Ashington Town Council

17/06/2026

🎉 Huge congratulations to Ashington Rugby Cricket Club on their fantastic news!

The club’s Sunday morning café has officially been assessed by the Food Standards Agency and has proudly achieved a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!

A great reason to head down this Sunday from 9:45am for a tasty bacon sarnie and a hot cuppa ☕🥓 Everyone is welcome, so it’s the perfect chance to support a brilliant local club and enjoy a relaxed morning at the ground 🏏

☕🏏🎉

🎉👏🏼 We have some exciting news!!!!!🎉👏🏼

We have been waiting to get our little Sunday morning cafè assessed by the Food standards agency and we have only gone and done it…..
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Come along grab a sarnie and a cuppa this Sunday from 9:45am!! Everyone is welcome!!! 🥓☕️🏏

Thank you to our volunteers for their continued work!

16/06/2026

🌍 Residents Embrace Climate Action at Successful Great Big Green Week Event 🌱

Ashington Town Council is delighted to share that this year’s Great Big Green Week event, held on Tuesday 9 June at Ashington Market, was a fantastic success.

Running from 10am to 2pm, the event brought together local organisations, residents and visitors from across the area for a day focused on sustainability, community spirit and positive environmental action.

💚 Throughout the day, stalls saw excellent engagement from residents keen to learn more, ask questions and discover practical ways to make a difference. Representatives from Citizens Advice Northumberland Energy Team, Climate Action Wansbeck, Groundwork NE & Cumbria, Northumberland County Council Climate Change & Warmer Homes Team, Full Circle Food Project and Ashington Town Council were all on hand to provide advice, share ideas and showcase projects helping create a greener future.

While many attendees came from Ashington, it was fantastic to also welcome visitors from Bedlington, Morpeth, Blyth and Newbiggin. Many commented on the value of the event and the wide range of information and support available on the day.

Cllr Marjorie Chambers said:

“It was absolutely wonderful to be out in the market meeting so many residents and visitors on such a fantastic day. The enthusiasm and engagement from the community was truly inspiring. Events like this really show what our community is made of, and I am so proud of everything Ashington Town Council and our partners are doing to help make our town a greener, healthier place for everyone.”

🌿 One of the highlights of the day was hearing directly from residents through the community survey, where people shared ideas for future green projects in Ashington.

Suggestions included:
🌱 Community allotments and growing spaces
♻️ Greater support and infrastructure for recycling
🍂 Communal composting schemes
🌻 A demonstration allotment to inspire and educate
🏡 An Eco Hub for Ashington
🔧 A Repair Café to reduce waste and extend the life of everyday items

These ideas will now be considered by Ashington Town Council’s Climate Change Committee as part of developing future environmental initiatives across the town.

If you missed the event and would still like to share your green idea for Ashington, please complete the questionnaire available on the council website or contact Ashington Town Council directly.

A huge thank you to all partner organisations, volunteers and everyone who came along and made the event such a success 🌍💚

Together, Ashington is building a greener, healthier and more sustainable future.

16/06/2026

🖤 Community Comes Together in Tribute at the Northumberland Miners’ Picnic Memorial Service 🖤

Hundreds gathered at Woodhorn Museum on Saturday 13 June for what is believed to have been the most attended Northumberland Miners’ Picnic Memorial Service in its long and proud history.

Despite the brisk weather, the sunshine stayed and the community came together to honour the miners whose dedication, hard work and sacrifice helped shape Northumberland and its communities.

The moving service, led by Ashington & Newbiggin Churches Together, brought together former mining families, dignitaries, trade union representatives and members of the public in a shared moment of reflection and remembrance.

One of the most powerful moments of the day came from the Ashington & District Male Voice Choir's performance of Woodhorn Disaster, remembering by name the 13 miners who tragically lost their lives in the 1916 Woodhorn Colliery disaster. Their moving tribute left a lasting impression on many in attendance. Brass Marras also provided music throughout the service, adding to the atmosphere of remembrance.

Wreaths were laid by an esteemed gathering of dignitaries, elected representatives, trade union members and community organisations, reflecting the strength of support for preserving Northumberland’s proud mining heritage.

Among those paying their respects were the Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland, the High Sheriff of Northumberland, the Mayor of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Ian Lavery MP for Blyth and Ashington, Ashington Civic Head Cllr Caroline Ball and Chair of Northumberland County Council, Councillor John Beynon.

Their presence alongside community representatives and members of the public demonstrated the lasting importance of remembering the generations of miners whose work helped shape the county.

Ashington Civic Head Cllr Caroline Ball said:

“This memorial service stands as a poignant reminder of our mining heritage and honours all those who worked in the Northumberland Coal Mines. It’s a time for reflection and remembrance as we pay our respects to the miners who shaped our community.”

Following the service, the Miners’ Picnic continued with family activities, crafts and live entertainment, creating a day that celebrated both remembrance and community spirit.

A huge thank you goes to everyone who helped make the day such a success, including Woodhorn Museum, Ashington & Newbiggin Churches Together, Ashington & District Male Voice Choir, Brass Marras, all dignitaries and union representatives, volunteers, organisers and everyone who attended.

Thank you for helping keep the memory and legacy of Northumberland’s miners alive for future generations ❤️

https://www.ashingtontowncouncil.gov.uk/news/news.php?s=2026-06-15-community-unites-in-poignant-tribute-at-northumberland-miners-picnic-memorial-service

📸 Photographs courtesy of Ashington Camera Club

13/06/2026

⛏️🕊️ The annual Northumberland Miners’ Picnic will begin with a special Miners’ Memorial Service on Saturday 13th June 2026 at 10:30am at Woodhorn Museum.

The service will honour the miners who worked in Northumberland’s coal mines and remember those who sadly lost their lives in the industry. Led by Ministers of Ashington Churches Together, the memorial remains one of the most important and reflective parts of the long-standing Miners’ Picnic tradition.

A particularly moving moment this year will come from the Ashington & District Male Voice Choir, who will perform Woodhorn Disaster - a powerful tribute naming the 13 miners who lost their lives in the 1916 Woodhorn Colliery disaster. Written by Derek Hobbs and Mike Kirkup as part of Fell ’em Doon, the piece ensures the memories of those men live on through song.

Following the service, visitors can enjoy a fantastic day of entertainment as the Northumberland Miners’ Picnic celebrates the region’s rich mining heritage and community spirit. 🎺🎶

The packed programme includes performances from brass bands from across the county, live music on the main stage, heritage displays, exhibitions, talks, community groups, family activities and hands-on workshops throughout the day.

Families can get creative with Bugs & Beasties craft workshops, join the colourful parade through the museum grounds, discover fascinating stories from Northumberland’s mining past, and learn about important moments in local history through engaging talks and presentations.

There will also be plenty of food and drink available from local independent producers, making it a great day out for all ages. 🍔☕🍰

Business Chair Cllr Mark Purvis said:

"This memorial service stands as a poignant reminder of our mining heritage and honours all those who worked in the Northumberland Coal Mines. It’s a time for reflection and remembrance as we pay our respects to the miners who shaped our community."

📍 Woodhorn Museum, QEII Country Park, Ashington, NE63 9YF
🕥 Saturday 13th June 2026 | 10:30am
🚌 Free accessible shuttle buses will operate between Ashington Leisure Centre and Woodhorn Museum throughout the day.

All members of the public are welcome to attend.

For the full programme and event information, visit the Northumberland Miners’ Picnic page: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn/whats-on/northumberland-miners-picnic-2026

📞 For more information, contact Sharon Parmley on 01670 624520 or email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

⛏️

12/06/2026

🌱 Something exciting is growing in Ashington this June… 🌱

Join Mortal Fools Youth Theatre for ROOTS: From Tiny Seeds, Big Ideas Grow 🌿

This free community event brings together creative activities, performances and experiences created with and performed by local young people. Designed for all ages, ROOTS celebrates the people, ideas and connections that make communities special 💚

Expect interactive activities, crafts, performances, things to explore, and a welcoming space for families and the wider community to enjoy together ✨

📅 Saturday 27th June & Sunday 28th June
📍 Duke’s Secondary School, Academy Road, Ashington, NE63 9FZ
🎟️ FREE to attend
⏰ Booking a time slot is strongly recommended

The event is relaxed, stim-friendly, includes step-free access and accessible facilities.

Secure a space 👉 mortalfools.org.uk/roots

🌱 Come along and see what can grow when creativity and community come together.

12/06/2026

🏘️ Pothole or play park – who do you call? 🤔

With both Ashington Town Council and Northumberland County Council providing services across the area, it’s not always obvious who looks after what. Here’s a quick guide to help 👇

🟢 Ashington Town Council looks after:

🪑 Seating, litter bins, noticeboards & the war memorial
🎡 All 7 community play areas – Aintree Close, Alexandra Road, Epsom Drive, North Seaton Colliery, Paddock Wood, Peoples Park & Seaton Vale
🌱 Allotments & Christmas lights
📣 Local events, consultations & the Town Council social media
https://www.ashingtontowncouncil.gov.uk/contact-us-1.php

🔵 Northumberland County Council looks after:

🕳️ Potholes, pavements, street lighting & gritting
🌳 Hirst Park, Wansbeck Riverside Park
🚌 Bus passes, school transport & Blue Badges
🌧️ Flooding, drains & street cleansing
⚱️ Cemeteries and the registrar
https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/SelfService/Report.aspx

💾 Save this post so you know exactly who to contact next time, and feel free to share it with someone who might find it useful!

10/06/2026

People's Park Play Area – Now Reopened

Ashington Town Council is pleased to confirm that the People's Park play area has now reopened following the recent acts of vandalism.

Some items of equipment have had to be removed due to the damage caused, and replacement parts will be ordered as soon as possible.

A great deal of tiny fragments of broken glass was left across the area, mainly inside and around the MUGA and the larger slide. The whole area has been fully swept and the glass removed as best we can. However, given the sheer amount and the small size of the fragments, we would ask parents and carers to remain extra vigilant when children are playing, as some pieces may remain despite every effort and care taken.

We will do everything we can to identify those responsible and prevent any future mindless vandalism. If you witness any wrongdoing in the play area, please report it to the Council – particularly with the date and time of the incident, as this allows us to check the CCTV footage. Reports can be made by email to [email protected] or by text to 07931538785.

We want families and young people to be able to enjoy the park – we know how well used and valued it is – and we thank residents for their patience and understanding while this matter was dealt with.