Category: In & Around

Teesside Schoolgirls Build Homes For Typhoon Victims

By on 16th May 2016in In & Around

The hard work of two charitable Teesside youngsters has come to fruition after they raised enough money to build houses for families in the Philippines left homeless after Typhoon Haiyan hit the country more than two years ago…

Heather Page and Amelia Thomas have taken part in various fundraising activities, including hosting dinner parties for school friends and adults, to raise enough money to complete two family homes. They’re now well on their way towards funding the construction of a third.

Later this month, the two Year 10 Egglescliffe School students will visit Bantayan Island in the Philippines to see for themselves the houses they have helped to build, before handing them over to local families.

The junior philanthropists are also hoping to take hundreds of solar-powered lights with them dependant on the generosity of Teesside businesses.

Heather said: “Many places hit by the typhoon still don’t have mains power after six p.m. and solar lights would be a big help to families. We may take electricity for granted, but it isn’t easy in a country like the Philippines.”

Amelia added: “If any shops in the area that stock solar lights would be willing to donate some to us, we would be extremely grateful. We hope to ‘light up’ dozens of homes in Bantayan Island that have no night-time electricity with simple garden solar lights.”

With the help of their fathers, Boro match day announcer Mark Page, and Icon Plastics boss Gareth Thomas, all of the money raised by the girls has gone directly to the local tradespeople and carpenters who are building the homes.

Gareth said: “Both Mark and I are very proud of the girls. As business people, we are aware of the benefits of corporate social responsibility, but not many young people take it upon themselves to make a positive difference in the world and they’ve worked very hard to get this far.

“We thought it was important that all the money they raise goes directly to the local people who are building these homes, rather than to charities who have other overheads to cover. This way we can be sure that the money goes to the right people, and also helps to revive and stimulate the local economy on Bantayan Island.”

Mark said: “The girls had some great fundraising ideas. Cooking a three course dinner for 14 adults was going some, but it was very successful and in itself paid for one home.”

To donate solar lights please email: gareth@iconplastics.co.uk.

Donations to the project can be made up to 25th May at http://www.youcaring.com/bantayan-island-familes-philippines-519627

School Pupils Lend A Hand In Tudhoe Community Project

By on 2nd May 2016in In & Around

Pupils at Tudhoe Colliery Primary School helped to spruce up their village as part of a community project…

The children, who are in Year 3 at the school, worked with Durham County Council’s neighbourhood services team to make landscape improvements to a seating area in Tudhoe.

The community project used plants leftover from other schemes and includes ornamental sculptures.

The result is a low-maintenance and attractive communal seating area which can be enjoyed by everyone in the village.

Steve Johnson, Durham County Council’s street scene supervisor, said: “This has been a great opportunity to carry out low maintenance yet visually striking improvement in Tudhoe with the help of Tudhoe Colliery Primary School pupils.”

Dan Watson, Year 3 teacher at Tudhoe primary school added: “We really enjoyed our planting session and contributing to the community in general.”

TV Architect George Clarke Speaks To Packed Northumbria Audience

By on 1st May 2016in In & Around

Speaking as part of the University’s free public lecture series, George spoke to a packed audience of 600 people about his experiences in architecture, design and media…

His lecture proved so popular that the University had to move it from the original venue to its Students’ Union, which has capacity for an extra 200 attendees.

George used his public lecture to speak about his professional practice; the success of TV series such as George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and Restoration Man and his views on British domestic architecture, innovation and the UK construction industry.

It was the first time he has returned to Northumbria after being awarded an honorary degree last summer, when he praised the University’s architecture courses, which are regularly ranked in the top 20 in the UK.

The renowned architect, who runs his own practice alongside his broadcasting career, said: “A lot of architectural schools do theoretical pieces of architecture that just stay on paper and never get realised. Everyone involved in this University are trying to create real projects out there in industry that are being planned and developed and built, so the students are constantly getting the chance to work on a real-life project. I think this makes Northumbria very distinctive because there aren’t many other places that are doing it.”

Each year, the University arranges a number of free lectures which are open to members of the public, as well as its staff and students. Past speakers have included conservationist David Bellamy; House of Commons Speaker John Bercow; former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion and leading politician Lord Heseltine.

For more information on public lectures at the University, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/publiclectures.

Boro Sign Up To Extra Life Health Drive

By on 28th April 2016in In & Around

Football fans know all about extra time, but Boro supporters will soon be talking Extra Life thanks to a new health initiative…

Middlesbrough Football Club is signing up to the ‘healthy settings’ scheme, which works within organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of their staff and service users.

And as well as targeting Middlesbrough FC employees, the scheme will be rolled out to Boro fans across the region, and all visitors to the club’s facilities.

Developed by Public Health at Middlesbrough Council, the initiative works by identifying the specific health needs within a setting; and implementing lasting health improvement and population behaviour change.

In this instance, the findings of Extra Life will be used to shape the objectives of future health projects implemented by MFC Foundation, the official charitable arm of Middlesbrough FC, in their work with Boro fans, as well as encouraging both club and Foundation staff to lead healthier lives.

Extra Life was launched in 2014, and has already benefited in excess of 10,000 people, through organisations including Teesside University, Middlesbrough Council, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Middlesbrough College.

Middlesbrough suffers from poor health outcomes and a high number of people dying early from preventable illnesses. Factors including smoking, poor diet and a lack of physical activity all contribute to this, and the club are keen to target and work to meet these needs.

The most recent research suggests an estimated 131 million days are lost to sickness absence each year in the UK, while up to 50% of health and wellbeing is thought to be determined by social factors and the environment in which people live and work. This in turn has an impact on productivity, a major stumbling block for rebuilding the economy locally and nationally.

It is hoped that by working collectively, Extra Life can reach high numbers of people in Middlesbrough and in turn, help address local health needs through targeted support.

To establish the specific health needs of Middlesbrough FC and its supporters, the club will be working with MFC Foundation to send out surveys in May, with the aim to implement new projects in the 2016/2017 season.

For more information about Extra Life, please visit www.extralifesettings.co.uk

Michael James, Middlesbrough FC’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “Middlesbrough Football Club is committed to improving the health of people on Teesside, from our own staff to the wider community of Boro fans. We’re delighted to join the Extra Life drive, which provides an invaluable opportunity to tailor our efforts and make significant strides together with our supporters.”

Helena Bowman, Head of MFC Foundation, said: “MFC Foundation already delivers strong health projects in our community, but Extra Life will enable us to shape what we are doing around the needs of the Boro fans. We believe this project will help us to provide the most meaningful and impactful campaigns, where they are most needed.”

Sue Perkin, Middlesbrough Council’s Head of Public Health, said: “Extra Life is all about harnessing the resources, insight and expertise of some of our biggest institutions for the benefit of the town as a whole. Middlesbrough continues to make significant progress in a number of areas, but there are undoubtedly challenges which must be overcome if we are to see real long-term benefits.”

Finishing Touches Added To Durham Northumbria In Bloom Displays

By on 21st April 2016in In & Around

They’ve all been found to be ‘blooming great’ in the past and now they’re gearing up to welcome the judges once again…

Teams at Durham City, Chester-le-Street and Stanley are all putting the final touches to efforts to spruce up their communities ahead of the visit of judges from Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Northumbria in Bloom in the coming days.

Durham City is among the contenders in the ‘Champion of Champions’ category having won double gold and overall category winner in 2014 and 2015.

Impressively, Durham will also be in the ‘Champion of Champions’ category in the national Britain in Bloom competition this year, having also struck gold in that competition in 2014 and 2015.

Chester-le-Street is competing in the large town category, having scooped a Silver Gilt last year.

Stanley is among the runners in the town category in just its second year in the competition, with the community having secured a Silver in its first in 2015.

The communities’ entries have been led by their respective ‘In Bloom’ groups and submitted with support from Durham County Council.

Judges will assess horticultural developments and will make a second visit in the summer.

Various projects and locations will be assessed and judges will meet some of the local volunteers, community groups and organisations which support and take part in schemes throughout the year.

Results will be announced in the autumn.

Alan Patrickson, the county council’s head of direct services, said: “We are extremely pleased to be welcoming the Northumbria in Bloom judges to Durham City, Chester-le-Street and Stanley.

“This will provide a platform to showcase how well partners and organisations make a difference to where they live, work or visit.

“Volunteers and groups work exceptionally well in maintaining and transforming open spaces. Their commitment inspires others to have pride and enthusiasm for other horticultural schemes that add value and will benefit others well into the future.

“We wish all entries well, across the county and North East region as a whole, and we are hopeful of a positive outcome once again for County Durham.”

Judges will be in Durham City on Friday 15 April, Chester-le-Street on Tuesday 19 April and Stanley on Monday 25 April.

To find out more visit www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom or phone 03000 261 000. To keep up to date with Durham City’s Champion of Champions bid on Facebook log on to: www.facebook.com/durhambloom

1916: No Turning Back Simulates Sights, Sounds & Smells Of The Somme

By on 20th April 2016in In & Around

Accompany a new recruit as he volunteers to fight for his country, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the trenches and experience one of the bloodiest battles in human history…

1916: No Turning Back promises to be an exhilarating experience for audiences who will feel the fear of the front line first hand, gain insight into the camaraderie of the battalion and rush for cover in the bunker before making the push ‘over the top’, witnessing the imagery of the brave men who took part in the Somme Offensive.

The experience continues in a field hospital as audiences learn that for some the war is over, but for most they are patched up and sent back out or to return home as changed people.

Starting on Thursday, July 21 and running until Sunday, August 28, 1916: No Turning Back is unlike anything previously staged at Durham County Council’s Gala Theatre and tickets are on sale now.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for culture and economic regeneration, said: “The Pals battalions of World War 1 were specially constituted battalions of the British Army comprising of men who had enlisted together in local recruiting drives, with the promise that they would be able to serve alongside their friends, neighbours and colleagues, rather than being arbitrarily allocated.

“1916: No Turning Back will take audiences on a walkthrough experience like no other seen here before and ensure the bravery and sacrifice of the Durham Pals is remembered in this special year of commemorations.”

Robin Byers, service manager for place experience said: “The centenary of the Battle of the Somme is a poignant anniversary and a time to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of Durham men and women.

“The experience is going to be something that is completely new for our audiences and we’re excited to be developing plans for the transformation of our auditorium.”

1916: No Turning Back is part of Durham Remembers, a wide range of events, exhibitions and experiences commemorating the centenary of The Battle of the Somme and remembering the bravery of the Durham Pals. More info www.durham.gov.uk/DurhamRemembers

Tickets are now on sale for the experience priced £7.50 (£6.50 concession) and can be purchased at www.galadurham.co.uk or by calling the Gala Box Office on 03000 266 600.

Truly Tempting To Hold Budding Chocolatier Masterclass

By on 8th April 2016in In & Around

Budding chocolatier’s, both young and young at heart, can enjoy a taste bud-tingling masterclass at one of the region’s biggest food festivals this month…

Bishop Auckland Food Festival (BAFF), which boasts 150 producers and traders, returns for a weekend of foodie fun April 23 and 24, with a range of fantastic masterclasses at its heart. BAFF is a Durham County Council event and is partnered by The Auckland Castle Trust and Bishop Auckland Town Council.

Amongst those set to provide mouth-watering entertainment will be Truly Tempting Chocolate. Their indulgent classes will offer would-be chocolatiers a flavour of what it’s like to work with one of the world’s most loved ingredients. There are separate sessions for adults and children for just £5 per person.

They’ll be run by David and Wendy Sanderson from Darlington who pride themselves on using only quality Belgian chocolate for all of their products, sourcing as many natural ingredients as possible and making many of the added flavours themselves like peanut butter and crystallised ginger.

Looking ahead to another fabulous festival Wendy said: “Bishop Auckland Food Festival is a great event as it’s local to us and we have family that live nearby. Also the quality and variety of food produce is excellent and as most of the stall holders are the producers of the food that is great.

“The best thing about working with chocolate is being creative and coming up with new products and flavours as well as the tasting, it’s also great when customers try our products and the lovely reactions and feedback we get from them.”

With his masterclass planning complete David can reveal exactly what participants can expect: “We run two different chocolate workshops, one for adults and one for children.

The adults get to make two different kinds of chocolate truffles and the children make a chocolate lolly and a chocolate caterpillar.

“We have a lot of fun doing the workshops and really like educating people about good quality chocolate and how it’s made from the cocoa beans, and just having fun and getting messy with our groups as everyone loves chocolate.”

Cabinet member for culture and regeneration, Cllr Neil Foster, said: “The festival masterclasses have proven to be a real hit with foodies and this year we won’t disappoint.

“We are offering 13 different workshops across 26 sessions, ranging from chocolate and charcuterie to cheese and craft beers, but don’t forget to book your place because tickets are selling like hot cakes!”

Details on the full range of classes can be found at http://www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk

Tickets for workshops can be purchased in person from Gala Theatre and Cinema box office in Millennium Place in Durham or by calling 03000 266600.

Sedgefield Primary School Are DJs For A Day

By on 7th April 2016in In & Around

Pupils from Sedgefield Primary School were DJs for a day as a reward for being the sustainable travel stars of the winter term…

As part of this year’s ongoing MEGA Motion campaign, supported by Durham County Council, children at schools across south Durham have been using healthier and more environmentally friendly ways of getting to school. Earning points every time they walked, scooted, cycled, car shared or took public transport, Year 6 pupils from Sedgefield Primary accrued the most between October and December 2015 and were rewarded with their own media day with Star Radio.

This saw youngsters, helped by staff from the station, research, plan and then record their very own radio show to be broadcast on Star Radio at 7pm on Easter Sunday.

The special day was the latest MEGA Motion event, which comes under the wider Local Motion campaign, promoting sustainable transport throughout south Durham. The campaign aims to encourage children to try greener and more sustainable journeys to school, making them aware of the health and environmental benefits from an early age.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “MEGA Motion is a brilliant scheme that encourages our children, in a fun way, to be healthier and more environmentally friendly every day. We’d like to congratulate Sedgefield Primary School on being the first term winners this year and encourage pupils from other schools to keep up the good work and see if they can be the next!”

Further Durham City Roadworks Begin 11th April

By on 6th April 2016in In & Around

Major works on the main route through Durham City will start on Leazes Bowl roundabout in April which will result in easier journeys in the future…

Durham County Council’s £2.5m SCOOT system will see traffic lights installed on the Gilesgate and Leazes Bowl roundabouts during 2016. The installation of the traffic lights will also see improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities on both roundabouts.

With work progressing well on Gilesgate roundabout, work on Leazes Bowl roundabout will get underway on Monday, 11 April. Although all measures are being taken to minimise the impact on traffic, motorists should be aware that disruption is likely while the work on Leazes Bowl is carried out.

As well as the installation of traffic lights, the improvements will also see the configuration of the roundabout changed with the number of lanes being increased. Paths will be widened with dropped kerbs installed to improve accessibility and two new eastbound bus stops will be installed, set back from the carriageway.

The work will be carried out in a number of phases over the next 25 weeks to help reduce the impact on people travelling through the city.

From 11 April, the first phase of work will see the eastbound approach to Leazes Bowl roundabout reduced to one lane from just past Milburngate Bridge on the A690 for the first part of the week. However the restriction will be removed during the evening rush hour – between 3.30pm and 7.00pm.

Heading westbound on the A690, there will only be one lane open on the approach to Leazes Bowl roundabout, through the works and over the roundabout for the duration of the week. However the restrictions will be removed during the morning rush hour – 7.00am to 9.30am. All lanes over Milburngate Bridge will remain open and the approach to Leazes Bowl roundabout from New Elvet will also be reduced to one lane at the junction with the roundabout throughout the week. The subway under the bridge will be closed with pedestrians diverted over Claypath.

Future phases of the work will be publicised closer to the time.

People can see full details at either www.durham.gov.uk/LeazesBowl or www.durham.gov.uk/Gilesgate which also includes changes to bus services, links to traffic cameras that people can check before setting off and tips to avoid delays. Motorists are also advised to keep up to date with the latest on social media using #LeazesBowl and #Gilesgate.

Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “Once installed the SCOOT system promises to improve journeys for everyone travelling through the city in addition to improving the roundabouts to make life easier for pedestrians.

“While we’ve taken all measures to minimise disruption, we are working on the major route through Durham City so people should be aware there may be delays. We would like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out these important improvements.”

The work at Gilesgate roundabout is expected to last until May with the work at Leazes Bowl finished by autumn 2016.

Once installed, the new traffic lights will be coordinated with those already in place on the Milburngate roundabout to better manage the flow of vehicles through the city. This will mean much more predictable travel through Durham City at peak times making journeys easier for motorists and helping bus operators to plan services.

It will also enable the council to more effectively deal with the impacts of incidents and planned events on the road network. The council hopes to start using the SCOOT system in 2017.

Olympian And Author Join Runners In Upcoming Sunderland Marathon

By on 5th April 2016in In & Around

Former Olympian Steve Cram and author Terry Deary joined runners gearing up for the Sunderland City 10k and Half Marathon…

Steve’s company, Events of the North, is organising the races on May 1, which are both sponsored by development company Siglion.

A 5K run was held on the beach at Seaburn, led by Steve and Terry, the author of the Horrible Histories books, with running clubs and members of the public training for the Sunderland races. It was one of a number of Start Me Up for Sunderland training sessions being organised around the city, in the lead up to the events.

Steve said: “The seafront section in both the half marathon and 10K routes is always very popular with runners and spectators alike, and we love being able to showcase that Sunderland is a city by the sea. “This year’s Start Me Up For Sunderland sessions have all been really successful and this was no exception, thanks in no small part to the contributions of Siglion and Terry.”

John Seager, chief executive of Siglion, said: “The training session was really well attended.

“It was a great opportunity for people who have perhaps never run at Seaburn to take advantage of the wonderful stretch of beach and seafront location.

“There was the added bonus of training with Steve Cram and Terry Deary, who is from Seaburn, and is supporting our plans to put the area back on the map as a major leisure destination for the North East.

“Sunderland is a fantastic city by the sea and we’re lucky to have a location like Seaburn, which can attract people into Sunderland.

“Our proposals for Seaburn are very much geared towards turning the area back into a great destination for local people and visitors alike.”

To find out more about the two runs visit www.sunderlandcity10k.com.

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