Tag: featured

Sincerely, The Editor: The Forgotten North East?

By on 16th October 2015in Have Your Say, In & Around, What's New?

Hi! My name’s Alex, and I’m the editor of In & Around Online.

This site went live on Wednesday, and before the week draws to a close, I’d just like to take a few minutes to reflect on what that means.

Each and every one of us has ‘something to say’, whether it be insight that we’d like to share, or an opinion to put out there, or something we’re proud of that we’d love to be able to shout about. I know from experience that it isn’t always easy to put some of those things into words, or to know how to go about sharing them.

In & Around Online is the platform to do just that.

Particularly in recent times, the North East can seem like the ‘forgotten’ region, but we want to change that. We want to give our region a voice, and we want you to be able to #HaveYourSay.

Getting to this point has been a lot of hard work, and I’d particularly like to thank everybody who has made a contribution so far. All of the people that I’ve spoken to since beginning this project have had so much insight and passion to share, and it’s a great feeling to finally be able to put that content out there for everybody to enjoy.

The likes of Dr Twist’s writeup of their fantastic traditional portrait business is a great read, as is Laura Tindall’s musings on Newcastle-based pianist Christopher Watson, and I’m especially privileged to be able to press the publish button on articles like Rebecca Scott’s explanation of why her involvement with the Alzheimer’s Society is so important.

Articles like these are a great reminder of the voices we have in the North East.

Having seen the first wave of content, I look forward to future contributions! Don’t forget, if you’d like to be a contributor yourself, visit the Write For Us page. Anybody at all can submit articles.

And so here’s to the future of In & Around! Ten years ago, we launched the magazine that would go on to become a Chester-le-Street institution, and this week we’ve set out on the second part of our journey. Are you coming with us?

Sincerely,
Alex Porritt
The Editor

Alnwick Garden Recognised As Outstanding Wedding Venue

By on 15th October 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

A popular Northumberland wedding venue has been recognised as one of the most outstanding locations in the region…

The Alnwick Garden received the prestigious “Outstanding Wedding Venue Judges’ Choice” Award at The North of England Wedding Awards 2015  – the first time it has entered.

Along with being praised for the excellence of their service, the product quality, value for money and outstanding commitment, the venue win was supported by glowing testimonials from happy couples.

Since opening, The Pavilion Room at the Garden has been hugely popular for weddings, giving couples the chance to celebrate while overlooking the gardens and the grand cascade water feature.

The food operation (which was also praised by the judges) is run for the venue by Ramside Event Catering, which has a long history of providing catering for a huge range of external events.

“This award pays homage not only to the garden itself but, also to all the hard work that everyone – including the team at Ramside Event Catering – put in to making every couples’ wedding day as special as possible,” said Arthur Piszcz, Events Sales Executive.

“The Alnwick Garden is such a beautiful venue, which makes it incredibly popular all year round, and we are delighted it has been recognised in this way.

“It’s a real tribute to what we have here that we are the first venue to take the major award the first time we’ve entered.”

The North of England wedding Awards are organised in association with The Wedding Guide UK, and are Yorkshire and North East England’s most prestigious awards for client service excellence. The awards recognise businesses which go the extra mile for their customers, providing outstanding service and inspiring their customers to want to actively and positively promote them.

The Alnwick Garden runs a number of all-inclusive wedding packages throughout the year with the option of special added extras and bespoke wedding packages.

For more information about weddings at The Alnwick Garden visit www.alnwickgarden.com, or contact the wedding team on 01665 511081. You can also email weddings@alnwickgarden.com.

Dr Twist: Reviving Traditional Sepia Portrait Photography

By on 13th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Charles Twist and Caed Parker are bringing classic portraiture back to life with their traditional, hand-crafted approach to photography. Read on for their story in their own words…

 

Started by photographers Charles Twist and Caed Parker in 2014, Dr Twist’s Photographarium offers the experience of traditional photography, creating beautiful and timeless, sepia portraits.

Our big plate cameras are fitted with historical lenses, some as old as the 1850s, and are perfectly complemented by a Victorian developing process which delivers real sepia prints. The resulting images have a quality and charm that is not easily mimicked by any modern methods, and along with the physical feel of the print (like a vinyl record over an mp3), the photographs possess a unique presence and character.

The experience transports you to another world. Sitting for a plate camera is a luxury to be enjoyed slowly, and is a process that involves both the photographer and the sitter. This interaction translates in to a portrait that is both warm and truthful.

We bring with us an assortment of vintage props and accessories. Some are genuinely old, while some are quality, modern counterparts. The costumes add great depth to the portraits. Plus, they’re great fun!

A common misconception is that the sitter must remain still for long periods. In reality, while composing the picture can take a few minutes, you only have to stay steady for half a second. We’ve even photographed children and animals with great success.

 

The plates are processed on site in our specially constructed darkroom. Small and self-contained, it is the modern equivalent of the erstwhile developing carts which would have been used a hundred years ago, allowing the studio experience to travel to your home (or the beach!). Ours is designed so that the whole process is on view. You can look in and see your plate go from a blank sheet of paper to a one-off sepia portrait in the space of a few minutes.

Witnessing this in our modern digital world conjures up a by-gone age when things happened slowly and deliberately. It is enthralling and educational in equal measure.

Each print is totally unique. The piece of paper which is processed in our darkroom-on-wheels is the self-same sheet that is exposed in camera and later handed to the sitter. There are no other copies, no negatives, and (of course) no digital files. The portrait is as unique as an original pencil drawing – quite a rare occurrence in photography, and one that gives the portrait very strong, personal value.

Quite apart from that, nobody else offers this service in this country (maybe even in the world), making it even more special!

 

We’re available for private sittings to create stunning sepia portraits of your family, your children, your pets, your home, your friends. It may be for a special occasion – a birthday, a wedding, a christening, an anniversary, a Christmas party – or simply because you like to know that your portrait has been created with love and care in the traditional, hand-crafted way. A unique print makes a perfect memento of an important day.

With Christmas coming up, a studio session would create original entertainment at your party, at home, at the pub or at the office. Each guest would sit for a portrait that they could take away on the day. A unique sepia portrait is a great gift which tells your family, friends and colleagues how much you value their companionship.

A sepia portrait of the children or the family is also a brilliantly original Christmas present for the grandparents. In this circumstance, we encourage people to be photographed without our props and accessories, simply because the prints are so beautiful and charming in themselves. Pet photography is also a favourite. Our portraits reveal your furry friends at their best!

We’re also hired by businesses and event companies to entertain on their special occasions – a launch, an important visit, a conference, an office party, a festival. Our portraits are impressively presented in card mounts which we can personalise with your company logo.

 

Dr Twist’s Photographarium is ideal for a range of periods from the 1880s to the 1940s, and for a range of styles, such as Victorian and Art Deco, to Steampunk. We can modulate our setup to adapt itself to your circumstances. We can even prepare your very own painted backdrop!

Would you like your own unique sepia portrait? You can find more details on Dr Twist’s website, follow them on Facebook, or email them at info@drtwists.com.

Want to discuss your portrait further? Call 07975 945 884 for Charles, or 07738 740 160 for Caed.

Dr Twist’s Photographarium
30-32 Marske Road
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
TS12 1QG

All images are copyright of Dr Twist’s Photographarium, except DrTwist_Festival.jpg which is copyright of Tracy Kidd. This image shows Charles Twist (left) and Caed Parker (right).

The images may only be used with our permission.

Vintageous Rags: Outfit Of The Week #1

By on 10th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Grace Stringer, owner of Middlesbrough’s hottest vintage and retro boutique, Vintageous Rags, shares this week’s favourite outfit…

 

Everyone needs a little black dress, and especially for Autumn and Winter.

It’s a safety net for us girls. Super easy to glam up, but never over the top. This week’s dress (UK12 £16) is especially great, because not only can you jazz it up, but you can also use it for layering. Plus, sleeves are definitely a bonus when it’s chilly!

Here I’ve added a splash of colour to the outfit by using a head scarf (£4), 80’s belt (M £12), and an evening handbag (£12) to brighten it up. You can do whatever you like with it though… with an LBD, anything goes!

You can find this outfit in our Baker Street store, Middlesbrough, or you can shop online at www.vintageousrags.com. See you soon!

Follow Vintageous Rags on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

10 Essential Tips For Selling Your Home

By on 6th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

When it comes to selling your home, small details make a big difference in encouraging people back up the path for a second viewing. Thinking of selling yours? Here are ten tops tips for attracting buyers, courtesy of Estate Agents Brannen & Partners…

 

1. First Impressions

Stand outside your property. How would you rate it? Would it appeal to you as a buyer? Does it need repainting, the garden need tidying, and the path weeding? Initial impressions can stay with a potential buyer long after they’ve viewed a property, so the presentation of the outside is just as important as the inside.

2. A Room With A Purpose

In the current market, a property needs to clearly justify its value if a buyer is to offer anywhere near the asking price. Without expensive renovations or building works, one of the most straightforward ways to validate the asking price is to appraise each room as if it has a price tag attached to it. Some rooms have a much higher value than others, and ‘dual-use’ rooms in particular often don’t appeal.

A dining room may seem charming if doubling up as a playroom, but buyers attribute more value to a dining room than a child’s play area, so try and keep the toys elsewhere. If a spare upstairs room has become a home office, turn it back into a simple bedroom. Buyers rate the number of bedrooms very highly!

3. Let The Air In

Musty-smelling rooms are off-putting and make people want to get out before they’ve even noticed the stunning ceiling rose. Don’t forget to air rarely used rooms… and teenagers’ bedrooms!

4. Lighten Up

If you have a dark room or hallway, make sure all the lights are on. Table or floor standing lights can be particularly effective without emphasising the lack of natural light.

5. Don’t Forget Your Keys

Buyers will be entering through the front door, but they’ll want to see all areas of the property, including outside spaces and garages, so remember to keep all keys with you. A good viewing should be efficient, simple and friendly. If vendors are rushing around the house frantically searching for keys, the viewing can quickly seem disorganised and muddled, sentiments which can easily be applied to the house itself and put the buyer off.

6. Smell Of Success

You shouldn’t underestimate the power of the sense of smell and how it affects our other senses. A home that smells fresh and clean is more important than baking bread or brewing coffee.

7. Window Dressing

People are always drawn towards windows, so make them a real focal point. Apart from ensuring the glass is sparkling (well worth paying a window cleaner), clear junk off window sills and keep curtains pulled well back to make rooms seem lighter and bigger.

 

8. Floor Space

The tidier the better! It’s particularly important to take everything off the floor, as carpet clutter is the quickest way to make a room look smaller.

9. The Pets Have To Go

Remember that not everyone loves your pets as much as you do. Dishes of pet food in the kitchen, especially in warm weather, are a complete turn-off, as are little accidents left on the lawn. Try and take dogs out for walks during viewings, as barking and scratching at doors can be off-putting to someone visiting. Try and remove hair and smells as best you can.

10. Leave People To Browse

Viewers don’t want to be pounced on by owners and over-loaded with information. Allow people to look around the property and ask if they have any specific questions they would like answering.

Getting the basics right will often help make the property more sellable and achieve the best possible price. Don’t worry about spending a lot of money on a property prior to sale, as there’s no guarantee you’ll recoup the outlay, or that it’ll be to any potential buyer’s tastes. Instead, do all the little finishing off bits. Touching up paintwork and neutralising walls from bold colours can often be more cost and time effective, without the hassle.

Looking to buy or sell? You can visit www.brannen-partners.co.uk for more information, or call 0191 2578484 to speak to an advisor personally.

Win! Tickets To See NT Live: Of Mice And Men

By on 4th October 2015in Competitions, What's New?

 

Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee James Franco (127 Hours, Milk) and Tony Award nominee Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, Girls) star in the hit Broadway production Of Mice And Men, filmed on stage by National Theatre Live. This landmark revival of Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck’s play is a powerful portrait of the American spirit and a heartbreaking testament to the bonds of friendship.

Of Mice and Men is directed by Tony Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circles Award winner Anna D. Shapiro (Broadway’s August: Osage County) and features Leighton Meester (Country Strong, Gossip Girl) and Tony Award winner Jim Norton (The Seafarer). The production was nominated for two Tony Awards, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Chris O’Dowd.

We’re offering two tickets to see NT Live: Of Mice and Men at Vue Gateshead on Thursday 19th November, 7pm. To win, all you have to do is answer the following question…

This competition is now closed. Congratulations to Carolyn from Chester-le-Street!

5 Things To Know Before Going To University

By on 2nd October 2015in Lifestyle, What's New?

Starting university is a bittersweet time.

On the one hand, there’s the coming-of-age and the independence, but on the other hand… do you really know what you’re doing?

 

Before you leave home, check out these five essential tips. They’re guaranteed to come in handy!

1. Learn To Manage Your Money… Fast.

When you’re out there on your own for the first time, the pennies don’t always stretch as far as you thought they would. Toilet paper gets expensive, you know?

Plan a budget and stick to it. If you’re sensible, you’ll be able to save enough to get by and have fun.

2. Learn To Love Doing Laundry

If you’ve never left home before, you might never have wondered how your clothes appear fresh and folded in your wardrobe on a regular basis, seemingly of their own accord. The thing is, they don’t always do that when you’re at university.

Become a student of the process. Nobody likes sharing a room with somebody who wears the same t-short for a week at a time.

3. Hate The Snooze Button

The snooze button is not your friend. It is your enemy. Don’t give in to the temptation.

Seriously, it isn’t easy to wake up at 8am when you didn’t get home from the pub until 3am, but it’s a skill that can be learned. The first step is learning to hate the snooze button, followed by remembering to keep a stack of energy drinks by the door.

 

4. Find The Work/Play Balance

Uni is an important time in any person’s life, and not only for the education. It’s the perfect time for a bit of self-discovery, so no student should avoid indulging in the nightlife and socialising.

But don’t let it take priority over everything else. Find the balance between having fun and getting things done. You’ll thank yourself come graduation.

5. A Far-Off Deadline Is Easily Forgotten

It’s not unusual to be given an assignment that isn’t due in for weeks or months, which is typically cause for great jubilation. However…

It’s not hard to tell yourself you’ll ‘get round to it’, but we all know that doesn’t always happen. Procrastinating turns into forgetting, and forgetting turns into failing. Keep track of your work, schedule what needs to be done, and keep on top of it.

What’s On? October Roundup

By on 1st October 2015in What's New?, What's On?

Haven’t picked up your copy of this month’s In & Around magazine yet?

Straight from the pages of the North East’s favourite monthly publication, here’s your handy guide to the region’s top events this month!

 

Every Tuesday
Local Food, Produce and Craft Market
South Causey Inn, County Durham
Support our local traders! Our resident band plays from 11am-1pm, great to listen to whilst you have a coffee and a scone. Purchase the best fruit and veg, speciality cheeses, locally sourced meats, gourmet pies, craft stalls, vintage items & antiques.

Tuesday 6th October
Durham Book Festival
Various Venues In And Around Durham City
The North East’s biggest book festival returns this October for twelve days of author talks and new commissions in Durham City and beyond. The festival brings big name authors to Durham, as well as celebrating our home-grown talent with a feast of inspiration and entertainment for curious minds.

Friday 9th October
Milky Way Night
Hamsterley Forest
There’ll be no moon, meaning dark skies! Come and see our very own galaxy stretched across the night sky. Tickets should be bought from the cafe in advance. £6 per ticket. In the event of poor weather, the event will go ahead indoors with a presentation and simulated stargazing. Food and drinks will be available at each event from the cafe. Remember to dress warmly!

Friday 16th – Sunday 18th October
Pickering Wartime & 1940s Weekend
Pickering
Pickering steps back in time to the Second World War. 1940s clothing, vehicles, music, and events take over for the weekend.

Saturday 17th October
Antarctica: Explorers, Heroes, Scientists
Palace Green Library
This winter, Palace Green Library’s Durham exhibitions consider the Polar Regions, focusing particularly on the discovery, exploration, and ongoing work taking place in Antarctica.

Saturday 24th October
Halloween Half Term
Hall Hill Farm
Are you brave enough to come to Hall Hill Farm between 24th and 31st October for a ghoulishly good time? Activities include making your own scarecrow, carving a pumpkin lantern, having your face painted, and seeing the puppet show, plus all the usual activities of donkey rides, tractor and trailer rides, and the Barrel Train. Also open 1st November 2015. There are small additional charges for pumpkins, donkey rides (£1.00), and the Barrel Train (£1).

Thursday 29th October
Lumley Castle Halloween Party
Lumley Castle
The evening includes a three course banquet feast and entertainment by the friendly Ghosts of Lumley. Fancy dress competition and a goody bag for all children attending. Dungeon Bar opens at 6.30pm, banquet at 7.00pm, and finishes at 10.30pm. Fancy dress encouraged!

Friday 30th October
Murder Mystery: Too Much At Stake
Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham
Join us for the 5th Annual dinner of the S.P.O.O.C (Society for the Preservation of Old Cinema) Horror Convention. Examine the crime scene and solve the clues as ‘Too Much at Stake’ is played out throughout the three course meal. Who has it in for one of the celebrity guests? Tickets are £35.00 per person. To book contact our Events Team on 0191 372 7200 or email events.durham@radissonblu.com.

Friday 30th October
Festival Of Remembrance
Empire Theatre, Consett
From 7pm in aid of The Poppy Appeal. Advanced Booking Advised, tickets are £1 each and are available from the Empire Theatre Box Office. Call 01207 218171.

Saturday 31st October
Grown Up Halloween
Crook Hall
Crook Hall, Durham City’s oldest and spookiest house, provides a perfect scary setting for what promises to be eerie evenings of frightening fun. Mulled wine, ginger cake and ghostly tales and appearances. £9.50 pre-booking essential.

Saturday 31st October
All Hallows In The Park
Auckland Castle
Mischievous tales of Bishop’s past and present mixed with local fables will play out along a riveting 45 minute trail meandering through the Castle’s parkland. Young performers from Jackass, Wolsingham and W.A.S.H. Youth Theatres have created a series of unique drama sketches that will be performed at 20 minute intervals throughout the evening. Plenty of layers, warm coats and walking shoes or wellies essential! BRING ALONG A TORCH TOO! A great way to enjoy a festive autumn night with stilt walkers and drumming too! Walks will start out from Auckland Castle’s coffee shop, with the first walk for families with children under 5 setting out from 5.30pm. Subsequent walks for all ages start from 6.30pm (approx. 6 in total). Tickets £4.

The Living Dungeon: Upcoming Title From Boro Game Devs

By on 30th September 2015in Entertainment, Gaming, What's New?

A Middlesbrough games company are bringing the excitement of a dungeon board game to your screen, and in beautifully gruesome detail…

The Living Dungeon has been in development for about two years, and is currently undergoing the ‘finishing touches’. At the helm is Radiation Burn, tucked away in Middlesbrough and comprising Graham, ‘the guy who does stuff’, and Chantelle, ‘the gal who codes stuff’.

Up to nine players can take part in the game. It’s a battle of wits, luck and skulduggery. The aim is to survive other adventurers, monsters, and the dungeon, all through combat, agility and dungeon manipulation. Only the strongest, fastest and smartest survive.

The North East indie game dev scene seems to be booming at the moment, but The Living Dungeon is looking to set the stage alight. It’s certainly the most interesting and visually impressive project we’ve seen from the region so far, and the team behind it are keen to assure us that this is only the start of things to come.

But the really interesting thing about The Living Dungeon is not its engaging gameplay, immersive environment, or art style… it’s the fact that this is a brand new, completely original type of game. In a world where all the great ideas have supposedly been thought of already, that’s an impressive feat to pull off.

Graham says, “We initially made a board game for fun. It turned out to be great fun, so we played it almost every week for 2 years. Someone came into the office, played it, and pointed out the obvious… we make video games, so we should make this into a video game.”

The game has already been on tour to various game expos and events, and is enjoying glowing testimonials from the first wave of trial gamers, some voicing concerns that they might end up losing a lot of time to it with friends.

You can look out for The Living Dungeon on Xbox One and Steam, and keep up to date with news at www.thelivingdungeon.com. Connect with the team on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Win! A Family Ticket To York’s Chocolate Story

By on 30th September 2015in Competitions, What's New?

We’re giving a Family Ticket to York’s premium chocolate experience. Do you have a sweet tooth?

 

York’s Chocolate Story, located in the heart of York, is an entertaining and informative guided tour through the history of York’s most famous chocolate making families and their finest creations. You’ll discover chocolate’s origins, how to make it, how to taste it like an expert, and even the sustainable future of chocolate!

Uncover a host of surprising secrets and fascinating facts behind York’s greatest chocolate products, including the globally famous Kit Kat. Once you’ve explored chocolate-making and its history, you can even shop for and indulge in chocolate to your heart’s content. There’s so much for you to enjoy and discover at York’s Chocolate Story in the UK’s home of chocolate!

 

To win a Family Ticket, simply answer the following question…

This competition is now closed. Congratulations to Daisy from Peterlee!

ADVERTISERS