Bringing Local Venues Back to Life - The Dyvels Inn &The County Hotel both provide a fresh start to the local pub / hotel scene

The North East, and our own constituency in particular, has always been blessed with great ales and fantastic pubs. That's why I was so pleased to re-launch two brilliant pubs recently, both of which have been through hard times not so long ago.

The Dyvels Inn in Corbridge was devastated by the floods of last winter, making business impossible. The renovations that Chris Baxter and his team had done only months before were wasted, as both features and decorations were ruined by the water. Thankfully, due to the enthusiasm of Chris, and with the help of the people at Punch Taverns, the pub is now ready for business again.

The pub boasts one of the nicest beer gardens in Northumberland, and is always a friendly and welcoming environment for everyone. Worth noting also is the County Hotel, which also re-launched recently. Once again supported by Punch Taverns, this fine establishment is back doing what it should be doing; selling beer and providing good food..

It was heartening to see both of these establishments finding their feet again, and I implore all of you to go and have a pint (or two) at both when you get the chance. These pubs are at the heart of their respective communities, so we should all do as much as we can to ensure that they continue to thrive.
The wider point is that both provide much needed beds for tourists, business visitors and for weddings and events. Tynedale needs this. But use them or lose them - its your community. I have had pints in both and the beer is good!

Improving dementia care in our NHS - great to meet and talk to Tynedale's Kevin Whately

Last week I met with Northumbrian born Kevin Whately at the launch of Alzheimer’s Society’s new campaign Fix Dementia Care. Kevin is an Alzheimer's ambassador and we had a short but good chat about the work he is doing and his family in Hexham.
The Alzheimer's campaign is calling for improvements in hospital care for people living with dementia. Specifically, it is aimed towards achieving greater transparency across the NHS. This follows an Alzheimer’s Society investigation, which found: too many people with dementia are falling while in hospital, are being discharged at night, or are being marooned in hospital despite their medical treatment having finished.

We need to end any postcode lottery that exists on the quality of hospital care people with dementia face. The first step to improving the issue across the country is greater transparency - once we know where the shortcomings are we can take steps to tackle them.

I have family members who have suffered from this terrible disease
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mp-joins-assisted-walk-corbridge-7621737
and I am delighted to support Kevin and the AS efforts to address its symptoms and treatment, and have written to my local trust to ensure that we are doing all that we can at our local hospitals in Haltwhistle, Hexham and Cramlington to address good care of patients with dementia.
Similarly, I am a huge supporter of the work that Corbridge Parish Council have done - notably the wonderful Councillors Melvyn Stone, who trained me as a dementia friend. See more details of this here:
http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/dementia-friendly-villages-are-future.html

The Alzheimer’s Society is calling on people to back the Fix Dementia Care campaign by signing up at: www.alzheimers.org.uk/fixhospitalcare

Corbridge open for business with pop up market tomorrow 10-2

Flood meetings tonight in Corbridge and tomorrow in Haydon Bridge next week in Hexham

Corbridge: Friday 29th at 7.30 in the Village Hall
Haydon Bridge: Saturday 30th at 10am in the Community Centre
Hexham Tyne Green - February 4 

Over the last few weeks I have met extensively with the Environment Agency, Northumbria Water, and Newtork Rail to try and get answers, and an explanation of the options for the way ahead in relation to the various flood events that befell everywhere from Ovingham to Corbridge to Tyne Green in Hexham, Haydon Bridge, Warden, Bellingham, Bywell and all places in between, as well as making multiple site visits to meet a variety of constituent householders, businesses, farmers, and sports clubs.

I accept that I have not been able to meet everyone, but Karen in my office is doing a great job trying to get everyone the answers and explanations they seek. We are holding a number of other meetings with local flood action groups and residents over the coming weeks notably a 6 way meeting with network rail, residents, NCC, Environment Agency, and my team and councillors, to try and sort the flooding on Hexham's Tyne Green, where negotiations are ongoing as to how we sort the underpass under the railway into a flood defence that still allows access. Where possible I would urge residents to form a flood group and it is this, along with local residents, that I am meeting in Corbridge tonight.

More detail on flood assistance can be found in my earlier blog post here:
http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/update-help-for-those-affected-by.html

Flood meetings organised for Corbridge and Haydon Bridge this weekend

The Environment Agency and Northumbria Water have both now agreed to attend the further flood meetings we have organised for this coming weekend.

Corbridge: Friday 29th at 7.30 in the Village Hall

Haydon Bridge: Saturday 30th at 10am in the Community Centre

Over the last few weeks I have met extensively with the Environment Agency to try and get answers, and an explanation of the options for the way ahead in relation to the various flood events that befell everywhere from Ovingham to Corbridge to Tyne Green in Hexham, Haydon Bridge, Warden and all places in between, as well as making multiple site visits to meet a variety of constituent householders, businesses, farmers, and sports clubs.

I accept that I have not been able to meet everyone, but Karen in my office is doing a great job trying to get everyone the answers and explanations they seek. We are holding a number of other meetings with local flood action groups and residents over the coming weeks notably a 6 way meeting with network rail, residents, NCC, Environment Agency, and my team and councillors, to try and sort the flooding on Hexham's Tyne Green, where negotiations are ongoing as to how we sort the underpass under the railway into a flood defence that still allows access.

More detail on flood assistance can be found in my earlier blog post here:
http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/update-help-for-those-affected-by.html

Tackling Dementia in Northumberland

All of us know a family member who suffers from this terrible disease: as I discussed with my Haltwhistle constituents, at the Haltwhistle Dementia Support group last week, I am acutely aware of its impact, the loss of dignity, and the difficulties faced by the carers.
But there is beginning to develop a number of ways in which I see a difference being made across the Tyne valley: examples are as follows.
- I have been involved with the Corbridge communities efforts to become completely dementia friendly and to provide assisted walks and activities for some time. Led by councillor Melvyn Stone I trained to become a dementia friend last year.
More details here: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mp-joins-assisted-walk-corbridge-7621737
- last week I was lucky enough to spend time with the Haltwhistle Dementia support group and provide answers to their questions on how we provide ongoing support, medical services, and Howe tackle respite care whilst being at the very far end of Northumberland. The integration of Northumbria NHS with North Cumbria will clearly make a massive difference so that we are no longer at the end of the line but much more at the heart of the medical provision that exists in the true north.
- and I was lucky enough to join the team from Chrysalis in Hexham who do a fantastic job fundraising and supporting the local community at the Torch Centre. I helped open their new garden and got my hands dirty picking potatoes in a good cause.
http://www.newsprints.co.uk/view/0/31620206/t401594%20chrysalis%20garden_jpg

Going forward there is no doubt that we need to learn best practice from each other, get local councils and communities on board, and engage with the local GPs and clinical commissioning groups to ensure that these services are genuinely recognised and supported. There is, as we discussed as well in Haltwhistle, a lot more to do to provide respite care.

Tynedale Beer Festival is a must go today - great fun and great causes to support

Last night I had a great time at our biggest beer festival, that has hundreds of beers, ciders, music, great people and great food at Tynedale Rugby Club. The organising team of the Tynedale Lions and Tynedale Rugby Club are brilliant and tireless, with support from some great local sponsors, big and small. But special mention must go to the underlying purpose of the event, which is to raise tens of thousands of pounds for causes such as the Great North Air Ambulance, Help for Heroes, the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Foundation, Action for Children and a local stall for Stay Strong Stu. If you have the chance to go today / tonight do so - it's open till 11pm

Tynedale Beer festival 18-20 June - tickets still available to our biggest beer festival

Dozens of Beers, drinks and great food and lots to see and do. Come along to Corbridge - you will not be disappointed:
http://www.tynedalebeerfestival.org.uk/tickets/

Corbridge new enhanced flood defences now nearly complete

10 years ago Corbridge flooded in a terrible way completely overwhelming the defences that protected The Stanners and Station Road. The damage was massive and the second set of flood defences to protect the area is now pretty much completed. 

The work was part funded by the government and a local levy, which is paid for through a small charge on council tax bills. Full story here:http://www.thejournal.co.uk/north-east-analysis/analysis-news/400k-scheme-reduce-risk-flooding-8412683

Busy Friday Morning - breakfast at Number 10, BBC Radio Newcastle at 9 & Euro Referendum Bill from 9.45

On the radio I will be discussing Dementia and the huge strides we are making in tackling this disease, both nationally and locally, working in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society and innovative councils like the Corbridge Parish Council.
I recently took part in a dementia friend training day and an assisted walk in Corbridge. Details here:
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mp-joins-assisted-walk-corbridge-7621737

Corbridge Memory Cafe to open Thursday October 16th - another Dementia first for Corbridge

Delighted that the amazing work of Councillor Melvyn Stone and the Corbridge Parish Council are getting the recognition they deserve with further coverage in last weeks Courant of this innovative idea; this is an another example of why Corbridge is leading the way in Dementia awareness.
The official opening is next Thursday October 16th from 10.30-12.30 in the Parish Hall.
I will also be taking part in a BBC Radio Newcastle Dementia Discussion at 9am on the Friday 17th October.
Sadly I cannot go to the Corbridge opening next Thursday as I have a 5 day week in parliament next week, before coming home late Friday night; the radio programme I will record from the BBC Radio "bunker" live in Millbank, on the river in London.

Dementia Friends Event this Friday in Corbridge

Corbridge is leading the way in the North in showing how a village can both cope with dementia and support local people who are suffering from this terrible disease. I have met with many of the local councillors and supporters and professional organisations in May and previously so I am delighted we are doing this follow up.

So this Friday I will be going to The Dyvels in Corbridge and taking part in a Dementia Friends Supported Walk to begin at 11am, for 1 hour.

Attendees include: Cllr Melvyn Stone, Corbridge Parish Council, who has been leading on the Corbridge project, Lorraine Oliver, North Country Leisure, Representatives from Barclays Bank, Cllr Jean Fearon,Amy Syron-Mallenby – Alzheimer’s Society, and Cllr Maurice Hodgson – Chair Corbridge Parish Council.
There will also be many members of the public and several dementia sufferers coming too. I am told the walks are very popular. The walk will be a gentle walk along the river bank, around the cricket ground, finishing back at the Dyvels.

Thereafter we are having a Dementia Friends session at The Dyvels for an hour or so
Melyvn will deliver the session, which aims to help people understand five key facts about dementia using a range of interactive activities and analogies. Melvyn will aim to keep the session quite short, which should allow time for questions and discussion. If you are interested, are a carer, or simply keen to help or understand better I urge you to come along.

Dementia Awareness Week this coming - I am doing my bit and I urge you to get involved

There are 4,844 good reasons why each and everyone one of us in the Tyne Valley should get involved in Dementia Awareness Week, which runs from 18th-24th May.

I say this because that is the number of people in Northumberland who are currently living with dementia. One in three people over the age of 65 will develop dementia, and as a local MP, all too often I see first-hand the devastating impact the condition has - not only the person with dementia but their family, friends and carers too. The fact that there are more and more people locally who are living with dementia puts into perspective why there is a duty on us all, and society as a whole, to act.

Across the UK, on average less than half of those people have received a diagnosis. Diagnosis is the key that unlocks access to support services. There are many reasons why people may afraid to ask their GP for a diagnosis. They may feel scared, confused or even ashamed. But the sooner they know what they're dealing with, the sooner they can get on with their life and feel in control again.

That’s why Alzheimer’s Society – the charity behind Dementia Awareness Week – is using the week to encourage people to 'open up' and talk. They want anyone who is concerned to talk to their doctor, their family, but also to come and talk to Alzheimer's Society. I’m doing my bit for Dementia Awareness Week in Corbridge this week, and that is why I’m challenging readers to do the same.

A whole host of activities will be taking place across th region to make people aware of the help and support that is on offer if they are worried about their memory, or that of a loved one.

From becoming a Dementia Friend to spreading the word on social media, there are lots of small ways that we can all make a big difference for people in our local community this Dementia Awareness Week. Corbridge is leading the way as I will be seeing this week but other communities need to follow suit. There is much that we can do locally. There is much that you personally can do.

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Dementia Awareness Week 2014 runs from 18-24 May. Find out more at alzheimers.org.uk/daw2014. If you have any concerns about dementia, you can call Alzheimer’s Society’s National Dementia Helpline for confidential advice, information and support on 0300 222 11 22. You can also email enquiries to helpline@alzheimers.org.uk

Dementia Friendly Villages are the future + Corbridge is leading the way

Corbridge is on course to become Northumberland’s first dementia-friendly community as part of a nationwide initiative being rolled out by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Focusing on improving the inclusion and quality of life of people with dementia, the scheme requires the participation of local residents, traders and key public figures, such as police officers and bus drivers. Crucially, it means people affected by the condition are not afraid to seek help from members of their own community. They can go about their daily business, including tasks such as shopping, banking and using public transport, knowing that if they become forgetful and confused, the people around them will be supportive and understanding.
The statistics locally need to be understood to gauge the huge issue we face locally:

In Northumberland around 4,690 people currently live with dementia
This figure is expected to rise to around 6,250 by 2021.
The project’s ultimate aim is to raise awareness and increase understanding of the illness.

Amy Syron-Mallenby, The Alzheimer’s Society business development officer for Northumberland, said: “A dementia-friendly community is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected, supported, and confident they can contribute to community life. There are simple steps communities can take towards becoming dementia-friendly, as well as launching the new symbol that communities can use to show they are committed to making changes.

The steps range from challenging stigma to including people with dementia in local life and highlighting the importance of accessible transport and businesses that are respectful and responsive; elsewhere in Northumberland, support is also being harnessed to help Hexham and Berwick become designated dementia-friendly communities.

In Corbridge, the project has been driven by parish councillor Melvyn Stone, who has already undergone training with the charity to become a dementia friend. These are volunteers who are prepared to turn their understanding of dementia into practical action.

Coun. Stone explained:
“In Corbridge, we are already doing a number of things as a village which ensure dementia sufferers are firmly part of the community. We have a drop-in centre, the Florence Hope activity club, which takes place in the parish hall twice a week. We also now have a weekly walking group with between nine to 12 trained walk leaders we can call upon to lead walks in the local area suitable for people with dementia. We adapt them to suit the person’s physical fitness and it means they can be accompanied by their carers out in the fresh air, or their carer, particularly if it’s a husband or wife, can go into the village and have a coffee or enjoy a bit of a break.”

The assisted walking group was developed from a core of interested volunteers who originally met through the West Northumberland Health Walks programme, run by North Country Leisure. They have since won £2,000 of grant funding in their own right and plan to get 2014’s walking programme underway in April.
“I’ve also had a meeting with at least nine of the village’s traders who all registered their interest in supporting the initiative and have since undergone training,” said Coun. Stone.
The next step for the traders is to sign up to displaying a dementia-friendly logo within their premises to provide an extra level of reassurance that they are on board.

It is also hoped a music workshop can be established where people of all ages and abilities can get together on a regular basis to enjoy their chosen instrument.
Coun. Stone said: “It’s been inspired by one of the village’s residents who plays the recorder particularly well and came to me, as chairman of the parish hall management committee, to see if we could set something up.”
Corbridge Women’s Institute has offered to support the venture by providing St Andrew’s church cottage in the village as a base for the gathering. “I don’t have anyone in my family that has suffered from dementia or any particular personal story,” said Coun. Stone, “But I feel lucky enough to live in one of the nicest and friendliest towns in the country, among people who are very proactive and willing to do their bit.
“Corbridge is a lovely, friendly, close-knit community so our village is the ideal place to be a shining beacon for dementia-friendly communities, so people with dementia can enjoy their surroundings for as long as possible.”

“It is more common in people over 65, but I’ve learned through my training that there are more than 400 different types of dementia and it’s such a complex condition. It’s happening to more and more people in front of our eyes and it’s important that we address it and do everything we can to help those suffering from it. I suppose I’m interested in dementia because so many people are not interested, but I get a feeling that people in Corbridge are ready to change things for the better. Because of all the criteria we already meet and the steps we are undertaking, Corbridge qualified in just 48 hours to begin working to become a dementia-friendly village.”

Melvyn is preparing to embark on more training which will allow him to become a designated dementia friends champion, enabling him to deliver information sessions and training to other local volunteers.
Last September, The Alzheimer’s Society launched a report Building Dementia-friendly Communities: a priority for everyone, which revealed less than half of people living with dementia feel a part of their community.

An economic analysis commissioned by the charity shows that building a network of dementia-friendly communities could save £11,000 per person, per year by helping people with dementia to remain independent and stay out of care for longer. Amy, who has been working alongside Coun. Stone, said: “To create a dementia-friendly community we need to bring together every part of the Corbridge community from health services, social care, transport, businesses, charities and voluntary groups, emergency services and local people. Thanks to Melvyn we are heading in the right direction.”

For further details about The Alzheimer’s Society, contact the charity’s Hexham office on (01434) 607318.
If you wish to become a dementia friend or would like to help with the initiative in Corbridge, contact Melvyn Stone on 07803 955148 or e-mail m.stone113@btinternet .com

A Racing Revival in Tynedale:Knockara Beau leads the way + Tynedale P2P on March 2nd

As a former jockey I am delighted to see local racehorse trainers doing well again. Details of my last winning effort at the Tynedale Point to Point, as set out in the pictures above, are set out here: http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/tynedale-point-to-point.html
Just here in Tynedale we have Willie Amos at Rochester, who had a double at Sedgefield very recently, and the Charltons at Stocksfield, who have brought down Big Bucks and are now on course for further Cheltenham Glory. All of us will be cheering on Knockara Beau at Cheltenham - with many of the Hexham Bookies praying he does not power up the hill again, like when he defeated Big Bucks! Full story of that here: http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/cheltenham-shock-as-big-bucks-beaten-by-knockara-beau/1598310/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews

My old Trainer Tim Reed continues to train successfully just down from Housesteads on Hadrians Wall, and when I get back to fitness, and a bit closer to jockey weight, I will be back riding out there. In addition, there are many other local trainers, particularly of Point To Points, who should be supported.
If you have not been to a point to point you must go.
They are exciting, full of thrills and spills, and fun for all the family.
I shall definitely be racing on Sunday March 2nd at the Tynedale Point to Point - just 3 miles north of Corbridge. I rode my last winner there and will one day ride another one. But until then I shall be an enthusiastic spectator.
Details on how to get to the point to point here: http://www.corbridgeraces.co.uk/

Lunch with Age UK in Corbridge

Just before Christmas I met with Age UK, and attended a lunch organised by them in Corbridge for local residents. This year, I have also spent time with NHS consultants, university experts in Ageing Well from Newcastle University, and various locals who are pretty robust in their views. The 5 basic rules for combatting old age are very clear:

- Don’t smoke
- Keep your weight down
- Exercise
- Eat healthily
- Don’t drink too much

Millions of pounds of government money is spent trying to persuade people to adopt these basic tenets of life – but the message does not seem to be getting through.

But almost as important is the need to keep your brain active. This was a message received loud and clear from the Dominos session I had before Age UK’s lunch. I got soundly thrashed at Dominos by all 3 of my teammates [particularly the wonderful Sybille in the picture to my right], who outwitted me with great smiles and a winning way with Dominos. All of those present were active, living healthily, eating well at an Age UK hot lunch; indeed, many had walked to the Village Hall. They were doing all they could to lead a healthy lifestyle, keeping the brain active and fighting old age. Full credit and thanks to Age UK for inviting me, organising a delicious lunch and being such a great presence in our community.

One final point: the harsh fact is that two-thirds of people with dementia live in the community but studies show that sometimes less than half say that they feel part of their community. People with dementia sometimes need a helping hand to go about their daily lives and feel included in their local community. Alzheimer’s Society wants one million people in England to have become a Dementia Friend by 2015. Dementia Friends gives people an understanding of dementia and the small things they can do that can make a difference to people living with dementia - from helping someone find the right bus to spreading the word about dementia.

So for 2014 make one of your resolutions this: make sure you reach out to those who are on their own or of advanced years and be a friend to them.

Proud to support ISOS Housing development - Grand Designs in action

In a week when we have successfully opposed the wrong sort of housing project [Birney Hill Green Belt] I wanted to write about a local housing project I was delighted to back.
If you go to Trinity Court in Corbridge you will see this beautiful building, built on a brown field site, providing everyhtoing that local people could possibly want. I opened it 3 weeks ago and the full report is here: http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/corbridge-trinity-court-is-a-grand-design-for-the-elderly-says-mp-1.1093029

It cost £2.1million and the three-storey scheme has 16 flats, with 10 for rent and six available to buy on a shared equity basis.I said at the ime and I will make the point again: the design was superb. Indeed I expected Kevin McCloud, of Grand Designs, to pop out at any moment.
The new building has been specifically designed to keep residents’ living costs down. I spoke to many of the residents and it is a special building, sensitively done, by good local architects.
Everyone involved should feel very proud, and I have made the point to ISOS that we want to see more of such projects locally.

campaign day 11 - the tyne journey

Last vestiges of sunlight in Corbridge after a long day; started at 9am with breakfast in Wylam - the cafe there does the best bacon roll in the county.

Visited all the shops, then met with local residents who are facing eviction, and finished by canvassing - had a 15 minute chat with a great teacher from Prudhoe

Then on to Ovington [bumping into Councillor Paul Kelly] and Ovingham, where we canvassed the big estate.

In the afternoon we briefly canvassed in Horsley and then spent 3 hours in Corbridge on the Croft estate and Aydon Gardens. Finished in the Angel pub with sore feet. Home at 10.30

Grand National Days

As a child I was always fixated by the Grand National - having been brought up on tales of my dad riding in it in the mid 1960's.
I am fond of a punt and I have been tipping the horse "State of Play" all week each way.
However, the pressure was on this morning when I was asked to
a). give the speech at the European Womens Coffee Morning in Corbridge, and
b). give my tip for todays race
One of our most famous members Olive immediately announced she was putting the money down that morning.
Hoping State of Play was feeling well I drove south down into the beautiful Allen Valley - it is a raw, sharp beauty down there - full of the biggest skies and the strongest winds - but everyone who lives there loves it. There is a wonderful sense of community. We had an amazing constituency lunch in Allendale, with enough food to feed the 8th Army and a great collectionof people to talk to. Unlike previous Allendale events I was glad not to be asked to make a speech - not least as I did not want the pressure of another tip.

At 4.15 I knew my fate: State of Play led at the second last but faded into fourth - but close enough for the each way punters to recover their stake and make a small profit. Still wished I was riding in it. Maybe one day ...