Slaley, Northumberland

Full results for the 146th Slaley Show

As most people know, the 146th Slaley Show enjoyed a marvellous sunny day (apart from a heavy but brief shower). We will shortly publish some of the pictures, taken on the day by both Shona Brannigan and Janis Irvine, in a later item.

Just in case you need to check up on the results, a full list of all cups, trophies and prizes as well as first, second and third awards are available here (as a 14 page PDF document).

Linnels Bridge repairs

As most people who regularly travel to Hexham from Slaley will know, Linnels Bridge has suffered in an accident. The visible damage is to the parapets on the North, and there is a prominent gouge in the stonework as shown here.



The Bridge is now officially closed from August 16th for at least a month, to allow environmental, transport and other interested parties to make a thorough assessment of the bridge. However, work has now started on the repair of the stonework. We have to be patient, as it is a Grade II Listed Building, and a scheduled Ancient Monument. Because of this, all stonework repairs have to be made using lime mortar rather than cement.

The Parish Council will keep asking for updates on progress, and both Slaley Notes and the Slaley website will report details as they become available.

STOP PRESS (August 22nd 2005): Linnels bridge is now open again . . . but the marks on the parapet will be there for some time!



It appears that the Linnels Bridge is not the first bridge at this location. In 1581 a bridge was constructed here, replacing a ford, but had fallen into disrepair by 1684. Fragments were incorporated into the current bridge. The northern parapet bears a tablet inscribed: 'GOD PRESARVE WMFOIRA ERENGTON, BELLDETE THIS BREGE OF LYME AND STONE 1581' , which is believed to have come from the earlier bridge.

This information comes from a page on the SINE Project website, which you may like to look at.

The making of "Bill the Sheep"

Last Wednesday (July 27th) saw the start of Slaley's first home-grown film, when Marc McKiernan and Vicky Jones of the Haltwhistle Film Project brought together 20 young people from Slaley (and as far afield as Chipchase) to make "An Advert in a Day". The original suggestion for this event came from the Queen's Hall Arts development group, who have provided support and initial funding for the regular film club sessions here.

The group soon decided on a short advert promoting Slaley, from the point of view of "Bill the Sheep".

Guided by Mark and Vicky, they developed a storyboard, wrote gags, created a soundtrack and voice-overs, filmed live action sequences around the village, and made some short animations. Each of these tasks were managed by small groups, often working on their own.

Finally everyone got together to look at the sequences and to decide which sections would be included in the final version. However five hours was never going to be enough to complete the whole job! The final editing and production will be completed by Mark and Vicky back in Haltwhistle, who will then deliver the finished film on DVD for distribution to anyone interested. It will also be shown on the next film night here in Slaley, so put that date (Friday September 16th) in your diaries!

STOP PRESS! The DVDs have now arrived, and the result is a great success for everyone involved (especially the sequence in the bar of the Rose & Crown)!
Get in touch with Michael Elphick if you would like to have your own copy.

Anyone who took part (and indeed anyone else) can also add comments to this item: just click on the link labelled "Comments" at the foot of the page . . .

The 146th Slaley Show is coming!

Fingers are being crossed in the hope of good weather for this year's Slaley Show on Saturday August 13th (the Show was unfortunately cancelled last year due to a waterlogged field).

Entries to the various sections, from Vegetables, Poultry, Industrial and Floral Art, may see mixed results this year due to the summer’s strange weather patterns, but it's the atmosphere generated by the entrants within the Slaley Parish and from as far afield as Yorkshire and Cumbria (a regular occurrence) which make it a fun day out for all the family - as in ‘its not the winning it’s the entering’ joviality of it all.

And this year’s event shows the welcome return of more livestock. Three cattle farmers from Slaley will be showing their Highland, Dairy Shorthorn and British Blond Aquitaine beasts in a special exhibition area, and a new alpaca section has been introduced following the successful showing of the animals at the Northumberland County Show. Alpaca secretary Vicki Ridley, who lives in Slaley, is keen to show off her three new cria’s (baby alpacas) who were born earlier this year.

Special attractions this year include Taffy Thomas the Storyteller, Young Farmers demonstrations, vintage vehicles, side-saddle demonstrations, quoits, the Five Rivers Brass Band and the Haydon Hunt Hounds Parade. The craft tent will also hold special demonstrations from lacemakers, spinners and weavers.

Although the show opens early in the morning for the staging of exhibits and judging, much of the days attractions and events begin at midday; the Horse and Pony section at the lower end of the field is viewable all day. The Dog show, as ever, attracts a large numbers of entrants to these classes, most notably the qualifying classes which will be ‘judged on’ for the Cock o’ the North qualifier.

Another first for the show is the instigation of an ‘artist in residence‘ post supported by the Arts Outreach Programme, Queens Hall, Hexham. This year’s artist Andrew Morley is a caricaturist whose quick fire humorous chalk pastel sketches will capture the atmosphere of the day. The body of his work will be staged in an exhibition later in the year by the organising committee, and artists interested in next year’s event are being invited to attend this year’s show.

This will be the 146th show organised, if not eventually run. Other cancellations have understandably been in the war years, and in more recent times for foot and mouth, but what initially started as a pot plant competition organised by the local vicar has captivated visitors from far and wide over the years.

Directions: from Newcastle the show will be signposted from the A69/A68 roundabout near Corbridge, turning south on the A68 towards Kiln Pit Hill and then right at the Slaley signpost.

Entrance Adults £4 Concessions £2 Children free
Free parking

Useful numbers: Secretary Vicky Hutchinson on 01434 673782