Tag: north east

Experience Affordable Luxury At Durham Housing Development

By on 25th April 2016in Lifestyle

Local housebuilder, David Wilson Homes, is urging house hunters looking to buy in the Durham area to visit its luxury Mount Oswald development, which features a premium collection of four and five bedroom homes available in 11 beautiful designs. Each house is crafted with the very best materials and finishes, offering spectacular views of the surrounding woodland and open areas.

Buyers visiting Mount Oswald can view a range of quality homes from the 5* housebuilder, including the Blackthorne housetype, a beautiful five bedroom, three-storey home with a generous lounge, family room, dining room and kitchen with a beautiful orangery. Upstairs leads to four bedrooms, one with an en suite, and a family bathroom, whilst the second floor has a den and fifth bedroom with an en suite. The Blackthorne is now available to buy from £599,995.

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Steve Ball, Sales Manager for Mount Oswald, commented: “Mount Oswald is a fantastic development with a great community feel in a beautiful setting, so close to Durham city centre. We have a wide range of properties available and the sales team is always on hand to discuss your buying options. We would advise buyers to come along and truly experience the luxury of the development.”

To find out more about David Wilson Homes in the North East, please visit: www.dwh.co.uk.

Classical Music Fans Have Another Reason To ‘Celebrate’

By on 22nd April 2016in Entertainment

Classical music star Katherine Jenkins releases her new album today (April 22) – and fans now have their own reason to celebrate…

To mark the launch of Katherine’s latest CD, Celebration, the organisers of her forthcoming concert at Herrington Country Park, Sunderland, have created a special hospitality package for the event.

This includes complimentary on-site car parking, red carpet entry to a designated structure with captivating exteriors on lavish grounds, a welcome drink on arrival, a luxury picnic hamper and access to an outdoor seating area and separate toilets throughout the outdoor performance on Friday May 6.

Katherine’s concert, which also features appearances by the National Symphony Orchestra and acclaimed violinists Vladimir and Anton, is the first to be organised by Northern Sessions, a new business area for Sunderland Live.

Alison McDonough, Chief Executive of Sunderland Live, said: “Katherine Jenkins is one of the most popular stars in classical music and I’m sure her new album will only serve to strengthen this success even further.

“We hope that fans of all ages will join us on May 6 to celebrate Katherine and her music and are confident that the new hospitality package will allow them to do so in even greater style.”

The hospitality package for Katherine Jenkins at Herrington Country Park is priced at £100 per person and available in limited numbers.  Standard tickets are also available priced at £33 each.  Both can be purchased at www.thenorthernsessions.co.uk.

For more information follow @thenorthernsess on Twitter or search The Northern Sessions on Facebook.

Recruitment Tie-Up Triggers Growth At Marmax

By on 22nd April 2016in Local Biz

An award-winning manufacturing business has achieved growth and taken on staff after teaming up with a North East recruitment firm…

Earlier this year Stanley-based Marmax Products, which turns recycled plastic milk cartons into outdoor furniture and play equipment, formed a strategic alliance with Ken Wilson & Associates (KWA) to kick-start the next phase of its expansion.

Under the partnership, Newcastle-based KWA sources suitable staff to fill key vacancies at Marmax Products, which is looking to broaden its sales team following an influx of new business.

The County Durham firm has already made a trio of appointments, hiring Lynda Maddison, Kane Halliday and Lisa Bankhead as sales executives to help grow the business.

Through its work Marmax, which has won several accolades including the Champion Business Award and the coveted Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice, has saved more than 10,000 tonnes of UK milk cartons from going into landfill and turned them into a range of outdoor furniture and play equipment for the education, leisure and tourism markets.

The company is also a supplier of bespoke quirky products, which include an elephant weighing platform for Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.

Jackie Robshaw, general manager at Marmax, said: “We needed extra sales staff on board to service the additional work and capitalise on new business leads. However, we wanted people of the right calibre and fit for our company, which is why we were seeking a recognised recruitment partner with good credentials in our market.

“Since our alliance with KWA began we’ve welcomed three excellent employees to the team and we expect to make further appointments in line with our growth projections.”

KWA specialises in sourcing IT, training, customer service, finance, procurement and sales professionals for a wide range of companies. Its parent company, Direct Recruitment, places blue-collar workers in companies operating in industries such as healthcare, logistics, catering and hospitality.

Laura Gillespie, operations manager at KWA, said: “We’re happy to be working with an award-winning company that has had such a positive impact on the environment and in the local community.

“Marmax Products has outlined some exciting growth plans as it looks to strengthen its position as a UK market leader in outdoor furniture and play equipment for the education, leisure and tourism industries. We’re proud to be playing a part in the company’s expansion.”

For further information about KWA, call 0191 232 2330, visit http://www.kwa.co.uk/ or e-mail enquiries@kwa.co.uk.

Finishing Touches Added To Durham Northumbria In Bloom Displays

By on 21st April 2016in In & Around

They’ve all been found to be ‘blooming great’ in the past and now they’re gearing up to welcome the judges once again…

Teams at Durham City, Chester-le-Street and Stanley are all putting the final touches to efforts to spruce up their communities ahead of the visit of judges from Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Northumbria in Bloom in the coming days.

Durham City is among the contenders in the ‘Champion of Champions’ category having won double gold and overall category winner in 2014 and 2015.

Impressively, Durham will also be in the ‘Champion of Champions’ category in the national Britain in Bloom competition this year, having also struck gold in that competition in 2014 and 2015.

Chester-le-Street is competing in the large town category, having scooped a Silver Gilt last year.

Stanley is among the runners in the town category in just its second year in the competition, with the community having secured a Silver in its first in 2015.

The communities’ entries have been led by their respective ‘In Bloom’ groups and submitted with support from Durham County Council.

Judges will assess horticultural developments and will make a second visit in the summer.

Various projects and locations will be assessed and judges will meet some of the local volunteers, community groups and organisations which support and take part in schemes throughout the year.

Results will be announced in the autumn.

Alan Patrickson, the county council’s head of direct services, said: “We are extremely pleased to be welcoming the Northumbria in Bloom judges to Durham City, Chester-le-Street and Stanley.

“This will provide a platform to showcase how well partners and organisations make a difference to where they live, work or visit.

“Volunteers and groups work exceptionally well in maintaining and transforming open spaces. Their commitment inspires others to have pride and enthusiasm for other horticultural schemes that add value and will benefit others well into the future.

“We wish all entries well, across the county and North East region as a whole, and we are hopeful of a positive outcome once again for County Durham.”

Judges will be in Durham City on Friday 15 April, Chester-le-Street on Tuesday 19 April and Stanley on Monday 25 April.

To find out more visit www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom or phone 03000 261 000. To keep up to date with Durham City’s Champion of Champions bid on Facebook log on to: www.facebook.com/durhambloom

1916: No Turning Back Simulates Sights, Sounds & Smells Of The Somme

By on 20th April 2016in In & Around

Accompany a new recruit as he volunteers to fight for his country, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the trenches and experience one of the bloodiest battles in human history…

1916: No Turning Back promises to be an exhilarating experience for audiences who will feel the fear of the front line first hand, gain insight into the camaraderie of the battalion and rush for cover in the bunker before making the push ‘over the top’, witnessing the imagery of the brave men who took part in the Somme Offensive.

The experience continues in a field hospital as audiences learn that for some the war is over, but for most they are patched up and sent back out or to return home as changed people.

Starting on Thursday, July 21 and running until Sunday, August 28, 1916: No Turning Back is unlike anything previously staged at Durham County Council’s Gala Theatre and tickets are on sale now.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for culture and economic regeneration, said: “The Pals battalions of World War 1 were specially constituted battalions of the British Army comprising of men who had enlisted together in local recruiting drives, with the promise that they would be able to serve alongside their friends, neighbours and colleagues, rather than being arbitrarily allocated.

“1916: No Turning Back will take audiences on a walkthrough experience like no other seen here before and ensure the bravery and sacrifice of the Durham Pals is remembered in this special year of commemorations.”

Robin Byers, service manager for place experience said: “The centenary of the Battle of the Somme is a poignant anniversary and a time to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of Durham men and women.

“The experience is going to be something that is completely new for our audiences and we’re excited to be developing plans for the transformation of our auditorium.”

1916: No Turning Back is part of Durham Remembers, a wide range of events, exhibitions and experiences commemorating the centenary of The Battle of the Somme and remembering the bravery of the Durham Pals. More info www.durham.gov.uk/DurhamRemembers

Tickets are now on sale for the experience priced £7.50 (£6.50 concession) and can be purchased at www.galadurham.co.uk or by calling the Gala Box Office on 03000 266 600.

Lumley Castle To Host Swinging Afternoon Tea This May

By on 19th April 2016in Entertainment

Enjoy afternoon tea with a difference at a special event at Lumley Castle Hotel this May…

On Sunday 22nd May, Lumley Castle, Chester-le-Street are hosting a swing afternoon tea in their breath-taking surroundings with live music by singer Alexander Lomas.

Starting at 2.30pm visitors will enjoy the ambience of the castle in their Garter room which oozes elegance and luxury. Combining historic architecture with views from the County Durham landscape the setting is truly a dream come true.

Alexander Lomas has 15 years of experience within the industry and has won many awards including North of England Wedding Awards for entertainment. He encapsulates his audience with classics from greats such as Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Bobby Darin and Tony Bennett.

Not only will guests revel in fabulous music, they will relish in Afternoon Tea designed by our top class restaurant team. Including a selection of finger sandwiches, scones and delicious cakes your taste buds will be tantalised.

“This event has always been a hit at Lumley Castle and we are very excited to be running it again,” said the hotel’s director of sales Tina Lowes, “Alexander Lomas is a great entertainer and makes the experience of our fabulous afternoon tea even more enjoyable.”

“We guarantee that anyone attending will have a fantastic afternoon in one of the castle’s most beautiful rooms, and we already planning more events like this for the future.”

Places for Swing Afternoon Tea at Lumley day cost £20 and can be booked by calling 0191 3895845 or emailing banquets@lumleycastle.com.

www.lumleycastle.com

Katherine Jenkins Performance Introduces Exclusive Event Marquees

By on 18th April 2016in Entertainment

Two relative newcomers are bringing a breath of fresh air to the festival circuit ahead of a landmark North East event…

Northern Sessions and Contemporary Event Structures are joining forces to cater for classical music fans at a special outdoor performance by songbird Katherine Jenkins in Sunderland next month.

The concert, on Friday May 6, is the first to be organised by Northern Sessions, a division of events company Sunderland Live, which plans to bring more big names to the city in the coming months.

It is also one of the first North East contracts for Birmingham-based Contemporary Event Structures, which will be supplying four inflatable marquees for the concert in Herrington Country Park.

These cube-shaped structures, measuring up to 15m by 30m, will each house a separate pop-up bar provided by specialist subsidiary Contemporary Event Bars, including a Pimms bar, Prosecco bar and main bar for all attendees, as well as a separate bar for hospitality guests.

“Herrington Country Park is an amazing space but there is little on site to cater for visitors in large numbers,” said Alison McDonough, Chief Executive of Sunderland Live.

“The inflatable marquees offered by Contemporary Event Structures represent the perfect solution and their pop up bars will allow all our concert goers to enjoy Pimms, Prosecco and other drinks throughout the evening.”

Contemporary Event Structures, which launched its specialist bars arm in 2012, offers a wide range of inflatable and temporary event structures, all of which are relatively simple to install and secured for safety.

The company’s existing clients include Bentley Lamborghini, BBC and the University of Bath.

“We have already worked with several prestigious companies and are delighted to be bringing our innovative solutions to Northern Sessions, Sunderland and indeed the North East,” said Ryan Miller, Director at Contemporary Event Structures.

Tickets for Katherine Jenkins at Herrington Country Park, supported by the National Symphony Orchestra and violinists Vladimir and Anton are priced at £33 each and available from www.thenorthernsessions.co.uk

For more information please visit the website, follow @thenorthernsess on Twitter or search The Northern Sessions on Facebook.

Further details about the services offered by Contemporary Event Structures can also be found by visiting www.contemporaryeventstructures.co.uk or calling 0121 7483377

The Voice Contestant Joins Newcastle LGBT Event

By on 16th April 2016in Entertainment

Shane Richie Jnr and The Voice favourite, Jordan Gray, are among the stars adding a touch of extra ‘Sparkle’ to one of the UK’s leading LGBT events…

Newcastle Pride, which returns for its 9th year in June and July, has joined forces with national transgender charity, Sparkle, to help make this year’s event more inclusive than ever.

As part of the landmark partnership Sparkle, based in Manchester, will be programming some of Pride’s Main Stage weekend, which runs at Newcastle Town Moor on July 16 and 17.

This includes performances by Shane Richie Jr, Jordan Gray and a host of other acts that have previously proven popular at Sparkle’s own weekend festival, which is already the largest free trans event in the world.

Debbie Roberts, Interm Chair of Sparkle, said: “The Sparkle mission is to promote a positive public image of the trans community within society, to challenge stigma and to build confidence.

“Our involvement in Newcastle Pride highlights trans as part of the wider LGBT family and we are delighted to be bringing this positive message to the North East.”

Transgender singer Jordan Gray, aka Tall Dark Friend, made it to the semi-finals of BBC singing contest, The Voice, earlier this year and has since toured across the UK and Scandinavia.

She will be joined for the Sparkle slot at Newcastle Pride by Shane Richie Jnr, the eldest son of entertainers Coleen Nolan and Shane Richie, who has carved out a successful career as a solo singer, band frontman and musical theatre star.

“My Mum introduced me to Sparkle a few years ago,” said Shane, “and I’ve since had the opportunity perform at a number of associated events, including The National Transgender Awards.

“The right to be who you are is fundamental and it’s a real honour to be able to celebrate that fact at Newcastle Pride 2016.”

Sparkle’s Main Stage slot will form part of three days of live music and entertainment for Newcastle Pride 2016, including headline appearances by boyband 5ive and songbird Heather Small.

Other acts set to appear at the Town Moor include reality TV favourite Jake Quickenden, 90s icon Sonia, actress and singer Heather Peace, clubland star Tina Cousins, former Brother Beyond star, Nathan Moore and Lorraine Crosby, a former contestant on BBC show, The Voice, who is perhaps best known as the female vocalist on Meatloaf’s I’d Do Anything For Love.

A number of themed entertainment zones and activities will also be open throughout the weekend, including the regular Steve Paske Health Zone (SPHZ), which has a key focus on the health and wellbeing of gender diverse communities.

Mark Nichols, Chair of charity Northern Pride, which organises the Newcastle Pride festival, “Newcastle Pride is all about encouraging inclusivity, opening up communication and promoting greater understanding of all aspects of gender diversity and the LGBT community.”

“The theme for this year’s event is be yourself, change the world, #be proud and it’s highly fitting that Sparkle is going to be a key part of that.”

A full line up for Newcastle Pride 2016 can be found online at www.northern-pride.com or by searching northernprideuk on Facebook and Twitter.

The festival’s Main Stage weekend is free to attend, however a number of Gold Circle and VIP tickets are available for those who want to guarantee prime viewing spots for the main weekend.

These are priced from £12 per person and are on sale now at www.northern-pride.com/shop/tickets.

Sunderland Brands Join Forces For 2016 Air Show

By on 15th April 2016in Local Biz

Two of Sunderland’s biggest brands are joining forces to cater for visitors at one of the city’s most popular events…

1879 Events Management, part of the SoL hospitality brand, has been awarded a new contract to provide a wide range of services at the Sunderland International Airshow 2016.

The event, which annually attracts close to a million visitors, returns for its 28th year from Friday July 22, with a host of airborne acrobatics, air displays and entertainment at Roker and Seaburn seafront.

As part of the event, organised by Sunderland Live, 1879 Events Management will now be operating a world food and drink village in the former amusement park overlooking Seaburn beach and providing new hospitality packages for VIP guests throughout the weekend, as well as a family zone.

Sue Stanhope, Airshow Director, said: “The Sunderland International Airshow is one of the North East’s biggest events, not just in terms of visitor numbers but in the positive impact it has on the economy too.

“This year we’ve got another exciting line up and we are delighted that 1879 Events Management have come on board to add a new dimension to the weekend’s food offering and help enhance the overall visitor experience.”

1879 Events Management, which currently runs catering and events operations at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, Sunderland, has successfully managed a wide range of high profile events since launching in 2012, including concerts, weddings, business dinners and festivals.

It was recently awarded an extended five year contract to provide catering for leading LGBT festival, Newcastle Pride, which also takes place in July.

Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director for SAFC and 1879 Events Management, said: “It’s been a real privilege to be involved in some of the North East’s biggest events over the past four years and we are thrilled to now be lending the same expertise to such an amazing occasion in our home city of Sunderland.

“With the Sunderland International Airshow and Newcastle Pride both taking place in July and Beyonce’s concert at the Stadium of Light to look forward to in June, it looks set to be another busy summer for 1879 Events Management and our partners.”

Full details for 1879 Event Management’s food village and hospitality packages for the Sunderland International Airshow will be released in due course via www.1879events.com or @1879Events on Twitter.

To enquire, or for more details, please contact airshow2016@1879events.com

More information about the event itself can also be found at www.sunderlandinternationalairshow.co.uk

Can I Avoid Selling The Family Home To Pay For Long Term Care Fees?

By on 13th April 2016in Local Biz

With no prospect of a Government cap on long term care costs, and annual fees for care homes exceeding £30,000, having to sell the family home to pay for a place in a care home is a major worry for many older people.

But is it possible to protect the family home and other assets from the impact of long term care fees, asks Andrew Simpson, Lead Panel Solicitor with legal and financial planning specialist Ensure Inheritance.

Legal trusts, often known as Wealth Preservation Trusts, when used for estate planning purposes can have the useful side effect of protecting assets from the impact of long term care fees, but they cannot be used specifically to avoid care fees.

Many people do not realise that current legislation demands that anyone owning assets valued in excess of £23,250 is required to make a 100% contribution towards the cost of their care. However, anyone requiring care with assets worth less than £14,250 is not required to make any contribution from their capital.

The legislation also prevents people from deliberately moving their assets in order to avoid paying care fees. But it does not prevent anyone in relatively good health, who is not presently intending going into long term care, from estate planning and establishing a Wealth Preservation Trust.

By placing assets in a Wealth Preservation Trust, you are no longer (technically) the owner of the assets, but rather the principal beneficiary of the trust. So it can fully protect your assets for your children, provided the local authority cannot prove that at the time the trust was set up it was reasonably foreseeable you would enter long term care.

Using a Wealth Preservation Trust to plan your estate is a powerful means of achieving total control over what happens to your assets, who benefits from them, and who controls them.

Wealth Preservation Trusts can avoid claims on your estate after your death; reduce the time it takes for beneficiaries to receive their inheritance; protect your children against disinheritance; protect your assets from bankruptcy; protect your assets from divorce, as well as protecting your assets from the impact of long term care fees.

Setting up Wealth Preservation Trust is a job for a specialist solicitor who can establish the trust to meet your particular needs and future wishes, according to your unique set of financial circumstances.

Ensure Inheritance has produced a booklet which provides further information on Wealth Preservation Trusts. For a free copy, please contact Ensure Inheritance on tel. 0191 338 5143, via email at info@ensureinheritance.co.uk or via its website www.ensureinheritance.co.uk.

Based in Seaham in County Durham, Ensure Inheritance provides a range of legal and financial planning services which help protect financial assets to provide their clients and their loved ones with peace of mind. In addition to long term care planning and wealth preservation trusts, services include funeral planning and pre-payment plans, Wills and Estate planning, funeral planning, inheritance tax planning, powers of attorney, court of protection deputyships, and probate.

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