Darlington Monthly Dec 20

Issue 87 - December 2020

What’s Inside

Your favourite PRICELESS community magazine

Feat ured Ar t i cles 12

Nearly 7,000 new trees for Darlington

Mother fundraising for heart charity

38

26

Film review: Jingle Jangle

Darlington Monthly is proudly sponsored by

New Tesco, McDonald’s and Costa Coffee to open in Darlington

YORKSHIRE LOFT LADDERS We’re doing our part, are you?

FSC approved

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

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20%

IVE ASS NTS

N TO N U O S DISC UTTER SH

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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 December edition of Darlington Monthly!

After the chaos that has engulfed this year, many of us could certainly do with a good time – and, fortunately, December looks set to deliver exactly that.

If you’ve got a PlayStation 5, flick to page 28 for our review of one of the console’s most promising launch titles, Sackboy: A Big Adventure. Meanwhile, our Social Media Marketing Executive Matty Smith has his say on Netflix’s festive musical Jingle Jangle on page 38.

We’ve also got a number of feel-good stories – including one of local fundraising success (see page 26) and the news on page 12 that Darlington should have many more new trees by March!

Bye for now, and here’s to a happy and safe Christmas.

Yorkshire Loft Ladders is the proud sponsor of this month’s Darlington Monthly.

As a renowned local company, Yorkshire Loft Ladders would be delighted to provide you with the services – including loft hatches, ladders, flooring, boarding and lighting – that would enable you to get greater wor th out of this sometimes neglected part of the house.

Call the team now for free, on 0800 612 8359, or visit www.yorkshireloftladders.co.uk for fur ther information and a no-obligation quote.

YORKSHIRE LOFT LADDERS

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

Competitions

@DarlingtonMonthly

12 20 26 38

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.

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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Thank you for your loyalty and patience.

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An exceptional range of high quality stoves available in the heart of the town centre.

Owner Stephen Airey and his engineers have many years experience in the heating and fireplace industry. The showroom boasts an array of traditional and contemporary woodburning and multi fuel stoves from leading manufacturers. From bespoke inglenook designs to modern freestanding versions, JTA Fires Stoves and Heating will endeavour to make your dream a reality.

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 Stoves and Heating 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.

We offer a free site survey with absolutely no obligation to purchase. We pride ourselves on our vast knowledge and experience, and welcome you to call in to see what we have on offer - you won’t be disappointed.

Our showroom at 9 Duke Street, Darlington is open Monday to Saturday 9.30am-5.00pm.

Sunday opening is by appointment only.

If you would like to arrange a free site survey either call into the showroom, or get in touch on 01325 389238 or email jtafiresandstoves@ icloud.com.

A warm welcome awaits at JTA Fires Stoves and Heating.

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A warm welcome awaits...

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Dyspraxia Got T Lent Dyspraxia Support Group Teeside would like to arrange an online talent show on 12th December aimed at adults, parents and children who have Dyspraxia or other related conditions.

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Goosepool

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Nearly 7,000 new trees to be planted across Darlington

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Your Local Electrician DEMAND ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS

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Places to go...

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Extract at actual size

Railmap 2021 The

new UK National Rail Map, published since 2009, takes note of the major developments on the railways this year. In the future, it may be seen either as the high water mark of railway services in the UK, or a reset to be followed by a new structure which is not yet clear.

In the earlier spring lockdown, sales of the previous “Mayflower” map went through the roof. I frequently had to struggle into the Post Office with 24 maps which was the most I could carry in a plastic box. This publication is an excellent way to learn just how extensive our railway network is, and to plan places to which you might like to go in the future.

So, welcome to the 2021 Railmap website brought to you by nationalrail.com, based at Bishop Auckland. This map is the product of careful research updated to give improvement in accuracy and aesthetic appeal every year. You can buy the new map which features both the revived Rail Riders club for enthusiasts, and the racecourses of the United Kingdom and Eire. Rail Riders is an enthusiasts club that was run by the state-owned British Rail and wound up in 1991, but has been revived this year by Simon Buxton based in Thirsk.

Meanwhile the map shows every racetrack in the UK, both flat racing and National Hunt (jumps) and even lists the same in the Republic of Ireland. Once the pandemic subsides, our new promotion “Back a Winner by Train” will be launched.

When bought by post, the maps are sent out in a sturdy tube. Postal tubes are not

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cheap to send, so we encourage you to buy multiple copies of the current edition, or back numbers (costing for as little as £2) to fill your tube with up to four maps. That way the cost of the postage is spread across the maps you choose. Last year's 2020 edition was the best selling ever with its depiction of the voyage of the Mayflower in 1620, and is now available for £6. You can have any permutation you like and we mail to you as soon as possible after receipt of your order. We feature over 2,620 stations including Northern Ireland, and proposed stations under construction or likely to be so.

The map measures 63cm wide and 100cm deep, sized so it fits in the standard "British Rail" poster case. This map is by no means only for enthusiasts, but also for booking clerks to help plan journeys across the UK. It is most useful for regular travellers wishing to plot a journey, which is why ferry connections, Plus Bus interchanges, and details of request stops and restricted service stations are shown. It makes planning split ticketing journeys simpler in conjunction with the nationalrail.com website. Every station is shown with its three letter code, e.g. YRM for Yarm, CRM for Cramlington, to speed up online bookings.

This map, and is predecessors, looks best framed on the wall, although four pins on a cork board works nearly as well. You can find miniatures of previous editions in the online Shop.

The postal tubes are here, the maps are ready, and we await your order to help inform you of developments in the British rail network. There is no official map featuring all the stations issued by the rail companies, the Rail Delivery Group nor the Department for Transport. alexnelson@dunelm.org.uk

www.nationalrail.com www.railmap.org.uk

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What is a ‘Wrapper’?

And why it’s what’s underneath that counts

Many people will be aware that they have pensions, accrued privately or by participating in a company scheme and/or ISAs which they may have built up over several years. However, far fewer people understand what their money is currently invested in or what other options might be available to them within their plans.

This is important as it is ultimately these investments that determine the return you receive on your savings, which in-turn will be one of the largest influencing factors in your overall wealth come retirement.

Default investment options, particularly within pension schemes, may not be suitable for everyone and it is important to ensure that your investments within their respective wrappers remain in line with your goals and objectives, as well as being appropriate for your attitude to risk and capacity for loss. It is also important to ensure that your investments are regularly reviewed to ensure that they remain suitable and are updated in light of changing market conditions.

At this time of year, the word ‘wrapper’ is much more associated with packaging Christmas gifts for friends and family than it is with Defined Contribution (DC) Pensions or ISAs. However a DC Pension or an ISA is also a wrapper which determines the tax treatment of the underlying investments held in the plan. And as with the wrapping paper we find ourselves knee deep in on Christmas day, it is what is underneath that is really important.

At Sandringham Financial Partners Darlington we specialise in helping individuals plan and prepare for their retirement. We are independent, meaning that we will look across the market to find the best solutions for you and your needs. If you would like to discuss your retirement plans please get in touch on 01325 808075 and we will be happy to arrange a no cost initial chat.

FINANCIAL PEACE OF MIND FOR A FAIR, FLAT FEE • Retirement and Pension Advice • Cash flow planning • Investment Advice Contact Rachel or Tristan at the Darlington office for a free, no obligation chat about your requirements T: 01325 808075 E: darlington@sandringham.co.uk Suite 8, Yarn, Lingfield House, Lingfield Point, Darlington, DL1 1 RW Sandringham Financial Partners Ltd ('Sandringham') is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Number: 581304.

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We are a luxury children’s sleepover teepees hire in the North East covering Darlington, Newton Aycliffe, Durham, Stockton and surrounding areas

Suprise your loved ones this Christmas with our lovely curated themed teepees

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Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 11:30am - 8:00pm Sunday Closed

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Plans for new Tesco, McDonald’s and Costa that could create 200 local jobs

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Barnard Castle

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COACHES DAY TRIPS January Sales Shopping @ York Outlet Sunday 10th January - £15 pp Leeds or The Royal Armories Saturday 23rd January - £18 pp Rothbury & Cragside Tuesday 8th June £33 pp (including entrance to Cragside - discount for NT members)

Holy Island & Bamburgh Tuesday 3rd August - £20 pp Pickering & North Yorkshire Moors Railway Sunday 6th June & Sunday 12th September - £60 pp (including rail journey with Controller’s lunch)

York & Yorkshire Heart Vineyard Sunday 27th June - £47 pp (including tour, tasting & afternoon tea)

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Kynren Saturday 7th August & Saturday 21st August - £47 pp (including show ticket)

To Advertise Contact Darlington Monthly Email: sales@darlingtonmonthly.co.uk Tel: 01325 776225 For For fullfull itineraries itineraries or brochure or brochure please please callcall 01833 01833 621302 621302

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SHORT BREAKS & HOLIDAYS

A Tour of the Scottish Islands & Highlands Sunday 4th - Friday 9th July £720 pp (£100 ss) 5 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, entrance to Calanais Visitor Centre and Standing Stones, plus Gerrannan Blackhouse Village. Visiting Fort William, Isle of Skye, Lewis, Harris and Pitlochry.

Lincoln Weekend Saturday 13th - Monday 15th February £220 pp (£60 ss) Including 2 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at 4* Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort. Visiting Harrogate, Lincoln and York.

Edinburgh Sunday 21st - Monday 22nd February - £99 pp (£20 ss) - 1 night Bed & Breakfast at 4* Marriott Courtyard.

The Pudding Club Sunday 18th April - Wednesday 21st April - £395 pp (£75 ss) 3 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at Three Ways House Hotel, Puddling Club experience, Cadbury’s World Heritage Tour and Cream Tea, plus entrance to Warwick Castle. Visiting the Cotswolds.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Monday 16th - Wednesday 18th August £360pp (£50 ss) 2 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at Barony Castle Hotel, Edinburgh Tattoo ticket plus entrance and tour at Mellerstain House.

Picking up at Richmond, Catterick & Leyburn (On some occasions these pickups will be provided via a free feeder bus.)

All trips include attraction admission plus hotels and meals where applicable.

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What can I do with my pension?

Flexi Access Drawdown maybe the answer?

Pension Freedoms introduced in 2015 lifted restrictions on how you can access your pension.

the same way as employment income. This may allow you to draw money out more tax efficiently in certain tax years than others dependant on your own circumstances.

Income drawdown could be an option for you thanks to the increased flexibility. The new rules mean that you can keep your pension invested and withdraw any amount from your pot on a regular basis rather than having to opt for an annuity. Before Pension Freedoms the number of annuities purchased annually was 350,000 compared to around 80,000 in 2018 (source. FT Adviser). Income drawdown allows part of the pension to be taken tax free and the rest taxed in

A key benefit of drawdown is that, any money remaining within your pension pot when you die will form part of your estate which can be passed on to your beneficiaries, unlike with an annuity where any unused funds can be lost. As the funds within your pension remain invested during Drawdown, they have the potential to rise or fall in value which should also be taken into consideration. There are advantages and disadvantages to Income Drawdown and it is important to take advice before making any decisions.

If you would like to have a pension review with a qualified Independent Financial Adviser please contact Adrian Peacock or Gary Neale on 01325 482585 or email contact@acumenifasolutions.co.uk At Acumen Investment & Pension Solutions we offer an initial meeting free of charge and without obligation.

We provide individuals and businesses with practical and relevant solutions to help them meet their financial objectives

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Graphics Though the game is also available on PlayStation 4, you will naturally get the best graphical experience with the PS5 version, which runs in a stunning 4K resolution.

Here, the game’s world looks as convincingly stitched-together as Sackboy himself. Every level, object and character consists of real-world materials – think the likes of tinfoil, felt and hessian fabric – you feel you could touch.

REVIEW:

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Given how he has established himself as a PlayStation mascot of sorts, it seemed inevitable that Sackboy – the ragtag star of the LittleBigPlanet series – would have some kind of presence in the PlayStation 5’s line-up of launch games.

That presence is in Sackboy: A Big Adventure, which eschews the usual “2.5D” antics of the LittleBigPlanet games in favour of fully-fledged 3D platforming akin to that of Super Mario 3D World.

Story A number of BAFTA-winning actors, including Richard E Grant and Dawn French, have been recruited to bring vocal life to A Big Adventure’s story, which takes place on the planet of Craftworld.

Longevity To call A Big Adventure varied would be an immense understatement, as there are many little side-plots to follow beside the main plight. You can, for example, uncover an array of quirky costume pieces for Sackboy to slip into – and even wear during the game’s cut-scenes, to our amusement.

Though A Big Adventure largely jettisons the “play, create, share” mantra of previous LittleBigPlanet instalments, you can still play with up to three other people – and online multiplayer support will reportedly be added in a future software update.

Wrap-up While the PS5’s roster of launch-day titles is consistently strong and features contributions from major franchises like Spider-Man, Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty, Sackboy’s latest tale is well-suited to gamers of various ages and abilities, lending it a uniquely universal appeal.

Rating:

The villain Vex is intent on bringing chaos to Craftworld – and, to that end, enslaves the Sackfolk to build a sinister machine for him.

However, Sackboy eludes his clutches, enabling him to pursue Vex in a mission to stop his maniacal scheme.

Gameplay The gameplay largely consists of navigating many different vibrant worlds, in the process collecting Dream Orbs with which you can unlock new areas to explore.

Developer Sumo Digital – the Sheffield-based team behind 2014’s LittleBigPlanet 3 – have given players of A Big Adventure many fun ways for them to get Sackboy around the new environments, with our hero free to roll, grab objects and perform flutter jumps as well as many other actions.

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Join Temple Spa Online Temple Spa is a luxury skincare brand with a Mediterranean soul, using natural ingredients and cutting edge science to bring you the most amazing award winning products. Products are available at selected Spas and through our Lifestyle Consultants.

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FILM REVIEW:

Christmas in modern times is just as much about binging on the wonderfully cringey, festive-themed guiltypleasure films as it is about presents, food and family.

You’d be hard pressed to find someone that would turn their nose up at the likes of Elf, Miracle on 34th Street or The Polar Express at this time of year – especially on the cold, dark nights leading up to 25th December.

However, many of the newer festive films released within the last decade fail to capture the spirit of Christmas, and come across more as a festive cash-grab than anything of real substance.

A Netflix original that entrances the eye Enter Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, a Netflix original Christmas musical released on 13th November.

The film centres on a genius toy inventor, Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker), who loses his passion after his apprentice, Gustafson (Keegan-Michael Key), steals his greatest creation.

Jangle must rediscover his love of inventing and get his life back, and does so with the help of his charming granddaughter, Journey (Madalen Mills). Various colourful characters are met along the way and there are more than a few huge song-and-dance numbers to boot.

Visually this movie is brilliant, no doubt partly thanks to the seemingly bottomless pit of money that Netflix has access to. The animation is very well-done, and captures the magic of Christmas in a way that only talking toys and magical adventures can. The characters, although at times slightly one-dimensional and borderline annoying, are mostly well-acted and enhance the story in one way or another.

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Mediocre music, but enchanting performances The songs themselves were extremely forgettable and you certainly won’t be stuck with any of the lyrics in your head over the festive period, but the performances were great and show off the immense talents of the primarily African-American cast.

Furthermore, the choreography was definitely the highlight of the experience, and doubtless owes much to director David E. Talbert’s stage production background.

To sum up, this movie isn’t going to be breaking any records, and I can’t see it becoming an annual Christmas classic; however, it’s a visually pleasing and interesting tale that will no doubt keep the kids quiet for two hours at the very least.

Fans of The Greatest Showman will feel right at home among the colourful and over-the-top song-anddance numbers. Of the cast members, Madalen Mills was the standout performance for me, and is certainly a young actor whose career you should keep an eye on.

Matty Smith

Social Media Marketing Executive

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Mince pie brownies Combine two favourites in this clever mash-up of brownies and mince pies.

These sweet treats will prove a big hit throughout the festive season Prep: 35 mins Cook: 30 mins

Ingredients

Method

• 185g unsalted butter, cubed

STEP 1

Easy

• 40g cocoa powder

Melt the butter and chocolate in a medium bowl, either in a microwave – cooking for 1 min on High, then stirring and continuing to heat in 20-second blasts – or by setting the bowl over a pan of simmering water and stirring occasionally. Once melted, leave the mixture to cool.

• 3 large eggs

STEP 2

• 185g high-quality dark chocolate, chopped • 85g plain flour

• 275g golden caster sugar • 6 mince pies or 9-12 mini mince pies • icing sugar, for dusting

Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line the base of a shallow 20cm square tin with non-stick baking parchment.

Sieve the flour and cocoa into a medium bowl. Whisk the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer on maximum speed until thick and creamy, about 3-8 mins, or when the mixture runs off the beaters and leaves a trail for a second or two.

STEP 3

Pour in the cooled chocolate mixture, then fold together with a rubber spatula in a figure of eight, moving the bowl round until the mixture is a mottled dark brown. Be

Serves 16

gentle so you don’t knock out the air.

STEP 4

Sift in the cocoa and flour mixture and continue gently folding. The mixture will look dry and dusty, then fudgy.

Stop just before you feel you should, as you don’t want to overmix it.

STEP 5

Spoon a little mixture into the prepared tin, then add the mince pies, leaving them whole. Scrape over the rest of the mixture, gently easing it between and over the pies.

Level the top. Put in the oven for 25 mins. If the brownie mixture is very wobbly in the middle, it’s not quite done, so bake for another 5 -10 mins, or until the top has a shiny, papery crust and the sides are just beginning to come away from the tin. Take out of the oven and leave to cool in the tin. Dust with icing sugar. Cut into quarters, then cut each quarter into four squares. Will keep in an airtight container for a week and in the freezer for up to a month.

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The Gin Experience Fancy something new this Christmas?

Shop local to enjoy our wide range of gins, from International Award winning fruity gins to our classic London Dry recipes that will help to brighten up your festive season. Hand made in County Durham, each batch of our gin is distilled as passionately as the last, using only the finest ingredients for a smooth and refreshing spirit.

As well as our delicious gins, we also host a craft gin experience which allows you to learn how to make your own signature bottle of gin.

Enjoy a guided tasting session to sample our range, learn from the pros, and create your own unique gin recipe! The perfect gift for aficionados and gin-loving friends and family alike.

Christmas Crackers Our full range of craft gin is also available in christmas crackers! Treat your loved ones to a set of crackers filled with 5cl miniature bottles, or surprise them with one of our unique giant crackers with a 20cl bottle for the perfect grown-up stocking filler.

For more information

email: info@theherbalgin.com or visit www.theherbalgin.com

The Herbal Gin Company produces a wide range of quality gins in County Durham, supplying the whole of the UK. We pride ourselves on developing consistently high-quality gins in small batches, made from carefully selected botanicals to deliver a superior flavour.

Order online or book your gin experience at:

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The Herbal Gin Company Limited, Hangar 18, NorthField Way, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6EJ

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