Tag: featured

Atlantean: Behind The TV License

By on 10th February 2016in Have Your Say

Long time In & Around contributor Atlantean takes a moment to reflect on the TV license…

I don’t suppose many of us think much about TV licensing, especially since 77% of us pay by direct debit.

I own a small house which will be sold shortly, but which has been used for storage for several years. Although it’s furnished and has two old computers (both incapable of receiving television programmes), it hasn’t had a TV licence since 1995, when I bought it. Nevertheless, when clearing out the post the other week, I came across several letters from TV licensing. There were 22 in all, which in postage alone cost them over £13. 

I usually chuck them away, occasionally sending a reply in to state there is no TV on the premises. Still, I was interested in why they would send 22 letters when I had made clear on many occasions that there was no TV on the premises.

Instead of stating that ‘court papers were being prepared’, why not just send a chap round to check and settle the matter once and for all? Apparently 3.9m visits were made by enforcement officers, so why didn’t one put a note through the door? Obviously you can’t get them to come by appointment in case you just shipped the telly next door for a few hours, but this deluge of paper backed up by no action didn’t seem very effective.

Meanwhile, 95% of some 31m properties are correctly licensed, and 4,119,530 free licences for the over 75s are in force. An interesting statistic is that in County Durham there are 13 households still watching black and white television – even though BBC2 Colour transmissions started in 1968 – and 9,356 across the rest of the nation. Further, the analogue signal was progressively turned off three years ago, and we all now receive a digital signal.

So what on earth are these people watching?

Even if their old black and white televisions still worked, there isn’t a signal for them to receive! If they are only listening to radio, no licence is required, as the radio licence (which started in 1922) had been phased out in the same month as decimalisation in February 1971.

The normal colour licence is £145.50, but the B/W one is only £49. 26p a day extra would give them the right to full colour viewing… and a signal.

If you have a black and white licence, I would love to know what you use it for. I would invite you to send me an email at atlantean247@yahoo.co.uk, but you probably don’t have a computer either, so please contact me via the editor.

Meanwhile, if you want to have a B/W licence, you won’t be able to buy it on the website, as it’s only available over the phone on 0300 790 6165. I think I’ll ring them and ask…

The monthly fee works out at £12.13 per month, of which £7.27 goes on television, £1.94 on radio, plus a further 73p on World Service and 73p more on other services, plus 61p on online services. The actual fee collection by Capita, PayPoint and others costs 85p. These figures are for 2014/5, so the BBC’s comprehensive internet service currently costs less than the charge to collect the licence fee. Interestingly, the postal address for TV Licensing is in our area, at Greenbank Road in Darlington DL98 1TL. I wonder what goes on there – perhaps I ought to find out!

Applications For Metrocentre’s Next ‘Head Of Fun’ Now Open

By on 10th February 2016in Local Biz

The boy with the best job in Britain is preparing to hand over his keys to the board (game) room – and now the hunt is on for a new Head of Fun…

Nine-year-old Mac Toal, from Prudhoe, was the envy of youngsters across the North East when he landed the ‘top’ job at Gateshead’s intu Metrocentre.

In a first for the North East shopping mall, Mac and Deputy Head of Fun, seven-year-old Myah Rose Wilson, from Sunderland, were appointed 12 months ago. The pair were tasked with making sure the centre provided lots of free fun for all the children in the region and to continue to ensure that it is child friendly.

But now their year-long ‘contract’ is coming to an end, and the search has begun to find their replacements.

Mac said: “It’s been the best year ever. We’ve played a really big part in leading intu Metrocentre Kids’ Club and become best friends with the Metrognomes!

“We’ve opened and reviewed new restaurants, and even given our verdicts on fashion and Christmas toys.

“We’ll both be very sad to hand over our jobs, but we know that whoever gets them next will have a brilliant time.”

The centre is looking for a new Head and Deputy Head of Fun, aged between 6 and 10 to provide specialist advice on all its children’s activities. In exchange, they will be paid in gift vouchers, toys, and fun experiences.

The roles will not clash with school, as the pair, who will be first in line to meet any stars and special guests visiting the centre, will only be asked to help out during holidays and half term breaks.

“Our Heads of Fun have been amazing,” said Helen Atkinson, marketing manager at intu Metrocentre.

“They’ve opened Santa’s grotto, turned on the Christmas lights, and our Head of Fun even had his own magazine column.

“Now, we’re calling on the region’s youngsters to get in touch and see if they have what it takes to land one of the best jobs in the country.”

To apply, children must explain in up to 200 words why they think they should be Head of Fun.

Applications can be in the form of a letter, song or even a video – the more creative the better – and must be accompanied by a recent photograph. They can then be posted in the post box at Exhibition Square during the centre’s half term activities to celebrate the release of Kung Fu Panda 3.

Children can learn the skills of a true Kung Fu master at Kung Fu school, as well as creating headwear, panda masks and Chinese New Year lanterns between Monday 15th and Friday 19th February.

Alternatively, children can email their applications to headoffun@intu.co.uk or post them to intu Metrocentre, Centre Management, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE11 9YG.

All applications must be received by Sunday 6th March, and interviews will take place on the lead up to the Easter half term break.

For more information, visit www.intu.co.uk/metrocentre/fun or visit the online job application.

Northumbria Graduate Invited To Exhibit At Prestigious Exhibition

By on 9th February 2016in Entertainment

Artist Joanna Hutton has been invited to exhibit at a prestigious European exhibition less than a year after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle…

A graduate of the BxNU Master of Fine Art (MFA) course, delivered in partnership with BALTIC Centre of Contemporary Art, Joanna will exhibit at EVA International – Ireland’s Biennial of Contemporary Art.

Entitled Still (the) Barbarians, the exhibition opens on Saturday 16th April 2016, and has been curated by Koyo Kouoh, the founding artistic director of RAW Material Company, Dakar, and the curator of 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London and New York. Artists’ projects were selected through an open and invited call for proposals, and exhibitions will take place at Limerick City Gallery of Art, Cleeve’s Condensed Milk Factory and various locations across Limerick. Since its foundation in 1977, EVA International has worked with some of the world’s leading artists and curators, bringing outstanding exhibitions to audiences on the west coast of Ireland.

Joanna said: “I am thrilled to have been invited to participate in the 2016 edition of EVA International – Ireland’s Biennial titled Still (the) Barbarians. I applied for the opportunity in June straight after completing my MFA at BxNU proposing the work I made for my final show. It is a great opportunity for me to be involved in such a prestigious event, and feel privileged to have been selected.”

Developed in partnership with BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Northumbria’s two-year MFA course offers ambitious artists the opportunity to participate in a unique postgraduate degree programme, centred on the vibrant and dynamic studio culture of the BxNU Institute of Contemporary Art at BALTIC 39 in Newcastle’s city centre. The institute, directed by the BALTIC Professor and Turner Prize-nominated artist Christine Borland, houses a network of internationally active artists, academics and curators who provide world-class teaching and mentorship in fine art practice and research.

Professor Christine Borland, Turner Prize-nominated artist and Northumbria’s BALTIC professor, teaches on the BxNU MFA. She said: “We are delighted to see alumni from the our first graduating BxNU MFA cohort, Joanna Hutton’s name amongst the stellar list of artists participating in this year’s EVA International.

“Joanna will exhibit her piece from the graduating exhibition ‘Milkilling’ held in the project space at BALTIC 39 last summer. We look forward to following Joanna’s career and we’re sure she will be the first of many of our graduates to go on to international art world acclaim.”

Joanna is currently Associate Fellow at Paper Studio Northumbria, (PSN) a unique facility for the research, teaching and scholarship of paper in relation to fine art, conservation and archiving, as well as for the practice of papermaking.

Northumbria offers a range of courses in the Arts, and was rated in the UK Top 10 for research power in the Research Excellence Framework 2014. For more information about studying Arts courses at Northumbria go to: www.northumbria.ac.uk/arts.

Swedish Magic Stars Join Tyneside Magic Festival Lineup

By on 9th February 2016in Entertainment

Sleight of hand, stand-up and spectacular furniture juggling will all play a part in one of the North East’s most magical events…

The South Tyneside International Magic Festival, organised by South Tyneside Council, returns in March with three public shows at the Customs House, South Shields.

Among the many highlights is an International Gala Performance on Friday March 11th, featuring seven stars from across the UK, Europe and the USA.

This includes unique double act Men in Coats, who have already performed around the world and clocked up more than 20 million hits on YouTube, as well as multi award-winning Malin Nilsson, who was the first woman to be named both Swedish Champion of Magic and Scandinavian Champion of Magic.

They will be joined by American entertainer Chad Long, North East favourite John Archer, mind reader Kennedy and show-stopper Steve Rawlings, whose unusual routines involve juggling Ping-Pong balls with his mouth, furniture juggling and balancing bottles and glasses while simultaneously juggling blazing fire torches.

The show, which is open to all ages, will be compered by comedy magician Danny Buckler, who has toured with Victoria Wood and hosted primetime BBC 1 show, The Secrets of Magic.

Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The Friday night Gala Show has always been one of the South Tyneside International Magic Festival’s most popular events, and this year looks set to be no exception.

“With the aid of John Archer, we have conjured up an amazing line-up, packed full of comedy, tricks and all-round entertainment to amuse and excite audience members of all ages.”

Tickets for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival’s Friday night Gala Show are priced from £13 each and on sale from the Customs House Box Office on www.customshouse.co.uk or 0191 4541234.

Other highlights in the 13th annual festival include a second International Gala Show on Saturday March 12th, a Family Magic Extravaganza, sponsored and programmed by MagicBox on Wednesday March 9th, and a three-day convention exclusively for professional magicians.

More information about the event, supported by the Customs House and BBC Newcastle, can be found at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestival.

Who’s Coming To Sunderland?

By on 8th February 2016in Entertainment

The world’s most famous time travelling police box has taken time off from cruising the galaxies to land in Sunderland’s shopping centre…

A replica of Dr Who’s TARDIS has currently taken up residency at the Bridges, where it will stay until the end of February.

This means that fans of the hit BBC show will get a rare opportunity to visit and take a selfie with one of the most well-known forms of space and time travel.

The city also has a lesser known connection with the box, as the first ever police box in the UK was put in place at  Sunderland’s Kayll Road in 1923.

The replica was commissioned by Sunderland City Council for an event last summer which highlighted the heritage in the west of the city.

“Dr Who is such a massively popular programme with generations of people enjoying it over the years,” said Andy Bradley, Centre Director of the Bridges.

“We’re sure fans of the show will love the opportunity to come and get their picture taken with it. It’s great for this iconic piece of tv history to be getting a second outing and we hope that lots of people will come and see it.”

Top 10 Doctor Who Facts:

  • The character of Doctor Who was inspired by Sherlock Holmes.
  • The distinctive TARDIS sound effect was originally created by rubbing the bass strings of a piano with a key.
  • Doctor Who is BBC Worldwide’s best-selling show.
  • There have been 12 doctors.
  • The TARDIS has a broken “Chameleon circuit” which is supposed to enable it to disguise itself to blend into any environment. However in the first ever episode An Unearthly Child, viewers discover that the circuit is broken and the TARDIS is stuck in the shape of a police box.
  • Dr Who is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest running sci-fi series in the world.
  • TARDIS stands for Time and Relative Dimension in Space. It is bigger on the inside than on the outside.
  • The original Daleks were controlled from the inside by small operators who had to manipulate their eyestalks, domes and arms, as well as flashing the lights on their heads in sync with the actor’s voices.
  • Doctor Who is from the planet Gallifrey.
  • The first episode was broadcast in 1963 – 40 years after the first police box was installed in Sunderland.

Task Force Funding Secures Further Jobs For SSI Apprentices

By on 8th February 2016in Local Biz

SSI Task Force Funding has helped more former Tees Valley steel apprentices back into employment…

Cameron Owen and Lewis Mitchell were about to start the first year of their apprenticeships with SSI when the company closed. With help from the SSI Task Force and Middlesbrough-based technical training provider TTE, they have now found new placements where they will go on to complete their training.

A £1.7m Task Force Fund has been created to encourage employers to take on one or more of the 51 ex-SSI apprentices. TTE is coordinating securing placements for the ex-SSI apprentices. The employers are given financial support throughout the period of the young people’s training.

Lewis, 16, of Redcar, is now employed by Chemoxy International Ltd, one of Europe’s largest independent chemical manufacturers, as a Science Industry Maintenance Technician.

Cameron, 17, who lives in Ormesby, has been taken on by Lotte Chemical UK, a subsidiary of KP Chemical Corporation, as a Science Manufacturing Technician.

Both Lewis and Cameron were supported by the Task Force throughout the application process. It also will cover their salaries during their training.

As part of their three-year apprenticeships, Cameron and Lewis will gain practical and theoretical knowledge at TTE, as well as receiving on-the-job training with their sponsor companies.

Lewis said: “When the steelworks closed I was very worried about my future. I am extremely grateful for the amount of support I have received from TTE and the Task Force, and I can’t thank Chemoxy enough for taking me on.

“I now feel positive about my future, and hope to build a successful career at Chemoxy.”

Andrew Purvis, training and development manager at Chemoxy, said: “Lewis is showing lots of enthusiasm, and is proving himself to be a hard-working, diligent individual with a great future ahead of him.”

Cameron said: “I am very thankful to Lotte for taking me on as an apprentice; it will allow me to have practical on-site training while also gaining qualifications.

“It was a very worrying time for all those involved following the closure of the steel works. I am very pleased I’ve been able to find something with great career prospects so quickly thanks to the Task Force funding.”

Jackie Petford, HR Manager at Lotte, stated: “We are delighted to have been able to help Cameron continue with his career path. Cameron has great enthusiasm to learn and build new skills, and we are sure he has a bright future ahead of him.”

TTE has so far placed 25 of the 51 former SSI apprentices on their books. All of the remaining first year apprentices are back in full-time training with the technical training group while it works to secure new placements for them.

Amanda Skelton, Task Force Chair and Chief Executive of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “I’m pleased that our local businesses have been so supportive and it’s key that more individuals and companies come forward and take advantage of the funds that the SSI Task Force has to offer.”

Steve Grant, Managing Director at TTE, said: “The skills gained at SSI puts the former apprentices in good stead for future employment. Cameron and Lewis will be a real asset to their new employers and have promising careers ahead of them.

“TTE is still working very closely with the Task Force to help its remaining SSI apprentices complete their training and find new jobs.”

Details about all the SSI Funds available for individuals and businesses can be found on the Tees Valley Unlimited website at www.teesvalleyunlimited.gov.uk.

County Durham Record Office Holds Half Term Family Event

By on 6th February 2016in In & Around

Families are invited to honour fallen First World War soldiers, make medieval-style illuminated letters, create cameras, and discover how Durham County Record Office cares for the region’s history…

 

The archive, which is based at Durham County Council’s Aykley Heads headquarters, is holding its seventh annual Family Fun Day this half term.

Education and outreach archivist Dawn Layland said: “This is a family fun day with a difference. It’s a great chance to find out about local history, and our fun activities are coupled to a rare opportunity to explore the Record Office and our archives as a family.”

On Friday 19th February, from 9.30am to 12.30pm, families will be given the chance to discover what the Record Office offers and find out more about the heritage of County Durham.

There will be lots of activities, including:

  • Making your own pinhole camera
  • Having a go at historic jigsaws
  • Making an illuminated letter like those found in medieval manuscripts
  • Making a remembrance card to commemorate a fallen soldier of the First World War
  • Seeing the strong rooms where the archives are kept
  • Playing with historical toys, and for younger children, dressing up.

Entrance to the fun day is free, and you do not have to book, but children must be accompanied by a parent or carer at all times.

TV’s ‘First Dates’ Host Invites Lonely Valentines Aboard The Love Train

By on 5th February 2016in Lifestyle

Stuck for what to do on Valentine’s day? The Virgin Trains love carriage is set to be a one-of-a-kind speed dating experience…

Virgin Trains is offering passengers a romantic train journey from London King’s Cross to York on the 14th February. This one off event will be hosted by service expert and TV celebrity Fred Sirieix, the charming French General Manager of Galvin at Windows and founder of The Art of Service. Get your love life back on track by booking yourself a ‘single ticket’ and make it a Valentine’s to remember.

This unique experience at 125mph will set your heart racing. Playing cupid, Fred has designed a world-class experience using his service expertise, and will guide passengers on their journey of love up the east coast. Fred is known for his charisma and hospitality, and is the perfect host to get singletons in the mood for love.

As one of the UK’s top rated Maître D’s with plenty of dating experience, Fred will help the lucky singletons find their perfect match on the love carriage. Virgin Trains on-board staff will be given a masterclass in the art of service by Fred to ensure the evening goes off with a bang.

This revolutionary dating experience will see 24 singletons switching seats throughout the journey, meeting potential suiters. The carriages will be decked out with red roses, romantic music and prosecco to set the mood. Sit back, relax and get on board for a chance at finding love.

Tickets will sell out fast, so visit www.virgintrainseastcoast.com/lovecarriage to ensure your love life doesn’t go off the rails. The singles only carriage will leave King’s Cross at 2.52pm, and returns at 7.52pm.

Fred Sirieix commented: “Valentine’s Day should be celebrated by all, and I am over the moon that Virgin Trains has brought me on-board to host the festivities and officiate as the on-board matchmaker. Both happiness and love are within each of us. The thing is we need to go and get it, and we have laid it on especially for you with top service and hospitality in a first class carriage this Valentine’s Day. It’s here for the taking, so come and join us!”

David Horne, Managing Director of Virgin Trains on the east coast route said: “Here at Virgin Trains, we want all our amazing customers to enjoy Valentine’s Day, including our single passengers. The love carriage is the perfect place to meet new people, and who knows, romance could be one train-ride away.”

High speed dating guests are invited to enjoy the excitement of the ‘Love Carriage’ upon one of Virgin’s newly revamped trains. Virgin Trains recently announced a £42m investment for its East Coast route, including money for refurbishing the interior and exterior of the trains, as well as an engine overhaul for the fleet ahead of the arrival of Hitachi Super Express Trains in 2018.

Primary School Pupils Participate In ISS Science Project

By on 4th February 2016in In & Around

Budding scientists from Witton Gilbert Primary School are preparing for a delivery that’s out of this world – 100 seeds from space…

 

The school will be taking part in the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Rocket Science Experiment.

The national project, which is run in partnership with the UK Space Agency, aims to encourage pupils to think about how plants might grow in space and to help them understand the difficulties of living, growing and eating in space.

In September, 2kg of rocket seeds were flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on board the Soyuz 44S.

The seeds will be held in microgravity for six months, and British astronaut Tim Peake will be in charge of them during his time on the ISS.

The seeds will come back down to earth in April, and Witton Gilbert Primary School will be one of the lucky recipients.

The school will then grow the space seeds alongside some seeds from here on earth to find out if there have been any differences in growth.

Nobody from the school will know which seeds have been to space and which have stayed here.

Pupils will care for the seedlings, record their growth and observations over seven weeks, and enter the information into a database. Once all the data has been collected, the results will be analysed by professional statisticians.

Leading scientists from the RHS and European Space Agency will interpret the results and draw possible conclusions before publishing the finds on the RHS Campaign for School Gardening website.

Paula Nelson, Witton Gilbert Primary School head teacher, said: “We are delighted to be taking part in Rocket Science. It will be an exciting way for our young scientists to contribute to a national experiment, and share their learning with the whole school community.

“Hopefully their experience with the project will encourage them to get involved in growing plants, and also inspire them to find out more about future careers in STEM subjects including horticulture, plant science and the space industry as a whole.”

For more information about the Rocket Science project, click here.

The ISS can be tracked here, and you can follow the project on Twitter with #RocketScience, and on Facebook.

John Godber Brings Mining Drama To Durham Gala Theatre

By on 3rd February 2016in Entertainment

Miners will take centre stage this month, as BAFTA Award-winning playwright John Godber brings his latest play to Durham’s Gala Theatre…

 

Shafted! follows the lives of former pitman Harry and his wife Dot – played by Godber and his wife Jane Thornton – in the thirty years after the strikes of 1984, as the pair struggle to settle into new jobs and to rebuild their community.

Fresh from its premiere at the Theatre Royal Wakefield, the comedy arrives in Durham on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th February.

For more information about the show, which will be performed at 7.30pm each night, or to book tickets – priced £15 or £13 for concessions – call the Gala box office on 03000 266 600, visit the venue in person, or book online at www.galadurham.co.uk.

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