Category: Events

What’s On? November Roundup

By on 2nd November 2015in Entertainment, Events, In & Around, Lifestyle, Places To Go, What's New?, What's On?

Haven’t picked up your copy of this month’s In & Around magazine yet?

Straight from the pages of the North East’s favourite monthly publication, here’s your handy guide to the region’s top events this month!

 

Friday 6th November
Seaham Firework Display
Seaham
Free firework display from 7pm. Find the best viewing point at George Elmy Lifeboat way, opposite Asda.

Saturday 7th November
Durham Does Vintage
The Gala Theatre
Vintage fair is set in the heart of the city. Expect exquisite vintage stalls supplying the finest vintage clothing, jewellery, homeware, kitchenalia, prints, and crockery. Whether you’re a discerning bargain hunter or avid vintage home lover, Durham Does Vintage promises the perfect purchase!

Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th November
Durham Lumiere
Durham
The UK’s largest light festival returns to Durham for the fourth time. Created by Artichoke, one of the UK’s leading arts producer, the world’s most innovative artists and light designers are brought together in a breath-taking and spectacular programme of artworks across four dazzling winter nights.

Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th November
Letters To Santa Weekend
Killhope
Write your letter to Santa and have it delivered by his own highly trained and responsible owls. Enjoy and owl flying display, papercraft activities, mine tours, live music, and a hot chocolate with marshmallows.

Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd November
Dine In Durham
Durham
Look out for amazing £5, £10 and £15 meal deals in Durham City. If you’re a fan of food, you’ll be spoilt for choice by what’s on the menu. From large national chains to independent eateries, the food offering in Durham City is second to none.

Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd November
Wynyard Christmas Fayre
Wynyard Hall
Find a truly perfect gift among 150 stalls selling the finest local, handmade and artisan jewellery, fashion, decorations and treats. Capture the spirit of Christmas with crackling log fires, tasty mulled wine, and carol singers.

Saturday 21st – Sunday 22nd November
Designer Makers Market
Barnard Castle
Showcasing some of the very best designers and craftspeople from around the region. The emphasis will be on original and contemporary work, with a strong ‘up-cycled’ theme. There will be an opportunity to meet the designer-makers in person and buy unique handcrafted goods of gallery quality.

Saturday 21st November
Nightmare Before Christmas
Rockliffe Hall Hotel
Bored with the same old scare-and-scream routine of preparing for Christmas? Before all the bright colours and warm spirits take control, join us in Halloween Town with a larger-than-life-size Jack Skellington and embrace the Halloween Christmas spirits.

Sunday 22nd November
Durham Christmas Light Switch On
Durham Market Place
Annual Christmas Light Switch On event where the lights will be turned on by Father Christmas himself!

Saturday 28th November
Christmas Gift Fair
National Railway Museum Shildon
Get ready for Christmas and enjoy a shopping trip with a difference! Browse a number of stalls including stained glass, ceramics, knitted toys, candles, jewellery, cakes and baked goods, wooden toys, hand-made cards, model railway, preserves and more.

Lumiere 2015: Details Of Planned Road Closures

By on 2nd November 2015in Entertainment, Events, Lifestyle, Local Biz, Places To Go, What's New?, What's On?

With descriptions ranging from breath-taking to bedazzling and world-class to wonderful, why spoil your experience of the UK’s largest light festival by worrying about how to get there?

Lumiere returns to Durham for the fourth time November 12th to 15th, and tens of thousands of people are expected to enjoy another spectacular show, which includes 28 art works.

The festival is an Artichoke production, commissioned by Durham County Council, and to help visitors make the most of the occasion, there will be:

  • Extra and extended Park and Ride facilities – £2 per person.
  • Additional bus services.
  • A live traffic and travel feed from 2pm until 11pm on each of the four days using #lumieredurham.
  • Limited Park and Stride facility at County Hall and DLI (expected to be very busy very early. We strongly advise people to use Park and Ride services).

Dave Wafer, strategic traffic manager at the council, said: “This year we have more than 6,000 Park and Ride spaces available. These include two additional temporary sites at Merryoaks on the A167 and at New College to the north of County Hall. Merryoaks alone can take 2,500 cars.

“Throughout the event we will provide a live traffic and travel feed using #lumieredurham on Facebook and Twitter. This will include information on which Park and Ride sites have spaces, specific highways or traffic issues, major road closure reminders as well as answering as many questions as we can from the public.

“We hope that together these measures will help people get the most from this fantastic event.”

More information on all the traffic and travel options, including the additional bus services and operating times for Park and Ride, can be found here www.durham.gov.uk/lumiere.

During the festival there will also be some significant road closures and restrictions.

 

LumiereRoadRestrictionsMilburngateBridgeAndNorthRoad

On Milburngate Bridge one lane will be closed eastbound for the duration of the festival. This is necessary to keep the many thousands of spectators expected as safe as possible as they cross the bridge.

Barriers will be put in place to separate pedestrians and motorists using the bridge. Unfortunately this will involve closing the eastbound carriageway overnight on Wednesday November 11th from 8pm, so they can be safely installed. The bridge will also close in an eastbound direction overnight on Sunday 15th November so the barriers can be removed before Monday morning traffic.

This year a section of the A690 – between Milburngate roundabout and North Road Roundabout (next to the viaduct) – will be closed from 4pm each day of the festival. This includes the roundabout, which will only allow access for buses. Alternative routes will be sign posted.

 

Dave Wafer again: “Unfortunately you can’t put on an event of this scale without some interruption, but we hope that by providing advance notice people will have plenty of time to plan their routes. We would strongly suggest that people who usually commute through Durham consider an alternative route during the festival.

“We are keeping road closures to a minimum and where they are needed in the interests of public safety, and to provide the best possible festival experience, we would ask for everyone’s support and patience.”

A full list of road closures is available here www.durham.gov.uk/lumiere.

Lumley Castle Holds Halloween Party For Little Monsters And Grown Up Ghouls

By on 27th October 2015in Entertainment, Events, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

One of the North East’s most haunted venues is inviting small spooks – and grown-up ghosts – to two special events this week…

Six-hundred-year-old Lumley Castle, in Chester-le-Street, is holding a children’s Hallowe’en party on Thursday 29th October, with an emphasis on fun rather than fright.

On arrival at the castle, the youngsters will be led to Lumley’s dungeon before being served a three course banquet feast in the majestic Baron’s Hall, while accompanying adults are served a glass of wine.

They will then be entertained by some of the castle’s friendlier ghosts, and a prize will be given to the child with the best fancy dress costume, with all children receiving a small memento of the event before they leave.

The following night, Friday 30th October, it will be the turn of adults, who are invited to a five course banquet, with live entertainment and a late night disco in the four-star hotel’s dungeon.

“Lumley Castle is a perfect Hallowe’en venue,” says Director of Sales and Marketing, Nola Collinson, “and we hope as many diners as possible will enter into the ‘spirit’ and come suitably – and spookily – dressed for the occasion.”

The children’s party is suitable for those aged between 5 and 12, and doors will open at 6.30pm, with the banquet served at 7pm. 

Tickets, which must be pre-booked, cost £16 per child and £29 for each accompanying adult.

The adult Hallowe’en Party on 30th October begins in the Dungeon bar at 7pm, with the banquet at 8pm, followed by a disco until 1am.

The party is for those aged over 16, and tickets cost £41.50 per person.

To book, or for further information, call 0191 389 1111, visit www.lumleycastle.com or email banquets@lumleycastle.com.

Marie Curie: Dinner Down Memory Lane

By on 20th October 2015in Events, Food & Drink, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Marie Curie is calling on food fans in The North East to hold retro-inspired dinner parties in aid of the charity this November…

Retro food is enjoying a revival, and Marie Curie’s new fundraising campaign, ‘Dinner Down Memory Lane’, is all about holding a dinner party and recreating your favourite nostalgic food.

Recreate time-honoured classics or put a contemporary twist on some old classics, like duck a’l orange or prawn cocktail. The money raised from every dinner party will help Marie Curie provide more free care to people living with a terminal illness and their families.

Hayley Revell, Community Fundraiser for Marie Curie said, “We’re really looking forward to seeing what the local community cooks up, whether it be a classic recipe from the past or putting a new twist on an old favourite.

“Holding a ‘Dinner Down Memory Lane’ is a great alternative to a normal dinner party, and by inviting friends to make a donation in return for a dinner with a difference, you’ll be helping Marie Curie Nurses to provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families.”

For more information and to sign up for a free fundraising pack visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/dinner or call 0800 716 146.

5 Half Term Events To Keep The Kids Entertained

By on 20th October 2015in Events, Lifestyle, Places To Go, What's New?, What's On?

Half term is on its way (23rd October until 2nd November), so here are five events to keep the little ones occupied…

 

Saturday 24th October
Atoms To Astrophysics, Hancock Museum
Meet scientists from Newcastle University and learn about our universe with hands on demonstrations and experiments.

Tuesday 27 October
Time Traveller Tuesday, Discovery Museum
Take a journey through the Discovery Museum that even The Doctor would be proud of! Come dressed in your favourite sci-fi costume, go on a Tardis trial, and watch some Doctor Who re-runs in the Great Hall.

Wednesday 28th October
Big Wednesday: Big Draw, Laing Art Gallery
Take inspiration from the beautiful works in the Arts & Crafts exhibition, and help to design giant wallpaper! Create your very own Arts & Crafts room in a box, and join in the Arts & Craft trail through the gallery.

Thursday 29th October
Young People’s Art Workshop, Hatton Gallery
This sketchbook workshop allows youngsters to explore their creative side. Specifically designed with teenagers in mind. Free, but booking is essential!

Sunday 1st November
Diesel Day, Stephenson Railway Museum
See both of the museum’s heritage diesel engines in action! The 08 class will be hauling the passenger service, and the 03 will be out in the yard. This is also the last day of the year that you’ll be able to drop in for heritage train rides.

A Smile For A Child: Getting In Gear For Charity Bike Ride

By on 20th October 2015in Events, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Cyclists of all ages are being urged to get on their bikes and do their bit to help a County Durham charity…

Schoolchildren from Barnard Castle and members of the public are invited to take part in a special fundraising bike ride at the recently refurbished Teesdale Leisure Centre on Wednesday 21st October.

The challenge involves cycling a mile, using either a normal bicycle or one of the leisure centre’s new state-of-the-art exercise bikes, to help complete a total of 300 miles across the day to raise money for local charity A Smile for a Child.

Christopher Read, from Barnard Castle, set up the charity three years ago to provide grants for disabled and disadvantaged children so they can take part and progress in sport.

He said, “I started working part time as a sports coach and wanted to do something different and give something back to society in my spare time.

“I decided to set up the charity and run it on a voluntary basis. It has gone from strength to strength and last year we raised over £100,000.

“The cycle challenge at Teesdale Leisure Centre is a great way to support the work we do and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part.”

Pupils from Montablo, St Mary’s and Green Lane primary schools will be invited to get involved in the challenge.

Cllr Maria Plews, Cabinet member for leisure, Durham County Council, said: “We are pleased to be supporting this event, which is a great opportunity to get active while helping a really worthwhile cause.”

The event takes place between 10am and 5pm and anyone who signs up for a gym membership on the day will receive a month for free.

For more information visit www.durham.gov.uk/leisure.

Durham Interactive Exhibition Combines Art, Nature And Technology

By on 19th October 2015in Entertainment, Events, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Aether & Hemera exhibition ‘The Tree, The Caterpillar and the Butterfly’ opened at the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery this week…

DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery are inviting families to enter an enchanting interactive garden inspired by nature and state-of-the-art technology. The Tree, The Butterfly and the Caterpillar, by artists Aether & Hemera, is the latest family friendly exhibition to join the highly successful Generation Tour.

The interactive exhibition uses Xbox Kinect technology, enabling visitors’ movements to affect a multi-coloured field of butterflies, while birdhouses play melodic sounds responding to peoples’ presence. Visitors can also use a magic watering can to make a ‘pea tree’ grow.

The previous two Generation Tour exhibitions (Generation AIR and Generation NOISE) have been highly successful in bringing new family audiences into four contemporary art galleries in the North of England. It is hoped that this exhibition and Musical Chairs, another brand new exhibition, will do the same. Generation AIR saw the Durham venue’s busiest October since its reopening fourteen years ago.

Lucy Jenkins, Art Exhibitions Curator at the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery said, “The artists Aether & Hemera have done a brilliant job of creating a new exhibition that will capture the imagination of families as well as being outstanding artistically.

“We look forward to seeing many more families in the gallery and promise them a very warm welcome.”

Gloria Ronchi of Aether & Hemera added, “We’re so pleased to be chosen to create the exhibition for the Generation Tour, so the work can reach the widest possible age range.”

The Tree, The Caterpillar and The Butterfly continues until 10th January. It will be followed by Musical Chairs, another interactive Generation Tour exhibition offering a new take on the old parlour game. Musical Chairs is showing soon at Central Art Gallery, Ashton-under-Lyne.

For more information about the Generation Tour, visit generationtour.org.uk.

ADVERTISERS