Issue 64 – April 2020 Photographs Courtesy of the Recently Revitalised

Issue 64 – April 2020

Photographs courtesy of the recently revitalised Shincliffe Local History Society

SUMMER GARDEN PARTY – SUNDAY 12TH JULY SHINCLIFFE SHOW – SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER

USEFUL INFORMATION SCOUTS, CUBS & BEAVERS SHINCLIFFE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Nearest Groups: 17th. Durham (Coxhoe) Chair: Pete Hagger 386 7085 and 15th. Durham (Elvet) Secretary: Del Faye 386 0369 District Commissioners: Email: [email protected] Jointly, Simon Kemp and Kieren Stephenson. Contact us on Facebook Email: [email protected] St. MARY’S CHURCH HALL General enquiries: For bookings, contact: [email protected] Susan Banks 384 0183, or 07796668946 GUIDES/BROWNIES/RAINBOWS Email: [email protected] District Commissioner: Sue Egglestone 07939035907 SHINCLIFFE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE meets in the WI Nearest Groups at St. Oswald’s Hut in Shincliffe Village on the first Wednesday in the Contact: Carol Forster 07790120355 month. or [email protected] President: Sue Sandham: 375 7274 SHINCLIFFE JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB Hall Bookings: Yvonne Willis 386 2124 Chairman: David Glover 07917 356064 SHINCLIFFE PARISH COUNCIL Club Secretary: Sara Clasper 07834 268274 Chair: David Stoker: 378 4300 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] POLICE Clerk: Kate Kirton: 077 0102 7450 County Police Headquarters, Aykley Heads Meetings on the 3rd Thursday in the month at 6.00 pm For all non-emergency calls 101 (except August) SHINCLIFFE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Email: [email protected] (CONTROLLED) PRIMARY SCHOOL Website: www.shincliffeparishcouncil.co.uk Headteacher: David Tait 384 3739 There are 6 councillors (in addition to the Chairman) Email: [email protected] who can be contacted by phone: Friends of Shincliffe School (FOSS) Chris Armstrong 659 1066 Chair: Kate Jafri & Sarah Hulse David Duell (Vice-Chair) 384 8281 Email: [email protected] Peter Ferries 383 2287 Website: shincliffe-foss.org.uk Wayne Fradgley 372 1340 OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS Andrzej Olechnowicz 386 5343 Co. Durham Furniture Help Scheme (For the John Wright 372 1159 donation of surplus furniture): 01388 721509 The Parish Clerk can be contacted by phone or Email Co. Durham Handy Person Service (Small jobs for the as given above over 60’s, and otherwise vulnerable) DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL Tel: 0300 456 2220 Councillor: David Stoker 07971 963877 Email:[email protected] Email: [email protected] Durham Re-cycling and Waste 03000 260 000 Websites: Social services: durhamlocate.org.uk Website: durham.gov.uk/hwrc General: durham.gov.uk Action Fraud SHINCLIFFE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY meets in National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre the Church Hall on the third Thursday in the month 0300 123 2040 Contact: Bill Hateley: 386 5916 Website: cyberaware.gov.uk, where you can report HOSPITAL crime. University Hospital of North Durham: 333 2333 Reporting a gas leak Out of hours, contact your own Practice, or National Grid Emergency Line 0800 111 999 NHS non-emergency 111 Electricity power failure CHILDREN’S & YOUTH ORGANISATIONS Call 105 for information. BABY AND TODDLER GROUP: Tuesday & Citizens Advice 03000 323 2000 Thursday at St. Mary’s Church Hall: 9.30 am – 11.30 Samaritans 116 123 (free phone) am Contact: Alice Coombs 07894738386 Email: [email protected] If you wish to have an entry in this section, please send it to the Editor.

WELCOME Welcome to the April 2020 edition of Shincliffe Community Association Newsletter. Don’t forget to mention SCAN if you contact our advertisers. Organisers/members should please check the Useful Information section and let us know of any updates/changes. SCAN Editor: This issue has been edited by Yvonne Collingham: [email protected]. Proof-readers: Isabel Barrass and Elsie Cornish Distribution Team: Alan & Linda Kelly Tel: 384 9661, Bill & Margaret Clatworthy Tel: 375 7480 Advertising: Andrew French Tel: 384 8209 Short articles and/or photos are always welcome, although space limitations may mean that they will not always be published. We are also inviting people to suggest helpful hints and tips which may be of interest to members of the community and can fill in awkward gaps in the magazine. Please use [email protected] for any queries regarding adverts and/or contributions. 4 Tribute to Michael Stewart REGULAR ARTICLES 17 St. Mary’s Newsletter with 5 The Community ‘Your Parish Priest Association News and Writes…’ ‘From the information about the Registers’, news about the Association’s activities. Church Hall, social events 5 Local News/ and fundraising, news from Announcements the Bell Ringers. 13 Shincliffe Primary School 28 The Parish Council and News from the school and Horticultural News FOSS 36 Shincliffe Diary 15 Shincliffe Local History Features Society 33 Down the Lane: The Year of the Rat

Published by Shincliffe Community Association, this issue edited by Yvonne Collingham. Views expressed are those of individuals and not necessarily those of the Association or the Editor. Shincliffe Community Association is registered charity number 1063309 Printed by The Coronation Press Ltd. Coxhoe. www.coronation-press.co.uk

Michael Stewart ‘Mr. Handyman’ 27. 12. 68 – 23. 11. 19 A Tribute

There are certain signs in our daily lives which are reassuring and comforting. Signs that signal “all is well” in our community. Seeing such signs can invoke in us an inner smile, maybe an outer smile, a physical manifestation of contentment, even joy! These certain signs may be different for each of us but we will all likely share the same emotion when they are no longer there. A sense of loss…something is no longer quite right. For many of us, one such sign signalling “all is well” was seeing Michael Stewart, ‘Mr Handyman’, with his handyman van a ubiquitous presence in and around Shincliffe, the place he was born and raised. Michael knew just about everybody in Shincliffe. He either had a family connection or a social connection, a professional connection or a faith connection. Remarkably, given his busy diary of appointments, Michael seemed to have time for a friendly chat with anyone and everyone walking past his workplace of the moment, and still managed to complete a first-class job! Michael Stewart’s connectivity and active participation with his community in Shincliffe, across many aspects of his life, gave him a sense of purpose, a sense of fulfilment and an inner strength based on family, friendship and faith. Michael gave much to many out of love and a belief in using your God given talents to do good in the world. He did just that in our little corner of the world. In return he was liked, loved, trusted and respected in equal measure. The sense of loss in our community at Michael’s untimely death was palpable. At his funeral, every inch of St. Mary’s Church was crammed with mourners, grieving and paying their respects. Eulogies given by his widow Sonia, his friends and his priest, captured the essence of the man whose life touched so many lives in so many ways. Sometimes, when I am walking in and around Shincliffe, I catch a glimpse of a little white van and, for a fleeting moment, expect to see Michael somewhere near. A pang of grief inevitably follows. Grief is the price we pay for love but it is the love from family, friends and a caring community that gets us through the difficult days. Walking past a painted fence, a pointed wall, a pruned bush and pristine garden, or a polished church hall floor, reminds me that Mr Handyman has passed this way. Although he himself may have passed on, the signs of his presence are everywhere in Shincliffe. All is well! All is well!

Michael Banks Friend and fellow Church Warden

SHINCLIFFE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION NEWS

Annual General Meeting – Wednesday 22nd April 2020 at the Avenue Inn, 7.30pm You are invited to join us for our AGM when we hope to plan some new events for 2020. Keepfit: a time of change. We are very grateful to Alison Swarbrick for running the classes over the last 12 years, and wish her and her family well as they begin a new stage in their lives. All the classes are currently running with new instructors – Tuesdays 12-1 pm in the Church Hall – this class runs at a gentle pace and ends with some seated stretches and relaxation. Thursday 2.30-3.30 pm in the Church Hall- The seated class needs new members to enable it to thrive – and survive- see our advert on page 11. Thursday 7-8 pm in the W. I. Hut – this is a lively class for active adults. All classes cost only £3.50 per session. Knit’n’Natter Fridays 9.30-11.30 a.m. at The Avenue. We will be holding a coffee morning on Friday 3rd April at the Avenue Inn; all proceeds will be donated to the Chemo Unit Appeal at University Hospital of North Durham (formerly known as Dryburn Hospital), there are more details of the coffee morning on page 10 & the 2020 in 2020 Appeal on page 7. Last year we proudly donated £520 to the RVI Children’s Cancer Unit & £666 to Marie Curie & would like to thank you for your support. We are celebrating our fifth birthday soon, still enjoying lots of natter- and continue to donate many knitted items to local hospitals. Shincliffe Show Saturday 12th Sept Put the date on the calendar!

LOCAL NEWS/ANNOUNCEMENTS Face painting- we are seeking a volunteer to offer face painting for children at the church Garden Party on Sunday 12th July. if you are able to assist please contact Bill Clatworthy by e-mail on [email protected] The WI have just replaced their old stage curtains. The old curtains are available in return for a donation. Please contact Sue Sandham (375 7274) if you are interested.

Community Association Membership Membership can be made by a payment directly to our bank account: sort code 09-01-56, account number 23324601. If you wish to join this way could you also notify us by e- mailing [email protected] with your name(s) and address please. Forms can be dropped off at/sent to 27, Telford Close, High Shincliffe. SHINCLIFFE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Membership Application for 2020

Name ______

Address ______

______Section______

e-mail______(For us to send community messages only. Your address will not be divulged or shared.)

Please tick box for age range under 18 18+

I agree to abide by the rules of the Association

Signature ______

Fees: Under 18s £1.00, otherwise £2.00

Knit’n’Natter Avenue Inn

Fridays 9.30 - 11.30 a.m. Only £3 per week & includes tea, coffee, cake and chatter!

Why not come and join our group of friendly crafters to learn a new skill or enjoy an existing one in like-minded company! We offer the opportunity to share & learn new skills including knitting, crochet, cross stitch and advice on rug making. We are interested in learning new skills too – can you teach us? You are welcome to bring along your current projects or join us in charitable knitting as we continue to donate hats, cardigans, blankets and many other items. We always welcome donations of wool and needles. Please feel free to contact Del Faye on 07503 167131 or 0191 386 0369 or call in to see us if you have any questions.

2020 Chemotherapy Appeal for a Cancer Unit at University Hospital of North Durham

An appeal has been launched by the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust to raise £3.1 million to build a state-of-the-art cancer unit at University Hospital of North Durham; to provide a warm, caring and supportive environment that will give patients the energy and inspiration they need to help them through their treatment, many of which can take several hours at each visit. The challenge is for 2,020 groups to raise £1,000 during 2020 to help achieve this. Shincliffe Community Association would like to invite ALL our community to help raise this, as a truly community venture. A number of groups have already agreed to support us – including: The Avenue Inn, & Betty Bees Coffee Shop. The Knit’n’Natter group will hold a coffee morning on 3rd April at The Avenue Inn as our first fundraiser but we would love to receive your ideas to achieve our target. You can contact us via Facebook, email or in the old-fashioned way, contacting Del Faye at 27, Telford Close or on 07503 167131/ 3860369. 7

My Journey at an Exercise Class for the Less Physically Able

As I have aged my physical strength & balance have declined, so, overcoming my ingrained scepticism, I decided to try the seated exercise class run at the Church Hall. The activity is based on a set of supervised exercises conducted primarily while seated and aim to improve joint flexibility, limb & joint mobility, help with breathing and improve the coordination of movement and balance. I have found it helpful in combating loss of fitness and mobility, and my family say it has improved my physical state and confidence. Dress is casual, just come as you are, you need only your everyday clothes. The class is informal and the environment comfortable, it is not excessively challenging; you set your own limits and the teacher very friendly and approachable.

The class is held in the Church Hall in Shincliffe from 2.30- 3.30 pm on Thursdays and costs £3.50 per session; the bureaucracy is minimal, so why not just drop in and visit us, you will be made welcome.

Tips • Put a few drops of washing up liquid in a spray bottle of water and use for blackfly or greenfly treatment. • Sprinkle salt onto dandelions to kill them. Both save use of chemicals and are cheap & environmentally friendly. Del Faye

SHINCLIFFE C.E. PRIMARY SCHOOL It has been a productive and exciting term so far in school. Our Year 6 pupils greatly enjoyed their residential visit to the Robinwood Activity Centre near Alston and were able to participate in various adventurous and team building activities. Our Year 1 Class Assembly was well attended and the children were able to share with enthusiasm some of the topics they have been studying. We have also celebrated Chinese New Year where the children undertook various activities to explore Chinese culture including the opportunity to participate in Chinese cooking and crafts led by staff and parent volunteers. A particular highlight of the term was the participation by our Year 4 and Year 6 children where they performed a Kung Fu and Dragon Dance at the Town Hall. We marked Safer Internet Day on 11th February to reinforce messages around staying safe online. We look forward to World Book Day, which we will mark in school on Friday 6th March. Mr. David Tait – Head Teacher FOSS Events 1st April: Easter Coffee Afternoon 15th May: School Disco 3rd June: Bags 2 School 27th June: Summer Fair

The main Office Roles for 2019/20 are: Chairs: Kate Jafri & Sarah Hulse, Treasurer - Angela Harrison, Secretary - Vanessa McEwan. Email: [email protected] website: www.shincliffe-foss.org.uk/ Phone: Shincliffe School office 0191 3843739

SHINCLIFFE W.I. All meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month in the W.I. Hut, beginning at 7.30 p.m. New members will be made most welcome!

1st April: A.G.M. with speaker from County Federation. Election of new Committee 6th May: Birthday Dinner: Bistro 1819 New College Durham 6.30pm. 12th May: Dunelm Group Meeting: Sedgefield Parish Hall 7.00pm. 21st May: Durham Musical Theatre Co. “Chess”, Gala Theatre Durham 7.00pm. 3rd June: Ken Threlfall: ‘St. John of Jerusalem: Eye Hospital Group’ 1st July: Mike Thornton: ‘Norman Cornish Sketchbooks - follow up talk to Behind the Scenes from September 2019 9th July: Joint Coffee Morning with St. Cuthbert’s Hospice: 10.00am – 12.00pm. Shincliffe W.I. Hut. Everyone Welcome!

ELVET METHODIST CHURCH The next session of Lunch Stop is from 29th April until 1st July. The lunches are open to anyone and are served on Wednesdays between 12 noon and 1.00 pm. Please visit our website for other events www.elvet-church.org.uk 13

SHINCLIFFE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY The committee members of the Shincliffe Local History Society continue to meet to plan, on a regular basis, a variety of interesting talks for its membership. I am sure you know by now that the Society meets on the third Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. for a talk from a guest speaker. Last year, longstanding committee members put out a plea in the pages of SCAN to attract “new blood” and enable the SLHS to continue. I am happy to report that this was the case and I am very grateful for the support of those with many years’ experience as well as those new members who have driven us forward with renewed vigour. This was exemplified in our Christmas talk which was led in a question and answer format by three residents who have such a deep knowledge of the village and the customs and traditions which characterised it in the past. Ann Stark, Margaret Chapman and Richard Hopps entertained us with their memories of Christmas in the village, including the annual pantomime which took place in the WI hall. This was followed in January by Margaret Harvey’s talk about the Salvins of Croxdale Hall who tried to maintain their Catholic religion during the very turbulent period following the Reformation. It just goes to show that history is always just around the corner in Durham (both the city and the county). In February, we welcomed Michael Richardson who is such an enthusiast for the city and its layers of history. Our March 16th talk will be led by Dr Phil Judkins who will guide us through the work of women in WW2. Our very own Catherine Wright will outline her process for researching family ancestors on April 20th. We have a scheduled visit to Redhills - the Miners’ Parliament – on May 18th and June 8th. This is to accommodate all members who wish to attend as numbers are restricted to twenty for each visit. Our final talk on June 22nd for this academic year will be given by John Heckels with the interesting title: Explosions, Strikes, Riots & Royalty - My Relative’s Life in the Durham Coalfield. We will resume our new schedule on 21st September, 2020. I am delighted to report that numbers for these meetings continue to grow. Refreshments are available before the talks and this is an opportunity for the members to chat and get to know each other and to swap their personal histories. Tea/coffee and nibbles are available from 7:00 p.m. courtesy of Jane Simmons and Jane Stout. If you are interested in becoming a member, Catherine Wright, membership secretary, will be on hand to take down your details. We are already planning the schedule for next year and we hope to release the details by the time you read the next edition of the SCAN. If you have any ideas/suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me on [email protected] or come along to the Church Hall when we have our monthly meetings. Garry Stout Chair, Shincliffe Local History Society

YOUR PARISH PRIEST WRITES…

Lent is about seeking for a new heart, a heart that Pastoral Care is not weighed down but ready to believe that The Pastoral Care Team of St. flourishing is possible. Michael Stewart was a man with such a great spirit to seek and ensure the best Mary’s Shincliffe offers care for our whole community. We miss him, but we will and support to the community continue with that heart so fruitful in good and kind and parish. They visit the work. housebound and those who I am currently adding to my charge the parishes of are ill. If anyone would like to Coxhoe and Kelloe. I was daunted when I first see a friendly face and have a considered this, but I have been much encouraged chat please contact Peter by meeting up with the people who lead the Kashouris 3741681 Churches there and by seeing such a burgeoning, growing town at Coxhoe, and such a beautiful, historic area at Kelloe. There is a good fit between the four parishes from St. Oswald’s out to Kelloe, and there should be a lot of mutual fruitfulness. Easter is ahead, it is a time to look for God’s blessing, on our parish, in the whole of Durham, and in our nation. God’s presence is promised us so that we should not lose heart. With Love and Prayers, Peter Easter Services 5th April Palm Sunday 9:30am: Parish Eucharist 6:00pm: Evensong at St Oswald's Church 9th April Maundy Thursday 7:00pm: Supper, Eucharist, vigil 10th April Good Friday 10:30am-11:30am: All age Liturgy and activities for children and adults 2pm – 3pm: Devotional Service of hymns reading and prayers 12th April Easter Day 8:00am Holy Communion 9:30am Parish Eucharist 6:30pm Evensong

From the Registers Funerals 9th Nov Mark David Turnbull 22nd Nov Robert Peter Wallace 16th Dec Michael Stewart

The Church Hall The fundraising exercise for Phase 4 of the hall development has proved very successful. To date we have raised just over £7,000 towards the initial target of £15,000. The amount will be boosted by a grant of £8,400 from our councillor David Stoker’s Neighbourhood budget. This should be received early, possibly April, in the Council’s next financial year. We are extremely grateful for the very kind and generous donations, and for the money raised from specific events organized for this purpose, including the Indian meal held in November, and the Burn’s evening at the end of January. The Indian meal was held on the day that we tragically lost one of our churchwardens, Michael Stewart. It was a difficult decision to go ahead with the meal, but we decided to do so as we knew that this is what Michael would have wanted. Tributes were made on the night, including one from Peter Kashouris, who mentioned how much time and energy Michael had devoted to the Hall, and its refurbishment, over many years. Michael is sorely missed. The actual work that will form Phase 4, and is currently being drawn up and priced by the architect, Bill Kataky, will comprise the following elements: 1. Primarily the reorganization of the entrance lobby and storage spaces on either side of the lobby 2. New steps at the entrance door 3. A new canopy above the entrance door 4. A replacement stained glass panel/feature on the glazing above the entrance doorway where there is currently a blank panel on the outside and a 'Coat of arms' image on the inside. 5. A dimmer switch including alterations to the wiring for the recently installed new lights. It is not too late to donate to the Hall. Whilst we do not know the precise amount of the costs at this time, it is unlikely that the cost will exceed £15,000 for the work mentioned. Any additional money raised will be used on the hall and would include such things as new chairs, which are needed. If you would like to make a donation please send to me (39 Telford Close, High Shincliffe, DH1 2YJ). Cheques should be made payable to St Mary’s Church Shincliffe. Thank you. Nigel Jackson

SOCIAL AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS AT ST MARY’S Face painting- we are seeking a volunteer to offer face painting for children at the church Garden Party on Sunday 12th July. if you are able to assist please contact Bill Clatworthy by e-mail on [email protected]

Friday Friends at 10 (FF@10) on Valentine’s Day

Bill Clatworthy’s grandchildren with the Shincliffe Bell at the 2019 church garden party

BRICK CLUB meets in the Church Hall at 9:20am, usually on the third Sunday of the month. We listen to a story and do our building (parents stay with their children). We head over to church at about 10 o’clock so we can join in with the Eucharist and take Communion. At the end of the service, Father Peter invites the children to bring their builds to the front of church to show the congregation. They always get a round of applause! If you would like to give Brick Club a try, please do come along, we are always thrilled to see new people!

Poppies for the Remembrance The Parable of the Talents Service at school.

Like ‘St Mary the Virgin’ on Facebook Follow the link: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-Shincliffe-Durham-812877252063663/

Belfry News As I mentioned in the last Belfry News, December 2019 saw the 50th anniversary of the installation of Shincliffe’s six bells. Before that date there were three bells, but three is not enough for proper change-ringing, so the then tower captain in charge of the ringing, Tom Jopling, with a band of helpers set about augmenting the bells to the present six. He started in about 1965, to plan the whole project – the main immediate objective being to raise the funds to do this. Amongst the fund-raising efforts, the collection and sale of waste paper – mainly newspapers it appears – was prominent, with enthusiastic young people going out with Tom Jopling on Friday evenings, using a cart made by Tom. The paper was stored temporarily, until sale, in an old garage at what is now the Poplar Tree Garden Centre. Some of the funds were provided by donations, including the donation of the full cost of a bell by John and Rosalind Rogerson. The inscription on the third bell is dedicated to Tom Jopling. The cost was partly defrayed by providing the old bell metal from the three, all Murphy bells from Dublin, plus a bell from Chester Moor, in part exchange. These were melted down and provided enough metal for our present light six bells. Our heaviest bell weighs 20 only 4 cwt, the heaviest at the Cathedral weighing seven times that!

Being light and easy to handle, a very large number of ringers, mostly young, some very young, have been taught to ring at Shincliffe. At present we have a band which has a nine-year-old learner; lots of students are welcomed at practices where they can achieve their early skills on our bells which, due to their weight, can be rung quickly and we can cover a lot of ground in one evening’s practice.

We duly enjoyed our 50th anniversary celebrations over the weekend of 6/8th December, which marked exactly the first arrival and ringing of the bells fifty years ago. We had a ringers’ celebration with open ringing for anyone who came along on the evening of Friday 6th, followed by a celebratory glass of prosecco before a student band rang a good quarter peal of Plain Bob Minor. Our learner, Edward Cook, turned in a ringing performance of 50 well-struck rounds on six. On Sunday 8th, the morning service was rather special. We began with the ringers’ hymn; a brief talk about the installation of the bells by our ringing master Keith Hayton, and the prayers and sermon were all bell-centred. We were pleased to welcome Tom’s daughters, Olga and Janet in the congregation, and to have a letter of support from Rosalind Rogerson, who could not be with us. The service was rounded off by more prosecco and nibbles for the entire congregation, and a merry time was had by all.

Village Play Park Update Having been blessed with dry weather throughout most of January and early February, installation of the new play equipment has been able to continue unabated. Everything is now installed and the safety play surfacing is completed. Although the weather was dry during the works the ground in the play park was still very soft and as a result there is now extensive making good to the grassed areas required. Work is now underway to repair the damaged ground ready to be seeded in the early spring. Given good growing conditions, we hope to be able to re-open the park for all to enjoy in early June. We will try to notify residents of our planned opening date via the school and the notice boards. By the time the park re-opens a new perimeter fence will have been installed. Later in the year we plan to hold a community gardening event to plant a new beech and hornbeam hedge that will enclose the park, creating a natural divide from the fields and encourage visiting wildlife. Details to follow. ------

Contact the elderly is a national charity helping the over 75’s who live alone who can feel lonely and isolated. They organise monthly tea parties for the guests and volunteers to chat and socialize. The guests are collected from their homes, taken to a host for afternoon tea and then driven back to their home free of charge. We have a group locally in Durham who are always looking for volunteers to help at the tea parties, which run from 3-5pm on the first Sunday of every month. We also have vacancies for older guests who would like to get out and socialise. More information can be found online at www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk or by telephoning Valerie Walker (Regional Organiser) at 0191 242 0186. If you would like to find out more informally please feel free to contact Anne Tiffin at 0191 384 8040 23

Shincliffe Community Association

Shopping on Amazon Smile is a free and easy way to support us as you do your online shopping. At smile.Amazon.co.uk, you can give to charity whenever you shop without spending a penny more. Amazon Smile sells the same products you would find on the regular Amazon website, at the same prices, with the only difference being that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the net purchase price to your given charity. Please support your community association with its’ efforts to improve playparks and develop community activities. Set-up takes only a minute. Here’s how: • Go to www.smile.amazon.co.uk • Sign in to your Amazon account • Type Shincliffe Community Association into the box and click “Search” • Highlight Shincliffe Community Association and click “Select” • Tick box to accept Start shopping! 0.5% of everything you spend comes back to your community

SHINCLIFFE PARISH COUNCIL NEWS Precept 2020-2021 The Parish Council have recently considered the precept for 2020-2021. After careful consideration, it was agreed that the budget would be marginally increased by £2,235.00. This represents an increase of approximately £3.10 per household per year. Here’s what the increase is being spent on: • An Annual Garden Competition – To make this a more prestigious event with more categories and bigger prizes being awarded, we have included within the budget £500.00 to be awarded back to winners of the competition. • Sherburn House Planting Initiative – This will include both aesthetically pleasing and visual displays, which will also hopefully act as a traffic calming measure. • Tree Survey- A survey of the trees we are responsible for in Shincliffe Village is due in Autumn of this year. This will enable us to act on trees, our responsibility, and maintain them in reasonable shape and size. • We are also proposing Christmas Trees (again this year). • The Parish Council intend to undertake a survey this year which will be used to inform future plans, based on feedback from residents. Friendly Tables We all know that sometimes a cuppa and a chat can make the world of difference to our day!! We are therefore trying to reach out to anyone who may feel lonely, to join others at Betty Bees (Coffee Shop – High Shincliffe). A table will be set aside on a Tuesday morning between 10-11am for anyone in need of a bit of company, with a view to hosting a book club, board or card games and outside speakers, in the near future. It is hoped that in the summer, when we have nicer weather, these sessions can take place outside, and the Parish Council is looking to support a ‘Friendly Bench’ so people can chat outside and make new friends!!! Big Spring Clean Every year, the Parish Council take part in the ‘Big Spring Clean’. This helps keep our Parish as litter free as possible, and a wonderful place to live or visit. We are holding a litter pick on Saturday 25th April, 2020. Please contact the Parish Clerk if you would like to volunteer ([email protected] or 07701027450). It’s important that you do so, to ensure that we have equipment available and routes planned, for all volunteers.

We meet at 10.00am outside the Avenue Inn and it should only take around an hour or so of your time. In the past, we have collected 22 bags of rubbish, so the event really does make a difference!! 57/57A Bus Service For some time, Scarlet Band have provided a patchy service through High Shincliffe. They have given up that route and Arriva have taken it. Even better news is that from Monday to Saturday we will have two buses an hour, doubling the number. Dangerous Parking in Heathways Parents picking up children from school in the afternoon are regularly parking at Heathways, blocking driveways, parking on pavements, and creating some dangerous driving. Durham County Council have agreed to put in yellow lines to reduce parking space. This should be completed by June. Shincliffe’s Unwanted Rat Run Three years ago, the Parish Council worked with the police to try to stop rat running through the village, mainly in the morning rush hour. Unfortunately, legal issues meant that only small improvements were made. We are going to have another attempt this year. See below. Speeding I imagine everyone knows that there are speeding issues throughout the parish. We have made multiple attempts to get Durham County Council to lower some of the limits. Unfortunately, they feel that the status quo is in line with national protocols, and don’t think there is much evidence of accidents. We are determined to have another go, believing that a significant number of minor accidents and hairy near misses happen regularly. Meetings Our meetings now take place on the 4th Thursday of every month (6pm at St. Mary’s Church Hall). Please feel free to come along and raise any issues that you may have. Feedback from residents is always greatly appreciated.

Councillor David Stoker Chair March 2020

SHINCLIFFE PARISH COUNCIL HORTICULTURE NEWS

As Spring succeeds Winter, we should begin to see the full benefit of our Autumn – planted pansies Mariposa. The photograph in their pre-planted state shows them in their rich yellow and blue colours. Rich colours were also in evidence on the High Shincliffe Christmas tree which was put in place just before Advent 2019. A solitary knitted elf appeared on the tree but he was not on his own for long. Thanks are due, in particular, to the children from High Shincliffe Primary school who garlanded the tree with brightly coloured gingerbread men. We also owe thanks to the Laing family from East Grange Farm who supplied and erected both trees, aided by Ian Bell Gardening Services.

In future we intend to establish the provision of a Christmas tree for each village as an annual event and look forward to associated activities such as carol singing by the tree in Shincliffe Village. This was attended by over seventy people early in Advent. Your ideas, initiatives and comments would be very welcome so that they can be taken on board before the trees are put in place by 1st December 2020. By the time this edition of SCAN goes to press you will no doubt be thinking of how to refresh your planting for Spring 2020. Please keep in mind that the Front Garden competition is now an annual event and judging will take place in early June. The competition will include a wider range of awards and prizes – hanging baskets, tubs and other categories are being considered.

Another initiative is focussed on Sherburn House. This is being undertaken by Councillor Fradgley who is developing a scheme to create a more colourful roadside environment – it is hoped that this will contribute to traffic calming as well as the visual appeal of the area. Funds have been allocated in the 2020-21 budget. Finally, we would like to welcome Yvonne Collingham to the Horticultural Committee as our new Community Representative. John Wright

2020 THE YEAR OF THE RAT I have only seen rats twice around our villages in the last six years, but I hear about them. I find it very hard to love rats. My first encounter with a rat was in my teens, I was birdwatching on the Black Middens, at the mouth of the Tyne, where my Nana’s first job was collecting sea coal. Sitting so quietly, along came a furry companion sniffing around the seaweed. The second encounter was when we lived in West Sussex, next to a farm. Usually a strong male rat finds a spot to live and attracts along a female and soon there are loads of them. This way, families of rats got under our shed and ate holes the size of dinner plates in our tent. We never camped after that. To get home, I had to stand at the garden gate, do a fandango on the spot clicking my heels - so they scattered, leaving my path clear to get to the front door. Even farmers I know who have a lot of tolerance for all animals, do not like rats either. I find it no wonder at all that the Pied Piper was so loved, ridding people of a plague of rats. The black rat (Rattus rattus) carried the plague, through infected fleas. Brown rats belong to the Muroidea family, which includes other rodents like mice, rats, voles, hamsters, gerbils and their relatives. The thing with rats is that they eat anything, any detritus, so they have a terrible reputation for bringing disease and it makes your skin crawl. Why then, do I find dormice and hamsters cute? In the old days the brown rat used to be called the Norwegian rat, there’s a clue in their Latin name, Rattus norvegicus. I guess it came from them getting onto fishing boats and coming across the North Sea. The River Wear having run so high recently, there will be a lot of dead fish in the grass and that is a feast for them, so hopefully they are back over there, not in the village, because I have seen a rat here this year, and so have others. Strange to say, I never see them when I am fishing, they seem to hide in the grass, I think. Their propensity for hiding made it hard to eradicate them from the isle of Lundy, where both black and brown rats were devastating the Manx shearwater population. There was a bruhaha because even though the black rat is rare in the UK, it was exterminated on Lundy, on the grounds it is not rare in the world, but Manx shearwaters are, so the plan went ahead. However, brown rats are never far away; for each one you see, I am told there are ten under the ground. The thing is to stop them coming up from the drains and sewers. For us, they are mostly, around or under us because the fields are where they mostly find their food. Come the winter though, they like nothing better than to seek out bird food because they smell it under feeders and can climb the poles. So, when we feed the birds, we are extending a warm invitation for the rats to join in. I say, if you see one in the garden, suspend the bird feeding for a wee while and get the council out. Why? Warfarin is used to dispatch our ratty rodents but guess what the antidote is? Vitamin K in your nuts! So, they can eat warfarin, go off colour, then eat your nuts to revive! Our European rat is thought to have originated in China. Once every twelve years the Chinese Zodiac has a year of the rat, it’s the first of twelve animals and they are considered wise. So now I know why it’s not surprising that they are hard to catch……

Julie Goodhart

SCA offers you 3 Keep Fit sessions each week Chair-based Keep Fit class on Thursdays, 2.30-3.30pm in St Mary’s Church Hall Dance to music whilst sitting on a chair! We have about six regulars in this new class now. Music and rhythm and varied apparatus (scarves, balls, bean bags etc) help you to work on balance, posture, flexibility and strength in a fun way. Each member of the group has a chair – and some of the exercises are done sitting on the chair, others can be done standing, using the chair for support if you wish. Music and laughter encourage us all.: Tuesdays 12pm–1pm in St Mary’s Church Hall, Shincliffe This class is at a gentle pace and ends with some seated stretches and relaxation (doors open 11.45am) Thursdays 8pm– 9pm in the WI Hut, Shincliffe This is lively class for active adults. (Doors open 7.45pm)

All sessions cost £3.50.

Piano lessons in High Shincliffe Piano teaching for children and adults, for beginners as well as more advanced players. Preparation offered for music exams as well as lessons for those learning for pleasure. For further information and a taster lesson, please contact David on 07810207015 or email [email protected]

CHURCH CONTACTS PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN BOWBURN & ELVET METHODIST CHURCHES Parish Priest: Revd. Peter Kashouris St. Oswald's Vicarage Ministers: [email protected] The Revd. Andy Longe 354 5955 Parish Office: 383 0830 The Revd. John Squares 340 9701 [email protected] Church Wardens: Sunday Worship: Michael Banks 384 0183 Bowburn: 10.30am Elvet Methodist church: 10.45am & 6.00pm Parochial Church Council: Secretary: Tuesday Kids Club at Bowburn: 5.30pm (term St Mary’s Pastoral Team: time) Team Leader: Peter Kashouris: 383 0830 Sunday Services: ‘Messy Church’ at Bowburn: 5.30pm (1st 8:00am Holy Communion (3rd & 5th Sundays) Tuesday in month) 9:30am Parish Eucharist. Once a month there is an all age Eucharist, normally the first Sunday of Wednesday Women’s Fellowship: 2.00pm (1st the month. and 2nd of the month at Bowburn) 6:30pm Evensong at 6.00 pm During university term times we have a Lunch Additional services and changes to the above are Stop at 12 noon at Elvet posted on the notice boards at the church door and outside the Church Hall. ST CUTHBERT’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Confirmation Classes: Details from the Parish Priest Priest: Fr. Andrew Downie, Baptisms & Weddings: Parish Priest: 384 3442 By arrangement with the Parish Priest; contact via Email: [email protected] Parish Office www.stcuthberts-durham.org.uk Ecumenical House Groups: Details from Julie Goodhart Sunday Masses: 10.00 am & 6.30 pm 1 The Corner House, High Street North, Shincliffe Village 3869047 Weekday Masses: Monday 9.15am Choir: Music Coordinator – Harry Morgan: Tuesday 12.15pm 384 6874 Wednesday 7.00pm Bell Ringers: Thursday 12.15pm Keith Hayton: 386 6585 Friday 12.15pm Jean Woodward (Secretary): 384 9957 Saturday 9.15am Practice night: Tues., 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm Church Flowers: Confessions: Yvonne Willis - 2, Hill Crest 386 2124 Saturday 9.45am – Church Cleaning: 2nd Tuesday in the month- 10.15am more volunteers welcome. Contact: Margaret Charters: Holy Days – Obligation Masses: Email: [email protected] 12.15pm & 7.00pm St. Mary’s Church Hall can be booked for: Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals by arrangement *private functions *children's parties *group There is a notice board on the Church gate with meetings *coffee mornings *commercial uses etc. details of services. Charges: from £30 For availability and booking please contact: OTHER RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS Susan Banks: Mob: 07796668946 Tel: 384 0183 DETAILS can be found in the Clayport Library, Email: [email protected] Millennium Place, Claypath, Durham: 386 4003 Social Activities: A variety of social activities over the year. Details in SCAN delivered to every house in the parish

SHINCLIFFE DIARY For full details/times/venues/contacts see inside

3rd April Coffee Morning 9-11 am, Avenue Inn 22nd April SCA Annual General Meeting St. Mary’s Church Hall 25th April Litter Pick Calendar of Weekly Events Mon. Pilates: 9.30-10.30am Tuesdays 10-11 am Friendly Tables at Betty Moo Music: 1-2pm Tue. Baby & Toddler Group: 9.30- Bees Coffee Shop 11.30am Keep Fit by Moving and Dancing (Gentle Class): 12.00-1.00pm Metafit: 6.15-6.45pm Pilates: 7.00-8.00pm Wed. Yoga 6.45-8.15 pm Thu. Baby & Toddler Group: 9.30- 11.30am Chair based Keep fit: 2.30-3.30 pm Pilates every 2nd Thursday 6-7pm Parish Council meeting every 4th Thursday Fri. Friday Friends: 10.00-12.00am

Notes: History Society: 3rd Mon at 7.30pm PCC meetings 4 per year Mondays 7pm PACT every 2 months at 6pm Thursdays For Private bookings please contact Susan Banks on 384 0183 Mob: 07796668946 Email: [email protected]

Weekly Events in WI Hut Mon. Little Ballers - basketball for children aged 6 months to 5 years: 10am-10.45am Dance your Socks Off: 7pm-8pm Wed. W.I. meetings (first week of each month): 7pm-9.30pm Thu. Keep Fit: 7pm-8pm Sat. Little Ballers: 9.45-10:30am

The hall can be hired for meetings, parties etc. Please contact Yvonne Willis on 386 2124 for bookings.