Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership

by Sylvia Raine

Bowburn and Park Hill Community Partnership was formed in 2004, a voluntary group of residents, all keen to help their local village and generally improve life for their community.

The first Secretary was Janet Blackburn, who continued this role until 2023 when she moved away from Bowburn to be closer to her family, as you may have read in Issue 101 of the Interchange. Her leaving after nineteen years left a massive hole in the Partnership’s organisation, but luckily another volunteerstepped forward totakeoverthereins:Nicola Ridley, a recent new resident of Park Hill, who had been coming along to Partnership meetings, accepted the challenge and is now settling into her new role.

Thank you, Nic!

Since Nicola took over as Secretary, the Partnership has been meeting regularly as usual, and things have gone smoothly.

The Coronation celebrations were not organised by the Partnership, but many of the Partnership members helped out at the Community Centre on the day, and Nicola was responsible for obtaining the grant to support the event.

Items discussed at Partnership meetings include local planning applications, and our Chair, Richard Cowen, is usually the one who combs through the weekly list to see what is relevant to our area. This is not always for developments within our area, but may include those in other near-by settlements which mighthave an

Local Credit Union Closes by Sylvia

effect on us e.g., traffic coming through Park Hill and/or Bowburn.

We also have a report on crime in the area, from the local police statistics, reports from the Parish Council, the Area Action Partnership, a round-up from one of our County Councillors, and reports from various groups such as the Banner Group, History Group, BVC (which produces this paper) etc. Members also raise other topics which they feel are relevant to thevillage’s wellbeing, or its detriment. (litter, arson, noise, illegal use of bridleways are a few which have been discussed lately).

Our AGM is usually in May, but this year it was decided to postpone it until June for various reasons. Anyone who lives in Bowburn, Park Hill, Old Quarrington or Tursdale is eligible to take part. So, if you would like to get involved with the welfare of your village, or have a question or complaint which you would like to raise, please come along to our AGM, which will be held on:

Tuesday 20th June 2023

At 6.00 p.m.

At Bowburn Community Centre

WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Raine

Some local residents may remember the Credit Union which operated from Bowburn Community Centre from 2012 to 2020 on Friday mornings from 11 a.m. to noon. Our last session was on March 13th 2020 – and we all remember what happened after that – lockdown!

When the lockdown finally limped to an end, the local organisers, being “of a certain age” were reluctant to start up again, and in any case, there had been many changes to the Credit Union since 2012. For one thing, the Durham County Credit Union, as it was originally, had merged with others to become the NEFirst Credit Union, a much bigger organisation, and ways of accessing the CU had become much more diverse: e.g., paying in at different places, accessing services on-line or by phone. It was felt that our one hour per week sessions would not be greatly missed, as by that time we had only a few weekly clients making deposits, and the occasional new member wishing to join, or to request a loan, all of which could be accessed at any time, by other means, not just for 1 hour on a Friday morning.

Since then some of our volunteers have left the area; sadly one has died; so our remaining volunteers have decided to wind up the Bowburn session for good. But NEFirst Credit Union is still available to all, and needed more than ever in these difficult times. You can still save with NEFirst Credit Union, and withdraw your savings whenever you need them, or apply for a loan atmuchbetterratesthan manyproviders. They are only a phone call away!

Thank you all for your visits to us over the years, and please keep using NEFirst CU.

Contact by phone: 0330 055 3666 or email: info@nefirstcu.co.uk

Assist Accounts & Payroll Payroll Services

Book-keeping

VAT Telephone: 07751 948505

E-mail: info@assistaccounts.co.uk

Planning, Footpaths and Quarry Issues

by Richard Cowen

There have not been many planning applications of significant interest in Bowburn and Parkhill in the past 3 months. Perhaps the main ones involve large advertisement hoardings south of Durham Services that will advertise opportunities in Integra61. They will be alongside the slip road from the north bound carriageway of the motorway. Although I do not think we will want to see a forest of signs in this location, I do not think that a couple will cause an undue problem.

The application to revise the way Cold Knuckles Quarry is worked has not yet been determined. The matter was discussed at a meeting oftheQuarry Liaison Committeeatthebeginning ofMay.Thenature of the path as it leads up to the cemetery at Quarrington Hill was discussed and whether it could be improved. Also the possible route for a bridlepath through the Nature Reserve was considered although there are certain land ownership issues relating to this. It has been agreed to meet the County Council’s Footpaths Officer to discuss these issues on site.

As readers may be aware, the footpath that leads through Integra61, starting opposite the Services, is temporarily closed while the site is developed. I understand there may be an application to extend this closure. Hopefully however, the path will be re-opened in the nottoo-distant future albeit on a revised line.

Thank you

…to all the advertisers who make our village newspaper possible. And a big thank you, too, to the volunteers who deliver the Interchange to every door.

Finally, I believe that the signage for the footpath immediately to the south of the Tursdale Industrial Estate is not good enough at present. Also, as you approach the Leamside Line along this path, the signage can appear to be intimidatory, although there is in fact a stile in the fence which, if climbed, leads to a beautiful walk alongside the railway and towards Tursdale House. The Footpaths Officer has agreed to look at the start of this path and see if the signage does need to be improved.

Readicut Resurgence by Wendy Rowell

Even if they do not craft themselves many people will have memories of a certain type of rug very popular in the 1950s onwards. We know this because of the large number of latch hook tools that we are offered! The Readicut firm started in 1928 in Wakefield and is still going today. The rug usually came as a kit consisting of canvas with a printed design, bundles of pre-cut wool and the aforementioned latch hook. Knotting the short wool pieces produced a lovely soft long pile rug.

Several members have recently designed their own rugs in this style with colourful results. Word of mouth is a great way to recruit new members and we have been commissioned to make a rug for a ‘friend of a friend’. However, to our delight, said friend Mr John Wilson, has been very ‘hands on’ with his commission. Having agreed the colour mix and proggy style he has been coming along to help make it - even earning his own ‘progger’! We hope that both he and his dog Jess enjoy the finished product.

We meet at Bowburn Community Centre on Wednesdays 10-1 and the Gala in Durham on Mondays 10-12 Visitors and new members always welcome.

We can be contacted at durhamrugmakers@outlook.com or find us on Facebook at DurhamRugMakers.

Bowburn

by Shirley Sharp

As many of you will know we are now meeting in the Community Centre as our Church building has closed and is up for sale.

We continue to have our Thursday morning Drop-In for preschool children and parents from 9-11am which also includes our coffee morning to which everyone is welcome to join us for coffee and biscuits. We would be delighted to see more children and parents at the Drop-in which is an ideal place for toddlers to meet and play together and parents to socialize with like-minded people.

We continue to hold our worship service every Thursday morning from 11.30 to 12.30. Although it is a different environment to what we have been used to we are adapting very well and are enjoying the more informal atmosphere as well as retaining the religious aspect of the services.

We extend a very warm welcome to anyone who would like to join us in our worship.

Coronation Celebrations at Bowburn Care Centre

The Bitchin’ Stitchin’ Group by Nadia Johnson

Our little social group continues to get between 10 and 15 people every week and we all enjoy learning from each other with our different project ideas.

SinceChristmas, we havehad atrip to The Quilters Cupboard at Willington for fabric supplies and also to South Shields market.

Our members try all sorts of crafting including knitting, crochet, quilting, dressmaking, soft furnishings and even cross stitch.

Everyone is welcome to join us at Bowburn Community Centre on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 - 8.30. £3 per week with no commitment.

Christ The King Church Coronation Event by Maureen Robinson

The coronation event at Christ the King Church was a great success. Janie's Pantry served us with hog roast, roast potato, apple sauce, stuffing and gravy on a large bun. It was delicious! When everyone who wanted seconds or wanted boxes to take home, we took some minutes to rest and digest and did a quiz. Small prizes were given for the winners.

All the small children were given a coronation cup with a wiggly tiggly spider inside. The cup for remembrance later, the spider for now. The spider went down well. After this we served a selection of cakes with cream. When all guests had had their fill they were invited to pick up a glass of celebration wine and a piece of coronation cake and take their places outside for the fireworks. These went off with a bang sorry! Altogether a lovely evening. Gratefully thanks to Councillor Gary Hutchinson for his donation to the event. We couldn't have done it without him. He and Councillor Jan Blakey joined us for supper and I hope they enjoyed the evening.

This was a non-profit event and as we had a little money left it was decided to buy shrubs for the garden. We are choosing buddleia to attract butterflies and bees. The garden is now open on Wednesdays from 9am to 11.30am and on Sundays from 10.30am to 12.30pm throughout the summer for anyone who wants to have a quiet / private time or just a wander about. Please pop in.

East Durham Rural Corridor AAP Key messages from meeting on 23rd March by Richard

Cowen

At this meeting, the Board mentioned that there is some £45,000 remaining in the Towns and Villages Fund. Money from this source may be used to fund projects that will enhance the community.

At present I do not think that there is any scheme that is being funded from this money in the Bowburn or Parkhill area. Clearly, projects must be for the benefit of the wider community and, if any person does have any project for which they require funding, it may be worth considering making an application.

Some guidance has been given by the AAP regarding applications as follows:

Objective: Through thisprojectcallout, wearelooking for projects that address a wide range of issues around the broad themes set out in the criteria below.

Criteria: Your project must address at least one of the following themes:

• Employability

• Advice and Guidance

• Mental Health and Wellbeing

• Organisation sustainability

• Food provision and support

• Social Isolation

• Support for the Voluntary and Community Sector

• Support to small businesses (through a third party, not for profit)

• Local environment/ climate change

• Community safety, including policing issues and road safety

• Transport, traffic and roads, including transport and connectivity and highways issues

• Cost of living/ poverty measures

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 21st June 2023 at 12 noon

Groups can apply for a minimum of £5,000 (projects can be for revenue or capital, or both)

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us via any of the following methods:

Email: eastdurhamruralaap@durham.gov.uk Telephone: 03000 261128/ 03000 261129

Alternatively, you could always attend a meeting of the Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership to discuss any project if you wished. The Partnership meets at the Community Centre on the third Tuesday of the month, starting at 6.00pm. However, the next meeting is 20th June so a bit late for this deadline, but it may well be useful to consider any future potential applications.