By JEAN ELPHICK

Last updated 16:17, Thursday, 20 November 2008

ON SUNDAY, I was walking along the road down from West Minsteracres towards Slaley Hall and noticed a line of cones on the west side of the road before the hall entrance.

Of course I investigated, and discovered that the recent rains had gouged out a deep gully along the road edge. It is clearly marked, thank goodness, but drivers still need to take care or a lot of damage could happen to your vehicle. It is impressive just what the power of water can do.

THE parish council meeting last Monday heard from Richard Ferguson, who reported on progress with the campaigns to control the influx of grey squirrels. The newly formed squirrel action group, Slaley Red Squirrels, now has 12 traps available, and can be contacted via group coordinator Margaret Bates on (01434) 673461. Richard has shot a large number of greys (which he finds are quite good eating), and commented that he might soon be running out of them! Our area PC, Iain Robertson, was also present to report on recent checks he had made on bikes in Slaley Forest. There would be more publicity over the next four weeks, when he would be working with the Forestry Commission and the Trail Rider’s Fellowship.

TONIGHT, the film club is showing Atonement, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy (certificate 15). Tomorrow evening there will be the FOSS (Friends Of Slaley School) Pig Race night. Contact Stewart Murrell on (01434) 673639 for tickets and information.

NEXT weekend will bring St Mary’s Christmas Fair, on Saturday, November 29. Help is always needed, and Doreen Hall would be grateful both for contributions to the fair and for offers of assistance. Please get in touch with Doreen on (01434) 673370 for further details.

AS YOU may have noticed in the Hexham Courant, the Slaley Show Society is holding its AGM at the Commemoration Hall on Wednesday, December 3. All members, and anyone interested in the show, are invited. In 2009 the show will be celebrating its 150th anniversary. It’s been established longer, since 1845 in fact, but wars, cholera, foot and mouth disease, and just bad weather have all interrupted a continuous run – nevertheless the show is still going strong. To start the celebrations rolling, the 2009 Show Calendar is now on sale, with some fascinating pictures from past shows. If you are looking for a different Christmas gift, buy them from the post office, the Rose and Crown, Travellers Rest and Dipton Mill pubs, from Vicky Hutchinson (01434) 673782 or Pat Goodwin (01434) 673408.

FINALLY, the volunteers for next week’s medicine run are Jo and Eddie Craig.