 August 2001PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTSSOUTHERN ELECTRICThe ‘problems’ associated with cold calling by Southern Electric representatives are still with us although these callers now appear to have moved to adjoining areas. Our latest information relates to two homes of elderly ladies living on the Chapel House estate, although it is very likely that these are not the only cases, where the caller has asked for entry on the pretext of reading the electric meter, but following this up with the assertion that the cost of electricity can be reduced by changing the provider to Southern Electric. We have written to Southern Electric who claim to be looking into the matter although their written response is still awaited. We appeal to all our readers who have friends or relatives living in areas not covered directly by our Neighbourhood Watch and who may not have read our recent issues of C&SN, to pass on our warnings regarding this firm’s so called energy advisors’ very intimidating attitude, and not to admit them to their home, and most important, under no circumstances should credit card numbers be given to these callers. PONTELAND FUCHSIA SOCIETYReaders interested in the growing of fuchsias will be pleased to know that the annual show is to be held once again at Belsay Hall, with the co-operation of English Heritage, on Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday the 11th. and 12th. August. All are welcome and entry is free to members of English Heritage. PONTELAND PARISH FLOWER SHOWThe 24th. Annual Show will be held in the Ponteland Memorial Hall, on Saturday 8th. September, from 1.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.. Copies of the Schedule of Classes for the Show are now available, free of charge, in the public libraries at Ponteland and Heddon, as well as in the village shops at Dinnington, Stamfordham, and Belsay. Attendance by all readers is strongly recommended. NORTHUMBERLAND WILDLIFE TRUSTA little advance notice for a truly memorable evening of entertainment. On Wednesday 5th December at 7.00 p.m. in the Ponteland Memorial Hall the well known pair of Eric Bird and Alan Potts will present their double act on THE BIRDS OF NORTHUMBERLAND. Price of admission - £5 adults and £3 for accompanied children. No one should miss this special event as a run up to Christmas. ALL LOCAL HISTORIANSWhy not join the Ponteland History Society? Monthly meetings are held in the St. Mary’s Church Hall on the third Thursday of the month starting at 7.30 p.m. The full programme can be seen in the Ponteland library but if you wish to give it a try, the admission charge for visitors is only £1.50 per meeting. The first meeting of the session is on 20th. September on “Limekilns of the North Pennines” to be given by Alastair Robertson. VANDALISMIt has been noticed that the whole top of a young tree on Broadway Darras Hall, between the shop car park and Middle Drive, has been broken off. This can hardly have been an accident and is clearly vandalism by the youths that plague Broadway in the evenings. Such action is so senseless and it is hoped the perpetrator reads this item, is ashamed of his action, and is man enough to own up. A.D.A.P.T.A.D.A.P.T. is Action by Differently Abled People in Tynedale a new accessible community transport service launched in May 2001. The service is door to door, Hail & Ride on designated parts of the route with deviations on request for wheelchair users. The service is however run to a timetable and is open to all members of the community whether disabled or not. The service operates every Wednesday departing from Hexham Bus Station at 9.18 a.m. It travels via Corbridge, Wall house Farm, Stamfordham, Dalton, Western Way, Middle Drive, Eastern Way, Darras Road, Ponteland Village, Newcastle Airport, Prestwick, Dinnington, Kingston Park Metro and Tesco, A69 The Ramparts, Westway Ind. Est. Throckley Middle School, Heddon on the Wall and Albermarle Barracks and the reverse route. We have a copy of the time table which has been included here on our website and more information can be given by the editor or by contacting Eyra Gradwell between 9.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon Monday to Friday on 01434 606156. SAFE BARBECUING!Now that the warm, light evenings are with us and the smell of barbecues are sizzling across the County, a timely warning has been given by Fire Safety Officer Paul Hedley. Said Paul “We are currently experiencing some delightful weather and it is instinctive to want to go outdoors and enjoy it with family and friends. Whilst there are some risks involved, by following some simple rules you can ensure your barbecue is a safe enjoyable event”.
In closing Paul said: “This may be a formidable list but most of these things are common sense. By far the biggest danger is the use of flammable liquids to light the barbecue. We have had a couple of occasions where people have poured petrol onto the charcoal in an effort to get it going and the reaction has, not surprisingly, been violent and highly dangerous. Prepare well in advance and light the charcoal early. Most of all enjoy yourself in safety”. Station Officer Paul Hedley Tel: 01670 534646 Fax: 01670 510584 Mb: 07779 590 109
LONE LADY DRIVER GOING ON HOLIDAY? - a word of adviceHere are some simple precautions, which to some may be elementary but nevertheless will provide peace of mind and a happy holiday - weather permitting! Yourself
Your Car Modern cars, apart from punctures rarely break down, but can do through lack of servicing. Before leaving home, have your car checked and serviced if necessary. The tyre pressures, coolant level, engine oil - when the engine is cold, and level of distilled water in the battery can be easily checked and corrected at home, get a neighbour to help if you’re not sure what to do. Many garages advertise a summer service for around £25 which covers the essentials but not a full service. These few comments are not meant to make a lone lady drive insecure or apprehensive, but just to give simple basic advice - forewarned is forearmed - have a safe journey and enjoyable holiday. H. P. Earp READER SURVEYOur thanks go to all who took the time to complete our survey in the June newsletter. We will be publishing the results in the September issue. Fair criticism is always appreciated, it’s the only way we improve, we also appreciate your many thanks. However there are those who criticise because that’s how they get pleasure, how sad, and others who criticise because they want things to run perfectly but very rarely want to help. Ponteland Neighbourhood Watch is organised and run purely by unpaid volunteers who have both work and family commitments, and once in a while Neighbourhood Watch does not come high on their list of priorities. The co-ordinating committee put in an enormous amount of work, not to mention all who deliver C & S News, around 300 in all, they give their time every month, rain, hail snow and shine because they like the rest of us, want Ponteland to be a better place to live and bring up our children. So next time your newsletter is a few days late, please remember that something has occurred in a volunteers life which has prevented everything running like clockwork, we try to cover for such events but this is not always possible. SUBSCRIPTIONSOver the last few months many residents have asked about subscriptions to C & S News. It was decided at our July committee meeting to include our request for subscriptions in the October newsletter along with envelopes for payments. Our normal subscription is £1.00 per household per annum however any donations over this amount will be gratefully accepted. NEW SECRETARY STILL REQUIREDWe still require a Secretary. Is anyone willing to give a few hours of their time each month to help out. If so please pop your details in an envelope marked for the attention of The Editor, Ponteland District Neighbourhood Watch, 29 Stonehaugh Way, Ponteland, NE20 9LX. SERVICES OFFERED BY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Why not take advantage of these services which are on offer? Personal Alarms at only £3.00 each. Engraving of your POST CODE on garden equipment and furniture, TVs, Videos etc which help the police to identify the rightful owner when located - COMPLETELY FREE. Timers for standard or table lights for when you are away on holiday, just for a nominal hire charge & a small returnable deposit. |
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Smoke Alarms with 10 year guarantee as recommended by the Fire Services only £7.50 each. FOR DETAILS simply ‘phone 01661 823 965 |
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