Tag: featured

2016 Big Spring Clean Calls For Volunteers

By on 27th January 2016in In & Around

Litter legends are being called upon once again to help spruce up their communities as part of this year’s Big Spring Clean…

 

LitterFree Durham, Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council are teaming up for the sixth time to stage the annual campaign.

The Big Spring Clean brings communities together to ‘clean up and green up’ their towns and villages.

Over the last six years, thousands of volunteers have rolled up their sleeves and armed themselves with litter picks to rid their streets and open spaces of dumped rubbish.

This year’s campaign will be held from Monday 29th February until Sunday 17th April, and calls are being issued now for people to sign up and get involved.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “We are delighted to support this excellent campaign. It is always fantastic to see residents come together and do something rewarding in their community.

“This is a great opportunity to make a real difference to where you live, and we would urge everyone to give up some of your time, whatever you can spare, and take part.

“Although most people get rid of their rubbish properly, we work hard to educate the minority who leave their litter lying around.

“Campaigns like the Big Spring Clean make a huge difference to the environment, and help us achieve our aim of making County Durham a safer, cleaner and greener place to live, work and visit.”

Gerald Lee, Chair of LitterFree Durham, added: “Every year more and more people in County Durham and Darlington pledge their time to this extremely worthwhile cause.

“We could not achieve the levels of success that we have without the support of groups, schools, partners and local residents, and we thank everyone for their continued support, including bus company Arriva and the Environment Agency.”

Anyone wishing to take part in the campaign will be supplied with equipment and support, and arrangements will be made to collect all bagged rubbish following litter picks.

Last year’s campaign saw 1,490 volunteers turn out in County Durham, with 147 litter picks carried out. Nearly 3,000 hours were dedicated to collecting a total of 1,458 bags of rubbish.

The Environment Agency also used specialist equipment to remove trees and debris from the River Wear in Chester-le-Street.

In Darlington, 489 volunteers gave up 529 hours of their time to carry out 28 litter picks and collect over four tonnes of bulky waste from rivers using specialist equipment provided by the Environment Agency.

It means that across County Durham and Darlington last year, nearly 2,000 volunteers dedicated more than 3,500 hours to collecting 2,013 bags of rubbish in total.

To take part in a litter pick in County Durham, email litterfreedurham@durham.gov.uk or call 03000 261 000 – in Darlington email litterfreedurham@darlington.gov.uk or call 01325 406 648.

Visit www.durham.gov.uk/bigspringclean for more information.

Litter problems can be reported at www.durham.gov.uk/litter or call 03000 261 000.

Free Half-Term Mosaic Workshop Is Perfect For Families

By on 27th January 2016in Lifestyle

The Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership is holding a free workshop to create collage mosaics during half term…

 

The family-friendly session will take place from 10am to 12.30pm on Saturday 20th February at Barnard Castle Methodist Church. The workshop is part of the Partnership’s Crafts and Skills in the Community programme, which aims to encourage the revival and use of traditional and modern crafts.

The activity is suitable for all abilities, and will give participants the opportunity to explore an array of textures and colours. Participants will work towards producing a nature inspired piece of artwork which could be used as a stepping stone or decoration in the garden. A simple nature motif will be chosen and then decorated with a selection of materials.

This workshop has been designed to guide total beginners through each stage of the process, so no previous experience is required. The workshop will be led by local artist, designer and tutor Anna Harding, who teaches art and crafts, leads community projects, and produces creative work in an extensive range of formats.

Anna said: “This workshop is a fusion between collage and mosaic, which uses a greater variety of textures, colours and materials than a standard mosaic. This in turn makes it particularly appealing for children to explore.”

This workshop is free of charge, but places are limited so booking is essential. It is suitable for children aged 5 years and upwards, however younger children are welcome at parent/guardian discretion. All children must be closely supervised at all times.

Please note this activity will involve the use of small objects, so it is not recommended for children under the age of 3. Protective clothing will be provided, but wearing old clothing is also recommended.

To book a place, contact Alex Sijpesteijn on 03000 260842 or email alex.sijpesteijn@durham.gov.uk.

Wedding Wonder Show Returns To Sunderland This February

By on 26th January 2016in Lifestyle

Bride and grooms-to-be can shine a light on their wedding plans at a special event taking place next week…

Sunderland’s largest wedding fair, The Wedding Wonder Show, returns to the Stadium of Light from noon until 3pm on Sunday February 7th.

Guests at the event, which has a Valentine’s Day theme, will have the chance to meet more than 100 exhibitors from across the North East, including top suppliers offering everything from flowers to photography.

There will also be a designer fashion show featuring glamorous gowns, grooms wear and flower girl ideas, as well as a dedicated bridesmaid zone to ensure all members of the wedding party can look their best.

Live entertainment will be running throughout the afternoon, with representatives from 1879 Events Management also on hand to discuss wedding day options at the Stadium of Light and its sister site National Glass Centre.

David Moses, General Manager at 1879 Events Management, said: “The Stadium of Light has become an increasingly popular setting for weddings of all styles and sizes, and 1879 Events Management are delighted to cater for happy couples both here, and at National Glass Centre, as well as at external venues across the North East.

“The Wedding Wonder Show is an ideal opportunity for us to share our expertise with brides and grooms-to-be, as well as offering them a chance to meet key suppliers and plan key aspects of their big day.”

Entry to the Wedding Wonder Show, in association with Belle Bridal, are priced at £2 per person, £1 concessions or £6 for a family of four.

A limited number of VIP goodie bags will also be available, and these can be reserved in advance at www.weddingwondershow.co.uk.

For more information, and full details of the wedding packages available at the Stadium of Light, visit www.safc.com or call 0871 911 1555.

Sunderland Celebrity Hairdresser Joins Northern Youth Fashion Show

By on 25th January 2016in Lifestyle

An award-winning North East hairdresser is set to head up the back stage team at a fashion show with one of the industry’s leading ladies…

Celebrity hair stylist Neville Ramsay, from Sunderland, will be styling the models at the Northern Youth Fashion Show, which will be attended by Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue and Artistic Director of Condé Nast.

The show, which will take place on January 29th at the University of York’s Central Hall, will showcase the work of some of the best student designers in the North.

“It’s fantastic to be involved with a show like this,” said Neville Ramsay, who is also an ambassador for hair brand Milkshake.

“The North often gets overlooked, when really it’s home to some amazing talent. This fashion show will really help to put the North on the map, and show that the future talent of the fashion industry isn’t limited to London.

“We couldn’t be happier to be part of the styling team at such a big event, and we can’t wait to see some of the designers’ work.”

During the event, Anna Wintour will deliver a talk about her career before a Q & A session, led by Katharina Viner, editor-in-chief of The Guardian News & Media.

There will also be a number of live performances from North Yorkshire folk singer Billie Marten, Friendly Fires and Metronomy, who will be collaborating for the first time especially for the show.

Proceeds from the event will be split between Refugee Action York, which helps to integrate refugees into the local area, and the Xavier Project, which delivers mentoring schemes, offers job opportunities, and runs schools for refugees across the world.

“We’re delighted to have Neville and Milkshake on board to help us with the show,” said Ellie Wintour, one of the organisers of the Northern Youth Fashion Show.

“As well as giving northern talent a platform to showcase their work, we’re working to help some really good causes, so it’s been great to see so many businesses getting involved with the event.”

The event, which is being sponsored by a number of well-known organisations including train company Grand Central, makeup brand Bobbi Brown, and Yorkshire Living Magazine, starts at 5.45pm with a champagne reception.

Tickets to the event now sold out.

Northern Ballet Brings Aesop’s Fables To Gala Theatre

By on 25th January 2016in Entertainment

Northern Ballet is returning to Durham’s Gala Theatre with an adaptation of one of Aesop’s most famous fables…

 

Following the sell-out successes of Ugly Duckling, Three Little Pigs and Elves & the Shoemaker, the company is set to perform the latest in their award-winning children’s ballets, Tortoise & the Hare.

Daniel de Andrade, Northern Ballet’s artistic director of the Short Ballets for Small People series, said: “These ballets are classic tales beautifully retold through dance, and are the perfect introduction to ballet for children and young families.

“I am thrilled at how this latest production will bring the magic of ballet to many.

“It will provide a wonderful opportunity for children and their families to enjoy live performances designed especially for them, and will hopefully inspire a new-found love for dance, music and theatre.”

The new show, which is a re-imagining of the much-loved tale of a Tortoise who, tired of being teased for his slowness, challenges a speedy Hare to a race, has been choreographed by the duo who created Ugly Duckling in 2012, dancers Dreda Blow and Sebastian Loe.

It also includes an original score composed by Bruno Merz, set designs by Ali Allen, and live music performed by members of the Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

The 40 minute production – which was praised as “delightfully performed and expertly staged” by The Stage magazine – will be performed in Durham on Wednesday 3rd February at at 2.00pm, 4.00pm and 6.00pm.

Tickets cost £5 per child and £6 per adult. To book, call Gala’s box office on 03000 266 600 or visit www.galadurham.co.uk.

Northumbria Uni Students Secure Valuable Positions With Nissan

By on 23rd January 2016in Local Biz

A two-year work-based position within one of the world’s biggest car manufacturers is paying dividends for two Northumbria University, Newcastle students…

In year two of Newcastle Business School’s Business Leadership and Corporate Management degree, students must complete a two-year, full-time paid position within a business organisation.

This is designed to enhance their CV and equip them with many of the business leadership skills employers are looking for, including the ability to work under pressure, understand strategy, work in teams, and communicate effectively.

A range of regional and national employers recruit from this degree, and previous students have worked for an impressive portfolio of companies including Ernst and Young, Egger, Toyota, Nissan and Greggs.

Many graduates, including 25-year-old Rachel Turgoose, have been offered significant roles within their host organisation after choosing to study this work-based business degree.

Rachel, who graduated from the University’s Business Leadership and Corporate Management degree in 2011, is currently Materials Handling Supervisor at Nissan’s car manufacturing plant in Washington, Tyne and Wear. She is the interface between all of the production parts coming in through the back door to the production line itself. Working specifically on Nissan’s luxury car range, Infiniti, Rachel now manages a team of 30.

She said: “Working for Nissan wasn’t on my radar until I joined the course at Northumbria University. The company came in to do an employer presentation at the University, and that is when I started considering them seriously. When I started researching the company and understanding their global reach from here in the North East, I quickly realised they’d be a great company to work for.

“I think the course at Northumbria is ideal; it gets you work-ready because you get two years of practical on-the-job learning, which is invaluable. I felt a step ahead of other graduates when I finished.

“It’s hard to know what you should learn in your business management degree unless you’re exposed to real business situations. Having two years working for a leading organisation has really helped me with this.”

Amy Park, 20, is in her second year of a two-year, full-time paid position at automotive giant, Nissan. The Business Leadership and Corporate Management student is based in the production control department (operations management placement). She communicates with suppliers on a daily basis located across the world and has visited suppliers in Spain and Romania.

After two years with the International carmaker, Amy says she’d like to continue her career with Nissan.

“It’s a career I’m really interested in,” she said. “I like the business and what it stands for. The working environment is fast-paced and innovative. It has allowed me to develop the skills future employers will be looking for and sought-after experience working for a world-leading organisation.

“I’d like to carry on working for Nissan, and the Business Leadership and Corporate Management degree at Northumbria University has given me the best possible chance.

“The fact it’s a two-year placement gives you the edge over most one-year work placements. You have time to settle into the team, really get to know the processes and gain confidence as a Nissan employee.”

Northumbria is a research-rich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic excellence. To find out more about our courses go to www.northumbria.ac.uk.

Win! Tickets To See Simply Red At Durham CCC

By on 22nd January 2016in Competitions

Simply Red are back and celebrating over 30 years in the music industry with a spectacular anniversary tour…

 

One of the biggest and most iconic bands in the world are set to perform at Emirates Durham ICG, home of Durham County Cricket Club, on Friday 3rd June 2016 as one of only a handful of Simply Red 2016 live shows.

Frontman Mick Hucknall said: “We are delighted to be performing in the open at the Durham County Cricket Club. It’s a superb ground in a great location, and we have many fans in the area. We will ensure that this night is really something special, and hope you can join us in celebrating over 30 years in the music business”.

As the band enters its fourth decade, buoyed by their excellent latest album Big Love, their reputation as one of the great British groups is set for some timely enhancement as they perform their greatest hits, such as Holding Back The Years, If You Don’t Know Me By Now, Something Got Me Started, The Right Thing, Stars, Fairground, Angel and Sunrise.

Do you want to see Simply Red at Durham County Cricket Club? We’ve got two tickets to give away, and all you need to do is answer the question below.

What is the name of Mick Hucknall’s pre-Simply Red band?

[contact-form to=’online@inandaroundmag.co.uk’ subject=’SIMPLY RED COMP’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Address’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Answer’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

 

Annie’s Truck Shop: A Volkswagen With A Difference

By on 22nd January 2016in Local Biz

Every now and then, a truly unique and exciting new business comes along…

Allow us to introduce you to Dolly.

Dolly is a 1978 Volkswagen Bay Window Pick Up, born in Hannover Germany. Some time in the early ’80s, she was exported to Switzerland, and then to Poland. Now, her proud owners are Ann Marie and Jonathan Stoker from Darlington.

And what’s so special about Dolly?

Following a drastic restoration, she is now a mobile sweet shop, carrying thirty varieties of traditional and contemporary sweets. The business goes by the name of Annie’s Truck Shop, and trades in and around the North East, serving a host of different events from private parties to weddings.

Jonathan says: “A friend of ours has a VW Wedding Transport business, and had bought Dolly as a restoration project. At the time, the van was little more than a box of lego!

“Dolly was fixed up and painted, but our friend was too busy to do anything with her, so we ended up as the new owners. We then worked out a whole new image, coming up with the idea of the shop area on the back, and sent her off for the frame, cover and canopy to be fabricated.”

Customer experience is everything at Annie’s Truck Shop, which is why all of the sweets are weighed using traditional scales, and served in classic paper bags.

Ann Marie says: “We really didn’t know how we’d be received, or where we’d end up. Dolly was completed four days before our first event, and by the time it was over, we’d been invited to two more!”

It was at one of these events that Dolly and the Truck Shop team met the VW community, who welcomed them with open arms. Seeing the gleaming paintwork and unique brilliance of their van, it’s not hard to see why.

Annie’s Truck Shop is available to hire, and details can be find on their Facebook page. To find out more, give them a call on 07941188965, or email anniestruckshop@gmail.com.

Is your business as unique as Annie’s Truck Shop? Email online@inandaroundmag.co.uk to have your business featured!

Want to share something else? Visit the Write For Us page.

North East Music Label Looks To Revitalise Jazz Scene

By on 21st January 2016in Entertainment

Laura Tindall, music teacher and Radio Tyneside host, catches up with Jamie Toms – founder of North East label Jazz Sound Records…

Jamie Toms, like many other creatives I know, is all about the artistry. He’s in it for the love of it, for the music, and to bring recognition to talented people.

As a musician and teacher with a life-long involvement in jazz music, performing and composing, Jamie recognised that original jazz music in the Newcastle area doesn’t always have an outlet.

He said: “I set up Jazz Sound Records to help promote people who are writing original jazz. People here in the North East would otherwise have to release their material independently or go elsewhere to a bigger label.

“There are bands doing original stuff that are being overlooked, or the bands are backing away from writing original material because of a difficulty in getting events. There are a lot of talented musicians, but the scene is going a bit quiet.”

The idea for the label came as a business idea for part of Jamie’s recent MA in Music Management, but he realised there was a demand for the label to continue after discussions with different musicians and bandleaders.

 

“I believe the music these bands are creating is high quality, and I will eventually push the bands to be gigging further afield, arranging gigs in other parts of the country, and even into other European countries where the jazz scene is strong.”

The bands currently represented by the label are Not Now Charlie, Uncle Oswald, Slowlight Quartet and After Dark Fonksters – all of which hold strong ties with the North East.

The ultimate driving force behind Jazz Sound Records is original music.

“A lot of places book bands to play trad. jazz and standards, but it can put the nail in the coffin of people writing original jazz music if there’s no outlet or any venues to play it at.”

Jamie is putting his money where his mouth is, and in February will be putting on a gig with his band Not Now Charlie at the Jazz Café in Newcastle. The gig will be entirely original jazz, and the band’s sound can be described as melodic, groove-based jazz, which is catchy and partly improvised. There will be a live recording of the gig, and the EP will be released by Jazz Sound Records later in the year.

Jamie agrees that there is often quite a discerning audience at jazz gigs, and enjoys that it’s often other musicians in attendance. However, he wants the gigs promoted by Jazz Sound Records to be of wider appeal, especially to those people who think they might not like jazz.

“I want a fresher approach to the scene. I want a jazz band to be able to put on a gig in the same way that a pop band would do. I want to expose more people to original music that they might not otherwise seek out.”

Not Now Charlie, made up of a group of five musicians in their 20s and 30s, were brought together by knowing each other from different jazz bands and from studying Music at university. While Jamie writes most of the material, the band’s unique sound comes from the interpretation that the band members bring to the material.

“I have an idea of the harmonic structure in my head, as well as riffs, or sometimes particular rhythmic ideas. We also have set solo sections within a piece, and we improvise around an idea. If I write all the parts out exactly, then it sounds like my voice, but I like to leave it as open as possible so people can interpret it and bring their own sound to it.”

If you have ever wanted your clapping and cheering preserved on a jazz album forever, then now is your chance!

Jazz Sound Records are presenting Not Now Charlie with support from The Saxophonics playing at the Jazz Café, Pink Lane, Newcastle, NE1 5DW on Friday 12th February at 9pm. Tickets are £5 in advance, or £3 on the door.

 

Not Now Charlie play original groove-based jazz. They are Jamie Toms – Saxophone, Pawel Jedrzejewski – Guitar, Richard Campbell – Keys, Liam Gaughan – Bass, Dave McKeague – Drums.

Saxophonics are a local saxophone quartet playing original jazz compositions and arrangements.

Photographs by Ken Drew and Jamie Toms.

Details Of Gilesgate Roadworks And Closures Released

By on 21st January 2016in In & Around

Residents are being reminded that important works on the main route through Durham City will start on Sunday, which will result in easier journeys in the future…

 

Durham County Council’s £2.5m SCOOT system will see traffic lights installed on the Gilesgate and Leazes Bowl roundabouts during 2016. The installation of the traffic lights will also see improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities on both roundabouts. Although measures are being taken to minimise the impact on traffic, motorists should be aware that some disruption is inevitable while the work is carried out.

Work on Gilesgate will be carried out in seven phases to reduce the impact on motorists. For the first phase, it will be necessary to close Gilesgate Bank in both directions between 7am and 7pm on Sunday 24th January.

The outgoing lane, heading up the bank, will then be closed every Sunday from 31st January for up to seven weeks. This will allow the road at the bottom of the bank to be widened, the existing traffic island to be removed and for the lights to be installed.

From Monday 25th January, the inbound slow lane of the A690 will be closed every day between 9am and 3pm for one week. Following that phase, one outbound lane of the A690 will then be closed, which will last for six weeks while the work is carried out.

As the project continues on Gilesgate roundabout, further closures will be needed, however these will all be carried out overnight or outside of peak times.

People can see full details at www.durham.gov.uk/Gilesgate, which also includes changes to bus services, links to traffic cameras that people can check before setting off, and tips to avoid delays. Motorists are also advised to keep up to date with the latest on social media using #Gilesgate.

The work at Gilesgate roundabout will last until May 2016, overlapping with the improvements to Leazes Bowl roundabout to minimise disruption. The project is expected to be finished by autumn 2016, and information about the Leazes Bowl work will be publicised closer to the starting date.

Once installed, the new traffic lights will be coordinated with those already in place on the Milburngate roundabout to better manage the flow of vehicles through the city. This will mean much more predictable travel through Durham City at peak times, making journeys easier for motorists and helping bus operators to plan services.

It will also enable the council to more effectively deal with the impacts of incidents and planned events on the road network. The council hopes to start using the SCOOT system in 2017.

Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “While we’ve taken all measures to minimise disruption, as we are working on the main route through the city, residents should be aware that there may be delays.

“Once installed, however, the SCOOT system promises to improve journeys for everyone, and we’d like to thank the public for their patience while these important improvements are put in place.”

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