Rock Hall School, near Alnwick, held its annual Cross Country Challenge for schools across the region on March 21st.Schools taking part were Ellingham First, Amble Links First, James Calvert Spence College, Dame Allan's, Kings, Mowden Hall and Rock.
The Mayor of Alnwick, Alan Symmonds, started the races and presented certificates and medals to the winners. Everyone enjoyed a successful afternoon in the Spring sunshine.
It had been thought that this might be the last year of the event as the school was threatened with closure. The school has, however, been saved and the event will run on ...and on!
Children of Rock Hall School used World Book Day to focus on children around the world. Dressed as characters from books, ranging from Pippi Longstocking to Robinson Crusoe, they shared stories from other countries whilst raising money for the Chirapatre Appeal which provides educational facilities for children living in Kumasi, Ghana.
Following their success at the Alnwick Rugby Club tournament for local schools Rock Hall Ospreys, Rock Hall School's under 9s team, put in an impressive performance at the Newcastle Falcons under 9s tournament. After topping their group in the initial stages they won a closely fought semi final against Benton Dene Pumas to reach the final against Newcastle School for Boys. Although there was some excellent play from both sides NSB were the eventual winners.
Written by Kevin O'Hara, conservation officer at Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Where do they all go in winter? - Part 1
Recently I felt the first twangs of winter; the 'first frost' gripped my garden, the chickens came skidding out of their ark, and I had to break the ice on their drinking water. I really like those first days, when we still have some daylight left to enjoy the wonderful colours and smells. I take the camera and binoculars with me when I walk the dogs, keeping an eye out for winter thrushes or other visitors. The clocks have altered and we start the long haul of winter - not until February will some real light return to the sky, and warmth to the sun.
It is during these months that we wonder where, exactly, many of our resident wildlife species go to survive the coldest and wettest days of winter, especially those that are more delicate and less mobile.
By John Dawson of Six Townships Community History Group
What a shame to read about Tony, said to be the last pit pony alive to finally die himself.
Having worked with pit ponies underground myself, I was one of the chosen few to get a glimpse of their life underground.
I remember Tony very well as I do the others that left underground at Ellington in Northumberland, which was the very last deep mine to close in the Northumberland coalfield.
On Saturday 4th June 2011, the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team are happy to be organising the 17th Alwinton Round. Based in and around Alwinton, there will be three walks to suit all abilities ranging from a 6 mile 'family walk' to the 20 mile walk for the more experienced.
Big 20 mile walk and Long 15 mile walk begin at 10am from Alwinton village, registration in the Rose and Thistle pub.
Family 6 mile walk starts between 11am and 1.30pm.
Further information from alwintonround@googlemail.com or visiting our team website at www.northoftynesearchandrescue.org.uk
From John Dawson's weekly history column in the Morpeth & Ashington Extra. For more of John's history tales see www.journallive.co.uk/johndawson
Because of where he had to work, like a mole in the darkness of the earth, liable to lose a limb or his life at any time, a miner was a very superstitious man.
He believed in all sorts of omens, warnings and signs.
Dreams meant disaster of some sort. Underground knockings were often heard, knockings for which no reason could be given. And the miners knew that the pits were haunted by mischievous goblins whose only delight was to terrify pitmen, be they men or boys.
Last weekend, Alnwick under 10's again took to the rugby field, determined to win back the title of County Champions that was so cruelly lost last season.
This year the County Cup competition was held at West Tynedale, quite a hike from Alnwick but 25 players with coaches, parents and supporters made their way to a bright but chilly Haydon Bridge.
The competition was organised into four groups, the winner of each group went through to the semi finals and then the winners of these went through to the final and a chance at the ultimate prize - the County Cup. It was clear that to guarantee a place in the finals, remaining undefeated was the key.
Neil Hedley from mental health charity Blyth Star Enterprises said: ''When the the Health Trust closed the Alnwick workshop it was missed by the clients and customers. We are looking forward to producing and repairing garden items, bird boxes etc and also recycling and repairing bicycles. We have also acquired a neglected allotment which needs volunteers to get it growing again.''
From left: Neil Hedley, admin supervisor Daniel Skelton, workshop supervisor Jason Allan and Trevor Cooke from Alnwick Day Centre
Anyone interested in helping or can donate an old bike or garden tools, please contact Neil Hedley on tel 01670 355421 .
Rock Hall School and Ellingham School joined together to hold a memorial service in Rock Church for the victims of a tragic event which happened nearly 150 years ago. A steam boiler at Rock Moor Farm blew up on 29th November 1862 and killed 11 people most of them very young, including a 7 year old little boy. Most were killed instantly but some died several days later from their injuries. They are all buried in Rock Churchyard.
Beamish Museum led a project with several schools in North Northumberland tracing the history of steam on farms in the local area. The children were all encouraged to become industrial archaeologists and find evidence of the steam boilers which drove several bits of farm machinery. The children looked at remaining chimneys, old boiler houses where the marks in the wall were still visible and went to Beamish for a day to study 19th century farming practices. Beamish also teamed up with Woodhorn Museum where the county archives are held and the schools visited there to trace original records of the victims and the reports in the local press about the accident and the following inquest.
Alnwick Links
We want to publish your blog on one of our community websites. Find out more.
Keep up to date subscribe to our RSS feed
Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy in relation to the use of this website
"The best possible SEO software? Well that's got of getting Ultimate Demon by the moment, it seems to..."
"Hey there! This really is variety of off topic but I want some help from an proven web site. Is it v..."
"This is the first time I've been to your website. Thanks for explaining more information...."
"Hello it's me, I am also visiting this website on a regular basis, this web site is truly fastidious..."
" I like your site. Waiting for new articles. ..."
"The blog is cool..."
"Eric Mansfield says: "I remember my grandad used to have a broad Northumbrian accent (born 1899) and..."
"I am reading your latest book 'Paw Tracks at Owl Cottage' with great interest as we recently lost ou..."
"This is definitely a good sign that the mental health services getting good rating by service users,..."
"Read both the books and loved all the cats. Thank you very much. I cried at the end of each one but ..."