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The Haltwhistle Partnership is one of 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive this prestigious award in 2022 which is extra special since we are celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Our work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways in which fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse. They include volunteer groups from across the UK, including: a rural support group for farmers in Shropshire; a community magazine addressing isolation in the Western Isles; a running club engaging all ages in County Tyrone; a film academy and community hub based in South Wales, and a food bank in Greater London feeding vulnerable individuals and providing training opportunities.
Representatives of the Haltwhistle Partnership will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Duchess of Northumberland, Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland at a Garden Party for Volunteers and Carers at Alnwick Gardens in June. 11 volunteers from the Partnership's various projects will attend the event. In addition, two volunteers from the Partnership will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2023, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Julie Gibbon, Chairman of the Partnership says: “We are delighted to receive such a prestigious award. Whether it is litter picking, gardening, making tea, offering advice, running activities or trailblazing new ideas, we couldn’t achieve anything without our wonderful volunteers. This award is recognition for the efforts that everyone has contributed over the last 25 years and we are truly honoured to receive it.”
Volunteers representing the Partnership received the Award at a Garden Party at Alnwick Gardens
Through the Borderlands Place Programme Northumberland County Council intend to target investment in places that will help boost economic activity across the region, recognising the importance of smaller rural towns to the local economy. Haltwhistle is part of this programme and is developing a Town Investment Plan to be able to secure up to £3m of investment from the Borderlands Place Programme.
A Haltwhistle Board has been set up to work with Northumberland County Council with respect to this opportunity. The Board includes representatives from Northumberland County Council, Haltwhistle Town Council, Haltwhistle Partnership, Haltwhistle Chamber of Trade, Young & Sweet, Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre, Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, Berry Global, Agma and Kilfrost.
The NCC webpage about the Haltwhistle Place Programme can be found here.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation between the 4th and 25th April, your thoughts are much appreciated. Almost 350 responses were received in addition to focus groups with over 100 youngsters and Haltwhistle Chamber of Trade. We are delighted that so many people took part.
The data has been analysed and the report can be found here.
The Haltwhistle Partnership is delighted to be supporting South Tyne Sustainability (STS) and the Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre (HSLC) in facilitating HSLC to secure funding from the Government's new Rural Communities Energy Fund (RCEF) for a feasibility study into extracting heat from the mineworkings that lie under Haltwhistle. A grant of £40,000 ihas been awarded for the first phase of the feasibility and the project is underway with an energy audit of HSLC and research into the mines underneath and adjacent to the centre and our Partnership Officer, Andy Dean, is managing the project.
Having completed the refurbishment of the 5th and final flat at Hardware House on the town’s Main Street, the Haltwhistle Partnership has now set its priorities for the next phase of community development work. As well as continuing with their core functions and very successful Older People’s and Zig Zag projects, the Trustees want to more actively support the economic development of the area. A key element of the plan is to promote cohesive working with the many other organisations, groups, businesses and individuals working for the benefit of Haltwhistle and the surrounding area. Several exciting ideas are in the pipeline and feasibility studies, business plans and funding streams are being explored.