A TWENTY-FIVE YEAR RETROSPECTIVE
John and Betty Mark
The most important change, during the last twenty five
years, has been the opening of the Belford bypass in 1983. This took the heavy
traffic from the A1 road and the accompanying noise out of the village and, over
the 12 years, Belford has emerged, once again, as a very pleasant place to live
in and visit.
Partially as a result of this, we have seen the growth
of tourism which has become a very important factor in the economy of the area.
The money brought in enables the variety of shops to survive, making this a popular
shopping centre for people from a wide area. The hotel and two inns provide accommodation
for visitors. In addition there are, at least, 40 bed spaces in bed and breakfast
establishments. In the two parishes there are in the region of 35 holiday cottages
and many more used as second homes. In the first week of July, visitors can join
in with villagers to enjoy the carnival which has been revived.
During the last twenty five years many shops have changed
hands, some more than once. Other shops have disappeared completely - we no longer
have a bakery and the blacksmith's shop, at Detchant is out of use since Mr Rogerson
retired through ill-health. There are still daily milk deliveries to the doorstep,
postmen known to us personally, a pharmacy, health centre, dentist, hairdressers,
hardware shop, newsagent, craft shops, curtain and material shop and other establishments
selling luxury and fancy goods.
The introduction of the Belford Plan, although only
half completed, has made visual changes. The Market Place has been laid with granite
setts, the Market Cross moved and restored to its original height, overhead wires
have been placed underground and clumsy trunk road signs have been removed. There
is no mystery about the location of the Post Office as a large red pillar box
now marks the spot. Other outward changes are housing developments at Croft Field
and The Grove and some new bungalows at the top of North Bank.
A new park and wild-life haven has been created with the help of volunteers
near the Belford Burn and close to the Health Centre. The village won the Environment
Award for this project and the Recreation Award for countless diaries of the activities
of the many clubs and voluntary organisations. A noteworthy accomplishment was
the restoration of the derelict Belford Hall and its conversion into 16 flats.
Alnwick architects, Reavell and Cahill, received a major award for its refurbishment.
The Civic Trust Awards book states "with delight around every corner,
this must be a lovely place to live, whatever one's age."
On a more mundane level, the village has lost its Rural
District Council and is represented with Middleton, by one councillor Mr Donald
Aitchison, on Berwick Borough Council. At Northumberland County level, the council
representative is Mrs Pat Scott who also looks after the interests of the coastal
villages. Still on practical matters, "wheelie-bins" and re-cycling
bins have been introduced.
Another major change occurred with the implementation of comprehensive education
in the 1970's. Operating on a 3-tier system, the First School caters for 4 - 9
year olds, the Middle School for 9 - 13 year olds and the older children travel
by bus to Berwick-upon-Tweed or Alnwick. During this time, on two occasions, the
village has had to fight to retain the Middle School. It is said that a "baby-boom",
in 1989, saved the day!
Behind the scenes, more subtle changes have been taking place. Whilst there
has always been movement of people to and from the village, there appears to have
been a significant increase in the numbers of 'strangers' choosing to move here
and the Northumbrian burr is, by no means, the only accent heard. In many instances,
the newcomers have brought with them fresh ideas and have entered into activities
with enthusiasm, making a valuable contribution to village life. Who knows what
changes will occur during the next 25 years? With the advance of technology and
even now, the beginnings of the use of the "information highways" enabling
people to enjoy rural life without being cut off from their employment, will Belford
prove to be one of the few villages which has retained viable services and a community
strong enough to cope with revolutionary changes, whatever they may be? Time will
tell.
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