www.durham.gov.uk DURHAM Summer 2017 County News The magazine for people in County Durham BRASS is back! Do something different - volunteer! Top picks for summer events and activities Win Hardwick Live or Open Treasure tickets and more Summer is a great time to be outdoors, WELCOME go somewhere different and form new to the summer edition of friendships and memories. Durham County News This issue of Durham County News is packed full of activities to help you do just that. An eventful bank holiday in Durham City (page 3) sets the stage for a summer of festivals, events and celebrations across the Councillor Edward Bell, Chairman of the council county including the annual BRASS festival, Durham Miners’ Gala, The Bowes Museum 125th anniversary celebrations and the return to Bishop Auckland of Kynren - an epic tale of England (page 21 onwards). Summer is also the best time to enjoy our beautiful coastline. The Reach for the Beach Festival is a great way to experience Durham’s Heritage Coast and while you’re there, visit our new travelling artwork, Ps in a Pod by artist Louise Plant, (pages 24 and 25). And with so much going on, parks, open spaces and coastline to maintain and activities to support, find out how you can make a difference through volunteering (pages 6 and 7). I hope you enjoy reading the magazine and you can find more stories and videos online at www.durham.gov.uk/dcn Edward Bell Competition entries Inside... Competition entries should be received by Page Page Friday 9 June 2017 (unless the competition 4-5 14-15 states otherwise). Pop your entries in one News Durham, a beacon for envelope (don’t forget to use a stamp!) and business post to Durham County News, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham Page Page DH1 1RH or drop them in to reception at any 6-7 16-19 of our access points. NEW - you can now Volunteering Local news pages enter online at www.durham.gov.uk/dcn Durham County News is written and designed by Durham County Council, printed by Acorn Web Page 8-9 Page 21 -23 Offset Ltd and distributed by The National Leaflet Children and young people Top picks for summer Company and Royal Mail. It costs 16p a copy. including BRASS and The Bowes Museum anniversary To contact the editorial team, call 03000 268 059 or email [email protected] Page 10-11 Page 24-25 Please ask us if you would like this document Green living Out and about summarised in another language or format. Braille Audio Large print Page 12-13 Page 26 -31 [email protected] Adults and health What’s on 03000 268 059 When you have finished with this magazine, please recycle it. Front cover: Mr Wilson’s Second Liners perform at Streets of BRASS (see page 23). Bank holiday treats Durham City is hosting some great events over the holiday weekend. Hot Air Balloon Festival Friday 26 to Monday 29 May East Durham College’s Houghall Campus, outskirts of Durham City A visually impressive hot air Tour Series cycling balloon festival with up to Saturday 27 May photo: Gay Pride Pics 20 commercial and privately owned hot air balloons South Street, Durham City Durham Pride launched over Durham City. Now in its ninth season, The Tour Series Sunday 28 to Monday 29 May The dawn and dusk balloon organised by the team behind The Tour The Sands, Durham City launches should offer of Britain returns. For the first time the Durham Pride returns with a rainbow budding photographers city will be hosting it on a Saturday! of colour to celebrate and promote excellent camera Cheer on professional cyclists as they take inclusivity and diversity in County opportunities as balloons on Durham’s cobbles in a thrilling test of Durham. rise over the Cathedral. their skill and speed as riders from seven There’ll be fun for all at the family picnic www.durhambid.co.uk professional men’s teams battle it out (no alcohol) on Sunday 28 May from 11am over ten rounds during the early evening. to 4pm. Then join the party from 12noon www.tourseries.co.uk on Bank Holiday Monday by taking part in the parade and enjoying live Did you Watch a video of last year’s event at entertainment, a fairground and stalls. Know?? Durham City www.durham.gov.uk/dcn has been named the Most Cultured City facebook.com/durhamprideUK by TotallyMoney.com This issue is packed full of festivals, events and celebrations across the county, see pages 21 onwards and our What’s on section. The Tour Series Following a visit to see The Tour Series in 2013, cycling has taken over the lives of inspires the next the Kinghorn family from Durham. George took his eldest son Tyler to see The Tour Series and Tyler was so inspired that generation he asked “Dad can you get me a road bike?” Now the whole family ride regularly, George has become a cycling coach and his wife Marcia is currently completing a coaching course. George formed Durham City Vélo in 2015 and the club currently has over 100 members. George said: “The main focus for most club members is the weekly club run, always paced “...club currently has to accommodate the slowest rider, and we never leave a over 100 members. person behind. “ ” If you are inspired to take up cycling, you can find out more about cycling activities, and clubs including Durham City Vélo at www.durham.gov.uk/cycling Bank holiday events 3 Contact us: NEWS You can get lots of information, and apply online for council services via Royal www.durham.gov.uk seal of Save time approval do it online Report Apply Book Pay Comment for two ReporIf yout Aneedpply to Book phone Pa us,y callComment of the Customer Services county’s 03000 26 0000 schools 8.30am-5pm (Monday-Thursday) Garden Waste Missed Bin Generic Bin Street Litter Two County Durham schools which benefitted from recent investment in 8.30am-4.30pm (Friday) their buildings welcomed HRH The Duke of Gloucester this spring. Out of hours emergency service available.Fly Tipping Pest Control Recycle Concessionary Travel His Royal Highness met pupils, staff The Duke of Gloucester toured the new and members of the community at facilities, including The Heart Space - If you have a specific query, use Sedgefield Community College and an open plan learning zone - where oneWaste Permi tof ourCouncil dedicated Tax Large Wa stnumbers:e Registrars Wolsingham School. he observed students at work, while Streetscene, Highways and taking in a display of pupils’ fine art, Sedgefield Community College Street Lighting Enquiries photography and fashion work. Sandbags / Flood Planning School Admission Graffiti replaced its main building in January Later in the day, His Royal Highness 03000 26 1000 2011 with a £17.1million development, travelled to Wolsingham School, where Includes rubbish and recycling, street providing space for 750 students, lighting faults, potholes, commercial £6.5million has recently been invested Street Lighting Road Problems Dog Fouling Gritting and in September last year, opened waste, neighbourhood wardens, stray in the construction of new school dogs, abandoned vehicles, pest control, a £1.8million annexe, completing the facilities and the redevelopment of street cleaning, litter and dog fouling, new facilities. the original, historic school building. grafSalt Binsfiti, fly-tippBlue Badgesing, fly-posting,ASB parks,Calendar open spaces and cemeteries maintenance. Benefit Enquiries Follow Our Lead campaign 03000S ave26 time 2000 do it online New enforcement powers for dog control will come During 2015/2016 Report Apply Book Pay Comment into force from 1 June. The new powers - which aim we received Council Tax Enquiries to encourage responsible dog ownership; reduce the number of strays; create safe and welcoming play areas 1,778 calls about stray dogs 03000 26 4000 and reduce dog fouling - received huge public support Social Care Direct/Children’s in our recent consultation. First Contact Service From June it will be a fineable offence to allow a dog We picked up to stray, fail to put a dog on a lead when asked to by an 1,173 stray dogs 03000 26 79 79 authorised officer or allow dogs into fenced off play areas. Families Information Service The existing offence of allowing a dog to foul and 03000 26 99 95 not picking it up will continue. Find out more about the new powers and health check events organised by Dogs Trust at @DurhamCouncil www.durham.gov.uk/dogcontrol /durhamcouncil linkedin.com/company/ From briskly FOR 10 MINUTES durham-county-council COUNTS AS exercise /DurhamCouncil Search Active 10 to download the app today. Download the FREE /durham_county_council ACTIVE 10 app 4 News Killhope - a hidden gem! One of our most popular attractions has been named a “hidden gem” by Visit England’s Visitor Attraction Quality Campaign invites visitors Scheme, signified by the Quality Rose Marque. The Hidden Gem is awarded to attractions across the UK which offer to step back in time innovative, interesting or unique tourist experiences. A new national marketing campaign aims to draw This is the third award that Killhope has received recently, even more visitors to the county by inviting them alongside the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and to ‘step back in time’ and experience Durham’s the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Heritage Award. fascinating heritage through award-winning Why not visit Killhope and find out for yourself what a attractions, enthralling exhibitions and exciting ‘hidden treasure’ it really is? www.killhope.org.uk events. Beamish Museum, Durham Cathedral and Durham University are joining with Visit County Durham to Durham Cathedral is crowned deliver the new heritage campaign.