The Village of Wark

Archive for March, 2009

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.