One Darlington April/May 2016

one

Darlington May 2016

An ingenious magazine for an ingenious town named the 7th best place to live in the UK Page 14 & 15

Festival

Have your say page 6

THE

INGENUITY

Be a fire cadet page 17

Busy reading page 20

8th & 9th July 2016 GG

IG Festival THE

of

INGENUITY

Market Plan page 31

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I’m getting my free childcare for 2 year olds in Darlington for up to 15 hours a week... is your child?

You can check your child’s eligibility online at www.darlington.gov.uk/childcarechecker - you just need your National Insurance number, or call Darlington’s People and Families Information Support on 0800 9172121 with your national insurance number or e-mail pfis@darlington.gov.uk

Showing that cares Welcome to Darlington One Darlington Welcome to the May edition of One Darlington, which this month focuses on ingenuity and Ingenious Darlington, a project I am proud to be a part of.

Ingenious Darlington is aiming to put our great Borough on the global map, by attracting new businesses and investment, creating jobs and supporting economic growth. But it’s not just about big business, we want to inspire you, the people who have chosen to make Darlington your home, to promote it as a great place to visit, live, and work.

A number of local businesses have already joined Ingenious Darlington and we want to hear from more organisations that would be happy to use the brand and spread our message across the country and beyond.

I appreciate that times are hard for many people at the moment and it can be difficult to feel inspired about the future, but I strongly believe that you – the residents of Darlington – are our greatest assets and by working together we can let other people see all that is great about the town and secure its future.

In the middle of this magazine there is a special supplement celebrating the nominees and winners of the Best of Darlington Awards – a great night where some of the very best people from our town were given their moment in the spotlight.

Shining a light on what we do best is what Ingenious Darlington is all about. This town is the birthplace of the railways and is home to many international businesses, you can see how some of them are planning to come together to inspire ingenuity in others on pages 14 and 15.

Over the coming months you will see more about Ingenious Darlington around the town and I hope you will join us in celebrating and promoting all that is great about this amazing Borough.

Cliff Hardcastle, Chair of Ingenious Darlington Board

Inside this issue 4-5 Claim a seat at

refurbished theatre __________________________________

7 Meet our new Police Chief Superintendent __________________________________ EXTRA Best of Darlington awards __________________________________ 18 Organise a street party for

the Queen __________________________________ 25 Building work at hospital __________________________________ 33-35 What’s on

One Darlington is published by One Darlington Partnership, Room 101, Town Hall, Darlington.

Email editor@onedarlington.org.uk. Design and production – Xentrall Shared Services.

Distribution – Swift Advertising NE Ltd. Tel: 0191 2653207.

The next edition will be distributed from from 18 July. If you do not receive a copy by 25 July please call 01325 406420.

www.onedarlington.org.uk

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Can you help set the stage

Photography: Scott Akoz

Darlington Civic Theatre will close at the end of this month as work starts on two multimillion pound projects that will create a new theatre quarter for the Borough.

A grant of almost £5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) forms a key part of the ambitious plans to preserve and regenerate the Grade II Listed building, which will reopen in the autumn of 2017 with a new name – Darlington Hippodrome.

The new venue will combine the best of its Edwardian features with 21st century facilities that will include an expanded artistic programme, improved access, greater seating capacity and audience comfort, improved facilities for visiting companies as well as a new education centre and a vibrant range of learning and engagement activities.

At the same time, a £2.9m project spearheaded

by Theatre Hullabaloo and supported by a £1.5m grant from Arts Council England (ACE) and £800,000 from Darlington Borough Council, will see the creation of The Hullaballoon.

Located in the Edwardian former fire station adjacent to the Civic, The Hullaballoon is a new flagship child-centred theatre development that will include a 150 - seat studio theatre, family café, creative play spaces plus rehearsal and office space for Theatre Hullabaloo as well as being available for community use.

As work is now set to start, the Civic has launched a bid to reunite hundreds of theatre lovers with their personalised plaques, which were attached to recognise the support of patrons in a ‘sponsor a seat’ programme launched in 1990/91.

Many famous names, including Ken Dodd, Tom Jones, Tommy Cooper and Sylvia Syms joined local theatre lovers and businesses in support of the campaign, with more than 300 brass plaques produced. A full list can be found on the Restoration Blog at www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk/ blog. To be reunited with your plaque, email your name, address and contact details to

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www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

e for new theatre quarter?

Actor Stephen Tompkinson

CivicTheatrePlaques@darlington.gov.uk or call Heather Walkington on 01325 406104.

and activities throughout the year – so do keep your eyes open!

The theatre is also keen for local people and businesses to play their part in its new chapter and will soon be launching a new seat naming campaign, backed by actor Stephen Tompkinson, offering a chance to personalise your own seat – or pair of seats - in the newly restored theatre. An engraved brass plaque will be placed on the backrest of each named seat and a commemorative certificate issued.

“Together we can create a theatre and cultural quarter that can be enjoyed by generations to come.”

There is also a range of corporate sponsorship opportunities, giving companies and other organisations the chance to make a lasting gift to the theatre and The Hullaballoon; individual donations are always welcome too.

Laura Case, Theatre Hullabaloo Development Director, added: “The Hullaballoon will be a flagship venue for the North East. It’s a dream come true for our organisation and a hugely exciting time for theatre for young audiences.”

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “This is the biggest investment in the theatre’s history since it opened in 1907. Together these projects represent an investment of around £14.6m in the arts in the Borough.

For more information about Theatre Hullabaloo log onto www.theatrehullabaloo.org.uk

Lynda Winstanley, Theatre Director, added: “I am very proud that the importance and value of the theatre as a cultural and community asset has been recognised by the HLF and I’m very grateful to our audiences and supporters locally and nationally for their loyalty and support.”

You can keep up to date with the restoration project via our website at www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk.

“The HLF and ACE grants have made this possible, but we now need the support of local people and businesses to help raise the additional funds needed. A ticket levy has already been introduced and as well as the seat naming, sponsorship and donations, there will be other fundraising events

www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

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Referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union On Thursday 23 June 2016, voters across the United Kingdom will go to the polls in a referendum to express their view on the UK’s continued membership of the European Union.

What is a referendum?

A referendum is a vote in which electors can express a view on a question of national importance. The response receiving more than half of the votes cast is considered to have won.

The BIG question The Electoral Commission has proposed the following question, which has been accepted by MPs, to be put to voters: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

The options for voters will be: ‘Remain a member of the European Union’ or ‘Leave the European Union’.

Key dates: Tuesday 7 June is the last date to register to vote in the referendum.

If your name is not on the Electoral Register by this date, you will not be able to vote. If you believe that you are not registered, you can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Alternatively, you can contact the Council’s Election Team on 01325 406444.

Wednesday 8 June – 5pm is the deadline to apply for a new postal vote or a new postal proxy vote, or to make any changes to existing postal or proxy votes.

Wednesday 15 June – 5pm is the deadline to apply for a proxy vote (in person) for the referendum.

A proxy vote is when you nominate another person to vote on your behalf.

To obtain a postal vote, postal proxy vote or a proxy vote (in person), please contact the Election Team on 01325 406444.

Thursday 23 June is polling day.

Polling stations across the Borough will be open from 7am until 10pm to allow you to cast your vote and have your say.

More information can be found at www.darlington.gov.uk/EUreferendum 06

www.darlington.gov.uk/EUreferendum

New Chief Superintendent in Darlington Darlington has a new Chief Superintendent who will also be leading the force’s neighbourhood and safeguarding work. Chief Supt Helen McMillan will split her time between Darlington and the rest of the county.

As the new Head of the Neighbourhood and Safeguarding Command, Helen has responsibility for neighbourhood policing across the entire force area as well as our safeguarding teams.

Helen, 49, from Durham, said: “I’m delighted with my new role and look forward to the challenge. Working as head of the department that delivers our community policing and safeguards our most vulnerable is a real privilege.

“I’m also looking forward to returning to Darlington, a place I loved working as a Chief Inspector, and intend to focus on neighbourhood policing and working in partnership to deliver the best possible service to the people of Darlington.”

After graduating from Durham University, Helen worked in the NHS for a year before joining the force in 1990.

During her service she has worked across the force in many operational roles particularly in Durham, Bishop Auckland, and Darlington as well as spending time in the force’s training and professional standards departments.

In 2004 Helen was promoted to Chief Inspector and was responsible for policing in Darlington. She then spent six months seconded to Government Office for the North East in Newcastle.

Promoted to Superintendent in 2008, Helen was responsible for operational and crime performance across North Durham. In 2010 she became Head of Operations and Communications, responsible for roads, firearms and specialist support as well as for the force communications centre.

Helen is also an experienced firearms and public order commander having regularly commanded international cricket matches and other large events.

www.durham.police.uk

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Budget proposals – la

There is still time to have your say on the Council’s wide-ranging budget proposals – but you will have to be quick.

A 15-week consultation period on the Medium Term Financial Plan – which covers the financial years 2016/17 to 2019/20 – comes to an end on Tuesday 31 May. Hundreds of Darlington residents have already given their views on the proposals in a number of different ways, including in person at public meetings, by email or post, or by filling in an online form.

For full details of the proposals, or to make your views known before the consultation period closes, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/budget and click on the Your Say tab or send your comments to: Budget Proposals, Communications Team, Room 106, Town Hall, Feethams, Darlington DL1 5QT. As a result of lower grants from the Government, the Council needs to remove £10.2m from its budget by 2020, on top of savings of about £30m already made since 2010.

There is a large number of proposals which

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have been subject to consultation since the draft budget was announced in February, such as cuts in funding for charitable organisations including Gay Advice Darlington/Durham and Darlington Association on Disability.

Other proposals being consulted on include the closure of five children’s centres to be replaced by a central children’s centre with an outreach service.

Councillor Bill Dixon, Leader of the Council, said: “We said at the start of this process that we do not want to be making these cuts, but we are having to play the cards we have been dealt.

“We have also said that we want to listen to people’s views on the proposals and time is now running out for that.

“In considering people’s views, we still need to keep an eye on financial matters, so if the public wished to remove one proposal from the budget, they would need to come up with an alternative that saves the Council the same amount of money.

“So, if you have been meaning to have your say, but have not yet got round to it, now is the time to get in touch.”

www.darlington.gov.uk/budget

ast chance to comment Hundreds of people and organisations have given their views on the proposals. Here are some of the ways in which people have had their say

What happens next?

• Two high-profile public meetings in the Dolphin Centre’s Central Hall, on 16 March, gave members of the public the chance to put questions directly to cabinet members.

After the public consultation period ends on 31 May, the responses will be collated and discussed at a Special Cabinet meeting on 22 June. The Cabinet will agree the final version of the proposals, which will be put forward for approval at a Special Council meeting – attended by all councillors – on 29 June.

Members of the public are welcome to attend both meetings. Once the final proposals are approved by the Full Council, implementation of the budget will begin from 30 June. Some changes may take effect very quickly, others may take longer to put into action.

• Leader of the Council Bill Dixon has met with about 50 members of the public on a one-toone basis. If you would like a personal meeting with the Leader, there is still time. Email bill.dixon@darlington.gov.uk.

• Councillor Dixon answered questions from the public during an online Q&A session on 19 April.

• Two events to discuss only the libraries proposals were held on 23 March.

• Councillor Nick Wallis, whose cabinet portfolio includes the much-discussed libraries proposals, has also held one-to-one meetings with individuals, as well as organisations including Darlington for Culture.

• A detailed microsite, within the main Darlington Borough Council website, was created giving full details of the proposals and ways to play a part in the process. The site is still online at www.darlington.gov.uk/budget.

• The microsite includes answers to more than 35 frequently asked questions.

• Hundreds of people have sent letters and emails, or filled in the online form on the microsite, to give their opinions.

www.darlington.gov.uk/budget

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What does your local NHS do well?

What could we do better?

What does your local NHS do well?

What could we do better?

Our health needs are changing. Thanks to better care, we are surviving illnesses and living with conditions for much longer than we used to. This means that our health services need to change too.

We are fortunate in Darlington to have good care from our GPs and hospital, but we are aware that our services are under pressure. Not all of our services meet nationally recognised standards and people do not always have a good experience in our care.

Over the past few months, Darlington GPs have been working with colleagues across Durham, Darlington and Teesside on a project called the Better Health Programme. The programme is about how we can provide you and your families with the best possible services over the next five years, and beyond.

Our doctors have been looking at how we can improve areas of hospital care including accident and emergency, emergency surgery, intensive care and women’s and children’s care.

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Our senior consultants are also telling us there is a shortage of specialists. It can take many years to train a specialist and so we need to get better at predicting what skills we will need in the future. To make the best use of the expertise we have now, we need to create more centres of excellence for particular types of treatment, and increase networking between hospital teams. Our consultants will be sharing their ideas about how we can do this in the next few months.

In the meantime, we are also looking at how we can improve care to avoid unnecessary hospital visits, improve prevention, manage long term medical conditions and improve quality of life. We will be sharing ideas and seeking your views in the coming months.

For more information on the Better Health Programme, or to attend a public event to have your say, please visit the website at www.nhsbetterhealth.org.uk See Darlington CCG at work You’re invited to our next Governing Body meeting on 14 June from noon–3pm in Stephenson Room, Community Safety Centre, Park Place, Darlington, DL1 5LR.

www.darlingtonccg.nhs.uk

How to cope with back pain

We are working with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across the North-East and Cumbria on a different approach to managing acute back pain.

Most people who get back pain will get better, without treatment, within six weeks. If however, you are one of the small number of people whose condition doesn’t improve, you will now be seen very quickly by specialist staff. This will ensure you get the best treatment at the right time.

Dr Andrea Jones, Chair, NHS Darlington CCG, said: “If you have suffered from back pain, you will know it can sometimes be temporarily disabling and excruciating and can be a very worrying experience.

“We want to stop offering treatments that are shown not to work, or given at the wrong time, and focus our attention on those treatments that do work.

This will allow us to give our energy and attention to those people who need most help to avoid them developing ongoing and chronic problems.

Of course, if you are worried about back pain you should consult your doctor.”

More information on the regional back pain programme can be found at www.noebackpainprogramme.nhs.uk

www.darlingtonccg.nhs.uk

Back pain facts • Back pain is very common and rarely due to something serious • 80% of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives and the majority of us will make a full recovery in six weeks without any treatment • Keeping active during the day and having a good night’s sleep can help • Scans, x-rays and injections are rarely needed to help back pain.

Have a say in how health services are run Do you want to improve health services in your local community and get involved in the way your health service is run? Do you want to help shape and deliver new and exciting services?

We are looking for people, from all ages and backgrounds, who are enthusiastic about influencing and improving local healthcare to join our Community Council. For more information visit www.darlingtonccg.nhs. uk and click on ‘become a member of your community council.’

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Darlington chosen as one of ten Healthy New Towns

NHS England announced in March that Darlington had been chosen as one of ten Healthy New Towns, following a thorough selection process.

Healthy New Towns is part of the NHS Five Year Forward View which aims to improve population health, as well as integrating health and care services.

In Darlington, the delivery of the scheme will be overseen by the Darlington Health and Care Partnership, which includes Darlington Borough Council, Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, Primary Healthcare Darlington and Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust.

Being named as a Healthy New Town fits in with a vision for Darlington that members of the Health and Care Partnership had previously agreed.

That vision includes better self-management of conditions, more services being delivered in the community and smarter use of digital technologies.

The programme has three main objectives: • To develop new and more effective ways of shaping new towns, neighbourhoods and strong communities that promote health and wellbeing, prevent illness and keep people independent • To show what is possible when we radically rethink how health and care services could be delivered

• To achieve the first two objectives in a way that can be replicated elsewhere, making learning available in other areas.

In the NHS Five Year Forward View national document in 2015, a clear commitment was made to dramatically improve population health, and integrate health and care services, as new places are built and take shape.

Darlington is looking to maximise the opportunity that the Healthy New Towns programme brings to further develop and roll out its integrated health and wellbeing vision for the town over the next 30 years, including: • The first of three integrated health and wellbeing villages which will be at the core of the town’s reconfigured health and social care services • Integrated exercise and recreational approaches including walking and cycling routes to community, retail, educational and work places • Further developing the local digital health system, which allows phone line, app and internet based digital health monitoring technology to be linked to GP and hospital record systems. This will allow those with long term medical conditions to make lifestyle choices about when and where they self-test and link to their personal health records and health care systems in their local community.

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Before and after strengthening work on Stonebridge

Stonebridge is strong again After a programme of work, Stonebridge has been successfully strengthened. The bridge has been in place for 120 years and was suffering corrosion. The pictures of the underside of the bridge show the levels of corrosion before the work and the new, strong beams, which have been designed to last another 120 years.

To cover the cost of the strengthening work the Council made a successful bid to the Department

for Transport’s Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund, and was one of only 23 councils in England to receive funding.

There is further work scheduled for the bridge over the summer months which is due to begin on Monday 6 June. This work has been scheduled for this time as it involves repainting and replacing the stone pillars when good weather and higher temperatures are needed.

Feethams scheme takes shape as first restaurants open After more than a year of work the multimillion pound Feethams development is nearly finished. The first restaurants at the town’s newest leisure scheme have opened - with more set to follow in the coming weeks.

Feethams features an 80–bed Premier Inn hotel, a nine-screen cinema and a number of big name restaurants, the first of which – Nando’s, Bella Italia and ‘The Woollen Mill’ Hungry Horse pub – have all opened.

Property development company Urban & Civic has masterminded the scheme, and a grand opening event is planned for later this year.

Simon Hawkins, Development Director with Urban & Civic, said the company was delighted that the first restaurants had opened at Feethams.

“These openings mean that we have very nearly completed the first part of our journey in bringing a complete entertainment scheme to the town,” he said.

Creating the first of more than 200 jobs across the Feethams scheme, the restaurants mark the beginning of the run-up to the grand opening event in a few weeks’ time. “The Feethams development is one that we are incredibly proud of,” said Simon. “We are looking forward to becoming an integral part of the local economy and wider community, and we are all very excited for the next phase of openings.

“We’ll be staging a special celebratory event to mark the grand opening of the leisure scheme as a whole, which we’re sure will be a huge hit with the people of Darlington.”

Paul Spensley, Project manager with Urban & Civic, welcomes Nando’s manager David Graham to Feethams.

www.darlington.gov.uk

How the completed development will look.

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An ingenious How ingenious ON THE NATION’S RADAR Darlington is the site of the £38m National Biologics Manufacturing Centre, run by the CPI. They are creating the medicines of the future.

How ingenious WORLD FAMOUS STRUCTURES MADE IN DARLINGTON Cleveland Bridge has built the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge; Wembley Arch, and more recently parts of The Shard and Canary Wharf.

How ingenious FLYING THE FLAG FOR DARLINGTON For more than 40 years Darlington’s Harrison EDS has been the leading UK manufacturer of flags, used at the 2012 Olympics, Edinburgh Tattoo and the Royal Albert Hall.

How ingenious A SUBSEA CENTRE WITHOUT ANY SEA Darlington is a respected and developing UK centre of the subsea sector.

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A celebration of everything that is ingenious about Darlington is taking place on Friday 8 July and Saturday 9 July.

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From the latest Cummins engines and never before seen technical drawings of the Sydney Opera House to free trips to the Tees Cottage Pumping Station and world class underwater robots, the Festival of Ingenuity will bring the town centre to life with the chance for people to get handson experience of engineering.

There will be something for all the family with interactive activities promoting the practical uses of engineering in everyday life.

Seth Pearson, Director of Darlington Partnership, said: “The highlight of the two-day festival will be a high paced, visually stunning driving display by Paul Swift Precision Driving Team.

“Stunt driver Paul will be showing off the skills that have made his family name in the world of film and TV stunt driving on Saturday in two high-paced shows.”

Other exhibitors include Mech-Tool Engineering; Nifco; Arriva; Sherwoods; Darlington College; Teesside University and Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue.

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To find out more go to www.festivalofingenuity.co.uk

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www.festivalofingenuity.co.uk

festival of fun How ingenious 50 YEARS OF ‘ENGINUITY’ Cummins Darlington celebrated 50 years of engine production in 2015.

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Attractions include: • More than 200 Year 9 pupils will be taking part in the Foundation for Jobs’ Ingenious Engineering event in the Dolphin Centre. They will complete a range of interactive engineering activities, including building underwater robots, watched by parents and the public • An inter-school Mars Rover building competition for secondary school children and a robot drawing competition for primary aged children • Cummins will be showing off its incredible engines and some of the amazing machines they power • Modus will be letting visitors get up close and personal with its sub-sea remotely operated vehicles (ROV) which are used throughout the world

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• For the first time ever, Cleveland Bridge will be showing off its original draughtsmen’s drawings of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Tyne Bridge • Darlington Building Society, the event’s main sponsor, is providing a special family area in the new Feethams Square for people to relax, have fun and be entertained • Star Radio will be broadcasting live from the event throughout the day.

www.festivalofingenuity.co.uk

How ingenious ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN THE UK Two separate independent reports have ranked Darlington as the 7th best place to live in the UK.

How ingenious WORLD’S FIRST PASSENGER RAILWAY On 27 September 1825, George Stephenson’s Locomotion No1 travelled from Darlington to Stockton.

How ingenious MORE THAN 130 YEARS OF MANUFACTURING SKILLS Henry Williams Ltd has been involved in the railway industry since 1883.

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The founding members of the Tees Valley Combined Authority ahead of its inaugural meeting in April

Combined Authority holds first meeting The new Tees Valley Combined Authority held its inaugural meeting in April. The new body was consulted on locally from 10 December 2014 – 31 January 2015, and by Government from 28 October – 9 December 2015. Here we’ll answer some of the questions that have been asked about the new Combined Authority.

1. Are the five councils merging?

The five Tees Valley Councils will continue to deliver local services, but will unite as a formal Tees Valley Combined Authority to focus on economic development, transport, infrastructure and skills.

2. Will the Combined Authority cost Darlington any more?

The five local authorities previously funded the local enterprise partnership (LEP) Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU). We expect any additional running costs to be very small compared to the financial benefits of having a Combined Authority.

3. How will the Combined Authority work?

The Combined Authority is a statutory body with its own constitution. There are committees that focus on specific issues like transport, audit and governance, and scrutiny. The mechanics are very similar to how a local authority works, but focusing

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on issues at a Tees Valley-wide level. The Chair of the LEP and the five leaders will be members of the Combined Authority. There will soon be consultation on the role of the future elected Mayor for the Combined Authority.

4. How will a Combined Authority benefit the Tees Valley?

The Combined Authority will attract increased funding from the Government that we can control locally here in the Tees Valley. It will also be able to make decisions on strategic transport and infrastructure, employment and skills, economic development, business investment and low carbon at a Tees Valley level, instead of those decisions being made in Whitehall.

5. What is the difference between the Combined Authority and devolution?

A Combined Authority is a statutory body created to formalise joint working and decision making between councils in order to speed up economic growth. Devolution is a process that transfers powers and funding from central government to a sub-regional body so that local factors are better recognised in decision making. The Combined Authority was necessary for a devolution deal in the Tees Valley.

www.darlington.gov.uk

Could you be a fire cadet?

Are you aged 13 to 17 and interested in learning more about the Fire and Rescue Service? If so, Darlington Fire Cadets, run

by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS), may be just the group for you.

Based at Darlington Community Fire Station, the cadets meet every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm.

Fire Cadets and Young Firefighters Association (YFA) groups are part of national organisations with branches across the country. Both groups give young people the opportunity to join a uniformed organisation based on the values and practices of the fire and rescue service. Drills and activities are organised each week by serving firefighters who volunteer to run the groups in their own time. The emphasis is on developing confidence, team work and physical fitness in a fun, informal atmosphere.

Keith Wanley, operations area manager for CDDFRS, said: “Darlington is the first of our

www.ddfire.gov.uk

stations to use the cadet model and joins our four YFA groups running across the service.

Membership of the Fire Cadets and YFA is well regarded by employers as a positive addition to any CV. CDDFRS also benefits enormously from running the groups - these young people form a dedicated pool of volunteers who are knowledgeable ambassadors for the fire and rescue service.

“The Fire Cadets and YFA programmes can also be a step towards joining the retained duty service of CDDFRS.” To find out more about the Fire Cadets’ programme at Darlington Fire Station, or any of the schemes for young people run by CDDFRS, email: Justin Parry - Crew Manager Justin.parry@ddfire.gov.uk Michael Stephens - Assistant District Manager mstephens@ddfire.gov.uk

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Join in the Queen’s birthday fun Help is at hand if you are planning a party to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.

On Sunday 12 June, the Patron’s Lunch will take place on the Mall in London with 10,000 guests celebrating Her Majesty’s birthday at a special street party.

People across the UK are being encouraged to hold their own community celebrations to join in the fun and raise money for local programmes.

For advice about hosting a community party go to www.darlington.gov.uk/streetparty Students at West Park Academy have been raising money to host their Queen’s birthday celebrations with various events, including an Easter fair.

Pupil Lucy McGuire raising money

Keeping people safe and well The fire and rescue service is carrying out new ‘safe and wellbeing’ visits as part of its successful programme of community safety work.

The visits, which are free of charge, have replaced the home fire safety checks County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) has been running for the past ten years.

The visits include advice on fire prevention in the home as well as information and practical advice to improve health and quality of life.

Project lead, Rob Cherrie, explained: “As part of our community safety work we visit thousands of homes each year. We are hoping to build on the trusted relationship we have with members of the public by offering 18

help in areas beyond fire safety. This could be preventing slips, trips and falls; providing details about schemes to heat homes; health initiatives such as flu jabs, smoking cessation and alcohol consumption; as well as supporting those affected by dementia, loneliness and isolation.

“We are working closely with local authorities, our partners in health, as well as Age UK Darlington, to provide referrals and expertise if people take up the initial offers of support. Our firefighters and community safety teams have taken part in training to equip them with the skills to carry out this new element of their roles.”

To book a ‘safe and wellbeing visit’ email csenquiries@ddfire.gov.uk or phone 0845 2234221 www.onedarlington.org.uk

An ingenious place to visit Opened in November 2009, Rockliffe Hall is an AA-rated 5* leisure resort set within 375 acres just outside Hurworth. It has 61 rooms and suites; two bars; three restaurants; an 18-hole championship golf course; and an award-winning spa and wellness centre.

Eamonn Elliott, Chief Executive since December 2014, speaks to One Darlington about the hotel’s latest accolade from Visit England. For more information go to www.rockliffehall.com Tell us about the Visit England award and what it means for the business.

We won the North East Tourism Awards’ Large Hotel of the Year accolade in November 2015 which meant we qualified to enter the national Visit England Awards for Excellence, which we went on to win. For a North East hotel to be named the best large hotel in England is a credit to everyone who works here and is great for the region.

This is the latest in a string of awards for the complex, how many awards does Rockliffe have to its name?

Rockliffe Hall is the only hotel in the North of England to hold 5 AA red stars – the highest accolade possible. The resort also features in the Sunday Times’ Top 100 Ultimate British Hotels, holds an Award of Excellence from Booking.com and recently won the North East Hotels Association Community Excellence Award.

Our flagship Orangery restaurant holds three AA Rosettes and was named Secret Diner Hotel Restaurant of the Year at the end of 2015. Our spa holds the Good Spa Guide’s 5 Bubble Luxury Award. The golf club holds the 59club’s Gold Flag Awards and was also named Best Golf Resort in Europe by LeadingCourses.com. Various members of our team have also won individual awards for being inspirational leaders, expert cocktail makers, outstanding concierges and exceptional beauty therapists. www.onedarlington.org.uk

Eamonn Elliott, Chief Executive

How important is it that Rockliffe employs local people?

We employ 310 staff – just six of them live on site, so all the rest are local. Staff are a manager’s greatest asset and our team is the most dedicated I’ve ever worked with. The natural North East charm exudes from everyone and our guests regularly comment on their friendliness and professionalism. While we’re five star, we’re also down to earth - a unique mix that our guests love.

Rockliffe is a jewel in Darlington’s tourism crown. What do you think makes Rockliffe so ingenious?

Unlike many large hotels, which are simply a place to rest your head, Rockliffe Hall offers a sense of place in a diverse, vibrant, beautiful part of the world. The hall, originally owned by the Backhouse family in 1863, boasts a combination of stunning traditional features and state-of-theart facilities. At its heart is the staff who make Rockliffe the success that it is. We’re the ‘go to’ destination for anyone looking for exceptionally high standards – of course the All Blacks stayed with us during the Rugby World Cup, which caused so much excitement on the resort and around the region. We’ve also twice hosted the English Senior Open on our award-winning golf course which brought a lot of people to the area.

It’s a pleasure to be able to host big names, teams and events to help fly the flag for the North East. one Darlington

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We are still busy reading!

Busy Reader volunteer Janet Kelly reading with Year 2 children Kate Sheridan and Joe Raper

A popular children’s reading scheme has expanded to accommodate more volunteers.

our most recent cohort who have joined the scheme.

The Busy Readers scheme, which was launched

by Darlington Cares in September 2013, trains volunteers to listen to primary school children read.

“Volunteers are vital to the success of the Busy Readers scheme, with many of them finding the experience highly rewarding. We encourage anyone who can spare at least one hour a week to get involved to support our younger generation.”

Volunteers attend the same school for one hour per week during term time, with many volunteers dedicating more of their time to the scheme.

So far 11 schools have benefited from the voluntary scheme and more than 95 volunteers have completed training to gain an understanding of how children learn to read and to get the practical skills and tips needed to help develop children’s literacy skills.

Simone McNeill, from Darlington Cares, said: “We would like to thank our loyal volunteers for their continued support and we also wish to welcome

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Darlington Cares coordinates the volunteering resources, skills and expertise of local employers and unites them with community projects, where they can have the most impact.

To find out more about the Busy Readers scheme call Simone on 01642 738 964, email s.mcneill@tees.ac.uk or visit www.darlingtoncares.co.uk All volunteers undergo a mandatory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

www.darlingtoncares.co.uk

10K under starter’s orders Runners are under starter’s orders as registration has opened for the Sherwoods Vauxhall Darlington 10K, which takes place on Sunday 7 August.

Race Director Phil Haymer said: “Last year’s 10K attracted a record entry of more than 2,000 runners and we’re hoping to beat that figure this year with an extended entry of 2,500 to accommodate the high demand for this event.”

A new prize category for over 80 year olds has also been introduced in honour of Ian Barnes, a member of the Darlington Harriers running club, who has entered the Darlington 10K every year since it began 29 years ago.

Phil explained: “Ian suggested an over 80s category in jest to me, but there was no hesitation in doing so for a such a long-standing supporter of the 10K.” Darlington Rotary Club has been a voluntary supporter of the 10K for 25 years and race organisers give a donation to its chosen charities, which this year are Darlington and District Samaritans and St Teresa’s Hospice.

From left: Ian Barnes of Darlington Harriers, Darlington Rotary Club President David Heaton, Darlington Rotary Club 10k organiser Alan Charlton, Sherwoods Vauxhall Managing Director Alasdair MacConachie and Race Director Phil Haymer.

There will also be the Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group Junior 3K Road Run for 8-14 year olds and a Family Fun Run for all ages.

To register or for further information go to www.healthydarlington.co.uk/10km, email eventsteam@darlington.gov.uk or contact Phil Haymer on 01325 406417. Details about the event can also be found at www.facebook.com/darlington10km

Healthy and happy young people and families Health services for 0 to 19 year olds and their families in Darlington are wideranging. They include: antenatal and post natal care; support for parents; early identification of at-risk families; advice on vaccination programmes as well as support and advice on dental health; growth and development; healthy weight and physical activity; emotional health and wellbeing; stopping smoking and drug and alcohol misuse.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) delivers all these services in Darlington through the Universal Healthy Child Programme (HCP). A team of health professionals work together with children, young people and their

www.darlington.gov.uk

Health visitors in Darlington are now employed by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT)

families to help to keep them safe and promote resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Over the coming months, HDFT will be working with families to develop a website, of useful information, resources and guidance. If you are currently using, have used, or may use one of the services in the future and have ideas you think should be included, the Trust would like to hear from you. Email stephen.kelly@hdft.nhs.uk, or call 01423 557732. For more information visit www.hdft.nhs.uk

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Supported by

Supported by

Walk yourself healthy and happy Whatever your fitness level, if you are 16 or over, Nordic walking is a great social activity to keep fit and shed a few pounds.

Move More Stars

If you haven’t exercised for a while, are injured, or prefer to exercise in a group outdoors, then Nordic walking would suit you. Using special poles to propel yourself along as you walk, you can burn up to 46 per cent more calories than walking without poles, release tension, improve posture and gait, strengthen muscles and reduce impact on joints.

This edition’s Move More Stars are Ann Paton, Susan Bentley and Yvonne Jones, who met through the Council’s Nordic walking sessions. We caught up with them to see what they had to say about the activity.

Ann Paton (left) said: “It’s fantastic. I exercise in a lovely environment and enjoy talking to different people.”

Nordic Walkers Ann Paton, Susa n Bentley and Yvonne Jones

Susan Bentley (centre) said: “I joined the sessions four years ago because I wanted to exercise more. It keeps me fit and I feel great for doing it.”

Yvonne Jones (right) added: “I love walking and decided to give the sessions a go so I didn’t have to exercise on my own. It’s fun and invigorating and the poles are easy to use. I’d urge anyone to try it.”

Nordic walks take place weekly: Tuesday, Thursday & Friday – 10-11am, meet at South Park Clock Tower.

Saturday - 9.15-10.15am, various locations.

Call 01325 254370 for details.

Cost: £2.50 per session, per person.

Booking is required, call 01325 254370.

Poles are supplied and trained staff will demonstrate use. Walks take place in parks and open spaces; please wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Can you pledge to walk 20 minutes each day?

Why not park the car further away from your destination, carry out the school run on foot, or get off the bus a couple of stops earlier?

Making small differences can contribute to big benefits, such as feeling fitter and healthier… You may even have a little more money in your pocket! #Try20

May is National Walking month. You still have time to visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/NWM until 31 May and pledge to #Try20 – you could be in with a chance of winning a £50 shopping voucher.

www.healthydarlington.co.uk

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Food allergy research wins award

Benvenuto!

Dr Tushar Banerjee, consultant paediatrician at Darlington Memorial Hospital, has been named as the first ever winner of a national award for his investigation into the risks people with food allergies face from restaurant and takeaway meals.

Dr Banerjee, who was chosen by Imperial College, London to receive the Jill Warner Award, said: “My research revealed that people with food allergies are at significant risk of accidental exposure when eating take-away and restaurant food, largely due to the lack of knowledge of people working in these venues.

“Around 15 people die from the most serious form of food allergies in the UK every year, and these are preventable deaths. Hospital admissions for food allergies have also increased 500 per cent since 1990.

Following a recruitment drive, a number of nurses from Italy have begun working at Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham, with more arriving over the summer.

“I have addressed two awareness-raising meetings for caterers in Darlington, also making them aware of a European Union directive, requiring restaurants to highlight ingredients causing allergic reactions, such as milk, eggs, fish and most dangerously, peanuts.”

Noel Scanlon, Executive Director of Nursing for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome our nursing colleagues from Italy. We work very closely with local universities to recruit newlyqualified nurses, however difficulties recruiting, and a national shortage of qualified nurses, has led us to look at alternative ways of filling posts.

Dr Bannerjee runs a multi-disciplinary food allergy clinic where patients can be seen by a dietician, gastroenterologist, dermatologist, respiratory clinician and a specialist allergy nurse.

Dr Banerjee (centre) and members of the research team who worked on his study.

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“Our priority is to deliver safe, quality care to our patients in line with national recommendations for safe staffing levels. In past years, we have achieved this with a reliance on agency staffing but we recognise the benefits, in terms of continuity of care for patients, of having a more permanent workforce. There are also significant financial implications associated with using agency staff. All these factors led us to consider recruiting internationally.”

Our first group of nurses are working across various specialities following an intensive four week induction programme.

www.ccdft.nhs.uk

Smooth move Diane!

She said: “Slide sheets are an essential piece of equipment, used to reduce the risk of injury to patients when they are being moved, in particular from skin damage caused by friction. Patients who have just had surgery or suffered a stroke may not be mobile, and we also use slide sheets to gently move patients nearing the end of their life, whilst maintaining their comfort and dignity.

Diane (far right) and executive director of nursing, Noel Scanlon, (centre) show the ReDi Slide to nursing colleagues.

Back care advisory nurse, Diane Hindson, has designed a ground-breaking new slide sheet, the ReDi Slide, to assist clinical staff in moving patients who are unable to move themselves.

Diane recognised that existing slide sheets were far from ideal either for patients or staff so set about finding a solution.

“I won the needlework prize at school and once I started developing the prototype ReDi Slide, my sewing kit spent more time at work than at home!

“I worried that my final design was too simple but when we tried it out on our wards the feedback was excellent.

“My daughter came up with the name, which is a combination of the slide sheet colour and my name – red and Di!” The ReDi Slide is now being used on wards across the Trust and has been shortlisted for a prestigious Royal College of Nursing RCNi award.

Foundations laid for new £30m operating theatres The foundations are being laid for six new state of the art operating theatres at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The new theatres are being built next to the current ones which are being upgraded with improved technology. The increased capacity will improve patient experience and reduce waiting times.

Disruption has been minimised during the demolition phase and will continue as building begins on this significant project due for completion by Spring 2018.

The scheme includes a new mortuary facility, bereavement centre and multi faith chapel.

Work gets underway at hospital

www.ccdft.nhs.uk

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Local Plan 2016-36 A new plan for long term investment and growth for Darlington is being prepared. It will set out where significant new development should go and will include policies to protect valued environments and heritage.

The local plan will be for the next 20 years, up to 2036. By then, there could be up to 10,000 new homes, creating at least 6,000 new jobs and sustaining a vibrant town centre, high quality built and natural environments, accessible open spaces, sport and recreation facilities and health and education venues.

We think that development and changes in how land is used over the next 20 years should: • be well planned, high quality and sustainable • serve everybody’s needs • be located and designed to withstand the effects of climate change • be co-ordinated with new and improved roads, open spaces and schools etc.

• ensure Darlington remains an attractive place to live, invest in and to visit • bring economic growth, new jobs and prosperity • sustain shops, the markets, leisure and commerce in a vibrant town centre • ensure that Darlington’s heritage and key open spaces are protected and cherished

Plan preparation timetable and opportunities to have your say It will take three years to prepare and adopt the plan. You can find out more about the process, and current and future opportunities to get involved, on the Council’s website. Visit our website now to sign up for notifications about the opportunities to have your say. You can already have your say on our draft revised Statement of Community Involvement, which sets out proposals for engaging with people, groups and organisations.

The closing date for comments is Monday 15 August 2016 For all the latest information about the local plan, and to find out about the opportunities to have your say, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/localplan, or call 01325 406724.

All comments received will be considered, and the main issues raised by them will be reported to a Place Scrutiny Committee meeting in the autumn.

Proposals for New Development Now Until the plan is adopted, decisions on new development will take account of national planning policies, existing relevant local development plan policies and the Council’s ‘Interim Planning Position Statement’ agreed in April. These can all be found on the Council’s website, www.darlington.gov.uk/ipps

Do you agree?

What else should we be striving for in Darlington’s new local plan?

Work progressing on the Central Park development in Darlington

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www.darlington.gov.uk/localplan

Where should new development go?

There is ample space at established and emerging employment locations like Faverdale, Lingfield, Morton Palms, and central Darlington for the businesses that would provide new jobs.

In contrast, there are few opportunities for new housing in established residential locations, so new neighbourhoods, urban and village extensions and new settlements will all have to be considered alongside brown field regeneration.

If we’re going to provide all the housing Darlington needs, an average of about 500 new homes must be built every year throughout the plan period. At current building rates, this is at least 15 separate developments underway all the time. Whilst several of these could be in one or more broad strategic locations, a range and choice of sites and locations will be needed. Initial options and areas of search that are being considered are shown on the map which can be viewed on www.darlington.gov.uk/localplan.

Other themes Many points need to be assessed through the planning process and we want to ensure Darlington remains an attractive place to live in, work in and visit.

These points are set out in an Interim Planning Position Statement which can be found on the Council’s website. This takes account of national planning and comments we’ve received from the public in the past.

www.darlington.gov.uk/localplan

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News in brief

Helping Kynren is a family affair

Reader survey Thank you to everyone who filled in our reader survey either online or in the January edition of One Darlington. We are looking at all your responses and will use them to make future editions of the magazine even better. The winners of the free prize draw have received their prizes.

Primary school teacher Fiona Rankin and her 17 year old daughter Zoe, a sixth form student at Carmel College, are among 29 people from Darlington volunteering to work on ‘Eleven Arches Kynren – an epic tale of England’.

Set on a 7.5 acre stage, the open-air live action night show, which opens on 2 July, will tell the story of 2,000 years of British history in 14 action-packed performances in Bishop Auckland.

The Darlington duo will form part of the Kynren’s Experience Team, welcoming audiences and giving them information, such as where to visit and stay in the area, including Darlington.

Fiona said: “Kynren will offer a huge tourism boost. I’m looking forward to welcoming visitors on show nights and being an ambassador for the region.”

For more information and to book tickets visit www.kynren.co.uk

Emergency services weekend An emergency services open weekend is taking place at Darlington Fire Station next month.Find out about the work of the police, ambulance and fire service during the free event from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June. For more information visit www.ddfire.gov.uk or follow @CDDFRS on Twitter or Facebook.

One year of Business Central It has been a year since Business Central first opened its doors and there are now 28 businesses in residence, as well as eight who regularly use the drop-in business facilities.

Business Central is located in the Central Park Enterprise Zone. The North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) and Darlington Council are working together on the £6.6 million project to support business in the Borough.

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Fiona and Zoe get ready for Kynren

Bus honours young girl

The Howard family celebrate the handover of the minibus with a special cake

A generous donation in memory of a little girl is enriching learning for children with complex needs.

The £30,000 bus, specially adapted for wheelchairs, has been donated to Beaumont Hill Academy by the family of former pupil Emma Howard.

The six-year-old attended the school at the Education Village between hospital stays and her family were guests of honour at a special key handover ceremony.

Another £8,000 was handed over to train staff to drive the bus courtesy of staff at Mitie, the facilities management company that operates the Education Village site.

Head teacher Clare Devine added: “Emma was a lovely little girl and this is a celebration of her life. The bus shows everyone’s commitment to our special children and it will enrich their lives.”

www.onedarlington.org.uk

Modus Seabed Intervention apprentice Tom Young works with pupils at Haughton Academy during a Foundation for Jobs subsea event

Foundation for Jobs secures Ingenious grant The Royal Academy of Engineering is to part-fund an award winning initiative which has worked with more than 6,000 young people in Darlington since its launch in 2012.

The £25,000 funding from the Royal Academy’s Ingenious programme will be used to support more opportunities for young people from primary school age upwards to work on practical projects with engineers that fire their interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Foundation for Jobs was one of only 23 projects across the UK chosen for backing by the Royal Academy.

Jake Tompkins of Modus Seabed Intervention, who fronted the bid, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure the support of the Royal Academy of Engineering to drive Foundation for Jobs’ work over the next year and I thank them for their support.

“I have seen first-hand the positive difference Foundation for Jobs makes to our young people’s perceptions of engineering. www.darlington.gov.uk

“Our own involvement in Foundation for Jobs enables colleagues at Modus from every level to fire the imaginations of young people and has a positive impact on us as we really enjoy working with the young people.”

Councillor Chris McEwan, Foundation for Jobs chairman, said: “It is fantastic news that the Royal Academy of Engineering has chosen to give its backing to Foundation for Jobs and is testimony to the hard work that has been put in by all the partners in the project over the past four years.”

Foundation for Jobs is a joint initiative involving, Darlington Borough Council, schools, colleges, The Northern Echo and the One Darlington Partnership of private firms and public sector organisations, which has also enjoyed support from businesses and industrialists across the whole North East region.

Its overall aim is to reduce youth unemployment by matching young people’s aspirations with those sectors such as engineering which are vital to the North East’s economy but which many young people are not pursuing. one Darlington

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News in brief New Youth MP chosen Almost 4,000 young people across Darlington took part in a poll to elect their new Youth MP. The winner was Jessica Halliday, with 794 votes.

The 16-year-old, a student at Carmel College, said: “I was so pleased to be elected to this role and I will try my utmost to make a success of it. I will be campaigning for mental health awareness and support and lower bus fares for six to 18-yearolds.”

Bin and box charges New charges came into force on 1 April to help cover the rising costs of replacing lost or stolen refuse and recycling containers across Darlington.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Cabinet Member for Leisure And Local Environment, explained: “With increasing pressure on the Council’s budget we, like many other authorities, decided to introduce charges to cover the costs of replacing lost or stolen containers.”

For details, visit www.darlington.gov.uk /wastefaq or call 01325 388777 or email customerservices@ darlington.gov.uk

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Makeover for rockery ‘lost’ for decades A previously forgotten corner of South Park has been returned to its former glory.

Dedicated members of the Council’s horticultural team have cleared away large amounts of scrub and weeds that had overwhelmed the park’s rockery area.

As these ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures show, the rockery is now a smart addition to the park and is proving a hit with visitors.

Before – the rockery in its overgrown state before the project.

Nursery and horticultural manager Mark Riddle said: “That area of the park has got a real feel-good factor about it now.

“Members of the public are stopping the guys who have done such a great job on the rockery and remarking about how nice it looks. The whole of the rockery has been unearthed.”

The rockery is in the eastern most section of the park, sandwiched between Parkside and Grange Road.

Stepping stones and a footbridge have also been brought back into public use as part of the project.

After – the benefits of the team’s hard work.

Make 2016 your year to bloom Darlington in Bloom is back and greenfingered residents are being urged to make 2016 their year to bloom. The deadline for entries is 22 July. For more details, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/darlingtoninbloom

Since the rockery project was completed, Mark has noticed more visitors spending time in this previously underused area of the park.

Work to refresh the rockery – which is believed to date back to the early 1900s – took around eight weeks to complete.

The results of the makeover project will be enjoyed by visitors to the park for many years.

www.darlington.gov.uk

Council and traders agree plan to secure markets’ future Darlington Borough Council has reaffirmed its commitment to securing the future of the town’s cherished Covered Market and will work with traders to improve and enhance the experience for shoppers.

Council officials and traders have agreed to invite expressions of interest from private sector companies to take over the running of the popular Covered Market, as well as the twice-weekly outdoor markets.

Efforts to identify a preferred partner will be stepped up over the coming months and the markets will trade as normal in the meantime.

Traders will be involved in choosing a preferred partner.

The Council will also work with traders to identify and solve pressing issues concerning the structure of the Covered Market, particularly repairs to the roof of the building.

Both parties have outlined a commitment to working with prospective partners in a way that is respectful to the heritage of the Victorian building, as well as enhancing Darlington’s reputation as a 21st century market town.

It is also hoped this announcement will bring an end to incorrect speculation that the Covered Market is set to close.

www.darlington.gov.uk

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Local Environment, whose portfolio includes markets, said: “In these challenging times, this is our best chance to take the markets forward.

“We hope a private sector partner can be found to deliver a refreshed, exciting and sustainable market which traders and shoppers can continue to be proud of.

“We are confident there will be sufficient interest out there and that the right partner, with the right offer for Darlington, can be found.”

Alex Blackham, acting chairman of Darlington Market Retail Stallholders’ Association, said: “Markets play a major role in defining the identity of our town and Darlington needs thriving markets.

It’s what the traders want, it’s what the Council wants and it’s certainly what the public wants.”

Angela Smedley, National Market Traders Chair for Darlington, said: “We traders welcome an opportunity to engage with the Council and the potential new management in improving and securing Darlington’s market town heritage for future generations.”

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New service supporting victims of crime A new service is helping to provide support to victims of crime.

The Victim Care and Advice Service gives free, independent and confidential advice to help people cope with the impact of crime.

The service can be accessed at any point as a victim recovers from an incident and family and friends can also get advice to help deal with any emotional and practical problems. Safe in Tees Valley is delivering the new service which has replaced Victim Support.

John Bentley, Chief Executive of Safe in Tees Valley said: “The Victim Care and Advice Service provides support for anyone who needs help to cope and recover from the impact of crime.

“We particularly seek to support those who are vulnerable, intimidated or have been a repeat victim of crime. We work in partnership with many agencies to broaden the offer of support available and provide the best possible care for victims.”

You can contact the Victim Care and Advice Service on 0303 0401 099 or go to www.victimcareandadviceservice.uk

Does your 2 year old attend an early years setting?

When your child is aged bet ween 2 and 2 years 5 months he/she will now receive a joint health and education review in their early years setting; nursery, playgroup, or child-minders home.

The integrated review, which brings together the individual 2 year old health and development review and the 2-3 year old education progress check, will take place at your child’s early years setting.

Who is involved? · The child · The child’s parent/carer · The child’s key early years person · Health visitor

What next?

Speak to your child’s early years setting provider – they will answer any questions you have, suggest ways to help you prepare for the integrated review and organise it for you.

For more information call Darlington People and Families Information Support on 0800 9172121 or email pfis@darlington.gov.uk

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What’s On! There’s always lots going on in and around Darlington. Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/events or www.whatsonindarlington.co.uk for more details.

If you have any events you would like listing in future editions, email communications@darlington.gov.uk or call 01325 406058. Listings are free and we will try and include as many as we can. Please note, deadlines for listings are around eight weeks before publication date.

MAY Bookstart Rhymetime- these free, fun and lively story and song sessions are for 0 – 4 year olds and their families. Please come along every week during term time and join the fun, Booking is not required but places are limited and are given out on a first come first served basis. Sessions are held on Mondays at 2pm; Fridays at 10.30am and 2pm at Crown Street Library. _________________________________________ Parkrun – every Saturday, enjoy a 5K run around South Park. Pre-registration required. Visit www.parkrun.org.uk/darlingtonsouthpark _________________________________________

Vane Women 25th Anniversary Book Launch - Thursday 26, 6.30-8pm, Crown Street Gallery. _________________________________________ Durham at War; the Downing Papers Friday 27, 2pm, Centre for Local Studies, Crown Street Library. Talk by Durham County Record Office. Call 01325-349630 local.studies@darlington.gov.uk www2.darlington.gov.uk _________________________________________ Mentallica - Friday 27, 8pm, Forum Music Centre, Borough Road.

Call 01325 363135. _________________________________________ Young Writers Creative Workshop - Tuesday 31, 10am-2pm, Mowden Junior School, Darlington. A fun and free interactive writing and storytelling workshop for ages 7+. Booking essential, email traceyiceton@hotmail.co.uk or call 07773 797817 or visit www.trywriting.co.uk _________________________________________ Live at the Hippodrome - Tuesday 31, 7.30pm, Civic Theatre. A gala evening hosted by Christopher Biggins.

HALF TERM

There’s lots going on to keep young ones busy during the Spring half term

Art at AGE UK Darlington – until Thursday 23 June, Crown Street Art Gallery, Crown Street Library. An exhibition of work by tutor and students from AGE UK. _________________________________________ Gangsta Granny – Tuesday 24 Saturday 28, various times, Civic Theatre.

David Walliams’ story on stage. Free postshow talk on Wednesday, 10.30am. _________________________________________ Open Mic for authors – Thursday 26, 7-9.30pm, Voodoo Café/Cantina, 84 Skinnergate. Prose, poetry, drama, film scripts, eight minute slots for each reader.

Call 01325 467555.

www.whatsonindarlington.co.uk

A Changing Townscape of Darlington - Wednesday 1- Thursday 30, Centre for Local Studies. Photographs taken by George Flynn in memory of Valerie Portass. _________________________________________ The Afternoon Lectures: ‘Railways of the Great War’ - Thursday 2, 1.45pm, Head of Steam. A talk by Colin Hatton and Bruce Coleman. _________________________________________ Darlington’s Sunday People’s Market Sunday 5, 10am-4pm, West Row. _________________________________________ Cancer Research Race for Life Sunday 5, South Park. Ladies, time to get your running shoes on. Visit www.raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org _________________________________________ Children’s miniature train rides – Sunday 5, 10am–1pm, Hurworth Grange.

Ride on steam and electric trains. _________________________________________ Round 50 mile cycle ride – Sunday 5, from 8.30am, Dolphin Centre. The first of the four tourist trials and one of the most popular rides in the series.

Call 01325 406417 or email phil.haymer@darlington.gov.uk Crossing the Tees Festival - Friday 10 – Saturday 25, Crown Street Library and across the Tees Valley. With author events, historical talks and children’s activities, there really is something for everyone. Book through the Arc in Stockton 01642 525199 or online at www.crossingthetees.org

Under the Sea - pop into the Dolphin Centre soft play - there’s lots of different themed play days and events going on, from outer space to dinosaur discovery.

Call 01325 406000 for details. _________________________________________ Darlington Arts Festival - festival fun continues in Darlington until the end of May at a wide range of venues. Find out more at www.darlingtonforculture.org or #DarloArtsFest or Facebook. _________________________________________

JUNE

Children’s fairground rides - Market Square from Monday 30 May until Sunday 5 June. _________________________________________ Go Spike Big Event – Saturday 28, Joseph Pease Place. Join in with the Move More Team for volleyball fun. _________________________________________ Alice in Wonderland – Monday 30, 10am-4pm, a wonder-ful event in Queen Street Shopping Centre. _________________________________________ Family crafts – Tuesday 31 May, Thursday 2 & Friday 3 June, 1-3pm.

Head of Steam. Included in normal museum admission. _________________________________________ Arts and craft sessions – Wednesday 1 June, Crown Street Library, 10-11.30am; Cockerton Library, 1.30-3pm. To book call Learning and Skills 01325 405601.

These are the events taking place at Crown Street Library as part of the festival.

Celebrating Bookstart Week with ‘Imagine Me’ - Monday 13, 2pm-3pm; Friday 17, 10.30am & 2pm. Enjoy an “Under the Sea” themed story adventure.

All children will receive a free book.

Recommended for 2–4 year olds. £2.50.

To book online, visit the Crossing the Tees website at: www.crossingthetees.org To book over the phone, call ARC Stockton Art Centre’s Box Office on: 01642 525199 To book in person, visit ARC Stockton Arts Centre’s Box Office, 60 Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1LL _________________________________________ Charleston Charlies - Tuesday 14, 10.30–11.30am. A hand clapping, toe tapping, sing-along extravaganza for the older members of our community and for those living with dementia. Free, booking required via Arc.

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What’s On!

What’s On!

Sensory play and story session Wednesday 15, 2–3.30pm. Based on the Hungry Caterpillar book, for 2–4 year olds. £1 per child. _________________________________________ Father of the Brontës - Wednesday 15, 6–7pm. Join actor and director, Colin Pinney as Patrick, father of the Brontës. He reveals the story of his son Branwell and daughters Charlotte, Emily and Anne, £3. _________________________________________ Changing Landscapes: The global impact of Cleveland Bridge (Darlington) & Dorman Long (Middlesbrough) - Thursday 16, 2-3pm.

A Talk from Joan Heggie. Bridges built by these two great companies transformed the landscapes of many countries in the world, £2. _________________________________________

St Teresa’s Midnight Walk - Friday 17, take a midnight walk around South Park in aid of St Teresa’s charity. Visit www.support.darlingtonhospice.org.uk/ pages/midnight-walk _________________________________________ Annual Garden Fete – Saturday 18 from 1.30pm, Cockerton Green. Join the 8th Darlington (Cockerton Green) Scout Group for their 65th annual fete.

Crossing the Tees - Friday 17, 2-3pm.

With sea divers, Bob Middlemass and Rolfe Mitchinson, who have featured on Time Team and Secret Treasures, £2. _________________________________________ Voicing the Unvoiceable - Tuesday 21, 12.30-1.30pm. Poetry workshop with Natalie Scott (to link with the Titanic History Wardrobe event), £3.

Father’s Day Penalty Shoot-out Saturday 18, 9.30am–4.30pm, Cornmill Shopping Centre. Football dads, get your scoring shoes on for this fun event. _________________________________________ Arriva Fun Run - Sunday 19, 10am, South Park. Visit www.arriva.co.uk _________________________________________ History Wardrobe: Very Victorian Lady – Sunday 19, 2pm, Head of Steam.

Booking essential. _________________________________________ History Wardrobes presents Titanic – Tuesday 21, 2-3pm, Crown Street Library. Follow the events of the fatal night through the story of famous dress designer Lady Lucy Duff £7.50.

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Armed Forces Day - Monday 20, 10.30am, Market Square. The Council will be raising the flag for our Armed Forces.

There will be a short parade from the Town Hall to the Market Square. All welcome to come and support.

Halle Orchestra – Thursday 23, 7.30pm, Dolphin Centre. Tickets from the Dolphin Centre 01325 406600 or online at www.healthydarlington.co.uk/dolphinevents _________________________________________ Community Carnival - Saturday 25, from noon, Market Square/town centre and Stanhope Park. A day of family fun and music. _________________________________________ Summer Fun Workshop – Saturday 25, 10am - noon, South Park. Contact 01325 405601/405604 for details. _________________________________________ The Royal Signal (Northern) Band Sunday 26, 3pm, South Park bandstand.

Free event with music from the Royal Signals band. _________________________________________ Shakespeare at the Station – Thursday 30 June - Sunday 3 July (between 7pm9pm weekdays, Saturday 4.30pm and 7pm; Sunday 4.30pm. Enjoy Macbeth and Hamlet staged under the portico at the entrance to Head of Steam. Contact the Museum for bookings/information.

JULY

Darlington Dance Festival Association - Mass Dance - Saturday 2, 1pm-2pm, Market Square. See local dance schools and community groups participate in the Mass Dance and enjoy professional dancers perform. _________________________________________ Darlington Orchestra Summer Concert – Saturday 2, 7.30pm, Dolphin Centre.

Classical music for all the family. Tickets on sale from the Dolphin Centre 01325 406000. _________________________________________ 70 Mile Cycle Ride - Sunday 3, Visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for Darlington cycle rides. _________________________________________ Darlington’s Sunday People’s Market Sunday 3, 10am-4pm, West Row. _________________________________________ Our Big Gig – Sunday 3, 1pm, South Park. Music and singing at the bandstand.

Free event. _________________________________________ The Afternoon Lectures: ‘The Twilight World of Steam’ – Thursday 7, 1.45pm, Head of Steam. A talk by Dave Whitfield. _________________________________________ Safe and Sound, Stories of Emergency Response in the Tees Valley – Saturday 9 July – Sunday 4 September, Head of Steam. Exhibition. _________________________________________ Aqua Dash – Sat 9, 12-2pm, South Park.

Contact North East Autism Society on 0191 4109974 or at www.ne-as.org.uk/aqua-dash

www.whatsonindarlington.co.uk

What’s On! LOOK AHEAD TO SUMMER

Veggie Characters workshop – Saturday 23 July, Cornmill Shopping Centre. Move over Mr Potato Head! This fun workshop takes the popular game to a new level as fruit and veg are used to create comical characters and mini gardens. _________________________________________

Festival of Ingenuity – Friday 8 & Saturday 9, Market Square/Dolphin Centre. An ingenious display of engineering companies, exhibitions and more. _________________________________________

Darlington by Sea – we do like to be beside the seaside – even in Darlington!

Look out for details of this popular event.

Denes Fun Day – Saturday 9, 1-4pm.

Tennis Dene (Deneside Rd) email friendsofthedenes@hotmail.co.uk _________________________________________ St Mary’s Church Summer Fair – Saturday 9, noon, Cockerton Green.

“Splat the Vicar”, traditional stalls, bouncy castle, sumo wrestling and much more. _________________________________________ Elim Church Community Fun Day - Saturday 16, 1-4.30pm, North Park.

Free entry. Includes, classic cars, archery, sports, treasure hunt, dance, fire engine and much more. Search on Facebook or visit www.elim-darlington.org.uk _________________________________________ Castle Rides – Approx 80 mile Sunday 31, Visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for Darlington cycle rides.

VENUE CONTACT DETAILS Civic Theatre – Website www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk Box Office 01325 486555.

Head of Steam – Call 01325 405060 or visit www.head-of-steam.co.uk; email headofsteam@darlington.gov.uk.

Entrance fees apply in most cases.

Crown Street Library – Call 01325 462034. Contact the library for details of Bookstart sessions.

Cockerton Library – Call 01325 461320.

The Bridge For details of what’s on at the Bridge visit www.thebridgedarlington.org.uk, Call 01325 244174 or email info@thebridgedarlington.org.uk

www.darlington.gov.uk/events

Arts and crafts at Head of Steam Thursdays and Fridays from 1-3pm throughout the summer holidays (21 July to 31 August). The drop-in sessions are included in normal admission and annual passes. _________________________________________

As well as long sunny days, there’s lots to look forward to in Darlington this summer. Go travelling through time, meet a dinosaur and one or two mad scientists or spend a day by the sea – it’s all happening in Darlington – an ingenious place to be this summer.

Here’s a few dates for your diary - there will be more in store in your favourite town centre. _________________________________________ Summer Fun Sunday - 17 July, 10am4pm, Head of Steam. Make Sunday a fun day with entertainer Tom Rolfe, face painting, mini train rides, outdoor games, fun trail and arts and crafts activities. Only £1 per person, with under 5s and annual pass holders free. Call 01325 405060 or visit www.head-of-steam.co.uk _________________________________________ Get going for Summer Get active this summer with a huge range of sports for ages 5-15 as well as family active events throughout the school holidays. Visit www.healthydarlington. co.uk/holidayprogramme or call 01325 254370 for details. _________________________________________ The Summer Reading Challenge – Darlington libraries throughout the school holidays. Enjoy the Big Friendly Reading Challenge with a Roald Dahl theme including animal encounters and pottery painting. Children aged 4–11 years will need to read at least six books during this time and will earn rewards as they go.

Time Travel Tuesdays - throughout August, Head of Steam. That History Bloke will be helping visitors to find out what life was like in a different historical period each week, with objects, dressing up clothes, and lots of fun activities. Included in normal admission and annual passes. _________________________________________ GOLD Tea Dance – Thursday 11 August 11 am – 3pm Market Square – Dance the afternoon away whilst enjoying free tea and scone. _________________________________________ Summer Markets – Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 August. Browse the stalls at this popular event with family entertainment. _________________________________________ Reggie the Raptor - Saturday 20 August, Cornmill Shopping Centre. Stare if you dare! Meet Reggie the Raptor, an incredibly lifelike seven foot high and 12 foot long Utah Raptor. Accompanied by two “scientists”, Reggie might take a liking to certain people – or their lunch! Don’t miss the animatronic hatching dinosaur egg and an adorable baby dinosaur.

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Council Leader’s Column

I would like to thank everyone who has had their say as part of the consultation on the proposed Medium Term Financial Plan. Many of you told us what you think of the proposals and, in some cases, made alternative suggestions as to how we can make the unprecedented savings we need to achieve. I am grateful for all your feedback and to those who attended our public events to hear our arguments and have their say.

As I have said before, I am very unhappy about the level of cuts we have to make but, thanks to the Government’s settlement, we have no choice. I can guarantee that all decisions we make will be done with a heavy heart and nothing will be decided lightly.

Throughout the discussions about the proposed cuts I have been very clear that Darlington, as a Borough, has a bright future thanks in part to the ingenious nature of our businesses and residents. This ingenuity will be celebrated at the first ever Festival of Ingenuity in the town on Friday 8 July and Saturday 9 July. See pages 14 and 15 for a taste of some of the inspiring attractions and hands-on exhibitions around the town centre proving that engineering has an exciting future in the Borough. Thank you to all those ingenious businesses, including Modus, Cleveland Bridge and Cummins, who have signed up to the event.

Many of those helping to put the Festival of Ingenuity on the map were also involved in the recent Best of Darlington Awards. This annual celebration of the unsung heroes in the Borough is always a great event and reminds us of all the good work being done in Darlington. With inspirational individuals, teams and businesses like those celebrated at the awards, I am more convinced than ever that Darlington will remain a great place to live, work in and visit.

Cllr Bill Dixon MBE (@billdixondton) Leader of the Council

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Ward surgeries Ward Your local councillor is there to listen to you and find out about the issues that are affecting life in your ward. You can e-mail, telephone or meet with your local councillor at regular ward surgeries. Find out more at www.darlington.gov.uk.

E-mailing councillors If you wish to e-mail your councillor their e-mail address is firstname.lastname@darlington.gov.uk For example, if you wish to e-mail Bill Dixon, type in bill.dixon@darlington.gov.uk The only exceptions are Andy Scott (Haughton and Springfield Ward), Anne-Marie Curry (North Road Ward) and Tom Nutt (Whinfield Ward); their e-mail addresses are shown with their ward surgery details.

BANK TOP AND LASCELLES Veronica Copeland (L) Tel: 358530; Chris Taylor (L) Tel: 243298; Wendy Newall (L) Tel: 251574. Cleveland Bridge Social Club – Sat 11 Jun and 9 Jul - 12pm-1pm. St John’s Church of England Academy - Tue 21 Jun and 19 Jul - 6pm7pm. King William Street Community Centre - Fri 17 Jun and 15 Jul - 5pm-6pm.

BRINKBURN AND FAVERDALE Sue Richmond (L) Tel: 351538. Brinkburn RA Club – Thu 9 Jun and 7 Jul - 6pm-7pm.

Richard Grundy (C) Tel: 266314; Rachel Mills (C) Tel: 482906/ 07534 285614. Brinkburn RA Club - Tue 7 Jun and 5 Jul - 6pm7pm. West Park Academy - Wed 8 Jun and 13 Jul - 6pm-7pm.

COCKERTON Paul Baldwin (L) Tel: 362690; Jan Cossins (L) Tel: 241124; David Regan (L) Tel: 495258. Windsor Court – Tue 14 Jun and 12 July - 10am-11am. Cockerton Library - Thu 9 Jun and 14 Jul - 6pm–7pm.

COLLEGE Tony Richmond (C) Tel: 351538; Ian Galletley (C) Tel: 07507 904109. Abbey Junior School - Wed 8 Jun and 13 Jul - 6pm-7pm.

EASTBOURNE Roderick Crichlow (L) Tel: 488173; Bill Dixon (L) Tel: 486588. Pilmoor Green Community Centre - Wed 18 May, 15 Jun and 20 Jul - 5pm-6pm. Firthmoor Community Centre Wed 25 May, 29 Jun and 27 Jul - 3pm-4pm.

Kevin Nicholson (I) Tel: 07791 807629. Firthmoor Community Centre - Thu 16 Jun and 21 Jul - 1pm-2pm.

HARROWGATE HILL Gill Cartwright (C) No Ward surgery held please contact Tel: 382276/07963 200893.

Marjory Knowles (L) Tel: 265847; David Lyonette (L) Tel: 464693. - Harrowgate CIU Ltd - Wed 8 Jun and 13 Jul 7pm-8pm. www.darlington.gov.uk/your-council

in in your your area area

Key: (L) Labour (C) Conservative (LD) Liberal Democrat (I) Independent

HAUGHTON AND SPRINGFIELD

PARK EAST

Chris McEwan (L) Tel: 283262; Andy Scott (L) Tel: 253707, andrew.scott@darlington.gov.uk; Nick Wallis (L) Tel: 488797. Haughton Methodist Church - Wed 8 Jun and 13 Jul – 7pm-8pm. Salvation Army, Thompson St; Wed 8 Jun and 13 Jul - 6pm-7pm. ASDA Foyer - Sat 4 Jun and 2 Jul - 10am-11am.

Cyndi Hughes (L) Tel: 480975; Malcolm Wright (L) Tel: 484374; Michael Nicholson (L) Tel: 240750/ 07906552714.

St Augustine’s Parish Centre – Wed 8 Jun and 13 Jul 6.30pm-7.15pm. Forum Music Centre Wed 1 Jun and 6 Jul – 6pm-7pm. St Columbas Church hall – Fri 10 Jun – 6pm-7pm. The Coleridge Centre – Fri 8 Jul – 6pm-7pm.

HEIGHINGTON AND CONISCLIFFE Gerald Lee (C) Tel: 314622; Paul Crudass (C) Tel: 374537. High Coniscliffe Church Hall – Sat 5 Jun – 10-11am. Brafferton Village Hall – 3 Jul – 10-11am.

HUMMERSKNOTT Alan Coultas (C) Tel: 350453; Charles Johnson (C) Tel: 463712. Carmel RC College – Tue 31 May, Mon 27 Jun and Mon 25 Jul - 6pm-7pm.

HURWORTH Joe Kelley (LD) Tel: 266760 – Hurworth Grange Community Library, Hurworth Road - Thu 2 Jun and 7 Jul 6pm-7pm.

Lorraine Tostevin (C) Tel: 333382. - Hurworth Grange Community Library, Hurworth Road - Wed 15 Jun and 20 Jul - 6pm-7pm.

MOWDEN Bill Stenson (C) Tel: 468249; Pauline Culley (C) Tel: 07535 470805. Mowden Junior School - Mon 6 Jun and 4 Jul - 6.30pm-7.30pm.

NORTHGATE Eleanor Lister (L) Tel: 254091; Sonia Kane (L) Tel: 486754. Corporation Road Primary School – Wed 1 Jun and 6 Jul - 6pm-7pm.

NORTH ROAD Anne-Marie Curry (LD) Tel: 07531 304050, annemarie.curry@darlington.gov.uk; Fred Lawton (LD) Tel: 467413. St Thomas Aquinas Church, North Road – Wed 25 May, 22 Jun and 27 Jul - 1pm-2pm. Morrison’s North Road, Car Park Entrance - Wed 8 Jun and 13 Jul – 6pm7pm.

Dawn Storr (L) Tel: 07543159224. Morrison’s North Road, Car Park Entrance – Wed 1 Jun and 6 Jul - 6pm-7pm.

PARK WEST Bob Donoghue (C) Tel: 352582; Heather Scott (C) Tel: 468547. 76 Carmel Road South - Fri 17 Jun and 15 Jul - 5pm-6pm.

PIERREMONT Bob Carson (L) Tel: 240627; Stephen Harker (L) Tel: 380039; Linda Hughes (L) Tel: 07904 772387.

– Reid Street Primary School - Wed 1 Jun and 6 Jul 6pm-7pm.

RED HALL AND LINGFIELD WARD Ian Haszeldine (L) Tel: 741508/ 07807 381613; Lynne Haszeldine (L) Tel: 250328. Redhall Community Centre, Headingley Crescent - Wed 8 Jun and 13 Jul - 6pm-7pm.

Heathfield Primary School - Wed 25 May, 22 Jun 6pm-7pm.

SADBERGE AND MIDDLETON ST GEORGE Brian Jones (C) Tel: 332820; Doris Jones (C) Tel: 332820; Steve York (C) Tel: 332025. Sadberge Village Hall -Tue 31 May and 28 Jun - 6pm-7pm.

Dinsdale Court – Tue 24 May, 28 Jun and 26 Jul 6.15pm-7.15pm. Bishopton Village Hall – Tues 26 Jul – 6pm-7pm.

STEPHENSON Jan Taylor (L) Tel: 243298; Katie Kelly (L) Tel: 260239. Wesley Court Community Centre - Sat 28 May, 25 Jun and 23 Jul - 11am-12pm. Gurney Pease School - Wed 8 Jun and 13 Jul - 6pm-7pm.

WHINFIELD Helen Crumbie (L) Tel: 462642; Tom Nutt (L) Tel: 360953, thomas.nutt@darlington.gov.uk. ASDA Foyer – Sat 4 Jun and 2 Jul - 10am-11am.

MPs’ SURGERIES: Jenny Chapman (Darlington MP) will be holding surgeries at her constituency office, 40a Coniscliffe Road, Darlington DL3 7RG on alternate Fridays from 9.30am to 10.30am. Please call 01325 382345 for an appointment.

www.darlington.gov.uk/your-council

Phil Wilson (Sedgefield MP) constituency office – 4 Beveridge Walkway, Newton Aycliffe DL5 4EE – is open to the public from 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

For a dedicated surgery, call 01325-321603 or email trippettp@parliament.uk.

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Clubs and societies If you would like your club or society listed on this page, please get in touch. We will include as many entries as often as we can.

Listings are free. Email your information to communications@darlington.gov.uk or call 01325 406058.

There is a web page on the Council’s website dedicated to local clubs and societies.

Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/clubs.

Club keeps on running

ONE of the North East’s oldest clubs, Darlington Harriers was founded in 1891 and has recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. Recent developments include an updated team kit, club memorabilia and a new website.

Two Olympic athletes have hailed from the club and Harriers also recently nurtured 2012 National indoor 1500m champion Lewis Moses, just one of many talented athletes developed through Darlington’s junior programme at their base at Eastbourne Sports Complex.

With more than 350 members, club nights offer training groups for all ages and abilities. Their oldest and longest-serving member is 80-yearold Ian Barnes, the club’s vice chairman, a former European M65 1500m champion and who still represents England at British Masters cross country events.

He was also the inspiration behind Darlington’s successful parkrun, which regularly attracts more than 300 runners on Saturday mornings.

Club nights at the track are on a Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm with fitness sessions at Darlington Arena on Monday nights at 6pm.

For more details visit www.darlingtonharriers.co.uk or call 07967 262095.

Harlequin Women’s Morris meets at the Quaker Friends Meeting Hall Skinnergate, Darlington on Tuesday evenings, 8-10pm. Dancers, including beginners, and musicians welcome. Sessions £3 each, first one free. Search on Facebook or call 01325 465129.

Darlington Orchestra meets Tuesdays (term time) from 7-9pm at Church Hall, St Thomas Aquinas Church, Darlington. New players of all ages, with a preferred playing standard of Grade IV and above, are welcome. Contact 01325 718414 or email admin@darlington-orchestra.org.uk or visit darlington-orchestra.org.uk The Darlington Stoma Support Group meets every third Wednesday of the month 6-7.30pm at Harrowgate Club and Institute, Salters Lane, Darlington. With guest speakers, product updates and informal advice and support. For details call 01325 743005.

KFA Mature Moves meets in the Dance Studio, Dolphin Centre every Friday, 2.45-3.45pm. Low impact exercise and dance for women aged 50+.

Sessions £3 each. Contact 01325 332572 or email catherine.gilsenan@yahoo.com Kim Chung Do Kwan – Taekwondo meets every Tuesday from 6-7pm at the Dolphin Centre.

Traditional martial arts class in Darlington. Suitable for all ages and abilities. Contact 0758 6292907 or email emma.roscher@gmail.com St Cuthbert’s Bellringers meets every Monday, 7.30pm at St Cuthbert’s Church, Market Place.

Members need to be over 12 years old and reasonably fit as there are 85 steps to climb. There is an active social side to the group and members do not need to be churchgoers. Contact 0780 6561096 or email kpmaughan@gmail.com Scrap Studioarts meets Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday, Borough Road Nursery School, Borough Road. Creative arts and recycling activities of all kinds. Contact 0772 7706335 or email yvonneangelapreston@hotmail.com

All information provided is correct at time of going to press.

38 www.darlington.gov.uk/clubs

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Head of Steam offers a unique experience to visitors of all ages, including: ■ Interactive displays and audio visual equipment

■ Educational events and children’s activities

■ Temporary exhibitions

■ Conference and event facilities

■ Themed family event days

■ Locomotion No.1, built by railway pioneer George Stephenson

■ Ken Hoole Study Centre

There really is something for everyone!

Head of Steam - Railway Museum, North Road Station, Darlington, DL3 6ST Tel: 01325 405060 Email: headofsteam@darlington.gov.uk Website: www.head-of-steam.co.uk

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