David Kirsopp- Haydon Bridge United's MVP!

Earlier this week I met with David Kirsopp, a recent winner of my Hexham Constituency Community Champion Awards, and his wife Avril. David was nominated for the award for his decades of devotion and service to Haydon Bridge United AFC, a club which is a huge part of his family tradition as David's father and grandfather were also stalwarts of the club.

I really enjoyed looking around the facilities at the football club. Despite flooding at the end of 2015, the Club House has been repaired and is now home to teams ranging from the Development Squad (aged 5 years) right through the age ranges up to adult. There are five pitches, one of which is full-sized, and it was great to see this brilliant facility and to speak with people who are so enthusiastic and devoted to the football club.

Founded in 1880, Haydon Bridge United AFC is such an important part of the Haydon Bridge community, and David and Avril, along with many others, do a fantastic job. I would like to congratulate David once again on his well-deserved award.

If you are in the Haydon Bridge area and passionate about football, I would definitely encourage you to get in touch with Haydon Bridge United AFC!

http://www.haydonbridgeunited.co.uk/home.html

New Jobs, New Opportunities, New Beginnings- Success at my Tynedale Jobs Fair!

Yesterday was third my annual Tynedale Jobs Fair, and with hundreds of people attending and nearly 50 businesses and employers there looking to hire, it really was a fantastic day. It was great to see so many people come along and talk to businesses across a wide range of sectors- there was something for everyone, with jobs available in retail, construction, the Royal Navy and much more! And best of all, I spoke to many people who left having filled out application forms and having found a new job- one person may well be starting their new job as soon as Monday!

It was also great to welcome local secondary school children from Prudhoe Community High School and Corbridge Middle School, giving them the chance to find out what jobs and opportunities are available both in school holidays and in the long-term before they make important choices at GCSE level. It's never too early to start thinking about future career plans and volunteering opportunities!

Employment levels in Northumberland are remarkably high, with only 3% of the Hexham constituency population unemployed, and the North East employment rate is at a record high. This government has already done so much to tackle unemployment, with 4380 new apprenticeships created in the constituency since 2010, but there is still more to be done. That's why it is so important to hold events like the Tynedale Jobs Fair to help as many people as possible find the right job for them, and so I am delighted that yesterday's event was such a success.

People left the Jobs Fair yesterday with a job that they didn't have when they woke up that morning. New opportunities and new beginnings- that's got to be a success!

24 hour care to resume at Hexham Hospital - a great result for my long campaign

I was delighted to be invited to Hexham Hospital yesterday for the long-awaited announcement that after nine months of closure the Overnight Care Service at Hexham Hospital is to be reopened and 24 hour care reinstated.  

I have led a long and robust campaign to get the Centre reopened since it was first closed on a temporary basis last December, and have been supported in my campaign by many people.  Many constituents have contacted me to reiterate how important this service is to Hexham and Tynedale and since the closure was first announced I have had numerous meetings with patients, nurses and Trust managers to stress the fact that overnight care must restart and that promises were made at the time of the opening of the Cramlington Specialist Emergency Care Hospital that Hexham would keep its 24 hour service. 

Following the recruitment of 65 extra nurses, the reopening of Hexham overnight will mean that capacity is released for the Cramlington hospital to deal with the most serious emergencies.  I have been able to convince the Trust of the financial, and indeed the clinical case for reopening the overnight facility - the nurses are delighted and so are the people of Hexham and Tynedale.  A great result.

Working with NCC to deliver for our area

A week is a long time in politics, and it is now over four months since the Conservatives took control of Northumberland County Council.

The dramatic election night in May saw the Conservatives win 33 seats, and the former Labour administration- who were widely regarded as Ashington obsessed, profligate, out of touch and high-handed- reduced to 24 seats.

Since then I have been working closely with the new leadership at NCC to tackle some of the key issues in our communities here in Tynedale and Ponteland.

We are working together on a number of key challenges such as; stopping the move of County Hall to Ashington at vast public cost; putting in place a new housing plan to replace Labour's discredited green belt housing plans; working to improve coordination between the Job Centre, the County Council and West Tynedale Food Bank- all of which I visited last month- to ensure support for those that need it; and finding a workable plan to bring back overnight A&E cover to Hexham Hospital, to name just a few.

There are many big challenges facing our communities, but I believe that by working together with the new leadership at NCC we can deliver some real positive results for our area.

2017 Tynedale Jobs Fair- 2 days to go!

There are just two days to go until my 2017 Tynedale Jobs Fair! Preparations are well under way and I am looking forward to what promises to be a  successful day! We have a fantastic list of businesses that will be attending and looking to hire from a wide range of sectors- whatever your interests and skills, you are sure to find something to suit you!

The list of businesses so far attending includes- 

• Active Northumberland
• Aldi
• Army- Royal Artillery
• Blue Arrow
• Cambrian Group- Dilston Hall
• Carillion
• Co-operative
• Danshell Health Centre
• Endeavour North East
• Esh Group
• Gateshead College
• Gentoo Homes
• Generation North East
• Go North East
• Helen McArdle Care
• Hextol Foundation
• HFT-Charity
• Howard Snaith
• International Citizen Service
• INTU Metro Centre
• Lowgate- Roseberry Care
• Marks and Spencer
• Matfen Hall
• Matthew Charlton- Jewson
• National Careers Service
• Natural Ability
• NCDN
• Need Ltd
• Northumberland Adult Learning
• Northumberland College
• Northumberland County Council
• Northumberland Fire Service
• Owen Pugh
• Penshaw View
• Princes Trust
• Q-Hotels
• Release Potential
• Royal Navy
• Sure Start- Hexham Children’s Centre
• Tesco Extra
• The Beaumont Hotel
• Thompsons of Prudhoe
• Tynedale Community Bank
• Voices- Bridge Project
• Vattenfall
• Waitrose
• Walwick Hall
• Wheels 2 Work- Go Smarter

The 2017 Tynedale Jobs Fair, supported by Northumberland County Council and Tynedale company Thompsons of Prudhoe, takes place this Thursday 28th September from 10am-4pm at Wentworth Leisure Centre. Come along and find the right job for you- I look forward to seeing you there! 

Join the World's Biggest Coffee Morning!

This Friday 29th September, thousands of people all over the country will be coming together for a cup of coffee and cakes for the world's biggest coffee morning, with events taking place up and down the country in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Whether you host your own event or attend one of the many taking place across Tynedale and Ponteland- in Wylam, Corbri
dge, Hexham and Haydon Bridge to name a few- this is a great way to raise money for an excellent cause while enjoying some delicious coffee and snacks! I will be attending an event myself and I am looking forward to joining everyone for coffee while raising money for Macmillan- I encourage everyone to do the same!

https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk

Here are some of the Coffee Mornings happening across the constituency in the next few days-

Wednesday 27th September-

• Otterburn- Rede House, 3pm 

Thursday 28th September-

• Ovingham- Reading Room, 10am-12pm

Friday 29th September-

• Allen Valleys- Anchor Housing, Arnison Close (in memory of Betty Calderwood), 10am-12pm
• Greenhead- House of Meg
• Humshaugh- The Cottage (David and Pat Priest), 10am-12pm
• Riding Mill- The Cafe @ The Foyer
• Wark- 10am-11.30am 

Saturday 30th September-

• Wylam- The Institute, 10am-12pm 

Northumberland's hidden history

It's so easy to miss, but this wooden cross at the side of the Chollerford road alongside the Roman Wall marks the site of a fascinating piece of Northumberland history. The cross stands on the site of the Battle of Heavenfield, fought in 633/634 between a Northumbrian army led by Oswald of Bernicia and a Welsh army, following an invasion of Northumberland by the Welsh side. Oswald took up a defensive position beside the Wall, 4 miles outside of Hexham, after the night before he had a vision which foretold that he would be victorious, and he raised a cross and prayed for victory. Despite having the smaller army, it was a decisive victory for the Northumberland army and Oswald became King of Northumberland.

Today there is a church on the hill near to the cross which marks the spot where it is believed that Oswald raised his battle standard. A relatively unknown site, but a great example of how there is history all around us in Northumberland!

A Gold Footprint- It doesn't get any better!

Northumberland County Council has been awarded a Gold Stray Dog Footprint in the RSPCA's Community Animal Welfare Footprint Awards (CAWF) 2017. The RSPCA works with local authorities, the police and housing associations to help them deliver animal welfare services, and the awards scheme recognises organisations that work tirelessly to ensure high welfare standards for animals in the services they provide. The fantastic achievement of Northumberland County Council will be celebrated at a winners' reception in November, and I congratulate the Council on their award and the great work they do protecting animals and animal welfare in Northumberland.

What's on this weekend

The summer might be over, but there is still plenty to do in Tynedale and Ponteland. Here are some of the events taking place in the constituency this weekend...

Hexham Farmers' Market, Saturday 23rd September, 9am-2pm- Locally produced food in Hexham's famous market place, Hexham's twice-monthly farmers' market is a great way to support our local farmers.

http://www.hexhamfarmersmarket.co.uk

Pots in the Byre, Broadwood Hall Allendale, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September, 11am-5pm- The first weekend of Broadwood Hall's ceramics exhibition- visitors are invited to come along and view the fantastic work of talented local artists.

http://broadwoodstudios.co.uk/pots-in-the-byre

The Flavour of France, Hexham Abbey Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Saturday 23rd September, 7.30pm- Beautiful music from composers such as Debussy and Gabriel Fauré, buy your tickets in advance for this wonderful evening in Hexham Abbey.

http://hexhamabbeyfestival.org.uk/festival-chorus-and-orchestra/

4380 new Apprenticeships- 4380 new Opportunities

Since May 2010, the government has been working hard to deliver over 3 million new apprenticeships so that everyone can go as far as their talents will take them. This government is committed to helping people of all ages get into work, and since 2010, 4,380 new apprenticeships have been created in the Hexham constituency, offering new opportunities to so many people in the area.

My 2017 Tynedale Jobs Fair will be taking place at Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham, on Thursday 28th September from 10am-4pm, and will be another opportunity to find employment and new opportunities. I hope to see as many of you as possible there next week!

REVEALED- Who's hiring at my 2017 Tynedale Jobs Fair

One week to go until my 2017 Tynedale Jobs Fair! Northumberland County Council and Tynedale company Thompsons of Prudhoe are supporting the event on 28^th September, and the list of companies that will be attending and looking to hire is growing by the day!

The list of businesses so far attending includes-

• Active Northumberland
• Aldi
• Army- Royal Artillery
• Blue Arrow
• Cambrian Group- Dilston Hall
• Carillion
• Co-operative
• Danshell Health Centre
• Endeavour North East
• Esh Group
• Gateshead College
• Gentoo Homes
• Generation North East
• Go North East
• Helen McArdle Care
• Hextol Foundation
• HFT-Charity
• Howard Snaith
• International Citizen Service
• INTU Metro Centre
• Lowgate- Roseberry Care
• Marks and Spencer
• Matfen Hall
• Matthew Charlton- Jewson
• National Careers Service
• Natural Ability
• NCDN
• Need Ltd
• Northumberland Adult Learning
• Northumberland College
• Northumberland County Council
• Northumberland Fire Service
• Owen Pugh
• Penshaw View
• Princes Trust
• Q-Hotels
• Release Potential
• Royal Navy
• Sure Start- Hexham Children’s Centre
• Tesco Extra
• The Beaumont Hotel
• Thompsons of Prudhoe
• Tynedale Community Bank
• Voices- Bridge Project
• Vattenfall
• Waitrose
• Walwick Hall
• Wheels 2 Work- Go Smarter

The 2017 Tynedale Jobs Fair takes place from 10am-4pm on Thursday 28^th September at Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham- free of charge. With so many companies looking to hire, it would be great to see you there!

Ringing the bells to welcome Reverend Tom Birch

I would like to welcome the Reverend Tom Birch, who is the new parish priest of St Oswin’s Church in Wylam and St Mary the Virgin Church in Ovingham. He is the first vicar to be the incumbent of both parishes, and on Monday evening he was welcomed into the community at a packed St Mary the Virgin Church, where he was licensed by the Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Rev. Christine Hardman. Mr Birch was previously assistant curate at St Nicholas’ Church in Gosforth.  I wish him, his wife Jessica and their three children the best of luck in their new community, and I look forward to getting to know him over the coming years. 

Just when you thought it couldn't get better ...

Rory McIlroy has added his name to the already exciting list of top golfers who will be playing at next week's British Masters, which will be played at Close House in Heddon-on-the-wall. McIlroy will be joining tournament host Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, and many more when the tournament tees off on Thursday 28th September, and it promises to be a fantastic few days for the North East!

If you're lucky enough to have a ticket for the British Masters then why not make the most of your time in Northumberland? The area around Close House is home to some brilliant restaurants and pubs- try out The Swan in Heddon or go down the road to the Black Bull in Wylam for some delicious Northumberland cooking.

http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/north-east/swan-at-heddon

More information about the 2017 British Masters is available here- http://britishmasters.europeantour.com

Hidden Treasures- Aydon Castle

You've heard of Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick too, but just outside the centre of Corbridge is Aydon Castle- one of the finest examples of Northumberland's long and fascinating history.

Surrounded by beautiful and peaceful woodland, Aydon Castle is a stunning 13th century fortified manor house. Built by wealthy merchant Robert de Reymes in 1296, the building was initially a residence but was fortified on the outbreak of the Anglo-Scottish wars and was occupied by both the English and the Scots during the 14th century. Aydon Castle later became a farmhouse in the 17th century which was lived in until 1966, and it is largely unaltered from its medieval appearance to this day.

Aydon Castle is full of history and makes a fascinating day out, especially with its secluded and peaceful setting which is perfect for a picnic when the sun is out! There is so much history in Northumberland, and Aydon Castle is a great place to discover some of Northumberland's fascinating past!

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/aydon-castle/

Tynedale Jobs Fair 2017 - The Biggest and Best yet!

Less than a fortnight until the 2017 Tynedale Jobs Fair and more and more businesses are being confirmed to attend every day! Supported this year by successful Tynedale company Thompsons of Prudhoe and Northumberland County Council, companies looking to hire and who will be at the Jobs Fair on 28th September include

• Royal Navy
• Waitrose
• Matfen Hall
• Thompsons of Prudhoe
• Blue Arrow
• INTU Metro Centre
• Q-Hotels

... and many more to be revealed over the next two weeks.

If you're looking for work, training or want a change of direction, come along to Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham on Thursday 28th September from 10am-4pm and meet the right business for you. No charge for entrance - what have you got to lose!

Success! Long campaign means more money for every school in the constituency.

Great news for Northumberland schools as Education Secretary Justine Greening has announced that schools in the Hexham constituency will see funding rise by an average of 3.3% under a new fairer funding system for schools in England. For years I have campaigned to bring an end to the historic postcode lottery that has seen huge differences in funding in different parts of the country, so I am delighted that Northumberland schools will no longer lose out as every single school in our area will see their funding increased. Small rural schools in Tynedale will particularly benefit, with first schools in Greenhead, Otterburn, Slaley, Wark and West Woodburn seeing their funding rise by more than 10%. The new formula will provide funding gains for schools with a guaranteed increase in the basic amount allocated for every pupil; a minimum per pupil funding level for both secondaries and primaries to target the lowest funded schools; a minimum cash increase for every school of 1% per pupil by 2019-20 and a £110,000 lump sum for every school to help with fixed costs, and an additional £26 million to rural and isolated schools to help them manage their unique challenges. This is the biggest improvement to the school funding system for decades and I welcome this announcement which is fantastic news for our area and which will mean that children in the Hexham constituency get the education that they deserve.

Back British Farming!

Earlier this week was Back British Farming Day organised by the National Farmers Union and it was fantastic to see the day so well supported in Parliament. I was proud to wear my pin badge in support of Back British Farming Day during Prime Minister’s Questions to highlight and celebrate the huge contribution that British farmers make in producing our food. The UK’s farmers are a vital part of the food and drink sector, which is worth £109 billion and employs 3.8 million people all over the country.

In the seven years that I have been an MP I have enjoyed many visits to members of the farming community across Tynedale and Ponteland, who are such an important part of life in the constituency. A farmer’s life is full of challenges and as always I would like to encourage farmers to contact my office in case of any issues or concerns.

For more information about the work done by farmers all over the country and how you can support the farmers in our community, visit https://www.nfuonline.com/home/