Articles December 2022
Christmas Artwork
WISHING ALL OUR READERS A MERRY CHRISTMAS
This Christmas scene was created by 7 year old Emilia who is in year 3 at St Helen's C of E First School.
This artwork was selected from 89 created by the children - you can see them all on our Christmas Artwork page.
Choosing just one of them was very difficult.
Longhorsley Parish Council
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Wednesdays 14th December and 11th January 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.
Contact details for the current members are detailed below:
Clerk: Gillian Turner, 4 Lowther Close, Seaton Manor, Ashington, NE63 0HY 01670 812704 or parishclerk@longhorsley-pc.gov.uk
Chairman: Norman Douglas 07485 174529 norman.douglas@longhorsley-pc.gov.uk
Councillors: Sarah Alcock, Kirsty Bell, Peter Boyle, Penny Ford, Anne Peat and David Pringle.
Introducing our new Councillor
Our thanks go to the three applicants, who applied to be co-opted onto the Council, for their time and commitment. Following a meeting with the candidates, Sarah Alcock was duly co-opted onto the Council. Sarah has lived in the Village for over 5 years and was keen to integrate into the community and village life. She attends the local quiz night, enjoys yoga classes and assisted in the aftermath following Storm Arwen. A huge welcome to Sarah and we are all looking forward to working with her.
Memorial to Queen Elizabeth II
At the recent Longhorsley Parish Council meeting the idea was presented for a Commemorative Bench to be sited on the village green as a memorial to our late Queen. The bench would be fabricated locally and will be totally unique to our village. It would be made out of metal - moving away from the traditional wooden bench. This will result in less upkeep and ensure longevity for generations to come.
The bench will incorporate images which we associate with the Queen and her reign. Ideas for the images include: union jack (seated area), her monogram including her date of birth and death (1926-2022), paw-prints, horseshoes, Paddington bear, stag (Balmoral), poppies and tri-service emblem. However, to complement these ideas, we would be very grateful for any suggestions you have for the bench as the hope is that it will incorporate images from across the generations in the Parish.
It is hoped that it will be installed before the King’s Coronation in May 2023. Our County Councillor, Glen Sanderson, has been receptive to this proposal and has agreed to provide funding to support it.
Please send your suggestions for images to include in the bench before the end of December to Clare Percy, clarefielder@hotmail.com or post them through the letterbox at The Old School House (next to St Helens Church).
Old Church Wood
We have now received 420 saplings from the Woodland Trust and are awaiting additional saplings from Northumberland County Council. These will be planted along the North and East boundaries for form and to fill in spaces in the hedgerow.
Christmas Greetings
Members of the Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Safe New Year.
Your County Councillor
As I write this in November we are about to hold an Emergency Committee meeting to monitor and check our readiness for weather emergencies.
It was around this time last year that the Storm caused the widespread havoc and distress across large parts of the County, but we seemed to be one of the worst hit. So we want to be ready to step in should there be a similar event given Powergrid's response last time. We have been working with them to ensure they are better prepared, but let’s hope we won't ever have such a trial again.
I am not a social media user usually so please get in touch with me anytime if I can help - and HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!
Glen Sanderson 07730 979737 glen.sanderson@northumberland.gov.uk
Winter Warmer Wednesdays
Each Wednesday morning from 7th December the Village Hall will be open from 10-12 for hot drinks and refreshments and company. So come along, charge your phones, fill your flask, have a chat or play a game or two. To learn more or help with this, please email longhorsley.hall@gmail.com
You can also check the County Council’s website for other Warm Spaces: here
December Tweets along Archie’s Pond
Yelllowhammers in the low sunshine of winter show lovely combinations of yellow and rufous colours, and small flocks of these birds can be seen to the north side and at the end of the walk. Long grass can hide them, but they come onto the bare bushes and thistle stalks often enough to give you a view. They are worth a patient look, as they are not normally seen in the garden.
If you see one or two familiar Blue, Coal or Great Tits, then pause and look for other species in the flock. The “top Trump” is the Willow Tit, somewhat like a Coal Tit but no white nape or wing bars. This is a regular breeder in the Longhorsley area but is declining and retreating north westwards in the UK, with this part of Northumberland on the border of this retreat.
Redwings are well known for their liking for berries and can be seen on the hawthorns and in fields along the walk. Almost always in a flock, and often with other thrushes or Starlings, so if you see one, look out for others. It is another bird with lovely colouration, and slanting sunlight shows it to its best.
Another opportunity to record your garden birds is on 27-29 Jan 2023 with the Big Garden Birdwatch – see www.rspb.org.uk
Andrew Brunt 788352
For more information about birds in Northumberland, visit the Northumberland and Tyneside Bird Club website www.ntbc.org.uk
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
The Flying Fryer
The Flying Fryer will be here every Friday from 4pm to 7pm, depending on demand.
Facebook The Flying Fryer 07984 426 725
Dou_h&co
Dou_h&co are here some Thursdays 4:30pm – 7:30pm.
The next visit dates are Thursdays 1st December and 5th January.
Pre-order on 07507 834 628 from Monday 9am.
See their menu on the Dou_h & Co Facebook page, Instagram and Dou-h.co.uk
Post Office in Longhorsley Village Hall
Monday 9:15am to 12:15pm
Tuesday closed
Friday 11:30am to 1:30pm
Not open on Bank Holidays - Dec 26th & 27th and Jan 2nd.
Tuesday opening will return soon.
Please note that this Outreach Service cannot accept large parcels.
Mobile Library Visiting Times
The Mobile Library visits Longhorsley once a month, on Fridays between 3pm and 4pm, in the Village Hall car park.
The next visit will be on 16th December.
The Mobile Library Service website can be found here
February Edition
The last date for submissions is 20th January. You can email or phone us.
Please keep articles under 250 words, if at all possible.
Jan and Sheena Haveman 07834 740649 longhorsley.tree@gmail.com