We pay for stories

[news of the world]

It has been brought to our attention that there are several potent stories brewing in and around Hurworth Village anyone with a good story will find us to be more than willing to pay for it.

All our sources will be protected as we, like all other Newspapers are entitled to protect confidential sources under the Press Complaints Commission Code. We do this as a matter of principle.

[swansong]

Let us hope you have lots of cash, is it possible that you can pay by way of a donation to a persons chosen charity?

[news of the world]

YES, Charitable donations are an alternative.

[news of the world]

Following several email's asking the question "do we do investagative journalism" yes we do.

We will be coming to the area shortly as we are doing a story on the new Rockliffe Hall Hotel we will be in the area for just under a week and can be contacted via this web link.

[news of the world]

We can now confirm we will be in the village from April 19th-23rd inclusive we have had an astounding number of emails and letters please keep them coming. We will no doubt be holding some sort of PR event whilst there.

Please keep those stories coming, could those emailing us provide a contact number so we may follow up with a brief chat and some questions to better research these allegations.

[The Sheriff]

Don't miss the great "Chicken Run" scandal


_________________
I am a law man.

[tripswitch]

Terrible if only those who use the place would keep it clean and tidy.

[news of the world]

Is this anything to do with this?

Grieving father horrified by chickens in cemetery.

A GRIEVING father has spoken of his horror after discovering chickens running around the cemetery where his daughter is buried.

Martin Jewkes said the general upkeep of the graveyard, at All Saints’ Church, in Hurworth, is poor and the birds, which keep escaping from a nearby property, are the final straw.

He said the grass is not well mown and often clippings are left on headstones. He also said the paths are not wellmaintained.

Mr Jewkes, 64, spoke to Hurworth Parish Council about his concerns.

“I have no objections to chickens, but a cemetery is no place for them.

“My daughter is buried there. It’s quite distressing for me and my wife to visit her grave and see chickens running around,” Mr Jewkes, who lives just outside the village, told members at Tuesday night’s meeting.

“They are disgusting and the smell is horrendous on a nice day.

“There is also rubbish all over the place. It is just ludicrous.”

Councillors resolved to try to help by speaking to the owners of the chickens.

Councillor Ken Pattinson said: “I agree with what the gentleman says.”

After the meeting, Mr Jewkes, who buried his daughter 19 years ago, said there had been long-standing problems with maintenance in the graveyard.

“The chickens are the final straw,” he said. “There are bits of rubbish strewn about and an old bicycle has appeared. I don’t think most people would put up with it. It is ridiculous.

“It is distressing every time we go. It is hard enough to lose a daughter; that is something we have to live with and accept.

But it is shocking when you have to put up with this as well. It is a third-rate cemetery for a first-rate village.”

Darlington Borough Council carries out maintenance in the cemetery.

A council spokeswoman said: “The council cuts the grass in the churchyard and strims around the headstones fortnightly, weather permitting.

“We’re not aware of any concerns in relation to the churchyard but will investigate the issues raised with us.”

[Walkers]

Perhaps you should get the story straight then

Grieving father horrified by chickens in cemetery.

A GRIEVING father has spoken of his horror after discovering (3) chickens running around the cemetery where his daughter is buried.

Martin Jewkes (who does not live in Hurworth) said the general upkeep of the graveyard, at All Saints’ Church, in Hurworth, is poor (Blame the Church of England) and the birds, which (allegedly) keep escaping from a nearby property, are the final straw. (where as normal flying birds are OK?)

He said the grass is not well mown (Darlington Borough Council/ Church of England) and often clippings are left on headstones. (DBC again) He also said the paths are not well maintained. (Church again)

Mr Jewkes, 64, spoke to Hurworth Parish Council about his concerns.

“I have no objections to chickens, but a cemetery is no place for them. (but seagulls and swans are OK?)

“My daughter is buried there. It’s quite distressing for me and my wife to visit her grave and see chickens running around,” Mr Jewkes, who lives just outside the village, (in North Yorkshire, another county) told members at Tuesday night’s meeting.

“They are disgusting and the smell is horrendous on a nice day. (allegedly)

“There is also rubbish all over the place. It is just ludicrous.” (sorry Church again)

Councillors resolved to try to help by (a good ticking off) speaking to the owners of the chickens. (which are on private land)

Councillor Ken Pattinson said: “I agree with what the gentleman says.” (why have we at All Saint's not done nothing about it till now)

After the meeting, Mr Jewkes, who buried his daughter 19 years ago, said there had been long-standing problems with maintenance in the graveyard. (still the Church)

“The chickens are the final straw,” he said. “There are bits of rubbish strewn about and an old bicycle has appeared. (maybe the Chicken brought it) I don’t think most people would put up with it. It is ridiculous.

“It is distressing every time we go. It is hard enough to lose a daughter; that is something we have to live with and accept.

But it is shocking when you have to put up with this as well. It is a third-rate cemetery for a first-rate village.” (with a 5th rate Council)

Darlington Borough Council carries out maintenance in the cemetery. (so get onto them)

A council spokeswoman said: “The council cuts the grass in the churchyard and strims around the headstones fortnightly, weather permitting. (yeh, thats right every 3 months maybe)

“We’re not aware of any concerns in relation to the churchyard but will investigate the issues raised with us.” (which should have been made to the Church first)

[Ian]

Walkers I think you are wrong it is my understanding that the Parish has adopted the land in All Saint's.

I will double check and repost when I am sure.

[Walkers]

[swansong]

I think whilst a matter of concern to all, the totally wrong people were approached, regardless of who is responsible for the land many of the Parish Council are connected with All Saint's and by virtue of that fact many have a conflict of interest which should have been declared once the topic went down that route.

They certainly do not have the power that many of them would like to think they have as Councillors of "speaking to the owner of the chickens". One can only assume to tell him off for unproven allegations.

This self appointed righteousness is outside their remit as Parish Councillor's and it is high time someone told them! Perhaps if they could stop thinking up ridiculous ideas to waste the tax payers money and take some extra classes in what they can and can't do as public servants, perhaps then they would not have this over inflated opinion of themselves and what they think they can do.

Is it not ironic that it is the same bunch of zealots who use the place every week that have turned a blind eye to this alleged neglected. Thus causing the village once again to get maximum press coverage for all the wrong reasons and over exaggerated the present alleged Chicken problem if any.

Then to make matters worse at the same public meeting Councillor Clutz then accused the same Chicken resident by way of innuendo with the stealing of a Table from the Village Hall.

When will they learn?

[Ian]

Just to clarify for all

The Burial Ground in Hurworth belongs to the Parish Council

The Parish Chair confirmed it this morning, hope this helpes.