Tag: durham

MEGA Motion Campaign Is Out Of This World

By on 16th February 2016in In & Around

Pupils from Timothy Hackworth Primary in Shildon enjoyed a special spacewalk to school with the help of an astronaut…

 

Luke Costello, 6, won a MEGA Motion competition to decide on the theme of the special walk by writing about his hero Neil Armstrong.

As his prize, he enjoyed an out of this world walk alongside MEGA Motion’s very own astronaut, Mel Keeway, who joined Luke and his classmates as they walked, cycled and scooted to school. Once there, the pupil’s enjoyed an atmospheric assembly from astronaut Mel highlighting the benefits of healthy and environmentally friendly ways of getting to school.

The special day was the latest Durham County Council supported MEGA Motion event, which comes under the wider Local Motion campaign promoting sustainable transport throughout South Durham. The campaign aims to encourage children to walk, scoot or ride to school to make them aware of the health and environmental benefits from an early age.

As well as the fun walks, pupils earn points every time they use sustainable travel to get to school, aiming to collect enough points to become MEGA heroes by the end of the year.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “MEGA Motion is a brilliant scheme that encourages our children, in a fun way, to be healthier and more environmentally friendly every day. It’s great to see the kids enjoy such a memorable day, and we’d like to wish them all good luck in their quest to become MEGA Heroes!”

Witton Gilbert Flood Defences Completed

By on 14th February 2016in In & Around

Work to protect homes from flooding in a County Durham village has been completed…

 

Durham County Council has developed a new flood defence scheme at Witton Gilbert with funding from the Environment Agency. It will help to protect 50 properties which were affected by flooding during severe weather in 2012.

The scheme was designed following an investigation into the flooding in 2012, and has involved the creation of a series of basins to the rear of Durham Gardens and South Lea.

The five basins can store up to 1,000 cubic meters of rain water, which would otherwise flow through the village, putting properties at risk of flooding.

The council has also worked with local landowners who have allowed existing ditches at the back of Brookside to be extended in order to divert water flows away from houses and towards the basins.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships at Durham County Council, said: “I am delighted that this work has been completed, and very much hope that it will provide peace of mind to local people who have previously suffered the effects of flooding caused by severe weather.

“The scheme is designed to protect streets and properties from any further flood damage by diverting rain and surface water away towards the new basins.”

As well as working with the Environment Agency, which has contributed funding for the scheme, the county council has also worked alongside local contractor Hall Construction, which carried out the work on site.

John Reed, head of technical services at Durham County Council, said: “The flooding of homes and businesses can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.

“We have worked successfully with the Environment Agency and local landowners to construct a flood prevention scheme to protect homes and businesses in Witton Gilbert from flooding in the future.”

Week Long Roadworks Begin On A688 Over Weekend

By on 12th February 2016in In & Around

Drivers will be diverted as a week of resurfacing takes place on the A688 Spennymoor Bypass…

 

Resurfacing of the carriageway will begin on Saturday 13th February 2016, with lanes closed as Rainton Construction carries out work on behalf of Durham County Council.

John Reed, the council’s head of technical services, said: “These vital works are part of our continuing highway capital maintenance programme to maintain the condition of the highway network.”

The resurfacing is expected to be completed by Sunday 21st February.

During the works westbound traffic will still be able to use the A688, however eastbound traffic will be directed to use a signed diversion.

County Durham Hotel Set To Save £250,000 In Energy Bills

By on 11th February 2016in Local Biz

The Ramside Hall Hotel & Golf Club is set to make a six-figure saving on its energy bills after forging an alliance with a cost management specialist…

Nine months ago, the prestigious leisure venue entered a three-year contract with Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) in a bid to cut its soaring energy bills, which amount to around £800,000 a year. Since then, Seaham-based GAS has renegotiated Ramside’s electricity and gas contracts, resulting in a saving of more than £60,000.

Over the period of the contract, Ramside will expect to make savings of up to £250,000, which will allow the company to reinvest the money in other parts of the business. The hotel is currently in the middle of a £16m investment programme, which has seen the opening of a brand new luxury spa, a second championship golf course, and a new wing of 47 premier rooms with state-of-the-art bathrooms. The expansion plans have already created around 100 jobs at Ramside, which now employs more than 400 people.

John Adamson, Managing Director at Ramside Estates, said: “We’re well on the way to establishing the hotel as one of the most exciting leisure destinations in the region. However, while we’ve invested a significant amount of money in new facilities, we’re also conscious of the need to keep costs under control, which is why we’ve teamed up with Great Annual Savings Group.

“They’ve helped us to secure a good deal on our utility bills, which has given us extra security and cashflow visibility at a time when energy prices are quite volatile.”

GAS helps businesses reduce their variable costs and save money in a range of areas including energy procurement, energy and water cost management, fire safety, telecoms and insurance. The company has built up a portfolio of more than 950 customers, which include Ramside, food service distributor Tyneside Foodservices, and the Parkmore Hotel in Eaglescliffe.

Bradley Groves, chief executive and chairman of Great Annual Savings Group, said: “In this era of austerity, cost control is just as important as generating revenue and new business. Through our negotiations with key suppliers, Ramside has been able to make significant savings that will improve its financial performance – with the prospect of further savings to come.”

GAS has also embarked on a major investment programme that has seen the firm treble headcount to more than 100 in the last twelve months.  As well as an expanding team of Business Solutions Managers, a raft of new senior staff have now joined the business, strengthening the management team in preparation for further expansion.

For further information about Great Annual Savings Group, visit www.greatannualsavings.com.

Aycliffe Recruitment Agency Celebrates Successful First Year

By on 11th February 2016in Local Biz

A North East recruitment agency, which was established from square one, is celebrating a successful first year in business…

Fleet Recruitment – based in Newton Aycliffe – was set up by Neil O’Connor after he became disheartened with the industry during his time as a sales director.

Having been made redundant, and with barely a penny to his name, Neil took the plunge and decided to start up his own business. Within the first 12 months, Fleet Recruitment has already expanded into a larger office and strengthened its team.

Neil said: “It really has been amazing to see what we’ve already achieved, and so quickly as well.

“To start a company from scratch, and to have to expand into a larger office and add staff members after a few months of trade is something I’m really proud of, and it just goes to show the need for our very different service.”

Fleet Recruitment specialises in recruiting candidates for jobs in sales and marketing, engineering, automotive, commercial and the legal sector, currently employing five highly experienced consultants.

The company prides itself on understanding its clients and the impact new employees need to have, both operationally and financially. This is achieved by carrying out robust fact finding with its clients, and by thorough screening and in-depth interviews with candidates, where they drill into competencies and any claims made on a candidate’s CV. This helps to manage expectations on both a candidate’s and client’s side.

Neil believes this vigorous process and its straightforward approach has resulted in the agency’s successful first year.

He said: “Fleet Recruitment was founded from nothing, and has quickly become a trusted, highly regarded business built around core values of honesty, transparency, fairness and great communication. We make no promises other than our four values.

“This simple and honest approach has been very well received, and we have secured contracts with some outstanding UK national brand names, as well as many local businesses.”

Fleet Recruitment expanded into its current office after just six months of trade, and plans to use the space to continue to grow.

“The new office is ideal, as it gives us the option to expand within the building – something we definitely envisage in the future,” said Neil.

“Our aim is to be regarded as a business that is honest, transparent, fair and easy to do business with, with a team of people who love what they do and who all share the wealth and success.”

To find out more about Fleet Recruitment, visit www.fleetrecruitment.co.uk or follow them on Twitter.

CBeebies Star Brings Fun-Filled Children’s Show To Durham

By on 10th February 2016in Entertainment

CBeebies star Sid Sloane is bringing a fun-filled adventure to Durham’s Gala Theatre this half term, and it’s sure to knock your socks off…

 

The children’s TV presenter and host of dressing up show Let’s Play will take families on a heroic quest from the bottom of the sea to the depths of the jungle and outer space, as he looks to find out just what’s happened to his favourite footwear.

Along the way, mums, dads and children aged three and over will meet funny characters, play games, sing songs, and even help to create a little magic – all of which is sure to leave you with a smile on your face, and a spring in your step.

Tickets for Sid’s Show, at 2pm on Sunday 14th February, are priced £12 for adults, £10 for concessions, and £40 for a family.

To book, call the Gala box office on 03000 266 600, visit the venue in person, or go to www.galadurham.co.uk.

Garden Waste Collection Service Deadline Approaches

By on 9th February 2016in In & Around

Residents in County Durham wishing to receive garden waste collections this year are being reminded to sign up now…

 

Durham County Council offers 17 fortnightly collections between spring and autumn for an annual fee of £20.

Householders can subscribe at any time during the year, but to receive all collections in 2016 they should sign up by 14th February. Collections will start in March for those signing up by this date.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “More than 47,000 residents are already signed up to receive garden waste collections in 2016.

“For those who haven’t yet subscribed, we would like to remind them that they need to do so by February 14th if they want to receive all 17 collections this year.”

Everyone who signs up for the service will receive a pink sticker for their garden waste bin and a calendar giving details of this year’s collection dates.

Those who signed up for three years in 2015 will automatically receive their sticker and calendar.

To find out whether their property is eligible for the collections, and to sign up, people can visit www.durham.gov.uk/gardenwaste or telephone 03000 26 1000.

A series of roadshows are being held around the county to enable people to find out more about the garden waste collections.

Details of the roadshows are:

 

  • Tuesday 9th February – Stanley Asda. 9am – 1pm
  • Thursday 11th February – Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre. 4pm – 6pm
  • Friday 12th February – Seaham Asda. 9am – 1pm
  • Saturday 13th February – Durham Market. 9am – 3pm

Garden waste collections in Teesdale are provided by Rotters, working in partnership with Durham County Council.

Residents in this area should contact Rotters to make arrangements for collections by visiting www.rotters.org or by telephoning 01833 690 022.

Farmer Handed £2,000 Fine For Felling Ancient Trees

By on 9th February 2016in In & Around

A farmer has been ordered to pay out more than £2,000 after he cut down trees in an ancient woodland Conservation Area, blocking a public footpath…

 

Leslie Ford, 71, of Hollinside Farm, Whickham, was fined £2,322.31 by Peterlee magistrates following a prosecution brought by Durham County Council.

The court heard authority officers received several complaints in April 2015 about Ford felling a number of trees in ancient woodland classed as a Conservation Area and owned by the council at Bryan’s Leap in Burnopfield.

The ancient woodland is at least 400 years old. The felled trees, which were mostly Oaks, were around 100 years old.

In cutting down the trees, Ford had blocked a public footpath which runs through the woodland.

The farmer, who owns fields adjoining the woodland, pleaded not guilty to three charges of damaging trees in a Conservation Area, and one of obstructing a public footpath.

Appearing for trial on Friday 5th February, he denied felling the trees, saying vandals or trespassers must have been responsible. Ford also disputed the trees were within the Conservation Area.

However, magistrates found him guilty of all charges and handed him the fine, which will be paid to the council to cover the costs of clearing up the felled trees and bringing the case to court.

Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “Ford’s actions in cutting down trees in an ancient woodland and blocking a footpath were reckless and caused lasting harm to a site which is protected by law.

“We welcome the fine handed out by the court, which should act as a warning that we will not tolerate damage like this.”

Clayport Library Brings World Of Harry Potter To Life

By on 8th February 2016in In & Around

Children had a spellbinding time as they visited Durham’s Clayport Library to enjoy the wizarding words of Harry Potter…

 

Youngsters from Nettlesworth Primary School in Chester-le-Street and library staff dressed up as wizards and witches, wrote their own spells, and took part in a colouring competition to mark the second annual Harry Potter Book Night.

Linda Dobson, Durham County Council’s principal library manager, said:  “It was fantastic to have so many young Harry Potter fans come to the library to share their love of the series of books with us. It turned out to be a spellbinding morning of fun.”

There are seven books in the Harry Potter series, and all are available at most County Durham libraries.

But Linda said you don’t have to have a special event if you want to visit your local library and share your love of Harry Potter – or any other books.

She said: “At our libraries, you can just come along and find out more about Dumbledore, Hedwig and all of the other wondrous characters who have encouraged millions of young people worldwide to pick up a book.

“And, of course, children and their families can also discover some of the other 750,000 great titles we lend for free.”

This half term the fun continues at Clayport Library with a free storytelling session from Darlington author and illustrator Liz Million.

The creator of the much loved children’s books Not So Silly Sausage and Elephant Rides Again will be at the library on Tuesday 16th February between 2pm and 3.30pm.

The session is free, but places are on a first come first served basis.

For more information about libraries in County Durham, visit www.durham.gov.uk/libraries.

Kevin Keegan Officially Opens Ramside Spa

By on 6th February 2016in Local Biz

One of the North East’s leading venues welcomed Kevin Keegan to mark the official opening of its new state-of-the-art spa…

The former football manager, player and Newcastle United legend unveiled a special plaque at Ramside Hall Hotel’s multi-million pound Spa at Ramside, as part of an official opening ceremony yesterday.

“I’ve been a frequent visitor to Ramside Hall over the years, and it just gets better and better,” said Kevin.

“The spa is absolutely amazing, as good as any I’ve seen anywhere in the world.”

The Spa at Ramside, near Durham, includes a hydrotherapy pool, an outdoor vitality pool, five heat experiences and a 25m swimming pool, along with a balcony infinity pool, which overlooks the hotel grounds.

“We’re absolutely delighted and honoured that Kevin Keegan agreed to officially open our new Spa,” said John Adamson, owner of Ramside Hall Hotel.

“The facilities that our spa offers really are among the best in the region, so it’s great to be able to mark the hotel’s newest addition with the help of such a regional icon.”

The £8m spa is part of Ramside Hall Hotel’s recent £16m extension, which also included a second golf course and a new wing of bedrooms.

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