Tag: darlington

Darlington Businesses Volunteer Thousands of Hours to Rejuvenate the Town’s Parks

By on 11th December 2018in charity
Darlington Volunteers

Four Darlington parks have been given a new lease of life after local employees volunteered thousands of hours to improve the green areas.

At the Darlington Cares’ Great Park Auction, which took place in April in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, companies were invited to bid the number of volunteering hours their staff were prepared to commit to one of four parks in Darlington. The highest bidder won the right to work in that particular park.

The four parks auctioned were Eastbourne Park, The Denes, Green Park and North Lodge Park.

In a celebration event at the Theatre Hullabaloo, it was revealed that employees from Darlington Cares’ members Cummins, EE, Darlington Building Society and Capita had delivered over 3,400 volunteering hours.

Representatives from each of the companies attended the volunteering organisation’s event, which commemorated the hard work of the employees.

Darlington Cares’ Director Seth Pearson said: “We were thrilled to see that the original pledge of 2,135.5 employee volunteering hours the firms had committed to has been smashed!

“We can’t thank the companies and the employees enough for all of their hard work and dedication to the parks. We’ve had some fantastic feedback from the community and all four areas lookastonishing.”

The businesses worked alongside their respective park’s Friends groups to develop a project that benefitted the local community. Darlington Borough Council Parks, Allotments and Countryside Ranger, Pippa Smaling and Assistant Parks and Countryside Ranger, Warren Bearpark were also on hand to advise the volunteers.

The volunteers worked on their park throughout the Summer months and an advisory inspection by Northumbria in Bloom Judge Allannah Robinson and Chairman Andrew Jackson also took place.

Andrew said: “These four projects have been coordinated and have improved the network of parks across the whole of Darlington, so it’s made a significant difference to the quality of the parks within the town.

“I’ve noticed a big difference in the parks since our inspection and the local residents have seen what the volunteers have been doing and this has encouraged them to get involved as well, which is brilliant.”

To find out more about Darlington Cares, its projects and volunteering opportunities, visit www.darlingtoncares.co.uk.

Twitter: @darlingtoncares

Local Golfer Sets Sights On Further International Success

By on 14th November 2018in Sport
golfer

A North East golfer has his sights set on further professional golfing success after being awarded the China PGA Tour’s number one merit.

Callum Tarren, from Darlington, is attached to Rockliffe Hall and is sponsored by boutique Stockton-based insurance broker, Erimus Insurance Brokers. This latest achievement sees him receive a full playing card for the Web.com Tour, the developmental competition for the US PGA Tour.

“It’s been a fantastic tour. I’m lucky enough to have made 27 out of 27 cuts in a strong competition and I’m delighted to be taking part in the 2019 Web.com Tour,” he said.

Callum started 2018 ranked at 587 in the world and has progressed through to 319 thanks to his hard work and determination in the China Tour.

Paul Davison, managing director of Erimus, said: “We’re so proud of everything that Callum has achieved this year. He’s worked hard and that’s been evident in the way that he’s played.

“Sponsoring Callum seemed like a natural choice for us. We have always had a corporate membership at Rockliffe Hall and enjoy working to support our local community and causes.

“Callum’s success has also gained our business great exposure, raising our profile and increasing awareness of our brand; we enjoy following his success.”

Erimus is a member of the Willis Commercial Network, providing commercial and corporate insurance services to businesses of all sizes, from owner-managed SMEs to companies with turnovers over £200m. The company is a top 100 UK Independent Insurance Broker and offers a unique proposition; the service levels of a small and caring team, with the buying power of a global broker thanks to its Willis membership.

The Web.com 2019 Tour begins in January, in the Bahamas. It features 27 tournaments played in 17 US states and four other countries. Callum’s progress can be followed on the Erimus Twitter feed @erimusib, and via their blog http://www.erimusib.com/blog/.

To find out more about Erimus Insurance Brokers, visit http://www.erimusib.com

Twitter: @callumtarren

Easy to Overlook Gems

By on 17th April 2018in Lifestyle

King Coal, Pelton

The village of Pelton is, it would be fair to say, rather unassuming. Home to just over 8,000 people and lying a couple of miles northwest of Chester-le-Street, it might be best known by some people as the birth town of Alan White, the longtime drummer in progressive rock band Yes. However, it’s also where 19th-century trade union chief Thomas Hepburn was born in 1795 – and his upbringing as a coal miner begins to hint at why you should give Pelton a closer look.

Pelton even used to have its own train station, which was in operation for passengers from 1894 until 1955. Admittedly, it was Pelton’s train station largely just in name, being physically nearer the similarly-named village of Pelton Fell; besides, if you head to the site of the station today, you will see very little even suggesting that a station ever stood there.

Nonetheless, if you journey towards the end of this site in the direction of South Pelaw, you could soon see… a giant head! That’s probably the best way of summarising its look, anyway; it’s a structure with an elaborate design akin to that of a head statue built by New Zealand’s indigenous Polynesian civilisation of the Māori. However, it is actually an art installation designed by the artist David Kemp.

A stonemason and local volunteers physically put together the structure, which comprises stone from a bridge that once crossed Consett railway station, itself – like the Pelton station – now long gone. The completion of King Coal was coincidentally reached on 15th October 1992 – the same day the closure of Durham’s few remaining coalfield pits was announced. We can’t help but think that, to this day, it makes a very fitting – and visually striking – tribute to the area’s coal-mining past.

Darlington Hippodrome

You might remember, last year, hearing or reading stories of a theatre called the Darlington Hippodrome opening to the public. However, this wasn’t a new theatre; it was, in fact, formerly Darlington Civic Theatre! It had closed in May 2016 for an extensive restoration project that cost £13.7m and lasted for 18 months.

The improvements to the theatre you may previously remember – and where you might even have seen some shows – include the addition of a three-storey glass atrium comprising the main entrance and box office. It’s now also possible to take lifts to all of the auditorium’s seating levels – and we wouldn’t be surprised to see those lifts heavily used, especially given that the capacity has been extended from 900 to over 1,000. This and a new fly system have made the venue suitable for bigger productions.

The project has also seen the restoration of the Edwardian auditorium – an especially endearing part of the venue that first opened in 1907, towards the end of King Edward VII’s reign. Back then, the theatre was actually called the New Hippodrome and Palace Theatre of Varieties – and, with its historical features now beautifully restored, the return of the “Hippodrome” reference to its name seems wonderfully appropriate.

Much To Look Forward To In 2017

By on 27th January 2017in Local Biz

Leader of Durham County Council, Cllr Simon Henig, has used his first address to council of 2017 to highlight that there is much to look forward to in what promises to be an exciting year ahead.

Set against the backdrop of Brexit uncertainty and continuing austerity, Cllr Henig insists that the council continues to be “fiercely ambitious” despite having already faced budget cuts of £200 million.

He said: “We will focus on our key priorities: encouraging continued growth of our economy, redoubling our efforts to make Durham a safe, clean and green place to live and promoting a thriving visitor economy and cultural sphere..”

Cllr Henig also highlighted what can be achieved when partners and businesses from across the county work together. He said: “I was privileged to be present as the first Hitachi train, assembled on the production line at the Newton Aycliffe plant, was unveiled recently.

“Many companies from the county supply components for the trains and this historic moment served as a great example of how working together can bring huge benefits to the county, justifying the many years of hard work that brought Hitachi to County Durham, beating off competition from more than 40 other sites across the UK.”

Hitachi is just one of several success stories the county has to celebrate, including the creation of 1,200 jobs by ResQ in Seaham following support from Business Durham, the council’s business arm. Cllr Henig continued: “We are already looking forward to more good economic news in 2017 – this will include the start of the next phase of expansion at NETPark in Sedgefield and a new facility to expand GlaxoSmithKline in Barnard Castle.

“Redevelopments are now underway on this side of the riverbanks in Durham City which will enhance retail and cinema offers; all of these developments mean more job opportunities for local people and are key to our plans for a brighter future for County Durham.

“These plans include updated masterplans for Durham City and our major towns throughout the county – masterplans which will go before our Area Action Partnerships locally following consideration by Cabinet. Each is unique; each details the work undertaken so far, and what is still to come. We also look forward to ‘Operation Spruce Up’ within each of our 14 AAP’s as we continue our programme of spring cleans across County Durham so that this county is seen in its best possible light.”

In addition to the work of the council, Cllr Henig also highlighted some of the UK’s most popular and ground breaking events that the council works to support: “We are delighted that Kynren will return for a second season this summer – described as the country’s largest outdoor performance since the London Olympics – and attracting 100,000 visitors at a series of stunning night-time performances last year.

“Beamish, already the UK’s most popular living museum, will commence its expansion to encompass a reconstructed 1950’s town this year. The project to improve Seaham marina will continue as well as a new activity centre set to offer water and land sports. Our popular annual festivals – including Bishop Auckland Food Festival, Brass and the Durham Book Festival – will again entertain locals and bring in many thousands of visitors.

“Finally we also welcome back Lumiere for a fifth time in November – now the UK’s largest light festival – and this year accompanied by a major international lighting conference which we have attracted to Durham that last year took place in Seoul in South Korea.”

Increased Efforts To Tackle Cyber Crime

By on 26th January 2017in In & Around

Computer criminals that target people in County Durham are being snared using a wide range of measures, councillors have been told.

As families increasingly become victims of cyber-crime the Safe Durham Partnership is employing a number of ways to stop fraudsters and thieves.

Members of Durham County Council’s Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard of those efforts to keep people safe from digital threats.

Durham Constabulary’s assistant chief constable, Dave Orford, the chair of the Safe Durham Partnership, said: “Cyber-crime is a fast-growing area of crime with more and more criminals exploiting the speed, convenience and anonymity of the internet to commit a diverse range of criminal activities which know no borders, either physical or virtual, cause serious harm and pose very real threats to victims.

“Locally in County Durham we are working in partnership across our communities and our businesses to raise awareness of the risks.

“And we will continue to share information with the public in a bid to ensure they do not become the next victims of online crime.”

The Safe Durham Partnership identified cyber-crime as an emerging threat and set up a multi-agency group to co-ordinate activities including raising awareness, education and how to tackle the problem.

Durham Constabulary has also set up a “Digital Intelligence and Investigation Team” to look into digital crimes and work to stay up to date with the latest threats, viruses and scams.

Councillor David Boyes, the chair of the Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: “We are supportive of the work of the Safe Durham Partnership in keeping those who may be vulnerable to becoming a victim of online crime safe.

“Cyber-crime is very much a 21st century challenge and we need to adapt to this changing world to deal with the criminals who look to take advantage.

“It’s important that we help to get the message out to our communities about the risks of becoming a victim of online crime.

“Cyber-crime may be prevented by taking simple steps. These include creating a complex password, updating antivirus software and not clicking on unexpected emails from unknown sources.

“Through our 14 Area Action Partnerships we will continue to support the Safe Durham Partnership in getting these crime prevention messages out to our communities.”

The Committee heard examples of the work that has been undertaken, including the work with Get Safe Online who offer advice and tips on issues such as online shopping, finance, social media, keeping children safe, running businesses and protecting digital devices.

The committee also heard about the Stay Safe Online at Christmas project, which saw an online advent calendar of advice created to spread online safety messages.

And they were told of the work taking place in schools, with class discussions on online hate speech and bullying on social media.  Further events will take place in schools for Safer Internet Day on 7th February 2017.

Cllr Joy Allen, the council’s cabinet member for safer communities, said: “Partnership working is crucial in tackling cyber-crime.

“It is important that our communities understand how to protect themselves against being a victim and I support the work of the Safe Durham Partnership in addressing this type of crime.”

You should report cyber-crime by ringing Durham Constabulary on 101 or through the website, visit www.durham.police.uk

For more advice about how to stay safe online, including practical advice on how to protect yourself, your computers and mobile devices, and your business, against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other problems, visit www.getsafeonline.org/durham

 

Early Bird Offer For Muddy Mayhem At Hardwick Park

By on 21st January 2017in Events

Early birds can catch a discount for a day of muddy good fun at County Durham’s Hardwick Park.

The North East’s ultimate obstacle course returns on Sunday 1 October, with a host of challenges awaiting runners in the beautiful surroundings of the popular 18th century, Grade II listed parkland, near Sedgefield.

Cllr Maria Plews, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning, said: “Muddy Mayhem is always a popular event and from cargo ​nets to ​climbing ​walls, ​tunnels, ​freezing ​open ​water and ​lots ​of ​other ​surprises this year once again promises a real test for everyone taking on our tough 5K or 10K courses.”

Anyone who signs up before midnight on Tuesday 31 January 2017 can bag a 5K place for just £35 or £40 for the 10K.

And if you’re considering taking part as a group then there’s no better time to book, as teams of 10 or more will receive an extra 10% discount – making it just £31.50 per person before the end of January.

Once the early bird offer has finished the individual price will increase to £42 for 5K and £48 for 10K.

Runners must be aged 16 and over to enter, and have a reasonable level of fitness.

For more information and to sign up visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.durham.gov.uk/muddymayhem” www.durham.gov.uk/muddymayhem.

Putting Young People At The Heart Of Decision-Making

By on 19th January 2017in In & Around

A range of schemes that enable children and young people to get involved in decision-making in County Durham were outlined to councillors onWednesday, 18 January.

Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet heard how the authority, its 14 Area Action Partnerships (AAP) and other organisations working together as the County Durham Partnership are using a range of methods to engage with younger residents.

This year, for the first time, young people aged 11 years and older living or attending school in County Durham were able to take part in voting for AAP priorities in their area. More than 3,000 young people took part.

Teesdale and Three Towns AAPs, meanwhile, encourage young people to fill in applications for Small Grants Funding themselves, with other young people asked to appraise and approve submissions.

In the Mid Durham area, members of the Youth Area Committee, which includes young people from six local villages, have been working with the AAP for a number of years. The AAP also regularly works with primary and secondary schools.

Mid Durham and Stanley AAPs have a young person’s representative on their board, with 17-year-old Liam Bell, the Stanley rep, receiving a Chairman’s Medal for his voluntary work.

The report to Cabinet also outlined how County Durham Economic Partnership and the county’s Children and Families Partnership, the Health and Wellbeing Board, Safe Durham Partnership Board and the Environment Partnerships are also working to involve children and young people in their work.

Initiatives include the Erasmus+ project, which saw five council apprentices spending two works working with their counterparts in Gothenburg; the launch of the inaugural Student Voice Survey, which more than 8,000 secondary school pupils took part in; and involving children in designing the logo and branding for the 0 to 19 health visiting and school nursing service.

More Than 2,000 People Sign Up For DurhamWorks help

By on 12th January 2017in In & Around

More than 2,000 young people have now signed up to a £17 million project designed to develop their skills, increase opportunities and help them into work.

The DurhamWorks programme is aiming to improve the prospects of County Durham’s 16 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training.

And just six months into the more than two year project it is well on course to put almost 6,000 people on the path to employment by summer 2018.

Cllr Ossie Johnson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services said: “In only a few months DurhamWorks has successfully signed up over 2,000 County Durham 16 to 24-year-olds  who were not in employment, education, or training.

“Unfortunately due to issues including the late introduction of increased requirements by the Department of Work and Pensions, and a delay in the payment of funding from the Government, we have had to request that our original target for sign ups in 2016 be reduced.

“Yet the overall target of involving 5,830 people in the DurhamWorks programme by July 2018 remains unchanged and, having now introduced a system to gather and verify eligibility, we expect the numbers of participants to increase significantly in the coming weeks.

“We are working with employers and Business Durham to make sure there are jobs and apprenticeships for people to progress into, and we remain confident that the project will be a success.”

Already more than 300 small firms are working with the project to help create new job opportunities for the county’s young people, with businesses saying they appreciate the support they are receiving  to help them recruit the most appropriate people.

And more businesses are being encouraged to find out about working with the project, to help find the young staff they need.

The council’s Cabinet will receive an update on the programme on Wednesday January 18.

For more information about DurhamWorks, and how to get involved, visit www.durham.gov.uk/durhamworks

Responding To Poverty

By on 12th January 2017in Lifestyle

Councillors will hear about the continuing work to respond to tackling poverty across County Durham when they meet next week.

Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet will hear about the work of the authority and its partners to help those affected through changes made as a result of the Government’s welfare reform programme and the challenges of continuing austerity.

More work is planned through an in-depth study into child poverty to further develop understanding of the issue in County Durham.

Councillors will be asked to give the go-ahead for the research to help develop further approaches to tackling poverty when they meet at the Glebe Centre, Murton, on Wednesday, 18 January.

Cllr Lucy Hovvels, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for adult and health services, said: “Poverty can affect every area of a child’s development – social, educational and personal.

“Living in a poor household can reduce children’s expectations of their own lives and lead to a cycle where poverty is repeated from generation to generation.

“If we want to give children the best start in life, we need to target everything from health, education and employment to behaviour, finance, family and personal relationships.

“In order to do this, we need to carry out detailed analysis of the issue and come to a better understanding of how it affects the lives of families in County Durham.”

If it goes ahead, the research would include mapping service provision across the county in order to identify where new approaches and interventions are needed.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the council will continue its work as a member of the North East Child Poverty and also take up the opportunity to work with the North East Child Poverty Commission.

The report also highlights the pressure within the Discretionary Housing Payments budget in 2016/17 due to increasing demand for support from residents struggling with housing payment demands.

Road Widening Will Reduce Queues At Thinford Roundabout

By on 6th January 2017in Events

Work to widen a section of the A688 to the east of Thinford roundabout is set to begin in the New Year.

The scheme, being carried out by Durham County Council, aims to increase capacity at the junction and reduce traffic queues. Widening of the road at this location has been a longstanding aim which is only now possible due to the demolition of the former Thinford Inn.

It will also include the creation of a new junction, which will provide a right turn lane from the A688 and access to a new development due to open later in the year.

Work will begin on Monday, 16 January and is expected to take about three months to complete, during which time the eastbound lane of the A688 will be closed from the roundabout towards Metal Bridge.

Businesses normally accessed via this section of the road will remain open, with parking provided in the layby to the east of the A167 southbound carriageway approaching Thinford roundabout.

The layby will be closed to other traffic while work is ongoing and will remain closed once the scheme is complete.

A diversion will be in place, taking drivers via the A167 to Rushyford, the A689 to the Sands Hall roundabout at Sedgefield and then the A177 to Tursdale.

Several full closures of the A688 will be required towards the end of the works. Further information will be provided in advance of these closures.

Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “These essential works will support the regeneration of the area and reduce waiting traffic at what has become something of a bottleneck.

“There will be a diversion in place and motorists should expect some disruption. We would like to thank them in advance for their patience.”

As well as street lighting, signage and drainage works, the scheme will include the diversion of utilities.

 

 

ADVERTISERS