In&Around January 2020

Issue 176 - January 2020

WHAT’S INSIDE

Your favourite PRICELESS community magazine

Featured Articles 31 Win a Lumley Castle break Places to go: 36 Frankfurt 49 What’s on this month

LOCAL JOBS

COMPETITIONS LOCAL EVENTS

New Year, New Decade, welcome to 2020!

In&Around is proudly sponsored by

WHAT’S ON COMMUNITY NEWS COUNTY DURHAM’S OLDEST & WIDEST-DISTRIBUTED COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Anna’s new life furniture

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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

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

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ISSUE 176 January 2020

READ ONLINE AT: www.inandaroundmag.co.uk

Welcome

to the January issue of IN&AROUND!

Following the fun of Christmas and the excitement of seeing in the New Year, we’ve kicked off 2020 with a selection of local highlights for you to enjoy throughout January. Starting with a look at Durham Gala Theatre and Cinema’s focus on the Exhibition on Screen series, which you can read about on page 14, we then break down other cultural highlights on offer throughout the month on page 49.

We’ve also reviewed the latest addition to the Jumanji franchise, on page 48, which you can see at cinemas across the region this month. And why not also have a go at the monthly competition to win free tickets to a screening of your choice?

And if you’re thinking of a city break early this year, take a look at what Alex Nelson made of his recent venture to Frankfurt, including places to go and details of local travel in the city.

With plenty of local businesses inside also welcoming in the New Year, you may find just what you’re looking for, at a price worth another celebration!

From everyone here at IN&AROUND, Happy New Year!

Findley Roofing & Building proudly sponsors this month’s edition of IN&AROUND. As the UK’s largest and most trusted roofing and building specialists, Findley’s skilled and seasoned professionals offer a Free Roof Health Check to all customers, and a whole host of other expert services for improving, protecting and maintaining your home.

So, don’t hesitate to turn to them for all of your roofing and construction requirements at the start of 2020!

Visit www.findleyroofing.co.uk or call 0191 417 3422 for advice and a free quote.

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-leStreet, 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 eyecatching 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 2844.

In the spotlight.

36

Places to go: Frankfurt in Germany

48

Film Review: Jumanji: The Next Level

NEW YEAR... NEW CUSTOMERS. GET YOUR BUSINESS

SEEN BY OVER 80,000 PEOPLE EVERY MONTH. GET IN TOUCH TODAY.

0191 388 2844.

THE TEAM

sales@inandaroundmag.co.uk DIRECTOR Benjamin Kerry MEDIA SALES Val Atkinson DESIGNER Tony Yip ACCOUNTS Victoria Scott

COPYWRITERS Gavin Lenaghan Craig Lenaghan CONTRIBUTORS Alex Nelson Places to Go George Nairn Remember When

WE’RE SOCIAL, FIND US: IN&AROUND MAGAZINE

PRINTED BY Jak HQ - jakhq.com

COMPETITIONS Congratulations to last month’s competition winners, all winners have been notified

IN&AROUND MAGAZINE Unit 4, Station Road, Chester-le-Street DH3 3DY T: 0191 388 2844

Winners will be selected at random.

The provider will only receive the details of winning entries in order to fulfil completion of the prize.

FURNITURE CLEARANCE OUTLET PLEASE MENTION THE MAGAZINE WHEN CONTACTING ADVERTISERS

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Local and international stars light up the Tyne Theatre in Aladdin

A

lthough it’s packed with TV and reality stars from as far away as Australia, there’s a distinct local feel to this Enchanted Entertainment production of Aladdin. X Factor runner-up Marcus Collins meets Home and Away’s Nic Westaway, the latter as the young man who finds a mysterious lamp and unleashes a magical genie. Together, they embark upon a musical adventure that’s packed with family fun and fantasy.

One of Newcastle’s own rising stars, Hannah Wales, plays Princess Jasmine, while seasoned pantomime dame Chris Casserly is hilarious as Widow Twankey. Complete with Hollyoaks’ David Easter, who plays Abanazar, and a team of talented young dancers, the mystical adventure is wonderfully played out on the Tyne Theatre’s purpose-built Victorian stage.

The show is exceptionally choreographed throughout, with the audience getting to see some incredible aerial work (a magic carpet included, of course) and even fire juggling – courtesy of Emma Dearden and Rachael Alexander. Panto being panto, it wouldn’t be complete without some audience interaction, and the kids get to hiss, boo, and cheer to their heart’s content from start to finish.

A relentless volley of jokes is present and correct too, both side-splitting and hilariously terrible – and the Tyne’s regular comic, Charlie Richmond, leads the way in making them land as Wishee Washee. Overall, Aladdin blends a traditional pantomime atmosphere with Disney’s timelessly spectacular original narrative.

Aladdin runs at the Tyne Theatre until 5th January, and tickets are available from www.eventim.co.uk/artist/aladdin.

Benjamin Kerry | Managing Director 6

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38 YEARS EXPERIENCE

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Visit Our Showroom Pop in and chat with our friendly and professional team about what we can offer you.

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We work with: All of the team at James Cornwell Interiors. We couldn’t be more delighted with our new kitchen, its everything we dreamed of.

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We foster with Durham!

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If you’re looking for a rewarding role where you could make a difference to a child’s life, come and chat to us and our foster carers at one of our information events at:

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New documentary film shines light on Renaissance master Leonardo For those who had always principally associated Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) with the multimedia juggernaut The Da Vinci Code or the jostling crowds of smartphone snappers perpetually surrounding the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, Leonardo: The Works gave crucial deeper insight into the Italian polymath’s life and works.

I had the privilege of attending a late November screening of this wellreviewed instalment in the prolific Exhibitions on Screen documentary series at Durham’s Gala Theatre and Cinema, and the statistic of fewer than 20 major works having been attributed to the Renaissance master allowed for a comprehensive overview over the 102-minute running time.

Partly as a consequence of this low level of extant output by the artist, viewers were also not – contrary to what the overarching series’ title might imply – restricted to a bigscreen treatment of Leonardo’s works around just one exhibition space. Instead, the film-makers hop from one world-renowned gallery to another on a brisk, informative and satisfyingly ultra-high-definition tour.

The works themselves are not the only star, of course. That’s because a series of art historians and curators are also on hand to provide authoritative comment on the aspects of Leonardo’s story into which each piece gives us greater insight – by no means an element of 14

the film that one requires a degree in Art History to be able to appreciate.

One especially nice touch is the use of local curators to provide their own thoughts on their particular Leonardo.

It’s an acknowledgement that any tour of Leonardo’s surviving works is necessarily an international one. That means embracing – of course – the Louvre where multiple celebrated pieces by the artist are documented, but also the likes of London’s National Gallery with its Virgin of the Rocks, the National Museum in Kraków where Lady with an Ermine can be found, and the permanent home of The Last Supper in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan.

Somewhat politically trickier terrain is presented by the oil-on-woodpanel Salvator Mundi, which was only officially attributed to Leonardo in 2011, a decision that continues to be disputed by some specialists.

The painting – which depicts Jesus in Renaissance dress, making the sign of the cross with his right hand, while holding a transparent crystal orb in his left – is placed in the film with no allusion to the controversy surrounding its present status.

Nonetheless, it’s understandable that this topic might not be touched on in a documentary that can only, in any case, devote an all-too-brisk five minutes or so to each piece.

Screenings of the Exhibition on Screen series continue at the County

Durham theatre this month with Lucian Freud: A Self Portrait at 6pm on Tuesday 14th January, and 2:30pm on Thursday 30th January, shedding light on one of the 20th century’s premier portraitists. This will be followed on Monday 6th July at 6pm, by an instalment focusing on Freud’s contemporary and one of the most prevalent female icons of all time, Frida Kahlo.

Tickets for each film cost £10, £8 for concessions and £7 for Gala members. You can book by calling 03000 266 600 or visiting www.galadurham.co.uk.

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The Smarterbuys Store Limited is a company registered in England and Wales under the number 07526461 and with the Charities Commission under number 1144676, whose registered office is Greengates House, Amos Drive, Greencroft Industrial Park, Co Durham, DH9 7YE. Smarterbuys store is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority reference number 713746.

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Precious moments everyday The best things in life are the people you love and the memories you cherish. At Elderwood care home we’re here to support you to create more special moments.

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Total Security Northern Total Security Northern are a family run business based in Chester-Le-Street established in January 2005. We design, install and maintain electronic security systems for both the domestic and commercial sectors.

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January Sales Shopping Trip

Metro Centre Sunday 12th January £13 per person

Houghton Hall & Carlisle £18 per person Tuesday 11th February

Harry Potter - Warner Bros Studio Tour Saturday 29th February Sunday 1st March price depends on number of people travelling and ages of the children.

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Departing from Staindrop, Gainford, Darlington & Scotch Corner.

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(on some occasions these pickups will be provided via a free feeder bus to Scotch Corner) All trips include attraction admission (plus hotels and meals where applicable).

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Jewels of Northern Ireland Sunday 24th to Thursday 28th May

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E: liam@roofingservicesdarlington.co.uk W: roofingservicesdarlington.co.uk

Buy 6 pints get one FREE We're now taking applications for our 2020 Keets Club memberships.

Expect your favourite existing deal, catering discounts for events with 40+ guests... and a FREE pint on your birthday

To join The Keets Club call us or ask behind the bar Tel: 0191 388 3684 Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, Ropery Lane, County Durham, DH3 3PF

Rent a Stairlift from only £350 per year...

This covers installation, servicing and repairs during office hours.

Anything out of office hours will include a £40 call out fee.

We only ask for a minimum contract of 12 months.

For an efficient and friendly service and all enquiries please contact either Chris or David who will be happy to help.

Tel: 01325 307473 Mob: 07718 428792

NEKPA find out more at our website:

www.stairliftsolution.co.uk

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CHASE THE POST CHRISTMAS BLUES AWAY WITH OUR AMAZING JANUARY COMPETITION!

You can win Afternoon tea with an overnight stay and breakfast for two people courtesy of Lumley Castle* Just answer this simple question:

In what year was Lumley Castle built?

Send your answers to: Competition Department, Unit 4, Station Road, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3DY *Terms and conditions apply - Must be used before March 31st excluding Valentines and Easter.

31

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NEVER KNOWINGLY BEATEN ON PRICE

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ONCE A YEAR GENUINE JANUARY SALE!!!

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Established. 1998

Join us for an enhanced dining experience serving our much loved dishes in our new spacious and contemporary restaurant. Fully licensed and fully air-conditioned.

Ideal For Couples, Small & Large Parties (up to 80) Separate Party Room Available (up to 50) Full Take Away Service Including Deliveries For Bookings call

Tel: (01325) 46 46 55 www.starofbengal.org.uk 24 Duke Street | Darlington | DL3 7AQ

We look forward to seeing you soon 33

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NHS

Make the right choice 999 or Emergency Department Only in a life-threating emergency: heavy bleeding, unconsciousness, severe breathing difficulties.

Urgent Treatment Centre Urgent but not life-threating: sprains, fractures, minor burns, skin infections

GP surgery Persistent symptoms or long-term conditions: pains, minor mental health concerns, sudden change in wellness.

Pharmacy Feeling generally unwell: fevers, aches & minor pains, stomach upsets, skin rashes

NHS 111 Need urgent help but it’s not an emergency: confused about where to go, need general advice, unsure how severe it is.

Self-care Common ailments and illnesses: colds, grazes, minor cuts, hangovers, sore throats, minor headaches.

Robson Granite Worksurfaces Limited

Darlington's Premier Granite, Silestone and Quartz Specialist.

20

years experience

An established & independent local business Robson Granite Worksurfaces Ltd, Darlington’s Premier Granite, Silestone & Quartz Specialists. We have the most experienced and skilled team of template and installation experts in the Darlington area, and while we offer the most competitive worktop prices, knowledge, skill and experience is priceless.

Enquire for Fantastic January deals on all Granite & Quartz Worktops.

Call: 07590 430370

email: enquiries@graniteworktopsdarlington.co.uk Website: www.graniteworktopsdarlington.co.uk 34

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35

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Places to go...

FRANKFURT IN GERMANY

O

n 26/7 November, I took what was expected to be a post-Brexit trip to Germany on a rare excursion abroad for this column. By the date of travel, we were still in the EU. Our party gathered at the Eurostar terminal at St. Pancras in London (next to King’s Cross) and used the Deutsche Bahn ICE service from Brussels via Cologne to Frankfurt. Leaving London at 0857, we arrived at Frankfurt at 1516.

We had a meal inside one of the restaurants in the Christmas Market area, including the apple wine which seems more popular than beer. We returned to our hotel, the new Hyatt Place, on the S Bahn (suburban railway) and a shuttle bus from the airport station, where we had first arrived. Great excitement there, for on December 15 there is a new S-Bahn station opening adjacent to the hotel called Gateway Gardens which will make that business park one of the best connected in the country, and therefore in Europe. The new station will be the first in Germany to bear an English name. Incidentally, that date is also the day for timetable changes in Frankfurt is the fifth largest Britain, on the second Sunday in December. city in Germany, with only 750,000 inhabitants, but is On the following day I wanted to see the major financial centre a bit more of the city, using the mix of of the country. It has a underground trains, the U-Bahn, with nine twin city arrangement lines, the S-Bahn, nine suburban lines, and with Birmingham. the Strassenbahn or street trams with ten Frankfurt has its own lines. The local buses were on strike. The large Christmas Market picture shows a tram approaching the station in the old town, and the at the Messe, where trade fairs are now held, ‘new old town’ which showing the green carpet that many of the is an extension using tram lines run on. Underground trains run buildings which look in tunnels in the centre, but in the suburbs like they are ancient, but have been they run on reserved trackways or on the built recently using traditional skills. street. The city is justly proud of its public transport system which has been heavily It grew as a result of medieval trade invested in over the years. Owing to the fairs, and the first currency exchange cancellation of a high speed ICE train on for traders was established in 1585 the way back, we sampled the rival Thalys with uniform exchange rates for the service from Cologne to Brussels and passed various types of money traded at over the UK Border in Brussels Midi station the fairs. A city state for years, its St. before boarding the new Eurostar train via Paul’s church was used for the first the Channel Tunnel on the way home. parliament of the new German state in 1848, and it is home to thirty museums Alex Nelson stayed at the Hyatt in a burgeoning cultural quarter. Now, Place hotel in Frankfurt and travelled 90% of trades on the stock exchanges are courtesy of Deutsche Bahn. done in the city. 14 of the 15 skyscrapers www.frankfurt-tourismus.de in the country are in Frankfurt, which is (select English language) the HQ of many banks and the European Central Bank. On an evening guided alexnelson@dunelm.org.uk tour around the city, we saw the large www.nationalrail.com illuminated blue Euro sign, studded with twelve gold stars to represent the founding members of the EU. We were not one of the first 12 countries, so they won’t have to take one off if/when we leave!

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Denmark Street Advert 64x96mm_Layout 1 29/01/2016

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Get the

Best for Babies!

at the area’s premier children’s nursery Nappies and Formula Milk are Included

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A pharmacy that’s open early until late and 7 days a week!

NHS prescriptions, over the counter medicines and healthcare products, and a wide range of other services available.

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STEPHEN CAPSEY PLUMBING AND HEATING HEATING AND BOILER REPAIRS CARRIED OUT BY SKILLED SPECIALISTS IN NEWTON AYCLIFFE, COUNTY DURHAM SERVICES INCLUDE: • CENTRAL HEATING • BOILER SERVICES • BATHROOM REFURBISHMENT

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Summer bodies

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Happy New Year – and welcome to the ‘20s!

Hasn’t this brand new decade just crept up on us? But here we are, at the beginning of the twenties in the twenty-first century, and let’s hope it’s a great one!

Not that our New Year’s resolution will be any different at all, here at Findley’s. We want to continue providing homeowners all over the North East of England with quality roofing services that protect your homes in this decade, the next, and beyond.

Throughout 2020, there will be no change in our offer of a Free Roof Inspection for homes all over the region, from Northumberland, into Tyne & Wear, County Durham and the Tees Valley.

you’ll be under no pressure to immediately resolve the problem (especially as Christmas was only a matter of days ago!).

If you went through last year, or the year before, or even further back, without having your roof thoroughly and professionally inspected, then get in touch and arrange a convenient date with our expert team.

However, we can give you time to consider our services, and provide a free quotation for any repair work required.

Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG Tel: Web:

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LIVE MUSIC VENUE BAND REHEARSAL ROOMS RECORDING STUDIO MUSIC EDUCATION CAFE/BAR

Award Winner

Leisure & Arts

01325 363135 www.theforumonline.co.uk

WHATS ON HIGHLIGHTS Sat 4th

Hilarity Bites Comedy Club Featuring top stand up Comedians

Doors From:

RnB Club: Xander and the Peace Pirates Beatlemania Playing the music of the Fab Four Fri 17th The Zeppelin Experience

Sat 18th Black Ice [AC/DC]

Ticket Price:

7.30PM / £10.00

Fri 10h

7.30PM / £12.00

Sat 11th

7.30PM / £10.00 7.30PM / £12.00 7.30PM / £10.00

Sun 19th Film Club: Everything: The Real Thing Story

The other 4 lads from Liverpool who changed the face

of British music. Documentary with special guests 5.00PM / £15.00

Chris Amoo & Dave Smith and Director, Simon Sheridan

Fri 24th The Total Stone Roses

7.30PM / £12.50

Thur 30th

Who’s Next Playing all the hits of The Who Live & Local - Part of Independent Venues Week

Music from The Vellacos, LC Grey & New Age Vinyl

7.00PM / £3.00

Fri 31st

Stereo MC’s - Part of Independent Venues Week

Sat 25th

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One of the most successful hip-hop acts from the UK

7.30PM / £12.00

7.00PM / £22.00

Please Check any age restrictions on events via our website as no refunds will be given for incorrectly booked

If no problems are identified, we’ll simply be on our way and wish you a happy 2020. If we do find a problem, we’ll let you know and

Tickets available from The Forum Music Centre Reception or by calling us on 01325 363135

We may be into a New Year – even a new decade – but the Findley promise of quality remains the same. Start the New Year by calling 0191 417 3422, or emailing sales@findleyroofing.co.uk to book your Free Roof Inspection.

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Web | Branding | SEO | Social | PR | Content | Print

We’re here for the back-of-a-napkin startups, the growth-focused and the successful that never stand still.

Get the results your business deserves.

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Co. Durham DH3 3DY

www.jakhq.com 41

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REMEMBER WHEN Postcard of Durham in winter c1904

POSTCARDS, CIGARETTE CARD & STAMP FAIR DURHAM COUNTY HALL, DURHAM, DH1 5UL

SATURDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 10:00AM - 3:00 PM Enterance fee: Adults £1.00 Free entry for accompanied children Disabled access Free Validations Provided PRE-1955 POSTCARDS WANTED CONTACT

GEORGE NAIRN

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T. 0191 388 8780

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Best Fish and Chips in Town!

5* cleanliness, 5* customer service, 5* food.

Food always fresh, friendly staff.

I won’t go anywhere else

5* rating on Trip Advisor

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Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 11:15am - 9pm Sunday Closed Find us on:

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Produce this voucher on your visit to Yarm Road Fish & Chips and receive 10% off YOUR FINAL BILL! Valid any Monday & Tuesday throughout January*

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• • • •

GC Plumbing & Tiling

ALL TYPES OF FURNITURE RECOVER REPAIR & RESTORE LARGE RANGE OF PATTERNS CUSHION INTERIORS & SPRINGS

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Put the sparkle back into your oven with a call to your local Ovenclean specialist!

We supply, install & repair all types of:

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All Electrical Work Undertaken

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SERVICES INCLUDE: Our 4K drone inspections provide our customers with a birds eye view of their roofing systems Re-Roofs/New roofs Roof repairs Fascias and Soffits Gutter repairs And much more!

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West End Landscapes

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J. Mitchell

Quality Re-upholstery to modern & antique furniture.

Foam replacement • Cushion covers • Springs replacement Webbing replacement • Bespoke headboards taylorsupholstery.com | contact@taylorsupholstery.com Unit 51 Birtley Business Centre, Birtley, DH3 1QT. Tel: 0191 660 64 07 / 07543 90 05 83

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DMW Computer Solutions Computer Repairs - Virus Removal - Data Recovery Screen Replacement - VHS to DVD Conversion

Chimney Sweeping | Power Washing | Gutter Cleaning

Home, Office, Gaming Machines Custom Built 7 Day Service (Includes evenings) No Hourly Rates | No Call-out Charges

Tel: 01388 815 765 Mob: 07964 661 601

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Email: apbulmerservices@outlook.com

J.R. Stephenson

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Complete Bathroom Installations (Including tiling & associated building works, flooring, decorating, etc)

07827 587260 stevejonesplumber@gmail.com

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R E D R MU Y NIGHT

R E T MYS 1

2 Y A D R SATU

erson p r e p 5 £31.9 meal Tickets e s r u o s3c Include

ST

MARCH

7.30pm Arrival 10.30pm t a s e g a Carri

920’S 1 F F STA E H T T more ’T GE N A getting C is f f U a t f s YO Head o eliable chaos. etting r

tairs is u rst , g . Little below s y Sandh d e a iv L r control r d a p n e a s e t d s k r e For Lo rying to t. As gu e!!! tes is t difficul a e B r s o end aliv e k m m e a e J w and f t f st a his las sehold will be is h the hou t t a k n ow t h does he

The Croft Hotel Croft-on-Tees | Darlington | DL2 2ST

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Contact us on 01325 720319 | email at info@crofthotel.net | www.crofthotel.net

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COMPETITION CORNER YOU CAN WIN

A LUNCHTIME SPECIAL FOR 2, COURTESY OF FABIO’S 191 FRONT ST, CHESTER-LE-STREET, DH3 3AX , TEL: 0191 5977039 * NOT TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFER

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FILM REVIEW:

jumanji: the next level Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the comedy-adventure film released back in late 2017, was a peculiar thing. Narratively, it loosely followed on from the 1995 Robin Williams film Jumanji – but, with a new cast, tone and even premise, felt more like a reboot or reimagining than a straight sequel. Two years on from that box-office hit, The Next Level largely serves up more of the same, but it’s hard to see many people complaining.

In the 1995 film, Jumanji was a board game where simply playing it unleashed terrifying elephants, rhinos, bats and the like into the real world. By 2017, however, Jumanji had turned into a cartridge-based video game which took four dysfunctional high-school students into its own leafy world. The first film’s creepy vibe was largely jettisoned, replaced by comedic banter between new cast members Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan as the in-game avatars.

They are all back for The Next Level, also featuring Danny DeVito and Danny Glover, who obviously doesn’t think he’s getting too old for this… stuff. The pair play, respectively, former restaurant co-owners Eddie Gilpin and Milo Walker, who add to the body-swap comedy reminiscent of Welcome to the Jungle. Eddie and Milo are inadvertently sucked into the game when the teenage chums of awkward geek Spencer (Alex Woolf) embark on a mission to rescue him from it.

Why did Spencer return to it in the first place? As it turns out, he had longed to slip back into the digital guise of selfassured muscleman Dr Smolder Bravestone (Johnson). However, apparently due to glitches in the system, it’s now Eddie who plays Bravestone, Milo is the diminutive “backpack guy” Franklin “Mouse” Finbar (Hart), while Spencer is… well, that would be telling. Bodies continue to swap mirthfully during the runtime, though shy girl Martha (Morgan Turner) mainly stays the Lara Croft-like “killer of men” Ruby Roundhouse (Gillan).

The Next Level is aptly-named – as, in many ways, it does feel like a more turbocharged version of its predecessor. The action setpieces, with snakes, ostriches and mandrills aplenty, are noticeably tenser and more frenetic. The Rock’s especially responsible for more than a few heart-in-the-mouth moments, while some of Ruby’s moves are so balletic that they look practically computergenerated.

Like an actual video game, the film risks feeling a little too formulaic and on-rails.

Meanwhile, certain gags, like the nod to the self-repeating “NPC” (non-player character) Nigel Billingsley (Rhys Darby), are rehashed from the previous film. However, a range of new settings, including arid desert and snowtopped mountains, provide a break from the more tropical feel of Welcome to the Jungle, which rarely left Hawaiian shores.

If there will be yet another Jumanji follow-up soon, its premise is probably going to need a bigger twist than what we’ve got here.

Fortunately, though, a mid-credits teaser suggests that we can rest easy on this point.

While not quite Game of the Year, then, The Next Level remains a welcome expansion pack.

Craig Lenaghan Copywriter

We are offering family ticket for any film at Vue Gateshead (valid for 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children). All you have to do to enter is answer the following question...

Q:

2020 is the Chinese New Year of the what?

Answer: Name: Address: Email:

Postcode: Please send all entries to: Competitions Department, Unit 4, Station Road, Chester-le-St, Co. Durham, DH3 3DY Entrants can view Terms & Conditions at www.inandaroundmag.co.uk Vue guest admission policy terms and conditions apply, visit myvue.com/legal for details.

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What’s on January Jackson Soul and The Starlights Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield

The Motown label has been responsible for several of the biggest names in the soul genre. Now, we can look forward to hearing soul classics, from legends including The Drifters, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, being performed live by the go-to Motown performer Jackson Soul and The Starlights. Get there for 7pm on 18th January – tickets are priced at £21.95 from www.hardwickhallhotel.co.uk.

I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue The Witham, Barnard Castle

The self-styled “antidote to panel games” is on the road in 2020, stopping in Sunderland where Jack Dee will host the chaotic proceedings. Colin Sell will be busy at the piano while panellists Tim BrookeTaylor, Tony Hawks, Miles Jupp and Richard Osman take on an array of amusingly erratic challenges. Visit www.atgtickets.com to book your tickets, priced from £27, before the games begin on Saturday 18th January.

Sunday Classics: Meraki Duo The Witham, Barnard Castle

The Meraki Duo formed in 2013 - and, since then, have explored a range of repertoire while adding their own arrangements. Meera Maharaj is the flautist while James Girling is the guitarist. The pair are alumni of the Royal Northern College of Music and passionate about chamber music, including jazz, Latin American and European folk music. This performance will commence at 2:30pm on Sunday 12th January, with the £12 (£10 concessions) tickets available from www.thewitham.org.uk.

Joy Labinjo at BALTIC BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead

The Dagenham-born artist Joy Labinjo captures intimate scenes of everyday and domestic life in her large-scale paintings. Right through the month, BALTIC is showing several Labinjo pieces made specifically for the exhibition.

For an insight into Labinjo’s creative process, you can visit www.baltic.art to book a place at this talk on Wednesday 15th January. Tickets cost £6 (£4.80 concessions) each.

Durham Vocal Festival 2020 Various venues throughout Durham

If you are a big fan of vocal music, both local and national, there’s a big treat lined up in the form of the 4th annual Durham Vocal Festival. The full programme of this year’s outing has been kept under wraps at the time of writing, but last year’s festival saw performances from the Durham Choral Society, VOCES8 and Northern Lights. It all kicks off on Saturday 25th January and runs until Sunday 2nd February. Keep an eye on www.durhammusic.org.uk for further details.

Cabaret Sunderland Empire

In the wake of her acclaimed lead performance in Cilla The Musical, Kara Lily Hayworth now plays Sally Bowles, the role made iconic by Liza Minnelli in the 1972 musical drama film Cabaret. Hayworth will be belting out iconic songs including Money Makes the World Go Round and Maybe This Time in this new production from National Theatre Director Rufus Norris. Performances will run in Sunderland from Tuesday 28th January to Saturday 1st February. Tickets priced from £13 are available from www.atgtickets.com.

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