Voices and Choices Exhibition in Hexham Abbey - go if you can. Local and European Twin towns WW1 recollections

If you can ... go to this amazing exhibition in Prior's Hall
Hexham Abbey
Saturday 7th - Friday 20th November 2015

Opening hours 10.00am to 4.00pm daily
Open until 6.00pm on Saturday 7th, Monday 9th, Thursday 19th November

It is a very moving experience. I went to the opening last weekend and was genuinely moved. the quality of the artwork, the tales told and the individual recollections are wonderfully told.

This wonderful exhibition has received financial support from Hexham and Newcastle Quakers, The Southall Trust, The Trusthouse Foundation, Joicey Trust, Hexham Local History Society, Hexham Town Council and numerous individuals. It has been made possible thanks to Hexham Abbey, the Woodhorn Trust, the communities of Noyon and Metzingen, the Hexham Courant with other contributors and supporters including The Hexham Town Twinning Association and Hexham Community Partnership.

More details here: http://voicesandchoiceshexham.org/

Update on the Council Tax Benefit Support Grant for Parish Councils

On the last Wednesday of the parliamentary term in the House of Commons I again raised the issue that is affecting many parish and town councils from Hexham and Ponteland downwards. Northumberland County Council are refusing to pass this government money on to the local councils, even though over 90% of other councils have done so. The question we have to ask is why? Other councils are doing this, including I might add plenty, of Labour councils.

Guy Opperman (Hexham):
"On 25 November, in the House, I raised the issue of the council tax benefit support grant, which is not being passed on to all the parish councils in Northumberland. On that occasion, my hon. Friend responded by saying that local authorities should be ensuring that that was done. Can he tell me whether he has made any further progress in forcing them to do so?"

Brandon Lewis MP, Minister Dept Communitioes and Local Government:
"It is true that a very small number of authorities are not yet passing on the grant, and we are telling them that they should. It is a matter for the authorities themselves, but we made it very clear in today’s written statement that they should be passing the money on to the parish councils."

The original question and answer is here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2013-11-25a.9.5&s=%28council+tax+benefit+support+grant%29+speaker%3A24962#g10.0
The debate again featured discussion between north and south Local Authorities: the Minister made the point in Wednesday's debate by pointing out the real facts:
"Newcastle receives £2,400 per dwelling, which is about £900 more than areas such as Windsor and Maidenhead."
I will post more as we continue to persaude Northumberland County Council to pay the government money that is due our parish councils.