Tag: north east

Win! Tickets To See Royal Opera House: The Nutcracker

By on 22nd October 2015in Competitions, What's New?

 

In Peter Wright’s classic production, the stage sparkles with theatrical magic – a Christmas tree grows before our eyes, toy soldiers come to life to fight the villainous Mouse King and Clara is taken to the Kingdom of Sweets on a golden sleigh. Tchaikovsky’s score contains some of the best-known melodies in ballet, from the flurrying sounds of the Waltz of the Snowflakes to the dream-like Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Julia Trevelyan Oman’s designs draw upon 19th-century images of Christmas, making this a magical production for the festive season.

We’re offering two VIP tickets to see Royal Opera House: The Nutcracker at Vue Gateshead on 16th December. To win, all you have to do is answer the following question…

This competition is now closed. Congratulations to Penny from Stanley!

Sunderland Skates With The Stars This Christmas

By on 22nd October 2015in Entertainment, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Stars of Dancing On Ice will this year be skating their way to Sunderland as part of a frost filled programme of festivities…

Sunderland’s Business Improvement District has unveiled its plans for a whole host of Christmas activities in the city, which centre around the creation of a magical Frost Village.

From November 26 until Christmas Eve the area around Keel Square and the former Vaux site will be transformed, and will see the installation of a giant ice rink, a Christmas market, and a fun fair with Ferris wheel.

Getting the action underway will be a Gala Ice Extravaganza, which will include a performance by former Dancing on Ice stars, Andrei Lipanov and Susie Lipanova.

Sessions will take place on a daily basis, with visitors able to enjoy ice skating lessons, ice discos and skating with a range of cartoon characters.

Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, said that all the stops had been pulled out to ensure the city centre enjoyed a spectacular Christmas.

“We have been planning this for some time and we really believe we have created a fantastic programme which all the family can enjoy,” said Ken.

“We hope that not only local people will come and see what’s on offer but that visitors will also come from across the region, which will of course also provide a huge boost for businesses across the city.”

Ice skating sessions are also being offered to schools which might be looking for an alternative to the usual Christmas party or to businesses and groups of friends who may want some early evening entertainment.

A Christmas market will run alongside the rink, with more than 25 stalls providing food, drinks, gifts and crafts.

The Frost Village is also being extended to the former Vaux site, which is being transformed into a traditional fun fair.

Along with the Ferris wheel, visitors will be able to ride on a carousel, waltzers and bumper cars.

“This really is going to be a fantastic Christmas in the city centre,” said Ken Dunbar, “and we really believe there is something for everyone.”

For further information visit www.sunderlandchristmas.co.uk.

Alternate Reality: Photographer Jo Pattison Captures Street Life

By on 21st October 2015in Entertainment, Have Your Say, Lifestyle, What's New?

North East Photographer Jo Pattison shares five photographs from her series ‘Alternate Reality’…

As a self-taught photographer, I’m constantly exploring new techniques and looking for new ideas to try out. I’ve never attended any college or university courses to learn photography, and as such I feel I’ve searched for and found my own style, inspiration, and areas of interest.

I don’t have a particularly long attention span, so one of the things I love about photography is that there’s always something new to try, and always something different and unique, whether it’s using a film or a digital camera, trying different filters to achieve new effects, or using different settings on the camera.

One area of photography that particularly interests me is street photography. There are so many fascinating moments that are never caught on camera, so I try to catch them.

I’m drawn to using a slow shutter speed for my street photography, which achieves intentional motion blur. I feel that this captures the hustle and bustle of people rushing about their everyday routine, and beautifully portrays the passage of time, and the way that buildings and streets will remain long after people are gone.

For me, using a slow shutter speed adds a whole other dimension of interest to my photographs. You can almost feel the movement of the scene.

To explore more of Jo’s photography, you can visit her website here.

Sunderland Shopping Centre Looking For Christmas ‘Toy Testers’

By on 21st October 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

A Sunderland shopping centre is looking for a team of youngsters who can take on an important festive job – as toy testers…

Sunderland’s Bridges Shopping Centre is looking to form a group of discerning youngsters to test out this Christmas’ ‘must have’ toys from the centre’s leading retailers.

As a reward all members of the selection panel will receive a £50 gift voucher to spend on toys for themselves.

Youngsters aged between five and nine-years-old can put themselves forward to be a tester, by sending in a video no more than one minute long, showing their favourite toy and explaining why they like it.

Then the winning group will be invited in for a special session at the Bridges where they can try out some of the new season’s toys and vote for those they like best.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to find out what youngsters want this Christmas and for them to test out the toys in advance,” said Andy Bradley, Centre Director at the Bridges.

“And it also means we get to know what are likely to be the best sellers.

“Hopefully it will also help families decide what to buy for their children, knowing that it’s got the seal of approval from a group of youngsters.”

Anyone wanting to be considered for the toy testing panel should email their video to customerservices@bridgessunderland.co.uk. They need to include their contact details and parental consent to them taking part.

The closing date for would-be toy testers to send a video is Monday November 2nd.

Sweet Tooth Delivery Enjoys The Sweet Taste Of Success

By on 21st October 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

A young North East entrepreneur is enjoying the sweet taste of success, after being nominated for a string of high profile awards…

Kayley Smith, who runs Sweet Tooth Delivery based at Belmont, near Durham, has already won a handful of titles, including the Medium Size Business title in the Sunderland Portfolio Business Awards and the Young Business Person of the Year in the Sage Northern Star awards.

And now she is also in the running for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, which will be decided on November 25th at a prestigious awards ceremony on the London South Bank.

Kayley set up the company after seeing a gap in the market to provide a dessert delivery service, which has led to her also opening two dessert only outlets at Cheveley Park Shopping Centre in Belmont and Prince Bishops Shopping Centre in Durham City.

She was also recently nominated in the Forward Ladies business awards, held in the region for the first time last month.

“As a relatively young business it’s fantastic for us to be recognised in this way, and even if we don’t win the awards, it’s great recognition for the company to be acknowledged,” she said.

The company, which Kayley runs with her partner John-Paul Stonehouse, employs 25 people and is currently recruiting as part of the business’ expansion programme.

Sweet Tooth is going from strength to strength, on course to open a third outlet by Christmas, with long term terms plans to franchise and roll out the concept nationally.

“We’ve grown at an incredible pace because there seems to be a huge demand for the products we’re offering, our whole range is produced in our bakery – you cannot buy our desserts anywhere else,” said Kayley.

Further details about the company are available at www.sweettoothdelivery.co.uk.

Marie Curie: Dinner Down Memory Lane

By on 20th October 2015in Events, Food & Drink, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Marie Curie is calling on food fans in The North East to hold retro-inspired dinner parties in aid of the charity this November…

Retro food is enjoying a revival, and Marie Curie’s new fundraising campaign, ‘Dinner Down Memory Lane’, is all about holding a dinner party and recreating your favourite nostalgic food.

Recreate time-honoured classics or put a contemporary twist on some old classics, like duck a’l orange or prawn cocktail. The money raised from every dinner party will help Marie Curie provide more free care to people living with a terminal illness and their families.

Hayley Revell, Community Fundraiser for Marie Curie said, “We’re really looking forward to seeing what the local community cooks up, whether it be a classic recipe from the past or putting a new twist on an old favourite.

“Holding a ‘Dinner Down Memory Lane’ is a great alternative to a normal dinner party, and by inviting friends to make a donation in return for a dinner with a difference, you’ll be helping Marie Curie Nurses to provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families.”

For more information and to sign up for a free fundraising pack visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/dinner or call 0800 716 146.

Vintageous Rags: Outfit Of The Week #2

By on 20th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Grace Stringer, owner of Middlesbrough’s hottest vintage and retro boutique, Vintageous Rags, shares this week’s favourite outfit…

Winter is creeping up, but we aren’t ready to face it just yet!

A denim dress is perfect for this transitional period, and this one (UK10 £18) is great for layering. If it does get a little chilly, a turtle neck would look fab underneath, or maybe a cute jacket over the top?

I’ve added this tapestry button-up cropped jacket (M £18), and I just love the autumn colours. It’s teamed with a tan leather belt (£4) to break it up a bit, and accessorised with a headscarf (£4) and statement necklace (£7).

Don’t forget a pair of 70s sunnies (£7) to finished the look off!

The great thing about denim is that it’s so difficult to get wrong. It’s versatile all year round, and there aren’t many colours that won’t compliment it.

You can find this outfit in our Baker Street store, Middlesbrough, or you can shop online at www.vintageousrags.com. See you soon!

Follow Vintageous Rags on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

5 Half Term Events To Keep The Kids Entertained

By on 20th October 2015in Events, Lifestyle, Places To Go, What's New?, What's On?

Half term is on its way (23rd October until 2nd November), so here are five events to keep the little ones occupied…

 

Saturday 24th October
Atoms To Astrophysics, Hancock Museum
Meet scientists from Newcastle University and learn about our universe with hands on demonstrations and experiments.

Tuesday 27 October
Time Traveller Tuesday, Discovery Museum
Take a journey through the Discovery Museum that even The Doctor would be proud of! Come dressed in your favourite sci-fi costume, go on a Tardis trial, and watch some Doctor Who re-runs in the Great Hall.

Wednesday 28th October
Big Wednesday: Big Draw, Laing Art Gallery
Take inspiration from the beautiful works in the Arts & Crafts exhibition, and help to design giant wallpaper! Create your very own Arts & Crafts room in a box, and join in the Arts & Craft trail through the gallery.

Thursday 29th October
Young People’s Art Workshop, Hatton Gallery
This sketchbook workshop allows youngsters to explore their creative side. Specifically designed with teenagers in mind. Free, but booking is essential!

Sunday 1st November
Diesel Day, Stephenson Railway Museum
See both of the museum’s heritage diesel engines in action! The 08 class will be hauling the passenger service, and the 03 will be out in the yard. This is also the last day of the year that you’ll be able to drop in for heritage train rides.

A Smile For A Child: Getting In Gear For Charity Bike Ride

By on 20th October 2015in Events, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Cyclists of all ages are being urged to get on their bikes and do their bit to help a County Durham charity…

Schoolchildren from Barnard Castle and members of the public are invited to take part in a special fundraising bike ride at the recently refurbished Teesdale Leisure Centre on Wednesday 21st October.

The challenge involves cycling a mile, using either a normal bicycle or one of the leisure centre’s new state-of-the-art exercise bikes, to help complete a total of 300 miles across the day to raise money for local charity A Smile for a Child.

Christopher Read, from Barnard Castle, set up the charity three years ago to provide grants for disabled and disadvantaged children so they can take part and progress in sport.

He said, “I started working part time as a sports coach and wanted to do something different and give something back to society in my spare time.

“I decided to set up the charity and run it on a voluntary basis. It has gone from strength to strength and last year we raised over £100,000.

“The cycle challenge at Teesdale Leisure Centre is a great way to support the work we do and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part.”

Pupils from Montablo, St Mary’s and Green Lane primary schools will be invited to get involved in the challenge.

Cllr Maria Plews, Cabinet member for leisure, Durham County Council, said: “We are pleased to be supporting this event, which is a great opportunity to get active while helping a really worthwhile cause.”

The event takes place between 10am and 5pm and anyone who signs up for a gym membership on the day will receive a month for free.

For more information visit www.durham.gov.uk/leisure.

Wynyard Christmas Fayre Set To Be Bigger Than Ever

By on 19th October 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, Places To Go, What's New?, What's On?

Champagne, carols and a Continental Christmas market are coming to one of the North East’s most popular events next month…

The annual Wynyard Christmas Fayre, at Wynyard Hall, Tees Valley, has become a firm favourite with shoppers keen to snap up locally sourced food, jewellery, fashion, gifts and homeware.

It is now set to be even bigger and better than ever, with 160 stalls and an avenue of German-style, fairylit, wooden chalets lining the route from the hall itself to the Grand Marquee at the edge of the recently opened Walled Garden.

Throughout the three day event, from 20th to 22nd November, visitors will be able to enjoy mulled wine or afternoon tea in front of open, log fires in the Hall’s state rooms, while singers perform traditional Christmas carols.

Meanwhile, those looking to give themselves an early Christmas treat can head to the Hall’s Mirror Room, where therapists from the hotel’s lakeside Spa will shape and paint their nails over a glass of sparkling wine for £15.

They can then either make their way on foot through the outdoor Christmas market, or take a shuttle bus to the Grand Marquee, where there will be further stalls and the chance to explore the adjacent Walled Garden’s visitor centre and café.

There, they can choose from a wide range of food and gifts sourced from suppliers in the North East and North Yorkshire and enjoy a light meal or snack overlooking the garden.

Those wishing to walk from the Hall to the Grand Marquee and Walled Garden should wear appropriate footwear.

 

The Wynyard Christmas Fayre will take place from 10am to 5pm on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 22nd November.

There will also be a special preview evening on Thursday 19th November between 5.30pm and 9pm for holders of advance tickets purchased from the hotel’s website.

Tickets for the Fayre cost £4 if bought in advance and £5 on the door and can be purchased by calling 01740 644811 or via www.wynyardhall.co.uk.

While entry to the visitor centre is free, there is a £5 charge for entry to the Walled Garden and bookings are now being taken for Afternoon Tea at the Hall.

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