Wylam Road Closure

We have just received notification from NCC of plans to close the Wylam Road.
The road will be closed from 3rd to 6th March between 07:30 and 17:00 each day for resurfacing. It will be an inconvenience but the good news is that it will massively improve the poor surface that currently exists along much of this road.

As it will affect the bus routes, NCC have arranged a free shuttle bus to run between Charlie's Corner in Wylam to connect there with the diverted X84 and also the X85 at Holeyn Hall. This shuttle will be operated by Howard Snaith. NCC will place copies of the timetable on the bus stops affected in Wylam and Ovingham.

County Council - Post-16 School Transport

The county council is conducting a consultation on its options in relation to the provision of Post-16 Transport from the start of the academic year 2014-15. The consultation is open until 9:00am on 19th May.

If you want to submit your views, please look up

http://northumberland.gov.uk/post16

On this page, you will find the Consultation Document. You will also find a link to a questionnaire which invites parents of current and future 16+ students (and others) to respond.

Ovingham Bridge - Public Meeting

The County Council is holding a public meeting in the Reading Room at 6:00pm on 24th February 2014. Representatives will present information regarding the impending bridge closure and answer questions you may have. Click on the image to see the full details.

All houses in the village should receive a copy of this leaflet over the next few days.

Parish News - February 2014

The Next Parish Council meeting will be on 20^th March at 7.15pm in the Reading Room.

Cllr Ian Heslop is our Fire Warden for the Reading Room having volunteered after Neville Gray talked us through the requirements.

The Closure of the bridge is imminent – there will have been a meeting in February for residents and I do hope any questions have been answered by now. The Parish Council are in close contact with County Council and will try to update you as much as possible.

The Parish Council have decided to hire a contractor for cutting grass on their own land this season. They will also continue to monitor that which is cut by County Council and Isos.

A very welcome and constructive on site meeting was held in February with representatives from County Council. Areas covered included potholes, overgrowth, parking and it is the County Council’s intention to hold these on a regular basis. Certainly, talking through issues face to face seems more productive.

The Councillors are still considering recycling facilities but recognise that options are limited. Cllr Lesley Richardson is hopeful that a carton bank can be installed and she will provide the Council with more details at the next meeting, including possible locations.

Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Parish News - January 2014

Last summer, Cllr Hazel Chalmers, along with resident Ken Rusby, attended a meeting about Community Agreements which partly focussed on flooding. As a result of this she is hoping to set up a working party for Ovingham. Please contact Hazel for any more information.
The first new Village newsletter has been published. This is hoped to be issued on a quarterly basis and submissions need to be received for the next edition by early February. The newsletter is run by volunteers and the Parish Council do hope you give it your support.
Essential repairs have been completed at the Cemetery Lodge and the tenant was able to move back in before Christmas – very timely!
Moles continue to be a problem on the Playing Field and the mole catcher has been kept busy. A martial arts group use the Pavilion on a regular basis and appears to be well supported.
Due to time constraints, the Councillors met in December in order to submit a response to Northumberland County Councils Local Core Plan Strategy. This is primarily concerned with future housing needs and is asking for responses from all Town and Parish Councils. Ovingham’s main concern is the possibility of the removal of green belt to allow housing, and the impact on infrastructure especially increased traffic through the village and across the bridge as well as a knock on effect from Prudhoe.
Our next meeting is 16^th January. No meeting in February, so the next date is 20^th March, at 7.15pm in the Reading Room.


Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Christmas Carol Concert

Our vicar Eric, informs us that this year's Carol Concert will take place at 4:30pm on Sunday 22nd December in the Church. All the participants are under 18 and they have decided to send the proceeds of the retiring collection to Christian Aid's Philippines Fund. Click on the image for full details.

Parish News - December 2013

Councillors had a very informative site meeting with and engineer from County Council regarding the closure of Ovingham Bridge. As the date for closure nears, more information will become available but it is anticipated work will begin in February when scaffolding is erected, although the road bridge will not close to traffic until April. The pedestrian bridge will close for a week for refurbishment, but the road bridge will be pedestrian only during this period.

Following their recent inspection of the village, a request has been submitted to the County Council asking them to cut back overgrowth etc. and also to inform them of uneven pavements, potholes and the like. The Councillors will continue to monitor the village on a regular basis.

A fence has been installed in the gap in the hedge between the playing field and the cemetery. Repairs have been carried out to the shutters at the Pavilion and also to some play equipment.

The Horse chestnut tree in the Churchyard should have been removed by the time you read this – a Horse Chestnut has also been felled at the entrance to Piper Road. The Parish Council had been informed by County Council’s tree officer, that they were diseased.

The First meeting of the year will be on Thursday, 16^th January at 7.15 in the Reading Room.

Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council