25 Most Recent Stories From Home: News

Fri 10th Oct 2008:

Fireworks and bonfires ruin lives in a flash.

Publication Date: 14/10/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: Have a safe and enjoyable bonfire night.   Attend an organised display rather than having your own bonfire Remember: alcohol and fireworks don’t mix Keep sparklers away from under 5s Keep any pets indoors Ensure you bring your wheelie bin in as soon as it has been emptied Fireworks and bonfires can cause serious injuries and even kill The Police will prosecute anyone who misuses fireworks, sells fireworks illegally or attacks emergency services staff Illegal bonfires will be removed Please report any illegal bonfire to your local authority Join our Facebook or Bebo Group: ruin lives in a flash Visit the website: www.ruinlivesinaflash.com Fireworks and bonfires ruin lives in a flash campaign is led by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police, working in partnership with local authorities, the ambulance service and the NHS.

Fri 26th Sep 2008:

Bring your rubbish for a Big Tidy Up!

Publication Date: 30/09/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: 30th September 2008 Residents across Castle Morpeth are being given extra help to de-clutter their homes as part of a national campaign. Keep Britain Tidy launched its “Big Tidy Up” on Monday September 1st and Castle Morpeth Borough Council is showing its support by asking people living in five areas of the Borough to surrender their household rubbish as a batch of community skips hits the streets. With the levels of rubbish on our streets constantly unsatisfactory, the nationwide Big Tidy Up campaign will see an unprecedented month-long blitz on litter. Thousands of litter picks will take place the length and breadth of the country, with Castle Morpeth also taking part, and it’s hoped that half a million bin bags of litter will be collected nationwide. The Council has pledged extra support between the 29th September and 9th October, when two skips will be delivered and left for 48 hours in Lynemouth, Hadston, Pegswood, Stobhill and Ponteland, and residents will be able to fill them with household waste. The project has been organised by the Council’s Green and Clean Unit and Castle Morpeth Housing to run alongside The Big Tidy Up campaign and is aimed at regenerating local neighbourhoods as well as preventing fly tipping Leaflets and posters have been placed in relevant spots showing the locations of the skips and the dates they will be in place.  Residents are asked to limit items deposited to furniture and household and green waste. Fridges, freezers, ovens, washing machines, electricals, gas bottles, asbestos car batteries and hazardous liquids cannot be taken. The skips will be positioned: 29th/30th September: Hadston 1) Precinct back car park 2) Wasteland opposite 59 Hedgehope Crescent 1st/2nd October: Lynemouth 1) Old scout hut end of Coronation Cottages 2) Car Park Matlock Square opposite Kingsley Road 3rd/5th October Pegswood 1) Car Park / Garages end of Howard Grove 2) Car Park / Garages off Shadfen Crescent 6th/7th October Stobhill 1) & 2) The Black Swan Car Park 8th/9th October Ponteland 1) Car Park Rear Blackbird Pub 2) Leisure Centre Car Park Mark Naseby, Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s Environmental Enforcement Officer, said: “The idea of the community skips project is to enable residents in the five areas to dispose of items, such as pieces of furniture or extra waste from a household clear out, in a convenient and cost-free way. “We hope that this will encourage people to throw away items they would otherwise hold onto, which in-turn could help to improve their local area and prevent fly-tipping. If the project is successful we may run it again in the near future.”

Mon 7th Jul 2008:

Town Centre Development - Changes to Car Parking Arrangements in Morpeth.

Publication Date: 10/06/2008 Page Content: Town Centre developers will start work in earnest this week to transform Morpeth town centre.  Work begins this week with the closure of Lumsden Lane Car Park  car park (behind the Comrades Club) and Backriggs South (behind the bus station)  to prepare the ground for demolition starting on 21 July. CMBC has already prepared residents and businesses for some of the inevitable disruption to parking that will result. Residents with car parking permits have been advised of additional parking arrangements The CMBC website www.castlemorpeth.gov.uk  has a ‘parking status’ page which explains which car parks are open and how many spaces are available – this will be updated throughout the development. Business partners have been engaged in the process and further meetings will take place between the developers, the council and traders as the works develop Executive Member for Economy Cllr John Beynon is confident that the Council has done all it can to minimise disruption. “One of the conditions of the development was that the new car park at Dark Lane (by Morrison’s petrol station) should be completed and fully operational before any work in the centre of the town started. This  car park is  now well established since it opened in the spring, there are 115 spaces, and it’s just a couple of minutes walk from the centre of town. We’ll signpost motorists to alternative space throughout the development, and our parking attendants will be on hand to help.” Arrangements are in place to enable officers to make speedy changes to the rules at any car park if operational need makes it necessary.  This means that a long-stay car park can be converted to a short-stay, and vice versa, allowing more flexibility. Concluded Cllr Beynon  “We are mindful of our responsibilities for trade and tourism, and inevitably there will be some disruption, but we’ll do our best to keep that to a minimum.  The Sanderson Arcade will be a tremendous asset to the town, so  it’s short term pain for long term gain.”

Thu 15th May 2008:

Sunday Service for Castle Morpeth Mayor.

Publication Date: 12/05/2008 Page Content: The new Mayor of Castle Morpeth will be introduced in a service taking place this Sunday. Councillor Mrs Irene Brumwell, newly elected Mayor of Castle Morpeth, will be welcomed into her year of office with the traditional Mayor's Sunday Service and Parade. The Service, to be held at the Parish Church of St Mary, Ponteland, will be conducted by the Mayor's Chaplain, the Reverend Tim Ferguson, and will commence at 10.00am on Sunday 18 May 2008. Marking the historic links between Castle Morpeth Borough Council and the church, this year’s service will give the local community the opportunity to welcome the new Mayor into the role. The ceremony will be preceded by a civic parade led by the Morpeth Pipe Band, which very recently conferred with the honour of Freedom of the Borough of Castle Morpeth. After the Service, there will be a civic parade to the Memorial Hall and a march past the Mayor. The Mayor-Elect, Councillor Mrs Irene Brumwell and Castle Morpeth Borough Council hope that as many people as possible will join them on this occasion.

Mon 14th Apr 2008:

Warmth of Morpeth welcome makes up for rain on parade.

Publication Date: 14/12/2007 Rollup Image: Page Content: There was no mistaking the warmth of the welcome for the crew of the County’s adopted warship HMS Northumberland as they paraded through Morpeth prior to receiving Freedom of the Borough, accompanied by the Morpeth Highland Pipe Band, which also received the honour. Accepting the award on behalf of the ship, Commander Martin Simpson said: “Significant bonds of friendship had been forged, and these grow stronger with each successive visit.  The warmth of the welcome is always generous, genuine and heartfelt on our return to our spiritual home.” Despite the rain, there was no dampening the historic day for the Morpeth Highland Pipe Band, whose Secretary Stewart Todd accepted the Freedom of the Borough scroll from Councillor Milburn Douglas. “We are delighted to receive this honour, marking not just the band’s long association with Castle Morpeth, but its 100th year.“

Wed 27th Feb 2008:

New Year, New Challenge.

Publication Date: 28/01/2008 Page Content: Castle Morpeth Borough Council is offering those who are stuck in a rut the chance to begin the New Year with a new challenge. A training course in Health and Social Care is set to begin on 25th February in the Lynemouth area for three to four weeks.  Those interested in learning new skills to enter employment, or brush up on previous experience are encouraged to join. The free course is among a number currently on offer at local venues, with the borough’s residents able to gain knowledge of a variety of subjects, including Childcare, Customer Service and Construction. Christine Cowans, Project Officer for the council’s Regeneration and Partnerships Unit said: “Our aim in offering these courses is to encourage local people to try something new and improve their skills, which will assist individuals in furthering their career prospects, and therefore provide a more knowledgeable and capable workforce in the borough. “The courses are free, do not affect benefit entitlement and transport and lunch costs are provided so we are making learning as accessible as possible to everyone who wants to take part.” Pauline White is one Castle Morpeth resident who has already completed the Health and Social Care course, and found work as a result.

Top Marks for Council in Financial Examination.

Publication Date: 05/02/2008 Page Content: Castle Morpeth named best in Northumberland on Audit Commission Scorecard Castle Morpeth Borough Council (CMBC) has scored top marks for its use of financial resources for the second year running, marking the Council the most effective in Northumberland when it comes to efficiently collecting and spending the funding available to it. CMBC scored well in a national use of resources assessment which was undertaken at all district councils across the country between April and October 2007, and was graded best in Northumberland under criteria set by the Audit Commission, the organisation which ensures that Councils are offering best value for local people. The Council scored three out of four in all five categories of the assessment, scoring ‘consistently above minimum requirements’ and therefore performing well.  The ‘overall use of resources’ score was also three out of four. All scores are unchanged from 2006, except in the ‘Value for money’ category, where Castle Morpeth’s performance improved from a two to a grading of three – again, consistently above minimum requirements. Councillor Peter Jackson said: “Most financially efficient Council in Northumberland is quite an accolade, and I congratulate our staff and Members who’ve done so much to get us to that position.  Financial reorganisation is never an easy process.  Some tough decisions have been made to bring us from the brink of financial crisis in 2002 to best in the region in 2008.  To have that effort recognised is extremely satisfying, and I hope this financial best practice is something positive that Castle Morpeth can bring to the new Council.”  The Council’s Director of Resources and Property, Barry Scarr, said: “We’ve worked hard to re-prioritise our resources, cut costs and get the best possible deal for local people,  so to be named ‘best in class’ is not just rewarding for staff,  it’s a great thing for local people, because they can be assured that their Council is stewarding resources with care.” 

Marks and Spencer – New Store Announced.

Publication Date: 13/02/2008 Page Content: Commenting on the announcement that Marks and Spencer will be opening a larger store in Morpeth, Councillor John Beynon said: “Marks and Spencer have traded extremely successfully in Morpeth and their presence in the town has increased shopper footfall in the town very substantially. "I am confident that this new store, along with other national and local traders who will be populating the new Sanderson Arcade development,  will bring even more benefits to the town and welcome this expression of confidence in our town and the new development from Marks and Spencer”

Castle Morpeth Review and Retention Policy Transparent and Fair .

Publication Date: 13/02/2008 Page Content: Castle Morpeth Borough Council has recently announced arrangements to retain its senior staff members until April 2009, when the new unitary council will take over delivery of services. The package includes a review of senior staff salaries by an independent consultant from the North East Regional Employers Association which concludes the job evaluation exercise for all staff which formally ended in February 2006. The review revealed that Castle Morpeth’s Chief Officers were being paid below the average for the region and significantly (between 2.2 and 3.5% depending on grade)  below  the  national average survey taken in 2006.  Because the survey was taken in 2006, it is more likely that Castle Morpeth’s senior staff salaries are around 4-5% below national average at the current time. As a result, senior staff salaries have, with the full agreement of trades unions, been increased to the average figure for Northumberland and Durham districts from February 2007. At the same time, a retention arrangement has been agreed unanimously by the Executive Board for key staff to ensure that their services are retained until April 2009. Commenting on the arrangements, Councillor Peter Jackson said: “It has already been announced that redundancies as a result of Local Government reorganisation concluding in April 2009 will be most likely at senior staff levels.   Obviously this causes uncertainty for staff , who may for very good reasons be seeking alternative employment at the very time when it is most important that their services are retained if we are to continue to deliver for local residents.    For this reason, Castle Morpeth Borough Council has agreed a retention fee of 10% of salary for the Chief Executive, directors and some key posts. It also reflects the additional workload for staff in continuing to deliver good services with the additional workload of preparing for the change to come.  The payment is dependent upon staff remaining in post until April 2009 and we believe it is a fair and transparent method of ensuring our services to residents can be maintained and indeed continue to improve at a time of change. “

Vipers on Ice in Carlisle Park.

Publication Date: 15/02/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: Newcastle Vipers Ice Hockey team and children from Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s ice hockey skills programme will officially open the artificial ice rink in Carlisle Park, Morpeth on Monday 18th February at 9 am. Children from Chantry and Newminster Middle Schools in Morpeth have undergone a 10 week coaching programme with the Newcastle Vipers Community Foundation.  Canadian Andre Payette and Great Britain International David Longstaff will put the children that attended the skills sessions after schools through their paces on the ice.   The hour session will look to develop the children’s skating skills and the session will conclude with and ice hockey match.  Vinny the Viper club mascot for the Vipers team will be present to referee the game. Louise Horsley, Active Outdoors Co-ordinator for Castle Morpeth Borough Council said “The ice hockey sessions have been a fun and innovative way of getting young people active using role models and professional players from the Vipers”. In additional to the launch event the players will coach a session for a Positive Sport group which aims to engage young people with disabilities.

101 reasons to pledge £10,000.

Publication Date: 06/02/2008 Page Content: Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s pledge to support the 101 non-emergency scheme has faltered as other partners decided to discontinue the service after Government funding was withdrawn. The Council planned to pledge  £10,000 to support the telephone line’s continued existence after April 2008. The 101 scheme is part of a government promise for people to have access to a 24-hour number to deal with non-emergency issues such as anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance, drunk and rowdy groups and threatening and abusive behaviour. Provided by police and local councils, the pilot scheme is currently in operation in four areas across England and Wales, including Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.  Castle Morpeth Borough Council has actively backed the scheme and pledged to continue its support and contribute towards the costs of the programme as plans were considered for its continuation without government funding. However the council is disappointed that other partner councils have decided to discontinue the service after The Home Office announced in November 2007 that it did not have the budget to roll out the service nationally. Councillor Glen Sanderson said: “This is a very valuable and popular service, which allows the public to do their part in reducing anti-social behaviour.  It has been well publicised and well promoted, and we believe it has gained a deal of local support.  We would like to help to keep it going if we can and have pledged £10,000 to support the continuation of the service. ”

Local craftsmen get to work in the woods and local people can too .

Publication Date: 18/02/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: Hedge laying masterclass seeks pupils! Two local craftsmen have put their diverse skills to good use in a combined project set to transform access to a local nature reserve, thanks to funding  from a charitable trust. Mark Talbot a carpenter, and David Boyson a dry stone waller were contracted to undertake the work after the Friends of Carlisle Park were given approval by the SITA Trust for a £10,000 grant to improve access to Scotch Gill Woods by providing five new gates. With many people using the wood, including dog-walkers, bird watchers and those wanting to take a countryside walk, essential upgrading was required on the 20 year-old entrances, which had a lack of appropriate signage and were falling apart as the wooden entrances were rotten.  Mark and David were chosen to create the unique features. Mark Talbot was responsible for designing and creating the new gates and entrance feature at Scotch Gill Woods, and has made a gatepost carved with the leaves and flowers that can be seen in the woodland.  The gates also include a carving of the wood’s name. Mark said: “My usual work is making indoor furniture, so this project was something completely different, although the gates are made in my distinctive style.  Beforehand the entrances were falling apart, but now people are stopping to look and seem really pleased with the effect.” David has worked as a stone waller for around 20 years, specialising in landscaping and domestic garden walls.  His involvement in this project was to create stone entrance features and small stone walls at the woods, as well as some hedge-laying.  David said: “I think the finished project will be aesthetically pleasing and the woods will look more cared for.  It was time to do something about the entrances and the combination of wood and wall is extremely effective.” The Friends of Carlisle Park applied to the SITA Trust, a funding organisation that supports community and environmental improvement projects, for the £10,000 grant towards signage, new gates and hedge laying in the car park.  Funding also paid for the new entrance feature that has been created at the road to the car park, with the woodland’s name carved into it to make it clear to visitors where the track leads. Sam Duckworth, from Friends of Carlisle Park, said: “The Scotch Gill Woods and other entrances involved in the project have been much improved and it is all going extremely well. Thanks to the grant from the SITA Trust, the appearance of the area has been greatly enhanced and the new wall and signs are much more suitable for visitor access and information.” YOUR CHANCE TO BRUSH UP YOUR HEDGE LAYING! Join the rangers of Castle Morpeth and David Boyson, professional hedge layer, on Sat 23rd February from 10am onwards for a master class in hedge laying. The event will take place in the car-park of Scotch Gill woods as part of works funded by the £10,000 SITA Trust grant for woodland access improvements in that area. The site is accessed either on foot from Lancaster Park housing estate or by road from Dogger Bank just after Morpeth Rugby Club. Please wear old clothes and boots / wellies. Goggles, gloves, tools and expertise provided!

Tue 1st Apr 2008:

Shipmates piped aboard!

Publication Date: 25/03/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: Morpeth Pipe Band and HMS Northumberland to be awarded Freedom of the Borough in town centre ceremony Two respected local groups will  receive special awards in honour of their services to the Borough next weekend. Morpeth Pipe Band and HMS Northumberland are each to be given Freedom of the Borough of Castle Morpeth at a ceremony taking place on Saturday 5th April.  Morpeth Pipe Band is recognised with conferment of Honorory Freedom of the Borough in recognition of the loyalty, service and dedication of the band, which is almost100 years old.  To leave a lasting reminder of the importance of the event, it was decided that the group should receive the honour this year. HMS Northumberland, which already has Freedom of the Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed and Freedom of Northumberland awards, will be honoured with Freedom of Entry to the Borough, in recognition of the long and close association between the Borough and HMS Northumberland. Taking place in Morpeth town centre on Saturday April 5th, beginning at 10am with the ringing of the clock tower for 15 minutes, the event will include a parade by the Morpeth Pipe Band from Mains Place to Castle Square where they will 'collect' the Ship's Company of HMS Northumbberland. The whole parade will then march off to the Market Place where the Freedom Ceremony will take place.  A saluting dais will be positioned on Bridge Street and the Mayor of Castle Morpeth, Councillor Milburn Douglas, will inspect the HMS Northumberland Ship's Company together with the Captain, Commander MJ Simpson, and he will acknowledge the Morpeth Pipe Band. The Captain of HMS Northumberland will be asked by the Mayor to accept the Scroll of Freedom of Entry to the Borough.   He will also confer on HMS Northumberland the right privilege and honour of marching through the Borough of Castle Morpeth on ceremonial occasions with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, band playing and colours flying. The Morpeth Pipe Band will then similarly be asked to accept the Scroll from the Mayor, receiving the honour of Freedom of the Borough in recognition of the long and distinguished service to the Borough Council and as an expression of the high esteem in which the Morpeth Pipe Band is held by the Mayor and Borough. 

Thu 15th May 2008:

Man and machine in a bid to clean.

Publication Date: 07/05/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: Man and machine are set to join forces at Castle Morpeth Borough Council in a bid to clean and tidy the Borough. The Council’s Green and Clean Unit has taken delivery of two new road sweepers and a graffiti removal system, which will be put to good use immediately across the area. One large sweeper and one smaller version, both featuring special facilities, have been purchased to ensure better sweeping at roundabouts and improved weed spraying, with the leaves, litter and road sweepings collected being recycled. In addition to the Council’s commitment to sweep every road in the Borough at least four times each year, and with some being swept every day, the two new machines will mean an extra 15,000 miles of road swept annually. Three and a half tonnes of rubbish was collected during a recent clean-up following a request from Stannington Parish Council.  The Green and Clean Unit set to work on sweeping the A1 from Stannington to Seaton Burn, concentrating on grass verges on a quiet Sunday morning to ensure health and safety. Councillor John Morris, Executive Member for the Environment said: “With the A1 being important for tourism as the gateway to Northumberland our team worked hard to get a solution in partnership with Stannington Parish Council, and we also cleansed the A697 from Heighley Gate to Weldon Bridge recently.” “We are endeavouring to clean as many areas of the Borough as possible to improve local environment quality and these new machines are a very welcome addition. Although Graffiti is not a major issue in Castle Morpeth as a whole, the new £4,000 giant pressure washer system will be put to work in locations such as Lynemouth, which sees its fair share of the problem. The introduction of the system is another part of the Council’s promise to residents on clean-up programmes and plans have been put in place to undertake contract work from the Council’s commercial partners to ensure the kit pays for itself. 

Collecting at the kerbside.

Publication Date: 07/05/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: The success of Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s kerbside glass collection scheme has allowed for additional locations to be included. Hadston and North and South Broomhill have recently been added to the run, with 1500 more households adding to the 6000 that were already part of the scheme.  Within the first two weeks of the new areas being included an additional two tonnes of glass was collected for recycling, which should ensure that the Council is on target to recycle 900 tonnes of glass this year.  Households that are not currently part of the kerbside collection scheme are deemed close enough to a recycling centre and the Council’s Green and Clean Manager, Andy Rutherford is keen to thank residents for making the Council’s performance so exceptional by taking glass to the centre or putting it in kerbside boxes.    He said: “Glass recycling is important because it keeps Council Tax down and enables us to increase our recycling performance, making us the best recycling Borough in the north east and in the top 25% in the country. “Residents in Castle Morpeth have been fantastic in helping us to achieve such a high standard and I hope we can continue on the same path, improving our performance and encouraging more people across the Borough to take part.”

Put a spring in your step.

Publication Date: 08/05/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: Heading into the great outdoors, taking in the wonderful scenery and encouraging people to get active are key drivers behind an event taking place this weekend. Stepping into spring will be the order of the day for in Morpeth on Sunday as Castle Morpeth Borough Council holds its annual spring walk, lead by Green Spaces Officer Colin Marlee and Carlisle Park Ranger Mary Shepherd. Starting at 2:00pm in the William Turner Garden in Carlisle Park, the trek will take in the trees and woodlands of the park before moving on to High Stanners and along Lady’s Walk to Scotch Gill Woods. Walkers will get a great workout by doing a loop of the woods then heading back along the promenade in Carlisle Park to the starting point. Nature enthusiasts will also be in for a treat as the walk, which coincides with the Tree Council’s Walk in the Woods event, will include carpets of bluebells and wild garlic, wood anemone and stitchwort, as well as a whole host of other spring flowers, making this the best time of year to head down to the woods. The walk will be around five miles long, taking in some hills in Carlisle Park and steep steps in Scotch Gill Woods, which are ideal to get those legs in shape. Members of the public are welcome to join in on the day, and can leave out the more strenuous section of Scotch Gill Woods if it is unsuitable. Those wanting to take part are encouraged to book by contacting First Call on 01670 535000, but you can just turn up on the day.

Who you gonna call? Noisebusters!

Publication Date: 13/05/2008 Page Content: Residents bothered by noise across Castle Morpeth are being encouraged to put their questions to a team of Noisebusters! Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s noise team, featuring the Noisebusters will be in Morpeth on Tuesday 20th May 2008 and in Ponteland on Thursday 22nd May 2008 to help answer questions on noise and take any complaints. In true Noisebusters style the guys will have power packs allowing them to show noise levels on their t-shirts! Noise can cause disruption and distress to everyone - at home, at leisure, at work and at study.  National research shows that half the population say noise affects their quality of life and in 2007 around a million people said they had moved home because of noisy neighbours.  Meanwhile, 70% of people are bothered by noise in their neighbourhood.  Castle Morpeth Borough Council has previously highlighted the problems that can be caused by sounding alarms, neighbour noise, construction noise and barking dogs.  As in previous years the Council is working in partnership with Northumbria Police and Castle Morpeth Housing to raise awareness about this issue. This year promises to develop on the success of “Scooby Do’s” visit to the area last year with the addition of the Noisebusters and, not one to be outdone, the great dog may even make an appearance. As well as the noise busting theme, the Council is also hosting a competition for nursery and first school children to write a poem about noise, with winners receiving a prize of a Zoundz music generator or Hot Hug’s Monkey and their poems being published in the Council’s Gateway magazine. 

Forget spinning… It’s Coast to Coast for Ken!

Publication Date: 15/05/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: With his Lycra at the ready and his bike dusted down, Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s Chief Executive took to the road on 9th May, all in the name of charity. Ken Dunbar had his pedals geared up to cycle 140 miles, coast to coast, from Whitehaven to Tynemouth to raise funds for the Mayor’s Charity, the North East Air Ambulance. Joining him to embark on the journey was  colleague and cycling enthusiast Peter Brierley, who works in the Council’s Planning Department.  Though a keen cyclist, Peter  hadn’t previously ridden the route.   Ken is no stranger to long distance bike rides, having completed a similar cycle with the last year for St Oswald’s Hospice, and completing a gruelling two day ride up the Troodos Mountains in Cyprus last year. Speaking of his intention to help the charity, Ken said: “I wanted to raise as much as I possibly could and hopefully surpass last year’s fundraising amount, which was around £500-600. “Having raised £300 before the ride I am confident we can hit our target and I was thrilled to have Peter by my side for the journey.  After asking if anyone would like to join me, he was crazy enough to say yes and he acted as my pacer, as he is an extremely confident cyclist.”

Wed 27th Feb 2008:

Burning questions about business backing.

Publication Date: 27/05/2008 Page Content: A number of business advice experts are putting themselves on the spot to help business owners understand the various types of funding available to them. Castle Morpeth Business Forum has arranged a special breakfast meeting on the 7th March at Longhirst Hall for anyone with a burning business funding question to test the panel’s knowledge. The forum is a partnership between the Business Community in Castle Morpeth, Business Link and Castle Morpeth Borough Council to support, promote and inform local businesses. Understanding the types of funding available to businesses and how it can help them move forward is difficult.  The need for correct funding for both new and established companies can make the difference between success and failure, so the experienced panellists will be available to give their expert opinions. The panel, which consists of members from One NorthEast, Business Link North East, Northumberland Tourism and HSBC bank, is encouraging questions to be asked in advance, although they can be asked on the day, and some of the queries received so far include “Can I get funding to update and manage my business website?” and “What about a business that’s already successful and needs to expand?”. As well as tackling the issue of funding, the forum meeting will provide a great opportunity for business owners to network and make important new contacts, and this will be supported by expert networkers from the Collingwood Group. Business Forums throughout Northumberland will be encouraging their members to attend to talk to the experts and to meet other local businesses. To ask your burning business question please contact Barry Egan, Regeneration Officer at Castle Morpeth Borough Council on 01670 974984 or email barry.egen@castlemorpeth.gov.uk  For further information on the Castle Morpeth Business Forum please email admin@castlemorpeth.biz or visit www.castlemorpeth.biz. 

Careful Castle Morpeth balances final budget at 0%.

Publication Date: 27/05/2008 Page Content: Castle Morpeth Borough Councillors have agreed a 0% council tax rise for the Council’s last year of operation before services are absorbed into a new unitary authority for Northumberland.  Councillors and Officers are confident that the move will have no impact on the Council’s current services or their ability to build on  the improvements in local services seen over the past four years. Councillor Peter Jackson said: “The way we have looked after the council’s finances over the last few years is now paying dividends and we are able, for the next year, to continue improving council services, whilst at the same time setting a 0% increase in the council tax. “Although there have been financial constraints with the move to the unitary council, within our budget we have remainable to respond to the current needs of residents across Castle Morpeth Borough.” A number of initiatives have been rolled out and are in the pipeline to develop services and issues affecting residents across the Borough, with anti-social behaviour in particular being tackled head on. After many residents informed the council that anti-social behaviour was a critical issue, Designated Public Place Orders (DPPOs) are set to be implemented in Morpeth and Ponteland, with other areas to follow, to ban drinking in public and give police additional powers. Two new Community Safety Officer posts have also been created so that the council has the capacity to respond to anti-social behaviour across the Borough. The move into the final year at Castle Morpeth Borough Council sees a promise from the council to deliver a number of  capital projects that will leave a lasting legacy for the different communities across the Borough.  In Ellington,  the council is investing in a project that will create workspace for local people to establish their own businesses. Investment in the Pegasus project will provide life chances and experiences to people with disabilities and provide a state of the art facility for the Borough. In Morpeth the council is working with partners to resurrect the Town Hall to make it a building that will be open for everyone to use and be proud of. The Morpeth Town Centre redevelopment will offer a quality shopping environment and a tourist destination that has regeneration potential far beyond the town itself.  “The new unitary Council has made a commitment that its council tax will come down to the lowest level in the county.  By setting a 0% council tax this year, we are helping the new council to meet this commitment whilst providing a better deal for the Borough’s residents and  without compromising our services.”

Last orders for street drinking?

Publication Date: 27/05/2008 Page Content: Castle Morpeth’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is asking the Council to pursue Designated Public Place Orders (DPPOs), to be rolled out in two areas of the Borough,  to give local police more powers in tackling drinking on the streets. The orders, which will be the subject of public consultation, have been used successfully in other areas to tackle this growing problem. Police figures demonstrate that alcohol is a factor leading to anti-social behaviour and this new power will allow police to confiscate alcohol before problems occur. Between January and December 2007, the Morpeth Sector of Northumbria Police recorded a total of 718 incidents where alcohol was a factor, including street drinking, criminal damage, and rowdy or nuisance behaviour. Castle Morpeth Borough Council is already working closely with Northumbria Police in Morpeth and Ponteland to combat the problems caused by alcohol consumption in public places. New legislation authorising police to direct those aged 16 and over to leave a public place if they are likely to contribute to an incident of alcohol related disorder is being used effectively with DPPOs. This double action, involving the removal of alcohol from those likely to cause anti-social behaviour and preventing troublemaking individuals from returning to an area for 48 hours, sends the message to those likely to cause alcohol related anti-social behaviour that it will not be tolerated. With underage drinking a serious problem across the country, it is expected to be announced this week that those under the age of 18 found drinking alcohol in public could be subject to similar penalties as adults, which currently includes an £80 on-the-spot fine for those causing trouble. Although the scheme is initially set to begin in Morpeth and Ponteland, the Council intends to roll it out into other areas of the Borough after concentrating on the two locations highlighted as target areas by local police. Councillor Peter Jackson said: “The public have told us that anti-social behaviour fuelled by alcohol is an increasing problem and this measure shows that we are responding to their concerns.” “Investment by the council in the programme is seen as necessary to protect the safety of residents and although there is no intention to spoil enjoyment, the issue of anti-social behaviour and alcohol must be tackled.”

Wed 16th Jul 2008:

Medieval to modern proves a winner.

Publication Date: 10/07/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: One of the Borough’s oldest and well loved places of interest has been named as Northumberland’s second most visited tourist attraction. Quarterly regional visitor figures for January to March recently released by One NorthEast revealed that Morpeth Chantry was second only to Alnwick Garden for visitor numbers during the period. The Chantry received 29,458 visitors within the first quarter of this year, with numbers improving month on month. Home to Morpeth’s Tourist Information Centre and the Bagpipe Museum, Morpeth Chantry is a focal point for arts and crafts within the Borough and recently celebrated its 21st birthday with a special visit from The Duchess of Northumberland who commended the attraction for its dedication to developing local business. Built towards the end of the 13th Century, Morpeth Chantry was founded for the local priest to say mass before the grammar school, now known as King Edward VI School, was formed and kept in the building until 1859. Councillor Glen Sanderson said: “We are delighted to have achieved such high visitor numbers for the Chantry for the first three months of the year and expect this to rise even further with a great summer programme of events in store. “The building is an important part of Morpeth’s history, standing as a reminder of the town’s medieval past and now representing the development of new local businesses for the town’s future. “Many businesses that began in the Chantry have gone on to better things and it is great to see this recognised by the high number of visitors, who seem keen to appreciate the quality of the local produce on offer. The Council has stuck with the Chantry through some difficult times but it’s paid off with these results thanks to a dedicated and hardworking team who really believe in what they do, so my thanks to them.”

Talking about Turner.

Publication Date: 14/07/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: Castle Morpeth Borough Council and the Friends of Carlisle Park are holding a special event this week to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Morpeth’s most famous former resident. William Turner, the Father of English Botany, was born in Morpeth, schooled at Morpeth Chantry and developed his love for the natural world in the town. Leading a colourful life by twice being forced into exile, the Tudor doctor most desired the job of Dean of Wells Cathedral.  He finally achieved this in his later life and to help us understand more about this time we have a Turner expert from Wells in Somerset paying a special visit. Katrina Kolizeras of the Friends of The Old Deanery Garden will guide us through the story of Turner’s later years during a talk taking place on 17th July between 7 pm and 8:30 pm at Morpeth Chantry Craft Centre and Bagpipe Museum.  The talk, which will be upstairs in the Bagpipe Museum, forms part of the Council’s programme of Turner celebration events, taking place throughout the summer.  Entry is free and for more information please contact First Call on 01670 535000. A Tudor themed open day featuring crafts and activities will also be held at Morpeth Chantry on Friday 18th July between 11 am and 3 pm to celebrate the Chantry’s 21st birthday.

Morpeth Chantry comes of age.

Publication Date: 15/07/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: Morpeth Chantry is to celebrate coming of age on Friday, with a host of activities on site for all to enjoy. In line with the 500th anniversary events for William Turner, the town’s most famous former resident who was schooled at the Chantry in Tudor times, celebrations are taking place to mark 21 years since the Craft Centre and Bagpipe Museum opened. A Tudor theme is planned for the free birthday event, which will run from 11 am until 3 pm on the Chantry’s official birthday - 18th July - and is set to mark the past, present and future of the famous medieval building. Visitors on the day can find out how plants were used as dyes in Tudor times with Ruth and Lynn from Textiles through time, who will be based in the Chantry Courtyard. They will give demonstrations and encourage people to dye their own pieces of wool with concoctions made from plants in colours such as blue, red and yellow using just woad, madder and weld. David Hall, a local botanical artist who created the William Turner interpretation panels that are on display in the Chantry's Bagpipe Museum, will also be on hand. Demonstrating his craft, David will help visitors to find out more about the stencilling process he uses and how they compare to the woodcuts used in Turner's Herball. The Chantry has just been named as Northumberland’s second most visited tourist attraction and recently received a special visit from Her Grace The Duchess of Northumberland, adding to the birthday celebrations.

Schools celebrate finding their way.

Publication Date: 16/07/2008 Rollup Image: Page Content: Three schools from Castle Morpeth are celebrating after winning separate awards in an orienteering competition. Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s Active Outdoors Project has been working with children from 11 first schools and six middle schools in the Borough for the past four months, teaching orienteering skills in partnership with Northumbrian Schools Orienteering Association and the Morpeth and Ponteland Schools Sport Partnership. Around 1000 young people have been offered three hours of orienteering during the programme, with Collingwood School in Morpeth taking part for the first time. Theory and practical heats all took place between March and June, and a total of 350 pupils from 16 schools across the Borough took part in the grand final on 4th July at Wallington Hall. Collingwood School received a Sportability award, whilst Stobghillgate First School were the overall first school winners, and Chantry Middle School were crowned the overall middle school winners. The orienteering programme is now in its fourth year and this year featured the added bonus of a theory session on how to read a map, rather than the usual format of putting students straight into heats within each school. With Castle Morpeth hosting the British Schools Orienteering Championships in November 2009, events such as this are vital in order to teach youngsters the skills they need and to ensure the Borough has as many young people as possible to compete. Doug Lowery, Executive Director of Northumberland Sport, said: “Orienteering is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to get active and really encourages people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and fabulous countryside that we are lucky to have here. It can be enjoyed by all ages, and at all levels, but it is particularly popular with families as it is a sport that everyone can take part in together. “The sport is growing in popularity nationally, and on a local level Castle Morpeth Borough Council and its partners have been doing some excellent work to raise the profile of orienteering and make it more accessible to the public. Northumberland Sport is pleased to be supporting them in this work.” Louise Horsley, Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s Active Outdoors Project Coordinator, said: “This year’s programme has been a great success, with children across Castle Morpeth eager to get involved, learn new skills and get active, which is the main purpose. “We are delighted with the enthusiasm shown by the students and the Borough is geared up to host a great national championship next year.”

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