In&A January 2023

Looking to freshen up your home?

Weather it be something small, like changing the taps /cupboard door handles or a whole new kitchen or bathroom James Cornwell Interiors Ltd have you covered.

Quality craftmanship at an affordable price...

We o er refurbishments to fit your buget and requirements. We are working with ideal4finance.com

o ering a 0% finance* option making that dream home more obtainable. Why not speak to a member of our team about how you could possibly save up 20% o your new bathroom.

Satisfaction guaranteed...

At James Cornwell Interiors Ltd we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and carry extensive warranties on all of our work.

Come visit our showroom, we’re happy to guide you though or answer any questions that you may have.

“We couldn’t be happier with the kitchen and the work carried out by your team, the quality and attention to detail is second to none. From the start every time we asked for something we got it with no questions asked, nothing was a problem, every job was planned and organised down to the finest detail.

We asked for a wow kitchen and that’s what we have”

Welcome to January’s edition IN&AROUND!the first of 2023.

We hope you had a truly fantastic Christmas, and you’re ready to welcome the new year. If you’re keeping the January tradition of Burns Night, read all about the history of the celebration on page 14. If you plan to spend the dark nights binge watching something new on Netflix, we suggest Tim Burton’s Wednesday, which we have reviewed on page 60.

Of course, we’re full of local news and developments. Read all about how a recent proposal for luxury holiday homes in Durham got rejected on page 10. You can check out all of the best events in the area during January on page 62.

Of course, we wish you a very prosperous start to 2023. May it be fruitful for you and those you love.

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

Why Advertise?

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.

For further information: 03000 262 195 care.connect@durham.gov.uk www.durham.gov.uk/careconnect

24/7 support at the press of a button

24/7 support at the press of a button

Our community alarm service helps give you peace of mind.

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.

For further information: 03000 262 195 care.connect@durham.gov.uk www.durham.gov.uk/careconnect

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

little as £5.38

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.

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

Sport students selected to represent England

Park View Academy of sport students have been selected to represent England in the ISF World School Football Championship. The competition held in Morocco on 22nd-31st July 2023 will see a delegation of of under 18 girls and under 18 boys represent England in this school’s World cup event Chester Le Street School

Park View Academy of Sport qualified to represent England following our women’s team winning the English Schools FA Under 18 National final played at Stoke City’s Bet 365 Stadium last season and the men’s team winning also a national title at Doncaster Rovers stadium.

This will be the first time any school or college in England has had both its mens and womens team in their entirety selected to represent England, such is the strength of the football programme at Park View Academy of Sport.

A squad of 18 Girls will travel to Rabat in Morocco on 22nd July to 31st July where they will seek to become world champions. This will be led by the coaches from Park View Academy of Sport.

The tournament is hosted in the world renowned International University of Rabat and the 53,000 capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat Morocco. ISF World Schools Championships (WSC) are events characterized by a balanced program between sport and educational content: the balance between sport and education is to create awareness about the role of sport in putting forward topics such

as fair play, and healthy lifestyle, respect, inclusion. The ISF World School Football Championships were founded in 1972.

Lewis Pendleton Director of Sport at Park View said “ this is an amazing opportunity for our students and something that will last in their memories for a lifetime, we must thank the English Schools FA for providing the opportunity for our students. All of this has been made possible by our amazing women’s academy which we believe to be one of the largest and most successful women’s football programmes in the UK for post 16. Huge credit must go to Tony Wigham and his coaching team for winning the ESFA final last year which has made all of this possible. We look forward to the girls and the boys teams representing England in this world championship”

John Gamble, Head of Sports Academies at Park View Academy of Sport said “ We are extremely proud to accept this invitation and represent England in such a prestigious Tournament. With the backdrop of England’s success so far in Qatar in the World Cup, our students are very excited to attempt to emulate their heros in both the mens and womens categories. What would make this even more special would be for Morocco to continue to progress in the World Cup.

Opened only a year ago, Soami’s Trio Restaurant has received a prestigious award as a newcomer short listed in The British Curry Award 2022.

Located in the heart of the town at 23 Newmarket Street, our restaurant has welcomed many diverse diners through our doors .

Operated by a husband (chef) and wife (manager) team, our restaurant has already been nominated and recommended by many. Our accolades include:

• Open Table Diners Choice Award 2021 & 2022

• Good Food Award 2022

• Staff Canteen Chef of the Year 2022

• Recommend on Restaurant Guru 2022

Having a work experience of more than 22 years at different venues, Chef Parvin Kumar proudly presents his repertoire of flavours on his menu to take the diners through the journey of flavours

and spices offering; not just Indian but also Thai and Mexican cuisine to keep your taste buds tingling.

We and our Chef Consultant, Chef Dinesh Rawat, firmly believe in the freshness of the produce hence all our meats and veggie’s are procured locally, which reflects through our menus and helps us produce this melting pot of incredible cuisines.

Our drinks menu, curated by our talented manager, Mrs Rohini, features some of the best combinations one can ask for. We and our young team at Soami’s welcome you all for a great dining experience.

For more info visit: www.soamistrio.co.uk or visit facebook page to find out more

Chef Dinesh Rawat

The History of Burns Night

Robert Burns was born on the 25th of January 1759, and is best known for penning extremely famous poems, including Auld Lang Syne. Today, he is honoured with the title of Soctland’s national poet or the National Bard of Ayrshire, as well as being the subject of Burns Night, which is a celebration of his birth!

History suggests that the origins of Burns Night can be traced back to five years after the death of Robert Burns. Nine of his closest friends decided to get together to commemorate the occasion.

The friends gathered and enjoyed a meal of haggis, performances of Burns’ work and a speech in honour of the great ‘Bard’. As the event was such a success, the friends agreed to host it again the following year on Burns’ birthday.

Traditions that have formed as a result of centuries of celebrating Robert Burns. The main centrepiece of any Burns night is the Burns Supper, which must include haggis. Haggis is always served with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes), which are usually mashed. Of course, all of this is accompanied with Scotch Whisky.

A lot of the traditions that are followed on Burns Night are inspired by poetry Burns wrote. The Selkirk Grace and the Address to the Haggis is recited by the host of the festivities, before a main speaker is introduced who will give a speech about Burns’ and his legacy within Scotland.

Next comes the now (hopefully) ironic, Toast to the Lassies. This tradition was integrated around 80 years ago, to thank the women for cooking the meal, but this is no longer the sole purpose of the toast. Most women now reply in kind with a Reply to the Laddies.

Finally, everyone present will stand together to remember Burns’ most famous work by singing Auld Lang Syne. This is typically used as a song of parting or reminiscence, as the entire work is a piece that focuses on reflecting on friendship over the years.

Of course, everyone in Scotland still dons their Kilt and their tartan, ready to celebrate Robert Burns, the first maker of Scotland.

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

Well

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.

0191 9330781.

the answer could literally be under your own roof!

A New Vision in Eye Care Designed for your lifestyle

We only prescribe what your eyes need

At Concept we believe in choice. By enabling you to have the right tools to meet your visual requirements with comfort and style. Different glasses for different needs is no longer a whimsical thought. It’s about recognising the wellbeing and functionality of our lifestyles. Our eyes have never worked harder with smart phones, digital screens and the multifarious demands of our daily routines.

Concept Eye Clinic , formerly Wade Opticians, was launched this month as destination for beautiful glasses and first class eye care. An exciting departure from your average high street opticians, Concept offers an integrative approach to seeing well and looking good, because the team here have a passion for providing the best eye care possible. Based in the heart of Durham, this boutique practice deconstructs what excellence looks like and traverses the boundaries of optical technology and eye wear.

At a time when safeguarding our wellbeing and determining what we invest in has never been more vital, Concept is predicated on celebrating health and humanity. A community practice for local people, underpinned by advanced diagnostics, and the very best lenses for optimum results. Say goodbye to ‘routine’ and expect more from your eye examination here.

With the diagnostic components of an advanced eye exam and contact lens assessment, we can detect, predict and look after your eyes.

We don’t believe in a standard eye examination

Our patients deserve more. Once upon a time, most eye pathology was only treated through hospital referral. At Concept , we believe in preventative care that can be easily accessed by those who need it locally. Specialist clinic’s at our Durham practice include Dry Eye Management, Colorimetry, Visual Stress, Diabetic masks, OrthoK and specialist Contact Lenses designed to correct and enhance every visual need. We are proud to introduce for our patients Optomap and Revo OCT, new pre-screening instruments for enhanced imagery to gauge before it’s too late.

The Concept Eye Care Programmes now offers more choice and is underpinned by affordability in an uncertain world. Each plan is bespoke to your needs. An intelligent interest free journey to help you purchase your coveted Chanel, or choose from our latest collection of Oliver Peoples, Barton Perreira, Tiffany, Jimmy Choo, Ray Ban, Oakley…More importantly it gives you unparalleled access to an advanced diagnostic eye examination for complete peace of mind. Put the health

Recyke Y’ Bike on the BBC One Show:

40 bikes refurbished and donated for Christmas Newcastle-based charity Recyke Y’Bike took part on the BBC One Show Gift A Bike for Christmas event at St. Silas church in Byker on Monday December 12. 135 children’s bikes and scooters were donated from across the whole city to launch a UK-wide initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of restoring and redistributing children’s bikes. Mechanics and volunteers from Recyke Y’Bike and WATBike worked all day to restore the bikes, which were then redistributed through the West End Food Bank to people in need, in time for Christmas. A total of 40 bikes were refurbished and redistributed on the day. Recyke Y’ Bike and WATBike will do up the remaining bikes and allocate them through their own referral lists, hopefully reaching a wide number of children before Christmas just when the cost-of-living and energy bills crises have made it ever more difficult for families to make ends meet.

Ben Hoare, head of trustees at Recyke Y’ Bike, said: “We are passionate about sustainability and freedom of movement for all. When we received this invitation by the BBC, we were overwhelmed with joy. Every year we restore and give away about 250 bikes to people referred to us by organisations, but this year the demand for bikes has increased significantly. We hope these bikes will bring a smile to many children’s faces and will reduce anxiety and economic pressure for their parents”.

Anyone still wishing to donate both adult or children’s bikes can do so at Recyke Y’Bike’s shops in Byker and Chester-le-Street. Both shops are open for donations and bike sales Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm and Saturdays 10am to 4pm.

Phil Thomas, shop manager of Recyke Y’ Bike’s branch in Chester-le-Street, says: “Since we’ve opened the shop, we have been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of local people and have already received a great number of donations and serviced many bikes helping to get people back out cycling. We hope to set up The Big East End Bike Fix Fund our own referral scheme in Chester-Le-Street in 2023, providing bikes for those who need them in County Durham”.

Alongside the referral scheme, Recyke Y’ Bike offers free bike maintenance and repair workshops in schools and community settings, holds monthly women-only bike repair workshops, runs young volunteers’ clubs for children, and delivers street bike repair workshops in Byker and Walker alongside Kids Kabin, a charity with long-standing experience of working with children. Recyke y’Bike are always looking for volunteers to help in the shop, repair bikes or help out on their outreach projects in the community.

Kids Kabin and Recyke Y’ Bike are currently crowdfunding to be able to deliver even more workshops in the spring and summer of 2023 and are only 10% away from their goal. Information about the Big East End Bike Fix Fund crowdfunding campaign can be found on https://www.spacehive.com/street-bikerepairs. A photographic exhibition about Recyke’s work with young people will take place at The Tyne Bank Brewery from January 13, 2023, to February 28, 2023, with an opening event on January 13, 6-9pm to which everyone is invited.

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN WITH AN APPRENTICESHIP

Apprenticeships offer a great route into employment. They combine studying for a recognised qualification with gaining practical experience on the job. Whether you’re leaving school, already studying or in work, apprenticeships are a great opportunity for all.

New College Durham is a leading apprenticeships provider in the North East. Their success rates are consistently above the national average. Plus, your apprenticeship could turn into a full-time job. In 2020/21, 92% of New College

celebrate National Apprenticeships Week and will host their Information and Advice event as an apprenticeship special. If you are interested in an apprenticeship, this is the perfect event to explore your options and find out what is on offer. At the event you can meet with the college’s dedicated apprenticeships team, meet employers and chat to curriculum areas to find your perfect fit.

training and experience. I have been able to learn techniques from colleagues that have a range of experiences to help me progress my knowledge and skills in the trade.”

Find out more about apprenticeships at New

luxury cars & minibuses

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.

Gong Hei Fat Choy!

Sometimes when we reflect on January, we find ourselves thinking “well, not very much happens”. When we stop to really consider it, however, more goes on that we anticipate, including Lunar New Year, or as we know it, Chinese New Year. 2023 is the year of the rabbit, so let’s explore the history of the festivities and exactly what the year of the rabbit could mean for us.

Chinese New Year is a 15-day festival in China that begins with the new moon that occurs between January 21st and February 20th, lasting until the following full moon. The origins of the festival come from legends. One such legend is that a monster would attack villagers at the beginning of each new year, but it was afraid of loud noises, bright lights and the colour red, so these things were used to chase the beast away.

Primarily, this celebration is used to usher out the old year and bring luck and prosperity to people in the new year. Young people are often given money in red envelopes, and friends and family meet to feast and spend time with one another. Other traditions include the cleaning of the home to get rid of any lingering bad luck.

The final event held during Chinese New Year is the Lantern Festival. People hand glowing lanterns in temples or carry them during a

night time parade. During the parade, there will also be a dragon dance, as the dragon is a Chinese symbol of good fortune. A long, colourful dragon will dance through the streets, carried by numerous dancers.

Each year in the lunar calendar is represented by one of the 12 zodiac animals. Additionally, the elements of earth, water, fire, wood and metal are also mapped out onto the lunar calendar. Each element is associated with one of the zodiac animals.

This year is the year of the rabbit. The rabbit symbolises mercy, elegance and beauty, and is considered the luckiest out of all of the twelve zodiac animals. The rabbit is associated with the element wood. This element is associated with being grounded, but having huge vision, especially focusing on expansion and opportunity.

Even today, the Spring Festival, as it is now known, is one of the most widely celebrated periods in China. Most people get given 7 days off work to celebrate by shopping online, going to fireworks shows and some even jet off on holiday.

We hope that you have a festive and colourful Chinese New Year!

Photographer: Tony Yip

At

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!

BEFORE AFTER

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!

In&Around gets to

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.

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 www.poptopcampervans.co.uk

for Dumfries House Auchinleck

rst Saturday of December found me heading into southern Scotland for a visit to Dumfries House, 47 miles north west of Dumfries. Following a major freight train derailment in October, the line was closed between Haltwhistle and Carlisle and a pretty sparse bus replacement service between these two was in place. at has all nished now, making a journey from the north east possible with a single change at Carlisle.

My train was on time but I was booked on a 1330 tour so arranged with a local taxi rm to pick me up at the station at Auchinleck, a couple of miles from the House. I would have preferred to walk but was unsure of the route through the northern side of the estate so paid £9 for a taxi accessing the estate from the south, and going the long way round.

Entrance to the estate is free 365 days a year, and there is only a charge if you wish to enter the House itself, for which a fee of £10 is payable unless you have HHA, Historic Scotland or e Art Pass membership. en it’s a reduced fee, or free for the basic one hour tour. I rebooked on to the 1400

tour to see the interiors, with interesting art, furniture and excellent storytelling from our guide. Dumfries House is a Palladian country house originally designed by the Adam brothers and completed on time and on budget in 1759.

e property was in private hands, owned by the Marquesses of Bute, until 2007 when it was saved for the nation from being sold and the contents split up by a consortium headed by King Charles III (then the Prince of Wales), or, in Scotland, the Duke of Rothesay. A total of £45m was raised to buy the property, partly funded by a loan from the Prince’s Trust of £20m. e Scottish Government also contributed £5m and many private supporters. It was accused of being a vanity project of the Prince at the time, but now employs over 150 people in a former coal mining area of high unemployment, as is a major visitor attraction of this part of Scotland. ere is a collection of Chippendale furniture which is the nest in the UK, and a unique Chippendale bookcase was valued at up to £4m itself, which makes the total cost of the property, including the contents, something of a bargain.

ere is much to delight the eye in other parts of the estate, including the Walled Garden dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II. ere is a choice of dining options, and woodland walks link the attractions within the Estate. On my walk back to the village of Auchinleck though the northern part of the estate (having been advised it was totally open for pedestrians, just not for tra c) I saw some of the other buildings erected on the estate, although a bit more signage to nd the railway station from Barony Road would have been welcome. It’s a great day out, but if you want to stay over, the Lodge has 22 inviting bedrooms to take full advantage of the Estate’s many o erings.

alexnelson@dunelm.org.uk

Established in 2020, Bespoke Bathroom Designs has quickly become the finest bathroom design and installation company in the North East of England. With our attention to detail and our constant focus on customer satisfaction paired with a stunning new showroom which boasts many new and revolutionary technologies such as our state-of-the-art 4D Virtual Worlds head set, we believe we offer an

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.

07808795677,

Peter Haney Energy Efficient Windows Ltd is proud to offer quotes via email, in person or over the phone, when you get in touch with us to book an appointment. You can reach us on

or by email at peterhaney@sky.com.

Haggis, neeps & tatties

You can’t celebrate Burns Night without this classic Scottish recipe. We’ve served our haggis alongside its traditional side dishes ‘neeps and tatties’ aka mashed potatoes and turnips. A rich whisky sauce is an ideal accompaniment to this flavourful dish too. 15 mins to prep

Ingredients

750g -800g good quality haggis

800g potatoes 800g swede Milk and butter for mashing

For the whisky cream sauce (optional)

4 shallots, finely chopped 300ml double cream 100ml good whisky Knob of butter

Directions

Step one...

Cook the haggis as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Most will recommend that you remove the outer packaging, wrap the haggis in foil and place in a dish of water in the oven however it is also suitable to be microwaved.

Step two...

Peel and dice the potatoes and swede and cook separately until both are soft. Mash the potatoes with milk, butter and seasoning. Do the same with the swede but without the milk.

Step three...

For the whisky sauce, should you wish to include it, first

serves 4 people

start by softening the shallots in the butter in a large saucepan.

Step four...

Add the whisky and turn up the heat to burn off the alcohol, this won’t take long and will avoid any bitterness. Reduce the heat and stir in the cream. Allow to simmer for a couple of minutes.

Step five...

Serve the haggis on a plate alongside the side dishes and have the whisky sauce on the side, to give people the option of pouring over their plate.

Council Rejects Proposal for Luxury Holiday Lodges

After fierce opposition from residents and council officials, a proposal for a new holiday complex (including luxury lodges) has been rejected.

What were the plans?

Plans were submitted for 24 two, three and four-bedroomed luxury holiday lodges. The plans also included a reception building and new landscaping on a site north west of Beamish Hall.

Many believe it would contribute “significantly” to the millions annually pumped into the local economy and support 25 jobs during construction. 10 jobs would also be available onsite once the site is operational, as well as sustaining a host of local businesses within the Beamish, Stanley and Durham region.

It was planned that the lodges would be designed as part of a landscape and heritageled development, in keeping with the character of the area, and could be constructed using local materials to match the colour and design of existing properties in the surrounding area.

Moreover, plans included a proposed waiting staff area, staff bathroom and offices with

parking spaces for visitors. The entire site was set to be improved with a new road, with better connections to nearby sites for pedestrians and cyclists.

The public respond

Over 100 people responded to the proposals, and many alterations were made to the initial plans. Despite this, the proposals were still rejected by council planning officials.

Lots of members of the public supported the proposal, however some were concerned about the scale of the facility on land supposed to be protected from development. Planning officers from the council said the application would cause substantial harm to the nearby conservation area and failed to “demonstrate that the proposed development is necessary to meet identified visitor needs”.

It was also highlighted that the proposal failed to highlight a clear opportunity to make the location more sustainable, or provide appropriate routes for walking, cycling and bus access.

The development was, therefore, rejected.

(Image: Hedley Planning Services)

FILM REVIEW

Wednesday is the latest reinvention of the Addams Family, following the eldest daughter in a dark coming-of-age comedy as she heads off to Nevermore Academy, after being expelled from ‘normie’ high school.

Jenna Ortega plays our spooky and mysterious titular character as she navigates teenage life in a school full of beyond-human cliques. Even with the appearance of Christina Ricci, who is the Wednesday we are all probably the most familiar with, Ortega continues to hold her own.

She embodies the aloof melancholy of the character with such understated effervescence that you cannot help but be captivated by her every line – or, in this case, her every move, too.

That infamous dance scene is something that will go down in history, combining a potion of Lady Gaga, Latin dance themes, and those cheesy moves we all pull out in the club after having one too many, all performed with comically wide eyes and a perfect poker face.

So too is her delivery of every comic moment in the show, her mask of impassivity elevating each joke from being a simple witty one-liner to something entirely more sardonic. In particular, the pairing of Ortega’s Wednesday and her roommate Enid, played by Emma Myers, makes for some hilarious moments.

On one hand, you have the colourful Enid, who is the embodiment of joy, rainbows, sunshine, and happiness. Contrast that with the

doom, gloom, death, and decay that is Wednesday Addams, and even the framing of the visuals are amusing.

As Enid starts to bring Wednesday out of her shell, we see some emotion itching to escape from her apathetic body, especially when it comes to her family – Mortitia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Gomez (Luis Guzmán), Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez), Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen), and, most prominently, her pet disembodied hand, Thing (the hand of Victor Dorobantu).

If you were a fan of the original New Yorker Cartoons by Charles Addams, you’ll be delighted to see how true-to-life the characters have been cast, which just goes to show the progress we have made since the first adaptation in 1964.

However, despite such fantastically authentic casting – and both Zeta-Jones and Guzmán true to the original characters in their own right – there is perhaps a little something missing.

One element that was so successful in the film franchise was the obvious raw attraction that Morticia and Gomez still had towards one another, which is not quite as convincing in the TV series.

That said, this series celebrates Wednesday in her own right – and so too should this series be celebrated as a sublime example of dark comedy.

Georgia Paskell

Copywriter

What’s on

Ladies Night at South Causey Inn

6th January - 7pm - South Causey Inn, Stanley

The excitement of Christmas is over and the post-Christmas blues may have set in. Why not give yourself a boost and get over to ladies night at the South Causey Inn. get ready for a night of lip-syncing comedy gold from the North East’s super Drag Queen and her team. Get ready for dazzling costumes and side-splitting comedy by calling 01207 235555

Cinderella at Empire Consett

16th January - 7:15pm - Empire Consett, Consett

Come to Consett and enjoy the classic fairytale, Cinderella, as you’ve never seen it before. This promises to be a fun, frolicking fairytale, full of comedy, dancing and music. Best of all, it’s all brought to you by CBS Theatre Group. Take the plunge and support a local theatre group this January. Book your tickets here: empireconsett.co.uk/galapost/cinderella/

Queen by Candlelight

Sinderella - Adult Pantomime

21st January - 7:15pm - Park View Community Association, Chester-le-Street

Leave the kids at home and come on down to Chester-le-Street for an evening of crude humour,lip-syncs and laughs, starring Drag Race UK’s very own Choriza May. as with any pantomime, it will be jam packed with cheesy tunes that will have you tapping your feet and wanting to sing along, so make sure you book your tickets today: ticketsource.co.uk

The Crucible

26th January - 7pm - Gala Theatre & Cinema, Durham

19th January - 7:30pm -

Durham Cathedral, Durham

A fantastic cast of west end singers are making their wait to Durham this month, to bring us all of Queen’s greatest hits by candlelight! This concert, as you would expect, will be packed with all of the best and most iconic Queen songs of all time, including: We Are The Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody, Who Wants to Live Forever and many more. Be sure to book your tickets ASAP: durham cathedral.co.uk/events/queen-by-candlelight

Arthur Miller’s incredible play, based on the Salem Witch Trials, is coming to Durham for one night only. Be taken aback by this story of love, loss and courage, brought to life by Erin Doherty and Brendan Cowell. This fantastic performance is certainly not one to miss, so make sure you grab a seat today: galadurham.co.uk/galapost/the-crucible

Haydn’s “The Creation”

28th January - 7:30pm - Durham Cathedral, Durham

Durham Choral Society and Orchestra are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, as they perform The Creation by Haydn. The society performed this piece at their inauguration at Durham Town Hall in 1962, and will now sing it again in English to mark 60 years of amazing choral music. It’s certainly not one to be missed: durhamcathedral.co.uk