Category: Lifestyle

Stanley Couple Celebrate Diamond Anniversary

By on 24th December 2015in Lifestyle

A couple who enjoyed their first date at a dance hall in Stanley 64 years ago have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary…

 

Former Middlesbrough FC player Joe Birbeck, 83, and his wife Edna, 82, marked the occasion with a family get together – and a surprise visit from Cllr Jan Blakey, chairman of Durham County Council.

Cllr Blakey popped in to congratulate the couple on their 60 years of marriage and present them with a bouquet of flowers.

The couple, who went to the same school together in South Moor, got together at a local dance at Castles Dance Hall, in 1951.

Joe made his name as a professional footballer, playing for Middlesbrough during the 1950s alongside team mates including Bobby Robson and Brian Clough.

Edna, meanwhile, was well-known as a shop worker in Broughs – which became Liptons – in Stanley, and later as a cleaner at East Stanley Primary School.

The couple have two daughters, Sandra and Elizabeth, four grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Cllr Blakey said: “I was delighted to meet Mr and Mrs Birbeck, and to pass on my warmest congratulations to them on their 60th wedding anniversary”.

#ThrowbackThursday: A Very Victorian Christmas

By on 24th December 2015in Lifestyle

The Tyne & Wear Flickr archive has a few more wintery snaps to offer…

Last week we shared an album of wintery North East photographs from years gone by, and with Christmas just a day away, we’re keeping with the festive theme for this week’s #ThrowbackThursday.

History buffs among you will know that early in the 19th century, Christmas was hardly celebrated, but by the time Queen Victoria was reigning, the festivities were becoming somewhat recognisable to what we know and love today. Vic’s husband Prince Albert brought the country’s first Christmas Tree with him from Germany, and the tradition has stuck ever since.

The album below, titled A Victorian Christmas gives us a window into a North East Christmas just as the holiday was becoming a time for family festivities. Take a look…

Snowy Christmases like these might be a thing of distant memory, but it’s great to see a real local winter wonderland. Highlights are youngsters ice skating, kitted out with – most likely hand-knitted – mittens, and a lady wrapped up tight in a scarf and jacket, about to brave the cold weather.

To see more of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums photographs, click here.

To see more local #ThrowbackThursdays, click here.

Do you have Christmas photographs of your own to share? Leave a comment below, or email online@inandaroundmag.co.uk!

Lumley Castle Offer Perfect Post-Christmas Break

By on 22nd December 2015in Lifestyle

One of the North East’s best loved hotels is coming to the rescue of couples, friends and families in need of a post-Christmas mini break…

Six-hundred-year-old Lumley Castle Hotel, Chester-le-Street, is offering a two night Twixmas stay, between Christmas and New Year, with one condition… that guests allow staff to wait on them hand and foot.

Not only will guests spend two nights in a sumptuously furnished courtyard bedroom, formerly the stable block of the 14th century castle, but they will also be served dinner in the hotel’s renowned Black Knight restaurant and a full English breakfast on both mornings.

They will also be able to enjoy long walks in the nine acres of historic woodland surrounding the four star hotel, overlooking both the Emirates Cricket Ground and the River Wear.

“Then, when they return, they can curl up in front of a roaring log fire with a mug of chocolate or afternoon tea, or explore the ancient corridors of the castle and find out a little more about its fascinating history,” said director of sales and marketing, Nola Collinson.

“However they choose to spend their time, we can assure our Twixmas guests that they won’t have to lift a finger; their stay with us really will be the perfect, post-Christmas treat.”

The two night Twixmas break is available from 27th to 30th December, and costs from £60 per person per night.

The offer includes accommodation, based on two people sharing a room, a £30 per person allowance towards dinner in the Black Knight Restaurant on one evening, and full English Breakfast both mornings.

For more information call 0191 389 1111, email reservations@lumleycastle.com or visit www.lumleycastle.com.

2016 Adult Learning Courses Are The Perfect New Year’s Resolution

By on 21st December 2015in Lifestyle

Thinking of making your New Year’s resolution to learn a new skill, brush up on your maths or English, or get qualified for a whole new career?

 

Durham County Council’s Adult Learning and Skills Service offers a wide range of courses, and details can be found in its new Spring 2016 Learning Guide.

As well as helping people boost their skills, confidence and job prospects, courses offer the chance to meet new people, and many can also lead to nationally recognised qualifications.

This year’s classes include Maths and English at all levels up to GCSE equivalent, Information Computer Technology courses, and vocational qualifications in subjects including Childcare, Health and Social Care, and Business and Administration.

The service also offers apprenticeships at intermediate and advanced level in a wide range of employment-related areas including Business Administration, ICT, supporting teaching and learning in schools and customer service.

There’s also a range of self-improvement courses including Starting Your Own Business, Confidence Building, and Family Fitness.

Most courses are held in community venues, where they offer a friendly and welcoming learning environment. However, some are also available online, offering people the chance to learn at a time and place that is convenient for them.

Cllr Maria Plews, Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning, said: “If you’re looking to make a positive change in the New Year, our courses are an ideal place to start. Meet new people, feel more confident in your skills, get the new job you deserve, or start a whole new direction in life. With courses on getting back into work, setting up your own business, or a recognised qualification to take you onto a new level in your career, there really is something for everyone.”

With courses starting in January, people are being encouraged to enrol now. The Spring Learning Guide is available to download at www.durham.gov.uk/adultlearning.

For further information on courses and how to enrol, contact the Adult Learning and Skills Service on 03000 266 115 or email alss@durham.gov.uk.

#ThrowbackThursday: A North East Winter Wonderland

By on 17th December 2015in Lifestyle

A browse through the Tyne & Wear Flickr archive reveals some wintery gems…

The Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Flickr page is home to nearly 2,000 photographs of North East history. Whether you’re looking for photographs of World War Two factories, turn of the century ship launchings, or criminal mugshots of the ’20s, you’ll likely find it in one of their many albums.

But with Christmas just around the corner, and with a few flashes of snow in our recent memory, we think you might like to check our the ‘Winter Wonderland’ album.

With just a light frosting, our local landscape is transformed into an image straight from the front of a Christmas greetings card.

See for yourself…

Gems include Jesmond Dene, and an awesome aerial view of Alnwick Castle.

To see more of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums photographs, click here.

Do you have wintery photographs of your own to share? Leave a comment below, or email online@inandaroundmag.co.uk!

Ramside Spa Celebrates 12 Days Of Christmas With Festive Prizes

By on 15th December 2015in Lifestyle

There may not be any maids a-milking or geese a-laying, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty on offer at one of the North East’s leading spas this Christmas…

The Spa at Ramside, Ramside Hall Hotel, County Durham – which opened earlier this year – will be running a special prize draw from December 12th until December 24th.

The 12 Days of Christmas, which started at the weekend, gives anyone who books a visit to the venue’s state-of-the-art spa the chance to enter the prize draw and win some special upgrades and added extras.

One name will be drawn each day, with the winner then selecting one of the 12 baubles behind the spa reception, each of which contains a unique prize.

“The festive season is all about giving a little bit extra, and that is what the 12 Days of Christmas prize draw is all about,” said Jill Russell, the spa director at Ramside Hall Hotel.

“The prizes that are up for grabs will make a great early Christmas present for some of our guests.

“There’s so much on offer at the spa this Christmas, and hopefully this will help to make our winners’ visits extra special.”

Throughout the festive season, the Spa at Ramside will also be running a selection of Christmas spa packages, designed to help visitors unwind during the festive season.

The Sleep and Beauty package and The Lady and The Vamp package includes use of the spa facilities until 5pm, a choice of treatments and a two course lunch in the Fusion Spa Restaurant.

Guests looking to use the spa facilities in the afternoon can opt for The Beauty and the Feast package, which includes use of the spa facilities for three hours, a choice of either a 45 minute personalised facial or a back, neck and shoulder massage and a spa afternoon tea.

There is also a number of packages available between Christmas and New Year, including the Twixmas Treat, the Winter Warmer, the Winter Wonderland and Rock that Resolution.

All the packages include a welcome smoothie on arrival, a choice of treatments, and complimentary use of robes and spa flip flops.

Prices start from £75 per person, and packages are subject to availability.

For more information about the festive packages available at The Spa at Ramside, visit www.ramsidespa.co.uk or contact the spa reception on 0191 375 3088.

Ramside Spa Offers Relaxing Alternative To Boxing Day Dip

By on 13th December 2015in Lifestyle

North East people who don’t want to brave the cold of the sea on Boxing Day are being offered a warmer alternative by the region’s top spa…

The award-winning Spa at Ramside, at Ramside Hall Hotel near Durham, has unveiled a special Boxing Day package which includes doing a very different kind of dipping.

Guests can book in for a special spa day which includes a welcome drink on arrival, full use of the spa facilities, and a choice of either a two course brunch or a spa Asian-inspired afternoon tea.

The package costs £65 per person, with an additional attraction for groups of between four and eight people – exclusive use of the balcony infinity pool for an hour.

A number of extras can also be added to the package at £30 each, including a 30 minute back or foot massage, a 30 min salt and oil scrub, or an express facial.

“Boxing Day is a time when people often just want to chill out after the excesses of Christmas Day,” said Jill Russell, Spa Director.

“And not everyone is brave enough to go into the sea, so our Boxing Day is a much warmer alternative!”

Bookings for the Boxing Day package can be made by contacting the spa on 0191 375 3088, or by emailing enquiries@ramsidespa.co.uk.

Xmas Recipe: Gingerbread Christmas Trees

By on 12th December 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle

Nothing says ‘Christmas’ like gingerbread…

 

Ingredients:

  • 120g Greenvale Unsalted Butter
  • 150g The Pantry Demerara Sugar
  • 150g Grandessa Honey
  • 350g The Pantry Plain Flour
  • 1 tsp The Pantry Bicarbonate of Soda
  • 3 tsp Stonemill Ground Ginger
  • 1 tsp Stonemill Ground Cinnamon

To Decorate:

  • 100g Icing Sugar, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 tbsp Water
  • Silver Ball Decorations

Method:

To begin with, slowly melt the butter, sugar and honey in a pan, then sieve together all of the remaining ingredients. When the sugar, butter and honey have completely melted, they can be added to the dry ingredients and mixed until well combined.

When the dough is cool enough to handle, knead and form a ball, and then leave it in the fridge (wrapped in cling film) for half an hour to become more manageable.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas mark 6.

When the dough has cooled, roll it out between two pieces of greaseproof paper to about half a centimetre thick, and – using 3 different sized star cutters – cut out 4 large stars, 4 medium stars and 8 small stars.

Place the stars on a baking tray and press the dough back together. Roll it out again and cut out the same amount of stars.

Bake them for 4-8 minutes (you may have to remove the smaller stars earlier as the larger ones will take longer to cook).

While the biscuits cool, make the icing by mixing the icing sugar and water.

To complete the gingerbread Christmas trees, place a small amount of icing on a big star, and then stack the stars on top of each other in size order, using the icing to bind them together.

Decorate with a dusting of icing sugar and the silver balls.

Makes:

  • 4 large or 8 small trees

Ready:

  • 20 minutes

Prep Time:

  • 10 minutes

Cook Time:

  • 8 minutes

Have you followed this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

#ThrowbackThursday: North East Police Vehicles From Yesteryear

By on 10th December 2015in Lifestyle

They just don’t make them like they used to…

North East Flickr user ‘Caesarion 1’ has over 200 photographs on his page, and many of them are a window into the region’s past.

Most of the photographs highlight the transport services of the time, giving us a glimpse of yesteryear’s buses and trains, making the rounds in Teesside and Northumbria. For locals who spent their formative years here, it’s one hell of a nostalgia trip.

Particularly notable, and featured in the slideshow gallery below, is an album containing 26 photographs of the North East’s old police vehicles, a lot of which would now be considered classics.

The album features police vehicles from the Northumbria, Cleveland and Durham forces, dating from the latter half of the 20th century.

View the gallery here:

 

Gems include a Durham Constabulary Rover SD1 from the 1980s, a Vauxhall Chevette serving at Teesside Airport, and a Cleveland Police Ford Transit.

See more of Caesarion 1’s classic photographs here.

Do you remember any of these classic police vehicles? Do you have photographs of your own to share? Leave a comment below, or email online@inandaroundmag.co.uk!

Durham County Council Offer Three Months Free Gym Membership

By on 9th December 2015in Lifestyle

Fitness fans are encouraged to start their New Year’s Resolution a bit earlier this year…

 

Fitness fans are being offered an early Christmas present, with three months free membership if they take out an annual gym membership during December.

Visitors to Durham County Council leisure centres will receive 15 months for the price of 12 if they take out a membership, and pay up front, between Tuesday 1st December and Thursday 31st December.

Andy Brown, the council’s principal physical activity manager, said: “We know following the festive period many people’s minds turn to getting fit.

“But if they sign up now, they can look forward to three free months of membership – giving them plenty of chance to improve their wellbeing all the way through until the spring of 2017.”

The offer will be available at Abbey, Chester-le-Street, Freeman’s Quay, Meadowfield, Newton Aycliffe, Riverside, Shildon-Sunnydale, Spennymoor, Teesdale and Woodhouse Close leisure centres.

For more information, and to find your local council run leisure centre, visit www.durham.gov.uk/leisurecentres.

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