The Blanchland Christmas Tree
ON 11th December the Blanchland community began what is hoped will become a long tradition. The Community Development Trust felt that the picture postcard setting of the village square was tailor made for a Christmas tree. A lot of hard work came to fruition on Friday evening with the switching on of the lights by 3 year old Olivia Stefanska (assisted by her mum and dad). Olivia’s name was drawn from a list of nearly 30 local children who wanted to be the lucky one.
Over 100 people gathered round as the Consett Salvation Army Band played carols; hot soup was provided, followed with mince pies and mulled wine in the social club.
Reverend Jim Lynch, Chairman of Blanchland Community Development, said, “It’s been a great community project. The trees for the square and the church were provided locally and will be replaced with newly planted ones; LED lights have been sourced by way of the North Pennine AONB carbon offsetting scheme and a group of enthusiastic volunteers provided a stone plinth, chain saws, tractors and trailers to fell, move, install and decorate the tree, with the Lord Crew Arms supplying the electricity. It’s been wonderful the way everyone just got on with it. It’s been a lovely evening with a good, cheerful atmosphere. It’s set us up for the run in to our carol service on Christmas Eve.”
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Blanchland - A Story in Stone
Blanchland is within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Set beneath magnificent fells, it is one of the most attractive small villages in the North. Lying to the south of Hexham in a wooded section of the upper Derwent valley, built of stone from the remains of the 12th Century Abbey, the village retains a special atmosphere and has featured in many films and novels.
A place with Jacobite connections, reputedly haunted, the village is steeped in history. Always a remote community, Blanchland flourished during the 19th Century lead mining bonanza and industrial archaeology abounds nearby.
Today it is a centre for walking, sailing and fishing on the Derwent Reservoir, or just wandering and has a children's playground. There are several shops, a gallery, a tea-room and a hotel all clustered around the parish church, an interesting relic of the Abbey.
A highlight of the year is the Blanchland and Hunstanworth Show, a traditional village show on August Bank Holiday Monday.
