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Durham County Council
Be on the board
6th February 12 2:53pm
The 4 Together Area Action Partnership (AAP) is appealing for a board member. The chosen representative will play a key part in making decisions within the 4 Together area and will help to set priorities and also choose how partnership funds are spent. The board meets regularly to tackle local issues and allocate funding to local projects and if you live or work in Ferryhill, Chilton, Bishop Middleham or Cornforth now is your chance to step up and have a say. The 4 Together AAP is one of 14 set up by Durham County Council in 2009 to help the council better engage with residents and give them a voice in decision making and deciding how funding is allocated. A vacancy has arisen for a board member because current board member Margaret Hayes is stepping down. Thanking Margaret for her hard work as a public representative, councillor Brian Avery said: "We welcome applications from anyone who lives or works in our area to bring a new and forward looking viewpoint to our work."
Bishop Band Night
6th February 12 2:46pm
A live music event for young people proved so popular – a further two are planned for next month. Bishop Live – Young People’s Band Night was held on Friday night and saw four bands made up of local musicians take to the stage. The Cartoon Room, We killed the base player, The loudest silence and Lady Godiva performed at Bishop Auckland Town Hall as part of the event organised by Durham County Council’s Positive Activities for Young People Team. Alison Ghent, area youth worker, said: “Despite the snow there was a really good turn out so we were very pleased. “Thanks to all of the parents who provided transport to get the bands there and to all the people who came to watch. “The bands and standard of performance was fantastic- well done to everybody.” A further two nights are set to take place on Saturday 3 and Saturday 31 March. Anyone interested in attending or performing should contact Alison on: 07825 341 218.
GAMP project gets green light
6th February 12 1:05pm
Green little fingers will be exploring the wonder of growing fruit and vegetables thanks to funding from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership. (GAMP) Walworth Special School is a primary school for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and funding will pay for an allotment which will allow the children to learn about landscape and garden management. The young people will learn the art of growing flowers, fruit and vegetables as well as developing their organisational skills, team work, communication and vocabulary as they learn a whole host of new gardening terms. The money, totalling £2,403 from Councillors Enid Paylor and Mike Dixon’s neighbourhood budget, will mostly be used for materials and equipment to lay out the allotment and set it up. It will also cover the costs of the labour needed to install fencing, pathways and other work. The produce from the allotment will hopefully be sold at community fairs and used in the school canteen. Brian Riley, AAP coordinator, said: “GAMP funding has allowed the school to develop a fantastic resource that will allow pupils to learn a wide range of new skills.”
Killhope opens for half term
6th February 12 12:38pm
A County Durham museum is opening its doors for the February half-term holidays for the first time this year following calls from visitors. Killhope: the North of England Lead Mining Museum will be open from Saturday, 11 February to Sunday, 19 February. The museum normally closes for the winter, reopening in April, but in previous years staff has been inundated with calls from the public hoping the attraction is open during half-term week. Shelagh Connor, Killhope’s visitor services officer, said: “The weather is often mild at this time of year and we always get dozens of calls from people asking if we are open. “We decided to give it a go this year and have so far managed to escape the bad weather. “Hopefully, conditions will stay mild and people will take the opportunity to come and along and see what the museum has to offer and take part in some of our special activities.” On Sunday, 12 February, the Killhope blacksmith will be firing up the forge and demonstrating his skills between 11am and 4pm. The museum will also be kicking off its Magnificent Minerals project with a week of activities giving children, and the whole family, the chance to learn about local geology and the museum’s famous spar boxes. Killhope’s brand new interactive spar box bench will also be on display.
Albion Band leader steps aside for a new generation
6th February 12 11:44am
A new generation of folk talent will take to the stage in Durham next month. The latest incarnation of The Albion Band performs at Gala Theatre at 7.30pm on Saturday, 3 March. For the first time in 40 years, band leader and founder of Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention Ashley Hutchings, is stepping down to let his son Blair Dunlop take the helm. The 19-year-old, who is shortlisted for a BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and also featured in Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, will be joined by up-and-coming English folk talent Gavin Davenport, Katriona Gilmore, Tom Wright and Tim Yates. The Albion Band, whose line up has featured more than 100 different musicians during the past four decades, has always concentrated on English folk music and tunes. Performing traditional songs, old Albion Band favourites and new material, the new line-up recaptures the spirit of the Albion’s heyday with a rockier, edgier approach for the 21st Century. Ashley said: “For a good number of years people have been encouraging me to re-form The Albion Band. I have resisted these calls. Then I had a Eureka moment. The way forward was to allow a new generation to take over the baton. “I asked my son what he thought of being part of a new re-invented Albion Band. His reply was that he couldn’t think of anything he would rather do.” Tickets are priced at £18.50 or £16.50 for concessions. To book, visit the Gala box office, call 0191 332 4041 or go online at www.galadurham.co.uk
Roadworks expected to end this summer
3rd February 12 4:25pm
The first phase of a major development to bring new jobs, housing and business to a County Durham town is expected to be completed by the summer. Durham County Council is reassuring residents after unforeseen problems caused delays affecting roadworks in the A167/A688 Thinford roundabout area. The £8.5m roadworks improvement scheme is being carried out as part of the wider DurhamGate project, which will see a new housing, retail, leisure and business development on a 55-acre former industrial site on the outskirts of Spennymoor. The roadworks, which are not only essential to the DurhamGate development but will also reduce traffic congestion and bring improved access to the nearby Green Lane Industrial Estate and Spennymoor town centre, were originally planned to be completed at the end of 2011. But unforeseen problems regarding the diversion of underground services and, installing new drainage combined with having to keep traffic flowing in one of the county’s congestion hotspots have resulted in delays. In addition through a coordinated approach, other organisations have also taken the opportunity to undertake essential infrastructure works, which would have been necessary regardless of the creation of DurhamGate. This means that the roadworks are now expected to run on until the summer. Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for regeneration and economic development at Durham County Council, said: “These roadworks are part of a major development that will bring significant benefits to Spennymoor and the surrounding area. “Unfortunately there have been some issues which were not anticipated and which have caused some delays to the work. “However, we would like to reassure people that we have largely resolved these issues and we hope to complete the roadworks by the summer. “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and we would ask motorists for their continued patience while these important roadworks are carried out.” Work on the Thinford roundabout is expected to be completed by the summer while work on the York Hill Road and the new roundabout by the Coach and Horses pub are due to be finished in the spring. The wider DurhamGate project is expected to bring nearly 3,000 new jobs when it is fully completed as well as creating construction jobs and training opportunities during the work. Along with new retail and leisure developments, including shops, a restaurant, a pub and an 80-bed hotel, there will also be 376 new homes built as part of the scheme.
Cold weather advice
3rd February 12 4:14pm
Tips and advice on staying safe, warm and well are being offered to people in County Durham as forecasters predict snow for the weekend. Durham County Council is reminding residents that information on looking after yourself during the cold weather is available at www.durham.gov.uk/warmandwell The page also includes a downloadable ‘personal winter plan’, which features checklists, useful telephone numbers and space to add extra information. If you need help during bad weather or are concerned about someone else’s welfare you should contact the following numbers: Highways Action Line (HAL): 0191 370 6000 or email HAL@durham.gov.uk - for enquiries about the salting of roads and footpaths. Social Care Direct: 0845 850 5010 – for concerns about someone’s welfare. Durham County Council: 0300 123 7070 for all other issues, or visit www.durham.gov.uk NHS 111: if you need medical help but it isn’t an emergency.
GAMP scores a goal
3rd February 12 3:55pm
More than 200 youngsters are set to benefit from funding which will help them keep active this winter. Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) has supported Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre Junior Football Club with its indoor winter training costs. Funding will also be used to purchase new mini soccer goals and support the clubs Adult Soccability team. GAMP has supported the project with £4,400 which has come from Cllr Joan Gray and Cllr Paul Gittins neighbourhood budgets. Brian Riley, GAMP coordinator, said: “A key priority for GAMP is to help support the local community and voluntary sector. “This funding will not only help the club but also benefit hundreds of local young people who play for the football club.” Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre Football Club was established in 1989 and is an FA Charter Standard Community Club. Today the club boasts 19 teams with more than 200 local boys and girls aged between four and 18-years-old. This funding will cover the cost of providing winter training facilities to ensure the all the players keep up their training in the winter months. For the Younger age groups, this includes Sports Halls at Greenfield Community Arts Centre and Woodham Community Technology College as well as Aycliffe leisure centre and AycliffeYouth Centre. The older age groups will benefit from floodlit, all weather, 3G facilities at Greenfield. The club also supports an adult Soccability team which comprises of players aged between 16 and 51-years-old with learning and physical disabilities. Funding will help the club cover affiliation costs, registration, league fees and insurances as well as end of season awards for this team. GAMP is one of 14 Area Action Partnerships set up by Durham County Council in 2009 to help the council better engage with residents.
Fun at The Hub
3rd February 12 3:40pm
Young people in Teesdale are being invited to a fun day. On Friday 17 February The Hub in Barnard Castle will showcase the fun activities it has to offer. The day is being organised by Teesdale Action Partnership, (TAP) one of 14 set up by Durham County County in 2009, and will give young people a chance to have a go some of the activities on offer. Part of the day will also be dedicated to listening to what the young people have to say about growing up in Teesdale. TAP is a partnership between local people and organisations who all work together to look at ways to improve the area and the information from the young people will to help shape what TAP does in the future. Activities include: canoeing, dance, BMX, spray art, high ropes, music and drama. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Big Brother style ‘diary room’ to raise any issues. The event is being supported by Dale Force!, 2D, Barnard Castle YMCA and the Hub. Mike Bettison, chair of TAPs Children and Young People’s Group, said: “This is a great opportunity for local young people to try something a bit different and have some fun over the half term holidays.” The day is open to any children and young people aged between eight and 19, however under 13’s must be accompanied by an adult (this could be a youth worker). Due to the nature of the activities anyone under the age of 16 must have signed parental consent. Families are more than welcome to attend and there will be some limited activities for under those under eight. For more information and copies of consent forms please speak to Craig Morgan at TAP Tel: 03000 260817 or Robert Fothergill at 2D Tel: 01388 762220.
Have A Go
3rd February 12 11:35am
Polish up your admin skills, get to grips with IT or learn the art of origami at an adult learning class this month. Durham County Council’s Adult Learning and Skills Services is running a series of taster sessions in support of the WorldSkills London Have a Go campaign. The national initiative aims to provide a million fun, interactive and engaging opportunities for people across the UK to try a new skill. Taster sessions also include employability, customer services and craftwork. For more information on the sessions including dates, times and venues email alss@durham.gov.uk or call 0191 586 2402 or 0191 372 8496.
Andy’s Adventures in Durham
2nd February 12 2:58pm
He has visited 97 of the world’s 193 countries, once had to rescue Mike Tyson and his record collection weighs seven tons – and now Andy Kershaw is heading for Durham. The broadcaster and journalist brings his one-man show The Adventures of Andy Kershaw to the city’s Gala Theatre on Thursday, 23 February. Based on his autobiography No Off Switch, the show is full of hair-raising escapades and humorous anecdotes from his adventurous life. Andy began his career promoting major rock gigs as a teenager and was Billy Bragg’s driver, roadie and tour manager. He has worked for the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen, shared an office with John Peel for 12 years and won more Sony radio awards than any other broadcaster. Away from music, he has reported for the BBC from three civil wars and one volcanic eruption, visited North Korea four times and was banned from Malawi. He was also immortalised by Nick Hornby in his novel High Fidelity. Tickets for the show, which starts at 7.30pm, are priced at £15.00 or £13.00 for concessions. To book, visit the Gala box office, call 0191 332 4041 or go online at www.galadurham.co.uk
Changes to bus services in County Durham
2nd February 12 1:25pm
Bus services are being restored in some places hit by recent cuts in services. At the start of January Arriva withdrew or revised a number of their bus services. The services, on the more lightly used parts of their network, had become loss-making. However, the impact for some communities in County Durham has been significant. Building on action already taken to fill in the major gaps left by these changes, Durham County Council has worked with Arriva to look to resolve further issues where bus users have particular problems. Service 57 is being extended in order to restore buses to the Hawthorn Crescent area of Quarrington Hill; and in Bishop Middleham some service 56 buses are being re-routed to provide additional earlier morning buses, allowing people to get to Durham City in time to start work. Services will also be restored to the Fishburn Terrace area of Fishburn, where bus users have faced long walks since January. All of these changes will start on Monday 19 March. Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “These bus services provide an essential lifeline to our communities. People rely on buses to get them to work, to reach health appointments or to go shopping.” “I am pleased that we have been able to restore some of these links and we will continue to work with bus operators to ensure that people retain access to services wherever possible” More information on the timetable changes and scheduling is available online at: www.durham.gov.uk/busservicechanges.
Green honour for Killhope
1st February 12 4:32pm
A County Durham museum has struck gold in time for a special reopening week. Killhope: the North of England Lead Mining Museum has been granted a gold award through the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). The national initiative, approved by Visit Britain, GTBS considers a range of factors including energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity. Businesses that meet the required standard are awarded gold, silver or bronze status based on their level of achievement. An inspector who visited Killhope described the attraction as “a superb example of a sustainable destination which not only goes to extraordinary lengths to operate in a sustainable manner but also has a huge amount of information available for guests to help them understand sustainability”. The museum was praised for initiatives such as a composting toilet, condensing boiler and LED lighting as well as its on-site events, activities and workshops and its support for local projects. A report on the inspection concluded that the museum should “keep up the great enthusiasm and ideas which have resulted in the site receiving one of the highest GTBS scores”. Helen Marritt, the museum’s green champion, said: “At Killhope we believe passionately in sustainability and that every little bit of 'green' effort can make a difference so we’re very pleased to have been awarded gold status by the GTBS. “It’s a fantastic accolade and adds another aspect to visitor experience.” This year, Killhope will be open for the spring half term for the very first time. Visitors will be able to enjoy the Victorian lead mine, woodland walks and the world’s only working Amrstrong Water Wheel from Saturday, 11 to Sunday, 19 February.
Shoplifting and crime fall by 57 per cent
1st February 12 12:41pm
Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour has fallen by 57 per cent in and around an East Durham supermarket following the launch of a crime crackdown. Peterlee Neighbourhood Policing team and the Safe Durham Partnership are working with staff at Asda, Peterlee in an effort to reduce police call-outs to the store. The initiative, which began in April 2011, includes security staff receiving additional training from the police, crime prevention days at the store, with website customers receiving advice with their home shopping deliveries, and the opening of a police office within the supermarket. In its first 10 months, the scheme has seen the number of crimes and incidents of anti-social behaviour fall from 28 to 12. In addition, action has been taken against offenders in relation to all crimes reported during December 2011. Sgt Ian Dickinson said: “Shoplifting at Asda has reduced dramatically thanks to the joint efforts of the police, the Safe Durham Partnership and the store’s management and staff. “Our initial aim was to reduce the number of call-outs to the police by 25 per cent within a year but we have already far exceeded that target. “We will now be continuing our efforts to see if we can achieve a further reduction by the end of the year.”
With Bayonets Fixed
1st February 12 12:33pm
The experiences of County Durham soldiers during the First World War will be discussed by historian and writer John Sheen this weekend. With Bayonets Fixed: the story of 12th and 13th Battalions The Durham Light Infantry 1914-1918 will see John talk about the research for his latest book. The talk will begin by looking at the raising and training of the two battalions that served in the 68 Brigade of the famous 23rd Division. It will also cover their time in France on the Somme in 1916 and at Messines and the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. John will also discuss the move to the Italian Front where 12th Battalion remained until the end of the war. The session, at the DLI Museum and Durham Arts Gallery at 2.00pm on Saturday, 4 February, will be of interest to families with links to the two battalions as well as those with a general interest in the Regiment and the Great War. Tickets are priced at £4.50 for adults, £3.50 for concessions and £2.50 for children aged between four and 16-years-old. For annual pass holders prices are £2.50 for adults, £2.00 for concessions and £1.50 for children. For more information contact the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery on 0191 384 2214, email dli@durham.gov.uk or visit www.durham.gov.uk/dli
