Tag: have your say

Have Your Say: Household Poll On Devolution Agreed

By on 14th December 2015in Have Your Say

Residents eligible to vote in County Durham will be asked for their views on the North East’s devolution agreement via a postal vote in January…

 

A pack, including information on the agreement from Government to the North East Combined Authority, and questions prepared by Durham University, together with details on how to take part, will be sent to all people registered to vote in the county.

The approach was agreed by Durham County Council members at a meeting of Full Council on December 9th, and will be funded from the council’s revenue contingency budget.

The proposed devolution agreement was negotiated with Government by the North East Combined Authority, which is made up of the seven councils covering Gateshead, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, Northumberland, Sunderland and County Durham.

It would see decisions about transport, investment, funding, skills training, business support, housing and strategic planning being made in the North East instead of in London.

It would also bring an additional £30m a year over the next 30 years, which would be pumped into the regional economy through investment, job creation, transport improvement and more targeted skills training.

The proposed devolution agreement which has been signed is conditional on further public consultation, the Government’s spending review, legislation passing through Parliament, and agreement by each of the seven councils in the Combined Authority.

The results of the poll in County Durham will not be binding, but they will help to inform the county council’s decision.

Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “Consultation with residents is really important to us. It’s vital we understand how decisions affect people, and the devolution agreement contains some really big changes for the region.

“It includes decisions about transport, investment, funding, skills training, business support, housing and strategic planning being made here in the region.

“However, the Government has since made it clear that any devolution agreements will also involve the creation of a regional elected mayor to oversee and be accountable for those decisions.

“I would therefore encourage everyone who is eligible to vote in the county to let us know what they think via this poll once they’ve received the information pack from mid-January.

“Responses can be made via post or online, with feedback brought to our Full Council meeting at the end of February.”

The questions devised by experts at Durham University are:

  1. The Devolution Deal would mean that more decisions about spending on public services would be made in the North East, rather than by the Government in London. Do you think that devolving some power and resources to the North East would:
  • Be a step in the right direction?
  • Make little or no difference?
  • Be the wrong thing to do?
  • I don’t know.
  1. If we agree the Devolution Deal we would have to have a North East Elected Mayor. The Mayor would be directly elected by voters across the North East area and would chair the Combined Authority, made up of Council Leaders. It’s not yet clear how powerful the Mayor would be. If the Deal goes ahead, how powerful should the Mayor be? Do you think the Mayor should be someone who:
  • Has quite a lot of power and influence – perhaps coming to be seen as someone who represents the voice of the North East area?
  • Has limited power and influence – someone who chairs the Combined Authority but does not have a major role representing the area?
  • I don’t know.
  1. The Devolution Deal would only cover some issues – some aspects of business support, post-16 education and training, transport, and housing. If the Deal does go ahead, do you think we should then try to get additional powers and resources devolved to the North East?
  • No, I wouldn’t want to see more devolution
  • I’m not sure. It depends, let’s wait and see.
  • Yes, I would like to see more devolution.
  • I don’t know.
  1. The Devolution Deal is intended to improve our economy and create more and better jobs. But do you think it will make much difference? If the Deal does go ahead, do you think it will:
  • Help to bring more prosperity and more jobs to County Durham?
  • Have little or no impact on prosperity and jobs in County Durham?
  • Lead to less prosperity and fewer jobs in County Durham?
  • I don’t know.

The paper agreed by county council members can be viewed here.

North East Artist Uses Powerful Designs To Help SSI Families

By on 14th December 2015in In & Around

A North East artist wants to help families affected by the closure of SSI by donating 10% of profits he makes from the sale of his artwork…

Graphic designer Graeme Hall has created a series of 150 powerful, limited edition designs depicting the closure of Consett Steelworks, which saw 4,500 people lose their jobs in September 1980.

Having grown up around Consett, the father-of-two witnessed first-hand the devastating impact that such a closure has on a community, which is one of the reasons he has decided to donate to the Teesside Steel Appeal.

Graeme, 43, has also been inspired by the actions of 10-year-old Ben Hebden, from Marske, who started a fund to give a Christmas party and other treats to steelworkers’ children.

He said: “When I saw in the news that this young lad was doing an extremely generous thing to help those affected by the closure of SSI, I thought why can’t I raise some money to show my support for them?

“When the Consett Steelworks shut down, the impact it had on the community was huge, and it took years for the town to recover.

“I knew people who were personally hit by the closure back then, but I couldn’t really help the way I wanted to.

“This time, I can do something to help, even if it makes Christmas better for just one family.”

Each of Graeme’s designs has been created to capture the significant moment in the region’s history, while emphasizing the scale of the steelworks and showing how it dominated Consett.

Taking anything between eight hours and a couple of days to produce, Graeme has used an abundance of reds to portray the processes which were used when the steelworks was running and often left a red glow over Consett.

Having worked as a graphic designer for the last 20 years, Graeme – who is a director of award winning branding and graphic design studio Designs Unique – always knew he wanted to pursue a career in art from a young age.

Although he has never sold any of his work in the past, Graeme currently has designs displayed in Consett’s The Glass and Art Gallery, and now hopes his work will find its place in houses across the North East, while helping SSI families enjoy their Christmas.

To order or enquire about a design, email www.uniquely-yours.co.uk.

There are four different designs available, which come in A3 and cost £45 (double mounted) and £98 (framed).

Pupils Rewarded For Their Recycling Efforts

By on 13th December 2015in In & Around

Pupils at a County Durham school have been rewarded for their efforts to promote recycling…

 

The children at St Benet’s RC Primary School, in Ouston, took part in a competition to design posters earlier this year.

The posters were aimed at encouraging people to recycle at home and to help people understand what can be recycled and which recycling container should be used for different items.

The competition was part of Durham County Council’s Bin it Right campaign, and the design by pupil Sophia Winship, 8, was chosen as the winner.

Sophia’s design has now been printed onto reusable cotton bags, which have been presented to all pupils and members of staff at the school.

The school also received a new litter bin – to help keep their school grounds tidy – which has Sophia’s winning design printed on the lid.

The bin is made from recycled plastic milk bottles, and was donated by Marmax Products Ltd.

People can find out more about what they can recycle at www.durham.gov.uk/whatgoeswhere.

Durham Council Pledges To Continue Meetings Over DLI Museum

By on 10th December 2015in Local Biz

Durham County Council has pledged to keep meeting with veterans and campaigners as it develops how best to continue to honour the Durham Light Infantry…

 

Speaking at a meeting of full council on Wednesday morning, the council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration and culture, Cllr Neil Foster, said meetings have already taken place with many who share strong views on the future of the DLI collection.

He said the council will continue to listen to people who want to help bring the story of the men and women who served to the audience it deserves.

Cllr Foster said: “In adopting this report, the Cabinet members recognised the heritage of the DLI regiment must not only be maintained and preserved for future generations, but honoured as widely as possible.

“We also recognise, as a city containing a World Heritage Site, that it is also important to provide an excellent cultural offer, both for the benefit of our own residents and the many thousands of tourists who come to visit us each year.

“However, we must also recognise that what we have done before may no longer be appropriate or sustainable, and we must therefore look for opportunities for how we can make the most of what we have.

“In consultation with the DLI Trustees, whose role is to do what is best for the collection, and in partnership with Durham University, we have sought to find a new way of telling the DLI story – a way that will take it to the heart of the World Heritage Site, with its more than 600,000 visitors a year, and give it the far greater audience it rightly deserves.

“In addition, we have been working with Army Museums Ogilby Trust, the recognised authority in this area.

“We have already met with many of those who have strong views on the future of this museum, and welcome the opportunity to meet others in order that this can help shape the future of the collection and how we exhibit the many important artefacts it contains.

“We understand there has been significant public concern about the proposed changes, particularly with the idea that we are seeking to lock much of the collection away from public view, but that is simply not true.

“Durham County Council – as one of the few local authorities still funding a regimental museum – is committed to multiple exhibitions over the next five years to showcase much of what is currently on display, as well as many items, photos and stories which aren’t.

“At the same time, we want to provide a new, more suitable home for those items not included in exhibitions, with a publicly accessible research facility at Spennymoor at which curators, conservators and volunteers will be able to study and work on items.

“Both of those are longer term commitments to the DLI. Work is well underway on an exciting programme of events for 2016 that further explore and commemorate the role of Durham men and women at war.

“Rest assured that we are very aware of the importance of the DLI both to the history and people of the county and beyond.

“And we believe our plans which we are developing with the input of many will offer both a fitting tribute to those who served with the regiment, and ensure the continuation of the collection for many years to come.”

The DLI collection is set to move from its current home at Aykley Heads in April, by which time the first of the exhibitions on Palace Green, looking at the involvement of Durham people in the Battle of the Somme, will be open to the public.

A five year exhibition on the History of the DLI will follow later in the year, with further temporary exhibitions on different topics related to the regiment, and a linked programme of events marking the World War One centenary also planned.

To discover more about the county’s involvement in the 1914 to 1918 conflict, visit the council’s archive, museum and archaeology services’ Durham at War website, www.durhamatwar.org.uk.

To hear from those campaigning to save the DLI Museum, read their stories here:

Film ReVue: Steve Jobs

By on 7th December 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV

Vue Cinema’s Gary Prior shares his thoughts on Danny Boyle’s big-screen character study of the man himself, Steve Jobs…

“How come, ten times in a day, I read ‘Steve Jobs is a genius’? What do you do?”

Based on the book by Walter Isaacson, Director Danny Boyle and Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin bring an interesting, dialogue-driven movie that explores Apple’s co-founder, visionary and entrepreneur: Steve Jobs.

Beginning in 1984 and concluding in 1998, the film is set around three major product launches (Apple Macintosh, the NeXT Computer, and the iMac), and takes us behind the scenes to hear conversations held by Steve Jobs, and focuses on the relationships with his daughter and key Apple figures, including co-founder Steve Wozniak (Seth Rogen).

 

The interesting thing about Steve Jobs is that it doesn’t follow the standard biopic formula. Most would follow the ‘greatest hits’ of the subject’s life, but this steers clear of the obvious milestones, and instead focuses on a look at how Jobs’ mind worked. In that sense, it’s less a biopic and more of a character study.

Every actor brings their A-game to this movie. Starting from the top, Michael Fassbender as Jobs himself doesn’t disappoint, and the role perfectly highlights his versatility as an actor. You really get a feel for how passionate Jobs was about the technology he was attached to, and how indifferent he was to the opinions of those he worked with.

With supporting roles from Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels, Katherine Waterston and Michael Stuhlbarg, the film feels like a masterclass in acting. It’s not surprising that there’s Oscar buzz.

Even though Steve Jobs is dialogue based, it deserves credit for how much pace and energy it has. A dialogue heavy movie can often be hard work to sit through, but thanks to the brilliant writing of Sorkin, noted for The West Wing and The Social Network, and the directing style of Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire, 28 Days Later – this holds up as exciting throughout. The confidence they had to bring this version of Jobs to the screen should be applauded, and not unfairly criticised for not sticking to the traditional biopic formula.

 

Famous for his unique writing style, Sorkin employs his usual intense and emotional dialogue, while retaining with and a very real human element. Meanwhile, Boyle shoots each of the three product launches in different formats (16mm, 35mm, and digital), making it feels as though we’re moving closer to Jobs’ final technological vision with each passing scene.

It’s a shame this movie hasn’t received much commercial success or positive feedback in the US, but if you’re even mildly curious in the man behind our beloved Apple products, it’s worth checking out before it’s off the big screen.

Our Steve Jobs review was written by Vue Cinema’s Gary Prior. For more information on the latest cinema releases, or to book tickets, visit www.myvue.com.

Click here to book tickets for Steve Jobs.

Brothers Seek Planning Permission For County Durham Wind Farm

By on 3rd December 2015in In & Around

A North East community is hoping permission will be granted for a small-scale wind farm to be built in their area, which would see them benefit from in excess of £1million it will generate…

Church parishes, Scout groups and the Girl Guides will be among those to profit from a share of the proceeds which could be generated by the County Durham based Ponder Gill wind turbine project.

Brothers, Andrew and Mark Thompson have applied to Durham County Council for planning permission to build two discreet turbines on their family farm, located next to the A66 near Barnard Castle.

Scout and Guide groups and communities from Bowes and Boldron have been identified as initial beneficiaries, but it is intended to roll-out the project into surrounding communities once planning permission has been granted, and as soon as new opportunities to expand the project are brought forward.

The brothers – who inherited the land at Ponder Gill following the death of their father – estimate the wind farm could be worth up to £2m to the local community over the next 20 years, so are urging people and groups to step forward to suggest how best to spend the proceeds.

Andrew said: “My brother and I were born and raised in this area, so being able to support our community is something we feel strongly about.

“The wind farm will be our full responsibility, not that of a venture capitalist, therefore we can guarantee the entire proceeds generated from the 3rd turbine will be donated through a community benefit scheme to local organisations, including the parishes of Bowes and Boldron.

“We appreciate wind farms can be a contentious issue but we can assure people in the surrounding area, our turbines will be well designed and amongst the quietest turbines on the market, as well as playing a hugely significant role in providing funds for the important work of local organisations.”

Although planning has initially been sought for three wind turbines to be constructed at Ponder Gill, Andrew is keen for the local community to be made aware that the scheme will still work, even if the third turbine is located elsewhere.

A decision on the planning application at Ponder Gill is expected to be reached in early December.

For more information about Ponder Gill Wind Turbine Project, or to voice your support for the community benefit scheme, visit www.pondergill.co.uk.

Film ReVue: The Good Dinosaur

By on 2nd December 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV

Vue Cinema’s Ivan Davison shares his thoughts on Pixar’s pre-historic family offering…

With its latest animated film, Pixar has continued their winning format. It’s one that combines staggeringly impressive CGI visuals, family friendly humour, and a heartfelt coming-of-age story for all ages to enjoy.

Following on the heels of one of this summer’s biggest blockbusters, Jurassic World, Pixar has dipped its toes into the world of prehistoric creatures. After setting the bar (extremely) high with July’s Inside Out, the team behind The Good Dinosaur have crafted a story that’s simpler than its predecessor, but no less enjoyable.

The film is set in an alternate timeline, in which the fateful meteor has missed earth completely, leaving the dinosaurs to roam free. Skip ahead a few million years, and we meet Arlo, an Apatosaur, who lives with his family on a mountain range farm.

Arlo, the smallest of his three siblings, struggles to find his place in the family’s dynamic, but finds an unlikely friendship with a young caveboy. What follows is a fast paced, but heartwarming tale of mutual dependance, complimented by vast and stunning landscapes.

 

A cast of loveable and memorable characters is brought to life by some terrific voice performances, the highlight being Sam Elliot’s role as father to a group of Tyrannosaurus Rex’s. His grizzled cowboy twang lends itself perfectly to the role, and one of the film’s most heart-wrenching moments comes as he shares his own sombre tale.

But The Good Dinosaur’s greatest strength comes from its stunning visuals. The world on screen is rendered in such a photo-realistic way that it becomes hard to comprehend just how far Pixar’s technologies have come since they first captured our imaginations with Toy Story. The landscape is enormous, and even a host of dinosaurs appear small and out of their element in such fully-formed openness.

While not as complex a concept as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur sees Pixar still on fine form, and uses its simplicity to tell a story of friendship, family, adventure and loss that we can all relate to.

As is common with Pixar’s releases, a short animated film plays before the main feature, and this time we’re treated to Sanjay’s Super Team. I recommend heading to the cinema early to catch it. Although very different from Pixar’s usual output, it’s perhaps one of the most personal and original Pixar shorts we’ve ever seen.

Our The Good Dinosaur review was written by Vue Cinema’s Ivan Davison. For more information on the latest cinema releases, or to book tickets, visit www.myvue.com.

Click here to book tickets for The Good Dinosaur.

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Review: Legally Blonde At Tyne Theatre & Opera House

By on 26th November 2015in Entertainment, Events

West End Musical Theatre Company‘s debut production of Legally Blonde is setting Newcastle alight. Here’s a review courtesy of Kelly Knowles and Abbie Wilkinson…

 

We were lucky enough to score a pair of tickets for the show’s opening night at the Tyne Theatre, and the atmosphere was electric. The lavish auditorium is a great place to be, even before the theatrics begin, and our Grand Circle seats meant that we had a great view of the stage.

The Legally Blonde musical is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, and as big fans of the source material, we’re pleased to report that its adaptation to the stage has worked beautifully.

The show’s music, by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, is a fantastic compliment to the narrative, and will have you singing along even after you’ve left the theatre. Favourites include Take It Like A Man, which has all the charm of a Disney fairy tale, but the wit you’d expect from Hollywood. Top marks to the singing cast, who go for every number with total energy and passion.

In fact, the cast’s performances are hard to criticise all round. The West End Musical Theatre Company’s experience shines through wonderfully, making us just a little disappointed that it took us until now to see one of their productions! Their previous shows include Wizard Of Oz and Stepping Out.

Leading lady Cheryl Moody is electrifying as sorority girl Elle Woods. Her performance is fun, charming, and so effortlessly ditzy that we’re sure many like us will be able to see a little of themselves up on stage. Along the way, Cheryl reminds us that being ourselves never goes out of style.

 

Special mention, however, must go to the two unlikely stars of the show, Chi-Chi the chihuahua and Patsy the bulldog. Chi-Chi, as Elle’s faithful sidekick Bruiser, steals every scene with effortless grace, and remains en vogue throughout.

The production and stage management itself is also of note. The story takes us from the sorority house to the Halls of Justice, and the scenes change seamlessly. We commend the WEMTC for their clear dedication to rehearsal and practice.

Suffice to say, Legally Blonde had us smiling from start to finish, and if you’re looking for a feel-good show, this one will not disappoint. As keen theatre goers, Abbie and I were suitably impressed, and we’re already looking forward to the company’s next production.

And yes – we played through the entire soundtrack on the way home!

If you want to see the show for yourself, you can catch it at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House, located on Westgate Road, Newcastle. The show runs until this Saturday, so be sure to book your tickets here.

Alex Nelson’s Places To Go: Darlington

By on 18th November 2015in Have Your Say, In & Around, Lifestyle, Places To Go, What's New?

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

 

 

Over the past few decades, County Durham has been getting smaller. First of all, the county lost Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Stockton and Hartlepool in 1974, followed by Darlington when it became a unitary authority in 1997.

With its population of over 100,000, Darlington is a town famous for many reasons, not least for the world’s first locomotive hauled railway service (from Stockton to Darlington) founded by Edward Pease and his business associates.

The company initially provided only the track, which was hired out to whoever wished to run a train, hauled either by horses or by steam. The transition to standard railway management was a gradual one, spurred on by frequent disputes between drivers over right of way, and by the dangers of the higher speeds of steam locomotives.

The town does have its own railway museum, but it’s been several years since I’ve visited, as opening hours are much reduced. This isn’t at the main Darlington station, sometimes known as Bank Top, but at the original station at North Road, a 20 minute walk north of the town. It’s the first stop on the branch to Bishop Auckland, which runs infrequently, but stops alongside the museum and the shed where the iconic new steam locomotive 60163 Tornado was built in 2008.

North Road Station Museum is known as the Head of Steam, and is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-3.30pm. There is an admission charge of £4.95, with reductions for concessions and children. The big problem it faces, however, is that despite being a very interesting museum and incorporating the fascinating Ken Hoole Study Centre, it is dwarfed by the National Railway Museum off-shoot at Shildon, just up the line, which is much larger and benefits from free admission.

The Shildon museum is where people tend to gravitate, but on a day trip to Darlington, it’s well worth a visit to the original.

 

The town centre contains many interesting alleyways (or vennels), particularly between the High Street and Skinnergate, which runs parallel to the west, away from the railway station. There are many independent shops and specialist cafes on these vennels.

My wife and I enjoy many of the shows at the Darlington Civic Theatre, which is a more intimate performance space than the likes of the Sunderland Empire or Theatre Royal in Newcastle. The theatre is also close to the railway station for a ride home afterwards, but requires careful planning of train times if you’re to avoid a long wait after the show.

Darlington is also an excellent place to change trains, having a flat floor plan with no bridges or subways between platforms. Watch the indicators, though! Whilst southbound trains routinely leave from Platform 1, northbound from Platform 4, and locals to Middlesbrough/Saltburn from Platform 2/3, these are prone to swap around from time to time.

I learned this the hard way when I foolishly directed a lady on her way to Whitby (via Middlesbrough) to wait with me on Platform 1 whilst her train gently slid out of Platform 4… and it was her last connection. I wrote an apology in the Whitby Gazette and it won Letter of the Week, but the memory still fills me with dread.

On the railway, I’m supposed to know what I’m doing…

Alex Nelson

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Atlantean: Volkswagen’s Smoking Gun

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

Long time In & Around contributor Atlantean takes a moment to reflect on the Volkswagen scandal…

I own a Volkswagen Golf.

Not something I am particularly proud of at the moment, as a paid up supporter of Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, and a supporter of Oxfam and internet campaigning group Avaaz.

With the Paris Climate Change Summit coming up (30th November to 11th December) with the aim of trying to arrest global warming, many commentators are warning that we are at – or beyond – the tipping point when planet warming becomes irreversible.

I was surfing the Volkswagen GB website recently, finding nothing about the emissions scandal, when to my surprise I found the following message at the bottom of the page:

“Our CO2 and consumption values are provisional and are currently under review. Revised values will be published if necessary.”

But hang on… the scandal was not about CO2. It was about nitrous oxides from diesel engines. On top of 11 million vehicles worldwide (508,276 of them in the UK), we can now add a minimum of 800,000 petrol cars too.

I took my four month old Golf into my dealer, Pulman of Durham, and requested to hand the vehicle back in if it were affected by the scandal. Their immediate response was that I should contact their solicitors.

How’s that for customer service, before we even established if my car was affected?

I had said nothing about going to law. I was willing to hand back the car and cancel the finance agreement under the Sale of Goods Act. They checked, and yes, my diesel car was affected.

Five weeks later, having heard nothing, I phoned Pulman, whose receptionist had never heard of NOx emissions. Wonderful. I was told I could check on line, so I entered my car’s vehicle identification number, and was told that my car was NOT affected.

By now unsure, I was willing to hand back the keys and cancel the agreement even if the car was not affected by ‘dieselgate’. I wondered why my car wasn’t affected. Had VW had a change of heart and stopped fitting the defeat device? Why should they do that? Many people are signing up for a class action against Volkswagen being formulated by solicitors Slater and Gordon, and I think I will join them.

According to latest estimates, it looks like I may have to wait until well into next year to have my car fixed. But what will VW do? Will the fix affect performance of the engine and/or fuel consumption? Will there be any compensation, as there is in the United States?

If their car performs as well as before, and doesn’t use any more fuel, many people won’t be bothered so long as their car is fixed. However, I’m bothered about emissions, and chose a VW on the grounds of its better emissions performance. Even if my own car is unaffected – and I have had conflicting advice, remember– I do not wish to be associated with the brand.

They’ve finally got over the disgrace of building the People’s Car for Adolf Hitler, and now this!

Pulman of Durham, pay attention. You need to up your game with regard to customer service and make some communication with your customers, and if you do not have the answers from VW that you need, I suggest you find yourselves a different motor franchise or face the consequences within a year.

Have you been affected by this scandal? I’d like to know your thoughts. Write to atlantean247@yahoo.co.uk.

Atlantean

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