Another month of 2011 has finished and I have completed five visits, volunteering in the grounds and Walled Garden here at Wallington. It was not exactly a 'flaming June', with the weather being changeable on all of my visits. The rain was so bad on some occasions, that I had to shelter in the house or under the trees depending on where I was working.
The gardening team and other volunteers have continued to replant the borders in the Walled Garden and around the house. To me, this year, the flowers of spring did not seem to last as long as they usually do? The continued hard work at this stunning property ensures that there is continual colour and always something for the visitors to see. As we are have moved into mid summer there will be a wide variety of plants to be seen at their best.
People struggling with debt must not allow rising costs of bankruptcy to discourage them from taking debt advice.
Recent reports have highlighted fears that the rocketing cost of filing for bankruptcy - up by £75 to an initial £525 - is deterring people from seeking honest and independent debt advice.
By Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara
A mate of mine called the other day to say that, at long last, after years of patiently fishing on many riverbanks and beaches catching absolutely nothing but hypothermia, he had just seen his first wild otter!
The inevitable fisherman's tales followed: "It was this lang," he said (with arms spread wider than the room) "and that was just the hook I used to catch it". To be fair he is a good angler and not as prone to exaggeration as many are, and having been an angler for over 30 years I have known quite a few.
It seems that every time I pick up a magazine or newspaper at the moment another celebrity couple has announced the news that they are expecting the pitter-patter of tiny feet.
There are so many celebrities preparing this summer for the arrival of their new, little bundles of joy - from Lily Allen, Kimberley Stewart and Jodie Kidd, to of course the possibly most anticipated new-born of them all - the Beckhams' first baby girl.
Tri Northumberland hosted their best events yet. It might have been something to do with the weather but the feedback from these races have been amazing. Thank you to all volunteers, supporters and competitors over the two days for making the event at Ladyburn Lake in Druridge Bay Country Park a special one. There were four events taking place over the Saturday and Sunday, 1.5k and 3k open water swims on day one followed by a sprint and standard triathlon on the second day.
Sunday 3 July, 11.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Admire a gathering of Jaguars in the beautiful setting of Wallington courtyard and imagine yourself behind the wheel of one of these stylish cars.
Normal admission charges apply.
Saturday 2 July, 1.00 - 4.00 p.m.
Enjoy all the fun of a traditional village fete at Wallington's Estate Village of Cambo.
Highlights will include a climbing wall, children's races, quoits, football competition, plant stalls, bric-a-brac, cake stalls, grand raffle, a bar, refreshments provided by the WI and lots more!
In the May half term holiday I helped with Tracker Packs, Pond Dipping and Bug Hunting. Previous to that I was doing Time Travel again and helped with a school doing archaeological digs. Next week I'm volunteering with Mad about Maps. All fantastic activities to be involved in if you love the outdoors; feel enthusiastic about teaching children - and want to get muddy and messy! This phase of the Learning Volunteer work has been an interesting contrast to the house tours - and from my point of view more enjoyable.
In fact next week will be my last volunteering stint at Wallington Hall, as I have secured full time paid employment. I will be available during holidays, but my monthly jaunts to the hall will come to an end. All great experience though whilst looking for paid employment and something I can hopefully return to when I retire.
Wednesday 29 June 10.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.
Join our historian as he examines the arrival of Christianity to these shores and explores the continuity of ceremonial practice and place in Anglo-Saxon England.
£20 per person, includes coffee and lunch.
Booking essential on 01670 773600
By Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara
The silly season is well and truly up and running and already I've had to return a baby tawny owl and a leveret from whence they came.
When I was a boy growing up rarely a year would go by when I didn't have some unfortunate wild creature dependant on me, after someone had thought it needed "rescuing".
Morpeth Links
John Dawson - Local history tales
Wildlife - With Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara
Ian Lavery - Updates from the MP for Wansbeck
Ray Purvis - Through the seasons at Wallington
DAWN Advice - Liz Chadwick from the advice charity
Robson and Prescott Vets - Pet advice
Morpeth Lions Club - By Lion Simon Pringle
Wendy Errington - Volunteering at Wallington
Andrew Gibson - Fishing and photography
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"Hi Ray! Great post, as always. I've just sent you a message on your Flickr account, with my phone nu..."
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"Lost of proud people seeing these glorious piccys Lindsey - no surprise though given that you have a..."
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