Category: In & Around

Northumbria Design Alumni In Copyright Battle

By on 22nd March 2016in In & Around

A Northumbria University graduate has lost a Supreme Court copyright case over his design for the Trunki – the world’s biggest selling suitcase for children…

Rob Law MBE, who studied Design for Industry, 2000, is founder and director of Magmatic, which sells the suitcase in more than 1,564 stores across 62 countries worldwide.

Following an appearance on BBC’s Dragon’s Den programme where he first introduced his creatively designed suitcase, Rob went onto international sales success and was later appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to business.

When a rival company,PMS International,launched the Kiddee Case, Rob’s company Magmatic claimed it had been ‘ripped off’ andoriginally won a high court judgement in 2013., However, this was overturned in favour of PMS by the court of appeal, first in 2014 and then again earlier this month.

Speaking to Sky News, Rob said: “We created an original product in Trunki and protected it by computer generated registered design – a process used to protect a third of designs across Europe.

“In my honest opinion, the Trunki was wilfully ripped off.

“We stood up to this behaviour, held it to account and took our case all the way to the highest court in the land – only for the judges to rule that we are not protected against the copy.

“They’re effectively sending knights into battle without armour,” he added.

Following the court appeal, Rob has now launched his ‘Protect Your Design’ campaign, which has been backed by a number of leading designers and entrepreneurs from across the UK. This campaign has called for tougher legal protection for the 350,000 designers who contribute £33.5 billion to the British economy each year. 

Rob added: “I urge the Supreme Court to re-examine this muddled judgement and do the right thing – not only for Trunki but for the hundreds and thousands of creative British companies that make the UK a thriving economy.”

To find out more about Rob Law’s campaign, you can use the #ProtectYourDesign hashtag on Twitter.

Northumbria offers a range of courses through its award-winning School of Design. For more information go to: www.northumbria.ac.uk/design.

Durham Foster Carers Lauded At Awards Ceremony

By on 19th March 2016in In & Around

The amazing efforts of foster carers in County Durham have been lauded at an awards ceremony…

Durham County Council has held its Foster Carer Awards Ceremony, an annual event to recognise the work of foster carers and celebrate their achievements.

Foster carers were recognised for completing national training qualifications and long service.

Four foster families were also given Special Achievement Awards for going the extra mile in caring for children and young people.

Thursday night’s celebration at County Hall in Durham was organised by the county council’s fostering service.

More than 70 people joined in, including authority staff and members led by chief executive Terry Collins, corporate director of children and adult services Rachel Shimmin, cabinet member for children and young people’s services Cllr Ossie Johnson, and chairman of the corporate parenting panel Cllr Peter Brookes.

John Angus and Keven O’Shea, who are long term foster carers for three children, received a Special Achievement Award.

John said: “This is the first Fostering Awards Ceremony we have attended and we were overwhelmed!

“We see fostering as something normal that we do, but being recognised for everything we do for the kids is just amazing.

“Fostering can be challenging sometimes, but to us it’s the best thing we have ever done, we love having the children as part of our family.”

Florence Coulter, the council’s fostering team manager, said: “Foster carers make a real difference to the lives of the children and young people that they care for.

“We have amazing carers in County Durham and these awards are our way of saying thank you for everything they do.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer can contact the fostering service on 03000 269 400 or visit www.durham.gov.uk/fostering.

MFC Foundation Introduce New Transition Project For Teesside Schools

By on 18th March 2016in In & Around

Last October, Head of Ofsted Sir Michael Wilshaw said that the importance of a good start to secondary school “cannot be overstated”…

And now, a new schools project on Teesside is set to give children their best chance yet when making the step up from primary to secondary education.

Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation is teaming up with Middlesbrough Council to roll out the schools transition project, with more than 300 children to receive support from ‘transition coaches’ from the later years of primary education through to their first years at secondary school.

Delivered by qualified staff from MFC Foundation, the official charitable arm of Middlesbrough Football Club, the pull of the Boro badge will be used to engage with the young pupils. As well as leading classroom activities to prepare youngsters for the step up, the transition coaches will provide a consistent point of contact for the children throughout the process.

The £100,000 scheme, which includes £70,000 of funding from Middlesbrough Council, will be piloted in three Teesside secondary schools and their 12 feeder primary schools from May.

Recent government research has suggested that the culture shift from primary to secondary school is one of the most critical periods of a child’s education. Published by Ofsted in September 2015, a report entitled ‘Key Stage 3: The Wasted Years’ concluded that “the rate of pupils’ progress and achievement [in Key Stage 3] were not good enough”.

It is hoped that the project will provide a positive catalyst to improve Key Stage 3 for children in the Tees Valley.

MFC Foundation is currently advertising three staff positions to work on the transition project. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 22 March. Please visit www.mfcfoundation.co.uk for more details.

Stewart Smith, MFC Foundation’s Chair of Trustees, said: “Raising aspirations through education is a huge part of MFC Foundation’s vision for the Teesside community.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to work with Middlesbrough Council to target and improve a crucial part of the school experience for our young people.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd said: “We are committed to improving outcomes for all young people, and the transition from primary to secondary is one of the most important periods in a great many young lives.

“Through this important scheme Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation is creating a unique opportunity to engage children in our disadvantaged communities and help them improve their self-belief, life skills, employment prospects and health.

“It is a fresh approach which has the potential to change lives for the better, and we are pleased to be able to support it.”

Princess Anne Awards Youth Offending Service Butler Trust Award

By on 17th March 2016in In & Around

Two staff from County Durham Youth Offending Service have received a prestigious national award for their innovative work…

Practice improvement officer Sarah Caden and speech and language therapist Susan Stewart have been given a Butler Trust Award 2015/16 – an “Oscar” of the criminal justice world – for their “outstanding dedication, skill and creativity” in transforming the service’s approach to young people’s communication needs.

And at St James’s Palace, the pair were presented with their accolade by the Trust’s patron, HRH The Princess Royal.

Sarah Caden said: “Receiving this award is brilliant as it gives us a platform to highlight the significant needs of young people who offend.

“Sixty to 90% of them have speech, language and communication needs and we hope to transform youth justice to put meaningful conversations at the heart of everything we do.

“This award is for all the young people we work with.”

Sarah and Susan – who is seconded to CDYOS from North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust – won one of just 10 Butler Trust awards handed out to staff working in prisons, probation and youth justice services across the UK this year, following over 300 nominations.

Lord McNally, chairman of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, attended the award ceremony and praised the work of the Durham duo.

Lord McNally said: “It was a real pleasure to attend the Butler Trust award ceremony and to see so many inspiring examples of dedication and innovative work being formally recognised.

“Congratulations in particular to Sarah Caden and Susan Stewart at County Durham Youth Offending Service on their award and the tremendous work they have done in improving the service’s approach to young people’s speech, language and communication needs.”

North East Housebuilder Collects Easter Eggs For Charity

By on 7th March 2016in In & Around

MILLER Homes North East is looking to bring smiles to the faces of disadvantaged and poorly children across the region with the launch of the Miller Homes Easter Egg Drop this March…

The leading housebuilder is collecting chocolate Easter eggs to donate to local children’s charities which will help to provide a special surprise to youngsters who may not otherwise receive a treat this Easter.

Easter egg donations from members of the public, as well as a donation from Miller Homes, will be shared between the Sunshine Fund in Newcastle, Action for Children in Bedlington and Home Start in Teesside, to be distributed to children who benefit from the services of these charities.

Donations of chocolate Easter eggs can be dropped off at any of Miller Homes’ sales centres in the North East until 5:30pm on Monday 21 March 2016.

Andrew Somerville, regional sales manager at Miller Homes North East, said: “We are committed to supporting the local communities which surround our developments and we’re excited to be launching the Miller Homes Easter Egg Drop in support of the Sunshine Fund, Action for Children and Home Start.

“To help our campaign, we’d very much appreciate if local members of the community would be so kind as to buy just one extra Easter egg which we will donate to these great causes, who do fantastic work in the North East.”

Easter egg donations can be dropped off at the sales centres at any of Miller Homes’ North East developments. Sales centres are open Mondays from 12:30pm to 5:30pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 10:30am to 5:30pm. All donations must be made by 5:30pm on Monday 21 March 2016.

With prices starting from £95,960, Miller Homes’ North East developments include Park View in Gateshead, Heritage Green in Backworth, The Acres in Bedlington, Wheatfields in Seaton Delaval, Portland Wynd in Blyth, The Meadows in Framwellgate Moor, Wheatlands Chase in Redcar, Acklam Woods in Acklam and Clairville Grange in Middlesbrough, and also coming soon, Scholars Gate, in Sunderland, in spring 2016.

For more information on Miller Homes and its North East developments call 0808 250 6426 or visit www.millerhomes.co.uk.

Major Roadworks To Begin On A690 This Weekend

By on 3rd March 2016in In & Around

Essential resurfacing work is to take place in Willington…

Work to resurface the A690 West Road between The Burn Inn mini roundabout and Helmington Row will begin on Saturday 5th March, and will be carried out over three consecutive weekends.

The work from 7am to 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays will require temporary road closures, with a signposted diversion route in place. On the first weekends, 5th and 6th and 12th and 13th March, the A690 will be closed between the B6299 North Lane and Helmington Row.

On 19th and 20th March, it will be closed between The Burn Inn mini-roundabout and Helmington Row. The diversion route will take motorists between Crook and Willington via the A689 and B6286, through Howden-le-Wear and Hunwick.

Changes will be made to local bus routes while the work is carried out.

On the first two weekends, services will divert from Willington via the B6299 Watling Terrace, travel up North Lane then back into Crook past the golf course, picking up the usual route from High Jobs Hill.

On the third weekend, services will divert from Willington to Hunswick via the B6286, pass along Holy Well Lane, picking up the normal route from High Jobs Hill. The work is being carried out on behalf of Durham County Council and forms part of its highway capital maintenance programme.

John Reed, the council’s head of technical services, said: “This work is part our essential resurfacing programme to maintain the highway network for everyone who uses the roads across the county. We would like to thank road users for their patience.”

Barnard Castle Welcomes Royal Visitor Today

By on 2nd March 2016in In & Around

One of the region’s most historic buildings will welcome a royal visitor today (Wednesday March 2nd)…

Following a £3.2m regeneration project, which saw The Witham in Barnard Castle restored, refurbished and extended to incorporate the library and customer access point, HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO, a former architect, will tour the popular arts, business and community venue.

The visit follows an expression of interest from His Royal Highness to tour the collection of Grade II listed buildings which date back to 1846, during his visit to the county. The award winning renovation project was completed in October 2013, and was delivered by Barnard Castle Vision, Durham County Council and The Witham Trustees. It resulted in a mixed use community facility offering a café, arts and exhibition areas, performance and events facilities, as well as small business units and a shop featuring local crafts. The original features and historic attributes of the building have been carefully combined with modern additions. Supported by a raft of volunteers, and true to its public service roots, The Witham is one of the most important historical assets in the county and beyond.

During his visit, His Royal Highness will meet the architects and project team responsible for successfully integrating the historic parts of the building with modern structures, and will be shown a display of before and after images.

He will also meet a number of the trustees, staff, volunteers, groups, organisations and partners involved in the management and events programme at the hall.

Amongst those to be introduced is 23 year old Maddy Sutton. Maddy is the marketing and administration intern at The Witham. A keen busker with a first class degree in music from the University of Huddersfield, Maddy was awarded the undergraduate piano prize having majored in performance studies and musical theatre.

Maddy will perform for The Duke in the County Room, scene of many historic public announcements since the building was first opened as Testimonial Hall in 1846.

Also set to meet the royal guest is Mickleton ceramic artist, Judy Caplin. Judy was commissioned to design a piece of public art, which hangs in pride of place above the café.

Inspired by one of Teesdale’s best-known historical figures, Henry Witham, and specifically his interest in botany, the eye-catching installation is entitled Hesperides. It consists of more than 650 individually produced porcelain tiles featuring fossilised plant materials, which Judy collected locally.

His Royal Highness will be presented with a specially produced commemorative tile made by the artist at the end of his tour.

As well as meeting some of the many volunteers involved in running the box office and supporting the wide range of events, theatre, cinema and other performances at the hall, The Duke will enjoy some shadow theatre staged by local children from the Kando Youth Theatre Company. The group runs weekly drama sessions in the auditorium, and will perform a powerful war shadow theatre workshop with historical costumes and imagery, before presenting their visitor with a gift.

Katie Taylor, The Witham CEO, said: “It’s delightful to welcome His Royal Highness to The Witham, our vibrant arts centre – as an exciting venue hub for theatre, music, comedy, business arts and film, we appreciate the recognition that this visit bestows. To have the Friends and Volunteers of The Witham, as well as our hard-working staff, recognised on the day means a huge amount. Come and visit this gem in Barnard Castle high street.”

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for culture and regeneration at Durham County Council, said: “Supporting the refurbishment of this fantastic community venue is something we are immensely proud of. It is a wonderful example of how history, art, architecture and modern ways of living can combine to truly service local needs on so many levels. I am delighted HRH The Duke of Gloucester is honouring us by coming to see what we have done together. I am sure as an architect he will find his tour particularly rewarding.”

Before leaving, The Duke will unveil a commemorative plaque and sign the visitor’s book.

Warm Up North Scheme Installs Free Central Heating

By on 1st March 2016in In & Around

Residents in County Durham are set to benefit from a new scheme which sees free central heating systems fitted to a number of homes without, or with only partial, central heating…

As part of Warm Up North, and thanks to a £6.5m government grant, Durham County Council in partnership with eight other North East local authorities and British Gas, will begin installing free central heating systems into qualifying properties.

The £6.5m funding was awarded to a scheme involving nine North East local authorities – Northumberland County Council, Durham County Council, Darlington Borough Council, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, South Tyneside Council, Sunderland City Council, Hartlepool Borough Council, Gateshead Council and Newcastle City Council – with the emphasis on rural areas.

A number of residents in County Durham who may be eligible for the fund will shortly receive a letter with full information.

Cllr Eddie Tomlinson, Cabinet member for housing and rural issues at Durham County Council, said: “We’re very pleased to be part of this scheme which offers help to people who need it most.

“By tackling fuel poverty, we can help to ensure people can afford to heat their homes, which in turn can have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.”

People can find out more information by visiting www.durham.gov.uk/freecentralheating or by calling Warm Up North on 0800 294 8073.

Twenty projects nationwide were awarded funding, totalling £25m as part of the Central Heating Fund scheme, which will improve the energy efficiency of more than 7,000 households across England.

Yarm Students Reach Final Of National Debate Competition

By on 26th February 2016in In & Around

Students at Yarm School have put forward their argument for national success after its debating team reached the regional final of a national schools competition…

The team, consisting of Adya Trivedi, Eve Mason-Howell and Saurabh Sharma, who are all in the school’s Lower Sixth Form, was placed first in the regional semi-final of the English Speaking Union Mace debating competition at Farnley Academy, in Leeds, after winning their quarter-final heat.

Adam Bridges, Languages teacher at Yarm School, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the team, who have come up against some tough competition in the region. It is down to our students’ hard work and determination – both in the classroom and through practising outside of school hours – and hopefully they can build on their excellent semi-final performance and advance to the nationals, which would be fully deserved.”

David Dunn, Headmaster of Yarm School, said: “Reaching the regional final in such a prestigious competition is a fantastic effort, and our debating team should be extremely proud. Academic competitions like the English Speaking Union Mace debating competition inspire students to future success in higher education and beyond, and I would like to wish our team all the very best in the final.”

6,500 Illicit Cigarettes Seized In Durham Raid

By on 25th February 2016in In & Around

Council officers have seized more than 6,500 suspected illicit cigarettes and tobacco with a street value of more than £1,500 in a raid…

Durham County Council’s Consumer Protection Team removed 6,640 cigarettes and 2.5kg of hand rolling tobacco believed to be counterfeit from a property at Kimblesworth, just outside Durham City, on Tuesday.

The raid comes on the back of officers having seized more than 450,000 illicit cigarettes since April last year, with a street value combined with confiscated tobacco in excess of £80,000. The consumer protection team obtained a search warrant from magistrates to carry out a raid on the house, which was suspected to be connected with the supply of illicit tobacco.

Assisted by Durham Constabulary’s Chester-le-Street neighbourhood policing team, officers seized the cigarettes and tobacco from inside. It is believed the items were being sold from the house illegally, for £3.50 for a pack of cigarettes and £7 for a pouch of tobacco.

A woman was interviewed by Consumer Protection Officers on suspicion of selling counterfeit tobacco, and tobacco not displaying the required health labelling.

Joint operations with Durham Constabulary since April 1st 2015 have seen the consumer protection team seize 456,320 illicit cigarettes and 28.15kg of counterfeit hand rolling tobacco, with a combined street value of £84,000.

Joanne Waller, head of Environment, Health and Consumer Protection, said: “Our work to rid the supply of illicit tobacco at all levels in the supply chain continues unabated.

“The sale of these illegal cigarettes sidesteps the controls that lawful businesses have in place to uphold age of sale laws, and undermines the work of the stop smoking services.

“This illegal source of cheap tobacco encourages a whole new generation of young smokers, and provides little incentive or motivation for other smokers to quit.

“There will be no hiding place for those who continue to flout the law and indulge in this criminal activity.”

Anyone with information on suspected counterfeit goods sales, such as tobacco, cigarettes, clothing, trainers, and alcohol,  should contact the Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

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