Category: What’s New?

Save The DLI Museum: What Action Can You Take Yourself?

By on 6th November 2015in Have Your Say, What's New?

On 21st October, it was announced by Durham County Council that the DLI Museum, honouring the memory of the Durham Light Infantry, would be closed. Political lobbyist for the campaign challenging this decision, Liam Bewick, explains how we can actively support the cause…

My name is Liam J. Bewick, and I am the political lobbyist for the Save The DLI Museum campaign. My role is to deal with the politics and government communications on behalf of the group.

As many of you may already be aware, the DLI Museum and Art Gallery is signed for closure by Durham County Council in April 2016, and we want answers from the Council regarding the future storage of artefacts. The DLI is a huge part of our local heritage, and we don’t want the artefacts stored on a temporary basis while the remainder is archived for scholarly use.

The agreement with Durham University will only allow the collection to be stored for a period of five years. What will the fate of the collection be after that?

We also want to know why Durham County Council invested £3m into Wharton Park, situated directly opposite the DLI Museum, while no such investment was made to the museum itself. Part of the restoration project for Wharton Park is to build a heritage centre within the park. If it’s concerning local heritage, why isn’t the DLI involved in this project?

These are questions that need answering, but we can only achieve the answers by banding together as a single committed, strong entity.

So, what can you do to help?

It is crucial that we put pressure on the Council, and you can do this by getting in contact with your local councillor by letter, email and/or telephone. You can use one method or all three. If we shout loudly enough, County Hall will hear us.

Furthermore, we need to put pressure on our national representatives too, so I strongly urge all of you to write to your local MP’s (regardless of party politics). We want the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on board, contacting our Ministers, John Whittingdale (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport), Ed Vaizey (Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy) and Tracey Crouch (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage).

There are a select number of councillors who are already on board with the campaign, and give it their full support. Please don’t harass them! They are:

  • Mark Wilkes
  • Amanda Hopgood
  • Owen Temple
  • Richard Ormerod
  • Richard Bell
  • Audrey Willis
  • Watts Stelling
  • Alan Shield

It is with devastation that we must fight this battle less than a week before Remembrance Day, a day to honour the men who fought so that we could feel the warmth of opportunity, but I thank you for support.

Everyone who visits the North East has the right to see for themselves the contribution that the Durham Light Infantry made to Great Britain, and we won’t allow that contribution to be forgotten without a fight.

Liam J. Bewick

 

Click here to visit the Save The DLI Museum website.

Click here to join the Save The DLI Museum Facebook group.

Click here to contact your local councillor.

Teesside Steel And Energy Industries: Are You Affected?

By on 6th November 2015in Have Your Say, Local Biz, What's New?

Involved in the Teesside industry crisis? We want you to #HaveYourSay…

Yesterday it was announced that the construction of TV2, Teesside’s energy-from-waste plant, would be suspended. With the future of over 700 workers hanging in the balance, tensions are understandably high.

Stockton-On-Tees councillor Bob Cook has said: “We appreciate that this is a very worrying time for all those affected and are meeting with Air Products representatives tomorrow to establish the full facts. We will work closely with our neighbouring local authorities and other organisations to provide effective and appropriate support to the contractors affected and their families.”

Following the recent furore over the mothballing of Redcar’s SSI steelworks, it certainly seems like dark days for industry in Teesside.

Are you affected by any of this?

We want to hear from you. Are you one of the 700 TV2 workers, or one of the thousands of SSI workers? Has your family been thrown into jeopardy just ahead of Christmas? Is Teesside’s rich and industrious heritage being abandoned?

We want your voice to be heard. Email online@inandaroundmag.co.uk with your thoughts, concerns, and opinions. If you have something to share, we’re giving you the platform to #HaveYourSay.

For more information on having your voice heard, visit the Write For Us page.

Chaplain And Cadets Lead Remembrance Service At Metrocentre

By on 6th November 2015in What's New?, What's On?

Servicemen and women who’ve lost their lives in conflict will be remembered in a special event at intu Metrocentre this weekend…

Young cadets from the police and ATC (Air Training Corps) will lead a parade through the centre from Town Square to Exhibition Square at 2.40pm on Sunday November 8th.

This will be followed at 3pm by a special remembrance service, led by intu Metrocentre Chaplain, Lyn Jamieson, paying tribute to those injured and killed in action, as well as the friends and family who have been affected since World War 1.

The Salvation Army, Newcastle City Temple Band and The Ad Murum Singers from Heddon-on-the-Wall, will also be performing between 2.25pm and 2.45pm. 

Helen Atkinson, marketing manager at intu Metrocentre, said: “Lyn Jamieson’s Remembrance Day services are always very moving.  We’re honoured to have the police and ATC cadets helping us this year and hope to pay a fitting tribute to all the civilian and armed forces personnel who have lost their lives serving our country in conflicts past and present.”

A separate two minute silence will be observed at intu Metrocentre at 11am on Wednesday November 11th, where visitors can take a moment of silent reflection at the venue’s special Poppy Chandelier.

Lyn said, “The commitment and sacrifice made by so many, on behalf of us all, must never be forgotten. It is extremely important that we continue to observe Remembrance Sunday.”

Members of the press are invited to attend intu Metrocentre at 2.40pm on Sunday November 8th, to capture the cadets’ parade and the remembrance service, led by Chaplain Lyn Jamieson.  

They are also invited to return at 11am on Wednesday November 11th for a two minute silence at the centre’s Poppy Chandelier. To confirm your attendance please contact Sorted PR on 0191 265 6111.

Rent A Cop Episode Two: “No Sid The Sexist”

By on 5th November 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV, Local Biz, What's New?

Episode two of ‘Rent A Cop’ just aired. What do we think?

 

The week following episode one of BBC’s Rent A Cop has seen a few questionable headlines surrounding Sparta Security frontman Francis Jones, but despite accusations of sexism and bringing embarrassment upon Darlo, he’s stuck by his guns.

“Francis Jones is helping people in this town,” he’s been quoted as saying (in the third person), “and I’d like to take a look at their lives and see what rainbows and sunshine they’re bringing to Darlington.”

But regardless of his good intentions, opinions likely won’t have changed following this week’s episode.

Episode two saw the Sparta team continuing their war against a group of bikers, but as yet they haven’t been caught. It may only be a matter of time though, as Francis’ specialist covert techniques (such as turning his shirt inside out) will ensure they’ve got the upper hand.

We were also given a fly-on-the-wall glimpse of Francis’ love life, which will have done little to combat the shouts of sexism. He’s quick to cop a feel early on date night.

Jokes aside, though, the company’s approach to taking on apprentices with criminal pasts is certainly admirable. They seem genuinely hopeful for latest recruit Pembow, whose past involves thieving and a spell in prison. Love him or hate him, Francis is clearly keen to do his bit to better society, and we wish him the best of luck in that endeavour.

 

Once again, viewers took to Twitter to share their own thoughts.

If you missed the second episode, it’s now available on BBC iPlayer.

Check out our thoughts on episode one here.

What did you think of ‘Rent A Cop’? Is Francis’ work questionable, or is a well-intentioned, loveable character?

Leave a comment below! We want to hear what you have to say.

Gala Big Band Set To Make Durham Swing

By on 5th November 2015in Entertainment, Music, What's New?, What's On?

Music fans can dance along to the sound of swing this month…

Gala Big Band, made up of talented amateur musicians from across the region, will be entertaining audiences at Durham Town Hall on Sunday 29th November.

Performing in a cabaret setting, they will play a selection of classics by the likes of Count Basie, Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington as well as new compositions by band leader Paul Edis, and a few festive favourites.

Gala Big Band was formed in September 2014 to give North East musicians of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to play together.

The group, made up of 35 members ranging in age from 11 to 83, has since performed a number of public concerts, including an appearance at BRASS.

Their performance at Durham Town Hall starts at 7pm and tickets are £6 per person or £5 for concessions.

To book, visit Gala box office, call 03000 266 600, or visit www.galadurham.co.uk.

Stadium Of Light Hosts Winter Wonderland Gourmet Night

By on 5th November 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Food lovers are invited to dine in a winter wonderland in Sunderland this month…

On Friday 20th November, the Stadium of Light will be hosting its annual Winter Wonderland Gourmet Night, celebrating the season’s finest ingredients, as well as wines from around the world.

Included in the five course feast, specially designed by the chefs at 1879 Events Management, is a starter of air cured fillet of beef with rocket, celeriac remoulade and blue cheese, as well as a decadent dessert of dark chocolate marquis with macerated cherries and coconut ice cream.

In between, guests will enjoy an intermediate course of green onion risotto with spiced monkfish, a main course of roasted loin of venison with wild mushrooms, game croquette and fondant potato and a selection of regional, British cheeses with walnut bread.

Each dish will be served with a different wine, specifically chosen to complement its unique flavours and fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Vegetarian options are also available for several courses, including marinated goats cheese and beetroot salad, green onion risotto with pine nuts and butternut squash and wild mushroom pithivier.

Steve Welch, Executive Head Chef at 1879 Events Management, which also manages private and corporate events at National Glass Centre and The Beach House, said:  “There’s a real tendency at this time of year for people to start eating more comfort food. 

“We wanted to show that, even as the temperature drops, there’s still a wide range of fresh produce available to help create warming dishes that won’t weigh you down.

“Pair these with a selection of wines from around the world and it should be a fantastic night.”

Tickets for the Winter Wonderland Gourmet Evening at the Stadium of Light are priced at £54.50 per person.  For more information, or to book, visit www.thestadiumoflight.com, call 0871 911 1555 or email conf&banq@safc.com.

Christmas Comes Early To The Bridges, Sunderland

By on 5th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Sunderland’s the Bridges shopping centre is helping take the stress out of this Christmas with a whole host of incentives…

They’ll be playing Santa themselves, with a giveaway gift card scheme for anyone spending more than £100.

The shopping centre, which currently runs late night shopping on Thursdays, will be open until 8pm throughout the week from December 7th up until December 23rd.

During this time shoppers will be able to park for free in the Bridges’ car parks from 5.30pm until 9pm, as an added incentive to come into the city centre.

The Bridges is also reintroducing its successful gift card scheme, with anyone who spends more than £100 during any late night shop receiving a free £10 voucher.

“Christmas can be a stressful time when it comes to all the gifts that need to be bought, which is why we’ve gone all out to make sure it’s more of a pleasure than a chore for our customers,” said Andy Bradley, Centre Director at the Bridges.

“Later trading hours will make it much easier for our customers to get here after work or just shop in a more leisurely fashion.”

Santa’s grotto, at Central Square in the Bridges, will also be open from November 12th to give children the chance to meet Santa.

Entry into Santa’s grotto is £1.50, with 50p from every entry fee going to Rotary SR1, a group which works together on projects to make a difference and give back to the local community.

Along with the extended opening hours, the Bridges will be open even later on Black Friday, which falls on November 27th this year, with some stores staying open as late as 10pm.

For more information, full opening times and gift card terms and conditions please visit www.thebridges-shopping.com.

Neighbourhood Wardens Pheasantly Surprised By Flytipping Footage

By on 4th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

Flytippers come in all shapes and sizes, but thankfully the latest individual caught on covert cameras is unlikely to be brought before the beak…

 

As part of Operation Stop It – the biggest ever crackdown on the illegal dumping of waste in County Durham – CCTV was hidden at known hotspots.

But when Durham County Council’s neighbourhood wardens checked the cameras recently, they found the latest images were no aviary day footage – with a curious pheasant in a flap as it took a video selfie.

Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager Ian Hoult said: “There was some excitement in the office when it was thought that one of our cameras had been triggered and again caught a criminal.

“But thankfully on this occasion, nobody had fallen fowl of the law.”

Flytipping is a serious offence which blights the environment, can pollute rivers and other waterways, endangers wildlife, and is costly to clean up. If waste is flytipped and is traced back to you, you could be prosecuted and fined up to £50,000.

Launched in November 2014, Operation Stop It sees Durham County Council working in partnership with Durham Police, Crimestoppers and the Environment Agency to target those who illegally dump waste.

It also aims to ensure families understand their responsibility to make sure their rubbish – including furniture, household appliances and building materials – is disposed of properly.

Since the campaign started it has resulted in a 29% decrease in flytipping in the county.

Ian Hoult said: “Stopping flytipping is our main objective, and we urge people to get in touch if they suspect someone is operating without the correct paperwork or if they know someone who dumps waste instead of paying to dispose of it properly.

“We’re also reminding businesses, whether it’s a plumbing firm needing to get rid of boilers and baths or a joinery company needing to dispose of old kitchen units, that they must make sure they are registered and that they dispose of waste correctly.”

To report flytipping, call 03000 26 1000 or visit www.durham.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers – anonymously – on 0800 555 111.

National Stress Awareness Day: 6 Tips For Handling Stress

By on 4th November 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

It’s #NationalStressAwarenessDay. Feel like it’s all piling up?

We all get stressed. No matter what line of work we’re in, it’s easy to let it all pile up on top of us, which – as we all know – can lead to severe feelings of anxiety.

Stress doesn’t just affect us mentally, either. It attacks the body physically, leaving us vulnerable to sickness.

Today is National Stress Awareness Day, and we’re keen to do our bit to help out. When stress creeps up, bare these tips in mind…

1. Take A Deep Breath

Getting worked up causes you to take rapid shallow breaths, which causes the heart to beat faster and the muscles to tense up. When you’re already feeling stressed, that’s the last thing you want to happen.

Breathing deeply oxygenates the blood, allowing you to relax much more easily. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold the breath for a few seconds, and let it out slowly.

2. Don’t Be The Victim

When bad things happen, a first instinct is to feel sorry for ourselves. We huff and puff, and wallow in self-pity, but all this does is give in to the stress.

Instead, try taking a more pro-active approach to your problems. When something bad happens, don’t focus on the problem. Focus on the solution.

3. Cut Out The Coffee

Even before the stress kicks in, the coffee can make us jittery. Maybe it’s time to consider decaf?

Avoid caffeine-withdrawal headaches by reducing your caffeine intake slowly. Instead of your afternoon cup of coffee, try a glass of water.

4. Be Realistic About What You Can Do

Particularly in the workplace, it can be difficult to say ‘no’. We agree to things that aren’t necessarily achievable, the work piles up, and before we know it, we’re buried underneath it all.

Don’t kid yourself, and don’t be a pushover. If there’s something you simply cannot do, don’t agree to it.

 

5. Go For A Walk

A relaxing stroll hold countless benefits. Not only will the fresh air do you good, but getting up and moving is key to working the stress out of your body. Even pacing back and forth can do you good.

A decent outdoor walk can give you some alone time to really think about your problems and clear your head.

6. Talk About It

Keeping your worries bottled up is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Letting these things out, vocalising them, and confronting them is a great way to exorcise the demons. Speak with a friend, or write things down in a letter.

You never know, maybe your friend has the same stresses you do.

For more tips and advice, visit the Jak Inc Blog.

North East Coca-Cola Truck Tour Dates Announced

By on 4th November 2015in Entertainment, Events, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

The Coca-Cola Truck is back on tour. Does this mean we’re allowed to feel Christmassy now?

 

Coca-Cola’s Holidays Are Coming soundtrack has been the (un)official notifier of the Christmas spirit since 1995. This year, the big red truck will be stopping at 46 locations up and down the UK, and thankfully they haven’t forgotten the North East.

Each stop will offer the chance to grab a photo with the truck, while enjoying a sip of Cola in a wintry wonderland setting.

You can catch the truck in the North East on these dates:

Gateshead
26th November
ASDA Gateshead, Metro Retail Park, Gibside Way Metro Centre

Middlesbrough
27th November
Mima Centre Square

Leeds
10th December
Victoria Gardens, The Headrow

Ripon
11th December
Market Place, Ripon, North Yorkshire

Bridlington
12th December
King Street, Bridlington, North Humberside

Click here for the full list of dates.

Will you be going to see the Coca-Cola truck on tour? Share you selfies with us @inandaroundmag!

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