The Village of Wark

The Northumberland Theatre Company managed to pull off that almost impossible feat, to present a play that was funny while at the same time giving you lots of important things to think about.  With just 5 actors and someone on lights and sound they presented a packed Town Hall with no fewer than 12 characters in the fictional village of Aldale.  ‘A Village Life’ is based on conversations that the writer Mary Cooper had with bus drivers and post men, farmers and business people, young people and councilors  and many more during 2009 and she managed to lift from those conversations truths that we’d all recognize. Moments of hilarity were mixed with extreme tension- everyone must have felt the loneliness of the farmer struggling to keep his farm viable, while moments later having to smile at the approach of the ‘Wellburn-Tofts’, the Lord of the Manor and his very posh wife.  I’m afraid this writing can’t do justice to the piece itself or to the performances of the actors.  If you missed it I can only recommend that you try to get to see it at Newbrough Town Hall on 26 March 2010.  With regard to our own performance in the hall last weekend, I can report that thanks to bar, raffle and a full house the Town Hall committee made a small profit.

The school field was also the scene of much activity, when a group of parents, children and one or two school staff created a brand new school vegetable garden.  Thanks to the generous support by Johnson Controls in Washington, where one of the parents works, all the materials for the veg garden- fencing, boards for raised beds and geotextiles to keep the weeds down- was paid for through their Blue Sky Initiative.  Over the next few months the beds will be planted up and the hope is very much that some of the vegetables will be ready for the summer holidays.  You might even see an entry or two in the Leek Show in September as well.  I understand that the children are already excited about growing their own vegetables.

If you missed the bingo this week or if you fancy another one, you need to know about the bingo in aid of St. Michael’s Church which will take place in the Town Hall next Tuesday, the 9^th of March.  Most of you will know the form, just turn up by 7.30 when the fun starts.

Finally a quick word about the Stonehaugh Community hall. Firstly, there is an election on.  This time we’re not talking about the General Election, but the election of committee members.  There are 10 people on the list to fill five vacancies on the committee and according to the governing document all residents over the age of 18 living in the parish of Wark are eligible to vote.  To get an election form you can contact Anne Bulman on (01434) 230624 or from wark Parish Council.  Forms need to be returned by Wednesday 10 March 2010.  The Community Hall in Stonehaugh will be officially opened on Friday 26^th March.  More details will follow later this month.