In&Around February 2023

At James Cornwell Interiors, we specialise in creating an extensive range of kitchens, bathrooms and fitted furniture to suit all taste and budgets from traditional to contemporary.

We’re experts in helping you transform your home into something more, from helping you use your space more e ciently, to changing the flow of your home. Our

kitchens, bespoke furniture, and fitted furniture can help you achieve all this and more with our dedicated team we work with you and your budget. If you just want to freshen up, why not choose a kitchen or bathroom makeover.

Visit our showroom or call us to arrange your free no obligation home survey.

Welcome to the February issue of IN&AROUND!

We’re back with another bumper magazine, celebrating everything going on in the North of Durham and some fantastic local businesses. Consett Empire has received rave reviews for their performance of Aladdin in December, which you can read about on page 48. If you head to page 10 you’ll get all of the information you need about Seaham Food Festival.

As always, we have all of our fantastic entertaining pieces. Flick to page 14 to read about our notable birthday for February, before jumping ahead to page 52 to check out our film review for this month: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Tale. Just two pages later you’ll find a whole host of activities to see you through half term.

Everyone at IN&AROUND wishes you a happy Valentine’s Day, and looks forward to seeing you again in March!

In&Around magazine is proudly sponsored by

Care Connect provides an essential lifeline to vulnerable people across County Durham.

Care Connect is a friendly, local service that supports people of all ages across our region.

We provide a monitoring and response service to people’s homes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you’ve had a fall or feel unwell, at the press of a button you will be connected to our Control Room response staff. To find out more please call 0300 026 2195, email care.connect@durham.gov.uk or visit www.durham.gov.uk/careconnect

When it comes to growing your business, promotion is everything. At IN&AROUND Magazine, we offer a range of advertising packages that put your brand in front of thousands of potential customers.

Our free magazine is delivered to over 20,000 homes and businesses across Chester-le-Street, Derwentside and Durham every month – and our readership continues to grow. With solutions to suit all budgets and requirements, from quarter pages to front page ads, we can help you make an impact. What’s more, with every order, we offer a complimentary design service to ensure that your messages are delivered in the most attractive and eye-catching manner possible.

Whether you’re launching a new product, running a promotion or would like to find out more about how IN&AROUND can work for you, call us on 0191 388 2698.

COPYWRITERS

Faye Rodgerson

Alex Nelson Places to Go

Newly Refurbished Function Room

Are

Engagement Parties Wedding in a box

Congratulations you’ve just decided to tie the knot, it’s now time to celebrate! So invite your family and friends and enjoy this special occasion!

Package is fully inclusive of 80 guests.

Upto 30 additional guests may be added @ £5.50 per guest.

Come and celebrate the start of the journey of a lifetime with family and friends at Holiday Inn Washington.

Package includes: 3 course wedding breakfast / Beamish suite complimentary room hire for ceremony, breakfast and evening / Use of grounds for photos / Evening Bu et / Hotel resident disco / Double room inclusive of breakfast for happy couple on wedding night / And much more!

Inclusive of 40 day guests and 80 evening guests

Package from

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Worried about a loved one, but still keen to retain their independence?

Care Connect supports vulnerable people of all ages, providing a monitoring and response service to people’s homes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offering assistance and reassurance whenever it is needed. There is a charge for the service and this will be discussed upon enquiry. If you have a relative, neighbour or friend who is vulnerable or socially isolated, Care Connect could provide a vital service.

The service works by having an alarm unit with a pendant installed in the person’s home. The unit or pendant can be

pressed for assistance at anytime and this will place a call directly to Care Connect’s control room.

The service operates 24/7 so staff are always able to offer support and assistance, dispatch responders to someone’s home or contact the emergency services where necessary.

More than 11,000 households in County Durham are benefiting from the service, allowing people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.

If additional support is required, numerous types of equipment called Telecare is available, including items for people at risk of falling, support for those with memory loss, or dementia, those

suffering with epilepsy, or those that are deaf or blind. If you don’t want an assessment of your support needs through Social Care Direct, don’t worry. You can always purchase directly from Care Connect

An example of the technology available is a fall detector, an unobtrusive device worn about the person which identifies a genuine fall and immediately alerts the control room so appropriate assistance can be provided.

Peace of mind with

Independence at home is very important, especially as we get older

Care Connect

and response service provided by Durham County Council.

A lifeline unit is plugged into the home telephone point. The customer will receive a personal alarm pendant that’s worn around the neck or on a wrist strap.

If they ever need to raise the alarm, all they need to do is press that button and the service automatically knows who they are, where they live and will make sure the right help is sent to them.

Care Connect

in three locations in County Durham, all which provide a 24-hour response.

Here’s what Care Connect customer Ken has to say about the service:

“My wife and I use Care Connect often, as she has been falling quite a lot lately. I couldn’t be without them because they arrive very quickly. If it wasn’t for Care Connect my wife and I might be in hospital as we have nobody else. They help us tremendously, they are excellent”.

Our Telecare Responders love their job, like Andrea.

“I have real job satisfaction; no two days are the same! It does require flexibility and the ability to adapt to different situations, however it is a

“Every day I meet so many different customers who benefit from Care Connect. It makes such a difference to each of those individual’s needs - I think helping people remain independent at home with support is really important in our community and I have such a sense of belonging in my job because of this.”

How much it costs

From as little as £5.38 per week + VAT, you and your family could have peace of mind and the reassurance Care Connect provides. There is a one-off connection charge of £33.99 this will be advised at installation.

There can be additional charge of £3.17 per week + VAT if a SIM card needs to be installed in the alarm unit.

Additional features can be incorporated into your support package, at a small charge such as reassurance calls, weekly visits, additional or lost pendants and monitored smoke detectors. We also provide Telecare which are aids around the home such as fall detectors, epilepsy sensors, door and exit sensors. Rest assured, Care Connect will have an option to help.

Dates Announced for Seaham Food Festival

Durham County Council has confirmed that Seaham Food Festival will take place on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of August.

Once again, traders from the local areas are encouraged to apply to be involved in one of the North East’s most popular food festivals. Every year, Seaham Food Festival hosts hundreds of independent vendors, selling everything from street food to desserts and beverages.

A bigger year than ever

This year, the event will be sponsored by England’s Coast’s Year of the Coast 2023 which celebrates seaside regions across the UK.

Any vendor who wishes to apply for one of the coveted stalls at this event should include as much information as possible. This includes links to their social media, any awards they might have won, their latest news and images of their setup and menu.

Getting organised early

It might feel like the festival is still ages away, but the Council needs to get as organised as possible, as early as possible. As Cllr Elizabeth Scott put it:

“Seaham Food Festival not only attracts thousands of visitors over the weekend, but we also get interest from lots of businesses which want to showcase their fantastic produce. This time, we want to open our applications early to give traders as much opportunity as possible to get involved.”

Of course, the Food Festival is just one of many cultural events taking place in the county this year, as Durham continues to cement its position as the ‘culture county’. Durham County Council is vehemently pushing their commitment to culture-led regeneration in our area.

Businesses have until Friday 17th of February to submit their application for the festival online at: http://www.seahamfoodfestival.co.uk

Notable Birthday: Laura Ingalls Wilder

When we think of novels that define Classic American Literature, our first thought may naturally be To Kill A Mockingbird or Little Woman, possibly even Moby Dick. All of these novels, although wonderful and impactful in their own right, pale into existence when compared with the likes of the Little House on the Prairie series, written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Wilder was born on the 7th of February 1867, to Charles and Caroline Ingalls. The inspiration for Little House on the Prairie was her own life, as she was raised in a log cabin outside of Pepin, Wisconsin, before moving to Kansas two years later and finding even more inspiration for her novels.

As Wilder grew up, she found herself moving repeatedly from one Midwestern town to another, eventually settling in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. This location provided the setting for the Little House on the Prairie TV show.

Wilder and her siblings relied on each other to educate themselves, as moving frequently left them lacking any kind of classroom teaching. Despite this, Laura managed to become a teacher at the age of 15, to bring another income into the house that would allow her older sister, Mary, to attend a school for the blind.

After marrying her husband, Almanzo, in 1885, Laura was able to quit teaching to concentrate on raising her children and work on the family’s farm. It took another 40 years before she would start work on her Little House novel series, not publishing ‘Little House in the Big Woods’ until 1932. The final book in the series was completed in 1943, when Wilder was 76 years old.

Wilder lived to be 90 years old, dying just three days after her 90th birthday. She spent the final years of her life living on her farm in Rocky Ridge, reading and responding to her fan mail.

Wilder’s daughter, Rose, edited a lot of her manuscripts and published them posthumously, allowing her writing to live on after her death. Of course, Wilder’s lasting legacy is her beloved television series and film, Little House on the Prairie.

In&Around gets to know Stairlift Express

What is included in the aftercare options you offer?

An 18 month warranty and a free service is included in the cost. We will continue to look after your stairlift on a yearly warranty scheme if you wish.

What are your favourite things about being a family run business?

We’re a family run business with strong family values, we love to see the positive effect our family has on other families.

Why should your customers consider a reconditioned stairlift, rather than buying new?

We offer both new and reconditioned stairlifts, depending on the individuals needs.

How would someone know if it’s time to get a stairlift?

If you’re struggling with the stairs, would a stairlift make your life easier? If the answer is yes give us a call, we are here to help you.

How can your potential customers get their homes ready for an installation?

There are no structural changes required to install a stairlift as it fits directly onto the stairs, not the wall. If your’e considering a new stair carpet we suggest that it is fitted prior to the stairlift being installed.

What does the installation process look like?

From initial contact the installation is generally undertaken within a week. It takes approximately 90 minutes, and includes a full step by step safety demonstration ensuring the customer is completely happy with everything.

What is your favourite part of the job?

Our favourite part of the job is when people call us or leave a review to let us know the difference the stairlift has made to themselves, parents or grandparents lives.

Stairlift Express are based in County Durham and o er a Nationwide service. We are a family run business with over 20 years experience in the mobility industry and specialise in both new and reconditioned Acorn and Brooks stairlifts.

We have a range of quality stairlifts for sale at a ordable prices.

All used and reconditioned lifts are stripped down and fully refurbished by our expert team to an exceptionally high standard, making them look as good as new.

A Bold New Concept for your Vision

It’s easy to put aside our own health needs until it really ‘matters’, when that toothache becomes unbearable, or when that doctors appointment can’t wait much longer. Our vision is similarly taken for granted. Not being able to see clearly is often the key driver to go to the opticians. Or, we simply wait until we’re reminded. At Concept Eye Clinic (formerly Wade Opticians) on Saddler Street in the heart of Durham city, the benefits of an advanced eye examination goes beyond the surface of your retina.

Here, your wellbeing and quality of life is prioritised with care, attentiveness and probably the friendliest team in the industry for whom it is quite simply, a privilege to serve you. With over 20 years experience in the world of independent optics, Sam Harrison is at the helm of Concept’s team, to ensure you experience a first class patient journey. Together

Diagnostic and Lens technology sets Concept apart

Investment in diagnostic technology sets this practice apart from high street opticians. You can say goodbye to ‘routine’ and expect more from your eye examination at Concept. With the diagnostic components of an advanced eye exam and contact lens assessment, the optometrist here can detect pathology, predict any disease and look after your eyes, before it’s too late.

The OCT (Ocular Coherence Tomography) provides imaging technology, similar to ultrasound, to help monitor and check for

conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, vitreous detachments and more. The Optos provides ultra wide field imaging of the retina. This is followed by high precision technology of the Rodenstock DNEye® scanner to integrate measurements into your lenses for anatomical precision and perfect vision.

Now for your glasses..

A perfect frame defines your look. The people at Concept are discerning about what they showcase. Good design and craftsmanship matters. Recognising that spectacle (and contact lens) wearers need a second pair, you can enjoy discounts on luxury frames from the latest collection from MOSCOT, Oliver Peoples, Tiffany, Jimmy Choo, Tom Ford, RayBan or CHANEL …as often as you like with a ‘bespoke’ eye care plan. A unique way to enjoy affordable, interest free access to an advanced eye examination, and discounts on purchases for complete peace of mind.

So, why not do something special for yourself at the dawn of this new year. Your eyes deserve it.

from only

Call to book your eye examination and ask about our interest free care plan to enjoy the benefits of advanced diagnostic eye care and beautiful eye wear and lenses as often as you like per month

£7. 99

The advisors at Robson Laidler have been invaluable in helping me develop a vision map for the future of my business.

HAVE YOU LOST CLARITY IN YOUR BUSINESS?

Reignite the love for your business and identify areas for improvement with Robson Laidler’s online health check tools:

In a matter of minutes, you’ll be provided with an indication of your strengths, weaknesses and areas to improve.

Rachel Cornick, Owner, Cloan rental fashion.

NEW COLLEGE DURHAM IS THE ONLY NORTH EAST COLLEGE TO BE RATED ‘STRONG’ BY OFSTED

Staff and students are celebrating as New College Durham has become the only college in the North East to be awarded a ‘Strong’ skills rating from Ofsted. An overall rating of ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ Personal Development completed a glowing report from the education watchdog.

During inspections, Ofsted now assess how well colleges are addressing skills gaps in the regional and national economy. New College Durham was awarded the highest grade possible of ‘Strong’ becoming the only college in the North East, and only the third college across the whole UK, to achieve this.

Visit

Andy Broadbent, Principal and CEO of New College Durham, said: “Over the last two years the College has focused on working with business partners and we are delighted that the report recognises the impact these partnerships are having in meeting the skills needs of the region. The report provides assurance to students, parents and employers that we are preparing learners with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workplace.”

Another area of excellence for the College was Personal Development

which was rated as ‘Outstanding’. Deputy Principal Alison Maynard said: “Being rated as outstanding’ for Personal Development confirms the college promotes equality and diversity, and acknowledges our learners take part in a varied set of experiences and have access to high-quality support. Above all, it highlights that our learners successfully achieve their career goals and aspirations.”

APPRENTICESHIPS

Our dedicated apprenticeship team are on hand to tell you everything you need to know about apprenticeships. Discuss our current vacancies and learn how to apply.

VOCATIONAL COURSES

Chat to course tutors about our wide range of practical, career-based courses.

A-LEVELS

Discover what it’s like to study at our Sixth Form Centre.

T-LEVELS

Get the lowdown on this dynamic new qualification.

DEGREES

Explore the range of full time and part time degree level qualifications on offer at our University Centre.

Tuesday 7 March 2023

Drop in anytime from 4.30pm to 6.30pm

PLUS

>> Get careers advice

>> Explore our outstanding campus

>> Meet the learning support team

>> Chat to our football development centre staff

Spotlight on New College Durham

Who can study at NCD?

We run courses for everyone from school leavers to mature learners. Our amazing learning support teams are available to all students so everyone can make the most of their time at college. If students have additional support needs or have been away from learning for some time our qualified and experienced staff can help them every step of the way.

What courses does NCD offer?

NCD are at the forefront of vocational education and training; we’re early adopters and trailblazers when it comes to the qualifications we offer. School leavers can choose from A-Levels, T-Levels, vocational courses and apprenticeships in a wide range of subjects. Our University Centre offers degrees, HNCs and HND’s, professional qualifications and degree apprenticeships. We also run a selection of short course for adults which are perfect for those looking to upskill at work or explore new hobbies and interests.

Why do students choose New College Durham?

Our recent Ofsted report praised how our students feel listened to and respected by staff and feel safe at college. We were also commended by Ofsted for our Personal Development, which was rated as Outstanding on their recent visit. We want to ensure out students leave us feeling absolutely ready for their next step and able to meet the challenges of life beyond college. Personal development is critical to this.

When it comes to teaching and learning, our staff are experts in their chosen industry and have a significant impact on student outcomes. Their expertise and passion ensures they are the best people to educate and train students ready to move into the workforce.

Students visiting our campus for the first time are blown away by our impressive facilities and cutting-edge resources. Our state-of-the-art workshops and real-life working environments are packed with the industry standard equipment that students will use when they move into employment.

For mature learners, it’s the flexibility and the excellent student support that appeals to them. With the chance to upskill on a part time basis with flexible study options to fit around work or family commitments.

What makes New College Durham stand out from other colleges in our area?

We are the only college in the North East to have been rated ‘Strong’ in skills provision by Ofsted. Skills provision measures how well the college meets the needs of the local economy and ‘strong’ is the highest award that can be given, so we are hugely proud of this!

The college has links with a vast range of local and national businesses. We involve our employer partners in our course design which makes sure our students get the relevant and up to date skills they need to succeed in the workplace.

Sum up the New College experience in three sentences. An outstanding education provider with consistently high achievement and success rates.

Friendly and supportive teaching staff with exceptional experience in their chosen industry.

Bright, modern campus with cutting edge facilities. Why do you choose to advertise in IN&AROUND?

In & Around is the perfect way for us to get our message across to people in the Durham area. As it is a print publication, it helps us reach those who may not see our social media and digital marketing campaigns.

in association with

Puppy Problems

What are we actually looking for when we health check a puppy for the first time?

Obviously we are looking for the all the usual things – swollen glands, fleas or ear mites, abnormal lumps and bumps – but there are some specifically puppy things we check for.

1) Congenital issues – often breed related ie stenotic nostrils and rolled in eyelids, but sometimes ‘spontaneously occurring’ such as deformed legs and polydactyly (extra toes). These conditions can range in severity depending on what they are.

2) Lingually displaced canines – where the bottom teeth grow into the upper jaw. This causes pain, and can prevent the jaw growing properly. We will advise removing these teeth as soon as possible to give the adult teeth time to grow in correctly.

3) Umbilical hernias –rarely do these cause a problem but if they do it can be life threatening. We will advise fixing them when older – often at neutering – but if they ever become painful, hard or an unusual colour they need to be checked by a vet!

4) Heart murmurs – heart murmurs in young puppies may be something or nothing. They may disappear over time or they may lead to heart problems. The vet will guide you in working out the best way forward. And if you’re puppy is a boy:

5) Number of testicles: both should be in the scrotum, but occasionally they can be in the abdomen or the groin. As a puppy this isn’t a worry but if they haven’t descended by about 6months we will recommend castrating them due to the increased risk of these testicles becoming cancerous.

Please call 0191 410 9674 or pop in our clinic for more information.

Full range of veterinary services and treatments available

Full range of veterinary services and treatments available

POP TOP LEISURE VEHICLES

With the recent demand for leisure products in the UK and the need to have multi-purpose camper window vans that can be used as every day vehicles and for leisure trips, the PopTop Leisure Company presents a choice of new and used campervans for sale which are competitively priced to suit most people’s pockets. All our campervans are available to view at out North East showroom based in Birtley, County Durham.

As well as providing a range of converted campervans for sale, it is also possible to choose a van from stock which we can then convert for you based on our flexible range of conversion options.

We also offer a roof fitting service at our workshop in Washington, Tyne and Wear. You can visit our workshop in Washington, to discuss the supply and fitting of elevating PopTops and to see vehicles in mid conversion. You can also discuss a conversion of your own with our very own motor caravan converters.

Birtley Showroom: Portobello Road, Birley, Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham, DH3 2SN | Sales: 0191 410 0043

Washington Showroom: Unit51 Hutton Close, Crowther Ind Estate, Washington, Tyne & Wear, NE38 0AH Sale@nulite.com

As a local family run business, we go the extra mile to take the stress and hassle out of getting a new kitchen. Our team were proud to receive a record number of positive Checktrade reviews in September from delighted customers. So, If you would like to find out why so many customers recommend us to friends and family, then get in touch!

UP TO 50% LESS THAN A NEW FULLY FITTED KITCHEN BY SIMPLY REPLACING THE DOORS & WORKTOPS

Contact us now for a FREE brochure showing what we can do for you and your kitchen gateshead@dreamdoors.co.uk

With hundreds of colours and styles to choose from, as well as being able to produce doors and panels in any shape or size, we can create stunning made to measure kitchens to suit any taste!

At Dream Doors we offer a cost effective, quality, long lasting solution to improving your tired looking kitchen...

Are you fed up with clutter? Do you need more storage space?

Well the answer could literally be under your own roof!

For many home owners, the loft is an underutilised area because it can be difficult and dangerous to reach. Durham based loft ladder installer Access4Lofts (whose slogan is ‘creating space the easy way’) can change all that, often in less than a day!

Access4Lofts provides a free survey and quote service so you can find out what is achievable with your loft area.

The majority of properties have an access hatch to the space in the loft. Access4Lofts create space the easy and affordable way. They can supply

and install a new loft hatch and a safe, sturdy aluminium loft ladder in your home in just one day! That means that your dark and dismal roof space suddenly becomes a useful storage area for all that family clutter. “My experience enables fitting the ladder and converting the access hatch, in double-quick time the space is accessible and I leave no mess behind” explains Adam Dovaston, Access4Lofts Durham.

For extra peace of mind, Access4Lofts is an approved Which? Trusted Trader which means they have been assessed by Which? and passed their stringent checks. For added confidence, they also have full public liability insurance, are DBS checked, and all work carried out comes with a Lifetime Guarantee.

To find out how Access4Lofts can create more space for you and your family or to book a free survey and quote visit www.access4lofts.co.uk/durham or call 0191 9330781. You can also find them on Facebook @Access4LoftsDurham.

Meet

Peter Haney; Consett’s eco-friendly window and door fitter

Peter Haney is a leading manufacturer, supplier and installer of energy efficient windows, doors, composite doors, bifold doors and conservatory warm roofs.

As the only manufacturers in Consett, you can guarantee that when you choose to purchase your energy efficient items from Peter Haney, you know you’re choosing the best in the business.

With over 40 years of experience under our belt, it goes without saying that we know our stuff, and we are amongst the most experienced in our business. There isn’t a question about energy efficient doors and windows that we don’t have the answer to, or the ability to learn about.

As a family run business, we appreciate each and every customer who comes through our door and supports our local business.

By keeping our business in the family, we work amazingly as a team, and strive to achieve the best results possible. We aren’t just connected by the business, we’re connected by blood. We offer free estimates before we complete any manufacturing work or installations, as well as offering a huge variety of styles. Call today and speak to us, so we can show you exactly how our products can help to upgrade the aesthetics of your home.

Haney Energy Efficient Windows Ltd

Will one to one tuition or group work be best for my child?

At Kip McGrath Chester le Street & Gateshead East, we give every child individual support within small groups of 3 or 4, because this has been proven over many years to work best for our students.

Small groups help your child to work effectively in a classroom setting

As well as helping your child progress with their English and maths, we are helping them learn to work effectively in a classroom setting. Our students move much more confidently from small group tutoring into a larger school classroom (20-30 students) than from one-to-one tutor/student setting. Knowing how to work in small groups helps your child continue to improve back in school.

Each child receives 121 tuition and has an individual learning plan

Our lessons are 60 minutes of focused teaching and learning. Within that time your child will receive one to one support. They do a series of 10–15-minute activities designed to encourage and reinforce learning, rotated around teacher based, written text and computer exercises.

Within our small groups, each student will be working on their individual learning plan. Students are encouraged to model each other’s positive behaviours. They build self-esteem by being positive role models for other students in their group.

Small groups make learning more fun

Your child develops individual learning skills. It is much more effective when they are shown how to do something then given the opportunity to practice and achieve it on their own. This is improved within a small group setting with a shared sense of purpose. They learn to work better with group members who are focused, actively engaged in their work and are proud of what they achieve.

It really is better for learning, and much less threatening for your child to work in a small group where they have the space to process new learning without the pressure of constant one to one tutor involvement. They still have company and the security of constant help and encouragement from their peers.

Learning can be a fun and sociable activity. Friendship, meeting other students, can be a powerful motivator in our structured and carefully monitored learning environment.

(Source: Adapted from Small Groups by Nigel Croser)

At Kip McGrath Chester le Street & Gateshead East, we believe learning should be fun as well as purposeful. Our individual support within small group work provides the opportunity for learning with fun so it doesn’t feel like a chore. Learning becomes something to enjoy throughout life, allowing children to be proud of their success.

If you are interested in booking a FREE assessment for your child call 0191 338 9556 or find us at kipmcgrath.co.uk/chester-le-street

Barbara Hepworth studio

Wakefield Cathedral Chantry on bridgemedieval

Wakefield

Thursday, 5th January was not the most auspicious date for a trip out by train: an ASLEF strike day sandwiched between two RMT walk-outs. But LNER was running a skeleton service which allowed me to reach Wake eld via Doncaster, travelling on a Durham to London train with a connection to Wake eld Westgate. Travelling rst class, the outward ticket was £50.60 and coming back was only £25.10. Normally, when trains are available via Leeds, the day return fare with a railcard is about £22. Wake eld has two stations, Westgate and Kirkgate, and both were rather hidden away but now have direct pedestrian links into the city centre with new vistas. In the City Centre, paving tiles cover the main pedestrian area but seemed rather slippery on a wet day even though I was wearing stout shoes. I shudder to think what it is like in ice and snow.

I could have used the Wake eld Free Bus to get from Westgate station to my rst objective, the Hepworth Wake eld. is is a useful service running every ten minutes, and is also to be found in Leeds and Hudders eld. But close by was the mediaeval Chantry, set on a stone bridge, built about 1342. Here prayers would be said for the deceased, usually the person(s) who paid for the Chantry. It is now in the care of Wake eld Cathedral. Over a busy road to the Hepworth, I found Barbara

Hepworth’s studio in replica, and many of her sculptural works, together with three temporary exhibitions comprising a photographic exhibition, some fantasy paintings and an area devoted to British Surrealism. All the galleries in this series of big grey cubes are on the rst oor, and the inside is much more appealing than the exterior. ere’s also a pleasant café downstairs.

Wake eld has several ne nineteenth-century civic buildings, but the newest, One Wake eld, contains the interesting town museum which is worth half an hour’s exploration. It is not large, but crammed with relevant artifacts, and worth seeking out between the Civic Quarter and Westgate station. It also tells the story of Charles Waterton (1782-1865) who was a Catholic naturalist, environmentalist and slave owner. One of his freed slaves practiced taxidermy in Edinburgh and taught the skill to the young Charles Darwin.

I had hoped to visit the Mental Health Museum at Fieldhead Hospital, a leading museum on this vital subject. Open Tuesdays to ursdays 1300-1600, you have to book your visit on 01924 316360. When I phoned, I was told that they were closed for the Christmas break until 13th January, which was a disappointment but at least avoided a wasted trip. To go there, bus 111 (as in NHS 111!) goes to the adjacent

49 past the hour. Somewhere to remember for another trip.

Instead, I went to the impressive Cathedral and said evening prayer with three members of the clergy.

I nished my excursion to Wake eld at Estabulo, a Brazilian steakhouse a couple of minutes from the station. Estabulo is a new chain o ering a xed price combination of salad bar and meats brought round on a skewer. As such it is an upmarket all-you-can-eat restaurant, with friendly sta and a range of 15 cuts of meat in the evening, just eight at lunchtime. Whilst I can happily recommend the Wake eld location, there is another one on the River Walk at Durham, a bit closer to home. Five minutes a er leaving the Wakey Estabulo, I was on the train towards home.

Aladdin Breaks Records at Empire Consett

Christmas was an especially successful time for the Empire in Cosett last year, as they successfully broke the venue’s record for the most people going to see a performance!

A huge turn out!

14,000 people turned out to see Consett Empire’s pantomime, Aladdin, which ran 33 performances over December. The show was written and directed by Leah Bell, who also took a starring role and also starred comedy legend Tommy Cannon, who portrayed The Emperor Tommassisso Cannonisso.

This was Tommy’s first panto appearance since his comedy partner Booby Ball sadly died, and his 36th pantomime overall.

Leah and Tommy were joined onstage by an all-singing, all-dancing cast who delivered an outstanding show complete with magic, dazzling costumes and hit songs, providing a modern twist to this traditional fairytale.

Representing the community

Most importantly, Consett Empire provided inclusive performances for members of their

community. This included performances with BSL interpreters, as well as relaxed performances being scheduled for anyone who struggles with the sensory aspect of going to the theatre.

Durham County Council were overjoyed with the success of the pantomime, with Cllr Elizabeth Scott going on to say:

“We are committed to delivering a range of exciting cultural opportunities as part of our ambitions for Durham as the culture county, and our pantomimes are a key part of our Christmas programme. Our staff and cast did a superb job in making this year’s pantomime truly spectacular, and we are already looking forward to next year’s production.”

Leah Bell will return in 2023 to write, direct and star in the Empire’s next pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. It will once again run throughout December, with tickets already being sold through the theatre box office!

Established

Nutella swirl loaf cake (with hazelnuts)

Sweet, melty, buttery vanilla cake with swirls of Nutella running through it. Press some hazelnuts into the top and you’ve got yourself a stellar cake to have with your cup of tea!

Directions

1/ Preheat the oven to 160C / 325F. Line a loaf pan (roughly 9 x 5 inches) with baking paper and set aside.

2/ Leave the butter out of the fridge for a while to soften, then add it to a large bowl with the sugar and cream it together with a hand-held whisk until light and fluffy (two or three minutes).

3/ Add in the eggs one by one and whisk until well combined, then whisk in the vanilla.

4/ Tip in the flour and baking powder and stir in with a wooden spoon until well mixed (don’t be tempted to over-mix).

5/ Pour roughly 1/3 of the cake batter into the bottom of the loaf pan. Then warm the 15 mins to prep

Nutella in a microwave* (15 seconds or so should do it) and pour half of it over the batter in the pan.

6/ Pour another 1/3 of the batter over the Nutella layer, followed by the rest of the Nutella. Finally, top with the last layer of cake batter.

7/ Sprinkle with hazelnuts, pressing lightly into the top, then bake the cake for about fifty minutes or until the cake is well risen and has begun to pull away from the sides of the pan.

8/ Let cool for ten minutes in the pan, then remove and let cool on a wire rack before slicing.

50 mins to cook

Ingredients

227gms of Butter

220gms of Sugar

4 Eggs

2 Tsp Vanilla Essence

400gms of Plain Flour

1tsp Baking Powder

250gms of Nutella

113gms of Whole Hazelnuts

1o severings (10 slices)

New team on the block!

After forming in early 2022, The Steel River Stingrays have spent the last year preparing for their inaugural season in the British American Flag Football league. In preparation for this national competition, the Stingrays have welcomed both seasoned veterans and complete rookies to put on a set of flags and give the sport a try for themselves, and the results have been astounding.

“We’ve been really successful in our recruitment” says Rob Fodor, Head Coach of the Steel River Stingrays. “I think a lot of that comes down to the growing popularity of the NFL in the UK. So many people watch American Football now that obviously more and more people decide they want to give it a try. We’re here for them when they make that decision”.

To the uninitiated, American Football can be a confusing concept, but the aim of the game in both the full-contact and flag variants of the sport is a simple one. Two teams take to the field and compete to score more touchdowns than their opponents by getting the football into an end-zone.

The biggest difference in flag football is that tackling is completed by “flagging” an opponent (or snatching a flag from around their waist).

“This makes our version of the game really attractive to newcomers” Offensive Coordinator Drew Magnet says. “Being non-contact eliminates the need for expensive pads and helmets that are necessary for a full contact game and can cost people thousands of pounds to buy. Flag football makes the sport accessible to just about anyone and also eliminates a lot of the injury risk associated with the full contact version of the game”.

Flag Football teams are smaller than full contact teams, taking on a 5-a-side format rather than 11-a-side and, in the absence of physical tackling, training and tournaments can take place indoors, which is very welcome given the UK’s temperamental climate.

It was this ability to train indoors that saw The Stingrays find a home in Middlesbrough Football Club’s Herlingshaw centre. Each Sunday between 10am and 12pm, the team train on a state-of-the-art, multimillion-pound 4G pitch, shielded from the weather conditions that would see most team’s training sessions cancelled throughout the winter. Throughout the year, the team have attractive sponsorship from a slew of local businesses which means players enjoy team membership with only minimal financial input from themselves. Ultimately, there has never been an easier time to start playing American football in the North East.

“Give it a try”, Rob told us in response to what he would say to someone unsure about stepping onto the field. “We have players of all abilities, genders and ages who train with us, so you really have no excuse not to! We’re a really inclusive team and we’re eager to grow the game in the UK. If you ever wanted to play American Football, now is the time”.

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Our events and training are on our social media platforms.

JOIN THE STEEL RIVER STINGRAYS AT OUR SPONSORS GROSVENOR CASINO AS WE HOST OUR VERY OWN SUPER BOWL WATCH PARTY 9:00PM - 04:30AM (18+ ONLY), NFL JERSEYS NOT ONLY ALLOWED BUT ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED!

OUR SPONSORS

Georgia Paskell

Copywriter

3.5 glass rating

Hello, Dolly!

8th February - 7:30pm - Gala Theatre, Durham

Join the DULOG theatre company at their production of Hello, Dolly! This golden age classic is packed with comedy and songs you’re sure to know, that will make you leave the theatre ready to conquer the town. The cast promises to be full of Durham University’s most promising performers, all of whom are aspiring for a career in the Arts after completing their degree. To book your tickets, head over to the Gala Theatre’s website: galadurham.co.uk/galapost/hello-dolly

Galentine’s Bottomless Brunch

11th February - 12pm - Hallgarth the Manor House, High Pittington

If you’re making Valentine’s Day all about the girls, you definitely need to book a table for bottomless brunch at The Manor House. Enjoy bottomless drinks and pizza for three hours, as well as live entertainment and a lot of love from the people who mean the most to you. Pre-booking is essential for this event, so make sure you secure your table today: hallgarthdurham.co.uk/events

Valentine’s Afternoon Tea

11th February - From 11:45am - The South Causey Inn, Stanley

There’s lots going on at the South Causey Inn, including a mouthwatering afternoon tea, suitable for the whole family. Indulge in three tiers of sweet treats and goodies, starting at the bottom with a selection of sandwiches, then moving up to a range of freshly baked scones with cream and jam, before finishing off with a whole host of sweet treats. Of course, the tea and coffee is free flowing, and there’s even a Valentine’s cocktail on the menu if you fancy. To book your space call 0120 723 5555 or email eat@southcausey.co.uk

The Story of Guitar Heroes

15th February - 7:30pm - Empire Consett, Consett

If you’re a fan of popular music, this homage to the most influential and iconic guitarists from the past 50 years is not one you can miss. The Story of Guitar Heroes features some of the world's best musicians, as well as state-of-the-art video projection to tell the story of some of the most influential guitar players of our time. Enjoy music from some of the world’s best, including Eric Clapton, Brian May and Jimmy Page, when you book

tickets to this one of a kind show: empireconsett.co.uk/galapost/the-story-of-guitar-heroes

The Best of Hans Zimmer and John Williams by Candlelight

16th February - 6:30pm - Durham Cathedral, Durham

Enjoy the most magical music cinema has to offer, performed by the London Film Music Orchestra, in one of the most enchanting venues County Durham has to offer. The programme for the evening is set to include music from E.T., Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Man of Steel and more! It’s certainly not one to be missed, so make sure you book a ticket for either the early or the late performance, via Eventbrite: eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-tribute-to-hans-zimmer-john-willi ams-by-candlelight

Fire and Ice Festival

24th February - 10am - Durham City Centre

If you’re looking for a free event for the family, you should definitely check out the fire and ice festival that’s coming to Durham City Centre this half term. For two days, you can enjoy a trail of themed Ice Sculptures, as well as live fire demonstrations scattered around the city, all concluded by an exciting finale at 6pm each day. As well as being completely free, this event also requires no booking, so make sure you keep up to date with the action packed schedule via Facebook, just search for Fire & Ice Durham 2023

Ladies Day ft. Ronan Keating

Saturday 29th July - 11am - Newcastle Racecourse, Newcastle

Irish singer and performer Ronan Keating is performing on Ladies Day at Newcastle Racecourse this summer. The former Boyzone member is known for hit singles with the band and as a solo artist, including “Love Me for a Reason”, “When You Say Nothing At All” and “Life Is A Roller Coaster.” His performance will take place after a glamorous day at the races so it’s the perfect excuse to dress up! General sale tickets are available now. Get yours before they sell out: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F005E2B998615AD

Care to make a difference in County Durham

With a variety of roles available and flexible hours to fit around your other commitments, this could be the perfect time to start your career in adult social care with County Durham Care Academy.

It’s never too late to start your career in care – like Pauline who had worked in factories all her life, was looking for a career change and joined our Routeway into Adult Social Care course.

“I learnt a lot at the Care Academy. All the hard work we did led me to start a new career with Embracing Care.

“I love working there because at the end of each shift I feel as though I have helped the clients and get a lot of satisfaction from that. After working in a factory for so many years I’ve finally found a career which I love.”

Pauline, care worker

Your routeway into a career in social care

Our part time Routeway programmes offer training and support to those new to social care to help gain the skills needed to start your career in either adult or children’s social care, with a guaranteed interview with an employer on completion of the course.

Routeway into Adult Social Care - starts Monday 27th February at Salvus House, Aykley Heads, Durham - Find out more at durham.gov.uk/RoutewayASC

Routeway into Children’s Social Care - starts Tuesday 28th February at Horden Children's Centre, Ocean View, Horden – Find out more at durham.gov.uk/RoutewayCSC