Tag: north east

Thousands Flock To Metrocentre For Star-Studded Christmas Lights Switch-On

By on 20th November 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV

Thousands gathered to watch some of TV’s top stars light up one of the UK’s largest shopping centres…

Families from across the North East headed to Gateshead’s intu Metrocentre at the weekend to watch X Factor favourite Lola Saunders, and Gogglebox family the Moffatts press the button which signals the start of the festive season at the centre.

Former fishmonger Lola, from East Boldon, made it through to the live finals of the X Factor in 2014 and has since performed live across the UK, as well as recording tracks with legendary producers such as Artful Dodger.

She was joined underneath intu Metrocentre’s Tree of Light in Town Square, by Metro Radio’s breakfast team, Steve and Karen, as well as Mark, Betty and Scarlett Moffatt, from Bishop Auckland, whose straight-talking has made them one of the most popular households on Channel 4’s Gogglebox.

The celebrities were joined by intu Metrocentre’s Head of Fun, Mac Toal, his deputy, Myah Rose Wilson, the centre’s Metrognomes, and Santa himself.

Helen Atkinson, marketing manager at intu Metrocentre, said: “Lola and the Moffatts attracted possibly our biggest Christmas crowd ever, and the atmosphere in the centre was absolutely amazing.”

intu Metrocentre’s Christmas light switch on forms part of a packed programme of seasonal events, which also includes Santa’s grotto, a pantomime, and extended opening hours until January 3rd, as well as raising funds for Text Santa.

For more information visit www.intumetrocentre.co.uk/Whats-on/Christmas.

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Rent A Cop Episode Four: Francis Confirms Feelings Towards Broccoli

By on 20th November 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV

Episode four of ‘Rent A Cop’ just aired. What do we think?

 

We were hoping that this week’s Rent A Cop headline might have been ‘Francis Makes Spectacular Arrest’, but sadly ’twas not to be.

A criminal was – sort of – caught, in the form of a rogue lock gluer, but Francis wasn’t really there, so…

Perhaps the most notable thing to come out of this week’s episode is the importance of broccoli in a healthy, balanced diet. According to Francis, “That’s the key. Broccoli. It’s awesome.”

For further information on broccoli, click here.

Perhaps the star of the show was Dave Ovens. Granted, his walkie-talkie competency leaves much to be desired, but the way he stared down the lock culprit as he walked away was like the physical embodiment of justice itself.

 

Twitter has once again had much to say, though not all of it positive.

https://twitter.com/Hea1y/status/667501996195344384

Harsh.

If you missed the fourth episode, it’s now available on BBC iPlayer.

Check out our thoughts on episode one, two and three.

In other news, please be aware of the unidentified man currently on the loose in Darlington. If your locks have been recklessly glued, you can call Sparta Security on 0800 0234480.

What do you think? Is broccoli the next big thing? Do we eat enough of it? Leave a comment below!

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Youth Crime More Than Halves In County Durham

By on 20th November 2015in In & Around

Victims are being asked what they would do if given the chance to come face to face with the young people who commit crimes against them…

 

Between April and September this year, 236 victims of youth crime were contacted by Durham County Council’s Youth Offending Service to offer them the opportunity to see offenders give back to the wider community.

And as International Restorative Justice Week begins, County Durham Youth Offending Service (CDYOS) has revealed that over the past five years such work has helped see the number of young people committing crime fall by 51.5%, with the number of crimes they commit down by 46.8%.

Gill Eshelby, CDYOS’ strategic manager, said: “Restorative justice is never an easy option, and it takes real commitment from all parties to make it work, but the results are worth it.”

Each year the youth offending service works with both many young people who offend, and victims, on a range of restorative justice projects that benefit not only those directly affected by crime, but the wider community.

In total CDYOS oversaw 5,231 hours of restorative justice during 2014/15, with nearly three in five victims of youth crime participating – but such work was not just about litter picking.

It also included working with local organisations, undertaking environmental projects, building maintenance and potentially any other project that a victim suggests – especially if it helps develop a young person’s skills.

And charitable initiatives, including young people making poppies for Remembrance Sunday, Christmas wreathes, spring flower baskets and summer nesting boxes, have, over the last three years, helped raise nearly £5,000 for local charities.

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Miller Homes Holding Children’s Christmas Card Competition

By on 19th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

North East youngsters are being given the opportunity to help Miller Homes celebrate the holiday season, and wish homebuyers a Merry Christmas with a festive children’s drawing competition…

Children in the region are being asked to design a colourful picture for the front of a Christmas card, portraying what Christmas means to them and what they love about the festive season, whether it’s a wintery snow scene, jazzy Christmas tree or Santa and his elves.

The winning design will be made into a Christmas card which will be given to friends of the leading housebuilder, and homeowners moving into their new Miller home this December in the North East, as well as being displayed in the sales centre of the winner’s local development. The winner will also receive their very own pack of the designed Christmas cards to hand out to their friends and family.

Andrew Somerville, Miller Homes North East’s regional sales manager, said: “We want to give the region’s youngsters the chance to be part of Miller Homes’ festive celebrations this year, showcasing the fantastic artistic talent of one lucky winner and adding that personal touch to our Christmas well wishes.

“Christmas is such a wonderful time of year, especially for little ones who look forward to the festive season all year round, so we’re really excited about seeing all of the entries.”

Entry forms are available to collect now from the sales centres at any of Miller Homes’ North East developments, which are open Mondays from 12:30pm to 5:30pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 10:30am to 5:30pm.

Completed entry forms must be returned to the sales centres by 5:30pm on Monday 30th November 2015. Entries will be judged by a panel of judges from Miller Homes, with the lucky winner being notified by Friday 4th December 2015.

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 Bishops Park in Gateshead, Park View in Low Fell, The Acres in Bedlington, Wheatfields in Seaton Delaval, Portland Wynd in Blyth, The Meadows in Framwellgate Moor, Wheatlands Chase in Redcar, Acklam Woods in Acklam and Clairville Grange in Middlesbrough.

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.

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Luxury Ramside Spa Awarded Five Bubble Rating

By on 19th November 2015in Local Biz

A luxury North East spa is raising a glass in celebration, having been given a five bubble rating, despite only being open for a few months…

The multi-million pound Spa at Ramside Hall Hotel near Durham opened in August, with its facilities just receiving a massive thumbs up from The Good Spa Guide.

The Guide is regarded as the leading authority in the UK and only recognises and rewards spas which meet its strict criteria.

Following a recent inspection visit, the spa was told the good news – that it has achieved the highest possible rating.

“We’re delighted to have been told by the Good Spa Guide that we’ve achieved five bubbles,” said Jill Russell, Spa Director.

“It’s very unusual for a spa which has just opened to have achieved this so soon, so it’s a great endorsement for the fantastic facilities we have here.”

 

The Good Spa Guide said that it loved “the sense of peace and relaxation that pervades The Spa at Ramside, and the amount of natural light that spills into the space.”

The report also praises “the huge spa with plenty of loungers. We also liked the idea of having one area for spa guests only; health club members tend to be in a hurry, while spa-goers need to slow down and chill out.

“The upstairs treatment area is very quiet and restful, and the sleep sanctuary is perfect for chilling out post-treatment.”

Awarding the Spa at Ramside a five bubble rating, the Guide praises it for “its light and airy design, extra-large main pool and hydrotherapy pool, excellent spa restaurant, carefully designed treatment rooms and restful sleep sanctuary.”

It also praised the spa for its “good treatments and good value spa days and packages.”

 

The £8m Spa at Ramside opened in August and offers five pools, including one of the UK’s biggest hydrotherapy pools, fourteen treatment rooms, a thermal suite, a Sleep Sanctuary and a Rasul mud chamber.

It also offers a wide range of spa experiences which can be totally personalised to each individual.

For more information, or to book the Spa at Ramside, call 0191 375 3088, email enquiries@ramsidespa.co.uk, or visit the website at www.ramsidespa.co.uk.

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Sunderland Beachfront Bistro Prepare Surf And Turf Night

By on 19th November 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Surf’s up at a Sunderland bistro as it prepares to serve the finest food from the land and sea…

The Beach House, at Pier Point, Roker seafront, is hosting a special Surf and Turf Night on Friday November 27th.

The event, devised by 1879 Events Management, will include a unique two-course menu, specifically designed to showcase fresh ingredients from beneath the waves and beyond.

This includes a salad of crab, prawns and salt and pepper squid, followed by a main course sharing platter, featuring minute steak with chimichurri sauce, piri piri chicken fillets, spicy chorizo sausage and a mixed garden salad.

The platter, designed for two people, will also include crab claws, king prawns and mussels, as well as patatas bravas or spicy potato wedges.

David Moses, General Manager at 1879 Events Management, which also manages catering and events at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, said: “The Surf and Turf Night will pay tribute to the Beach House’s seafront location, as well as the amazing array of ingredients available from the North East coast and countryside.

 

“It also forms part of a continuing programme of events designed to make eating out more affordable and enjoyable for couples and families.”

Surf and Turf at The Beach House is priced at £30 per couple, including two courses with mixed bread and olives served on arrival. A selection of desserts will be available to purchase at an additional cost.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/thebeachhousesunderland or www.1879events.com. Bookings can be made for November 27th by calling 0191 5659473.

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Win! Tickets To See NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses

By on 18th November 2015in Competitions

 

Following the hugely successful broadcasts of Coriolanus and King Lear, National Theatre Live brings the Donmar Warehouse’s highly anticipated new production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses to cinemas – broadcast live from the Donmar’s London home.

Directed by Josie Rourke (Coriolanus), the cast includes Elaine Cassidy (The Paradise), Janet McTeer (The White Queen) and Dominic West (The Wire). In 1782, Choderlos de Laclos’ novel of sex, intrigue and betrayal in pre-revolutionary France scandalised the world. Two hundred years later, Christopher Hampton’s irresistible adaptation swept the board, winning the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Play. Josie Rourke’s revival now marks the play’s thirty year anniversary.

Former lovers, the Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont now compete in games of seduction and revenge. Merteuil incites Valmont to corrupt the innocent Cecile de Volanges before her wedding night, but Valmont has targeted the peerlessly virtuous and beautiful Madame de Tourvel. While these merciless aristocrats toy with others’ hearts and reputations, their own may prove more fragile than they supposed.

We’re offering two tickets to see NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Vue Gateshead on 28th January, 7pm. To win, all you have to do is answer the following question…

In which city is the National Theatre located?

[contact-form to=’online@inandaroundmag.co.uk’ subject=’LES LIAISONS COMP’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Address’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Answer’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

This competition closes 15th December.

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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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Sign Language Santa On His Way To Metrocentre

By on 18th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Intu Metrocentre is set to spread some festive cheer with a special event for hearing-impaired children…

As part of its Christmas festivities, intu Metrocentre, Gateshead, will be running two special sessions with Santa and Mrs Claus for children who communicate via sign language.

The sessions, which will run on Sunday November 22nd and Sunday November 29th from 10am – 11am, will give the children the chance to visit Santa’s grotto and tell him what they want for Christmas.

The idea for a signing Santa came after members of the intu Metrocentre Customer Services teams received sign language training.

“We wanted to make sure that everyone had the opportunity to enjoy our Christmas programme, and these sessions will mean that children with hearing problems will be able to join in the fun too,” said Helen Atkinson, marketing manager at intu Metrocentre.

“There’s so much going on in the centre throughout the festive season, including our seasonal pantomime, Santa’s grotto, our extended opening hours and raising funds for Text Santa. We’re really proud of this part of our Christmas programme.”

The sessions with Santa and Mrs Claus will take place between 10am and 11am. Members of the centre’s Customer Services team who have been trained to use sign language will also be on hand on the day.

Shoppers must book in advance for this free activity, and can do so here. Spaces are limited, so shoppers are advised to book early.

For more information about the centre’s Christmas programme, including Santa’s Grotto, visit www.intumetrocentre.co.uk/Whats-on/Christmas.

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Durham Police Looking For Restorative Justice Volunteers

By on 17th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

Ron Hogg, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), is looking for volunteers to help reduce crime and support victims…

The Restorative Hub, launched in 2016, will train volunteers from across County Durham and Darlington to support victims, by offering them the chance to meet and communicate with their offender.

120 volunteers are already trained following a successful pilot scheme in Darlington. Mr Hogg is now seeking a further 120 volunteers from across County Durham.

He said: “Restorative Justice is highly valued by victims as it gives them a voice and a chance to get the answers and explanation they deserve. This often helps them to recover and restores their peace of mind.

“For offenders, the process helps them understand and take responsibility for the harm they’ve caused. Evidence shows that offenders who meet their victims in a restorative justice process are less likely to reoffend.”

Volunteers will work alongside colleagues from the Police, Courts, Prisons and Probation, and will also handle cases on their behalf. They will work with a variety of issues, from neighbourly disputes and anti-social behaviour, to low-level crime like shoplifting and criminal damage, to more serious crimes, as their experience grows.

Andrew Hancock, one of the scheme’s coordinators, said: “We’re looking for fair-minded people who want to make a positive contribution to their community. No experience is necessary as full training will be given. Successful applicants will be awarded funding worth £625, to allow them to complete the accredited training programme.”

The training, which will run in various locations from February to June 2016, equips trainees with the knowledge and skills to effectively facilitate restorative justice processes, and leads to a recognised level 3 qualification. In return for the investment made in them, volunteers are asked to donate around 3 hours a week to working with victims and offenders for the first 18 months after qualifying.

Former volunteer facilitator Hayley Morrison commented: “It’s been extremely satisfying to see the difference you can make. I’ve helped traumatised victims regain their confidence and find closure, while also helping offenders turn their lives around and make a fresh start. It’s given me experience I could never have gained elsewhere, and made me a much more rounded person in the process. It even opened the door to my current career in the Police.”

An information pack with an application form and full details of the role can be obtained by contacting the Restorative Hub on 0300 003 1818, or by emailing kevin.thompson@darlington.gov.uk.

There will also be a chance to meet Hub staff and volunteers at a special Criminal Justice Volunteers Fair to be held at Police Headquarters in Durham, on Wednesday 5th January from 6pm-8pm.

Further information is available on the Durham PCC website.

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