Sunday, 19 October 2014

Arts & Crafts Fair

The Reading Room held an Arts & Crafts Fair on 18 October in aid of their funds. The event was well attended both by exhibitors and customers. What a wealth of talent there is! There was a wide range of stalls covering all sorts from model airplanes to proggy mats to audio recordings and even loom bands.

The event was a great success and raised an impressive £336.10.

Friday, 10 October 2014

Parish News - October 2014

Another on site meeting was held with Northumberland County Council in October. Although there has been a change of personnel, some issues have been resolved whilst others, will be long term. The Parish Council has also been informed that County Council have a programme, starting this next financial year, to replace poles for street lighting.
The Environmental agency has been contacted regarding reports of odious smells and raw sewerage near the first footbridge in Whittle Dene.  
Causes of flooding at Dene Garth were being monitored, Cllr Jordon having met with an officer from the Flood Coastal Erosion Risk Management team. FCERM confirmed a site survey will be carried out, and the owners of Cooks Field be contacted requesting they carry out maintenance/clearance works to the lengths of the watercourse(s) abutting their property. FCERM also confirmed that flood risk areas in Ovingham were being investigated and a report would be available shortly.
PC Charlie Cross, Community Officer had been invited to attend the October meeting and address the Councillors on various traffic issues in the village.  


The next meeting of the Parish Council will be Thursday, 16th October at 7.15pm.
Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Sunday, 5 October 2014

Ovingham Bridge Closure

As you will all know, the bridge was closed for up to a year in June 2014.
One of its main features was the racket that vehicles made when crossing it. The bridge is 131 years old and it is a tribute to the engineers who built it. They could never have imagined how much traffic it carries today.
But time has taken it's toll. And this clip (link below) secures for posterity just how much the work was needed. Thanks to Dean for recording it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwNMBwm0sCM

Wednesday, 1 October 2014

WW1 Victoria Cross Recipient Honoured.

On Saturday 28 September 1914 Frederick William Dobson (who was born in the parish) was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in battle.
On 27 September 2014 a ceremony was held in St Mary's Church to commemorate his bravery and his life when a stone plaque was presented to the village by Northumberland County Council.
photo credit - NCC
Further details of the service and more photos can be found on the county council's Facebook page by clicking on this link -

Monday, 15 September 2014

Parish News - September 2014

The Parish Council deal with all kinds of enquiries. These range from blocked drains, dog fouling, potholes and (lack of) grass cutting, to speeding and planning applications. A typical meeting will usually cover all of these issues and the Parish Council do try to keep on top of them as best they can. Many queries are ultimately passed on, usually to the County Council, but generally speaking, the Parish Council is the initial line of contact. Any concerns can be expressed to any of the 8 Councillors or the Clerk either personally, in writing or by attending a meeting. Notices of the meetings are displayed on both village notice boards at least 4 days before a meeting – they can also be downloaded from the website (ovinghamparishcouncil.org.uk). Meetings start at 7.15 with an opportunity for residents to raise any concerns.
Concerns can also be logged directly with the County Council by ringing (01661) 520005.
Although there are usually only 9 meetings in a year, much is done in between – the number of emails is unbelievable! Many of these are just for information – others are trying to sell the latest in playground equipment at a starting price of £20,000 (Councillor Phil Holden would endorse these but budget constraints…). You will also see many councillors walking round the village on a regular basis checking weeds, rubbish and the like.  
Meetings are also held with the County Council and other local parish and town councils on a regular basis. The Councillors are also involved in many committees some specifically linked to Ovingham, such as the Reading Room Committee, or others such as the East Tynedale Forum.
Finally, our next meetings are 16th October and then 20th November.


Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Saturday, 9 August 2014

Parish News - August 2014

The Parish Council have received numerous complaints about motorcyclists and horses using the pedestrian bridge. Signs have now been installed at both ends of the bridge banning this but if you do see anyone, please take a note of their registration number (for motorcyclists) and as much detail as you can, and inform the Police (call 101). Cyclists have also continued to use the Pedestrian Bridge (this is a long standing problem) and County Council will contact the Hadrian Cycle group asking them to warn members/users that cycling is not permitted on the pedestrian bridge at any time. Unfortunately, unless the Police see anyone cycling across, little can be done.

Discussions are continuing amongst the Councillors for suggestions to include in the County Council Local Transport Plan 2015-2016. Each year, Parish and Town Councils are invited to submit their top 3 priorities for possible inclusion in the plan. In the past, Ovingham have put forward, amongst others, a new bridge, extra parking by the school and a footpath between Ovington and Ovingham. Proposals will be submitted after the September meeting and the Councillors are looking at speeding concerns and what could be done to alleviate this.

Quotes have been received and approved for some tidying up in the Churchyard – pruning trees, branches and shrubs as well as holly trees on the bank of the Pant, branches on Pack Horse Green and small tree on The Hill. Some landscaping work around the village cross was also approved.

September’s meeting will be held on Thursday, the 18th at 7.15pm.

Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Friday, 11 July 2014

Parish News - July 2014

The council's next meeting is scheduled for 24th July at 7:15pm as usual in the Reading Room.
There is no meeting of the Parish Council in August, but that doesn’t mean the Councillors are idle!
A very successful village tidy up was completed recently. Thanks to all those who helped. The closure of the Bridge seems to have resulted in less traffic through the village and the school holidays should also reduce traffic further.
Cllr Jordon and myself recently attended a meeting with Northumberland County Council which was primarily aimed at improving communication with Parish Councils. On the whole, Ovingham has a good relationship with the County Council and work closely with their contacts.

It has been decided not to proceed with a bus shelter by Piper Road entrance. This has been on the agenda for a few months but concerns about vandalism and ultimately cost, has meant the Councillors agreed not to pursue it. Discussions are still ongoing about Horsley Road parking.  
In order to enable a large crane to access the work site for the Bridge, Northumberland County Council have had to apply for planning permission to demolish part of the Pack Horse Bridge. As this is a listed building, the Parish Council expressed their concerns and assurances have been received that the bridge will be restored to its original state. The Councillors will keep an eye on it as the bridge is of historic value to the village.
Keep Saturday 19th July free for Ovi-Fun's annual Field Day. 1pm to 5pm. Yet another afternoon on the playing field with entertainment and sports for the whole family!
September’s meeting will be held on Thursday, the 18th at 7.15pm.
Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council