What you say #148
Betty’s book is still appreciated
I live in Morpeth, and recently I was in Red Row’s Gingerbread teashop. Waiting in the long line to be served, I picked up a copy lying on the shelf of Elizabeth Stewart’s excellent book, The Three Villages.
That stimulated me to get on my bike and cycle round the places she described. Today I’ve risked my life cycling around the area which would have been Radcliffe and its colliery. Okay, only part of it was along the life-threatening A 1068. Otherwise, a few relics probably Craigg’s garage and the family houses, a tiny bit of bridge which must have been from a now disappeared railway line near Togston Barns, but mainly the big open fields of the later opencast site which was once site of people’s houses, colliery works and tips. A land of ghostly dreams, even in the summer daylight.
There may be some people around who knew Elizabeth Stewart. I thought they might like to know, via The Ambler, that her work is currently being much appreciated.
Bridget Gubbins
Old Bakehouse Yard, Morpeth
Thanks to Good Samaritans
Early in the evening on Friday 5 July I was walking with my cousin up Queen Street, away from the town centre, when I tripped up and fell over the very uneven iron grating cover set in the pavement outside ‘The Waterloo’. I fell flat on my face and, probably due to shock, I passed out. I came round to find that two gentlemen, who had been driving past, had stopped and come to my aid. They both had first aid experience and one of them, Kent, was a qualified nurse.
They checked me over and stayed with me for about 30 minutes until they were sure I was alright to go back to our holiday accommodation. They were concerned as I am 75 years old, but with their attention, expert care and reassurance I felt able to continue. The second gentleman then went totally out of his way to give us a lift home in his car.
I would like to thank them both for their kindness. We thoroughly enjoyed the rest of our holiday in your amazing county and I have made a full recovery from my experiences.
Name supplied
Via email
Organ Recital
Thank you to everyone who attended my organ recital and to all those who donated so incredibly generously! I was completely overwhelmed when I found out how much we raised: £2,567.90. It will help immensely with the cost of my tuition this coming year.
Thank you to Revd. Helen O’Sullivan for letting me use the church for this event and to everyone who helped on the day, from putting out chairs to serving tea and coffee.
Although this recital was initially intended as a thank you to St Lawrence for supporting me with my organ lessons during my time at university, Revd. Helen said for me to give it in aid of my year in Birmingham instead.
I am so very grateful for everyone’s support and I am excited to start my Personal Study Programme at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in September. I look forward to coming home to Northumberland to show my progress and giving a recital in aid of the church next year!
George Moloney
via email
What to do if you find a toad
Re issues 145 and 146 re frogs and toads from Hugh and Chris.
On Monday 5 August I was driving out of The Braid entrance to join Rotary Way. At this junction I was lucky to see a poor toad crossing the junction heading in the direction of Warkworth.
In the road. I quickly got out and picked the toad up with a cloth I keep in the car for such events. Luckily for the toad I had done so as a car was just coming into the junction. It stopped for me.
Then I was in a quandary as to where to put it. I ended up crossing the road nearer to the Gloster Hill junction and put it down the bank where I know there is a watery ditch. Ideally I would have liked to have put it in a fresh water pond. It was a big toad. Sad to see it so near all the traffic.
If I find another I am not sure where to take it unless I drive to East Chevington ponds. I was glad I rescued it and just hope it does not venture into the road again. Beautiful creature.
Please pass this onto Hugh and Chris.
Karen Griffin
via email
As requested, we passed on the information. Here is Chris’ reply:
Toads spend very little time in water – they only visit ponds to breed in spring. The rest of the year they’re on land and they can travel up to 5km from their breeding ponds. So, if you find one, there’s no need to find a pond for it, just help it across the road in the direction it was travelling in.
Chris Brewis
via email
What is the Health Centre for?
Having returned from a holiday trip, I found I had received a message from Coquet Medical Group, to say that there would be “Further walk-in sessions regarding their new system of making a doctor’s appointment “.
Apparently now the only way to make an appointment is to do so via a computer. I do have a computer, but like most elderly people, I am not very competent.
The other problem with their new system, is that many elderly people neither have a computer, nor do they know what to do with one.
The previous system of everyone ringing at 8am, was not satisfactory either. Many elderly people were not even out of bed at this time. Surely a better system to suit patients of advanced age could be devised.
Another small problem. I had a small leg injury when I called at the centre, and asked could this be looked at, as I thought it was turning septic. I was told Amble was not a “Walk-in Centre”, and I would have to go to Alnwick or Ashington to have it seen to. This was not too difficult as I have a car, but many do not have transport or help available.
Again, what is the Health Centre for?
Jack Hoskin. Via email
We asked Coquet Medical group if they would like to respond to some of the concerns expressed in Jack’s letter. Read their reply
Can you help Veronica to feel at home?
I shall be moving from Cornwall to Amble and am keen to know if there are any clubs/societies in the following subjects in Amble or Warkworth that would welcome a new female member.
I am professionally trained/qualified/experienced in a wide range of diverse subjects and am keen to meet others who may also share my interests and experiences in any of the following subjects:
Gardening, photography, Classical music, knitting, crochet, sewing cycling, walking.
I am physically disabled with limited energy, cannot drive and therefore am dependent on public transport or taxis to get to/from meetings if they are too far away for me to walk. I am entirely on my own with no friends or relatives in the area.
I need to find an experienced gardener and house cleaner to assist me with my horticultural activities and undertake all house cleaning tasks. It is essential that both individuals have been criminally checked, are honest, completely trustworthy, reliable and responsible.
Are you able to recommend any individuals who might be able to help?
I do hope you will be able to help me and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your help.
I am very much looking forward to coming to live in Amble and to playing an active part in the life of the town.
Veronica M Read
vmread@btinternet.com
RIP David Beaty
On behalf of Susan, David and Mary, we would like to thank everyone who attended the funeral for the late David Beaty on July 23 and contributed to the charity of his choice, which raised £750 for the Amble Boys Club.
Dave was one of the founding members of the Boys Club back in the 1960s and helped with fundraising plus running of the Boys Club until the late 1970s.
Dave Beaty. Via email
Donations from Amble Bowls Club
Ray Barclay the President of the Amble Bowls Club handed over a cheque for £120 to Christine from Amble RNLI, money raised during the recent President’s Day competition.
On July 28 he also handed over £100 to Mary McNally, money raised during the Beaty Cup.
This cup was presented to the club by Dave Beaty, a long-standing member, who sadly passed away earlier in July. The money donated will be forwarded to Amble Boys Club, a club dear to Dave’s heart.
Ed: See letter above
