Bingfield & Hallington News
ROC Oil will be returning the site in Bingfield to its original state as soon as we get a decent dry spell. The work cannot be well done in wet weather.
We remind people of the need to drive carefully, at appropriate speeds on our narrow roads – especially on corners and near houses – children and animals are very often about and unaware of vehicles.

Twin Bin Recycling Scheme
With the great majority of residents in favour wanting to recycle more refuse, Tynedale Council are extending the twin bin scheme. More work is needed by the Council to address the concerns of people eg re new collection arrangements, on the rescheduling of routes and on the introduction of new vehicles. However, implementation is likely to be in early 2007. All residents to be affected by this change will be fully informed beforehand – the scheme is already working well in over 20,000 homes in the Tyne Valley and in rural towns and villages in Tynedale. Meanwhile for general enquiries on recycling you can call the Council’s helpline on (01434) 652418

Damage to road verges – Great Whittington to Matfen & to the Military Road
Many local people are unhappy about the unsightly damage caused to these verges in winter – mostly by heavy vehicles having to pass one another on a road never designed for such traffic.
One estimate from County Highways for the construction of a passing place is £7,000 – a high price. The matter is to be considered at the Annual Parish Meeting.

John Gibson Trust
This has been closed and the residual fund of £802 donated to St Oswald’s Hospice (Childrens’ Services) in Newcastle. The Trust was set up many years ago for the educational benefit of young people up to age 25 years, in the Parish                                                                                       

Whittington Parish Council Website
Our website – www.whittingtonpc.org.uk – has operated successfully since May 2005 and includes information on Councillors, meetings/minutes, Powers & Duties of Parish Councils and other matters.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Message in a Bottle – Emergency Information Scheme
The Lions Clubs of Allendale, Tynedale and Mid Tyne, backed by sponsors such as Northumberland NHS Care Trust, Northumbria Police and the Ambulance Service, have created a potential life-saving scheme.
For those who must take essential medication the scheme provides for an up to date record of medication to be kept securely in the household refrigerator In a crisis eg fire or severe accident/illness, emergency services, guided by door/window stickers, can quickly locate and use such information to save a life. Anyone wishing to adopt the scheme should contact:
                  for Bingfield – Joyce Kerr –  672816
                  for Gt Whittington – Jessie Tiffin – 672231

Tynedale Local Development Framework
Planning affects us all, either directly or indirectly. It shapes the way the whole district, our own local
community and even our own home will look in the future. A new way of modeling the Tynedale of
the future is underway and will result in a new set of policies/criteria against which planning decisions
will be made. The new system is called the Local Development Framework (LDF) – it will eventually replace the existing Tynedale Local Plan.
 During 2005 Tynedale Council sought the views from many local organisations and people on a draft
‘Core Strategy’. This has now been refined to a set of preferred options on which further and final comments were sought by 10 April last. Submission of this ‘Core Strategy’ to the Secretary of State will be made in October 2006 when formal representations will also be invited. Adoption of the final ‘Core Strategy’ is scheduled for November 2007

Northumbria in Bloom – Great Whittington
The village will again compete in 2006 for an award. Judging will be on Monday 17 July
We urge everyone concerned to help to create and preserve an attractive appearance.
Hanging baskets (for the Village Hall & Queen’s Head) and planting material for our roadside tubs are being supplied by Tynedale Council.

Road Repairs & Power Failures
Anyone can make urgent reports on these free telephone numbers:
Road Repairs   –  0808 100 8910
Power Failures – 0800 66 88 77    

Mid Tyne Community Trust (MTCT)
The MTCT is losing the services of Colin Earnshaw as we speak due to loss of core funding – the main sponsor of the funding, the Countryside Agency, no longer supports the kind of work the Trust does – a change in Government thinking! However, work for the communities in the eleven Parishes will continue.
A public meeting about Wind farms is to be arranged – we will also be facilitating meetings for a) Village Hall Chairmen & Secretaries to discuss shared problems and good practice and b) young members of our communities to identify their needs and possible answers. Other groups/communities will follow – any offers to lead on any subject should be addressed to Alex Kerr 01434 672816 or <akerr@nothumberland.gov.uk>

Great Whittington Village Hall – Future Events
May 12th Quiz Night                                            October 29th  Halloween Party 2.00 to 4.00 pm          
June 24th BBQ (to be confirmed)                        November 5th Guy Fawkes Party 5.00pm
July  14th  Car Treasure Hunt                               
August 13th Jazz Picnic 12.00 to 3.00pm         Further details ‘phone 672053
 
HiFi Concert – Wallhouses Farm – Matfen

As we go to press the Castle Morpeth Licensing Committee is sitting in Ponteland Memorial Hall to decide the Angel Music application.