News

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.

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.

Wildfire risk remains high due to very dry vegetation.

With summer in full swing, it can be tempting (and easy!) to buy single-use plastics. But there are ways we can make the most of summer without impacting the planet

Our Neighbourhood Services Team have been working hard to keep the flowers blooming during this unprecedented hot spell.

Groundwork NE & Cumbria have a flagship project which has just begun rolling out in Northumberland. Green Doctors offers an independent energy advice service. It has been running successfully in other parts of the North East, offering residents telephone support and home visits which includes installing practical energy saving measures in people’s homes, giving free debt support which reduces energy bills, and cutting energy emissions. The result is saving money and energy, and contributing towards carbon saving, net zero goal too. 

Behind the scenes, Ashington Town Council has been working with award winning, local garden designer and horticulturist, Sean Murray, to bring sustainable planting solutions to Station Road and the Gateways into the town.

As well as being the future, young people are the trailblazers when it comes to environmental responsibility, and the Council was keen for schools to be involved in this project. Pupils from Bishop’s Primary, Castle School and James Knott Primary have created ‘Work in Progress’ signs to inform of and celebrate the sustainable beds to come.

Sharon Parmley, the Council’s Senior Administration Officer, designed a brief that captured the imagination of school pupils and their commitment to the environment. We received bees and butterflies aplenty and some very positive messages about what people should do to look after Ashington.

Following a meeting of the Full Council last night, Tuesday 28th June 2022, Ashington Town Council formally agreed the Climate Change and Environmental Committee.

Ashington Town Council has been left sad and dismayed by the vandalism of young trees in Paddock Wood at Seaton Hirst.

The trees were planted in 2020 as an extension to the commemorative project marking the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. A total of 75 trees were planted around the town, and the five planted at Paddock Wood have been destroyed, in what can only be described as wilful and mindless vandalism.

Cllr Jim Lang, Chair of the Climate Change group and ward Cllr for the area was at a loss as to why anybody would do this, he said:

 “An individual or group sadly went to some effort to break these young trees and to try and destroy the hard work that is being put into this community. Paddock Wood is there to be enjoyed by people of all ages.”

The incident has been reported to the Police and the Council’s CCTV is being checked. However, if anyone saw anything or knows who was responsible, please contact the Police or email the Council at clerk@ashingtontowncouncil.gov.uk