Rural affairs at the heart of Hexham event

Farming is a central part of life in the Hexham constituency, and next week a Farm Update North 2019 event will be taking place in Hexham. With speakers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency, the Farming Advice Service, National Farmers Union, Forestry Commission, Natural England and Northumbrian Water, farmers, landowners and anyone interested in rural matters will be able to find out about the latest rural developments. As well as presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the organisations.

The event takes place on 5th February at Hexham Auction Mart from 10am-1pm (lunch is provided). You can book your place by calling 01748 90 7070 or emailing north@cla.org.uk

https://www.nwl.co.uk/media-centre/611_8106.aspx

Cheeseburn celebrates local talent

Cheeseburn has announced the finalists of the 2019 Gillian Dickinson North East Young Sculptor Award. Ten local sculptors make up the list, with the winner announced later in the year. The work of all ten finalists will be on view from 18th-19th and 25th-27th May, a fantastic opportunity to see their incredible creations. It is wonderful to see so many young local talents celebrated- I don’t envy those who have to choose the overall winner!

My favourite pubs from across our local area!

Everyone in our local area knows how lucky we are to have such a great array of local pubs in our area. The Hexham Courant recently put out a call for suggestions for the best pub, so I wanted to set out some of my favourite from across Hexham. I have visited every one set out below and more!

Ales and Microbreweries

Firstly, micro-breweries. The last few years has seen an explosion in the popularity of micro-breweries, and two in Tynedale stand out. The Twice Brewed Inn – which has been here for generations as a pub and guest house – has just opened their own brewery! I visited  recently and had the opportunity to see Sycamore Gap – their pale ale – being made.

There’s also the Dipton Mill Inn in the Hexhamshire, which is undoubtedly one of the finest pubs in the whole of the County, but also produces their own beer.  

If you’re looking for proper real ale, there are so many to chooses from but I would strongly recommend:

-      The Black Bull in Matfen,

-       The Boathouse in Wylam,

-       The Heart in Hexham,

-       the Black Bull and the Comrades in Haltwhistle,

-       the Golden Lion in Allendale,

-       and, last but by no means least, The Angel at Corbridge.

Watch my video from the Twice Brewed Inn

Watch my video from the Dipton Mill Inn

Food

If you’re looking for food, we have some top gastropubs too. Last year, I welcomed Kevin MacLean of The Rat in Anick, just near Hexham to Westminster where – after a fierce battle with other pubs across the UK – he was crowned Parliamentary Pub Chef of the Year. Their food is top notch, and if you haven’t already, I highly recommend you visit.

There’s plenty of other top food pubs too, but some of the standard bearers are undoubtedly the award winning Feathers Inn at Hedley on the Hill, The Barrasford Arms, The Manor House at Shotleyfield, and The Ship Inn in Wylam.

Family Friendly Pubs

Not every pub is suitable for children, but here are some that most definitely are. There’s the White Swan in Ovingham, which has a great atmosphere and serves top food, the Falcon in Prudhoe and the recently refurbished Beaumont in Hexham

We have so many other great pubs too!

If you’re looking for great banter and a quiz night, look no further than the Duke Of Wellington Inn in Newton. There are some top super rural pubs, which are great at a weekend, like the fantastic Pheasant Inn in Kielder, and the Redesdale Arms.

And if you want left field, go and see the supercars (and more) at the Crown in Humshaugh, and of course Battlesteads in Wark, which contains its very own Dark Sky Observatory.

One final point. I will definitely have missed some pubs off a stellar list in Tynedale but the decision is yours – are you going to back your local pub?

They are all amazing pubs, and I must confess to popping in occasionally myself! Make sure you use them, or we'll lose them.