Northumberland County Council has published the Notice of Election for two Town Councillor positions in Ashington’s Hirst Ward.

The nomination deadline is Friday 21st November 2025 at 4pm. Prospective candidates must hand-deliver their nomination papers to the Elections Office at County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF between 9am and 4pm on any working day, excluding bank holidays.

As many residents will already know, Ashington Town Council announced earlier this year that we would be moving from a real Christmas tree to a 6.5-metre 3D cone-style Christmas tree. The decision was made after several years in which our real tree, although lovely, was often lost among the line of lit trees on Station Road. The new tree offers something different — a striking, fully lit feature that will really come into its own once illuminated.

We know that Christmas trees and lights are always a talking point — every Council in the land gets the same mix of opinions! Some people prefer the traditional look of a real tree, while others enjoy the colour and symmetry of a modern design, some like warm white, others lots of colour. Ultimately, it’s all a matter of personal preference, and part of what makes the festive season such a lively topic of conversation.

What’s important to say is that all decisions about Ashington’s Christmas lights are made with residents in mind. Every feature and every investment is chosen to bring something special to the town and to make the festive period feel bright, welcoming, and full of community spirit. Change always brings differing opinions, but there is nothing about the investment in Ashington’s Christmas lights or the features chosen that was done to short-change the town — quite the opposite. This year represents a significant further investment in making Ashington shine.

Hundreds of residents turned out yesterday to pay their respects at Ashington’s annual Remembrance Sunday service and parade, held at the Ashington Memorial Garden.

Community Celebration Features Free Activities, Live Music, and Enchanting Fairies and Elves Themed Parade

Ashington Town Council is delighted to support two upcoming community drop-in events where local residents and businesses can view the exciting plans for our town’s regeneration and share their valuable feedback.

Event Details Wednesday 12th November | 3.30pm - 6pm | Ashington Cricket Club, Langwell Crescent, NE63 8AB Saturday 15th November | 10am - 1pm | Hirst Welfare Centre, Alexandra Road, NE63 9HN

These sessions offer a fantastic opportunity to see the latest designs for the new Wansbeck Square Gateway, learn about the Portland Park cinema and restaurant development, and discover more about the Hirst Masterplan improvements.

Ashington Town Council is delighted to formally share the completion of significant enhancement works to Ashington Memorial Garden, in time for this year’s Remembrance Sunday on 9th November and Armistice Day on 11th November.

Finance & General Services Committee Meeting on Tuesday 11th November 2025, commencing at 6:00pm. The meeting is held in the Town Hall, Council Chamber, 65 Station Road, Ashington, NE63 8RX.

Ashington is set to illuminate the festive season in spectacular fashion, as Ashington Town Council unveils an exciting partnership with renowned lighting specialists Blachere Illuminations to bring cutting-edge digital projections to four prominent locations across the town, alongside an expanded Christmas lights display.

Ashington Town Council is delighted to share the success of a recent in-house improvement project carried out by Mark Air and Ryan Appleby, at the gateway bed on the Woodhorn approach into town.

Ashington Town Council is proud to announce its participation in the North East Field of Remembrance,