Tag: lifestyle

Bishop Auckland Town Hall Reveals Spring 2016 Lineup

By on 2nd January 2016in Entertainment

Swashbuckling pirates, the ugly duckling, and a month-long festival of arts and music are all set for a date with a County Durham theatre…

Bishop Auckland Town Hall’s spring season kicks off with its second pantomime of the year, before welcoming family favourites, side splitting comedy, theatre hooligans, and the popular febfest.

Robin Byers, Durham County Council’s service manager for place and experience, said: “It’s an exciting time for residents of Bishop Auckland and neighbouring communities, with large-scale events such as Bishop Auckland Food Festival and Kynren coming up in 2016.

“We’re therefore delighted to be able to present such a cultural programme of events at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, bringing theatre productions such as Stowaway, as well as diverse music and comedy shows.”

The season starts with the Bishop Auckland Theatre Society’s pantomime, Robinson Crusoe’s Pirate Adventure, which runs from Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th January.

There’s more for families on Wednesday 27th January too, as Northumberland Theatre Company presents the funny and heart-warming story of The Ugly Duckling, by Neil Duffield, which is packed with song and dance.

The New Year also brings new laughs courtesy of the Hilarity Bites Comedy Club, with headliner Eddy Brimson sure to have audiences in stitches on Friday 22nd January.

The monthly comedy club then returns on Friday 19th February with headliner Raymond Mearns, and again on Friday 18th March with former winner of the TimeOut Comedian Of The Year award, Richard Morton.

 

Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a production of The Pitheaps.

The show, which follows the journey of twelve young people through a fateful summer, runs from Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th February.

The Town Hall is also joining forces with febfest, a three-week programme of arts events, to present a number of shows.

The festival begins with UK jazz ensemble Swing Manouche featuring Daniel John Martin on Wednesday 10th February, and continues with an evening of exquisite vocals from singer-songwriter Paul Armfield on Monday 15th February.

There’s more music on Saturday 20th February courtesy of The Baghdaddies who, fresh from a nineteen year world tour and fifteen appearances at Glastonbury, will take to the stage alongside performers from the North East.

Jackass Youth Theatre present their latest show What Are They Like – a play written as part of the National Theatre’s Connections 500 Project – on Monday 22nd February.

And BATH’s involvement in febfest concludes on Wednesday 24th February with Stowaway, Hannah Barker and Lewis Hetherington’s story of a frozen body that falls out of a plane and crash-lands in a B&Q car park.

The spring season ends with music from Mersey beat band The Fabs on Friday 11th March and Lindisfarne frontman Marty Craggs’ The Happy Cats on Saturday March 12th.

To book tickets for any of these upcoming events, please contact the Town Hall box office on 03000 269 524 or visit the venue in person. For more information and to see the full season of events, visit www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk.

£5m Investment Helps Warm North East Homes

By on 2nd January 2016in In & Around

Thousands of homes across the North East are enjoying warmer homes thanks to ‘Warm Up North’, a landmark initiative being delivered by British Gas in partnership with nine local authorities…

Warm Up North has delivered £4.9m worth of energy saving measures across 3,690 homes since its launch in 2013.

Warm Up North tackles fuel poverty in the North East by helping to lower energy bills, and make it more affordable for residents to keep warm.

Local residents can benefit from a range of energy efficiency measures, including free A-rated gas boilers, subject to eligibility and survey, as well as cavity wall and loft insulation.

In addition to the cost and energy savings for residents, the programme has created annual carbon savings of nearly 15,000 (14,961.61) tonnes of carbon. To put this into perspective, one tonne of CO2 weighs as much as 10 baby elephants!

Although thousands of residents have already benefitted from new gas boilers and insulation, Warm Up North is urging residents in the North East who haven’t taken part in the scheme to get in touch to find out if they are eligible for help.

Graeme Stephenson, lead partnership development manager at Warm Up North, said: “Warm Up North has helped thousands of households, including homes in Northumberland, Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham, to become more energy efficient.

“As the weather gets increasingly cold, many local residents will be thinking about the costs of heating their homes, and I’d urge them to give us a call to find out if they could join the thousands of people who are already benefitting from our Warm Up North programme.”

For more information about this range of energy efficiency measures, including free A-rated gas boilers for eligible residents with an inefficient boiler, subject to eligibility and survey, and cavity wall and loft insulation, contact Warm Up North on 0800 316 4320 for the gas boiler offer, or 0800 294 8073 for all other energy efficiency measures. Alternatively, visit www.warmupnorth.com.

#ThrowbackThursday: Icebreakers Of The Tyne

By on 31st December 2015in Lifestyle

The Tyne & Wear Flickr Archive provides a unique view into Newcastle’s shipbuilding past…

 

 

Although the days of the Tyne being crammed with ships may be long gone, the proud memories of North East shipyards are still as strong as ever.

The region’s marine heritage dates as far back as 1294, when a galley was built in Newcastle for the King’s fleet. By 1346, ships were being built in Sunderland, and then in Stockton a little over a century later. From then, it remained a key industry in the area until the late 20th century.

So of all of the thousands built, where were these ships going to? As documented in this Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Flicker album, some were destined for the far reaches of Russia.

 

The SS Baikal (pictured above) and the Ermack were both built by W G Amrstrong Whitworth & Co Ltd in the 1890s, in their Low Walker yard. These were sent east for ice-breaking duties across frozen waters.

Click through the gallery below to see the fantastic images of both ships in action.

 

Included in the gallery is a photograph of the workforce which reassembled the SS Baikal upon its arrival at Lake Baikal. As the caption reads:

“They were mainly exiles and criminals. They also included Isaac O’Henry, the Chief Engineer, who often told a tale of a long walk in the tundra alone with a guide who later turned out to have murdered his entire family with an axe.”

To see more of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums photographs, click here.

To see more local #ThrowbackThursdays, click here.

Do you have shipbuilding memories or photographs of your own to share? Leave a comment below, or email online@inandaroundmag.co.uk!

Killhope Mining Museum To Run Blacksmith Workshops In 2016

By on 30th December 2015in Local Biz

A County Durham museum may have the answer to a belated Christmas present…

 

Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, will be running blacksmith workshops throughout 2016, and places are now available.

Saturday 23rd April kickstarts the one-day workshops, where people will learn the trades of a blacksmith and make their own fire poker.

Other dates include Saturday 14th May, Sunday 17th July, Saturday 27th August and Saturday 22nd October.

The sessions start at 10.30am until 3.30pm, and cost £50 per person. The price also includes lunch and refreshments.

For more information or to book a place, call 01388 537 505.

County Durham Gets Fit For Free In 2016

By on 30th December 2015in Lifestyle

Friends could win the chance to improve their fitness for free as part of a three month effort urging more people to exercise this New Year…

 

Durham County Council is committed to improving the health of families, and is introducing new offers across its 10 managed leisure centres.

To celebrate, the authority is seeking one individual or two friends to take up the challenge and try out the centre of their choice for three months, with their progress tracked to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Further encouragement will come in the form of free exercise classes, open to all members of the public, from Monday 4th January to Friday 15th January.

The sessions – which will include new Body Combat classes – will give visitors a chance to try out new things, and learn techniques and routines.

Then, on the weekend of 16th and 17th January, all 10 centres will be hosting a free workout weekend, with open access to gyms, swimming pools and classes.

That will include Spennymoor Leisure Centre, which on 20th December will see its pool re-open following essential maintenance and improvements to its changing rooms.

If visitors choose to join as swimming or gym members during the free weekend, they will receive their first month’s membership for free.

To be in with a chance of getting fit with a friend for free, email your details to sportandleisure@durham.gov.uk by Friday 8 January 2016.

Full terms & conditions are available on the Durham County Council website at www.durham.gov.uk/leisurecentres.

Council Provides Essential Winter Weather Tips

By on 29th December 2015in In & Around

Following the continued wintry weather, people in County Durham are being urged to stay warm, well and safe…

 

Durham County Council is reminding everyone that online resources are available at www.durham.gov.uk/warmandwell to ensure that no one is left out in the cold this winter.

As well as advice on staying healthy and looking after elderly or vulnerable neighbours, there’s also information on coping with the snow and ice. This includes everything from finding out the location of your nearest salt bin, to tips for driving in wintry conditions.

There’s also guidance on how to make sure your home is warm and energy efficient, including information about the Government’s Warm Homes Discount Scheme, whereby energy companies must offer extra help to their most vulnerable customers, with a possible one-off rebate of £140 on energy bills to those who qualify.

Cllr Eddie Tomlinson, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for assets, strategic housing and rural issues said: “With the winter weather well and truly underway, we’d like to remind everyone that a range of advice and information is available on our website to keep people warm, well and safe.”

Disabilities Support Service Backs 20mph Speed Limit Campaign

By on 28th December 2015in Have Your Say

A group of people with disabilities, and the service which supports them, have backed the roll-out of 20mph speed limits throughout County Durham…

 

Durham County Council is introducing the lowered speed limits near 33 schools as part of its Slow to 20 for Safer Streets campaign.

The aim is to reduce road casualties and provide a safer environment for children who walk and cycle to school, also helping them to be more active.

The campaign has now received backing from Bishop Auckland-based Innovations, which supports people with challenging behaviours, provides specialist services for people with physical and sensory needs, and community support for people who are more independent.

The organisation works with the council’s road safety team to train its 124 drivers to drive more safely and efficiently through its Safe and Fuel Efficient Driver Training programme, thanks to funding from the Local Motion project.

Trisha Leonard, office manager, said: “Innovations is supporting the campaign because we believe it is important for all those who rely on our services and everyone else in the community to be able to get out and about safely.

“Our drivers cover thousands of miles each year, and we welcome any measures to improve safety on the roads for them and their passengers.”

Colin Heaviside, 64, from Shildon, who is partially sighted and has relied on the service for more than a decade, is also supporting the campaign.

He said: “I really enjoy coming to Innovations, and have made a lot of friends over the past 12 years.

“Being partially sighted, I rely on the staff at Innovations to help me stay independent – if I wasn’t able to get out, I would be stuck at home most days. That’s why it is great that the 20mph speed limits are being brought in, as they will help make it safer on the roads for all of us.”

The part-time 20mph speed limits are being set up at schools in the county where child accident rates have been identified as twice the national average.

So far they have been introduced outside St Cuthbert’s Primary School in Chester-le-Street and Etherley Lane Primary School in Bishop Auckland.

The campaign also involves providing road safety education to children, including road awareness and safe cycling programmes, offering healthy lifestyle initiatives to encourage walking and cycling, and providing speed awareness schemes.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “We are delighted that Innovations are backing our Slow to 20 for Safer Streets campaign – they provide vital services to those who need them the most, so it’s a real bonus to have their support.”

John Reed, the council’s head of technical services, added: “The support of local organisations like Innovations is key to encouraging the whole community to sign up to slower driving near schools and in the surrounding areas.

“We would urge any other businesses or organisations who would like to support the campaign to get in touch.”

For more information about the Slow to 20 for Safer Streets campaign, visit www.durham.gov.uk/slowto20.

County Durham Curbs Nuisance Problems Throughout November

By on 26th December 2015in In & Around

Dozens of nuisance problems which damage the environment and affect people’s lives were tackled in November…

 

Neighbourhood wardens from Durham County Council handed out 77 Fixed Penalty Notices throughout November for offences such as littering and untidy back yards.

The council’s neighbourhood protection teams work with police and other partners to improve the environment and promote safer communities.

Using powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, they tackle nuisance issues that affect people’s quality of life, including persistently straying dogs or anti-social behaviour.

In November, 66 Fixed Penalty Notices were handed out for littering, one for dog fouling, nine for untidy yards and gardens, and one following a waste carrier stop and check operation.

A further 64 Community Protection Warnings were issued to properties with untidy gardens or yards.

Wardens removed 110 stray dogs, a total of 173 anti-social behaviour incidents were investigated, and the council’s Civic Pride team educated more than 500 children and young people about caring for the environment.

Meanwhile, as part of Operation Stop It, a multi-agency taskforce set up to tackle flytipping, six people were prosecuted for offences around illegally dumping waste.

More than 560 flytipping incidents were reported and investigated in November, and 12 CCTV cameras were deployed in areas know to attract flytips.

Seven stop and check operations were carried out – one failed to produce waste transfer notes and was issued with a notice, known as a producer, requiring them to provide the documents, one person was referred for prosecution, and two people were prosecuted.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, Durham County Council, said: “It has been another busy month for our neighbourhood protection teams who have been working hard to tackle those issues that cause a nuisance in people’s everyday lives.

“When enforcement action is needed, we will not hesitate to use the powers available to us, but our aim is always to educate people from an early age about the importance of looking after the environment.

“We live in a beautiful area, and we will continue to do our best to keep it that way.”

Find details about Household Waste Recycling Centres at www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc or call 03000 261 000.

Environmental crimes can be reported at www.durham.gov.uk or by calling 03000 261 000.

Businesses can find a licensed waste carrier at www.gov.uk/find-registered-waste-carrier or arrange a council trade waste collection at www.durham.gov.uk/commercialwaste or by calling 03000 262 660.

Unlicensed waste carriers and waste crime can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

Free dog microchipping is available for County Durham residents at Stray Aid in Coxhoe and by The Dogs Trust. Visit www.durham.gov.uk/microchipping for more information or call Stray Aid on 0300 999 4247.

Stanley Couple Celebrate Diamond Anniversary

By on 24th December 2015in Lifestyle

A couple who enjoyed their first date at a dance hall in Stanley 64 years ago have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary…

 

Former Middlesbrough FC player Joe Birbeck, 83, and his wife Edna, 82, marked the occasion with a family get together – and a surprise visit from Cllr Jan Blakey, chairman of Durham County Council.

Cllr Blakey popped in to congratulate the couple on their 60 years of marriage and present them with a bouquet of flowers.

The couple, who went to the same school together in South Moor, got together at a local dance at Castles Dance Hall, in 1951.

Joe made his name as a professional footballer, playing for Middlesbrough during the 1950s alongside team mates including Bobby Robson and Brian Clough.

Edna, meanwhile, was well-known as a shop worker in Broughs – which became Liptons – in Stanley, and later as a cleaner at East Stanley Primary School.

The couple have two daughters, Sandra and Elizabeth, four grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Cllr Blakey said: “I was delighted to meet Mr and Mrs Birbeck, and to pass on my warmest congratulations to them on their 60th wedding anniversary”.

#ThrowbackThursday: A Very Victorian Christmas

By on 24th December 2015in Lifestyle

The Tyne & Wear Flickr archive has a few more wintery snaps to offer…

Last week we shared an album of wintery North East photographs from years gone by, and with Christmas just a day away, we’re keeping with the festive theme for this week’s #ThrowbackThursday.

History buffs among you will know that early in the 19th century, Christmas was hardly celebrated, but by the time Queen Victoria was reigning, the festivities were becoming somewhat recognisable to what we know and love today. Vic’s husband Prince Albert brought the country’s first Christmas Tree with him from Germany, and the tradition has stuck ever since.

The album below, titled A Victorian Christmas gives us a window into a North East Christmas just as the holiday was becoming a time for family festivities. Take a look…

Snowy Christmases like these might be a thing of distant memory, but it’s great to see a real local winter wonderland. Highlights are youngsters ice skating, kitted out with – most likely hand-knitted – mittens, and a lady wrapped up tight in a scarf and jacket, about to brave the cold weather.

To see more of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums photographs, click here.

To see more local #ThrowbackThursdays, click here.

Do you have Christmas photographs of your own to share? Leave a comment below, or email online@inandaroundmag.co.uk!

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