Giving thanks to our armed forces

Yesterday marked 164 years since Queen Victoria instituted Britain's highest military decoration, the Victoria Cross, which is awarded for outstanding bravery on the field of battle. The metal from which the medals are struck is either from Russian cannon captured at the Siege of Sevastopol or other cannons. Only 1355 VCs have been awarded since 1856- 11 were awarded for the defence of Rorke's Drift in the Zulu wars 141 years ago this week.

Bravery comes in many forms. Locally in Northumberland I commemorate Private Fred Dobson of Ovingham. Private Dobson twice volunteered to go out under heavy fire to bring in two wounded men at Chavonne in France in September 1914. Today, there is a memorial stone to Private Dobson outside St Mary's Church in Ovingham.

Thank you to all those our armed forces and all those who risk their lives to protect us.

Dates to remember...

The new year is less than a month old, but there are already so many exciting events planned in Hexham over the coming year. Here are some upcoming dates in 2020 to put in your diary:

The Hexham Book Festival takes place this spring from 24th April- 3rd May. The festival always features a wide range of authors and storytellers, so whatever your literary tastes, there is bound to be something to interest you!

https://www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk

Meanwhile, the 2020 Hexham Abbey Festival is also starting to take shape, with the programme of events currently being put together. More information about the festival will be announced later in the  year, but for now, make sure to save the date- 17th-20th September!

https://hexhamabbeyfestival.org.uk

Top of the class!

The 2019 primary school Key Stage 2 results were published at the end of last year. Thanks to the hard work of teachers, pupils and parents, the national average of children achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics has increased to 65% this year. The results are the fourth since the government introduced more rigorous assessments to align with the new national curriculum in 2016, which has brought England's primary education in line with the best in the world.

Six schools in the Hexham constituency saw an increase in the proportion of children achieving the expected standard. Congratulations to staff and pupils at the following schools:

• Allendale Primary School (89%)
• Ponteland Community Middle School (95%)
• Richard Coates Church of England Primary School (82%)
• Bellingham Middle School and Sports College (66%)
• Corbridge Middle School (85%)
• Hexham Middle School (77%)

You can find the results of all the schools in the constituency here:

https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/schools-by-type?step=default&table=schools&parliamentary=Hexham&geographic=parliamentary