Tag: have your say

Top Dentist Warns White Teeth Obsession Suggests Body Dysmorphia

By on 15th February 2016in Lifestyle

One of the UK’s top cosmetic dentists has warned that the obsession for white teeth can be an indicator of a form of body dysmorphia…

A preoccupation with the colour of teeth is commonly recognised as a symptom of BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder), a psychological condition where sufferers are fixated about certain aspects of their appearance.

And Dr Ken Harris, of Riveredge Cosmetic Dentistry, which has surgeries in both Sunderland and Newcastle, warns that those desperate for bright white teeth should steer clear of using home treatments or the excessive use of whitening toothpastes which can leave them with severe dental problems.

“Whitening toothpastes do not work,” said Dr Harris.

“They clean off surface stains, but do not touch ugly deep staining, and they are also very abrasive so can wear the enamel off teeth, causing significant damage.”

Dr Harris added that people obsessed with having perfect white teeth often use abrasive pastes and brush aggressively, which can lead to damage.

“No amount of tooth brushing can whiten teeth,” he said.

The abrasive nature of toothpaste is measured by RDA – Relative Dentine Abrasivity – and in 2012 the British Dental Journal said that toothpastes with an RDA of more than 100 were considered abrasive and could damage teeth and gums.

A number of popular whitening toothpastes on the market have an RDA in excess of 100 so are leaving people in danger of potentially damaging their teeth.

Dr Harris said that many people also try to use a variety of substances ranging from lemons to strawberries in the belief their teeth will get whiter.

“None of these processes work,” he said.

“The best way to get a proper and safe whitening treatment is to see a dentist, not attempt it on your own.

“A dentist will also give proper advice on what is suitable and what isn’t, rather than people buying treatments off the internet which simply won’t work, and may even be harmful.”

Dr Harris added that teeth get more yellow with age, and trying to combat this with excessive brushing or whitening toothpaste will, again, just not work.

“The dentine beneath our enamel becomes tougher and more dense over the years, and, as such, it gradually becomes darker in colour,” he said.

“Dentine is the part of the tooth beneath the outer enamel layer of teeth, and therefore can not be reached by toothpaste or brushing.

“The only way to whiten teeth is to get the bleach to soak through the enamel into the deeper dentine where it will do its job.”

Multi-award winner Dr Harris is respected across the globe for his expansive knowledge on cosmetic dentistry, and he regularly teaches around the world.

He is one of only two Fellows of the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry (BACD) which involves him teaching other dentists around the UK. He is a full member of the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry (BAAD), and regularly teaches USA dentists at the world-renowned Kois Center programme in Seattle.

He regularly travels to North America and Canada, delivering lectures on aesthetic dentistry to practitioners in New York, Vancouver, San Francisco, Orange County, Fresno and San Diego in his role as the Clinical Director for California Centre for Advanced Dental Studies.

His award-winning team also provides general dentistry. For further information, visit www.riveredge.co.uk.

Darlington Building Society Offer Safety Blanket To Project Linus

By on 14th February 2016in Local Biz

The Stockton branch of Darlington Building Society is helping to bring comfort to the babies of North Tees Hospital’s neonatal unit and their children’s ward…

The High Street branch has made a £250 donation to the local branch of Project Linus, a national volunteer organisation that creates quilts for babies, children and teenagers who are ill or traumatised.

The total was a combination of money raised from a member raffle, and also a further donation from the Society’s community fund. The money will be used to purchase the fabric used by the Stockton-On-Tees arm of the charity to create the bespoke quilts.

The branch decided to support the charity after regular customer and local coordinator for Project Linus, Marjorie Cook, made them aware of its work.

Marjorie Cook, Stockton area coordinator of Project Linus, said: “We’re very grateful to Darlington Building Society and its customers for the very kind donation.

“The money will be used to purchase the fabric that our network of volunteers use to sew quilts destined for North Tees Hospital’s neonatal Unit and Children’s wards.

“The quilts are used to brighten the cots and beds whilst they are in hospital, and are given to the parents to take home once a baby or child is well enough to be discharged.

“We want to provide comfort to as many poorly babies and children as possible, but because each quilt is gifted individually, there is always a demand for us to provide more.

“We say that a quilt is a hug you can keep, and I think the physical reassurance that comes from being snuggled up is something everyone can relate to.

“We’re always looking for more volunteers. You don’t need to be an expert sewer to help. As long as you have your own machine and a little spare time, you can become part of Project Linus.”

Dawn Moore, Branch Manager at Darlington Building Society, said: “We made the decision to support Project Linus after Marjorie and I got talking over the counter. She talked so passionately about Project Linus that it touched all of our hearts.

“Darlington Building Society is committed to making a positive impact in our local communities, and the fact that the quilts go to a local hospital meant we were only too happy to help.

“We hope that we can continue to support Project Linus throughout 2016 as Darlington Building Society celebrates 160 years supporting local people.”

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!

Alex Nelson’s Places To Go: Bishop Auckland

By on 10th February 2016in Have Your Say

Stationmaster Alex Nelson has been suggesting places to go by train every month for ten years. This month, he’s headed to Bishop Auckland…

Great things are afoot in Bishop Auckland!

Last year I spent an hour with Jonathan Ruffer, the visionary wealth manager and barrister who bought the 13 paintings of Jacob and his Twelve Sons in Auckland Castle from the Church Commissioners, and then bought the Castle to keep them in. The Castle and tearooms have been closed for winter maintenance during January, but are now back open. Throughout the year, they are open every day except Tuesdays, and the admission is £6 for adults, free for under 16s.

Auckland Castle offers guided tours at 11.30 and 14.30 every day (no extra charge), excluding Tuesdays, where you can see the splendid rooms and vistas, as well as the paintings by Francisco de Zurburan (1598-1664). There are other events throughout the year (details on the website), including the popular Bishop Auckland Food Festival, which this year is on 23rd/24th April. A walk in the park costs nothing, although you might get your shoes rather muddy, so take boots. The Deer Shelter is in the care of English Heritage, but there is no charge to walk round it.

Ten trains a day run to Bishop Auckland, which is a branch from the main line at Darlington. So to get there, head for Darlington first. A visit to Bishop Auckland can easily be combined with a free visit to Locomotion, the branch of the National Railway Museum. On arrival at Bishop Auckland, walk up Newgate Street, which is the straight shopping street heading north to the Market Place, and turn right for Auckland Castle where the Bishop of Durham still has an office (although he lives elsewhere in the town).

It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the Castle, which is the focal point of a one-man effort to regenerate a whole town. Even the mediocre old Postchaise and Queen’s Head hotels are being remodelled to create one single mid-market boutique hotel. Already there are 30,000 visitors a year now, compared to 800 when the Bishops were in residence.

Jonathan Ruffer said to me: “I don’t want it to be interesting. I want it to be astonishing.”

This summer, there’s something really astonishing: an epic production on the land to the north of the Castle called KYNREN, the epic story of England, covering 2,000 years on a 7.5 acre stage including a large lake, and 1,000 performers and crew. The scale is truly breathtaking. I saw progress on the site even during my hour with Mr. Ruffer. KYNREN will be performed on 14 occasions over the summer of 2016, starting from Saturday 2nd July until Saturday 17th September. It’s on various Fridays, Saturdays and one Sunday (28th August), and tickets are available now. This is a live action night show that starts as late as 21.30 and finishes 90 minutes later. If you think ‘2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony’, you’ll be thinking along the right lines.

In other news…

Keep the date: Sunday 13th March!

I’m organising a mass visit by train to Teesside Airport station, to ensure it is not the least used station on the National Rail network in 2015/16. The only train of the week leaves Darlington station at 11.05, and you can spend just over an hour at the airport before joining the only train back at 12.35. For one of the weirdest excursions of the year, suitable for children, led by an experienced team… full details soon!

Alex Nelson
Stationmaster

Farmer Handed £2,000 Fine For Felling Ancient Trees

By on 9th February 2016in In & Around

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Nominations Open For County Durham’s Chairman’s Medal

By on 5th February 2016in Have Your Say

There’s a new look to County Durham’s top award, as big-hearted people who’ve made a difference in their communities are being sought for the Chairman’s Medal…

 

A new category has been introduced with special emphasis on honouring the county’s outstanding young people. The Chairman’s Medal is awarded by the Chairman in recognition of significant achievement and outstanding effort in all walks of life.

It’s the highest honour the council can bestow, and Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) are looking for countywide nominations in the run-up to a major presentation later this year.

Cllr Jan Blakey, Chairman of Durham County Council, will double the award recipients from 14 to 28 when she announces the names of the successful entrants in May.

The Chairman has introduced a new Young Person’s Medal to rank alongside the Chairman’s Medal, and nominations can be made for both categories in each of the 14 AAP areas.

The medal has been County Durham’s top civic award since it was introduced in 2007, and Cllr Blakey will hold ceremonies just before her term of office ends in May to honour chosen ‘individuals for voluntary effort’ or ‘outstanding charitable organisations’.

The Chairman is working with the AAPs to find people and organisations that have gone above and beyond to make a difference, and in particular is keen to highlight the Young Person’s Medal.

Cllr Blakey, said: “I am certain we will have many outstanding entries to be considered for both categories.

“We have some wonderful young people throughout the county who richly deserve recognition for the selfless work they do – work that very often goes unnoticed, but is so vital to the individuals or communities it helps.

“I want this presentation event to be a celebration of the achievements and effort that people of our county put in every day. We do care about what they do, and I can’t over estimate the value that we place upon these people.

“I am writing to all AAP forum members and voluntary organisation partners to ask for nominations, and there are no fixed guidelines – anyone can nominate someone.”

The deadline for nominations for both the Chairman’s Medal and the Young Person’s Medal is Monday 14th March, and completed forms should be forwarded to: The Chairman’s Office, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham DH1 5UL.

For more information, call 03000 267 202, visit www.durham.gov.uk/ChairmansMedal, or email chairmansoffice@durham.gov.uk.

#HaveYourSay Over Pelton Fell Community Council

By on 4th February 2016in Have Your Say

Residents in Pelton Fell are being given a further opportunity to have their say on the proposal to create a community council…

 

A second round of consultation has been launched following a petition by Pelton Fell Community Partnership, calling for the creation of an independent community council.

Pelton Fell currently has no parish or community council.

A community council has the same powers as a parish council, however, it would be known as a community council as it reflects the style of the parish for that area.

An initial round of consultation was carried out last year, as the responsible body for parish boundary reviews.

A total of 900 questionnaires were sent out in September, asking households whether they wanted a community council or no change. Residents were given six weeks to have their say, and a total of 110 responses were received (a 12% return).

Of those, 56% were in favour of creating a community council (6.87% of the total households consulted), and 5.33% of the total households consulted were against.

The second round of consultation is now underway, with feedback forms sent to residents, which they can complete and return.

Further information has been provided to residents about what a community council would look like if it was established, including council size and the precept that would be set for its first year. Written representations and any comments or queries can also be sent by email to durhamcgr@durham.gov.uk.

Feedback forms have also been sent to other statutory consultants, including the local MP, councillors, the Chester-le-Street and District Area Action Partnership, and County Durham Association of Local Councils.

The deadline for all responses is 2nd March.

Colette Longbottom, our head of legal and democratic services, said: “This consultation is extremely important for the area, and we would encourage as many people to respond as possible.”

Further information about the review is available online at www.durham.gov.uk/communitygovernance.

Durham PCC Calls For Local Opinion Over Crime Prevention

By on 2nd February 2016in Have Your Say

The Institute of Directors in the North East is bringing together all three of the region’s Police and Crime Commissioners, to allow the region’s business community to actively participate in the debate on crime prevention and enforcement…

The event, which is open to all business people, will be held in the Durham Centre at Belmont Business Park between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday 25th February. It will include talks by the region’s three PCCs; Vera Baird QC, Ron Hogg, and Barry Coppinger, alongside experts on cyber security, human trafficking, and slavery. The three PCCs will also lead seminars to hear the views of business people from their respective areas.

David Cliff, Vice-Chairman of the IoD in the North East, who is completing a four year study into Police and Crime Commissioners, said: “Businesses in the North East are rightly concerned about crime. On average, one in three are affected by economic crime each year. On top of age old concerns about the security of their premises and employees, there are modern issues like cyber-crime, which costs the UK £27 billion a year, and workplace bullying.

“Good policing provides a stable environment for our businesses to operate in, and is at the heard of cohesive communities, so getting our PCCs and business leaders together is a positive thing for the North East as it can boost both our security and prosperity.

“Ron Hogg, Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, said: “It is really important that businesses tell us what their priorities are for reducing and preventing crime. The nature of crime is changing, and this will be an excellent opportunity to plan together how to address it. I hope as many business people as possible are able to attend.”

To book tickets for the event, which cost £10 plus VAT and are free to IoD members and their guests, email Sukie Ranken on iod.northeast@iod.com.

Help Needed In Search For 1966 County Durham Footballers

By on 29th January 2016in Have Your Say

An appeal is being made to help find members of a County Durham youth football team that beat the Germans in their own back garden the day after England won the World Cup…

 

As part of an exchange with County Durham’s partner area of Kreis Moers (now known as Kreis Wesel), a team of under-18s from schools and youth clubs across the county defeated their German counterparts on 31st July 1966. With the 50th anniversary this year, Durham County Council’s International Office is trying to help two of the players track down their former teammates so they can hold a reunion to commemorate the victory.

As well as being key players for the team, Graham Comer and Brian Hopkins were best friends in 1966, and remain so nearly fifty years later.

With the exchange arranged months in advance, neither of them dared to dream that England would reach the final, let alone against Germany and go on to win. But on 30th July 1966, the group found themselves watching the match on a big screen in a dance hall in Rheinhausen, cheering England on alongside over 100 Germans students.

Graham, a former physics teacher who is now semi-retired (though still working part time at Tanfield School), said: “The atmosphere was good natured but fraught at times – especially when Germany equalised in the 89th minute! Our hosts were extremely gracious in defeat, though, and when we all went back to the homes of the families we were staying with, they insisted that we sat at the head of the table in celebration of England winning.”

The real match, however, was still to come, and the boys lined up the next day against the Kreis Moers team, determined to do as well as the national side.

And they did, with a solid victory, although exactly how solid is slightly uncertain some 49 years later. Graham and Brian are certain that they scored six and won, with Brian getting two goals – one a tap-in after a free kick from Graham came back off the bar – and think the final result was County Durham 6-4 Kreis Moers.

Graham continued: “With the fiftieth anniversary coming up, we’d love to be able to have a reunion with the other lads from the team, so we’re hoping they see this, or someone they know does and gets in touch with the council so we can make it a reality. It would be great if we could all get together again after so many years, and even better if one of them can remember the final score!”

Brian Stobie, Durham County Council’s international officer, said: “We’re delighted to try and help reunite the team. Over the years we’ve arranged many collaborations and exchanges with our partner area in Germany and across the world which have strengthened County Durham’s international standing, and given unique learning experiences to hundreds of young people.”

People with information about the team and their current whereabouts are asked to email the council’s International Office at international@durham.gov.uk.

County Durham and Kreis Wesel have a long history of exchanges and collaborations. Recent projects include pupils from Park View School visiting Germany in autumn last year researching employability and language skills. Pupils from Germany also memorably visited their counterparts at Seaham School of Technology to re-enact the First World War’s Christmas Day truce football match in December 2014.

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