DCC DCN - Durham County Council

The magazine for people in County Durham: Spring 2013 www.durham.gov.uk 

Inside: 

Be part of Lumiere 2013 

Where will you start married life? 

Government welfare reform - how it affects you 

Love your local market 

Eggciting Easter what’s on guide, plus great competitions 

for all the family to enjoy!

Contents page 

New bus passes 4 

Bin collections 4 

Lumiere volunteers 5 

Starting married life 7 

Changes to benefits 8-9 

South and West 

Durham News 10-11 

Changes to 

recycling sites 12 

Buy local 13 

North Durham News 14-15 

Durham Markets 16-17 

New learn to swim 

scheme 18 

Central and East 

Durham News 22-23 

Farming around 25 

What’s on 26-31 

Competition entries 

Competition entries should be 

received by Monday 29 April 2013 

(unless the competition states 

otherwise). Pop your entries in one 

envelope (don’t forget to use a 

stamp!) and post to Durham County 

News, Durham County Council, 

County Hall, Durham, DH1 1RH or 

pop them in to reception at any of 

our access points. 

Durham County News is written and designed 

by Durham County Council, printed by Acorn 

Web Offset Ltd on 100 per cent recycled paper 

and distributed by The National Leaflet Company. 

It costs 16p a copy. 

To contact the editorial team, 

call 03000 268 058 or email 

durhamcountynews@durham.gov.uk 

When you have finished with this 

magazine, please recycle it. 

Welcome to the spring edition 

of Durham County News. 

You will no doubt be looking forward to the lighter 

nights and sunnier days of spring. In this edition we’ve 

got lots of ideas for how you can get out and about and 

make the most of the better weather - down at the 

farm, see page 25 or take a look at our bumper what’s 

on guide. In fact, this is an ideal opportunity to enter 

your photograph into our ‘Inspirational Durham’ 

competition and support good causes, see page 4 for 

details. 

Durham is certainly a county with great taste, so read 

about the TasteDurham awards on page 3 and how you 

can support local producers at your market on pages 16 

and 17. 

Contact information 

You can get lots of information, and apply online for council services 

via www.durham.gov.uk 

If you need to phone us, call customer services ------ 03000 26 0000 

If you have a specific query, use one of our NEW dedicated numbers: 

Streetscene Enquiries*-------------------------------------- 03000 26 1000 

Benefit Enquiries---------------------------------------------- 03000 26 2000 

Council Tax Enquiries---------------------------------------- 03000 26 4000 

*Streetscene covers: rubbish and recycling, commercial waste, neighbourhood 

wardens, stray dogs, abandoned vehicles, pest control, street cleaning, litter and 

dog fouling, graffiti, fly tipping, fly posting, parks, open spaces and cemeteries 

maintenance. 

8.30am-5pm (Monday-Thursday), 8.30am-4.30pm (Friday). 

Out of hours emergency service available. 

Highways Action Line -------------------------------------------- 0191 370 6000 

Social Care Direct/Children’s Initial Response service - 0845 8 50 50 10 

NHS: if you need medical help fast, but it isn’t a 999 emergency ------ 111 

@DurhamCouncil /durhamcouncil 

Front cover: Barry Robinson and Peter Donaghy selling fresh fruit and veg at 

Consett’s Saturday market. 

Above: Two- 

Michelin-starred 

chef Martin Blunos, 

Filini executive chef 

Rhys Faulkner- 

Walford and Visit 

County Durham 

chief executive 

Melanie Sensicle 

celebrate 

TasteDurham 

awards by cooking 

up a feast. 

Below: Winners at 

the TasteDurham 

award ceremony. 

Durham tastes good 

Restaurants, cafés, pubs, farm shops 

and hotels across the county have 

been rewarded for their great food 

and hospitality at the recent 

‘TasteDurham’ award ceremony. 

Businesses from across the county’s food 

and drink sector are invited each year to 

join the scheme and are assessed on 

quality of menu, cleanliness, customer 

service and use of locally sourced produce. 

The latest assessments have resulted in 

52 per cent of businesses being awarded 

the top ‘Highest Quality Assured’ status, 

the highest percentage since the scheme 

began in 2009. 

The Ship Inn in High Heselden has now 

added the TasteDurham award to their 

growing reputation as a great place to eat 

and drink. Owners Peter and Sheila Crosby 

are thrilled with the award. Sheila said: 

“When we took over The Ship Inn back in 

2001, it was closed and almost entirely 

derelict. Through a lot of hard work, we’ve 

focused on quality throughout our food and 

drink offer, and have won many awards, of 

which this TasteDurham 2013 is the latest 

accolade of which we’re very proud.” 

Half of establishments were also awarded 

‘Local Produce Champion’ showing their 

commitment to sourcing from surrounding 

areas, something very much valued by 

visitors and locals alike. 

Local food is a vital component in the 

ethos of businesses such as the Claypath 

Delicatessen in Durham City centre, who 

grow their own vegetables and make their 

own preserves and pickles for the menu. 

Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of 

Visit County Durham, said: “We created 

TasteDurham to showcase Durham’s quality 

to a national audience. It says something 

about how far we have come, from nine 

local produce champions four years ago to 

twenty-five this year, and with the highest 

percentage yet of businesses achieving the 

highest standard.” 

For more information about TasteDurham 

establishments, visit: 

www.tastedurham.co.uk 

3

New bus passes 

We are sending new concessionary 

bus passes to 80,000 people in the 

county. 

Under the English National Concessionary 

Bus Travel Scheme, people over 60 or those 

with certain disabilities receive a pass which 

entitles them to free travel or concessions on 

local bus services. In County Durham, pass 

holders can also get half price travel on 

certain local train services. The new passes 

replace the original ones issued five years 

ago, which are about to expire. 

If you receive a pass which is incorrect, no 

longer required or you haven’t received your 

new one by 18 March 2013, please call 

03000 268 667. 

For further information see 

www.durham.gov.uk/buspassrenewal 

A dog’s life 

Our neighbourhood wardens have recently 

carried out patrols in areas where dog fouling 

has been reported as a problem to try and 

catch those responsible. Help us to stop dog 

fouling in your area by contacting us with 

information you have about those who don’t 

pick up after their dog. 

Call 03000 26 1000 or report it online at 

www.durham.gov.uk/dogfouling 

You can also join our green 

dog walker scheme, for 

more information go to 

www.durham.gov.uk/greendogwalkers 

4 

Durham at its best 

There are only a few weeks left to get 

your photograph entered into 

our ‘Inspirational Durham’ 

photograph competition. 

We’ll post your entry (maximum of five per 

person) on Facebook /durhamcouncil 

The winner will receive up to £100 of camera 

goodies along with a framed winning entry. 

Simply email your jpeg image (300dpi) to 

socialmedia@durham.gov.uk by 2 April 2013. 

There is no charge but entrants are 

encouraged to make 

a donation to the 

Chairman’s chosen 

charities; 

CRY (Cardiac Risk 

in the Young) or the 

Royal British Legion. 

Photo by Ian Taylor 

Here’s a taste 

of what we’ve 

received so far: 

Photo by Nelum Kahakachchi 

Bin collections 

Please put your rubbish and 

recycling bin out as normal over the 

Easter holidays. We will be working 

Good Friday to empty bins as usual. 

Garden waste collections 

Garden waste collections are starting again in 

March and you will receive a leaflet with details 

of collection dates if you are part of this 

scheme. Collections will not necessarily 

match up with your rubbish and 

recycling collection day so please check 

your leaflet carefully when it arrives. 

Volunteers at Lumiere 2011. Photo by Matthew Andrews 

Be part of Lumiere 2013 

The magical Lumiere 

light festival returns to 

brighten Durham’s 

streets again this winter. 

For four nights only, from 

Thursday 14 to Sunday 

17 November, Lumiere 

will transform the city’s 

historic bridges, buildings 

and waterways with an 

array of artworks all made 

with light. 

Lumiere producers, 

Artichoke, are looking for 

local volunteers of all 

ages to join their team of 

“Festival Makers” and help 

make Lumiere a sparkling 

success. In particular, 

they’re looking for people 

with good local 

knowledge to help visitors 

get around the city during 

the event. 

To register as a 

volunteer, contact 

Nikki Shaill at Artichoke 

on 020 7650 7611 or 

festivalmakers@ 

artichoke.uk.com 

Are you registered to vote in the 

May elections? 

To vote in any elections your name must appear on the 

electoral register for the area in which you live. 

County Council and Parish Council elections will be held on 

Thursday 2 May 2013. The last date for registration to 

allow you to vote in these elections is Wednesday 17 April. 

If you would like to make sure your name is included, check 

your details or change your details if you’ve moved house, 

contact electoral services on 03000 261 212 or email 

electoralservices@durham.gov.uk 

Did you know? You can vote by post. 

Call the number above and get a form posted to 

you. It needs to be completed and returned by 

Wednesday 17 April. 

Measles: on the rise 

There are an increased number of 

confirmed cases of measles in the 

North East. The majority of cases are in 

unvaccinated school children and young 

adults aged between 10 and 30 years. 

There is no treatment for measles but 

the Health Protection Agency say it can 

be prevented by the MMR vaccine. The 

viral illness begins with a fever, cough, 

runny nose and red, watery eyes. This is 

followed with a rash on the face and 

neck, and then spreads down the upper 

body, extending to the arms, hands, 

legs and feet. Contact your local GP for 

more information about the virus and 

vaccine. 

Changes to parking 

enforcement 

We will shortly be taking over parking 

enforcement in the former Wear Valley, 

Teesdale and Sedgefield district areas 

of County Durham from the Police. 

This means that our enforcement officers 

may give you a penalty charge notice if you 

park on double yellow lines, school keep 

clears, disabled bays, loading bays, bus 

stops or overstay in limited waiting bays or 

pay and display bays. The penalty charge 

will either be £50 or £70, depending on the 

severity of the parking offence. 

We hope this change of parking 

enforcement will encourage motorists to 

park legally so law abiding drivers, 

pedestrians and cyclists, bus passengers 

and emergency-services can all make their 

journey without delay and more safely. You 

can find out more at www.durham.gov.uk 

click on Transport and streets on the home 

page and then Parking. 

5

Our heritage in the spotlight 

A three-year project to shine a 

light on two of Durham City’s 

most important assets has been 

completed. 

The work involved replacing the 

1970s lighting at Durham Castle 

and Durham Cathedral, which 

together form the World Heritage 

Site in the heart of the city. 

We have funded and managed the 

£600,000 project. 240 new lights 

have been installed improving both 

the wow factor and the energy 

efficiency, as energy consumption 

is expected to be reduced by over 

55 per cent. 

The scheme was designed by 

Stainton Lighting Design Services 

Ltd of Thornaby, and installed by 

A K Lighting and Signs of West 

Auckland. 

Do you 

rent? 

We now have a 

housing advice line 

offering support to 

landlords and tenants. 

The advice line provides support 

with issues such as property 

management, deposits, 

harassment, eviction, ending 

tenancies, property conditions 

and repairs and dealing with 

anti-social tenants. 

For further information, 

please call the advice line on 

03000 262 140 or email on 

privatesectorhousing@ 

durham.gov.uk 

6 

Graeme Peacock 

• 

• 

Heat your home 

If you were feeling the cold last winter, 

we do know of two schemes that can help 

prepare your home for the cold spell. 

We are working alongside tadea who offer free home energy 

checks - advice covers how best to use your heating system and 

controls, information on how to understand fuel bills, take meter 

readings, manage fuel debt and find out what financial 

assistance you may be entitled to. 

There are three main groups being targeted: residents aged over 

60, those who have a disability or long term health condition, and 

those with a child under four living in the household are eligible 

to qualify for a free home energy check. Call tadea free on 

0800 124 4320 (calls from mobiles may be charged). 

Free gas boilers - Carillion Energy Services has funding available 

for heating and insulation improvements. If you own your home 

or rent it from a private landlord, and are on certain benefits, you 

could qualify. Call 0800 408 7651 and quote ‘ECO006’. 

Bishop 

Auckland 

Barnard Castle 

Carrie Joanne Heron and Thomas 

James Groves recently got married 

at Bishop Auckland Register Office. 

“ 

We had an intimate 

wedding ceremony with 

just twelve guests. It was 

uniquely our day - personal 

readings and our own music 

during the service and had 

time to take plenty of 

wonderful photographs. 

” 

Seaham 

Aykley Heads House 

Where will 

you start 

married life? 

Choosing when and where you 

marry can be a difficult decision. 

Couples nowadays are spending 

on average £20,000 on their 

wedding day, which is quite often 

the reason why people delay from 

tying the knot or start married 

life in debt. Escaping to Gretna 

Green doesn’t have to be your 

only option to keep the cost down 

- there are other options. 

The County of Durham Registration Service has a 

number of its own ceremony rooms and regardless of 

whether you are having a small friendly gathering or a 

larger celebration, we hope to make your ceremony a 

special, memorable and enjoyable occasion. 

Couples can marry or form a civil partnership 

for as little as £119. Our fees can be found on 

our website www.durham.gov.uk 

To check our availability call us: 

Bishop Auckland - 03000 260 600 or 

email bishopaucklandregisteroffice@durham.gov.uk 

Aykley Heads House - 03000 263 263 or 

email aykleyheadshouseregisteroffice@durham.gov.uk 

Seaham - 03000 262 501 or 

email seahamregisteroffice@durham.gov.uk 

7

Government welfare reform 

Changes from 2013 

The government is changing the benefits system, aiming to make it simpler, to 

encourage people into work and to reduce the overall cost of welfare. 

Following on from benefit reforms made last year, 2013 will see a number of other 

changes, which may affect you. 

Council Tax benefit 

From 1 April, Council Tax Benefit will be replaced 

by local Council Tax Reduction schemes. 

Although the amount of funding councils receive 

to help people with their council tax costs is 

being reduced, in the first year we’ve agreed a 

local scheme which keeps the level the same as 

in previous years. 

Under occupation 

Housing benefit will be reduced from 1 April, if 

you live in a rented property which according to 

government regulations is deemed bigger than 

you need. Typically, people with a spare bedroom 

may find that they receive around £12 a week 

less and further reductions if there are more 

spare bedrooms. There are some exemptions 

and the council has contacted all households 

who may be affected. 

‘Non-dependant’ deductions 

Since 2010, people who claim housing benefit 

may have seen their benefit reduced if they 

have someone living with them who is 

‘non-dependant’, for example a wage-earning 

grown up son or daughter over the age of 18 or 

a lodger. If you are affected, from April the 

amount deducted from your benefit will 

increase. 

8 

Support for disabled people 

From April, Disability Living Allowance is being 

replaced by Personal Independence Payments 

(PIP) for people aged between 16 and 65. The 

main difference is that people will be helped to 

meet the extra costs of being disabled, based on 

how their condition affects them, not on the 

condition they have. All new claims for assistance 

will move over to PIP from 8 April. From October, 

the government will begin to invite groups of 

existing claimants to apply and be re-assessed 

for the new payment. It is expected that this 

process will take a number of years. 

Future increases 

Currently, benefit payments increase each year 

in line with inflation. From April 2013, the 

increase for a number of benefits will be set at a 

maximum of one per cent per year. 

Other changes 

Later this year, the government will cap the 

overall amount of benefit which working age 

people receive, so that they receive no more 

than the average weekly wage. And from 

October, Universal Credit will be introduced for 

new benefit claims from unemployed people. 

Eventually, Universal Credit will bring together a 

number of different benefits into one monthly 

payment. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Win! 

A Durham VIP Pass 

Here’s your chance to win 

free entry to a host of amazing 

attractions across the county. 

The Durham VIP Pass, worth almost 

£400, also offers significant discounts 

on a range of Durham experiences. 

* Each Pass admits two people. 

Weighing up the benefits 

Where can I get advice or help? 

Department for Work and Pensions - the government 

department responsible for the benefits system: 

www.dwp.gov.uk 

Welfare Rights - the council service which provides 

advice and support with benefit claims: 

Tel 03000 268 968. Email welfare.rights@durham.gov.uk 

Benefit enquiries - the council service which manages 

housing-related benefits and council tax support on 

behalf of the government: Tel 03000 26 2000. 

Email help@durham.gov.uk 

Housing Solutions - the council service which helps 

people at risk of becoming homeless: Tel 03000 260 792/ 

03000 268 840 or 01388 722 538 out of hours. 

Email housingsolutions@durham.gov.uk 

As the government releases more detail about the changes, we will publish further information 

to keep you informed. 

Just answer this simple question: 

Near which town is The Bowes Museum 

located? 

......................................................................... 

Name ............................................................... 

Tel .................................................................... 

Email................................................................................... 

Address............................................................................... 

............................................................................................ 

❑ Tick this to receive future updates from This is Durham. 

See page 2 

for entry details. 

9

School 

celebrates 

400 years 

Wolsingham School is gearing 

up to celebrate its 400th 

anniversary in 2014. Any former 

pupils or people with school 

artefacts or memorabilia are 

being asked to call the school 

on 01388 527 302. 

Sweetener for 

apprenticeships 

Give a young person a 

great start by considering 

an apprenticeship. 

Spennymoor Area Action 

Partnership is working with 

DCC’s Employability Team as 

well as the National 

Apprenticeships Service to 

provide new apprenticeship 

opportunities for local young 

people. 

Funding is available for 30 

small to medium sized 

businesses with less than 250 

employees and who have not 

had an apprentice in the last 

year, to create additional 

apprenticeship opportunities 

for 16-24 year olds based in 

the Spennymoor AAP area. 

If you are interested in 

accessing the Apprenticeship 

Programme funding, contact 

the Employability Team on 

03000 262 009. 

10 

Bringing 

history 

to life 

Communities in the 4 Together 

AAP are to have exciting 

opportunities to discover their 

history and archaeology. 

The AAP has agreed to support 

two Limestone Landscape 

Projects, Community 

Archaeology and Village Atlas. 

Community Archaeology will 

encourage local people to take 

part in archaeological projects 

and to learn excavation and 

surveying techniques from 

professional archaeologists at 

Boosting security 

in Bishop 

a site near Great Chilton. 

The Village Atlas celebrates 

Ferryhill’s historic environment 

such as archaeology, historic 

buildings and landscape and 

encourage local people and 

schools to get involved in 

events. 

Find out more from 4 Together 

AAP on 03000 267 211. 

A cash pot of more than £40,000 will 

help improve security at shops and 

businesses in Bishop Auckland town 

centre. 

The Secure Retailer Scheme has been 

launched by the Safe Durham 

Partnership. It’s jointly funded by us, 

Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP and 

the Safe Durham Partnership. 

The cash is being distributed by South 

Durham Enterprise Agency. Funding is 

available to businesses with less than 

50 employees to a maximum of £2,000. 

For information, contact Neil Pearson on 01388 77 66 88. 

A handy scheme 

A handy scheme is helping residents within the 4 Together 

AAP area to cut crime. 

The Durham Handyperson Service is helping elderly and 

vulnerable residents to fit security items, such as window 

locks and bolts. The residents are referred for the scheme by 

local police officers or police crime prevention officers. To find 

out more, call 4 Together AAP Paula Nixon on 03000 267 211. 

Sculpture scores 

with residents 

A bronze sculpture to celebrate West 

Auckland’s heritage has scored with 

residents. Depicting a miner and a 

footballer, it has been designed by 

internationally renowned artist Nigel 

Boonham. The project was carried out 

by Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP 

with Groundwork, to commemorate 

West Auckland winning the world cup 

in 1909 and 1911. 

Working knowledge 

Young people at two 

Aycliffe schools benefitted 

from a speedy introduction 

to working life. 

Local firms took part in an 

event to give young people a 

flavour of the work they do and 

apprenticeship opportunities 

within manufacturing and 

engineering. The event was 

part of an Apprenticeship 

Awareness Challenge which 

encourages year 9 pupils from 

Woodham Academy and 

Fast Track to good health 

Greenfield Community and Arts 

College to find out more about 

apprenticeships. Young people 

made site visits to local 

companies and worked with a 

mentor to put together a 

presentation about the 

company they visited. This was 

then judged by a panel at an 

awards ceremony at both 

schools. The programme was 

funded by the Great Aycliffe 

and Middridge Partnership and 

supported by the Engineering 

Development Trust. 

Love to run? Then you’ll love the new parkrun at Hackworth Park 

in Shildon. The fun and friendly 5km run is held every Saturday at 

9am. Register first at www.parkrun.org.uk. 

It’s great for first-time runners and more experienced runners 

and is already proving popular in Durham, Chester-le-Street and 

Sedgefield. The Hackworth parkrun is part of Health Express, 

which was launched last year to improve health and wellbeing in 

Shildon. It’s supported by the Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP, 

the NHS and livin. Find out more at www.health-express.co.uk 

in brief 

Scar top works 

Work to preserve the open green 

spaces and improve the views and 

leisure facilities at Scar Top in 

Barnard Castle has begun. The 

£300,000 project is led by the Heart 

of Teesdale Landscape Partnership 

with support from the Heritage 

Lottery Fund, Durham County 

Council, Barnard Castle Vision and 

Barnard Castle Town Council. 

.................... 

What’s the new name? 

ASK Syc 

Young people in the Spennymoor 

area have found their voice by 

forming a council. 

Spennymoor Youth Council, 

called ASK Syc, will have up to 22 

members and is open to 11 to 

19-year-olds who live or attend 

school in the areas covered by 

Spennymoor AAP. 

Spennymoor AAP has donated 

£11,000 to the youth council and 

Spennymoor Town Council will give 

£6,000 over three years. Most of 

the money will be allocated by 

youth councillors as grants of £50 

to £500 towards new youth 

activities. 

If you would like to get involved, 

contact Wendy Minhinnett (Success 

North-East) on 07415 380 040. 

.................... 

Congratulations to singer 

and guitarist 

Meghan 

Nicholson (16), 

a former Parkside 

Sports College 

student, for 

winning School’s 

Got Talent. 

11

One year on… 

alternate weekly 

collections 

It’s been a year since we moved to a system of alternate 

weekly collections for your household recycling and 

rubbish. The recycling rate has increased and we are on 

track to meet our target of sending 45 per cent of 

household waste in the county for recycling, rather than 

to landfill. 

Our longer term target of diverting 75 per cent of our 

waste away from landfill by 2020 has also moved a 

step closer. We have signed a deal to take waste to a 

facility where solid waste is converted into heat energy. 

The steam from the heat energy will power generators 

to produce enough electricity for 17,000 homes. 

www.durham.gov.uk/wastecontracts 

Win! 

✘ 

nappies 

✘ 

food waste 

✘ 

These go in your RUBBISH bin, 

not your recycling bin 

pet waste 

www.durham.gov.uk/whatgoeswhere 

Changes to household waste recycling centres 

Win tickets to 

England v Australia 

International T20 

Cricket 

2013 promises to be a momentous year for 

Durham County Cricket Club, who celebrate their 

21st Anniversary as a First-Class County. 

With Emirates Durham ICG hosting its first Investec 

Ashes Test match and England men and women 

facing the Australians in International T20 action 

this will undoubtedly be the biggest year in the 

North East’s cricketing history. To help celebrate 

their anniversary, we have two lots of family tickets 

to give away (2 adults, 2 juniors - 15 and under) for 

the England v Australia International T20 match 

on Saturday 31 August at Emirates Durham ICG. 

From 1 June, household waste recycling centres at Broomsdene and 

Cragwood will close, and opening hours at our other sites will change. 

The changes follow a review of household waste recycling centres in 

County Durham where we asked for views on proposals to reduce the 

number of sites and change opening hours. 

For full details of new opening hours, go to 

www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc or call 03000 26 1000. 

All you need to do, is answer the following question: 

Which anniversary is Durham County Cricket Club 

celebrating? ................................................................... 

Name............................................................................. 

Tel.................................................................................. 

Email ............................................................................. 

Address ......................................................................... 

...................................................................................... 

...................................................................................... 

❑ If you would like future updates from Durham Cricket Club, 

please tick this box or follow them on /DurhamCCC and 

@durhamcricket www.durhamccc.co.uk 

See page 2 for entry details. 

Remember that 

your recycling box 

should ONLY be 

used for glass 

bottles and jars. Buy local 

Too good to throw away! 

County Durham Furniture Forums can collect good 

quality, unwanted items including furniture and 

white goods, free of charge. The forum members 

are all local independent charities. 

Consett YMCA: 01207 588 302 

County Durham Furniture Help Scheme, Chilton: 

01388 721 509 

East Durham Partnership, Horden: 0191 586 8493 

Haswell Mencap Furniture Enterprise: 0191 526 0957 

King’s Church Furniture Reuse Scheme, Darlington: 

01325 469 884 

Woodhouse Close Church Furniture Project: 01388 602 935 

Visit www.durham.gov.uk/reuse for more information. 

Want to support local producers? 

We’ve part-funded a new website 

where you can find out where to 

buy local produce. Search for 

restaurants, farm shops, fruiters, 

breweries and much more. 

www.durhamlocalfood.org.uk 

✿ ✿ 

Every day from 18 March to 12 May there 

21233 A5 spring clean durham_a4l 31/01/2013 11:43 Page 1 

Come and join Litterfree Durhamʼs 

big spring clean 2013 

will be litterpicks happening throughout 

County Durham and Darlington 

To clean up your village or town 

Email: litterfreedurham@durham.gov.uk 

Call: 03000 266 083 

Visit: www.litterfreedurham.org 

12 Green Living Green Living Green Living Green Living Green Living Green Living Green Living Green Living Green Living Green Living 

LitterFree 

DURHAM 

Food donation 

One in every four people live below the 

poverty line in County Durham. 

Durham Foodbank provide a minimum of 

three days emergency food and support to 

people experiencing crisis, but they rely on 

food donations. Please give what you can. 

To find out where your local drop-off point 

is call 0191 303 7559 or visit 

www.durham.foodbank.org.uk 

13

Pelton’s 

new centre 

open for 

business 

Pelton’s £4.5million library and 

medical facility, the Lavender 

Centre, on the former site of 

Pelton Infant and Junior 

School is now open. It houses: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

14 

Durham County Council’s 

library 

Pelton and Fellrose Medical 

Group 

NHS County Durham and 

Darlington services 

An independent pharmacy 

The premises were developed 

by Prime and built by 

Esh Construction, with support 

from Durham County Council 

and the NHS County Durham & 

Darlington. 

The purpose-built centre, which 

is over two floors, has parking 

and good access from bus 

routes. 

The library is home to hundreds 

of books for all ages, plus free 

to use computers. 

Consett’s Community 

First Responders 

Derwent Valley AAP and 

North East Ambulance 

Service (NEAS) have 

developed a new Community 

First Responder Scheme. 

They combined after local 

communities voted health and 

wellbeing as a priority. NEAS 

received £5,000 from the AAP, 

leading to the recruitment and 

training of four community 

volunteers. 

They bothered to ask 

Corinne Walton, AAP 

Co-ordinator said “The funding 

we have provided will make a 

big difference to our local 

communities, offering the 

assurance of help and support 

to those most in need.” 

Mid Durham AAP and the Mid Durham Parishes Committee 

have conducted a joint residents’ survey called ‘Well if you 

had bothered to ask me…’ 

The survey gave residents, the AAP and members of the parish 

councils the chance to discuss local issues. 

591 residents took part including 284 young people. The aim 

was to seek residents’ views on what it’s like to live in their 

village, their village assets, and concerns plus how they felt 

these concerns could be addressed. 

The main topics of concern were activities for children and 

young people, supporting the local voluntary and community 

sector, road safety and the environment. Further meetings will 

take place in June to start and develop some of the ideas 

residents had to address these concerns. 

For more details on this survey, go to www.durham.gov.uk and 

search for Mid Durham AAP. 

New Traders Association 

coming soon to Derwent Valley 

Derwent Valley AAP has been 

working with partners to 

develop a Traders Association 

to improve Consett town 

centre facilities and tackle 

issues and concerns. 

This is linked to the AAP’s 

Employment and Regeneration 

priority, voted for by local 

residents. The Association will 

play a role in the delivery of 

the Consett Town Centre 

Events Programme, aiming to 

offer a variety of activities and 

events throughout the year to 

promote Consett as a place to 

visit and access services. 

Have you 

money to burn? 

Are you over 50 years old and live in 

the former districts of Derwentside or Durham? 

Are you getting the best gas and electricity deal and 

maximising your benefits and income? Would you like 

to save money? 

The Prince Bishops Community Bank and Derwentside 

Homes’ working with partners including Mid Durham, 

Derwent Valley and Stanley APPs have secured over 

£350,000 from Comic Relief to form a scheme to tackle 

fuel poverty. For details call an advisor on 

0300 500 0933. 

Splashing time at 

Chester-le-Street 

The refurbished swimming 

pool at Chester-le-Street 

Leisure Centre at Burns 

Green is now open. Call 

0191 388 6673 or visit 

leisure-chester-le-street@ 

durham.gov.uk for more 

details. 

in brief 

Civic heart arch 

The civic heart arch in Chester-le-Street 

market place has been demolished following 

a public consultation where three options 

were considered for the future of the arch. 

93 per cent of people who took part in the 

consultation wanted to see the arch removed 

and the market place paving restored. 

......................... 

Walking in Stanley Project 

Stanley AAP has given funding to the 

Walking in Stanley project. The project will 

have two main aims; to help people get 

healthier by walking and establish a group of 

volunteers who will monitor Public Rights of 

Way (PRoW) within the Stanley AAP area. 

Groundwork Project Officers will work with 

community groups to identify short, 2-3 mile 

walk routes from central locations within 

villages and deliver a programme of led 

walks around these routes. 

......................... 

Golf Club’s a driving success 

Roseberry Grange Community Golf Club is 

on the up and doubled its membership. 

Junior membership offers unlimited golf all 

year round with membership £50 per year for 

those 18 and under and there’s no joining fee 

or waiting list. 

For details call 0191 370 0660, email 

mcdermott.ray08@gmail.com or visit 

www.roseberrygrangecommunitygolfclub.co.uk 

......................... 

National Fraud Initiative 2012/13 

We share personal information to combat fraud and save you money. In October we shared your 

personal information with the Audit Commission. They check with other public bodies, such as 

other local councils and the NHS. 

What information is shared? 

We share your information relating to Housing Benefit, Right to Buy, Blue Badges, concessionary 

fares, creditor payments and Council tax. A full list can be found at the website below. 

For most people, the checks show no issue. For a few people, the check can show evidence of a 

mistake or potential fraud. In 2010/11, the NFI found £229 million of fraud and mistakes. 

To find out more, see http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/fraud/nfi 

As part of our own checks, we will also be sharing the information with other local authorities 

and partners. For general questions about how we share personal information, contact 

dataprotection@durham.gov.uk or 03000 268 035. 

15

With fresh and 

delicious foods and 

the chance to bag 

a bargain, what’s 

not to love about 

your local market? 

Markets should be at the 

heart of our towns. They’re 

a great place to supplement 

your shopping with fresh 

and often local produce. 

By supporting your local 

market you’re supporting a 

wealth of local growers, 

farmers, producers and bakers. 

With lively and diverse markets 

in towns across County 

Durham, they’re convenient, 

good value and friendly places 

to shop. From your regular 

market day to the special 

farmers’ markets and 

continental markets, savvy 

shoppers can find good value 

day to day staples like fruit and 

veg, meats, eggs and cheese to 

delicious delicacies like cakes, 

olives and salamis. 

Fruit and veg men Peter 

Donaghy and Barry Robinson 

can be spotted at various 

County Durham markets. 

“Our stall is a family business 

and it’s been running since the 

16 

Lesley Suddes, The Bread Lady. 

Barry Robinson & Peter Donaghy selling fresh fruit and veg at Consett’s Saturday market. 

Second World War. Our stall is in 

Consett which is a cooperative 

market, which means it’s run by 

Consett traders for the traders - 

which is quite rare nowadays. 

We’ve expanded our business 

over the years and we can now 

be found at Stanley and Crook 

markets,” Peter said. 

‘The Bread Lady,’ Lesley 

Suddes, from Lanchester, can 

be found at Durham Saturday 

Market and Sedgefield Farmers 

Market with her tempting range 

of artisan breads and buns, 

both savoury and sweet. Having 

a market stall for the last two 

years has helped her grow her 

business and expand enough to 

take on a business unit to bake 

in. She believes it’s the personal 

touch that makes market 

produce better. 

Sandra Milne. 

“Our products are handmade. 

We bake the day before the 

market using organic local flour 

and butter, we try to source as 

many of our products locally as 

we can. It’s not always the 

same either as we change with 

the seasons, hot cross buns for 

Easter, stollen at Christmas, and 

focaccia during the summer,” 

Lesley added. 

Sandra Milne has been making 

the journey from Alston to 

Durham’s Saturday market for 

11 years with her mouthwatering 

range of home-made 

cakes, scones and rock buns. 

She bakes all week to have 

enough stock for her many 

hungry fans in Durham, 

starting with fruit cakes 

and ginger cakes that are 

best left a few days and 

finishing with light as air 

sponge cakes. 

“Markets have a good 

variety of stalls. Often in 

the high street you’ll see 

the same shops, but at the 

markets you get variety 

and value for money. You’ll 

always find something 

Barry Reed from Robson’s of Durham. 

different to try, plus a 

friendly word and some 

good baking tips too,” 

Sandra said. 

The Iconic Robson’s of 

Durham stall, with its jars 

of traditional sweets and 

packets of hand-made 

local fudge, can be found 

at Chester-le-Street Market 

on a Friday and Durham on 

a Saturday. 

“Our stall is loved by kids, 

students, adults looking for 

childhood favourites, and 

tourists. So our sweets have 

travelled all over the world. 

It’s these traditional and 

handmade products at the 

market that people really 

love and come back for 

time and time again,” 

Barry said. 

If you head to Seaham 

market, you can smell the 

delightful aromas coming 

from Caris Catering’s hot 

roast sandwiches; even 

before you start walking 

down the main street. 

William Caris from 

Caris Catering in Seaham. 

Easington Lane has run 

his catering business for 

18 months. 

“I’m always here on a 

Friday and I have my 

regulars who I know by 

name - they tend to return 

each week, which is a good 

indication that my food 

tastes as good as it smells.” 

William said. 

So show your local market 

some love this week and 

go and browse the stalls. 

Check out our list (right) 

to see what’s on where. 

From 15 to 29 May it 

will be the Love your 

Local Market campaign, 

find out more at 

www.loveyourlocalmarket 

.org.uk 

Market days in 

County Durham 

Town Market Day 

Barnard Castle Wednesday 

9am-4pm 

Bishop Auckland Thursday & Saturday 

9am-4pm 

Chester-le-Street Tuesday, Friday & 

Saturday 

9am-4pm 

Consett Thursday, Friday & 

Saturday 

10am-3pm 

Crook Tuesday & Saturday 

9am-4pm 

Durham 

Indoor market Monday to Saturday 

from 9am 

Outdoor Saturday 

9am-4pm 

Middleton- Last Sunday in the 

in-Teesdale month 

Seaham Friday 

8am-4pm 

Spennymoor Saturday 

9am-3pm 

Stanhope Monday 

(April to September) 

8am-3pm 

Stanley Thursday & Saturday 

9am-4pm 

You can find out more about 

Durham Market Hall at 

www.durhammarkets.co.uk 

The market is hosting an Easter 

Egg treasure hunt from 1-6 April. 

You can find your local farmer’s 

market at 

www.thisisdurham.com or 

http://neefm.org.uk 

17

aqualearn 

New improved 

children’s swimming 

programme 

We’re making improvements to our 

swimming lessons, introducing a continuous 

programme whereby children are continually 

assessed allowing them to move through the 

programme at their own pace. 

This is based on the Amateur Swimming 

Association’s (ASA) learn to swim pathway, which 

provides babies, toddlers and children with the 

confidence and ability to develop their aquatic 

skills all the way through to becoming an adult. 

Health and fitness 

corporate membership scheme 

Did you know? 

Improving your health, fitness and wellbeing is vital for any role whether 

you have a physically demanding job or not. Employees of organisations 

on our corporate list* are entitled to an 18% discount on health and 

fitness memberships at 14 leisure centres in County Durham. 

Some of our corporate organisations include: 

● Durham County Council 

● NHS 

● Durham police 

● Durham University 

● County Durham and Darlington carers 

card scheme 

● Identity and passport service 

● Inland revenue (HMRC) 

● Durham Tees Valley Probation Trust 

Contact your local leisure centre for further 

information today 

www.durham.gov.uk/fitnesscorporate 

Please visit our website for a full current list of eligible corporate 

organisations. If your organisation is not on our corporate list but you 

would like it to be, please complete an expression of interest form 

available on the website and return to the address indicated. 

We’re also changing the way you can pay 

for your lessons by introducing direct debit 

payments. This will take away the 

inconvenience of re-enrolment or queuing, 

whilst spreading the cost of your child’s 

lessons monthly. 

We have invested in our aquatics staff 

resulting in improved swimming lesson quality 

and delivery and whilst offering improved 

feedback to parents. 

Look out for the new Aqualearn programme 

coming in April 2013. 

Let’s get ready 

to party! 

Hardwick Park offers a 

range of themed birthday 

parties to suit different 

ages. You can choose from: 

The Fairy Tale Adventure (ages 3+) 

Nature Explorers (ages 3+) 

Treasure Hunt (ages 3+) 

The Gruffalo (ages 3+) 

Bushcraft Experience (ages 6+) 

Our birthday party package costs £225 and 

includes: 

● 1.5 hours of fun outdoor entertainment 

provided by our trained staff 

● Use of the Burdon Room for up to 4 hours 

● Use of our CD player 

● Party food for up to 20 children 

● Invitations and the room decorated 

according to the birthday party package 

chosen 

For more information call 01740 621 505 or 

visit www.durham.gov.uk/hardwickpark 

New walks programme 

The new spring/summer walks programme is available to download 

from the end of March - on our website www.durham.gov.uk/countryside 

(follow link for walks) or call Countryside Service on 0191 372 9100. 

We have around 30 guided walks planned each month. 

Keep your shoes clean 

You don’t need to go outside to be a countryside 

volunteer; we have opportunities for helping with 

birthday parties, education sessions, reception duties 

and assisting visitors at Hardwick Park. Or perhaps 

you’d like to get out further afield and promote the 

activities of the Countryside Service, help to fundraise 

or with office duties. If you are interested, please go to 

www.durham.gov.uk/countryside or call the 

Countryside Service on 0191 372 9103. 

Sign up to our free e-newsletter from our 

countryside team at www.durham.gov.uk/countryside 

or follow us on facebook (/Durham-Countryside- 

Volunteers). You’ll get the latest news about Hardwick 

Park and other countryside sites, events and guided 

walks. Also, find out what our volunteers have been up 

to and about any exciting wildlife sightings at our 

nature reserves. 

Diggerland is the 

ultimate adventure park experience 

where children and adults can drive 

REAL diggers! With 18 different rides 

and drives there is something for 

everyone. Diggerland is open 

10am-5pm on weekends, bank 

holidays and every day during school 

holidays, for the best family day out! 

We have two lots of family tickets to 

give away. All you need to do is 

answer this question. 

What are the names of the two 

Diggerland mascots? 

Clue: Check out www.diggerland.com 

D _ _ _ _ and D _ _ _ _ 

Name................................................. 

Tel...................................................... 

Email ................................................. 

Address ............................................. 

.......................................................... 

.......................................................... 

❑ If you would like to received future updates 

from Diggerland, please tick this box. 


18 Leisure Leisure Leisure Leisure Leisure Leisure Leisure 

Leisure Leisure Leisure Leisure Leisure Leisure Leisure 

Countryside Service 

Country 

Durham 

April to September 2013 

Guided Walks 

Events 

Countryside News 

Volunteering 

- give it a go! 

Helping a local community group or charity can offer 

so much; valuable work experience in a tough jobs 

market; improve your health; make new friends; and a 

great sense of satisfaction. The huge variety of 

volunteering opportunities across County Durham can 

be found at www.do-it.org.uk or for information on 

your local volunteer centre, call 0191 389 4509. 

Win! 

19

Teach safety 

at a young age 

Junior Neighbourhood 

Watch is being introduced 

in primary schools across 

County Durham. It is a 10 

week safety programme that 

encourages children to be 

kind and considerate to 

other people. It helps 

children understand how 

they can solve problems by 

working together and gives 

them the skills to report a 

crime and ask for help. 

Follow us on twitter 

@JuniorNHW to keep up to 

date with Junior 

Neighbourhood Watch news. 

Major rise 

in carers 

The number of people 

providing unpaid care for a 

relative, partner or friend has 

increased by 5 per cent to 

60,055 in County Durham, 

according to 2011 Census. 

If you provide unpaid care and 

want to know more about the 

support available, including the 

Carers card which offers 

discounts across County 

Durham and Darlington, please 

visit www.durhamcarers.info 

or call Durham County Carers 

Support on 0300 005 1213. 

Swap Fags for 

Swag 

This year over a million people will 

use No Smoking Day on 13 March to 

set a date to quit smoking. 

“Swap Fags for Swag” is this year’s theme - something County 

Durham resident Angela Longstaff knows all about. 

Angela from Stanley Crook, was spending over £200 a month on 

cigarettes. She decided to quit last year and has successfully 

managed to remain smoke-free ever since. 

“For me it was the right time” said Angela. I had one grandchild 

and another on the way - I also wanted to buy a new house and a 

car which I knew I couldn’t afford if I continued to smoke.” 

Angela accessed the County Durham and Darlington Stop Smoking 

Service and saw Specialist Advisor Mo Nicholson. She quit the day 

after No Smoking Day last year using Champix tablets. 

“Mo was brilliant!” said Angela. I was worried that with working 

outside of County Durham that I may not always be able to attend 

my appointments. However Mo offered one-to-one support over 

the telephone if I had any problems.” 

Not only has Angela reaped the financial rewards of stopping 

smoking but she has always felt the health benefits. “My breathing 

feels so much better than before, and if I get a cold I no longer get 

a bad cough like I did when I was a smoker.” 

Whatever your reason for wanting to quit, then make sure you give 

yourself the best chance of success by getting the right help and 

support. The County Durham and Darlington NHS Stop Smoking 

Service has helped over 50,000 local people to stop smoking and 

they can also help you! Get in touch on 0800 0113 405 to find your 

routes to quit. 

20 Community Safety and Health Community Safety and Health 

Planning for a 

healthier future 

in County Durham 

The first Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 

(JHWS) for County Durham identifies six priority 

areas to focus on over the next four years. 

They are: 

• Children and young people make healthy choices 

and have the best start in life 

• Reduce health inequalities and early deaths 

• Improve quality of life, independence and care 

and support for people with long term conditions 

• Improve mental health and wellbeing of the 

population 

• Protect vulnerable people from harm 

• Support people to die in the place of their choice 

with the care and support that they need 

What is the Joint Health and Wellbeing 

Strategy? 

The JHWS is a document that aims to inform and 

influence decisions about health and social care 

services in County Durham so that they are 

focused on the needs of the people who use 

them and tackle the factors that affect people’s 

health and wellbeing. Work is now underway to 

develop an action plan for the JHWS to deliver 

what we have said we will. 

For further information about the Joint Health 

and Wellbeing strategy or to download a copy of 

the document visit www.durham.gov.uk/jhws 

Equipment Advice Service 

The Equipment Advice Service is available to anyone who lives in County 

Durham and has difficulty managing everyday activities. The service provides 

information to help people live independently, offering advice over the telephone, 

by email or through the Equip-Yourself-Durham website - www.equip-yourself-durham.org.uk 

For more information call 0191 384 6726 or email equipmentadvice@durham.gov.uk 

Are you an unpaid carer? 

You could get great savings with the County Durham or Darlington Carers card*. 

Visit www.durhamcarers.info/carerscard or call 0!""#""$#%&%! 

Terms and conditions apply* 

Vehicle security 

Car crime is an opportunist crime - here are 

some tips to protect your car and belongings: 

Look after your keys - 70 per cent of cars 

that are taken are stolen using the key so 

always keep your car keys in a safe place 

in your home and away from any windows 

and doors. 

Don’t leave anything on display in your car 

- if you can’t carry your valuables with you, 

store them in the boot, not the glove box - 

especially your sat nav. 

Park and store your car safely - try to park 

your car in an attended car park or in a car 

park that is part of the police-approved 

‘Park Mark’ Scheme. You might also 

consider having a car alarm or immobiliser 

fitted to your car by an approved installer. 

For more vehicle security advice visit 

www.durham.gov.uk/vehiclesecurity 

or call us on 03000 260 000 and ask for a 

vehicle security leaflet. 

Community Safety and Health Community Safety and Health 21

A huge contribution 

Volunteers make a huge 

contribution to all our 

lives. A study in 2012, by 

One Voice Network, 

showed that volunteers 

across County Durham 

contribute £5m worth of 

voluntary hours per year. 

22 

East Durham AAP 

celebrated the contribution 

of local volunteers at a 

ceremony at Shotton Hall. 

They received 36 

nominations for an award. 

Ten of these received £250 

towards their organisation. 

Explore a world 

of books together 

All FREE at your local County Durham library 

For further information on your 

nearest library and opening hours: 

www.durham.gov.uk/libraries 

03000 26 00 00 

Get your skates on 

Roller Derby might be extreme but it’s 

catching on in the UK. A full contact 

racing game, played on roller skates, the 

aim is to get past the defence skaters 

called blockers to score points. Durham 

City Rolling Angels is a new Roller Derby 

League based in Durham made up of men 

and women aged 18+ who love skating. 

They’re looking for new skaters and 

referees to join them at Sherburn Leisure 

Centre on a Tuesday 7.30-9pm, Thursday 

7-9pm and Sunday 11am-1pm. Like them 

at Facebook.com/durhamcityrollingangels 

or email noeleen.butler@durham.gov.uk 

or rachel_telford@hotmail.com 

New Dene 

gets in the swim 

New Dene Community School in Peterlee has 

been officially opened by Olympic swimmer 

Sharon Davies. 

The facility is part of a £12million Building 

Schools for the Future project. 

New and refurbished accommodation replaces 

the old school which can now take up to 780 

pupils. Work to complete the external areas 

should be finished by the summer. 

Correct time - correct place 

Problems with the St Nicholas clock in 

Durham Market Place are resolved. The 

original timing mechanism required constant 

manual adjustments which is now resolved 

following the fitting of a digital receiver. 

Kids for Kids UK 

film festival 

Durham AAP provided funding towards a successful film 

festival in Durham City. 

Kids for Kids UK ran the festival activities which included 

delivery of a series of cinema screenings for children and 

young people of award winning animations from Asia 

alongside a taster workshop programme inspired by the 

techniques and stories. Screenings took place at the Gala 

Cinema and the Oriental Museum in Durham as well as 

community venues in outlying villages. 

See all the films from our Cinemasports film 

challenge at: http://vimeo.com/channels/426218 

Visit www.kidsforkidsuk.org or email info@kidsforkidsuk.org 

Award 

is a 

fine 

catch 

The regeneration 

of Seaham 

Harbour North 

Dock has been declared 

Project of the Year 2012 

at the Civil Engineering 

Contractors Association 

awards. Working on behalf 

of Durham County Council, 

Lumsden & Carroll carried 

out the £3m regeneration 

project at Seaham , 

including installing an 

hydraulic dock gate; 

pontoons for 78 leisure 

boats; and a new starter 

business building with 

12 units. The North Dock 

is a listed structure, 

constructed in 1828 to 

export coal. 

in brief 

Investing in Durham’s 

Children 

Durham AAP has been awarded Investing 

in Children status for its work with young 

people in the Sherburn Road area 

following great feedback from the young 

people themselves. 

....................... 

Getting their priorities right 

Young people spoke up about the issues 

that impact on them in East Durham. 

44 young people voted for East Durham 

AAP priorities and chose as their most 

important: maintaining the social fabric 

of our community, job creation and 

education and transport. 

....................... 

Credit where 

credit’s due 

When times are hard, 

people all too easily turn to 

doorstep lending or loan sharks. But the 

astronomical interest charged can then 

push them over the edge. To help people 

get out of this cycle of debt, East Durham 

AAP has joined forces with Durham 

County Credit Union to fund a credit 

union development worker. So far 52 

volunteers have been recruited to help 

run the credit union and 697 members 

have joined to make savings and take out 

loans. To speak to David Snowden, the 

development worker, call 0191 375 7677. 

....................... 

Customer Services and 

Housing Solutions at Peterlee 

Our customer services officers are now 

available at East Durham Homes at 

Castle Dene Shopping Centre, Peterlee on 

Wednesdays for queries about benefits 

and council tax. Call 03000 260 000 to 

make an appointment. 

Housing solution surgeries are also available 

on Fridays. Call 03000 260 801 for details. 

23

Hall Hill Farm 

Set in the beautiful, 

rolling hills near 

Lanchester, Hall Hill 

Farm is an award winning 

mixed farm of 290 hectares. 

Bottle feed lambs, hold fluffy 

chicks, feed inquisitive goats, 

and cuddle rabbits and 

guinea pigs. There are 

also tractor rides, 

donkey rides 

and an indoor 

playbarn. 

Telephone: 

01388 731 333 

www.hallhillfarm.co.uk 

Open weekends during 

March and then 

seven days a week 

from 23 March 

to September: 

10.30am-5pm, 

then October 

half term. 

All the fun of the farm 

After the dark days of winter, you can’t help be awed by springtime. 

The buds on the trees, the smell of the new grass, and all the new lambs 

limbering up their lanky legs. So what better time to enjoy our local 

farm and animal attractions? It’s a great way to see spring in action. 

Tweddle Children’s Animal Farm 

With an excellent variety of animals to see and stroke, plus indoor 

and outdoor play areas, go-kart tracks and crazy golf, Tweddle 

Farm near Blackhall Colliery has loads to see and do. 

Telephone: 0191 586 3311 www.tweddlefarm.co.uk 

Mini Moos Farm 

For loads of animal antics, enter our 

competition to win a family day ticket 

to one of our great local farms! 

To enter, just tell us which nursery rhyme 

character famously lost her sheep 

........................................................................................... 

and let us know which farm you’d prefer to visit 

(you can tick more than one). 

❑ Hall Hill Farm ❑ Tweddle Children’s Animal Farm 

❑ Mini Moos Farm ❑ Down at the Farm 

Open seven days a week, 

10am-5pm. 

At Mini and Maxi Moos Adventureland you 

can enjoy indoor and outdoor play alongside the 

animals, so rain won’t stop play! Just see what the 

weather is like and then opt for indoor or outdoor play! 

Based at Edmondsley near Chester-le-Street, Mini and Maxi Moos 

have got loads of lovely animals with big personalities. 0191 3710466. 

www.minimoosfarm.co.uk Please check our opening hours. 

Name................................................ 

Tel .................................................... 

Email.................................................................... 

Address................................................................ 

24 Out and about Out and about Out and about Out and about 

............................................................................ 


Down at the Farm 

Award winning Farm Adventure 

Park for the whole family! 

Lots of farm and zoo animals to 

stroke and pet, play areas and 

rides. See newborn lambs and 

newly hatched chicks, wash the 

pigs and cuddle the bunnies. 

There are real quad bikes for the 

over 7’s, inflatable slides, barrel train 

and tractor rides. Plus an adventure 

playground, jumping pillow and more. 

Open during school holidays and 

weekends. 

Telephone: 0191 584 1873 

www.downatthefarm.co.uk 

Win! 

25

26 

Eggciting Easter days out 

Thursday 28 March to 

Tuesday 2 April 

Crook Hall and Gardens, 

Durham City 

Easter at Crook Hall 

The Easter Bunny, Easter Egg 

Hunts and Easter Games. 

11am-5pm. A £6.50, Con £5, 

C £5, F £19. Tel: 0191 384 8028. 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 

Friday 29 March to 

Monday 1 April 

Killhope - The North of England 

Lead Mining Museum 

Hop into Easter 

Easter colouring trail 

50p per entry, plus normal 

admission to Killhope. 

Prizes to be won! 

10.30am-5pm. 

01388 537 505, 

www.killhope.org.uk 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 

Saturday 30 March 

Hardwick Park, Sedgefield 

Easter Eggstravaganza 

Farmyard animals, arts and crafts, 

Punch and Judy, balloon modelling 

and face painting. 11am-3pm. 

£3 per child. No need to book. 

01740 621 505, 

www.durham.gov.uk/hardwickpark, 

Facebook/Hardwick-Park 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 

From baby chicks to chocolate eggs, there’s a cracking 

day out for everyone this Easter holiday. So copy the 

Easter bunny and hop along to an event near you. 


DCC Walk: Easter wildlife in 

Bishop Auckland 

A 6 mile medium walk led by Mark 

Oliphant - Countryside Ranger. 

Start at Newton Cap picnic area, 

off A689, Bishop Auckland at 

10am. Lasts four hours, bring 

packed lunch. £4. 

www.durham.gov.uk/countryside 


Saturday 30 March to 


Raby Castle 

Easter Egg Trail through the 

Gardens 

Follow the clues around the 

garden to find a tasty treat at 

the end! There is also fun for 

the whole family with games, 

craft activities and general 

Easter fun! 11am-5pm 

(last admission 4.30pm). 

A £6, Con £5, C £2.50. 

www.rabycastle.com 

oooooooooooooooooooo 

Sporty fun this Easter! 

There is plenty to do this Easter for children and young people, with a 

fantastic variety of programmes including the exciting Urban Games 

which includes scooter, bmx, skateboard, street dance and DJ workshops, a competitive 

7-a-side football tournament and multi-activities sessions, which includes tennis, cricket, 

athletics and much, much more. 

The Urban Games activities will run at Chester-le-Street Riverside Park on Tuesday 9 

April 1-4pm. 8 yrs + all abilities. FREE. To book, contact Thomas Beales on 07966 870 097. 

Sunday 31 March 

and Monday 1 April 

Botanic Garden, Durham 

10th Annual Easter Chick Hunt 

2013 

A fun family event organised by 

‘Friends of the Garden’. A nest full 

of Easter chicks have hatched and 

escaped. Come along and see 

how many you can spot on Easter 

Sunday and Easter Monday. 

10am-4pm. Free goodies for the 

winners. A £4, Con £3, C £1.50. 

www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden 



The Bowes Museum 

Family Fun Day - Easter 

Eggstravaganza! 

Celebrate Easter with fun drop-in 

craft activities including dangling 

spring lambs, glass painting 

Easter eggs, & Easter baskets with 

a treat! Explore the museum with 

an Easter themed trail. 

11am-4pm. A £9, Con £8, 

Free to children under 16. 

01833 690 606, 

www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk 

The Bowes Museum is also 

hosting Easter crafts. 

Go chick crazy on 4 and 5 

April and bounce along 

for bunny crafts on 

9 and 10 April. 

10.30am-12noon 

or 1-2.30pm. 

£3 per child. 

Children must be 

accompanied by 

an adult. Booking 

on 01833 690 606. 

oooooooooooooooooooo 

Join In, our programme of activities for children and young people, is running a 7-a-side football 

tournament on the brand new Meadowfield Leisure Centre 3G pitch, on Wednesday 3 April. For 13-16 year 

olds. Registration at 10am, finish at 4pm. FREE. Contact Peter Garrod on 07747 486 880 to enter a team. 

Multi-Activities sessions on Friday 12 April, 12noon-2pm at Crook Cricket Club. All ages and abilities. FREE. 

Contact Gary Cooper on 07738 029 811. 

A - Adult 

Con - Concession 

C - Child 

S - Student 

F - Family 

Music theatre comedy special events exhibitions family fun 

Until 30 March 

Bishop Auckland Town Hall 

Exhibition: Hamsterley Artists Exhibition 2013 

Hamsterley Artists are a group of amateur artists 

who meet weekly to progress their skills and 

knowledge of the wider world of art. Mon-Fri 10am- 

4pm, Sat 9am-4pm. £4. 03000 269 524, 

www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk 

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 

Every Friday throughout the year 

The Clubhouse, Rockliffe Hall 

Friday Night Live 

Join us in The Clubhouse for our fantastic Friday 

night live events, supported by great local 

accomplished vocalists and guitarists including Val 

Boyers, Karen Lester and Jamie Farell. Held every 

Friday, advanced booking is recommended as tables 

for these events fill quickly. 7.30pm, £18.50 for two 

courses and £21.50 for three courses. 

01325 729 999, spa@rockliffehall.com 


Until 7 April 

Dunelm Gallery, Palace Green Library, Durham 

The Birth of Buddhism 

Presenting the story of the birth and life of 

Siddhartha Gautama, later recognised as the Buddha, 

and the early spread of Buddhism in South Asia. 

Open times: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-4.45pm. 

A £3, C/Con £2, F £8. 


Until 14 April 

Wolfson Gallery, Palace Green Library, Durham 

The Practical Art of Medicine 

Inspired by the collections of physician, historian and 

bibliophile Dr CE Kellett (1903-1978). This exhibition 

draws on collections from throughout the holdings of 

Palace Green Library and includes work by Jean 

Fernel, Andreas Vesalius and William Harvey. 

Tues-Sun 10am-4.45pm. A £3, C (over 5) and Con £2, 

under 5s and carers free, F (2 adults, 2 children) £8. 

0191 334 2932, www.dur.ac.uk/palace.green/whatson/ 



The Bowes 

Museum 

Rokeby: Poetry 

and Landscape; 

Walter Scott 

& Turner in 

Teesdale 

Marking the 

bicentenary of the 

publication of 

Scott’s poem, 

Rokeby, it explores 

the relationship 

between literature 

and art, examining 

the poem’s role in 

attracting artists such as Turner and highlighting the 

importance of the dale in the development of 

landscape painting in Britain. 10am-5pm. 

A £9, Con £8, under 16s free. 01833 690 606, 




Oriental Museum 

Disappearing heritage of Sudan, 1820 - 1956 

The exhibition offers a new and unique 

documentation of the remnants of the colonial 

experience in Sudan from the Ottoman, Egyptian and 

British periods. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun & bank 

holidays 12noon-5pm. A £1.50, C 75p, F £3.50. 

0191 334 5694, oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk 



Hardwick Park 

Come along and cheer on 

the hundreds of mad runners 

taking part in our Muddy Mayhem 

challenge. The race begins at 11am. 

01740 621 505. www.durham.gov.uk/hardwickpark 

27 

© Leeds Museums and Galleries (City Art Gallery) / The Bridgeman Art Library

Tuesday 26 March 

DCC Walk 

Photography walk: The Durham 

puma strikes again 

2 hour, 2 mile walk with 

photographer Philip Nixon. 

Starts at Cattle market, St John’s 

Chapel, off A689 at 10.30am. £4. 

Bring a camera. 0191 372 9100, 



Tuesday 26 March 

Bishop Auckland Town Hall 

Talk: Gordon Henderson: 

Roman Military at Binchester 

Bishop Auckland Civic Society 

presents a talk with local 

historian and re-enactor Gordon 

Henderson as he discusses the 

Roman Military at Binchester. 

7.30pm. £2. 03000 269 524, 

www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk 


Friday 29 March 

Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club 

Charity night in aid of Macmillan 

Cancer Support 

We’ve Booked a Swanky Joint, 

so Dig Out Your Glad Rags. 

Live music and disco. Two course 

hot buffet, raffle and much much 

more. 7pm-Midnight. £15. 

07708 887 775, 

callumgall@yahoo.co.uk 


Friday 29 March to 


Locomotion: 

The National Railway Museum 

at Shildon 

Speed, Steam and Streaks 

See A4 Class locomotive 

No. 60010 Dominion of Canada 

and Princess Coronation Class 

locomotive No. 6229 Duchess 

of Hamilton, displayed 

alongside each other for the 

very first time. 10am-4pm. 

Free admission and free 

parking. 01388 777 999, 

www.nrm.org.uk/locomotion 

28 



A Romantic Musical Evening 

Join John Treherne and 

Margarette Ashton of Concert 

Royal, with harpist Louise Bradley, 

for an evening of songs and 

readings from Rokeby and other 

works by Walter Scott, that are 

sure to delight. 7pm. 

A £10, Friends of The Bowes 

Museum £8. 01833 690 606, 




to Sunday 30 June 

DLI Museum & 

Durham Art Gallery 

Recording Britain 

Based on a unique 

documentary project 

which commissioned more than 

90 artists to make inspiring 

pictures of vulnerable buildings, 

landscapes and lifestyles at the 

beginning of the Second World 

War. Open 10am-4pm, from April 

1 open 10am-5pm. A £4.60, Con 

£3.60, C £2.60. 03000 266 590, 

www.durham.gov.uk/dli 



DCC Walk: Harwood and a 

Cauldron Snout scramble 

5 hour, 10 mile walk with 

Voluntary Countryside Ranger 

Mike Knipe. Starts at Cow Green 

car park, 2½ miles west of 

Langdon Beck, off B6277 at 

10am. £4. Bring a packed lunch. 

0191 372 9100, 



Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 April 

Killhope: The North of England 


Fun in the Forest 

Taties and marshmallows around 

the camp fire and wild wood 

crafts. £5 per person. 11am-3pm. 

01388 537 505, www.killhope.org.uk 

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 

Wednesday 3 and 

Wednesday 10 April 



Clay Play 

Come and be creative with clay. 

10.30am-5pm. £2. 

01388 537 505, 


oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 

Thursday 4 April 

Gala Theatre 

The Polite Rooms 

Fran Smith’s idiosyncratic 

love-songs have been described 

as ‘lyrical works of art’. Michael 

Littlefield and Scott Taylor are two 

boys with the blues in their soul. 

They will be joined by Jack 

Arthurs playing uplifting acoustic 

rock from his debut album. 8pm. 

£5. 0191 332 4041, 

www.galadurham.co.uk 


Thursday 4 and 




All that Glitters 

Unique to Killhope Spar Box 

Workshop. Be inspired by our 

wonderful collection then come 

and have a go. 10.30am-5pm. 

A £7.15, Con £6.65. C £4.10. 

01388 537 505, 



Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 April 

Beamish Museum 

Our Friends Electric 

The Beamish Tramway’s 40th 

Anniversary. 10am-5pm. 

A £17.50, Con £13, C £10. Tickets 

last for one year. 0191 370 4000, 

www.beamish.org.uk 


Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April 

Old Fulling Mill Museum of 

Archaeology, The Banks, 


Perfect Pots! 

Take inspiration from the ancient 

Greeks and paint your own 

terracotta pot. (1-3pm, admission 

charges apply) March - Open Fri- 

Mon, 11.30am-3.30pm; April to 

October - Open seven days a 

week, 11am-4pm. A £1, C/Con 

50p, F £2.50. 0191 334 1823, 

www.dur.ac.uk/fulling.mill 


Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April 

Locomotion: The National 

Railway Museum at Shildon 

North Bay Tales Book Weekend 

Meet Joe Coates, author of the 

popular railway-themed North 

Bay Tales children’s book series, 

and join him for book reading 

sessions throughout the day. 

10am-5pm. Free admission and 

free parking. 01388 777 999, 



Sunday 7 April 

Killhope: The North 

of England Lead 

Mining Museum 

Blacksmith 

Demonstration 

The blacksmith 

fires up the forge to 

demonstrate his 

skills. 11am-4pm. 

A £7.15, Con £6.65, 

C £4.10. 01388 537 505, 




Newton Aycliffe 

Leisure Centre 

Durham Wildcats 

play Manchester 

Giants 

4pm (doors open 

at 3pm). A £6, C £4. 

01325 300 500, 

www.godurhamwildcats.com 



Gala Theatre 

Feast of Fiddles 

The 20th annual outing for this 

band of friends who first joined 

together in a folk club in 1993 

and have now developed into a 

folk-rock institution. 7.30pm. 

£17.50. 0191 332 4041, 





Great North Steam Fair 

A huge event celebrating all 

forms of transport. 10am-5pm. 

A £17.50, Con £13, C £10. Tickets 






Family Fun Day - Love Your 

Local Landscape 

Be inspired by the Rokeby 

exhibition to try a variety of 

landscape themed activities 

before exploring the grounds of 

the Museum with our new 

nature trail. Children must be 

accompanied by an adult, for 

whom normal admission 

applies. 10.30am-3pm. 

01833 690 606, 





Spring Market 

Celebrate the great outdoors with 

us this spring, with a wide range 

of stalls selling beautiful plants 

and inspirational accessories for 

your garden, delicious local food 

and crafts. 10am-4pm. 

01833 690 606, 



Sunday 14 April to 

Sunday 19 May 

Crook Hall and Gardens, 


Pottery Exhibition 

Examples of local potters’ work 

exhibited in the beautiful 

gardens. 0191 384 8028. 


Tuesday 16 to 

Saturday 20 April 

Gala Theatre 

Yes, Prime Minister 

Following three sell out West End 

seasons and rave reviews, 

Yes, Prime Minister is fast 

becoming the most successful 

play for a decade. Tickets £25, 

Con £23, First Night and Friends 

£22. 7.30pm. 0191 332 4041, 




Gala Theatre 

English Touring 

Opera: Mozart / 

Così fan tutte 

This high energy, 

laugh-a-minute 

comedy about 

making mistakes 

in love is one of 

Mozart’s most 

famous operas. 

7.30pm. Tickets £25, 

Con £23.50, Friends £22, 

Double Ticket £42, Restricted 

View £10. 0191 332 4041, 





Old King Coal 

Celebrating the coal mining 

heritage of the North East. 

A £17.50, Con £13, C £10. Tickets 




Monday 22 April to 

Monday 20 May 

Locomotion: The National 

Railway Museum at Shildon 

Derek Slater: Coal Mining 

Having worked in the mining 

industry for more than 25 years, 

Derek’s paintings portray the 

pitman in his working 

environment in a range of eras. 

10am-5pm. Free admission and 

free parking. 01388 777 999, 



29


Gala Theatre 

English Touring Opera: Simon 

Boccanegra 

In this compelling drama set in 

the Italian port of Genoa, the title 

character is a former pirate who 

returns to the city to become its 

leader. 7.30pm. Tickets £25, 

Con £23.50, Friends £22, Double 

Ticket £42, Restricted View £10. 

0191 332 4041, 



Wednesdays 24 April, 1 May, 

22 May 

Lanchester Community Centre 

Lanchester and District 

Flower Club 

Enjoy a demonstration called 

‘Celebration’ at 2pm by Pamela 

Alexander on 24 April, and a 

workshop with Margaret Earl on 

1 May from 1.30pm. 

On 22 May the club celebrates its 

40th anniversary with a lunch at 

Chapters Restaurant, Derwentside 

College, Consett. 01207 503 667. 


Wednesday 24, Thursday 25, 

Friday 26 April 

Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley 

Little Shop Of Horrors 

Astravaganza Entertainment 

proudly present this amateur 

production of Little Shop Of Horrors. 

7.15pm. A £10, Con £8.50, 

C £8.50, F £28. 01207 218 899, 

www.leisureworks.net 



Empire Theatre, Consett 

The Fureys & Davy Arthur 

Their popular and emotive folk 

based songs have been entertaining 

audiences for 35 years. 7:30pm. 

£17.Call 01207 218 171. 

www.leisureworks.net 


Saturday 20 to 


Bishop Auckland 

Food Festival 

9.30am-4.30pm. 

This year’s event is 

set to be even bigger 

and better. For more 

information, visit 

www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk 

30 

LGBT events 

Thursday 28 March 

So outrageous - 70s and 80s disco for 

LGBT people and their friends. 18+ only. 

9pm-late, Market Vaults, Back Silver 

Street, £2. So outrageous, which 

organises social events for lesbian, gay, 

bi-sexual and transgender residents, is 

one! Follow www.facebook.com/ 

sooutrageousdurham 

Email 

sooutrageousdurham@hotmail.co.uk 

Saturday 27 April 

St Mary’s Parish Hall, Newgate, 

Barnard Castle 

Phil Cool Final Curtain Tour 

Continuing the trend of bringing 

top tour shows to the North East, 

we’re delighted to announce that 

Phil Cool has signed up for our 

show. 8pm. £13 in advance, 

£15 on the door (if available). 

01833 650 930, 

peter@funnywaytobe.com 



Durham City Duathlon 

The City of Durham Duathlon 

is a 5km run, followed by a 25km 

bike and then a further 5km run. 

The event is based at 

Meadowfield Leisure Centre, 

Durham. 

Enrol online www.durhamtri.org 


Bishop Auckland Choral 

Society 

is looking to recruit new 

members for their 2013 season. 

If you enjoy singing, why not 

come along on a Tuesday 

evening at Bishop Auckland 

Town Hall from 7pm to 9pm? 

Call Sophie on 01388 834 359. 

The 50+ LGBT Group 

A friendship and consultation 

group for LGBT people aged 

50+. Usually 11am-1.30pm. 

Call Clare to ensure lunch 

provision and help with travel. 

April 10 -Trip to Pride Café, 

Newcastle. May 8 - Meeting, 

North Rd Methodist Church, 

Durham 10:30am-1:00pm. 

0191 383 9750, engage@ 

ageukcountydurham.org.uk 


Tour of Hamsterley 

Car Rally 

Spectators are welcome to go 

along and watch. Check out the 

website for more information 

www.tourofhamsterley.co.uk or 

call 01325 488 886. 


Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May 

Crook Football Club, 

Millfield Ground 

CrookFest2013 

Music and dance. 11am onwards. 

£10. www.crooktownafc.co.uk 


Saturday 11 May 

Durham Cathedral 

Mendelssohn’s Elijah 

Durham Choral Society and 

Orchestra, Conductor Michael 

Summers, Soloists to be 

announced. 7.30pm. 

0191 332 4041. 





A walk on the wildside 

Walk the woodland trails with our 

nature expert then sleepover in 

our Mongolian yurts. 7pm-10am. 

A £20, C £15. 01388 537 505, 




Durham Cathedral 

Be a Chorister for the Day 

For boys and girls aged 

6-10 years. Registration starts 

2pm. For more information and 

booking call 0191 374 4066. 


CYCLISTS 

GEAR UP FOR 

TOUR SERIES 

The thrills and spills of competitive cycling will 

once again return to the streets of Durham city 

when the professional cycling Tour Series 

arrives in town for the fourth year. 

The ever popular televised race, featuring 

teams of professional cyclists will take place on 

Thursday 16 May, at 7pm. 

The route will start and finish at Durham School 

and will take cyclists along Margery Lane, 

Crossgate Bank, South Street and Grove Street. 

For more information on this year’s race visit 

www.tourseries.co.uk 

Children’s Network 

has plenty to offer for children or young 

people with a disability this Easter. 

If you are not a member, you can register by 

going online to www.durham.gov.uk/childrensnetwork or 

by contacting the Children’s Network team on 03000 265 792. 

The multi award-winning Victorian Mining 

Museum opens for the summer season 

just in time for the Easter holidays 

(29 March - 3 November, 10.30am-5pm). 

You can accompany one of our guides on 

an unforgettable mine tour; find your own 

minerals as you work as a washerboy and 

marvel at the working water wheels. 

Walk the woodland trails to see our red 

squirrels then visit Killhope shop and café 

to complete a great day out. 


Lindisfarne Gospels Durham 

Palace Green Library 1 July to 30 September 

A once in a lifetime opportunity to see one of the world’s greatest books, 

the Lindisfarne Gospels, alongside St Cuthbert’s treasures. This must-see 

exhibition tells the North’s most enduring story and is the focus of a 

regional celebration with music, theatre, family activities and more. 

Tickets on sale 20 March. www.lindisfarnegospels.com 

Sunday 3 March, 7.30pm l Sunday 7 April, 

7.30pm l Sunday 5 May, 7.30pm 

Now into their eleventh year at Gala, 

The Comedy Store continues to serve up the 

best in British comedy, as well as up-andcoming 

talent. What better way to end your weekend. 

For the chance to win four tickets to The Comedy Store 

in May, simply answer the following question: 

How long has the Gala hosted The Comedy Store? 

................................................................................. 

Date for your diary: 

Marie Curie Cancer Care 

Etape Pennines 

cycle race 

6 October 2013 

Name..................................................... 

Tel.......................................................... 

Win! 

Email....................................................................... 

Address................................................................... 

................................................................................ 

❑ Tick for more information. See page 2 for entry details. 

31

Use a concessionary 

bus pass? 

If you’ve had a concessionary bus pass for over four years, 

you may have noticed that it runs out on 31 March 2013. 

We will be posting a new pass to you shortly. 

However, if you have moved house or your personal details 

have changed, please call us on 03000 268 667 so we can 

update our system and re-issue you with a new pass. 

For further information see 

www.durham.gov.uk/buspassrenewal

DCC DCN - Durham County Council

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?