St John's Church Lynesack
The Parish of Lynesack and Softley stems from the Church of St.John and encompasses the villages of Butterknowle, Copley, and part of Woodland as well as a few hamlets.
The area is mainly agricultural but still shows evidence of it’s pioneering days of mining and railway transport.
The pleasant countryside has many footpaths for walkers to enjoy the open air and rural freedom.
Pinfold Medical Practice's Patient Participation Group (PPG)
Pinfold Medical Practice have recently formed a Patient Participation Group (PPG) alongside many other GP practices within County Durham. It is an effective way of communicating the views and experiences of patients which can be relayed to practice staff and also to the wider NHS groups such as the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). This help signpost issues, services and funding for our local community.
Thanks to the Lynesack and Softley Parish Council you can read our quarterly newsletters and keep up to date with current events .
Type PPG into the search area above and follow the link
Storm Arwen - help and support
Storm Arwen – help and support
Durham County Council, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Durham Constabulary, the Mountain Rescue Service, Northumbrian Water, NHS bodies, Northern Powergrid and the voluntary sector have all been working together to support residents following Storm Arwen.
We are also aware of the support members of the community have been providing to friends and neighbours and would like to offer our thanks for the invaluable help that has been provided. If you require support, please call 03000 26 0000.
Are you still without power?
If your power supply has not been restored, contact Northern PowerGrid. Visit www.northernpowergrid.com. If you are vulnerable, call 105.
Help to cover costs
If your property was without power on or after Monday 29 November, you can claim financial assistance from Northern Powergrid. This includes the reasonable costs of alternative accommodation and food – up to £15 per person per meal.
All customers are eligible. Customers’ circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For support, email StormArwen@northernpowergrid.com or call 105.
Northern Powergrid has also said that it will be contacting customers affected by the power cuts to advise them as to how their bills will be affected. This will start once power has been restored to all affected properties.
If you are experiencing immediate financial hardship, and a delay in reimbursement from Northern Powergrid will cause further strain on your finances, you may be eligible for a one-off voucher through Durham County Council’s welfare assistance scheme. Call 03000 267 900 for information.
Temporary heating
Northern Powergrid has installed temporary generators to restore power to some properties. These are either large generators providing a supply to a number of houses, or smaller units for individual properties.
Northern Powergrid is responsible for refuelling generators and householders should not attempt to do this themselves. If a generator stops working, either due to running out of fuel or a mechanical fault, contact Northern Powergrid by calling 105.
In order to reconnect those properties served by a generator, it is necessary to turn off the power supply for a short period of time.
Durham County Council has also supplied a number of temporary heaters and cooking stoves to residents without power. Once power is restored, the council will be in touch to arrange collection so that these items can be used again.
Thank you once again for your support and patience during this time
December 2021
Free to a good home !
The wooden hut at Copley recreation ground is no longer used
Is there anyone interested in it – free
The hut is to be dismantled and removed by the new owner
Please contact us via the website if interested
Our villages and hamlets
Below are images and information on our villages and hamlets.
Woodland is split into 2 Parish Councils, Lynesack and Softley Parish Council and Woodland Parish Council
There is 1 further hamlet , lying between Copley and Woodland, called Lanehead.
Butterknowle
Butterknowle is the largest of our villages, encompasing an infant and junior school along with the village hall.
The Village Hall at Butterknowle, opened in 1963, was built by and for the people of Butterknowle and the surrounding area, (by public subscription). It is a registered charity and held in a Deed of Trust for the people of Butterknowle, and as such operates a membership scheme. The day to day running of the village hall is overseen by a volunteer management committee elected by the membership of the village hall at an Annual General Meeting. This management committee is responsible to the 4 nominated Holding Trustees of the village hall.
Membership is on an annual basis and subject to an annual membership fee.
Here we also find the local doctor’s surgery, post off ice and 2 public houses
Copley
Copley is the second largest village and homes a memorial village hall along with a children’s play are, football filed and garage/workshop
South Side
A small, quite hamlet to the north of Butterknowle
Lynesack
Lynesack is home to the glorious St John’s Church and also a former school
Woodland
Woodland is split into 2 Parish Councils as stated above.
The village itself has a school, church and small local shop
Meetings
Meetings
The Parish Council usually meet once a month in Butterknowle Village Hall at 7pm. Normally this meeting will be on the second Thursday in the month, any changes will be given at least a week in advance.
- The Parish Council meet to discuss local issues
- Support the economic diversity and prosperity of the villages
- Review planning applications and make comment as appropriate
Welcome to our new website
This site has been developed to give the residents of the area access to their Parish Council.
There is much more to come and we hope to regularly update these pages to communicate what the acouncil wishes to achieve throughout the year and what progress is being made on any current projects or issues which have been raised.
We hope that you find it both informative and interesting.