Tag: durham

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.

Ramside Hall Unveil Final Stages Of Spa Development

By on 3rd December 2015in Local Biz

The North East’s newest and most luxurious spa has now unveiled the final stages of the development…

 

The £8m Spa at Ramside Hall Hotel near Durham opened in August, but has this week launched two further features.

An outdoor Spa Garden and vitality pool, along with a first floor infinity pool, are now being used by guests, extending the wide range of facilities already available at the spa.

The vitality pool can be enjoyed by guests on spa day and spa stay experiences and by members, with the infinity pool available at an additional cost for special occasions or for small groups.

The new additions complement the existing spa facilities, which include a 25m long swimming pool, one of the country’s largest hydrotherapy pools, a thermal suite, sleep sanctuary, 14 treatment rooms, state-of-the-art gym, hairdressers and Asian Fusion restaurant.

The opening of the new pools comes shortly after the spa was awarded a five bubble rating by the Good Spa Guide, winning the top accolade despite only being open for a short period of time.

Since its launch, the spa has become a major attraction and has exceeded its initial expectations for membership, with the hope that the festive season and the additional attractions will see a further boost.

 

“We’re very excited that we are now able to offer our visitors and members even more facilities,” said Jill Russell, Spa Director.

“We’ve also devised some very special packages for the festive season and into the New Year which we hope will appeal to both men and women of all ages.”

Further information about membership, special spa days or general bookings can be found by calling 0191 375 3088, by emailing enquiries@ramsidespa.co.uk, or by visiting www.ramsidespa.co.uk

Gift vouchers are available directly from the spa or through Spafinders.

It Isn’t Time For Panto At Durham Gala Theatre (Oh Yes It Is)

By on 1st December 2015in Entertainment, Events

Pantomime fans are set to flock to Durham as Cinderella treads the boards at the city’s Gala Theatre…

The show began a six week run on Thursday 26th November, with many of the near sixty performances already sold out or close to capacity.

Robin Byers, Durham County Council’s service manager for place and experience, said: “Thousands of people enjoyed the Gala’s 2014 production of Aladdin, and I’m sure audiences will be delighted with what we’ve got in store this year.

“It’s really exciting for us to have pantomime regulars Neil Armstrong and Paul Hartley writing, directing and starring in Cinderella, as they bring a wealth of panto experience to the job and know exactly what Durham audiences love.

“Having already seen over 25,000 people book to see this year’s panto, we now can’t wait to open the curtains and welcome families to the show.”

 

The duo’s version of the enchanting rags-to-riches story will see Neil play the villainous Dan Meanie and Paul take on the role of the hapless Buttons.

Neil Armstrong said: “We’ve had a ball writing this year’s script, and had plenty of laughs along the way.”

Paul Hartley said: “We’ve a few surprises lined-up as we’ve aimed to add a few new twists, whilst ensuring we incorporate everything we’ve loved about panto at Gala.”

The pair will be joined on stage by Hazel Pude as Cinderella, whose life will be made a misery by Ugly Sisters John Carter and Paul Dunn.

 

It will be down to Sally Collett as the Fairy Godmother to wave her magic wand and cast a spell that will help Cinders win the heart of the handsome Prince Charming, played by James Hedley.

Cinderella runs at the Gala Theatre until Sunday 3rd January 2016.

Tickets are priced from £8, and are still available by calling the Gala Box Office on 03000 266 600, or online at www.galadurham.co.uk.

For the best availability, audiences are advised to book for matinee performances as soon as possible.

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County Durham Invited To Sign Up For Garden Waste Collection

By on 25th November 2015in In & Around

Residents in County Durham are invited to sign up for next year’s garden waste collection service…

 

Durham County Council will resume the fortnightly collections for more than 190,000 eligible properties in March 2016.

Householders can subscribe to the service, which offers 17 collections between spring and autumn, for an annual fee of £20.

Following feedback from residents who used the service last year, an additional collection has been added for the 2016 scheme.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships at Durham County Council, said: “The garden waste collection service is a convenient way for residents to dispose of and recycle their garden waste.

“Nearly 65,000 people subscribed to the service in 2015, and we are very pleased to be able to offer 17 collections for 2016, with no increase in the annual fee of £20, and would encourage people to sign up to take advantage of the service.”

Residents wishing to receive all 17 collections must sign up before 14th February 2016.

Those who do subscribe will receive a pink bin sticker and a collection calendar, which will be issued from January 2016.

Anyone who has already subscribed to the service for three years will automatically receive their sticker and collection calendar in January.

For more information about garden waste collections, or to subscribe, you can go to www.durham.gov.uk/gardenwaste or call 03000 261 000.

In Teesdale, garden waste collections are provided by Rotters Composting, and residents in this area should contact Rotters direct to arrange collections at www.rotters.org or by calling 01833 690 022.

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Lumiere Festival Volunteers To Be Honoured For Their Efforts

By on 22nd November 2015in In & Around

Around 170 Festival Makers who helped some 200,000 people enjoy the UK’s largest light festival earlier this month are to be honoured for their efforts…

 

A formal thank you to the volunteers who supported Lumiere will take place this week at Durham Town Hall, and all invited have been contacted. The special event will be attended by Cllr Jan Blakey, Chairman of Durham County Council, as well as representatives from Lumiere producers, Artichoke, and the sponsors of this year’s Festival Makers, Northumbrian Water.

Lumiere, which ran November 12th to 15th, is an Artichoke production and was commissioned by the county council for the fourth time in 2015. Its 29 fabulous artworks attracted record crowds and were spread across the city. They included a colossal whale in the Wear, a ghostly fog below the Cathedral and a fantastic tale of myth and fable combined with local history, projected onto the Castle.

Ensuring a better experience for visitors was one of the main tasks of the army of Festival Makers, supported by Northumbrian Water, who provided a welcoming face and great knowledge of the city for the audience.

Chairman of the council, Cllr Jan Blakey, said: “Lumiere is spectacular but it was all the better for the wonderful work of the volunteer Festival Makers, who maintained their enthusiasm despite some pretty inclement weather.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank them publicly and I look forward to meeting them all in person at our special event.”

Louise Hunter, Director of Corporate Affairs at Northumbrian Water, said: “The Lumiere festival has gone from strength to strength and with the help of the Festival Makers, 2015 has been a record-breaking, best year ever.

“We’re proud to have played a part by supporting the Festival Makers, who braved the elements to help with the smooth running of the event.”

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County Durham Campaign Drives Out Litter From Motorists

By on 22nd November 2015in In & Around

Thousands of people have been educated about throwing rubbish from vehicles, and dozens were caught in the act as part of a campaign to drive out litter in County Durham…

 

Durham County Council joined forces with a number of organisations throughout October in an attempt to tackle the issue of litter being discarded from cars, vans and other vehicles.

The education, engagement and enforcement campaign, which targeted six hotspots throughout the county:

  • raised awareness of the problems caused by rubbish from vehicles
  • encouraged people to dispose of litter from vehicles responsibly
  • reduced the amount of litter from vehicles in hotspots
  • saw more than 2,500 children in 10 primary schools educated about responsible rubbish disposal
  • saw a further 320 young people in four sixth forms and further education colleges visited, targeting potential new drivers
  • identified people throwing litter from their vehicles, resulting in 31 fixed penalty notices, 29 advisory letters and a further 13 ongoing investigations
  • visited 20 fast food restaurants asking them to report anyone seen littering from vehicles
  • saw 400 education packs handed out to new drivers at test centres and through 172 driving instructors
  • informed drivers at MOT test centres, car dealerships, petrol stations and through driving instructors.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, Durham County Council, said: “Litter from vehicles is a major issue, not only because it is a blight on our surroundings, but it also has a big impact on wildlife and the staff who have to clean it up, as they are exposed to the risks.

“Cleaning it up and keeping our roadsides and remote areas clear of rubbish is also costly, and these resources could be put to use in other ways.

“Campaigns like ‘Driving Out Car litter In County Durham’ are a great means of educating people of all ages about the importance of proper waste disposal from vehicles and keeping our surroundings clean.”

Vehicle littering offences can be reported online at www.durham.gov.uk/litter or by calling 03000 261 000.

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Youth Crime More Than Halves In County Durham

By on 20th November 2015in In & Around

Victims are being asked what they would do if given the chance to come face to face with the young people who commit crimes against them…

 

Between April and September this year, 236 victims of youth crime were contacted by Durham County Council’s Youth Offending Service to offer them the opportunity to see offenders give back to the wider community.

And as International Restorative Justice Week begins, County Durham Youth Offending Service (CDYOS) has revealed that over the past five years such work has helped see the number of young people committing crime fall by 51.5%, with the number of crimes they commit down by 46.8%.

Gill Eshelby, CDYOS’ strategic manager, said: “Restorative justice is never an easy option, and it takes real commitment from all parties to make it work, but the results are worth it.”

Each year the youth offending service works with both many young people who offend, and victims, on a range of restorative justice projects that benefit not only those directly affected by crime, but the wider community.

In total CDYOS oversaw 5,231 hours of restorative justice during 2014/15, with nearly three in five victims of youth crime participating – but such work was not just about litter picking.

It also included working with local organisations, undertaking environmental projects, building maintenance and potentially any other project that a victim suggests – especially if it helps develop a young person’s skills.

And charitable initiatives, including young people making poppies for Remembrance Sunday, Christmas wreathes, spring flower baskets and summer nesting boxes, have, over the last three years, helped raise nearly £5,000 for local charities.

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Durham Police Looking For Restorative Justice Volunteers

By on 17th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

Ron Hogg, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), is looking for volunteers to help reduce crime and support victims…

The Restorative Hub, launched in 2016, will train volunteers from across County Durham and Darlington to support victims, by offering them the chance to meet and communicate with their offender.

120 volunteers are already trained following a successful pilot scheme in Darlington. Mr Hogg is now seeking a further 120 volunteers from across County Durham.

He said: “Restorative Justice is highly valued by victims as it gives them a voice and a chance to get the answers and explanation they deserve. This often helps them to recover and restores their peace of mind.

“For offenders, the process helps them understand and take responsibility for the harm they’ve caused. Evidence shows that offenders who meet their victims in a restorative justice process are less likely to reoffend.”

Volunteers will work alongside colleagues from the Police, Courts, Prisons and Probation, and will also handle cases on their behalf. They will work with a variety of issues, from neighbourly disputes and anti-social behaviour, to low-level crime like shoplifting and criminal damage, to more serious crimes, as their experience grows.

Andrew Hancock, one of the scheme’s coordinators, said: “We’re looking for fair-minded people who want to make a positive contribution to their community. No experience is necessary as full training will be given. Successful applicants will be awarded funding worth £625, to allow them to complete the accredited training programme.”

The training, which will run in various locations from February to June 2016, equips trainees with the knowledge and skills to effectively facilitate restorative justice processes, and leads to a recognised level 3 qualification. In return for the investment made in them, volunteers are asked to donate around 3 hours a week to working with victims and offenders for the first 18 months after qualifying.

Former volunteer facilitator Hayley Morrison commented: “It’s been extremely satisfying to see the difference you can make. I’ve helped traumatised victims regain their confidence and find closure, while also helping offenders turn their lives around and make a fresh start. It’s given me experience I could never have gained elsewhere, and made me a much more rounded person in the process. It even opened the door to my current career in the Police.”

An information pack with an application form and full details of the role can be obtained by contacting the Restorative Hub on 0300 003 1818, or by emailing kevin.thompson@darlington.gov.uk.

There will also be a chance to meet Hub staff and volunteers at a special Criminal Justice Volunteers Fair to be held at Police Headquarters in Durham, on Wednesday 5th January from 6pm-8pm.

Further information is available on the Durham PCC website.

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Durham County Record Office Offer History Courses For New Year

By on 16th November 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Looking for an unusual Christmas gift for the amateur historian in your family?

 

Durham County Record Office is now offering gift vouchers for history courses and taster sessions running in the New Year.

Two Palaeography Taster Sessions in January will give people the chance to pick up hints and tips on reading old handwriting and understanding historic documents.

Taking place from 10am to noon on Friday 29th January and Saturday 30th January, the sessions will cover how letter forms have changed and how documents are structured.

There will also be the opportunity to try reading Medieval Latin. Sessions cost £10.

The popular Beginners’ Family History course also returns in January, with advice on how to trace your family tree and how to use the record office and its archives to support your quest.

Sessions run on the following dates from 10am to noon and 6pm to 8pm, and the course costs £30:

  • Thursday, 21 January – Parish registers and civil registration
  • Thursday, 28 January – The census
  • Thursday, 4 February – Military records

For those who have already mastered the basics, the record office also runs Branching Out sessions. Each is an hour-long talk followed by time to browse the records and take advantage of one-to-one advice.

Sessions, cost £10 each and take place on the following dates:

Education

  • Tuesday, 17 November – 6pm to 8pm
  • Thursday, 19 November – 10am to noon

The workhouse

  • Monday, 22 February – 6pm – 8pm
  • Thursday, 25 February – 10am to noon

Criminal ancestors

  • Tuesday, 15 March – 6pm to 8pm
  • Thursday, 17 March – 10am to noon

Hospitals (including asylums)

  • Tuesday, 26 April – 6pm to 8pm
  • Thursday, 28 April – 10am to noon

For more information or to book a place, call 03000 267 619 or email record.office@durham.gov.uk.

Gala Theatre Follows Up Last Year’s ‘Elf’s Christmas Adventure’

By on 12th November 2015in Entertainment, Events, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Families are invited to enjoy a magical Christmas story at Gala Theatre this festive season…

Elf’s Christmas Toys, at the Durham City venue during December, is the follow-up to last year’s extremely successful production of Elf’s Christmas Adventure.

When the North Pole’s toy machine gets in a muddle, it’s up to the audience to help Elf and his friends fix the machine in time to make all the presents for Christmas.

Aimed at families with children under the age of five, Elf’s Christmas Toys is an original story that offers children an introduction to theatre.

A co-production between Gala and Durham Scenic Workshops, who were also responsible for Elf’s Christmas Adventure, it is part of a busy festive period at the theatre.

Running alongside the production will be Gala’s fun-filled family panto, which this year sees regulars Neil Armstrong and Paul Hartley directing and starring in the rags-to-riches story of Cinderella.

Robin Byers, Durham County Council’s service manager for place and experience, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Durham Scenic Workshops back to Gala and working with them to produce Elf’s Christmas Toys.

“Last year’s show was incredibly popular with families and we’re already seeing a huge demand for tickets this year with some shows already selling out.

“We can’t wait to see what mischief Elf gets into this year.”

Elf’s Christmas Toys runs from Friday 4th December to Thursday 24th December, with performances at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Tickets are priced from £6. To book, visit Gala box office, call 03000 266 600, or go online at www.galadurham.co.uk.

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