Spittal Improvement Trust

SPITTAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST & COMMUNITY CENTRE


Welcome to the website for Spittal Improvement Trust and Spittal Community Centre.
Spittal is situated at the mouth of the River Tweed acrosss the water from Berwick-Upon-Tweed and had a long history as a fishing village and location for a number of manufacturing operations.

99

About SIT


Spittal Improvement Trust's aims are to carry out project works in an effort to halt the further decline in our local facilities, improve the environment we live in and to raise community spirit by holding events.


250

Contact SIT

 

Thank you for visiting this page, we are always happy to received feedback, comments and suggestions.

Please feel free to get in touch with us to discuss any aspects of this website, the work we do, events, or any ideas you might have.

We would also welcome anyone who might be interested in supporting the Spittal Improvement Trust or the community, we value your input.

Please email us at info@spittalisgreat.co.uk
You can also find us on
Facebook - here
Twitter account - @spittalisgreat.
We are also on Instagram at spittalisgreat.

We look forward to hearing from you.

The Spittal Improvement Trust Team
Mau Watkins, Chairman
Mike Greener, Secretary

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Secret Spittal Books

 

There are currently 3 Secret Spittal books published telling the history and anecdotes from the village and are availalbe in Spittal Food Store and at Grieve's The Stationers in Berwick town centre.



Spittal Community Centre

About the Community Centre

 

Originally St Paul's Church and most recently Berwick United Reform Church the building has been leased since February 2023 by SIT with the intention to create a community centre with facilities that can be utilised by various groups, businesses and individuals.
The Centre has three distinct rooms which can be booked individually or together depending on the event/activity being held.
The Middle Street Hall is ideal for the likes of fitness activities, coffee mornings or groups requiring larger space.
The Auditorium is ideal for hosting musical events, exhibitions, services, etc.

The Aidan Room is ideal for smaller meetings or group activity. 

                                  PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ACCEPT BOOKINGS FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Please consider nominating us for the chance of a £1,000 award -  click the link below

Latest News

The Point 126 Spittal Improvement Trust

January edition of The Point now published.


Point number 130 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point January Edition.

December 19th - Fool's Gold - Christmas Show

 Carol and Steve Robson are musicians who have been presenting their mixed story/image/live music shows to audiences all over the UK. Often our shows have a theme and include well-known and original music.

We began in the folk clubs of the North East of England, which probably explains why some of the songs are about coal mining!

But the Christmas show?

Can you guess what that's all about?

The Christmas Show comprises two 45-minute halves (with an interval) which are full of Acoustic Christmas Cheer - and a dollop of silliness.

The projected visuals help bring the whole show to life, but the key ingredient?

Why, that's you!

All the music is played 100% live, no backing tapes - Fool's Gold began in the Folk Clubs, so we know how to do that!

We play a variety of instruments, including guitars, bass, flute, whistles, Amicus (yes, it's a thing) and some clever stuff involving feet.

Intrigued?

See you there!
Tickets available in the Spittal Food Store or pay on the door.

.December 19th 7.30pm

Christmas Coffee Morning

 

The Christmas Coffee morning will be held in the Spittal Community Centre Hall on Middle Street on Saturday 6th December from 10am-12pm.
Coffee, Tea, Mince Pies, Shortbread, Sweet Treat Tombola, Raffle, etc..


December 12th 10am-12pm

The Point 126 Spittal Improvement Trust

December edition of The Point now published.


Point number 129 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point December Edition.

The Point 126 Spittal Improvement Trust

November edition of The Point now published.


Point number 128 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point November Edition.

The Point 126 Spittal Improvement Trust

October edition of The Point now published.


Point number 127 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point October Edition.

Spittal Village Mosaic Sign.


On Saturday 20th September local County Councillor Georgina Hill unveiled the new welcome Mosaic at the entrance to the village.

The mosaic was started 2 years ago and over a hundred residents and visitors have had the opportunity of adding a piece of mosaic.

The image depicts:

The iconic view from the village of the Berwick Lighthouse, built in 1826.

A leaping salmon to represent the importance of the fishing industry to the village's existence.

The only remaining chimney representing the many factories for chemical and fertiliser that were here from the mid 1850s.

Materials used in the mosaic:

The sky is mostly Victorian pottery thrown in the river as rubbish.
WILLOW PATTERN is copied from China from the 1780s.
BLUE FEATHER EDGE c1775 to early 1800s has asymmetrical undulating scallop edge with impressed curved lines.
SPONGE WARE was first produced in Scotland in the 1830s. Small pieces of sponge cut into patterns, dipped in colour and hand printed onto the pottery.

PANCHEON BOWL of terracota and cream, a very wide, shallow bowl used to separate milk to make cream or to make bread dough

BRICK and SLATE thought to be used as ballast by ships entering port, and discarded to take on cargo . Also from demolished buildings thrown in the river, along with glazed tiles.

GLASS CODD BOTTLES and MARBLE designed in 1872 by Hiram Codd for aerated liquids manufactured with thick glass to withstand internal pressure. Bottle were pinched into a special shape either side of the neck to provide a chamber for a marble. The fizz forced the marble up against a rubber gasket to seal the bottle.

Glass stopper from a bottle.

There are also bits of medical and storage bottles and jars. The shore surf is made from the foot on the bottom of cups.

MUSSEL AND LIMPET shells were eaten and used as fishing bait by the villagers.

The Point 126 Spittal Improvement Trust

Unveiling of the Spittal Village Mosaic Sign.


This coming Saturday, the 20th of September at 2pm, we will be unveiling the Mosaic Sign and all are welcome.
It will be taking place on the grass verge of Dock Road, just as you are coming into Spittal. Just along from the wall of the single storey building, where there are the 4 boards about Spittal, including a fascinating 1932 aerial shot of part of the village.
The making of the Mosaic Sign was a community project made from pottery, glass and brick from the river and sea beaches around Spittal.
There will be a short explanation about the historic pieces, and what is depicted in the image.

The Point 126 Spittal Improvement Trust

September edition of The Point now published.


Point number 126 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point September Edition.

The Point 123

August edition of The Point now published.


Point number 125 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point August Edition.

The Point 123

July edition of The Point now published.


Point number 124 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point July Edition.

Spittal  Tea In The Park 2025

Tea In The Park - Sunday July 6th


This year's Tea In The Park to raise funds for the Gardening Group will be held on Sunday 6th July in Seafield Park from 2pm-5pm.
There will be music from Duke, lots of cakes and goodies, tombola, raffle  and stalls to peruse.

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Spittal Tea In The Park 2025
Secret Gardens Spittal June 2025

Spittal Open Gardens - Saturday June 21st


We had a great response to our piece in the last issue of The Point about Spittal Gardening Group’s plans for a Secret Gardens trail. Our first Open Gardens event will take place on Saturday 21st June from 2 to 5 pm.   Ten private gardens or all shapes and sizes will be opening their gates, as well as the gardens at Spittal Bowling Club and St John’s Church.  Tickets with a map of the participating gardens are £2 (cash only), available from the Community Centre on the day.  All the gardens are in Lower Spittal, mostly within easy walking distance. Refreshments will be available at the Community Centre all afternoon and at one of the gardens. 

 

Please remember that most of these gardens haven’t been designed for public access.  There may be narrow paths, steep steps, slippery grass slopes or other hazards as well as delicate features.  Children are welcome to visit with a responsible adult but must be closely supervised. Not all the gardens are able to welcome dogs.  Where dogs are admitted they must be kept on a lead, under close control.  Please take care, of everyone’s safety and of the gardens!


The Point 123

June edition of The Point now published.


Point number 123 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point June Edition.

The Point 119

May edition of The Point now published.


Point number 122 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point May Edition.

The Point 119

April edition of The Point now published.


Point number 121 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point April Edition.

Spring Coffee Morning

 

The Spring Coffee morning will be held in the Spittal Community Centre Hall on Middle Street on Saturday April 12th from 10am-12pm.
Coffee, Tea, Cakes, Easter Egg Tombola, Raffle, etc..


April 12th 10am-12pm

The Point 119

December edition of The Point now published.


Point number 120 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point December Edition.

The Point 119

November edition of The Point now published.


Point number 119 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point November Edition.

Crowdfunder created for clock mechanism.


We have launched a fundraiser to replace the near 100 year old clock mechanism in the former St Paul's Church.
The current workings are close to the end of their useful life and the new set up will be automated winding rather than manual twice weekly winding as at present.
If you can help please follow the link and donate:
https://bit.ly/4dpCRR0


October edition of The Point now published.


Point number 118 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point October Edition.

September edition of The Point now published.


Point number 117 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point September Edition.

August edition of The Point now published.


Point number 116 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point August Edition.

July edition of The Point now published.


Point number 115 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point July Edition.

June edition of The Point now published.


Point number 114 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point June Edition.

May edition of The Point now published.


Point number 113 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point May Edition.

April edition of The Point now published.


Point number 112 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point April Edition.

March edition of The Point now published.


Point number 111 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point March Edition.

Spring Coffee Morning

 

The Spring Coffee morning will be held in the Spittal Community Centre Hall on Middle Street on Saturday March 23rd fronm 10am-12pm.
Coffee, Tea, Cakes, Easter Egg Tombola, Raffle, etc..


March 23rd 10am-12pm

April 5th - Night Of Guitars

 

This promises to be a night of fiery guitar playing from the
duo Solea, and renowned classical guitarist Stewart Kelly.
Get ready to be blown away by the electrifying performances
of three of Scotland's most talented guitarists. Solea will be playing tracks from their new album "Sketches" and Stewart
Kelly will perform a solo set of classical music. After the interval, the trio will then come together to perform a set for the evening’s finale.
Tickets are now on sale on Eventbrite. You can book now by
using the QR Code on the poster or by going to this link:
https://shorturl.at/NU139.


April 5th 7pm

April 12th - Fool's Gold - Old King Coal

 Carol and Steve’s new show ‘Old King Coal’ is an
unashamedly nostalgic retrospective of life in the North of England in days gone by. The stories and songs are a mixture of well-known and original and all feature the fascinating stories and histories you didn't know that hide behind them. And it's not all about coal either. Places, events, and characters of the North all rub shoulders with tales of the pit.
As with all Fool's Gold shows, Old King Coal is a mixture of live acoustic music played on a range of instruments, featuring the amazing stories and histories that created the songs, all backed by projected images. The songs are both original and very well- known. There's plenty for audiences to identify with and join in with, audience participation is always a big part of their shows! There are funny moments and much more poignant tales too, but there is always something for everyone.

Tickets are now on sale on Eventbrite. You can book now by
going to this link: https://shorturl.at/bdqY7.
Tickets will also be available in the Spittal Food Store from Monday 26th February.

.April 12th 7.30pm

March 16th - Indoor Car Boot Sales

 

There will be a monthly indoor car boot sale held in the Middle Street Hall on the following dates:

January 20th 10am-1pm

February 17th 10am-1pm

March 16th 10am-1pm

April 20th 10am-1pm

The Point 108

January edition of The Point now published.

 

Point number 110 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point January Edition.

The Point 108

December edition of The Point now published.

 

Point number 109 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point December Edition.

The Point 108

Latest edition of The Point now published.

 

Point number 108 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point November Edition.

Spittal Calendars for 2024 Out Now

 

Calendars are on sale now at Spittal Food Store and Grieve's The Stationers in Berwick Town Centre. There is an "Old Spittal" version and a "Spittal Views" version. Prices vary. 

The Point 107

Latest edition of The Point now published.

 

Point number 107 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point October Edition.

Latest edition of The Point now published.

 

Point number 106 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point September Edition.

Latest edition of The Point now published.

 

Point number 105 is out now and can be viewed via the link below:
The Point August Edition.

Thank you for supporting Tea In The Park

 

A total of £1,445 was raised for Gardening Group funds.

Thanks also to everyone who donated raffle prizes and items for the cake stall as well as all the volunteers who helped on the day.

Thanks also to Karl Storrie for use of his van, Spittal Bowling Club, The Face Painting Lady and Kevin Shearer for the entertainment.

Tea In The Park

 

This year's Tea In The Park to raise funds for the Gardening Group will be held on SUnday 16th July in Seafield Park from 2pm-5pm.
There will be music from Duke, lots of cakes and goodies, tombola, raffle, face painter and stalls to peruse.

Spittal Seafield Park

July 16, 14:00 - 17:00

Fridays

Free Tai Chi In The Park

Free sessions of a modified version of Taoist Tai Chi in Spittal's Seafield Park, Sea Road, weather permitting. Ideal for complete beginners as well as the more experienced. Starting on Friday 26th May at 10:30am, initially for 6 weeks. Please try to get to the park by 10:25am to register.

Wear casual clothes and trainers but bear in mind that even in May/June it can be quite chilly.

You will normally be notified by email the night before if cancellation is necessary, so please check your emails before leaving home.

You are welcome to contact me, Pete Barnes, if you require further information.

Email: berwicktaichi@gmail.com

Seafield Park Spittal

Fridays, 10:30

Keep an eye out for our dolphin visitors

Dolphins at Spittal Beach, Northumberland