Tag: lifestyle

Northumbria People’s Show Art Competition Results In Tie

By on 23rd February 2016in Lifestyle

The most popular artwork at The People’s Show 2016 at Northumbria’s University Gallery resulted in a double winner, after a tie in public votes…

The People’s Show – one of the North East’s most celebrated open competitions for artists – returned to Northumbria last month with a £5,000 prize named after the late painter Norman Cornish.

There was also a £250 cash prize for the artwork which proved most popular with visitors. After more than 200 votes from the public, two artists found themselves with the exact same number of votes, and will now share the prize. The winners were artists Deryck Simpson with Fun on Longsands (acrylic on board) and Trevor Watson with Ladies Luncheon (watercolour).

Professor Keith McIntyre, Head of Arts at Northumbria, said: “We are delighted that 215 votes were cast by visitors to the People’s Show. After counting, there was a tie for 1st place so it seemed only fair to split the prize of £250.”

Held at the University Gallery at City Campus, the People’s Show is designed to foster the creative talent of the region, and is open to amateur and professional artists based in the region. Any medium of art can be entered as long as the subject-matter is people. This year’s exhibition took place last month, and featured the work of more than 30 artists from the region. Each year, the most significant single piece of work from the show is chosen by a judging panel, with the 2016 winner receiving the £5,000 Norman Cornish Art Prize. This year, the panel, consisting of Northumbria’s Head of Department for Arts, Professor Keith McIntyre, Professor Jean Brown, artist Helen Baker, and former People’s Show winner Carly Rybak, selected a painting by artist Lizzie Rowe entitled Sixty as the winner.

 

Professor McIntyre added: “We were delighted to host the People’s Show once again in the Northumbria University Gallery. There is an extraordinary spirit and energy to this exhibition, profiling the work of 33 artists from across the region.”

Northumbria has a very strong relationship with the family of the late artist Norman Cornish, with the University housing a permanent collection of his work and engaging in a variety of activities to preserve his legacy. His family kindly allowed his name to be used alongside the People’s Show prize to become the Norman Cornish Art Prize at this year’s exhibition. The news follows recent announcements about ongoing plans for the Cornish legacy involving Northumbria University and Spennymoor Town Council. The Coming Home exhibition will see a permanent collection of the artist’s work on display at Spennymoor Town Hall in the new Norman Cornish Room. For more information about this exhibition, click here.

To find out more about the University Gallery, visit www.gn.northumbria.ac.uk.

Northumbria Glaciologist Secures Funding For European Alps Research

By on 23rd February 2016in In & Around

A Geography researcher will spend his summer doing fieldwork in the Miage Glacier, after receiving a grant from the British Society of Geomorphology…

 

Dr Matt Westoby will travel to the Italian Alps to research how climate change is affecting the region’s glaciers and mountain ranges, after being awarded an Early Career Researcher Grant. His research will utilise advances in technology such as unmanned drones and photogrammetric surveying to focus on glaciers with a layer of debris on their surface. These so-called ‘debris-covered glaciers’ respond very differently to climate change than ‘clean ice’ glaciers. The ‘debris’ generally comes from the mountain slopes, with frequent rock falls onto the glacier surface being one of the common causes.

Dr Westoby said: “Traditional methods to monitor just how much and how frequently debris is added to these glacier surfaces are typically indirect, such as digging pits in the surface debris, measuring its thickness, and using these data to estimate a debris flux. This is an extremely labour-intensive undertaking.

“Instead, this research will use a low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and cutting-edge advances in photogrammetric surveying technology to undertake repeat surveys of rock fall source areas in order to refine our estimates of how quickly these slopes are back-wasting and contributing to the growth of the surface debris cover.”

The results of this research will contribute to numerical modelling to explore how such glaciers will respond to climatic change. It is hoped that the research will prime future projects in areas such as the Himalayas.

Dr Westoby is a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Department of Geography, at Northumbria, and is currently employed on a NERC-funded project to reconstruct the glacial history of the Heritage Range, Antarctica. He is also involved in consultancy-based coastal erosion monitoring for South Tyneside District Council alongside staff in the Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering. His research interests are broad and varied, and have to date included the 3D reconstruction and analysis of glacial landscape evolution using original surveying technologies, as well as numerical modelling of catastrophic Himalayan glacial lake outburst floods. He has undertaken glaciological fieldwork in the European Alps, Norway, and the Nepal Himalaya.

The British Society for Geomorphology is a registered charity with a mission of fostering geomorphological research and outreach. It administers a range of grants to support geomorphological research by postgraduates and early-career and established researchers. For more information, visit www.geomorphology.org.uk.

Northumbria offers a range of courses in Geography, and is ranked Top 30 in the UK, based on research power following the results of the Research Excellence Framework 2014. To find out more about studying at Northumbria, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/geography.

5 Teesside Kids Represent England At Kickboxing Championships

By on 22nd February 2016in In & Around

Boro Taxis has kick-started a fundraising campaign to support five talented Teesside youngsters who have been selected to represent England at the World Kickboxing Championships…

The children, aged 6 to 12, are all members of the M.A-X Training Academy in Middlesbrough, and have been crowned national or European titleholders to qualify for the World Championships.

Heading for the prestigious October competition in Portugal are Adam Ullah and his sister Angeli, Warren Green, Holly Underwood, and Saran Hill.

The achievements of the young kickboxers were brought to Boro Taxis’ attention as Adam and Angeli are the children of one of their taxi drivers, Ashik Ullah.

In preparation for the tournament, each of the five-strong team is dedicating six days a week to training, putting in at least an hour a day.

Mohammed Bashir, founder of Boro Taxis, one of the largest firms of its kind in the North East, said: “It is fantastic that five local youngsters have qualified for the World Kickboxing Championships. It really is a proud moment for Teesside, as well as for M.A-X Training Academy and all its members.

“When we heard from Ashik about his children’s success, and the fact their club needed financial help to pay for the accommodation, flights and other expenses to get them to Portugal, we were only too happy to help.

“These youngsters are a credit to the area, and they are working so hard to achieve their dreams. We wish them well at the World Championships, and are sure they will do Teesside proud.”

Samantha Johnson, M.A-X Training Academy Manager, said: “We have never had so many members qualify for the World Kickboxing Championships at one time, and they are all an inspiration to the whole club.

“We are extremely proud of Adam, Angeli, Holly, Saran and Warren, whose dedication is second to none. Attending the World Championships will be a brilliant experience for them.

“It will cost about £6,000 for the six days that the team will be in Portugal, and we are very grateful to Boro Taxis for getting our fundraising efforts off to such a good start with its generous donation of £1,000.”

During the last few years, the youngsters have all notched up a number of significant victories on their journey to being selected for the World Championships.

At the age of 7, Saran became the youngest kick boxing black belt in the North East, attaining the highest A+ grading. She has achieved Silver and Gold at national level, and won Bronze and Silver medals in the European Championships.

Angeli has won Silver at the Europeans, and Bronze at the FSK Grand Championship. Both she and her brother Adam took Gold in this year’s English National Championships.

Warren has been Gold and Bronze medallist at national, and a Silver medallist at European level.

Holly’s achievements comprise Gold and Silver in the English Championships, and Gold and Silver in the Europeans.

Samantha added that learning martial arts was a great way of helping people to not only get fit, but also to help with their dexterity, including eye and hand co-ordination. It also has emotional and mental wellbeing benefits, such as boosting self-esteem and confidence.

M.A-X Training Academy, based in Bright Street, Middlesbrough, has been in existence 16 years, and has almost 200 members aged from 4 to 60+.

Tyneside Restaurants Offer Mother’s Day Prizes

By on 22nd February 2016in Lifestyle

Restaurants across Tyneside are serving up a special surprise for mums…

In honour of Mothering Sunday, four of the most popular venues are giving mums the chance to win a hamper of goodies.

Competition entry is open to all mums who dine at either The Sand Piper (at Cullercoats), The Runhead (Holburn Lane), Ryton or Scalini’s (at Osborne Road, Jesmond and Great North Road, Gosforth), on Sunday 6th March.

And the winners, picked at random from each venue, will enjoy a bottle of Prosecco, chocolates, sweets, a rose plant, bath salts and a voucher to dine at any venue owned by Newcastle-based Malhotra Group PLC.

To tempt mums to take part, each venue has also prepared a special Mother’s Day menu, offering a choice of starters, desserts and main courses, including their popular Sunday carveries and roasts.

At The Runhead, starters include chilli beef nachos and potato skins with cheese and bacon, followed by meats from the carvery, while The Sand Piper’s coastal-inspired menu includes North Sea fishcakes and fish and chips.

At Scalini’s, Jesmond, the menu features ham hock terrine and French onion soup starters, and rich desserts such as chocolate and orange truffle bar and strawberry Pavlova, while the Gosforth branch will lure diners with crab and rarebit toasties and coconut curried steamed mussels.

The Runhead and The Sand Piper are charging £10.95 for two courses and £12.95 for three.

At Scalini’s, customers can enjoy one course for £9.95, two for £13.45 and three for £15.95.

The Mothering Sunday menus are available throughout the day at each venue, and further information can be found at www.scalinisrestaurant.co.uk, www.therunhead.co.uk and www.thesandpiperbar.co.uk.

The hamper winners will be notified on Friday 11th March.

Durham City Is Contender For Britain In Bloom Champion

By on 22nd February 2016in In & Around

Durham City is bidding for gardening glory once again – this time in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom Champion of Champions competition…

 

Durham in Bloom, a community-based campaign involving local businesses, residents, volunteers, Durham County Council and various partners, has been revealed as a contender for the prestigious accolade.

It comes after the city scooped double gold in the RHS Britain in Bloom competitions in 2014 and 2015.

The group will now battle it out for the first time with other high-quality entries from all over Britain for the much sought after title of Champion of Champions.

Oliver Sherratt, Durham County Council’s corporate director, neighbourhood services, said: “We are absolutely delighted and honoured that Durham City has been recognised once again, on a national stage, for its commitment to horticultural excellence.

“To be named as a contender in such a prestigious and respected competition is testament to the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the Durham in Bloom group, and the volunteers who help ensure the city is a beautiful place to live, work and visit.”

Durham in Bloom will officially launch its campaign to become the Champion of Champions later in the spring.

Hundreds of volunteer hours are dedicated to sustainable environmental schemes and various improvement projects each year as part of the Durham in Bloom campaign.

This year is no exception, with plans already underway for a raft of further enhancement schemes such as flowerbed planting on Gilesgate roundabout with local schoolchildren.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “We have a proud record of horticultural achievement in County Durham, and this is underlined by the continuing success of Durham City nationally as well as the impressive efforts of our towns and villages in regional competitions.

“We would urge everyone to get behind our entry, and we offer our huge congratulations to the Durham in Bloom group for their nomination in the Champion of Champions event. We wish them all the very best of luck.”

For more information, visit www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom or follow Durham in Bloom on Facebook.

SunnyCon 2016 Comes To St. James’ Park

By on 20th February 2016in Entertainment

Characters from the silver screen, the small screen, and the worlds of gaming and animé will be heading to Tyneside this summer for a major national convention…

Star Wars’ Han Solo, Indiana Jones, battalions of storm troopers and Star Trek Klingons will be among the 4000 visitors descending on Newcastle’s St James’ Park from 17th to 19th June for SunnyCon 2016.

The three-day event not only gives film, sci-fi, animé and gaming fans the chance to dress up as their favourite screen characters, but will also include demonstrations, talks and stalls relating to the popular Japanese animé genre.

Over the course of the weekend, convention-goers will be able to meet VIP guests, such as US voice actor Johnny Yong Bosch – who also played Black Ranger for the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – and Japanese voice actor Fumiko Orikasa.

Along with autograph signings and Q&A sessions, there will be a taiko drumming workshop and performances, a fashion show, and a variety of craft demonstrations.

Visitors will also be able to play board and video games on modern and retro consoles, and take part in tournaments including Magic! The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon! There will also be the chance to take part in competitions with cash prizes.

The event began in Sunderland six years ago, before moving to St James’ Park for the first time last year.

SunnyCon Ambassador Michael Tuckwell said: “The event has just grown bigger and bigger, and we needed the flexibility and capacity St James’ Park offers us.

“We’ve completely outgrown all our previous venues, which is testament to the popularity of Japanese animation, and we’re expecting record numbers of people from across the UK to this summer’s convention.”

SunnyCon 2016 will be managed by the stadium’s in-house team from Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, which won the Operations Team of the Year category at The Stadium Events and Hospitality Awards 2015.

General manager Frankie Angus said: “The SunnyCon team staged a smaller convention here last autumn, and it proved immensely popular, so we are very much looking forward to helping them host their major annual event here in June.”

SunnyCon 2016 will take place between 12pm and 6pm on 17th June, and from 10am to 6pm on 18th and 19th June.

Weekend tickets cost £25, with day tickets priced at £17. Under 12s are free with a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased via www.sunnycon.co.uk. For further information about Sodexo Prestige and its conference and banqueting facilities at Newcastle United, call 0191 201 8525 or e-mail candb@nufc.co.uk.

£20,000 Art Prize Open For Applications

By on 20th February 2016in In & Around

Student artists from across the UK can now apply for one of the UK’s most generous arts prizes…

 

The Woon Foundation Prize, jointly hosted by Northumbria University, Newcastle, and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, offers an exceptional opportunity for final year undergraduate fine art and sculpture students.

The first prize is £20,000 cash and a 12-month studio space based in the Woon Tai Jee studio at BALTIC 39 in Newcastle city centre. The year-long fellowship includes mentoring from staff from both institutions and a final exhibition with catalogue at the end of the Fellowship. There are also two generous runner-up prizes of £9,000 and £6,000, plus a further £5,000 discretionary award.

The Prize is fee-free, and applications can be made via www.woonprize.co.uk up until 31st March 2016. The shortlisted artists will be selected by a panel of judges including Laurence Sillars, BALTIC Chief Curator, Christine Borland, Turner Prize-nominated artist and BALTIC Professor at Northumbria University, and Karen MacKinnon, Curator and Director, Artes Mundi.

Up to 12 artists will be shortlisted from the open submission for an exhibition at BALTIC’s project space at BALTIC 39 in summer 2016, with a solo exhibition concluding the Fellowship at Northumbria’s Gallery North.

Northumbria and BALTIC jointly award and present the The Woon Foundation Prize for Painting and Sculpture as an important part of the successful strategic partnership between the two organisations. Now in its fourth year, the Prize is open to all UK undergraduate Fine Art students who are in their final year of study, graduating in summer 2016.

The £40,000 prize fund is generously donated by The Woon Foundation. One of its trustees, Mr Wee Teng Woon, studied law at Northumbria and is passionate about creating opportunities for new and emerging artists.

Professor Borland said: “On behalf of the judging panel, we are really excited to begin to receive the applications for this year’s Woon Foundation Prize. The generous nature of this prize is unique in all respects; for the selected Woon Fellow, to receive not only a studio and a one person show with a catalogue, but the support of the community of artists, students, and academics at BALTIC 39 in the heart of Newcastle.

For the other prize winners, the freedom to spend their prizes however they choose; on travel, materials, or to pay the studio rent, is surely a game changer. Association with the Prize, and an exhibition at BALTIC 39 will, I’m certain, be a welcome addition on any young artist’s CV.”

Sarah Munro, BALTIC Director added: “BALTIC is absolutely delighted and proud to be a key partner in the Woon Foundation Prize. From the remarkable generosity of the prizes to the chance for young artists to have their work seen by an esteemed panel of artists and curators, this is the absolute must-consider prize for undergraduate fine art students in the UK.

“We are proud that BALTIC’s curatorial staff form part of the judging panel each year, and the shortlist exhibition is presented in BALTIC’s project space at BALTIC 39. Crucially, the Woon Foundation Prize is one of the continuing ways BALTIC supports talent development of artists in their formative years. We hope it also sees all shortlisted finalists engage in the burgeoning artistic community here in the North East.”

The prize was launched in 2012, and the inaugural winner was artist Holly Hendry, who completed her Fellowship in September 2014. The next Fellow was Ramona Zoladek, who held the Fellowship until September 2015. The current Fellow is Kayt Hughes, who recently met Mr Woon when he visited the UK in January.

Mr Woon said: “The Woon Foundation is delighted that applications are open for the Woon Art and Sculpture Prize 2016. We look forward to seeing the work of this year’s shortlisted applicants, and encourage you to take part.”

The Woon Foundation Prize 2016 is open for applications until 31st March 2016. For full terms and conditions, and to enter, visit www.woonprize.co.uk.

Claire Hickey: One More For The Road?

By on 19th February 2016in Have Your Say

Claire Hickey struggled with alcoholism, smoking, loss and depression. This is her story…

Once upon a time, I would use this phrase all the time: “One more glass of wine wouldn’t hurt… would it?”

But then I’d find myself waking up on the sofa in the middle of the night, freezing cold, unsure where I was. It just became the norm.

I would get up in the morning, drop my two young girls at breakfast club and childminders, then work a full day as a teaching assistant. Later, I’d pick them up at teatime, get them home, fed and quickly to bed, and then it – once again – it was wine o’clock.

After the breakdown of my marriage in 2013, I thought I was doing alright. I was holding down a full time job, I had childcare for my two younger children, and my two older children had stayed with their dad, a 40 minute drive away. I would see them as often as I could, but I found myself coasting through the day until… wine o’clock.

This was okay though, wasn’t it? Everyone enjoys a glass of wine at the end of a hard day, don’t they? I didn’t have a problem…

In January 2015, my Great Aunty Norah – the matriarch of our family – was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and after a short battle she passed away in late February. My drinking accelerated, and now thing were beginning to spiral.

I was signed off work, and my doctor diagnosed depression. Along with anti-depressants, my wine became my way of coping. It made me feel better.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months, and time became one long, drunken haze. But I was still okay, wasn’t I?

One day, I found myself hiding wine in the cupboard. Another day, I asked a friend if she could bring me some more, because I had none in. I was drinking a bottle before 7.30, and topping it off with 20+ cigarettes a day. What on Earth was I doing?

I began to pile on weight. I had no energy, and I became snappy with my two young girls. I hardly saw my boys at all. I was staying up late, waking up early, taking hungover naps between school runs… I was a mess.

I had to change.

I had been sent leaflets for giving up smoking, which was something I had done sine I was 15 years old. I had stopped during my four pregnancies, but had always started again. This time I wanted to stop for good, so I made an appointment at my doctor’s surgery and began a 12 week programme.

Then, I thought if I’m quitting the fags… why not the booze too?

I ditched the wine and the takeaways, swapping it for healthy food. I joined a gym, and the wight began to slip away. In June, my brother signed me up for the Darlington Park Run, a free 5km timed event that took place every Saturday morning. I stepped up my treadmill training, and began to enjoy working up a sweat. I felt like I was doing something really good.

 

On the 20th June 2015, at 9 o’clock, I arrived at South Park. Lo and behold, I completed three laps of the park in a respectable 33 minutes. What a feeling when I crossed that finish line!

Running became a passion. I continued with my Stop Smoking programme, I stayed off the wine, and I lost 3 stone in weight, dropping from a size 18 to a size 10. Nothing happened overnight, but I enjoyed the journey. My running went from strength to strength, and in August I completed the Darlington 10km. Somehow, I even completed the Great north Run in September!

I had found a new addiction.

Today, it’s nearly a year since we lost Aunty Norah, but what a year it’s been. Who would have thought that after her death, I would be able to turn my life around. I often think that it was her way of helping me. It was the push I needed to sort myself out.

I was determined not to slip back to my old ways. For the sake of my own mental health, and for my children, I decided that I would have to give up the job that I loved. It would give me the opportunity to focus on keeping fit and healthy. It was a big decision, but I now continue to run, and I’ve since completed my first half marathon in just over 2 hours. My aim is to complete four half marathons and even more 10km runs before I turn 40.

I love encouraging other people to go down to the park on a Saturday morning and have a go at the run. Sometimes it’s just the first step they might need.

And when I feel like I need a ciggie and a class of wine? I think about how far I’ve come, and how great I feel now. The craving soon passes.

I still have bad days when I feel down, but I’ve surrounded myself with beautiful friends and family, and I’ve ditched all of the negativity that was in my life. I love life again, and my confidence is at an all time high. Throughout my journey, I’ve met some truly remarkable people, and I’m proud to have started my very own running group for ladies. #TheseGirlsCanRun.

Who knows? Maybe running can change their lives too.

These days – whether it’s a mile or ten miles – my motto is #ThisGirlCan. If I can, any girl can.

So one more for the road? No thanks. I’d rather go for a run.

Claire Hickey

SSI Task Force Assists Ex-Steelworker Launch New Business

By on 19th February 2016in In & Around

A former Steelworker who was made redundant following the collapse of SSI UK has set up his own sport coaching business, having secured funding through the SSI Task Force…

Andy Baker, 42, from Middlesbrough, was left devastated when SSI UK was liquidated in October last year, ending what he thought was a job for life.

Hearing of the various Task Force Funds available in the media, Andy contacted his local Job Centre Plus to find out more information. He very quickly saw the closure as an opportunity to fulfil a dream of setting up Velocity Sports Coaching.

Over the last eight years, he has volunteered as a football coach at Nunthorpe Athletic, and has always had a passionate for coaching.

Andy said: “I thought it would be great to make a career out of a hobby. I will be working in local schools to deliver coaching for children aged between 5-11, and my wife Claire is planning to get involved to help grow the business.

“Applying for the SSI Task Force Business Advice Start Up Fund was brilliant. It was very easy, and I felt very supported by my mentor who helped me to develop my business plan. From submitting the plan to receiving the grant, it only took a week. I was amazed at how quickly it all worked. I’d certainly recommend the scheme to anyone. It was first class.”

Amanda Skelton, Chair of the SSI Task Force, added: “It’s not unusual for someone to decide that they want a complete change of career after being made redundant, and I am pleased that Task Force funding has been able to support Andy to do something that he is passionate about. The funds are there to support both individuals and businesses, and I would encourage people to get in touch to see how we can help.”

Jonathan Armitage, Andy’s Business Adviser, added: “This fund has been amazing in its flexibility. It has been great to be able to work with and offer former SSI workers advice on starting their own business. The grant scheme, which could provide a start-up grant of up to £10,000 to help make a business a real opportunity, has been invaluable in helping lots of people affected by the SSI closure work towards and actually start their own business.”

The Business Advice Start Up Fund administered by NEEAL has already proven extremely popular, with more than 200 people receiving advice and guidance, and nearly £300,000 of funding awarded to 46 people starting their own businesses.

Anyone interested in the scheme and looking for further information should contact NEEAL on 0191 516 6093, or visit www.teesbusinesscompass.co.uk.

Submit Your Ideas To Strengthen Rural Economy

By on 18th February 2016in Have Your Say

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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