Darlington Monthly November 19

Issue 76 - November 2019

Your favourite PRICELESS community magazine

What’s Inside Feat ured Ar t i cles #LoveDarlo

Darlington Market to 26 Restaurant Week be graced with new exhibition space

Film review: Joker

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46 What’s on this month LOCAL BUSINESSES

An exclusive conversation with BAFTA’s Amanda Berry

LOCAL EVENTS COMPETITIONS Darlington Monthly is proudly sponsored by

COMMUNITY NEWS WHAT’S ON Darlington’s oldest and widest-distributed community magazine

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These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Yorkshire Loft Ladders come in.

The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50 sq ft of boarding and a light all fully fitted in less than a day from just £277 + VAT. But it’s not just the affordability of the package the company offers that makes Yorkshire Loft Ladders stand out as manager Warren Ingleson explains: ‘Our watchwords are Quality,

Integrity and Value. Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen so our customers are assured of the best job. Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we say and make sure the house is spotless when we leave, and Value in that we offer our services at a price people can afford. Our business relies on referrals and we got a huge amount of our calls from people who have been referred to us by our existing customers - that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles.

lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for every installation we carry out!’

So, if you want to make use of your loft space, however big or

small, call Warren on 0800 612 8359 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!

At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers

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Welcome to the November edition of Darlington Monthly!

November may be important as a lead-up month to the festive season, but there’s also so much more about this time of year to get excited about, especially right here in Darlington – as our local events listings on page 46 demonstrate.

Other highlights of this month’s issue of your favourite free monthly magazine include our copywriter Shanon O’Donovan’s verdict on the much-talked-about thriller Joker, on pages 38-39, as well as – while we’re on the subject of film – an exclusive Q&A with Darlington-born BAFTA chief executive Amanda Berry, on pages 20-21.

That’s it for now – we wish you a very happy November, and will see you again at Christmas time!

Findley Roofing & Building proudly sponsors this month’s issue of Darlington Monthly.

As the UK’s largest and leading specialists in roofing and building, the Findley team are here to serve all of your related requirements throughout the North East of England and the wider UK. Visit www.findleyroofing.co.uk or call 0191 417 3422 to learn more about the company’s indepth expertise in roofing, lead work, brickwork and other aspects of construction, and to request a free quote.

Available to read online Visit darlingtonmonthly.co.uk /DarlingtonMonthly

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Disclaimer...

Whilst we take every care to ensure accuracy in this magazine, we regret that we cannot accept responsibility for any incorrect information. All advertisements are accepted in good faith as to their veracity and we are not responsible for views expressed by contributors or other sources. The copying of any material within this publication is strictly forbidden without the publishers or Studio Managers consent. By providing your email address and entering our competitions you agree to receive email communications from the competition sponsor/prize provider.

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Congratulations to last month’s competition winners, all winners have been notified. Winners are selected at random. The provider will only receive the winning entries inContact order to fulfil completion of the prize. Email: sales@darlingtonmonthly.co.uk Tel: 01325 776225 Advertise Darlington Monthly 4 details ofTo

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We have a fully qualified installation team that cover HETAS approval for solid fuel applications, Gas Safe for gas fires and central heating systems, and also OFTEC for oil boiler installations. JTA Fires and Stoves also supply and install inset hole in the wall gas and solid fuel appliances for a minimalist look. Alternatively, we can cater for those wanting a traditional focal point fireplace in either solid wood, marble or stone. Many of these fireplace designs can be tailor made to your own specifications.

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Aycliffe Village

Our festive gatherings menus are available from Monday 2nd December.

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Keep leaks and condensation at bay this winter with Findley

With rumours of the worst winter in 30 years – or in some even more terrifying predictions, 100 years – set to hit our homes in the next few months, it’s fair to say that our windows will soon be closed more often than they’re open.

However, as the temperature drops, the air inside a property slowly begins to hold less and less vapour, which is when condensation starts to build up. Cold surfaces like windows, glazing and even mirrors in kitchens and bathrooms are usually the most susceptible areas for a moisture build-up.

Properties that struggle with condensation may have inadequate ventilation, particularly in the loft, as well as poor sealant around windows, and even damage to the roof itself or to the pointing of brickwork in the walls. Also, if you find condensation on the ceiling, it’s essential to eliminate the possibility of a leak.

Whatever is causing the problem, it’s likely to continue throughout winter and be far worse by this time next year if left unchecked. Any moisture in the home can lead to mould, which is not only damaging to your property, but also severely detrimental to the health of people inside.

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Deliveroo primed for long-awaited Darlington launch The latest step of Deliveroo’s growth across the UK spells good news for local people in more ways than one, given that it also creates a need for car, bicycle, scooter or motorbike riders or drivers to deliver food from restaurants across the areas the company serves.

New riders get a free insurance package to ensure they are protected while out on the road.

UK Regional Director at Deliveroo, Harrison Foster, said that the company was “really excited to be creating new work opportunities for local people.

“The team is looking for people with passion, drive and great customer service, who are seeking the added benefit of flexible hours amongst other perks.”

How can you take advantage of the service?

he popular food delivery service Deliveroo was on the verge of being launched in Darlington as Darlington Monthly headed to press, with its debut in the town set to happen sometime in October.

The company has also signalled that it will extend further into the suburbs of every city and town in which it already has a presence. burgeoning

Darlington residents who are interested in using the service on its arrival in the town can download the company’s app, through which they can schedule orders up to one day in advance, or request the delivery of food to their homes as soon as possible from independent eateries, takeaways and high-quality chain restaurants.

It’s just one component of a nationwide expansion drive that has seen Deliveroo become available in another 50 UK towns and cities over the summer and autumn.

Deliveroo has said that it aims to reach an additional 6.5 million homes and become available to more than half of the UK population by the end of this year.

William Shu and Greg Orlowski founded Deliveroo in 2013. Today, the London-based firm works with more than 80,000 restaurants and takeaways, as well as 60,000 riders, to provide its food delivery services.

The anticipated unveiling of the service in Darlington comes as part of a phase that will also see Deliveroo become an option for customers in Hartlepool, Bognor Regis, Crewe, Redditch and Tamworth.

The expansion drive follows investment from Amazon. The company was already active across the North East and North Yorkshire prior to its debut in Darlington, operating in Middlesbrough, Durham, Harrogate, York, Newcastle and Sunderland.

The company presently has 2,500 employees in offices around the globe, and is active in over 500 towns and cities across 13 markets.

Territories covered to date include Australia, France, Italy, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore and parts of the Middle East.

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Big ambitions for delivery service

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The Smarterbuys Store Limited is a company registered in England and Wales under the number 07526461 and with the Charities Commission under number 1144676, whose registered office is Greengates House, Amos Drive, Greencroft Industrial Park, Co Durham, DH9 &YE. Smarterbuys store is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority reference number 713746. Store is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority reference number 713746.

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In conversation with...

Amanda Berry

Unmissable insight from the CEO of The Bafta Awards How do you feel your northern English background has influenced and shaped your career?

I remember being nervous about approaching my lecturer at Newcastle about my decision to remain in London after my second year placement, but they were totally supportive of my decision and recognised I had found an industry that I wanted to work in. I remain eternally grateful for the support of Newcastle Polytechnic; their reassurance and understanding was critical at that stage.

My time there also confirmed that you only get out as much as you put in, so the extracurricular activities at the Poly I immersed myself in taught me about managing people and developing relationships. I also recall being supported by the Poly to actively explore new things and learn more about who I was and what I could achieve. Those experiences are very much part of who I am today.

You have been credited with turning around the Academy’s fortunes since becoming Chief Executive in December 2000.

I was brought in to make change. The organisation had struggled financially, so it was all about survival – delivering what it had to deliver but doing it at absolute minimum cost: with a very small staff and a very small budget. I believed that by introducing the right commercial partners into the Academy, they could help us develop and grow. Now we work with 70-plus commercial partners, everyone from EE, the title sponsor for the Film Awards and our partner for 22 years, to Audi, which is the official car for the Academy – brands that share our values and understand what BAFTA stands for.

It was also about looking at our priorities for the organisation.

We are an educational charity, but at the turn of the millennium our events were primarily membership-focused.

Over the last year we produced close to 250 events that were accessible to the members and public facing. Our events range from how to make a short film and how to market it, to lectures and masterclasses covering film, television and video games, as well as mentoring schemes.

What would you regard as your proudest achievements at BAFTA? In early 2001 one of my dreams for BAFTA came true when we moved the Film Awards from April to February and therefore pre-Oscars. In that one move we became part of that window of time when the world focuses on film and we haven’t looked back.

I received my OBE for services to the film industry in 2009, which was definitely one of the highlights of my career. It was a personal honour, but I saw it as a public recognition of what BAFTA, and our incredible team, had achieved.

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The kiss on the cheek from George Clooney for Argo, which he produced and won Best Film for at the Film Awards in 2013, was pretty amazing too!

But what I am most proud of is the work we do to support the next generation of talent. We want to ensure that our industries are accessible to talented individuals from every background. I believe that talent is everywhere but opportunity is not, and we want to change that.

You once thought you might have accomplished everything you’d wanted to do at BAFTA after three or four years, but you are still Chief Executive almost two decades later.

What do you still wish to achieve in the role?

BAFTA is such a great part of my life and something I am extremely passionate about! I thought I would probably do three or four years when I first started but although we have achieved so many of my dreams there is still so much to do. I have a truly great team of people and together we can make things happen.

BAFTA is 75 years old in three years’ time and my ambition for that anniversary is that BAFTA is seen as the leading Academy in the world recognising and supporting new talent, and ensuring that talented individuals, regardless of their background, have every opportunity to succeed. And this is a global aspiration!

We want to facilitate cross-cultural exchange, where events with broad global appeal and relevance can be simulcast and showcased around the world. Our masterclasses, informative Q&As and inspirational interviews, and many more unique events and activities will be made available globally on our open access websites, stimulating ideas and creativity across the world.

How do you feel that BAFTA’s role has evolved or stayed the same during your time as Chief Executive? What would you regard as the Academy’s ‘mission statement’?

Over the past ten years, BAFTA’s charitable remit has witnessed an ever closer focus on new talent, to ensure that individuals, regardless of their background, have the chance to succeed. Every year, close to 1,000 emerging practitioners are identified and given bespoke support by BAFTA. Many millions more are reached via our 250 educational events annually and extensive online content.

Today, BAFTA’s role is a truly global one, with our expansion five years ago into Asia and success in achieving crosscultural exchange through a range of initiatives, including the introduction of a global scholarships programme.

Our vision and mission statements reflect these developments.

Vision: BAFTA’s vision is a world where everyone’s life is

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culturally and creatively enriched through excellent work in film, games and television. Mission: Our mission is to bring the very best work in film, games and television to public attention, and support the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. We do this by identifying and celebrating excellence, discovering, inspiring and nurturing new talent, and enabling learning and creative collaboration.

What advice would you give to those in the north of England who aspire to a film or TV career, but who fear it’s a closed shop that’s about “not what you know, but who you know?”

The moving image plays a huge part in all our lives, feeding our minds and imaginations and helping our culture grow.

The creative industries are also vitally important to the British economy; the film market on its own generates revenues in excess of £4bn. The film, television and games industries employ over 80,000 people in the UK, and there is a perception it is who you know in the industry rather than what you know that will get you a job – but I didn’t know anyone. I found a way in through an area that interested me and when I got in worked as hard as I could so they wanted to keep me on.

At BAFTA we believe in the amazing talent we’ve got here in Britain, waiting to be discovered. We have a mission to inspire, inform, nurture and develop talent, hand in hand with celebrating excellence at our Awards. This is what BAFTA’s about, helping people achieve their dreams, and helping them get to a place where they’ll be winning an award of their own.

What qualities do you feel are needed for success in film or TV that are sometimes overlooked?

I asked the youngest members of my staff what their advice would be and they said: • Take every opportunity – you never know where things might lead.

• Don’t be scared of asking questions.

• Seek out and spend time with like-minded people who share your interests.

• Research the industry you are interested in, and write down exactly why you want to work in it. This helps you identify if it is something you really want to do.

• Get practical experience wherever you can. y own personal motto is Believe and Achieve, Doubt and Live M Without.

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Auguste Communities at Darlington Middleton St George is home of a new concept in residential and nursing in Darlington.

Out by the airport and just behind the new St George hotel sits the beautiful and respectfully renovated and restored Auguste Communities Care Centre.

Auguste Deter was the very first person ever to be given the diagnosis of dementia of the Alzheimers type. She was in her 50s, she was a wife and Mother. You will never have heard of her. But you will know someone living with a dementia or a related condition. Our care philosophy is to find the person before we see the disease. Our care is honouring the memory of Frau Deter and as such we see person hood and its preservation as our aim.

At the newly renovated and specially designed Care Centre, set in safe, secure and extensive, dementia friendly gardens and grounds, you will find four distinct living areas, each boasting the latest retro design and incorporating Dutch technology to offer stimulating, orientating and comforting surroundings and single en suite rooms with eight corner rooms where couples can live their days together.

Over this coming few months all four sections of the centre will begin operation and you can find residential care or nursing care to suite, we specialise in the care of those living with a dementia or those reaching end of life but we will also be offering general nursing facilities and we also offer respite, day care and holiday bookings.

Please visit our website, give us a call, request our brochure or better still make an appointment (or just turn up on our doorstep) and ask for Lyndsay, our superb registered manager Private rooms and registered with the Darlington Council for LA funding. Regulated and registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and with a 5 star rated LA kitchen we are waiting‌

Auguste Communities Middleton St George, Darlington, DL2 1TS T: 01325 344970 E: auguste@prestigegroup.uk.com W:www.prestigecaregroup.com/home/auguste-communities Find us on Facebook: DarlingtonMonthly Visit us online: www.darlingtonmonthly.co.uk

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Restaurant Week returns

F

ood lovers are in for a tasty treat as Darlington’s #LoveDarlo Restaurant Week returns from Monday 4th until Sunday 10th November.

Diners can enjoy two courses for £10 or less and the chance of other discounts at a wide range of local restaurants and eateries across the week.

12 venues have signed up so far, and the list is expected to grow as the date gets closer. Last year, around 30 restaurants and cafes took part across the week, which saw thousands of people enjoy wonderful food at a fraction of the normal price.

Discount diners can chose from Italian, Indian, pub food, café selections and much more without forking out a fortune. Venues old and new to the town have signed up and are looking forward to welcoming diners. Among those taking part so far are Maxine’s Allegria, Tre Amici, Picco, Voodoo, Sol Tapas, Al Forno, Fit Fresh, Santorini, The Pennyweight, Hole in the Wall and Viraj.

Alongside special dining offers, a series of foodthemed competitions will tempt online food fans

to take part through the #LoveDarlo Facebook page.

Councillor Alan Marshall, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “I am delighted that this popular week is returning to the town and thank all the businesses who have come on board.

Darlington has loads to offer and its range of restaurants, bars and cafes is amazing for a town of its size.”

“The #LoveDarlo Restaurant Week gives the town the chance to showcase what’s on offer and tempt diners in for a tasty treat of two across the week without breaking the bank.”

Details of #LoveDarlo Restaurant Week can be found at www.enjoydarlington.co.uk/ restaurantweek - local restaurants who would like to take part can also visit the page.

Town centre news, events and offers are also featured on the #LoveDarlo Facebook page.

Get involved, what’s happening in the town this month?

November Highlights

26

Thur 7th

Lust For Life Drawing

Crown Street Library

Sun 10th

Remembrance Sunday

Darlington Cenotaph

Sat 30th

Christmas Crafts

Theatre Hullabaloo

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Ambron Radio Radio Thats all about you...

How long has Ambron Radio been broadcasting, and how did you start out?

Ambron Radio has been broadcasting for just over a year, and it all began as a hobby set up by the station manager, Paddy McGough.

What can listeners expect when they tune in to the station?

We have an eclectic group of presenters on our station from all over the world, covering nearly all genres from Rock and Pop, Hip Hop, Songs from the Shows – as well as Generations gone by.

Do you invite the listeners to help shape the output of the station, and how can they get involved?

We most certainly do. From the shows being broadcast down to how our website looks. After all, our motto is: “It’s All About You!”

What do you hope to achieve in your first year as an independent radio station?

What began as a simple idea one day, has already grown exponentially and keeps growing every single day. So, we are hoping to raise the finances that will eventually allow us to broadcast on FM and DAB. How would you sum up the ethos of the station in one or two sentences?

Following on from our motto, as a listener of the station – if you want it, we will supply it. We are not genre based, so will literally play anything, providing it fits within our licencing.

“It’s all about YOU...”

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Darlington

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Places to go...

Racing at My friend Andy Bartlett, who, before he started the GO ROAM app, was a racing jockey suggested we went to Pontefract races one day, as it was a course I had never been to. In the event, he was unable to go on the date agreed, but I had arranged my accommodation coming back from London at the Premier Inn Doncaster, and train travel so I decided to stick to the arrangements and take advantage of the £11.30 advance fare from Pontefract to Chester-le-Street which was less than a quarter of the fare on the day. I even had a table of four to myself on a class 185 TransPennine train from Leeds back home, and a pleasant meal between trains on the south side of Leeds station using the platform 16 exit.

Pontefract has three railway stations – Monkhill and Baghill, but Tanshelf is closest to the racecourse served from both Wakefield and Leeds. It’s only a ten minute walk across the park and I collected my Premier badge (I had been in a Premier Inn the previous night after all) and it was no problem to leave my baggage in the Raceday office. I had booked in advance a meal voucher and a tour behind the scenes. I was amazed to find that no-one else had booked the tour. So I had a one-to-one with a former female jockey who was also the presenter on the PA based in the winner’s enclosure. I was even allowed in the stewards’ office and jockeys’ changing

32

PONTEFRACT

room and their tea room too.

After lunch, at which I made my selection for the toteplacepot from the programme (£3), I went to consult the prices of the on course bookies.

Pontefract has three separate enclosures or areas. Starting at the winning post and moving down the course, they are the Premier (£25 per person), the Grandstand and Paddock (£17) and the Picnic which is only £6 through the turnstiles. Even this more basic area had plenty of undercover seating, a bar, and catering outlets and two brave bookies located separately from the main betting ring. I made the acquaintance of Mark Ryan, the Betting Ring Manager, who explained how it was that in one race most of the bookies declined to take each way bets and just offered Win Only.

another third at 33-1, but I had not backed either, nor indeed any winners at all, but it was a very friendly course, close to the station, pleasant traditional architecture, and it only rained for a few minutes all afternoon. I have resolved to find out what happened to the “Back a Winner by Train” promotion which has not surfaced for a few years, despite its reduced price entry and discount placepot being very popular with punters.

Racing starts next season at Pontefract on Tuesday 7th April. Redcar races is also close to Redcar Central station.

www.pontefract-races.co.uk

Alex Nelson

alexnelson@dunelm.org.uk

www.nationalrail.com

In the course of the afternoon one horse came second a 50-1 and

Look out next month for the nationalrail.com map of all the railway stations in the United Kingdom. It also tells the story of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower ship which launched from Rotherhithe, London, in 1620, 400 years ago. The map will be officially launched on Wednesday 6th November in Rotherhithe, London, at the Brunel Museum. Anybody actually attending the launch at 1600 can obtain a FREE copy of the map, which will thereafter also be available by mail order at £10 plus postage and packing.

Full details in the December copy of the magazine.

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10% off your bill when dining with us!

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Former WWE tag team Champion teams up with Darlington filmmaker

T

here was a genuine first for the man known as ‘The Intrepid Traveller’ in Darlington last month, as former WWE Tag Team Champion Paul London hit the stage at the Majestic Theatre.

However, this was in no way the first of a series of international wrestling bouts to be hosted in the town, but a one-off event as Paul displayed his passion for martial arts and independent filmmaking – by promoting the upcoming short movie written and directed

by Darlington filmmaker, James Campbell.

The lead in Campbell’s upcoming kung-fu flick, Tiger Man, Paul played host to an audience of avid wrestling and movie fans from around the North East, regaling them with untold tales of his professional, sometimes controversial, and often hilarious days as a professional wrestler.

The evening, billed as ‘Please Don’t Die’, raised money to fund the upcoming movie – but was also named after the first concept film of the same name that Campbell and London teamed up on in 2017.

In what could be perceived as the alternate reality narrative of Tiger Man, London plays Elvis Presley – out to seek revenge for the murder of martial arts legend, Bruce Lee. “There are two things that people have never known about these icons,” says Director, Campbell.

“First, is that they intended to produce, and star in a film about two undercover agents taking down a huge drug organization. Second, is that the film they were about to shoot was based on a True Story.”

Initial filming of Tiger Man took place just two days after London took to the stage at The Majestic, with rising martial arts star and choreographer

34

Jean-Paul Ly on set to guide the actors through a series of complex fight scenes.

London, who was generous enough to auction a host of one-off wrestling memorabilia to fund the movie, said: “I first met James at an event in Carlisle, in 2014, and we clicked.

We were daydreaming about our fascination with Elvis, which stemmed in part from his love for karate.

People look at Elvis as a crooner and a heartthrob, but he was also one of the first American blackbelts. As we started making Tiger Man a reality, I got back into martial arts, and here I am – it’s the first time I’ve been in the UK not for wrestling. We thought it

would be really cool to focus on the badass side of Elvis – and Tiger Man materialised.”

The first shoot of Tiger Man is set to produce a short, concept piece that will be used to promote the movie early next year, with the hope that it will raise investment in producing Tiger Man as a feature-length movie.

Look out for the intrepid duo on your screens in 2020.

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recipe by H O T E L

Steak and kidney pie.

Make the most of inexpensive cuts of beef for this steak and kidney pie recipe - meltingly tender after long slow cooking.

Method.

1:

Preheat the 220C/425F/Gas 7

oven

to

2:

Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan, and brown the beef all over. (You may need to do this in batches.) Set aside, then brown the kidneys on both sides in the same pan. Add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes.

6:Remove from the heat. Add salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce and allow to cool completely. Place the cooked meat mixture into a pie dish.

7:Roll

out the pastry to 5mm/¼in thick and 5cm/2in larger than the dish you are using.

3:Return the beef to the pan, 8:Using a rolling pin, lift the sprinkle flour over and coat the meat and onions

4:Add the stock to the pan, stir well and bring to the boil.

5:Turn

the heat down and simmer for 1½ hours without a lid. If the liquid evaporates too much, add more stock.

pastry and place it over the top of the pie dish. Trim and crimp the edges with your fingers and thumb.

9:Brush the surface with the

For the base 300g puff pastry 1 egg and 1 extra egg yolk beaten together

For the filling 2 tbsp vegetable oil 700g/1lb 9oz braising steak, diced 200g/7oz lamb kidney, diced 2 medium onions, diced 30g/1oz plain flour 850ml/1½ pints beef stock

beaten egg mixture and bake for 30-40 minutes until goldenbrown and puffed.

salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

10:Serve with creamy mash

a dash of Worcestershire sauce

and steamed vegetables to soak up the gravy.

36

Ingredients.

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FILM REVIEW:

JOKER

If I was to sum up the Joker in 3 words?

Dark. Interesting… Disappointing.

As the star character in this 2019 movie was plucked straight out of the widely-recognised DC Comic franchise, this film naturally had monumental footsteps to follow.

Did it live up to the promise that it so desperately needed to? Uh, well…

An origin-movie set in the early 1980s, we follow Arthur Fleck’s (Joaquin Phoenix) journey as an isolated, bullied failure who is repeatedly kicked to the curb – metaphorically by society, and even physically at one point by a group of children. We watch, on the edge of our seats, as he slowly and painfully descends into a madness that transforms him into a violent murderer; The Joker is born.

This film had a talented crew behind it, which raised initial expectations even higher. Todd Phillips (The Hangover Trilogy) directed and produced the film, alongside Bradley Cooper (American Sniper) and Emily Tillinger Koskoff (The Wolf of Wall Street). Joaquin Phoenix’s acting was on point throughout, and it was clear that a lot of (no doubt mentally exhausting) work went into preparing for the role, but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough to take this film from mediocre to outstanding.

Overall, it was interesting in a somewhat warped way, almost causing you to feel a little guilty for enjoying the film at its darkest points. Both Warner and DC Comics weren’t shy about promoting the film as ‘standalone’, encouraging fans to understand that the 2019 Joker movie has no narrative connection to the rest of the DC Universe.

Personally, I was pleased by this. I am not a fan, nor am I really familiar with any of the ‘superhero’ films (I know, I know, that’s unforgivable, right?) so I was thrilled at the prospect of being a part of something that had generated so much hype – without having to worry if anything was going to be lost on me. It turns out that the Joker does have a few references to the world of Batman (the asylum is named ‘Arkham’ and a mini-version of Bruce Wayne makes a couple of appearances), but nothing that confused me.

38

It is in relation to this idea, however, that leaves me to believe that this take on the infamous Joker was just unsatisfying. Arthur Fleck has a compelling backstory that you can follow with ease, even if uncomfortable at times, but overall the film lacked any pace or punch. You don’t have to be a die-hard DC Comics fan to know that the Joker is a psychotic supervillain, and so I expected this movie to push the boundaries a lot more aggressively than it did.

For a film that’s over 2 hours long, we see only a few minutes of anything that’s worthy of a gasp - which is rather frustrating. Despite it being an origin-film, naturally you’d expect to see the Joker for a lot longer than you do, if you’re going to see a movie about the Joker, right?

Shanon O’Donovan

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We are offering a family ticket for any film at Vue Darlington at Feethams

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PUZZLE PAGE Simply complete one of the competitions below, fill in the entry form and send to the postal address provided.

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Official opening for new road near Darlington’s Amazon site Road infrastructure for a new business park that will soon be occupied by Amazon has been officially opened, amid warnings from critics that more needs to be done to encourage the use of alternative modes of transport.

Concerns have already been raised that the infrastructure surrounding Symmetry Park, near Lingfield Point, will struggle to cope with the number of vehicles entering and leaving the premises once Amazon moves in.

The new Morton Park Road extends a link from Yarm Road to Tornado Way, providing not only relief to the A66, but also further access points into Symmetry Park.

“A key piece of infrastructure” Darlington Borough Council leader, Cllr Heather Scott, hailed the development as a “key piece of infrastructure that will help ensure traffic runs smoothly”.

This new road will provide a crucial link for people accessing Symmetry Park once it’s up and running.

However, Green Party Councillor Matthew Snedker said the new road would encourage the heavier use of cars, adding that the last decade had only seen “warm words” about sustainable transport.

A travel plan detailing sustainable transport options, which needed to be approved before Amazon would be permitted to occupy the site, suggested car sharing schemes, public transport discounts and improved cycling routes as potential means of tackling the issue.

Cllr Scott stated: “This new road will provide a crucial link for people accessing Symmetry Park once it’s up and running.

“It’s a key piece of infrastructure that will help ensure traffic runs smoothly into and out of this flagship development.

“The important thing is people’s transport habits can’t change overnight, so yes we are looking at promoting a range of sustainable options, and they will all be part of the sustainable transport plan, but we’ve got to be realistic.”

Scepticism about promotion of sustainable transport alternatives Cllr Snedker said that while he was “remaining positive about working collaboratively with the new administration... the reality is over the last decade we have only had warm words about sustainable transport.

“We can’t hide from the fact work like this will just encourage more and more people to use the car.”

Simon Dixon, director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “The new road extension provides direct access into the park from the north and south and will ease traffic flow.”

42

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What’s on

November Retro: 30th Birthday

The Story of Guitar Heroes

6 November – 19:30 – Majestic Theatre If you love the string-strumming sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Brian May and Hank Marvin, you can look forward to seeing these legendary guitarists’ iconic performances recreated live by a very talented group of musicians, Phil Walker and his band. Complemented by advanced video screen technology, this electrifying show will take you as far back as the 1950s.

16 November – 22:00 – Inside Out Club Can you believe that the Retro nights have been running at Inside Out for three decades? To mark the big birthday, we can expect a very special B2B set by Paul and Ben Taylor, while local legend Steven Guthrie will also be gracing the decks.

Hilarity Bitesize feat. Tony Cowards & Support

17 November – 15:00 – Dolphin Centre Fans of classical music entranced by Grace Yeo’s recital at the Dolphin Centre in November 2015 will be heartened to know she’s back at the same venue this month. She will be performing pieces from Robert Schumann and his wife Clara, as well as sonatas from Beethoven and Scriabin.

Grace Yeo

11 November – 19:30 – Hole In The Wall This is the next in comedy club Hilarity Bites’ series of Hilarity Bitesize nights, where avid comedy fans can enjoy new acts and new material. This time around, Andy Fury, the winner of the Hilarity Bites New Act of the Year 2010 Chantel McGregor accolade, hosts while Tony Cowards guests, showing off 22 November – 19:30 – The Forum the rapid-fire gag rate that regularly gets him booked for The blues-rock guitarist Chantel McGregor has worked comedy nights across the UK. with big-name artists including Ed Sheeran, Kylie Minogue and Shakira, and picked up the Guitarist of the Year Curtains: The Whodunit Musical 12 – 16 November – Various Times – Darlington accolade at the 2014 British Blues Awards, making her the first female artist to do so. Earlier this year, she released Hippodrome Stand-up legend Jason Manford stars in the comedy musical the live album Bury’d Alive, containing renditions of songs Curtains, which is actually something of a show within a from her studio albums Like No Other and Lose Control. show: on the opening night of the new Broadway-bound musical Robin Hood, star Jessica Cranshaw is murdered, Derek Acorah leaving the rest of the cast and crew as suspects. Can local 23 November – 19:30 – Majestic Theatre detective Frank Cioffi figure out who the killer is while One of the best-known names in physic phenomena is rescuing the show itself? taking his Eternal Life Tour 2019 to Darlington, ready to show why he has attracted acclaim as an engaging and Terrace Sessions Presents: DJ Spen entertaining performer.

15 November – 21:00 – Avalon Bar And Terrace The Terrace Sessions nights attract major fans of house music to the Avalon every month – and this month, DJ Spen AKA Sean Spencer will be in residence. He’s been DJing since his teenage days in Baltimore, Maryland, and co-wrote Milli Vanilli’s international hit “Girl You Know It’s True”.

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