Tag: kids

Darlington Building Society Supports Belmont Park Playground Project

By on 8th January 2016in Local Biz

The Guisborough branch of Darlington Building Society has made a donation from its community fund to help build a new playground…

The £500 donation was made to Friends of Belmont Park Community Group, a local group of residents who are trying to raise enough money to provide a new playground and update the ageing sports facilities in Belmont Park.

In 2015, the group undertook a public consultation and online survey which found that 100% of the respondents were in favour of the construction of a new play area.

Darlington Building Society is the first local business to make a donation towards the £68,000 needed to realise the group’s ambition of removing the old structure and replacing it with modern playing equipment surrounded by soft surfacing and secure fencing. It made the donation from its community fund, which makes monetary donations to causes nominated by members of the Society.

Janine Richardson of Belmont Park Community Group, said: “We’re exceptionally grateful to Darlington Building Society for its generous donation.

“Having completed the necessary tender process and submitted design plans, we are now in the final process of raising the £68,000 that we need to build a playground that can be used by children of all ages and abilities.

“We have a great deal of support from the local community and council. Now we need businesses to follow Darlington Building Society’s lead and help us to make this dream a reality.

“Donations are key to our project’s success. No matter how large or small, all donations are welcome.”

Colin Fyfe, Chief Executive at Darlington Building Society, said: “Darlington Building Society likes to help all of our communities in every way possible. When we heard about the Friends of Belmont Park project we knew this was an initiative worthy of supporting.

“After meeting with the group and discussing with them their aims, we were only too happy to make a donation from our community fund. We hope our donation can help to contribute to restoring this park for the children of Guisborough and for future generations.

“We hope that our donation will be the catalyst that inspires other businesses to make a contribution, no matter how large or small.”

Council Seeks Community Opinion Over Youth Services Review

By on 8th January 2016in Have Your Say

Councillors are to be asked to launch a consultation seeking parents’ and children’s views on the future of Durham County Council’s youth service…

 

Across the county, the council funds a range of activities, groups and youth centres – but where that support goes has been based on historic agreements, and not where it could have the most benefit.

Now, following a review of the service, proposals are being put forward that would see money and resources targeted towards helping more young people at risk of poor outcomes who need extra help.

Overall it is hoped they would lead to improved school attendance and grades, and fewer exclusions; fewer young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET); fewer referrals to children’s services; and fewer teenage pregnancies.

The council’s Cabinet will discuss the proposals when they meet next week, on Wednesday 13th January at 10am.

Carole Payne, Durham County Council’s head of children’s services, said: “Across County Durham there are nearly 18,000 children living in areas that are among the most deprived in the country.

“Yet currently, despite prioritising and protecting youth services for as long as possible, the service is in regular contact with only 7 per cent of all young people and 9 per cent of those in the most deprived areas.

“Other authorities in the North East have cut their budgets for youth services, in some cases by over 70 per cent, while Durham has reduced its funding by less than one fifth.

“However, with continued budget pressures we face some difficult decisions, and it is important that we ensure every penny we spend has the greatest benefit.

“With this in mind, a review of youth services has been carried out and a series of proposals have been drafted that would see a new approach introduced to identify and help the young people and families who would gain the most from our support.

“No decisions have yet been made. The results of the review will be presented to the council’s cabinet on January 13th and, subject to approval, the recommendations it contains would be put out for a full 12 week public consultation beginning in February.”

In County Durham there are 17,987 13 to 19-year-olds living in households in areas that are among the top 30 per cent most deprived in the country.

There are also 7,670 children from homes whose income is at least 60 per cent below the national average.

Only 9 per cent of young people from the least well off areas have regular contact with the council’s youth service.

It is believed that – despite the council having to find £1m of savings from its £8.67m One Point budget – the service can have a bigger impact by redistributing funding across the service’s 10 areas, and targeting services to young people who need them most.

The consultation is also looking at the funding given to more than 50 youth projects through the Youth Work Support Grant.

Currently groups receive grants ranging from £430 to £27,768, but again this is based on what each organisation historically received and not on where needs are greatest.

In 2015/16 the budget for the Youth Work Support Grant is £194,684, but after meeting savings targets that will be reduced to £138,000. It is proposed to reassess where grants are made, and to transfer control of this funding to the council’s Area Action Partnerships, which are better placed to identify local priorities.

As well as this, discussions are already underway over the possibility of transferring youth centres in Fishburn, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee, Seaham, Spennymoor and Stanley to community ownership through the Durham ASK programme.

No decisions have yet been made, and subject to agreement, a public consultation on the plans would run from 1st February to 27th April 2016.

Following feedback from that consultation, final proposals could then be developed and presented to cabinet in autumn 2016.

International Magic Festival Returns To Tyneside

By on 28th December 2015in Entertainment, Events

One of the North East’s most magical events is making a welcome return for 2016…

The South Tyneside International Magic Festival will celebrate its 13th year with a trio of spellbinding shows at the Customs House, South Shields.

This includes a Family Magic Extravaganza, sponsored and produced by Magicbox Newcastle on Wednesday 9th March and two International Gala Shows, featuring leading magicians from around the world, on Friday and Saturday (March 11th and 12th).

The South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2016, organised by South Tyneside Council and magician John Archer, will also feature a three day convention designed specifically to help professional performers share best practice and hone their skills.

Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The South Tyneside International Magic Festival is one of the most unique and awe-inspiring events on the North East calendar.

“Over the years, we’ve attracted visitors from as far afield as Hong Kong, and we hope that 2016 will be just as successful, making it our lucky 13th year.

“Tickets for the festival are already on sale, offering the perfect gift idea for anyone who could use a little magic in their lives this Christmas.”

A full line up for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2016 will be announced next year, but tickets are already on sale starting at £7 each.

For more information, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestival and to buy tickets, visit www.customshouse.co.uk or call the Box Office on 0191 4541234.

Tickets for the festival’s three-day convention, running from Friday March 11th, are also available and have been frozen at the 2015 rate of £65 each. For more information, or to book your place, contact South Tyneside Council Events Officer Karri Prinn on 0191 4554031 or karri.prinn@southtyneside.gov.uk.

Middlesbrough Youngster Wins Miller Homes Christmas Competition

By on 23rd December 2015in Local Biz

Christmas has come early for one Middlesbrough schoolboy, who is helping Miller Homes celebrate the holiday season…

Shaun Cheall, aged 10, beat tough competition by impressing the leading housebuilder with his Christmassy drawing of a winter wonderland scene.

Shaun’s winning design has been incorporated into Miller Homes North East’s 2015 Christmas card, which will be given to friends and partners of the leading housebuilder and homeowners moving into their new Miller home in the region this month.

Shaun also received his very own pack of the Christmas cards to hand out to his friends and family, as well as £50 worth of Toys R Us gift vouchers. His festive design is also on display in the sales centre of Clairville Grange in Middlesbrough, Shaun’s local Miller Homes development.

Shaun said: “When my mam told me I had been chosen as the winner of the competition with Miller Homes, I couldn’t believe it. I love drawing and colouring in, and really enjoyed designing my entry.

“It feels great that Miller Homes will be wishing people a Merry Christmas by giving them one of the cards I designed, and I can’t wait to give them out to my friends and family this Christmas.”

As part of the competition, Miller Homes asked children across the region to design a colourful picture for the front of a Christmas card, portraying what Christmas means to them, and what they love most about the festive season.

Andrew Somerville, Miller Homes North East’s regional sales manager, said: “This year we wanted to give the region’s youngsters the chance to be part of Miller Homes’ festive celebrations and add a personal touch to our Christmas well wishes.

“We received a great response to the competition, and were overwhelmed by the fantastic artistic talent which we have right here in the region. Shaun’s entry really stood out to the judges, as it is festive, colourful and very well drawn – well done Shaun!”

Committed to creating sustainable communities that cater for a wide range of buyers, Miller Homes has developments located across the North East. With prices starting from £129,950, homebuyers can choose from Clairville Grange in Middlesbrough, Acklam Woods in Acklam, Wheatlands Chase in Redcar, The Meadows in Framwellgate Moor, Park View in Gateshead, Wheatfields in Seaton Delaval, The Acres in Bedlington, and Portland Wynd in Blyth.

For more information on Miller Homes in the North East, call 0808 250 6426 or visit www.millerhomes.co.uk/locations/north-east-of-england.

Cinderella Stars Take Panto Magic To Children’s Ward

By on 17th December 2015in Entertainment

As stars of Cinderella brought festive cheer to a North East hospital, children found that if they can’t go to the ball, the ball will come to them…

 

The cast of the Gala pantomime visited Treetops, the children’s ward at the University Hospital of North Durham, to meet patients, parents and staff.

Dressed in full costume, Hazel Pude, James Hedley, Sally Collett and Paul Hartley brought their Christmas alter egos (Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother and Buttons) to give youngsters a boost before the Christmas period.

Writer, director and actor Paul Hartley said: “Having two little girls myself, I was extremely honoured to be asked to go to Treetops and help raise some smiles for Christmas.

“The bravery displayed by the children was great to see.

“And the great attitude of the staff and the parents, who often work under extremely difficult and trying circumstances, was an inspiration.”

Cinderella began a six week run on November 26th to rave reviews, with critics praising its “wonderful set, terrific lighting, top-class dancers, eye-catching costumes and live music.”

The show runs until Sunday 3rd January 2016, with tickets, priced from £8, available by calling the Gala Box Office on 03000 266 600, or online at www.galadurham.co.uk.

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.

5 DIY Christmas Gifts That Won’t Break The Bank

By on 9th December 2015in Lifestyle

Sophie Appleton shares five DIY creations to keep Christmas crafty…

 

 

I’m a big fan of Christmas, but like most of us, I’m no stranger to opening up my purse and having a few festive moths fly out of it. The familiar “Yikes, only one more pay day before Christmas” feeling is something we can all relate to, but it can be beaten!

DIY gifts are a dangerous game to play with less than a month before the big day, but if you do it right, you can come up with something that will be as well-received as it is cheap.

So if you’re struggling with the pre-Christmas panic, check out my top five DIY Christmas gifts…

1. DIY Scrabble Art

 

Now that our smartphones have replaced most of our board games, it’s time to fish out your old Scrabble box and put those letters to good use. You can even buy sets of assorted letter tiles on eBay or Amazon for very cheap, and if you’re clever about it, you can get two or three gifts out of just one set of letters!

Combine the letters to make names and words, then glue them down in a frame along with photos or trinkets. Use scraps of wrapping paper, wall paper or magazine cuttings for a background to make the gift that extra bit special.

If you can’t get your hands on Scrabble tiles, a great alternative is to create a Word Cloud. Visit wordle.net, enter a list of words (or names), then click create. Now you have a personalised piece of art to put in a frame and wrap up!

2. The Lazy Man’s Cookbook

 

Cook books are always a great gift, and at Christmas time there are plenty to be found on shop shelves… at a premium price. But what if your loved ones just don’t cook? What if no matter how quick Jamie Oliver makes his meals, it’s still not quick enough?

If that’s the case, give them a cook book they’ll really appreciate… The Student/Bachelor Cookbook!

Buy a ring binder and decorate the front cover with their name and a funny message, then have a walk around the town to collect heaps of takeaway menus (or if you’re extra lazy and you don’t fancy tackling the busy streets and freezing weather, get them posted through the letterbox). Put them all in the ring binder and – depending on how many you have – add a contents page and dividers for different types of food.

3. DIY Kid’s Cushions

 

There’s nothing kids love more than making a mess, and with time off school they’re bound to do it at some point. So… you might as well get a gift out of it!

Find an old cushion (or pick one up for cheap online) and create a fun design using their paint-covered hands and feet. Accessorise using scraps of material from old clothing tied into bows, or stitch on some sequins and googly eyes to give it extra character. Don’t forget to sign and date it so you can embarrass the kids later in their teens!

4. Personalised Candles

 

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of a present for her is a candle. Nobody can have enough candles, and especially not in the winter months. Yankee jars are the obvious choice, but why burn a hole in your pocket when you can make them yourself?

That afternoon tea set you’ve been saving for a raining day for the last fifteen years is finally going to come in handy here, or alternatively you can nip to the local charity shop for a nice, pretty cup and saucer.

Place wax beads (or even just some old, half-burnt candles of your own) in a bowl over a pan of hot water, or in a slow cooker (with a non-stick insert). For colour, use a vegetable peeler to shave bits of crayon into the wax, and stir to blend. Add more shavings for darker colour. Place a wick into the centre of the cup, and pour the wax into it. Leave it over night to harden, trim the wick, and simply wrap with cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Lovely!

 

5. Bespoke Chocolate Slabs

 

On a rainy December Saturday, this is a great one to keep the kids busy… and it’s great value for money. Chocolate slabs are worth upwards of £7 in fancy chocolate shops, but can be made at home for next to nothing.

Grab a silicone cake or loaf tin (pound shops recommended), then melt two or three bars of supermarket chocolate. You can find a good selection of milk, dark, and white chocolate for around 40p each, but anything more expensive is a bit of a non-starter, cost-wise. Fill the melted chocolate with jellies, popping candy, nuts or marshmallows. Decorate it however you like – perhaps with their name or favourite treats? Pop it in the fridge to set, and then wrap it in a clear bag of cellophane and some ribbon. Yummy!

Santa Claus On His Way To Wynyard Hall This Christmas

By on 7th December 2015in Local Biz, What's On?

A North East attraction, which has received thousands of visitors since it opened in autumn, is preparing to welcome the most important of all; Father Christmas…

From Friday 18th to Wednesday 23rd December, The Walled Garden, in the grounds of Wynyard Hall Hotel, Tees Valley, will play host to Santa Claus, who will be giving a Christmas present to each child he meets.

And, while children visit his special grotto in the doorway of the historic gardener’s cottage, their parents will be able to snap up festive fare and Christmas gifts in the shop within the visitor centre.

Shoppers can choose from a wide range of seasonal homeware and gardening items along with a variety of cakes, preserves, cheese and meat, sourced from suppliers in the North East and North Yorkshire.

In addition, the visitor centre houses a café overlooking the garden, which serves main meals and light snacks.

Santa’s grotto will be open between 11am and 3pm each day and tickets, which cost £8 per child or £21 for three children, must be bought in advance online at www.wynyardhall.co.uk.

The £5 admission fee to the garden will be waived for up to two adults per child.

Hundreds Gather At Metrocentre For Christmas 1K Elf Run

By on 7th December 2015in In & Around

North East families have dusted off their elf costumes for the second intu Elf Run at intu Eldon Square and intu Metrocentre…

 

Over 1,000 excitable elves took to the region’s favourite shopping malls to take part in the 1km charity fun run.

Participating elves paid £10 to enter the race and received an elf T-shirt and hat, an ‘official helper’ certificate from Santa and a well deserved runner’s medal for completing the fun run.

Santa’s little helpers also showed their Christmas spirit by fundraising on behalf of The Percy Hedley Foundation, and bringing in unwrapped presents for Santa to distribute to children in the North East.

First off the starting blocks at intu Metrocentre was Lisa Clark, from Hebburn, and her children Owen, Ewan and Freya. Lisa said: “It was a really fun event to take part in. The kids just sprinted ahead when the race began! Can’t wait to do it again.”

Clair Williams, from Kenton, who attended the run with her husband Simon and their sons Thomas and Luke, said: “It was a really fun day for the whole family. The kids love their medals and certificates, and would love to come back again.”

At intu Eldon Square, Maria Bokhari from High Heaton attended the run with her children Zavi, age 6, and Ariana, age 2. Maria said: “We’ve had a great morning at the fun run. Everyone involved was so enthusiastic, and there was a wonderful atmosphere with all the little elves running around!”

Mary Dowson, from Morpeth, completed the run with her children Leo, age 10, Lorenzo, age 7, Lewi, age 6, and Rowon, age 3. Mary said: “This is our second year doing the run. My kids haven’t slept all night as they were so excited about taking part! It’s a fabulous event and a great way to support a local charity. We’ve had a fantastic time, although I’m completely out of breath now!”

Karen Carr, intu regional marketing manager, North, said: “We’re delighted with the response we’ve had to our second intu Elf Run. The atmosphere on the malls has been joyful with lots of new little elves taking part as well as some who ran last year. Christmas may be a time of indulgence, but these unique 1k indoor family fun runs are a great opportunity for our shoppers to get active, get elfy, and get into the festive spirit whilst raising valuable funds for The Percy Hedley Foundation, an organisation recognised nationally and internationally as leading the way in the provision of specialist, high quality, and innovative services for disabled people.”

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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