Clara Vale Village Hall bookings@claravale.org.uk www.claravale.org.uk

NEWS

Clara Vale volunteer action teams Thank you! Get involved!

The Village Hall Committee are extremely grateful for all the work our dedicated volunteers give to the hall to enable us to put on events and classes, raise funds and maintain the hall in good order. Thank you!

Apart from 2 part-time paid staff, the hall relies almost entirely on volunteers to keep it running. We’re in the process of streamlining how we communicate with volunteers so that it will be easier to get in touch and easier for volunteers to respond

when help is needed. There will be a new email address action@claravale.org.uk which will be used to put out a call for help to a team of volunteers such as a baking team, a pizza team, a maintenance team, a diy team, a kitchen serving team, a setting up team etc. Individuals will then be able to reply if they are able to help on the particular day.

Volunteering increases your feeling of wellbeing by making you more active socially, physically and mentally. It’s a great way to make

new friends and get to know your neighbours. If you’d like to volunteer and sign up for emails, whether or not you have a particular team in mind, please get in touch. Don’t have an email address? You’re welcome to volunteer and we can get in touch with a phone call or knock at the door, whichever is easiest for you.

Please speak to Rachel or ring 07543 281301

SPRING 2020

Village Hall NewsKitchen UpdateThe long-awaited kitchen refurbishment is due to start mid March. It has been delayed by a few weeks to allow us to apply to a new funding source that will give us an extra £10K-£12K if successful. ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) is offering a Village Hall Improvement Grant amounting to 20% of the full cost of a refurbishment project and we thought this was too good to miss. Unfortunately , this will mean further disruption to booking space or events in the hall during February and March, but there should be no further delays thereafter and the extra grant will make all the difference to the final stage in our refurbishment programme. If you want to book the hall during this period, please get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate your event. Kath

Apple WassailThe apple trees in Ovingham Orchard were blessed by Clara Vale Voices and Prudhoe Singers on Sunday 19 January during an ancient ritual, which is always a good excuse for a rousing sing. The two choir collaboration is proving to work extremely well as a means of bringing people together for celebration and merriment. The weather was perfect and the themed songs were extremely well received. Before making offerings to the trees of toast and cider, there was a proclamation, noise, mulled drinks, cake, and the beautiful singing. This was the two joint choirs’ second outing in two months, under the direction of Keren Banning. If you would like to come along and see if singing in a choir is for you, they meet on Mondays from 6.30-8.30pm. Keren Banning

Coffee morningTuesday coffee mornings are for everyone! They’re 11am-12pm each week with hot drinks, home-baked goods and toast. We’ve heard that people thought it was just for the yoga class but that’s not true! However if you would like to come to Rachel’s Dru yoga class at 9.30am and stay to have a coffee, please do so. If you’re going to Emma’s Kalma Baby yoga class with your little one at 12pm, come along for a coffee and a chat before the class starts. Alternatively, don’t do any yoga, just come for coffee!! Everyone’s welcome and it’s always nice to see new faces. Rachel K

Arts venueIn the autumn many of you will have met and chatted to Claire Murphy-Morgan from Monkfish Productions about ideas for using the hall for art activities, workshops and events. Unfortunately the Lottery application was unsuccessful so the project will not be taking place at this time. In the future we may be able to work with Claire and make an application from the Village Hall Association. Rachel K

Love Where You Live Litter-PickersLittering is an ongoing problem along the roadside and in the green spaces and footpaths around Clara Vale. You will have probably seen Kathrine out keeping Stannerford Road clean for the past 10 years! Responding to interest from villagers, a litter-picking group has been set up. They meet at the village hall on Thursdays at 10.30am and head out for about an hour and then return to the hall for coffee, and maybe a snack

if Urban Bakery are visiting that week. So far they have tackled the area by the railway crossing, Bog Wood and the path along the top of Ryton Golf Club. As much litter as possible is sorted and recycled. If you would like to come along either occasionally or regularly please bring a bag, gloves and sturdy shoes/boots. Litter-pickers are provided. Rachel K

Christmas celebrationsChristmas 2019 got underway with a fantastic gift fair in November with some fabulous stalls, many new talented local artists and crafters and the regular favourites. The raffle and bottle tombola were a huge success and the soup and cakes in the kitchen went down a treat. Huge thanks to Cate Hilton for her organisation and cooking and to all those volunteers who made it possible. Thanks also to fantastic support from the community and those further afield who visited the fair, we hope your purchases were appreciated by either yourself or their recipients.

The Christmas light switch on really made things feel festive, many thanks to Newcastle Tree Services for kindly spending several hours in the tree erecting the lights. And they even inadvertently made Rudolf!!

The breakfast at the beginning of December had a musical interlude when Clara Vale Voices delivered their first public performance joined by Prudhoe Singers. Keren Banning’s talent as a coach shone through as the choirs’ voices filled the hall with festive tunes.

The Toddlers Christmas Party was well attended and there was a holly wreath workshop which produced lovely results using natural materials. Thanks to Janet McKie for her organisation and tuition.

The memorial garden looked magical for the candle lit carols thanks to Dot Holder who put up all the fairy lights. The Berry Tree Band accompanied the singers and then everyone was invited to the village hall for mulled wine and mince pies. The Berry Tree Band held a cosy fireside gig in a packed meeting room, their beautiful music and harmonies were really special. Thanks to the volunteers who helped with the event.

New PianoBefore Christmas we took delivery of a new piano. Now that it has been tuned it is a huge improvement on the old piano and will be a real asset to the hall and for any musicians who wish to hire the meeting room to use for practice, gigs or lessons. We are grateful to Annie Ball for finding the piano (for free!) and arranging for delivery. Rachel K

Calendar SALEWe still have a few Clara Vale Calendars left, now half price. See Rachel to buy one for just £4. Greetings cards featuring 6 different images of the village are available to buy all year round from the village hall or Rachel for £3.50/6 pack or £1 each.

Save your JumbleOur popular annual Jumble Sale returns later than usual this year on Saturday 2 May, 2-4pm (to be confirmed), due to the kitchen refurbishment, so start saving your jumble so we can have a mega-sale! We will let you know a date for drop-off nearer the time.

Kalma Baby

Hi! I’m Emma and I teach yoga and massage classes for children across the North Durham & Gateshead West area.

After giving birth to my daughter Esme in March 2017 I was keen to get out and about with her making the most of my maternity leave and socialising with other mums. It was then that I discovered Kalma Baby and decided to join in with the classes which we both absolutely loved. I’m so excited to be able to offer that to other parents and children.

Kalma Baby offers the very best baby developmental massage classes as-well as baby, toddler and junior yoga. Our sessions ‘make development fun with unique benefits for young bodies and minds’. Our award winning classes provide a safe yet stimulating environment which is packed

full of fun, yoga inspired stretches, sensory play, lots of singing and music with a whole host of developmental and health benefits, not to mention our lovely relaxation piece at the end which is always well earned!

I’m fully trained and insured whilst holding first aid and safeguarding certificates as well as an enhanced DBS. Classes also follow EYFS and SEN guidelines.

www.kalmababy.co.uk/gatesheadwest emma@gatesheadwest.kalmababy.co.uk 07581359585

Electric CarsElectric cars are becoming increasingly popular due to their low impact on the environment and contribution to concerns about climate change. They will also become more affordable in the future. The village hall committee are in the early stages of exploring options, including grant funding, for installing electric car charging points at the hall for use by visitors and residents. The logistics of how they will be used and the costs have yet to be looked into but it is timely that we look into this now as grants for such projects are unlikely to be unavailable as time goes on.

Pilates ClassesI’m delighted to offer my Pilates classes at Clara Vale Village Hall. Thank you for the warm welcome I’ve received so far and I’m looking forward to meeting more of the community. The first course of sessions I’m running are aimed at those new to Pilates. Many of us feel nervous trying new things and

I want to share my knowledge in a comfortable and friendly environment. Pilates is a thinking way of moving, so is great for body and mind. You will lengthen, strengthen and tone your muscles and improve your posture, core strength and stability.

Classes run Tuesday evenings, 6-7pm and Friday mornings 10.30-11.30am. Booking essential. If you’d like any more information or to book your place, please get in touch.

Nicola Oliver 07583 202 529 Facebook N-Core Pilates

Committee welcomes new membersJohn Lowes, who lives in the village, recently joined the committee. John has been busy researching electric car charging points for the hall and has spent hours speaking to potential contractors as we progress the kitchen refurbishment project. In the new year we welcomed Val Murray as a committee member. Val lives on Stannerford Road and is a regular hall-user. Val will be our designated safeguarding officer. Welcome to both John and Val and thank you for volunteering to join us. Rachel K

Village Hall News

A Way HomeThe play A Way Home, which will be touring the north east in the summer, comes to the village hall on the evening of Friday 12th June. Ours is one of only 12 community venues to be selected. The play is set in the 1950’s and concerns a family’s turmoil when their village is classified as ‘Category D’ and expected to die quietly once the pit closes. Clara Vale, amongst other Gateshead villages, was given Category D status so this story is very pertinent to us. Recently we appealed for a ‘community champion’ who will assist in promoting the play, tour venues, meet the actors, attend rehearsals and the opening night at the Gala Theatre in Durham and help to run the show in Clara Vale. We are grateful to Angela Nowakowska who has volunteered for this role and from early March onwards will accompany Rachel to meetings and venues with other community champions. Thank you Angela! For more information visit www. A-Way-Home, Facebook FB @AWayHomePlay and Instagram awayhomeplay.

Prizes for Photos!Allied Westminster are currently running a great photo competition (see above and below) to win up to £1000 for your village hall, and £500 for the photographer. The theme of the competition is: ‘Village Life - a photo which characterises the value of community in your village’.

Visit https://villagehallsurvey.com/survey/photo-competition to enter. Please read the terms and conditions.

CONSERVATION GROUP NEWSThe first snowdrops are emerging under the chestnut trees, the bright yellow celandines will be close behind and hazel catkins are beginning to show. It may not feel like it but spring’s not far away. We are keeping the birds fed in the feeding stations. If you want a hide key (£5), contact Gordon on 4138287. Kingfishers are visiting the reserve most days and can be seen from the Alex West Hide along with many other birds. Roe deer and foxes are also regular visitors.

Once again, a big thank you to the ponies who have mowed the Reserve for us. Thanks also to all the dog owners who kept their dogs on leads through the Reserve. We would ask you all to continue to do so throughout the year. The Reserve is very small and it does reduce the disturbance to wildlife.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

The RSPB garden birdwatch took place in the hides on Saturday 25th and those who attended enjoyed spotting different species and making bird feeders accompanied by cake and hot drinks. The records collected by the RSBP are very valuable and we will be able to share our results with you in the next newsletter. You can get more information from www.rspb.org.uk.

As many of you will know, the Northumbria Ringing Group rings birds in the Reserve throughout the year. In 2019 they caught and ringed 365 birds of 25 species. These include sparrowhawk, great-spotted woodpecker and Europe’s smallest bird, the goldcrest (picture) which weighs only 4-7gms, about the weight of a five pence piece. If you want to see birds close up and find out a bit more about ringing, the Ringing Group will be in the reserve on the first Saturday of the month until April.

Funds

It costs around £500 a year to feed the birds so donations are very welcome.

Many thanks to the “49 Club” for the generous donation of £300 and particular thanks to Jake and Sarah Raad for raising £61, making and selling mince pies at Christmas.

If you would like to make a donation to the Group, our bank details are: Clara Vale Conservation Group, Lloyds Bank, A/c No 01477367, Sort code: 30-19-54.

If you would like to find out more about the conservation group and what we do come along to one of our meetings, second Monday of the month 8pm at the village hall, or join us on one of our task mornings in the reserve or orchard, see our website or posters for details of upcoming dates www.cvcg.org.uk

Gordon Pollinger/Don Atkinson

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WHAT’S ON IN THE VILLAGE HALL

FebruaryUrban Bakery pop up shop Thursday 6 & 20, 11.30am -12.30pm

Lunch Club Friday 14, 12 -1.30pm

Takeaway: Goodtimes Tacos Thursday 27, 5-7pm

MarchUrban Bakery pop up shop Thursday 5 & 19, 11.30am -12.30pm

Takeaway: Fresh North Thursday 26, 5-7pm

AprilUrban Bakery pop up shop Thursday 2, 16 & 30, 11.30am -12.30pm

ClaraTalks: A history of North East clog dancing Tuesday 21st 7.30pm £2 including refreshments

Takeaway: Flat Earth Thursday 30, 5-7pm

COMING SOON!Jumble Sale Saturday 2 May, 2-4pm

ClaraTalks: The Railway Revolution Tuesday 19 May, 7.30pm £2 ClaraTalks: The rise, fall and rise again of a former colliery village Friday 5 June, 7.30pm £2

Play: A Way Home Saturday 12 June 7pm

REGULARSClara Vale Voices Community Choir Mondays 6.40-8.30pm (term time only)

Dru Yoga Tuesdays 9.30-11am and 7.30-8.30pm

Beginners Pilates Tuesdays 6-7pm Fridays 10.30-11.30am

Coffee Morning & Library Tuesdays 11am-12pm

KalmaBaby Yoga Tuesdays 12-12.45pm (term time only)

Dog Club Wednesdays 7.45-9pm

Toddlers Thursdays 9.30-11.30am

Love where you live litter-pickers & coffee Meet 10.30am

Iyengar Yoga Sundays 7-8.30pm Thursdays 8-9.15pm

Karate Fridays 6.30-8.30pm

Other regular events1ST MONDAY OF THE MONTH Councillors’ Surgery 6.30-7.30pm

2ND MONDAY OF THE MONTH Conservation Group Committee Meeting 8pm

1ST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH Village Hall Committee meeting 7.00pm

BOOKINGSPlanning a celebration? The Village Hall is the perfect venue for weddings, parties and events, check out our facilities online.

If you have an enquiry or would like to book the hall please leave a message or text 07543 281 301 or email Rachel Kirkman bookings@claravale.org.uk

1 room £7 p/h2 rooms £12 p/hAll 3 rooms £15 p/hDaytime party (12-5pm) £50Evening party (6-11.30pm) £80

CLARA VALE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE

Gill Hale, Chair 8 East View, 0191 413 5435William Coburn, Secretary 33 Bracken Way, Crawcrook 0191 4139761, 07960 016652Steve Hilton, Treasurer 10 South View, 0191 413 1535Martin Church 4 Edington GardensJohn Kelly 20 South View, 0191 413 3247Veronika Richter 14 Maryside Place, 0191 413 1186Ben Thomas 1 Edington CottagesJess Lloyd 15 North ViewMary Hughes 15 East ViewJohn Lowes 20 North ViewVal Murray ‘Norbreck’ Stannerford RoadKEYHOLDERS

Rachel Kirkman Clara Vale Village Hall & Business Centre Manager 07543 281 301 bookings@claravale.org.ukChristina Bainbridge, Caretaker 0191 4137600, 07443 005 889Gill Hale 0191 413 5435

CLARA VALE VILLAGE HALL ASSOCIATION IS A REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1154652