Category: In & Around

North East Artist Uses Powerful Designs To Help SSI Families

By on 14th December 2015in In & Around

A North East artist wants to help families affected by the closure of SSI by donating 10% of profits he makes from the sale of his artwork…

Graphic designer Graeme Hall has created a series of 150 powerful, limited edition designs depicting the closure of Consett Steelworks, which saw 4,500 people lose their jobs in September 1980.

Having grown up around Consett, the father-of-two witnessed first-hand the devastating impact that such a closure has on a community, which is one of the reasons he has decided to donate to the Teesside Steel Appeal.

Graeme, 43, has also been inspired by the actions of 10-year-old Ben Hebden, from Marske, who started a fund to give a Christmas party and other treats to steelworkers’ children.

He said: “When I saw in the news that this young lad was doing an extremely generous thing to help those affected by the closure of SSI, I thought why can’t I raise some money to show my support for them?

“When the Consett Steelworks shut down, the impact it had on the community was huge, and it took years for the town to recover.

“I knew people who were personally hit by the closure back then, but I couldn’t really help the way I wanted to.

“This time, I can do something to help, even if it makes Christmas better for just one family.”

Each of Graeme’s designs has been created to capture the significant moment in the region’s history, while emphasizing the scale of the steelworks and showing how it dominated Consett.

Taking anything between eight hours and a couple of days to produce, Graeme has used an abundance of reds to portray the processes which were used when the steelworks was running and often left a red glow over Consett.

Having worked as a graphic designer for the last 20 years, Graeme – who is a director of award winning branding and graphic design studio Designs Unique – always knew he wanted to pursue a career in art from a young age.

Although he has never sold any of his work in the past, Graeme currently has designs displayed in Consett’s The Glass and Art Gallery, and now hopes his work will find its place in houses across the North East, while helping SSI families enjoy their Christmas.

To order or enquire about a design, email www.uniquely-yours.co.uk.

There are four different designs available, which come in A3 and cost £45 (double mounted) and £98 (framed).

Pupils Rewarded For Their Recycling Efforts

By on 13th December 2015in In & Around

Pupils at a County Durham school have been rewarded for their efforts to promote recycling…

 

The children at St Benet’s RC Primary School, in Ouston, took part in a competition to design posters earlier this year.

The posters were aimed at encouraging people to recycle at home and to help people understand what can be recycled and which recycling container should be used for different items.

The competition was part of Durham County Council’s Bin it Right campaign, and the design by pupil Sophia Winship, 8, was chosen as the winner.

Sophia’s design has now been printed onto reusable cotton bags, which have been presented to all pupils and members of staff at the school.

The school also received a new litter bin – to help keep their school grounds tidy – which has Sophia’s winning design printed on the lid.

The bin is made from recycled plastic milk bottles, and was donated by Marmax Products Ltd.

People can find out more about what they can recycle at www.durham.gov.uk/whatgoeswhere.

Call For County Durham To Donate Unwanted Furniture

By on 11th December 2015in In & Around

A call for people to donate unwanted furniture has been issued in County Durham…

 

The County Durham Reuse Forum, a partnership between five local charities and Durham County Council, is urging people to pass on unwanted items which could be used by other people.

The forum is hoping that people getting new furniture and household items delivered in time for Christmas will consider giving their old items to charity.

As well as providing low cost furniture to local people, the forum also provides training and volunteering opportunities and helps to reduce waste – with more than 140 tonnes of furniture reused so far this year.

Anyone with furniture they are looking to donate can contact one of the five charities which make up the forum.

Contact details are:

  • Consett YMCA. Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm. Tel: 01207 588 302.
  • County Durham Furniture Help Scheme, Chilton. Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm; Saturday, 9am – 1pm. Tel: 01388 721 509.
  • East Durham Partnership, Horden. Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm (Wednesday late opening until 6pm); Saturday 9am until midday. Tel: 0191 586 8493.
  • Haswell Mencap Furniture Enterprise. Monday to Friday, 9am – 3pm. Tel: 0191 516 0957.
  • Woodhouse Close Church Furniture Project. Tuesday and Thursday, 9am – 2pm. Tel: 01388 602 935. (collection within an eight-mile radius of Bishop Auckland)

All of the charities collect unwanted household items, such as beds, furniture and electrical items, free of charge if they are reusable and in good condition.

Upholstered items, such as sofas, chairs and beds, should be clean, without tears, and must have the current UK fire safety standard labels attached.

All electrical items should be working, be free from rust, reasonably clean and have intact seals.

Items will need to be checked before collection is agreed and if there is any reason why an item cannot be accepted, this will be explained.

For further information on which household items can be donated and purchased via one of the charities, please visit www.durham.gov.uk/reuse.

Austerity To Deepen In County Durham

By on 9th December 2015in In & Around

Austerity in Durham is far from over, and here’s why…

 

An update on budget planning for the North East’s largest council – including the impact of the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) – will reveal a total savings target of close to £290m by 2020. Members will also hear that whilst austerity will continue, much remains uncertain at this stage as Durham County Council will not receive its financial settlement from Whitehall until mid-December.

However, an action plan, the potential use of an additional £25m from reserves and a continuation of the sound financial management approach adopted by the council means that despite the toughest of times, every effort will be made to minimise the impact of the cuts on the county’s residents.

The budget planning paper before the authority’s Cabinet next week (December 16th) sets out a four year plan which will see continued consultation with the public on spending priorities, and also on the impact of proposed changes. Final decisions will be made on 74 proposals for savings outlined in the report by Cabinet and Full Council in February.

Alongside these measures, continuing efforts will be made to highlight and support the ‘Durham Ask’, a programme which sees the council support communities and the voluntary sector to take over some council buildings and services.

The council Leader is Cllr Simon Henig: “We have done our best to protect frontline services and to respond to the priorities set by the public, and we are committed to maintaining this approach.

“Continuing spending cuts on this scale inevitably means making tremendously difficult decisions including changes to services, altering how we deliver those services and reducing our own costs at the same time.

“As we manage this we will use a potential further £25m in reserves to mitigate the impact on frontline services as best we can.

“We are also committed to ongoing consultation with residents so that we understand how proposed changes may affect people, and we will pay special attention to those who are most vulnerable as well as people living in more remote areas.”

The continuing austerity also means there will be a further impact on jobs at the council. In 2010, then facing budget reductions of £123m, Durham announced workforce reductions of 1,950 posts. That figure remained, despite austerity continuing and a revised savings target of £260m earlier this year. However, facing additional savings the council may have to reduce the number of posts by a further 400. The freezing of vacant posts and redeployment – as well as skills training and the introduction of more efficient ways of working – will be used to reduce the impact.

Cllr Henig again: “We recognise our staff are our biggest asset, which is why we have strived so hard to protect as many jobs as possible, while making greater cuts to management and support costs. Sadly, like many public sector organisations, we may have to reduce our workforce further to prioritise spending on services wherever we can. Again, we will delete vacant posts and use redeployment to minimise the impact.”

The council’s financial planning is based on a 2% increase in council tax over the next four years. However, the CSR offered local authorities the chance to help replace lost central Government funds by adding a further 2% social care precept to council tax bills – with income from this ring-fenced for spending on adult social care. This option will be part of the upcoming budget consultation exercise.

Earlier in the autumn of 2015, the council’s 14 Area Action Partnerships took part in the latest round of consultation on how the council should manage its reducing budget. Feedback from this, and an online consultation option, revealed the public’s spending priorities had not changed. However, residents will continue to have their say via a second phase of consultation, starting December 16th and running until January 12th 2016. As well as an online option at www.durham.gov.uk/haveyoursay, there will be three special events:

December 16, 2015 – St Johns RC, Bishop Auckland     6pm – 7.30pm

December 17, 2015 – Shotton Hall, Peterlee                    1pm – 2.30pm

December 17, 2015 – County Hall, Durham                     6pm – 7.30pm

The full Cabinet report can be viewed here.

Members will note the report’s recommendations when they meet at Durham Town Hall on December 16th.

Durham County Council To Consider Syrian Refugee Support

By on 9th December 2015in In & Around

Details of how County Durham could support the national response to the Syrian refugee crisis will be put before councillors next week…

 

Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet will be asked to consider proposals setting out the level of support that could be offered to people fleeing war-torn Syria.

The proposals have been developed by the Durham Humanitarian Support Partnership, which was set up in September to consider County Durham’s ability to provide assistance and to ensure the organisations involved can work together effectively.

It followed the Government’s announcement that the UK would take an additional 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020, with priority being given to the most vulnerable, including children.

The partnership, which is chaired by the county council, is working with churches, the voluntary sector and other partners to look at the needs refugees may have, including housing, food, health, education, translation services and community support.

Under the proposals being put to councillors, County Durham would agree to take refugees, with a focus on family groups, over the next five years.

An evaluation would be carried out within 12 months of the first group of refugees arriving in the county to see how effective this had been in order to help determine whether additional people could be accommodated.

Cllr Eddie Tomlinson, Cabinet member for assets, strategic housing and rural issues at Durham County Council, said: “We have already pledged our support to this national effort to help refugees escaping from war and persecution in Syria.

“We have had a number of approaches from local people offering to provide accommodation, host a family or to provide clothes, toiletries and bedding.

“At a time when many families here are experiencing hardship themselves, these offers of support to some of the world’s most vulnerable and desperate people is heartening.

“The proposals being put before Cabinet set out the level of support which the partnership feels can be offered in County Durham.

“They recognise that we do not have significant experience of relocating vulnerable refugees in the area and take into account our current ability to support and accommodate people.”

Cabinet will be asked to agree the proposed response to the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme when they meet next Wednesday (16th December).

The Government will work with councils to put in place the necessary arrangements to support and accommodate refugees, and will meet full cost in the first year with funding tapering over the next four years.

What do you think should be done? Leave your comments below.

Hundreds Gather At Metrocentre For Christmas 1K Elf Run

By on 7th December 2015in In & Around

North East families have dusted off their elf costumes for the second intu Elf Run at intu Eldon Square and intu Metrocentre…

 

Over 1,000 excitable elves took to the region’s favourite shopping malls to take part in the 1km charity fun run.

Participating elves paid £10 to enter the race and received an elf T-shirt and hat, an ‘official helper’ certificate from Santa and a well deserved runner’s medal for completing the fun run.

Santa’s little helpers also showed their Christmas spirit by fundraising on behalf of The Percy Hedley Foundation, and bringing in unwrapped presents for Santa to distribute to children in the North East.

First off the starting blocks at intu Metrocentre was Lisa Clark, from Hebburn, and her children Owen, Ewan and Freya. Lisa said: “It was a really fun event to take part in. The kids just sprinted ahead when the race began! Can’t wait to do it again.”

Clair Williams, from Kenton, who attended the run with her husband Simon and their sons Thomas and Luke, said: “It was a really fun day for the whole family. The kids love their medals and certificates, and would love to come back again.”

At intu Eldon Square, Maria Bokhari from High Heaton attended the run with her children Zavi, age 6, and Ariana, age 2. Maria said: “We’ve had a great morning at the fun run. Everyone involved was so enthusiastic, and there was a wonderful atmosphere with all the little elves running around!”

Mary Dowson, from Morpeth, completed the run with her children Leo, age 10, Lorenzo, age 7, Lewi, age 6, and Rowon, age 3. Mary said: “This is our second year doing the run. My kids haven’t slept all night as they were so excited about taking part! It’s a fabulous event and a great way to support a local charity. We’ve had a fantastic time, although I’m completely out of breath now!”

Karen Carr, intu regional marketing manager, North, said: “We’re delighted with the response we’ve had to our second intu Elf Run. The atmosphere on the malls has been joyful with lots of new little elves taking part as well as some who ran last year. Christmas may be a time of indulgence, but these unique 1k indoor family fun runs are a great opportunity for our shoppers to get active, get elfy, and get into the festive spirit whilst raising valuable funds for The Percy Hedley Foundation, an organisation recognised nationally and internationally as leading the way in the provision of specialist, high quality, and innovative services for disabled people.”

Brothers Seek Planning Permission For County Durham Wind Farm

By on 3rd December 2015in In & Around

A North East community is hoping permission will be granted for a small-scale wind farm to be built in their area, which would see them benefit from in excess of £1million it will generate…

Church parishes, Scout groups and the Girl Guides will be among those to profit from a share of the proceeds which could be generated by the County Durham based Ponder Gill wind turbine project.

Brothers, Andrew and Mark Thompson have applied to Durham County Council for planning permission to build two discreet turbines on their family farm, located next to the A66 near Barnard Castle.

Scout and Guide groups and communities from Bowes and Boldron have been identified as initial beneficiaries, but it is intended to roll-out the project into surrounding communities once planning permission has been granted, and as soon as new opportunities to expand the project are brought forward.

The brothers – who inherited the land at Ponder Gill following the death of their father – estimate the wind farm could be worth up to £2m to the local community over the next 20 years, so are urging people and groups to step forward to suggest how best to spend the proceeds.

Andrew said: “My brother and I were born and raised in this area, so being able to support our community is something we feel strongly about.

“The wind farm will be our full responsibility, not that of a venture capitalist, therefore we can guarantee the entire proceeds generated from the 3rd turbine will be donated through a community benefit scheme to local organisations, including the parishes of Bowes and Boldron.

“We appreciate wind farms can be a contentious issue but we can assure people in the surrounding area, our turbines will be well designed and amongst the quietest turbines on the market, as well as playing a hugely significant role in providing funds for the important work of local organisations.”

Although planning has initially been sought for three wind turbines to be constructed at Ponder Gill, Andrew is keen for the local community to be made aware that the scheme will still work, even if the third turbine is located elsewhere.

A decision on the planning application at Ponder Gill is expected to be reached in early December.

For more information about Ponder Gill Wind Turbine Project, or to voice your support for the community benefit scheme, visit www.pondergill.co.uk.

Lumley Castle Invites Wild Food Foragers To Their Grounds

By on 2nd December 2015in In & Around

A North East castle, famous for its restaurant, is giving foodies the chance to forage for ingredients in its historic grounds…

The ancient woodland surrounding 600-year-old Lumley Castle hotel is home to a wide variety of wild ingredients, from garlic and herbs to edible roots and berries.

The four star hotel, at Chester-le-Street, has joined forces with foraging experts to give nature lovers and foodies the chance to learn more about ‘wild food’, at a series of special events in 2016.

On selected dates throughout the year, it will be giving groups of around twenty visitors the chance to explore its nine acres of woodland in the company of bush craft and survival expert Bruce Ferguson, of Wild North Discovery.

Not only will he teach them to seek out and identify wild ingredients during a one and a half hour walk, but chefs from the hotel’s renowned Black Knight restaurant will then serve lunch, incorporating the foraged food.

Between courses, Bruce, who has been foraging for wild food for more than thirty years and recently took actor and presenter Robson Green seashore foraging for an upcoming episode of hit TV show, Tales from Northumberland, will give a talk about safe, legal and sustainable foraging.

He will also be talking about food to look out for later in the year that may not yet be in season and the various types of location at which wild food can be found.

Brice said: “The fascinating thing about Lumley Castle is that parts of its grounds have lain relatively undisturbed and uncultivated for a very long time, which makes them a treasure trove for foragers.

“There is huge interest in wild food at present, however not all berries, roots and leaves are safe to eat, which is why courses such as these are so important.”

Along with the public courses, Lumley Castle is giving corporate clients the chance to find out more about foraging by offering them the option to build a short course with Bruce into their team-building or conference and event packages.

“While corporate and leisure visitors are always impressed by the castle itself, its grounds have gone largely unexplored,” said Director of Sales and Marketing, Nola Collinson, “which is why they provide such an abundant harvest of wild ingredients.

“With Bruce’s expertise, we hope to help visitors find out a little more about foraged food and introduce them to our lovely grounds at the same time.”

The Foraging at Lumley days are scheduled for Sunday 22nd May and 2nd October, with more dates to follow. Places, which are limited, cost £29.50, and include lunch.

For further information call 0191 389 5857 or email info@lumleycastle.com.

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Northern Students To Showcase Work In Support Of Refugees

By on 2nd December 2015in In & Around

Students from across Northern England are being given the chance to showcase their work before two leading figures in international media, as part of a unique fundraising event…

On January 29th, the University of York’s Central Hall will be hosting a charity fashion show featuring the designs of young people from a number of regional colleges and universities.

The Northern Youth Fashion Show, in aid of two refugee charities, will be attended by Katharine Viner, Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, and Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue and Artistic Director of Condé Nast.

The event has been organised by HARD Magazine, a fashion publication at the University of York, and will not only showcase the designs of students from universities across the region, but will also raise vital funds to support refugees.

Students from the University of York, the University of Sunderland, Leeds College of Art, Newcastle College, Hull College, the University of Central Lancashire, Liverpool John Moores University, and Leeds Beckett University will all be taking part.

It will also include a talk with Ms. Wintour, followed by a question and answer session led by Ms. Viner.

Proceeds from The Northern Youth Fashion Show will be split between the Xavier Project, which runs schools, creates jobs, and offers mentoring schemes to some of the biggest refugee communities in the world and Refugee Action York, which plays a pivotal role in integrating refugees in the local area.

“We wanted to host an event that would highlight the creative talent of students and support the community by fundraising for local charities,” said Ellie Wintour, one of the event organisers.

“It’s fantastic to have Anna and Katharine on board to help make it a success. We are pleased with the positive response we’ve had so far. It’s going to be a night to remember.”

The event is being sponsored by train company Grand Central, and a spokesman said they were delighted to be on board.

“At Grand Central, we take pride in supporting young people – whether that is through hosting art competitions for emerging talent or by making student travel experience more enjoyable through our free Wi-Fi offer, and affordable with our unique discount,” he said.

“The Northern Youth Show is an opportunity for us to once again demonstrate our commitment to young people, as well as their colleges and universities that are based along our routes.”

Tickets for the event cost £30 (or £15 for students) and are available at http://www.yusu.org/tickets. A champagne reception and live music performances are included in the evening’s programme.

A “Ticket And A Tin” option is also available, with tickets priced at £10, but purchasers must include the donation of a tin of food to go to a York foodbank.

The evening will also include a champagne reception and live music performances.

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Blue Workout Raises Heart-Rates And Funds For Alzheimer’s Society

By on 1st December 2015in In & Around

In support of the Alzheimer’s Society, fitness instructor Lesley Colwill painted Chester-le-Street Parish Centre blue with a special work-out…

 

Members and friends of the town’s Keep Fit Association Moves branch got together for a ‘Blue’ Workout fundraising event, the colour chosen to represent the charity.

Participants packed out the Parish Centre, off Church Chare, to enjoy a great evening of exercise, movement and dance to a variety of music led by KFA Moves instructor, Lesley.

The fitness group was also treated to a top-class performance from the North East KFA Young Adults Championship Team ‘Northern Lights’.

A raffle and refreshments were available afterwards, with blue cakes and buns to get the energy back after a great workout. All in all, the association raised a fantastic £400 for Alzheimer’s Society.

Rebecca Scott, Alzheimer’s Society community fundraiser in the North East said: “We are extremely grateful to Lesley and KFA for all of the time and effort they have put into this event for Alzheimer’s Society.

“As a charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals like Lesley and the group to help us support people to live well with dementia, and to fund research to find a cure.”

To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Society’s work, visit www.alzheimers.org.uk.

To read about Rebecca Scott’s personal work with the charity, read her article My Fight Against Dementia.

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