The Village of Wark

Those of you who have been reading these ‘Notes’ for a while, will know that I, like many in the area, keep an eye on the returning of particular birds on our patch.  After a long winter the singing of a blackbird can help lift the spirit.  One of the birds that I always look (or listen) out for is the curlew.  I’m pleased to be able to report that I heard my first one on the 16^th.  This is a bit later than normal, but only by a day or two.  In the mean time kingfishers have also been spotted on the river and I also spotted a yellowhammer singing away near Blindburn last weekend.  Is spring on its way?

In news from Wark First School, I’ve been told that all parents, family and friends have been invited to attend a musical fundraising afternoon on the last day of term, Thursday 1^st April from 2pm until 3pm organised by the children to raise money for the Haiti disaster. This will be an afternoon of music and song with whole school, group and solo performances. Entry fee will be £1 and refreshments, cakes, biscuits (made by the children), tea and coffee will be available. The school newsletter had a reply slip attached which you should complete and return if you can.  If you don’t get the school newsletter, I’m sure you’d still be welcome, but please let the school know that you’re coming.

Also in the school, Miss Coulthard is needing plastic bottles, any size, but especially 1 litre. I think the idea is to create a plastic bottle greenhouse for the new school allotment.  You can send these bottles into school at any time.

You’ll have spotted the article in last week’s Courant about the bridge and the assurance from the County Council that there are no plans at the moment to close it to traffic.  One thing you might have missed it that someone set up a Facebook page to save the bridge which achived a fantastic following in a very short time.  Within just a few hours there were more than 100 people who’d signed up and the number linked to it last Sunday was more than 470.  That’s a great achievement. 

If you get to read this column on Friday (or even on Thursday night) you might still get yourself to Stonehaugh fro the official opening of the new Community Hall on 26^th March 2010.  The official ribbon cutting will be done by Kathryn Tickell at 2 p.m. and the Community Hall will be open all afternoon for anyone to come and have a look at.  The celebrations will continue with an evening of music with Landermason.

The rain last Saturday showed up a number of places where water was coming into the Town Hall.  The theft of the lead flashing had made this almost inevitable.  I’m pleased to be able to report that the two quotes for the repair have been submitted to the insurance company and the Town Hall Committee hopes to be able to get on with the work sooner rather than later.

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