Falstone Parish Council

09/08/2026

B4RN - Broadband for the Rural North Ltd
Help bring full-fibre to Tarset & Falstone.
Dear neighbours,
Thank you to everyone who has already supported the Tarset & Falstone investment drive – your backing is helping to move the project forward.
We’re now at a crucial point. To unlock the local build and bring full-fibre to Tarset & Falstone, we must reach our investment target, and we need more people to act now. If we don’t raise enough investment, the project is at real risk of Tarset & Falstone missing out while other areas move ahead. This is our opportunity to secure a future‑proof network for the valley – once this window closes, it may be much harder to bring a project like this back.
The UK Government has announced that the Broadband Gigabit Voucher Scheme will stop in March 2027. After that date, new vouchers will no longer be available, which means communities like Tarset & Falstone will lose a key source of support for building new networks. Acting now helps us make full use of the scheme while it’s still open.
If you haven’t converted your BDUK voucher yet, please do when you can (please check your junk/spam for the following email from Building Digital) — every voucher gets us closer to starting the build. If you need any assistance, please reach out to me.

By investing in B4RN shares, you’re not just backing a broadband project; you’re helping to build infrastructure that will serve homes, farms and businesses in Tarset & Falstone for decades to come. B4RN shares currently earn 5% interest*, and investments can be made from £100 to £100,000. If you’d like to commit your support now but pay when the local build gets underway, you can also complete a pledge form instead.
To take part, please use the links below. If you’d prefer, you can email the team for a copy of the form at [email protected], and signed forms can be returned by email or post.
Investor benefits
• 5% annual return*.
Plus Invest £1,500+ and enjoy extra perks
• Connection fee waived.
• £1,500–£2,499 = 2 months free broadband.
• £2,500–£4,999 = 4 months free broadband.
• £5,000+ = 6 months free broadband.
• Subject to T&Cs.
For more information, please visit our website: Investors
Your investment supports a project that stays local, delivers long-term value, and helps create the network your community needs. It plays an important part in making the project happen.
We’re also planning a community meeting in early September to share an update, answer questions, and talk more about what hitting the investment target will mean for Tarset & Falstone. Further details will follow once the arrangements are confirmed.
Thanks for being part of the journey and for everything you’re doing to help bring better connectivity to the North Tyne.
Warm regards
Linda Jamieson
Project Development Coordinator, B4RN
07723449343
[email protected]

20/07/2026

The latest update from B4RN - Broadband for the Rural North Ltd
B4RN is ready and waiting to go — the mole plough is at the ready. We just need this final step, and we can begin. Tarset, we can do this. We just need everyone to give a bit of help where they can.
Every investment helps, from £100 to £100,000, whatever suits each person’s circumstances. By investing, you can hold shares in your local community building. Not only will you be helping bring the fastest broadband in the area to your home, but you will also be
We do not want your village to be left behind.
The government is prepared to put £770,000 towards Phase 1 of Tarset and Falstone, but we need to get started now before the scheme ends in 2028.
Next steps
Please invest now — do not wait until it is too late. We need to know whether there is an appetite for this and whether we can raise the necessary funds together.
I will be in Tarset and Falstone on Tuesday, the 28th, all day. If you are thinking about investing and have any questions, I can come and see you to talk things through and offer any advice you need. If you would prefer not to complete the investment online, I can also bring paper copies.
If you would like a visit from me, please let me know by emailing [email protected] or by calling me on the number below.

Kind regards,

Linda Jamieson
Project Development Coordinator

Broadband for the Rural North
Mobile: +44 7723449343
Email: [email protected]

05/07/2026

🎆 We Need Your Help to Keep Our Community Fireworks Display Going 🎆

As many of you know, we are a small group of local volunteers who organise our annual community fireworks display.

We're incredibly proud to be the only low-noise fireworks display in the North Tyne Valley, giving everyone a chance to enjoy a spectacular evening together.

This year, we're reaching out because we need your help.
Like everyone else, we've been affected by the rising cost of living. The increasing costs of fuel, supplies and everything needed to put on a safe, professional display mean that our expenses have risen significantly. Last year's display cost just over £1,600 to put on, and this year's costs are expected to be even higher.

On top of that, life has simply moved so quickly for all of us. As volunteers, we've all had busy work and family commitments, and unfortunately we haven't been able to dedicate the time to fundraising since last year's fireworks display. That means we're further behind than we'd hoped.

The reality is that, without extra support from our community, there is a very real possibility that we won't be able to raise enough funds to hold this year's event. We'd be heartbroken if that happened, as we know how much this display means to so many people.

We're asking if anyone can help by:

🎆 Sharing fundraising ideas for the future
🙋 Joining our volunteer community group
💷 Making a donation, no matter how big or small.
🎁 Donating raffle prizes.
🏪 If you're a local business, sponsoring the event, donating a raffle prize, or supporting us with fundraising.

Every donation, every raffle prize, every volunteer and every idea makes a difference. If you've enjoyed our fireworks display over the years and would like to help keep this special community tradition going, we'd be so grateful for your support.

Please comment below or send us a message if you can help in any way. Even if you can't help directly, sharing this post could help us reach someone who can.
Thank you for supporting your local volunteers. Together, we hope we can make this year's fireworks display another night to remember

11/05/2026

Many thanks to everyone who worked on the village tidy today and over the weekend. Looks great.

04/05/2026

20/04/2026

Report, view or discuss local problems.
Northumberland County Council have this system for anyone to use, who may want to report any local issues.
FixMyStreet at

Report, view, and discuss local street-related problems.

01/04/2026

MOBILE LIBRARY DATES
visiting on 2nd April, 23rd April and 14 May.
Stannersburn at 16.30
The Croft at 16.55

23/03/2026

POST OFFICE Mobile Service
A Mobile service, which is a travelling Post Office aboard a specifically designed vehicle that brings Post Office services and retail products to communities without relying on fixed premises, is a tried and tested way of maintaining service to smaller communities.
The mobile service visits Falstone, outside the village hall, every Wednesday at 10.45 for one hour.
Please encourage neighbours to use the facility, or lose it.

18/03/2026

Community Governance Review – Have Your Say

Residents across Northumberland are being invited to take part in a county-wide Community Governance Review.

Northumberland County Council is examining whether the current arrangements for parish and town councils continue to meet the needs of local communities. The review will look at a range of matters, including:
· Parish and town council boundaries
· Council names
· The number of councillors
· Whether any councils should be created, merged, altered, or grouped differently

The first stage of the public consultation runs from 1 February to 30 April 2026. If you live or work in the area—or simply have an interest in your local community—your views are important and will help shape future proposals.
To find out more or take part in the consultation, please visit: nland.cc/CGR
Paper copies of the consultation and alternative formats are also available. If you need support to take part, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

We are inviting you to take part in a county-wide Community Governance Review. The purpose of the Review is to enable the Council to consider what changes are needed to our parish electoral arrangements. It is not a review of the County Division boundaries or Parliamentary Constituency boundaries.

21/01/2026

Saturday Bus Service

Bus Service information for Falstone, Hexham, Northumberland, on the official site for Falstone Parish Council