Articles September 2021
CONTENTS:
New Editors
At the end of this year we will be retiring as editors of the newsletter.
We’ve enjoyed our ten years as editors. It’s been heart-warming to see the tremendous community spirit in the parish and all the activities that go on. But we aren’t getting any younger and it’s time for others to enjoy the role.
We wouldn’t advise anyone undertaking the role on their own but it could suit a couple, a family or, more likely, a small team of people.
If you think you might be interested, please contact the current editors or Sally, the chair of our Editorial Board, by Sunday September 19th.
Alan & Sue Etchells 788847 longhorsley.tree@gmail.com
Sally Woolley 788869 sallyannewoolley@yahoo.co.uk
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New St Helen's School Administrator
After many years of service Gillian McEwan is retiring and Kathryn Fox is taking over as Administrator. We would like to thank Gillian for supporting us with the annual Village Days and with the newsletter. Many residents in the village know Gillian and appreciate her kindness, her hard work and her willingness to help no matter how busy she was. It's been a pleasure to know her and we wish her a long and happy retirement.
We also welcome Kathryn and wish her well in her new job.
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October Edition
The last date for submissions is September 20th.
You can email, phone or leave short articles in Millar's Village Shop.
If you leave an article in the shop, please include your phone number.
Please keep articles under 250 words, if at all possible.
Alan & Sue Etchells 788847 Longhorsley.Tree@gmail.com
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New Phishing Email Scam
(Was Breaking News)
Northumbria Police are warning residents about a new credential harvesting email phishing campaign.
Cyber criminals are gaining entry to business email accounts and are sending a phishing email to the compromised account’s contact list. The email contains an attachment or a link and asks the recipient to log in using their credentials to view/download the file.
At first, these emails were known to have come from compromised law firms; however we are now aware of other organisations which have also been affected.
The difficulty of spotting these emails is increased due to them coming from a legitimate source or known sender.
Do not open the email, click on the link or reply to the email.
Contact the sender by phone or in person to verify if the email is genuine.
Click/tap anywhere on the article to see full details.
If you receive an email from a legitimate source or known sender asking you to log in to be able to view or download an attached file please follow the steps below:
1. Do not open the email, click on the link or reply to the email.
2. Contact the sender by phone or in person to verify if the email is genuine.
3. If you are unable to make contact with the sender or their company or the sender confirms their email account has been compromised, please ring 101 immediately and report the incident to police.
4. If you are a business effected – follow your own organisation’s policies and procedures and notify your IT department/person responsible for your IT security.
5. If you do not have an IT department reset your password immediately.
6. Where possible, enable two/multi-factor authentication (2FA/MFA); this will work to reduce and mitigate the impact of compromised credentials.
Please note, the above advice is only for incidents where you have received an email from a legitimate source or known sender asking you to log in to be able to view or download an attached file.
Any other phishing emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk where appropriate action will be taken by the National Cyber Security Centre.
If you have been a victim of any other cyber-attack you are advised to report this to Action Fraud via their website at www.actionfraud.police.uk or you can give them a call on 0300 123 2040
It's the same advice for all unsolicited calls, text, emails and letters:
• If you think the communication could be genuine then contact the person or company the communication purports to come from.
• Use your normal contact details or look for a reliable source.
• Don't use the link or contact details in the unsolicited communication.
• If it's a phone call, dial 1471 first so you can check that the line is OK to use, or use a different phone.
See the Scams page on our Longhorsley website.
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Neighbourhood Policing Team
There are a lot of scams in operation at the moment - mainly around parcel deliveries due to the increase in this service during lockdown. Please do not give out any details over the phone or respond to any text or email. If you are expecting a delivery you will receive the formal notification from the delivery service. [See ‘New Phishing Email Scam’]
There continues to be reports of suspicious vehicles believed to be involved in poaching in the area - these are followed up by our Operation Hawkeye Team who deal with rural crime. Please continue to let us know of any issues that are happening so we know where to focus our patrols.
As the lockdown continues to be eased we are hoping there will not be too many issues and most people have stuck to the guidelines to date.
We are aware of the issues with speeding and motorbikes - both on and off road - in the area. We have been deploying in various places with the speed gun to try to catch people speeding and also to act as a deterrent and we will continue to monitor your area.
If you wish to report any incident please contact Northumbria Police on 101 or in an emergency 999 and for anything else I can be contacted.
Alternatively you can pass information anonymously via Crime Stoppers at crimestoppers-uk.org or 0800 555 111.
PC Andrea Teasdale 07736 193262 or 101 extension 61181 andrea.teasdale.8603@northumbria.pnn.police.uk
Bedlington Police Station 101 extension 63526 open 8am - 8pm 7days/week
For Crime Maps, go to www.police.uk - the last reported month when the Longhorsley Tree went to press was June 2021.
In the last six reported months there have been 12 crimes reported in Longhorsley parish.
Dog Thefts
(Was Breaking News)
Our Neighbourhood Policing Team have asked us to make residents aware that thieves broke into dog kennels in Whitegates in the early hours of Tuesday 29th June but, luckily, the kennels were empty at the time.
The number of dogs being stolen in Northumberland is low but did double in 2020 and 70% of dog thefts are from the home or garden.
Anybody who is a victim of this type of crime should report it to the police.
You should make sure your dogs are microchipped and that their details are updated, so in the event they are lost or stolen, they can be returned quickly when found.
The Metropolitan Police have a Protecting your dog from theft webpage.
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COVID-19 Update
(Was Breaking News)
At the time of going to press the case rates in the UK and Northumberland were still high, with most of the new cases being of the Delta variant, but the number of patients in hospital and the death rates are all very low because most adults have been vaccinated.
Although there are now no legal limits on social contact the guidance still includes letting fresh air in and minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.
Longhorsley Churches, Longhorsley Village Hall, The Shoulder of Mutton and Millar’s are asking people to continue to wear face covering and maintain social distances.
See 'Covid Guidance for Local Businesses and Venues' below for more details.
Covid Guidance for Local Businesses and Venues
Now we have moved to Step 4 of the Roadmap the majority of Covid legal restrictions have now ended.
They have been replaced with guidance emphasising personal judgement and responsibility.
People are expected to protect themselves and others through informed choice and move to Step 4 cautiously. (See press release)
In line with this guidance St Thomas, Longhorsley Mission, Longhorsley Village Hall, The Shoulder of Mutton, Sandwiches @ Millar’s, Carr's Corner and Green's are all asking people to continue with the pre-step 4 rules for face coverings and social distancing.
Home Testing Kits Available In Longhorsley
A van will be in the Shoulder of Mutton car park but it's now alternate Tuesdays 9am to 10:30am - August 31st then September 14th and 28th. We’ll send a Breaking News if this changes again.
Added Sept 3rd: Now on alternate Wednesdays from 3:15pm to 4:30am - September 8th & 22nd
Vaccination Update
By August 19th 90% of adults had received their 1st dose and 78% their 2nd dose. Vaccinations are now being offered to 16-17 year olds and 12-15 year olds with certain underlying health conditions. Starting in September the most vulnerable are expected to be offered Covid booster vaccinations with their annual influenza vaccine.
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September Tweets along Archie’s Pond
Summer visitors still linger along the walk and Blackcap and Willow Warbler continue to forage amongst the foliage. In the pasture to the north up to 30 Pied Wagtails can be seen catching flies amongst the sheep - these birds are on their way south.
A walk as dusk approaches during September or October will often be rewarded by an encounter of large numbers of Blackbirds, Redwings and Fieldfares flying in to roost in the thickets after feeding in the fields and hedgerows round about. Wrens, Dunnocks and Robins will all continue to hold territories throughout the winter, and often sing unless forced away by very hard weather. The song will not be as loud as in Spring, but a little sunshine prompts them to give a burst of song, even in midwinter. Also, there are chance meetings with a mixed flock of tits, finches and hopefully Treecreepers. If you stand still and watch as they go by, there is a greater likelihood of a close view.
Once the trees are bare, then good views of Bullfinches are probable. They will sit in the same part of a shrub or tree, moving a little to reach for berries or Ash keys. The males are a very colourful sight, the females less showy. Seeing a dozen or so in the same Hawthorn bush is well worth a bit of patience.
Andrew Brunt 788352
For more information about birds in Northumberland, visit the Northumberland and Tyneside Bird Club website at www.ntbc.org.uk
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Post Office in Longhorsley Village Hall
Please note that this Outreach Service can not accept large parcels.
Please remember to keep 2m apart when queuing.
Monday 9:15am to 12:15pm
Tuesday 9:15am to 10:45am
Friday 11:30am to 1:30pm
A full list of Post Office services available at Longhorsley can be seen here
Only one customer is allowed to be served at a time.
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Longhorsley Takeaway Food
We will send out a Breaking News if we are notified of any changes.
The Shoulder of Mutton
The Shoulder of Mutton is open and offering takeaways every day.
Sunday lunches 12-6pm ~ Monday to Saturday 5pm-8pm
See their menu at shoulderofmuttonpub.com ~ phone 788236 to order
Pizzeria Padre
Pizzeria Padre at West Moor Farm (by Forget Me Not Country Park) is open for collection every Thursday & Saturday 5pm to 8pm.
Order by 5pm Tuesday for Thursday or 5pm Thursday for Saturday.
See the menu and place orders at pizzeriapadre.com
The Flying Fryer
The Flying Fryer will be here every Friday from 4pm to 7pm, depending on demand.
Please remember to keep 2m apart when queuing.
Facebook The Flying Fryer 07984 426 725
Mivesi Naan Truck
Mivesi Naan Truck is here alternate Wednesdays from 4:30pm to 8pm
They can’t be here Sept 1st - next visits are September 15th and 29th
NOW alternate TUESDAYS so September 28th
See their menu on the Mivesi Facebook page.
Pre-order by text to 07841 204532 or message them on Facebook.
Dou_h&Co
Dou_h&Co here alternate Thursdays 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Next visits are September 2nd, 16th and 30th
Pre-ordering only 07507 834 628 from Tuesday 9am each week.
You will be allocated a collection time and be sent a payment link.
See their menu on the Dou_h & Co Facebook page and Dou-h.co.uk
Your County Councillor
I have been asked to arrange some speed monitoring through the village and this took place earlier this month. The figures show a relative adherence to the 30 mph by traffic heading south but around 34 mph for traffic going north. On this evidence I will contact Northumbria Police and ask that they deploy the camera van in the village. I can't guarantee this will happen but I will try.
I will also ask for the Council to re-look at what we might be able to do to try to slow down those drivers. Once the work starts on the A1 we can expect more traffic through the village so lets see what can be done.
As always please get in touch if I can help with anything -
Glen Sanderson (County Councillor) 07730 979 737 glen.sanderson@northumberland.gov.uk
Contaminated Recycling
NCC report that some recycling loads are being rejected due to contaminated bins. They are reminding residents to put dog waste and disposable nappies in the general waste bin - NOT your recycling bins.
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Planning Application - Belmont
(Was Breaking News)
The Castle Morpeth Local Area Council decided to "Defer for independent viability assessment to be carried and for further information as to whether advertising for a period of six months is required under Policy LNP8."
This means there will be an independent assessment of the applicant's estimate to upgrade the commercial premises and legal clarification of the requirement to advertise for six months if the use as a commercial premises is not economically viable.
More details in the Castle Morpeth Local Area Council July 2021 section of our 'Planning Application - Belmont' webpage.
Longhorsley Parish Council
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 8th September 2021 in the Village Hall, starting at 7pm, with a parishioner slot at 8pm.
Meeting notices are displayed on village notice boards, with minutes and other information found on the Parish Council website
northumberlandparishes.uk/longhorsley
Please note that due to COVID issues, this meeting could be moved to a virtual ZOOM meeting at short notice. In the event that the meeting has to be changed, a notice will be placed on our website giving the necessary joining instructions.
Contact details for the current members are detailed below:
Clerk: Gillian Turner - 4 Lowther Close, Seaton Manor, Ashington, NE630HY 01670 812704 or email parishclerk@longhorsley-pc.gov.uk
Chairman: Iain Elliott Iain.elliott@longhorsley-pc.gov.uk
Councillors: Kirsty Bell, Peter Boyle, Norman Douglas, Penny Ford, Andy Hedman and David Pringle.
Archies Pond Refurbishment Project
We are delighted to inform you that funding has now been secured to commence this project. To date we have secured £9,300 from the National Lottery, £5,000 from the Wingates Community Fund and £2,500 from private donations. Unfortunately, the area will need to be closed-off during the refurbishment works and we thank you for your patience at this time.
St Helen’s Old Church
Volunteers will be carrying out some maintenance and conservation works at the Old Church over the next few months. The inside of the church is to be cleared of all weeds and given a good tidy-up. New flower beds will be sympathetically established where the altar, font and aisle would have been situated, and new educational notice boards will be installed which will detail the history of this historic building. We are looking for volunteers to assist with this project - so if you have a few hours to spare, please let Cllr Ford or the Clerk know. We would also like copies of any old photographs of the church in its former glory - so please take a look through your old albums and send any copies to the Clerk.
New School Year
At the start of the new school year, parents are reminded to make sure that their children respect private property whilst waiting for the school bus. We have received reports of several incidents involving children using private garages for goal posts etc., causing damage to the property, which can be expensive to repair.
Longhorsley Calendar
If you have taken a photo of a local summer scene that you think would be suitable for the 2022 Longhorsley calendar we’d love to see it. Please email it to us at Longhorsley.Tree@gmail.com
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Closure of B6344 Cragside To Weldon
NCC have a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) to close the B6344 road to Rothbury between 9:30am and 3:30pm for 2½ weeks - from Monday September 6th till Wednesday September 22nd. This is for 'to carry out carriageway repairs structural patching/resurfacing' - see one.network/?tm=121536196
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Overnight Closure of A1
The A1 between Burgham and Felton will be closed for two nights Saturday/Sunday 4th/5th September between 9pm and 6am.
Traffic will be diverted through West Thirston and Felton.
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Green Homes Grant
Households across Northumberland could benefit from free solar panel installation, saving an average of £280 a year on energy bills.
Eligible households must own their own home, have a household income of below £30,000 and an EPC rating of D or below.
See the NCC news item Free energy efficiency boost to Northumberland homes
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Ultrafast Broadband Project Update
The Alncom project to provide ultrafast broadband to Longhorsley and Longframlington, funded by the Government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (Project Gigabit), has received enough support to make it viable - but time is running out to pledge your interest. This particular scheme closes on 14th September 2021 so you still have time to register your interest at www.alncom.co.uk
The Alncom hub will be based in Longhorsley Village Hall later this year which will provide ultrafast internet access to hall users at no cost. Alncom’s full fibre network should be available to residents and businesses in the Longhorsley area from early next year.
The Alncom contact is now John Parker, Head of Community Engagement, 01665 604816 enquiries@alncom.co.uk
Full details were included in the June newsletter. The only update to those details is that the UK’s traditional landline system will be completely replaced by a system that uses the internet by 2025.
See the Openreach webpages The UK’s telephone network is changing and Retiring our copper network
Also see the BBC article Internet revamp for the humble landline
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New Look Websites
(Was Breaking News)
The Longhorsley Tree and Longhorsley websites have been upgraded to the latest version of Google Sites. This makes it easier to maintain and produces a fully responsive design which automatically adjusts the site for mobile phones, tablets and varying desktop widths. The content hasn’t changed, just the look. Please use the Feedback form to let us know if there are any issues.
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Northumberland News and Inside Morpeth
The Summer edition of Northumberland News has been delivered to all homes in Northumberland and is on the NCC website and here
The August/September edition of Inside Morpeth is available on the Morpeth Town Council website and here
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Citizens Advice
Universal Credit is going to be cut from September. If this is going to be a problem for you go see how Citizens Advice can help here - or call the Citizens Advice debt helpline 0800 240 4420
For a full list of contact numbers for Citizens Advice services go to the Information and Links page of our Longhorsley website.
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