Darlington Today September 2018 issue

Issue 69 - September/October 2018 ISSN 1745-4654

THE LAST TIME EVER IN THE UK FOR THIS ‘BREATHTAKING,’ EPIC PRODUCTION Bristol Post

THE FULL WEST END AND BROADWAY

TM © 1988 CML

MUSICAL COMES TO SUNDERLAND LANDS WED 24 OCTOBER

www.atgtickets.com/sunderland

local, relevant and entertaining It’s hard to believe we’re heading into autumn already but sure enough, the leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping and schools and universities are opening their doors once again.

To help you get a head start on dressing for the new season, we’ve got a fashion feature packed full of our favourite trends so you can stay warm and look great at the same time.

We have all the usual features, as well as interviews with The Archers actor, Tim Bentinck, ahead of his appearance at Soap in the Cinema and with behaviour change psychologist, Dr Aria CampbellDanesh who specialises in helping people lose weight – and keep it off.

And if leaving summer behind has already got you down, then look no further than our travel feature, where we tell you about all the fantastic things the sunny Greek island of Santorini has to offer.

So grab a blanket and a hot chocolate and curl up somewhere cosy with your new issue of Darlington Today.

Sue

CONTENTS 4-5

LOCAL NEWS

All the latest news from Darlington

10

SOAP IN THE CINEMA

11 16

An exciting event for soap fans

in Darlington and you could win two VIP tickets in our competition

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TIM BENTINCK

We caught up with Tim Bentinck ahead of his appearance at Soap at the Cinema

14-15 FALL FASHION

All the latest colours and trends for the new season

16-22 CHRISTMAS IN DARLINGTON

Hotels in the area are helping you celebrate Christmas in style this year

24-26 Competitions galore

Win tickets, Afternoon tea & Overnight stays.

27

NOT ANOTHER FAD DIET

Bronia McGregor spoke to behaviour change psychologist, Dr Aria, to find out more about how his programme works

28

28-29 A WEEK IN PARADISE

Famous for its white washed buildings and stunning sunset, the Greek island of Santorini is one to visit

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WHAT’S ON

Need something to do in Darlington? Find an event here

Win a pair of tickets to see Some Guys Have all the Luck The Rod Stewart Story – 19th October at 7.30pm Some Guys Have All The Luck is a fantastic theatrical production celebrating the career of one of rocks greatest icons, Rod Stewart – from street busker through to international superstar!

Paul Metcalfe delivers an authentic and charismatic performance assuming the persona of this legendary singer-songwriter and performer right down to the last detail – from the distinctive vocals to the swaggering showmanship and sheer fun that have made Rod Stewart one of the most loved performers of all time.

The show includes all the massive hits from Rod’s incredible career, classic rockers like Maggie May, Baby Jane and Da Ya Think I’m Sexy through to big ballads such as Sailing, You’re In My Heart, and Tonight’s The Night as well as favourites from his days with the Faces such as Stay With Me and Twistin The Night Away and timeless Motown tunes from the album Soulbook.

Answer the following question to win a pair of tickets.

How much is a full price ticket to see The Rod Stewart Story Box office tel 01642 552663 - www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk

PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith t: 01325 304360 e: sue@rineypublishing.co.uk

EDITORIAL Bronia McGregor and Bernice Saltzer, Sorted PR t: 0191 265 6111 e: bernice@sortedpr.com Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate at the time of going to print, the publishers cannot accept responsibilities for errors, omissions, or changes in the details given.

Closing date for entries is 12th October - See page 26 for entry details or email your answer with full name & address to: sue@rineypublishing.co.uk Competitions: Riney Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised, late entries or prizes not received. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers.

Darlington Today | 3

LOCALNEWS YOUNG PAINTER MAKES AN ART OF HIS STUDIES A YOUNG artist with colour-blindness has created a kaleidoscopic portrait of an English icon.

Tom Leeming’s painting of pop superstar David Bowie was exhibited at Gallerina, Darlington for a week, before it took pride of place with its new owner who spotted it at another exhibition.

The 18-year-old artist from Darlington has just left Barnard Castle School, where he took A Level art, and is going on to study the subject at Leeds Art University.

“I completed my dissertation about the working relationship between Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat which happily coincided with the first major retrospective

of Basquiat’s work at the Barbican last autumn,” he said.

“My work has developed out L-R, Gallerina owner, Richard Hindle, with budding artist, Tom Leeming and his painting. of studying graffiti artists such it was like being an artist in my own studio. as Kaws, Banksy and David Choe. I have just The Bowie piece looks amazing on the wall been commissioned to do a mural in a local of such a well-respected gallery.” micro-brewery in town too, which is great.

“I like to find interesting faces to draw and enjoyed exploring the many images of Bowie for my final A level project. The colours I use are because I’m colour blind, so I decided to focus on the tones of the face, therefore, my paintings will look very different to other people than they do to me.

“I couldn’t have asked for more help from my teachers who gave me so much freedom

Gallerina owner Richard Hindle said: “After 20 years of helping to champion new and young artists, meeting Tom is a reminder of the rich talent we have in the region.

“After being approached by his teacher Sarah Rothwell, who shares our passion for art, we were delighted to show Tom’s work in our gallery as a reward for all his efforts.”

GIRLS HELP CLOSE THE GENDER GAP AT STEM EVENT GIRLS at a local school have taken part in a unique event, designed to encourage more women to consider a career in STEM. Students at Haughton Academy, Darlington, joined six schools from across the borough to take part in the annual Women in STEM event, learning more about how to pursue an opportunity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematic fields.

Delivered by Darlington’s Foundation for Jobs, in partnership with Darlington College, the event saw pupils take part in a host of hands-on activities, including science, digital, robotic, smart material and engineering based tasks.

Foundation for Jobs aims to build closer links with business and young people. Its co-ordinator Owen McAteer said: “Despite great progress in recent years there are still far fewer women than men accessing careers in STEM-related disciplines.

4 | Darlington Today

Year 9 students from Haughton Academy, part of The Education Village Academy Trust, take part in The Foundation for Jobs’ Women in STEM event at Darlington College.

“This event aims to challenge the perceptions of what STEM involves and demonstrate to young women the real opportunities that exist in this challenging and varied industry.

opportunity for our students to see first-

“Many firms are facing a skills gap in the future and with youth unemployment so high we need to help young people match their aspirations to the local careers market and help women engage with careers that they may not have considered in the past.”

careers.

Haughton Academy teacher of science Nicola Adams said: “This is a great

what careers may be available to them in the

hand that women are more than capable of doing any scientific-based jobs which may have previously been seen as male focused

“Having the chance to speak to women engineers and scientists already working in STEM industries and getting to experiment with different activities is a great way to build their confidence and give them an idea of future.”

LAW FIRM’S COLLECTION BOOSTS FOODBANK Staff at a North East law firm have shown they have a strong appetite for supporting charity after donating provisions to a church foodbank.

The collection of food, toiletries, clothing and toys by staff at BHP Law offices across the region will go towards the 120 food parcels supplied each week by the King’s Church Foodbank, at Whessoe Road.

Leanne Nash, a partner at BHP Law and leader of the corporate and commercial team, put the idea forward to staff.

Emily Charlton, of BHP Law, said: “We do a number of activities to support charity, but this opportunity was suggested because it’s particularly local.

“The team clearly got behind it and we are very pleased with their response. The firm also put some money towards it so we could go out and buy items to add to the collection.

“It’s been really rewarding for colleagues to do something that will benefit local families.”

Emily Charlton (left) and managing partner John Pratt (second right), of BHP Law,

The donations were collected hand over donated food and toiletries to Chelsea Johnson, programme officer, from BHP Law in Darlington and Seth Pearson, director of Darlington Cares, for the King’s Church Foodbank by staff from Darlington Director of Darlington Cares, Seth Pearson, Cares, which works with the said: “It’s fantastic what the staff at BHP Law King’s Church in its community efforts and is have been doing and hopefully rewarding for encouraging more businesses to volunteer them, but it also addresses a town problem their time to support projects that address by supporting families in need.” needs in the town.

Programme officer Chelsea Johnson added: Darlington Cares coordinates support for “The foodbanks are always in need but community projects by linking organisations particularly struggle at this time of year. that need help with its 29 member Donations like this really make a difference.” businesses whose staff offer time, skills and expertise in the areas of education, environment and social justice.

FOLK BAND RETURN TO THEIR ROOTS TO SUPPORT YOUNG BADMINTON PLAYERS A POPULAR folk group will return to their former school to raise money for young badminton players.

Fourum is currently made up of two of the founding members, Allen Miller and Jim Jack, as well as Sandy Still and Rod Hall.

North East folk group, Fourum, was formed by a group of Hummersknott Academy staff in the 1970s, who have been performing ever since.

They are best known for their unique songs, which portray the characters, history and legends of the North Yorkshire Dales and they have appeared on local and national radio and television, as well as in theatres and outdoor events across the country and abroad.

And to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary, the group will be playing at Hummersknott Academy on Saturday 13 October at 7pm, to raise money for the Badminton Club’s next tour in 2019, which will take them to France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Germany.

Their annual concerts held at the Georgian Theatre in Richmond continue to be a sellout success and they were recently featured on the third season of ITV’s The Dales.

North East folk group, Fourum

Tickets for the concert are priced at £8 for adults and £5 for concessions. For more information or to buy tickets, email hummbad@gmail.com.

DURHAM SOLICITORS HELP BUSINESS EXPANSION… THE SUCCESS of a North East engraving business has led to a move to larger premises and plans to increase staff numbers.

flexible so as this was our first experience of renting proper commercial premises, it was really important that we got it right,” said Mr Blackett.

Stockton-based Engraving Studios is leaving Stockton Business Centre and moving to a new unit at Arkgrove Industrial Estate near Portrack Lane, which will double the size of the company.

“Gwen was brilliant in supporting us and even the landlord said he wished every transaction was as seamless as this one.”

Starting off in a garden shed five years ago, the business was set up by husband and wife team, Andy and Mandy Blackett, who now have a team of five with plans for further job creation.

Mr and Mrs Blackett worked with Gwen Jones from Durham-based EMG Solicitors, after the company was recommended to them.

“Our previous offices had been a councilrun centre for start ups where it was quite

Gwen Jones, Associate Solicitor at EMG Solicitors which is based at Abbeywoods Business Park, Durham, said she was delighted to have helped the company on the next stage of its growth.

“Negotiating a lease on a commercial property can be quite daunting so I’m very pleased that I’ve been able to guide Andy and Mandy through the transaction. I wish them every success with their expansion and look forward to seeing them succeed in their new base,” Gwen is part of EMG’s award-winning

Gwen Jones, far right, with Andy and Mandy Blackett

property department, which work in both the residential and commercial property sectors.

The solicitors, which was set up in 2014

by Emma Gaudern, works across working across a range of sectors including Court of Protection, Wills, Trusts and Probate, Commercial Litigation, Family Law, Residential and Commercial Property.

For further information contact www.emgsolicitors.com.

Darlington Today | 5

ee ties r F vi ti c a

Halloween Fun

in Darlington Town Centre Wednesday 31 October 11am – 4pm Parade departs in front of the Indoor Market at 5pm

Queen Street

Indoor Market

Shopping Centre ‘Day of the Dead’ themed crafts, Halloween candy floss, trick or treat activities in a safe environment, scary costumes required.

For further information visit www.queenstreetshoppingcentre.co.uk

Cornmill Centre ‘Safe trick-or-treat’ themed terrifying treasure trail and activities around the centre.

Gruesome games and wicked workshops for kids and magic makeovers with glitter tattoos.

For further information visit www.cornmillcentre.co.uk

Professor from Coolscience with spellbinding science and spooky demonstrations and experiments such as pumpkins, slime, and smoke experiments.

Halloween lantern making with Yvonne Preston.

Halloween lantern parade 5pm – 6pm Mechanics Yard, Clarks Yard and Bucktons Yard.

Face painting, music, children’s entertainment and spooky costume characters greeting you on the way.

For further information visit wwwdarlingtonmarkets.co.uk

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To See A Full List Of Our Current Shows Please Go To www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk

BOX OFFICE: 01642 552 663

RIVERSIDE LEISURE PROMOTIONS LTD PRESENTS

BEN-RYAN DAVIES

(HOLLYOAKS & WATERLOO ROAD)

AS PETER PAN

The Rocket Man - 5th October A tribute to Multi-Grammy award-winning legend and superstar, Sir Elton John.

KURTIS STACEY (EMMERDALE)

AS CAPTAIN HOOK

Join us on a musical journey, charting the rise to fame of one of the biggest selling artistes of all time. Combining breath-taking vocal and piano performances, flamboyant costumes, a dazzling light show – all accompanied by an outstanding band and backing vocals.

Book your tickets now for this unmissable concert spectacular.

The 11th Hour - 22nd – 23rd October BARNABY AS SMEE

VICTORIA HOLTOM

AS FAIRY TINKERBELL

CHARLIE LEGG AS ABLE MABLE

THE HARPER BROTHERS AS STARKEY & PEGLEG

MOLLIE SHELLARD AS WENDY

FEATURING DANCERS FROM MIRAGE PRODUCTIONS & MEMBERS OF THE FORUM THEATRE SCHOOL

SAT 1st DEC - SUN 6th JAN Box office: 01642 552 663 www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk

Peter Pan 1st December 2018 – 6th January 2019 We are delighted to announce that this year’s Christmas Pantomime, PETER PAN, is selling extremely quickly. Make Sure You Reserve Their Favourite Seats As Soon As Possible.

A dramatic, emotional new play set in the last moments of World War One. Although signed and agreed at 5am on the 11th of November 1918, the ceasefire is set at 11am to allow notice to be delivered to all fronts – and while his mother and father, wife Emmie and young son Billy are celebrating news of the end of the war back home in England, Private Harry Furber and his friend Charlie Juster are sent on one last mission towards enemy lines.

John Lyons hugely familiar to audiences from his 17 years as DS George Toolan, in “A Touch of Frost” joins the cast as Harry’s father George. John’s other TV appearances include “Upstairs Downstairs”, “The Onedin Line” and “The Sweeney”.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy one ticket for both The Nightmare Room & Eleventh Hour at the same time and save £5

TABS PRODUCTIO NS AND THE THEATRE ROYAL,NOT TINGHAM PRESENT

THE

by John Goodrum - The Nightmare Room 9th October – 10th December A wicked contemporary thriller based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mystery chiller:

NIGHTMARE ROOM A WICKED CONTEMPORARY THRILLER BY JOHN GOODRUM BASED UPON THE CLASSIC THRILLER

BY ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

two women | one locked room | one bottle of poison A deliciously dark thriller – from a tale by the master of terror and mystery, Arthur Conan Doyle.

When Helen regains consciousness, she finds herself bound and blindfolded in a locked room. Her captor, best friend Catherine, challenges her to a deadly game of Russian roulette to decide which of them will win the handsome film star they both desire. But the game (like the room) is far from what seems Tues 9 - it Wed 10 October…

T WO WOMEN

ONE LOCKED ROOM ONE BOTTLE OF POISON

“MASTERLY... ...SPOOKY ...FIRST-RATE” “SLICK DIRECTION AND EXCELLENT ACTING”

Eves 7.30pm, Matinée Weds 2.30pm

The Magic of Motown - 15th – 16th December

Jimmy Osmond 24th September This high energy show will include The Osmonds hits such as “Love Me For A Reason”, “Crazy Horses”, “Let Me IN”. “Going Home” & The Proud One” along with his number 1 “Long Haired Lover From Liverpool”. A great party show for all the family.

Celebrating The Sound Of A Generation!

Music fans are invited to the biggest party of the year as the unstoppable Magic of Motown show steams into town! Seen by over a 1 million people all over the world and recently performed for the Royal Variety Performance 2016. Prepare yourself for 40 back-toback classic Motown hits, glittering costume changes, dazzling dance moves and outstanding musicianship in this explosive concert experience.

Includes Free After Show Disco & Late Bar The Perfect Christmas Night Out

THIS IS JUST A TASTE OF WHAT IS TO COME - PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE Darlington Today | 7

PART EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ON COUNTRYSIDE LIVING WITH MILLER HOMES Considering moving house and looking for your dream home in Middleton St George that ticks all of the boxes? Well look no further than Hunters Fold from Miller Homes.

Located on the northern edge of the village, this charming development of brand new homes combines tranquility and vibrancy, as it is surrounded by farmland yet just four miles from the centre of Darlington.

Buyers have the perfect opportunity to put down roots in a peaceful rural setting, as a varied choice of three, four and five-bedroom high quality homes are currently available, with prices starting from £182,950*.

Part Exchange† is available on a selection of homes including The Ryton, a four-bedroom detached home which is ideally suited to family living. Priced at £289,950*, this popular housetype has a selection of enviable key features including a beautiful bay window in the lounge, double doors opening up the lounge to the kitchen and dining area, an en-suite to the master bedroom with fitted wardrobes, and a Jack and Jill en-suite to bedrooms three and four, plus a single garage.

current property until their new home is ready for them to move into.

Buyers who reserve The Ryton can also benefit from £1,000 towards their legal fees**, and be safe in the knowledge that their home will be built to the highest of standards, as Hunters Fold’s site manager Simon Robson was recently recognised by the National House Building Council’s Pride in the Job Quality Awards.

Andrew Somerville, associate sales director at Miller Homes North East, said: “The locations of our developments are carefully chosen, meaning buyers who settle into life at Hunters Fold are within the tranquility of a countryside setting, yet not too far from the buzz of the centre of Darlington.

“We are building a community of desirable homes to appeal to a variety of buyers, from those stepping onto the property ladder for the first time, to families looking for their next home, or downsizers. To make it as easy as possible for those on the move, in addition to Part Exchange, we have a range of purchase incentives available on selected plots.

Part Exchange from Miller Homes allows buyers to swap their old home for a brand new Miller home, enabling them to upsize, downsize or swap like-for-like without the task of having to sell their current home.

“Anyone who is interested in finding out more is welcome to visit the development and speak to its dedicated sales adviser, as well as view the stunning showhomes.”

If a property qualifies for Part Exchange, Miller Homes will guarantee to buy at a price based on independent valuations. This eliminates advertising costs and estate agent’s fees and also allows buyers to continue living in their

To help house hunters get a taste of life at Hunters Fold, the three-bedroom Darwin and four-bedroom Stevenson showhomes are open for viewings from Thursday to Monday, 10:30am to 5:30pm.

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For more information on the development and offers currently available, contact the development’s sales centre on 03333 318 804 or visit www.millerhomes.co.uk/newhomes/north-east/huntersfold.aspx.

Disclaimers: *Upgrades available at additional costs. †Part Exchange is subject to availability, status and eligibility. All part exchange offers are plot-specific and subject to Miller Homes’ standard terms and conditions. These are limited offers and may be withdrawn without notice. Estate Agent’s fees paid for following instruction made by or on behalf of Miller Homes. No reimbursement will be made for marketing fees or Energy Performance Certificate or Home Report instructed prior to reservation.

Any offer is subject to a satisfactory homebuyers’ report. Your present home must meet certain basic qualifying criteria to be eligible for Part Exchange.

Customers’ move in date is subject to build programme and completion. Part Exchange does not guarantee a like for like exchange. There may be a cap on the value of property we can accept under this scheme. **Legal fees capped at £1,000. These offers are limited and subject to the lender’s approval and may be restricted to reservations made by a certain date. Available on selected plots at selected developments only and subject to Miller Homes’ terms and conditions. There is no cash alternative.

The offer can be withdrawn at any time without notice and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. The fees will be paid on completion of purchase.

Darlington Today | 9

Soap in the Cinema Soap in the Cinema will allow select audiences to get up close to some of the actors behind the characters we all know and love, across all the UK soaps.

A unique stage show format being held exclusively in Odeon Cinemas, with iconic moments never seen before - on the big screen, Soap in the Cinema promises to offer soap-fans 90-minutes of inimitable and exclusive entertainment.

The shows will be presented by BAFTA winning producer and writer, Tony McHale, who as an actor killed Ernie Bishop in ‘Coronation Street’ and then went onto murder many characters as a writer in EastEnders. To complete the formidable duo of hosts is actress Debbie Arnold, the only actor to appear in Corrie, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale as a regular character. She also remains the only person to appear in two soaps simultaneously when she starred as April Branning in EastEnders and Janice Bolton in Hollyoaks.

Soap in the Cinema commences in October 2018 and over the following 12 months there will be a total of 24

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shows. Using a pool of over 20 of our biggest soap legends – each event will see Debbie and Tony host a chat show style format, present iconic clips on the big screen, as well as pre-recorded inserts from a galaxy of soap stars.

The tour of Odeon Cinemas commences in Manchester on Sunday 14th October at the Great Northern. This is followed by three more shows in 2018; Darlington (28th October), Southampton (11th November) and Brighton (25th November). Each show will be followed by a party for our VIP guests.

The Darlington line-up is made up of EastEnders’ John Altman and Sid Owen, Coronation Street’s Brian Capron and Sherrie Hewson, Emmerdale’s Chris Chittell and The Archers’ Tim Bentinck.

There will be plenty of opportunity for our guests to interact through a Q&A and competitions where some great prizes can be won.

VIP Ticket Holders After each show there will be an exclusive after-show party attended by all our celebrities plus a few special guests. VIP ticket holders will walk the red carpet, have an official photograph taken, some of which will be featured in Inside Soap Magazine and the Soap in The Cinema website. Our VIP guests will be able to take selfies and will receive an exclusive goodie bag.

The reception itself will include bubbly and canapes.

COMPETITION To win two VIP tickets to Soap in the Cinema when it comes to Darlington on 28 October, answer the following question:

What was the name of Debbie Arnold’s character in EastEnders?

Closing date for entries is Friday 12th October. Please see page 26 for details of how to enter.

BEING DAVID ARCHER Bronia McGregor caught up with Tim Bentinck ahead of his appearance at Soap in the Cinema in October.

The longest running radio soap series in the world, The Archers has kept listeners riveted for more than six decades with its topical scripts and captivating portrayal of modern life in rural Britain.

And one man who has seen his fair share of drama in the fictional village of Ambridge is Tim Bentinck, who has played David Archer in the show since joining the cast in 1982, despite never having listened to the programme before his audition.

“When I first started I was joining part of a tradition,” explained Tim. “These were seriously famous actors because they were famous before television and radio actors were the massive stars at the time.”

And Tim admits that when he first took the role, he could not have imagined he would still be part of the programme 36 years later, with David Archer becoming an integral part of Tim’s life.

“I have people coming up to me and asking about my daughter and I actually have two sons so it becomes apparent that they’re asking about David’s life,” admits Tim. And it’s not just fans that get the two confused, as he recently found when performing in a play at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.

“I was doing a show called Brexit with Jo Caulfield where she played an EU rep and I was the Prime Minister, Adam, and she called me David live on stage.

“We just sort of looked at each other and went ‘what happened there?’”

Although Tim has a voice millions of people listen to every evening, he admits it is rare that he gets recognised purely on his voice.

“Nobody knows what you look like so it can be a huge surprise to fans of the show,” he admits.

“I have sometimes been introduced to people who have listened to The Archers for years and they do a triple take and almost fall over because I’m not what they expected.”

When he isn’t playing David, Tim has undertaken a range of stage, film and TV roles, as well as voice acting, including being the voice of TEFL tapes, video game

characters and even the ‘mind the gap’ warning on the London Underground’s Piccadilly Line for 15 years.

And although Darlington is yet to be a stop

His talents also extend to writing, of which he has written a children’s book called Colin the Campervan – with a sequel waiting to be published – and his memoir, Being David Archer: And Other Unusual Ways of Earning a Living.

soap fans can meet their favourite actors and

“I love sitting in the garden on a sunny day with my laptop and writing. I wouldn’t mind doing that all the time.

have some northern blood.

“I’m currently travelling around the country with my book tour so I’m getting to meet and talk to a lot of new people and see lots of new places.

event for me because it’s with TV soap stars.

“Some people don’t like to see radio actors because they have an idea of what the character looks like and it spoils the image.

Five million people listen to The Archers so there are five million versions of David.”

on his book tour, Tim is heading north for Soap in the Cinema, a unique event where – in Tim’s case – find out if their image of David Archer matches up with the real thing.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Darlington. My mum is from Sheffield so I

“Soap in the Cinema will be a different I’ve dabbled with TV soaps – I’ve done a few episodes of Casualty, EastEnders and Doctors.

“Debbie Arnold has worked really hard to pull it all together and it’s really exciting. It’s a really different event and I think it will grow and grow.”

Darlington Today | 11

Be the reason... they stay together Come along to one of our drop-in information events to find out more about fostering Saturday 22 September 2018

Tuesday 9 October 2018

Thursday 27 September 2018

Thursday 25 October 2018

County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UQ any time between 10.00am and 1.30pm Durham Town Hall, DH1 3NJ any time between 11.00am and 1.00pm

County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UQ any time between 4.30pm and 6.30pm Durham Town Hall, DH1 3NJ any time between 11.00am and 1.00pm

Foster with us 03000 269 400

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durham.gov.uk/fostering

DurhamFosterAdopt

You Could

Be The Reason Durham County Council have launched their ‘Be The Reason’ fostering recruitment campaign, inviting people with patience and understanding to offer a child in care a stable home.

The campaign aims to ensure that there are sufficient carers to support the increased number of children looked after by Durham County Council. That number stood at 814 in August, with the North East region recording a 50% rise since 2010, the biggest increase in the country.

looking after a little boy who’ll be three in September.

One of Durham County Council’s most recent recruits, Paula Armstrong, who lives in Great Lumley, has recently become a foster carer with the authority having spent 24 years in the army.

“There’s so much job satisfaction.

These children are so resilient.

They come to you maybe a little bit broken, and not really knowing what normal is, but then you see them thrive and grow in confidence.”

She joined the Armed Forces at the age of 18, working in logistics and serving in Iraq and Northern Ireland. Now 46, Paula is now embarking on another tough role as a full-time foster carer.

Paula’s sister-in-law is a foster carer and Paula offered to provide respite care to these children on a few occasions before beginning her own fostering career by caring for a fiveyear-old boy and seven-year-old girl on a six-week placement. She’s now

“I just wanted to give something back to help children. There are so many bad things you hear happening to children who are not given a chance in life.” says Paula.

“There’s no better feeling than seeing children succeed with little milestones that turn into something bigger.”

Fostering is like no other job and whilst it can be challenging and frustrating at times, the difference that foster carers can make is life-changing and incredibly rewarding.

Anyone interested in taking the first step to becoming a foster carer with Durham County Council can find out more and register their interest online at durham.gov.uk/fostering by calling 03000 269 400 or visiting the Facebook page @DurhamFosterAdopt.

Alternatively, Durham County Council will be running the following information drop-in events for anyone wanting to discuss becoming a foster carer further; • Saturday 22 September, any time between 10am and 1:30pm at County Hall, Durham (DH1 5UQ) • Thursday 27 September, any time between 11am and 1pm at Durham Town Hall (DH1 3NJ) • Tuesday 9 October, any time between 4.30pm and 6.30pm at County Hall, Durham (DH1 5UQ) • Thursday 25 October, any time between 11am and 1pm at Durham Town Hall (DH1 3NJ) Darlington Today | 13

L L A F FASHION

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By Bronia McGregor

rfoot, a cool breeze, Leaves crunching unde a great excuse to darker evenings… and e. revamp your wardrob day, we can’t wait for Here at Darlington To t l swing and we’ve go autumn to get into ful rite ou fav r ou ed full of a fashion feature pack warm and look great y sta n ca u trends so yo at the same time.

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Marks and Spencer, Camel Coat £99

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Matalan, Green Puffa Coat £30

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Miss Selfridge, Black Embroidered T-Shirt £18

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Primark, Tartan Leggings £13

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River Island, Yellow Bag £38

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Miss Selfridge, Burgundy Corduroy Dungaree £49

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Miss Selfridge, Tartan Mini Top Handle Bag £25

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Next, Chukka Boots £58

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Marks and Spencer, Brown Ankle Boot £39.50

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10 Primark, Grey Backpack £10 11 Primark, Beanie £3 12 New Look, Colorado Print Sweater £19.99 13 Next, Check Shirt £28

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14 Next, Mini check belted trousers £32 15 Primark, Tobacco Blouson £15 16 New Look, Block Stripe Scarf £14.99 16

17 Next, Stripe Sweater £25 18 River Island, Check Scarf £22 19 Primark, Cord Trucker Jacket £20 20 Next, Roll Neck £40 21 New Look, Cheetah Print Boot £29.99 18

19 20

21 Darlington Today | 15

Bring your party to our party and celebrate the run up to Christmas at The Blackwell Grange Hotel.

Friday 14th December The Bruhenny Suite

George Michael Sings the 80’s Jay Francis, former lead vocal with boy band Envy, is a magical charismatic entertainer and an outstanding vocalist.

His new show is the perfect tribute to a golden era, which features the best party pop from George Michael, Wham, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and many more.

Guaranteed to get the party started!

His wide-ranging repertoire includes some of the best dance floor hits from the 80’s Sunday 8th December The Bruhenny Suite

Andrew Kerr Soul Man “A tribute to the legends of Soul and Motown Era” Your night will include a three course meal in our newly refurbished Bruhenny Suite, you can then dance the night away to all the classics.

A night not to be missed £35.00 per person

Come and join us for a fantastic night £35.00 per person which includes a three-course meal

Friday 21st December The Bruhenny Suite

Shelly Stevens presents the ultimate tribute to the Dance Floor Diva’s, with a show that includes the very best of Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Cher, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer and many more Tickets are only £35.00 per person and include a three-course meal

Christmas Day Lunch What better way to treat yourself and the family on Christmas Day than to leave all the hard work to us.

Join us for a welcome drink followed by a traditional lunch with all the trimmings, festive novelties and a visit from Santa with gifts for children £75.00 per adult £37.50 per child (3-12) £10.00 per under 3

To book email: Events.blackwell@bruhennyhotels.co.uk 0330 102 7238 www.blackwellgrangehotel.com 16 | Darlington Today

ROCKIN’ AROUND THE

CHRISTMAS TREE Although it may feel like you’ve only just put away your sunglasses and sandals, here at Darlington Today we believe it’s never too early to start looking towards the most wonderful time of the year.

The Blackwell Grange Hotel From the moment you catch a glimpse of the wonderful 1693 Georgian façade, you know you are somewhere special.

The Blackwell Grange Hotel is a stunning 17th Century mansion, which enjoys an enviable setting in the beautiful County Durham countryside.

The Croft Hotel Get out of the cold and head to this Grade II listed building for a luxurious stay over Christmas and a selection of events to get you in the spirit of things.

And, with the hotels in the region already gearing up for the festive season, we have been having a look at all the Christmas deals and events on offer in the coming months.

Whether you’re in the market to plan a party for the office, looking for somewhere to go with friends or have your eye out for somewhere special to treat the family, there’s something for every occasion.

Nestled in wooded parkland on the outskirts of Darlington and located between the North Yorkshire Moors and the Pennines, yet only fortyfive minutes from the historic cities of York and Newcastle, Blackwell Grange provides a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Blackwell Grange Hotel is an elegant 17th century building sitting in an enviable position, a short distance from the centre of Darlington, with plenty of parking.

After a busy day exploring the North East, or a day of hectic meetings, relax in the leisure club situated onsite at Blackwell Grange.

Grab some friends and take a trip down memory lane at the themed music nights, where you can choose either an 80s party or 70s groove, complete with all the cheesy tunes that were famous in that decade.

For a special day out with the family, Sundays with Santa is sure to be a crowd

Indulge in a fabulous festive feast with your family, friends or colleagues at this charming and unique venue, whilst enjoying delicious food and wine. This year we will be offering you an array of mixed parties, lunches, dinners and festive overnight breaks.

pleaser. Choose one course or stretch to two or three and let the youngsters head to Santa’s Grotto to pick out a present to take away with them.

Then, when the Christmas lunches have been eaten and the wrapping paper has been tidied away, make sure you have one last celebration of the year at the New Year’s Eve Gala.

Darlington Today | 17

Christmas 2018 An evening full of fabulous food, entertainment, dancing and festive fun, with Bannatyne Hotel, Darlington!

1st, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd December

Thursday 6th December

3 course meal included Party games Dancing ‘till 1am

2 course meal included Live entertainment Dancing ‘till midnight

£34 per ticket 7pm arrival, meal served at 7.30pm

£30 per ticket 7pm arrival, meal served at 7.30pm

Celebrate all your favourite female stars with this amazing tribute to Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez Sunday 9th December

Thursday 13th December

2 course meal included Live entertainment Dancing ‘till midnight

2 course meal included Live entertainment Dancing ‘till midnight

£30 per ticket 7pm arrival, meal served at 7.30pm

£30 per ticket 7pm arrival, meal served at 7.30pm

GEORGE MICHAEL TRIBUTE Monday 17th December

Thursday 20th December

2 course meal included Live entertainment Dancing ‘till midnight

2 course meal included Live entertainment Dancing ‘till midnight

£30 per ticket 7pm arrival, meal served at 7.30pm

£30 per ticket 7pm arrival, meal served at 7.30pm

Call 01325 365858 or email events.darlingtonhotel@bannatyne.co.uk to book Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

18 | Darlington Today

Bannatyne Hotel

beautiful surroundings, perfectly complemented by our superb cuisine and professional service.

Whether celebrating with friends and family or partying the night away at the office Christmas party, we have the perfect selection of festive events for you to choose from.

Join the jubilant party atmosphere of The Wilbur Suite for dinner and dancing until the early hours, or choose the cosy and intimate surroundings of Maxine’s Restaurant for a traditional Christmas setting.

Our hotel offers a warm and welcoming environment with its own unique style and

We have our best line up yet for our Tribute Nights, with Almost Pink, Beeyonce, and Robert Taylor

Holiday Inn Darlington North Get into the festive spirit with one of the Christmas Party Nights at the Holiday Inn Darlington North on Fridays and Saturdays throughout December.

Christmas is a great excuse to dig out your party frock and with a DJ and disco until late, party-goers can request their favourite Christmas classics – no matter how cheesy – and enjoy the buffet, complete with Christmas treats like pigs in blanket, mince pies and a yuletide log.

And, for those who want all the

as George Michael back by popular demand, as well as The Beatles Experience and Divas - a tribute to Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez! These evenings include a 2 course meal, live entertainment and disco until midnight. Call 01325 365858 or email events.darlingtonhotel@ bannatyne.co.uk to have Christmas wrapped up early!

best of the homemade Christmas dinner without the hassle of having to do the washing up afterwards, then dining at a hotel might be the answer to guarantee delicious food with fantastic service – and there might even be a special visit during dinner from Santa himself at this one.

At Holiday Inn Darlington North we have a sparkling selection of ideas for your perfect Christmas and New Year. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing short break, a scrumptious lunch with all the trimmings or a fun filled evening at one of our Christmas parties we have a festive celebration to suit all.

Darlington

Party Nights Dine & dance the night away at our fabulous Christmas party nights

Available dates: 1st, 7th, 8th & 15th December. £15.95 or £23.95 per person to include half bottle of wine or 2 bottles of beer. 7pm arrival, dress to impress!

Festive Lunches £13.50 2 course or £17.00 per person for 3 courses.

Christmas Day lunch Where better to enjoy a scrumptious Christmas Day

Lunch with family than the Holiday Inn Darlington North. Put your feet up, relax and let us do all the hard work from peeling the potatoes to pouring the champagne.

Enjoy canapés and Prosecco on arrival. There may even be an appearance from Santa Claus himself. £50 per adult, £25 per child under 13

Tel: 01325 329600 for further details Non-refundable deposits required for all bookings.

Holiday Inn Darlington North Newton Park, Coatham Mundeville Newton Aycliffe events@hidarlingtonnorth.co.uk www.hidarlingtonnorth.co.uk

Darlington Today | 19

Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel Located right in the heart of Darlington town centre, the Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel is a hub of activity throughout the festive season, with guests able to make the most of Festive Afternoon Tea with all the trimmings throughout December.

Scotch Corner Holiday Inn From parties to festive lunches, there’s something for everyone at Scotch Corner Holiday Inn this Christmas season. With an Art Deco styled interior and easily accessible from the A1, it is a fantastic venue to host a Christmas do this year.

20 | Darlington Today

Anyone looking for an excuse to head out and dance will be pleased to know that the hotel will be hosting Christmas Party Nights in the Kings Ballroom on Friday nights in December, with live music every Saturday evening.

The fun continues after Christmas, with a Murder Mystery Dinner for those who want to test their crime solving skills and the New Year’s Eve Black and White Ball for anyone who is looking for a way to bring in 2019 in style.

For a festive party with a twist, why not try a themed evening, with the hotel’s Casino Royale inspired event, Casino Casino, providing an opportunity to dust off your glad rags and be merry.

For families, head to one of the Santa Sunday lunches for a special appearance from the main man himself or the Mad Hatter’s tea party in the Richmond Suites, with visits from your favourite characters, a

whole host of games to play and the chance to win some fantastic prizes.

And there’s no longer any need to worry about the Christmas comedown, because the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner is set to be one to remember, as well as After Party events held at the hotel throughout January – proving that the festivities can continue long after the big day itself.

Mercure Darlington

Kings Hotel

SEPTEMBER OFFER

Afternoon Tea

Two for ÂŁ15 *must be booked 24 hours before your preferred date

Call 01325 380 222 or email events@mercuredarlington.co.uk to book today.

Darlington Today | 21

70’s PARTY NIGHTS

30th November 7th/14th/21st December

SANTA SUNDAYS

3rd/10th/17th December

80’s PARTY NIGHTS

8th/22nd December

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH

25th December

NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA

31st December

The Croft Hotel Croft-on-Tees | Darlington | DL2 2ST Contact us on 01325 720319 email at info@crofthotel.net www.crofthotel.net

22 | Darlington Today

Rapid Responders Rapid Response Team members, l-r, staff nurse Anna Williams, healthcare assistant Narelle Boniface, head of care Alison Marshall, community hospice team leader Helen Wrigley

St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington, has

Darlington dialling 999 or 111 would

become the first hospice in the region

often have an ambulance dispatched and

to have a 24/7 service added to the NHS

be inappropriately admitted to hospital

Directory of Services (DoS), enabling

when what they may actually need is a

local 999 and 111 calls to be referred to

visit from our Rapid Response Team.

its in-house Rapid Response Team.

Calls to 111 will be triaged by callhandlers and clinicians, with patient information used to establish if the Rapid Response Team would be the most appropriate service, reducing

“This may be because they are distressed during the night and need reassurance

HALLOWEEN FUN RUN

Do you dare take on our frightful 5k?

Collect your Hospice 4 medal

lloween Ru e Ha n2 c i p 01 s 8 Ho

require pain relief or may have become disorientated and while others may just need help to and from the bathroom.

palliative care patients

These are all things that our Rapid

365 days a year, responds to patients

South Park Darlington

or emotional support. Some may

unnecessary hospital admissions for

The service, which offers 24/7 provision,

Sunday 28th Oct

HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS!

Response Team is there to assist with, within an hour of receiving a call.

registered with a Darlington GP within

“The new DoS service will ensure that

an hour of their call providing palliative

palliative care patients in Darlington

nursing care, symptom management,

will receive appropriate care in a timely

crisis management and pain relief, as well

manner, from basic support to complex

as a hand to hold and a listening ear.

symptom management and we will also

Head of Care at St Teresa’s Hospice

hopefully see a significant reduction in

Alison Marshall said: “Under the current

inappropriate admissions to hospital.”

St Teresa’s Hospice Rapid Response Team can be contacted directly on 07720947430.

system palliative care patients in Darlington Today | 23

ADVERTORIAL

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN Win Afternoon Tea for 2 people at Mercure Kings Head Hotel Simply answer the following question

How much is Afternoon tea for two at Mercure Kings Head Hotel during September?

Closing date for entries is 31st October 2018.

Friday 14th December The Bruhenny Suite

George Michael Sings the 80’s Jay Francis, former lead vocal with boy band Envy, is a magical charismatic entertainer and an outstanding vocalist.

His new show is the perfect tribute to a golden era, which features the best party pop from George Michael, Wham, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and many more.

Entry details can be found on page 26.

Guaranteed to get the party started! His wide-ranging repertoire includes some of the best dance floor hits from the 80’s

If you are not successful in winning this competition, the offer of afternoon tea for 2 for only £15 is on during September.

Come and join us for a fantastic night £35.00 per person which includes a three-course meal

ight at ribute N tion: ichael T M e ing ques rg w o o e ll G fo e e th th answer s tickets to l simply Win two s the 80 ge Hote n ra ael sing G h ll el? e t ic w o k M c H e la e B g

Call 01325 380 222 to book*

rang Geor ckwell G te is the What da ht on at The Bla er 2018 st Octob nig try is 31 en e 26 for r tribute fo ag p e e see ng dat

*must be booked 24 hours before your preferred date

Closi

HOLIDAY INN WASHINGTON Holiday Inn Washington UK hotel is ideally located between historic Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle, just off junction 64 of the A1.

This long-established hotel is well known for its friendly staff and warm welcome. With plenty of free parking, the hotel has an established restaurant Traders, and a contemporary lounge and bar area, serving drinks and light snacks. There are 136 fully air conditioned bedrooms at this hotel in Washington, including family and accessible rooms.

Ideally placed for enjoying the many tourist attractions the area has to offer. So whether you fancy a day in historic Durham, a trip to the coastal areas of South Shields, a day back in

time visiting the award winning Beamish Museum, a day of retail therapy shopping at the famous intu Metrocentre or taking in the history and culture, not to mention the amazing restaurants, bars and shops that the city of Newcastle has to offer.

THE COMPETITION Win an overnight stay for 2 people in a luxurious double bedroom, fully inclusive of bed, breakfast and dinner with a bottle of wine in Traders Restaurant.

Answer this question for a chance to win: What is the name of the hotel’s restaurant?

Closing date for competition is 31st October 2018. Please see page 26 for entry details.

Holiday Inn, Washington, Emerson, Washington NE37 1LB 0191 4189400 | reservations@hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk www.hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @HIWashington Like us on FaceBook Holiday Inn Washington

24 | Darlington Today

Pleas

ails entry det

WIN AN OVERNIGHT STAY AT THE COQUETVALE Located in the nineteenth century country town of Rothbury, on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, The Coquetvale Hotel is perfect for a relaxing break in beautiful countryside or the ideal base for walking, cycling or many outdoor pursuits.

The stunning Cragside House and grounds are a 5 minute drive away as are the breath-taking Simonside Hills.

A little further afield Alnwick Castle and Gardens as well as the stunning coastline with Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island being landmarks.

The Coquetvale Hotel offers the finest Northumberland welcome, offering 14 well-appointed ensuite bedrooms.

Boasting a combination of double, twin, family and 2 stunning very recently refurbished superior suites.

The hotel recognises that many of the visitors to this spectacular area are those of the 4-legged variety and therefore is very dog friendly.

The grand restaurant offers a mix of traditional and modern, with its high ceilings, featuring ornate rose and cornice, decorated in subtle grey and silver – with stunning double

aspect picturesque windows and views towards the Northumberland National Park and Coquet Valley.

An experience team of Chefs offer tempting dishes, with many seasonal and daily specials, there truly is something for everyone. Not to mention the award winning breakfast, which boasts locally sourced ingredients. Afternoons teas served daily, and Sunday lunch from midday.

The bar offers a diverse selection of wines, guest ales both on tap and bottle, premium spirits and fine wines. The bar is also accessible to our relaxing decked terrace with comfortable seating and panoramic views of Rothbury – weather permitting.

Taking new ownership late 2016, the family with a wealth of hotel experience and are focussed on delivery a truly special guest experience, in terms of both service and product so with that in mind are already well underway with a discreet refurbishment programme of all areas, with bedrooms being at the forefront.

The Coquetvale, Station Road, Rothbury, NE65 7QH, Northumberland

Newly refurbish Superior king-size suite

READER OFFER Prosecco Afternoon tea with bed & breakfast for £95 per couple throughout September and Ocober Upgrade to the Ingram or Cheviot suites for a supplement of £20.00 Call for more details on 01669 622900 or email stay@coquetvale.co.uk Visit our website www.coquetvale.co.uk

READER COMPETITION Win an overnight stay for 2 persons, in double or twin room fully inclusive of Northumbrian breakfast and 3 course evening meal. Subject to availability.

How many well appointed bedrooms does the Coquetvale Hotel have?

Closing date for entries is 31st October 2018 and see page 26 for entry details.

Darlington Today | 25

ADVERTORIAL

N WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN W

WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN!

WIN TICKETS TO GRAND DESIGNS LIVE

Darlington Today have teamed up with Grand Designs Live to give you the chance to win a free pair of tickets, worth up to £34 each, to the UK’s leading contemporary home show – Grand Designs Live at the NEC, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements.

Competition: Competition closes 29th September 2018. Any entry made after this date will be invalid.

There are only 50 pairs of tickets available which will be issued on a randomly selected basis.

You must print your own tickets and show them at the entrance to Grand Designs Live on the date you have chosen. Failure to print your tickets could result in refusal of entry. In the event of any dispute, the show’s organisers, Media 10 Ltd have the right to refuse admission. Call the ticket hotline on 0844 854 1348.

The inspiring event, presented by design guru and TV broadcaster Kevin McCloud, takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from 10-14 October. With over 400 companies covering Build, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Gardens, Interiors, plus a Technology Trail, the show offers a great day out with hundreds of innovative ideas for the home, free one-to-one expert advice, instructive talks and demonstrations. Get access to amazing brands launching new products, compare prices and check out homewares not yet available on the high street.

Whether you are starting out on your first renovation, building a new home, redecorating a room, installing a new kitchen or simply looking for ideas, Grand Designs Live is the must-visit event for anyone wanting to learn about the world of interiors, design and selfbuild.

Terms and Conditions: A maximum of two free adult tickets per household can be claimed. Tickets can only be claimed online and cannot be claimed by any other method. Tickets are available for use on the 10th, 11th, and 12th October 2018 only.

Your name will be printed on the ticket.

Tickets cannot be exchanged for cash, are not transferable and cannot be duplicated.

To enter the competition to win a pair of tickets for the event, email sue@rineypublishing.co.uk with the subject line ‘Grand Designs’ and include your full name and address in the body of the email.

ENTER TO WIN To enter any of the Darlington Today

competitions please ensure you clearly mark on your entry the name of the competition that you are entering together with the answer to the question if there is one with our name, address, email address (if you have one) and contact telephone number to:

Darlington Today Magazine competition, 45 Atkinson Gardens, Aycliffe Village, Co. Durham, DL5 6LH (Please note any competition entries without full contact details and contact 26 |numbers Darlington telephone will beToday voided and not entered into the competition)

Winners OF THE LAST Darlington Today ISSUE 68 A pair of tickets to see The Play that Goes Wrong at The Forum Theatre Billingham went to: Sarah Steel of Darlington.

Sunday lunch for 2 with wine at Mercure Kings Head Hotel – Alison Mitchell of Barnard Castle

Holiday Inn Washington - overnight stay with dinner & wine – M Morgan-Black of Newton Aycliffe Overnight stay at the Coquetvale Hotel, Rothbury with dinner Mr Smith of Darlington

An overnight stay at The Hope and Anchor South Ferriby, North Lincolnshire went to – Talvinder Patrai of Darlington

ANOTHER FAD DIET? NOT THIS TIME… Dr Aria’s programme aims to not only help people lose weight, but keep it off too. Bronia McGregor finds out how it works.

D

ieting advice can be mind-boggling, with the media telling everyone to limit their portions one minute, then being encouraged to pile their plate high with food loaded with sugar and carbs the next.

With so much contradictory – and sometimes just plain confusing – diet advice out there, it can be difficult to keep up with which foods are bad and which are good when it seems like even the experts are changing their minds every two seconds.

But Dr Aria Campbell-Danesh believes that no diet works on a long-term basis and that’s why he offers a different approach to weight loss, one that focuses on helping people keep the weight off after they’ve lost it.

As a behaviour change psychologist and creator of the F.I.T. (Focused Insight Training) method, Dr Aria’s programme goes beyond the fad diet to create positive, everyday changes tailored to a person’s lifestyle.

“Making healthy choices doesn’t have to be difficult and many people I work with are surprised at how quickly they notice a difference just from changing a few bad habits,” said Dr Aria.

“For example, if people find they often snack at a certain time, perhaps when they get in the house from work, then doing something productive instead like going for a walk at that time distracts the mind and changes the habit.”

Dr Aria believes that being distracted by other activities while eating means that the brain is unable to form an accurate memory of the food being eaten in the first place, which means that people will be tricked into feeling hungry again sooner.

Dr Aria has worked with clients of all different ages, body types and abilities, including some top Hollywood and sports stars.

This is backed up by a recent study in the British Journal of Nutrition which found that overweight women who were played audio distractions encouraging them to pay attention to their food at lunchtime reduced later snack consumption by 30 per cent.

By looking at people’s mindsets and their emotional attachments to food and weight loss, Dr Aria’s programme works to transform the way his clients think about food to develop new, positive habits around eating and exercise.

“People might find that they lose weight quickly by undertaking an intensive fitness programme or restrictive diet, but it’s not sustainable,” warns Dr Aria.

“Then, when people begin to put weight back on, there’s often a negative emotional reaction that they’ve failed to maintain it, coupled with a total loss of motivation.

“People are much more likely to lose weight healthily and keep it off if they are making small, manageable changes that become second nature in their day-to-day life.”

Those looking to shed some pounds may be surprised at one of the factors that may be causing them to overeat without them realising.

“Many of us are guilty of sitting down with a meal and reaching for the remote or snacking while we go through the apps on our phone,” said Dr Aria.

“But engaging in this behaviour means that you are diverting your attention from what you are eating so the brain is unable to register accurately how much food you’ve consumed.”

Instead, Dr Aria advises people to make the effort to sit down at a table to eat – which not only makes people more conscious of what they’re choosing to eat but also forces them to move away from a TV or computer – as well as eating more slowly and making an effort to notice what food smells, tastes and looks like.

Dr Aria works between the North East and London, with clients around the country who he sees on a one-to-one basis.

Visit www.dr-aria.com for more information Darlington Today | 27

A WEEK IN PARADISE Black sand beaches, stunning clifftop views and a sunset famous all around the world, Bronia McGregor discovers the magic of Santorini.

The Greek island of Santorini is a favoured destination by the rich and famous, with Kim Kardashian-West, Emily Ratajkowski and Mariah Carey having holidayed there in recent years.

My budget, however, was a lot less than that of Hollywood’s elite, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from making the most of everything it has to offer.

Because Santorini is so small, it’s easy to find somewhere affordable to stay on the island without missing out on the hustle and bustle of the more popular villages in the south.

28 | Darlington Today

So while many people choose to stay in Fira, Oia or Imerovigli, famed for whitewashed clifftop hotels overlooking the caldera, if you look to the east side of the island you will find beautiful beach villages Perissa and Kamari for a fraction of the price.

Because we compromised on our location, I had assumed that we would spend the majority of our holiday making the most of the bus that frequently runs between the villages on the island so we could spend most of our time in the more popular Fira and Oia. However, having picked a small hotel in Perissa with an owner who couldn’t do enough for us, we were

delighted to find that the village has its own bustling nightlife and food scene.

Forgoing the hotel pool after learning the beach was less than a fiveminute walk away, we spent our days sunbathing on the black sand beach, breaking only to grab a bite to eat from the many restaurants overlooking the sea – and enjoy a cocktail or two.

And in the evenings the beachside eateries come alive with music, lights and dancing, so much so that we ended up staying in Perissa for more nights than we chose to venture to other parts of the island.

However, when we did decide to go exploring it wasn’t difficult because Fira and Oia are easily accessible for a small fare and a short ride on the bus.

Fira, the island capital, is bustling with both locals and tourists and packed full of shops, bars and restaurants, some situated on the edge of the cliffs with stunning views – especially when the sun begins to set.

And if you start off early enough and don’t fancy staying on the bus for an extra stop, then there is a popular hiking trail to take you from Fira to Oia via the picturesque village of Imerovigli.

The route, which follows the edge of the island, gives you the time

to appreciate the idyllic landscape you are staying in and you might even walk past a wedding party celebrating at one of the many hotels jutting out from the side of the cliff.

If you’re dedicated enough to walk the whole way to Oia then pack plenty of water and snacks as it takes three hours, but until you reach the last part of the walk then there are plenty of places to stop and hail a taxi if it gets too much.

And while Fira is the place to go if you’re looking for affordable souvenirs or even nightclubs, Oia is home to designer shops, fine dining

and even Santorini’s only bookshop, Atlantis Books, set up by British graduates in 2004 after they fell in love with the place whilst on holiday.

It’s no surprise that Santorini is such a popular destination with the stars, but whether you decide to splash out on a room in Oia, choose a beachside hotel on the east or head to the capital, you would be pretty hard-pushed to leave the island without falling in love with it too.

WHAT’S ON THEATRE

Sunderland Empire

Tel: 0844 871 3022 www.atgtickets.com/venues/ sunderland-empire/

Wicked 6 September – 29 September

One of the most famous musicals in the world, Wicked, comes to Sunderland for its last North East tour dates. Witness fantastic staging, breath-taking costumes and the songs that everybody knows, Defying Gravity, Popular, Thank Goodness and many more. Tickets from £17.50

Miss Saigon 24 October – 17 November

Based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly, Miss Saigon takes the audience to 1970s Saigon during the Vietnam War with a story of love, conflict and sacrifice.

Tickets from £17.50

Music

Middleton St George Community Centre

Tel: 01325 405 405 www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Food and Craft Market 6 October

Darlington Hippodrome This is the Greatest Show 17 October

Join a stellar cast of west-end singers and a live band to enjoy the celebrated soundtrack from The Greatest Showman, loosely based on the life of P.T Barnum. Tickets from £12

The Real Thing - 19 October

Chris Amoo and Dave Smith of British soul group, The Real Thing perform at Darlington Hippodrome for one night only. Hear their 1970’s hits You to Me Are Everything, Can’t Get by Without You and You’ll Never Know What You’re Missing as well as covers of classic songs. Tickets from £14.50

ABBA MANIA - 20 October

Widely regarded as the number one ABBA tribute act, ABBA MANIA bring the music of the group to life, featuring favourite songs like Mamma Mia, Voulez Vous, Dancing Queen, Winner Takes It All and many more.

Tickets from £14.50

Darlington Hippodrome

The Forum Music Centre

Rock of Ages - 8 – 13 October

The Whiskey Priests - 13 October

Tel: 01325 405405 www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Tel: 01325 363135 www.theforumonline.co.uk

A hilarious hit musical with a soundtrack of classic rock anthems that will have everyone singing along, including We Built This City, The Final Countdown and I Want to Know What Love Is performed by a live band. Tickets from £17

Founded in County Durham in 1985, The Whiskey Priests have reunited in 2018 for their first tour since 2004.

They will take to the stage at The Forum Music Centre to perform all their greatest hits. Tickets £15

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 24 October – 3 November

The Stones - 20 October

The much-loved musical is flying into Darlington Hippodrome, bringing with it sensational set design, colourful costumes and a whole host of famous songs, including the Oscar-nominated title tune, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Truly Scrumptious and Toot Sweets.

Tickets from £20

Dracula - 6 – 10 November

This brand new stage adaptation of the world-famous thriller promises frightful staging with chilling special effects and illusions to tell the story of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Tickets from £14.50

The Full Monty - 12 – 17 November

Winner of the prestigious UK Theatre Award and based on the acclaimed film, The Full Monty is the heart-warming tale about six out of work steelworkers from Sheffield that took the world by storm.

Tickets from £14.50

Cilla – The Musical 20 – 24 November

Telling the story of Cilla Black’s early life and based on the ITV mini-series, the re-telling of Cilla’s rise to fame is accompanied by a 60s soundtrack that brings the streets of Liverpool to life.

Tickets from £14.50

30 | Darlington Today

The leading tribute act for The Rolling Stones, The Stones bring the music of the band to life with authentic costumes, instruments and the vocals to match. Tickets £12.50

Martin Turner plays Wishbone Ash 26 October

Having sold millions of albums, Wishbone Ash are a staple of the British rock scene and founder, Martin Turner continues to tour and play the muchloved hits with the band’s current lineup. Tickets £15

EVENTS

Theatre Hullabaloo

Tel: 01325 405 405 www.theatrehullabaloo.org.uk

Stardust 15 September – 12 January 2019 An interactive environment which welcomes very young children and their parents into a sensory space, full of music, sounds and smells. With an intergalactic theme, Stardust invites children to explore the landscape, discovering new textures and colours.

Free

Visit the market between 10am – 2pm to find a range of locally produced and homemade products, including a café which will be open for drinks and refreshments.

The Bowes Museum

Tel: 01833 690606 www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

Spooky Family Fun Day 25 October

Those who love crafting can head to The Bowes Museum to make a witch’s broom, create a potion and take part in the magician’s trail. Children must be accompanied by an adult for whom normal admission applies.

Free to pass holders

Halloween Fancy Dress Party 31 October 4pm – 7pm

Give the children a Halloween treat with fancy dress, apple bobbing, food, crafts and a spooky ghost hunt. Places must be booked in advance by calling the museum or visiting the website. £10 per child. Free to accompanying adult

Market Square Fairground - 07834 487026 27 October – 2 November

Open from 10am – 5pm, the fairground is a great day out for the whole family.

Various prices

Christmas Lights Switch On 01325 406417 phil.haymer@darlington.gov.uk 22 November

Head to Market Square between 5pm – 6:30pm to see Darlington’s Christmas lights switched on. Details to be confirmed nearer the time. Free

Exhibitions The Bowes Museum

Tel: 01833 690606 www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

‘To Serve King and Country’ Exploring the Role of Teesdale in the First World War 20 October – 3 March 2019

Reflecting on Teesdale’s response to the call to arms during World War I, this exhibit looks at the actions of local people, the home front and heroism in the face of war. Featuring genuine memorabilia and true stories, there will also be a supporting programme or talks and activities.

All details were correct at the time of going to press. Please check with the individual venues before travelling as information may change.

for entry September 2019

5.30pm - 8.30pm

Tim Fisher, the Principal, will talk about the College at 5.30pm, 6.15pm & 7.00pm in the Hall There will also be a Saturday Open Event on 24th November 2018, 10.30am - 1.30pm

www.qeliz.ac.uk Vane Terrace Darlington DL3 7AU t: 01325 461315 Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/qesfc Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/qesfc

SPECIALISTS IN POST-16 EDUCATION

Wilkinsons Plant Centre

www.wilkinsonsplantcentre.co.uk

The very best plants, at the very best prices

Come and visit our plant centre We have one of the largest ranges of plants in the north east, all at great prices. No matter what you require we have plants suitable for different soil types, sun or shade, different garden locations and much more!

If you're looking for further inspiration we have a series of displays to show you how to create beautiful themed gardens.

PLANT SALE NOW ON

Wilkinsons Plant Centre, East Brocks Farm, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, TS16 0QH Find us on the A67 midway between Yarm & Teesside Airport

Call us today Tel 01642 790409 or 01325 369777 Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 8.30am - 4.30pm Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm

Getting here is now even easier!

We’ve upgraded the road approaching the plant centre.

In addition to new, improved parking, we have accessible paths around the centre, making it even easier for you to ďŹ nd inspiration for your dream garden.