Discover Brightwater issue 1

Distributed free to 43,000 homes and bus inesses in the Brightwater area!

ISSUE 1 – SPRING 2019

Newcastle / Gateshead

Durham

27 miles (approx)

19 miles (approx)

Quarrington Hill Trimdon Grange

River Wear

A1(M)

Hurworth Burn Reservoir Trimdon

Bishop Middleham

Ferryhill

Fishburn

A688

Sedgefield

A167

Sustrans Route No.1

Kynren

Bishop Auckland

Hardwick Park

A689

Sedgefield Church

Sedgefield Racecourse

Barnard Castle

A689

19 miles (approx)

East Coast Mainline

Locomotion Museum

Scandinavia

River Skerne

401 miles (approx)

Wynyard

Newton Aycliffe Wynyard Woodland Park

A68

Preston-le-Skerne ROF 59 Hitachi Trains

A1(M)

Heighington

Great Stainton

Durham Ox Packhorse Bridge

Deere Street Catkill Lane

Middlesbrough 18 miles (approx)

Walworth Castle A167

The Pennines

Haughton-le-Skerne

45 miles (approx)

Sadberge A66

The Head of Steam Museum

Piercebridge

Skerne Bridge

Darlington

River Tees

Brick Train

Stockton - Darlington Railway

South Park

River Tees

A66

River Skerne

Yarm

A1(M)

We Are Here

N W

E

York 58 miles (approx)

S

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D

urham Wildlife Trust is proud to be the lead partner to Discover Brightwater and we invite you to join the thousands of other local residents who are already members and support our vital work.

Heron at Hurwort h Burn Reservoir

Orchid borine d Helle Dark re Middleham op at Bish

JOIN US TODAY As a member, you can help us to protect habitat for wildlife and promote nature conservation throughout the region.

Enjoy access to our 37 nature reserves covering approximately 800 hectares and get involved in the many events and training opportunities offered each month to Durham Wildlife Trust members.

Join now from only £2 per month and support Durham Wildlife Trust’s work across the Bright Water area. We are creating new nature reserves, wild

Hawthorn Dene

in Spring

arden, tterfly G Bob’s Bu nature reserve s Low Barn

spaces and helping to create a thriving natural environment for our children and grandchildren.

As a special thank you for joining Durham Wildlife Trust today you’ll receive a free bird feeder and a discount voucher for bird food purchased at the Trust’s Low Barns visitor centre.* As a local charity we focus on our immediate environment. One of the best things you can do to support wildlife where you live is to join your local wildlife trust. Your contribution will make a real difference.

To receive this special offer join online today at:

www.durhamwt.com/bright-water-offer/ *Voucher is for £2 discount on one bird feed purchase from the Trust’s Low Barns Visitor Centre near Witton-le-Wear, Bishop Auckland and is valid for 6 months from date of joining. (One bird feeder and (This offer is available online only and is open until 31.05.2019.) one per membership).

2 -voucher RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE

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Welcome A

t Discover Brightwater towers we’re really proud of our area and we want folks to take a closer look at just what’s on our doorstep. The little-known River Skerne, here in canny County Durham was originally named by our Viking ancestors; the word ‘skirr’ means bright and shining (Clue: that’s how we came up with our name...)

S

adly, nobody since has given our area a catchy brand name like ‘the dales ‘or ‘the lakes’.

They couldn’t even manage a Skernedale or a Skerneshire or Skerneland. So basically, we’ve had to make up Discover Brightwater to remind everyone of what’s on offer.

The Skerne starts its journey near Hurworth Burn Reservoir, home to hundreds of wild birds and then winds its way through deserted medieval villages alongside Sedgefield, Bishop Middleham, Newton Aycliffe until, just south of Darlington, it joins the River Tees.

It’s a largely undiscovered area, rich in history and surprises which, even those of us who live here often fail to recognise. Our ingenious people have led worldchanging technological advances, including the passenger railways, steam engines and even breeding one of the world’s fattest cows (no… sushh… behave…). The Durham Ox was famous throughout the world and helped to kick start modern cattle-breeding.

Our project is funded by all you nice people who play the lottery or have a flutter on a scratch card or two.

So, we’d like to thank you for making all this possible. Oh, and also a big thanks to the good people from the National Lottery Heritage Fund who are dishing out the dosh on this £3.3 million-pound programme with over 40 different projects to make our area even better.

Board’s Eye View Meet our chairman the Fantastic Mr Fox! 4

What did the Romans ever do for… Sedgefield Find out more about the first Brexit (and whether the Europeans left us in the 5th Century at the end of the Roman Empire)… 14

Grab a Grant We launch our community and natural heritage projects small grant funds 16

So, thank you for reading this far.

We’ll be producing this magazine 3 times a year for the next few years and we’ll be showcasing the best of our area’s landscapes, people and heritage.

Paul Black Discover Brightwater Landscape Partnership Manager ©Durham Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Bright Water Landscape Partnership all rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are those of the writers and not those of any of the partners. All necessary permissions and rights have been sought before inclusion for all elements of the magazine.

For any errors of omission please contact the partnership office.

Please recycle this magazine.

Published by Discover Brightwater and Sue Riney-Smith, Riney Publishing

Design: Neil Fawcett, Whiteleaf Design & Mattie Brass, Intimation

Editor: Paul Black

Photography: Peter Atkinson

PEFC/16-33-254 PEFC Certified

Advertising: Sue Riney-Smith, Riney Publishing: T: 01325 304360 E: sue@rineypublishing.co.uk

This publication This product is is printed using from sustainably vegetable based inks managed on PEFC® forests certifiedand paper, sourced from controlled sources responsible forestry.

www.pefc.org

Durham & Northumberland, Architectural & Archaeological Society

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ith 19 major projects delivering over 40 different schemes and activities it’s important that we have the right people with the right skills to keep an eye on things. Here at Discover Brightwater Towers, the Brightwater Landscape Partnership Board is made up of a team of really great local people with a wealth of experience in: business; community development; cultural heritage; landscape and environmental management together with senior representatives from Durham County Council; Darlington Borough Council; The Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water amongst others.

Board’s Eye View With Discover Brightwater Chairman, Bill Fox

Our chairman, Bill Fox, came to live in the patch over 30 years ago and has lived in Bradbury since 2003. He’s a senior Human Resources and Leadership development executive and has worked, or served on the Board, for a string of huge global companies including: Wang; Nissan; Innovia and Smurfit Kappa PLC. He currently runs his own executive coaching business and when he’s not providing great support to Discover Brightwater he can be found helping senior executives and global companies to look after the people side of major company mergers and acquisitions.

We caught up with Discover Brightwater chairman, Bill Fox, recently after he’d been visiting some of the Discover Brightwater projects on the river Skerne between Aycliffe and Skerningham and asked him to share some of his thoughts and his vision for Discover Brightwater. This is what he had to say:

“We need to get out more…”

I’ve just spent the last few hours visiting part of the Skerne around Ketton and Brafferton in the company of Dafydd Jones, Discover Brightwater’s Natural Environment and Access Projects Coordinator. We were accompanied by Janette Harriman, the first of a series of Volunteer Engagement Officers, who will be fully trained in a range of environmental and heritage skills between now and 2022 when the programme ends.

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It was a beautiful morning as we visited the famous ‘Ketton PackHorse Bridge’ which I confess I’d never visited before. Dafydd also showed me some of the places along the river where volunteers are being trained to carry out some important otter

to know that our programme, alongside other work being carried out by the Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water, Durham and Darlington Councils together with some of our other partners are all helping to make the future much brighter for the

with my family and to experience the fantastic quality of the light and our huge ever-changing skies. There is something about the gentle landscape with its ponds and pools reflecting that light which I find relaxing, calming and totally stressbusting.

survey work. I hadn’t realised that otters had returned to the Skerne. (Back in the 1970s the Skerne was classified as Europe’s 7th most polluted river due to the agricultural, mining and industrial waste which poured into it and many species of animals and fish disappeared from the area).

We were all genuinely excited

Skerne and that trout, otters and water voles are all returning.

We are privileged to live in what I think is a delightfully understated and, I would say, a totally under-rated area. We’ve got some fantastic landscapes and heritage and it’s our hope that over the next few years we will all get to know the area better and to enjoy our great outdoors.

I was asked recently which is my favourite local place in the Brightwater area? I have to admit there isn’t just one place. For me it’s more about the whole area.

There are few things I enjoy more than to be out walking the dogs

Did you know?

You can reach 43,000 homes and businesses in our area with your message. To book your slot in the July issue call Sue on 01325 304360

RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE - 5

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Discover Brightwater is a terrific

So what do I think Discover

We’ve put together a really

opportunity for our area. The

Brightwater is all about? I think

impressive new team to deliver

National Lottery Heritage Fund

it’s about elevating pride in the

the huge array of opportunities,

together with the local councils,

area and shouting about it a bit

events and activities for people

Environment Agency and others

more often and with a bit more

to get involved with over the

have put together a £3.3 million

volume. A lot more actually. It’s

next few years. I’m really looking

about revealing and restoring

forward to working with them and

the landscape and heritage but

you as, together, we Discover

also about celebrating it. All of us

Brightwater.

programme of 19 different projects which range from river improvement to creating a new Bishop’s Fen nature reserve at Bishop Middleham. We’ve got opportunities for people of all ages to get involved as volunteers to learn new

opening our eyes to what we’ve got on our doorsteps.

Bill Fox

Let’s appreciate and take part in where we live. It’s historic and it’s often very beautiful.

skills on archaeological digs; video production and creating ‘Village Atlases’ - exploring and celebrating local settlements, landscapes, history and culture.

The programme was devised and developed by a team led

by Geoff Hughes, a current board member who previously chaired the development

For me, if I have one overriding passion here it’s to get more people, especially young people, outside and enjoying the big skies, fresh air and light. I don’t mind if we walk, run, cycle, drive a quad bike, paint, ride a horse, look for birds or plants, have a picnic, learn to identify butterflies or trees, look at ancient buildings, restore ancient walls or just experience the healing power of nature. I could go on but let’s just get more of us out more often.

phase, and Susan Hepworth, the development phase manager. Everyone in the Discover Brightwater area will benefit from the work they and their colleagues produced which successfully delivered the funding to make the programme possible. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all for getting us this far. Indeed my first involvement with Brightwater was when I entered a Brightwater photographic competition for a wall planner … and lost. Though I did get a personalised Thanks for Trying Certificate presented to me by Geoff. Wow, thanks Geoff.

fresh air and light

DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

What you may be asking is ‘Discover Brightwater?...

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Darlington to the Trimdons Well,

Discover Brightwater is a programme of events, projects and activities over the next few years to restore, reveal and celebrate life around the River Skerne. This area, in the historic south County Durham, stretches north from Darlington and includes the towns and villages of Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield, Bishop Middleham, Fishburn and the Trimdons up to Hurworth Burn reservoir.

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DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

Did you know?

Advertisers you can reach over 100,000 readers, build your business and support our local economy

We hope to attract other likeminded misfits and people ready to big up and brighten up the Skerne. If that’s you please get involved as we’ve a wide range of opportunities to work with partners and volunteers.

You can do this by:

W

e think originally that the name of the river Skerne comes from an old Norse word, “skirr”, meaning ‘bright and clear’ which is known to be the origin of other similar place names. It captures the magic of the light dancing on the surface of what was once a vast wetland area.

Any visitor to the restored parts of the Skerne can see at a glance that this poetic Viking name is entirely appropriate as it captures the unique quality of light of our area.

It’s our ambition - to restore, reveal and celebrate that ‘bright and clear ’ Bright Water Landscape.

Discover Brightwater is a £3.3 million Landscape *Partnership Programme supported by all you

national lottery players via the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

So every time you play the lottery or have a flutter on the scratch cards part of the money comes to support projects like this. To date about £7.6 billion has been spent on improving landscapes and heritage in programmes like ours.

Here at Discover Brightwater, our team of highly motivated and slightly overqualified experts all look good in wellies. This is important as our work focusses on improving the natural and cultural environment and heritage. We revel in working with and within communities to discover and reveal the history of the area, improve existing environments and create new nature reserves for the benefit of wildlife and land users.

Visiting our website: www.discoverbrightwater.com Liking us on Facebook and Twitter You can join our mailing list and find out about current about volunteering opportunities by using the contact form on the website or calling the Discover Brightwater Office on 01325 327 341.

We look forward to hearing from you.

*Our partners include Durham Wildlife Trust; Durham County Council; Darlington Borough Council; The Environment Agency; Tees Rivers Trust Durham and Darlington Local Access Forums; Durham Arch and Arch.

Durham & Northumberland, Architectural & Archaeological Society

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Discover (The Ring of)

Brightwater T

hose of us on the wrong side of a certain age will remember Gavin Maxwell’s book about Tarka the Otter frolicking around the west coast of Scotland. In recent years otters have returned to the Skerne. The North East Otter Network was formed in 2013 by two specialists in otter survey techniques, data collection and research Lizzie Ross (MSc) and Vivien Kent (PhD). This spring they ’ll be working in the Discover Brightwater area first training and then working with a group of volunteers to survey just how well Tarka and friends are doing. Here Vivien explains more about their project.

Making Otters Count The Annual North East Spring Otter Survey

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e were motivated by a love for our native otter and a desire to create a space where people with a similar passion could find out more and get involved in helping to protect our otters and their habitat.

Our vision is to encourage, inform and co-ordinate volunteers from Northumberland, County Durham, Darlington and the Tees Valley to participate and be active in local conservation and research of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) whilst creating

a central contact point for existing otter enthusiasts. We help to maintain wider connections to national and international forums to aid otter conservation, education, and research.

The Eurasian otter is the only species of wild otter in the UK and is a secretive and shy animal that ranges over large stretches of watercourse – mostly at night.

However, these characteristics also make otters extremely difficult to survey and monitor. Having been on the brink of extinction

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in England in the 1970s it has recovered well in recent years thanks to protections, the decline in heavy industry leading to reduced pollution in our rivers and the banning of organochlorine pesticides. But in order to keep track of how they are doing, where they are active and to ensure that we are alerted to any future declines we need to monitor their populations - which means we must look for other signs that they are around.

Fortunately, being territorial animals, otters like to advertise their presence to other otters by marking their territories with an array of secretions. The easiest of these to find and identify is their spraint or poo, which is usually deposited on rocks at the side or in the middle of the watercourse, under bridges and on fallen trees and logs. Otter spraint is very distinctive and looks and smells quite different to that of other carnivores. It usually contains bones of fish, smells musky or fishy and is really not that unpleasant.

Some sources say it smells of jasmine tea although I admit I have never got that.

in re ce

nt yea rs.

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bo

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d

to

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The Annual North East Spring Otter Survey is now in its seventh year and is carried out entirely by volunteers. Each is allocated a ‘patch’ of watercourse which they check for otter spraint and tracks on consecutive days over the survey weekend (this year it is the 27th/28th April). By checking the same sites in their patch on both days and recording signs on Day 2 that were not there on Day 1 we can effectively ‘freeze’ the activity of our otter population on one night of the year. This allows us to estimate the number of active otter v territories over the survey area. To date this has stretched a h from the Tees Valley to the Tyne. The good news is that our otter ut Tr o population seems to be reasonably stable at the moment and d n sa this year we are trying to extend our survey area a little further north ter Ot to include the area between the Tyne and Blyth.

KNO OU Y D I D

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Many of our volunteers have been taking part since the first survey and have now come to consider it an integral part of their spring calendar, but there is always room for new recruits as inevitably, every year a few people have to drop out for various reasons.

If you would like to take part you can contact us at otters.northeast@gmail.com or through The Otter Network website www.theotternetwork.co.uk.

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The

New Girl

My name is Sarah and I’m the new girl, I’m new to working for Groundwork, new to Landscape Partnerships and new to the area. All I can say, is that three months in, I’m loving all three.

This Landscape Partnership, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by Durham Wildlife Trust, will focus on wet land habitat creation, improved access to the countryside and skills development. Groundwork, one of the partners, is a charity which works to transform the lives of people living in the UKs most disadvantaged communities. It is the community charity with a green heart, and is committed to creating sustainable communities which are vibrant, healthy and safe. At Groundwork North East and Cumbria we’re passionate about creating a future where every neighbourhood is a great and healthy place to be. And where every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny and no-one is held back by their background or circumstances.

Groundwork’s strong track record in working with communities is one of the key reasons why we are

involved in this partnership and why I’ve come to join Discover Brightwater.

Our role is to provide a variety of training for local people, in such a

12 - RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE

way, so that once the Discover Brightwater team have moved on there will be skilled people in the area to help look after the countryside around them. But that isn’t all: our aims are also to restore and celebrate the built, natural and cultural heritage of the area surrounding the river and its tributaries.

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Over the next few years I’ll be around and about helping local communities to: produce their own ‘village atlas’’; producing walks, interpretation and public art works. There will even be songs, children’s books and hopefully dancing (though not led by me, I hasten to add!).

The area is key in the history of the Prince Bishops, and the site of one of their former residences at Bishop Middleham will be a focus for community archaeology over the next three years. So watch this space as you may just see the odd giant papier maché cow or some loco related art work

The Discover Brightwater area provides a rich seam of fascinating stories and historical sites including: the Durham Ox; the Stockton to Darlington Railway; the famous ‘£5 note bridge’ over the Skerne; sunken medieval villages and Roman settlements.

popping up somewhere on your travels throughout the area.

We officially launch over the weekend of Friday the 26th to Sunday the 28th of April. This will be where we will be showcasing and promoting many of the fantastic places, events and activities that are taking place across the area. It should be a great weekend with plenty going on for everyone: from guided walks; craft sessions and even Crown Green Bowling. So, if you’re in the area, then please come along and join in. And if you spot the Discover Brightwater trailer in your town, village or at an event near you, make sure you come and say, “Hello”.

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What did the Romans ever do for… Sedgefield?

There is evidence that people have lived in the Skerne area for only about 10,000 years. Now it’s not clear whether we’ll decide to settle down here but during the last few thousand years, at least, our ancestors have seen and done some pretty amazing things.

O

ne of the key themes of Discover Brightwater is ‘reveal’ and that is what we want to do with some of the hidden chunks of our past. Part of the funding provided by all you nice people who play the lottery or have a flutter on the odd scratch card or two, is set to help a team of experts and volunteers to uncover some of the Brightwater mysteries. This will be paid for by part of our grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Under the direction of Dr David Mason, the County Archaeologist

Did you know?

for Durham and Darlington, we recently appointed two professional archaeological contractors to lead a series of research projects, investigations and community archaeology digs to scratch beneath the Brightwater surface to see what secrets they can unearth.

Among these secrets (and oh, by the way they’ll be looking for volunteers happy to get their hands dirty looking for Romans or remnants of mediaeval bishops) we’re planning:

You can reach 43,000 homes and businesses in our area with your message. To book your slot in the July issue call Sue on 01325 304360

14 - RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE

Three seasons of summer excavations at East Park Roman settlement, Sedgefield. Only discovered in 1998 (believe me not a long time to an archaeologist) this site was featured on the Channel 4 Time Team programme some years ago. Previous investigations by Durham University and Durham County Council have shown that it covers more than 40 hectares.

Our archaeo-boffins think the Sedgefield site may have Iron Age origins and because it has no apparent Roman military connections this makes this site unique in the North East at present. It might be the largest non-military Roman site in the North-East.

Bishop Middleham Castle was one of the rural residences of

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the Prince Bishops of Durham.

Very little is currently known about the layout of buildings and its defences. This is our second ‘flagship’ project with three summer seasons of excavation planned in what promises to offer a fascinating insight into our mediaeval ancestors.

There are a large number of deserted mediaeval (note the proper old-fashioned spellingEditor) villages in the Brightwater

landscape. But we don’t know why people left. Plague?

Famine? The carrs and fens drying up and thus cutting communities off? Over the next three summers we’re going to be sampling some of the settlements trying to work out the layout, discover what everyday life was like and even try to work out when and why our distant ancestors abandoned their homes.

Other projects over the programme will include: Recording in detail a number of planned farms of the 18th/19th century and also remains of mill sites across the Skerne area.

Specialists will be taking core samples from the wetland areas to determine their extent and development. From this we’ll be able to find out about the ancient ecology of the area. What animals, birds and fish used to be here?

What plants grew here and how did the climate change over the period?

We will be looking to involve and train volunteers on these and other heritage projects over the course of the next few years.

Visit our website and sign up for more information as it becomes available.

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A

At Discover Brightwater we’re committed to making a real difference to our area. To do this we’re happy to work with any organisation or local group to improve our environment, heritage and communities.

To help achieve this we’re launching, at the end of April,

two new small grant funds because we know how difficult it can be to raise sufficient funds to help get great projects off the ground. We explain what the funds are, who is eligible and how you can apply over the next few pages.

Discover Brightwater Partnership me Community Grants Program About the Programme The Brightwater Landscape Project is a National Heritage Lottery Fund supported project that aims to reveal, restore and celebrate the heritage of the Brightwater area. This includes its built, natural and cultural heritage.

Brightwater refers to the land that surrounds the River Skerne and its tributary burns: Fishburn, Bishop Middleham, Sedgefield, Mordon, Newton Aycliffe, Heighington, Aycliffe Village, Houghton-leSide, Walworth, Barmpton and surrounding areas, as well as parts of Darlington.

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The Discover Brightwater Partnership Community Grants programme aims to support local organisations and projects to achieve lasting impact in their community, continue and expand their work and run projects that help people enjoy all the Bright Water area has to offer.

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Grant Guidelines

• capacity building activity,

Community Grants will be available for groups and organisations to:

• transport costs,

• Strengthen their organisation; this could be through training or support your organisation’s needs to grow or become more sustainable, equipment that would make a lasting difference to the work your group undertakes.

• publicity costs, • overhead/core costs related to a specific project.

Who can apply?

How to Apply

The following groups can apply to the Community Grants Programme:

Prior to applying to the Community Grants Programme, you may wish to have an informal discussion with the Discover Brightwater Training and Community Manager, Sarah Barton: email: sarah@ bwlp.co.uk; tel: 01325 327341.

• Charities or trusts • Community or voluntary groups

• Run additional activities; these could be activities that help attract new members to your group or special events that encourage visitors or local residents to explore the Bright Water area.

• Community / parish councils

• Celebrate; your group may have ideas for activities that help more people connect with the Bright Water area’s culture or natural environment.

What can’t be funded?

Your project must show how a grant will benefit those people living in or visiting the Brightwater area.

• Renewable energy schemes

Groups must:

This is in addition to excluded activities listed in CDCF’s general grant criteria, which can be found on our website.

• be based within the Brightwater area • be rooted in, and engaging with, the community (for example through being led by a volunteer committee, providing volunteering opportunities, having open membership, proactively trying to engage new members) • have an annual turnover of less than £100,000 Please check our map on the front cover to make sure your project is in an eligible area.

What type of funding can you apply for?

• purchase of capital items, materials, equipment,

Further rounds will follow in early 2020 and early 2021. Details on round deadlines and decision dates will be published on the CDCF website: www.cdcf.org.uk

• Community Interest Companies • Social enterprises • Other not for profit organisations or partnerships led by not for profit organisations.

The programme will not directly support the following activities: • Retail, food and drink projects • Activities delivered outside the Brightwater area.

Size of Grant Grants of £750 to £2,000 are available.

When to Apply Community Grants will be available in three rounds.

Round 1 Opens: April 26th April 2019 Closing date for applications: 31st July 2019 Awards announced: September 2019

Groups must also check they meet CDCF’s general requirements to receive funding, which can be found in the document ‘General Grant Criteria’ available on the ‘Apply for a grant’ page of the County Durham Community Foundation website.

To apply for a grant, you must use CDCF’s online application form which can be found by visiting www.cdcf.org.uk

Need more help?

For more information about the Discover Brightwater programme please visit the Partnership’s website: www.discoverbrightwater.com For more information about applying, please contact: County Durham Community Foundation, Victoria House, Whitfield Court, St Johns Road, Meadowfield Industrial Estate Durham DH7 8XL Tel: 0191 378 6340 E-mail: info@cdcf.org.uk www.cdcf.org.uk

• coaching or training activity sessional costs (we would expect reasonable hourly rates),

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Discover Brightwater Partnership

Natural Heritage Small Grants Programme

Grant Guidelines Natural Heritage Small Grants will be available for organisations, individuals, businesses and projects to: • Improve the natural resilience of the Brightwater area.

Funding could purchase equipment and/or relevant training that would increase capacity to deliver natural

The Discover Brightwater Natural Heritage Small Grants programme aims to support local organisations, individuals, businesses and projects to achieve lasting improvements to the local natural environment and/or to help people to enjoy the natural heritage that the Brightwater area has to offer.

heritage improvements, or support a research, survey or practical project which will have clear, valuable environmental outcomes. • Increase engagement with natural heritage.

This could be through training or support which helps your organisation or business to grow or become more sustainable

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and therefore more able to deliver natural heritage improvements. Funding could also deliver activities that help engage people to learn about and improve the natural environment of the Bright Water area.

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• Celebrate the Brightwater area.

You may have ideas for activities and projects that celebrate the natural heritage of the Bright Water area that create interest amongst new audiences or greatly increase knowledge and engagement.

All projects must show how a grant will benefit both the natural environment and people living in or visiting the Discover Brightwater area.

What can’t be funded?

How to Apply

The programme will not directly

Prior to applying to the Natural Heritage Small Grants Programme, you may wish to have an informal discussion with the Discover Brightwater Natural Environment and Access Projects Officer, Dafydd Jones : email: dafydd@bwlp. co.uk; tel: 01325 327341.

Groups must:

support the following activities:

• be based within the Discover Brightwater area or have substantial interests in the area.

• Retail, food and drink projects.

Please check our map on the front cover to make sure your project is in an eligible area.

What type of funding can you apply for?

• capital items, materials, equipment.

• Renewable energy schemes.

• Activities delivered outside the Bright Water area.

• Activities that the applicant is legally obliged to deliver.

Size of Grant Grants of £750 to £3,000 are available.

To apply for a grant, you must use our online application form which can be found by visiting www. discoverbrightwater.com

• coaching or training activity.

• capacity building activity.

When to Apply

• transport costs.

Grants will be available in three

• publicity costs.

rounds.

Who can apply?

Round 1

The following groups can apply to the Community Grants Programme:

Opens:

• Individuals (projects must be able to demonstrate wider community benefit).

Closing date for applications:

• Businesses (projects must demonstrate that they are not simply duplicating or subsidising existing activity).

Need more help?

April 26th April 2019 31st July 2019

For more information about the Discover Brightwater programme or about applying for a grant please visit the Partnership’s website: www.discoverbrightwater.com For more information about applying, please contact: Discover Brightwater G19 Flexspace

Awards announced:

Business Incubation Centre

September 2019

Durham Way South

Further rounds will follow in early

Newton Aycliffe

2020 and early 2021. Details on

DL5 6XP

• Charities or trusts.

round deadlines and decision

• Community or voluntary groups.

dates will be published on the

• Community / parish councils.

Discover Brightwater website:

• Community Interest Companies.

www.discoverbrightwater.com

Tel: 01325 327 341 E-mail: discover@ discoverbrightwater.com www.discoverbrightwater.com

• Social enterprises.

• Other not for profit organisations or partnerships led by not for profit organisations.

RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE - 19

DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

Chillililli P

eople from these parts like their ‘scran’ and so in each issue of our magazine we’ll include a recipe from by one of our readers (and there’ll be a prize for every one published – you can get our contact details from page 19) or which includes produce from our patch.

Our first recipe has been provided

by Calder’s Kitchen, a young award-winning company from Darlington using their Chillililli – a spicy modern take on a traditional family Piccalilli recipe. It’s available from local delicatessens and local farmer’s markets or direct from them online www.calderskitchen.co.uk.

Lentil and Chillililli Bake Recipe Card

20 - RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE

Brightwater Walks

DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

Bishop Middleham & The Skerne A177

Bishop Middleham Cross Keys

A1(M)

Hurw Burn

Bishop Middleham

A1(M)

You Are Here

Ferryhill

Fishburn

A688 A167

Bishop Auckland

THE

CROSS KEYS

Start Here

Post Office

1

2

P

CROSS KEYS

Sedgefield

A689

12

River Skerne

Newton Aycliffe

A68

11

3

A6

Wyny

Preston-le-Skerne

Great Stainton

A1(M)

Heighington

A167

4

Haughton-le-Skerne

Sadberge A66

Piercebridge A66

Darlington

5

South Park

A1(M)

Village Area 10

Bridleway Castle Lake

Footpath

River Skerne

Deer Park Wall 6

Farm Track

7

Disused Railway

8 9

Walking Route

Carr Wood

DL17 9AR

2.5 Time (hrs)

Difficulty

Postcode

Grid Ref - NZ 3314 3147 RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE - 21

This is one of a series of walks in the Discover Brightwater area.

For more information about other walks in the series visit our website: www.discoverbrightwater.com 1

2

3

De er P

4

5

Park beside the village green on High Street. For more than 300 years this was the site of a brewery. Walk west past the Old School.

6

The interesting sign above the doorway of the house on the corner of Church St tells you this was originally the Dun Cow Inn. A steep hill takes you left up past the Hall and 13th century Church then down to Foumarts Lane , an unrecorded footpath. (Alternatively, continue along Front St then turn down Broadoaks and arrive at Foumarts without the climb).

“Foumarts” refers to the ‘foul martens’, a type of polecat (or ferret) that lived in the walls surrounding the Bishop’s Deer Park. Much of this walk follows the course of those medieval walls.

all kW ar

7

8

9

10

rn Bunting Co 11

e re

Oa kT

12

The mound to your left was the site of a ‘castle’ or fortified manor of the Prince Bishops. Built in the middle of the 12th century, it was abandoned sometime in the 14th in favour of Bishop Auckland.

Follow the track down along the walls.

As you turn left along Mainsforth Stell you pass the remains of an old packhorse bridge.

The fields beyond, together with nearby Castle Lake, now form an important overwintering area for wading birds in the North East.

Steps and a bridge over the Skerne lead you onto a disused railway line.

The carrs to your right are to be restored to become part of Bright Water’s Bishop’s Fen along with the existing pond near point 10.

Cross the Skerne over the bailey bridge and follow the track, looking for a stile through the hedge on your right into a field. Walk through the field staying alongside the fence on your right and then cross another stile onto a farm track.

Cross the farm track and walk down the other side over another stile into a field, walking ahead towards a track between two hedgerows.

Cross another stile then walk through a small woodland and up some steps back to High Street.Turn left and walk back towards The Cross Keys pub and the end of the walk.

Important information: For more information:

Park alongside the green area in the centre of the village.

Call 01325 327 341 or 01325 327 342 Email info@discoverbrightwater.com Or visit www.discoverbrightwater.com

Dogs must be kept under control at all times. Please check the countryside code.

DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

Brightwater Kids There are otters in the River Skerne.

Here’s one to colour in. And can you find all of the Brightwater place names in our word search?

Name your Otter here:

LOCAL Place Names

WOODHAM

WALWORTH

BRAFFERTON

RICKNALL CARRS

HARDWICK PARK ULNABY BRADBURY DENTON HARROWGATE KETTON MIDDRIDGE

TRIMDON GREATBURDON FISHBURN SEDGEFIELD WHESSOE CHILTON

SHILDON

RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE - 23

May

Food & Drink Festival Darlo Dines Out!

Friday 3 - Monday 6 May Darlington Town Centre Thousands of people enjoyed fantastic food, music and sunshine at last year’s award-winning food festival. This year’s event promises to be just as special. Some of the region’s finest food producers will be showcasing their culinary delights from noon on 3 May. There’s the chance to sample delicious nibbles, pick up tips from food demonstrations and feast on food from around the world from street traders. Look out for the marquee in the Market Square and stalls around the town centre.

Get your jazz on!

Alongside Darlington Dines out is the popular annual Jazz Festival.

Look out for evening jazz at Voodoo café on Friday 3 and May the ‘Fourth’ be with you on Saturday as Echo 3 café in Clarks yard celebrates Star Wars day, customers will be greeted by the Galactic Empire.

There’s jazz performances to suit all tastes on Saturday and Sunday afternoon until 4pm at Joseph Pease Place (free event).

The Jazz program continues in the market square marquee on Saturday evening from 7 pm.

Sunday evening sees a change of pace with music from the Durham Alumni Big Band playing 1980s TV themed tunes from 6pm. Tickets and further information from the Jazz Festival website www.darlingtonjazzfestival.co.uk

ton et Darling dding Mark u P hts Pease mer nig

m rate su quare Celeb S t e Mark food in the inning y w rd a arefull w c a with gside n , s t lo is a rt rs ales, A vendo d Craft sic selecte talls and Mu t s s t e . t en Fir Mark ertainm month t n e d ry an ve ay of e Thursd e! un from J

DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

Discover Brightwater Weekend Friday 26th - Sunday 28th April Venues and events throughout the area.

T

he following section provides a taster of some of the delights our area is offering over our launch weekend at the end of April. We’ve only space to list a selection of walks, talks and activities which some of the 200 different clubs, societies and organisations we identified so far in the area are offering. Many are free and some of them need the help of volunteers to support them.

As Bill says in his article on page 8 “we all need to get out more”. Do enjoy the following events as you Discover Brightwater. And if you are an event organiser and we haven’t listed you here do contact us via our website www.discoverbrightwater.com or by email to discover@discoverbrightwater.com and send us details of your event and we’ll do our best to include you on our website and in our next magazine. Enjoy

Friday 26th April

Photography Top Tips Join us for this subsidised photography workshop led by local lad Peter Atkinson, the professional photographer who took most of the images in our magazine and whose work is often featured in Living North magazine. Features an illustrated ‘how to’ talk (with some of Peter’s stunning images) and workshop with tips to help you win our first Discover Brightwater

Photographic Competitionwith Full details on our website: www.discoverbrightwater.com.

2.00pm – 4.00 pm Hallgarth Hall Hotel Coatham Mundeville, Darlington DL1 3LU £7.50 – Places limited so booking essential. Full details available on our website www.discoverbrightwater.com

RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE - 25

DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

Fancy a walk?

D

ust off those boots or walking shoes and plan to keep up with this 83 year-old! Members of the snappily named ‘Darlington Cooperative Holiday Association & Holiday Fellowship Joint Group (see box opposite), have kindly organised a series of walks to enable all of us to Discover Brightwater.

Times and contact details are below. Do call or text the walk organiser for more details.

Darlington CHA & HF Rambling Club walks programme for “Brightwater” weekend Friday 26th April

Saturday 27th April

Sunday 28th April

10am - Walk 1

10am - Walk 5

10am - Walk 10

Bishop Middleham Castle circ 4.3 mls Start: Middleham recreation-centre car park. NZ329312. DL17 9AH Leaders.

C Hollis /Dawn Proctor Tel. 07909 079 990

South park, Skerne circ. 4 mls

Middleham Quarry circ. 3.6mls

12noon - Walk 2 Barmpton – Little Ketton circ. 3.5mls Start: Barmpton bridge NZ316179. DL1 3JG Leader. M Brownbridge Tel. 07849 454 689

2pm - Walk 3

Start: Dolphin Centre D’ton.

NZ2891444. DL1 5PT Or Walks circ 8mls

5 & 6 combined

Leader. M Brownbridge Tel. 07849 454 689

12am - Walk 7 Brafferton Newton Kettle circ. 3.9mls Start: Brafferton village hall NZ293210. DL1 3LB Leader. M West Tel. 07986 006 266

Start: Middleham. Rec car park.

NZ329312. DL17 9AH Or Walks 10 circ 7.9 mls

& 1 combined

Leaders. C Hollis /Dawn Proctor Tel. 07909 079 990

12am - Walk 11 Hurworth Burn Rsvoir circ. 4.1mls Start: Hurworth Burn CP NZ409332. TS28 5NS Leader. J Mole Tel. 07804 667 390

Aycliffe Nature reserves circ. 4mls Start: Newton Aycliffe, west park lake.

NZ268247. DL5 7AT Leader. M West Tel. 07986 006 266

2pm - Walk 8

2pm - Walk 12

Fishburn circ. 3.8 mls

Skerningham circ. 3.7 mls

Start: Fishburn rec. Centre.

NZ369319. TS21 4DU

Start: Sparrow Hall Drive, D’ton NZ304171. DL1 3PB

Leader. C Hollis Tel. 07909 079 990

Leader. M Brownbridge Tel. 07849 454 689

2pm - Walk 4

2pm - Walk 9

Hardwick to Bishop M’ham circ. 3.8mls Start: Hardwick Country park.

NZ345287. TS21 2DN Leaders. C Hollis / Dawn Proctor Tel. 07909 079 990

Sedgefield to Skerne circ. 4.2 mls Start: Sedgefield. Hardwick arms.

NZ354288. TS21 2AZ Leader. J Mole Tel. 07804 667 390

26 - RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE

2pm - Walk 6 D’ton to Haughton circ. 4 mls Start: Dolphin Centre. D’ton NZ289144. DL15 PT Leaders. E. Anderson. A Barber Tel. 07732 718 882

DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

Darlington

CHA & HF

Rambling Club

I

t was 1936 and Frank Bowman, a young Darlington man who enjoyed the great outdoors had an idea. He was convinced that there must be many like-minded people in the area and that a club to accommodate them should be created. The organisation was duly formed following a meeting on 29th October that

year and after much discussion the club name was agreed as the ‘Darlington Cooperative Holiday Association & Holiday Fellowship Joint Group’, a mighty mouthful indeed.

The first walk was held on Sunday 8th November 1936 from Darlington to Richmond, and on the following Saturday a shorter, half day walk was arranged to Staindrop. This pattern of alternate half-day Saturday and full-day Sunday walks was to remain a significant feature of club activity

Since those early days the club has continued to explore the wonderful walking areas surrounding us and despite such difficulties as World War 2, Foot & Mouth disease and severe winters the club’s proud boast remains that it has never cancelled a scheduled walk.

The club is now in its 83rd year and as healthy and enthusiastic as ever. Visit our website to find out more: darlingtonchahf.co.uk/

Saturday 27th April

Bowled over by a free bacon butty?

Bring a Friend Day Free Taster Session Free event, suitable for all the family. There will be bowling taster sessions, a fun mixed ability tournament, a treasure trail for children with small prizes, fun games and activities. Free bacon butties and hot dogs available, but a small donation towards club funds would be appreciated.

virginmedia.com

10.30 am to 2.30 pm North Park Bowls Club, North Park, Darlington Please wear flat soled shoes or trainers. Dogs on leads are welcome.

Contact details Terry on 01325 350 368 Or through facebook @darlingtonnorthparkbowlsclub, or by e-mail: northparkbowlsclub@

RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE - 27

DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

Friday 26th - Sunday 29th April

Fancy a Bio-blitz?

City Nature Challenge

F

or the first time, North East England is joining a global competition to find out which place can record the most wildlife sightings, discover the most species and engage the most people.

organisers from the Great North Museum: Hancock, Natural History Society of Northumbria (NHSN) and Environmental Records Information Centre North East (ERIC) are hoping nature enthusiasts will take part in force.

The City Nature Challenge is a bioblitz-style event that encourages everyone to get outdoors and look for nature. 2018 saw 68 cities from five continents compete, with San Francisco running out overall winners.

Participating is as easy as downloading the iNaturalist mobile app and using it during the competition dates to take photographs of any signs of wildlife.

Plants, animals, fungi, droppings and tracks are all acceptable sightings but captive animals and garden plants are not.

This year’s competition takes place from 26-29 April and local

Saturday 27th April

Anyone can take part regardless of ability – the extensive community of iNaturalist users helps others to identify unknown species. The app also geotags photographs automatically.

The North East England City Nature Challenge will accept sightings recorded anywhere in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham and Teesside.

A Hullabaloo in Wonderland

Morning session - 10am - 12pm | Afternoon session - 10am - 12pm

J

oin us down the rabbit hole for a wonderful adventure with games, music, dancing and more!

We’ll be creating our very own version of Wonderland with a very special tea party, mad hat making, games within the woods, and a trail of things to discover.

Prepare to meet unexpected characters around our building and within our creative play installation, the Enchanted Forest!

Be careful though… or it’ll be “Off with your head!”

Our Hullabaloo days are designed to offer a wide range of activities

for the whole family to enjoy and everyone is welcome, however we do suggest that the majority of activities in a Hullabaloo in Wonderland will appeal to children aged 3+.

Tickets £7 each You are very welcome to bring younger children, but do check out our wider programme for performances and activities specifically aimed at babies and toddlers.

Babe in arms: For productions that are not created for or aimed at babies we offer a free babes in arms ticket for those under 12

28 - RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE

months old. A ticket is still required and is subject to availability.

Please call the Box Office on 01325 405 405 to book this ticket.

Contact details and Links for more info: The Hullabaloo Borough Road, Darlington, County Durham DL1 1SG www.theatrehullabaloo.org. uk/shows/a-hullabaloo-inwonderland/ Box Office: 01325 405 405

DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

Sunday 28th April

Bark in the Park 9.30 – 12.30 South Park, Darlington

D

ogs and their well-behaved humans are invited to put their best paw forward for St Teresa’s Hospice on Sunday 28th April, when we will be holding our third sponsored dog walk in Darlington’s South Park.

Discover Brightwater is delighted to be able to support this event.

Come and meet some of the team as we go to the dogs…

Tell us about your event in the Brightwater area and we’ll do our best to include it on our website and in the next issue of Discover Brightwater magazine. Contact us at events@discoverbrightwater.com

• Rosette and goody bag for every dog* • Many prizes to be won on our tombola

• Agility course demonstration

by South Durham Dog Agility • Stalls, refreshments and lots more! *Must register by 12 noon Wed 24th April 2019 to guarantee goody bag. If you register on the day your dog will receive a bag of treats.

Sponsored by Jollyes Pet Store Darlington Supported by Harringtons and Stanhope Park Veterinary Hospital For full details and to register your Fido or Tyson visit www.support. darlingtonhospice.org.uk/pages/ bark-in-the-park

Saturday 27th April

Brightwater Family Activity Art and Craft Drop in 11am to 3pm - FREE event Normal parking charges apply Drop in to our water themed Art and Craft Workshop taking place in our education room.

No need to book just come along on the day.

Pop along and discover Brightwater and enjoy a fun day of water themed craft activities to celebrate the River Skerne and the wetlands in and around the park.

Sedgefield County Durham United Kingdom TS21 2DN

Hardwick Park Visitor Centre

For more information contact Hardwick park on 03000 262 899

RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE - 29

DISCOVER BRIGHTWATER

Friday 26th, Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th of April

Bird Walks

J

ohn Olley, local Durham Countryside Ranger, will be leading a series of gentle 2 hour walks around two of the important wetland wildlife sites in the Discover Brightwater area.

John, an active member of Durham Bird Club and the Castle Lake Conservation group, will be sharing his deep knowledge and expertise to groups over the weekend. No need to book, just turn up with a pair of stout shoes and binoculars if you’ve got them.

Hurworth Burn 9.30 meet at reservoir car park 10.00am -12.00 walk (nearest postcode - TS28 5NN) Bishop Middleham/Castle Lake 1pm meet at playing field car park (nearest postcode - DL17 9AH) 1.30 – 3.30 walk

Sunday 28th April

Durham Wildlife Trust Bishop Middleham Quarry Nature Reserve DL17 9EE - Grid reference: NZ 330 326

10.00am -12noon

30 - RESTORE, REVEAL & CELEBRATE LIFE AROUND THE RIVER SKERNE

J

oin Laura Tedstone – one of our Living Landscape Officers to discover the unique geology and some of the secret wildlife gems to be found in this fascinating nature reserve.

Free and for full details visit the Discover Brightwater website: www.discoverbrightwater.com

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