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Hundreds turn out for the Cheeseburn Grange Open Day
Sunday 12 July 2009
As part of the National Gardens Scheme, Cheeseburn Grange on the outskirts of Newcastle opened its gardens to the public again this year. Money raised from entrance fees goes to national cancer charities such as Macmillan and Marie Curie, but money from sales on the day is being donated to the Alan Shearer Centre.
The Grange is a grade II star listed building designed for the Riddell family in 1813 by Newcastle architect John Dobson. It stands on the site of an earlier 17th century house in seven acres of beautifully restored gardens.
Last year Mr and Mrs Riddell, together with members of the congregation of the Grange's chapel of St. Francis Xavier, raised £1,232 through the sale of teas and cakes.
This year's open day was on Sunday 12th July from 2pm till 5.30pm and offered homemade teas, a plant and produce sale and a sculpture show featuring the work of ten northern sculptors. Many of the scupltures were for sale and one was raffled in aid of the Alan Shearer Centre.
Among the hundreds of people who made the day such a success were Shona Chambers, who works at the Alan Shearer Centre, with her son Michael (below).
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Volunteers help with garden makeover
May & June 2009
Civil servants swapped their computer screens for spades when they offered to lend a hand in the gardens at the Alan Shearer Centre.
Department of Work and Pensions staff from across the North East and from offices in Warrington have helped to clear undergrowth and prepare the ground for an accessible “woodland walk “designed for disabled people.
The staff each worked for a day at the centre as part of the Community 5000 scheme, a national DWP initiative which aims to provide 5,000 hours of voluntary work each year to charities.
Alan Shearer Centre Manager, Claire Atkinson said:
"We are very grateful to everyone to everyone who has volunteered to help out. The team has worked extremely hard to clear the grounds of literally tonnes of garden waste.
We're now looking forward to redesigning the site, with new plants, bird feeders and a hide to enable our visitors to observe the wildlife which we are hoping will be attracted by the new growth."
As well as staff from the Department of Work and Pensions the Centre has been fortunate to recruit volunteer helpers from the Tynedale Centre in Hexham. Our thanks to everyone for all their hard work.
Don't forget - there's always plenty to do at the Centre, so more volunteers are always welcome!
Click here
to see more pictures of our volunteers at work.
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Papal Nuncio Visit
Saturday 20 October 2008
 His Excellency Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, visited the Alan Shearer Centre on Saturday 20 October 2008 to bless the grounds and gardens at the Centre.
The Alan Shearer Centre Manager, Jane Percy, gave Archbishop Munoz, Bishop Kevin Dunn and Monsignor Brady a guided tour of the Centre.
They were able to see first hand the freedom that the Centre offers to people with disabilities as they met service users in the sensory rooms.
 The visit to the Centre was part of a four day tour of the North East.
St Cuthberts Care's Director, Austin Donhoe, gave a short speech welcoming Archbishop Munoz to the Alan Shearer Centre and informed him of the work the Centre does with all members of the community, before showing a promotional DVD of the Centre. After blessing the grounds and unveiling a commemorative plaque, Archbishop Munoz spent the remainder of the morning chatting to the Centre's staff and a handful of St Cuthberts Care's supporters over tea and cakes in Browne's Internet Café.
Rt Hon Francis Maude
visits the Centre
Friday 14 March 2008
 The Rt Hon Francis Maude MP, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office and Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, paid a brief visit to the Alan Shearer Activity Centre and Short Break Service.
During his hour-long visit, Mr Maude toured the Centre with with Centre Manager, Jane Percy, and the Deputy Director, Moira Ashman.
Mr Maude had the opportunity to chat to service users, during which time he was able to appreciate the difference the Centre has made to their lives.
He was especially impressed with the unique facilities at the Centre, and the level of care provided at the short break service.
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