Weardale Community News June Edition
The Weardale Community News is the new local newspaper for Weardale, County Durham.
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June 2020
Weardale shows
are cancelled
Free in Weardale
www.wcng.org Edition 2
Westgate’s weekly
lockdown dance party
Wolsingham show is fantastically popular
UNCERTAINTY over the
duration of the Covid-19
pandemic and the continuing
need for social distancing
means that the future
of social and agricultural
events all over Weardale is
in doubt.
All of Weardale’s main
agricultural shows have now
been cancelled due to the
Covid-19 pandemic.
Weardale Show, held
annually in St. John’s Chapel,
was the first to announce
that they would not be going
ahead and would postpone
until 2021. The sad decision
was announced on the 10th
May. This year’s show in
August would have been the
151st Weardale Show.
Wolsingham and Wear
Valley Agricultural Society
have also made the decision
to cancel this year’s
Wolsingham Show, with
Stanhope Show cancelling in
the same week.
A press release from
Wolsingham said “This is
sad, but it seems clear the
spread of the Coronavirus at
large public gatherings poses
a significant risk to health
and we fully comply with
the government’s guidance
to defeat this disease. We
feel that due to our large
attendance it would be
impossible for us to enforce
the 2m social distancing
rule.”
“The cancellation of
this year’s Wolsingham
Show was a difficult
decision to make as we
understand that the show
is greatly anticipated by all
members of the agricultural
community and the tens of
thousands of visitors that we
welcome annually.”
Hopefully the show will
return next year on the 4th
and 5th of September.
The organisers of
Stanhope Show had initially
announced that they were
continuing organise the
show for this year and would
reassess the situation at the
end of June. However the
decision to cancel for 2020
was announced on the 22nd
of May. In a statement the
organisers said
“The safety and security
of the general public,
competitors, traders,
visitors, attractions and
committee members, at
the show is of the utmost
importance.
The very nature of the
show means that people
come together to celebrate,
to exhibit and spectate and
given the requirements of
social distancing, we would
Credit Wolsingham and Wear Valley Agricultural Society
not be able to guarantee
that social distancing. We
simply cannot and will not
compromise the safety of
anyone.”
The next Stanhope show
will now take place on the
11th and 12th of September
2021
Agricultural shows are a
key part of Weardale life and
run throughout the summer,
so the absence of shows in
the Dale will be keenly felt
this year.
The shows are
fantastically popular with
thousands of attendees and
boast an enormous range of
classes and events.
Acts of kindness
during lockdown
By County Councillor Anita
Savory
OVER the lockdown period
I have been aware of many
acts of kindness, people
looking out for family,
friends, and neighbours,
demonstrating a real
community spirit.
I was so touched by
three generations from one
family who are on lockdown
doing their bit to help
others. Lilian Peart, formerly
from Weardale, now lives
with her daughter Sharon
Hogarth and granddaughter
Sophie, in Bishop Auckland.
What a team these ladies
have been.
They have spent their
time selling items and every
penny has been donated
to local charities. The
recipients of their efforts
are the Foodbank in Bishop
Auckland and The Friends
of Weardale Community
Hospital, who received
£100. The Friends are so very
grateful for their donation
and kindness.
The trio also donated
£200 to the Women’s Refuge
in Bishop Auckland, another
worthy cause supporting
women and children who
are victims of domestic
abuse.
The efforts of these
three ladies will benefit
many families. This is a real
example of selflessness and
generosity to others during
these challenging times.
Thank you to all the unsung
heroes going the extra mile
for others.
Dancing outside of the Hare and Hounds in Westgate
WESTGATE residents are
raising spirits during the
dancing to their favourite
tunes.
lockdown by holding a Social distancing and safety
regular dance party.
Each Sunday during the
lockdown at 7pm, residents
is observed at all times, with
residents maintaining the
required 2 metres between
have been outside and each dancer.
CORONAVIRUS
STAY ALERT
TO STAY SAFE
Keep a safe distance from others
Wash your hands the moment
you get home
Weardale’s free monthly paper
Page 2 Weardale Community News, June 2020 www.wcng.org
THE Weardale Community
News is looking for
volunteers to join our board
of directors.
The Weardale Community
News Group is a Community
Interest Company, or CIC,
with any surplus profit
put back towards the
community that it serves.
This means that we don’t
have shareholders to pay
and directors work on an
entirely voluntary basis.
We need people to join
our board of directors in
order to help decide the
future of the paper, the
direction to go and, crucially,
which causes in Weardale to
support.
Directors and
volunteers wanted
If you would like to get
involved with the project,
please send your details to
admin@wcng.org.
There is no financial
liability to being a volunteer
director of a Community
Interest Group, with the only
commitment being to attend
occasional meetings.
We also require
volunteer journalists and
correspondents throughout
the Dale to report on shows,
take photos of anything
interesting when out and
about and keep us informed
about the goings on of
Weardale life.
If you’re a budding
reporter, photographer, or
Durham County
carers support
DURHAM County Carers
Support is a charitable
organisation that provides
support to Carers looking
after family members or
friends who live in County
Durham. Although we are
currently unable to offer
face to face support, due
to the Covid-19 pandemic,
the following support is still
available:
•Telephone support, information and advice: Tel: 0300 005
1213 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm)
•Facebook updates (daily) and direct messaging
service www.facebook.co.uk and also directly at
durhamcountycarerssupport@dccarers
•Online chat through the website www.dccarers.org
•Telephone counselling service and if requested video
counselling
•Newsletter with useful information for Carers
•Carer break funding available for Carers to have time out
of their caring role (currently limited to hobbies/interests
within the government restrictions)
•Carers Discount and Carer Emergency Cards which are
currently being used by Carers for identification purposes
If you feel we can help, our contact details are : Telephone
0300 005 1213 Text: 07860 017 632 Email:admin@dccarers.
org.
just have an interest in life
in the Dale, then do send us
your news and pictures.
The Weardale News is
also keen to support arts in
the local area and once the
pandemic is over we will
publish a regular ‘What’s on
in Weardale’ section with a
complete listing of what is
taking place in Weardale.
We will also be publishing
local sports news and
results. So, if you belong to
a club, then please send in
anything that you would like
to share with us at the WCN.
The Weardale Community
News is your local paper, so
join us and help to shape
this new voice for Weardale!
Online
storytelling
POPULAR children’s
storytelling sessions will
continue to turn pages
despite lockdown.
Tune into storytime as
Durham County Council
library service brings
special audio broadcasts of
children’s classics online. We
have arranged for a special
series of stories and poems
to be put together, which
will soon be broadcast via
our website and social
media, for children to enjoy
in their own homes.
The sessions started in
April with favourite Chicken
Licken, and the remaining
broadcasts will take place on
Thursdays at 2pm.
Find out about what our
libraries have for the whole
family at: http://ow.ly/
p55q50z7EJN
Weardale Community News
Layout and editing: Paul Turton - paul@wcng.org
Advertising: Jack Vincent - jackvincent@wcng.org
Publishing Coordinator: Heather Giles - heather@wcng.org
To submit news and stories and to find out how you can contribute to the paper, please get in
touch with us using the address newsdesk@wcng.org.
For advertising rates and details of how to advertise with us, please contact Jack Vincent.
The Weardale Community News is produced in Stanhope by the Weardale Community News
Group CIC. The registered address of the community interest company is:
Weardale Community News Group, 2a St Mary’s Green, Whickham, NE16 4DN.
Corrections and Clarifications
We aim to ensure that articles published in the Weardale Community
News are truthful and accurate, but in the event of an error we will
correct or clarify any problems when they are brought to our
attention.
The Weardale Community News abides by The Editors
Code of Practice, which can be viewed in full at www.
editorscode.org.uk. If you have a complaint of have found any
inaccuracies in our reporting please contact us to let us know.
Submitted Content
The Weardale Community News welcomes submissions from
writers. The views expressed in those submissions do not
represent the views of the paper or those of the WCNG CIC. We
reserve the right to edit submissions. Letters must include a full
postal address.
Weardale Community News
Group CIC business update
By Jack Vincent
GETTING the first edition of
your Weardale Community
Newspaper out in the
middle of a pandemic and
lockdown was no easy task,
but the team worked hard to
achieve the goals set, and the
feedback we have received
has been great. Without
doubt, we would not have
achieved the success we
did without the help and
support of local businesses
and volunteers who took
stocks of the newspaper for
distribution.
Lakes & Dales Co-op
deserve a big shout out and
we thank the store staff and
teams behind the scenes for
organising the distribution.
At the time of writing this
update, the government
have eased some of the
restrictions and a lot of
people are just now looking
at returning to work. Luckily,
the volunteers behind the
newspaper have been able
to work from home, with
articles and interviews being
done through social media
and over the telephone.
From the outset, this
project has been built with
the following goals in mind:
•A free monthly newspaper
FAMILY finances have been
squeezed during the last
few months and, for the
vast majority of families,
spending on food has
increased with children
being at home all day, every
day.
‘It’s in the Bag’ has
been set up by Weardale’s
Area Action Partnership to
delivered to each household
and business in Weardale.
•Additional copies available
in retailers and at the many
visitor attractions and
holiday hot spots.
•Quality and positive news
from around Weardale.
•To support and promote
the excellent work done
through not for profit groups
& events.
•Wherever possible, to
provide opportunities for
direct employment of staff.
•To build and operate a
website and social media
presence to run alongside
the newspaper.
•To run the business as
a Community Interest
Company (CIC), with a board
of directors from a range of
backgrounds.
As at the 13th May, I am
pleased to confirm that we
have achieved 90% of the
original goals set and are
well on our way to resolving
the final matters.
At the end of May, we will
be inviting applicants for
interview for the newly
created Advertising Sales
Position. This will probably
be a part time position but
we hope, with the right
person developing the role,
that the advertising revenue
raised will pay for the
running of your newspaper.
Currently, we have 4
members who are acting as
Guardians of the newspaper
and business.
Two of those members
are myself and Paul Turton.
The others are residents of
Weardale but have been
silent until the first meeting
of the board is called and
roles agreed. We do need
and invite anyone with an
interest in the newspaper
to join as a member of the
board, and are particularly
seeking support from
representatives working
within other not for profit
groups.
In terms of time
commitment, we expect
the first few meetings to
be lengthy, as we agree the
way forward for the project
longer term, we would
be looking at quarterly
meetings of around an hour
or two.
If you have an interest in
this project, in any capacity,
please do reach out and
speak with us. You can call
on 01388 737423 or by email
to jackvincent@wcng.org
‘It’s in the bag!’ from the AAP
Cupboard essentials from Weardale’s AAP
provide all children of school
age with a bag of essential
non-perishable food items
during the school holidays.
Bags will be available
to be collected from local
collection points – special
arrangements can be made
for those who are selfisolating.
This project looks to
Dwight Appleton
Carpet Fitting
Experienced, Qualified and Insured.
For a no obligation quote call:
07908 791116
support the families in
Weardale with children, by
dropping off, a bag of some
of cupboard essentials. If
this would be helpful for
your family, let us know, by
emailing : weardaleaap@
durham.gov.uk or phoning/
text Angelina on: 07753
779975. If you would like
to volunteer to help us
distribute the bags, your
support would be welcome.
Volunteer
expenses
THE Area Action Partnership
have several groups up and
down the Dale, collecting
prescriptions and doing
some shopping for those
who are isolating.
Whilst the goodwill has
been amazing, if we can help
with the cost of mileage,
please let us know.
We can be contacted
by email at weardaleaap@
durham.gov.uk or by
telephone on 07753 779975
(Angelina) or 07747 486733
(Tracy).
A new voice for Weardale
www.wcng.org
Local business supporting NHS
Weardale Community News, June 2020
Weardale Rocks!
Page 3
Topical rocks have been hidden around the area
Clownfish, Nemo adorns a rock
Winners of The Canny Cheesecake Company’s competition pose with their cakes
LIKE so many small
businesses The Canny
Cheesecake Company had
to cease trading when Covid
19 pandemic hit our shores.
All of the Frosterley
based company’s stock was
donated to local groups
with Stanhope Surgery,
Weardale Community
Hospital, Frosterley Coop
and volunteers from
Frosterley community
support groups all receiving
cheese cakes.
It became apparent
that there were so many
wonderful front-line staff
who go above and beyond
the call of duty to keep us as
safe as possible in difficult
Wolsingham students continue to
achieve through remote learning
Wolsingham School before the pandemic
AS the lockdown continues
for the foreseeable future,
we continue to be extremely
proud of our students at
Wolsingham School. They
have risen to the challenge
of home learning and are
producing some fantastic
work week on week.
Exceptional work
produced by students is
acknowledged by sending
text messages home and
we have started posting
examples of work on our
new Facebook page.
Some recent examples
include Year 7 students who
have done fantastic work
on their Tudors project
in History. Year 8 have
completed fabulous Music
work on orchestral music on
the theme of Harry Potter
and in Year 9, students have
times.
John Burrows, proprietor
of The Canny Cheesecake
Company, wanted to show
his support and asked the
good folk of Weardale
to nominate a front-line
worker who deserved a
bit of a treat. Nominations
came in thick and fast and
John asked WCNG for their
assistance in selecting the
winning nominations.
Carrie & Steve Shaw
from Wolsingham who
both work for the NHS and
Rachel, a community nurse
from Stanhope were the
winners and both received
a large Weardale Rhubarb,
ginger and white chocolate
worked really hard on their
History D-Day project. Year
10 have produced some
great work on Hegarty
Maths and there has been
some exceptional project
work in PE on the attributes
of an athlete.
Our teaching staff and
pastoral team have been in
close contact with a huge
range of students and our
support staff have been
communicating with our
families to offer support on
everything from providing
free school meals vouchers
to ensuring that our
September 2020 new Year
7 intake know they will be
looked after.
At Wolsingham School,
extra-curricular activities
are one of the four key
pillars of school life. Back
cheesecake.
John said “It’s just a small
token of my appreciation
to our wonderful NHS and
carer sector.
“I thought it a good idea
for local people to nominate
local front-line staff and
they certainly went to
wonderful people.
“Fortunately, we are
now in a position to start
making cheesecakes again
and although there are no
markets, we will be offering
a free local delivery service
with contactless payment
and social distancing
procedures strictly adhered
to.”
in February students took
part in a workshop for
budding poets with exstudent
Jane Carrick from
JSC Creative. The students
developed entries for the
Terry Kelly Poetry Prize; a
regional poetry competition
organised by The Customs
House and we are delighted
to announce that four of our
Year 7 students have been
shortlisted and will appear
in the annual anthology.
Congratulations!
I am so proud of our staff
and students who, even in
an era of remote teaching
and challenging times, strive
to make the very most of
school life.
Jonathan Ferstenberg
Head Teacher
Wolsingham School
By Heather Giles
AS we enter our eighth week
of lockdown, the novelty of
having nowhere to be at
any specific time is certainly
wearing thin.
Our houses have never
been cleaner, our gardens
are now bursting with home
grown produce, all those DIY
jobs that we never had the
time to start, let alone finish,
are complete and we’ve
binge watched every box set
worth watching!
Our children, aware
that an invisible enemy is
preventing us from going
places and seeing people,
are spending more time
indoors than they ever have,
as their parents attempt to
home school them.
Whilst home remains a
safe haven, the walls feel
as though they are moving
inwards, with different
zones of the house being
transformed into makeshift
offices and classrooms.
Our daily exercise is
more important now than
ever before, but what can
we do to encourage those
that don’t take pleasure in a
simple walk?
The Facebook group
‘Weardale Rocks’ has been
active for a couple of years
now, but has recently seen a
resurgence as more people
try to fill their time. Painted
rocks adorned with famous
characters, scenes of nature
or uplifting messages are
popping up all over the town
and its public footpaths.
Children and adults alike
are seeking out these rocks
on their daily walks and rehiding
them for others to
find. Does your town rock,
too?
The next time that you’re
George Giles with one of his rock finds
out on your daily exercise,
see if you can spot one
of the many rocks hidden
around Weardale.
The Weardale Community
News advises that adequate
safety precautions, such as
gloves and handwashing,
are taken when looking for
painted rocks during the
Covid-19 pandemic.
Page 4 Weardale Community News, June 2020 www.wcng.org
Police News
News and reports from Durham Constabulary
Steve White: Police,
Crime and Victims’
Commissioner
THE impact of Covid 19 has
certainly starkly changed
the face of urban life across
the Police Force area and
the whole UK. Pictures of
deserted town centres,
airports and railway stations
are now the new normal for
the time being.
Across the rural parts of
the Durham Police area one
may be forgiven for thinking
that in quiet and beautiful
countryside there wouldn’t
be much difference. But
there has been. And it is
thanks to the vast majority of
people in our communities
that this is the case.
Car parks mostly empty,
local beauty spots devoid
of visitors, villages showing
new signs of activity. Instead
of through traffic, people
walking, using local shops,
rather than travelling and
the absence of day trippers
and tourists.
Quiet as these places are
during the day, they are even
quieter during the evenings
and over night.
I have set a revised police
work plan for the Chief
Constable relating to the
Covid 19 crisis, ensuring
that the Force responds
appropriately to policing
the new legislation whilst
providing continuity of
service and protection
for its officers and staff.
The Force has responded
extremely well and they will
need to continue to do so;
and my staff and I will also
continue to hold the Force
to account on behalf of our
communities.
Sadly, some of the few
who, during “normal” times,
flout the law, also do so
during these extraordinary
times. But Policing is
continuing across County
Durham unabated and, in
a way, enhanced. Over the
past weeks the Force may
have seen a drop in recorded
crime and demand, but it
has been replaced but some
fantastic proactive policing
and responses.
This has included
numerous incidents of
criminal activity, using
vehicles which have been
pursued expertly and those
arrested. In rural areas
the theft of quad bikes, so
essential to rural life, have
been thwarted.
Vulnerable people and
children have been taken to
safe places and drug dealers
and producers have been
identified and arrested. My
office has invested more
money in ensuring victims
of crime continue to be
supported and has been
making sure that help is
there for those that need it.
We have ensured that
justice continues to be
served, being one of the
first in the country to have
video court hearings up and
running.
So, in this time of
uncertainty and insecurity,
the message from me to our
communities, who continue
to self-sacrifice every day is
that Policing remains here to
provide help, to fight crime
and to protect the vulnerable
despite everything.
The message to those
who ignore the law is that
now as much as ever, you
will get caught. So, don’t
even bother.
PAINTING &
DECORATING
Contact
Alan Alderson
Telephone:
(Teesdale) 01833 640839
New PCSO for Weardale
PCSO Chloe Gilding outside of Stanhope Police Station
WEARDALE has a new Police
Community Support Officer,
Chloe Gilding, who started
on the Stanhope beat on
May 13th.
Chloe switched her career
at Sainsbury’s for the role of
PCSO and decided to take
the plunge after becoming a
mother.
The 21-year-old
completed her sociallydistanced
training at
Meadowfield and is excited
to get to know residents in
her new patch in Weardale.
She said: “This career
is something I’ve always
wanted to do and when I
had my little boy it made me
realise I wanted to just go for
it and I’m so glad I did.
“I’m excited to get out
and about and serving my
community.”
Think you’ve got what
it takes to join the police?
Durham Constabulary will
be recruiting new police
officers from May 29.
Find out more here: www.
durham.police.uk.
Police recruits start training
TWO dozen new police
recruits have started training
this week, strengthening the
thin blue line protecting
our communities in difficult
times.
The 24-strong team
of new police constables
proudly pulled on the
Durham Constabulary
uniform for the first time
on Monday, at the start of a
rigorous 13-week classroombased
training programme.
They will then take part in
a 10-week period under the
supervision of a tutor in their
assigned neighbourhoods
before going out on the beat
on the streets of County
Durham and Darlington.
The new officers follow
on from 24 PCs and 20
PCSOs who started their
training earlier this year.
All applied to become
police officers long before
the coronavirus pandemic
swept the country and the
recruits have had to get used
to new ways of working at
the force’s dedicated training
centre at Meadowfield,
Durham City.
The new intake were
sworn in by magistrates on
Tuesday at an attestation
ceremony held over Skype
rather than the traditional
parade, while the trainee
constables are being split
into smaller classes to
allow for social distancing
measures.
Over the next few
months they will be
put through their paces
learning everything from
laws and legislation, right
through to police powers of
arrest and stop and search,
investigative skills and
supporting victims.
Chief Constable, Jo
Farrell, visited the new
recruits today (Wednesday)
to personally welcome
them to the force.
Mrs Farrell said: “It’s a
pleasure to welcome our
new recruits to the team
as they embark on new
careers which will see them
make a huge difference to
the lives of people in the
communities they serve.”
Weardale’s Best
Gardens
By Jack Vincent
IN our first edition of the
Weardale Community
News, we launched the new
‘F W Dunford, Best Garden
Competition for Weardale.’
The competition has
attracted a number of
entries from around
Weardale, along with a call
to set up a new Weardale
Gardening Club aimed at
like-minded Dalefolk looking
to showcase their gardens,
make new friends, and have
a little fun whilst socially
distancing.
The competition is open
to all Weardale home
gardens and judges will
be looking for originality,
creativity, and of course, lots
of flowers and plants. The
only rule is that it must be
a home garden in Weardale.
Entries for the competition
Tougher sentencing to
deter criminals from
coughing and spitting
By Jack Vincent
COUGHING and spitting at
frontline emergency service
workers appears to have
increased sharply since
the Coronavirus pandemic
began.
Many Police Officers
carry ‘spit bags’ which
can be placed over the
offenders head whilst in
handcuffs. Given that the
threat of contracting Covid
19 is at the forefront of
our minds, spitting at our
emergency service workers
is not only abhorrent, but it
could also lead to fines and
imprisonment. But, is it
enough to deter those who
carry out these despicable
acts?
PC Rachel Storey of West
Yorkshire Police commented
on her professional Twitter
account that she “had to
wash her boots in Dettol
when she finished her shift,”
after she and colleagues
were faced with large
crowds shoulder to shoulder,
spitting on the floor and
coughing at (them) when
asked to move back.
can be submitted in writing
to WCNG c/o 102 Newgate
Street, Bishop Auckland,
DL14 7EQ, or, by email to
jackvincent@wcng.org
Judges’ names will be kept
secret but we are hoping
to attract a celebrity or
two to guide us in the right
direction.
The Gardening Club is a
separate idea from a resident
of Frosterley and is still very
much in the planning stages
until after Covid Lockdown;
however, the idea is that
members would visit each
other’s gardens, maybe have
a glass of wine or cup of tea
and nibbles.
Should anyone be
interested in joining up,
please contact Jack at
Weardale Community News
on 01388 737424
Here in County Durham,
Shaun Gravestock, of Oak
Avenue in Durham, pleaded
guilty to four counts of
assaulting an emergency
worker when he appeared at
Newton Aycliffe Magistrates
on April 7th. Nineteen yearold
Gravestock, shouted at
emergency workers “I hope
I’ve got coronavirus,” as
he spat and grappled with
police officers. Gravestock
was sentenced to 20 weeks
in prison suspended for 12
months, for the assaults
and biting an officer’s leg.
A spokesperson for
Durham Constabulary said:
“This type of behaviour
simply won’t be tolerated
in our community.
Threatening to give
somebody Coronavirus
and spitting at them is
completely unacceptable
and abhorrent. Reports
of this nature have been
exceptionally rare, but
anybody behaving in this
manner should expect
that they will be arrested
and prosecuted for their
actions.”
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Have a story to share? Email us at newsdesk@wcng.org
www.wcng.org
Stanhope Travel’s Sam
Cager on the impact of
the Covid-19 pandemic
FIRSTLY, I would like to say a
huge thank you to all of our
clients that we have spoken
to over last few weeks for
your patience, kindness and
understanding. Those of you
who have been in touch with
well wishes and compassion
have helped to keep our
spirits high whilst we are
working hard to provide
solutions for those with
disrupted travel plans.
Now, the day that would
change work as we knew
it, the 23rd April 2020. We
were worried for our local
community but, knowing
that our customers would
need to speak to someone
regarding their holidays, we
made the decision to work
from the office, but to lock
our doors; this allowed us
to do all of the above tasks
and to protect the local
community, our customers,
staff and their families whilst
worked on existing bookings.
Later that day, and after
much thought, we made the
difficult decision to close
the doors, send our girls
home and for myself and Jon
to work from home. With
only the one work laptop
available it wasn’t ideal, but
in this situation an absolute
must to be able to protect
the people of Weardale
from the spread of this
horrendous virus.
Now, as many of you
know we are a family of four
plus Marnie the Labrador.
Not an easy feat, working
from home with a child as
young as four, but we’ve
been working from 8am
until 11pm seven days a
week to get clients’ holidays
transferred, cancelled with
refunds or given credit
notes, and booking new
holidays for Winter 2020
and Summer 2021.
It’s a case of multitasking,
and we are working around
the clock to get clients sorted
by a date of departure basis.
Many tour operators, airlines
and hotels are offering
refunds; some are offering
credit notes or transfers to
a later date. Each booking is
different so it’s really a case
of us working to find out
what the outcome is on each
individual booking.
There have been
operators such as Jet2 who
have been very helpful,
keeping us informed on
affected bookings and
processing transfers very
efficiently.
Unfortunately,
the same cannot
be said for TUI
with whom I spent over five
hours on hold , only to be cut
off! All very frustrating for us
and the customer.
I’m glad to say I finally
got through and managed to
transfer the client’s holiday
to summer next year.
I am finding that this is a
trend at the moment, people
are sitting at home wanting
something to look forward
to, and what better than a
summer holiday? Booking
now on a low deposit and
bagging the early bird price!
I have a strong feeling that
once we come through the
other side of the pandemic,
and we will, that next year’s
prices will rise if bookings
are left too late. Winter
20/21 ski has also proved a
popular choice.
Now for the rescues!
Well, we’ve managed to
get people back from as
near as the Canaries, as far
as the Bahamas and some
new clients back from South
Africa. I’m so happy we
managed to get everyone
back from overseas.
We know that once this
is all over, the clouds will lift
and we can start thinking
of broader horizons again.
When it suits you, we will
be standing ready to plan
that next amazing holiday.
We really cannot wait to get
back to our lovely office, and
very much appreciate your
support.
All local businesses will
need the community to
support them during and
after this awful time, so
please once this is over
come in and see us. In the
meantime, you can speak to
myself or Jon on the office
number 01388 529436
which diverts to our home or
email sam@stanhopetravel.
com.
Lastly, I’m so proud of how
Weardale as a community
are pulling together, helping
the vulnerable with food,
prescriptions, checking on
neighbours and friends, and
the wonderful Weardale
Lockdown Dinners on
Facebook; it’s certainly kept
me entertained and if they
ever bring out a cookbook,
I’ll be straight out to buy
one! Stay safe everyone
and don’t forget if you feel
vulnerable or need to chat,
you can call us anytime on
the shop number, we are
here for you.
Weardale Community News, June 2020
Local foodbanks
available to provide help
By Kathy Perry
FOR over 10 years the
Congregation and friends
of Wolsingham Methodist
Church have supported the
work of the Salvation Army
Foodbank in Crook.
With many people on low
incomes, foodbank usage in
the county is increasing. The
change to the new benefit,
Universal Credit, can mean
a four to six week wait for
the first payment to come
through.
Benefit delays, a sudden
crisis or an unexpected
bill can push some over
the edge, and people in
our neighbourhoods are
going hungry every day.
All of these problems are
now exacerbated by the
pandemic.
Crook Foodbank is there
to support any one who is
facing hunger because of
crisis, and provide three days
of emergency food to help
people through. They also
listen to people and provide
practical advice to help cope
in the longer term; they
signpost to other services
in the area which can help
people to recover, rebuild
lives and break the cycle of
poverty.
Crook Foodbank is in the
Salvation Army Hall (next to
Aldi), and in more `normal`
times people are welcome
to use all the facilities of the
centre: café, charity shop
and children’s play schemes/
activities. They have a Debt
Support worker, providing
a comprehensive service to
help people regain some
control over their money and
become debt free. They have
direct links to a huge range
of professional support
agencies. Their task is not
only providing emergency
food, but supporting people
to move forward despite the
hardship they endure.
Donations for Crook
Foodbank come from a
wide range of sources
including local churches,
supermarkets, local shops
and the general public.
Food and sanitary products
go directly to people in
need from Crook and the
immediate area including
Weardale.
The aim is not to have
more foodbanks, but to
have less. Working with
the country wide foodbank
network, supported by The
Trussell Trust, they are part
of the movement to help
the many people affected by
poverty and hunger in our
society. The foodbank data
from across the country is
used to lobby government
and campaign with other
charities to change the
systems that result in
foodbank usage.
The Trussell Trust, who
are the founders of the
original foodbank service,
is a Christian organisation
and traditionally many
foodbanks, and/or
collection points have been
in Churches, and Church
halls. Where appropriate,
the foodbank volunteers
sometimes offer to pray with
people and many volunteers
come from local Church
congregations.
At present we have been
advised not to hold church
services or social gatherings,
so in Wolsingham the
convenience store has very
kindly offered to act as a
collecting point, whilst the
Methodist Chapel is closed.
Our Methodist Minister, Rev.
Bruce Sawyer, delivers the
donations to Crook Salvation
Army where the Foodbank is
open Tuesday and Thursday
mornings.
(Adapted by Kathy Perry
from an article by Alison
Rundle, Durham Foodbanks)
THE way our community
in Weardale has come
together during Coronavirus
is phenomenal. Not just
the neighbourly and
community support but
the broader adherence to
social distancing and where
necessary isolating at home.
I have been asked why
we can’t just leave it totally
down to personal choice
and allow people to take the
risk upon themselves. The
answer is that this isn’t just
about personal risk. There is
a broader risk to our society
of personal choices causing
our NHS to be overwhelmed.
The last thing I as your
local MP want to do is to
force people to stay at home
or not go out. We live in the
most beautiful part of the
world with a truly social
community spirit. The
measures in place are there
to not only prevent infection
of you, but also to stop the
spread of the disease across
the community. So far, we
have managed this.
It is crucial, now that the
Page 5
Richard Holden, MP,
with a message
for Weardale
MP for North West Durham, Richard Holden
Reinfection (R) rate is below
one so we can very slowly
relax the lockdown, that we
all continue to follow the
basic social distancing rules.
From Wednesday, we’ve
been able to meet someone
from another household in a
social setting as long as we
maintain social distancing
rules.
This has been the start in
a very long and slow process
of opening-up society again.
If at any point it looks like we
need to put a brake on, we
will.
The Prime Minister
outlined what might happen
if the R rate continues to
remain substantially below
1 but everything in the
future is at present what the
Department of Health sees
as a ‘best case scenario.’ I
want that scenario of falling
infections and life returning
to our high streets, pubs and
communities.
But we’ll only get there
if we all act responsibly and
continue to social distance.
Together, we can do it.
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Page 6 Weardale Community News, June 2020 www.wcng.org
Your Photographs
Send your photos to newsdesk@wcng.org
There are many talented photographers in the area, both
professional and amateur and we aim to provide the Weardale
Community News as a showcase for their excellent work. If you
have a picture you’d like to see in the paper, please email us.
Aimilia Bakourou Male caught this male blackbird feeding his chick
Craig Annan snapped this scene whilst out walking
Dramatic skies at Seddling Burn by David Grey
A Jay taken at Witton Le Wear by Diane Guy
Heron at rest in the river Wear, by Lesley Hodgson
Curious sheep pose for Paul Humphries
www.wcng.org
Fly-tipping continues
during the lockdown
PCSO Jess Hall with fly tipped rubbish
By Jack Vincent
THE Government website
describes fly-tipping as the
“illegal dumping of liquid
or solid waste on land or in
water. The waste is usually
dumped to avoid disposal
costs.” Those who have
been the target or victim of
these despicable acts are
often left considerably out of
pocket and frustrated with
Councils.
During the Covid
lockdown, most of the
commercial and household
tips around the county have
been closed at the same
time as many of us have
undertaken maintenance
around the home and
garden, leaving us in
desperate need of licensed
waste carriers to dispose of
our rubbish.
At one location in the
county, residents witnessed
two males dispose of a van
load of builder’s waste in
broad daylight; they duly
reported the individuals,
backed up with CCTV and
photos, to the Council, only
to be told that “The Council
do not investigate fly-tipping
on private land”. However,
after further calls from the
residents the Council did
take up the investigation
alongside colleagues from
Durham Constabulary and
the investigation is on-going.
In response to calls
from the WCNG, Ian Hoult,
Durham County Council’s
Credit: Crook Police
neighbourhood protection
manager, said: “We do not
want to see our beautiful
county marred by selfish
acts of fly-tipping so take
any reports of it extremely
seriously.
“Whenever we receive a
report, be it about a fly-tip
on public or private land, we
will look to investigate with a
view to taking action against
those responsible. In this
case, we visited the location
as part of our enquiries and
discovered the fly-tip to be
on private property.
“As with any incident
on private property the
responsibility for clearing
the waste lies with the
landowner although we did
leave stickers on it to make
them aware that we were
investigating.
“We will be contacting
those responsible for the
property as part of our
efforts to get the waste
removed, and asking for
sight of CCTV footage which
has been mentioned to us.
We have been successful
at bringing down the
amount of fly-tipping in
County Durham overall
and will continue with our
work on this. Residents
can help by ensuring they
dispose of their waste
responsibly and we would
welcome information about
those that tarnish the
environment by dumping
their waste.”
Financial support during
the Covid-19 outbreak
THE Covid-19 pandemic
and lockdown is having an
unprecedented effect of
the finances of individuals
and families throughout the
area.
In order to support people
through the crisis, Durham
County Council have put
together a list of the support
that is currently available
during this fast changing
situation.
The list includes a number
of key areas such as council
tax, housing benefit and
other benefits.
To find out more visit:
http://www.durham.gov.uk/
covid19money
Weardale Community News, June 2020
Page 7
‘Kind Kids’ praised during the
Covid-19 pandemic
THE Weardale Community
News invited readers to
nominate children who
have been helping their
communities during the
lockdown.
We’ve been running
the campaign through our
Facebook page and have so
far awarded three children
a ‘Kind Kids’ certificate and
gift pack.
Grace Clark, the eleven
year old daughter of local
businesswoman Kim Clark
from Evenwood, undertook
a 5 mile sponsored run to
raise money for NHS staff.
“My little princess took it
upon herself to set this up on
her Instagram.” Kim said to
the WCNG, “It’s a mammoth
5 mile run. Up to now, she
has raised £95 and it’s all off
of her own back. It’s her own
idea and is completely out of
her comfort zone. We are so
proud of her.
“Grace is autistic so we
are making arrangements
for the run to be in her
grandparents’ garden at
Bolam. We’ve measured a
full circle at 1.1 miles. Grace
will attempt to run 5 full
circles at noon - so she can
eat lunch afterwards”.
Kim herself set about
cooking and providing meals
to vulnerable people and
front line workers shortly
after lockdown. As of May
4th, she had provided nearly
8000 meals out of her
10,000 target. With the kind
support of her family, friends
and volunteers, ‘Team Kim’
have never stopped. You can
see the many kindnesses on
Facebook page by searching
‘Kim’s Kitchen Evenwood’.
Sponsorship for Grace’s
run can be through
Mum’s PayPal account:
Kimberleyppp@aol.com or
by contacting Grace & Kim
on 07793 974182.
Kristina Marie Wilson
from Bishop Auckland has
found an ingenious way of
curing boredom, and a way
of raising money for the
NHS during lockdown at the
same time.
Kristina is making rainbow
keyrings from her Hama Bead
Kit and is selling them for £1,
including postage, to friends
and family through her mum
Jane’s Facebook page. These
creations are inspired by all
of the rainbows appearing in
the windows of neighbours,
friends, and family.
Her proud parents have
been overwhelmed by
the interest and support
that people are showing
in Kristina’s handmade
creations. “It’s been so
popular that we have
had to order more beads
and keychains” said Jane.
“Kristina has been hard at
work making these keyrings
and popularity is growing by
the day. She has raised over
£230 for the NHS so far and
orders are still coming in”.
Handmade keyrings can
go for much more online and
WCNG suggested to Kristina
that she should charge a
higher price. Kristina replied
“I would rather make more
and sell for less but people
have been so generous and
sometimes pay a little more”.
Well done Kristina.
Orders for Kristina’s
Rainbow Creations: please
email admin@wcng.org and
we will pass on your request
to Jane.
Sarah Harris contacted
us to nominate her niece
Jessica Walsh, from Crook.
Sarah told us
“She’s only 13 but has
the biggest heart and is very
selfless. Last night she left
a tea break box on my door
step for my husband and his
work colleagues. He works
at 3M in Newton Aycliffe,
working 12 hour shifts to
supply Europe with medical
grade face masks, as we
fight this pandemic. They
are some of the forgotten
heroes but she didn’t forget.
I’m very proud of her. “
If you know someone
who you think deserves a
‘Kind Kids’ award, then get
in touch via Facebook, or
send your nomination to
newsdesk@wcng.org.
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Grace undertaking her sponsored walk
Kristina with her certificate and prize
Jessica Walsh, nominated for a Kind Kids award
Page 8 Weardale Community News, June 2020 www.wcng.org
The Weardale Practice
IN these uncertain times
it’s very hard to know quite
what we should be worrying
about, and it’s very easy
to worry about absolutely
everything.
The GPs at the practice
are concerned that our
patients might be ignoring
symptoms of illness because
of the current Coronavirus
pandemic; perhaps they
are frightened to leave
the house; perhaps they
are frightened in case the
doctor needs to see them
and worried about coming
to the surgery.
The practice has put
measures in place to keep
patients and staff as safe as
possible. We screen every
patient who comes into the
practice, something that the
shops we sometimes visit
don’t have the luxury of
doing.
This screening allows us to
decide which entrance the
patient will use and what
the risks are to clinicians and
other patients; precautions
such as PPE are taken in line
with this assessment.
We are also using the
car park at Stanhope to
re-introduce some more
routine work which we
feel should no longer be
postponed. Patients will
be contacted and asked
to attend an appointment
where surgery staff will see
patients at a drive-through
appointment. Patients do
not need to leave their
vehicles for these blood
tests, BP checks or some
injections.
A high proportion of
consultations are being
done by phone, but
sometimes just seeing
someone or performing
an examination is the only
way to diagnose illnesses
or provide necessary care.
We can do this by video
consultation if the patient
has a smartphone. If there is
no other choice but to offer
the patient a face to face
appointment the practice
will arrange this. We also
offer e-Consultations via a
link on our website.
While the lockdown
continues, the practice
has a number of staff who
are following stringent
social distancing measures
and self-isolating for
various reasons. Along
with the introduction of
screening and the altered
arrangements for patients
visiting the practice, this will
result in the branch surgeries
at Wolsingham and St John’s
Chapel remaining closed
for patient face to face
appointments for the time
being.
We want to reassure
patients that they can
still contact the practice
to discuss their concerns,
to seek reassurance,
medication or a referral
to consultant services if
appropriate. There has
been a lot in the press
about routine referrals to
hospitals being cancelled
or postponed. This is
unfortunately partially true;
a lot of routine work has
been put on hold but this is
not a reason for the patient
to put their concerns on hold.
Hospitals, like GP practices,
are continuing to offer
telephone appointments for
some patients where they
can. County Durham and
Darlington NHS Foundation
Trust cancer lead Sue
Green, said, ‘At the Trust
we would usually receive
about 489 referrals over a
six-week period from GPs
for further investigation if
cancer is suspected; that is
down to about 215 which
is a dramatic reduction.
We really welcome the
NHS campaign encouraging
people to contact their GP
if they have any symptoms
of cancer; unexplained
changes to your body such
as the appearance of a
lump, blood in your urine,
changes to your usual bowel
habits, changes to moles,
unexplained weight loss,
are all symptoms that you
should see your GP about.
More information about
symptoms can be found at
www.nhs.uk/cancer.
If you have any concerns
at all, contact the surgery
on 01388 528555, have your
symptoms assessed, get a
management plan and then
if onward referral is needed
this can be done as and
when services are up and
running again.
Cancer services have
never stopped, but some
of the investigations or
treatment plans run by
these services have been
interrupted. The consultants
are still working, finding new
ways to communicate, but
the patient, their treatment
and support is still at the
heart of the service.
Please don’t ignore new
worrying symptoms. Please
don’t put off that call to the
surgery. Help us to help you.
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Durham BRASS festival cancelled
The Rajasthani Heritage Brass Band and Reel Brass playing in Stanhope at last years festival
AN international music
festival has been cancelled
as part of the ongoing
national effort to reduce the
spread of Coronavirus.
Durham BRASS was due
to take place across County
Durham this summer, with
ten days of live gigs, open air
concerts, street parties and
school performances set to
entertain people of all ages
between 10 and 19 July.
Organiser Durham County
Council has been closely
following Government
guidelines in response to the
pandemic and is regularly
reviewing its 2020 festival
and events programme as
the situation evolves.
This week, the local
authority made the
regrettable but necessary
decision to cancel BRASS.
Obituary: Jessie Hunter Gray (Jenny)
JENNY was born in
Kirkfieldbank near Lanark,
Scotland. She was the only
child of Hugh and Christina
Davidson. Having grown up
with an extended family, she
remembered being taught
bible stories and songs of
praise by Pastor Taylor in
the local mission hall.
As a young woman she
trained as a hairdresser
in Glasgow and Larkhall
and in free time enjoyed
swimming at Hamilton
Baths, and dancing.
It was at a dance in
Lanark that she met up
with her husband-to-be,
and love of her life, Jim
Gray. She remembered him
from their time at Lanark
High School (he wore short
brown trousers).
Jim joined the Durham
Constabulary and after their
wedding, in 1941, they set
up home firstly in Crook and
then Horden, before he was
posted to Stanhope. They
The decision follows the
cancellation of a number of
other council-run events,
including Bishop Auckland
Food Festival, Durham
Adventure Festival and
Seaham Food Festival.
Last year, more than
40,000 people experienced
Durham BRASS, boosting
the county’s economy by
hundreds of thousands of
pounds and introducing new
audiences to 21st century
brass music from around the
world.
Cllr Joy Allen, the council’s
Cabinet member for
transformation, culture and
tourism, said: “BRASS has
been delighting audiences
of all ages for more than
a decade and has helped
put County Durham on the
cultural map, so we are sorry
were told that
if they didn’t
like it, they
could apply
for a transfer.
Still being here
after 70 years
is testament
to the fact
that they did
indeed like it,
the land and
especially its
people.
During the
early years Jenny Gray
in Stanhope,
Jenny devoted herself
to raising Rina, with the
Methodist Chapel at the
hub of activities, firstly at
Gilmore and then later
at High Street. Jenny also
enjoyed whist drives and
the talks, activities and
foreign trips that she
undertook with the W.I.
When Rina left home
for university, Jenny gave
herself a new challenge:
it can not go ahead this year.
“It is vital we follow
the Government’s social
distancing guidelines and
our main priority is the
health our communities,
visitors, musicians,
partners, sponsors, festival
staff, and volunteers.
“BRASS is all about
bringing people together,
both in terms of our
international line up
of musicians and our
wonderful Big Brass Bash
parties. Sadly, this is just not
possible this year. However,
we know how uplifting
music can be, especially
during difficult times like
these, and we will continue
to spread the joy of BRASS
through our social media
channels until we can all get
together again.”
to learn photography. She
bought a second hand
camera and some manuals
and joined the local camera
club. The rest, as they say, is
history!
From then, until the end,
her great passion has been
Stanhope Photographic
Society, with its members
over the years becoming
like family. It has quite
simply kept her going over
these past 50 years.
Advertise with us and reach thousands of readers in Weardale
www.wcng.org
New friends and support for
bereaved with Embark 2 holidays
Embark2 members stop for a rest on one of their organised walks
EMBARK2 was set up by
John Webb in August 2019 to
offer not-for-profit holidays
for widows and widowers.
John was widowed in
2013 with the death of his
wife Joyce, and it was then
that he discovered that
holidaying alone was not
much fun.
Apart from the feeling
of loneliness, even in
company, there was also
the ever-present reminder
that holidays were usually
happy times shared with his
wife. There was also often
a single person supplement
of around 30% making the
holiday quite expensive.
There had to be a better way.
Nearly 20 years ago, John
became a volunteer leader
for a local Duke of Edinburgh
Award Scheme. This
involved supervising young
people whilst they were
undertaking their Award
Expeditions in and around
Weardale, and so started
John’s love of walking in
the area. On the very day
that social distancing was
enforced due to Covid-19,
John was assessing a walk
near Crawleyside for a
planned future Embark2
walking holiday.
John has provided notfor-profit
Embark2 escorted
holidays exclusively for
widows and widowers
both abroad, to Barcelona,
Cyprus and Portugal, and in
the UK to Northumberland,
Keswick, Edinburgh and
North Yorkshire. Embark2
also offers an online chat
forum and many widows/
ers say they receive a great
deal of support and grow
in confidence by attending
Embark2 holidays, as well as
making new friends.
Due to the Coronavirus
pandemic, all holidays up to
the end of August 2020 have
been cancelled. However,
we are ever mindful that
the vast majority of widows
and widowers live alone;
members are able to access
Saturday night virtual chats,
weekdays we offer Ladies
that Lunch chats and, in
the afternoon, we offer
‘The Men's Shed’ virtual
chats. Some members of
Weardale Community News, June 2020
Embark2 have little in the
way of a support network
and Embark2 volunteers
telephone those members
regularly during the week
to ensure that they have
someone to talk to.
Many of those who have
been recently bereaved
during Covid-19 face the
daunting prospect of
grieving alone, without
the physical and emotional
support usually provided by
their family and friends, due
to the social distancing rules
and for some, it was not
even possible to attend the
funeral.
In these uncertain times,
Embark2 has developed its
services to offer members,
and especially those who
are newly bereaved, peer
support and friendship,
either online, by virtual
chats or by telephone
contact to help through this
crisis. However, Embark2 is
not a counselling service.
Membership of and the
services offered by Embark2
are free of charge. Joining is
easy at embark2.co.uk.
Garden waste collections to start
after being postponed
GARDEN waste services
in County Durham will
now be able to go ahead,
with changes to collection
dates, after they were
initially postponed due to
Coronavirus.
In April, Durham County
Council had to postpone
garden waste collections
in order to maintain
its essential refuse and
recycling services during the
Coronavirus outbreak.
After reviewing its
operations, and as part of its
plans to reinstate services,
the council is now able
to once again deliver its
garden waste collection to
residents.
The council is aware of
how valuable this service is
to residents so, to ensure
it will be able to continue
in conjunction with normal
waste collection services,
it will be changing garden
waste collection days to
Saturdays and Mondays. This
will allow continued support
to rubbish and recycling
collections which operate
from Tuesday to Friday.
Residents who are
scheduled to have their
usual collection on a Tuesday
or Wednesday can expect
their new collection day to
be on a Saturday while those
who are scheduled to have
a collection on Thursday
or Friday can expect their
new collection to be on a
Monday.
Collection dates can
be checked online via
MyDurham at www.durham.
gov.uk.
The council continues
to monitor government
guidance and will keep
the service under review
over the next four months.
Customers will be given
advice on remaining
collections beyond this time.
Information on collection
dates is being updated
on MyDurham and
correspondence detailing
changes to garden waste
collections is being sent
to residents who have
subscribed to the service.
Cllr Brian Stephens,
Cabinet member for
neighbourhoods and local
partnerships, said: “We
know our residents value
the garden waste service so
we are pleased to be able to
continue it under these new
collection days.”
By Barrie Hardwick
About two years ago I was
invited to search about an
acre of grazing land adjacent
to an old farmhouse, using
my metal detector.
The person who had bought
both was interested in the
history of the farmhouse
which is on a hillside up in
Weardale. The invite stated
that: tea and biscuits would
be provided!
On arrival at the farmhouse
I received a very warm
welcome from Bob, the new
owner of the farmhouse.
The garden between the
house and the field was
grassed over so I decided
to start my search there.
First signal was a bit of
foil. Second signal, I cut a
divot and turned it over
and looking up at me
was a small framed
photo of a man and a
child, dressed in what
appeared to be clothes
of the Victorian period.
Research put the
date of the photo at
around 1860/61; it is
a coated glass plate
type. Around that time
there were several
families staying/lodging
at the farmhouse (lead
mine workers). The national
census of 1861 showed that
one of the families had a
four year old daughter. The
frame size of the photo is
about 4 x 3 inches.
Searching the small field
required several trips to
the site and after the initial
search I took my detecting
Page 9
A picture from the past
Metal detector finds in Weardale
The old photo Barrie found on the property
An unusual livery button
mate Dave with me.
After a random search
for an hour we decided
it would be best to do a
systematic search of the
field using marker pegs, a
slow procedure requiring
several visits to the site. Our
searching produced several
well worn copper coins;
the oldest only dating back
to George III, the best coin
we found was a Victorian
Jubilee head sixpence.
We also found a thin strip
of silver – possibly a Cane
Ferrule which has the date
letter for 1823, a name
brooch (Annie) plus the
usual collection of buttons.
Most of the buttons are
plain but one, a Livery
Button that I found,
proved to be of interest.
These buttons are a fairly
common detecting find
but while all show the
family crest very few show
a family motto, but this
one did. Research showed
it to be the motto of the
Galton family of Hadzor
Hall in Worcestershire.
The crest is of a Phoenix
looking towards the sun.
The motto: Gaudete Luce
Videry translates loosely
to: He rejoices in the
light. So, how did a Livery
button from the coat of a
servant at a country pile
in Worcestershire come to
be lost in a field of a small
hillside farm up Weardale?
Page 10 Weardale Community News, June 2020 www.wcng.org
Viking sheep settle in Weardale!
An Icelandic ewe with her lambs
By Ruth Stanton
THE North Pennines are now
home to one of the UKs few
flocks of pure-bred Icelandic
sheep. These ‘sheep of the
Vikings’ were taken by the
Vikings from Scandinavia to
Shetland, the Faroes, Iceland
and Greenland.
They were the reason
the Vikings were able to
colonise Iceland successfully,
providing much needed food
and clothing. Their fleece,
a famously double coated
wool with tog and thel was
used for sails, providing the
means for the Vikings to
cross oceans.
Not that the Vikings just
hung their woollies on a
wooden pole and set sail!
Their sails were carefully
woven in twill treated
with natural lanolin, tallow
and fish oils to provide
waterproofing. Replica
sails tested against more
recent products were more
efficient and flexible, coping
with stronger seas than their
modern equivalent made of
artificial fibres.
In the UK the sheep are
apparently related to, and
may be the foundation
breed for, a number of
our short tailed and North
Atlantic rare breed types.
Icelandic authorities have
taken a number of steps to
eradicate ‘improved ‘stock
imported in past years from
other countries and only
pure-bred Icelandic sheep
are raised there now.
Within the breed, in the
region of 35 types can be
identified in terms of colour
and conformation, not all
represented in the UK. This
breed of primitive stock is
recognised as the truest in
terms of DNA to those sheep
first managed by the Vikings.
Their qualities for
meat, milk and fleece are
increasingly valued as
the economics of farming
becomes more difficult, and
folk are looking again at
natural products. In Iceland
the breed has been favoured
for its meat in recent years.
In the UK the sheep have
been raised mainly for wool,
which is sought after, as well
as occasionally for the meat
which is considered to be of
gastronomic quality.
Being of the north
Atlantic short tailed
race, Icelandic sheep are
frequently used in the UK to
cross with Shetland sheep
for additional size. They are
increasingly viewed as of
use to breed the short fluke
like tail onto commercial
stock without loss of carcass
weight. Welfare principles
and economics are met. A
short tail bred commercial
sheep will not lose any
growth time as a result of
docking procedures. Time
and capital costs are saved;
time for docking, labour and
capital costs of machinery
to turn lambs where large
flocks are to be managed,
and welfare issues are met.
Recent knowledge of
colour genetics allows
careful planning to avoid
introducing colour into
flocks where none is wanted
on finishing stock. Add to all
of that, the coloured lambs
of pure bred Icelandics are
really cute
For more information on
the breed, please go to the
website:
www.ISBOBI.co.uk
The immune system
A special feature by Gordon Ellis
I RESEARCHED this subject
some years ago, but as the
present health climate now
proves it never becomes out
of date.
We don't have to look
too far to find someone
who we know that stands
in the shadow of being
immunocompromised, and
the constant challenges that
they face. The importance
of our Immune system and
the serious results when it
is compromised has been
brought to our own front
door over recent months.
If you were to look up
the word immune there’s
certain words that keep
appearing; resistant,
protected, exempt. We see
the same words appearing
daily in our newspapers right
now, related to Covid-19,
suggesting a connection
between a virus and the
immune system. For some
it will be a wake-up call, an
awareness that by looking
after and understanding
our immune system more,
we are better prepared to
protect ourselves and others
for now and the future.
For others it’s just a
continuation of how they
were already living, in both
cases it really needs to be
a team effort, not just for
Covid-19, but also to look
after our immune systems
and that of others as a way
of life.
I've spent the greater
part of my life training,
teaching and treating high
performance athletes and
if there's one thing I've
learned, it’s that we need to
spend as much time looking
after ourselves on the inside
as we do on the outside.
Imagine a person at their
peak of fitness about to enter
an event, it doesn't matter
how strong they are, how
tuned their cardiovascular
respiratory system is, if they
catch a cold or a virus it flaws
them completely.
Throughout our school
education, and indeed
life, we are exposed to the
purpose and function of
specific organs within the
body. As an example, the
heart. It would be fair to say
everyone could give a rough
break down on its anatomy
and function, along with
methods of resuscitation
just in case it breaks down.
We have a basic knowledge
on what we should eat and
how to exercise to lead a
nutritious healthy life and
by doing so protect the
heart from disease, whilst
making it function more
efficient and effectively. We
understand how Important
this knowledge is and when
not applied correctly the
potential consequences it
brings.
There are so many
systems within our body we
pay little or no attention to,
yet they all have a vital role
in keeping our homeostatic
balance at the correct levels
in order to survive with
optimal performance and life
longevity. With our bodies
it is often a case of out of
sight out of mind, but when
something breaks down or is
compromised it brings with
it serious consequences.
"We are our own body
mechanics". If we want to
live longer and be healthier
then the more knowledge,
the more understanding and
greater application has to
be applied to look after this
fine-tuned engine of ours
and the shell we live in.
Many of us know little
about cellular health apart
from what we touched
upon at school, then filing
that information away in
the library of our mind.
Yet fundamentally cellular
health forms the basis of
all processes by which we
function, known as our
physiology. Anatomy is the
name and decription of
location, size and shape of a
structure that makes up who
we are.
This article will be posted
over two editions of the
paper and relates to our
immune system.
The first part sets out the
Anatomy and Physiology of
the immune system, with a
summary explaining both.
The second part will
discuss our body's other
defences that recognise
and fight against microbes:
common disorders, the
immune systems response,
what supports us out
there and how can we help
ourselves, with suggested
advice and how to find help.
The Immune System
The Immune System is
made up of special organs,
cells and chemicals that
fight infection caused by
microbes and is made up of
the following parts:
Lymphatic system
Our lymphatic system
comprises a network
of delicate pathways
throughout the body. Its
main job description is to:
• React to bacteria
• Manage the fluid levels in
the body.
• React to cell products that
otherwise would result in
disease or disorders.
• React to cancer cells
• Absorb some of the fats
from our diet within the
intestine.
It’s made up of lymph
nodes, also known as lymph
glands, which trap microbes.
Its connections are made by
way of lymph vessels, small
tubes that carry lymph,
this is fluid that bathes our
body's tissues and contains
infection-fighting white
blood cells also known as
lymphocytes.
White blood cells
These are the key soldiers in
our immune system. They
include lymphocytes, such
as B-cells, T-cells and natural
killer cells, but there are
many other types of immune
cells. They are produced in
our bone marrow and part
of the lymphatic system. The
cells move within our blood
and tissue throughout the
body, searching for foreign
enemies known as microbes.
We know them as bacteria,
parasites, viruses, and fungi.
When the white blood cells
find the microbes, just like
an army they launch an
immune response.
Spleen
Our spleen is a blood
filtering organ; it removes
microbes and destroys old or
damaged red blood cells. It
also makes disease-fighting
components of the immune
system, including antibodies
and lymphocytes.
Bone marrow
This is the sponge like tissue
found inside our bones. It
produces the red blood cells
our bodies need to carry
oxygen, the white blood cells
we use to fight infection,
and the platelets we need to
help our blood clot.
Complement system
This system is made up of
proteins whose actions
complement the work done
by our antibodies.
Thymus
The thymus filters and
monitors your blood
content. It produces the
white blood cells known as
T-lymphocytes.
Antibodies
These help the body to
fight microbes or the
toxins they produce.
They manage to do this
by identifying substances
known as antigens that
lie on the surface of
the microbe, or in the
chemicals they produce,
which mark the microbe or
toxin as being foreign. Our
antibodies then mark these
antigens for destruction,
working alongside other
body soldiers such as cells,
proteins and chemicals to
wage war on the antigens.
The second part will be
in the next edition. For
anyone who would like to
send in questions on this
subject please feel free.
For more information,
advice or treatment related
to this topic please contact.
Gordon Ellis on:
07985 610434
07368 220733
www.info-physio.com
Email:
physio-gellis@hotmail.com
www.wcng.org
Covid-19 grant Funding
provides a lifeline for
Weardale Museum
By Jack Vincent
SINCE the government's
announcement, Durham
Council have paid out
nearly £91 million to 8,100
applicants, one of which
is our very own Weardale
Museum
In a statement from
the Museum, David
Heatherington said, “In
the middle of March The
Weardale Museum decided
to close to protect its
volunteer staff who are
mostly over 70 years old,
from being put a risk of
catching the coronavirus.
“We knew that we would
still have bills to pay and that
we would have no income
probably for the rest of the
year but at least no one's
livelihood or indeed their
lives would be in jeopardy.
“As a volunteer-run
business in a rented
property The Weardale
Museum didn't expect to
qualify for any grants so it
By Josie Skipp with Rita Walker
MANY readers will already
know about the Quilter’s
Cupboard in Low Willington
as Weardale has a large
number of quilters who,
like me, attend classes,
workshops or simply go into
the shop, owned by Rita
Walker, and buy beautiful
fabrics, wadding, accessories
and much more.
Rita, like very many other
businesses, had to close her
shop on the 17th March
2020 following Government
advice as this dreadful
Coronavirus pandemic
started to take hold in the
UK.
Regular classes ceased,
workshops ceased and the
doors of this very lovely
shop closed.
Very quickly people like
me realised that we didn’t
have what we needed
to continue our current
projects and many of us
wanted to help where we
could, making scrub bags for
the NHS, face masks for our
families, quilts for carers,
hair bands and much more.
Dealing with social
isolation is a challenge for all
of us but being able to spend
this extra time we now have
available to us on things we
enjoy, often with the added
bonus of being able to help
was a wonderful surprise
to learn that simply by
having a rateable property
reference number we
could claim the COVID
Small Business (Retail,
Hospitality & Leisure) Grant
of £10,000.
“Durham County Council
staff were exemplary in
identifying, pursuing and
processing distribution of
this Fund and the grant
was paid into our account
within days of submitting
the application.”
Since closings its doors
for lockdown, Weardale
Museum, run entirely by
volunteers, has been hard
at work on social media
providing us with historical
articles. On V.E Day, the
volunteers picked some
fascinating articles to
inform and entertain us.
You can read these
articles on the museum’s
Facebook page at: The
Weardale Museum
others, is a huge benefit to
all concerned.
Rita very quickly became
aware that some of those
people who normally attend
classes and workshops were
struggling to get hold of
what they needed to keep
them busy and therefore
much happier.
Many have no access
to technology without the
direct support of family
and friends so ordering
online proved difficult
and often impossible. Rita
looked at ways in which
she could provide a limited
service whilst sticking to
the government advice and
keeping both herself and
her family safe. She decided
to offer a postal/delivery
service on Tuesdays and
Fridays each week and is
able to arrange delivery of
whatever you need including
wadding and more bulky
items for a small delivery
charge.
If you find yourself unable
to continue with your own
sewing projects, or offer help
to the many organisations
seeking help with supporting
many of this country’s
‘key workers’, because you
haven’t got what you need
give The Quilter’s Cupboard
a ring on 01388 745008.
Although Rita will only be
Weardale Community News, June 2020
Weardale Adventure
Centre key worker
nominations announced
Climbing with Weardale Adventure Centre
IN order to recognise hard
work and dedication from
NHS staff and key workers
during these difficult times,
Weardale Adventure Centre
wanted to do something to
show their support.
The adventure centre,
based in Ireshopeburn,
invited people to nominate
key workers to receive an
activity day to be enjoyed
with their friends and family.
Once the lockdown is
lifted and the centre is
able to open safely, the
nominated key workers
will be able to enjoy their
activity day with up to ten
family members and friends.
Using the centre’s
Facebook page, people
were able to nominate key
workers, and the centre
has just announced the first
winners:
Lisa, a staff nurse at
Sunderland Royal Hospital;
Lesley, a staff nurse at
Auckland Park Hospital;
Rachel, NHS worker from St
Johns Chapel; and George a
nurse associate working at a
hospital in Meadowfield.
Quilter’s Cupboard continues to offer support
The Quilter’s Cupboard in Low Willington
at the shop between 10.00
am and 1.00 pm each
Tuesday and Friday packing
up orders, your call will be
automatically transferred at
other times and you will be
able to obtain the help you
need.
If you have access to
the Internet The Quilters
Cupboard also has a website
– www.thequilterscupboard.
co.uk and a Facebook page
– the quilters cupboard.
You can order on the
Facebook page by sending
a message using Messenger.
Please provide your name,
telephone number and
details of what you would
like to order and Rita will
contact you directly.
Dear Friends,
HOW are you coping with
this crisis? We have been
thinking of you a lot and
missing your company and
your wisdom.
We are happy to hear that
many of you have had plenty
of support from friends,
family and neighbours.
We have had phone calls
with those who asked,
waved at windows, spoken
at doors. Folks have been
busy delivering shopping,
drugs, jigsaws and other
essentials.
We know some of you use
internet; tablets to keep in
touch remotely. Frankly it’s
an essential service these
days! And we are painfully
aware that some are not
wired up to that world.
We heard recently that
at least one of you heard
that Wheels to Meals was
closed for the year. That is
categorically wrong. The
story referred to is the
Alston summer service, and
even that may resume if this
madness stops soon. Which
it will.
Frankly we feel we have
somehow let you down.
It seems cruel that the
most vulnerable have been
punished by being isolated
without company. Many of
you know about isolation
hospitals from an early
Page 11
Support continues from
Stanhope Hub
age. There were three in
Weardale after all. Folks
infected were taken to a
safe place, given treatment,
care, fresh air and sunshine.
The rest carried on. Maybe
an updated version next
time!
We hope you find this
letter helpful, reassuring and
comforting.
It’s written with love.
If you need anything, just
ask.
The Hub is working,
although the door is closed.
If you leave a message, we
will hear it from Vikki or
Elaine.
Or you can ring:
Gillian
07803 928771
June
07768 398738
Christine
07752 434495
Geraldine
07747 862664
Kathryn
07747 380446
The boys are not so
good with phones but Ian,
Mike, Dave, Steve and Rob
are raring to go with the
minibuses when service
resumes and with Hub car
before if you need to attend
appointments.
Looking forward to seeing
you all soon.
With love from Gillian and
the team xx
Send your submissions to newsdesk@wcng.org
Page 12 Weardale Community News, June 2020 www.wcng.org
By Jo Cundy
AS I learn to cope with
isolation and self-distancing,
I am realising that this is the
second ‘enforced pause’ in
my life within 18 months.
In the autumn of 2018 I was
diagnosed with breast cancer
and embarked on the merry
round of hospital treatments
– surgery, chemotherapy,
radiotherapy, targeted
therapy, etc. My normally
busy and active life had to
be put aside as I accepted
the need to keep infection
free and to pace my energy
levels. It was an unexpected
learning curve. And now,
here I am again, and deemed
by the NHS to be ‘at risk’.
So, what are the positives
from these enforced
pauses? One basic lesson
is that when life changes
The creativity of the enforced pause
totally and unexpectedly,
we just have to get on with
it – ‘Keep calm and carry on’.
But more importantly there
are creative opportunities as
we find ways of expressing
our responses to life. And
perhaps this is the time for
all of us to find our own ways
of reflecting creatively on
the enforced pauses in our
lives – with pen and paper,
brush and paint, needle and
thread, music and harmony,
pottery and craft – the
options are limitless for the
expression of our deepest
selves. So, another basic
lesson is: ‘Keep calm and
create’. As a retired lawyer
my preferred mode is as a
word merchant.
And I have been here
before. Ten years ago, my
husband died of cancer,
A thought for the day
By Charles Lovell
“Miracles do happen
You just need to keep your
eyes open.
They happen.
These are the little miracles
of nature and everyday life
But we just do not notice
them.
For there is in everyone, and
I mean everyone,
a bit of our consciousness
that is contact with heaven.
And that’s why they
happen.”
Recently, I picked up an
internal motto from St
David’s Abbey television
service on the Sunday
after Easter. It came from
someone who had practised
it in a very creative life:
Be joyful. That means a deep
joy. It’s not about putting
a smile on your face but in
your heart.
Keep the faith. A faith
that puts a loving warm
relationship above any
religion or regulation.
Do the little things. Yes,
when you feel paralysed,
as we all do these stuck-athome
days, just keep on
doing the little things in
front of you and perhaps
you too will stumble across
a miracle.
If you live in the Durham
Dales, Easington, Sedgefield,
Derwentside, Durham or
Chester-le-Street areas and
need assistance getting to
your health appointments,
Help to Health volunteers
could help get you there.
The Help to Health
telephone booking line,
0300 3309424 is open
Monday to Friday except
Bank Holidays, and
transport is available
from 8.30am until 5.30pm
weekdays. Your journey
will need to be booked at
least 48 hours in advance
and is subject to a volunteer
driver being available at the
required date and time.
Eligibility criteria will apply,
eligible patients are those
whose medical condition
impacts on their mobility
to such an extent that
they would be unable to
still in office and in full flow
as an Anglican bishop. The
context was four rollercoaster
years (including an
earthquake in New Zealand),
which eventually became a
book* where I could share
the gifts, the grief, and
the sustaining faith of that
time. Five years later I was
challenged by the publishers
to write about what I was
learning as I ‘travelled solo’*,
(reflections that acquire a
new relevance now in selfisolation!)
So perhaps now
I will be stimulated to more
literary reflections – who
knows? In this strange new
world, we all have extra time
on our hands, so let’s all
spread our wings and think
creatively.
‘Letting go of Ian’; and
‘Travelling Solo’ (Winner
of Woman Alive Readers’
Choice Award 2019); both
published by Monarch /
Lion Hudson.
Help to health -
patient transport
access healthcare and/or
it would be detrimental to
the patient’s condition or
recovery to travel by other
means. You will be asked
some questions when you
call to make sure you are
eligible for the transport.
It’s currently 50p per mile
travelled with a minimum
charge of £1.00 and a
maximum charge of £10.00
each way along with
the payment of any car
parking fees or expenses
incurred. This is to cover the
volunteer driver’s expenses
in line with HMRC guidance.
You will be asked to pay at
the end of your journey.
People that can claim back
their travel costs through
the Healthcare Travel Costs
Scheme can claim back the
cost of their travel with this
service to planned hospital
appointments.
Wild garlic soup
An abundance of wild garlic
AT this time of year, when
out walking you might be
familiar with the distinctive
smell of wild garlic. Wild
garlic is less well know thatn
domestic garlic, but can be
used the same as any herb.
Willie Giles, reader and
contributor, sent us this
recipe for wild garlic soup:
4 kg of wild garlic leaves
(cleaned and flowers
removed)
A big handful of red lentils
1 onion, chopped
3 large potatoes, cubed
1 litre of vegetable stock
Soak the lentils for 10
minutes to soften, then
drain.
Fry the onions and lentils
in a big pot with a little oil
or butter. Add the potatoes
and toss everything until
Credit James Prescott
everything is coated. Fry
the mixture for 10 minutes
or until the potatoes are
soft.
Add the stock and garlic
leaves and cook until the
garlic leaves have wilted.
Then remove from heat and
liquidise.
Willie advises you to
ensure that you have room
in the freezer for leftovers!
Do you have any recipes
that you’d like to share?
Email them to us at
newsdesk@wcng.org.
The WCN advises that
when foraging for wild
food, you must be able to
correctly identify what you
are picking, otherwise you
should not eat it. Never
eat any wild food without
multiple sources of positive
identification.
STR8TS
1
7
2
3
1 7
2 3
3 7 6
6
6
9
5 8 1 3
7
Tough
How to beat Str8ts –
Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row
or column. But... rows and columns are
divided by black squares into compartments. 2 1 4 5
Each compartment must form a straight - 6 4 5 3 2
a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be
in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells
4 5 2 1
remove that number as an option in that row 4 3 6 2 1 5
and column, and are not part of any straight.
Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’
are formed.
3 5
2
2
1
1
3
4
© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles
SUDOKU
5 1 2 9
2 6
5 6
6 9 1 3
7 6 2 3 8
1 5 4 6
9 1
7 5
1 2 4 9
To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering
numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3
box contains every number uniquely.
For many strategies, hints and tips,
visit www.sudokuwiki.org for Sudoku
and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts.
Easy
If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our
books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.
© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles
The distinctive spiky flower of wild garlic Credit:
Durtona Kitchens
and Bathrooms, a
family business for
44 years, wish all
of their customers
in Weardale well
and look forward to
seeing them again
soon.
Call us on
01325 357752
James Prescott
www.wcng.org
Local focus: The AAP Community
Wellness Coordinator
OUR local Area Action
Partnership (AAP) funds
a number of different
support roles in Weardale.
We contacted the AAP to
find out more about one of
the roles, the Community
Wellness Coordinator
and the invaluable help
provided to Weardale.
The Weardale AAP
Community Wellness
Coordinator, Lisa Turnbull,
has been in her role for
over two years and her role
is to support the health
and wellbeing for all of the
Weardale residents.
In essence she is the link
between the public and the
GP Practice. Her role is to
spend time with someone
who is in need of a health
check or has a health issue,
and who perhaps feels a bit
socially isolated.
An example of a contact
may illustrate Lisa’s role, for
confidentiality reasons we
have changed the name of
the person.
Joe lives by himself since
his wife of many years
passed away two years ago.
He is in good general health
and does not feel the need
to bother the doctors. Lisa
phoned Joe to ask if she
come visit him at home and
see if there was anything,
she could support him with.
Lisa listened to Joe about
some of the difficulties he
was facing, and how she
may be able to make life a
bit easier. Initially the range
of issues she sorted were:
• A referral to the GP practice
to have a medication review.
• A home safety check
by the Fire Bridge and he
received free of charge fire
alarms, which were installed
for him.
• Information on social
activities happening
locally, with Lisa offering
to accompanying him if he
would prefer that.
Lisa is a compassionate
trained professional, who by
working at the pace of the
Joe was able to gain his trust
and confidence. Through
her support he was able to
maintain his independence
which meant he was able to
stay in his home, that held
so many precious memories.
The role is pivotal in
the community to support
those who may feel at
times isolated or need a
bit of support. If the issue
is medically related or the
client needs a referral she
can sort. Weardale is a
rural community, so if the
client needs some social
interaction, this can be
arranged. We have ‘Wheels
to Meals,’ groups
enjoying crafting,
local history, and
walking groups, to
name but a few.
Lisa lives locally
so has an in-depth
understanding of
the needs of the
local community,
and she understands
the resilience of
residents. During
her time working
as the Community
W e l l n e s s
Coordinator Lisa
has identified three
clients with atrial
fibrillation, which
if undetected could have
caused a major life changing
health condition.
During the Covid 19
pandemic contact has
continued with the local
Lisa Turnbull.
community through
telephone calls, which
have proved invaluable to a
number of people. Lisa has
made calls to keep in contact
with those she was visiting,
but also to contact the wider
community, particularly
those who are shielding due
to additional medical issues.
Lisa has had numerous
conversations, but for some
she has been the only
point of contact. When
this has occurred Lisa has
let the person know there
are services available for a
friendly chat, and that she
will maintain contact to help
them feel less isolated.
Some are happy to hear
another person is calling to
make sure they are well and
coping through this difficult
time. As well as checking
that everything is okay
with the person, Lisa shares
information in relation to
services that are around to
help at this time, including
the volunteer groups and
that there are a number of
local services and businesses
open and offering delivery, if
food is needed.
Lisa continues to work to
ensure people are looking
after their own health or
being supported to stay
at home, by working with
colleagues in health, social
care and welfare services to
achieve this. This provides
reassurance to families that
work continues to support
their family member and
that Lisa can be contacted in
relation to their loved one,
especially when many have
not been able to see each
other for some time.
For some residents
their support needs have
increased, which has
meant that care packages
Weardale Community News, June 2020
Credit Weardale AAP
have needed to increase.
Knowing that day to day
help is there can be the
reassurance they and their
family need to access the
support that will help them
be able to stay safely in
their own home. Where
individuals need direct
medical support, Lisa is able
to talk to them, and in her
friendly way, able to offer
reassurance that even in
these difficult times medical
matters can be dealt with
safely.
Lisa has had a number
of comments over the
time from people she has
supported. Recently when
speaking with people she
has been pleased that the
support is making such a
difference to so many people
who do not have family close
by and those who don’t like
to feel they are putting upon
others. Some of the positive
comments are included
below:
“I had the fire brigade
out to fit me some new
smoke alarms, I’m pleased
you came to see me as I
wouldn’t have bothered
otherwise.” (Patient).
“You have been so good
with me and my mam,
supporting us both, getting
her a stair lift fitted and
carers involved to relieve
me, telling me about the
care connect and getting
it fitted for us, I feel I need
to write an email to your
employer to state how
invaluable you are.” (Family
member).
“I have been praising you
today to my friend, I have
told her how you involved
Citizens Advice Linda to
come out and see me to do
the assessment for finances
and how shocked I was
that I was not receiving the
correct benefits. I hope you
don’t mind but I have given
her your details as she would
love to chat.” (Patient).
The clutch of 20 eggs
By Jo Herbert
ONE day towards the end of
April, while hanging out my
washing, I started to hear a
strange, even a bit spooky,
sound. It was somewhere
between a hiss and a
wheeze, and (with a bit of
imagination) the merest
hint of a low growl. As I
got closer to the shed wall,
the noise became gradually
louder. What the? There
was no-one else around. I
looked up, down, behind the
wall, behind me; finally, in an
old wooden flower trough
against the wall, I spotted
the source of the warning
– a perfectly-camouflaged
mallard nestled low and
sitting tight. She was visibly
inflating and diminishing,
so I took it as a distress
signal and beat a retreat.
It was easy to establish her
“personal space”, as the
wheezing would start as
soon as you stepped inside
it.
Eggs-traordinary!
The mallard incubating her eggs
According to the RSPB
website, mallards need
to incubate their clutch
for about 28 days before
hatching (having laid one
egg per day before starting
to sit), so we are still keeping
a cautious eye on her. She
leaves the nest for short
periods occasionally, to
have a meticulous wash and
brush-up, a good drink and
some food if it’s about. The
rest of the time, she keeps a
wary eye but stays hunkered
down. If she’s off the nest
while it’s chilly, she leaves
the eggs so well covered
with down and foliage that
they’re invisible. However, in
the middle of a (rare) warm,
sunny day, she left the nest
pretty much open and I was
able to count 20 eggs! The
RSPB say 12 is an average
clutch size, though their
information is accompanied
by a photograph of a
single adult female with 21
ducklings – so do you know
Page 13
of a bigger brood?
On a more sinister note, a
couple of days after I first saw
her, another mother paraded
through with 5 gorgeous
little fluffy ducklings. Over
the next week, we noticed
these slipped to 4, then
3, and on two separate
mornings we found a sad
little corpse within about
2 feet of “Mother-of-20”.
Back to the RSPB website
again; apparently mallards
“…will not tolerate stray
ducklings close to their own
brood, and females may kill
small strange young they
encounter close to their
own.” Happy to report the
remaining 3 are growing
strongly and becoming ever
more rambunctious, while
poor Mum gets increasingly
frantic. Meantime, we’re
keeping our fingers crossed
and looking forward to
seeing how our other visitor
copes with (hopefully) 20
little balls of fluff.
We would like to wish all of our customers well and advise we are still able to
work providing certain criteria are met regarding social distancing.
Page 14 Weardale Community News, June 2020 www.wcng.org
Trades 4 Care;
Creating opportunities
By Andrew Coxon
AS a not for profit
organisation with social
values at its heart,
Trades4Care Project (CIC)
supports the young and
disadvantaged in our local
communities.
The nature of what we
deliver relies on working
holistically with young and
disadvantaged individuals
and our 'young person
centred' approach relies on
a number of coaching and
mentoring interventions.
These include learning
sessions and supported 'real
work projects' supported
by dedicated one to one
supervision and guidance.
We remain very positive
about the future and look
forward to supporting local
organisations and young
people, when normality
resumes, to improve
opportunities and wellbeing,
create pathways and
engage people with unique
work projects, working with
handpicked tradespeople.
The intergenerational
relationships developed,
and sense of community
working to benefit the care
Bridging the gaps
and
providing opportunities
to
benefit our communities
and education within local
communities has been a key
feature of the success to
date.
We have recently
attracted local and national
funding and received
interest from a local college
to expand a second phase of
programmes and widen the
opportunity further.
We believe that everyone
deserves an opportunity,
the community involves
everyone and everyone
needs a safe wellmaintained
place to work
and meet.
If you are a local
tradesperson looking to
support or be engaged
with the project or a care,
education or community
venue requiring general
maintenance, painting and
decorating, or specialist
cleaning work please
contact Andrew Coxon on
07725 113352 and join us in
unlocking social awareness,
positivity, ambition and
potential.
The ‘new normal’
will need this social and
community engagement
more than ever!
Community Interest Company
Contact Andrew Coxon 07725 113352
Contact Charlie Wright 07905 027074
enquiries@trades4care.co.uk
www.trades4care.co.uk
How to be a good neighbour during the lockdown
TWO North East councils
have teamed up with
emergency services to
encourage residents to be
good neighbours during the
Coronavirus pandemic.
It follows new advice issued
by the government about
how we can safely help others
at a time when services such
as GPs, community fire and
police officers aren’t able to
get out into communities in
the same way they would
normally.
Durham County Council
and Darlington Borough
Council are working with
their partners to share
advice and tips that will help
communities support each
other during these difficult
times.
With some vulnerable
people having to isolate
themselves for a period
of 12 weeks in order to be
shielded from the virus,
residents are being urged to
be good neighbours.
People are advised to
accept help from family,
friends and neighbours
where possible, with some
ways of supporting each
other including offering
to collect essential food
items or prescriptions on
their behalf. To do so safely,
it should be done while
residents are either getting
their own essentials or
taking their daily exercise,
with reminders that those
essentials should be left
on the doorstep, ensuring
social distancing guidelines
are followed. Local GPs or
pharmacies may also be
able to arrange a delivery for
prescriptions.
Offering emotional
support is another part of
supporting neighbours.
Many people are feeling
anxious or worried as a
result of the pandemic and a
simple conversation over the
fence or on the telephone
could make a big difference
to someone who is feeling
isolated.
Anyone in need of extra
support or feeling more
isolated can also access the
virtual community hubs set
up by both Durham County
Council and Darlington
Borough Council.
The community hubs
were developed to support
people and families who
are vulnerable and in need
during the Coronavirus
pandemic, linking them to
existing local services where
possible and supporting
them with essential aid
where necessary. More
information on those, as well
as help forums can be found
on the councils’ websites:
www.durhamlocate.org.uk
and www.darlington.gov.uk/
coronavirus
Cllr Lucy Hovvels MBE,
Durham County Council’s
Cabinet member for adult
and health services, said:
“It is more important than
ever to look out for each
other. As the lockdown
period continues many
people, especially those
who are vulnerable, will feel
increasingly anxious and
isolated.
“Simple and safe steps
to keep in touch with those
people, offer to collect some
essentials for them, or even
to point them towards our
community hubs if they
need more support, will
make a big difference in
helping them feel more
comfortable.”
Councillor Jonathan
Dulston, Darlington Borough
Council’s Cabinet member
for stronger communities
said: “I am proud that,
in Darlington, we are
seeing and hearing about
wonderful examples of good
neighbourliness and people
looking out for one another
as we continue to face this
pandemic.
“The council has
been working closely
with community groups
and hundreds of people
have volunteered to help
vulnerable people as part
of the Darlington Cares:
Community initiative. That’s
great to see. There’s never
been a better time to get
to know your neighbours,
especially if they may be
vulnerable, in a sociallydistanced
way of course.”
At a time when the fire
service is unable to carry
out usual community
visits, County Durham and
Darlington Fire and Rescue
Service (CDDFRS) is asking
people to remind elderly
or vulnerable friends and
neighbours to keep checking
their smoke alarms and be
mindful of fire safety in the
home and garden.
Following a slight rise in
the number of garden fires
earlier this month, CDDFRS
is also asking the public to
refrain from burning their
garden waste until normal
waste disposal services
resume. In addition to the
concern that garden fires
could get out of hand and
put people at risk, residents
are asked to be considerate
to their neighbours who
could be using their gardens
for the only fresh air that
they can get.
Other ways to support
neighbours include reporting
any suspicious behaviour
to the police or taking
part in neighbourhood
watch schemes. Durham
Constabulary is also
reminding people that they
can be a good neighbour
digitally, as well as in person.
Supt Richie Allen said:
“The message about staying
safe doesn’t just apply to
people going out and about.
At a time when many more
of us are looking to social
media and video platforms
to stay connected, we would
urge people to remember
how to stay safe online.
“Make sure you are using
recognised platforms to
connect with people, don’t
share large amounts of
personal information online
– even if it is a fun Facebook
quiz and try to stay aware
of scams. If you hear about
scams or issues, remember
to tell your friends and
neighbours about them as
part of being a good ‘digital’
neighbour too.”
For further information
about staying safe online
and reporting online scams,
visit the National Cyber
Security Centre https://
www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/
information-for/individualsfamilies
or Internet
Matters https://www.
internetmatters.org/
More advice on how to
support your neighbours
is available at https://
www.durham.gov.uk/
beagoodneighbour.
Family Announcements
Births
Toby Heslington
Are you looking for gifts for
newborn babies and their
mums?
Please check out our range of unique, gorgeous and
affordable clothes, accessories and bundles at:
www.novababy.co.uk/?ref=dianeButcher
Or, see my Facebook page on ‘Special Delivery Baby
Accessories & Bundles,’ where I will be very happy
to help you and answer any questions.
Diane Butcher: 07581 416213
PENNINE WAYS
Estate and Letting Agents
Market House Westgate Chambers
Alston
Haltwhistle
CA9 3HS
NE49 9AQ
01434 381808 01434 322277
www.pennine-ways.co.uk
Pennine Country Cottages
www.penninecountrycottages.co.uk
Kelsey Taylor and Adam Heslington are happy to announce
the birth of their son Toby Cecil Vaughn Heslington.
Born at Durham University Hospital on 9th March 2020
at 2.39pm, weighing 8lb 7oz. Named Cecil after his Great
Grandad and Vaughn after his Great Uncle.
Toby is doing very well and has kept his parents occupied
throughout the lockdown! His family love him very much
and he doesn’t realise just how many video calls he has had
with them all!
www.wcng.org
Weardale Community News, June 2020
Page 15
A Family at War: The McCallums of Stanhope
Colin McCallum Gordon whilst in Addis Ababa 1941 Frank and Ruth Balderstone’s marriage 1941 Royal Observer Corps Post above Stanhope
By Kate Gill
THE Weardale Museum
started
collecting
information about Dales
people who served in
WW2 for an exhibition at
the Museum in May but,
as circumstances prevent
this, we are sharing the
information in other ways.
The McCallum family had
lived and worked in Stanhope
for many years before the
outbreak of WW2, running a
tailor’s shop on Front Street.
Father Daniel had served on
the Home Front in WW1 in
the 23rd Reserve Battalion
but was declared medically
unfit for duty in 1916. He
was awarded the War Medal
for his services.
Daniel was over 50 when
WW2 was declared but he
still wanted to ‘do his bit’
so he enrolled in the Royal
Observer Corps. Daniel’s
observer post was set high
above Stanhope on the
fells near the underground
reservoir; quite a climb up
and often done during the
blackout. He wore a calliper
from an earlier accident so
this must have been quite
a struggle. Very little of
the post is left now but it
remains a place where men
from Stanhope spent hours
watching the skies for the
arrival of enemy planes.
Daniel and his wife
Elizabeth had 5 children and
all but the youngest served
during the war. Elizabeth,
like all mothers, would have
worried constantly about
her children and looked
forward to receiving their
letters.
Gordon, the eldest son,
trained as a Signaller in
the Signals Corps. He did
most of his service in north
east Africa including Addis
Ababa and Somaliland, a far
cry from the green fields of
Weardale. The fighting there
was mainly against Italian
forces.
Gordon returned to
Weardale in 1945 and
went to teach at Wearhead
School. He later taught in
Howden le Wear and then
later moved to Hunwick
where he spent the rest of
his working life.
Frank played football
for the Stanhope team as a
boy. After leaving school he
moved to Rugby to train as a
Fitter. During WW2 he joined
the Royal Navy in 1940 as an
Electrical Artificer 4th class
and trained to work with
submarines.
Frank wrote many letters
home; he clearly saw very
little of his family during
his service. He met Ruth
Balderstone and they
married in 1941 while she
was serving in the A.T.S.
His final posting was to
HMS Medway, a submarine
repair and depot ship based
Family fundraising in memory of GP,
Dr Poornima Nair
DOCTOR Poornima Nair was
a respected GP in Bishop
Auckland, in addition to
operating some private
practices in the North East
and London.
Dr Nair died on 12th
May 2020 after a 46 day
battle with COVID-19 at
University Hospital of
North Tees & Hartlepool.
One of her wishes that
she communicated to her
husband Shlokarth, while in
the intensive care unit was
to do something to show
her appreciation for the care
being provided by the nurses
and doctors.
Dr Nair’s family have
started a fundraising
campaign online to raise
£2,000 for the Intensive
Therapy Unit (ITU) at the
University Hospital Of North
Tees. Dr Nair’s son, Varun,
writes:
“As a family we have seen
how tirelessly and selflessly
the staff and doctors in the
ITU at University Hospital
of North Tees are working.
We have seen first-hand
the exemplary courage and
determination to try to
save her and all their other
patients that they have
made better. We saw their
shared pain and heartbreak
when they were unable
to save her life. We will
forever be grateful for the
excellent care she was given
throughout her time in the
ITU.
We set this page up so
that anyone who wishes
to make a tribute in her
memory can do so here.
As a token of our heartfelt
appreciation we wish that all
money raised in Poornima’s
memory will be used for the
direct well being of the ITU
staff and doctors.”
To support the campaign,
please use the link below
https://www.justgiving.
com/crowdfunding/
poornima
at Alexandria, Egypt. He
took ill whilst at sea and his
transfer to a hospital ship
was delayed.
Frank’s mother received
a telegram on 5th May
1942 informing her that
he was dangerously ill
and just two days later
she was told that he had
died from sepsis following
an appendicectomy with
complications from enteric
fever. Frank was buried
in Alexandria (Hadra)
Cemetery. He was awarded
the 1939-45 star, the Africa
Star and the War Medal.
The third of the three
brothers to join up Colin,
went into the Royal Navy
like his brother Frank and
became a Signaller like his
brother Gordon. Not much is
known about his war service
although we know that he
was in Malta in 1942 and
by September 1943 he had
been transferred to Eritrea in
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North Africa; he didn’t much
enjoy the heat! As part of his
journey he was in Alexandria
and visited his brother
Frank’s grave. Although his
brother Gordon was also in
North Africa, letters show
that they were too far apart
to meet up.
After the war he worked
as a Printing Lecturer and
lived for many years in
Wimbledon before retiring
to East Anglia.
Margaret Elizabeth,
known as Peggy, was
the eldest of two sisters.
Conscription for women
started in 1941 and they had
a choice as to whether to
join a branch of the services
or do factory or similar
work. Peggy volunteered
for service rather than be
sent to work in a factory;
this would have been about
1942.
Peggy joined the
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
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(W.A.A.F.). She served at RAF
Winkleigh in Devon where
squadrons from the Royal
Canadian Air Force were
based.
Peggy became a Leading
Aircraftswoman and worked
as a cook for the Canadian
service men. Her service
went on long after hostilities
ceased. It was 1 Oct 1946
before her discharge was
signed off at RAF Wythall,
the RAF’s Personnel Dispatch
Centre.
In August 1947 Peggy
married Leonard Craggs and
they moved to Tow Law to
live. They later returned to
Stanhope and lived in the
family home of Dales House.
The McCallums would
have been typical of many
Dales families who saw their
loved ones going away to
serve their country, sadly
many of them not returning.
This piece is part of the
Museum’s tribute to all of them.
Microsoft
Registered Partner
Page 16 Weardale Community News, June 2020 www.wcng.org
Get sewing with The Big Community Sew
and help to produce millions of masks
THE clothing designer and
judge of the BBC’s Great
British Sewing Bee, Patrick
Grant, has called on the
nation’s sewing community
to help people adapt to new
Government guidance by
producing millions of homemade
face coverings.
Grant’s intervention
comes after the Prime
Minister advised people
to consider wearing face
coverings in enclosed spaces
where social distancing isn’t
possible and where you
will come into contact with
people you don’t normally
meet – for example, on
public transport and
shopping.
Grant, whose Cookson &
Clegg factory in Blackburn
has been manufacturing
PPE since the start of
lockdown, launched the
#BigCommunitySew
campaign today and praised
Britain’s sewing community
for the remarkable work
they’ve done for the NHS,
making scrubs, gowns and
other items during the
pandemic.
“I’ve been blown away
by the efforts of our sewing
community,” he said. “The
scrub making groups, sewing
clubs and thousands of other
sewing volunteers who
quietly jumped into action
to stitch for health and social
care workers across the
country have humbled and
inspired me.
“But I want more people
to get involved. There are
around six million sewing
machines in homes across
the UK. If every one of
those can be used to make
just a dozen face coverings
that would be one for every
person in the UK”
He said many sewers
were already doing this
and pointed to the recent
efforts of a group of sewers
in Somerset who kitted out
an entire village with face
coverings.
“It would be fantastic if
local communities could
look out for each other in
the same way they did when
lock down started with
all the messages on social
media groups and notes
through neighbours’ doors
offering help with shopping
or any other jobs. I’d like to
encourage those who can
make or sew to find out
who in their community
needs face coverings and get
making,” he added.
The campaign has
received support from
Government and Michael
Gove, The Chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster added:
"The Big Community Sew
is a wonderful example of
communities across the
United Kingdom coming
together to do their bit for
the national effort. In pulling
together in this way, we
can ensure face coverings
are available to the public
to wear in enclosed public
spaces, but crucially that
medical grade masks are
reserved for our frontline
NHS and care workers"
Existing scrub making
groups like Scrubhub, NI
Scrubs, Help Dress Medics,
Margate Scrubbers and
many other groups are ready
to redouble their efforts.
The Group Co-ordinator
of NI Scrubs, Angeline
Murphy, said volunteer
sewers were already starting
to make face coverings.
“Our volunteer group
has over 9,000 members,
and there is a huge amount
of pride among them that
sewing skills are being
recognised and needed in
these challenging times,”
Great British Sewing Bee Judge, Patrick Grant
she said. “Sewing is a simple www.bigcommunitysew.
act of kindness that can co.uk also features links to
make a real difference. It’s the public health guidance
rewarding at the best of on how to wear and care for
times, but sewing now, with your face covering.
the purpose of protecting And finally, Grant added,
friends, family and frontline "Have fun with this, get
staff takes that sense of the whole family involved,
pride and accomplishment customise them, get
to a whole other level!'' creative.
“An average face covering And please share
takes less time to sew than it pictures and videos of your
takes to boil an egg,” added makes with the hashtag
Grant.
#bigcommunitysew so we
The campaign website can see how you get on.”
Competition time: Win
a £100 holiday voucher
with Stanhope Travel
WITH everyone still in lockdown and holidays put on hold
until the Covid-19 threat is beaten, we thought it would be
fun to look back at holidays past and hold a competition for
all of our new readers.
Stanhope Travel and Weardale Community News have
teamed up to offer a £100 voucher to be used on a holiday
booked through them. To enter, send us the funniest picture
that you’ve managed to snap whilst on holiday. We’ll print
the winner in the paper.
Send your snaps to admin@wcng.org. Closing date is
15/06/20. T&C’s apply, voucher is valid for 28 days and is
non-transferable.
Weardale Funeral Services
Established local family business
Offering a caring 24 hour service
Private Chapel of Rest
Traditional Funerals
Memorials and Inscriptions
Golden Charter Funeral Plans
Covering Weardale and
surrounding areas
Tel, Paul : 01388 528045
Mobile: 0770 341 0765
Peace of Mind
Specialist Deep Clean
Anbacterial & Deodorisaon
"Touch Point" Infecon Control Service
Natural Stone
Hard Floors
Carpets & Upholstery
Leather
Property Handover
Odour & Stain Removal
Inseccide Treatments
07725 113352
enquiries@dadscar.co.uk
www.dadscar.co.uk
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