Nov 29, 2016
The Co-op opens its doors on 1 December. Based on the West Road, Hexham this small store will provide those in the West of Hexham a corner shop services.
Independent Councillor for Hexham West Derek Kennedy said “This is a welcome addition to the area and will provide people with opportunity to walk to a local store. There are 9 parking spaces for those driving and a bank machine. I know a lot of people are looking forward to having this on their door step. I have promised that I will monitor the traffic situation as this is a busy junction and I will look for improvements if necessary.”
Nov 22, 2016
Friday 25th November – 4:30pm
Hexham’s Christmas lights switch on is Friday 25th November. A celebration event will take place at 4:30 next to the Abbey.
Independent County Councillor for Hexham West Derek Kennedy said “This is always a magical event and we welcome everyone to come along and see the switch on. Santa has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit Hexham. See you there.”
Nov 9, 2016
There are two important events in Hexham on Saturday 12 and 13 November.
Saturday 12 November
The Freedom of Northumberland will be awarded to the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in Hexham on Saturday 12 November. The Regiment will be marching from Wentworth Car Park at 1:30 pm, via Priestpopple and onwards to Beaumont Street for the ceremony. Please be aware of traffic implications.
Hexham West Independent County Councillor Derek Kennedy said “The regiment specifically chose Hexham as the town they wished to receive the award of the Freedom of Northumberland. I do hope a lot of people will turn up to show our appreciation of the work they do.”
Sunday 13 November
Remembrance Sunday is 13 November. Troops will be marching from Wentworth to Beaumont St, for the service in the Park which concludes at 11:00 am.
Councillor Derek Kennedy said “This is a moving service, well attended by Hexham residents to pay their respect to those who died in service of their country.“
Nov 1, 2016
Saturday 5th November at 6:00 pm is Bonfire Night on the Sele at Hexham. Around 12,000 people descend on Hexham for the fireworks display.
Organised by the Round Table charity, the event is self funding with your personal contribution going toward charities in the Tynedale area and the cost of the display.
Hexham West’s Independent County Councillor Derek Kennedy said “Hexham comes alive on Bonfire night with sound and colour. The Round Table always do an excellent job in organising the event I know many days and hours of preparation go into it. Please do give generously to the collectors on the various gates to the park.”
If you wish to learn more on the Round Table please click the link below.
www.hexhamroundtable.org.uk
Oct 25, 2016
Hexham hosts Spook Night on Saturday 29 October from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
The Market Place has face painting, competitions, dancing, story telling and a fun fair.
Independent Councillor Derek Kennedy said “We thank Hexham Community Partnership once again for putting on this ever-popular event. It’s always great fun with lots of fancy dress. Hope to see you there.”
You can view/download the programme here and there are more details on www.visithexham.net/whats-on.htm or on the spook night Facebook Page
Sep 19, 2016
Hextol Tans coffee shop and vegetarian café has opened on Back Street (St Mary’s Chare) Hexham. The Tans which has been a much loved restaurant providing work experience for those with learning disabilities and mental health issues, closed a year ago. However, the Hexham based Hextol Foundation, stepped in and has now following a full refurbishment, re-opened the facility.
Independent Councillor for Hexham West Derek Kennedy and his family were invited to a private opening of The Tans to help trial the facilities before full public opening. Derek said “It was really nice to be one of the first paying customers of The Tans. I have taken great interest in The Tans, the Hextol Foundation and its work with those with learning disabilities. The restaurant is a great social enterprise and I would recommended it to anyone.”
Councillor Derek Kennedy has provided a substantial donation from his councillors improvement fund, this has allowed The Tans to purchase essential kitchen materials and help with the refurbishment. The Tans is open to the public further information on the work of the Hextol Foundation can be found by clicking the link below.
http://www.hextol.org.uk/
Sep 8, 2016
Hexham Town Council and Northumberland County Council are looking to improve Hexham Market Place.
Independent County Councillor Derek Kennedy said “Sustrans have been employed to gather information on people and traffic movements in the Hexham Market Place. They are now looking for your opinion on what you think will make this area better. I attended a meeting recently with fellow Town Councillors and Sustrans, where we discussed all kind of different ideas that could be considered.”
Councillor Derek Kennedy added “The website below is inviting you to provide your opinion also. Please do click the link and be part of the big conversation on how we want to move the Town forward. There is also a drop-in event in the Trinity Methodist Church, Beaumont St between 3:00pm and 8:00pm on Thursday 22nd September”
Sustrans said “We want to know what you think about Hexham Market Place and what you’d like to see, please use this website to leave your thoughts, ideas and take part in the discussion. Sustrans works with local people to design unique, memorable place that are responsive to their needs. We’re a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. We work with families, communities, policy-makers and partner organisations so that people are able to choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys, with better places and spaces to move through and live in.”
To get involved and provide your opinion click on the links below
https://hexhammarketplace.stickyworld.com/room/presentation?roomid=2#page/about
HexhamMarketPlace.stickyworld.com
Aug 20, 2016
The planning application to increase the caravan park from 40 to 80 vans at Lowgate has been approved by County Council.
Independent County Councillor Derek Kennedy has been working with local residents to oppose this and spoke on behalf of residents at the planning meeting.
Derek said ” Lowgate is a small hamlet of 20 dwellings and a home for the elderly, the expansion of the caravan park will mean Lowgate is swamped. This area is in the green belt and should have had some protection from this expansion“.
However the Council have found in favour of the applicant due to a planning application dated 1982 which was found still to be extant. This 34 year old application has been challenged by local residents legal team as there is some doubt over whether work was carried out at the time of the 1982 application.
Despite the objections the expansion of the caravan park was approved.
More details can be found in the planning meeting notes here.
Jul 16, 2016
After 6 weeks the Hexham Rail Bridge has just reopened.
Independent Councillor Derek Kennedy said “We all welcome the bridge reopening. Network Rail have strengthened and waterproofed the bridge, gas works have been replaced and the Council has resurfaced the road surface.
It’s been a tough time for small traders and local people have had to reorganise their routes in and out of the town. We all hope we can get back to normal now, hope the Summer finally arrives and lots of people visit our own.”
Jul 5, 2016
Northumberland County Council is in the final stages of conducting a consultation of its core strategy.
For Hexham the Council is proposing the deletion of a big chunk of land running from the West Road to the Allendale Road. The land would allow developers to build 600 properties.
Independent Councillor Derek Kennedy opposed this mass deletion of the green belt and the building of so many homes in a single area.
Councillor Derek Kennedy attended the Councils Cabinet meeting a few weeks ago and said “My Hexham West ward consists of 1,700 homes this additional 600 would be an increase of 30% in a single area. We have an ancient town that struggles with traffic and this would increase that problem. If Hexham is to be developed it needs to be in a measured way not a massive increase in a single area.”
The Council is holding its last consultation session at the Queens Hall, Hexham on Thursday 7 July from 2:00pm until 7:00pm.
Derek said “I urge people to attend and put their own personal views forward on the Green belt.”
The Council is also proposing allocating land for a new school on the West Road. The current High School is in a poor state and this proposal may give Hexham the school it deserves. The QEHS land would then be available to build houses and in a residential area. This would prevent the need to build in a the green belt. This is the time to put your thoughts forward.
The timetable for the process is:
- The consultation ends on the 27 July.
- The response will then be reviewed until October 2016.
- Full Council will then vote in the Core Strategy in November 2016.
- It will then be submitted in December 2016.
- Examination takes place in Spring 2017.
- Adoption of the strategy is in Summer 2017.
