About Us
The Partnership serves the communities who live, work of visit the two valleys of the River Rede and the North Tyne. It includes the parishes of Bellingham, Byrness, Corsenside, Falstone, Kielder, Kirkwhelpington, Otterburn, Rochester and Tarset and Greystead.
We are made up of a board of up to 12 Trustees who represent the wider area. Our current trustees are -
- Peter Loyd - President
- Christine Billany - Secretary
- Ken Little
- Neil Denham
- Margaret Wilson
- Avril Hair
- Jane Morton
- Sue Bush
The Trustees are aware of the need to deliver projects that both meet the needs of the community and are seen to be delivered well, promoting and encouraging sustainable development is paramount in all projects as is the need to improve the quality of life for all those who live, work and visit the communities.
Our History
Where the Partnership began, 1996
Bellingham Community Trust was set up in 1996 to secure funding for and carry out projects identified in the Parish Plan. It became a registered charity in 2000 and after requests for support from the wider communities North and West of Bellingham, and after appropriate consultation, at the 2005 AGM it was agreed to adopt the title of North Tyne and Redesdale Community Partnership. This has been registered with the Charities Commission.
1997 -2002 The Drop-In Centre, Bellingham
Funders: The Tudor Trust, BBC Children in Need, Tynedale Council, High Sheriff Award Scheme, Bellingham Parish Council, Bellingham Millennium Group, Joe Carol Fund
The Bellingham Youth initiative was originally started in 1997, when local people expressed concerns over the lack of provision for young people in Bellingham.After discussion with the young people of Bellingham it was identified that a Drop In Centre was the highest priority. The Court House was identified as a prime location. In January 2000 a detached pilot project was launched in Bellingham, managed by the Community Education Department of Bellingham Community Middle School. The aim of the Drop In Centre is to offer a safe environment for young people aged between 13 and 21 to develop their social skills and, with the help and support of youth workers, develop a social education curriculum which will grow with the young people accessing the project. The Bellingham Community Trust Drop In Centre received a Youth Against Crime Award in 2003 from the High Sheriff of Northumberland for their contribution to building a better future for the young people of Northumberland.
1999 - The Development of the Station Yard
Funders: Northumbrian Water, Rural Development Programme, Northumberland County Council, Tynedale District Council
The Station House, Station Yard was developed into office space. The building has four offices which are occupied by the North Tyne and Redesdale Community Partnership, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Association and Simon Fraser Photography and the last one is a hot desk facility, currently used by Northumberland Business Services Ltd. The old engine sheds were renovated and taken over by the Heritage Centre. A portion of the yard was retained by Northumberland County Council. The rest of the yard provides parking for employees and visitors.
March 2000 - Charitable status
Four years on and the Trust gained charitable status. 12 trustees make up the committee. The constitution only stated that representation should be from the parish council. The other trustees were drawn from the local community, representing local businesses, governors, or other local organisations.
2000 - Over 50’s Lunch Club
Funders: Northern Rock Foundation, The Kellet Fund, Northumberland Health Action Zone, Tynedale Rural Transport, Help the Aged ‘Blue Peter Appeal’
The Community Trust with help from the Community and Northumberland Council put together the three year project to offer the older residents of Bellingham a weekly club. Lunch takes place in the school canteen and then everyone returns to the community room for tea/coffee and various activities which included; keep fit, games, demonstrations, talks and trips out.
2000 - Skateboarding and Biking Facilities
Funders: The Ramp Fund, Bellingham Millennium Committee, Bellingham Parish Council, The High Sheriff’s Award Scheme, Rural Development Programme, National Lottery Awards For All, Tynedale Council, The Bellingham Fund, Northumberland TEC, Redman Foundation (administration by the Community Foundation)
14 year old Matthew Murphy approached Bellingham Parish Council to ask for a half-pipe and BMX track in Bellingham. The Trust identified and secured funding of £9,200 for this project. The work was carried out on the Fairstead play area in 2001 by local firms. This project took first place for ‘Most Innovative Project’ form the Make a Difference Day organisation by Community Service Volunteers.
2002 – 2004 - The Trust gains investment in the village of Bellingham
The Trust generated inward investment of £500,000 for Bellingham. This included, the refurbishment of the former Station Yard (With Tynedale Council), the Hareshaw Linn project (with Northumberland National Park Authority), Play equipment (with Bellingham Parish Council), Bellingham Luncheon Club (with Age Concern).
December 2004 - The Trust expands
Over time, the Trust had working with many more organisations from the wider area. To reflect this, the trustees took the first set to make this official and voted to work as a Partnership at its AGM, removing the requirement for parish presence on the committee. Partnerships are the best way of maintaining each Parishes identity while helping them to carry out individual projects, but still allowing us to work together for overall benefit.
2005 - North Tyne and Redesdale Community Partnership is Born
The Bellingham Community Trust at the AGM for 2005 voted to adopt North Tyne and Redesdale Community Partnership as its working title. New trustees have joined from the wider area to reflect this wider remit.
2010 - The Partnership expands
2011 - Bellingham Blast
Another step towards sustainability, a multi-discipline cyling event to help bring visitors to the area and much needed funds for the Partnership.
2012 - Bellingham Blast grows in popularity
Twice as many entrants, along with family and friends, rapidly becoming a nationaly known event. Plans begin to run other events to both encourage more visitors to the area and improve sustainability of the partnership.
2013-14 - Bellingham Beer Festival
Bellingham beer festival established, bringing new visitors to Bellingham and helping with sustainability of the Partnership.
2015 - The Carriages Tea Rooms
Established in 2012 with assistance from The Partnership now employs several local people and is looking to expand, Working with The Partnership we are forging plans to provide space for new Kitchen and retail outlet, once again creating Jobs and bringing visitors to the area.
2016/17 - Plans move forward to create a work hub/Commercial Kitchen
To create new startup office space to facilitate cost effective growth for smaller rural businesses and a new Kitchen for The Carriages Tea Room , to create jobs and to improve, once again, the sustainability of The Partnership to allow us to move forward with confidence.
2017/18 - Plans start to show results
Commercial Kitchen in Place for Carriages Tea Rooms enabling new jobs and enabling Carriages business to expand, ex Lloyds bank building leased to Partnership , allowing us to create prestige office space for local accountants, allowing them to expand and take on more local staff, and freeing up 2 offices in Station House for two new start up business to occupy. Plans to create new business hub moving on, outline planning permission granted and detailed planning permission applied for.
