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Spring 2019 www.durham.gov.uk Bishop Auckland Food Festival #durham19 An incredible Year of Culture Area Action Partnerships 10 years of supporting local communities Norman Cornish Centenary celebrations
Welcome
to the spring edition of Durham County News
2019 is already shaping up to be a busy year for us with a packed calendar of events and
activities to mark Durham’s Year of Culture. There’s a rundown of the programme on the Councillor Simon Henig,
Leader of the Council
opposite page as well as a feature on one of the highlights, Bishop Auckland Food Festival,
on pages 16 and 17.
More about events to honour what would have been the 100th birthday of County Durham’s very own Norman
Cornish are on pages 8 and 9 and there are lots of ideas for exploring our parks on pages 22 and 23.
This edition also includes some inspirational real life stories, details of our Powered by People initiative and a
celebration of the work of our Area Action Partnerships over the past decade.
I hope you enjoy reading Durham County News and are able to join us at some of our upcoming events.
Simon Henig
Inside... Page 11
Business
Pages 16-17
Bishop Auckland
Pages 20-21
Green living
Food Festival
Pages 4-7
News Pages 12-13
Area Action
Partnerships
Pages 18-19
Fostering and
Adoption Pages 22-23
Out and about
Pages 14-15 Pages 24-30
Pages 8-9 Health and What’s on
Norman Cornish Wellbeing this spring
Centenary
great prizes in our competitions...
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Budget County Hall DH1 5UF, or drop them into reception at any of our customer access points.
Entries close on Sunday 14 April (unless otherwise stated).
Front cover: Bishop Auckland Food Festival
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2
#durham19 – an incredible
year of culture
From the mouthwatering delights of the region’s biggest food festival to the return of the always incredible
Lumiere – and plenty more in between – 2019 promises a packed programme of unforgettable events, openings,
festivals and anniversaries.
And in recognition of the amazing array of activities on offer over the coming months, we’ve joined forces with
Visit County Durham in designating 2019 a Year of Culture in County Durham.
#durham19 will see international cricket come to our county with Cricket World Cup matches
taking place in Chester-le-Street and a whole host of new events such as Seaham Food Festival
and cycling event Vélo of the North.
The full programme includes:
Apollo Pavilion Durham Pride Kynren – An Epic Tale of Vélo North
22 to 23 March 26 May England 1 September
2019 marks 50 years since the Free event with a parade 29 June to 14 September Brand new 100-mile and 50-mile
creation of this iconic example of fairground, stalls and more. Time travel through 2,000 years of mass participation closed road
1960s public art. A year of Celebrating LGBT+ and diversity in history at this spectacular outdoor races around the North Pennines.
celebrations begins with a County Durham. live action show.
stunning art installation from Heritage Open Days
Artichoke, the creators of Lumiere. Seaham Food Festival Durham Brass Festival 13 to 22 September
8 to 9 June 13 to 21 July Visit venues across the county in
Bishop Auckland Food The county’s first seaside food A county-wide celebration of brass a free celebration of heritage,
Festival festival will bring a host of culinary music, with brilliant bands and community and history.
13 to 14 April delights to Durham’s Heritage musicians.
Coast.
The region’s biggest food festival Durham Book Festival
returns with top chefs, fabulous 135th Durham Miners’ Gala 5 to 13 October
traders and tasty demonstrations. Durham Regatta
8 to 9 June 13 July A host of household names take
A spectacular weekend of racing Join the traditional mining over the city with book-based
Durham Adventure Festival and riverside entertainment. heritage celebrations at the annual discussions and events.
26 to 28 April Durham City event.
A celebration of adventure and ICC Cricket World Cup Lumiere
wilderness through film 28 June: Durham City Run 14 to 17 November
screenings, talks and more. The UK’s largest light festival returns
Sri Lanka vs South Africa 25 July
as Durham’s streets are transformed
1 July: An evening of 5k and 10k racing
into a nocturnal art trail.
Tour Series Sri Lanka vs West Indies through the city and along the
18 May 3 July: beautiful River Wear.
Professional cyclists take on England vs New Zealand
Durham City’s cobbles in a thrilling
test of their skill and speed. The Riverside ground hosts three See the full programme of events at
Cricket World Cup matches.
www.thisisdurham.com/19
3
Contact us: News
Visit our website
to use online services
24 hours a day
7 days a week
www.durham.gov.uk/
doitonline
If you need to phone us, call 50 years of iconic landmark
Customer Services An East Durham landmark named after the first moon
03000 26 0000 landing celebrates half a century this year.
8.30am-5pm (Monday-Thursday) The Apollo Pavilion at Peterlee was organiser Artichoke. This will be on
8.30am-4.30pm (Friday) unveiled in 1969 – with the name a show at the Sunny Blunts estate site
tribute to that year’s Apollo landing over the nights of Friday 22 and
Out of hours emergency service
available. which saw Neil Armstrong and Buzz Saturday 23 March.
Aldrin become the first men on the
In July, a 50th birthday party will also
For social care and independent moon.
be held at the pavilion, which was
living enquiries or adult and In honour of the anniversary, we’re designed by artist Victor Pasmore.
children’s welfare issues: arranging a year of celebrations,
The celebrations are all part of our
Social Care Direct/Children’s beginning with a light installation
#durham19 Year of Culture.
First Contact Service coordinated by Lumiere Festival
03000 26 79 79
@DurhamCouncil Saving lives 24/7
/durhamcouncil A mission to provide 24-hour public access to lifesaving
linkedin.com/company/ equipment is proving a huge success.
durham-county-council
The project, funded by Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership, was set up
/DurhamCouncil to provide community venues in Newton Aycliffe with defibrillators for use by
the public in emergency situations. Free training in the use of the equipment
/durham_county_council and administering CPR is also being made available.
Only 18 months ago there were no 24-hour defibrillator units in Newton
Please ask us if you would like this document Aycliffe, now there are several units located throughout the community
summarised in another language or format. thanks to the scheme. This includes two new units at The Navy Club and
Braille Audio Large print Neville Community Association.
durhamcountynews@durham.gov.uk To date, 300 people have undertaken training on the use of the new equipment.
03000 268 059
Key to symbols: S South Durham E East Durham C Central Durham N North Durham W West Durham
4
News
Green light for
new Durham
History Centre
Plans to create a new history
centre bringing together
archive and heritage services
for County Durham have been
given the go-ahead.
Durham History Centre will
see the Grade II listed Mount Oswald
Manor restored, refurbished and Historic town hall opens to
extended to provide a multi-use
archive venue where visitors will be
public
able to explore nationally and One of Durham City’s most historic buildings is now open to the
internationally significant collections. public.
In addition to the county’s archives, Durham Town Hall offers visitors an insight into local history from the
which are currently accessed more powerful Prince Bishops of the 11th Century to the trade guilds and freemen
than one million times a year, the of the 17th Century.
centre will house historic registration
records, environment and archaeology As well as new audio guides and interactive information points, two specially
records, local studies collections as made short films bring the building’s history to life.
well as the Durham Light Infantry The town hall is open every Saturday from 10am to 3pm and admission is free.
Collection. Services will build on their
For more information call 03000 267 955
existing outreach programmes to
or email DurhamTownHall@durham.gov.uk
continue to provide access to the
collections across the county.
Mount Oswald Manor House will also Art project is lead-ing
become the new home for the
Durham Register Office, offering
the way with glass and
significantly enhanced facilities for light
weddings and civil ceremonies in an A community art project is set to
historic setting. This will include the celebrate the region’s industrial
relocation to the new site of the
heritage with an artwork
existing Durham Register Office from
combining glass, lead and light.
Aykley Heads House along with
registration records and ceremonial We’ve joined forces with MBC Arts
functions from Bishop Auckland Wellbeing CIC to bring together
Register Office. Members of the public expert glass makers and artists to
will continue to be able to register create a replica lead mining tub
births and deaths in Bishop Auckland. featuring 500 handmade glass panels, made by members of the public during
a series of free workshops.
Consultation events will take place
over the summer before the The piece will be installed at Killhope Lead Mining
beginning of the planning process. Museum in Upper Weardale later this year.
5
News
Devotion of
Swan Lady
remembered
A Chester-le-Street woman who
dedicated her life to caring for
the swans at her local park has
been remembered close to her
favourite spot.
For over 25 years, Linda Charlton tended
to injured swans at the town’s Riverside outstanding contribution and her tireless service to
Park, even wading through the pond waters to take wildlife.
wounded birds back to her home and nurse them back to
health before releasing them. Sadly, Linda passed away in 2018 but visitors to Riverside
Park can now sit and watch the birds she so selflessly
Her kindness was recognised last year when Linda was nurtured on a specially designed bench, featuring two
featured on the RSPCA’s 2018 honours list for her swan silhouettes.
Have your say on
licensing
Are you safe from scams? We are reviewing our
current licensing policy
Did you know that between £5 billion and
and would welcome your views.
£10 billion is lost to scams every year.
Friends Against Scams aims to protect and prevent Our current Statement of Licensing Policy, which
residents from becoming victims by helping was published in 2014, expires this year and a new
communities take a stand against scams, which, in policy needs to be in place before the end of
addition to financial loss, can often lead to loneliness, October.
shame and social isolation. The policy will aim to promote the following
The national scheme, which we are supporting, aims objectives:
to highlight the scale of the problem, change the • prevention of crime and disorder
perception of why people fall victim to scams and • public safety
make scams a local, regional and national topic. • prevention of public nuisance
With increased knowledge and awareness, people • protection of children from harm
can make scams part of everyday conversation with A consultation on an updated version of the policy
their family, friends and neighbours, enabling them runs until Friday 3 May.
to protect themselves and others.
Have your say at
To learn more visit www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk www.durham.gov.uk/consultation
6
News
Big Lottery boost
for community
scheme
A partnership project in the east of the
county has secured more than £300,000
in funding so it can continue to support
the community for three more years.
East Durham Area Action Partnership, Groundwork,
Horden and Peterlee Rugby Club and Horden Youth
and Community Centre, have received £374,878
from the National Lottery for their joint project, the
Eden Hill People Centre.
Located in Peterlee, the project aims to enhance the
services available for young people in the area and strengthen community resilience. This includes delivering school
holiday programmes, a drop-in service, youth programmes, community events, and work within local schools.
The group meets at Horden and Peterlee Rugby Club on Thursday mornings.
Tasty Tours brand and support local food and drink
producers.
Visit County Durham has Taste Durham showcases and celebrates
developed a series of ‘Tasty the county’s food and drink and
Tours’ videos to highlight the encourages people who live here, and
distinctiveness of the county’s those who are visiting, to sample the
food and drink. best local produce.
To watch the Tasty Tours videos, visit
The videos, showcasing some of our
www.thisisdurham.com/
specialities including gin, cheese,
food-and-drink
Photo: Visit County Durham
sweet treats and vegan options, have
been created to bring the county’s
food and drink offer to life, raise the
profile of the Taste Durham food
Modern Day Slavery
We’ve pledged our commitment to tackling modern day slavery
and human trafficking by adopting a new charter.
Modern slavery is a serious crime which can involve servitude and forced or
compulsory labour and human trafficking. A person is trafficked if they are
brought to, or moved around, a country by others who threaten, frighten, hurt
and force them to do work or other things they don’t want to do.
Victims of modern slavery can be men, women or children of all ages, with often
the most vulnerable groups being targeted.
If you witness or suspect modern slavery or human trafficking is taking place, you should report your concerns to the
police on 101.
7
2 0 1 9 Ye a r
of Culture
Norman Cornish
This year marks what would have been artist Norman Cornish’s
100th birthday. In recognition of one of County Durham’s most
famous sons, venues around the county will be celebrating his
legacy with events and activities for all ages.
Norman Cornish MBE was perhaps the most famous
artist to emerge from the north east of England in the
20th Century, becoming one of the most famous British
artists of his time. His work is held in public and private
collections throughout the UK and abroad.
His life is a story of humble beginnings. Born in November
1919 in Spennymoor, he left school at 14 and started
work at Dean and Chapter Colliery, Ferryhill, like many
boys of his age at the time.
For the people of County Durham, he is a figure to
whom we still feel a close connection. He not only came
from our area but chose to depict, explore and display
our streets and people in his work. Through his artwork
and his legacy, he not only offers some incredible
paintings, but instils a sense of pride, potential and
poignancy in his home county.
But the dark scenes of the coal face didn’t dull his
imagination. Instead, they fuelled his passion for
sketching and painting and in 1966 he left mining to
become a professional artist.
Cornish’s muse was the life he knew so well in the local
coal towns and villages and his work acts as a window
into the extraordinary times of the men and women
whose days, while often full of hardship, were also full
of fun and community spirit.
He established himself as a leading figure of the British
art world and became one of the most sought-after
painters of his generation.
8
More to come…
There are plenty more
events and activities
to look forward to over
the coming months,
including:
Gala Gallery, Durham
An exhibition of Cornish’s
portraiture work.
Late June to early September
Palace Green Library,
Centenary celebrations Durham University
Sketchbooks showing the artist’s
Cornish’s hometown of Spennymoor will provide the focus for the early ideas and, in some instances,
start of the celebrations next month with the launch of a permanent showing the development of a
sketch through to the finished piece.
Norman Cornish Trail.
November to February 2020
Stopping at 10 points around the town, the trail promises to take people
back to a time when coal was the lifeblood of industry and at the heart of
The Bowes Museum,
the majority of County Durham communities. Using a free trail guide or an Barnard Castle
easily downloadable smartphone app, walkers will be taken on a tour of
Norman Cornish – The Definitive
key locations where they will find information panels featuring artworks Collection will be a major
and an explanation of why Cornish was drawn to them. The images reflect retrospective forming perhaps the
the cultural landscape during the artist’s working lifetime, providing a rich most comprehensive collection of
social and historical record of bygone times. Cornish’s artwork.
The trail starts at the newly refurbished John Kitson Archway in the town November to February 2020
hall. Due to be officially unveiled next month, the stunning new exhibit
features a selection of the artist’s work displayed on backlit glass panels. Greenfield Gallery,
Newton Aycliffe
The trail will take about an hour to complete although visitors may also
wish to visit the Bob Abley Gallery upstairs in the town hall where they can Man of Destiny will tell the story of
success over adversity and the
discover more about Cornish’s 1963 mural of Durham Miners’ Gala. challenges faced by Cornish
Measuring some nine metres long, the painting was commissioned by us during his journey to professional
and can still be seen in County Hall. The Story of the Durham Miners’ status.
Gala Mural features a range of preparatory paintings, drawings, sketches October to December
and a narrative, plotting the artist’s journey from commission through to
completion.
Beamish
Saturday 6 April to Sunday 23 February 2020 The artist’s former home is being
www.spennymoor-tc.go.uk re-created as part of the Remaking
Beamish Project 1950s’ town.
Further afield, Norman Cornish: A Slice of Life at Bishop Auckland’s
Mining Art Gallery, is a temporary exhibition co-curated by members of the Northumbria University
local community with some artworks also chosen by Cornish’s children. Exhibition of Cornish’s works
alongside many of the artworld’s
Saturday 6 April to Sunday 13 October old and great masters.
For more information visit www.aucklandproject.org
9
Budget
We continue to work hard to protect frontline services in County
Durham but, as austerity continues, the financial pressures we
are facing are making this more and more difficult.
We have now agreed our budget for In the coming financial year we will
the next 12 months and Medium face a £14.2 million reduction in
Term Financial Plan to 2022/23. Revenue Support Grant, which is
the core funding we receive from
As a result of the Government’s central Government. This is a 34 per
ongoing austerity programme, cent decrease from 2018/19 and this
we need to make savings of could be further reduced in the
£39.5 million from our revenue future.
budget over the next four years.
This includes a savings requirement The Government is currently looking
of £15.8 million in 2019/20. We will at how it allocates funding to local As part of the budget, we have
be using reserves to meet authorities through the Fair Funding agreed a council tax rise of 2.99 per
£5.5 million of this target but will Review. The review could see our cent, with an additional 2 per cent
still need to find savings of £10.3 funding moved to more prosperous increase to help cover the costs of
million. We are forecasting the total areas of the country if a proposed providing adult social care services.
savings we will have made from new formula fails to properly take This equates to a £1.45 per week rise
2011 to 2023 to be £263 million. account of need. for Band D properties and a 97p per
week increase for the majority of
In addition, the council could face
council tax payers, who live in
a potential loss of £19 million if a
Band A properties.
proposed new methodology for
calculating public health grant is We will continue to provide support
introduced from 2020. Ours would to those struggling to pay their
be the biggest reduction in the
201 council tax through our Local
9/20 country. Council Tax Reduction Scheme,
These potential reductions are at a which helps those who would have
time when many of our services are previously received financial
already facing increased pressures. help under the council tax benefit
Further funding reductions and We are struggling to cover the costs system.
increased demand for services such of services such as children’s social
as adult and children’s social care care and special educational needs We continue to be one of only a
mean our financial position is set to support, with additional demands in small number of councils that have
remain challenging for some time. these areas forecast to be more than maintained the benefits of this
And this is being made worse by £12 million in 2019/20. scheme despite Government
uncertainty about future funding funding being cut in this area.
allocations.
201
9/20 £14.2m
£263m reduction in
savings from government funding
2010/11 to this year
£10.3m 2022/23
savings for 2019/20
10
2Business
A rallying call has been issued to businesses
in County Durham – encouraging them to
work together in promoting our area as a Gav Bell, team member at Hitachi, Newton Aycliffe,
believes multinationals are choosing Durham
great place to live, work, visit and invest. because they value our loyal and skilled workers.
We already knew it but now our character that make businesses great. about all that is great in the county;
research and conversations have proved To sum it up – in Durham, we’re it belongs to those who already know
it – it’s the people that make Durham Powered by People. about us and it’s inspiring others to
special. come here.
And, at businesses’ request, we’ve
Successful businesses and organisations developed the idea of Powered by Our county is bucking the trend – we
in our county, including our colleges People into an initiative that brings the have attracted 40 new multi-national
and Durham University, have told us business people and communities of investors over the last three years, there
loud and clear that Durham is a fantastic Durham together to support our local is £3.4 billion work of investment
place to invest, study, live and do economy and growth across the county. planned and we have one
business. They told us that across the Powered by People is about all of us; of the largest growing visitor economies
county, they find a really supportive and giving business people and our in the UK. And through Powered by
collaborative community of people who communities the means to show others People we can do even more.
are loyal, energetic and resilient. They why we’re proud to be here. Whether It’s a powerful message when the
have intelligence and ideas, humour and you run a coffee shop, make local communities and businesses of County
humility; exactly the qualities and cheeses or work for a large multinational Durham work together to showcase
company, it’s about you, your stories what makes the county such a great
and your successes. place to invest, live and work.
Over the coming months, we’ll be Be Part of It, visit
highlighting your success stories www.durhampoweredbypeople.co.uk
so everyone can hear about the where you will find a series of short
momentum and positivity in the county. videos showcasing the county and
Powered by People is something for details of how you can get involved
everyone in Durham to get behind; or email
it can help us all spread the message PoweredByPeople@durham.gov.uk
Powered by People has helped Allison Raper, of Teesdale
Cheesemakers, Barnard Castle, showcase her products
and build the profile of her business.
Looking to start your career
in County Durham?
Apprenticeships offer a great opportunity for people of all ages to earn money
while gaining a recognised qualification, practical experience and the skills you need
for employment. We offer apprenticeships in a wide range of subjects including
catering, accounting, construction and business administration to name a few.
Although apprenticeships are available throughout the year, a recruitment drive
takes place in May for a September start.
To find out more visit www.durham.gov.uk/Apprenticeships
11Area Action
Par tnerships
Celebrating 10 years of
Area Action Partnerships
Next month our Area Action Partnerships (AAP) celebrate
10 years of supporting communities across the county.
Here we take a look at just a handful of the many projects
to have benefitted from their work.
AAPs were set up in 2009 following the creation of the new unitary
council as a way of ensuring our work meets the needs and priorities of
local people.
Over the past decade, residents, councillors, community representatives
and partner organisations have worked tirelessly to develop and deliver
a range of projects through our 14 AAPs across the county – all with the
aim of providing social, economic and environmental benefits to
communities.
By listening to residents’ views, AAPs have been
able to prioritise areas of work that are important to
communities, such as:
The Area Action Partnerships’ 5,000th grant was
• Employment, enterprise and training awarded to King’s Church Durham – Achor Community.
• Children, young people and families
• Local environment Investing in
• Health and wellbeing communities
• Older people Each AAP receives an annual Area
• Transport, traffic and roads Budget to spend on local projects in
their area. In addition, AAPs also support
• Community safety
councillors to invest Neighbourhood
• Communication, IT and technology Budgets to support projects in their own
• Culture, tourism and heritage communities. In total, the AAPs have
• Supporting local groups received more than £42 million over the
past decade. This money has been used
to attract just over an additional
£55.5 million in to County Durham, so
Over £42m for every £1 invested by the AAP, an
additional £1.32 has been brought in
of funding received More than from other sources.
6,000 The funds have been used to deliver
community more than 6,000 community projects
An additional £55.5m projects benefitting residents of all ages, the
unemployed, local businesses and the
attracted to the county delivered more vulnerable residents within their
communities.
12Celebrating success
AAPs often work together, combining resources to support bigger projects
for the benefit of residents in a number of areas. These have included:
Mini Police Beat the Scammers
This innovative programme was Trains older residents on how to
delivered in partnership with handle telephone cold callers, with
Durham Constabulary and Durham call blocker devices supplied and
Agency Against Crime and was fitted to eligible residents’ phones
designed to build relationships free of charge as well as being A voice for the
between children and the police offered to other residents for a small
as well as teaching young people charge.
community
about the work of the police. The project has now reached 5,100 Our AAPs also ensure that
Primary school children were older people across the county and residents are able to have their say
recruited as ‘mini police’, complete 540 call blockers have been on the issues that matter most to
with uniforms, and took part in installed. them.
events, including attending They are often a key part of our
Funded by – Derwent Valley,
Lumiere, community speedwatch consultation process and, as a result,
East Durham Rural Corridor, Stanley,
activities and a visit to police have welcomed visitors from a wide
Teesdale, Spennymoor and
headquarters. variety of international and UK
Mid Durham AAPs in partnership with
Funded and supported by - Durham, Age UK County Durham, housing organisations looking to learn from
Derwent Valley, 3 Towns, 4 Together, associations, Durham Constabulary the way they work.
Bishop Auckland and Shildon, and our consumer protection team.
Chester-le-Street, East Durham Rural
Corridor, Great Aycliffe and Middridge Lumiere Want to find out more?
and Weardale AAPs. The UK’s largest light festival returns Each AAP produces an annual report
this year, but did you know that our detailing its priorities, the projects it
Wheels to Work
AAPs play a key role in bringing it to has supported and the difference
Supports people to find or remain Durham? Previous festivals have these projects have made.
in employment or training when received support from AAPs around
public transport is not an option, by Read these reports, find out more
the county.
providing scooters on short-term about the work of your local AAP
Supported by – Chester le Street, and discover how to get involved by
loan.
Derwent Valley, East Durham, Stanley visiting
Funded by – Chester le Street, and Durham AAPs. www.durham.gov.uk/AAPs
3 Towns, Bishop Auckland and
Shildon, Stanley, East Durham Rural
Corridor, Spennymoor, Great Aycliffe A big thank you to everyone who has supported our AAPs. We look forward
and Middridge and Mid Durham and to continuing to work with you in making a difference to communities across
Durham AAPs. County Durham.
13Health and
We l l b e i n g
New service joins
the dots for cancer
patients
Have you or someone you care for
been affected by cancer?
We’ve set up a new partnership with Macmillan
Cancer Support to ensure individuals get the
practical and personal support they need after
a diagnosis.
Macmillan Joining the Dots County Durham is a free service for people aged 18 and over who have been diagnosed
with cancer. Joining the Dots facilitators work with individuals to identify and prioritise their concerns and agree a plan
of action to ensure they can live as well and as independently as possible. Support is tailored to individual needs and
advice is available on issues such as work, home life, emotional wellbeing and finance.
The team can also provide support for friends, carers and relatives of those with a cancer diagnosis.
Anyone can contact the service direct. There is no need to be referred by a doctor or nurse. Contact the team on freephone
0800 876 6887 or email cddft.joiningthedots@nhs.net. You can also text 07766 558 688 (normal network charges apply)
or visit www.joiningthedots.info
Quit16 – reduce
your cancer risk
A new campaign is
encouraging people to
give up smoking by
highlighting the number
of cancers caused by
the habit.
‘Quit 16’ aims to raise awareness of the 16 types of
cancer linked to smoking and also highlight how
quitting can significantly reduce the risks.
It features cancer survivor Tony Osborne, who now The place to find out about adult
speaks through a breathing stoma as a result of care and support in County Durham
throat cancer, making a personal appeal to others.
For more information about Quit16 visit
www.Quit16.co.uk
If you would like local support to quit,
contact Smoke Free Life County Durham
on 0800 772 0565, text QUIT to 66777 or
email info@smokefreelifecountydurham.co.uk
14Shared Lives
Losing her parents left Colin and June, who welcomed
Debbie into their home and family
Debbie feeling vulnerable
in 2016.
and scared.
“When Debbie first came to live with
Coping with such a loss would be us, she was in a difficult place,” June
difficult for anyone, but for Debbie, said. “She was vulnerable, scared and
who has a learning disability, it was nervous with poor self-esteem.”
particularly hard.
The 38-year-old was unable to live
on her own and desperately needed
support to deal with the changes in
her life.
After careful consideration and As well as the day-to-day care and
discussion, it was felt that a Shared support Colin and June provide,
Lives Placement would best meet Debbie receives regular visits and
her needs. advice from professionals to help
Nearly three years later, Debbie is
with any personal issues.
Shared Lives ‘Providers’ open their now much more confident and
home and family life to an adult or happy. She loves family days out For June, providing a home for
young person who needs care or with Colin and June but also enjoys Debbie has proven to be extremely
support to help them live well. staying at home and pottering in rewarding but she is also grateful
the garden. She likes taking time to for the “immeasurable support
By placing individuals in family listen to music, follow her interest in and guidance” she has received
homes, the scheme is able to art and spend time with friends at from the Shared Lives Scheme.
provide people with a safe her day care centre which she
environment, protect their rights attends three days a week.
and independence and give them Could you provide a safe
the opportunity to develop life skills.
and caring home for an adult
Placements can be on a short-term, or younger person with a
long-term or emergency basis. learning disability?
There are currently 53 Shared Lives Shared Lives offers a
Providers in the county, including rewarding career which
enhances lives.
For more information,
“My life has changed a lot,” she said. call Alison Urwin for an
“I feel very settled and happy now. informal chat
We have lots of laughs here and I like on 03000 265 222
having people around to chat with. or email
We are always busy and I love my life. shared.lives@durham.gov.uk
I want to live here forever.”
15B i s ho p Auckland
Fo o d Festival
Bishop Auckland Food Festival
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April
Bishop Auckland Food Festival returns next month with all
the essential ingredients for a fabulous weekend of family fun.
This year, the festival has attracted dozens of additional traders from across
County Durham and beyond. The market place and surrounding streets will be
bustling with more than 150 stalls, selling traditional treats, exciting street food and
a variety of ales and cocktails. Add cookery demonstrations, live music and Gingo
into the mix and the result is a festival recipe everyone will want to try.
Here we offer just a sampler of what is to come, with plenty more treats to be announced.
Celeb chef line-up
We’re catering for all tastes and ages with this year’s line-up of celebrity chefs and
SERVING UP food personalities. Topping the bill is BBC MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace, who
will create delicious dishes packed full of flavour in the Bishop Auckland Town Hall
Cookery Theatre on Sunday. The nation’s most famous greengrocer will share his top
cookery tips, plus some exciting behind the scenes gossip from the popular BBC One show.
Best known as Coronation Street’s Fiz, actress Jennie McAlpine is also in the
food business as the co-owner of Annies Restaurant in Manchester with her
husband, Chris. Jennie has appeared on ITV’s Lorraine demonstrating her
favourite northern recipes, and will entertain food-lovers at the festival on
Sunday.
BBC MasterChef champion 2018 Kenny Tutt, will make his North East debut at
the event, recreating the amazing dishes he made in the series’ final on both
days of the festival. He will also share some of his exciting
foodie plans for the future.
If one MasterChef winner is not enough, television
presenter Angellica Bell will be cooking up a storm on
Saturday. Angellica, who won Celebrity MasterChef in
2017, is passionate about passing on cookery skills
through the generations. Join the mum-of-two as she
prepares a variety of meals the whole family will enjoy.
Little cooks and the young at heart are sure to be inspired by the culinary creations of writer
and television presenter Stefan Gates on Saturday and Sunday. Food and science will come
together when the CBBC Gastronauts host carries out exciting experiments that are sure to impress
audience members of all ages.
Great British Bake Off 2018 semi-finalist and Durham University graduate Briony May completes this
year’s line-up. Briony, who won over the nation with her warmth, humour and amazing baking skills
on the Channel 4 show, is set to inspire festival-goers on Saturday.
16Live music
Performances by upcoming
musicians will provide the
perfect soundtrack to the
sights, tastes and aromas of
the festival. Relax and soak up
the atmosphere
while devouring
the delicacies
on offer.
Top tipple masterclasses Reaching out
Gin School is back with a twist in 2019, and As excitement builds for the festival, we
we’re not just taking about a slice of lime. Get will be inspiring the next generation of
your eyes down and glasses at the ready as we chefs, and scientists, with our innovative
take you on a ‘ginspirational’ journey based on outreach programme.
the quintessential British pastime of bingo. As well as appearing at the festival,
Gingo promises top prizes, refreshing beverages television presenter and foodie Stefan
and a lot of fun and laughter. Games take place Gates will take hundreds of County
at 12noon and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, Durham schoolchildren on a culinary
and tickets cost £12. quest that explores the science behind the
digestive system. As the author of
For those who prefer their drinks a little heartier, Fartology: The Extraordinary Science Behind
our Beers and Bites workshops are new for 2019. the Humble Fart, Stefan is sure to be a big hit with his young audiences, who
These interactive sessions demonstrate how to can expect plenty of fascinating facts and eye-catching experiments.
pair the best brews with tempting bites from
local producers. From golden ales to bolder, Last year, our outreach chefs visited local schools but by holding the sessions
bigger flavours, discover which North East craft in Bishop Auckland Town Hall we can engage with even more children.
beers pack a punch with your palate.
Workshops take place at 1.30pm on Saturday Get involved
and Sunday, and tickets cost £12. More
If you would like to
workshops and hands-on activities for foodies of
volunteer at the festival
all ages are available so visit our website to see
visit www.durham.gov.uk/
the full menu and book tickets.
volunteering
tickets to see
Gregg Wallace
For a chance to win two tickets to
see Gregg Wallace at 2pm on Sunday 14 April,
tell us: In what year did Gregg start co-hosting Visit www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk
BBC MasterChef?
for a full timetable of demonstrations and classes and
Closing date Sunday 7 April.
See page 2 for details of how to enter. to buy tickets.
17Fostering and
Adoption
Making a difference through
fostering and adoption
Did you know that in County Durham a new child comes into care almost
every day looking for a loving home? We desperately need more people to
help provide a brighter future for the 819 Looked After Children we currently
care for. You can do this in a number of ways, including becoming a foster
carer, providing supported lodgings or adopting a child.
Here, one couple who have opened their doors to more than 40 youngsters
through fostering and adoption, tell us their story.
Twenty years ago, Graham and The couple saw an advert in their ... they all had one thing
Melanie decided they wanted to local paper advertising one of our
in common – the need for
give a brighter future to a baby with information events and they haven’t
special needs. They have now looked back since. a bit of normality.
adopted three children and fostered
Melanie said: “I gave up work to look
many more. They have also adopted two further
after our adopted son, so when he
children.
Melanie said: “We had two birth went to school I was wondering what
children and we felt like we wanted career I could go into. We were still in Graham said: “Some of the children
to adopt a child with special needs. touch regularly with the lady who had have had physical and medical needs,
It’s sad but these children are often fostered him originally and she most of them had emotional needs,
the ones who wait a long time to get encouraged me to think about but they all had one thing in common
adopted and we wanted to give a fostering, so that’s what I did.” – the need for a bit of normality. We
loving home to one of them.” took one set of kids to an ice cream
The couple were quickly approved
van once. When they got handed their
as foster carers and
ice creams they just looked at us, they
Graham said:
didn’t know what they were, or that
“Within three weeks
you had to lick them – four-year-olds
of approval
who’d never seen ice cream - it makes
we had a little girl
you realise that we take ‘normal life’
with additional
for granted.”
health needs placed
with us… we’ve Melanie added: “We just wanted to
never really had an give these children the chance to
empty house since.” experience a warm and loving home,
to get some of the things in life that
Working with our
we all take for granted: a family
fostering team, the
dinner round the table, a comfortable
pair have now
bed to sleep in, the knowledge that
offered a safe and
they are safe at home – these aren’t
If you’ve got a loving home to nearly 40 children,
big things to us, but they make a huge
heart then you can some on an emergency basis, some
difference to these children.”
on short-term placements and
be a foster carer.
others on long-term arrangements.
18Fostering...
Can you offer a child a loving home? We particularly need foster
carers for teenagers and brothers and sisters.
Find out more about fostering
Visit one of our drop-in sessions:
And the couple didn’t stop there. After Thursday 21 March 11am-1pm Durham Town Hall
having two brothers placed with them
Tuesday 9 April 4.30pm-6.30pm County Hall Durham
on a short-term fostering arrangement,
Thursday 18 April 11am-1pm Durham Town Hall
they decided that they wanted to give
the boys the opportunity to stay
together and provide them with a Adoption...
forever-family through long-term
There are children of all ages and backgrounds who need
fostering.
permanent families – from babies and toddlers to older children
Over the years they have also provided and young people. Some may have special needs such as learning
difficulties or disabilities while others are looking for a family
care to several children who have later
where they can live with their brothers and sisters.
been adopted by other parents and they
still keep in touch with some of the Find out more about adoption
children who have lived with them. They Visit one of our drop-in sessions:
have also worked with families helping
with the rehabilitation of children Thursday 11 April 4.30pm- 6.30pm County Hall Durham
returning home. Thursday 13 June 4.30pm-6.30pm County Hall Durham
Melanie said: “We have a busy household
and the kids always keep us on our toes, Supported Lodgings...
but it’s what we love doing. Fostering and Could you offer a safe, supportive and friendly home environment
adopting can be challenging at times but for a young vulnerable person aged between 16 and 25 years old?
it is hugely rewarding and I would This can be from just a few days, up to two years and could
recommend it to anyone who feels like they include a young person who:
might want to make a difference to a
• cannot live with their family
child’s life – if you have a heart then you
• has been fostered or in care
can be a foster carer – it’s all you need.”
• has learning disabilities or mental health problems
• needs a home and support
• is an unaccompanied asylum seeker.
... I would recommend it
to anyone who feels like they
might want to make a Get in touch to find out more, call 03000 269 400
or visit www.durham.gov.uk/inourcare
difference to a child’s life.
19Green living
Plastic Matters Please do not bag
your recycling
Did you know, that you can’t put all plastic in your recycling
products in your blue-lidded recycling bin? bin
Here’s a quick guide to which plastics you This is because black bin
bags, carrier bags and bags
can and can’t put in. for life cannot be recycled
and also because we need to
see the contents of your bin –
Yes, please: if you bag it up we can’t tell
✓✓ All plastic bottles such as pop, milk, whether it contains recycling
washing up liquid, shampoo, laundry liquid, or non-recyclable rubbish.
car screen wash and bleach bottles Look out for our ‘no bags’
✓✓ Plastic pots such as yoghurt and cream sticker which
will be
✓✓ Plastic tubs such as margarine and ice cream added to all
✓✓ Plastic trays such as fruit and meat recycling
bins soon
Wash and squash and put clean, dry items
as a handy
loose into your bin. Do not bag them up.
reminder.
No, thanks:
Please do not put any of
these plastic items in your What do I do with the
recycling bin:
plastic that can’t go in
✗✗ Black bags / sacks /
liners
my recycling bin?
✗✗ Carrier bags or bags for
life
Some plastics can’t be recycled, so if you can’t find a use for it, please
✗✗ Plastic bags / wrapping /
put it in your rubbish bin. From there it will be sent to an energy from
cling film
waste plant, not to landfill.
✗✗ Black plastic
Some supermarkets have collection points for carrier bags and some
✗✗ Crisp packets / sweet and biscuit plastic film.
wrappers
Foodbanks often welcome donations of carrier bags / bags for life to
✗✗ Polythene plastic wrap such as help distribute food.
bread bags, fruit and vegetable bags,
You can take your bubble wrap to your local charity shop – they may
toilet-roll wrap, multi-pack shrink-wrap
want it for wrapping any breakable goods.
✗✗ Bubble wrap or polystyrene
Reuse bags for life and then get a new one free of charge.
✗✗ Cellophane such as confectionary box
Other recyclable plastic items that are not collected at the kerbside
overwrap and CD overwrap
such as children’s toys, plastic plant pots, plastic garden furniture and
✗✗ Containers from microwave ready meals guttering, can be taken to a household waste recycling centre.
✗✗ Hard plastics such as children’s toys
✗✗ Plastic lids / bottle sprays / pumps For more information visit Facebook Recycle for County Durham or
www.durham.gov.uk/recycling
20Become a Litter Hero with the
Big Spring Clean
People across County Durham are being urged to become Litter
Heroes by joining the Big Spring Clean.
The annual litter-picking campaign, which celebrates its tenth
anniversary this year, asks local people to show their pride for their area
by running volunteer events to remove waste from neighbourhoods
and green spaces. The campaign, launched at Locomotion, in Shildon, In Bloom
runs until 9 April. We’re supporting
Last year 3,041 volunteers collected 3,021 bags of rubbish across the groups in Durham City,
county. Chester-le Street and a
host of other village and town
To organise a litter pick email litterfreedurham@durham.gov.uk
entries into this year’s
or call 03000 26 0000.
Northumbria in Bloom
For information about how to help keep our streets clean, visit competition.
www.durham.gov.uk/bigspringclean
Initial judging will take place in
April and then again in July with
results being announced in
September.
Durham City, Sedgefield and
Tanfield will also be competing in
the national Britain in Bloom
competition. Durham was named
Best Small City in 2018 and this year
we have been invited to join the
prestigious Champion of
Champions category. We will find
out in October if we have been
successful.
Find out more at:
www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom
Easter and May Bank Holiday Still time to
bin collections sign up for
Household bins will be emptied as normal during the Easter and May garden waste
Bank Holidays. This includes:
✓✓ Weeks starting 15 April and 22 April, including Good Friday 19 April There’s still time to sign up for our
✓✓ Week starting Monday 6 May garden waste collection service.
✓✓ Week starting Monday 27 May Once you have signed up we will send
you a collection calendar and a sticker
Place your rubbish, recycling or garden waste bins out for collection by for the bin, which shows us you have
7am on your usual collection day. To check your collection paid. It costs £35 for eligible properties
day, use the ‘My Durham’ section of www.durham.gov.uk and 17 collections are available
To report a missed bin collection online, between April and November.
visit www.durham.gov.uk/recycling More information is available at:
or call 03000 26 0000 during office hours. www.durham.gov.uk/gardenwaste
21O ut a nd about
Springtime
in our parks
From taking a relaxing walk Colourful community
to getting active or looking gardens
for a way to keep the kids Wharton Park’s Community Garden
entertained, there’s plenty to offers visitors a constantly changing
do in our parks this spring. display of colour all year round, from
bright winter berries and autumn
Take a look at what’s on offer. leaves boasting rich, golden hues
through to a riot of floral colour in
spring and summer.
New volunteers to the group are
always welcome and gardening is a
great way of promoting wellbeing.
Email friendsofwhartonpark@
Run free
outlook.com or the chair of the Organised Parkruns take place in
group can be contacted on Riverside Park, Hardwick Park and
0191 384 7968. Blackhill and Consett Park every
Saturday at 9am.
Blackhill and Consett Park also boasts
Play areas
a community garden where These free 5K runs are open to
As well as fantastic play areas full of individuals and groups can learn the everyone and are safe and easy to
traditional play equipment, our parks basics of growing vegetables and take part in – giving runners the
also offer some less-traditional play other practical gardening skills. chance to enjoy our beautiful parks
options. Children can go for a spin Contact the park on 03000 262 480 while getting active.
round Wharton Park’s miniature to find out how to get involved.
To register for or find out more about
racing car track, practise their golf
these and other Parkruns around the
skills on its putting green or get wet
county, visit www.parkrun.org.uk
and wild in the fountains and jets of
Riverside Park’s splash pad. Older
children and adults can also enjoy a
range of sports and fitness facilities,
including football pitches, tennis
courts and outdoor gyms.
Enjoy the arts
Our parks host an array of sculptures
and artworks, offering the perfect
opportunity for people to practise
their sketching or photography skills. Grab a cuppa
Look out for The Gruffalo hiding
amongst the trees at Hardwick Park, Many of our parks have their own
enjoy the iconic Ps in a Pod in their cafés, offering a range of hot and
permanent home or follow the Steel cold drinks, cakes and snacks. They’re
Trail around Blackhill and Consett the perfect place to refuel, relax or
Park. catch up with friends.
22Events and activities
There’s always something going on in our parks, from
outdoor theatre and seasonal crafts to regular social
events. Here’s a selection of what’s coming up.
HARDWICK PARK,
SEDGEFIELD
Wednesday 10 April, 11am-3pm
Bees in your bonnet
Use a range of materials to decorate a
special bonnet before finding out about
spring flowers, pollination and British
bees. £3 per child. No need to book.
WHARTON PARK, DURHAM
Wednesday 17 April, 11am-3pm
Saturday 6 to Monday 22 April Woodland Easter crafts
Bounding bunnies Easter trail Make a hessian celebration flag, weave
The Easter Bunny’s friends are lost in an Easter egg using natural materials,
the park. Can you help find them? and take part in spring planting
£1 per trail sheet. No need to book. activities. £3 per child. No need to
Collect from the café during opening book.
hours.
Saturday 20 April, various timeslots
Tuesday 9 and Tuesday 16 April, Easter Bunny in the park
10am-11.30am or 1pm-2.30pm Try Easter craft activities and an egg
We’re going on an egg hunt hunt, enjoy family entertainment in the
Listen to a story, take part in a fun egg yurt and meet the bunny himself for a
hunt and try some themed crafts. chocolate treat. £8.50 per child.
£4 per child. Booking essential. Booking essential.
Thursday 11 and 18 April, www.durham.gov.uk/hardwickpark
10am-11.30am or 1pm-2.30pm 03000 262 899
Bunny School
Have you got what it takes to become
an Easter Bunny? It’s time to enrol in BLACKHILL AND CONSETT
From April, facilities at
Bunny School. Decorate eggs, take part PARK
in challenges and meet and pet real our parks open for
bunnies. £8.50 per child. Booking Friday 12 April, 10.30am longer to allow
essential. Performance of people to make the
Chicken Licken: A TaleJam most of the warmer
www.durham.gov.uk/whartonpark A musical storytelling experience for all
03000 262 655 the family. Explore an old fable in a new weather and lighter nights.
way with fun, fake news and feathers. To find out more about
£2.
opening times and facilities at
Friday 31 May, 1pm-3pm all of our parks, including
Bugs and bees Annfield Plain Park,
Fun family activity session organised by
Durham Wildlife Trust. Bishop Auckland Town
Recreation Ground,
Blackhill and Consett Park also offers a Coxhoe Park,
full programme of weekly activities
including local and family history Sherburn Park,
sessions, a singing group and creative Spennymoor Jubilee Park
art activities.
and View Lane Park, Stanley,
www.durham.gov.uk/BandCPark
03000 262 480
visit www.durham.gov.uk/parks
23What’s on
March to May March to May
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
2019 is set to be one of the biggest years in Durham County Cricket Club’s history, as The Riverside, Chester-le-Street
plays host to three ICC Cricket World Cup matches, including England’s final group game against New Zealand.
Friday 28 June 10.30am Sri Lanka vs South Africa
Monday 1 July 10.30am Sri Lanka vs West Indies
Wednesday 3 July 10.30am England vs New Zealand
Fans wishing to attend the Cricket World Cup matches can join the waiting list for the second phase of tickets from
www.cricketworldcup.com. The Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour will also be visiting iconic attractions across the county
from 6-8 April for those wishing to get involved in the sporting action.
Visit www.thisisdurham.com/19 to find out more.
Teechers
A Gala Theatre production
Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May
Three school leavers, Salty, Hobby and Gail, decide to perform
an end of term tribute about their time in secondary school.
Telling the hilarious story of an idealistic new teacher in his
perilous first days at a local comprehensive school, their play is
based on their own drama teacher who ignites their passion
for the stage with his idealism.
This fast-moving and entertaining comedy is hugely evocative
for anyone who has endured life at a modern secondary
school. Teechers brings to life the school bully, feared by
teachers and pupils alike; Barry, the kid who never brings his
PE kit; and the headmistress, whose main priority is the
annual Gilbert and Sullivan production. The teachers are as
ambivalent and mixed-up as the kids, and everyone’s counting
down the days until they can get out.
Tickets from £10.
www.galadurham.co.uk 03000 266 600
Supported by
An unmissable year of festivals, events, openings and anniversaries
24BISHOP AUCKLAND GALA THEATRE, W h a t ’s o n
TOWN HALL DURHAM
Sunday 14 and Monday 15
April, 2pm and 4pm EMPIRE THEATRE, CONSETT
Chicken Licken: A TaleJam
Meet the birds and join the band. Saturday
We’ll tell the tale with a musical jam! 30 March,
A musical storytelling experience for all
the family. £7, £6 concessions. 7.30pm
Friday 22 March, 7.30pm The Elvis
Swede Dreamz ABBA Years
The leading UK-based ABBA tribute The UK’s
show. £19. number one
Elvis musical.
£21, £20
Wednesday concessions.
10 April, 2pm
Talegate
Theatre present
pantomime:
The Little
Mermaid Friday 19 and Saturday 20 April,
Featuring pop 7.30pm
songs, magic and An Evening with Eric & Ern
puppets. £9, £7 A brilliant homage crammed full of
concessions, £30 Morecambe and Wise’s most loved Friday 5 April, 7.30pm
family ticket. routines, songs and sketches and of
course a musical guest. £20.50 Memory Lane
A journey through some of the greatest
songs of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
£15, £14 concessions.
Friday 26 April, 7.30pm Thursday 25 April, 7.30pm
Hilarity Bites presents: Paul Pirie, Monday 13 May, 7.30pm The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Stephen Bailey and MC Lee Kyle English Touring Opera, Macbeth Featuring all the hits such as Mrs
A side-splitting session from our regular A full-scale opera about giant Robinson, Bridge Over Troubled Water,
comedy club. £8 in advance / £10 on personalities clashing over love and Homeward Bound and many more.
the door. power in times of war. Tickets from £15. £22, £21 concessions.
www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk www.galadurham.co.uk www.empireconsett.co.uk
03000 269 524 03000 266 600 03000 262 400
Library spring activities World Book Night
Children can enjoy a range of Tuesday 23 April is World Book Night, a national celebration of
Easter-themed crafts and activities reading and books. This year, our library staff will be out and
at libraries across County Durham about in venues around the county, so if you see them feel free
during the school holidays. to say hello and let them inspire you to get reading. If you’re not
already a library member they’ll be happy to sign you up.
Sessions are just £1 per person but
Our libraries offer a huge range of books in standard format, large
must be booked in advance. print and digital download and they can all be borrowed for free.
Contact your local library to find Libraries also offer a range of regular activities where you can meet
out what’s going on in your area new people, learn new skills or discover a new hobby, including
and to book your place. reading groups, computer sessions and creative workshops.
www.durham.gov.uk/libraries Find out more at www.durham.gov.uk/libraries
25You can also read
