Quarrington Hill News September 2010.pdf - Parish and Town ...

Issue 17 Keeping You Informed Autumn 2010
Playbuilder Funding Withdrawn
Great disappointment as money for new play areas
removed.
The joy experienced within the
village in May when it was
announced that the Village
Partnership had been successful in
its bid for £50,000 from the
Playbuilder Scheme to develop a
new play park in the village was
short lived when in August it was
announced that the scheme was to
be scrapped as part of the
Governments spending cuts.
Without doubt it was a crucial blow in our efforts to secure the money needed
to provide the type of Play Park the children and young people of this village
so rightly deserve.
Quarrington Hill was only one of thirteen projects within the Durham County
Council area put on hold by the measures but we understand that, nationally,
approximately thirteen hundred projects have been similarly affected.
Nonetheless, having overcome the initial shock, the Partnership will carry on
working with its partners and advisers on the project and is even more
determined to continue in its efforts to secure the funding required to improve
on the play facilities which currently exist within the village.
Don‟t forget we still have £26,000 in the bank as a starting point to which we
are very grateful to our two County Councillors, Dennis Morgan and Maria
Plews, East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership and Coxhoe
Parish Council.
Play Parks are considered as a means of keeping children and young people
busy and active. A good and innovative playground will provide some of the
exercise needed to help keep them fit and healthy.
Play helps in their physical and social development. Outdoor activity allows
them more space to freely run around. Parents, grandparents and guardians
accompanying their children can also benefit by meeting up and socialising
with their friends and neighbours.
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Fr. John‟s Induction
The church was full to overflowing on the day of Fr. John Livesley‟s Induction.
People from Manchester, where Fr. John
served as a curate, attended along with
people from both parishes.
MP Roberta Blackman Woods, the Mayors
of Durham and
Spennymoor along
with Councillors Mac
Bishop Tom & Fr. John
Williams and Jan
Blakey all attended Bishop Tom and Bishop Martyn
in their official capacity.
Representatives of school groups and Community
Centres were also invited.
Fr. John will work between the Parishes of Cassop
cum Quarrington and Tudhoe Grange. Both he and
his wife Naomi will live in the vicarage at Tudhoe
Grange
If you wish to book a baptism, marriage or funeral
service please telephone 01388 814817
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Cardi–Back Programme Update
Coxhoe Leisure Centre
Following the successful completion of Cardi-Back Programmes 1 and 2,
programme 3 is now in full swing and the team are
shortly to commence recruiting for programme 4.
As advised in previous newsletters the Cardi-Back
Programme is led by Platinum Physiotherapy &
Personal Training based in Coxhoe Leisure Centre.
Each programme is over a period of eight weeks with
each session lasting one and a half hours. The
project is funded courtesy of County Durham Sport
and the NHS. It is designed for ages 40 – 74 year
olds with current or previous lower back pain which
has decreased their level of physical activity. Studies
have shown links between back pain, decreased
exercise and risk of cardi – vascular disease in this
age group.
Both Physiotherapist Neil Sleeman and Personal
Trainer Corrina James welcome you to a relaxed
atmosphere and bring to each session an element of
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Physio Neil explains the
core muscle positions

fun allied to the more important task of improving your fitness and subsequent
quality of life.
The time is spent on
education, Swiss Ball
exercises and working on the
Easyline equipment within
the gym. All the activities are
aimed to improve fitness and
reduce cardiovascular
disease.
There has been some very
positive feedback from
participants of the initial
Corrina (right) brings a bit of fun to the Easyline exercises
programme and detailed below
are just a few of the comments made by those people who feel very grateful
to have been given the opportunity to improve on their overall health and
fitness.
“The exercises were “doable”, without pain and the feeling was quite uplifting.
Now at the end of the course I have
a different outlook regarding
exercise, I can do it. I have lost
weight, feel fitter, less tired and my
back pain is somewhat reduced –
and the pain I do get is eased
considerably by the use of the
exercise ball.
I owe them a great deal of
gratitude”
Getting to grips with the Swiss Ball
“This is the first time I have been involved in this type of therapy, and whilst
being excited about it, I was quite nervous at the first session. However they
soon put me at ease and with the delicate balance of theory, gym exercises
and ball exercises managed to come up with a formula which suited my needs
exactly.”
“I am now able to carry out day to day activities with more ease and feel
encouraged about my future. I feel I have started to get my life back.”
If you would like more information about the programme then
please contact Coxhoe Leisure Centre in person or on 0191
3018302 to leave your details. The “Platinum Team” will then
contact you with more information.
The Platinum Team…..
“FIT, STRONG AND HEALTHY”
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
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Coxhoe Parish Council
Report & Update
Delivering Quality Service to
Coxhoe & Quarrington Hill
It has been yet another busy time for the Parish Council. We have met three
times, including our Annual General Meeting, and considered well over 150
items of business. We are committed to promoting the well being of residents
and businesses in our village and most of our work is aimed at improvement.
Most of our meetings have been attended by the public. The Parish Council
has also facilitated a meeting of residents in Quarrington Hill which has
helped attract new volunteers to secure the future of the Community
Association and Community Centre in the village.
Improving Personal Safety
The Police attend all main Parish Council meetings and provide a report on
crime on a monthly basis. At the end of last year there were signs of a
reduction in reported crime in Coxhoe. However reports of anti-social
behaviour began to increase and there were some instances of significant
anti-social behaviour. Following a public meeting early this year, the Police
have targeted resources in the village with the result that the increasing trend
has been reversed. The Parish Council is continuing to lobby for enhanced
CCTV for the Park at Coxhoe and for it to be installed in the Front Street of
Coxhoe.
Improving Health - Coxhoe Medical Practice
We have continued to lobby for a new Medical Practice in Coxhoe. We are to
raise the matter again in view of the recently announced proposed changes to
the Primary Care Trusts.
Improving Highway Safety – Working with the County Council
Work is ongoing to make arrangements to site
speed visors in Coxhoe on a rota basis with those at
Quarrington Hill.
The electronic signs have been based in
Quarrington Hill for the last 6 months and are
alerting drivers to excessive speed. As a result, we
feel that highway safety is being improved within the
village.
The Parish Council has made representations to the
County Council in respect of the extended closure of
the road at the Hellen‟s development and the impact
on residents.
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Speed visors in action in
Quarrington Hill

Improving the Environment
We undertook a value for money exercise and appointed a new contractor to
undertake the provision of our hanging
baskets and planter services.
We have continued to provide 52
hanging baskets and 7 planters in
Coxhoe and 20 hanging baskets and 3
flower beds in Quarrington Hill. We are
keen to know what you feel about them
and what you feel the Parish Council
could do to improve floral displays in
the villages. Please let us know, we will
consider your views and we will be
able to plan ahead for next year.
Hanging Baskets in Coxhoe Front Street
The Parish Council has considered a number of consultations on planning
applications from the County Council. We have submitted representations
where necessary to seek improvements to proposals. We have supported
proposals which we felt would improve the village. We also invited Planning
and Enforcement Officers from Durham County Council to one of our
meetings so they could advise us how they were addressing residents‟
concerns about some eyesores in the village. As a result they are making
some progress with owners in difficult financial circumstances. The former
Picture House, for example, has been tidied up and its frontage repainted.
Helping the Community
We have provided small grants / donations to a range of community groups
where we felt that the community would benefit. These include Coxhoe
Community Partnership for Youth Room improvements, Coxhoe Athletic
Football Club, Coxhoe Allotments Association, Durham Citizens‟ Advice
Bureau, Diabetes UK, St. Cuthbert‟s Hospice and Quarrington Hill Community
Centre.
We have approached Durham County Council to try to secure broadband and
a hearing aid induction loop system in Landsdowne House Community Centre
at Coxhoe to improve access and opportunity for its visitors.
Improving your local Council - A Quality Council for Coxhoe
We have been fully committed to achieving „Quality‟ Council Status for the
Parish Council. We are pleased to say that we are moving forward on this as
our Parish Clerk has undertaken a significant amount of training. This is a key
part of achieving the standards that are required. We have secured the
services of an Assistant Clerk, Ian Forster, on a completely voluntary basis.
Ian was a former Town Planner and was an Assistant Chief Executive at two
District Councils in the County and has a wealth of experience in a range of
local government services.
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…continued from page 5
In the last quarter the Council received positive feedback from its Internal
Auditor on its Annual Accounts. The public have been given the opportunity to
inspect the accounts and this ended on 22 nd June. We are now awaiting the
result of the Audit of Accounts by our External Auditor.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the Parish Council meetings.
They are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month, commencing at
6.45 p.m. in Landsdowne House, 64 Lansdowne Road, Coxhoe. Agendas for
meetings are displayed in advance on the Parish Notice Board. Minutes of the
meetings are also displayed there once they have been agreed.
Contact Details for Coxhoe Parish Councillors and Clerk
Parish Councillors in Coxhoe Telephone Email
Councillor Paul Dodsworth (Chair) 0191 3778914 p.dodsworth@bandk.co.uk
Councillor Stuart Dunn (Vice Chair) 0191 3773314 stuart_dunn@tiscali.co.uk
Councillor Ron Mayo 0191 3771770 ronmayocxo@msn.com
Councillor Mrs. Barbara Hepplewhite 0191 3771366 bhepp4@btinternet.com
Councillor Tony Rowe 0191 3773642 tony.rowe@live.com
Councillor Colin Thirlaway 0191 3772596 cthirlaway@btinternet.com
Councillor Jimmy Taylor 0191 3771512 jimtaylor002@myguide.net
Councillor Dennis Smith 0191 3772437
Parish Councillors in Quarrington Hill
Councillor Keith Pounder 0191 3773611 keith.pounder@tesco.net
Councillor Mrs. Carole Wigham 07545 526338
Councillor George Shotton 07768 350576
Margaret Forster (Parish Clerk) 07988 283287 clerk@coxhoeparishcouncil.gov.uk
For more Parish Council News and latest update see back page.
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Quarrington Hill Community Centre
Tuesday
Coffee Morning/Bingo
10.00am
to
11.30am
4 th Tuesday
of each month
Citizens Advice Bureau
10.00am
to
11.00am
Wednesday
Toddlers Club
10.00am
to
11.30am
Wednesday
Bingo
7.30pm
to
9.00pm
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Community Centre Update
The March edition contained the news that the Management Committee
would be retiring in November, and also an appeal for residents to come
forward, make use of, and preserve the building for future generations, but
most importantly the need to have new blood on the Management Committee
to take over the day to day running of the Centre.
The Parish Council organised a meeting of residents on 5 th June which was
attended by 14 residents. This was both positive and constructive and showed
an enthusiasm and determination from residents to ensure that the
Community Centre would not close.
Subsequently, 19 residents have attended five meetings and have set up a
shadow Management Committee with the following officers elected:
Steve Hamilton- Chairman Barbara Elmore- Secretary
Keith Pounder – Vice Chairman Margaret Hamilton- Treasurer
Early decisions taken by the shadow Management Committee were to
organise a Family Fun Day during the summer and also to engage with
residents to increase the usage of the Community Centre with additional
activities for residents and thereby ensure that the Community Centre would
continue to thrive and be an asset to the village.
We wish to thank the Parish Council, our County Councillors and the Area
Action Partnership for their help and assistance in the progress which the
shadow Management Committee has achieved to date, and especially for the
Family Fun Day.
FAMILY FUN DAY….21 st August.
As seems to be case when there is an event in Quarrington Hill, Saturday
21 st August was a sunny day. Over 150 residents attended a highly
successful and enjoyable event for both adults and children.
The activities included a bouncy castle, races for the children and one for the
mums, a selection of games, not all of which were as easy as they seemed.
A hit with the children were a police car and fire engine. Inside the
Community Centre there were a tombola, table-top sale and auction, and face
painting for the children as well as refreshments.
We would like to thank everyone who donated items for the tombola and
table-top sale and Pat Doxford for the auction doll, Gloria and Theresa for
their sterling work in providing the refreshments, and Tommy Dyson for
providing the games and the scarecrow.
Last but not least, we would like to thank all the residents and children for
their support in making the Family Fun Day such a success.
Shadow Management Committee
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Are you a parent/carer of a child under 5 years?
If so, take a look at a sample of courses and activities from our
latest timetable and book your place now!
Baby Massage
Starting Wednesday 15th September-13th October 10am -11am.
A five week course for babies aged 6 weeks - 6 months.
Contact the Children's Centre on 0191 377 3948 to book a place.
Skills for Jobs
Starting Tuesday 21st September 9.30am -11.30am
A 6 weeks course, contact Abi Major on 0191 373 4844 for more information
National Tests, Maths & English
Starting Thursday 23rd September for 10 weeks 9.30am – 11.30am.
A 10 week course, contact Abi Major on 0191 373 4844 for more information
Strengthening Families Parenting Course (for families with children
aged 8-13 years)
Starting Monday 25th October 1.15pm -3.30pm.
A 7 week course; contact Sarah Morris Parent Support Advisor on
07769131394 for more information.
Tasty Treats (weaning)
Starting 3rd November – 17th November 10am -12noon.
A 3 week course for parents/carers of babies aged 2-6 months.
Contact the Children‟s Centre on 0191 377 3948 to book your place.
Weekly Activities, no need to book just come along and join in the fun!
Tuesdays, Stay & Play 2.00pm – 3pm
Fridays, Friday Fun Time 9.30am – 11.30am
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‘The Heather Lad’. From Past to Present
At 600 feet above sea level the Heather Lad may not be the highest pub in the
County but it will certainly take some beating for the warm welcome you
receive and the friendly atmosphere you experience as soon as you walk
through the front door.
Currently run by Sylvia Hammond and
her daughter Jacqueline Kell (pictured)
with assistance from Sylvia‟s son Mark
and Jacqueline‟s husband Colin there
is uniqueness about the place that is
difficult to find elsewhere. It has a
history going back many years as
Sylvia recalls when a student from
Durham, whilst researching the
building, was able to trace its roots
back to 1833, although it is widely
thought that it may well go beyond this date as a place where a flagon of ale
could be purchased. You may recall in an earlier edition of the “News” we
reported on armies of soldiers resting in Quarrington Hill way back in the 17 th
and 18 th centuries as they marched to and from battle, namely the battles of
Marston Moor and Culloden. Who knows maybe these same soldiers were
able to quench their thirst in the Heather Lad before moving on once again. It
would certainly be nice to think so. It is also understood that the land upon
which the pub now stands was, in times gone by, owned and controlled from
Scotland. Could this possibly be the origin of the name The Heather Lad?
Sylvia remembers the day they moved into the pub when, at the age of
eleven, along with her parents Jimmy Moore and his wife Jane they took over
the residence after moving up from Manchester where Mr. Moore, born in
1900, worked for many years as an Aircraft Engineer at the Fairey Aviation
factory. Those fortunate to have known Mr. Moore will vouch for his vast
knowledge of aeroplanes and in particular the Fairey Delta Vulcan Bomber.
Pictures of some of the planes he was involved with still adorn the pub walls.
Mrs. Moore, born in Thornley in 1908, moved to Manchester to work in
service, where she met and eventually married Mr. Moore, moving back to the
North East on the 4th June 1947 as licensees of the Heather Lad.
There was no mains electricity or running water in those days. Rain was
collected from the roof into a large tank attached to the side of the house and
boiled as necessary. An old diesel generator supplied the electricity. Sadly Mr.
and Mrs. Moore died in 1976 and 1991 respectively, leaving Sylvia and her
family to take over the reins and continue the good work lovingly put in over
the years. Nowadays mains water is laid on and Sylvia is helping cut the
Nations Carbon Footprint as power is generated by solar panels and a small
wind turbine with a modern diesel generator as and when needed.
As with many a local pub there are many stories to tell and the Heather Lad is
no different except space doesn‟t allow for even a quarter of the stories which
have transpired within the walls of this unique tavern over the years. Who can
remember the two Durham students who came to entertain the regulars
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on a Saturday evening back in the seventies. Peter on piano and Margaret on
violin. The pub was always near to full and yes we did sing along to some
good old fashioned tunes played exceptionally well by the pair. Sylvia tells me
Peter and Margaret eventually married, settled in Washington, Tyne and Wear
and to this day still visit her every year as a result of the friendship built up in
those early years.
Also who can forget the sound of the bagpipes as they got louder and louder
as the party left the pub on its way back down to the village in the wee small
hours of a New Year‟s morning? Or indeed the dog returning home with its
master, both a little worse for wear after sampling the fine ales available.
Apparently the dog also loved a half pint of the amber nectar as well.
The pub also featured in a series of films not so many years ago („Eden
Valley‟ and „Father like Son‟ being two of the titles) and until recently it was
used as a refreshment stop for a local cycling club as the cyclists race up the
Red Briar before dismounting for a cool lemonade or a hot cup of tea and a
well earned rest before setting off to complete the race.
The Suzuki Motorcycle Ownership Club continue to call in on the first Sunday
of the month as they have done for many a year and they once held a
wedding reception there after two of the bikers were married in the registry
office.
One of the oldest and longest serving customers still to frequent the pub is a
jovial chap by the name of Ted Smith who lives in Bowburn. Ted, who is
shortly to celebrate his 84 th birthday, visits every Saturday night and usually
finishes the night off, if I know Ted, with a few humorous stories followed by a
rendition of „The Lobster Song‟ before being once again taxied back home.
Sylvia and her family have tremendous plans for the future and are currently
in the process of bringing these plans to fruition.
The front of the building has been restored
with double glazing added and work is
ongoing with the remaining structure. New
signage has been designed and is awaiting
installation.
A beer garden has been included to the rear
of the building and will be a big attraction in
the warm summer evenings with a view
The Pub today awaiting new signage
across the vale worthy of a visit in itself.
Land has been prepared for several
Caravan Clubs to pitch camp and enjoy the peace and tranquility offered by
this fine location. But the „Jewel in the Crown‟ must surely be the addition of a
restaurant which is currently under construction. All of the work currently
being undertaken is lovingly carried out by Both Mark and Colin and as Sylvia
mentions although it may take a while to complete it will be to the standard
and design of their choice and will be in keeping with the character of what
makes „The Heather Lad‟ exactly what it is. A warm and friendly place.
Finally on the opposite page a poem about the Heather Lad, recently found by
Sylvia in some old diaries belonging to her father, believed to be penned by a
chap by the name of Gill Shaw.
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The Heather Lad
If life seems empty and prospects poor
Then call in here, meet Jimmy Moore
His beers are good they’re what you need
To make you sing they’re guaranteed
You’ll meet the boys, a friendly crowd
No time for gloom, it’s not allowed
Your cares will go, your outlook change
Your views on life you’ll rearrange
There’s Arthur, Jim or Sam or Rob
Who’ll play you in spots, the stake, a ‘Bob’
A song, a dance an old refrain
Ask Alfie Price, he’ll entertain
Or Maxie, Dan or Sid or Jack
Or ‘Penter’ you’ll enjoy his crack
At telling tales there’s none can whip
This king of mirth we call ‘The Crip’
You’ll meet them all ‘join in the fun’
A game of darts may score a ton
Enjoy yourselves for life is short
We can’t prolong it, it can’t be bought
We all have troubles, we each have cares
Life is a journey and trouble ‘fares’
We all must pay, he can but try
To make life pleasant and not to cry
So fill up your glass let’s hear you sing
Let’s all be merry, let good cheer ring
Don’t feel despondent, life’s not that bad
You’re all welcome at ‘The Heather Lad’
The names mentioned in the poem may give some of you an indication as to
the era in which it was written.
So if you‟re looking for a nice relaxed evening with good friendly people, a bit
of banter and excellent ale you could do a lot worse than take a walk up to
„The Heather Lad‟ or as some still fondly refer to it as „Jimmy Moores‟.
Opening time is from 7.00pm. daily but should the door be locked when you
arrive just give a gentle knock.
We would like to thank both Sylvia and Jacqueline for their time and
hospitality in providing the information for this article. We enjoyed the evening
immensely.
Bob Watts
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Parish Council News and Update
Facelift for Council’s website
A brand new website is being developed for the Parish Council. The Assistant
Parish Clerk is working with Durham County Council to build a better and
brighter site. As with most websites, some of the content on our current site
has become out of date. They have, therefore, reviewed the format and
designed a completely new website which will hopefully be launched at the
end of September. This will be much easier to navigate and have lots of new
content, local information, and many new links, including to local businesses
and traders in the locality. Check it out at www.coxhoeparishcouncil.gov.uk
Parish Plan 2 lead the way forward….
As you will be aware Coxhoe Parish Council completed village appraisals in
Coxhoe and Quarrington Hill in 2004. This resulted in the Parish Plan and
Action Plan. The Parish Council has used your views as the basis for all of its
actions since. The Plan was intended to run from 2004-2010, and so the time
has come to find out how your priorities have changed and what you want
next for our villages. The Parish Plan has been hugely successful on many
fronts including huge investment in both villages by working in partnership
with the County and former City Councils, both community partnerships, and
other agencies. Details of what was in the last Parish Plan and progress made
will be accessible on the new Parish Council website. A huge part of the
success of this Plan was due to as many of you being involved as possible.
Residents devised what questions needed to be asked for the appraisals.
These effectively established community views and secured public
participation in the various working groups that converted the communities‟
priorities into action. We are now considering how we might develop a new
Parish Plan for the next 5 years. If you have any ideas for issues that should
be included in the next community appraisal/plan, or if you would like to get
involved in the next Parish Plan please email
clerk@coxhoeparishcouncil.gov.uk .Further information and progress will be
reported in future editions of the newsletter and on the website.
(For more Parish Council News see Page 4)
Remembrance Service
As with previous years there will be a Remembrance Service at the
Community Centre on Thursday 11 th November, commencing at 11.00am.
Poppy wreaths will be laid in honour of the many who gave of their lives
during war times in the fight to defend our freedom.
Children from Cassop Primary School will also be laying a small cross for
each soldier from the village who perished during these times.
All welcome.
Disclaimer
The information in this newsletter is to the best of our knowledge correct at the time of going to
print. Quarrington Hill Village Partnership accepts no responsibility for any error, omission,
subsequent changes or complaints arising from items in this newsletter. The views expressed in
this newsletter do not necessarily represent those of Quarrington Hill Village Partnership.
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