Village News
Added on 10 January 2021
National lockdown restrictions have brought about some changes for businesses in the village. On a positive note the antiques centre in Horsley is accepting orders using the internet. Similarly Hearth artists are doing the same and some artists can post work to customers. Check the websites for further information. The construction work continues at a pace at the water treatment works and many units are open at the South East Farm business park. The Hearth cafe is open for take away food and drinks. Please note that the weekday opening times have changed to 9.30am - 2.30pm. Weekends remain as 10 am to 3 pm. They have produced a new menu to start the year on a high with winter warmers.
Sadly the village church and the Lion and Lamb public house remain closed.
Several residents have spotted barn owls around the village at dusk on the cold ,clear moonlit days over the Christmas period.
New Year in the village was a very quiet time. People obviously followed the government advice and stayed at home.
The village Christmas tree was adorned with home made innovative decorations by families in the community. If anyone would like to keep their decoration please come along and collect it.
Ground water levels around the parish remain high particularly in areas where there is clay soil. The ground area around the ford at Spital is more suited to hippos. Many rights of way cross the clayey glacial moraines left by the Tyne valley glacier when it retreated 20000 years ago. Please take care as paths here are slippy and very muddy. Care also needs to be taken when using the stone stile on the Ovingham path west of Water Lane. The stones in the dry stone wall are unstable.