Community

REMEMBRANCE DAY

‘We will remember them’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each year the Council is proud and privileged to organise a wreath laying ceremony at the War memorials in the Town Square to honour all those who have given their lives for our country throughout the world. We remember our obligation not to forget all those from Amble and elsewhere who died in the World Wars and in the many conflicts since then. It seems a small thing to hold an annual service so they can be publically remembered and thanked for their service and bravery. We do this in memory of everyone’s loved ones who were lost for us all to live in peace.

We are fortunate to have over twenty groups who take part in this ranging from the young Army Cadets to those representing the veterans as well as professional and voluntary organisations. The ceremony is followed by a service in one of the main churches of the town to which all are very welcome.

There is a real sense of pride in our town when we see so many of all ages, no matter what the weather, attending both occasions.

See latest news for details of this year’s ceremony.

 

HIGH SCHOOL PRIZE

For a number of years since the 1980s, the ‘Mayor’s Pin’ was awarded to a High School student; however when the supply was running out, a small crystal sculpture inscribed with the town crest was designed as a replacement.

Each year this is awarded for ‘Sporting Excellence throughout the school year.’

 

ANNUAL BEST GARDEN AND BEST ALLOTMENT AWARDS

In early July Councillors walk around their wards to shortlist any particularly attractive gardens which give passersby a lot of pleasure. Townspeople are also invited to submit entries but are reminded that the garden must be able to be seen without entering the premises.

These are then looked at in mid July by an independent judge- currently from Alnwick Gardens Horticultural staff.  Certificates of merit and prizes are awarded in each ward. The best garden is chosen by the judge from the 3 first prize winners.

Also in July, all accessible allotments are visited and judged for a best allotment award.

A presentation ceremony is held later in July where the Mayor hands out the certificates and prizes and everyone enjoys a chat over refreshments. This means there is still plenty of time for anyone to go and see the magnificent displays that have taken many hours of pleasurable hard work to achieve.

 

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Throughout the country, whether there are Christmas lights in a town or village can often be the responsibility of the local Council. Many areas choose not to have any due to the expense involved.

For many years Amble Urban District Council and then Amble Town Council paid for the Christmas display in the town with Mrs Campbell Smith organising them during the 1980s. By 1990 the lights were in such a poor state that there was no display; in January 1991 after a public meeting decided that the town wanted Christmas lighting, Amble Christmas Lights Committee was formed. The committee is made up of volunteers who strive to raise funds to replace bulbs and displays as well as prepare them for storage, test them throughout the year and put them up again.  The Town Council assisted with some financial support and this is still the case today where currently approximately £700 is set aside in the budget to pay the energy costs or to renew displays as the committee deem necessary.

For a small town, we have a beautiful display thanks to the hard work of this dedicated group of people who provide a magnificent sight for young and old alike to enjoy. They are always eager to welcome new members to help them especially in checking the bulbs throughout the year as well as putting the displays up and taking them down. Please support them in their efforts.

In mid November, do come and join the children as they parade with their handmade lanterns and see the lights switched on as they pass down Queen Street to the Town Square.

 

 FLOWER BEDS

Our small town has many of these throughout it but lots are within the housing estates and therefore are managed by Homes for Northumberland. There are a few rose beds but the main floral beds are at the North and South entrances to the town, Acklington Road, Broomhill Street, Dilston Terrace and Phillip Drive. From this autumn, Northumberland County Council will cease to plant annual bedding and instead will use some perennials.

The Council has been offered the choice of retaining annual bedding, but despite wanting the town to remain colourful, it has decided to decline as it is felt that almost £6,500 is too much to add to our ratepayer’s bill. We are currently discussing exactly what plants and maintenance N.C.C. will be doing and investigating other ways of producing a welcoming display in these areas.

 

‘AMBLE IN BLOOM’

A new venture is the small voluntary group, set up as part of ‘Pride in Amble’, who do sterling work throughout the town, under Councillor Weir’s guidance.

Amble Town Council, some businesses and individuals have contributed funds to enable plants to be purchased and these have been evident in the hanging baskets on Queen Street and the tubs and ‘fish’ flower bed at the South entrance to the town. Businesses have also taken on the regular watering needed to keep the baskets flourishing for all our enjoyment.

It is hoped that contributions will continue annually or that businesses/individuals will either sponsor or take responsibility for an area so we can continue to go from strength to strength, maybe even enter national competitions in the not too distant future .

The volunteers have spent many hours in the Town Square. The Amble and Radcliffe War Memorials were originally in the Memorial Gardens, once owned by Amble Urban District then Alnwick District Councils, but this area was incorporated when the square was developed in a joint partnership scheme and the whole area is now under the responsibility of Amble Development Trust although the Council still own the Memorials and the Flagpole.

It is very hard work trying to bring new order to some of the overgrown areas and they really could use some ‘strong arm’ help- not to mention some ‘digging power.’ The majority of the group are over 60 years of age with a few 8 years and under, so there’s lots of room for some able bodied help even if you can only give a couple of hours now and again. Just contact Councillor Weir for details.

If we want our town to be an attractive place for us all to enjoy on our walks round, then we must all try to lend a hand- or foot- instead of saying ‘they’ll do it’ with no thought to who ‘they’ are, or that actually you are one of ‘they.’