Rosemary Granger sends in a lovely description of the joys of riding a horse out on the lanes, bridleways and byways of these valleys: “At this time of year, as I struggle into waterproof trousers, warm coat, gloves, scarf and…
The Pub Leagues
Long long ago, when I was rather younger than I am now, I learned how to hoie quoits at a target of a stubby post that barely stood proud of the soft squishy clé-ay pit in which it was ensconced….
Our local tradespeople
We’ve been fortunate, over the year, to have garnered in stories of a few tradespeople in this patch (like Glenn Nattrass, electrician; or Nigel Baynes, Calor gas distributor; or Peter Dodd, fencing; or Trudie McConnachie’s mobile hairdressing; Jill’s Catering pre-prepared…
The Barber Bus
Just in time for Christmas, the peripatetic Barber Bus is making its grand tour around Tynedale, stopping off this afternoon in its regular slot at Allendale’s Market Square. I was able to drop in for a couple of photographs, as…
Santa at the Tree, Carols in the Square, & Young Notes!
This evening rather a lot of Christmas season festivities occur all at once! The brightly lit tree on the green, carefully decorated by ageing Lions Club members who nevertheless managed to finish the job without mishap up several different ladders,…
Ageing: a work in progress
These past two weekends, the 7th and 8th and 14th and 15th of December, three local artists presented a gallery full (the ACA Gallery in the Allenheads Heritage Centre opposite the Armstrong engine building) of art on the subject of…
The Community Church
Last week, looking to complete the diary’s year-long survey of all of the faith and worship communities in these Allen Valleys, I had a lovely chat with Chris Daniels, who with Brenda is a member of Hexham’s Community Church, and…
Christmas Dinners at the Village Hall
Somehow it seems as if the time is right, joining with the rest of the Allendale Lions Club to enjoy a Christmas Dinner evening at Allendale Village Hall, with a view to seeing the profits from the event go towards…
A hymn of praise to local builders
It would be remiss if we missed out on a small window of opportunity to offer up a hymn of praise to local builders currently working throughout these valleys. We might not be able to fit every tradesperson in the…
Polling Stations!
My Canadian brother and I enjoy reminding our brother, who lives in Philadelphia, about the quick and efficient 6 week general election campaigns held in Canada (the most recent one 11th September to 21st October, 2019, since you ask) and…