Issue No 8 Volume 13 Lanchester, August 2012 For contact information, see page 2 PROPOSED LYNWOOD DEVELOPMENT After almost seven years in the pipeline, it seems this project is actually going to take place, and on Monday 30th July, the Developers, Derwentside Homes, held a Consultation in the Community Centre. Plans were available for viewing and various members of those responsible for their production and the development were present in the main hall from 4.30 pm to 8 pm. These included Steve Martin, Director of Development of Property Services of Derwentside Homes, Russell Edwards, Architect, Chris Morton- Firth of Trinity, Funders for the Primary Care Trust Graphics of the new buildings to replace Lynwood House and others. Plans showing the the over 55’s to have elevations and layout of independent living. 4 of SWIFT ACTION TAKEN the two-storey buildings these will be specially During the recent Environment Agency Agency are working were very clear and make adapted for wheel-chair flooding the Environment quickly responded and closely together to better the whole project look users. 20 will be for rent Agency identified a removed the fencing, understand and reduce very attractive. There will and 13 for sale. derelict footbridge with along with a large amount the flood risk in be 33 two-bedroom flats, some fencing underneath of debris, to allow water Lanchester. They are now continued on page 4 with en-suite facilities for that was catching debris to freely flow away from planning to remove the and increasing flood risk village. derelict footbridge so to properties in Durham County Council this situation does not HAVE YOUR SAY ON Lanchester. The and the Environment happen again. OPENING HOURS FOR THE LIBRARY In the spring, Durham are to be kept open but County Council carried opening hours will be out a consultation about reduced. From January the future of our library 2013, Lanchester Library service. It concluded that will be open 20 hours each most people agreed with week. their vision, which DCC has proposed four included reducing library options for opening hours opening hours to help and would like you to be make budget savings, involved in the choice. given the significant cuts See page 4 for the options in Government funding to available and how you can the Council. All libraries have your say. Environment Agency workers removing debris The Village Voice Page 1 THE Dear VILLAGE IT'S ALL Village.... VOICE ABOUT PEOPLE The views expressed in letters meadow where are the care of that patch. I think Do you have skills or knowledge to the editor are not necessarily those of the newspaper, the wild flowers? Please the council should have to share? editor or persons working for come out and say what a think about the effect of expenses for travel or the newspaper. The editor Richmond Fellowship run retains the right to cut or has actually happened - running down the care a Day Service for older materials, and can provide otherwise amend any letter the grass simply hasn’t and appearance and drinks and biscuits! published. Letters must contain people with mental health your name, address and been cut! I continue to safety of the issues, based in We would be happy to telephone no., all of which pay council tax and parish environment. hear from anyone who may be withheld at your Lanchester Community request. council tax and expect to Jim Morgan Centre twice a week. thinks they may have an receive the same service On Tuesdays we run interesting session to Dear Village Voice as in previous years. Dear Village Voice workshops, sessions and offer - whether it be local I am writing in support of Bobby Hewitson Betty and I would like short courses on a wide history, playing a musical Mrs Brown’s letter that to thank everyone who variety of topics, from instrument, a talk about featured in the July Dear Village Voice supported our coffee ‘Confidence Building’ local wildlife – the more publication regarding the I’ve just read Nan morning in aid of Liver and ‘Gentle Exercise’ to varied our programme is, green area which borders Brown’s letter in the North. We made the ‘Digital Photography’ the better. Our sessions the cycle path and Brook Village Voice. I live in one amazing amount of and ‘Digital Animation’. run from 10 - 12 or 12.30 - View. of the station cottages £120. We are currently looking 2.30 with a maximum of 11 I often use that stretch of which give onto the new A big thank you also to for people who may have people attending. line when running alone ‘meadow’ behind Brook June Wallis. She only skills or knowledge they If you would like to offer and cycling with my View. came in for a cup of would like to share with your services or would young family and find the I’m concerned that the coffee, and ended up our small group, and like further information, decision to let it grow as a council think that this tirelessly helping us in would be prepared to hold please contact the deputy ‘meadow’ as frankly money saving measure is the kitchen. a workshop or organise a service manager Gail unbelievable. It is not a good idea. This area is Betty Taylor and Janet short course. Although McGee on 07786 191194 only very unsightly but used for walking dogs and Tulip we have very limited or e-mail gail.mcgee@ dangerous as Mrs Brown the hazard of dog poop funds to hire people, we richmondfellowship alluded to, especially should not be ignored. Birth can cover reasonable .org.uk. when young children run Perhaps the huge Announcement into it when dogs are in amounts of money spent Congratulations to Red Cross Shop - Cooker Wanted the locality. To try and on complicating road use Lindsay and Peter The Red Cross Shop From September our justify what is clearly and erecting pointless Jackson on the birth of needs a ‘Free standing coffee morning costs will local authority cut backs road signs, so that last baby Olivia. Electric Cooker’. This is be rising. Tea or coffee will as a planned ‘meadow’ year’s highways budget Love from all the family. essential for their Coffee be £1.00 and a scone or without any public gets used up, could be Mornings. If anyone has cake 50p. We have been consultation is not put into the grass cutting Community one in good working order forced to make this acceptable. If it were a pot? Draw that they would like to increase to cover costs and The council owns the The winning number in donate, it can be collected. still make a profit for the To contact land just in front of my the Community Draw for Please pop into the shop Red Cross. Please continue house in the station yard. July 2012 is 50. The draw or call Tracey Dobson, to support and enjoy the the Village I’m fed up because was made by Mrs Shop Manager on 01207 morning, held on the last Voice they’ve also abandoned Bragan of the Gym. 529992. Thursday of every month. To advertise: Contact John Hurran, P KIRBY BILL ‘N’ GEOFF’S Advertising Manager Est 1987 Telephone: (01207) Plumbing, Heating and Building Services REAL DAIRY ICE CREAM 520288 Specialists in Bathroom Refurbishment Email: villagevoice Tiling, Shower panels, Pvc Ceilings 07912274160 [email protected] and all related Building work Upper Houses Farm General and news Free Estimates enquiries: (01207) Lanchester DH7 0RL Tel/Fax: 01207 284230 Mob: 07836742359 Tel 01207 523200 Fax: 01207 521085 520559 Email [email protected] By email: lanchestervillagevoice @yahoo.co.uk (please CROFT VIEW include Village Voice in Podiatry & Chiropody the Subject line). Home Visits available on request Barry Peacock By post: Simon Bennett Nagi HPC Registered UPPER HOUSE FARM, LANCHESTER The Village Voice, c/o DURHAM DH7 0RL Tel: 01207 528122 Mobile 07927184426 Lanchester Community Tel: (01207) 521826 / 529378 Centre, Newbiggen Lane, Email: [email protected] Fax: (01207) 521085 Lanchester, DH7 0PB. 3 Croft View, Lanchester, Durham DH7 0HY Mobile : 07885 265264 The Village Voice Page 2 WEDDING CELEBRATIONS BLOOD DONOR Michael Donnelly and Rachel Bailey AWARD The wedding of Michael Congratulations are due Chris’ last job before Donnelly and Rachel to Chris Lee, of Maiden retiring was as manager Bailey took place at All Law, who received the of Todhills Brickworks, Saints Parish Church on award of a crystal Willington. He is now 68 22nd July. The service was decanter for donating and has donated over conducted by Rev Rupert 100 pints of blood. 100 pints. The award Kalus and Canon Bob Chris began giving ceremony happened two Spence. blood as an 18 year old years after he reached The Best Man was David when he worked at that figure in 2010 and Grogan, the Chief Scunthorpe Steelworks. he intends to carry on Bridesmaid was Kate In those days it was a donating as long as Wales, sister of the Bride. way of getting off work possible. She was assisted in her for a couple of hours. The award took place at duties by Bridesmaids, However, he soon Beamish Hall in July Hayley and Angelica realised the value of where about 60-70 other Donnelly, (Michael’s donating blood and has recipients of various sisters) along with carried on doing so ever awards sat down to Rachel’s friends, Natalie since. lunch together. and Rachael. The Flower girl was the Bride’s niece, Anna. A lovely reception was held at Matfen Hall and the happy couple spent their honeymoon in The happy couple, Rachel and Michael, on Sorrento, Italy.