News

Northumberland College has partnered with Bernicia Homes and Dukes Secondary School to launch a new academy which will give young people aged 14-16 the opportunity to develop technical skills while studying for a vocational qualification.

The employer-led Construction Academy will bring education and industry closer together, helping students from Duke’s gain industry experience, build confidence and explore careers in one of the region’s fastest-growing sectors.

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 People’s Park was filled with music, colour and community spirit on Saturday as the town played host to the inaugural Sound Futures Festival

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 Civic Head, Councillor Caroline Ball, visited Wansbeck Valley Food Bank on Wednesday 19 August to learn more about the vital support it provides to people across Ashington and the wider Wansbeck area.

Hirst Ward – County Council By-Election

Northumberland County Council has now published the Notice of Election for the election of a County Councillor for the Hirst Ward.

A casual vacancy arose following the former councillor’s failure to attend any meetings of the Council, its committees or sub-committees for a consecutive period of six months. Their last recorded attendance was on 18 February 2026. The vacancy was formally declared by Northumberland County Council on 19th August 2026.

The Notice of Election confirms that one County Councillor is to be elected for the Hirst Division.

Key dates Friday 4 September 2026, 4pm – deadline for delivery of nomination papers. Tuesday 15 September 2026, midnight – deadline to register to vote. Wednesday 16 September 2026, 5pm – deadline for postal vote applications, amendments or cancellations, and proxy vote amendments or cancellations. Wednesday 23 September 2026, 5pm – deadline for applications for a Voter Authority Certificate and for new applications to vote by proxy. Thursday 1 October 2026 – polling day, if the election is contested.

Hirst Division – Notice of Vacancy

Northumberland County Council has published a Notice of Vacancy for the office of County Councillor for the Hirst Ward.

A casual vacancy has arisen following the former councillor’s failure to attend any meetings of the Council, its committees or sub-committees for a consecutive period of six months. Their last recorded attendance was on 18th February 2026.

The vacancy has now been formally declared by Northumberland County Council under Section 86(1)(c) of the Local Government Act 1972.

A by-election will be held within 35 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, of the Council’s declaration of the vacancy. The Returning Officer will confirm the date of the election in the formal Notice of Election tomorrow.