Ashington Town Council’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball, joined civic and military dignitaries this week for the Armed Forces Day Thanksgiving Service, organised by the Ashington Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).

The service was attended by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Julie Cordon and Ian Lavery MP, who laid floral tributes alongside the Civic Head and President of RBL Ashington, Mr Al Vaziri. Ms Cordon was accompanied by her brother, Mr John McConville, Chair of the charity Brainbox. Both spoke with Cllr Ball about the charity’s work supporting children and young people affected by acquired brain injury, and their families, across Ashington and Northumberland. Veterans, members of the public, the Army Cadet Force and Ashington Sea Cadets stood proud throughout a fitting service led by Padre Major (Retired) Philip Gray, MBE, whose address reflected on the origins of the day. He noted that what is now Armed Forces Day began life in 2006 as Veterans’ Day, introduced at a time when British troops were heavily committed in Iraq and Afghanistan and investment in, and recognition of, the Armed Forces was widely felt to be low. The day was created, the Padre explained, to motivate troops serving at the time by showing them that the nation stood behind them — a message that resonates as strongly today as it did at its inception. The observance was renamed Armed Forces Day in 2009.

Your Right to Inspect the Accounts

Each year, the Council’s AGAR must be reviewed by an external auditor appointed by Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Ltd. The unaudited AGAR for 2025/26 has now been published. As it has not yet been reviewed by the appointed auditor it remains subject to change as a result of that review.

Any interested person has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the year, along with all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts, and other related documents. These will be made available for inspection on reasonable notice.

The period for the exercise of public rights runs from Thursday 25th June 2026 to Wednesday 5th August 2026.

Ashington Town Council, joint Full Council and Finance & General Services Committee Meeting meeting is being held on Tuesday 23rd June, Full Council starting at 6:00pm and Finance and General Services Committee starting not before 6:20pm. The meeting is held in the Town Hall, Council Chamber, 65 Station Road, Ashington, NE63 8RX.

Most well-attended service to date marks Woodhorn Museum gathering on Saturday 13th June 2026

Residents embrace climate action as community event draws visitors from across the area

Northumberland County Council is asking residents what they want their county to look like in the decades ahead. Ashington Town Council is encouraging local people to get involved.

Ashington Town Council’s Small Grant Fund has awarded a total of £1,060 to three local organisations following the May 2026 funding round

Ashington Town Council has confirmed a number of key appointments for the forthcoming year following its Annual Meeting of the Council held last night.

The memorial service, led by Ministers of Ashington Churches Together, forms a central part of the Northumberland Miners’ Picnic,

Illegal motorcycle, e-bike and e-scooter riders are being put on notice as police, and partners combine forces to tackle anti-social behaviour that continues to affect communities across Northumberland.