Pat Ashton-Smith writes in to chat about her life on a hill above Allendale over the past decade. Pat runs bi-weekly embroidery courses at Catton Village Hall, and other workshops by advertisement, in addition to her own artistry endeavours in…
Category: Education
Poetry: Practice of Life
It’s often said that, like acting, you have to live in order to be able to write. I loved poetry in my youth, but then decided I needed a lot more living to be able to appreciate it. In fact,…
The PTFA at Allendale Primary School
Today’s the Beetle Drive at the Primary School, from 6:30-8:30pm and everyone is very welcome! I asked Charlotte Robson Reid for some more information about the PTFA, and she sent in a lovely set of notes: “A brief outline of…
A memento for the grands
For over a year now, I’ve sat myself at our kitchen table, looking through the big window out over the garden, thinking about things, life, the universe — you know, thinking. While I’ve been sitting, I’ve been watching the birds,…
Susie Tate, dancer
In an earlier item, I promised to feature Susie Tate’s work in the diary, and I’ve spent a delightful half-hour chatting with her on the phone for this piece today. Recall that Susie was featured on Look North for her…
Getting things ready for the job . . . and doing it
It’s beginning to feel like a crescendo of anticipation here, with the stuttering arrival of the various components required for a couple of jobs around the place. But first came the planning, putting the new systems together in my mind,…
Last of the summer term
It wasn’t until, as a substitute teacher, I was finally assigned a whole half-term in one place, that I realised more or less how the school year is organised into six, six week half-terms, or three full terms with a…
Babies & Toddlers Group(s)
I had a lovely chat with Kelly Murray the other day, about the Babies and Toddlers group(s) in the Allen Valleys. MONDAYS: Catton Village Hall 10-11:30ish £1.50 contribution per family TUESDAYS: Whitfield Village Hall ?times and contribution? WEDNESDAYS: Allendale Fire…
Allendale’s oldest Book Club
Liz Sandison writes to chat about the Book Club at Arnison Close: “I believe there are several Book groups/ book circles flourishing in the area but this one was the first! It was begun in 1981 by Sue Bates who…
North Pennines Smallholders Association
Founded about five years ago now, and coordinated to a large degree from a smallholding in Carrshield, the North Pennines Smallholders Association grew out of a series of workshop events held by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty…