Haltwhistle Leisure Centre’s poor opening times leaving children fighting boredom over Easter

Haltwhsitle Swimming Pool- What it could have looked like over Easter

Haltwhistle’s swimsuits remained dry over Easter as the open air swimming pools “ludicrous” open date forgot the school holidays.

Locals were disappointed to find their pools were closed until the end of the Easter holidays.

Robert Scott, 12, was one of the many disappointed swimmers restricted from using the pool over the school holidays.

“I was bored over Easter so would have gone to the pool even if it was raining,” he said. “People complain about us sitting on the streets and getting in trouble but, it is their fault we have nothing to do.”

At a meeting of Hatlwhistle Town Council, Coun Victor Fleming highlighted the public’s confusion to the lack of open hours. He said: “Numerous people around the town have asked me what happened to the Easter weekend.”

The pool eventually opened on April 14, allowing children to enjoy two days of swimming before returning to school.

Since the pool was built in 1959, the opening times have remained the same. The pool can only be used six months of the year and Coun Fleming thinks the season should be extended.

“It is ludicrous that the pool missed the Easter holidays. It should be a valuable time to attract tourists to the area and give the local children something fun to do,” he said.

But, Coun Alan Sharp argued that it would be too costly and not worthwhile to open the pool early for the children.

“The pool opens at the same time every year and unfortunately this year Easter weekend was two weeks earlier than normal. It remained closed as in the past it has been considered not worth opening due to the bad weather conditions and the added costs,” he said.

Swimmers patiently waited for the pools re-opening date. And despite the bitter weather, the pool was still proven popular with more than 500 swimmers braving the rain to enjoy a splash.

Families having fun at the pool

Also braving the elements was lifeguard Nikki Woodman, 21, but she thought it could have been opened earlier.

“It was so hot in March that Children were risking swimming in the river while the pool remained shut,” she said. “Our weather is unpredictable all year round so keeping the pool shut longer because of the weather is no excuse.”

Councillors will discuss the pools opening and closing times further in their next meeting.

Haltwhistle Fire Station Gets £200,000 Government Funding

Haltwhistle Firestation has received a Government fund off £200,000 to bring it to the 21st Century. The work includes an extention creating a large officer and bigger communial area, solar panels, electronic doors, a new alarm system and total repaint.

By Penny Scarth

Chef Gary Aims to Bring Gordon Ramsay Cuisine to Manor House Inn

Chef Gary has transformed the Manor House's frozen food menu

A chef who learned his trade working 100-hour weeks for Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay is about to tickle the tastebuds of diners in his home town of Haltwhistle.

Gary Robinson has taken over the kitchens of the Manor House inn with a mission to turn its frozen food menu into fresh, local and affordable cuisine.

And if Gary, 28, thought working for the foul-mouthed Ramsay was tough, it’s nothing compared to the last two weeks.

Foul-mouthed chef Gordon Ramsay

“On my first day there, when I actually saw how bad it was, I could have just walked out,” he said. “Everything was literally frozen apart from the salad.”

He is now challenged with creating a bar and a la carte menu with dishes ranging from shepherd’s pie to seared sea scallops.

“It will be something totally different for Haltwhistle,” he said. “I hope they’re open-minded enough to try it.”

Gary has returned to Haltwhistle after five years globetrotting and learning his trade in kitchens around the world.

This included an 11-month stint working at Gordon Ramsay’s exclusive restaurant Maze in London’s swanky Grosvenor Square.

“It was a great experience, but very high pressure working between 70 and 100 hours a week,” he said.

Gary's homemade lasange

Having returned home, Gary is now intent on building his own reputation at the Manor House – and according to bar manager Holly Scarth it is not before time.

“The menu had been the same for more than ten years so we needed a change,” she said. “The new menu is attracting old and new customers to try our delicious food. We hope that the popularity continues and that people give us a chance at a la carte dining.”

Gary's Homemade Cornbeef Hash

Locals have had a month to test the Manor House’s new menu and customers, including previous chef Liam Watters, cannot resist going back for more.

“Gary’s food is a big improvement compared to the frozen food we used to serve,” he said. “It is a welcomed change giving Haltwhistle people homemade food on their doorstep. Unfortunately, I am not sure if people will be brave enough to try a la carte cuisine just yet. But, they will definitely be drooling over the pub menu.”
 

VIDEO: Could you imagine working for raging Ramsay? This clip shows the nightmare Gary could have recieved under the pressures of celebrity boss Gordon Ramsay.
 

RECIPE: Duck liver and foie gras parfait with plum chutney and star anise brioche

Try creating al a carte cuisine yourself by following Gary’s seven step guide to duck liver and foie gras parfait with plum chutney and star anise brioche

You will need:

8 whole eggs

800g butter

200g chopped shallot

5 garlic cloves

200ml port

200ml madeira

200ml brandy

Sel rose

Pink salt (seasonsing)

400g duck liver and foie gras

(This will serve 16 people)

Step-by-step guide:

1. Reduce the alcohol with shallots, garlic and time until almost dry.
2.  Blend the reductions and livers until smooth.
3. Slowly add eggs and warm butter and blend through.
4.  Pass into mould through a sieve.
5.  Cover with foil and cook in a Bain Marie at 90 degrees for 90 minutes.
6. Leave it to set over night and cover in butter to ferment oxidising.
7. Finally serve with a portion of sweet and sour plum chutney and star anise brioche.

Sinbad the sailor anchors in Haltwhistle- “Oh no he didn’t”

The colourful Cast of Haltwhistle Young Farmers brought laughter to Morpeth with Sinbad the Sailor Pantomine

Local Race Horse Corkage is fighting fit again

The Scarth Racing Partnership, previous owner of Champion Hurdle winner Granville Again, are aiming for success with the return of their current horse Corkage.

John and Ann Scarth are hoping that Corkage with come back fighting after his 497 day holiday following a serious leg injury.

John Scarth, 53, Part owner of Corkage said: “Until this season we had not experienced much luck with Corkage.

“He had a serious fall and came back into the racing in November. We have now moved him to a different trainer who has got him fighting fit again ready to challenge other horses.

“He had a shakey start to the season as he seemed unsure of the loud crowds after so long away. But since then he has achieved two wins and we hope for many more.

“Hopefully the holiday was just what he needed and with some luck his winnings might pay for my holiday this time.”

Corkage’s 7th race of this season will take place on Saturday, 3rd, 2012 at Doncaster Race Course.

Corkage’s results for the current season:

Date Ran	Days Since Last Run	Race Details	Weight	Finishing Position
22 Feb 12	25 days	Doncaster- 3m, 110y- Ground good- Handicap   Hurdle  (Jump race)	11 – 11b	2/16
28 Jan 12	10 days	Doncaster- 2m,3f, 110y- Ground good to soft –   Handicap Hurdle (Jump race)	11 – 9b	3/9
18 Jan 12	7 days	Southwell- 2m, 4f, 110y- Ground good to soft-   Handicap Chase(Jump race)	11 – 12b	1/9
11 Jan 12	29 days	Doncaster- 2m, 3f,110y-  Ground good- Handicap Hurdle (Jump race)	11 – 12b	1/11
13 Dec 11	17 days	Catterick- 3m, 1f, 110y- Ground   soft- Handicap Chase (Jump race)	11 – 8b	F/9 (FALL)
26 Nov 11	497 days	Newcastle- 2m.4f- Ground good to   soft-  Handicap   Chase (Jump race)	11 – 12b	PU/14  (PULLED   UP)

Next Race Fixture:

March, 3, 2012 – 14:20pm – Doncaster Races- 3 mile 110 yard- Handicap Hurdle- Jockey: James Reveley

 Scarth Racing Partnerships previous horses:

• Corkage
• Jass
• Robbo
• Granville Again
• Sayparee

Link to AT THE RACES for more on Corkage: http://www.attheraces.com/form.aspx?type=H&id=2408102&dte=2012-02-29&npl=yes

Link to Hexham Race Course: http://www.hexham-racecourse.co.uk/index.htm

Haltwhistle Conservative Football Club- First Devision

Follow and support Haltwhistle adults football games as they battle on in the first devision Sunday league.

Upcoming Fixtures:

March:

11/03/12- Away Game- Haltwhistle Cons v Prudhoe Town

18/03/12 – Home Game- Haltwhistle Cons v Corbridge Wheatsheafs

25/03/12 – Home Game- Haltwhistle Cons v Prudhoe Social Club

April:

15/04/12- Home Game- Tommy Jacksons President Cup- Haltwhistle Cons v Hexham Phoenix

 

Current Results:

	DATE	TIME	HOME			AWAY
SCA1	26/02/12	10:30	HALTWHISTLE CONS	3 – 1		CORBRIDGE WHEATSHEAF
Div1	19/02/12	10:30	HALTWHISTLE CONS	5 – 1		HEXHAM PHOENIX
Div1	12/02/12	10:30	HALTWHISTLE CONS	8 – 1		FC STOCKSFIELD
Div1	08/01/12	10:30	HEXHAM PHOENIX	1 – 7		HALTWHISTLE CONS
JPIC	11/12/11	10:30	HALFWAY HOUSE PRUDHOE	3 – 4	(AET)	HALTWHISTLE CONS
Div1	04/12/11	10:30	HALTWHISTLE CONS	4 – 0		DR SYNTAX PRUDHOE
PRES	20/11/11	10:30	ALLENDALE	3 – 4	(AET)	HALTWHISTLE CONS
Div1	13/11/11	10:30	BARRASFORD	0 – 4		HALTWHISTLE CONS
Div1	06/11/11	10:30	DR SYNTAX PRUDHOE	1 – 4		HALTWHISTLE CONS
Div1	30/10/11	10:30	HALTWHISTLE CONS	2 – 2		HALFWAY HOUSE PRUDHOE
Div1	23/10/11	10:30	FC STOCKSFIELD	1 – 1		HALTWHISTLE CONS
PRES	09/10/11	10:30	HEXHAM ARGYLES FC	2 – 6		HALTWHISTLE CONS
JPIC	02/10/11	10:30	HALTWHISTLE CONS	11 – 0		CORBRIDGE WHEATSHEAF
Div1	25/09/11	10:30	HALTWHISTLE CONS	7 – 0		PRUDHOE TOWN
PRES	18/09/11	10:30	HALTWHISTLE CONS	10 – 0		ACOMB WELFARE
Div1	11/09/11	10:30	WYLAM BREWERY	0 – 2		HALTWHISTLE CONS
Div1	04/09/11	10:30	PRUDHOE SOCIAL CLUB	4 – 4		HALTWHISTLE CONS
Div1	28/08/11	10:30	HALTWHISTLE CONS	11 – 0		BARRASFORD
Div1	23/08/11	18:30	HALTWHISTLE CONS	2 – 1		HEXHAM ARGYLES FC