Lunch at the Boatside

I recently popped in for a delicious lunch at one of our many brilliant local pubs, The Boatside Inn in Warden. It was great to speak with landlord Matt Cawood to hear all about the fantastic progress the pub is making, bringing in locals and tourists from all over the world. A great local business- I would certainly recommend a visit!

https://theboatsideinn.com

The Poppy Train- get involved!

This year marks the centenary of the Armistice to end World War One, and to mark the event the Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership are working with Ready Steady Knit of Prudhoe and Northern Rail to decorate every station between Newcastle and Carlisle with knitted poppies for the weekend of 11^th November 2018. They need your help to make this happen though, and there are several ways in which you can get involved-

You can book your free place on the Poppy Train, by emailing Fiona@tvcrp.org.uk - departing at 9.45 from Newcastle to Hexham on Wednesday 3^rd October and travelling on to Haltwhistle, you can spend the day knitting poppies with a complimentary lunch as well.

You can also use the instructions below to knit some poppies and donate them at Hexham Station. And if you’re not a knitter but would like to get involved, you can buy some poppy red wool at Ready Steady Knit and donate it to Hexham Station. 

This is such a wonderful initiative to mark 100 years since the end of World War One- however you get involved, let’s all do our bit as a community to help make this brilliant idea a success.

Easy Knitted Poppy Pattern-

You will need, red double knitting wool and a pair of 4mm (UK8) knitting needles Cast on 80 sts.
Row 1 to row 8 knit every row.
Row 9 Knit 2 together (k2tog), repeat to end (40sts)
Row 10 K2 tog to end (20sts) Row 11 K2 tog to end (10sts)
Cut yarn with a long end and thread a sewing needle. Run yarn through remaining 10 sts . Remove them off the needle , pull up tight, sew up side seam and fasten off.
Sew a black button or circle of black felt into the centre of your poppy.

Easy Crocheted Poppy Pattern-

You will need Double knitting yarn and a 4mm crochet hook Abbreviations; ch chain, dc double crochet, tr treble, ss slip stitch
Body of Poppy Using red yarn, make 3 chain and join into a ring with a slip stitch.
1st round : Ch 3, 10 tr into ring. slip stitch in top ch of 3 ch
2nd round : Ch 3, 1 tr into first stitch. 2 tr into each stitch to last stitch, slip stitch in top ch of 3 ch
3rd round : Ch 3, 2 treble crochet into first stitch, 3 treble crochet into each stitch to last stitch, slip stitch in top ch of 3 ch .
4th round : Ch 3, 1 tr into first stitch * 2 tr into each stitch to last stitch, slip stitch in top ch of 3 ch and fasten off. Sew in ends.
Centre Using black yarn make 3 chain and join into a ring with a slip stitch. 1st round Ch 3, 10 tr into ring. slip stitch in top ch of 3 ch
Ch 1 * 1 double crochet into first stitch, 1 ch ... repeat from * to end of round and slip stitch to join ... fasten off leaving a long tail to attach centre to body of poppy.
Sew black centre to poppy

Macmillan's 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning'

Today is Macmillan’s annual ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ and events are taking place around the constituency and beyond to raise money to support people facing cancer. Last year the event raised more than £27 million and it is hoped that even more will be raised this year. Coffee mornings are taking place today at various places around the constituency, with guests donating the cost of their cup of tea, coffee and cakes to Macmillan. You can find your nearest coffee morning at the link below- please do go along if you can, you really will be making a huge difference.

https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk/about/search/

Aviva Community Fund- open!

This year's Aviva Community Fund is now open for entries, and good causes from around the Hexham constituency are invited to apply. The Fund will this year finance over 500 local projects in communities across the UK, with awards ranging from under £1000 up to £25,000. Projects can be entered into one of three categories: Environment, Health and Wellbeing or Skills for Life. 

Applications can be made until midday on 9 October 2018.   There will then be a chance to vote for favourite projects, with entries that make it through to the Finals being considered by a panel of judges.  The winning projects will be announced early next year.  

The Fund really can make a difference to local communities, so if you know of a great local charity or community group, please do encourage them to enter!

https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/voting/campaign/getinvolved

A real community project

I recently visited Allendale Primary School to meet Mike Robinson and Brian Bell of B4AV (Broadband for the Allen Valleys), a volunteer-led community group creating an independent broadband network offering a 1 Gbps fibre connection to every property in the Allen Valleys.  Profits will be invested back into the community through schemes and local community groups and the hyper-fast broadband that the scheme will provide is only available to about 3% of the population. It was great to be able to hear more about B4AV and to meet Mike and Brian. This is a superb example of a community working together to volunteer and invest in a project that will bring huge benefits to the Allen Valleys and I wish them every success.

Hexham Station- best in country!

Hexham Railway Station has been named Medium Station of the Year at the National Rail Awards. The station was recognised for being welcoming and accessible to customers and for the important role it plays in the local community. A plaque will soon be installed in the station to mark the achievement. Congratulations to Northern and all the staff at Hexham Railway Station- a brilliant achievement!

Get ready for the Allendale Valleys Folk Festival!

Next weekend (Friday 28th- Sunday 30th September) the extremely popular Allendale Valleys Folk Festival is back for another year, with three days dedicated to the best folk music, traditional dance and workshops. The programme for the weekend is packed and includes both afternoon and evening events- there is sure to be something for everyone!

For more information about the Festival and how you can buy tickets for the event visit here-

https://www.allenvalleysfolkfestival.co.uk

Nominate your countryside champion

Nominations are now open for the Countryside Alliance Awards, better known as the ‘Rural Oscars’! There are five categories- local food/drink, village shop/post office, butcher, rural enterprise and pub-, with nine regional champions from each category invited to Parliament for the national finals in June 2019. Following the fantastic success of the Blagdon Farm Shop last year, winner of the Game Champion Award, I would definitely encourage you to nominate the outstanding rural retailers in your local community!

http://www.countryside-alliance.org/campaigns/caawards/nominate/?utm_campaign=618699_Countryside%20Alliance%20Awards%3A%20Launch%202019&utm_medium=dotmailer&utm_source=Countryside%20Alliance&dm_i=44G9,D9E3,20TMNT,1HBR0,1

Great result for Corbridge

I am so pleased that Corbridge will soon once again have access to a 24/7 cash machine, after nearly a year without following the closure of Barclays' in the town. I visited Corbridge's Post Office last year and spoke with staff and residents about the need for a cash machine in the town, so I am delighted that the Post Office and Barclays' have been able to work together to ensure that a new machine will be operational in the next few weeks. This is great news for Corbridge- thank you to Barclays', the Post Office and Councillor Nick Oliver for making this happen.

Let's talk about organ donation

I am proud to have been able to support Organ Donation Week earlier this month. However organ donation is a subject that should be talked about all year round, with around three people dying every day in need of an organ. More and more families are saying yes to organ donation but there is still an urgent shortage of donors around the country. Only one third of adults in England have told their partner or family that they want to donate, despite 8 out of 10 people saying they would be willing to donate or consider it. Sadly many opportunities are lost every year because families don't know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not. That's why I am encouraging you to talk to your families about organ donation and sign the NHS Organ Donor Register. We really can help to save lives.

https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Turn red and gold for Northumberland!

Northumberland is once again in the running for the title of Best UK Holiday Destination of the Year at the British Travel Awards. For the last four years Northumberland has been pipped to the post by Cornwall, so it really is so important that you help our county win by voting! 

We all know what a beautiful region Northumberland is, so to make this year Northumberland’s year, why not turn your Facebook profile picture red and gold, and cast your vote here by Sunday 30^thSeptember- https://www.visitnorthumberland.com/sharenland/vote         

                                                      

Coffee for a good cause

Macmillan’s annual ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ is not far away now, but there is still plenty of time to get involved and help to raise money to support people facing cancer. Last year’s event raised more than £27 million, and this year’s aim is to raise even more. The Coffee Morning takes place on Friday 28^th September, and everyone is invited to take part. Whether you host your own Coffee Morning, with guests donating the cost of their cup of tea, coffee and cakes to Macmillan, or go along to one yourself, you really will be helping to make a huge difference. 

For more information visit here- https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk

Success at the Tynedale Jobs Fair!

I would like to thank everyone who came along to my Tynedale Jobs Fair, sponsored by Thompsons of Prudhoe and Northumberland County Council, last week. Whether you were a business looking to hire or looking for work yourself, it was great to see so many people there. I am particularly pleased to have heard really positive feedback from those in attendance and hope that last week's event helps to change the lives of some local people. I am already looking forward to next year!

Kielder Marathon's very special guest of honour

He’s one of our sporting heroes, so it’s hugely exciting that double Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson will be guest of honour at the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon. The event takes place on Saturday 6^thand Sunday 7^thOctober, with race organiser and Olympic athlete Steve Cram also in attendance. The two athletes will also take part in a question and answer session at The Boat Inn restaurant in Kielder on the Saturday night- a unique opportunity to hear first-hand from two of Britain’s best-known sportsmen. 

The Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon Weekend 2018 is delivered by Events of the North in conjunction with Northumbrian Water, Active Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Events include the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and the Run Bike Run. For more information and to book your place visit- http://kieldermarathon.com

Best foot forward!

It's nearly time for the Haltwhistle Autumn Walking Festival! From 29th September-7th October, walks will be taking place through our beautiful Northumberland scenery every day, including special interest walks led by experts who will share their expertise. The walks cover a range of distances, from strenuous to shorter, so there is something for you whatever your ability. A full list of the upcoming walks is available below- do make sure you book ahead though!

http://www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org/autumn2018.html

Exploring the past and looking to the future

It was a pleasure to be able to pay a visit to Haltwhistle Station last weekend as part of the Heritage Open Days scheme. The Station is full of history and it was great to see that so many people were able to take advantage of such a unique opportunity to learn about our past. 

As well as its fascinating past, there are plans envisaged to transform Haltwhistle Station and restore its infrastructure and trail to ensure that the station’s future is just as exciting. To find out more about the plans and how you can support them visit here-

https://www.facebook.com/Were-Building-a-Railway-in-South-Tynedale-302887076947317/

https://www.facebook.com/siteandsee/

Showcasing Northumberland's finest produce

Hexham Market Place is hosting a special market on Wednesday, showcasing local Northumberland produce. From 10am-2pm on Wednesday 12^th September, traders from across the county will present their products in the Market Place.  The event is part of Northumberland County Council’s ‘Produced in Northumberland’ scheme, which promotes the use and sale of local products by companies across Northumberland- the scheme currently has 83 members. 

Northumberland produce really is second to none, so go along to Hexham Market Place on Wednesday for your chance to support our local producers and businesses!

http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/News/2018/Sep/Special-showcase-market-for-Hexham.aspx

Forum Books- Top of the List!

Congratulations to Corbridge’s Forum Books, which has been named as the only North East business and one of only two independent bookshops on this year’s Small Biz 100 list. The list promotes 100 local businesses across the UK as part of December’s Small Business Saturday, with a day dedicated to each business named on the list. 

Small businesses are such an important part of our local communities, and I am delighted that one of the constituency’s best has been named on the Small Biz 100 list. Well done to everyone at Forum Books!

http://forumbooksandkids.com

wear it pink

I joined over 200 other MPs this week to support Breast Cancer Now’s ‘wear it pink’ fundraiser, which will take place on Friday 19^th October to raise money for vital breast cancer research. I added a splash of pink to my usual attire, and now I am encouraging you to do the same by signing up and taking part in ‘wear it pink’, which takes place in Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. So far the annual event has raised over £31 million towards Breast Cancer Now’s important work, aiming that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live and live well.

Anyone can take part in ‘wear it pink’, whether at work, school or in your local community. All you need to do is wear something pink or hold a pink themed event and donate to Breast Cancer Now. Each year around 11,500 women and 80 men lose their lives to the disease, so let’s all make a difference and wear it pink next month!

https://www.wearitpink.org/signup-mp

Walking in West Northumberland

We live in such a beautiful part of the world, and walking is one of the best ways to appreciate and spend time in the incredible Northumberland countryside. Walking is also a fantastic way to stay fit and active, and West Northumberland Health Walks aims to encourage people to make walking a regular part of their lives, providing 2-3 mile walks on a weekly basis from eight towns and villages across the area. All walks are free and are led by trained volunteers. 

No booking is needed- just turn up wearing appropriate outdoor clothing including boots or supportive shoes with grip. For more information, contact 01670 622368 or loliver@activenorthumberland.org.uk

A timetable of upcoming walks is available here- http://www.activenorthumberland.org.uk/ActiveNorthumberland/media/Root/Documents/HWalks-West-Nland-July-Dec-18.PDF

http://www.activenorthumberland.org.uk/Activities/Health-Walks/Health-Walks/Health-Walking-Long.aspx

The biggest and best Tynedale Jobs Fair yet- TOMORROW!

A reminder that tomorrow is my 2018 Tynedale Jobs Fair, with some of the region's biggest employers confirmed to attend, including Egger, Essity, Thompsons of Prudhoe, Waitrose and Northumberland County Council.

The Tynedale Jobs Fair takes place at Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham, from 10am-2.30pm on Friday 7th September- entry is free of charge. The Fair, sponsored by Thompsons of Prudhoe and Northumberland County Council, is being organised in conjunction with the Hexham Job Centre Plus and is ideal for anyone looking for work, a return to work or for a change in direction. More than fifty employers are confirmed to attend, including Marks and Spencer, Walwick Hall and the Newcastle United Foundation, with jobs covering all corners of the Hexham constituency and beyond, from Bellingham to Newcastle.

It should be a fantastic day, which I hope will help people to get the new start they are looking for- it would be great to see you there!

https://www.tynedalejobsfair.co.uk

I'm backing British Farming!

This week is Love Lamb Week, a week that aims to increase awareness and sales of lamb amongst UK consumers. Supported by a range of organisations including the National Sheep Association and the National Farmers’ Union, this year’s Love Lamb Week focuses on the seasonality and sustainability of lamb production. Britain has some of the highest welfare standards in the world regulating the way lamb and mutton are produced. 

As one of the country’s most rural constituencies, farming is an extremely important part of life in Tynedale and Ponteland. Farmers do such a brilliant job in our local community- I’m backing British Farming!

Heritage at Haltwhistle Station

Ever wondered what is inside a signal box, or what the view is like high above the railway? Or why a mainline railway company might have a model railway? Such questions will be answered at Haltwhistle Station on the Newcastle to Carlisle railway line on Friday 7^th and Saturday 8^th September, when the Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership, supported by the rail industry, opens the doors to such secrets as part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme. Between 10am-4pm, Network Rail will be opening the 1901 Haltwhistle Grade II listed signal box- one of the BBC’s top ten signal boxes. Signallers past and present will be on hand to explain mechanical signalling and help you enjoy the view from the box. Other key features include the booking office, the water tower and crane, stationmaster’s house, waiting rooms and the nearby Alston Arches viaduct across the Tyne. 

A great opportunity to learn more about our past- go along to Haltwhistle Station next week and find out about this historic piece of our heritage.

6 DAYS TO GO!- The biggest ever TYNEDALE JOBS FAIR

There are just 6 days to go until my 2018 Tynedale Jobs Fair, and with some of the region's biggest employers confirmed to attend, including Egger, Essity, Thompsons of Prudhoe, Waitrose and Northumberland County Council, it looks set to be the biggest and best Jobs Fair yet!

The Tynedale Jobs Fair takes place at Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham, from 10am-2.30pm on Friday 7th September- entry is free of charge. The Fair, sponsored by Thompsons of Prudhoe and Northumberland County Council, is being organised in conjunction with the Hexham Job Centre Plus and is ideal for anyone looking for work, a return to work or for a change in direction. More than fifty employers are confirmed to attend, including Marks and Spencer, Walwick Hall and the Newcastle United Foundation, with jobs covering all corners of the Hexham constituency and beyond, from Bellingham to Newcastle.

I am really looking forward to Friday's event. It should be a fantastic day, which I hope will help people to get the new start they are looking for- it would be great to see you there!

Any employers who would like to attend - and it's totally free - please email teamoppy@gmail.com and we'd be delighted to have you.

https://www.tynedalejobsfair.co.uk