10 YEARS AGO A&E CRISIS: The future of Hexham General Hospital’s emergency care department was thrown into question after it was closed to ambulance admissions three days in one week. Although health chiefs said otherwise, many were certain the A&E department would close. LEISURE PLANS: The Homes and Communities Agency revealed plans for leisure, including a hotel and new sports facilities, at land near the mental health hospital in Prudhoe, on 190 hectares it owned in the area. SAFETY MESSAGE: A scheme targeting motorcyclists was rolled out across Tynedale in response to the high number of bike related accidents reported on Northumberland’s roads.
Matfen Jean Conteh Another quiet week in Matfen village as the temperatures plummeted and the weather conspired with the lockdown to keep people indoors. I’m planning to put together the next Matfen Community Newsletter soon, the first one of 2021, so get in touch via jeanconteh@waitrose.com if you have anything you’d like to contribute. It will appear every two months this year. It’s meant to be a round-up of what’s been happening in the community, as well as plans and ideas for the future. It’s a space for anyone in the community to publicise events, ideas and activities, or to share positive thoughts and reflections about life in Matfen over the years. Since it started last year, it has been distributed through Rev Rachel’s email list. If you haven’t received it so far and would like to do so, get in touch on the email above and I’ll ad you to the list.