Tag: business

Sunderland Student’s Design Goes Into Production For SAFC Ladies

By on 10th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

A Sunderland teenager who won a merchandise design challenge set by SAFC Ladies Football Team has seen her entry go into production…

As part of this year’s Work Discovery Week event, a week of activities linking schools from across the city with businesses from across the region, young people were asked to create a new item of merchandise for the Lady Black Cats.

It was the design by 13-year-old Bobbi Bunker from Hetton School which took first prize, beating off competition from schools across Sunderland with her design for a special cup.

The cups have now been produced and will go on sale for £5 at the Ladies home matches next season, or can currently be ordered online by clicking here.

“We chose Bobbi as her design was bright and useful, she had considered the market and tailored her design to suit the team and the brief,” said Sonia Kulkarni, General Manager of SAFC Ladies.

“We are delighted that it’s now been produced and has gone on sale as part of our range of merchandise.”

Also taking place during Work Discovery Week was a careers fair at the Stadium of Light, business visits, workshops, business problem solving challenges and a range of hands-on activities.

This year 21 schools and more than 1000 children from Sunderland were involved in the event, which is sponsored by organisations including Gentoo, the University of Sunderland, Sunderland College, Arriva, Nissan, SAFC and Sunderland City Council.

The event is now part of a wider Work Discovery Sunderland programme, which includes a range of sector days which showcases various careers within a particular industry and guest speaker days.

Work Discovery Week will also be taking place in 2016, running from June 27th to July 1st.

Ramside Hall Hotel Receives First Award Of Its Kind

By on 10th November 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, Places To Go, What's New?

A North East hotel is celebrating being the first in the region to receive a new award given out by a leading recognition scheme…

This year the AA has introduced its Silver Star award for hotels which achieve particularly high standards. The Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham, is the only four star hotel in the area to have been awarded the new accolade.

AA inspectors gave Ramside Hall – which has benefited from a £16m investment in the last two years – the Silver Star for its “high standards of hotel keeping, superior level of quality, hospitality, service and cleanliness.”

To qualify, hotels also need to have a current Rosette award for “culinary excellence.”

The new entry in the AA guide for Ramside praises it for combining “the best of both worlds – convenience and tranquillity.”

It goes on to praise the variety of restaurant options and adds that, “bedrooms are furnished and decorated to a very high standard and include some stunning suites. A new addition to the property in 2015 is their spa and leisure facility; one of the finest in the country.”

John Adamson, owner of Ramside Hall Hotel, said he was delighted that the hotel had achieved the new award.

“We have invested heavily in the hotel and our new wing of rooms, second championship golf course and, now, our multi-million spa have all gone towards helping us achieve this Silver Star,” he said.

“It is great to hear our high standards of service and customer care being acknowledged in this way by such a prestigious organisation.                                

“To be one of the first to get the Silver Star and to get an 84 per cent rating from the AA, which is one of the highest in the region, is testament to all the hard work and investment which have taken place at Ramside Hall.”

For further information on the hotel visit www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk and www.ramsidespa.co.uk.

Razzamataz Rehearsals In Full Festive Swing

By on 9th November 2015in Entertainment, Events, Have Your Say, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Rehearsals are in full swing as Razzamataz prepare for their biggest public performance to date…

On Saturday 19th December, students from Razzamataz Durham Theatre School will be performing a selection of favourite Christmas songs to entertain shoppers in Durham City Centre. Alison Beveridge, Principal of the school, says: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to bring some magic to the city and get involved with our local community this Christmas.”

“Our students just love performing, and the chance to showcase their talents and hard work in a public setting is really exciting.”

At Razzamataz Durham Theatre School, we offer dance, drama and singing classes for children aged 2-18 years (and much, much more). We like to go the extra mile and give our students amazing customer service, and an amazing experience.

This year sees the return of our popular Christmas Card Competition. The school are running a competition for students to create their own Razzamataz greetings card. The winning design will be professionally printed and sent to the theatre school’s friends, partner businesses, and those who have worked with them over the past year. Last year’s winner, Molly says, “It was great to get involved and so cool to see my design come to life.”

Parents are carers are also catered for. Last month, the school hosted a Phoenix Cards Coffee Morning and raised £99.22 for The Rainbow Trust Charity. Families and friends were invited to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of homemade cake while they browsed the catalogues of exclusive cards and stationery whilst their children were in class.

Suzy Blooms, a Razzamataz parent and professional florist, is hosting a Christmas Basket Arrangement Workshop for parents and carers to take part in. She says: “I think it’s wonderful that Razzamataz Durham cares for the whole family. It’s a great community to belong to as the team really have their students and parents’ best interests at heart. Since joining, my son has grown in confidence, developed new skills, and widened his friendship group.”

If you would like to be a part of all that’s going on at Razzamataz, or would like to request more information, contact Alison on 07599 283931, or email durham@razzamataz.co.uk.

The school welcomes new students, and is taking bookings for complimentary taster sessions for their first day of term on Saturday 9th January. Places are limited and operate on a first come, first served basis.

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.

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.

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.

Vintageous Rags: Halloween Special

By on 30th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Grace Stringer, owner of Middlesbrough’s hottest vintage and retro boutique, Vintageous Rags, shares a one-off Halloween outfit…

Hey, witchy women!

Halloween is looming, and we were feeling so inspired after our Cruella de Vil outfit that we thought we’d do a Halloween special. Feeling spooky?

This outfit is great for the witching hour, because you can make it as dramatic as you like, depending on the makeup and accessorises you choose to go with it. 

You could make it all cute and sexy, or you could go full on scary, gory, zombified, dead…!

A red velvet skirt (M £12) is always a winner when Halloween comes around, and the faux leather lace up top (UK10 £10) just screams hocus-pocus!

Add a witch hat, a choker, and a few cobwebs, and that’s your Halloween outfit sorted!

So… trick or treat? 😉

You can find this outfit in our Baker Street store, Middlesbrough, or you can shop online at www.vintageousrags.com. See you soon!

Follow Vintageous Rags on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Rent A Cop Episode One: First Reactions

By on 30th October 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV, Have Your Say, Local Biz, What's New?

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

 

Well, nobody can argue that the first episode wasn’t… interesting.

‘Rent A Cop’ follows Francis Jones, front-man of Darlington-based private security firm Sparta Security, and his team of professionals in their battle to rid the streets of crime. With a cast of visionaries and eccentrics, it certainly made for an entertaining half hour.

Click here to watch the trailer.

To begin with, it’s difficult not to be mildly inspired by Jones. A born-again Christian (though not a ‘religious nut job’, he assures us), he’s built an impressive business in a short space of time, and there are plenty of folks in Darlo who are only too happy to purchase the firm’s services.

But when the fly-on-the-wall documentary reveals such titbits of information as his ‘investment’ in silicone breasts for his secretary, it’s also difficult not to raise your eyebrows.

 

Despite a long list of easily quotable one-liners (“You want ice cream, you go to Tom & Jerry”), some of the best laughs are to be had over on Twitter, where viewers have been quick to share their reactions.

Jones has previously stated that ‘Rent A Cop’ could make or break the business, and with another seven episodes yet to air, it’ll be interesting to see whether a few more Darlo residents will be signing up for Spartacus’ help.

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

What did you think of ‘Rent A Cop’? Does Francis’ work inspire you, or does it cast a negative light on Darlington?

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

Darlington Security Firm Documentary Airs Tonight

By on 29th October 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Self-styled Spartan Warrior Francis Jones stars in the BBC Three documentary ‘Rent A Cop’ tonight…

Having been followed by BBC cameras throughout the year, Darlington-based security firm Sparta Security will tonight be featured in the first episode of their eight-part series.

Titled ‘Rent A Cop’, the observational documentary follows frontman Francis Jones and his team on their mission to clean up the streets of Darlo. The security firm is never far from controversy, however, having been frequently accused of vigilantism.

Watch the trailer:

Francis, a devout Christian, set up the company after giving up work as a doorman and in nightclubs and pubs, where – he once said – he could never resist a fight or a pretty girl.

He’s now committed to making a positive difference in his local community – whether it’s through fighting crime, providing apprenticeships or giving the homeless a place to stay.

Episode one airs tonight at 10:30. Don’t miss it!

Want to find out more about Sparta Security? Visit their website here, or follow them on Facebook.

Vintageous Rags: Outfit Of The Week #3

By on 27th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Grace Stringer, owner of Middlesbrough’s hottest vintage and retro boutique, Vintageous Rags, shares this week’s favourite outfit…

With Halloween just around the corner, I thought we’d have a little fun with this week’s outfit, pulling inspiration from one of Disney’s biggest villains. Can you guess who it is?

Cruella de Vil!

This outfit would be fab for Halloween, but the pieces all work great on their own too, so they can be worn again separately.

First of all, faux fur is back again. Like always, it creeps back around this season, and I love it! This fur cape (Small £26) is a perfectly cosy example, perfect for Autumn and Winter.

As well as fur, we love a bit of sparkle. This glam, black maxi dress (UK12 £22) would work great as a festive party dress, as well as a crucial part of our Cruella homage.

I’ve accessorised this outfit with glam 80s dead stock sunnies (£12), and a vintage 70s pendant necklace with matching earrings (£12). Finally, because we all know Cruella loved her animal skin, I’ve added a snake skin bag (£15) to complete the look.

Oh, and the shoes are mine 😉

You can find this outfit in our Baker Street store, Middlesbrough, or you can shop online at www.vintageousrags.com. See you soon!

Follow Vintageous Rags on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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