Hexham Courant - Friday 20 July 2007:
Spoof newsletter causes alarm

Residents of Corsenside have been shocked into action by a satirical newsletter predicting the demise of the parish.The spoof document - dubbed the Corsenside Aprocrypher and dated July 2017 - landed on doormats in West Woodburn, East Woodburn and Ridsdale.

Alarmed readers were faced with doomsday prophecies on the closure of the village hall, the installation of a 30-metre high mobile phone mast on a local church, and even the presence of an open-cast coal mine at Stiddle Hill near Ridsdale.

The 10-year forecast also reported the building of 30 houses on a village green, and an ageing children's playground in West Woodburn being condemned.  But, attached to the fake newsletter, was the real thing.  Corsenside Parish newsletter has been re-launched and dated July 2007.  The re-launched newsletter and the shock tactics of the spoof are aimed at encouraging residents to get involved with Corsenside Parish Plan and to return questionnaires which have been distributed as part of the initial consultation stage.

It is hoped the plan will address a range of problems and set out a shared vision for how the community wants to develop in the future.  This will also help attract funding.  But the spoof newsletter has attracted criticism from some members of the community who believe a more positive approach is necessary.  Editor of the Apocrypher, Corsenside parish councillor Pete Saunders has defended the idea, which he and members of Corsenside Community Partnership came up with.  He said:  "It was neverthe intention to cause people alarm. The majority of feedback has been good but unfortunately it has caught some people off-guard.  The serious message behind the Apocrypher is to ask people to consider what the parish might look like in 10 years time and to encourage them to return their parish plan questionnaires.

"After initial meetings with the public, the general consensus is that everything is fine, but we have to take action now to make sure they stay that way in the future."

A grant has been secured through Community Action Northumberland, which is hoped will allow the genuine newsletter to be published on a bi-monthly basis.  Contributions are welcomed for future editions at corsenside@hotmail.co.uk - but only authentic articles are sought!____________________________________________________________________________________________

Hexham Courant - Friday 6 July 2007:
Lunch Club  can now dine in style

Members of a lunch club for the elderly in Hexham are celegrating after receiving a grant for £2,000.  The weekly lunch club, which takes place every Wednesday at Hexham Community Centre, has bee operated by Linda Robinson for almost eight years.  In serious need of funds to cover transport costs for members and new crockery, Linda approached Community Action Northumberland for help and advice.  And with the guidance of community development officer for Tynedale, Jane Hart, the club made a successful applicaton to the Community Foundation and was awarded £2,000.

Linda, of Burswell Villas, Hexham, said: "The ADAPT bus brings the elderly people here each week and they look forward to coming to the club.  They come to socialise and play bingo and they have their lunch cooked for them by students from Dilston College.  The club is very important to everyone involved and we are really grateful to Community Action Northumberland for all the help."
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Northumberland Gazette - Thursday 10 May 2007:
Funding Aid for groups

Funding workshops are running for community and voluntary groups based in Berwick borough.  The workshops are being run by Community Action Northumberland (CAN) ad will be one-on-one sessions between Marc Johnson, CAN's Community Development Officer and individual groups to help identify sources of funding for community based projects.

The sessions will be running from 11am to 5pm on Monday at Bell View Centre, Belford, Thursday at Berwick Voluntary Forum, Berwick,  Tuesday May 22 at the Resource Centre, Seahouses and Wednesday 23 May at the Cheviot Centre, Wooler.

As the sessions are one-on-one, groups need to contact Marc Johnson on 01289 304141 to make an appointment.
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Journal - Saturday 19 May 2007:
Bypass is a driving force to help villages

A steering group has been set up to help a Northumberland village take advantage of a major road development.  Work on the £26m Haydon Bridge bypass has already begun and now the group is investigating how the town, for so long split in two by the A69, can best evolve.

Together with Community Action Northumberland (CAN) the steering group is drawing up a plan of action to highlight what facilities are most important for residents and businesses in the town.  The group is chaired by resident Peter Fletcher, who said the new bypass had given the villagers an incentive to produce the parish plan.  He said:  "The ramifications of the bypass are potentially huge and we need to ensure that we plan ahead so that the new road becomes an asset and we bear in mind its affect on the economy and tourism.  Over the last ten years, the village has achieved many things on behalf of the community centre, the floodlit hard-standing games area at the football club, signposted walks, the new play/adventure areas at Shaftoe Green and more housing for rent and sale.  But the parish and its population are changing and we are facing new and exiting challenges. There is more housing and more local businesses but fewer shops."

Issus the group will be considering include tourism and the economy, leisure, health, transport, education and the environment.  A public meeting has alread been held to find out what issues are most important to local people, and the steering group is developing a programme to turn the ideas into a plan for action  There will be another public meeting later this year to consult on and further develop the draft plan.

CAN provided a grant of £1,500 to help fund the project.  Jane Hart, community development officer with the organisation, will support the parishioners in producing their plan.  She said:  "The parish plan is similar to the village appraisal scheme that Haydon Parish Council published 10 years ago.  That was used to demonstrate the needs of the village then and to strengthen funding applications for improvements that individual groups were seeking to achieve.  Now that the bypass is being built, this is an exciting new opportunity for local people to have their say about what they think is important and what can be done to make life even better in Haydon Bridge."
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Berwick Advertiser - Thursday 3 May 2007:
Funding workshops for groups

Four funding workshops for community and voluntary groups based in Berwick borough are being run by Community Action Northumberland (CAN).

The workshops will be one-on-one sessions between marc Johnson, CAN's Community Development Officer and individual groups to help them identify potential funding sources for community based projects.  The projects can be at any stage of development from initial ideas to existing projects that require additional funding.  Marc said:  "There are over 4500 grant-giving trusts in the UK, many of them with funding for groups and organisations based in the Berwick area, add to this lottery programmes and Government grant schemes and it can get very confusing for groups to know exactly who to apply to and how to make an application."

As the sessions are one-on-one it is viatl that groups contact marc on 01289 304141 to make an appointment, each appointment will last a maximum of an hour.

The sessions are planned to run as follows:  Monday 14 May, Bell View Centre, Belford 11am-5pm:  Thursday 17 May, Berwick Voluntary Forum, Berwick 11am-5pm:  Tuesday 22 May, The Resource Centre, Seahouses 11am-5pm;  Wednesday 23 May, The Cheviot Centre, Wooler 11am-5pm.
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Journal - Thursday 3 May 2007:
Villagers get special call

Villages across Northumberland are being invited to highlight their special qualities - and bid for a national title and £7,000 prize.

Entries are wanted for the third Northumberland Village of the Year title from rural communities with fewer than 5,000 residents.  The winner qualifies for the regional final, which carries a first prize of £2,000 and a place in the national final where £7,000 goes to the winning village.  Organised by Community Action Northumberland as part of the nationwid Calor Village of the Year competition, the Northumberland section has a £400 first prize and the county title.

Communities will be judged on four aspects of rural village life - people, business, environment and communications - and can enter as many categories as they wish.  They also have to describe in up to 500 words what makes their village a special place.

Northumberland's previous winners were Wingates in 2005 and Allendale last year - which used its prize money to help renovate its village hall.  Village hall secretaries, parish council clerks, community associations and development trusts across Northumberland have until May 31 to enter and judging is in June and July.

Community Action Northumberland assistant director Alan Hedley, said yesterday:  "Working with fellow villagers on the entry can build up an excellent community spirit.  It reminds residents, if they need reminding, of what a special place they line in.  It is a good way to do an audit of all aspects of villag life and to raise the profile of communities."

The contest is part of Calor's rural Sponsorship programme, which has been going for 20 years.
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Hexham Courant - Friday 13 April 2007:
Sandhoe Parish Council

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Wednesday 18 April at 7pm in Beaufront County First School, Sandhoe.
Jane Hart, Community Development Officer with Community Action Northumberland, will give a talk and lead a discussion on the purposes and theorganising of a village plan.  All residents of the parish are invited to attend.  (Normal council business will follow the talk and discussion)  All queries please contact the Clerk to the council.  Tel:  01434 634351
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Journal - Saturday 10 March 2007:
The wind is taken

At a time when growing numbers of rural communities in the region want to start up their own renewable energy projects, Government funding for a scheme which helps smooth the way for such ventures is to end.  The Community Renewables Initiative (CRI) will wind up next month.  David Francis, director of Community Action Norhtumberland, which oversees the CRI in the county saiys, "It's incredibly sad that it's coming to an end.  Neither Government or One NorthEast seem interested in further funding a scheme which, ironically when there is increasing conern over climate changes, has done such good work for local communities.  There is one big job left to be done, and this sends out a negative message."

One NorthEast invested £10m in setting up the New and Renewable Research Centre (NaRec) at Blyth.  "Lots of money is going into cutting edge energy technology, which is great, but very little is going in grassroots support for projects which local people can control themselves and benefit from", Mr Francis said. 

The final weeks of what was known in Northumberland as the Renewable Energy at Local Level (REALL) Scheme is being administered by Morpeth consultants North Energy Associates.  Nicky Smith, a director of NEA says: "Beause of climate change and increasing awareness, lots of groups have decided they would like to know more about renewable energy.  Groups want to incorporate renewable energy into local buildings but they are struggling to find anyone to help them.

NEA is currently working in feasibility studies for both Bellingham town hall and heritage centre, and halls at Powburn, Ingram and Longhoughton.  At Rochester in Redesdale, villagers have included renewable energy features in the current upgrading of their village hall.  This includes a scheme to tap natural underground heat, which is fed into radiators, and building insulation made from the fleece of Herdwick sheep.

The heating system was financed by Northumberland National Park' sustainability fund and advice came from REALL.  "The underground heating suystem is very cheap to run and is working beautifully.  The advice from REALL was very useful.  It's a shame that funding for this scheme is ending when so many people are showing more interest in renewable energy," says villager Beryl Charlton.

One NorthEast head of innovation, industry and science, Chris Pywell, says:  "Domestic and community energy support is a key area of activity for the agency and a major factor within sustainable, healthy communities.  One NorthEast is currently considering how the separate programmes in the region may deliver more effectively the widespread removal of fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions.  Renewables are one part of the solution to fuel poverty and reducing carbon, and where they are appropriate they are used.

"One NorthEast did not pledge any fudning to REALL over and above our original investment because nationally the continuation of the Community Renewables Initiative programme was uncertain, and regionally the agency was in the process of establishing one of three national pilot Energy Saving Trust Advice Centres in the region, which acces directly national grant programmes.  We have also established, in partnership with the DTI, Community Energy Solutions, a not-for-profit body which is working with fuel poor communities in the North East to bring them out of fuel poverty, using energy demand and supply measures including energy efficiency, gas connections and renewables.

"CES has already started work on the Prior Park Estate in Berwick where more than 500 council and private-owned properties are being connected to the ains gas supply for the first time."

A Department of Trade and Industry spokesman said:  "The CRI scheme was always designed to be a pilot study.  Funding ws extended at the beginning of this financial year on the understanding that it would cease in March.  The DTI is now working with Defra and Ntural England on a more joined-up succession strategy that will continue to supply renewables information as part of the wider regional and local advice services."
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Hexham Courant - Friday 9 March 2007
Wark planning ahead

Wark Parish Council is making progress on its proposed parish plan.  A public meeting will be held on Monday at 7pm in the Town Hall to develop a vision for the future of the village.  Jane Hart from Community Action Northumberland will advise on obtaining funding and the way forward.
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Hexham Courant - Friday 2 March 2007:
Village notes - Wark

The day before that meeting about the bridge there was a parish open meeting about the development of a parish plan for Wark.  The parish council has now decided to move forward with such a plan and at the meeting there were some examples from other parts of the county.

The meeting heard from Jane Hart of Community Action Northumberland about the funding that is available to help parishes with development of such plans.  It sounded very much like there will be enough people who are willing to contribute to the work over the next few months.

It is expected that the development of a parish plan will take up to 12 months.  The first proper planning will take place on Monday 12 march, and if youare interested in being involved for all or part of the plan, you'd be very welcome to join that group.  One thing in this is very important and that is that this plan is for the parish and not just the village of Wark.  I know Stonehaugh have done much of their planning but the large agricultural area in between does need to be involved.
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Northumberland Gazette - Thursday 1 March 2007:
Strength in numbers

The North Northumberland Village Halls Consortium has seen members enjoy the benefits of collective action since it was launched last year.

Member village halls are achieving substantial reductions in their insurance premiums through special rates negotiated by the consortium.  The savings run into several hundred poiunds, as much as £744 in one instance. 

In response to a request from members, a training course leading to a certificate in food safety in catering has now been arranged.  This certificate is a requirement for anyone involved in food handling where members of the public are concerned.  The cost to members will be minimal as funding has been obtained through Community Action Northumberland.  The details of where and when the training course will be held will be announced at the next meeting of the Consortium at Kirknewton Village Hall at 7pm on Thursday 15 March, when members will be joined by representatives of the Tynedale Consortium.

For further information and details of how to become a member, which costs £10 a year,contat Sylvia Harrison on 01670 787127.
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Chronicle - Thursday 1 February 2007:
Celebrities back couple's bid to boost organ donors

Celebrity business tycoons have given their backing to a couple's bid to encourage more people to become organ donors.  Richard and Sue Cansdale, from hartburn near Morpeth, Northumberland, braved a panel of five millionnaires as part of ITV show Fortune:  Million Pound Giveaway and persuaded them to give their full backing to their £1000,000 plans.

In September last year the couple published Transforming Lives, a book featuring heart-rending stories of organ donors and recipients, inspired by their 22-year-old daughter Zoe, who was killed in a motorbike accident in 1998.  Northumbria University student Zoe's heart valves and corneas were donated, and her parents vowed to continue her legacy by encouraging people to sign on to the organ donor register.  And lat last year the couple anounced ambitious plans to print 50,000 copies of Transforming Lives for every schook and hospital in the country, along with a dvd, but needed £1000,000 to complete the project.

During Tuesday night's show they received unanimous backing from the panel, including a free publishing deal with underwear entrepreneur Jacqueling Gold's publishing company and financial backing for the dvds from experts including former MP and author Jeffrey Archer.  "The judges looked so moved when we were showing them the book," said Sue.  "Our chairity, Legacy of Life, is tiny so it was going to be a big task for us getting the money, but I think the judges liked our idea because we were a family who had been through a tragedy but wanted to help other people.

"The idea is this book will make it easy for teachers to talk about organ donation - they would have these wonderful stories of hope to dip into for discussion.  It's all systems go now as some of the costs are covered and their support is so important to us," added Richard.  "Going on the show was a wonderful experience.  We were told they would really grill us and we were totally prepared for that."

While wondering just where the £1000,000 for their plans would come from, Sue and Riochard were told about the ITV show by charity Community Action Northumberland.  During the programme, community groups, volunteers services and charities from around the country pitched their bids for funding to Jeffrey Archer, Jacqueline Gold, music mogul Kanya King, football boss simon Jordan and North East-based health club owner Duncan Bannatyne.  Richard andSue were given 20 minutes to tell the panel about Transforming Lives and the impact they hoped it would have with extra copies.  "The book has been extrememly well received," explained Sue.  "Even the transplant surgeons think it's a really useful tool, especially for the nurses who have the difficult task of approaching potential donor families.  Initially we printed 1,500 copies, but if you think that there are at least 25,000 schools in the country which we want to send it to we're going to need a lot more."

The Cansdale's book has been recommended by the Department for Education and Skills.  To join the organ donor register call 0845 60 60 400 and to find out more about Sue and Richard's work visit www.legacyoflife.org.uk
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Morpeth Herald - Thursday 11 January 2007:
Shake up and name change, but rural work will continue

An organisation that has worked to make a diffence to the lives of communities and individuals in Northumberland for more than 55 years has changed its name and logo.  But, says the Director of the Community Council of Northumberland (CCN), Dr David Francis, it will be business as usual for its services, which provide advice and support to hundreds of community and voluntary groups.

CCN became Community Action Northumberland from January 1 and its familiar logo showing a hamlet was to be replaced with a two-tone green angular motif.  The new name is part of several developments that have arisen as part of an appraisal that followed changes in the funding available to CCN.  These included a review of the organisation's staffing, membership and executive committee.  The Chairman of CCN, Bob Langley, said:  "Community Council of Northumberland has served as an excellent name for the organisation for many years but we thought it was time for a change.  There has been an ever increasing growth in the number of community organisations and the word 'council has sometimes led to us being confused with local authorities.  We hope that the change in name will better indicate what we do, show us as being a proactive organistaion, working in partnership with others, but retaining an independent status."

The membership of CAN is drawn from community and voluntary organisations and more emphasis is now being put on more local neighbourhood networks and those at parish level, rather than national or regional bodies.  Dr Francis said that the membership had been consulted about the new name and that the service provided would continue as before.  "We will still be fulfilling our role in helping communities overcome disadvantages that can come from living in rural areas and working with them to improve their quality of life," he said.

CAN, as it will be known, provides a range of services including advice on funding, constitutions or charity law and support for village halls, community buildings and parishes, assistance with project management, local regeneration and employment services.  CAN has community development officers based in Berwick Alnwick, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale local authority areas.  Its head office is in Tower Buildings, Morpeth and anyone with inquiries about its services should contact one of the community development officers or telephone 01670 517178.

CCN was originally called the Northumberland Rural Community Council when it was set up in 1951.  It dropped the word 'rural' in 1974, when the county boundary was changed to exclude what is now North Tyneside.
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Journal - 1 January 2007
Why we're the CAN-do set up

A respected organisation which has chamioned rural communities in Northumberland for more than half a century is heading into 2007 with a brand new name and logo.

Since 1951 the Community Council of Northumberland (CCN) has advised and supported hundreds of grass roots organisations and community groups, campaigned on rural issues such as affordable housing and transport and lobbied decision-makers on important countryside affairs.  From today, CCN will become Community Action Northumberland (CAN) and its familiar logo, showing a hamlet, will be replaced by a two-tone angular motif.  Tha changes are aimed at giving CAN a more distinctive identity and reflecting its increasingly proactive role.

They are part of a number of new developments following changes in the funding available to CCN, including a review of its staffing, membership and executive committee.  Chairman Bob Langley said; "There has been an ever-increasing growth iin the number of community organisations and the word council has sometimes led to us being confused with local authorities."

The Morpeth based organistion's membership is drawn from community and voluntary organistaions.  Its executive committee has now been streamlined and includes new new members, Norman Dunn, who represents the Northumberland Asociation of Local Councils, and Lynn Roxburgh.

CAn provides advice on funding, constitutions and charity law, support for village halls, community buidlings and parish councils and helps with project management, local regeneration and employment services.  It has comjunity development officers based in Berwick, Alnwick, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale local authority areas.  It was originally called the Northumberland Rural Community Council when it was set up in 1951, but dropped the word rural in 1974.  Its head office is in Tower Buidlings, Morpeth and can be contacted on 01670 517178.
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Northumberland Gazette - Thursday 23 November 2006
Parish plan help on offer to groups

A meeting to help residents in north Northumberland produce a parish plan is to be held in Rennington next week.  The event aims to allow people to draw up a document which analyses the needs of the area, identifies problems and ideas, lists priorities, and then links all of these together to form an action plan to improve the local community.

It is at Rennington Village Hall next Thursday between 6.30pm and 9,30pm and is organised by the Community Council of Northumberland (CCN).  Up to £1500 is available to community groups to produce a plan.  The benefits of such plans arenumerous:  they can be a powerful tool in making decisions and influencing local authorities and other service providers, and are very useful when trying to influence planning permission or when applying for grant funding.

Ultimately, the local parish council will take responsibility for the plan, but a steering committee comprising of representative local people can be drawn to represent the views of the whole community.  Julia sharpley, CNN's local community officer based in Alnwick, said:  "Producing a parish plan gives localpeople the chance to have their say about what happends in their parish.  The Government's approach is to devolve more power to those at a very local level and using a parish plan helps in this effort."

Further information about parish plans or the event at Rennington can be obtained from Julia on 01665 605540 or from CCN's main office on 01670 517178.
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Northumberland Gazette - 16 November 2006:
Volunteers appeal

Young people in north Northumberland are being encouraged to become volunteers.

Volunteer Centre North Northumberland wants to recruit 18-25 year olds to work in a variety of groups and services.  Manager Kelvin Rushworth said the issue is one of the centre's top priorities.

The organisation was formed in April out of the former North Northumberland Voluntary Action.  To getinvolved contact 10668 219879.

The centre also wants to hear from organisations who could offer volunteering opportunities and those which would be interested in attending a course in the spring.
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Northumberland Gazette - 26 October 2006:
Village is top spot

A north Northumberland village has been named a highly commended top spot in a region-wide competition.  Felton received the accolade in the 2006 Calor Northumberland Building Community Life Awards, after being narrowly pipped to the number one spot by Allendale

Felton parish councillor Sylvia Harrison congratulated Allendale.  She said:  "We have a very active social life going on here in Felton as well as a dynamic parish council who have brought various improvements to Felton, and a well-used village hall."

Village representatives will be presented with their awards by competition organisers Community COuncil of Northumberland on Tuesday, November 7, at 2pm at Whalton Village Hall, near Morpeth.
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The Journal - Monday 9 October 2006:

Planners listen to the people's voice
Community takes a grip on its future

People are being given the opportunity to help shape the future of their community.

Residents in Hexham's East End are being asked for their views on housing, employment and new developments at an event being held on October 27.

Sure Start is hosting it in partnership with Milecastle Housing and Tynedale Council and it will give people the chance to have their say on regeneration projects.

The development of a new children's centre is at the top of the agenda.

The event, at Hexham East First School, will also ask people their opinion on a £1.8m affordable housing scheme which Milecastle Housing and tynedale Council are planning for land at the top of hIllcrest Drive to deelop 20 new homes.  jackie McCormack, children's centre programme manager for Wet Northumberland, said:  "We have already secured money to build a children's centre in this part of Hexham and have identified three possible sites:  Hexham East first School, Hexham Middle School and the Priory School.

"This consultation will allow people to say what they need in the area and what sort of service should be provided.  It's very important for people in the community to feel involved in the decision-making.

"It was also a good opportunity to work alongside other organisations who are also planning development in the area."

Tynedale Council director of regeneration and communities Andy Dean said:  "We are seeking wider community views on how the East End of Hexham can be developed in the future.

"We want to work with partner agencies to improve quality of life in the area, but must be sure that we know what the community wants and needs.

"There is a plan to develop new housing in the area, and we would like to see the children's centre right in the heart of the community but we are also interested in hearing what else people would like to see there.

Bill Tebay, managing director of Milecastle Housing, added:  "There is no funding in place yet for the housing developments but what we thought we should do was get into the community and find out what residents feel are the issues so we can then try to tackle them.

"It will look at things such as housing needs, employment opportunities, anti-social behaviour, and new development.  If we don't get people on board then it won't work."

The event will be held from 1pm until 7pm and will include children's activites such as face painting and the Community Council for Northumberland will be running a "Planning for Real" exercise where people can plot on a huge map of the area what they would like to see for the future.
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Northumberland Gazette Thursday 5 October 2006:

Helping hand over funding

Community and voluntary groups that have ideas for projects that could make a diffence in their local areas are being invited to meet the people who could help their goals become a reality.

For more details contact Julia on 01665 605540
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Shaping the future of the village

Proposals to produce a parish plan in Seahouses are set to take a step forward.

North Sunderland Parish Council is to look into arranging a meeting to progress the idea.

Members agreed on Monday night that the document could help the community shape the village's future.

And it was felt it could give them a greater say about developments.

Coun Ian Clayton said:  "If we had a parish plan and a development ws clerly in breach of that and we were to make representations it would give us a little bit more power to our elbow".

Coun David Donaldson added:  "It would give us a little bit more clout".

County councillor Pat Scott said that North Sundreland was the oly pairsh in her ward that di not have a plan.

She said: "It is a wish-list of how you want to take the village forward."

But Counc David Shiel said: "I think the money could be spent on something better."

Marc Johnson, community developmnent officer, at the Community Council of Northumberland, told members that £1,500 is available from Defra for a plan.

He is to help the parish.

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Berwick Advertiser - Thursday 5 October 2006:

Come and Meet the Funders at Belford

Community and voluntary groups that have ideas for projects that cuold make a difference in their areas are being invited to meet the people who could help their goals became a reality.

The Community Council of Northumberland (CCN) is holding a Meet the Funders event at Belford Community Centre on October 11 from 2pm to 6pm.

Funders expected to attend include the Big Lottery Fund, the Community Foundation, Northumberland Coast AONB, Northumberland National Park Authority and Greggs Trust.

Community and voluntary groups will be able to discuss with the funders the help that eac cna provide.  they will also be able to take part in workshops that will advise them about successful funding applications and how to monitor and evaluate their project after it has received help.

Marc Johnson, CCN's Commuity Development Officer, based at Berwick, said that community and voluntary groups were often unsure about where tog o for funding for project that would benefit people in local areas.

"We have organised the Meet the Funders event to enable groups to make contact with possible funders and to discuss their particular requirements and for advice", he explained.

The Community Foundation, which serves both Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, will be leading a workshop on successful funding applications.  CCN will run a workshop about monitoring and evaluation.

One of the Community Council's roles is to help voluntary and community groups  to complete projects.  This includes advising about which funders may be able to assist, putting the group in touch with the and working with volunteers to fill in applicaton forms.
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Hexham Courant - Friday 29 September 2006:

You're invited to meet the funders

Community and voluntary groups are invited to meet funders who could help get their projects off the ground.

Representatives from the Big Lottery Fund, the Community Foundation, the Co-operative Group, Northumberland National Park Authority, North Pennines AONB, tynedale Council and Tynedale Lions will be present.

The Meet the Funders event will take place at Hexham Mart on Wednesday October 4, 2pm-6pm.

Organised by the Community Council of Northumberland, further details are available from Jane Hart on (01434) 607871

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Northumberland Gazette - Thursday 28 September 2006:

Help at Hand

Help is at hand for people who would like funding for a project or group.

Meet the Funders is part of the Community Council of Northumberland which works on giving funding and also monitoring and evaluating projects.

Other participating organisations inlcude The Big Lottery Fund, Community foundation, Northumberland National park Authority, Greggs Trust and the Northumberland Coast AONB.

Meet the Funders will be held at Belford Community Centre, West Street, on Wednesday 4 October (this should read 11 October - see release on 21 Sept below) from 2pm to 6pm.

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Berwick Advertiser - Thursday 28 September 2006:

Marc Johnson has been appointed as the Community Council for Northumberland's community development officer for the Berwick Borough area in succession to Els Nicol who has taken up a new post in Eyemouth.  Marc is a former co-ordinator of the North Northumberland Rural Transport Partnership.

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Northumberland Gazette - Thursday 21 September 2006

Eyes down for karate

Alnwick Community Centre has launched a host of new activities this month, including tea dances, bingo, a mother and toddler group, karate classes and youth clubs.

The centre is looking for volunteers to help with children's and youth activities.  It also needs someone to help with small tasks around the building, for instance weddings and moving furniture.

This role would suit a fit retired person who wants to help their community in an active way.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the community centre can contact Terri Bearhope, volunteer Centre North Nortumberland, 01665 605772 or email terribearhope@ccn.org.uk

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Northumberland Gazette - Thursday 21 September 2006

Meet the funders

An event is to be held next month to help groups seek funding.

Meet the Funders is part of The Community Council of Northumberland and takes place on Wednesday, Octobe 11 at Belford Community Club, West Street, Belford, from 2pm to 6pm.

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