President Alison Riddell welcomed members to the AGM.  The Secretary and Treasurer reports were read out and approved, then the votes were counted.  The office bearers and committee members are as follows:

 

President:                    Alison Riddell

Vice-President:            Margaret Anderson

Secretary:                    Jean Riddell

Treasurer:                    Audrey Bone

Press Secretary:           Kathleen Jackson

Committee:                  Pearl Anderson, Cathy Campbell, Frances Munro, Cathy Nicol.

Competition for a paperweight was won by Alison Riddell; second Margaret Anderson and Alison Riddell also won the raffle.  The sales table raised £13.49. 

The 10th anniversary Roger Albert Clark Rally will take place on Sunday 10th November.  The vehicles will travel through the valley to Craik from 11.00 am and return 1.40 p.m.  It is anticipated that approximately 100 competitors will participate.

Wendy Bulmer is looking for a new home for Lola, her six year old black and white cat.  Lola is a very sweet cat who doesn’t venture out much and just wants plenty of cuddles.  She is in good health and is used to sharing a home with dogs.  If you can offer Lola a home please contact Wendy on 880200.

Charlotte Maberly’s talk about gastronomy was interesting, informative and at times shocking. Our obsession with cheap food that has a huge impact on the environment and little nutritional value was horrifically laid out in all its gruesome detail. Many of these simple yet pertinent facts are often overlooked or deliberately hidden by the food industry in the interests of profit. The two of us were particularly struck by the intensive farming techniques, wastage of the developed world’s resources and misleading information on packages – designed to sound like one thing but is in fact the exact opposite.

 

Fifty years ago one of the worst winters on record hit the British Isles.  I would like to compile stories and memories about that winter for a Newsletter article and would like to hear from anybody living in the valley at the time.  If you can help please contact me by email: judith@bitstone.co.uk or telephone: 880653.

Judith Hutchinson

Classes start 22nd October in the Forman Hall 8.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.  All welcome.  For more information ring 880244.

1st: Mrs E Rorrison;

2nd: Mrs J Warwick;

3rd: Mrs Hanmer

The Harvest Supper was a great success and enjoyed by all.  On arrival at the Forman Hall guests were greeted by a living indoor hedge created by Tizza Plumb.  It was a stunning sight laid out on the stage complete with fungi and the Gardeners' Forum scarecrow was in place again wearing a welcome sign.  

There will be a further road closure on the B711. SB Contracts are to effect a closure on the B711 between Roberton and Alemoor (wind farm entrance) between 7th and 25th October each day between 0800 hrs and 1700 hrs.

David Anderson from Green Cottage, Harden has been appointed a Community Councillor.

Police Report

The snowdrop harvesting at Branxholme was found to be legitimate.  A tractor has been stolen from the wind farm site at Alemoor and the trailer discovered at Minto Woods.  Farm machinery has been stolen from around the Bonchester Bridge area and it is thought that people from Newton Aycliffe are responsible.  It appears that people are visiting farms making enquiries about scrap metal and returning later to steal items.  The Police suggest making a note of registration numbers of any suspicious vehicles.  An arsonist has been at work at Swinney Moor, Bonchester Bridge and Kirkton.  The new 101 number is in place and is being fine-tuned.