Tag: whats on

Adults Only Sleepover Announced For Newcastle’s Great North Museum: Hancock

By on 19th December 2016in What's On?

The Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle has announced that it will host an ‘adults only’ sleepover for the first time early next year.

The ticketed event on Saturday 4 March 2017 is part of the new Great North Nights programme of late events at the museum.

Visitors will get the chance to bed down next to the museum’s iconic exhibits, including its Egyptian mummies and T. rex, as well as after-hours access to the forthcoming exhibition Bones: Skeleton Secrets of the Animal World.

There will also be live music from North East band The Cornshed Sisters, a cash bar, late night DJ, food and activities led by the museum’s experts.

Caroline McDonald, Manager at the Great North Museum: Hancock said:

“We’re excited to try something new with this event and allow visitors to live that dream of spending a night at the museum.”

“We have had youngsters stay overnight in the past but this is our first sleepover designed solely with grown-ups in mind. I’m pleased that we’ll be able to show the museum in a different light.”

Tickets for the sleepover are limited and priced at £75 (plus booking fee) for adults and £70 (plus booking fee) for concessions. The price includes a complimentary welcome drink, hot buffet dinner, late night snacks, all entertainment, activities and breakfast the following morning.

Musical headliners for the night The Cornshed Sisters are four singer-songwriters who weave together pop, folk, protest, ballad and gospel music into a unique and distinctively English style.

Following the release of their debut album ‘Tell Tales’ they performed a live session for Marc Riley (BBC Radio 6 Music), toured the UK with The Futureheads, appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends and played Glastonbury acoustic stage in summer 2016. Their second album is currently being recorded and produced by Peter Brewis at Field Music’s Studio on the banks of the river Wear.

Tickets for Great North Nights: Grown-up Sleepover are available now via www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk

Discover The North East’s ‘Luckiest Woman’ At Durham County Record Office

By on 17th December 2016in Events

Standing in the kitchen of her small, County Durham pit village home Barbara Mortenson had the luckiest of escapes.

With her children and Danish husband Carl in bed upstairs, at 10.30pm on a clear summer night, a 3in wide shell demolished part of the family’s back yard wall, drilled a hole clean through the kitchen wall, flew past her, across the room and landed near the front door – but failed to explode.

A short distance away Mary Slaughter was not so fortunate.

Walking through the New Seaham colliery yard with her cousin, the 35-year-old from Hebburn was hit by another of the 39 missiles launched from a German submarine that had surfaced 1.5 miles away. She would die from her injuries the next day.

Their contrasting stories are among the subjects of Durham County Record Office’s first talk of 2017, which takes a look at one of the less well known incidents of the First World War.

Education and outreach archivist Dawn Layland said: “If you are familiar with the history of County Durham you may know that Hartlepool was bombarded by the German fleet in 1914, but many may not know that Seaham also came under enemy fire in 1916.

“In the colliery village of New Seaham, 1.5 miles inland from Seaham Harbour, the quiet of a July evening was shattered by a German submarine attack.

“Staff at the Record Office have built up a huge wealth of knowledge about the archives we hold and the history of the county, and our Third Thursday talks are our chance to share that knowledge.

“The first talk – Coastal Seaham Investigation: Submarine Bombardment – is a great story.

“Come and find out about the luckiest woman in County Durham.”

The talk – which costs £2 per person – will be held on Thursday 19 January 2017, from 12.30pm to 1.15pm at Durham County Record Office at County Hall in Aykley Heads.

Further talks, titled “Relieving the Monotony”: DLI Regimental Journals, 1857-1968, and “From Idea to Act of Parliament”: Local Legislation in the Eighteenth Century , will follow on the third Thursday of March and May.

To book a place call 03000 267626 or for more information visit www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk.

 

Coffee, Crafts And Cards At Spennymoor Library

By on 10th December 2016in Events

Coffee, crafts and card-making are among the Christmas activities at a County Durham library.

Spennymoor Library is hosting a series of festive special events over the coming weeks.

On Thursday, 15 December, there’s a Christmas coffee morning between 9.30am and 11.30am, with warm drinks, nibbles and a tombola.

Youngsters can make their own Christmas tree decoration at a craft session on Tuesday, 20 December. Starting at 10.30am, the session costs £1 per child and places should be booked in advance.

Free Christmas card-making workshops are also taking place from Monday to Saturday throughout December.

For more information on any activities, contact Spennymoor Library on 03000 269 531.

Beyond Chester-Le-Street And Durham

By on 4th December 2016in Events

Snow Ball, Gateshead

Head to St Mary’s Heritage Centre on 10th December for the return of this popular dance night, based on a dress code of Snow and Sparkles. Two international DJs and a great live band will be in attendance, giving you the perfect opportunity to strap on your festive dancing shoes.

The evening will get underway with DJ Andy Lewis getting the Swing Dance Social going, after which, it will be time for a short taster Swing session for the early arrivals, with the talented Lindy Jazz introducing novices to the easy style and fun of Swing, while nicely warming up the more seasoned dancers.

Then, from about 8:30pm, will be the Snow Ball itself, enabling you to bust out your favourite moves to music spanning the 1920s to 1950s, courtesy of the incomparable Strictly Speakeasy Band. Taking place in a gorgeous location overlooking the River Tyne, the event represents the perfect relaxed Christmas party for all couples, friends and colleagues with a love for live music and dancing.

There will even be best-dressed competitions, while the evening will be closed out by the ever-dependable DJ Gillian Scott. How could you possibly hope to round off your year any more stylishly than this?

The standard ticket price is £18, although advanced £16 tickets are available to those booking by Saturday 3rd December. Visit www.lindy-jazz.co.uk, call 07719 174 544 or email events@lindy-jazz.co.uk for more information.

The Tales of Beatrix Potter, Gateshead

The wonderful world of Beatrix Potter continues to enchant and delight audiences young and old, and when they pop into St Mary’s Heritage Centre between 20th and 24th December, they can remind themselves of all of its charms of such characters as Peter Rabbit and friends, Jeremy Fisher and Mrs Tiggywinkle.

This special showing, which takes place at various times over the five days, is directed by Dianne Jackson and carefully captures the originality and joy of Beatrix Potter’s own drawings, perfectly supported by the music of Colin Towns and introduced with cameo performances by Niamh Cusack.

The showing takes place in a specially created starlit setting, with 900 years of Gateshead history transformed into a film theatre. We really can’t think of many more befitting ways to celebrate 150 years of Beatrix Potter’s life, whether you and your family are familiar with her works or are only just becoming acquainted with her remarkable universe.

Tickets are priced from £5. If you are interested in a private early screening for a group, special occasion or birthday party, simply call 0191 433 4699 or email heritage@gateshead.gov.uk for costs and details.

The Biscuit Factory Festive Weekends, Newcastle

There’s a rich contemporary art scene to enjoy here in the North East. However, while many of us are familiar with such institutions as the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima), it’s easy to forget that our region is also home to the UK’s largest commercial art, craft and design gallery, The Biscuit Factory.

This year, the venue hosts an eclectic programme of Festive Weekends to truly bring the Yuletide spirit to Newcastle’s cultural quarter. On 3rd December, for instance, there is the opportunity to create a decorative garland for your fireplace, courtesy of Boutique Floral. This, and other workshops hosted by Boutique Floral across the month – covering such subjects as how to design a festive table arrangement or create your own Christmas door wreath – are priced at £30 per person and must be booked in advance by calling the gallery on 0191 261 1103.

With various other workshops and demos taking place throughout the month, including Simon Griffiths’ demo of wildlife sculpture on 4th December and Carruthers & Kent’s ‘ask the expert’ event on pairing wines with your seasonal dishes on 11th December, the gallery will remain a hive of activity right up to Christmas Eve.

Visit www.thebiscuitfactory.com to learn more about the full programme of events

What’s On TV This Month

By on 3rd December 2016in Film & TV

Kirstie’s Crafty Christmas

Far from the world of Location, Location, Location, Kirstie Allsopp has built quite the reputation in recent years for her televised celebrations of all things humble, handmade and crafty, something that otherwise seems all too rare on British TV. This month, she returns with Kirstie’s Crafty Christmas, which sees many of the UK’s most talented crafters battle it out in a series of festive categories.

Who will be deemed the best in Britain at the hand-making of Christmas decorations? What about the honour of the best-decorated Christmas tree, the best decorated Christmas cake or the best handmade toy?

There are even competitions for the likes of the best gingerbread house, the best floral art and the best Christmas dish, among others. It all surely demonstrates once more that even in an age in which many of us seem to be glued to our laptop and phone screens, there are still plenty more of us who adore few things more than getting resourceful with our hands and the most basic materials found around the house.

Find out which crafters triumph in their respective categories on Channel 4 this month.

Doctor Who Christmas Special

Given the absence of any full Doctor Who series at all in 2016, it’s fair to say that the return of Peter Capaldi’s Doctor to BBC One ahead of a full 10th series next year is more than eagerly anticipated.

So, what do we know about the Christmas special? Well, its title has been confirmed as “The Return of Doctor Mysterio”, with the news accompanied by an image of the insignia for a superhero character played by Justin Chatwin.

It has also been reported that the special will see the return of Nardole, the character played by Matt Lucas and who first appeared in last year’s Christmas special, “The Husbands of River Song”. We’ve heard that Nardole will have a “sizable role” to play in the full 10th season.

A source recently told Radio Times that the Doctor wouldn’t have a temporary companion this Christmas, with that “space” essentially taken by Nardole. Nonetheless, we already know that the new full series will see Capaldi joined by new assistant Bill, played by actress Pearl Mackie.

The rumour is that Mackie only signed a one-year contract, and will depart with Capaldi after the 2017 Christmas special.

Blankety Blank

Simply mention the words “Blankety Blank” to anyone of a certain age (who may well be you!), and some of the most evocative images of 1980s British TV are conjured up – the stick-like microphone known as ‘Wogan’s Wand’, the similarly notorious ‘chequebook and pen’, the comedic double entendre answers (“Did you catch a glimpse of that girl on the corner? She has the world’s biggest blank“)… you get the idea.

So, depending on your point of view, it may be either welcome news or a certain kind of heresy that the show is being revived once more this Christmas, for the first full episode since the end of the Lily Savage era in 2002. Of course, the show hasn’t been completely off our screens in the intervening 14 years, as new one-off versions have been broadcast, not least a Comic Relief segment featuring the man who will fill the boots of the late and legendary former host Sir Terry Wogan, the similarly late and legendary Les Dawson and the still-very-much-with-us legend behind Savage, Paul O’Grady.

That man is Little Britain star David Walliams. Amid the whispers of this ITV Christmas Special marking the beginning of a full-blown revival of the show if it is well-received, needless to say that here at IN&AROUND, we can’t wait to see how he gets on.

Fascinators Are Odds On Favourite As North East Women Prepare For Ladies’ Day

By on 13th June 2016in Lifestyle

Ladies from across the North East are being encouraged to dress to impress for Redcar Racecourse’s Ladies’ Day with superb designer prizes up for grabs…

The Teesside racecourse’s annual Ladies’ Day Premier meeting, on Saturday June 18th, is always a glamourous occasion and this year won’t disappoint, as thousands of women will don their most fabulous outfits for an afternoon at the races.

In keeping with the tradition of Ladies’ Day there are fabulous prizes to be won for the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ and the ‘Best Hat’, which have been kindly donated by Market Cross Jewellers, Orange Kerr Hair & Beauty, Lynne Young Chic Hats, and Eastwood Photography.

Amy Fair, Redcar Racecourse’s general manager, said this is one of her favourite Premier meetings of the season as it’s always a magnificent event.

She said: “With fascinators, dresses, bubbly and glamorous prizes to be won, what more could a girl want? This is the most highly anticipated event of the racing season and we’re looking forward to welcoming ladies from across the region to Redcar Racecourse.”

“This is the perfect event for social racegoers and racing enthusiast alike. If you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want a great excuse to get dressed up, then you need to attend Ladies’ Day.”

Competition ‘spotters’ will mingle with the crowds throughout the afternoon and select the ten finalists for the hotly contested ‘Best Dressed Lady’ and ‘Best Hat’ competitions.

The lady judged to be the ‘Best Dressed’ will be invited to represent Redcar Racecourse in the Go Racing In Yorkshire Grand Final at Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday 22nd October.

The prizes for the ‘Best Dressed’ ladies are: (1st) A Gucci necklace and bracelet and £150 gift voucher from Market Cross Jewellers, and a cut and blow dry voucher from Orange Kerr Hair & Beauty; (2nd) Links of London necklace, Chlobo pearl star ring, Chlobo pearl bracelet, and £100 gift voucher from Market Cross Jewellers; (3rd) Daisy heart necklace, Swarovski slake bracelet, £50 Nomination gift voucher from Market Cross Jewellers. All three placed winners will also receive Orange Kerr Hair & Beauty gift packs.

The prizes for the ladies with the ‘Best Hat’ are: (1st) Bespoke fascinator and matching bag from Lynne Young Chic Hats, a makeover photoshoot for two from Eastwood Photography, and a gel nails voucher from Orange Kerr Hair & Beauty; (2nd) Lola and Grace collier crystal necklace from Market Cross Jewellers; (3rd) Michael Kors logo stud earrings from Market Cross Jewellers.

Racegoers are being encouraged to put on their best accessories for a chance to win one of 20 #TopSpot goodie bags on the day.

The racecourse has teamed up with local charity Teesside Hospice to showcase a ‘Dress For Less’ fashion show after the 2nd race at 2.05pm. All of the outfits have been sourced through the Teesside Hospice shops proving that you can look fabulous without spending a fortune and you’ll be supporting a great cause at the same time.

In the run up to the big day, Redcar Racecourse is also giving one lucky racegoer the chance to win a VIP day for four. The winner and their three friends will receive a three course meal with wine in the Voltigeur Restaurant, VIP Grandstand Admission badges and racecards, and a luxury gift, all with an estimated value of more than £500.

Anyone who wants to be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize should head over to Redcar Racecourse’s Facebook page and follow the instructions.

Amy added: “Ladies’ Day is always an incredible event and winning a VIP day at the races would make it extra special for any racegoer.”

Alongside the seven races, local performing arts company, Page2Stage, will help to deliver another grand day with entertainment for all the family, including appearances from princesses Snow White, Cinderella, and Rapunzel.

Admission prices on the day start from £5 per adult with free admission for accompanied children aged 17 and under. The admission gates will open at 11am and the first race is scheduled to start at 1.35pm.

Parties of 10 or more can also save over 20% when they book their Grandstand or Course Enclosure admission tickets in advance.

For more information visit http://www.redcarracing.co.uk/ and to enter the Ladies’ Day VIP competition, visit https://www.facebook.com/RedcarRacing/.

Facebook & Twitter: @Redcarracing

2016 remaining Premier meetings:

Saturday 18th June Ladies’ Day

Sunday 17th July Help for Heroes Family Fun Day

Saturday 6th August Caribbean Carnival Day

Saturday 27th August Ladies’ & Gents’ Evening

Saturday 1st October Totepool Two Year Old Trophy Day

Park Up And Picnic At Katherine Jenkins Concert This Friday

By on 3rd May 2016in Entertainment

Classical music fans are being given the chance to park up and picnic at a special concert taking place next week…

Singing superstar Katherine Jenkins will be performing live in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland on Friday (May 6).

As part of the event, organised by Northern Sessions, fans can now enjoy a luxury, organic picnic platter made up of ethically-produced ingredients from nearby RIVERFORD Farms.

The British-themed platter, which comes complete with biodegradable plates, cutlery and cups, will be available to take away from the Big Green Café Bus, a customised double decker with a fully fitted commercial kitchen.

Each serving will include a mix of carrot and celery sticks, baby tomatoes on the vine, bruschetta biscuits, marinated olives, homemade hummus, baby back ribs in BBQ sauce, salt and pepper honey glazed chicken wings, prawns with a picante dip and strawberries.

Two homemade soups will be available at an additional rate, with a choice of carrot and coriander or broccoli and stilton, both served with French stick slices.

To help cater for those travelling to the concert from around the North East and wider UK, Northern Sessions, part of events company Sunderland Live, have also arranged on-site car parking.

This is priced at £5 per car but must be booked in advance at www.thenorthernsessions.co.uk

“This is a huge event for the North East and we wanted to make it as easy as possible for people from around the region and further afield who are planning to attend,” said Alison McDonough, Chief Executive of Sunderland Live.

“The addition of on-site parking and those amazing, organic picnic platters, will hopefully allow everyone to make the most of their evening watching Katherine, as well as helping to protect the stunning setting of Herrington Country Park.”

A limited number of tickets for Katherine Jenkins, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra and acclaimed violinists Vladimir and Anton, are still available priced at £33 each.

Doors will open at 5.30pm, with live music beginning at 7pm.

Picnic platters, priced at £15 each and soup, priced at £3.50 each, will served throughout the evening at the Big Green Café Bus.

For more information visit www.thenorthernsessions.co.uk, follow @thenorthernsess on Twitter or search The Northern Sessions on Facebook.

TV Architect George Clarke Speaks To Packed Northumbria Audience

By on 1st May 2016in In & Around

Speaking as part of the University’s free public lecture series, George spoke to a packed audience of 600 people about his experiences in architecture, design and media…

His lecture proved so popular that the University had to move it from the original venue to its Students’ Union, which has capacity for an extra 200 attendees.

George used his public lecture to speak about his professional practice; the success of TV series such as George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and Restoration Man and his views on British domestic architecture, innovation and the UK construction industry.

It was the first time he has returned to Northumbria after being awarded an honorary degree last summer, when he praised the University’s architecture courses, which are regularly ranked in the top 20 in the UK.

The renowned architect, who runs his own practice alongside his broadcasting career, said: “A lot of architectural schools do theoretical pieces of architecture that just stay on paper and never get realised. Everyone involved in this University are trying to create real projects out there in industry that are being planned and developed and built, so the students are constantly getting the chance to work on a real-life project. I think this makes Northumbria very distinctive because there aren’t many other places that are doing it.”

Each year, the University arranges a number of free lectures which are open to members of the public, as well as its staff and students. Past speakers have included conservationist David Bellamy; House of Commons Speaker John Bercow; former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion and leading politician Lord Heseltine.

For more information on public lectures at the University, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/publiclectures.

Volunteers Sought To Shine Light On 10th Battalion

By on 30th April 2016in Have Your Say

Volunteers are being urged to “join up” and help unearth the history of the Durham Light Infantry’s “Shiny Tenth”…

The regiment’s 10th battalion was raised in 1914 as part of Kitchener’s New Army and fought across the Western Front, including the Battles of Ypres, Hooge, Delville Wood, Arras, Inverness Copse and Passchendaele.

But in the 100 years that have followed nobody has written the full story of the “Shinies” – a situation Durham County Record Office is set to rectify.

“The 10th was the first of 15 battalions the DLI raised for Kitchener’s army,” said principal archivist Gill Parkes, “but their story has never properly been told.

“To make sure it now is we’re recruiting volunteers to help with the creation of an online history, which will be available through our Durham at War website.

“We would like to hear from anyone who has an ancestor who served in 10 DLI during the 1914 to 1918 period, who is interested in any aspect of the battalion’s war service, who enjoys researching or writing about the First World War, or who just likes solving puzzles and organising information.”

The project will have access to a wide variety of source material, including previously unpublished family papers and the records of the battalion’s commanding officer, Colonel Hubert Morant.

Gill said: “To give an example of how little is known about 10 DLI we have one photo of three grave crosses on the Ypres Salient in early February 1916 that contains at least six stories waiting to be uncovered.

DLI-b2

“That is not just who the three soldiers were, but how they died, where the graves were and why another soldier came to have the photo.”

To find out more about the “Second to None – The Story of the Shiny Tenth” project and to sign up, visit Durham County Record Office at County Hall on Thursday 5 May, from 4pm to 7.30pm.

The first research session will take place at County Hall on Saturday 11 June from 10am to 12.30pm.

People living elsewhere in the country or overseas can also take part in the project by contributing online.

To register email contactdurhamatwar@durham.gov.uk or telephone 03000 267 621.

Killer Queen Set To Bring A Kind Of Magic To Chester-Le-Street Fake Festival

By on 26th April 2016in Entertainment

With summer just around the corner it’s time to think about this year’s big days out – so we’re delighted to be back at Riverside Park for an amazing fourth year on Sat 6th August – when 3 world-class tributes to Queen, Arctic Monkeys & Stereophonics, will be headlining a Fake Festival that has something for everyone.

In a year that sees the real Queen & Adam Lambert touring major European cities – we bring you the next best thing – the amazing Flash – a tribute every bit as good as the original Freddie in sound, performance & attitude!

We’ll also be bringing you 5 of the very best local bands to support our headliners – already confirmed are the brilliant Riverain, Edenthorn, The Firelight Opera & Sean Hainey – who will be performing a fabulous mix of original music and covers for your enjoyment!

We’re also very excited about our new look festival food options – which include the Fat Hippo Burger Bar, delicious wood fired pizzas, speciality barbecued pulled pork and amazing local fish & chips! We guarantee they will whet your appetite and have your taste buds dancing too.

Families are welcome too and there’s plenty for kids to do – with a professional face painting team and a secure outside entertainment zone. Doors for the all-day event open at 12:30pm – and those who come down before 2pm to support the local bands will be rewarded with a free drink of your choice from the fully licensed bar.

Local event organiser Bec Evans says, “We’re amazed at the popularity of these one day music festivals – but the quality of the tribute bands, the atmosphere generated inside our giant marquee and sheer value for money have made it the local event not to be missed!”

So if you’re up for a great day out this summer – get in quick and take advantage of the Early Bird discounts which are available until midnight on Wed 6th July. Tickets are available now from www.fakefestivals.co.uk – or our outlets: Costcutter (Garden Farm Estate) & M J O’Brien’s Newsagents (Chester le Street High Street).

Tickets bought up to and including 6th July: Adults (18+) £17 – Young Person (10-17) £9 – Family (2 x Adult + 2 x Young Person) £43. Tickets bought from 7th July: Adult £20 – Young Person £11 – Family £51. Under 10s are always free with a paying adult.

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