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The above report appeared in the Northumberland Gazette on Thursday, 29th January 2004. There are currently 43 people who have registered interest in broadband access to the Internet following the campaign mentioned in the last newsletter headed by Steve Johnson.
The Northumberland Strategic Partnership and One North East have allocated funding to a project to bring broadband to rural Northumberland in advance of BT planning. This campaign appears to have been successful but we would still encourage you to register interest if you want the village to slip down the timetable.
This is the information we included in the last newsletter:
Broadband Internet Access for Glanton, Powburn and BrantonIf you are interested in Internet Access 10 times faster than a standard modem, and being able to make and receive calls at the same time as being online then please register an interest at: http://www.btopenworld.com/votebroadband. Registering an interest does not commit you in any way. For more general information see http://www.adslguide.org or pick up a leaflet in the Village Shop. If you currently do not have an Internet connection but would still like to register an interest in Broadband you can register through the computer at the village shop, you will need your phone number and your BT customer account number. Steve Johnson |
This is newsletter 27 since the Parish Council took over the responsibility for its production. This is the fifth year of its production and it is probably time for a change. I am trying to reduce my many commitments and I would like to pass on the creation of the newsletters to someone else.
We issue a newsletter every two months. It is hoped they inform everyone of what is happening in the village and let everyone know how they can get involved.
If you think you could help out by editing future newsletters please let a member of the Parish Council know. If you want any further information about editing the newsletter please contact me.
Norman Dunn
We have been asked to remind everyone that we are rapidly approaching lambing time. For much of the year we are fortunate that our farming neighbours allow us to use their land as if it was our own, providing we take reasonable care. At this time of year it is up to us to return the favour and be extremely careful about using the fields for walking our dogs.
Fields may seem empty but they may only have been cleared in preparation for lambing. Please do not let your dogs run free in the fields at this time of year unless you have permission of the farmers.
Pam Bridges has organised further visits by the NTC Touring Theatre Company. The Company will visit the village Hall later in the year and details of the programme will be announced nearer the time.
The Hall committee wish to thank all who attended the Bottle Bingo at Christmas.
Fundraising for the alterations to the Hall is continuing. The sub-committee has been disbanded but Lynne Livesey and John Swanson continue to help Lesley Frater and Marion Guiry to identify funding sources for the on-going effort. Refurbishment of the kitchen is going ahead with the Hall's own funds generously donated by the people of the village.
We are pleased to announce that through the offices and effort of Cllr Mrs SE Bolam, our County Councillor, the Village will finally be able to extend the 30-mph speed limits to cover all the residential areas of the village. In addition there is a possibility that the street lighting near the Memorial Hall may also be extended. The final tranche of funding will be put towards the disabled access to the Memorial Hall. The Parish Council would like to thank Cllr Bolam for her efforts in helping the Parish Council achieve its wishes.
The Parish Council wishes to express its thanks to John Guiry who has trimmed the hedges around the oak trees.
They would also express their thanks to John Moody for the care taken in trimming the hedges in that area.
John Swanson and Calum Kohler will check the trees and replace any that have not survived.
Thanks go to Joe Easton, John Guiry, Calum Kohler and Arthur McCann for their help in putting up the Christmas Tree this year. We must also thank the generosity of the congregation of the URC who allow us to tap in to their electricity supply.
Our Parish Council area has no designated areas covered by the Right to Roam legislation. A map is lodged with Linda Lazenby confirming the situation.
Information has now been circulated about the future of schools in the area and details should have been sent to all parents. The Parish Council have not been consulted about this crucial issue, not only affecting those directly concerned but also the communities the schools service. The Parish Council will respond to this current issue but will also request that the Local Education Authority are consult them in any future deliberations.
Future meetings of the Society.
Subscriptions are £8 per individual member and £12 for joint members living in the same household. Visitors may attend meetings on payment of £2 per meeting. Membership application forms can be obtained from Bridget Winstanley (Hon. Secretary) The Old Post Office, Whittingham NE66 4RB Tel. 01665 574353 email bridget@winstanley36.fsnet.co.uk.
I am sat here quite disappointed that the snow didn't really amount to very much. I love the way that lying snow makes the countryside look, and even though the weather is generally cold, there somehow seems to be a bit of warmth about too. Perhaps it's the romantic notions that seeing the snow brings to mind, like sitting by a warm log fire, in a log cabin on a mountainside whilst it's blowing a gale outside. If only life was really like that it would be wonderful. But sadly it isn't, we all need to get places, and we need to be able to do our work, so the snow is just a nuisance.
But then perhaps there is something to be said for stopping for a moment, reconnecting with ourselves and the world that surrounds us, not just seeing a problem, a nuisance, but looking beyond that to the beauty that it holds too. I think that our lives have become ever more busy, and that we don't take enough, what the Americans call, time out. And perhaps this bit of snow and anymore that comes our way over the next few months is a chance to do just that. After all even God rested on the seventh day, didn't he!
Edward Butlin
(Minister of Glanton United Reformed Church)
Services are held every Sunday at 6 p.m. and everyone is welcome to come and join us. On the 21st March there will be a special family service to celebrate Mothering Sunday.
Felton, Longframlington and Glanton URC are holding a series of 5 studies through Lent entitled Meekness and Majesty. These will be held at Longframlington URC at 8 p.m. on Tuesday 2nd, 9th, 16, 30th March and 6th April. Tea and biscuits afterwards.
We have received a grateful letter of thanks from the Salvation Army for our donation of £140 from the Village Carol service. We have also received letters of thanks from Christian Aid Commitment for Life for the £655 we have sent to them during the past year. This money goes directly to projects we support in Bangladesh which provide clean water and maternity care and education.
We raised this money at events such as Edward's Induction service and our Harvest Thanksgiving - so thank you to everyone who helped us to send this large contribution to this very needful cause.
This year our Service will be held in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Whittingham at 2 pm. The Service has been prepared by Christian Women of Panama the theme 'In Faith Women Shape the Future'. The address will be given by Sister Moyra - Chaplain at Acklington and Casting prisons. This same service is celebrated in Christian countries throughout the world - if you haven't been to one of these Services before - do try to come - it is very worthwhile. Men and Children are welcome also.
Contributions for the next newsletter If you have anything to include in the next newsletter please pass the information to Norman Dunn, 5 Front Street, Glanton 01665 578338 by 31st March 2004, please.