The Village of Wark

As is the custom on this Saturday, 4 July, we’ll have St Michael’s Summer Fete, on the Green.    The Fete is one of the important fundraisers for the Church and having a well attended day helps with the finances for the whole year.

Many of you will have been before, so you know what to expect: an extensive book stall, plants, bric-a-brac, tombola and fantastic cakes.  I have said it before, and I will say it again: if you intend to buy one or more of the cakes you’ll have to turn up on time.  The cakes stall always sells out quickly.  However, if you miss it, you’ll still have a chance of tasting some of them,  as the teas in the Town Hall come with a fantastic array of cakes, biscuits and other lovely edibles.  Warmly recommended.

As I mentioned last week, Jeannette unfortunately can’t do the dog show this year due to othercommitments but she intends to be back next year.  St. Michael’s Summer Fete starts at 2 p.m. and let’s hope for a dry and sunny day.

Those of you with children in the school will already have heard that the governors have appointed the head of Henshaw School to also become the head of Wark First School.  Mrs Henry will share her time between Wark and Henshaw and the governors are now recruiting a new teacher to fill the remaining teaching time.

This is a solution which is rather different than people perhaps expected, but I’m sure we’ll welcome both the new Head and the new teacher, when he or she is appointed in due course.

We’re in for a busy few evenings again! Tomorrow, Saturday 4 April sees the return of the Snods Edge players with their most recent Murder Mystery Night. The title of the performance is ‘Murder up the line’. Tickets are £5 per person and you’re asked to bring a contribution for a pooled supper. There will be a bar and tickets are available from Judith Weir on (01434) 230250.

The Sports Club is having its AGM on Monday 6 April in the club starting at 7.30 p.m. And while we’re on AGMs I might as well tell you about the Town Hall AGM on Monday the 20th of April. AGMs are perhaps not the most glamorous of occasions but they are crucial events in the life of local groups. They are the opportunity for local people to find out about the work of the group behind the scenes and as importantly, to have a look at the finances of the group and ask questions of the committee. It is also an opportunity for new people to get on those committees and make their own contributions. Without groups like the sports club and town hall committees the village would be a poorer place.

On Tuesday the 7th, the Local History Group will hear a talk on Farming through the last 100 years, by Johnny Davison. The history group meets in the Town Hall and the talk starts at 7.30. New members and guests are always welcome.

Next weekend, on Friday 10 April, we’re in for a great music night in aid of Sports Club. There will be contributions from people based all over the west of Northumberland and I trust there will be both traditional tunes and songs as well as more recent ones, but still in the wonderful Northumbrian tradition. Tickets for this do are £5 and are available from Judith or the Post Office. There will also be a bar and snacks and all proceeds will go to the refurbishment.

The parish council meeting last Monday saw a large turnout of villagers. The reason for this interest? The parish councils was discussing the planning application to extend the Battlesteads Hotel. I understand that the proposals include two additional wings to the hotel, providing both extra rooms and conference facilities. I also understand that changes are proposed to the parking arrangements for hotel guests. It is perhaps no surprise that there should be interest; this is a large application which, if approved, will change that area of the village quite substantially. People living around the ‘Steads may also be affected by it all. I have been told that the parish council did not object to the proposals, but that it expressed a number of concerns in its response.

The next event at the Town Hall is the welcome return of the Snods Edge players with another Murder Mystery Night on Saturday 4 April. The title of the performance is ‘Murder on the line’. If you haven’t been to a murder mystery night, this is your chance to find out. In essence you’re meant to try and find who committed the murder in the scenario presented and find out what the motive was. The players give a number of clues to the whole audience and then have a wander round the various tables, answering searching questions from people there. You’ll have a good night, whether you get the right answer or not. Tickets are £5 per person and you’re asked to bring a contribution for a shared supper. There will be a bar and tickets are available from judith Weir on (01434) 230250.

The Friday of the Easter weekend, 10 April, we’re in for a real treat with a music night in aid of Wark Recreational Charity. As well as a whole range of very local talent, there will be contributions from Terry Conway and Liz Law,both of them wonderful musicians. You may have seen and heard Terry busking in Hexham. The songs he’s written, whether they are about the building of the Kielder dam or the Hexham Riots, are always worth listening to. Tickets for this do are also £5 and are available from Judith or the Post Office. There will also be a bar and snacks and all proceeds will go to the refurbishment of the sportsclub.

At their meeting last week Governors of Wark First School were sad to hear that head teacher Mrs Edwards has decided to retire at the end of this school year. Mrs Edwards has been head teacher at the school for 15 years and a teacher for 30. Lots of things have happened over those 15 years and I’ll take to opportunity to remind you of some of them towards the end of this school year. I understand the governors will be starting the recruitment of a new head teacher whom they hope to have appointed by the end of May.

If you haven’t yet bought your tickets for the show by Hank Wangford and Reg Meuross at the Town Hall on Friday, you might still be able to squeeze in. At the last count 50 people had already got tickets. Their show: ‘No Hall Too Small’  is another performance in the Highlights programme. Tickets cost £6 with £4 for concessions. The show starts at 7.30 p.m.

Those of you who read these columns regularly may recall that I tend to mention the returning curlew every spring. They usually come back to our part of the valley round about this time of March. At the time of writing, Sunday the 8th, there is no sign of them yet and with the wind, hail and sleet it is perhaps not surprising that they’re not here yet. Let’s hope that we’ll hear their wonderful call soon.

You’ve got just a week left to polish your dancing shoes and get them ready of next Saturday’s ceilidh with ‘Northern Lights’ in the Town Hall. The ceilidh, on the 21st March, is in aid of Wark Recreational Charity and tickets are just £5. You can get tickets from Margit and Philip on (01434) 230629, or Edward and Sue on 230292 or you can get them on the door. There will be a bar and snacks and any money raised will go to the refurbishment project.

Our school had a very busy week last week with two performances of the Christmas play, the Very Hopeless Camel. The play tells the story of a camel which keeps getting lost on his way to the stable in Bethlehem. The lead role was ably played by Ant Wright from Stonehaugh, and everyone, including the kids from the preschool, did terrifically well. In addition the school hosted a Christmas craft workshop for the older kids on Saturday, where they made all sorts of things, including some great table decorations. Needless to say that none of these things would happen without the commitment of the teachers and other staff in the school and our thanks go to them too.

This week a special mention goes to Janet Walton who will be leaving Wark School. Janet has been the school secretary for 17 years and is leaving to similar work at Chollerton School. I understand that Wark School has started the process of recruiting a replacement. Thanks very much for all your work over those years, Janet.

There was a lovely buzz in the Town Hall on Saturday for the exhibition by the Local History Group. ‘100 Years in Pictures’ brought together a whole series of photographs, maps and documents gathered by the group over the last 18 months or so. It gave an opportunity to others to see what the group have been up to. People had an opportunity to put names to faces in photographs and help with the dates of some of them. The exhibition provided another opportunity for people new to the village to talk to people whose families have been here for generations and to learn about our joint history and above all, is was a lovely social occasion. The History Group has come a long way in a short time.

Do I need to remind you of the Christmas carols on the Green on Christmas eve?

Before I report of the activities of last week, let me tell you about the exhibition, 100 Years in Pictures, the Local History Group is having in the Town Hall tomorrow, Saturday 13 December. The group is now in its second year and has gathered all sorts of stuff. You’ll find an exhibition of local photographs with special sections on the railway and the bridge. There will also be an opportunity to see the Historic Wark Atlas the group commissioned last year, together with the interesting range of old maps that came with that project.

They also have a section on trade and shops. The group has asked me to mention that if you have photos or documents you’re willing to share with the group, to please bring them along. ‘100 years in Pictures’ will be open between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and teas and coffees will be available.

As I mentioned last week the Pensioners Christmas Dinner indeed did take place with just under 90 people in the Hall having an early taste of Christmas with local entertainment. Like with many of these large events in the village, the Christmas Dinner only happens because of the huge effort of a large number of people who willingly give their time. One of the very nice things is that some of the younger people helped out last week, waiting on tables. Thanks go to all of those who made the event such a success.

There was a very nice buzz to Saturday’s, St Michael’s Christmas Bazaar in the Hall. I noticed one youngster busy buying presents for mum and dad and I suppose there was really something for everyone. If you bought raffle tickets, you probably already know if you won anything, but there will be a list of winners in the Post Office. I haven’t yet heard how much money was raised for St Michael’s Church, but when I do, I’ll let you know.

That very same night, also on Saturday 6 December, to hall was filled again for the Christmas Extravaganza, in aid of ‘Lifespan’, a charity based at Minsteracres near Riding Mill. Somebody called it an ‘evening of old fashioned entertainment’ and everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves. A huge amount of effort and rehearsal has gone into it by the organising group with members from both the village and further afield, and the rehearsal showed. In the process about £350 was raised for ‘Lifespan’.

I’ve been asked to mention the final amount of money raised at the Promise Auction in aid of Wark Recreational Charity as few weeks ago: a fantastic £2093.40. The committee wants to thank all those who donated ‘items, lots or donations’ and those who were there to buy them all.

Finally a reminder of the events in the village next week. First there’s the Bellingham Amateur Dramatic Society with their Christmas Review at the Hall on the 17th. Tickets are £5 or £3 for concessions and are available from Judith Weir on (01434) 230250 or on the door on the day itself. Then the following night, Thursday 18 December, we’ve got the Hexham Male Voice Choir giving a concert in St Michael’s Church. Admission is £6 which includes a buffet supper and a glass of wine. The concert starts at 7.30 p.m.

December looks to be a busy months with lots of stuff happening. Everything kicks off with tomorrow, Saturday’s, St Michael’s Christmas Bazaar in the Town Hall from 2 p.m. There will be stalls with locally-made Christmas decorations, cakes, bric-a-brac, tombola and a raffle. Admission is just 50p. To me the Christmas Bazaar is an informal start to the Christmas season.

That very same night, still on Saturday 6 December, you’ll have a chance to see the Christmas Extravaganza in aid of  ‘Lifespan’. It will be a night of music, dancing and comedy. Tickets are £5 on the door and there will be a bar.  The Christmas Extravaganza starts at 7.30 p.m.

The Wark branch of the Royal British Legion is the only one left west of Prudhoe and this year the area raised a magnificent £3,293.93 from 8 villages, Bellingham, Humshaugh, Simonburn, Birtley, Barrasford, Gunnerton, Stonehaugh and of course Wark itself. Thanks go to all the collectors and the businesses that allow the Legion to have collecting tins at their premises.

This Tuesday, 2 December, will have seen more than 90 people sitting down to a free three course Christmas dinner with entertainment afterwards. I’ll give you a full report next week.

The week of the 14th of December is also packed with two events to keep you occupied. First on Wednesday 17th, the Hall hosts the Bellingham Amateur Dramatic Society with their Christmas Review touring the North Tyne Valley that week. The Review features a cast ranging in age from 10 to 82! The productions are always interesting and you can be sure to have a good night out. Tickets are £5 or £3 for concessions and are available from Judith Weir on (01434) 230250 or on the door on the day itself.

Then the following night, Thursday 18 December, we’ve got the Hexham Male Voice Choir giving a concert in St Michael’s Church. Admission is £6 which includes a buffet supper and a glass of wine. The concert starts at 7.30 p.m.

Tom McConvile’s gig was a real treat. It is only thanks to the Highlights programme that musicians of this quality and reputation are accessible to rural locations like Wark and the Town Hall has benefited from some great evenings over the past few years. Performing with award winning fellow musicians, Claire Mann and Aaron Jones, Tom played a beautiful range of tunes and songs. We have very extensive repertoire of melodies and songs in Northumberland and thankfully it continues to grow, but it was very nice to hear music that isn’t performed here quite so regularly. All in all a very good night out and again, keep an eye open for other Highlights events in 2009.

I’ve been asked to give you advance warning of the traditional St Michael’s Christmas Bazaar which this year will take place on Saturday 6 December. There will be stalls with locally-made Christmas decorations, cakes, bric-a-brac, tombola and a raffle. Admission is just 50p and the whole thing starts at 2 p.m. And even if you have done all your Christmas shopping, got all the decorations sorted and the baking done, you could call in for a cuppa and some fabulous home made biscuits. Of course the Christmas Bazaar is in aid of St Michael’s Church.

And if you’re looking for some great entertainment after the Christmas Bazaar you have the Christmas Extravaganza to go to on the same day, Saturday 6th December. The Christmas Extravaganza, in aid of ‘Lifespan’, will give you a night of music, dancing and comedy for all the family. Tickets are £5 on the door and there will be a bar. It whole thing starts at 7.30 p.m.

This weekend Jimmy Nichol will celebrate his 99th birthday. Originally from Kirkwhelpington, Jimmy came to the Park End with his family as a teenager and worked there for many, many years. He and his late wife Ella, came to the village when he turned 65 but he continued to work part-time at Park End until he was 75! Happy Birthday, Jimmy!

Just to keep you busy we’ll have the Annual Christmas Bingo at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Prizes are still very welcome and for the bingo itself, just turn up at 7.30 on the night.

Finally a bit of advance warning for the Wark Christmas Extravaganza in the Town Hall on Saturday 6th December. This is another charity ‘do’, this time in aid of Lifespan, a Tynedale based charity which offers support, councelling and other services to improve the quality of life to people facing life threatening or terminal illnesses. The Christmas Extravaganza is a fair of fun and frolics with some serious bits too. Music dancing and comedy for all the family. Tickets are £5 on the door and there will be a bar.

About 60 people gathered at the war memorial on the Green just after midday last Sunday to commemorate British service men and women who died in the two world wars and all conflicts since. Even 90 years after the guns finally fell silent across northern France and southern Belgium, we continue to mark the occasion. It is touching to see on television the last few men who fought in the First World War but the turn out on Sunday shows, to my mind at least, that we’re still very much aware of the debt we owe to all those people who go out to fight when ordered so to do.

News has reached us that Francis de Vivenot of Middleburn had a nasty accident last week. He ended up in the General Hospital in Newcastle. We wish him a speedy recovery.

I am pleased to be able to report that my call a week or two back for someone to take on the publicity for the Town Hall was successful. Terry Osborne has agreed to take on the management of the Wark website and have a go at pulling other elements of the publicity together. This is excellent news and it should mean that over the next few weeks you should find a marked improvement to http://www.wark.org.uk/. Do check it out.

Finally, there are still a few tickets available for the concert by Tom McConville and friends. Tom McConville has been playing the fiddle for many years and his live performances include fast, rhythmic dance tunes, through beautiful slow airs and of course, great singing – all presented with a greatsense of humour and style. Joining him are Claire Mann and Aaron Jones. Tickets are available from Judith Weir on 014340 230250. If folk music isn’t your kettle of fish, you can of course also have a great night out at the Sports Club Charity Auction on the same night. No excuse of a quiet night in then!