John Dales, the Independent Chair of Blue House Working Group, is inviting local residents and other stakeholders to a meeting to find out more about the Group’s recommendations about the Blue House junction and the principles that underpin them.
John will be introducing the proposals and answering questions, members of the Working Group will also be speaking about their experience of developing the proposal during their time on the group and answering questions.
You can find out more about the Working Group, read meeting notes and background papers and read the recommendations on the group’s web site.
HWJRA has represented residents
High West Jesmond Residents’ Association (HWJRA) has represented residents’ concerns and has been one of the local community groups that has contributed to the Blue House Working Group discussions on the Blue House Roundabout.
We encourage residents from High West Jesmond to attend this meeting to hear more about the recommendations made by Blue House Working Group to Newcastle City council.
Newcastle City Council are to hold feedback sessions regarding the creation of Newcastle Parks Trust.
In November 2017, after research, discussion and consultation, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet approved the proposal for Newcastle’s parks and allotments to be managed by a new charitable company (with ownership staying with the City) supported by the National Trust and Heritage Lottery Fund.
Recruitment of Chair and Trustees
The next stage of this project is the recruitment of the inaugural
Chair and a Board of Trustees (all voluntary roles).
The posts can be found listed with Guardian Jobs Online: https://goo.gl/TPjr3e (closes 12 February 2018).
Feedback sessions to residents planned
The Council would also like to feedback to the public, in person, at 4
locations around the City to explain what the council’s Cabinet has decided and what will happen next.
The sessions will be on:-
Sat 10 Feb 2018 – 12pm – 1pm – Jesmond Dene Visitor Centre
Mon 12 Feb 2018 – 7pm – 8pm – Nunsmoor Centre
Tue 13 Feb 2018 – 7pm – 8pm – Civic Centre Armstrong Room
Sat 24 Feb 2018 – 12pm – 1pm – Civic Centre Collingwood Suite
Friends of the Valley and Little Dene Annual Report
2017 Committee Annual Report
Although 2017 was a dormant year in terms of organised events on the Valley, it did prove to be significant for two contrasting reasons.
Thank you Warwick
The first was, sadly, losing Warwick Ogden. From his family home he had overlooked the Valley since the early 1970’s and soon became the “guardian” of what was a rather neglected open space.
The Valley, High West Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne – mid 1960’s
He witnessed and contributed to the renaissance of the Valley from being a sparsely surrounded field in the years following the Council’s 1960’s tipping contract, to the beautiful open space that it now is.
He was one of our founder members. So we owe a big thank you to Warwick for all his efforts over 45 years.
The Valley, High West Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne in 2016
Lending a Hand
The second is that FOVALD members spread their wings during 2017.
As well as looking after the Valley surrounds and the Little Dene, a sub-group was formed, Lending a Hand, to do the landscape maintenance work in HWJ that the City Council has stopped doing, mainly on Moorfield, Little Moor and Freeman’s Park (which we now know as Litle Dene Park)).
The group meets once a week and started in early March.
By December, over 1 km of footpaths had been edged; approx 140 barrow/bag loads of leaves collected; and lots of trees & shrubs pruned.
One of the aims is to recycle all compostable material.
FOVALD adopts further park
Freeman’s Park is Town Moor land and the quality of our work persuaded the City’s Freemen to agree to FOVALD adopting the park on a similar basis to the adoption agreement that we have with the City Council for the Valley.
This means that we have responsibility for looking after all of the open spaces that abut HWJ to the north and west, i.e. the Valley, Little Dene and Freeman Park.
All lie within the City’s defined “wildlife corridor”, so we have the opportunity to introduce changes that will not only benefit and enhance the landscape but also wildlife.
So a big thank you to all residents who have contributed.
Little Moor path – the start of work by FOVALD’s Lending a Hand group, High West Jesmond, Newcastle upon TyneLittle Moor path – nearly finished! Work undertaken by FOVALD’s Lending a Hand group, High West Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Landscape
There was little change to report regarding the Valley’s trees & shrubs.
The ash trees have not succumbed to “die-back” and even the old lilac on the north side, which predated the 1962 “levelling contract”, continued to bloom.
It was good to see “Joanna’s” cherry tree, on Lodore Road next to the garage, starting to make a significant contribution!
Two pear trees and another apple were planted close to an existing apple tree in the north-east corner, close to the blackberry patch – perhaps the start of a “community orchard”?
There are 2-3 trees in Little Dene that are overhanging Lodore Road that will probably need intervention during 2018.
More work was undertaken keeping weeds at bay and it is good to see that the hollies & hazels planted 5 years ago are gradually starting to form an understorey.
A lot of shrub pruning and tree “crown lifting” was carried out on Freeman’s Park, to improve visibility both within and alongside the space and to improve the structure of the plants.
A landscape action plan was produced for 2018 which received approval from the Freemen. This includes the further pruning of trees & shrubs bordering Little Dene flats, which will be the subject of consultation.
A disappointment was the loss of a substantial part of a beautiful “choisya” bush through vandalism. We are hopeful it can be nurtured back to prime condition.
Wildlife
During last winter, bird feeders were placed on the Valley close to the Little Dene.
They have attracted a variety of birds. The most notable seen on the Valley being a woodcock, a bullfinch and a lesser spotted woodpecker.
A recent bird survey in Jesmond Dene also recorded sightings of bullfinches and the lesser spotted woodpecker, plus many species that were recorded in the 2016 FOVALD survey.
This is good news in that it is evidence of the wildlife link between Jesmond Dene and the Valley & the Little Dene.
Grey squirrels continue to occupy the trees in our area.
However, it is also interesting to note that otters have recently been seen in the Dene beside Fisherman’s Lodge.
Several years ago, footprints were seen in the mud beside the culvert entrance in Little Dene and it was suspected, at that time, that the prints may have been an otter’s. Another possible wildlife corridor link!
Use of the Valley and Freeman’s Park
Without doubt, the most popular use of the Valley in 2017 was dog walking and adult socialising!
People walk around the Valley at all times of the day, with early mornings and lunchtimes being times when people tend to congregate, chat and network.
It has been described as an “outdoor community centre”!
The dryer summer months saw the usual ball games, picnics and “congregations” – large numbers of young people meeting on the Valley on some summer evenings.
Freeman’s Park is different. It is a place to pass through rather than a destination.
However, it is an attractive space and the 4 seats available are frequently used by residents wishing to sit and relax before continuing their journey.
It may be useful to undertake a user count during 2018.
Freeman Park (now also known as Little Dene Park) after maintenance work carried out by FOVALD, High West Jesmond, Newcastle upon TyneJoanna’s cherry tree, the Valley, High West Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne
Committee of Friends of the Valley and Little Dene
February 2018
Do not dispose of your Christmas tree in the back lane – this Christmas tree was placed in a back lane behind Ilford Road on 6 January 2018 – is it yours? If so remember to do your bit and recycle it by taking it to one of the council’s household recycling centres
It’s always a sad day when the Christmas tree has to come down. But the good news is that any real trees can be recycled!
If you bought a real Christmas tree this year, you need to make the effort to dispose of it responsibly – don’t leave it in the back lane as Newcastle City Council will not collect it as part of household rubbish collections – you need to take it yourself to a household waste and recycling centre.
‘Real’ trees are recyclable and can be shredded into chippings which are then used locally in parks or woodland areas.
Remember to remove all tinsel and decorations and any pots or stands.
Find out more about recycling Christmas trees on the recyclenow.com website.
Council will not collect Christmas trees from back lanes
Newcastle City Council’s website says that Christmas trees should be taken to one of the city’s household waste recycling points.
Christmas trees will not be accepted by Newcastle City Council as part of your wheelie bin household rubbish – so please do not leave them in your back lane.
Do not dispose of your Christmas tree in the back lane – this Christmas tree was placed in a back lane behind Ilford Road on 6 January 2018 – is it yours? If so remember to do your bit and recycle it by taking it to one of the council’s household recycling centres
Household waste and recycling centres in Newcastle
Brunswick
Brunswick Industrial Estate
Sandy Lane
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE13 7BA
Byker
Glasshouse Street off Walker Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 1AH
Walbottle
Walbottle Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 8HY
More details and opening hours of Newcastle City Council household recycling centres
If you enjoyed your Christmas with a real Christmas tree then please dispose of it responsibly – recyle it by following Newcastle City Council guidance and taking it yourself to a household waste recycling centre.
NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Newcastle City Council have announced a new event to take place on Newcastle’s Town Moor on 31 December – celebrating New Year’s Eve in theatrical style with a beastly bonfire and a breath-taking firework display.
East of the Sun, West of the Moon will take place from 4pm – 6pm and is produced in collaboration with outdoor arts experts Walk the Plank, the team behind the hugely popular New Year’s Eve carnivals of previous years.
Entry is free of charge but ticketed. A ballot system will be operating to ensure a fair ticketing process and people will be able to apply online to enter the draw.
In the days counting down to the end of 2017, local people who pass through Exhibition Park and onto the Town Moor may notice a thicket of brambles and the shapes of strange animals in the undergrowth as a thorny lair begins to take shape and grow in size as we approach New Year’s Eve.
This incredible structure will form a monstrous bonfire, the centre piece to the evening’s theatrics, which will also include processions of dancers and masked people from local community groups.
The event takes inspiration from Norse mythology and local folklore and will culminate in a firework finale.
Vikki Leaney, Senior Festivals and Events Manager at NewcastleGateshead Initiative said: “We’re thrilled to be working once again with Walk the Plank to produce a brand-new event to mark New Year’s Eve in Newcastle. With East of the Sun, West of the Moon, we hope to take the popular dark and supernatural spirit of our previous New Year’s Eve carnivals to create something equally unique and memorable.
“We are inviting people to come and celebrate the end of the calendar year, the promise of new possibilities, and the rise of a New Year sun with an unforgettable experience on the last day of 2017.”
Walk The Plank and Newcastle City Council will be working with over 250 community group participants to create meaningful opportunities for community engagement and participation in a high quality and professional performance. Prior to the event these community participants will take part in artistic workshops to create costumes and masks, before performing in the fire-lit parade on the night itself.
Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities, Cllr Kim McGuinness, said: “This year’s event promises to be more spectacular than ever, and offers something for everyone. Its new location on the Town Moor gives the event an open space so more people can attend and get close to the action on the night.
“As with previous years, community engagement lies at the heart of our New Year’s Eve celebrations. Community groups from right across the city will come together and create a fantastic performance for all to see. We hope to inspire and engage people of all ages to get involved or to come along and celebrate the end of 2017 and welcome in 2018 in good spirits.”
Liz Pugh, Walk the Plank Creative Producer, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Newcastle once again on New Year’s Eve, and this time with an innovative new piece of work. Whilst previous year’s winter carnivals in the centre of the city were hugely popular, they presented several restrictions and limitations – so this refresh in format and location on Newcastle’s Town Moor has enabled us to explore a range of creative avenues and new ideas. We look forward to putting on an unforgettable show and welcoming 2018 in dramatic style!”
Sponsored by Jamie Clark Fun Fairs, there will be a range of funfair entertainment and food and drink concessions available. The event will also be hosted by Heart FM’s Tom Campbell who will keep everyone entertained prior to the main event.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable footwear and waterproof winter clothing are a must.
Timings
The approximate timings for East of the Sun, West of the Moon are:
4pm: Event space will open for visitors to gather and enjoy the funfair and entertainment
5pm: The main performance will begin
6pm: Event finale
* All timings are approximate and subject to change
East of the Sun, West of the Moon is a free event but will be ticketed using a ballot system. All applicants will hear the outcome of their ballot entry in the first week of December 2017.
The above news release was issued by Newcastle City Council and included on the Newcastle City Council website. It has been included here for information and does not necessarily represent the views of High West Jesmond Residents’ Association.
Research published today from the charity Fields in Trust shows that living close to and visiting parks and green spaces can increase people’s wellbeing and improve their health.
With The Valley and Little Dene at the heart of High West Jesmond many in our community will agree with this statement.
The green open space of The Valley and Little Dene is widely used and valued by the local community (and you can read about the work of the Friends of the Valley and Little Dene (FOVALD) and FOVALD’s Lending a Hand group elsewhere on this website).
New Parks Action Group launched to help England’s public parks and green spaces meet the needs of communities now and in the future.
The research also highlights the importance of parks as spaces for neighbours to socialise away, helping to reduce the risk of loneliness.
Fields in Trust’s report, among others, will be fundamental to the new Parks Action Group’s work moving forward.
Parks Research
Helen Griffiths, chief executive Fields in Trust said:
“I welcome the ministers response to the CLG Parliamentary Committee and Fields in Trust’s appointment to the newly established Parks Action Group at this pivotal moment for the future of parks and green spaces.
Our ongoing research recognises how these spaces help to address significant public policy issues including health and wellbeing and community integration.
We are looking forward to furthering our work with colleagues across the sector to ensure that we value parks and green spaces and take account of the vital contribution they make to local communities.”
Graham Duxbury, chief executive of Groundwork said:
“Making sure that all communities and all sections of society are able to enjoy the benefits of good green spaces is vital. Joining a local group can help young people develop their skills and older people overcome loneliness.
Well managed green spaces can also help whole neighbourhoods cope with the costly impacts of climate change. We look forward to helping the action group unlock more practical support so that local communities and local authorities can maximise these social and economic benefits.”
Matthew Bradbury, Parks Alliance’s chief executive said:
“Having been involved in lobbying for an inquiry, The Parks Alliance wholeheartedly welcomes the publication of the minister’s response to the Local Government Select Committee inquiry into the Future of Public Parks and particularly the creation of a cross governmental and sector supported, Parks Action Group.
The Parks Alliance is very much looking forward to working with the minister, government and the wider sector to secure the future of public parks for the communities that they serve.”
Government pledge £500,000
Parks and Green Spaces Minister Marcus Jones on 19 September 2017 launched a new Parks Action Group to help England’s public parks and green spaces meet the needs of communities now and in the future.
The new Parks Action Group will include experts from the world of horticulture, leisure, heritage and tourism, and will be tasked with bringing forward proposals to address some of the issues faced by public parks and other green spaces across England. To support them, government is providing £500,000 funding to kick start their work.
Parks and Green Spaces Minister Marcus Jones said:
“We recognise the value of parks and green spaces to local communities – including reducing loneliness, increasing wellbeing, and revitalising town and city centres.
But we need to do more to make sure future generations are continuing to enjoy their benefits. That is why we have announced a new expert-led Parks Action Group to work closely with the sector to find the right solutions.
This latest development builds on action the government has taken to date to encourage more people to make better use of parks including:
In December 2015, the government published the “Sporting future: a new strategy for an active nation” which set out the importance of sport and physical activity. The first annual report on the implementation of “sporting future” was published with a specific focus on the themes of central government, local government and outdoor recreation.
In February 2016 the government awarded over £1 million to improve 87 small pockets of unloved, undeveloped or derelict land to transform them into 87 green spaces that the whole community can enjoy.
The government has announced that is to continue the Green Flag Awards license for making sure that Britain’s best parks and green spaces will continue to be recognised for another 5 years. For 20 years, the Green Flag Awards have been recognising the best of green outdoor spaces in the UK, for people to enjoy and setting standards for park managers across the country to try to emulate. Many parks have won the award, but winners also include more unusual spaces such as social housing developments, cemeteries, canals, and shopping centres.”
The direction of the Parks Action Group will be determined by park sector experts in co-operation with officials from a number of government departments. The Action Group will consider the recommendations from the government’s response to the report and propose new projects and actions that will help our parks and green spaces thrive.
Members of the Parks Action Group
Parks and Green Spaces Minister Marcus Jones will chair the inaugural meeting.
The members of the Parks Action Group are:
Drew Bennellick, Head of Landscape & Natural Heritage UK, Heritage Lottery Fund
Matthew Bradbury, CEO, Parks Alliance
Graham Duxbury, CEO, Groundwork
Helen Griffiths, CEO, Fields In Trust
Ian Leete, Senior Advisor on Culture, Tourism and Sport, Local Government Association
Dave Morris, Chair, National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces
Paul O’Brien, CEO, Association of Public Service Excellence
Ellie Robinson, Assistant Director, National Trust
High West Jesmond Residents’ Association (HWJRA) has represented residents’ concerns and has been one of the local community groups that has contributed to the Blue House Working Group discussions on the Blue House Roundabout.
In November 2017, after research, discussion and consultation, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet approved the proposal for Newcastle’s parks and allotments to be managed by a new charitable company (with ownership staying with the City) supported by the National Trust and Heritage Lottery Fund.
East of the Sun, West of the Moon will take place from 4pm – 6pm and is produced in collaboration with outdoor arts experts Walk the Plank, the team behind the hugely popular New Year’s Eve carnivals of previous years.
Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities, Cllr Kim McGuinness, said: “This year’s event promises to be more spectacular than ever, and offers something for everyone. Its new location on the Town Moor gives the event an open space so more people can attend and get close to the action on the night.