Blanchland CommunityBlanchland is set in the soft landscape between the Derwent reservoir and and the sweeping moorland fells of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Community life in Blanchland

Blanchland is a small and friendly community. There are fewer than a hundred residents and we love living in this special place. Neighbourliness really matters to us: we talk, help and look after each other. We’re also delighted to welcome visitors from all over the world to Blanchland and to share it with them.

We have lots of village traditions. The biggest event of the year is Blanchland & Hunstanworth Show – a proper north-country agricultural show, which is held on the August Bank holiday Monday every year. There is a community bonfire with fireworks in November and, as Christmas draws close, we gather round the tree in the square to sing carols with the local Salvation Army Band.

When village folk get married in the Abbey we observe some decidedly strange customs: someone will fire a shot gun from the steps of the Lord Crewe Hotel; the couple aren’t allowed to escape from the church yard until they’ve thrown silver coins to the village children and one of the youngsters, dressed as a sweep will pop up from behind a grave stone!

The strong sense of community in Blanchland also extends to the various organisations and businesses that care for this historic village, but which also help it to thrive as a great place to live and work.

Blanchland Community Development Organisation (BCDO)

This website has been created by the Blanchland Community Develpment Organisation, for both residents and visitors of Blanchland. The Blanchland Community Development Organisation Ltd – or the BCDO as it is known – is run by members of the community and was set up in 2005, with help from the Lord Crewe’s Charity. 

The aims of the BCDO are to enhance and support all aspects of life in the Blanchland area: to provide facilities for local people, to promote local business, and to encourage tourism, from both day visitors and for people staying longer. It receives a small annual income from the shared proceeds of the main village car park on the Shildon Road. 

The BCDO works with The Lord Crewe’s Charity, the Parish Council and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to care for the historic village and ensure its future sustainability. 

The BCDO has helped to fund a wide variety of village activities, including a collection of leaflets describing walks in and around Blanchland. It is responsible for the National Lottery Funded Blanchland Abbey Project, in partnership with the Parochial Church Council.

Blanchland Parish Council

Blanchland Parish Council is the first tier of local government and is the first point of contact for anyone concerned with a community issue. The Council consists of five councillors who meet four times a year at the Village Hall in Blanchland. Meetings are not public meetings but members of the public have a statutory right to attend as observers. The public can only speak at the meetings with the permission of the Parish Council Chairman.

The Blanchland Annual Parish Meeting occurs in May each year when the press and general public are invited to attend. Speakers from Savills, the Blanchland Community Development Organisation and Colin Horncastle, County Councillor for South Tynedale, deliver their annual report to the community.

The agenda is posted seven days in advance of the meeting, on the noticeboard in the archway in the centre of Blanchland, and the minutes are displayed shortly after each meeting. 

If you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss, please feel free to call the Parish Clerk, Mrs C Asquith on 01434 675699, or email blanchlandparishcouncil@outlook.com.

https://northumberlandparishes.uk/blanchland

Local Businesses and Organisations

Blanchland Village News