On Monday 20 July, Ashington’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball, visited First4Darts to see first-hand how a £4,700 grant from Ashington Town Council is helping the organisation continue to grow and develop opportunities for the local community.

Ashington Town Council could earn thousands of pounds a year in interest on its reserves — at lower risk than its current banking arrangements — under a new treasury management plan recommended by the Council’s Finance and General Services Committee, which goes to Full Council for approval next week.

The proposal is the final step in a systematic review of the Council’s finances which began in 2022, when the Council first allocated its reserves to specific purposes — setting money aside for the future replacement of play areas, elections, allotments and other known costs — followed by the adoption of a formal Reserves and Contingency policy. The proposed Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Policy would complete that work.

Ashington Town Council is stepping up its scrutiny of Northumberland County Council’s highways investment programme, making the case that Ashington’s roads deserve a fair share of planned spending — and asking searching questions to ensure the evidence supports that case.

Ashington Town Council’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball, was delighted to attend the official relaunch of the newly refurbished Ashington Specsavers store, joining MP Ian Lavery and members of the Specsavers team to celebrate the occasion.

Families gathered in the sunshine to celebrate the official opening of the newly refurbished North Seaton Colliery Play Area, marking the start of the school summer holidays in the best possible way.

Ashington Town Council is currently seeking a Climate, Events and Engagement Manager LC2 (SCP 29–32) | £39,862 – £42,839 per annum Permanent | Full Time (37 hours per week) | Ashington, Northumberland

Ashington Town Council is once again funding free swimming sessions at Ashington Leisure Centre throughout the summer holidays, giving local families a fun, safe and cost-free way to enjoy the school break.

The popular free swim initiative returns from Wednesday 22 July to Saturday 29 August 2026, with two sessions running every week:

Every Wednesday, 1:00pm to 2:00pm Every Saturday, 2:30pm to 3:30pm

There is no need to book – simply turn up at Ashington Leisure Centre to claim a free swim. Eighty slots are available at each session, allocated on a first come, first served basis, so swimmers are encouraged to arrive in good time.

Ashington Town Council is delighted to confirm that it has approved funding of £4,300 towards the establishment of a junior parkrun in Ashington — a free, weekly, volunteer-led 2km run for children aged 4 to 14.

The decision, made unanimously by the Council’s Finance & General Services Committee, means the full £4,800 start-up cost is now in place, with the Council having already committed £500 earlier in the year. Councillors were united in their enthusiasm for the project, describing it as a lasting investment in the health and happiness of the town’s young people, following recommendation by the Council’s Youth Advosiry Committee.

We’re sorry to share some disappointing news. Ashington has not been shortlisted for UK Town of Culture 2028.

The competition was extraordinary — 398 towns applied from across the UK, with just 15 selected for the shortlist. We’re disappointed, of course. But we’re also proud, and rightly so.

Our thanks go to Cllr Caroline Ball, who led our bid with passion and belief from the very start, and to every group, organisation and resident who helped tell Ashington’s story. Caroline is a champion among champions — of Ashington, for Ashington, always.

Ashington Town Council, Finance & General Services Committee Meeting meeting is being held on Tuesday 14th July, starting at 6:00pm. The meeting is held in the Town Hall, Council Chamber, 65 Station Road, Ashington, NE63 8RX.