A Northumberland College-led initiative has secured significant government funding to reshape technical skills training in the low carbon energy generation and electric and hybrid vehicle sectors.

The second round of small grant funding for 2022/23 is now open for Community Groups, Community Organisations and Sports Clubs in Ashington.

Banks Group want to share initial plans for a development of up to 190 new family homes on a site on the south western edge of Ashington, as well as giving residents the opportunity to provide feedback and ask any questions. The site is Wansbeck Road and a pre-planning consultation has commenced.

Banks Group has created a dedicated Wansbeck Road webpage containing the key plans and information, from which you can access all of the information available at this stage. These are early plans, so the finer details may not be available just yet.

The South East Northumberland Rail User Group (SENRUG) that campaigns for better rail services in South East and East Northumberland – has recently scooped 4 separate Rail User Group Awards.

Best known for their the campaign for the Northumberland Line – the new passenger railway that will connect Newcastle to Ashington, the group is delighted to have received the awards from Railfuture, the national voluntary campaign group calling for a bigger and better railway. First up was Joint Gold for Best Newsletter which has been given to SENRUG Newsletter Editor Dave Shaw. Additionally, the group also won Joint Silver for Best Website and another Joint Silver for Best Campaign. On top of this, SENRUG Chair Dennis Fancett, who last year won the Rail Campaigner of the Year Award, has this year been awarded Joint Silver for Best Campaigner.

This September, people across the country will come together to take positive action with their communities; hosting events and activities to inspire others to step up for climate, nature and people, and call on decision makers to create a safer, greener future.

As part of Great Big Green Week, we will be hosting an event on Tuesday 27th September when we will take a pitch at the Ashington Market on Station Road. We will be joined by representatives from the NCC Climate Change Team, Groundwork NE & Cumbria, and Citizens Advice Northumberland.

Hirst Park in Ashington has had a security device installed so people can enjoy the park without fear of crime or intimidation. 

The Fund at the Community Foundation will make grants of between £750 and £20,000, for projects of up to one year’s duration .

The first Climate Change and Environment Committee Meeting took place on Wednesday 3rd August 2022, as per meeting protocol Cllr Jim Lang, Chair of the Climate Change Working Group, invited nominations for a Chair. 

Northumberland County Council is giving residents, schools and community groups the opportunity to obtain a free tree or tree pack to plant on your land as part of our commitment to tackling climate change.

Earlier in the year as part of the capital schemes agreed by Ashington Town Council, the redevelopment of the Alexandra Road Play Area was top of the list.