Issue 6 Autumn 2020 TODAY

Photo courtesy of Keith Shipley

Your Community News from Seaham Town Council

Daft as a Seaham Brush Covid Red Star charity update Football walk Club visits pages Seaham 16 & 17 page 24 page 4 INSIDE

Seaham Today is parally funded and supported by local business Sunderland of fice Seaham office Durham office 112 High Street West, Sunderland, 41 Church Street, Seaham, Houghton House, Belmont Business Park, Tyne & Wear SR1 1TX County Durham SR7 7EJ Durham DH1 1TW Tel: 0191 514 4323 Tel: 0191 511 8222 Tel: 0191 374 2555 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

2 Seaham TODAY Council Comment

Update from the Contact your local Town Councillor Mayor Councillor Barry Taylor DAWDON WARD

I am proud to have Cllr. R. Arthur 581 6046 / 07502 001037 been given the [email protected] opportunity to represent Seaham Cllr. Mrs. J. A. Bell 581 2398 / 07557 003759 and its residents as [email protected] your Mayor for 2020/21. It is an Cllr. Mrs. L. Kennedy 03000 268707 honour to be [email protected] entrusted with the role of Mayor and I Cllr. K. Shaw 581 3515 / 07900 702331 will do everything I can to represent Cllr. T. Shepherd 581 5752 our town and our [email protected] residents. I joined Seaham DENESIDE WARD Town Council in May 2013 as a Cllr. E. Bell 07827 307810 Councillor during which me, I have [email protected] spent a year as Deputy Mayor, supporng the Mayor with all her dues and assisted her with fund raising Cllr. Mrs. G. Bleasdale 581 9724 events. The experience was invaluable and has set me in [email protected] good stead for my year ahead. Cllr. S. P Colborn 581 7830 / 07851 079778 My career has primarily been working as a Care Worker. I [email protected] was heavily involved in the Seaham Triathlon along with organising and running Seaham Coast Run and Seaham Cllr. B. Taylor 07743 743811 Boot Camp. So far I have helped raise £19,000 for Seaham groups and charies. SEAHAM CENTRAL WARD I would like to congratulate the winners of the Scarecrow Compeon. I apologise for not being able to visit you Cllr. Mrs. K. Brace 07952 969370 due to the Corona virus. Cllr. G. N. Hepworth 07534 126332 I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people that are running our community centres and [email protected] sports teams and thank everyone who is geng involved Vacancy with our kids and elderly of Seaham. You are doing a fantasc job. SEAHAM HARBOUR WARD If anyone needs help with maers in the Town, please do not hesitate to contact me directly on 07743 743811 and Cllr. Mrs. S. Forster 581 6765 I will do my utmost to assist where possible. [email protected] I look forward to the year ahead and working with you all to embrace and enhance our wonderful town. Cllr. D. McKenna 07889 701492 [email protected] Best wishes to you all. Cllr. Miss. L. Willis 07980 050818 Councillor Barry Taylor Mayor SEAHAM NORTH WARD

Cllr. S. Cudlip 581 2856

Seaham Town Council Cllr. Ms R. M. Graon 07865 997951 Seaham Town Hall, Stockton Road, Vacancy Seaham, Co. Durham, SR7 0HP Vacancy Telephone: (0191) 5818034 SEAHAM WESTLEA WARD Email: [email protected] Website: www.seaham.gov.uk Vacancy Like and contact us on Facebook Vacancy Receive updates by following us on Twier - SeahamTC The views and informaon contained within some of the arcles in this magazine Watch us on YouTube for footage of our events are soley that of the individual content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of Seaham Town Council or the publishers of this magazine.

Seaham TODAY 3 Local Interest Daft as a Brush Cancer Charity Walk – Visit to Seaham

The Mayor Councillor Miss Linda Willis and During Brian’s epic walk he even managed Brian reluctantly had to temporarily the Mayoress Mrs Diane Adamson met to fit in a wedding to his partner Cheryl in abandon his walk n March this year due to with Mr Brian Burnie the Founder and the Isle of Skye in August 2018 which was the Covid 19 pandemic which by then he Trustee of “Da as a Brush Cancer Paent kept as a surprise to everyone apart from had walked 5,125 miles, however since then Care Charity” on Saturday 19th September, close family. he has picked up where he left off and is 2020 at the Tommy Statue. Brian’s walk determined to finish his walk. Due to the charity’s success, the charities brought him to Seaham on the final stages trustees wish to take this service nationwide Since Brian’s visit to Seaham he has now of his epic cancer charity walk. to create 1,000,000 cancer patient journeys completed his walk which took in Brian aged 76 years and who suffers from by creating local hubs that can manage and 15,000,000 steps and 7,036 miles, which is a Parkinson’s Disease embarked on a 7000 provide a patient transport service in their massive achievement. mile walk around the coastal footpath of locality, free of charge. Brian’s plan during Seaham Town Council wishes Brian well in Great Britain and Ireland two and half years the walk was to visit all the major cancer his future endeavours to offer free hospital ago on 5th March, 2018 starting from the hospitals to discuss his vision and the transport to all cancer sufferers across the Baltic in Gateshead. The aim of the walk charities proposals with Consultant country. (while living on a double decker bus named Oncologists, Radiotherapy Managers and Bluebell) was to spread the ‘Daft as a Brush Nurse Managers. Cancer Patient Care’ (DAAB) good news story. With a team of 350 volunteers and 30 Brian stated that he was pleased that ambulances, the charity last year was everyone he has met so far, including involved in transporting throughout the Politicians, Councillors and Mayors have North East, free of charge, over 40,000 been very enthusiastic and supportive of his cancer patients to and from hospital for passion and vision to provide nationwide, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy free transport for cancer outpatients treatment, with the numbers rising. attending hospital.

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Seaham TODAY 5 6 Seaham TODAY Sports Seaham Harbour Cricket Club Seaham Harbour Cricket Club ended Off the field we connue to invest in the a very happy 90th birthday which he another successful season having seen the infrastructure and have started a fund celebrated on the 15th October. Ray has First team finish 3rd and the 2nd team raising project to replace the dilapidated been the backbone of Seaham Harbour finishing 2nd. The club achieved the changing rooms and look to replace them Cricket Club for many many years and all of objecves it set itself. And has again with more modern and environmentally the past and present members wish him increased the number of teams friendly versions which will be able to many congratulaons. parcipang on a weekly basis. accommodate male and female teams. At the heart of the club is the Junior secon Seaham Harbour would also like to thank all and we have been able to increase the club members and visitors for observing the number of Juniors playing cricket by 20% recent Covid 19 Rules and their connued across all age ranges. We also saw the support during very difficult mes. introducon of an all girls team for the first Finally – Seaham Harbour Cricket Club me at Seaham Harbour. would like to wish Mr Raymond Armbrister Junior secon growing in strength

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Seaham TODAY 7 Local Interest VJ Day Service Victory over Japan (VJ Day) Tempest-Hall, Seaham 75th Anniversary was Veterans. remembered with a service Finally like many other at the Cenotaph, with charies the Royal Brish reduced numbers due to Legion has suffered Covid restricons however financially during this crisis I it was almost a resemblance urge you to please give your of normality from past full support to the Poppy services and a pleasure to Appeal, every penny counts see. towards helping our Over these past difficult 6 veterans in difficult mes. months I am proud to say Thank you Seaham has remembered a Dave Mckenna number of key events in our history VE Day and Armed Forces Day to name a few. Theses services would not have been possible without help and support and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following: Seaham Town Council, Father Kennedy, Houghton-Le-Spring Pipes and Drums, Grahame Morris MP, Seaham Branch RBL, Flanders Café Bar, Nicky

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8 Seaham TODAY Health

NHS bosses Free Healthy Lifestyle urge people Support to get serious The Wellbeing for Life Service offers support to anyone aged 16 and above who live and work in County Durham. about Type 2 The service offers FREE help and guidance around diabetes • Weight loss • Healthy eang Every two minutes Dr Stewart Findlay, chief officer, • Physical Acvity someone finds out that NHS County Durham CCG • Mental Wellbeing they have Type 2 diabetes. • Stopping Smoking Type 2 diabetes can be a very serious health condion that can cause long term health problems. During these challenging mes, the service is supporng It can lead to sight loss, kidney failure, loss of a limb, and people through telephone, e-mail and by the end of makes you at least twice as likely to have a heart aack or September, video call consultaons. Our clients receive stroke. Being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes can have a informaon packs and resources through the post depending huge impact on you and your family and can mean lots of on what they would like support with. This can include food changes to the way you live your life. poron size guides, physical acvity programmes and Dr Stewart Findlay, chief officer, NHS County Durham Clinical relaxaon techniques. Commissioning Group (CCG) said, ‘It’s very important that you find out if you are at high risk of Type 2 diabetes so you A personal Wellbeing Praconer will then work with their can get support to lower your risk. You may even be eligible client, step-by-step, and support them to achieve their goal, for your free local Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevenon whatever this may be. Programme which is run by Weight Watchers (WW). The Diabetes UK risk tool can help you find out if you’re at risk of Wellbeing for Life is a friendly, understanding and developing the condion. It takes just a few minutes and confidenal service and supports the Public Health England could be the most important thing you do today.’ Beer Health Campaign. The advice is to have a tape If you would like to get in touch with measure handy as you’ll need to measure your waist. Search Wellbeing for Life, please phone ‘Know Your Risk’ and call your GP 0800 8766887 or visit our website at today if you have any concerns. www.wellbeingforlife.net

Local legend Jeff Stelling urges men to speak to their GP if they are at increased risk of prostate cancer Long­serving Sky Sports presenter and may experience: needing to pee more Prostate Cancer UK ambassador, Jeff frequently, oen during the night, Stelling, born in Hartlepool, is needing to rush to the toilet, difficulty in supporng the NHS across Teesside as starng to pee, feeling that your bladder they urge men at increased risk of has not emped fully and blood in your prostate cancer to contact their GP as pee. urgent referrals drop by over 50 per These symptoms do not always mean cent in the North­East compared to the you have prostate cancer. Many men's same period last year. prostates get larger as they get older but Men over 50, parcularly black men, health leaders in the NHS are urging and those with a family history of men who are at greater risk to contact prostate cancer are most at risk. As most their GP. men don't have any symptoms unl the Dr Janet Walker, medical director, NHS disease has spread and become Tees Valley CCG said; ‘I can understand incurable, the NHS is urging men at why people have not been contacng increased risk of prostate cancer to ‘I’ve met so many men and families their GP surgery in recent weeks but it’s contact their GP. affected by this awful disease, some important that you speak to your doctor The GP may then recommend a PSA with stories of despair and heartbreak, if you are at increased risk of prostate blood test, which can give an indicaon others that offer hope and inspiraon. cancer. The chances are it’s nothing of any problems with their prostate. ‘Prostate Cancer is now the most serious but finding it early can make it Sky Sports Soccer Saturday host Jeff commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, more treatable.' Stelling, who has raised more than £1m and knowing the risk of prostate cancer Anyone with concerns about prostate for Prostate Cancer UK said: is more crical than ever but we sll cancer can also contact Prostate Cancer ‘It’s shocking to see the stascs about need to do more. So please know your UK's Specialist Nurses on 0800 074 8383 the drop in GP referrals, so it’s risk and take acon. It may save your or online at www.prostatecanceruk.org imperave that more men go back to life.’ their GPs and speak about their risk of Most men with early prostate cancer prostate cancer. don’t have any symptoms, but some

Seaham TODAY 9 Sports Seaham RUFC Although the Adult Rugby compeons • Only one adult per child aending We have a dedicated band of volunteers have been postponed naonwide below sessions. who are following COVID-19 advice to the the professional ranks (levels 1­3), great • Signing our aendance register to leer. Our governing body - the Rugby efforts have been made at Seaham Rugby comply with Track & Trace legislaon. Football Union - are keeping clubs up to Club to keep things running smoothly for speed with what they can and can't do. The our Junior Secon. • Refreshments are provided outside to goal posts are constantly being changed by minimise clubhouse access. Each and every Sunday at 10.30am, our the government, and it's somemes hard to young stars and their grown-ups converge • Intensive cleaning and sanising regime keep up... but we are keeping on top of our on Seaham Park Sports Club to meet up during/aer all acvies. game to ensure that our kids stay on top of with their friends, learn and perfect their • Use of masks/PPE and social distancing theirs. skills and have a great me. to comply with government guidelines. One thing is for certain - we won't be beaten by COVID-19 and will come out of At the moment, we are having to follow We are very fortunate at Seaham Rugby this horrible me stronger and healthier, government protocols to ensure that all Club. Every single one of our parents follow thanks to rugby. sessions are managed responsibly and safely guidelines responsibly and our young stars within the required guidelines. At present are only too happy to follow their advice so Want to know more? Please log in this means: they can enjoy their rugby in a safe and to the Seaham Rugby Club Junior Secon structured environment. facebook page for regular updates.

10 Seaham TODAY Local Interest

Obtaining Funding from Impetus Environmental Trust

he Landfill Communies Fund (LCF), administer and distribute LCF monies on IET look forward to helping you and Testablished in 1996, is a tax credit behalf of the LO. A successful, hearing about your project or idea for a scheme that enables Landfill Operators professional (DEB) in the North East is local project. (LOs) to contribute a poron of their Impetus Environmental Trust (IET). IET hps://www.entrust.org.uk/landfill­ landfill tax liability to community and have distributed over £5 million across community­fund/finding­ environmental projects to ‘offset’ the Tees Valley Region. funding/funder­search/ negave impacts of living within a 10 IET distributes funds on behalf of For example Seaham organisaons listed mile vicinity of a landfill site. Highfield Environmental Ltd. a local are: hps://www.entrust.org.uk/projects/la landfill operator on Teesside. IET ensures County Durham Community Foundaon ndfill­communies­fund­objects projects comply with www.cdcf.org.uk community/environmental objecves Criteria for LCF Funding laid down in the Landfill Tax Regulaons Derbyshire Environment Trust - Projects that meet 1996 (Regulaons) and offers an advice, email: [email protected] community/environmental criteria guidance and signposng service for or phone 01629 538614 contained in the Landfill Tax Regulaons groups, clubs, associaons, sport clubs Impetus Environmental Trust - 1996 (Regulaons) can either register etc. on funding, evaluaon & monitoring email: [email protected] with HMRC’s regulatory body Entrust, and establishing a not-for-profit Royal Society of Wildlife Trust - (hps://www.entrust.org.uk/landfill­ voluntary organisaon. www.biffa­award.org community­fund) for a £100 registraon Telephone Nicky Graves for an informal SUEZ Communies Trust Ltd. fee or speak directly to a landfill operator chat on 07841 046680. Alternavely, www.suezcommuniestrust.org.uk who distributes their own monies. email your details and she will call you Alternavely, there are Distribuve back or to request an applicaon form to Environmental Bodies (DEBs), that [email protected]

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Seaham TODAY 11 Local Interest Scarecrow Competition Results The Scarecrow Compeon saw many October and due to the high quality of the Seaham Town Council wishes to thank entries across the three category groups. entries it made their decisions even more Vicky Green for bringing this compeon The entries were categorised based on difficult. Prizes were awarded to the top 3 idea to the Council to consider and also the age of the entrant with groups split in each category based on the below for her assistance in promong the into 0­5 years old, 6­12 years old and structure for each of the three categories. compeon throughout its duraon. We Care Homes. First prize – £75 would like to thank everyone who The judging was carried out by the Mayor Second prize – £50 entered in this compeon and also and Deputy Mayor on Tuesday, 27th Third prize – £25 express our congratulaons to the following winning entries. 0–5 Years Old Category

Second Prize First Prize Third Prize Meeka Kennedy Child’s Play Children’s Millie and Gracie and Eli Pawley Nursery Devlin-Munroe

6–12 Years Old Category

Joint Second Prize Joint Second Prize First Prize Third Prize James Powell Emily Powell Mahew Carlin Kae Blunt

Care Home Category

Second Prize First Prize Third Prize Eastdene Court Stockton Lodge St. Anne's Community Care Home Services Residents

12 Seaham TODAY Local Interest

chicken, lasagne and even chicken kka to Nicki said: “We noced there was a lack of mouth-watering cakes and scones. There’s an jewellers’ and gi shops, so we thought this expanding vegan and gluten-free menu too. would be a good idea to help enhance Seaham Caruso’s Nicki, who prepares all the food freshly for and what it has to offer. A Caribbean flavour on the County Durham each customer, explained: “Our friends kept “A lot of the jewellery and gis are made by coast ­ that's what Nicki and Lennie Caruso telling us we should sell Lennie’s baking so we local cras people - it’s our way of showcasing are serving up in Seaham with their quirky thought we would dive in at the deep end and local talent. “We're there for local people, first and foremost, and already have a lot of local “three­in­one” shop. For not only is the give it a chance. regulars, but we also like to offer visitors a Church Street venue a tea room, specialising “We’re expanding and changing the menu lovely mix of good food and gis.” in tasty English and Caribbean treats, it’s a constantly to provide old favourites and things Open during the day unl 4.30pm, Tuesday to gi shop and a jewellery emporium too! to tempt newcomers.” Saturday, it can also open on Friday evenings Nicki's family owned newsagents when she Nicki and Lennie had a similar shop in Bishop by prior reservaon, with 48 hours noce was growing up, hence her love of interacng Auckland, but moved to Seaham as they needed. The venue is also available for free with customers, while Lennie’s family come enjoyed vising for days out - and some hire for meengs and pares when food and from Montserrat - a beauful, Brish-owned delicious fish and chips! “It just feels like it’s an drinks are purchased from Caruso's - Covid-19 island in the Caribbean. That explains the up and coming, lively town,” said Nicki. rules apply. Anglo-Caribbean connecon. And when Lennie The fact they made the move during the Nicki added: “We’re grateful for the connuing started to cook while Nicki was recovering Covid-19 outbreak shows how much faith they support of the Seaham people and look forward from cancer, he fell in love with all things have in their Seaham adventure. And there's to establishing a long-term local business.” culinary. much more to Caruso's than just food, with a ** Caruso’s is at 27 Church, Street, Seaham. Now his home-made treats are going down a lot of jewellery and gis - many locally-made - For more informaon, call 07538 858360 or storm with Caruso’s customers - from jerk for sale in the shop. visit www.facebook.com/carusoatseaham

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Seaham TODAY 13 Local Interest Age UK County Durham At Age UK County Durham we are all first they have since developed a fantasc working hard to support older people living rapport with the volunteer who has been in the county during Covid­19. This is a helping them, they told her ‘Age UK County difficult me for many people, but those Durham is a brilliant service, we could not who are more elderly face a parcular set have managed without you. Your help is of challenges, from the need to shield, to very much appreciated’ anxiees about the impact of Covid­19 in It is stories like this that keep us and our their communies, to increased loneliness volunteers going. Just knowing that we are as a result of not being able to see their families and friends, or to enjoy social making a difference to the lives of others by acts of kindness and the giving of me acvies. our capacity and meet the needs of shows us that community spirit is very much ‘I am so proud of both of them (clients), vulnerable older people in this area. You alive and kicking and the desire to help even though I’ve never met them I have a will receive the full support of our team others less fortunate than themselves is mental image of what I think they are like, whilst you are volunteering as we recognise inslled in the many, not the few. they both have amazing resilience and never the value of your commitment and support complain, just get on with things as they We are currently focusing our services on: upon older people in our communies. are’ (telephone befriender) • Help with shopping collecon and If you are interested, we would be Case study from one of our shoppers delivery delighted to hear from you. Fiercely independent, this couple in their • Prescripon collecon and delivery Please call our Volunteer Co-ordinator, eighes from the Sherburn Hill area are self- Natalie Johnson on 0191 374 6560 or send • Befriending calls isolang to keep themselves safe and well. us an email with your details to This means they then needed help and How can you help? [email protected] support with their shopping etc. They were inially apprehensive about accepng help We currently have about 150 volunteers but they knew they needed to in order to be who are giving a few hours a week to able to stay at home during the Covid-19 support an older person with shopping or situaon. befriending across the county. We would We were soon able to match them up with a like to recruit a few volunteers in the volunteer to help them, whilst nervous at Seaham and East Durham areas to increase

14 Seaham TODAY Local Interest Seaham Youth and Community Centre

Hello, from Sharon Davis ­ I Laura, Jessica, Holly, Emma, am the Business Development Paul, Paul H, Jonathan, Paul, Sample Menu: Officer for Seaham Youth & Kim and lastly, but definitely Tea/Coffee: Regular 50p/Large £1 Community Centre. I came not least Amy and her Hot Chocolate: Regular £1/Large £1.50 into my role in November daughter Lexi. You all truly are So drinks: 60p / Slush from £1 2019. My me in the centre AMAZING! We couldn't do Candy floss / Popcorn: Small bag: £1 has given me some amazing what we do, without the Breakfasts memories, which I will carry hearelt support of you all. with me for a lifeme. Small breakfast: £1.75 We also would like to thank Large Breakfast: £2.75 As an Ex Trustee for almost 5 Seaham Community for all Teacakes/ Muffin & Jam /X2 Toast & Jam: 75p years on the centre commiee, your connued donaons and Lunchme Meal Deal: £4.00 Seaham is embedded in my all of the fantasc funders who (Includes main meal, hot/cold drink & Gateau) heart. The recent 'Lockdown & have gone above and beyond Light Meal: £1.75 Current climate' has only to connue to support the Snacks: ranging between 50p-£1.50 strengthened how truly residents of Seaham. amazing I think Seaham and its Available for: Dine in / collecon & delivery (Small charge may ‘Together we can do more’ residents are. Your drive and apply for delivery) - All must be booked in, either by our Facebook passion for your community, is UPDATE OF CENTRE page: Seaham Youth and Community Centre or by Calling/Texng a privilege to be part of. RESOURCES & COVID­19 07341 665 045 VENUE PROCEDURES: I have so many THANK YOUs, for so many, who have This month we officially COVID­19 BUILDING UPDATES PROCEDURES supported within the recent launched our 'SEAHAM We have been working very hard to get our building COVID-19 Lockdown and connued COMMUNITY CAFE' set. This will be an ongoing process, as we connual update alongside current government guidelines, keep an eye out for 'Community Support Services' We will be building up mes updates on our Facebook page. and I'm sure many more will be slowly, to ensure a safe, THANK YOU for all your support and understanding in these needed. But I'd like to take this consistent implementaon. challenging mes for us all and helping us to keep as normal as opportunity to thank some of Current opening mes we can be. my amazing volunteers, who (9:30-2:30PM) Monday to All our centre rooms are available for hire if your group is looking have come on board to help Friday for a home, or you need a one off booking or a block booking. Get sustain and grow our in touch and we will try our best to help. * Extending to 9am to 7pm... 'Community Support Services'. Email: [email protected] very soon! A huge THANK YOU to Sarah, Telephone: 0191 581 24 26 Jeanee, Ruth, Alan, Rachel, Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you all soon. Catherine, Maureen, Freda,

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Seaham TODAY 15 Local Interest Collaborated Covid Response and Agency Contacts Seaham Town Council has agreed that we will not only streamline the response but will endeavour to provide a cohesive will also alleviate a lot of pressure off the approach and assistance in signposng for food banks themselves, who can then the delivery of food and assistance to concentrate on the delivery of food parcels those residents who may find themselves rather than the administraon processes. in difficules during these unprecedented mes with Covid 19. Seaham Town Council Foodbank Assistance We have plans to liaise with service providers in a collaborated response for the At the meeng of Seaham Town Council elderly and vulnerable residents of Seaham held on 27th October it was agreed that during what looks like going to be an even £2,000 is to be awarded to each of the more difficult me with the pandemic due foodbanks to assist in acquiring food to the winter months looming. supplies or any necessary PPE equipment required for their operaon. We aim to be a point of contact for front line agencies who are on the ground seeing During both the first and second wave of vulnerable people within their work. We the crisis, our Deputy Town Clerk, Paul can then process this referral in a mely Fletcher and Councillor Rachael McBlane and effecve manner to two very acve have volunteered at the Youth Centre to food banks we have in Seaham along with help deliver food parcels and hot meals the local business Flanders as part of their across Seaham. ‘Operaon Flanders’ support. This we feel

‘‘ Two things really gave me and the ‘‘ The recent 'Lockdown & Current climate' Volunteers a reality check and brought my has only strengthened how truly amazing whole life to a ‘Base Line’ in 2020. The first I think Seaham and its residents are. Your was finding elderly residents so happy but so drive and passion for your community, is desperate to receive the smallest gi and the a privilege to be part of. people of Seaham’s kindness, which was – Sharon Davis, Seaham Youth’’ truly inspiraonal. and Community Centre – Andrew Harrison, Operaon’’ Flanders

‘‘ During these challenging mes Dawdon Youth and Community Centre has connued their work offering supporve services in the community. This has been made possible with the selfless dedicaon of staff and volunteers along with massive support from local businesses, groups, residents our local Council and Councillors. Connuing to work together, supporng each other, we can get through these unprecedented mes and build a stronger community. – Marion McKenna, Dawdon Youth and Community Centre ’’

Supporng your local foodbanks The local foodbanks are seeking be willing to act as a drop off point for assistance in the form of donaons as well community donaons to provide those as Seaham Youth Centre seeking wishing to donate to a more accessible volunteer drivers to help meet the locaon. demand currently placed upon their If you feel you are able to assist the local services. A DBS check is required however foodbanks in any way, please contact the centre will help put the checks them directly. If you require assistance as through if volunteers do not already have a result of the current situaon, please one in place. contact the Town Council office either by The foodbanks are also reaching out to phone 0191 581 8034 local venues or businesses which would or email [email protected].

16 Seaham TODAY Local Interest

Agency Contacts Dawdon Youth and Community Age UK – Help with shopping Centre – Offers a foodbank collecon and delivery, service, ‘Wrap around’ service Prescripon collecon and including food parcel and Hot delivery, Befriending calls. 0191 Meal deliveries, emergency ‘out 386 3856 or 0191 374 0931 of hour’s meals’, debt support and advice. 0191 513 1777 The Silver Line Helpline and Telephone Friendship Service – Seaham Youth and Community For users aged 60+ a 24/7 Centre – Offers a foodbank helpline for informaon and service including food parcel advice. They also offer a and Hot Meal deliveries, baby befriending service in essenals pack, themed acvity partnership with Age UK. packs, befriending service, 0800 4 70 80 90 lending library, debt/benefit, employability and ADHD Family Independent Age – Advice and support. 07341 665 044 or informaon service for the Inbox Facebook page, Seaham elderly. They also operate a Youth and Community Centre befriending service. 0800 319 6789 The Youth Centre also offer a range of Support Groups NHS 111 – For help if you have including: (Art club/ Cookery an urgent medical problem and club/ Everything Needles club: you’re not sure what to do. 111 Kning Crochet Cross Stch/ Cizens Advice – Provides Lunch Club/ Snooker Club/ knowledge and independent Gentle Exercise/ ICT for advice on a range of subjects Beginners) – Inbox them on Adviceline: 0300 330 9027 Facebook to express your Monday to Friday 10:00 am to interest in their relevant support 4:00 pm group. COVID19 temporary contact St. Hild and St. Helen Chrisan number 07736 923502 Fellowship Foodbank – The Durham Community Acon – Church is open Tuesday 10am- Offer imparal advice and 12pm to give emergency food to support to help organisaons local people in crisis for people and community groups think with vouchers from care through ideas, develop them professionals. 07858 392 843 into projects, consult, plan and Operaon Flanders – Local take acon. 01388 742040 business offers a food parcel Advice in County Durham – service to the elderly, needy and A partnership of local advice vulnerable residents on providers, commied to working weekends. together to improve the info@flandersseaham.co.uk provision of advice across 0191 581 5432 County Durham. 0191 3726753

Seaham TODAY 17 What’s On

We run a wide range of projects We also offer leisure acvies, to help residents of Seaham fight training opportunies, Youth Hub, disadvantage and engage in their Young Persons Cree, Safe Place 2 community. We offer a ‘wrap Talk, holiday acvies with food around’ service including food and Toddler Groups. parcel and Hot Meal deliveries, Anyone needing support or emergency ‘out of hour’s meals’, wishing to join any acvity please debt support and advice. Our call 0191 513 1777 or inbox services support those shielding, Dawdon Youth and Community elderly, vulnerable people living Centre or The Youth Hub facebook alone, and local residents in the pages. downward spiral of debt.

Hot Meal Deliveries Over the past six months staff and volunteers have prepared and delivered over 2,000 hot meals to local residents. We connue to provide the hot meal service every Friday to elderly, vulnerable residents. If you know anyone who would benefit, please contact the centre 0191 513 1777 or inbox us. The project is funded by: Neighbourhood Budget, Big Loery Community Fund, Wrap Fund and County Durham Community Foundaon.

Every Christmas Toy Appeal Once again, The Youth Hub are organising a Christmas Toy appeal to support local families. Friday Their aim is to make Christmas day very special for children across Seaham. Social workers, schools etc. can refer a child or family to the Toy Appeal to ensure there are presents to open on Christmas morning. We are asking for donaons of NEW toys, games and gisets suitable for ages 0-18. If you can help by making a donaon please drop in a donaon by messaging or phoning to arrange a me. Thank You.

Food Bank Dawdon Youth and Community Centre food bank offers a Collecon/Delivery service Monday to Friday to support local residents who are elderly or facing financial difficulty. Anyone wishing to access the Food Bank please call Your Letters 0191 513 1777 or inbox our Facebook pages.

If you have any views you would like to share or if there are any poets or wordsmiths in Seaham, please send your leers with your name and contact details to: Seaham Town Council, Seaham Town Hall, Stockton Road, Seaham, Co. Durham, SR7 OHP or email [email protected]

18 Seaham TODAY Local Interest Enterprises

Journey Enterprises is a local charity Clients also with co-morbid ausm. Clients supporng 160 people with complex form close friendships within service, and learning disability aged 18 – 70+. The many carers form close bonds with other Charity provides services to enable Clients families in service. The Charity works in a to learn life and work skills, to lead happy, Posive Behaviour Framework and within healthy and inclusive lives. its own I Can assessment framework, Journey has three Hubs, Coundon Clients choosing a blended acvies (Durham), Hexham (Northumberland) and schedule working in small groups. We also Kenton (Newcastle), each Hub providing a support unpaid carers ensuring carers are varied acvies metable both on site and informed about carers’ centres, carers’ in community. This ranges from acvies to respite grants, GP Carers’ Registers and support health (nutrion, exercise, mental prevenon treatments and Local Authority health, relaonships) to creave and Carers’ assessments. performing arts, woodwork and Following COVID restricons the Charity horculture, a vibrant sports and outdoor has reconfigured its service, inially programme, and employability training. providing a busy outreach service including groups and employers. All employment The Charity has enabled 63% of 1:1, Care Calls, internet-based acvies opportunies are adversed on our parcipants in its enterprise & and chat sessions and a mobile acvies website as well as local media, community employability programming to progress in and exercise equipment service. These websites, Job Centre Plus and to volunteering or paid work. Inial training acvies will connue as we now resume college/university careers centres. is provided in the Charity’s small on-site service delivery in small group Inial enquiries to enterprises on and off site. bubbles (Journey Hububs). [email protected] or the We support condions such as Down’s, We are currently accepng new Client central number 01434 608118. Your Williams and Prader-Willi Syndromes, referrals to service. enquiry will then be sent to the relevant Fragile X, Sotos, cerebral palsy and ausm. We also welcome applicaons for local Hub Manager. The highest rao of our Clients have volunteering including Trusteeship, and Our website link is Down’s Syndrome, a significant rao of new partnerships with local community hps://www.journeyenterprises.co.uk/ DUN-N-DUSTED North East Rubbish Removals • Domestic • House and Office Clearance • Commercial • Wheelie Bin Emptying Service • Asbestos Removals • Hazardous Waste Removed • Green Waste • Small Demolition Work 0191 581 1004 [email protected] Why not visit us at: www.dunndusted.org

Seaham TODAY 19 Local Interest

East Durham Heritage & Lifeboat Centre Visit the East Durham Heritage & Lifeboat Centre at Seaham Harbour Marina, explore the area’s heritage, learn about the historic lifeboat George Elmy wrecked in November 1962, found on ebay in 2009 and restored. The Heritage Centre is open to the public from 10 a.m. unl 3 p.m. from Thursday through to Sunday but by prior arrangement for school visits and for adult groups can be opened on other days. Entry is free. There is much to see in the heritage room, an extensive photographic archive can be accessed by visitors and there are displays of items that will bring back memories of yesteryear, please come and browse. spare me once or twice a month and Unfortunately due to the Covid-19 have an interest in local history please situaon the Heritage and Lifeboat The Heritage Centre is run solely by come and talk to see how you might help. Centre will remain closed unl such me enthusiasc, helpful, DBS approved that it becomes safe to re-open, this is to volunteers who are keen to ensure Visitors to the Marina can see the safeguard both visitors and our visitors enjoy their day. To sustain the Coxswain by arst Ray Lonsdale who also volunteers many of whom are in the Centre we depend on both kind created Seaham’s famous Tommy. aged risk catergory. The situaon will be donaons and the sale of carefully At Seaham Harbour Marina there are regularly reviewed and news of re- chosen merchandise, postcards, framed cafés, an ice cream parlour, gi shops, a opening will be posted on our Facebook prints, heritage related books and stock a travel agent, water sports acvies and page, web site and social media. range of free tourist informaon leaflets. the sheltered, safe and sandy Slope Volunteers are always needed, if you can Beach, great for sand castles. Seaham Auto Services 21 Tempest Road, SR7 7AX • 0191 5813208 Mobile: 07873 959422

Need car finance? • Quality Used Cars • Extended Warranties We can help! • Finance Available • Part-Exchanges Accepted • All Applicants Welcome • Excellent After-Sales Service Workshop Services • MOTs and Services • Clutches • Air Conditioning Re-Gas, • Brakes, Tyres & Exhausts R134A for older vehicles • Warranty Servicing & R134YF for newer • Parking Sensors Fitted vehicles www.seahamautoservices.co.uk [email protected]

Dealer Care Extended Guarantee Available with this vehicle

20 Seaham TODAY Remember When

MARLBOROUGH STREET – showing Robert Forsters shop, c1966. Marlborough Street was built between 1856 and 1870. It was named aer the Duke of Marlborough who married, Fanny, the eldest daughter of the 3rd Marquis of Londonderry and Lady Frances Anne, Marchioness of Londonderry. Demolion of the street commenced in 1967.

The Green Drive Bridge from Dawdon to Dawdon Colliery Recreaon Ground (Green Drive) was erected at a cost of £3,000 and opened on New Years Day 1927 by Councillor Joseph Lawdon. Made of steel with wood decking it was in use unl 1959 when it was replaced with a tarmac roadway. Eventually it was dismantled in the late 1960s.

SEAHAM FAMILY HISTORY GROUP Founded in 2005, Seaham Family History Group is dedicated to helping its members, from beginners to experienced researchers alike, to learn more about their ancestors, with special emphasis on the Seaham area, but also those whose ancestry is elsewhere. The group holds a Heritage Box at Beamish Museum for members to deposit their valuables should they wish. Inial enquiries regarding this should be made through the Secretary at the email address, shown below. Due to Seaham Library being closed at present following COVID 19, Seaham Family History Group can be found at Seahamfamilyhistorygroup.org.uk We can be contacted at [email protected] and via our FaceBook page Seaham Family History Group

Seaham TODAY 21 Local Interest Durham Wildlife Trust

Photograph by David Allan

With more people than ever appreciang future generaons. A number of its sites sit There are a wide range of woodland birds the benefits that nature and wildlife can near to or along the amazing magnesian including jay, treecreeper and great spoed offer, the team at Durham Wildlife Trust limestone seascape of the Durham coast. woodpecker and roe deer are regularly has had a busy year. Families across the seen. Hawthorn Dene is the second largest coastal region have been going Wild@Home with Dene in the county, consisng of relavely Further south, Blackhall Rocks & Cross Gill wildlife­themed online acvity packs and unspoilt ancient woodland and species rich Nature Reserve is an ideal starng point for people from all over the world have limestone hay meadows. The woodland a walk along the magnificent Durham signed­up to virtual workshops on topics within the dene is characterisc of the area Heritage coastline. The caves in the ranging from oers and bees to orchids and includes lime loving species such as southern secon of cliffs are the largest in and dragonflies. elm, ash and large numbers of mature Durham’s magnesium limestone coastline A nature conservaon charity, Durham nave yew on the northern slopes. and the site aracts a variety of insects with Wildlife Trust owns and manages 37 nature Snowdrops, wild garlic and bluebells carpet 15 species of buerfly recorded, including reserves throughout the region covering an the woodland floor from spring and Durham brown argus, and the rare cistus area of almost 800 hectares, providing uncommon species such as bird’s-nest forester moth. special places for people, for wildlife and for orchid and herb Paris can also be found. Hesledon Dene Nature Reserve, near Castle Eden is also a local must see, along with the Trust's two flagship nature reserves with visitor centres and coffee shops; Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve is located near Houghton-le-Spring and Low Barns Nature Reserve is situated on the banks of the River Wear near Wion-le-Wear. The Trust relies on the support of its members to carry out its vital work protecng wildlife. Joining costs from as lile as £2.50 per month and members receive a range of benefits including a magazine three mes per year plus regular email updates and access to member- only events.

Photograph by David Allan Find out more durhamwt.com

22 Seaham TODAY Local Interest REMEMBRANCE DAY Seaham Field of Sunday November 8th, 11am Remembrance

It is with regret that due to current Government restricons / guidelines that the Royal Brish Legion and Seaham Town Council arranged Remembrance Sunday Service / Parade has been cancelled this year. A small ceremony will take place that includes the ‘Last Post’ and wreaths laid at 11am to honour the Fallen from Seaham but this will be carried out by a few individuals represenng the Crown, Parliament and Seaham Town. We politely ask that there is no public aendance at this me.

Any organisaon or individual who wishes to lay a wreath This is an update of the progress of etc, can sll do so during the day from 11:15am onwards the display on North Terrace Green but please adhere to the strict social distancing and fence. Government guidelines. During the last few months more research had been undertaken It is disappoinng but not unexpected due to the current and a further 32 poppies have been installed onto the WW1 situaon and I can only apologise for the cancellaon of the secon of the memorial. As there was insufficient room at the end event this year. The Royal Brish Legion and Seaham Town of the WW1 secon they have been inserted in alphabecal order. Council have to fulfil legal obligaons to allow a parade / This has disturbed the paern of the poppies but that is a small service to take place. These include ‘Public Liability price to pay. We are sll searching for more men / women with a Insurance’, First Aid Medical cover, road closure barriers that Seaham connecon for all conflicts since 1914 to honour them with are capable of withstanding HGV’s and also Police support. a poppy. As the government classes a group of over 6 as an illegal gathering all of the above are now invalid or unavailable. While installing the poppies we noced some had been damaged Also we wish to avoid the risk to veterans who are classed from people using them to climb over the fence. This has entailed 1 as ‘most vulnerable’. poppy having a replacement ordered while the rest will have to be re-secured when possible. We look forward to next year when we can connue the We are sll hoping to create a website for the display with details 1st class commemoraon of each person commemorated and would politely ask for any that Seaham always informaon / photos from families. provides. If anyone requires any further informaon then please contact the Chairman of the group Gary Richardson on mob. 07939 238762.

For editorial and adversing enquiries please contact Lesley Palmer email: [email protected] 07737 739583 www.lesleypalmer.co.uk

Seaham TODAY 23 Sports Seaham Red Star Football Club Since Seaham Red Star’s formaon in 1973, the club have progressed into its current posion as not only the towns leading non­ league team but East Durham’s and currently One of our latest partners, Prima Cheese play at step 5 of the naonal non­league system. for honours. Steady improvement over the A club at this level cannot survive without Much of the credit for the Club’s early next four seasons produced a 10th place finish partnerships with the local business development belongs to Ralph Pigg, the inial in 2012/13 and 4th place in 2013/14, missing community and we have been very fortunate Secretary, and Larry Phillips, the Club’s first out on promoon by 1 point. The 2nd division over the years to have joined forces with the Manager. The pair, supported by a small championship was won in 2014/15 and the likes Eilbeck Chemists, Downeys Fish Shops, commiee, entered a side in the Houghton following season we finished a creditable 9th Kimmi Management, Kenneth Barrow, The and District League and, aer a promising first place in a very tough First Division. The club Alexandra Steakhouse, Prima Cheese Ltd and season, made a successful applicaon to join have now consolidated their place at this level far too many more to menon, we look the Northern Alliance League in 1974. Aer a and the laer part of last season, saw a marked forward to their connuing support and further five successful seasons, the Club felt improvement in results and an increase in hopefully add some new partners. sufficiently confident to join the then highly match aendances, we now feel the me is compeve Wearside League in 1979. This Our Club operate with a small number of right to try and take Seaham Red Star to the volunteers; however, we are always on the confidence was soon jusfied, the Club next level. However, to do this we will need the winning the Durham Challenge Cup in 1980 lookout for extra bodies and would welcome help of the people of Seaham, the local anyone who feels they have something to offer and the League and League Cup “double” in authority and the business community. 1981-82. In 1983, they were elected to the and help the club move forward. If you feel Northern League Second Division and, aer Manager, Mark Collingwood, rightly said in his you could help, please contact Dave Copeland some near misses, eventually gained recent programme notes, that we have had a (07834 473001). Anyone wishing to join our promoon to the First Division in the 1987-88 tough start to the season at Seaham Red Star regular weekly fundraisers such as our leer season. The Club enjoyed First Division status Football Club, but the club are already looking draw can do so by contacng Dave, the Red for an unbroken fourteen seasons. Notable ahead to new challenges. Star have also opened a Ground Development successes during this period, included finishing Fund where donaons can be made directly third in 1993-4, winning the League Cup in The Football Associaon are looking to into our bank account at Seaham Red Star FC. 1992-3 and, aer leading the table for most of introduce a new league into the non-league 77-29-08 Acc no 30402060. structure at Step 4 in the season 2021/22. This the season, finishing second in 1999/2000. More informaon about our Club and Partners may well give up to six teams from our league Just two years aer finishing runners-up in the can be found on our website the opportunity to gain promoon at the end First Division, the Club suffered its first ever www.seahamredstarfc.org.uk or keep up to relegaon in its near thirty years history. of this season. Club Secretary, Dave Copeland date via twier Promoon back into the First Division was said “This will probably be a one-off chance @Seaham Red Star achieved in 2007 but only lasted for two offered by the FA and we at Seaham Red Star or Facebook seasons. In 2012 the club appointed Mark would love to be in a posion and grasp that @SeahamRedStarFC Collingwood and Simon Johnson, who achieved chance. We would obviously need the help of great success in the Northern Alliance League the Seaham public, Seaham Town Council and with Hebburn Reyrolle. They brought the local business’s, as upgrades to our facilies at nucleolus of the side from their previous club Seaham Town Park would be necessary, but and have added experience and quality into the benefits to the Seaham Community would what may well be a team that would challenge be significant.”

24 Seaham TODAY Local Interest

Neighbourhood Seaham Town Council Policing EVENTS As the nights start to draw in and the clocks go back, Seaham & Easington Neighbourhood Policing Team would like to remind everyone how they can remain safe this winter. Homes and premises that are in darkness are more likely to be targeted and taking some simple precauons can ensure you don’t become a vicm of crime. • Use mers to light your home, especially when you are out • Don’t leave gis on view • Install an alarm and use it • Lock doors and windows and remind elderly relaves of the importance of keeping their doors locked even during the day • Close curtains or blinds • Don’t leave valuables like mobile telephones, bank cards or handbags on view in your vehicle Through the Area Acon Partnership, funding was secured to purchase a quanty of shed alarms, light mers, window/door sensors and PIR alarms to help those who have been the vicm of a crime in the local area to make their property more secure. In light of the current social restricons imposed by the The Neighbourhood Policing Team now have a limited number Government we unfortunately must cancel or change the way of light mers, shed alarms and PIR alarms to give away (limited we hold our tradional calendar of events for the remainder of to one item per house hold) on a first come first served basis to the year. those who feel they may benefit from addional security. The only requirement is that you are a resident of Seaham or We know many look forward to the annual Fireworks display Murton and proof of address will be required. which was due to be held on 30th October and normally aracts They will be available through the month of November from large crowds. Regreably this years event will be cancelled. Seaham Police Staon front counter during front counter opening mes. The Christmas Lights will be erected in the normal fashion on Church Street and Terrace Green with their four Christmas trees at the end of November. We hope to again have the string lighng across Church Street to further enhance the fesve feel. There will not be the tradional switch on parade for the lights this year. We received a suggeson from a member of the public to use a poron of our budget to provide sweets to the local schools to distribute as many families may be deterred from trick or treang this year. The suggeson was brought to the recent Council meeng for consideraon and it was agreed to liaise with the local schools to deliver a safe method of donaon to enable the school to supply Christmas treats to the pupils.

Seaham TODAY 25 Local Interest Blooming Work, Blossoming Future, Cultivating Careers

I worked for Seaham Town Council as a I did the fireworks and the Christmas light I am now working for Darlington Borough horcultural apprence. During my me switch on. Both were amazing. I helped to Council as a Street Orderly. I am there I learnt many new skills that I can set up the staging, and gained skills in constantly using the skills I gained at Seaham on a daily basis here. My main use in my career going forward. These scaffolding work whilst doing this. I also are skills for life that I will use forever. dues include, but are not limited to; helped set up sound systems for large lier picking, gardening, patrolling the At Seaham, no two days were the same. audiences. streets, emptying bins, providing the There were always things to do to keep general public with queries and overall For the Christmas light switch on I used you on your feet constantly. Although helping everyone to have a safe and some tasks were the same, it was always my skills in scaffolding further to set up enjoyable me in the town. staging and organise barriers around in a new place working on a new project. I thoroughly enjoyed my me working for Seaham. Addionally, I helped to close off The team I worked in was great, with Seaham Town Council and would go back roads, install large Christmas trees and in a heartbeat. plenty of banter and as much help as you install the lighng. need. There was always somebody willing Edward Hewi to help me out if I was unsure about a task. Some of my dues were: grass cung, burial work, grave digging, hedge cung, landscaping, installing fencing using materials such as post crete, logiscs- transporng materials and equipment around Seaham, driving different vehicles- pper vans, sit on grass cuers, diggers, dumper trucks, automac trucks and 4x4 Kubotas. I also planted bulbs in the spring, strimmed grass and walked in hearses for funerals. I also carried out some sports turf work, assisng in marking out pitches. My first event was Christmas 2019.

I worked as a horcultural apprence for Princesses, Remembrance Day and Seaham Town Council for 22 months. Carnival weekend. Working these events During this me I got the chance to gives you a chance to work more with the develop my skills within a working public and giving you a chance to set up environment. an event for all your town to enjoy. Some of the skills I developed over that Coming out of my apprenceship I period of me were, grass cung and received my level 2 in Horculture, Parks keeping a lawn maintained, planng Gardens and Green Spaces. With a good (what plants you plant at that specific knowledge on how to be a gardener. I also me of year), strimming, hedge cung, received a level 1 Cricket Pitch fence work, concrete work, marking out Maintenance course and got offered a football pitches, marking and cung chance to stay for an extra year as a temp wickets, driving tractors, Kubotas, worker where I am now extending my dumpers, ride on grass cuers... etc. knowledge onto the sports side and geng a chance to see what it takes to be There is an endless list of jobs when I was a groundsman. working as an apprence and Dan Cahill always kept me busy with work. During Lee Sowerby this me I also worked a lot of events such as the Christmas Lights Switch On, Fireworks, Armed Forces Day, Pirates and

26 Seaham TODAY Local Interest

Great Annual Savings (GAS) has set an ambitious target to double its headcount this year

The firm has been on a rapid growth journey since its incepon in 2012, reaching 300 employees at the start of 2020. Aer a 2015 move to Spectrum Business Park, the Group is now maturing into one of the region’s largest employers by more than doubling that total this year. GAS is also planning to expand its Seaham­based office space to accommodate its huge growth plans. Brad Groves, Chief Execuve of GAS, said: “The first stage of this plan has seen us confirm our commitment to create hundreds of new jobs, which we would like to fill as soon as possible. We have created 200 jobs in the last year alone. “GAS is one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK and we are now increasing that rapid pace even further. “We have received a record number of applicaons in recent months which saw us break our own record by welcoming over 50 new colleagues into the Group within eight weeks. “At a me like this, businesses will be looking to reduce their outgoings across the board and become more efficient. “We will be moving into our new state-of-the-art premises “This makes GAS’ services more important than ever and we need towards the back end of the calendar year which will feature more staff to deliver these services to as many customers as state-of-the-art facilies including an e-gaming zone, a gastro- possible. style subsidised catering provision, a chill-out zone, indoor garden area and more.” GAS helps businesses to reduce their outgoings in energy, water, telecoms, merchant services, insurance and more. It has more than 10,000 customers across the UK and Ireland and employs County staff across the UK. Want to join one of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses? Register your interest today by emailing [email protected] Durham or calling the Resourcing team for a friendly, informal chat on 0191 500 5580. Our Seaham Office is temporarily closed If you need advice please contact us For general advice: 0300 330 9027 (Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm) For debt advice: 0300 323 2000 (Monday – Friday 9am – 1pm) Help to Claim: 0800 144 8444 (Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm)

or visit www.cizensadvice.org.uk

Seaham TODAY 27 Local Interest Caring for our Coast Our coastline is unique, the summer months we do get following decades of mining a lot of lier le from visitors on the Durham coastline to the beach such as cans and nature is returning to our boles, food packaging, plasc shores and seas. The Heritage cutlery and even dirty nappies! Coast Partnership has been in Red Acre beach (oen called place since 2003 and we strive the Old Beach) in Seaham is to manage our coastal area parcularly bad for marine and at the forefront of lier and ghost fishing everything we do is listening material being washed up on and working with our coastal the beach especially aer a communies, people who live period of stormy weather. and work on the coast maer Lier has a massive to us ­ a lot! detrimental impact on the One of the Heritage Coast marine environment. Marine projects is to bring volunteers mammals oen become and the public together to entangled in fishing gear, along undertake beach cleans in with fish they consume plasc their local area. Last year we which ends up in the food Marine Mammals on the Beach have been working with chain. Lier on beach is You may have seen some new signs springing up if you have members of the public, unaracve and broken glass been to the beach lately - we have been helping to put organisaons and schools and and sharp objects are so these signs up created by the Brish Divers Marine Life universies; we organised 91 dangerous to people, dogs and Rescue explaining what to do if you come across a marine beach cleans along the coastal birds. This lier needs mammal on the beach. The signs provide clear instrucons Durham Coast and collected to be removed from the beach what to do and also a number to call for advice. an amazing 1930 bags of before it’s washed back out to rubbish. We also collect sea. important data for the Marine The volunteers who come out Conservaon Society on the in the Seaham and Dawdon state of our beaches. We have area, however long or short been carrying on with beach you come and help out for, are cleaning throughout 2020 but fantasc and we’d like to say a on a smaller scale. Hopefully big thank you to everyone who we will be able to return to our has been involved in some way large public beach cleans in with our beach cleans! So if 2021. A big thank you to David YOU would like to get involved Aenborough’s ‘Blue Planet’, a in future beach cleaning lot of people saw this BBC TV acvies, please contact us. series and it prompted them to get involved! Email : [email protected] Most of the beach lier we collect is plasc, usually plasc Tel : 03000 268131 drinks boles that have been Facebook – Durham Heritage le on the beach or have been Coast washed up from rivers. During

28 Seaham TODAY Local Interest Care Connect 24/7 support at the press of a button Reassurance ‘right up your street’ just when you need it

Worried about a loved one, but sll can be pressed for assistance at people at risk of falling, support for keen to retain their independence? anyme and this will place a call those with memory loss, or demena, Our community alarm service could directly to Care Connect’s control those suffering with epilepsy, or those help to give you peace of mind. room. that are deaf or blind. Don’t worry – if you don’t want an assessment of your Care Connect supports vulnerable The service operates 24/7 so staff are support needs through Social Care people of all ages, providing a always able to offer support and Direct, you can always purchase monitoring and response service to assistance, dispatch responders to directly from Care Connect. people’s homes 24 hours a day, 365 someone’s home or contact the days a year, offering assistance and emergency services where necessary. An example of the technology available reassurance whenever it is needed. If More than 10,500 households in is a fall detector, an unobtrusive device you have a relave, neighbour or friend County Durham are benefing from worn about the person which idenfies who is vulnerable or socially isolated, the service, allowing people to remain a genuine fall and immediately alerts Care Connect could provide a vital in their own homes for as long as the control room so appropriate service. possible. assistance can be provided. The service works by having an alarm If addional support is required, For further informaon: unit with pendant installed in the numerous types of equipment called www.durham.gov.uk/careconnect person’s home. The unit or pendant telecare is available, including items for 03000 262 195

Seaham TODAY 29 Local Interest Services continue to operate at Seaham Primary Care Centre Despite the recent and gradual rise of Covid­19 cases, both locally and naonally many services connue to operate at Seaham Primary Care Centre. Following government guidelines, the health centre has in place strict health and safety measures, including increased infecon control, social distancing provisions and the implementaon of face coverings to be worn by paents and users of the centre, unless there is a valid medical exempon. The health centre has also implemented the recent NHS QR code system, where paents are able to scan and log their locaon, to help trace and stop the spread of Covid-19. Nicola Bolton, Senior Property and Asset Manager from Community Health in need of medical assistance. All paent qualifying criteria above, they would urge Partnerships who manage the facility said: appointments are inially telephone triaged you to contact your GP pracce and book “We are pleased to see services are by one of their on-call GP’s and where your free flu jab. connuing to operate at Seaham Primary clinically required, the GP offers to book a Alongside the flu vaccinaon programme, Care Centre, despite the local restricons. face to face appointment for the paent, Marlborough pracce also plays a lead role We have closely followed Government with one of their clinical team. in the delivery of the North Easington advice and connue to work with our The surgery is currently playing a lead role Primary Care Service from its’ premises, tenants and Health and Safety teams to in the delivery of a mass flu vaccinaon which provides paents with access to GP ensure the centre has the necessary programme working in partnership with and or Advanced Nurse Praconer care infecon control and other appropriate Byron Medical Pracce and New Seaham between 6pm and 8pm weekdays and 8am- measures in place, so that paents are in a Medical Group, from the Seaham Primary 1pm weekends. The service was established safe environment and do not feel put off Care Centre. The flu clinic is available to to relieve the pressure within A & E, where aending their scheduled appointments” those paents 65 years and over, those at many of the ailments presented by paents risk and pregnant women. The clinic has could be treated closer to home, with Services such as the radiology and audiology received fantasc feedback from paents considerably shorter waing mes. Working departments are connuing to take that have recently been given their flu in partnership with Byron Medical Pracce, appointments, with many operang at vaccinaons there and they have been Murton Medical Group, New Seaham normal capacity. impressed with how professional the whole Medical Group and Silverdale Family Human Kind, who provide help and support process has been. The paents are typically Pracce, the service would encourage any to paents for drug and alcohol misuse given their flu vaccinaon within 5 minutes paents who may need to access this connue to fully operate from the site, of arriving at the facility. support, to speak to either their GP surgery, providing a haven for those in need. If you’re a paent at either of the three or ring 111, who will be able to book an The Marlborough GP Pracce connues to surgeries menoned above and haven’t yet appointment for the paent to speak to, or provide a safe, welcoming service to those had your flu vaccinaon and fit into the see a clinician.

Need a flyer designing? Seaham Town Council Financial Grants Need anything printing? Each financial year Seaham Town Council allocate a poron of their annual budget for grant funding projects which benefit the local area. alisonpooledesigns If you have a project or group which requires assistance and Affordable Design and Print! you would like to make a funding applicaon to the Town Council, please contact us to receive an applicaon form. Once the completed applicaon is submied it is referred to contact Alison on 07759 694061 the next available Finance Commiee at which Members will email: [email protected] discuss the proposal and make their decision as to whether based in Middlesbrough the Council is able to assist the project on a case by case basis. www.alisonpooledesigns.co.uk For details on how to apply for funding contact the Town Hall office on 0191 581 8034 or [email protected]

30 Seaham TODAY What’s On

Eastlea Parkside Community Centre Community Centre

Due to the current pandemic, sessions on offer at Eastlea Community Centre have been reduced to the following:

MONDAY WEDNESDAY 10:45am Tai Chi 2:00pm Family History At Parkside Community Centre Santa’s sleigh will be going 2:00pm Men’s CREE Group 5:30pm Timesteps our football courts have now around the streets on the 23rd opened, with all current Covid and 24th of December. This year 5:30pm Timesteps Dance Group 7:15pm Timesteps guidelines in place and being we will not be able to stop. We followed. will drive past very slowly for kids TUESDAY THURSDAY We are currently building Santa’s to stand at their doors to wave as Groo for this year however we pass your house. Updates will 12:00pm Ladies Tea and Chat 1:30pm Drop-In there may be an advanced be published on our Facebook 7:00pm Jujitsu 2:00pm Art booking cket system in place page. depending on the Covid 5:00pm Karate guidelines at the me. We would 6:30pm Zumba like to thank all the community for their assistance in collecng East Durham Community Coaches Support and Advice plasc milk boles to make the – by appointment only igloo which will be in our groo this year. To keep up to date on the latest updates you can follow Eastlea Community Centre us on our Parkside Christmas Stockton Road Sleigh and Groo Facebook page. Seaham SR7 8DX In addion we are hoping to have Christmas lights on the back of Tel: 0191 581 2399 the building. We would be Web: www.eastleacommunitycentre.co.uk grateful if anyone could help by donang lights which would be a Facebook: @eastleacc fantasc help.

Seaham & District When Seaham and District U3A closed due to Covid 19 it was difficult for all members. During lockdown a Facebook page was opened so members could keep in touch and not feel isolated, especially those living on their own. Weekly quizzes and Zoom meengs started to engage people with some acvies, Art Appreciaon, History Group sessions, Juke Box Sessions. Members select songs/ music that has meaning for them, with music covering all genres and years. It has been a good way to hear music and musicians that some of us would not have listened to before. Some members were meeng at Herrington Park, taking their own chairs and flasks, social distancing, the people who went found these meengs very beneficial to their health. We aren’t taking any new members at this me but if you want to keep in touch then our website is Seaham­and­ District­u3a.org.uk As we look towards 2021, we hope that we will able to re-open and welcome back members. The U3A plays a vital part in helping people to find new friends and new interests and we are going to connue doing this as soon as we can.

Seaham TODAY 31 No1 for exclusives

Leng Specialists what does A worrying number of sales agents doing qualificaons for all of our staff as a that mean? lengs on the side are not qualified and means of providing the best possible are not regulated for lengs! service to our own community. Most agents offering a lengs service are really sales agents. Call into our office to speak to our friendly We are commied to the future of Church members of staff if you think you might Street and the general commercial well- Most of their day is taken up in adversing like to have a lengs specialist focussed being of a thriving and vibrant town. properes for sale and then working on on your investment. geng the sales completed. Naturally, we are “on line” like the faceless Your investment should be a priority, not corporates, but we are also “in touch” They make more money from a sale and an add on or side service. with what makes our town a great place so that is what they concentrate on. that people want to live in. At Kimmi Lengs we come to work only Local Family Business We want a Seaham where people want to on rental property, meaning our only Kimmi Lengs & management is a live and where they are able to bring up priority is finding good tenants and family owned business headed up by their families in decent homes. managing your investment effecvely. father and son Terry & James Kimmi. We want a Seaham that is performing at Each member of staff has completed or We developed out of a longstanding its best and in order to do that families enrolled on an industry approved relaonship with the town of Seaham need stable homes to live in. professional standard qualificaon. We which has seen our involvement in many We welcome property owners who share are trained and qualified in lengs and community based iniaves. regulated by our ideals and we work hard in order to We recognise that we serve the town we achieve the high standards which we hope live and work in and this is one of the core will become the norm in Seaham's rented values of our business. housing. We encourage local employment and Come in and talk to us about renng your acvely promote learning and further property. LOCAL LETTINGS SPECIALISTS

0191 581 8228 www.kimmilengs.com