Tag: gateshead

Adults Only Sleepover Announced For Newcastle’s Great North Museum: Hancock

By on 19th December 2016in What's On?

The Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle has announced that it will host an ‘adults only’ sleepover for the first time early next year.

The ticketed event on Saturday 4 March 2017 is part of the new Great North Nights programme of late events at the museum.

Visitors will get the chance to bed down next to the museum’s iconic exhibits, including its Egyptian mummies and T. rex, as well as after-hours access to the forthcoming exhibition Bones: Skeleton Secrets of the Animal World.

There will also be live music from North East band The Cornshed Sisters, a cash bar, late night DJ, food and activities led by the museum’s experts.

Caroline McDonald, Manager at the Great North Museum: Hancock said:

“We’re excited to try something new with this event and allow visitors to live that dream of spending a night at the museum.”

“We have had youngsters stay overnight in the past but this is our first sleepover designed solely with grown-ups in mind. I’m pleased that we’ll be able to show the museum in a different light.”

Tickets for the sleepover are limited and priced at £75 (plus booking fee) for adults and £70 (plus booking fee) for concessions. The price includes a complimentary welcome drink, hot buffet dinner, late night snacks, all entertainment, activities and breakfast the following morning.

Musical headliners for the night The Cornshed Sisters are four singer-songwriters who weave together pop, folk, protest, ballad and gospel music into a unique and distinctively English style.

Following the release of their debut album ‘Tell Tales’ they performed a live session for Marc Riley (BBC Radio 6 Music), toured the UK with The Futureheads, appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends and played Glastonbury acoustic stage in summer 2016. Their second album is currently being recorded and produced by Peter Brewis at Field Music’s Studio on the banks of the river Wear.

Tickets for Great North Nights: Grown-up Sleepover are available now via www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk

County Durham Town Masterplans Updated

By on 10th December 2016in In & Around

Durham County Council’s Cabinet will hear the first half of an update on recent successes and future plans for towns across County Durham when it meets next week (14 December).

The masterplans are the council’s regeneration framework for each major town in the county and Cabinet will be asked to approve updated versions of the plans for Consett, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Durham City, Chester-le-Street and Stanley when they meet. This will be followed by masterplan updates for Peterlee, Seaham, Spennymoor, Shildon, Barnard Castle and Bishop Auckland which are due to go to the next Cabinet meeting in January 2017.

The updated plans profile each of the towns, detailing investment and work across the county as well as plans for the future. In addition to highlighting the range of activities undertaken by the council – including improvements to town centres, highways, education and health provision – they also identify the development of new businesses, housing and community facilities.

If approved by Cabinet the adopted masterplans will continue to evolve, with the council’s Area Action Partnerships continuing to play a key role in shaping them to ensure that they reflect the priorities of local residents.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “The updated masterplans are key documents, setting a clear way forward to bring even further investment and improvements to towns throughout the county.

“The masterplans show how the council has invested millions of pounds, right across County Durham, and encouraged even more investment from the private sector; boosting business, safeguarding and creating new jobs, improving education and transport and creating new housing and community facilities.

“Future plans are just as exciting, with the development of Forrest Park in Newton Aycliffe aiming to create over 3,000 jobs and boost the economy by nearly half a billion pounds and a major private sector investment promising a total redevelopment of the riverside in Durham City. Major retailers are planning new supermarkets in Crook and Stanley and we will continue to invest in our roads and schools as well as targeting support for businesses and high streets countywide to improve the local economy.”

Among a range of other success stories and future plans, Cabinet will hear how Consett has benefitted from over £600,000 of public realm works to improve the town centre and encourage more shoppers. Looking forward, Dunlop BTL will be expanding operations into the area following a £2.2 million investment which will see the creation of around 60 new jobs and the company take over the former KP Crisps factory.

As well as a range of targeted business improvements in the town centre, works to a new pedestrian area in Crook will support the development of two new supermarkets which are both due to open next year. The town can also look forward to nearly £1 million of investment in Crook Primary School next summer.

In Newton Aycliffe Hitachi continues to go from strength to strength with the £82 million vehicle manufacturing facility now established. The recently announced council plan to prepare the 52 hectare Forrest Park site for private sector investment – following a successful £13 million funding bid to the Local Enterprise Partnership – aims to create over 3,000 jobs and add nearly half a billion pounds in Gross Value Added to the local economy.

Durham City has seen the successful relocation of the Passport Office and National Savings, keeping jobs in the county, to the new Freeman’s Reach development. This freed up the Milburngate House site for redevelopment and, alongside the redevelopment of The Gates, is due to completely transform the riverside area, creating restaurants, cinemas and housing. The council has also recently consulted on designs for the new bus station as part of the ongoing regeneration of North Road, one of the key gateways to the city, creating a pedestrianised area and freeing up a potential site for a major retailer.

Significant improvements have been delivered to the road networks in Chester-le-Street, increasing traffic flow, reducing congestion and improving air quality. As well as major National Pinch Point Fund improvements to Junction 63 of the A1(M), works have also been delivered in line with the Local Transport Plan which has benefitted the A693 Drum Industrial Estate roundabout and the A167/A693 Northlands Roundabout.

Continued support for the town centre will see targeted business improvements carried out to shop fronts to enhance the look of the main retail area and encourage more trade. Housing has also been boosted in the area with Cestria Homes’ new development The Elms, which includes an extra care facility, as well as Chapter Homes also considering development on Newcastle Road.

Targeted business improvements have also played a major part in measures taken in Stanley with £389,000 of council and private investment in recent years. 23 businesses have been supported with funding targeting town centre firms to regenerate derelict and underused properties. As well as continuing this approach with a focus on the South Moor and Craghead areas, proposals for a new supermarket are also expected to provide a boost to the regeneration of the top end of the town. The council will also be looking to implement its Landlord Accreditation Scheme in the area to ensure better quality housing is available to tenants.

Cabinet will hear about the work carried out so far and be asked to approve the updated masterplans when it meets at County Hall at 10am on Wednesday, 14 November.

 

More Foster Carers Needed In County Durham

By on 9th December 2016in Lifestyle, Uncategorised

The number of foster carers in County Durham continues to rise – but more prospective parents are needed to help provide a loving home for looked after children.

Councillors will next week hear how Durham County Council’s fostering service has seen an increase in the number of potential foster placements – but that the number of children in care continues to outstrip that supply.

A report to Cabinet, on December 14, will set out four main priorities for the service over the next year, including recruiting more foster carers to ensure that children remain in County Durham communities; and developing its Foster Xtra scheme that supports children with some of the most complex needs.

Margaret Whellans, the council’s corporate director of children and young people’s services, said: “The majority of our looked after children are placed within our fostering service, but it is increasingly challenging to manage the growing demand for placements.

“Our foster carers tell us that nothing gives the same feeling of love and warmth as fostering and by working with us you could make an enormous difference to a child’s life.

“We know that there are many myths that surround fostering and so we would encourage people to find out the facts before they rule themselves out.

“You don’t need any special qualifications – just a genuine interest in caring for young people, patience, understanding and a sense of humour – and we can offer you training and specialised support along the way.”

For more information about fostering with Durham County Council visit www.durham.gov.uk/fostering.

Tarmac Sending Trainees To Sim Academy Simulation Training Event

By on 3rd October 2016in Local Biz

Tarmac, the UK’s leading building materials supplier, will join forces with Sim Academy to send two of its trainees to an innovative simulated training scheme…

The organisation, which currently employs 6,000 people at over 400 locations across the UK, is working with the Academy to road test the new scheme before an official launch later in the year.

Sim Academy is offering simulated training exercises using its state-of-the-art machinery to achieve realistic and engaging experiences across the agriculture, construction and mining sectors.

The scheme negates the need for on-the-job training in dangerous industries, meaning that employees and machinery can remain in operation while new recruits are trained off-site.

The equipment can be adapted to simulate a range of industry machinery such as track excavators, wheel loaders, tower cranes and articulated hauliers, delivering a safe and environmentally-friendly alternative to on-the-job training where one-on-one vehicle time can be limited.

Simulation training is already used in industries such as air travel and medicine.

Speaking of the new training scheme, Mr X, a spokesperson for Tarmac UK, said: “Bringing simulation into the construction industry is a really interesting concept, and we’re excited to be sending two of our trainees to experience the simulators first hand.

“Training new recruits on-site can be demanding – not only for our employees who have to take time out of their schedules, but for our existing fleet which has to be taken out of operation during training exercises.

“A simulated, off-site alternative is a great idea, and we’re excited about what this means for the future of training at Tarmac”.

Mick Gray, who is an experienced educational facilitator, will head the Sim Academy project.

With decades of experience working with organisations such as Caterpillar, UK Coal and managing his own training solutions firm, Competency Training Solutions, Mick will be able to offer his skills and expertise to trainees looking to meet the industry’s competency requirements.

Speaking of his new venture, Mick said: “I’ve always been interested in finding new ways to improve the safety and efficiency of training employees in using machinery, so simulation makes sense.

“It’s great to see businesses such as Tarmac take an interest in our brand new simulation training. We’ve already had a lot of enquiries regarding our open days, but we still have spaces available if you want to see what Sim Academy can do.”

Sim Academy is holding open days between 10th and the 14th of October to showcase its innovative training solutions. To find out more or to book a place, visit simacademy.co.uk.

Metrocentre Call For Food Bank Donations

By on 25th February 2016in In & Around

The North East’s largest shopping centre is urging households to help the hungry by donating to a food bank…

Last year, staff and shoppers at intu Metrocentre, Gateshead, donated more than 200kg of dried and tinned food to Gateshead Foodbank to help those in need, and the aim is to donate even more this year.

In a bid to help as many people as possible, intu Metrocentre is asking shoppers to bring in food products they don’t use or want – or perhaps have given up for Lent.

The initiative, which will last until 20th March, is the brainchild of intu Metrocentre Chaplain Lyn Jamieson, who said: “It is very sad indeed to think that, in this day and age, in this borough, there are still people who do not have enough to eat.

“These may be families whose benefits arrive late or are reduced, people leaving an abusive relationship, with nowhere to go and no money, or students who can’t make ends meet. Sadly, there are many causes and levels of hardship.

“The Gateshead Foodbank has been set up to help those most in need, and as intu Metrocentre is at the very heart of the community, we are committed to gathering as much food and awareness as possible.”

Last year, foodbanks across the UK gave more than 500,000 emergency three-day food supplies to people in crisis. More than a third of the emergency foodbank supplies went to children.

The centre is calling for donations of:

  • Milk (UHT or powdered)
  • Sugar
  • Long life fruit juice
  • Tinned food
  • Pasta sauces
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Tea bags and jars of instant coffee
  • Instant mash
  • 500g rice and pasta
  • Jars of jam
  • Packets or biscuits and snacks

Donations can be handed in at any of the centre’s customer services desks or the Centre Management Offices, 1st floor, next to House of Fraser. For more information, visit www.intumetrocentre.co.uk.

Submit Your Ideas To Strengthen Rural Economy

By on 18th February 2016in Have Your Say

Over £2m worth of European funding is now available for projects to strengthen the economy of rural areas across the North Pennine Dales…

 

The North Pennine Dales (NPD) LEADER programme is seeking applications for the grant to fund projects which increase farm and forestry production, boost rural tourism, or support small and micro businesses and farm diversification. Bids are also welcome for projects which provide cultural and heritage activities or offer rural services.

Running until 2020, Durham County Council acts as the accountable body for the NPD LEADER programme, which covers an extensive rural area across Gateshead, County Durham and south of Northumberland.

The aim of the €2.666m programme is to create jobs and support strong and sustainable economic growth, as well as helping to conserve the unique nature of the local landscapes. By funding projects put forward by people, groups and businesses in the area, it also hopes to target areas that the communities themselves see as a priority.

Cllr Eddie Tomlinson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural issues, said: “The LEADER programme promises more jobs and stronger economies for rural areas across the region. By offering funding towards priorities that local communities themselves feel are important, these projects can make a real difference for generations to come, so we’d encourage everyone in the area to get in touch with ideas.”

Find out more by contacting northpenninedales@durham.gov.uk or calling 03000 266 895. You can also visit www.durham.gov.uk/npdleader.

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.

Rebel Florist Offers Tips For The Perfect Valentine’s Day

By on 1st February 2016in Lifestyle

A North East florist is helping out northern Romeos with a guide to buying Valentine’s blooms, which are an alternative to roses…

14th February is one of the busiest days of the year for florists, as shoppers splash out on bunches of traditional (and sometimes very expensive) red roses for their loved ones.

However, Susie Griffiths of the Rebel Flower Company at The Village, intu Metrocentre, Gateshead, has devised a number of romantic ways of ‘saying it with flowers’ on Valentine’s Day which offer a contemporary take on the traditional bouquet of roses.

Susie said: “Red roses may have become a firm favourite, but in fact there are many flowers and plants associated with love, whose links with romance go back even further.

“For example, orchids have been linked with love for centuries. Potions made from orchids, once drunk, were said to result in hopeless infatuation and Cymbidium orchids, in particular have an alluring honey fragrance, mythically believed to aid fertility.”

Having managed florists in England and Ireland, Susie started her own floristry business at intu Metrocentre at a stall outside House of Fraser. She was so successful that she was able to move into her very own store in the centre’s Village for independent retailers.

With a wealth of experience and the ambition to help those stuck for inspiration, Susie has come up with five tips for romantics against roses:

  1. Go for fragrance. Pick a bloom that not only looks beautiful, but smells beautiful. Every time your Valentine smells the bouquet, they’ll think of you.
  2. You don’t have to go for the biggest bouquet. Choose three or five flowers (an odd number is always best), and add a few sprigs of lavender or rosemary for fragrance. Tie them with an elastic band and cover the band with a length of ribbon.
  3. As an alternative to a bouquet, try a corsage. It’s a lovely, old-fashioned way to present flowers to your date, and it should be a small spray, consisting of a single flower with maybe some fern or gypsophila that would be attached to clothing or a handbag.
  4. If you’re keen to stick with red, the colour of passion, then opt for a single exotic bloom. Perhaps an amaryllis? Consider a simple bunch of red tulips or spring blooms, tied raffia, and a label asking ‘will you be my Valentine?’
  5. If roses are a must, consider a soft pink, yellow or cream. They’re possibly even more beautiful than the blood red ones, and did you know that pink roses are actually symbolic of elegance and romance, whereas a yellow flower signifies friendship?

“I think the thing to remember is that you can always be creative,” said Susie. “There is so much variety out there, and if you make your blooms stand out then you’ll definitely make the right impression with your Valentine.”

For more information, visit www.rebelflowercompany.co.uk.

Tyneside Hotels Offer Valentine’s Day Packages

By on 12th January 2016in In & Around

Cupid’s arrow is aimed squarely at Tyneside, with Valentine’s offers at two top Newcastle hotels next month…

Grey Street Hotel takes its name from its location on Newcastle’s most famous city centre, Regency street, while the New Northumbria is at the heart of the upmarket Jesmond area of the city.

Between Friday 12th and Sunday 14th February, loved-up couples can enjoy an overnight stay at The New Northumbria and Grey Street Hotels, from just £60 and £70 per room, respectively.

For an additional £25 per room, Valentine’s weekend guests at each hotel can also upgrade to a Romantic Break package, which includes a bottle of prosecco, rose petals, sweets and bath salts.

For further information or to book, contact the Grey Street Hotel on 0191 230 6777 or at www.greystreethotel.co.uk, and the New Northumbria Hotel on 0191 281 4961 or at www.thenewnorthumbriahotel.co.uk.

Gateshead IT Company Expand Team Following Rebrand

By on 27th December 2015in Local Biz

A North East business has added four new team members as it continues to grow its client base and services…

Aero Networks – which specialises in cloud computing and IT services – has taken on Ben Curry, Lewis Jopling and Chris Nichol as IT support engineers, and Shanice Morgan as a Business Development Associate.

The talented quartet begin their employment in what is an exciting period for the Gateshead-based company, which has seen the recent launch of a new website as part of a major rebrand.

Managing Director Paul Curry believes his new employees compliment his existing team and help to highlight the ethos of Aero Networks.

He said: “Employing young people adds a new level of diversity and enthusiasm to the business. They are all positive thinkers, full of fresh ideas, all focused on delivering a high level of service to our clients.

“I think companies are sometimes put off taking on young people, but not Aero. The level and speed at which the team can adapt to new technologies and concepts has been outstanding since day one.

“First impressions go a long way with myself, and while I originally only wanted to take on one apprentice, Lewis and Chris impressed, so I hired them both.”

A move to Aero has been a huge change of career for Shanice – who previously worked as an air hostess – but she is certainly enjoying her new role.

She said: “It’s an amazing opportunity to be working for Aero Networks, particularly during the time of this rebrand, and on a personal note, it’s been nice coming to work and seeing the same people every day.

“We have a great team here. Everyone is enthusiastic and friendly, and it’s been fun getting to grips with all the cloud computing and IT language.”

For Ben, working at Aero Networks means more than just landing his first job after finishing his A Levels, as he has seen his father, Paul, build the company from a standing start.

He said: “Working for Aero makes me feel proud, as it is the family business my dad started up.

“Having the opportunity to work for Aero is also exciting, especially at this time, when we are making positive changes to the business.

“I am excited about the future for Aero. There is a great buzz around the company, and the team morale is high as always. I get the feeling that everyone is on board with the direction the company is going in.”

Established in May 2006, Aero Networks has worked with companies all over the country, and due to its belief that the future of business is in the cloud, makes use of the latest cloud technologies.

It is this forward thinking, modern approach which first attracted Chris to the company – which saw the first stage of expansion plans made last year, with a move into a larger office premises.

He said: “Since working at Aero, I have enjoyed myself more and more, and really believe in the ethos of the company, as does everyone who works here.

“It is a leading-edge company, and it’s great to be part of such a friendly and professional team, who can offer such a specialist service.”

Lewis added: “More and more people are starting to see the benefits of cloud computing for their business, so to be working for a company which has been delivering this service for nearly 10 years – and is one of the best in the region when it comes to it – makes me proud.”

With cloud services becoming increasingly more popular with businesses on a daily basis, the sky really is the limit for Aero Networks, and Paul, who plans to strengthen the team in 2016, and who maintains the company’s success is down to his staff and the relationships they build and maintain with clients.

He said: “No matter how big or small the company is we are working with, we are always able to adapt our style and approach to suit its needs.

“This is down to the professionalism, experience and knowledge of all of the staff, as well as the fact it’s rare to find a family IT business, which is friendly and knows how to look after clients’ needs – no matter what the job entails.”

For more information about Aero Networks and its services, visit www.aero.net, or keep up to date by following @aeronetworks on Twitter.

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