina after cycling 100 miles in just over two days to raise money for her club.

Kate Rogers, from Newton, near Corbridge, took on the coast to coast route after finding out her gymnastics club needed money for new equipment.

Her little legs lasted the distance and she did the 100 miles in two and a half days and two overnight stops at Gilsland and at home in Newton.

Incredibly she even found time and the energy to stop in Prudhoe WestWorld to attend her gymnastics class on the way.

She said: "It was good weather and easier than I expected. Climbing the big hill out of Greenhead was the worst moment.

"Once I got past Vindolanda it was all downhill, following the Tyne to the coast."

The idea came after her cousin completed the ride, and when she heard her club, Tynedale Gymnastics Club, needed to raise funds she thought it would be a good way to do it. She managed the ride in style and did not need the three days she had allowed for.

The Mowden Hall School pupil's efforts raised £600 for the club to buy necessary equipment such as mats, beams and vaults for their two gyms, in Prudhoe WestWorld and in the Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham.

Dad Paul, who accompanied her on the ride, said: "I knew I could do it but I wasn't sure if she could. But she also found time to go to her gym club because she was still full of energy.

"It's very good going - she's as fit as a flea and got stamina and determination. A lot of kids could do it but they'd lose interest."

Kate, who also takes part in Tynedale's gymnastics exchange with Mitry Mory in France, rode from Bowness-on-Solway to Tynemouth along the Hadrian Cycleway.

Club coach Gayle Crowell said: "This is a wonderful achievement by Kate.

"We are very grateful to her - all of our gymnasts will benefit from the new state-of-the-art equipment."

Now that Kate has got the cycling bug, she wants to attempt the 200-mile ride from Edinburgh to Tynemouth next year.

Kate Rogers presents her cheque to Tynedale Gymnastics Club

Meanwhile, she might have met some other keen fundraisers on the coast to coast route, as a group of pupils took on the challenge to raise money for the Calvert Trust in Kielder.

Ten lads from Newcastle School for Boys arrived at Calvert Trust Kielder after doing the ride in two days.

They visited the centre in Kielder Water and Forest Park before beginning to collect sponsorship to raise their target of £2,000. Supporting them in their trip were local companies Back Consulting Limited, Apex Radios and Purple Mountain.

Ubaydullah Iqbal, Dan Cupit, bottom: Mat Butler, Hazel Munro, Gordon Orr" src="http://prudhoe.journallive.co.uk/news/calvertrustride.jpg" width="200" height="170" class="mt-image-left" style="float: left; margin: 0 20px 20px 0;" />The money will go towards the work of Calvert Trust Kielder which enable people with disabilities to achieve their potential through outdoor activities.

Hazel Munro, a fundraiser at Calvert Trust Kielder said: "We are thrilled the school has committed themselves to supporting us and we are impressed with the nature of the challenge they have taken on."

Charles Drax, a teacher at Newcastle School for Boys said: "Visiting the trust meant that the boys could see how the money raised from the challenge will help lots of people less fortunate than themselves to do things they never dreamt possible. "

Pictured: Lads from Newcastle School for Boys who cycled the coast to coast route to raise money for Calvert Trust Kielder. Left to right: top: Charles Drax, Karen Smith, LewisMackie, Peter Cockerill (CE Calvert Trust Kielder), Henry Percy-Raine,
Ubaydullah Iqbal, Dan Cupit, bottom: Mat Butler, Hazel Munro, Gordon Orr

Tyne Valley charity's calendar to support sufferers through the year

2009-11-05T14:07:32Z

Cancer sufferers have come up with a year-long way of helping others with the disease to live a better life.

Tyne Valley cancer charity Lifespan has put together a calendar calling on people who have had experience of the disease to feature each month.

But, rather than simply using a picture, each person featured in the Recipes for Life 2010 calendar also offers some inspirational phrases and ideas for improving quality of life while fighting cancer, such as dietary tips.

It was a Riding Mill mum of two, Maggie Ireland, who came up with the idea after her experiences of coping with a diagnosis of cancer.

She said: "I had always thought that half the battle with cancer was the right frame of mind.

"After I was diagnosed, I decided to look after myself, and everyone, including the team of doctors and nurses who cared for me, were impressed with how well I tolerated the treatment and responded to it. In fact, many of my colleagues from work could not believe that anyone on cancer treatment could look so well.

"One of the nurses looking after me suggested that I speak to another patient who was not coping so well, but I was not too keen, although I was happy to share my recipe for coping.

"As we are all different I thought getting 12 different recipes together in one place like a calendar might be a good idea. Originally, we started with just the recipes then we added in the quotes."

The quotes from each person talk about their way of coping when they were ill, and will hopefully inspire others in their fight. Each month is also illustrated by thoughtful photographs taken by renowned local photographer Shona Branigan.

Maggie said: "One of the people who was a great source of help and support was my hairdresser, Susan Crozier, who manages Reflections in Corbridge. She managed to adapt my hairstyle to what ever the chemotherapy had done to it, and advised me on the best shampoos and hair products.

"When people are diagnosed with cancer they could really do with an information pack on things like what to eat and where to find a hairdresser who has experience of managing hair during and after cancer treatment."

Manager of Lifespan, Nancy Radford, said: "This calendar is based on the experiences of people who have faced adversity and come out smiling. Very often, people affected by life-threatening conditions feel they have lost control, but the recipes for life in the calendar illustrate ways of coping and taking charge. I am confident that the calendar will be an inspiration to all, not just those facing adversity in their lives."

Lifespan was set up in 2004 and provides much-needed support to people with life threatening diseases across the North East.

Calendars are available from Lifespan - email info@lifespanteam.org.uk or phone (01434) 673 777 - or from bookshops (ISBN 9781904499336) either online or in store.

Pictured: Maggie Ireland's Recipe for Life page on the Lifespan calendar

Your Photos: Red grouse at Derwent Reservoir

2009-11-05T08:56:50Z

Trevor Bell took this autumnal photo of a red grouse perched on a rock near Derwent Reservoir.

Send in any photos for the Corbridge, Riding Mill and Stocksfield site or for the YourView page in the weekly Journal Extra supplement to northumberland@ncjmedia.co.uk

Win lifts Stocksfield into top half

2009-11-04T13:00:48Z

Stocksfield climbed into the top half of the Northern Alliance Premier Division table with a 1-0 victory over hosts Shankhouse to avenge their earlier defeat at Prudhoe.

After winning two games on the trot Shankhouse were stopped in their tracks and Josh Brooks scored Stocksfield's winner a few minutes before half-time.

League leaders Walker Central and Wark both lost to Newcastle University and Heaton Stannington respectively in surprising results.

Brocksbushes pumpkins and bangers come into their own

2009-11-02T17:33:02Z

The nights may be drawing in, but on the plus side pumpkins and bangers come into their own at this time of year, as Katharine Capocci reports.

WITH the clocks going back and Halloween just around the corner come comforting treats in the form of those outsize orange veggies - pumpkins.

Winter warming dishes such as spicy pumpkin soup, tarts, risottos and even pumpkin pasties, are new to autumn menus at farm shops and restaurants across the region.

And British Sausage Week, which this year runs from November 2 to 8, timely for Bonfire Night barbies, is an unashamed banging of the drum for the great British banger.

Brocksbushes Farm, near Corbridge, in Northumberland, meanwhile, has a bumper crop of 1,000 pumpkins this year, all grown from seed.

The rustic looking pumpkins, which come in all different sizes and shapes, fly off the farm shop shelves as lantern-seeking families come from all over the region.

Gavin Hall, farm manager at Brocksbushes, says the demand for pumpkins has grown in line with the popularity of Halloween.

"We used to grow 100 to 200 pumpkins but that has really grown over the years, to something like 1,000 today. This year's been a good one, as it's been so much drier. We have about 1,000 squashes too.

"People like to call in to a farm shop because they are grown here in the fields. It's a bit more authentic than popping to the local supermarket.

"Supermarket pumpkins tend to come in one standard size whereas we have all different shapes and sizes!

"They are grown from seed, and go in the last week in May when all of the frosts have gone. They only take up about an acre of the farm, and we have about 10 different varieties of squash and pumpkin."

The pumpkins are used in the tearoom for soups and pies, but Gavin reckons people are more clued up now on how to cook the big beasties.

"Most people buy them for lanterns. It used to be a case of everybody bought them and then come Sunday that was it! But we do have regulars now, we keep the pumpkins and people are more clued up with regards to cooking them."

Chef Stewart Saunders from Brocksbushes has a spicy pumpkin soup offering and pumpkin pasties on the menu at the tearoom this weekend.

"We sell about 40 to 50 litres of pumpkin soup a week in the tearoom," he says. "It's a nice winter warmer, with chilli and cumin. It sells through November."

The pick-your-own farm also sells soft fruits galore throughout the summer, from strawberries and raspberries through to blackberries and plums.

The pumpkins range in price from £1.50 to £3.95 for the largest.

For more details, tel: (01434) 633100.

Riding Mill woman inspires cancer calendar

2009-11-02T16:42:04Z

Cancer patients have created a calendar to share their heart-warming tips on coping with the illness.

They are calling it their Recipes for Life, and ingredients range from pilates to positive thinking.

The fundraising calendar, created by the Ministeracre-based charity Lifespan, is full of secret 'recipes' on how to make the best of every day while living with cancer.

It features advice from 12 sufferers from across the North East, and was the brainchild of doctor and cancer patient Maggie Ireland.

The mum-of-two, who finished her treatment a year ago, wanted to share her experiences after finding the psychological side-effects as hard as the physical ones.

Maggie, who lives in Riding Mill, near Corbridge, Northumberland, said: "I had always thought that half the battle with cancer was having the right frame of mind.

"When people are diagnosed with cancer they could really do with an information pack on what to eat and where to find a hairdresser who has experience of managing hair during and after cancer treatment.

"One of the people who was a great source of help and support was my hairdresser. She managed to adapt my hairstyle to whatever the chemotherapy had done to it and advised me on the best shampoos and hair products."

Other suggestions include wearing bright colours or your favourite perfume, and there are ideas for activities and what to eat.

But it is not just about practical advice. The calendar is also full of uplifting sayings to help people through tough times.

Maggie, who is featured for the month of June, said: "I particularly like the January saying, which is 'life is not the breath you take, but the experiences that take your breath away'.

"This calendar is based on the experiences of people who have faced adversity and come out smiling. Very often, people affected by life-threatening conditions feel they have lost control, and the recipes for life in the calendar illustrate different ways of coping and taking charge."

Maggie's own mantra is: You are what you eat, you feel what you think, you radiate what you do.

Money raised from the sale of the calendars, which cost £6, will go towards Lifespan, which was set up in 2004 to provide support to people with life-threatening illnesses in the North East.

They can be ordered online from Amazon, or by calling (01434) 673 777.