News

Ashington’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball was delighted to open the Garden Vegetable Society’s Annual Exhibition on Saturday 29th August at North Seaton Community Centre, “The Hut”.

The show was wonderfully well supported, with a fantastic display of entries across the vegetable, flower, arts and crafts, and culinary classes — and some brilliant contributions from younger growers in the junior class too. The star of the show was undoubtedly an exceptionally impressive prize-winning leek, though a rather splendid pumpkin gave it a run for its money as the centrepiece of the guess-the-weight competition.

With a free bouncy castle, face painting, a table top sale and refreshments on offer, there was plenty for the whole family to enjoy.

Congratulations to all the prize winners, and to everyone who entered — the quality of the entries was a real credit to the growers, bakers and makers of our community. A huge thank you to the Garden Vegetable Society and their volunteers for putting on such a welcoming event.

Ashington Town Council’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball visited Green Lane Disabled & Able-Bodied Archers to see first-hand how the Council’s grant of £5,000 is supporting one of the town’s longest-established community sports clubs.

Green Lane Disabled & Able-Bodied Archers has been providing inclusive sporting opportunities for disabled and able-bodied participants for over 45 years. Run entirely by volunteers, the club supports around 70–80 participants each year through regular coached sessions, beginner activities, and community “have-a-go” events open to the general public and other volunteer groups.

Ashington’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball paid a visit to the weekly Wellbeing Wednesday session at Hirst Welfare Centre, Alexandra Road, to meet the team behind the group and hear how a grant from Ashington Town Council will help local people affected by cancer.

The session is run by Wansbeck Community Links, a small team of Community Link Workers (social prescribers) employed by Cygnus Support, a local counselling charity working in partnership with Wansbeck Primary Care Network. Alongside one-to-one support for patients of the Seaton Park medical group, the team runs a full programme of free community activities open to everyone — helping to reduce health inequalities and social isolation across the area.

Following the summer break, council meetings resume next month with the Finance and General Services Committee meeting on Tuesday 8th September 2026 at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, 65 Station Road, Ashington.

The meeting is open to the press and public, and we welcome residents along. Anyone wishing to speak during public participation should contact the office no later than 5.00pm on Monday 7th September 2026.

The full agenda and supporting documents are available via the MEETINGS page.

Ashington’s Civic Head, Councillor Caroline Ball, joined children and staff from Wildfox Day Nursery for a community litter pick at People’s Park on Thursday 20 August, helping to promote the importance of caring for the local environment from a young age.

Ashington’s mining heritage was honoured on Thursday 13 August as the town marked the 110th anniversary of the Woodhorn Colliery disaster.

Ashington, 6 August 2026 – Civic Head of Ashington Town Council, Councillor Caroline Ball, joined clients, volunteers and guests at Ashington Social Care Centre on Thursday 6 August for a special beach-themed party.

Ashington Town Council’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball, visited Ashington Rugby Cricket Club on 31 July to see the new wicket cutter purchased with support from the Council’s Annual Grant Aid fund.

Ashington Town Council’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball, was delighted to attend Reiverdale Scout Group’s awards ceremony on Wednesday 15 July 2026, celebrating the achievements of the Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scout sections.

Ashington’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball, joined Full Circle Food Project for their annual BBQ, meeting volunteers and visitors as the community group marked another year of bringing people together over good food.