Spring 2019

www.durham.gov.uk

Bishop Auckland Food Festival

#durham19 An incredible Year of Culture

Area Action Partnerships 10 years of supporting local communities

Norman Cornish Centenary celebrations Welcome to the spring edition of Durham County News

2019 is already shaping up to be a busy year for us with a packed calendar of events and activities to mark Durham’s Year of Culture. There’s a rundown of the programme on the Councillor Simon Henig, Leader of the Council opposite page as well as a feature on one of the highlights, Bishop Auckland Food Festival, on pages 16 and 17.

More about events to honour what would have been the 100th birthday of County Durham’s very own Norman Cornish are on pages 8 and 9 and there are lots of ideas for exploring our parks on pages 22 and 23.

This edition also includes some inspirational real life stories, details of our Powered by People initiative and a celebration of the work of our Area Action Partnerships over the past decade.

I hope you enjoy reading Durham County News and are able to join us at some of our upcoming events. Simon Henig

Inside... Page 11 Pages 16-17 Pages 20-21 Business Bishop Auckland Green living Food Festival Pages 4-7 News Pages 12-13 Area Action Partnerships Pages 18-19 Fostering and Adoption Pages 22-23 Out and about

Pages 14-15 Pages 24-30 Pages 8-9 Health and What’s on Norman Cornish Wellbeing this spring Centenary great prizes in our competitions... Enter online at www.durham.gov.uk/dcn. Or write the answer, along with your name, Page 10 address, telephone number and email on a piece of paper. Pop your entries into one envelope (don’t forget the stamp) and post to Durham County News, Durham County Council, Budget County Hall DH1 5UF, or drop them into reception at any of our customer access points. Entries close on Sunday 14 April (unless otherwise stated).

Front cover: Bishop Auckland Food Festival

When you have finished with Look out for extra content… You can now view extra content this magazine, please recycle it. wherever you see this icon by going to www.durham.gov.uk/dcn

To contact the editorial team, call 03000 268 059 Durham County News is written and designed by Durham County Council, printed by Acorn Web or email [email protected] Offset Ltd and distributed by Smart Distribution Services Ltd and Royal Mail. It costs 16p a copy. 2 #durham19 – an incredible year of culture

From the mouthwatering delights of the region’s biggest food festival to the return of the always incredible Lumiere – and plenty more in between – 2019 promises a packed programme of unforgettable events, openings, festivals and anniversaries. And in recognition of the amazing array of activities on offer over the coming months, we’ve joined forces with Visit County Durham in designating 2019 a Year of Culture in County Durham. #durham19 will see international cricket come to our county with Cricket World Cup matches taking place in Chester-le-Street and a whole host of new events such as Seaham Food Festival and cycling event Vélo of the North.

The full programme includes: Apollo Pavilion Durham Pride Kynren – An Epic Tale of Vélo North 22 to 23 March 26 May England 1 September 2019 marks 50 years since the Free event with a parade 29 June to 14 September Brand new 100-mile and 50-mile creation of this iconic example of fairground, stalls and more. Time travel through 2,000 years of mass participation closed road 1960s public art. A year of Celebrating LGBT+ and diversity in history at this spectacular outdoor races around the North Pennines. celebrations begins with a County Durham. live action show. stunning art installation from Heritage Open Days Artichoke, the creators of Lumiere. Seaham Food Festival Durham Brass Festival 13 to 22 September 8 to 9 June 13 to 21 July Visit venues across the county in Bishop Auckland Food The county’s first seaside food A county-wide celebration of brass a free celebration of heritage, Festival festival will bring a host of culinary music, with brilliant bands and community and history. 13 to 14 April delights to Durham’s Heritage musicians. Coast. The region’s biggest food festival Durham Book Festival returns with top chefs, fabulous 135th Durham Miners’ Gala 5 to 13 October traders and tasty demonstrations. Durham Regatta 8 to 9 June 13 July A host of household names take A spectacular weekend of racing Join the traditional mining over the city with book-based Durham Adventure Festival and riverside entertainment. heritage celebrations at the annual discussions and events. 26 to 28 April Durham City event. A celebration of adventure and ICC Cricket World Cup Lumiere wilderness through film 28 June: Durham City Run 14 to 17 November screenings, talks and more. Sri Lanka vs South Africa 25 July The UK’s largest light festival returns An evening of 5k and 10k racing as Durham’s streets are transformed 1 July: into a nocturnal art trail. Tour Series Sri Lanka vs West Indies through the city and along the 18 May 3 July: beautiful River Wear. Professional cyclists take on England vs New Zealand Durham City’s cobbles in a thrilling test of their skill and speed. The Riverside ground hosts three See the full programme of events at Cricket World Cup matches. www.thisisdurham.com/19 3 Contact us: News

Visit our website to use online services 24 hours a day 7 days a week www.durham.gov.uk/ doitonline

If you need to phone us, call 50 years of iconic landmark Customer Services An East Durham landmark named after the first moon 03000 26 0000 landing celebrates half a century this year. 8.30am-5pm (Monday-Thursday) The Apollo Pavilion at Peterlee was organiser Artichoke. This will be on 8.30am-4.30pm (Friday) unveiled in 1969 – with the name a show at the Sunny Blunts estate site tribute to that year’s Apollo landing over the nights of Friday 22 and Out of hours emergency service which saw Neil Armstrong and Buzz Saturday 23 March. available. Aldrin become the first men on the In July, a 50th birthday party will also moon. For social care and independent be held at the pavilion, which was living enquiries or adult and In honour of the anniversary, we’re designed by artist Victor Pasmore. children’s welfare issues: arranging a year of celebrations, The celebrations are all part of our beginning with a light installation Social Care Direct/Children’s #durham19 Year of Culture. First Contact Service coordinated by Lumiere Festival 03000 26 79 79

@DurhamCouncil Saving lives 24/7 /durhamcouncil A mission to provide 24-hour public access to lifesaving linkedin.com/company/ equipment is proving a huge success. durham-county-council The project, funded by Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership, was set up /DurhamCouncil to provide community venues in Newton Aycliffe with defibrillators for use by the public in emergency situations. Free training in the use of the equipment /durham_county_council and administering CPR is also being made available. Only 18 months ago there were no 24-hour defibrillator units in Newton Please ask us if you would like this document Aycliffe, now there are several units located throughout the community summarised in another language or format. thanks to the scheme. This includes two new units at The Navy Club and Braille Audio Large print Neville Community Association. [email protected] To date, 300 people have undertaken training on the use of the new equipment. 03000 268 059 Key to symbols: S South Durham E East Durham C Central Durham N North Durham W West Durham 4 News

Green light for new Durham History Centre Plans to create a new history centre bringing together archive and heritage services for County Durham have been given the go-ahead.

Durham History Centre will see the Grade II listed Mount Oswald Manor restored, refurbished and Historic town hall opens to extended to provide a multi-use archive venue where visitors will be public able to explore nationally and One of Durham City’s most historic buildings is now open to the internationally significant collections. public. In addition to the county’s archives, Durham Town Hall offers visitors an insight into local history from the which are currently accessed more powerful Prince Bishops of the 11th Century to the trade guilds and freemen than one million times a year, the of the 17th Century. centre will house historic registration records, environment and archaeology As well as new audio guides and interactive information points, two specially records, local studies collections as made short films bring the building’s history to life. well as the Durham Light Infantry The town hall is open every Saturday from 10am to 3pm and admission is free. Collection. Services will build on their For more information call 03000 267 955 existing outreach programmes to or email [email protected] continue to provide access to the collections across the county. Mount Oswald Manor House will also Art project is lead-ing become the new home for the the way with glass and Durham Register Office, offering significantly enhanced facilities for light weddings and civil ceremonies in an A community art project is set to historic setting. This will include the celebrate the region’s industrial relocation to the new site of the heritage with an artwork existing Durham Register Office from combining glass, lead and light. Aykley Heads House along with registration records and ceremonial We’ve joined forces with MBC Arts functions from Bishop Auckland Wellbeing CIC to bring together Register Office. Members of the public expert glass makers and artists to will continue to be able to register create a replica lead mining tub births and deaths in Bishop Auckland. featuring 500 handmade glass panels, made by members of the public during a series of free workshops. Consultation events will take place over the summer before the The piece will be installed at Killhope Lead Mining beginning of the planning process. Museum in Upper Weardale later this year. 5 News

Devotion of Swan Lady remembered

A Chester-le-Street woman who dedicated her life to caring for the swans at her local park has been remembered close to her favourite spot. For over 25 years, Linda Charlton tended to injured swans at the town’s Riverside outstanding contribution and her tireless service to Park, even wading through the pond waters to take wildlife. wounded birds back to her home and nurse them back to health before releasing them. Sadly, Linda passed away in 2018 but visitors to Riverside Park can now sit and watch the birds she so selflessly Her kindness was recognised last year when Linda was nurtured on a specially designed bench, featuring two featured on the RSPCA’s 2018 honours list for her swan silhouettes.

Have your say on licensing Are you safe from scams? We are reviewing our current licensing policy Did you know that between £5 billion and and would welcome your views. £10 billion is lost to scams every year. Friends Against Scams aims to protect and prevent Our current Statement of Licensing Policy, which residents from becoming victims by helping was published in 2014, expires this year and a new communities take a stand against scams, which, in policy needs to be in place before the end of addition to financial loss, can often lead to loneliness, October. shame and social isolation. The policy will aim to promote the following The national scheme, which we are supporting, aims objectives: to highlight the scale of the problem, change the • prevention of crime and disorder perception of why people fall victim to scams and • public safety make scams a local, regional and national topic. • prevention of public nuisance With increased knowledge and awareness, people • protection of children from harm can make scams part of everyday conversation with A consultation on an updated version of the policy their family, friends and neighbours, enabling them runs until Friday 3 May. to protect themselves and others. Have your say at To learn more visit www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk www.durham.gov.uk/consultation

6 News Big Lottery boost for community scheme A partnership project in the east of the county has secured more than £300,000 in funding so it can continue to support the community for three more years. East Durham Area Action Partnership, Groundwork, Horden and Peterlee Rugby Club and Horden Youth and Community Centre, have received £374,878 from the National Lottery for their joint project, the Eden Hill People Centre. Located in Peterlee, the project aims to enhance the services available for young people in the area and strengthen community resilience. This includes delivering school holiday programmes, a drop-in service, youth programmes, community events, and work within local schools. The group meets at Horden and Peterlee Rugby Club on Thursday mornings.

Tasty Tours brand and support local food and drink producers. Visit County Durham has Taste Durham showcases and celebrates developed a series of ‘Tasty the county’s food and drink and Tours’ videos to highlight the encourages people who live here, and distinctiveness of the county’s those who are visiting, to sample the food and drink. best local produce. To watch the Tasty Tours videos, visit The videos, showcasing some of our www.thisisdurham.com/ specialities including gin, cheese, food-and-drink sweet treats and vegan options, have been created to bring the county’s food and drink offer to life, raise the profile of the Taste Durham food Photo: Visit County Durham

Modern Day Slavery We’ve pledged our commitment to tackling modern day slavery and human trafficking by adopting a new charter. Modern slavery is a serious crime which can involve servitude and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. A person is trafficked if they are brought to, or moved around, a country by others who threaten, frighten, hurt and force them to do work or other things they don’t want to do. Victims of modern slavery can be men, women or children of all ages, with often the most vulnerable groups being targeted. If you witness or suspect modern slavery or human trafficking is taking place, you should report your concerns to the police on 101.

7 2019 Year of Culture Norman Cornish

This year marks what would have been artist Norman Cornish’s 100th birthday. In recognition of one of County Durham’s most famous sons, venues around the county will be celebrating his legacy with events and activities for all ages.

Norman Cornish MBE was perhaps the most famous artist to emerge from the north east of England in the 20th Century, becoming one of the most famous British artists of his time. His work is held in public and private collections throughout the UK and abroad.

His life is a story of humble beginnings. Born in November 1919 in Spennymoor, he left school at 14 and started work at Dean and Chapter Colliery, Ferryhill, like many boys of his age at the time.

For the people of County Durham, he is a figure to whom we still feel a close connection. He not only came from our area but chose to depict, explore and display our streets and people in his work. Through his artwork and his legacy, he not only offers some incredible paintings, but instils a sense of pride, potential and poignancy in his home county.

But the dark scenes of the coal face didn’t dull his imagination. Instead, they fuelled his passion for sketching and painting and in 1966 he left mining to become a professional artist.

Cornish’s muse was the life he knew so well in the local coal towns and villages and his work acts as a window into the extraordinary times of the men and women whose days, while often full of hardship, were also full of fun and community spirit.

He established himself as a leading figure of the British art world and became one of the most sought-after painters of his generation.

8 More to come… There are plenty more events and activities to look forward to over the coming months, including:

Gala Gallery, Durham An exhibition of Cornish’s portraiture work. Late June to early September

Palace Green Library, Centenary celebrations Durham University Sketchbooks showing the artist’s Cornish’s hometown of Spennymoor will provide the focus for the early ideas and, in some instances, start of the celebrations next month with the launch of a permanent showing the development of a sketch through to the finished piece. Norman Cornish Trail. November to February 2020 Stopping at 10 points around the town, the trail promises to take people back to a time when coal was the lifeblood of industry and at the heart of The Bowes Museum, the majority of County Durham communities. Using a free trail guide or an Barnard Castle easily downloadable smartphone app, walkers will be taken on a tour of Norman Cornish – The Definitive key locations where they will find information panels featuring artworks Collection will be a major and an explanation of why Cornish was drawn to them. The images reflect retrospective forming perhaps the the cultural landscape during the artist’s working lifetime, providing a rich most comprehensive collection of social and historical record of bygone times. Cornish’s artwork. The trail starts at the newly refurbished John Kitson Archway in the town November to February 2020 hall. Due to be officially unveiled next month, the stunning new exhibit features a selection of the artist’s work displayed on backlit glass panels. Greenfield Gallery, Newton Aycliffe The trail will take about an hour to complete although visitors may also wish to visit the Bob Abley Gallery upstairs in the town hall where they can Man of Destiny will tell the story of success over adversity and the discover more about Cornish’s 1963 mural of Durham Miners’ Gala. challenges faced by Cornish Measuring some nine metres long, the painting was commissioned by us during his journey to professional and can still be seen in County Hall. The Story of the Durham Miners’ status. Gala Mural features a range of preparatory paintings, drawings, sketches October to December and a narrative, plotting the artist’s journey from commission through to completion. Beamish Saturday 6 April to Sunday 23 February 2020 The artist’s former home is being www.spennymoor-tc.go.uk re-created as part of the Remaking Beamish Project 1950s’ town. Further afield, Norman Cornish: A Slice of Life at Bishop Auckland’s Mining Art Gallery, is a temporary exhibition co-curated by members of the Northumbria University local community with some artworks also chosen by Cornish’s children. Exhibition of Cornish’s works alongside many of the artworld’s Saturday 6 April to Sunday 13 October old and great masters. For more information visit www.aucklandproject.org 9 Budget

We continue to work hard to protect frontline services in County Durham but, as austerity continues, the financial pressures we are facing are making this more and more difficult.

We have now agreed our budget for In the coming financial year we will the next 12 months and Medium face a £14.2 million reduction in Term Financial Plan to 2022/23. Revenue Support Grant, which is the core funding we receive from As a result of the Government’s central Government. This is a 34 per ongoing austerity programme, cent decrease from 2018/19 and this we need to make savings of could be further reduced in the £39.5 million from our revenue future. budget over the next four years. This includes a savings requirement The Government is currently looking of £15.8 million in 2019/20. We will at how it allocates funding to local As part of the budget, we have be using reserves to meet authorities through the Fair Funding agreed a council tax rise of 2.99 per £5.5 million of this target but will Review. The review could see our cent, with an additional 2 per cent still need to find savings of £10.3 funding moved to more prosperous increase to help cover the costs of million. We are forecasting the total areas of the country if a proposed providing adult social care services. savings we will have made from new formula fails to properly take This equates to a £1.45 per week rise 2011 to 2023 to be £263 million. account of need. for Band D properties and a 97p per week increase for the majority of In addition, the council could face council tax payers, who live in a potential loss of £19 million if a Band A properties. proposed new methodology for calculating public health grant is We will continue to provide support introduced from 2020. Ours would to those struggling to pay their 2019/20 be the biggest reduction in the council tax through our Local country. Council Tax Reduction Scheme, These potential reductions are at a which helps those who would have time when many of our services are previously received financial already facing increased pressures. help under the council tax benefit Further funding reductions and We are struggling to cover the costs system. increased demand for services such of services such as children’s social as adult and children’s social care care and special educational needs We continue to be one of only a mean our financial position is set to support, with additional demands in small number of councils that have remain challenging for some time. these areas forecast to be more than maintained the benefits of this And this is being made worse by £12 million in 2019/20. scheme despite Government uncertainty about future funding funding being cut in this area. allocations.

2019/20 £14.2m £263m reduction in savings from government funding 2010/11 to this year £10.3m 2022/23 savings for 2019/20 10 2019/20 Business

A rallying call has been issued to businesses in County Durham – encouraging them to work together in promoting our area as a Gav Bell, team member at Hitachi, Newton Aycliffe, believes multinationals are choosing Durham great place to live, work, visit and invest. because they value our loyal and skilled workers.

We already knew it but now our character that make businesses great. about all that is great in the county; research and conversations have proved To sum it up – in Durham, we’re it belongs to those who already know it – it’s the people that make Durham Powered by People. about us and it’s inspiring others to special. come here. And, at businesses’ request, we’ve Successful businesses and organisations developed the idea of Powered by Our county is bucking the trend – we in our county, including our colleges People into an initiative that brings the have attracted 40 new multi-national and Durham University, have told us business people and communities of investors over the last three years, there loud and clear that Durham is a fantastic Durham together to support our local is £3.4 billion work of investment place to invest, study, live and do economy and growth across the county. planned and we have one business. They told us that across the Powered by People is about all of us; of the largest growing visitor economies county, they find a really supportive and giving business people and our in the UK. And through Powered by collaborative community of people who communities the means to show others People we can do even more. are loyal, energetic and resilient. They why we’re proud to be here. Whether It’s a powerful message when the have intelligence and ideas, humour and you run a coffee shop, make local communities and businesses of County humility; exactly the qualities and cheeses or work for a large multinational Durham work together to showcase company, it’s about you, your stories what makes the county such a great and your successes. place to invest, live and work. Over the coming months, we’ll be Be Part of It, visit highlighting your success stories www.durhampoweredbypeople.co.uk so everyone can hear about the where you will find a series of short momentum and positivity in the county. videos showcasing the county and Powered by People is something for details of how you can get involved everyone in Durham to get behind; or email it can help us all spread the message [email protected]

Powered by People has helped Allison Raper, of Teesdale Cheesemakers, Barnard Castle, showcase her products and build the profile of her business.

Looking to start your career in County Durham? Apprenticeships offer a great opportunity for people of all ages to earn money while gaining a recognised qualification, practical experience and the skills you need for employment. We offer apprenticeships in a wide range of subjects including catering, accounting, construction and business administration to name a few. Although apprenticeships are available throughout the year, a recruitment drive takes place in May for a September start. To find out more visit www.durham.gov.uk/Apprenticeships

11 Area Action Partnerships Celebrating 10 years of Area Action Partnerships

Next month our Area Action Partnerships (AAP) celebrate 10 years of supporting communities across the county. Here we take a look at just a handful of the many projects to have benefitted from their work.

AAPs were set up in 2009 following the creation of the new unitary council as a way of ensuring our work meets the needs and priorities of local people. Over the past decade, residents, councillors, community representatives and partner organisations have worked tirelessly to develop and deliver a range of projects through our 14 AAPs across the county – all with the aim of providing social, economic and environmental benefits to communities. By listening to residents’ views, AAPs have been able to prioritise areas of work that are important to communities, such as: The Area Action Partnerships’ 5,000th grant was • Employment, enterprise and training awarded to King’s Church Durham – Achor Community. • Children, young people and families • Local environment Investing in • Health and wellbeing communities • Older people Each AAP receives an annual Area • Transport, traffic and roads Budget to spend on local projects in their area. In addition, AAPs also support • Community safety councillors to invest Neighbourhood • Communication, IT and technology Budgets to support projects in their own • Culture, tourism and heritage communities. In total, the AAPs have • Supporting local groups received more than £42 million over the past decade. This money has been used to attract just over an additional £55.5 million in to County Durham, so for every £1 invested by the AAP, an Over £42m additional £1.32 has been brought in of funding received More than from other sources. 6,000 The funds have been used to deliver community more than 6,000 community projects An additional benefitting residents of all ages, the £55.5m projects unemployed, local businesses and the attracted to the county delivered more vulnerable residents within their communities. 12 Celebrating success AAPs often work together, combining resources to support bigger projects for the benefit of residents in a number of areas. These have included: Mini Police Beat the Scammers This innovative programme was Trains older residents on how to delivered in partnership with handle telephone cold callers, with Durham Constabulary and Durham call blocker devices supplied and Agency Against Crime and was fitted to eligible residents’ phones designed to build relationships free of charge as well as being A voice for the between children and the police offered to other residents for a small as well as teaching young people charge. community about the work of the police. The project has now reached 5,100 Our AAPs also ensure that Primary school children were older people across the county and residents are able to have their say recruited as ‘mini police’, complete 540 call blockers have been on the issues that matter most to with uniforms, and took part in installed. them. events, including attending Funded by – Derwent Valley, They are often a key part of our Lumiere, community speedwatch East Durham Rural Corridor, Stanley, consultation process and, as a result, activities and a visit to police Teesdale, Spennymoor and have welcomed visitors from a wide headquarters. Mid Durham AAPs in partnership with variety of international and UK Funded and supported by - Durham, Age UK County Durham, housing organisations looking to learn from Derwent Valley, 3 Towns, 4 Together, associations, Durham Constabulary the way they work. Bishop Auckland and Shildon, and our consumer protection team. Chester-le-Street, East Durham Rural Corridor, Great Aycliffe and Middridge Lumiere Want to find out more? and Weardale AAPs. The UK’s largest light festival returns Each AAP produces an annual report this year, but did you know that our detailing its priorities, the projects it Wheels to Work AAPs play a key role in bringing it to has supported and the difference Supports people to find or remain Durham? Previous festivals have these projects have made. in employment or training when received support from AAPs around Read these reports, find out more public transport is not an option, by the county. providing scooters on short-term about the work of your local AAP Supported by – Chester le Street, loan. and discover how to get involved by Derwent Valley, East Durham, Stanley visiting Funded by – Chester le Street, and Durham AAPs. www.durham.gov.uk/AAPs 3 Towns, Bishop Auckland and Shildon, Stanley, East Durham Rural Corridor, Spennymoor, Great Aycliffe A big thank you to everyone who has supported our AAPs. We look forward and Middridge and Mid Durham and to continuing to work with you in making a difference to communities across Durham AAPs. County Durham. 13 Health and Wellbeing

New service joins the dots for cancer patients Have you or someone you care for been affected by cancer? We’ve set up a new partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to ensure individuals get the practical and personal support they need after a diagnosis. Macmillan Joining the Dots County Durham is a free service for people aged 18 and over who have been diagnosed with cancer. Joining the Dots facilitators work with individuals to identify and prioritise their concerns and agree a plan of action to ensure they can live as well and as independently as possible. Support is tailored to individual needs and advice is available on issues such as work, home life, emotional wellbeing and finance. The team can also provide support for friends, carers and relatives of those with a cancer diagnosis. Anyone can contact the service direct. There is no need to be referred by a doctor or nurse. Contact the team on freephone 0800 876 6887 or email [email protected]. You can also text 07766 558 688 (normal network charges apply) or visit www.joiningthedots.info

Quit16 – reduce your cancer risk A new campaign is encouraging people to give up smoking by highlighting the number of cancers caused by the habit. ‘Quit 16’ aims to raise awareness of the 16 types of cancer linked to smoking and also highlight how quitting can significantly reduce the risks. It features cancer survivor Tony Osborne, who now The place to find out about adult speaks through a breathing stoma as a result of care and support in County Durham throat cancer, making a personal appeal to others. For more information about Quit16 visit www.Quit16.co.uk If you would like local support to quit, contact Smoke Free Life County Durham on 0800 772 0565, text QUIT to 66777 or email [email protected]

14 Shared Lives

Losing her parents left Colin and June, who welcomed Debbie feeling vulnerable Debbie into their home and family in 2016. and scared. “When Debbie first came to live with Coping with such a loss would be us, she was in a difficult place,” June difficult for anyone, but for Debbie, said. “She was vulnerable, scared and who has a learning disability, it was nervous with poor self-esteem.” particularly hard. The 38-year-old was unable to live on her own and desperately needed support to deal with the changes in her life. After careful consideration and As well as the day-to-day care and discussion, it was felt that a Shared support Colin and June provide, Lives Placement would best meet Debbie receives regular visits and advice from professionals to help her needs. Nearly three years later, Debbie is with any personal issues. Shared Lives ‘Providers’ open their now much more confident and home and family life to an adult or happy. She loves family days out For June, providing a home for young person who needs care or with Colin and June but also enjoys Debbie has proven to be extremely support to help them live well. staying at home and pottering in rewarding but she is also grateful the garden. She likes taking time to for the “immeasurable support By placing individuals in family listen to music, follow her interest in and guidance” she has received homes, the scheme is able to art and spend time with friends at from the Shared Lives Scheme. provide people with a safe her day care centre which she environment, protect their rights attends three days a week. and independence and give them Could you provide a safe the opportunity to develop life skills. and caring home for an adult Placements can be on a short-term, or younger person with a long-term or emergency basis. learning disability? There are currently 53 Shared Lives Shared Lives offers a Providers in the county, including rewarding career which enhances lives. For more information, “My life has changed a lot,” she said. call Alison Urwin for an “I feel very settled and happy now. informal chat We have lots of laughs here and I like on 03000 265 222 having people around to chat with. or email We are always busy and I love my life. [email protected] I want to live here forever.” 15 Bishop Auckland Food Festival

Bishop Auckland Food Festival Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April

Bishop Auckland Food Festival returns next month with all the essential ingredients for a fabulous weekend of family fun.

This year, the festival has attracted dozens of additional traders from across County Durham and beyond. The market place and surrounding streets will be bustling with more than 150 stalls, selling traditional treats, exciting street food and a variety of ales and cocktails. Add cookery demonstrations, live music and Gingo into the mix and the result is a festival recipe everyone will want to try. Here we offer just a sampler of what is to come, with plenty more treats to be announced.

Celeb chef line-up We’re catering for all tastes and ages with this year’s line-up of celebrity chefs and SERVING UP food personalities. Topping the bill is BBC MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace, who will create delicious dishes packed full of flavour in the Bishop Auckland Town Hall Cookery Theatre on Sunday. The nation’s most famous greengrocer will share his top cookery tips, plus some exciting behind the scenes gossip from the popular BBC One show. Best known as Coronation Street’s Fiz, actress Jennie McAlpine is also in the food business as the co-owner of Annies Restaurant in Manchester with her husband, Chris. Jennie has appeared on ITV’s Lorraine demonstrating her favourite northern recipes, and will entertain food-lovers at the festival on Sunday. BBC MasterChef champion 2018 Kenny Tutt, will make his North East debut at the event, recreating the amazing dishes he made in the series’ final on both days of the festival. He will also share some of his exciting foodie plans for the future. If one MasterChef winner is not enough, television presenter Angellica Bell will be cooking up a storm on Saturday. Angellica, who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2017, is passionate about passing on cookery skills through the generations. Join the mum-of-two as she prepares a variety of meals the whole family will enjoy. Little cooks and the young at heart are sure to be inspired by the culinary creations of writer and television presenter Stefan Gates on Saturday and Sunday. Food and science will come together when the CBBC Gastronauts host carries out exciting experiments that are sure to impress audience members of all ages. Great British Bake Off 2018 semi-finalist and Durham University graduate Briony May completes this year’s line-up. Briony, who won over the nation with her warmth, humour and amazing baking skills on the Channel 4 show, is set to inspire festival-goers on Saturday.

16 Live music Performances by upcoming musicians will provide the perfect soundtrack to the sights, tastes and aromas of the festival. Relax and soak up the atmosphere while devouring the delicacies on offer.

Top tipple masterclasses Reaching out Gin School is back with a twist in 2019, and As excitement builds for the festival, we we’re not just taking about a slice of lime. Get will be inspiring the next generation of your eyes down and glasses at the ready as we chefs, and scientists, with our innovative take you on a ‘ginspirational’ journey based on outreach programme. the quintessential British pastime of bingo. As well as appearing at the festival, Gingo promises top prizes, refreshing beverages television presenter and foodie Stefan and a lot of fun and laughter. Games take place Gates will take hundreds of County at 12noon and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, Durham schoolchildren on a culinary and tickets cost £12. quest that explores the science behind the digestive system. As the author of For those who prefer their drinks a little heartier, Fartology: The Extraordinary Science Behind our Beers and Bites workshops are new for 2019. the Humble Fart, Stefan is sure to be a big hit with his young audiences, who These interactive sessions demonstrate how to can expect plenty of fascinating facts and eye-catching experiments. pair the best brews with tempting bites from local producers. From golden ales to bolder, Last year, our outreach chefs visited local schools but by holding the sessions bigger flavours, discover which North East craft in Bishop Auckland Town Hall we can engage with even more children. beers pack a punch with your palate. Workshops take place at 1.30pm on Saturday Get involved and Sunday, and tickets cost £12. More If you would like to workshops and hands-on activities for foodies of volunteer at the festival all ages are available so visit our website to see visit www.durham.gov.uk/ the full menu and book tickets. volunteering

tickets to see Gregg Wallace For a chance to win two tickets to see Gregg Wallace at 2pm on Sunday 14 April, tell us: In what year did Gregg start co-hosting Visit www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk BBC MasterChef? for a full timetable of demonstrations and classes and Closing date Sunday 7 April. See page 2 for details of how to enter. to buy tickets.

17 Fostering and Adoption Making a difference through fostering and adoption

Did you know that in County Durham a new child comes into care almost every day looking for a loving home? We desperately need more people to help provide a brighter future for the 819 Looked After Children we currently care for. You can do this in a number of ways, including becoming a foster carer, providing supported lodgings or adopting a child. Here, one couple who have opened their doors to more than 40 youngsters through fostering and adoption, tell us their story.

Twenty years ago, Graham and The couple saw an advert in their ... they all had one thing Melanie decided they wanted to local paper advertising one of our in common – the need for give a brighter future to a baby with information events and they haven’t special needs. They have now looked back since. a bit of normality. adopted three children and fostered Melanie said: “I gave up work to look many more. They have also adopted two further after our adopted son, so when he children. Melanie said: “We had two birth went to school I was wondering what children and we felt like we wanted career I could go into. We were still in Graham said: “Some of the children to adopt a child with special needs. touch regularly with the lady who had have had physical and medical needs, It’s sad but these children are often fostered him originally and she most of them had emotional needs, the ones who wait a long time to get encouraged me to think about but they all had one thing in common adopted and we wanted to give a fostering, so that’s what I did.” – the need for a bit of normality. We loving home to one of them.” took one set of kids to an ice cream The couple were quickly approved van once. When they got handed their as foster carers and ice creams they just looked at us, they Graham said: didn’t know what they were, or that “Within three weeks you had to lick them – four-year-olds of approval who’d never seen ice cream - it makes we had a little girl you realise that we take ‘normal life’ with additional for granted.” health needs placed with us… we’ve Melanie added: “We just wanted to never really had an give these children the chance to empty house since.” experience a warm and loving home, to get some of the things in life that Working with our we all take for granted: a family fostering team, the dinner round the table, a comfortable pair have now bed to sleep in, the knowledge that offered a safe and they are safe at home – these aren’t loving home to nearly 40 children, If you’ve got a big things to us, but they make a huge some on an emergency basis, some heart then you can difference to these children.” on short-term placements and be a foster carer. others on long-term arrangements. 18 Fostering... Can you offer a child a loving home? We particularly need foster carers for teenagers and brothers and sisters. Find out more about fostering Visit one of our drop-in sessions: And the couple didn’t stop there. After Thursday 21 March 11am-1pm Durham Town Hall having two brothers placed with them Tuesday 9 April 4.30pm-6.30pm County Hall Durham on a short-term fostering arrangement, Thursday 18 April 11am-1pm Durham Town Hall they decided that they wanted to give the boys the opportunity to stay together and provide them with a Adoption... forever-family through long-term There are children of all ages and backgrounds who need fostering. permanent families – from babies and toddlers to older children Over the years they have also provided and young people. Some may have special needs such as learning difficulties or disabilities while others are looking for a family care to several children who have later where they can live with their brothers and sisters. been adopted by other parents and they still keep in touch with some of the Find out more about adoption children who have lived with them. They Visit one of our drop-in sessions: have also worked with families helping with the rehabilitation of children Thursday 11 April 4.30pm- 6.30pm County Hall Durham returning home. Thursday 13 June 4.30pm-6.30pm County Hall Durham

Melanie said: “We have a busy household and the kids always keep us on our toes, Supported Lodgings... but it’s what we love doing. Fostering and Could you offer a safe, supportive and friendly home environment adopting can be challenging at times but for a young vulnerable person aged between 16 and 25 years old? it is hugely rewarding and I would This can be from just a few days, up to two years and could recommend it to anyone who feels like they include a young person who: might want to make a difference to a • cannot live with their family child’s life – if you have a heart then you • has been fostered or in care can be a foster carer – it’s all you need.” • has learning disabilities or mental health problems • needs a home and support • is an unaccompanied asylum seeker. ... I would recommend it to anyone who feels like they might want to make a Get in touch to find out more, call 03000 269 400 difference to a child’s life. or visit www.durham.gov.uk/inourcare 19 Green living Plastic Matters Please do not bag your recycling Did you know, that you can’t put all plastic in your recycling products in your blue-lidded recycling bin? bin Here’s a quick guide to which plastics you This is because black bin bags, carrier bags and bags can and can’t put in. for life cannot be recycled and also because we need to see the contents of your bin – Yes, please: if you bag it up we can’t tell ✓✓All plastic bottles such as pop, milk, whether it contains recycling washing up liquid, shampoo, laundry liquid, or non-recyclable rubbish. car screen wash and bleach bottles Look out for our ‘no bags’ ✓✓Plastic pots such as yoghurt and cream sticker which will be ✓ ✓Plastic tubs such as margarine and ice cream added to all ✓✓Plastic trays such as fruit and meat recycling bins soon Wash and squash and put clean, dry items as a handy loose into your bin. Do not bag them up. reminder.

No, thanks: Please do not put any of these plastic items in your What do I do with the recycling bin: plastic that can’t go in ✗✗ Black bags / sacks / liners my recycling bin? ✗✗ Carrier bags or bags for life Some plastics can’t be recycled, so if you can’t find a use for it, please ✗✗ Plastic bags / wrapping / put it in your rubbish bin. From there it will be sent to an energy from cling film waste plant, not to landfill. ✗✗ Black plastic Some supermarkets have collection points for carrier bags and some ✗✗ Crisp packets / sweet and biscuit plastic film. wrappers Foodbanks often welcome donations of carrier bags / bags for life to ✗✗ Polythene plastic wrap such as help distribute food. bread bags, fruit and vegetable bags, You can take your bubble wrap to your local charity shop – they may toilet-roll wrap, multi-pack shrink-wrap want it for wrapping any breakable goods. ✗✗ Bubble wrap or polystyrene Reuse bags for life and then get a new one free of charge. ✗✗ Cellophane such as confectionary box Other recyclable plastic items that are not collected at the kerbside overwrap and CD overwrap such as children’s toys, plastic plant pots, plastic garden furniture and ✗✗ Containers from microwave ready meals guttering, can be taken to a household waste recycling centre. ✗✗ Hard plastics such as children’s toys ✗ ✗ Plastic lids / bottle sprays / pumps For more information visit Facebook Recycle for County Durham or www.durham.gov.uk/recycling 20 Become a Litter Hero with the Big Spring Clean People across County Durham are being urged to become Litter Heroes by joining the Big Spring Clean. The annual litter-picking campaign, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, asks local people to show their pride for their area by running volunteer events to remove waste from neighbourhoods and green spaces. The campaign, launched at Locomotion, in Shildon, In Bloom runs until 9 April. We’re supporting Last year 3,041 volunteers collected 3,021 bags of rubbish across the groups in Durham City, county. Chester-le Street and a host of other village and town To organise a litter pick email [email protected] entries into this year’s or call 03000 26 0000. Northumbria in Bloom For information about how to help keep our streets clean, visit competition. www.durham.gov.uk/bigspringclean Initial judging will take place in April and then again in July with results being announced in September. Durham City, Sedgefield and Tanfield will also be competing in the national Britain in Bloom competition. Durham was named Best Small City in 2018 and this year we have been invited to join the prestigious Champion of Champions category. We will find out in October if we have been successful. Find out more at: www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom

Easter and May Bank Holiday Still time to bin collections sign up for Household bins will be emptied as normal during the Easter and May garden waste Bank Holidays. This includes: ✓✓Weeks starting 15 April and 22 April, including Good Friday 19 April There’s still time to sign up for our ✓✓Week starting Monday 6 May garden waste collection service. ✓✓Week starting Monday 27 May Once you have signed up we will send you a collection calendar and a sticker Place your rubbish, recycling or garden waste bins out for collection by for the bin, which shows us you have 7am on your usual collection day. To check your collection paid. It costs £35 for eligible properties day, use the ‘My Durham’ section of www.durham.gov.uk and 17 collections are available To report a missed bin collection online, between April and November. visit www.durham.gov.uk/recycling More information is available at: or call 03000 26 0000 during office hours. www.durham.gov.uk/gardenwaste

21 Out and about

Springtime in our parks

From taking a relaxing walk Colourful community to getting active or looking gardens for a way to keep the kids Wharton Park’s Community Garden entertained, there’s plenty to offers visitors a constantly changing do in our parks this spring. display of colour all year round, from bright winter berries and autumn Take a look at what’s on offer. leaves boasting rich, golden hues through to a riot of floral colour in spring and summer. New volunteers to the group are always welcome and gardening is a great way of promoting wellbeing. Email friendsofwhartonpark@ Run free outlook.com or the chair of the Organised Parkruns take place in group can be contacted on Riverside Park, Hardwick Park and 0191 384 7968. Blackhill and Consett Park every Saturday at 9am. Play areas Blackhill and Consett Park also boasts a community garden where These free 5K runs are open to As well as fantastic play areas full of individuals and groups can learn the everyone and are safe and easy to traditional play equipment, our parks basics of growing vegetables and take part in – giving runners the also offer some less-traditional play other practical gardening skills. chance to enjoy our beautiful parks options. Children can go for a spin Contact the park on 03000 262 480 while getting active. round Wharton Park’s miniature to find out how to get involved. To register for or find out more about racing car track, practise their golf these and other Parkruns around the skills on its putting green or get wet county, visit www.parkrun.org.uk and wild in the fountains and jets of Riverside Park’s splash pad. Older children and adults can also enjoy a range of sports and fitness facilities, including football pitches, tennis courts and outdoor gyms. Enjoy the arts Our parks host an array of sculptures and artworks, offering the perfect opportunity for people to practise their sketching or photography skills. Grab a cuppa Look out for The Gruffalo hiding amongst the trees at Hardwick Park, Many of our parks have their own enjoy the iconic Ps in a Pod in their cafés, offering a range of hot and permanent home or follow the Steel cold drinks, cakes and snacks. They’re Trail around Blackhill and Consett the perfect place to refuel, relax or Park. catch up with friends.

22 Events and activities There’s always something going on in our parks, from outdoor theatre and seasonal crafts to regular social events. Here’s a selection of what’s coming up.

HARDWICK PARK, SEDGEFIELD Wednesday 10 April, 11am-3pm Bees in your bonnet Use a range of materials to decorate a special bonnet before finding out about spring flowers, pollination and British WHARTON PARK, DURHAM bees. £3 per child. No need to book. Wednesday 17 April, 11am-3pm Saturday 6 to Monday 22 April Woodland Easter crafts Bounding bunnies Easter trail Make a hessian celebration flag, weave The Easter Bunny’s friends are lost in an Easter egg using natural materials, the park. Can you help find them? and take part in spring planting £1 per trail sheet. No need to book. activities. £3 per child. No need to Collect from the café during opening book. hours. Saturday 20 April, various timeslots Tuesday 9 and Tuesday 16 April, Easter Bunny in the park 10am-11.30am or 1pm-2.30pm Try Easter craft activities and an egg We’re going on an egg hunt hunt, enjoy family entertainment in the Listen to a story, take part in a fun egg yurt and meet the bunny himself for a hunt and try some themed crafts. chocolate treat. £8.50 per child. £4 per child. Booking essential. Booking essential. Thursday 11 and 18 April, www.durham.gov.uk/hardwickpark 10am-11.30am or 1pm-2.30pm 03000 262 899 Bunny School Have you got what it takes to become an Easter Bunny? It’s time to enrol in BLACKHILL AND CONSETT Bunny School. Decorate eggs, take part PARK From April, facilities at in challenges and meet and pet real our parks open for bunnies. £8.50 per child. Booking Friday 12 April, 10.30am longer to allow essential. Performance of people to make the Chicken Licken: A TaleJam most of the warmer www.durham.gov.uk/whartonpark A musical storytelling experience for all 03000 262 655 the family. Explore an old fable in a new weather and lighter nights. way with fun, fake news and feathers. To find out more about £2. opening times and facilities at Friday 31 May, 1pm-3pm all of our parks, including Bugs and bees Annfield Plain Park, Fun family activity session organised by Durham Wildlife Trust. Bishop Auckland Town Recreation Ground, Blackhill and Consett Park also offers a Coxhoe Park, full programme of weekly activities including local and family history Sherburn Park, sessions, a singing group and creative Spennymoor Jubilee Park art activities. and View Lane Park, Stanley, www.durham.gov.uk/BandCPark visit www.durham.gov.uk/parks 03000 262 480

23 What’sMarch to May on March to May ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 2019 is set to be one of the biggest years in Durham County Cricket Club’s history, as The Riverside, Chester-le-Street plays host to three ICC Cricket World Cup matches, including England’s final group game against New Zealand. Friday 28 June 10.30am Sri Lanka vs South Africa Monday 1 July 10.30am Sri Lanka vs West Indies Wednesday 3 July 10.30am England vs New Zealand Fans wishing to attend the Cricket World Cup matches can join the waiting list for the second phase of tickets from www.cricketworldcup.com. The Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour will also be visiting iconic attractions across the county from 6-8 April for those wishing to get involved in the sporting action. Visit www.thisisdurham.com/19 to find out more.

Teechers A Gala Theatre production Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May Three school leavers, Salty, Hobby and Gail, decide to perform an end of term tribute about their time in secondary school. Telling the hilarious story of an idealistic new teacher in his perilous first days at a local comprehensive school, their play is based on their own drama teacher who ignites their passion for the stage with his idealism. This fast-moving and entertaining comedy is hugely evocative for anyone who has endured life at a modern secondary school. Teechers brings to life the school bully, feared by teachers and pupils alike; Barry, the kid who never brings his PE kit; and the headmistress, whose main priority is the annual Gilbert and Sullivan production. The teachers are as ambivalent and mixed-up as the kids, and everyone’s counting down the days until they can get out. Tickets from £10. www.galadurham.co.uk 03000 266 600

An unmissable year of festivals, events, openings and anniversaries Supported by 24 BISHOP AUCKLAND GALA THEATRE, What’s on TOWN HALL DURHAM Sunday 14 and Monday 15 April, 2pm and 4pm EMPIRE THEATRE, CONSETT Chicken Licken: A TaleJam Meet the birds and join the band. Saturday We’ll tell the tale with a musical jam! 30 March, A musical storytelling experience for all the family. £7, £6 concessions. 7.30pm Friday 22 March, 7.30pm The Elvis Swede Dreamz ABBA Years The leading UK-based ABBA tribute The UK’s show. £19. number one Elvis musical. £21, £20 Wednesday concessions. 10 April, 2pm Talegate Theatre present pantomime: The Little Mermaid Friday 19 and Saturday 20 April, Featuring pop 7.30pm songs, magic and An Evening with Eric & Ern puppets. £9, £7 A brilliant homage crammed full of concessions, £30 Morecambe and Wise’s most loved Friday 5 April, 7.30pm family ticket. routines, songs and sketches and of course a musical guest. £20.50 Memory Lane A journey through some of the greatest songs of the 50s, 60s and 70s. £15, £14 concessions.

Friday 26 April, 7.30pm Thursday 25 April, 7.30pm Hilarity Bites presents: Paul Pirie, Monday 13 May, 7.30pm The Simon & Garfunkel Story Stephen Bailey and MC Lee Kyle English Touring Opera, Macbeth Featuring all the hits such as Mrs A side-splitting session from our regular A full-scale opera about giant Robinson, Bridge Over Troubled Water, comedy club. £8 in advance / £10 on personalities clashing over love and Homeward Bound and many more. the door. power in times of war. Tickets from £15. £22, £21 concessions.

www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk www.galadurham.co.uk www.empireconsett.co.uk 03000 269 524 03000 266 600 03000 262 400

Library spring activities World Book Night Children can enjoy a range of Tuesday 23 April is World Book Night, a national celebration of Easter-themed crafts and activities reading and books. This year, our library staff will be out and at libraries across County Durham about in venues around the county, so if you see them feel free during the school holidays. to say hello and let them inspire you to get reading. If you’re not already a library member they’ll be happy to sign you up. Sessions are just £1 per person but Our libraries offer a huge range of books in standard format, large must be booked in advance. print and digital download and they can all be borrowed for free. Contact your local library to find Libraries also offer a range of regular activities where you can meet out what’s going on in your area new people, learn new skills or discover a new hobby, including and to book your place. reading groups, computer sessions and creative workshops. www.durham.gov.uk/libraries Find out more at www.durham.gov.uk/libraries 25 March to May BEAMISH MUSEUM THE BOWES MUSEUM, BARNARD CASTLE

THE WITHAM, BARNARD CASTLE Saturday 30 March, 7.30pm Jean Genie A tribute to Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 April David Bowie, Great North Steam Fair Saturday 20 April, 11am-4pm complete with See an array of steam and motor transport, dazzling, from locomotives to cars and motorbikes, Easter Eggstravaganza flamboyant costumes and stunning in action across Beamish Museum. A fun filled day finding Easter eggs and effects. £20, £18 in advance. making lots of egg-citing Easter crafts. Admission charges apply.

Thursday 4 April, 7.30pm Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April Black is the Colour of My Voice Horses at Work Sunday 5 May, 10am Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, Enjoy an equine extravaganza. Morris Minor event reflecting on her journey from young Following the centenary of the end of The North East Morris Minor Owners prodigy to renowned jazz vocalist, at the First World War in 2018, learn about Club hosts ‘Classic Cars on the Terrace’. the forefront of the civil rights the fascinating story of homecoming A fabulous chance to see vintage cars movement. £10, £8 16 years and under. and the return of peacetime. in a beautiful setting.

Saturday 13 Sunday 5 and Monday 6 May www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk April, 7.30pm May Day celebrations 01833 690 606 The Jerseys - Did you know that May Day was one of Oh What A Nite the biggest annual celebrations in A sensational Edwardian times? The May King and show celebrating Queen will be crowned, plus there will A family ticket to the music of be music, maypole dancing and crafts. Beamish Museum Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Usual admission prices for all events. For a chance to win a family ticket, £20, £17 for 16 years and under. simply tell us, what sort of animal is a Clydesdale? www.thewitham.org.uk www.beamish.org.uk 01833 631 107 0191 370 4000 See page 2 for details of how to enter.

A sumptuous afternoon tea for four at Hotel Indigo Durham Afternoon tea, lunch and dinner are served at the prestigious Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill in the old Durham Council Senate Chamber, located at Hotel Indigo Durham. Special occasion dining is also catered for up to 60 people in the Grade II listed Victorian Council Rooms. For a chance to win afternoon tea for four simply tell us: in what year was the first Durham Miners’ Gala held? See page 2 for details of how to enter. Hotel Indigo Durham, Old Shire Hall, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HL. Telephone 0191 329 3535 www.durham.hotelindigo.com

26 DURHAM COUNTY RECORD What’s on OFFICE MUSEUMS OPEN FOR SPRING Branching Out talks Talks by an archivist, aimed at those Binchester Roman Fort already familiar with the family history Dating back to 75AD, Binchester, basics. Followed by browsing time and originally known as Vinovia, was once chance to explore the Record Office one of the largest Roman military resources. Booking is essential. £10. installations in the north of England. Thursday 21 March, 10am-12noon As well as the impressive bathhouse, and Monday 25 March, 6pm-8pm which is situated next to what would Branching Out: The Victorian have been the commanding officer’s Workhouse residence, Binchester features one of the Thursday 25 April, 10am-12noon best preserved examples of an and 6pm-8pm underfloor heating system in the whole Branching Out: The Durham Light of Britain. Infantry Archive

Killhope Killhope is a multi-award winning 19th century mining museum in the centre of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), where you can experience the life and work of the lead mining families of the North Pennines. Killhope offers an amazing day out for the whole family, whether you’re looking Visitors can also view the remains of the for fun or to immerse yourself in history. regimental bath building where the Explore the woodland and visit the Roman masonry still stands to a height of revamped Killhope shop and refurbished more than two metres above the original Family History for Beginners café to complete a grand day out. floor level. Runs over three sessions: Thursday 2, 9 Killhope opens daily from Monday Binchester opens daily from Monday and 16 May, 10am-12noon / 1 April until Thursday 31 October, Tuesday 7, 14 and 21 May, 6pm-8pm 1 April until Sunday 3 November, 10.30am to 5pm. 10am-4.30pm Learn the basics of family history, including civil registration, the census Adults £9, concessions £6, under 4s £1, Adults £5, concessions £4, children £3, and parish registers. Booking is family (2 adults and 2 children) £25. aged 4 and under free. essential. £30. www.killhope.org.uk www.durham.gov.uk/Binchester How to read old handwriting for local and family REGULAR EVENTS First Thursday of history every month Runs over four (exc January and sessions: Friday 3, August), 7pm 10, 17 and 24 May Cestrian Flower Club 10am-12noon / Park View Community Thursday 2, 9, 16 Association Every Wednesday and Thursday Flower arranging demonstrations in a and 23 May, during term time 6pm-8pm friendly and informal atmosphere. Refreshments available. Non-members Learn how to understand handwriting Bright Seedlings Bright Woods Forest School, CIC, Startforth welcome. £5. 0191 388 0957 styles from the 16th to 19th centuries. www.cestrianflowerclub.co.uk Sessions are interactive and give you For children aged 1-5 years. Outdoor learning, chance to try out your developing skills fostering the spirit of independence and with friendly support from our archivist. adventure. Experience the natural world Saturday fortnightly starting 23 March, Each session looks at a different century through play, developing confidence and 7.30pm-10pm or style. £12 per session or £40 for all self-esteem. Sessions take place in an Sequence and line dancing four. Booking is essential. enclosed, beautiful setting with a river, Horden Centennial Centre, Seventh Street, meadow and woodland area. £35 for a six Horden, SR8 4LX https://recordofficeshop.durham.gov.uk week term. 07399 575 253 Bingo, bar and raffle. £2. 03000 267 619 www.facebook.com/brightwoodsforestschool Contact Ken Todd: 0191 587 524 27 Until 20 April, Wednesday to Saturday Sunday 24 March, 6.30pm-8pm March to May Spring Open Exhibition Dark skies star gazing No.42 Market Place, Bishop Auckland, Harehope Quarry, Frosterley DL14 7PB Discover the beauty of the North Pennines An exhibition featuring the work of Dark Skies. Beginning indoors using talented artists from across the region, amazing software to view the night sky in exploring a variety of themes and mixed real time. Then, weather permitting, go media. www.aucklandproject.org out and view some of the wonders of the universe. £5. Booking essential. Until Saturday 1 June 2019 Not suitable for young children. Feasting and Fasting: The Great 01388 529 154, www.natureholiday.co.uk Kitchen Durham Cathedral Tuesday 26 March, 10am-12noon Discover the food cooked for Benedictine Every Saturday at 11am and Thursday Home Education: at 12.30pm monks and lavish banquets over the centuries in one of only two surviving Owl Pellet Past and Future tours medieval monastic kitchens in the UK. Detectives Tours start at Auckland Tower, Market £2.50-£7.50, under 5s free, family ticket Rainton Meadows Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NP available. 0191 338 7178 Nature Reserve Take a 45-minute guided tour of Bishop www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/open-treasure Barn owls are a favourite nocturnal Auckland’s historic Market Place and learn predator on the reserve. Time for young about the buildings, the people and the detectives to investigate what our barn stories within it. www.aucklandproject.org owls have been feeding on. £4. 0191 584 3112. For more information and to book your place visit www.durhamwt.com/events Saturday 30 March, 10am-2pm Spring craft and produce market Scarth Hall, Staindrop Showcasing local food producers and crafters. Refreshments available. Free entry. www.scarthhall.co.uk Saturdays – various dates, Saturday 23 March, 12noon-5pm [email protected] 10.30am-12noon Holi Festival Durham City Woodchips Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 March, Durham University Oriental Museum, 11am-3pm Various venues Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH Archaeology Open Day An outdoor group for under 6s and their Welcome spring with a special Holi Festival families. Fun activities such as campfire with colourful powder throws and free Wynch Bridge End Cottage, Upper Teesdale cooking, games, den-building, pond- craft activities. £4, under 2s free. Find out how people have used the dipping, nature walks, crafts and stories. 0191 334 5691 landscape of Upper Teesdale over the last £2.50. Durham City Woodchips on www.dur.ac.uk/oriental.museum/whatson 10,000 years and view a display of recent Facebook. [email protected] finds by Altogether Archaeology. Talk at 1.30pm. 20-minute walk from Bowlees Visitor Last Saturday of the month, Centre. Free. 01833 622 374 @MUR.NNR 7.30pm-11pm Monthly dance APRIL The Village Hall, Drover Road, Castleside Please bring own refreshments. £5.

MARCH Until 30 March, Tuesday to Saturday, Saturday 23 March, 10am-6pm 11am-3pm St Cuthbert Festival From Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 April Exhibition: Durham Cathedral 7pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinées at 2pm Photography Events and activities celebrating the and Print north’s greatest saint. Suitable for all ages, Evita Art Block, 74 Church Street, Seaham, SR7 7HF including free tours, local producers’ Gala Theatre, Durham An exhibition of photography and printing market, pilgrimage walk from Chester-le- Durham Musical Theatre Company perform skills. Free entry. 0191 649 9431 Street, story-telling for children and a the mega-hit Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Facebook: East Durham Artists Network special Evensong service. 0191 338 7178 Rice musical. From £18. Tickets from Email: [email protected] www.durhamcathedral.co.uk www.galadurham.co.uk or 03000 266 600 28 Friday 12 April, 10.30am-12.30pm Crazy crafts What’s on Foundations Building, 51-55 Church Street, Shildon, DL4 1DT Sunday Get creative and make something amazing 14 April, to take home. Suitable for all ages but under 2.30pm 8s to be accompanied by an adult. Free. Book online at www.greenfield-arts.co.uk Mighty 01325 379 048 Wurlitzer Spring Concert New Victoria Saturday 6 April, 7.30pm Centre, Howden-le-Wear Durham Singers: Spem in Alium Featuring the Peak District Star Christian Durham Cathedral Cartwright. £8 including refreshments. The Durham Singers perform Spem in 01388 762 467, www.netoa.org.uk Alium by Thomas Tallis, Herbert Howells’s Requiem and other choral music by Tallis Wednesday 17 April, 1pm-3.30pm and Vaughan Williams. £15, £10 students Table top sale and under 25s, free for under 13s. Brandon Community 07790 148 062, www.durham-singers.org Friday 12 April, 7.30pm An Audience with Cannon & Ball Hall, DH7 8SH Raising money for Sunday 7 to Saturday 13 April, 7.30pm, Funny Way to Be Comedy, The Witham County Durham Sunday 2.30pm only Cannon & Ball present an evening of their community clothing The Importance of Being Ernest own unique brand of humour - bank. Free to buyers, The City Theatre, Back Silver Street, unforgettable sketches, songs, storytelling £5 per table for sellers. Durham, DH1 3RA and an audience Q & A session. Contact Dawn on 07707 031 625 £18, £16 concessions. 01833 650 930 [email protected] Oscar Wilde’s classic play of wit and www.funnywaytobe.com manners. £7.50, £6.50 concessions, Sunday and Monday £6.50. Tickets from Sunday 21 03000 266 600, www.galadurham.co.uk Saturday 13 April, 10am and Monday Breakfast with the Easter Bunny 22 April, Pioneering Care Centre, Carers Ways, 10am-3.30pm Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4SF Easter at Enjoy an egg-tastic breakfast and hop to the Hall the challenge of an egg hunt, plus Easter crafts. £6 per child, under 2s free. Booking Crook Hall and essential. 01325 321 234, www.pcp.uk.net Gardens Storytelling, Saturday 13 April, 7.30pm arts & crafts and a treasure Weardale Community Choir Spring hunt around Concert the gardens as Wednesday 10 April 10.30am and The Parish Church of St Mary and well as a visit 1.30pm St Stephen, Wolsingham, DL13 3AN from the Easter bunnies. Adults £8, Including music from well-known shows. concessions £7.50, child £5. 0191 384 8028 Wild Wednesday: Nature on Tour Refreshments included. £7.50, under 16s www.crookhallgardens.co.uk Bowlees Visitor Centre free, tickets available on the door. Two sessions of hands-on fun for young 07811 221 151 explorers. Wild Wednesdays run every Facebook page: weardalecommunitychoir A family pass to school holiday Wednesday. £3. Booking is Crook Hall and Gardens essential. 01833 622 145 Saturday 13 April, 9.30am-2.30pm www.northpennines.org.uk/events-calendar For a chance to win a family annual Easter event pass to Crook Hall and Gardens, simply Friday 12 April, Crook Football Club, DL15 9PW tell us, what date does their Spring 10am-12noon Craft stalls, face painting, Easter egg hunt garden tour take place on? and more. Free entry. See page 2 for details of how to enter. Autism friendly: [email protected] Swell Shells Durham University Oriental Saturday 13 to Monday 22 April, Museum, Elvet Hill, Durham, 10am-4pm DH1 3TH Quiet time activities for children with 10-day mega charity book sale autism, learning or sensory impairments. Pemberton Rooms, Palace Green, Durham Make a painted shell decoration. 12,000 new and used books for sale in aid £1.50 per adult, 75p per child (includes of Durham Palestine Educational Trust. museum admission). 0191 334 5694 Admission free. www.dur.ac.uk/oriental.museum/whatson www.dur.ac.uk/durham.palestine/ 29 Friday 26 April, 8pm Saturday 27 April and March to May Amateur boxing evening Saturday 4 May, Newton Aycliffe WMC 5am-9am Sunday 21 and Monday 22 April, Boxing competitors from all over the Black Grouse lek 10am-4pm region boxing to England and Olympic Langdon Beck Hotel, DL12 0XP rules. £10 or £13 on the door. Observe the weird and wonderful Annual Easter Chick Hunt Facebook: Aycliffe Amateur Boxing Club Durham University Botanic Garden courtship displays of the black grouse. 01325 313 855 Includes a tour of the ‘lek’ area and full Adults £4, concessions £3, children 5-16 English breakfast. £25. Booking essential. years £1.50, infants free. 0191 334 2887 Saturday 27 April, 10am-2pm 01833 622 374, @MUT.NNR www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden/whatson Petting zoo event Sunday 21 April, 1pm-4.30pm Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre MAY Petting zoos, a bouncy castle, tombola and Family bushcrafts balloon art. £1 entry. Hamsterley Forest Build a shelter, light a fire, cook a meal and make something to take away. Booking essential. Maximum of two children per adult. Children should be 5 years or over. £40 per family (2 to 4 people), £10 per additional person. 01388 529 154 www.natureholiday.co.uk Wednesday 1 May, 1pm Zoe Gilby & Andy Champion - Voice & Double Bass The Lubetkin Theatre, Peterlee With a repertoire ranging from Joni Mitchell to Thelonius Monk and Pink Floyd, these two high-flying north east musicians bring their innovative and expressive voice/ double bass duo to Jazz at The Lubetkin. £5. 0191 587 2534, www.lubetkinjazz.com

Zoe Gilby & Andy Champion tickets Saturday 27 April, 7.30pm For a chance to win a pair of tickets for Wednesday 24 April, 7.30pm Travelling by Tuba - the Farewell Tour Zoe Gilby & Andy Champion, simply tell Hamsterley Village Hall us, what style of music do the duo Alistair McGowan: Introductions to play? See page 2 for details of how to enter. Classical Piano Musical extravaganza for all the family. Funny Way To Be Comedy, The Witham Watch out for the opera Carmen in four and a half minutes and an exploding tuba. A brand new show with a lot of beautiful £8, £5 child, £24 family. 01388 488 323 Wednesday 1 May, 11am-12noon music (with the odd mistake), some www.highlightsnorth.co.uk Spring garden tour interesting stories and a sprinkling of his Crook Hall and Gardens trademark impressions. Saturday 27 April, 11am-2pm Join the hall’s head gardener for a tour of £18, £16 concessions. 01833 659 930 the gardens at spring time. £8 adults, www.funnywaytobe.com Wildcraft Adventure Bright Woods Forest School, CIC, Startforth £7.50 concessions. 0191 384 8028 www.crookhallgardens.co.uk Alistair McGowan tickets In video games like Minecraft, players have to survive in a hostile environment, build For a chance to win a pair of their own home, hunt for food, search for Friday 3 May, 7pm tickets to see Alistair McGowan, simply resources and fend off wandering Faure’s Requiem and Cantique tell us, in which town is The Witham monsters. Sure, your child can survive in Bishop Auckland Town Hall theatre? the ‘wilderness’ on the computer screen, By Bishop Auckland Choral Society. but can they do it out in the real woods? See page 2 for details of how to enter. £7, £5 concession. 01388 834 359 Ages 6-12. £15. 07399 575 253 www.bachoral.org.uk www.facebook.com/brightwoodsforestschool Friday 26 April, 10.30am-4pm Friday 10 May, 7pm St Cuthbert’s Hospice Ladies Lunch Wildcraft Adventure Murder Mystery in the Woods Ramside Hall Hotel tickets Bright Woods Forest School, CIC, Startforth Sparkling reception, three course lunch For a chance to win two child tickets for This adults only event will be an with special guest speaker, exclusive raffle, opportunity to see the woods from a entertainment and unique shopping a Wildcraft Adventure, simply tell us, which video game inspired the event? different perspective as you try to solve an experience, in aid of St Cuthbert’s Hospice. interactive Whodunnit. £15. 07399 575 253 £37. 0191 386 1170 ext. 5 See page 2 for details of how to enter. www.facebook.com/brightwoodsforestschool www.stcuthbertshospice.com

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