Issue No 5 Volume 9 Lanchester, May 2008 For contact information, see page 2 CENTURIONS BEN HUR RALLY For a change, after three complement were ‘The remained throughout very wet years the Dee Tees’ and the day. Many of them Centurions were blessed appropriately named, arrived at the Queens for with hot, glorious ‘The Brew’. Saturday breakfast outside. weather for the setting night entertainment was On site there was the up of the rally on provided by ‘Bessie and usual, food, and sales Thursday 8th May. the zinc buckets’ and stalls, mainly geared to They celebrated in their ‘Powerrage’. Music motorbike enthusiasts. own inimitable way with drifted across the village This year, for the first an unofficial party during both evenings time, show rides for during the evening. By but not too loud to be children were available Friday night, however, troublesome. to try and make the event the rain began to fall. On Saturday morning, even more family Yes, it was too good to no doubt somewhat orientated. be true. bleary-eyed, the bikers There were, of course, Friday night bands awakened to glorious the various attended by a full sunshine which competitions for which awards were given and ‘Silly Games’ were Not quite ‘Breakfast at Tiffanys’, but the played with great meal outside the Queens was as good, enthusiasm on the as shown by the smiling faces of Wayne Tilley, Saturday afternoon after Chairman of Centurions, and friends. much beer had been consumed! £4000 during the recently injured in a road The beneficiaries of this weekend and intended accident in the village, great, traditional dividing the money and whose father Mark weekend in the village between Air is a member of the were the bikers Ambulance, and Tree Centurions (see Letter themselves who Tops Children page 2). The exact enjoyed every minute Charities. The latter amounts will be and the charities they was very supportive to published in the next Mark Houston and friends try to carry out support. They were young Keegan issue of the Village emergency repairs hoping to raise about Houston who was Voice. COUNTY COUNCIL VANDALS ELECTIONS DESTROY SHELTER Most people will be aware (Conservative) 891 and of the new Unitary Council that the elections for the Brenda Gilmore (Liberal and the role of possible County Council, soon to Democrat) 461. The first district organisations to be the Unitary Council two were duly elected and handle local issues, with most of us voted not to are following an Planning a crucial have, took place on May induction course at consideration, and the 1st and two councillors County Hall to meet the new Councillors will were elected from challenges of the new decide whether or not to the constituency of Council. Both new accept their advice. Lanchester, Castleside Councillors are also For our two new and Burnhope. The result District Councillors and Councillors it will be a of the poll was Richard will continue to fulfil a dual steep learning curve. Young (Independent) role until Derwentside Above all, they will be 1188 votes, Ossie Johnson District vanishes in April working together to (Labour) 1172, Margaret next. obtain the best outcome Gray (Labour) 975, Boards have been set up for Lanchester, Vandals destroyed the shelter in the Park Michael Carr to consider the framework Castleside and Burnhope. during the May Bank Holiday weekend The Village Voice Page 1 Dear THE VILLAGE IT'S ALL Village.... VOICE ABOUT PEOPLE The views expressed in letters to the editor are not necessarily wishes we have received was demolished over those of the newspaper, the 90th BIRTHDAY editor or persons working for have been truly THREE weeks ago and has the newspaper. The editor overwhelming. not been fixed. Having There was a family Joe sincerely thanks retains the right to cut or otherwise amend any letter We would like to take this made two phone calls to celebration for Joe everyone for all the lovely published. Letters must contain opportunity to thank HAL (The Highways Spraggon on the occasion cards, good wishes, etc. your name, address and telephone no., all of which everyone for their very kind Action Line) I’ve been of his 90th birthday. The We’ll praise him for all may be withheld at your thoughts, words and reassured that the matter King’s Head was the that is past, request. kindness, it really has was in hand and would be chosen venue for the We’ll trust him for all Dear Editor helped us all and has rectified soon. (Whose celebration. A superb that’s to come. With reference to the demonstrated that there is hands and how soon?) meal was enjoyed by all. Mrs L Spraggon recent road accident in still a strong community Many children including the village in which our spirit within Lanchester. my own walk to and from son Keegan sustained We would also like the school daily. Now, not injuries, the family would to say thank you to the only is the road too fast at like to thank all those who Kings Head who very kindly 40 miles per hour, but the helped out at the scene. organised a charity race crossing and school signs Keegan is now night with the proceeds have been demolished. progressing and hopes going to the Children’s Sharon Gardiner to make a full recovery. Cancer Fund, a charity that Dominique and Mark supports the ward on which Dear Village Voice Houston, 44 Manor Emma is being treated. We The Queens Head car park Grange, Lanchester. would like to thank is primarily for the parking everyone who attended, all convenience of our valued Dear Editor the local businesses who customers free of charge. On the 25th March our 3 donated prizes and finally Short term parking in our The Cutting of the Cake Ceremony year old little girl Emma to all the individuals who car park for 15 minutes or was diagnosed with an gave up their own time to less is permitted to ease BOOKS - FOR SALE Acute Lymphoblastic help make the evening a parking congestion in the Leukaemia. In what has success. In total over £1600 village centre. The local AND SOLD been a very difficult time, was raised for the charity. schools ‘walking train’ is (i) Short Walks (ii) Books for also exempt from charge in the support and the well We are hoping to arrange Book Willow Burn more events over the term time for school runs. As summer threatens A sale of books in TTTOOO coming months as we have To ensure adequate Lanchester library seen at first hand what an parking is available for our to break out bear in CONTAAACT mind that the best way has so far raised important role the charity customers, parking to keep fit is to walk. A £103.74 for Willow THE plays. charges for other users of Burn Hospice. VILLAGE Thanks again, Steven, the car park are to be book of 30 short walks, ‘Short Walks in North Donations of books VVVOICE Ruth, Kieran and Emma Bell introduced as follows: Hourly rate £1.50, West Durham’ is are always welcome, By email: Dear Village Voice Daily rate (8 hrs) £10.00, available from and the sale lanchestervillagevoice As we all know, crossing Daily rate (24hrs) £15.00. Lanchester library. continues. @yahoo.co.uk (please the road in Lanchester is Parking permits are include Village Voice in becoming a nightmare! available from the Mobile repairs carried out in your home/office the Subject line) Front Street, Station management team in The Repairs - Upgrades - IT advice - Sales By post: Road, Cadger Bank, Ford Queens Head. The Village Voice, c/o Lane and the Bypass; to CCTV is in operation for Pc-fix-IT Lanchester Community name a few of our heavily the protection of patrons ANYTIME Centre, Newbiggen used busy, busy and to monitor use of the Lane, Lanchester, roads. How can our car park. Clamping will be Tel: 01207 528022 DH7 0JQ pedestrians be expected to in operation for 24 hr service Telephone enquiries: safely use the roads? To unauthorised parking and (01207) 520559 carry out daily activities like a release fee of £30.00 will To advertise: walking to the be charged. Contact John Hurran, doctors, going to the park There are now re-cycling Advertising Manager, or just walking along the facilities for public use in by post at the above pavement. Going the Queens Head car park. address. shopping or like many Thank you for your Telephone: (01207) children and teenagers in cooperation. 520288 our village, walking to McKenna Inns, Queens Tel 01207 521133 Mobile 07831 350698 Email: villagevoice school. The crossing Head, 17 Front Street, Ford Road (B6301) Lanchester Durham DH7 0SS [email protected] outside St . Bedes School, Lanchester. www.lanchesternurseries.co.uk The Village Voice Page 2 EVACUEE RETURNS TO LANCHESTER During World War Two eldest daughter, Lanchester, and asked a London restaurant Yvonne, still nostalgic if she knew a family owner wanted to for the village where she called Brennan. As it protect his three had found safety from happened, Mrs daughters from the the blitz, decided to Graham’s best friend is Blitz, and thought of his make contact with the Teresa Steinwender, friend George Brennan. family of George nee Brennan, George They had become Brennan, who had Brennan’s niece, and friends while George generously made a home the counter clerk was and his wife Mona were for her and her sisters, Helene, the daughter of working in London, but but when she sought Yvonne, the evacuee. they had now moved to out her temporary home Mrs Graham reported Lanchester.