WARDLE WILLIE
Mayday in Weardale
AS you drive down to the A68 roundabout from Crook, the full beauty of the Upper Wear valley is
revealed.
Grand hills and quiet secret bends in the river that each hide an old and interesting settlement.
Today, the lambs search for their mothers or form juvenile gangs that romp with a huge “Joie de
vivre”. The May blossom is out in large splashes and the start of the new month is not far away.
In the valley, there are Local Council Elections, with parties and individuals promising to take action
to make matters better for the local communities. In this world of political deceit there is a place for
people to strive to help others. In many remote towns change is barely apparent and people rely
upon the honesty and goodwill of those entrusted with authority. These people have the very best
of intentions but sometimes are not necessarily versed with managerial skills.
At this decisive moment of change, I’d like to bring to your attention three areas that need local
impetus to support and nourish the community of Stanhope. We had a quaint park in the middle of
town, that a century ago was owned by the town for the benefit of its people. We have an outdoor
swimming pool that is currently non-functional and needs to be revived. We have a lovely building
that serves as a church hall for many events of local interest.
Somehow the old park is now owned by a property developer, the pool and the church hall are
sliding into oblivion as they sink into a swamp of inaction.
We would all applaud a 1 st May Election that addresses these difficulties with fortitude and new
endeavour.
Willie Giles
