Good evening john,

This week, my Summer Tour has started. It's an opportunity to get to the far reaches of the constituency from the Cumbrian Border to the Scottish Border, from Kielder to Kirlwhelpington.

This week's newsletter includes a visit to Hadrian's Wall to encourage tourism to our region, a deserved recipient of the Small Business Award and a productive meeting with a large Tynedale-based private sector employer.

Next week, alongside the Summer Tour I will be running campaign sessions throughout the week. If you can help, please email Barbara in our Hexham office using the link below detailing which day you can make. This is an opportunity to deliver surveys so we can find out what matters to local people. The dates, times and meeting places can be found at the end of the newsletter. 

As ever, if you have an issue you would like to raise with me as your local Member of Parliament, please email: [email protected].

Tourism Summit on Hadrian's Wall 

I recently joined Chair of the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership Lady Gibson and representatives from Northumberland National Park to discuss tourism in Northumberland and how we can encourage people to visit the Wall.

Next year local communities will celebrate 1900 years of living alongside the Wall.

Hadrian’s Wall 1900 will showcase this stunning landscape to both existing and new audiences and provide opportunities for everyone to celebrate and find their connection to the wall whether it be Roman history, dark skies, the natural environment, cultural diversity, food, music, the arts and more.

The Hadrian’s Wall Partnership is a voluntary body made up of organisations responsible for the UNESCO World Heritage Site status of Hadrian’s Wall.

Small Business Award for Billy Bell!



I finally was able to award the Small Business Award to Billy Bell in Haltwhistle.

Billy Bell were nominated by local residents last year, fighting off tough competition from many other local small businesses.

However, due to the severity of the pandemic at the time – particularly in Haltwhistle – the award was not presented in person.

A family business, Billy Bell is now run by father and son Miles and Cameron Bell, alongside a dedicated team of eight staff. 

Miles, Cameron and their team have also gone above and beyond over the difficult last 18 months to support the most vulnerable in our community by delivering vital supplies.

Productive meeting with Egger



I had a very productive meeting with Egger to discuss their role in driving Hexham's recovery from the pandemic. 

With 640 employees, Egger is the largest private sector employer in Tynedale, therefore their role in creating high skilled, high paid jobs will be vital for Tynedale's recovery. 

We discussed what the England Trees Action Plan and recently agreed Borderlands Growth Deal means for the wood using industry. 

With jobs and investment, the company continue to contribute to our local economy, it was great to catch up with the team and understand their needs going forward as we emerge from the pandemic

August campaign sessions

The dates, times and locations of next week's campaign sessions are below. Please click the button above to let us know you're coming. 

Monday 9th August

Bellingham - meeting at the Bellingham Heritage Centre, Station Yard, Woodburn Rd, Bellingham, NE48 2DG
16.30 - 17.30

Otterburn - Otterburn Millenium Picnic Area, Otterburn, NE19 1NT
18.00 - 19.00

Tuesday 10th August

West Wylam - Meeting at The Manors, Adderlane Rd, Prudhoe
10.00 - 11.15am
 
Prudhoe and Stocksfield - meeting at Prudhoe Railway Station, Prudhoe NE42 6NR
15.00 - 17.00
 
Wednesday 11th August

Ponteland - meeting at Thornhill Road Car Park, Thornhill Rd, Ponteland, NE20 9PZ
10:30 - 12:30pm
 
Heddon on the Wall - meeting at The Swan, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 0DR
14.30 - 16.00

Thursday 12th August

Acomb - Meet at Millersfield, Acomb, Hexham NE46 4RQ
10.30 - 12.30

Kielder and Falstone - Meeting at Kielder Post Office, Hexham NE48 1EQ
15.00 - 16.00

Humshaugh - Meeting at The Riverside Kitchen, Chollerford, Hexham NE46 4EW
16.30 - 17.45

If you've got any questions, please do get in touch. Call Barbara in our Hexham Office on 01434 603 777 or [email protected], and thank you again for your support. 

Guy Opperman MP

Member of Parliament for Tynedale and Ponteland