27 June 2026
Ashington Town Council’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball, joined civic and military dignitaries this week for the Armed Forces Day Thanksgiving Service, organised by the Ashington Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).
The service was attended by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Julie Cordon and Ian Lavery MP, who laid floral tributes alongside the Civic Head and President of RBL Ashington, Mr Al Vaziri. Ms Cordon was accompanied by her brother, Mr John McConville, Chair of the charity Brainbox. Both spoke with Cllr Ball about the charity’s work supporting children and young people affected by acquired brain injury, and their families, across Ashington and Northumberland. Veterans, members of the public, the Army Cadet Force and Ashington Sea Cadets stood proud throughout a fitting service led by Padre Major (Retired) Philip Gray, MBE, whose address reflected on the origins of the day. He noted that what is now Armed Forces Day began life in 2006 as Veterans’ Day, introduced at a time when British troops were heavily committed in Iraq and Afghanistan and investment in, and recognition of, the Armed Forces was widely felt to be low. The day was created, the Padre explained, to motivate troops serving at the time by showing them that the nation stood behind them — a message that resonates as strongly today as it did at its inception. The observance was renamed Armed Forces Day in 2009.
Ashington Town Council’s Climate Change Working Group was set up to drive the Council towards carbon reducing projects and policies, and tree planting is very high on their agenda.
In the first meeting of the New Year, the Climate Change Working Group recommended three separate tree planting schemes to the Council, all of which were wholeheartedly supported.
A Tree planting scheme close to Woodhorn Villas and close to roundabout onto Woodhorn Road.
The scheme will see ten trees planted including, Birch, Field Maple, Holly, Pine, Rowan and Whitebeam. All of the trees will have tree guards to help promote good growth.
This tree scheme will complement existing tree provision on the entrance location into Ashington and will include three trees, Pine, Rowan and Whitebeam. Consideration will also be given to possible wildflower / bulb planting. All the trees will have guards to help promote good growth, while the trees are young.
Opposite the B1334 Roundabout to North Seaton Industrial Estate, will see 24 trees in total being planted, these will include Beech, Horse Chestnut, Lime, Norwegian Maple, Oak and Sycamore. All the trees will have guards to help promote good growth, while the trees are young.
These are the first of several tree schemes being looked at by the Climate Change Working Group who hope to build up their portfolio of local suppliers and contractors able to deliver schemes. The trees being planted are semi-mature to maximise carbon capture more quickly, and a more sturdy solution against the elements.
Cllr Jim Lang, Chair of the Climate Change Working Group is pleased the group is gaining some momentum. “We want to bring properly researched climate conscious projects and initiatives to the Council agenda and make good use of the funding allocated to this purpose. These schemes are costing over £10k but we want to do so much more.”
27 June 2026
Ashington Town Council’s Civic Head, Cllr Caroline Ball, joined civic and military dignitaries this week for the Armed Forces Day Thanksgiving Service, organised by the Ashington Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).
The service was attended by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Julie Cordon and Ian Lavery MP, who laid floral tributes alongside the Civic Head and President of RBL Ashington, Mr Al Vaziri. Ms Cordon was accompanied by her brother, Mr John McConville, Chair of the charity Brainbox. Both spoke with Cllr Ball about the charity’s work supporting children and young people affected by acquired brain injury, and their families, across Ashington and Northumberland. Veterans, members of the public, the Army Cadet Force and Ashington Sea Cadets stood proud throughout a fitting service led by Padre Major (Retired) Philip Gray, MBE, whose address reflected on the origins of the day. He noted that what is now Armed Forces Day began life in 2006 as Veterans’ Day, introduced at a time when British troops were heavily committed in Iraq and Afghanistan and investment in, and recognition of, the Armed Forces was widely felt to be low. The day was created, the Padre explained, to motivate troops serving at the time by showing them that the nation stood behind them — a message that resonates as strongly today as it did at its inception. The observance was renamed Armed Forces Day in 2009.
