Tag: whats on

Santa To Visit Autistic Children At St. James’ Park

By on 23rd October 2015in Lifestyle, What's New?, What's On?

A North East mum, worried her autistic son was missing out on the fun of Christmas, has come to the rescue – by arranging a festive lunch with Santa…

Not only will it be held at one of the sporting world’s most well-known venues, but all families living with autism are welcome, and Santa Claus himself will be making a special visit to meet them.

Samantha Doyle, from Chester-le-Street, set about planning the event (to be held on Monday 21st December at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park stadium) after realising six-year-old Freddie was missing out on a lot of the events and activities other children take for granted.

“Due to Freddie’s autism, his reactions to things can be extreme and unpredictable and, over the years, I’d gradually stopped taking him to the sort of events most children go to,” said Samantha.

“He couldn’t stand in a queue in a department store to meet Santa Claus, for example, and even going out to a restaurant for lunch can be difficult,” she added.

“And, because you can’t see autism, people don’t realise he has the condition. They just think he’s being naughty and badly behaved.

“Then I realised that my concerns about what other people might think were stopping Freddie having the sort of fun all children should have, especially at Christmas, and so I decided to organise this special event.”

And when it came to choosing a venue, Samantha, area sales manager for leading UK catering company, Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, at St James’ Park, had a head start.

“The stadium’s the perfect venue,” she said. “Not only has it got the space and the catering facilities, but it’s a venue that attracts kids and families.”

On the day, the children will not only meet Santa Claus but also enjoy a festive three course lunch with their families and a special mini tour of the stadium.

Samantha’s idea has not only received the backing of the North East Autism Society but staff have also agreed to assist with the planning and will be there on the day.

The society’s family development manager Kerrie Highcock said, “I think it’s a great idea. A lot of families can feel socially isolated and the children do miss out on a lot so I think this is amazing – it’s going to be fantastic.”

Tickets cost £18.95 for a three course meal for adults and £10.95 for those aged 12 and under, with two course options also available. Bookings are now being taken and tables can be reserved by calling 0191 201 8525 or e-mailing candb@nufc.co.uk.

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.

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.

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.

Win! An Elizabethan Banquet For 2

By on 19th October 2015in Competitions, What's New?

The year is 1595, and you’re invited to attend the banquet feast of Sir John Lumley…

Lumley Castle Hotel, gem of the North East landscape for over 600 years, are holding themed Elizabethan Banquet evenings!

Before the banquet starts, the doors to the dungeon and guardroom are thrown open, where wine, ale and mead can be purchased. To the sound of bagpipes, you’ll be greeted with a friendly smile… but take heed to be well behaved, or his Lordship’s Executioner will deal with you!

Armed only with a dagger and a bib, you’ll be served five courses of delicious food. Throughout the feasting, the banquet maids will fill your goblets twice with mead and wine while entertaining you with songs, sketches and sing-a-longs.

 

At the end of the show, the Chamberlain will guide you back to the 21st century to dance in the dungeon to the castle’s resident DJ.

We’re offering readers the chance to win an Elizabethan Banquet for 2, on a date of your choosing! To win, all you have to do is answer the following question…

This competition is now closed. Congratulations to Pamela from Consett!

Durham Interactive Exhibition Combines Art, Nature And Technology

By on 19th October 2015in Entertainment, Events, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Aether & Hemera exhibition ‘The Tree, The Caterpillar and the Butterfly’ opened at the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery this week…

DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery are inviting families to enter an enchanting interactive garden inspired by nature and state-of-the-art technology. The Tree, The Butterfly and the Caterpillar, by artists Aether & Hemera, is the latest family friendly exhibition to join the highly successful Generation Tour.

The interactive exhibition uses Xbox Kinect technology, enabling visitors’ movements to affect a multi-coloured field of butterflies, while birdhouses play melodic sounds responding to peoples’ presence. Visitors can also use a magic watering can to make a ‘pea tree’ grow.

The previous two Generation Tour exhibitions (Generation AIR and Generation NOISE) have been highly successful in bringing new family audiences into four contemporary art galleries in the North of England. It is hoped that this exhibition and Musical Chairs, another brand new exhibition, will do the same. Generation AIR saw the Durham venue’s busiest October since its reopening fourteen years ago.

Lucy Jenkins, Art Exhibitions Curator at the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery said, “The artists Aether & Hemera have done a brilliant job of creating a new exhibition that will capture the imagination of families as well as being outstanding artistically.

“We look forward to seeing many more families in the gallery and promise them a very warm welcome.”

Gloria Ronchi of Aether & Hemera added, “We’re so pleased to be chosen to create the exhibition for the Generation Tour, so the work can reach the widest possible age range.”

The Tree, The Caterpillar and The Butterfly continues until 10th January. It will be followed by Musical Chairs, another interactive Generation Tour exhibition offering a new take on the old parlour game. Musical Chairs is showing soon at Central Art Gallery, Ashton-under-Lyne.

For more information about the Generation Tour, visit generationtour.org.uk.

Oxjam Darlo: One-Day Festival Returns For 2015

By on 13th October 2015in Entertainment, Music, What's New?, What's On?

After the mammoth success of Oxjam Darlo 2014, the festival is back for 2015, and intends to build on the huge achievements from last year. After raising a staggering £8,000 and smashing the original target by more than double, the money raised by Oxjam Darlo contributed hugely to helping those who are in need in the UK and abroad.

Takeover manager, Chris Jenkins, reflected on last year’s festival. “Oxjam Darlo was an amazing experience for everyone involved in 2014; the bands, venues, volunteers, gig goers and of course us, the organisers! It was a fantastic event for Darlington and was a huge success for Oxfam and the people that ultimately benefited from the money raised.”

The date is already set for this year’s event, where venues across Darlington will once again open their doors to music lovers from a wide range of genres. The one day festival (on October 25th) will also focus on promoting home-grown talent as it showcases some of Darlington’s finest musicians.

Fundraising efforts are in full swing, with the Oxjam team holding a very successful ‘Ultimate Music Quiz’ in early September at the Voodoo Café. Takeover Manager Chris also took part in a white knuckle bungee jump during a recent trip down under, and team member Jonny Lancaster endured the 13.1 miles of the Great North Run on behalf of the festival.

Music fans also enjoyed getting revved up for the main event by attending the festival’s launch party at The Green Room on September 25th, where they got a little taster of what to expect from the main event!

Tickets (which will be exchanged for wristbands on the day) are on sale for the one day festival and are priced at £8. – Take a look at Oxjam Darlo’s social media pages (Facebook and Twitter) for details on where they can purchased.

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