Northumberland communities - Morpeth

Picture gallery: Remembrance Day in Morpeth

2009-11-09T10:44:53Z

Pictures from the Remembrance Day parade to the cenotaph in Morpeth yesterday, where people turned out to pay their respects to servicemen and women who have given their lives for their country in conflicts around the world. Poppy wreaths were laid at the cenotaph at Castle Bank.

View pictures from the Remembrance Day event in Newcastle and elsewhere »

To purchase any of these photos go to www.journallive.co.uk/buyaphoto »

Morpeth Town pick up a useful point

2009-11-09T09:43:03Z

Morpeth Town are third from bottom in the Northern League but they picked up a useful point at Consett, whose marksmen were Chris Scott and Andy Cuthbertson. Marc Walton had given Morpeth the lead and Paul Jackson equalised four minutes from time.

Elsewhere, Whitley Bay's inexplicable loss of form continued at Filtrona Park on Saturday where rejuvenated South Shields secured a deserved victory, Bedlington Terriers took three points from their game with Esh Winning, and Ashington consolidated third place when an only goal by Scott Blandford was sufficient at West Allotment Celtic.

Morpeth Harrier smashes Town Moor record

2009-11-09T09:15:48Z

Morpeth Harrier Jon Taylor repeated his 2008 victory to smash the course record in yesterday's Heaton Harriers Town Moor Memorial 10km Road race, covering two laps of Exhibition Park and the Town Moor.

This was despite the tricky underfoot conditions, affected by the prolonged spell of rain from Saturday evening, until 30mins before the meeting went ahead.

Taylor soon led the record field of 500 runners, opening up a minute's lead at half-way, reached in a fast 14mins 56secs.

The British Under-23 International extended his lead to 1min 58secs at the finish line, bettering Mark Hood's 2006 course record by a massive 55 seconds.

Taylor's clubmate Ross Floyd ran well to take second place from the host club's James Buis, with the leading three all clocking personal best times. Morpeth took the team title.

There was anther record when Claire Simpson of Chester-le-Street clipped five seconds off the two-year-old women's course record, finishing in 25th position overall.

Simpson pulled well away from clubmate, and 2008 winner, Angela Hibbs with Jane Mooney of Morpeth taking third place, ahead of leading veteran Yam Thiru of Elswick.

The Newcastle club also won the team title.

Northumberland day care centres axed

2009-11-05T15:28:39Z

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.

New car park considered for Morpeth arcade staff

2009-11-05T14:54:45Z

A new car park may be created in a town to serve shopping centre staff.

Up to 450 extra workers are expected in Morpeth, Northumberland, when the revamped Sanderson Arcade is fully open later this year, putting more pressure on already busy car parks.

Now developer Dransfield Properties is looking to ease the problem by using the county council depot in Dark Lane to provide 137 long-stay spaces.

The company is also working on plans for a park and ride scheme and suggestions have already been made to use County Hall as a base during the Christmas period.

Sanderson Arcade manager Debbie Anderson said Dransfield was fully aware of the parking concerns and is doing all it can to address them.

She said: "Generally we are encouraging people where possible to use public transport and use green methods of transport.

"We have cycle racks and are encouraging people to car share. We know there is an issue with car parking in the town, but because they are individual businesses in the scheme they decide what they want to promote on transport."

Wallington event brings in £80,000 for exhibitors

2009-11-05T13:52:29Z

The Wallington Food and Craft Festival has generated in excess of £80,000 for exhibiting producers, according to a survey conducted by the North East England Food and Drink Group (NEEFDG).

The festival also enjoyed record-breaking numbers with 17,592 visitors coming through the gates at the National Trust property in Northumberland for the two-day event last month.

The festival featured leading producers from the North East and Cumbria including 2008 Great Taste Supreme Champions Beckleberry's of Blaydon, along with other regional producers such as Thorncroft Drinks of Stockton, Simply Northumbrian of Chathill, Yellowfields oil of Morpeth and Cumberland Mustard of Alston.

Adam Marks of Cumbrian-based Mr Vikki's, makers of homemade Indian fusion pickles and curry pastes, one of the exhibitors, said: "There was an exceptional quality of produce on display at the Wallington Food and Craft Festival from all the traders and it was a very well organised event.

"We sold a considerable amount of produce and definitely hope to attend again next year."

The Northumbria Larder demonstration kitchen was in place at the festival, with top local chefs Richard Sim of Baltic's Six restaurant and David Kennedy, North East Chef of the Year, on hand to give a series of mouth-watering displays.

One of the highlights of the demonstration kitchen was the cooking of some prestigious Wagyu beef from Monkridge Farm in Northumberland.

Sandy Duncan, of the North East England Food & Drink Group, said: "The Wallington Food and Craft Festival 2009 was an outstanding event. To generate in excess of £80,000 for the producers exhibiting has been a fantastic result.

"Considering the current economic climate, the scale of the proceeds generated and the attendance illustrates that the popularity of local produce has never been stronger.

"The event itself is also now completely self-sustaining and has emerged as one of the region's flagship food, drink and craft platforms, exhibiting local products of international quality."

"All those involved in the Wallington Festival will be doing everything possible to make sure next year is an even bigger success."

Belsay Hall's Christmas Gift Fair takes place this weekend, Nov 7 and 8, with local food and drink produce and gifts galore on offer.

Exhibitors include the award-winning Northumberland Cheese Company which will be selling a wide range of locally-produced, premium quality cheeses and traditional Hebridean liquor specialist Brian Gleeson will be on hand to help visitors choose the perfect stocking filler.

The Hall, Castle and Gardens will all remain open on the day. For more details on admission prices and opening times, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk

Double agony for Morpeth Harriers

2009-11-05T11:51:25Z

For the second time in four weeks Morpeth Harriers were denied a podium place in a major event by a matter of a few metres.

A month ago in the Northern Six-Stage Road Relay Championships in Leeds, they finished in fourth place after being run out of a medal place with the finish line in sight.

And on Saturday, history repeated itself in the English Cross-Country Relay Championships in Berry Hill Park, Mansfield.

With around 600m to go as the fourth and final stage unfolded, it looked as though the Northumbrians would go one better than their third place of last year as Ian Hudspith edged into second place.

However, the toll of an aggressive run gradually told on the run to the line as first Scott Overall, of Blackheath and Bromley, edged past him and then the fast-finishing Tom Russell, who helped GB win the under-23 team gold medal at last year's European Cross-Country Championships, overtook Hudspith in the shadow of the finish gantry.

It was a bitter climax for Morpeth after things started off so brightly thanks to Nick McCormick, who set the tone for an exciting afternoon by handing over in third place at the end of the 5km opening salvo with a time of 14min 59secs, which was to prove the fifth-fastest of the day.

On leg two, Chris Sampson dropped back to seventh, but on the penultimate stage Jonny Taylor moved Morpeth back into third position before handing on to Hudspith for the final charge.

Last year's champions, Bedford and County, were well clear in first place with Derby in second 20m clear of Morpeth.

However, as it proved, the danger was from behind and though Hudspith quickly headed the Derby athlete he was then joined halfway round the course by Overall who had started the last leg in seventh place.

As the pair ran shoulder-to-shoulder, the chasing pack was gradually reeling them in and at the line less than 10 seconds separated the second to sixth team to finish.

It wasn't that Hudspith ran badly - only six athletes ran quicker than him on the last stage - it was just a case of the 39-year-old's legs failing to respond when the challenge came from men just over half his age.

It was extremely cruel on the Morpeth quartet, who were devastated to lose out when it looked so promising with just over a minute left on the clock and a Halloween treat to take back north.

However, it turned into a nightmare trick as the bronze awards were snatched out of their grasp.

New Marske continued the move into senior competition with an impressive final position of 11th.

Gateshead Harriers finished in 22nd place, with Chris Parr their quickest, while Sunderland closed in 29th place.

Northumberland National Trust visitors on the up

2009-11-05T11:28:26Z

Visitors to National Trust properties across the North East this year are up more than 100,000 on 2008.

The visitor total from March 1-October 31 was 713,968.

Membership in the region has also seen a sharp increase with 24,609 new recruits - a 5,307 jump over last year.

Free-to-access trust sites, such as along the Durham and Northumberland coasts and Allen Banks in Northumberland , have also 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."

All the National Trust's 11-pay-for-entry sites in the North East have recorded their best ever summers.

Wallington Hall in Northumberland anticipates breaking the 200,000 visitor mark for the first time by the end of the trust financial year in February 2010.

It is currently on target to attract around 203,000 people - 39,000 more than the next best year in 2007.

The October school half-term alone saw Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island attract more than 2,000 visitors - despite the unpredictable weather and inconvenient tides which meant people had less time to spend there.

The autumn half-term has traditionally marked the end of the National Trust tourist season, but with many properties this year electing to stay open in the run-up to Christmas and beyond, the visitor milestone is expected to again be shattered.

David Ronn, the National Trust's regional director Yorkshire and North East, said: "At the start of the year we weren't sure how the recession was going to affect us. We didn't know if it was a threat or an opportunity we could grasp with both hands.

"As it turns out, we have had a bumper season. What has happened is that Britons are exploring their own country again. We believe that is a long-term good for domestic tourism.

"People will never be weaned off overseas trips, but the National Trust believes it can successfully build on the dividends this year has reaped not just for us, but for the local economy.

"More visitors to National Trust properties means more money going into the local economy. It's a win-win situation for everyone, especially with the country going through such a dire recession."

Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy to stand down

2009-11-05T11:09:39Z

A Northumberland MP has announced he is to stand down at the next General Election.

Denis Murphy, Labour MP for Wansbeck, whose constituency covers the Lynemouth area, announced his plans in a letter to constituents.

Mr Murphy, who has just turned 61, said there was "no one reason" for his decision but it is one he has thought "long and hard about for the last year".

The MP, who was elected for the first time in 1997, admitted the expenses row was a factor.

The Journal's sister paper the Sunday Sun reported in June how Mr Murphy claimed thousands of pounds to redecorate his flat twice in three years. We also reported how he claimed £750 for a new television and how he employs his daughter as a part time office assistant.

The MP said: "It's not the expenses scandal itself, but some of the things that have come out as a result.

"It is the sort of press attack on decent Members of Parliament who have done nothing wrong, who only followed the rules the employer set out.

"Some of my colleagues have done things that have been very silly and that should never have happened, but the majority haven't done that.

"I don't want to say my decision is down to the expenses issue because it is not. It is a combination of very many things, of which the expenses issue is only one."

In his letter to constituents, Mr Murphy wrote: 'This is a decision I have fought long and hard about for the last year.

'There is not one main reason directing my decision, rather a number of issues'.

Remembrance Day events in Morpeth

2009-11-05T10:20:00Z

Morpeth is preparing to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice made by its forces' personnel during wartime.

Morpeth's Remembrance Sunday service and parade will be held on November 8.

The parade will start at 10.35am at Morpeth Town Hall and make its way to the cenotaph on Castle Bank for the wreath laying ceremony and service at 10.55am.

Following the national anthem and thanks by the Royal British Legion the parade will return to the town hall.

On Wednesday November 11 people in Morpeth town centre will be asked to observe a two-minute silence starting at 11am. It will be preceded by the Last Post.

On the same day an annual Armistice Day ceremony will take place at County Hall, Morpeth, with members of the ex-services community from around the county. Members of the public wishing to be a part of this ceremony should be at County Hall by 10:30 on the morning of 11th November

Morpeth Golf Club scheme sees membership grow

2009-11-05T09:21:28Z

Morpeth are a club who uphold the best traditions of golf, but that has not stopped them making a success of a novel alteration to members' annual subscriptions.

Until the 2009 season, the difference between their junior rate and full rate was £341. As general manager Terry Minett put it: "Our members were starting to pay the full rate at the age of 22, so that was a massive jump.

"We were finding that the drop-off was dramatic. When somebody is 22, it is a significant price rise when golf is competing with many other financial factors such as rent, mortgages, student loans or bringing up a family.

"Also, our membership profile showed an average age of 55-plus and we had more members over 70 than between 21 and 31." In time for the 2009 season, Morpeth put a revised structure in place in terms of intermediate subscriptions for golfers between the ages of 22 and 31.

The crucial factor, as Minett says: "We decided to increase the junior rate by 10% of the difference between adult and junior over 10 years. So the rate increased by £34 per year."

The club are delighted with the outcome. Minett said: "We have had 15 new intermediate members join, a 79% increase in the number of intermediates. The new income has more than compensated for the reduction in revenue by reducing the fees for the 19 members who qualified for the new categories, even though some of them have been paying half of what they were last year.

"Our intention was to encourage juniors to stay on playing golf throughout their early twenties so that golf and the golf club becomes an integral part of adult life.

"I believe the initiative has been a great success and our initial aims have been achieved. The intermediate scale ensures a smooth financial increase from junior to full membership rate."

With the recession continuing to take its toll on the sport - this year's Open Championship venue, Turnberry, has recently made greenkeepers redundant and have been finding it hard to fill their hotel rooms - Morpeth's efforts are to be applauded.

Minett, who represents the northern region on the national executive committee of the Golf Club Managers Association, said: "A marked increase in our general takings can be seen.

"Like every golf club in the country, Morpeth are always looking at ways to retain existing members and attract new ones. There were several key aims behind the design and introduction of these intermediate memberships.

"We want to retain junior golfers through their 20s and make golf more affordable to them as they juggle the demands of first homes, families and first jobs following education.

"We also want to attract new members and to help reduce average age of membership and this scheme is a competitive tool against the migration of golfers to pay-as-you-play."

For details of the scheme, visit www.morpethgolf.co.uk and click on the How To Join section. If you want to know more about the Golf Club Managers Association, ring Terry Minett on (01670) 504942, option 2 or email to terry@morpethgolf.co.uk

Tim Taylor

Morpeth Rugby Club firework display

2009-11-04T13:34:03Z

An organised firework display will take place at Morpeth Rugby Club on Mitford Road this Sunday.

The gates open at 5pm and the event finishes at 8.30pm, with the bonfire being lit at 6pm.

Entry charges are £4 for adults and £2 for under 12s.

Remember when attending a fireworks display always be careful. Follow instructions given by the organisers, stay well back from fireworks and bonfires, dress warmly and keep children under close supervision.

More organised firework displays around the region »

Morpeth Sporting Club fall to league leaders

2009-11-04T13:00:40Z

Northern Alliance Division One title contenders Gateshead Rutherford passed another major test, retaining their unbeaten home record by beating in-form visitors Morpeth Sporting Club 2-1.

Andrew Reay fired Rutherford into an interval lead which was wiped out by Morpeth's Michael Dixon.

There was a series of misses by the league leaders before Kevin Urwin headed home their 83rd-minute winner from a right-wing corner.

Gosforth Bohemians have lost six league games on the trot after going down 3-2 away to Wallington. Ashley McAlpine (2) and Michael Freathy were Wallington's marksmen with Paul Menton and Harry Tulip scoring for the losers.

Morpeth Farmers' Market reaches 10th birthday

2009-11-03T14:30:40Z

A popular market showcasing some of Northumberland's finest delicacies is set to celebrate a landmark anniversary this weekend.

The Morpeth Farmers' Market offers a range of locally-produced food and will be blowing out 10 candles on a special cake - to mark each successful year it has been trading.

The monthly event sees farmers and businesses in the region come together to display the cream of their crop, offering everything from fresh seasonal goods to handmade crafts. Celebrations will see buskers, competitions, and a cake, enjoyed by the stall owners who have stood side by side for the last decade.

There will also be Ready Steady Cook-style demonstrations throughout the morning by David Malone of Real Food Works, using ingredients sold at the market.

And Barnacre Alpacas, who featured at last year's Morpeth Christmas Market, will be bringing their animals into the market place for visitors to see.

Market manager with Northumberland County Council's neighbourhood services, Robert Hindhaugh, said: "The farmers' market is in the tradition of Morpeth as a market town, which is possibly why it is still flourishing after ten years."

Morpeth Farmers' Market was set up in November 1999 by Castle Morpeth Borough Council and was inherited by Northumberland County Council, as the new unitary authority, in April this year.

It has gone from strength to strength selling products including free range eggs, meats and cheeses, to crafts such as handmade soaps, handcrafted walking sticks and embroidery. Chair of Morpeth and Ponteland Markets Forum and NE England Farmers' Markets, Nic Best, was involved in setting up the market as a new borough council back in 1999.

He said: "Morpeth is lucky in still having locally-owned shops which have always sold local produce, but I think the farmers' market has raised awareness and appreciation of local food with a wider public.

"Some of that new demand is now being met by farm shops and box schemes, but in Morpeth the market is still thriving.

"And a number of businesses which started selling through farmers' markets are now supplying the local shops, and in some instances supermarkets - so the wheel has come full circle in a sense."

The Morpeth Farmers' Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month, in the market place. Celebrations to mark the market's 10th birthday take place on November 7, from 9am-2pm.

New calls for dualling of A1

2009-11-03T09:40:58Z

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.