Weardale Community News April 2020

@weardalenews April 2020

www.wcng.org

The first edition

A new paper for Weardale

Edition 1

Volunteers producing PPE for the NHS

One of Aaron Jackson’s 3D printed visors

A view of Weardale taken from Crawleyside Bank by photographer James Prescott

heRe it is, the first edition of the Weardale News, what the team are proudly calling ‘the new voice of Weardale.’

The plan, long in gestation, was to launch the paper at the beginning of May. This would have given us plenty of time to sort out contributors and advertisers and be confident that everything was right before printing the final, polished, paper.

However, in the true tradition of ‘best laid plans’ we find ourselves in the

midst of an unprecedented viral outbreak, affecting not just our country, but the whole world. At the time of writing we are all in lockdown to prevent the spread of the disease.

As a result of this situation we made the decision to bring the launch of the new paper forward and to get the first edition out as quickly as possible.

Now, more than at any other time, there is a need for a local paper in Weardale, a voice to share

news and information.

To this end we’ve tried to include as much useful material we could gather about what services and plans have been put in place to help people in Weardale.

The paper may be rougher around the edges than we had hoped, but here it is.

At this stage it is still very much a work in progress, so please feel free to get in touch with your suggestions and ideas for how it could be improved.

We are also looking for

contributions, if you have something to share, be it an article, feature, poem or picture, then get in touch with us at newsdesk@wcng. org.

If you have experience in journalism and want to help out then we would love to hear from you.

The coming months will be challenging for all of us, as the country strives to overcome the Covid-19 threat. If we work together then we can overcome the virus.

Local help and support for Weardale during the coronavirus pandemic

TheRe are now teams of volunteers throughout Weardale who are helping vulnerable residents and those who must self-isolate to obtain essential provisions and prescriptions or providing a telephone contact service.

Most of these have a Facebook page and can be easily located using the search facility.

• Wolsingham Help and Support Group • Frosterley Help and Support Group • Stanhope and Eastgate Coronavirus Support • Westgate Coronavirus help • upper Weardale Isolation Support

Group Durham Covid 19 Mutual Aid The North West Durham Constituency Labour Party are also coordinating volunteers to help deliver food, pick up prescriptions and make regular phone calls. They cover North West Durham and have volunteers in Weardale. Contact 07885 695 929 or email nwdclp.campaigns@gmail.com for assistance A number of businesses in Weardale are also providing additional services to help at this time, including delivering meals to those who are self-isolating or arranging for the delivery of shopping.

•

Details of the services they offer can be found on the previously mentioned Facebook pages and also on the Weardale Noticeboard Facebook page.

If you do not have access to Facebook and would like a different way of contacting the group, either to volunteer or to access the service please contact the Area Action Partnership on the following numbers: 07753 779975 (Angelina), 07747 486733 (Tracy) or 03000 268507 (Fiona) or via email at weardaleaap@ durham.gov.uk and we will do our best to help you.

The fight against coronavirus expensive and limited to has seen an emergence of industrial production, are ingenuity all over the world now easily available and as people share their skills can be used to manufacture and experience to help almost anything, even those fighting the virus. moving parts.

One such area is 3D Aaron Jackson, who lives printing, where physical locally has been working objects are manufactured hard to produce protective from plastic by a printer. equipment for the NHS and These devices, once shares how he got involved.

Turn to page 7 to read how Aaron is helping the NHS

CORONAVIRUS

STAY HOME TO HELP US SAVE LIVES

ACT LIKE YOU’VE GOT IT, ANYONE CAN SPREAD IT.

501470_Stay_at_Home_NEW_A4_v2_a.indd 2

The new local paper for Weardale

03/04/2020 13:22

Page 2

Weardale Community News, April 2020

Welcome to the first edition HAVING been involved with the Weardale Gazette for a number of years I was deeply saddened when the decision was made to finally stop publishing. unfortunately the national market for paid for newspapers has diminished in recent years, with titles all over the country closing down.

Over 32 years and almost 600 editions the Weardale Gazette became a trusted news source for Weardale and its loss has been keenly felt.

Despite the prevalence of social media, newspapers remain important in our society and they need to continue, especially in rural areas like ours that are often neglected by the regional press.

Over the course of months a team came together, ideas were discussed and plans put in place to launch a new paper.

Sadly, members have left the project over time and difficult decisions have had to be made. John Clarke decided to leave the team in order start afresh. I wish

John and his new team the best.

I had a fantastic and challenging time working on the Weardale Gazette, and I am grateful to the long standing directors, Maureen Thomas and Bob Marshall for their support of this new venture.

I would also thank the Gazette’s editor, Anita Atkinson. There was never a dull moment when I worked with Anita and her commitment to Weardale and dedication to local journalism is something that we can all aspire to.

This new paper, The Weardale Community News is for everyone in Weardale.

We intend for it to be your resource, an outlet for your news, stories, photos, poems, everything!

We want to support schools, churches, local businesses, societies, groups, sports teams,

everyone who has something that they want to share.

To this end we decided that the new paper should be freely distributed throughout Weardale. you’ll notice that we’re currently missing a guide to what’s going on in Weardale and a sports section. Once everything goes back to normal we hope to supply you all with full coverage of what is taking place in the dale.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the project and has submitted stories and ideas for the first edition and worked to get this new paper out.

We look forward to publishing your stories and continuing Weardale’s long tradition of community newspapers.

Paul Turton Weardale Community News Group CIC, April 2020

A note on advertising WITH the lockdown in place and social distancing measures in operation, most businesses will be on furlough at the present moment.

Whilst not directly trading we encourage

readers to contact them in preparation of the lockdown ending.

In order to support local businesses during this time advertising in the current edition has been provided without charge.

Weardale Community News

www.wcng.org Layout and editing: Paul Turton: paul@wcng.org Advertising: Jack Vincent jackvincent@wcng.org To submit news and stories and to find out how you can contribute to the paper, please get in touch with us using the address newsdesk@wcng.org.

For advertising rates and details of how to advertise with us, please contact Jack Vincent.

The Weardale Community News is produced in Stanhope by the Weardale Community News Group CIC. The registered address of the community interest company is: Weardale Community News Group, 2a St Mary’s Green, Whickham, NE16 4DN.

Corrections and Clarifications

We aim to ensure that articles published in the Weardale Community News are truthful and accurate, but in the event of an error we will correct or clarify any problems when they are brought to our attention.

The Weardale Community News abides by The Editors Code of Practice, which can be viewed in full at www.editorscode. org.uk. If you have a complaint of have found any inaccuracies in our reporting please contact us to let us know.

Submitted Content

The Weardale Community News welcomes submissions from writers. The views expressed in those submissions do not represent the views of the paper or those of the WCNG CIC. We reserve the right to edit submissions. Letters must include a full postal address.

www.wcng.org

A big thank you from Jack Vincent of the WCNG I AM so proud to get this first issue of the Weardale Community News on to paper. It has been a long journey in difficult and unprecedented times.

My sincere thanks to Anita Atkinson, for her guidance, support and advice, in a journey that begun without any map. I would also like to thank Paul Turton for his unwavering support.

Paul brings a great deal of experience to this project and without him, we would not be where we are today.

My own journey on this adventure began when I learned the Gazette was winding down. Like many others, I took the Gazette for granted and assumed it would be around forever.

Sadly, this was not the case.

Following a number of consultations and meetings, The Weardale Community News Group (WCNG) was formed. We have since made applications to become a Community Interest Company (CIC), with the sole purpose of publishing a community newspaper that engages and connects Dale folk, far and wide.

During the first stages of this project, we were supported by John Clarke, of Wolsingham. Between

the three of us leading the project, certain decisions were made and one of which was to name the paper ‘WeArDale News’.

As some of our members are aware, John is no longer part of WCNG and is producing his own newsletter, perhaps under the banner of ‘Weardale News’. We wish John well with his publication but to ensure that our readers are not confused, myself and Paul have renamed this publication ‘Weardale Community News’.

Weardale Community News will champion all that is good and great about Weardale. From the outset, we agreed that the paper would support all of the organisations, charities and groups that make Weardale a great place to live and visit. So long as this paper is needed, we will continue that support wherever and whenever we can. Space within all future publications is free of charge to these wonderful people. We also have space allocated to schools and other learning providers.

Many local and regional newspapers have closed over recent years. Social media an online news is

everywhere. What we have learned during lockdown is that it is impossible to engage with the entire community all at once.

It is for this reason that we brought forward the publication and we hope you enjoy reading and learning with us as we move forward.

This first edition is privately funded. We are not in a position to apply for charitable funding until after the Covid-19 crisis. We will also need the support of dale folk who can get involved with managing and leading the paper. If you have any spare time to offer, we welcome applications to join us. We are especially keen to hear from those who could join our management board, roving reporters and budding journalists. Email us: jackvincent@wcng. org if you would like to get involved. Membership is open to all, no matter what your background.

Finally, another big thank you to all of the contributors. your support, time and efforts are greatly appreciated.

Jack Vincent Weardale Community News Group CIC April 2020

Competition time: calling all gardeners

By Jack Vincent GARDENING is not something I have ever been any good at. I am probably the only person on earth who has managed to kill a set of plastic flowers.

However, my late Grandad, Francis Dunford, spent a great deal of his life growing fruit, vegetables and flowers. His garden was always perfect and I recall many a memorable moment in those gardens throughout my life.

It is with great pleasure that, through the Weardale Community News, we announce our sponsorship of the ‘F.W. Dunford Best Garden Prize.’

In these uncertain times, I know many of you will be doing those jobs around

the home and garden that have been left a while and, whilst we await news of this years annual shows, we encourage entries from all around the Dale.

Rules are simply that the garden must be at home

and must be in Weardale.

A trophy and prize will be awarded in September 2020. Simply call us on 01388 662199 or email your name and address to admin@wcng.org.

A new voice for Weardale

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, April 2020

Page 3

Rainbow windows brighten up children’s isolation during lockdown

Pictures of rainbows have been popping up in windows in in a bid ro raise spirits.

By Heather Giles TheRe is no doubt that the current covid-19 pandemic is causing uncertainty, fear and unprecedented levels of change around the world.

With the closure of the schools and lockdown in place, the nation's children are now more acutely aware of the changes occurring within our society as we try and slow the spread of the virus.

It is, therefore, vital to keep calm

and unite in these troubled times.

Homemade images of rainbows, created by adults and children alike, have been popping up in windows around the county in an attempt to keep people's hopes and spirits raised.

The rainbow is synonymous with feelings of hope, motivation and endurance; good and beautiful things often follow the darkest storm.

Even though our children (as well as us!) are unable to see friends,

Credit: Heather Giles

the rainbow pictures are one way of staying connected.

The hashtag #neighbourhood windowwalk is trending across social media, and children are invited to create new images every week to display in the windows of their home, almost like a neighbourhood game of 'I Spy.' So whilst you stay home and stay safe - get creative!

Wolsingham School during the pandemic of 2020

IT is hard to believe that in early March life throughout the uK largely went on as normal. At Wolsingham School, staff and students were busy and happy with their usual routines. With the spread of coronavirus, everyone’s world changed suddenly and for schools, that change was most dramatic when the government announced the closure of schools on 18 March. yet just as the country has rallied to the challenge, I am amazed at the dedicated and supportive way that staff, students and parents in our school have also responded to the challenge.

Although we had been preparing for the possibility of closure for a couple of weeks, that last week was especially busy – and very poignant.

Teaching staff ensured that all their materials were uploaded so they could be accessed from home for remote teaching.

Pastoral staff worked out systems for looking after key students, like those already educated off-site. Students

received refresher lessons on how to use our remote teaching platform, Show My Homework, for submitting work and asking questions.

For year 11 students, anxious about how they would be given grades for their GCSEs, it was an especially difficult time; we were so pleased to see the way they supported each other.

By the end of the first week of closure, we settled into new routines. Staff were delivering hundreds of hours of lessons, projects and activities remotely and collecting and reviewing pupil work. For example, year 7 students worked on extending their Mathematics vocabulary and year 10 Religious Education students examined material on ‘crime and punishment.’ Students have been submitting superb work. A core group of staff identified children of ‘key workers’ in sectors like the NHS and have supported them in school while their parents were away from home helping the fight against the coronavirus.

Other staff were on the

safeguarding rota and one delivered free school meals to children who could not get into school while the government set up the e-voucher scheme for free school meals.

Support staff deepcleaned the school, prepared meals, answered parental queries and maintained our infrastructure. I have published regular updates on our website. Amidst all of this, we also carried out all the tasks that keep a school running even when there is no pandemic – including excitedly preparing for the large year 7 intake that is due to join us in the next academic year.

The feedback from parents has been highly supportive and I could not ask for a better staff, student body or community.

Most importantly, we hope everyone is staying well.

We eagerly look forward to a safe and happy return to school.

Jonathan Ferstenberg Head Teacher Wolsingham School

Rainbows, an easter egg and Elmer

Credit David Grey

A message from Councillor Anita Savory IN these challenging times, let us all take a moment of reflection and appreciate the beautiful rural area we live in and recognise with gratitude all those who are working on the frontline at the NHS, The Weardale Practice, the Distict Nurses, the staff at Weardale Community Hospital, the staff at Crosshills, the staff in the pharmacies, the staff at our shops striving to keep up with the demand, the staff in our schools teachers, cooks

and cleaners, our police and fire and ambulance services our postmen and women. Our wonderful volunteers running the food bank, those delivering medicine and parcels, those being good neighbours.

Weardale, where a strong community spirit prevails and is demonstrated on a daily basis.

Thank you and well done everyone.

Councillor Anita Savory

Fresh fruit and vegetables, locally sourced goods.

Flowers for all occasions.

We are working with the support groups to deliver to those of you who are self isolating.

Page 4

Weardale Community News, April 2020

Police News

News and reports from Durham Constabulary Inspector Ed Turner: Neighbourhood policing officer for Crook, Teesdale and Weardale “HELLO! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Ed Turner, and I am the neighbourhood policing inspector for Crook, Teesdale and Weardale.

“It’s great to see a local newspaper launch and with the ongoing Coronavirus situation, there has never been a better time to keep our residents informed.

“The rural community is fantastic and it’s been great to see residents coming together to look after each other – all whilst keeping a safe distance of course.

“Here at Durham Constabulary, we are taking all necessary steps to ensure we can continue to protect you and uphold the service that keeps the public safe every day.

“Well-rehearsed plans are in place to make sure that our officers – and the vital staff who support them – will still be out there doing what they do best: preventing crime, catching criminals and keeping our communities safe.

“Virus or no virus, we will always be there when you need us.”

Inspector Ed Turner, Credit: Durham Police

Police warn of criminal scams during Covid-19 lockdown

“Don’t let your guard down, don’t let them succeed” THAT’S the message from one of the region’s top officers as he urges the public to take an active role in defeating the despicable criminals trying to exploit people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Detective Chief Superintendent Alastair Simpson heads up the North East Regional Special Operations unit (NERSOu) – a dedicated team of officers from the three forces of Durham, Cleveland and Northumbria who work together to investigate serious and organised crime, under the banner of Operation Sentinel.

So far, the forces have seen a broad spectrum of reports with officers in Northumbria and Durham aware of an NHS scam text being sent to the public

asking them to share their personal details and officers at Cleveland dealing with rogue traders trying to make money by offering an antibacterial spray for private and commercial driveways.

Speaking on behalf of the three forces, Det Ch Supt Simpson said: “It’s absolutely abhorrent that there are people out there who are using Covid-19 as an opportunity to make money.

“Nationally there have been reports of online shopping scams including websites claiming to sell medical supplies, as well as bogus campaigns exploiting people’s fear of COVID-19.

We’ve also seen phishing emails attempting to get donations which they say will help fund research for a cure, as well as salary reimbursement emails purporting to be from

government. They are relentless and persistent in their approach.

“We have seen instances in our region of bogus text messages stating victims have been caught outside their house more than once during a 24 hour period and need to pay the police a £30 fine - This is a scam and the link should not be clicked.

We’ve seen shopping scams where people have paid for face masks which never arrive, or when they do they’re low quality and or fake and we’ve also seen computer service frauds – a scam which sends web users a message that their device is ‘infected’ and they are asked to call a phone number for help.

“We are mindful that fraud and cybercrime knows no geographical boundaries so we are asking our communities to be vigilant and take appropriate steps to protect themselves, their data and their finances.”

Data from the City of London Police, the national leads for Fraud, revealed that across the country there have been a total of 105 Coronavirus related reports since February 9 – with losses totalling nearly £970k. Many more reports will have gone unreported.

Det Ch Supt Simpson added: “These fraudsters know people are frightened

and are hoping to catch them when their guard is down so don’t let them succeed.

“Our role is to actively pursue the organised criminal groups who responsible for carrying out these crimes and making sure they are brought to justice and hauled before the courts.

“However, there are some simple things you can do to prevent yourself from falling victim. Don’t click on links or attachments contained in emails or text messages. Don’t give out personal or financial information. Only buy from reputable websites and use a credit card where possible to afford extra insurance.

Challenge any cold-callers and never give out your personal information.”

“If in doubt, just stop and take a pause before you click send. It’s absolutely fine to refuse, challenge or ignore any requests to send money or information – remember it’s only criminals who will try and rush you and cause panic. your bank and the police will never ask you to send them money or move it into a ‘safe’ account.

“Remember we are here to help if you do find yourself in a situation where you think you’ve been a victim, please let us know so we can support you.”

www.wcng.org

“Crook Police would like to thank you for your continued support throughout these difficult times. Our officers are out across the area to ensure people are travelling for essential reasons only.

Please stay home, stay safe and follow the government guidelines.”

Please use 101 service during the lockdown DuRHAM Constabulary are advising potential callers to try their 101 live chat service before calling.

The advice follows a significant spike in nonemergency calls since the Covid-19 lockdown began last month.

Calls peaked on Tuesday, March 7, when the force’s control room received 865 calls in 24 hours, 215 more than the previous month’s average.

Chief Inspector Sue Robinson, head of communications, said: “The situation we find ourselves is unprecedented, and it’s understandable that a lot of people in our communities are looking for answers to their questions.

“We’re taking a lot of calls asking for clarification around the current restrictions that are in place, as well as a lot of reports of people breaking those restrictions.

“While our call handlers are doing a fantastic job of answering these queries, the rising volume will become an added pressure

on the force as time goes on.”

The force’s live chat service is designed to allow queries and reports to be dealt with more efficiently, and to keep the 101 lines open for more complex enquiries.

The service, which is accessible via the Durham Constabulary website, allows an operator to handle multiple enquiries at a time.

Chief Inspector Robinson said: “We need the public to help us where they can, and one of the best ways of doing that is by only calling when absolutely necessary.

“Answers to a lot of our most frequently asked questions are available either on our website or on the government’s website.”

The most up-to-date information about the Covid-19 pandemic can be found at www.gov.uk/ coronavirus.

Durham Police’s 101 live chat service can be found at www.durham.police. uk/101livechat.

Dwight Appleton Carpet Fitting

Experienced, Qualified and Insured.

For a no obligation quote call:

07908 791116

Have a story to share? Email us at newsdesk@wcng.org

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, April 2020

A message from Dehenna Davison MP and Richard Holden MP

Dehenna Davison, MP for Bishop Auckland and Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham

The emergence of Coronavirus this Spring has shocked us both. The story of COVID-19 seemed awful but distant when stories first emerged from Wuhan and then Lombardy in January and February, but that all changed in March. Now it is painfully close to home in Britain, County Durham and Weardale. The disease will change the way we all live our lives, and there are many tough months ahead of us, but if we get the next few weeks right, we will be able to save many lives.

In late March, the Government announced several measures that will spread the peak of the epidemic, ease pressure on the NHS and save lives.

Closing pubs, restaurants, cafes, theatres, cinemas and gyms are really radical changes, that no one would want and have never previously been implemented – not even in World War II. It is natural to be concerned-we are too.

But as new MPs for Bishop Auckland and North West Durham, we have been stirred by the quiet but resolute determination of local people to face up to this challenge in a determined way and ensure that our communities get through this together.

This has included people stepping up to look out for vulnerable neighbours, advice given to friends with vulnerable businesses, and helping out at food banks as regular volunteers have gone sick.

Most of all, the biggest sacrifice has been the simplest: countless people

staying at home, missing out on the Spring sunshine, so they do not pass on this disease to our family and friends.

For those who are healthy, look out for local volunteering opportunities.

Durham County Council will have a role in helping coordinate efforts, but we also recommend organisations like The British Red Cross, who are looking for help: reserves. redcross.org.uk as well as the NHS which is looking for a small army of volunteers: h t t p s : / / w w w. e n g l a n d . nhs.uk/participation/getinvolved/volunteering/nhsvolunteer-responders/ Advice has changed a lot in the last few weeks, but the key points remain: • Effective hand washing for twenty seconds + • Minimising social contact • Self-isolating if you have a high temperature, or a new cough.

• Shielding the vulnerable The health situation is evolving, so it is best to check online to see what individuals need to consider in the coming weeks: h t t p s : / / w w w. g o v. u k / coronavirus As elected politicians, we know that government has a role to play, too.

The government has provided radical support for the economy. These includes grants, loans and tax deferrals. The government is funding 80% of private sector wage costs in the private sector, and reimbursing SSP for

people in small businesses.

The support government is offering is coming out rapidly, so it is best to check online to see what is being done now: https:// www.gov.uk/government/ publications/guidance-toemployers-and-businessesabout-covid-19 But this is no time for a political pitch – we are glad that the government’s response has had support of the other main parties.

Furthermore, we know that people will suffer in the months ahead, and people will fear for their futures.

Perhaps the hardest paradox of the crisis is that whilst this will be solved by a joint effort, it will also be, for many of us, a lonely one, because we will be so widely dispersed, working from home, and largely separated from our friends and dearest family members, especially our oldest, dearest, relations.

But this paradox is not a contradiction - separate does not mean alone. By quarantining ourselves, we save extra time for our NHS and give hope to our neighbours, friends and family.

On 20th March, as The Prime Minister outlined difficult plans to close public spaces for the sake of public health, The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, said this - and we felt he said it all: “…getting through this will require a collective national effort, with a role for everyone to play – people, businesses and government.

It’s on all of us.”

Page 5

Fighting Covid-19 Lorraine Carline, a nurse from Bishop Auckland, was diagnosed with Covid-19 and shares her experience of the virus I thought long and hard about whether to write this, but decided to do it anyway.

This is about awareness not attention.

My job as a staff nurse has obviously involved looking after (Covid-19) positive patients. Last week, I got sent home from work with a temp of 38.8 Celsius. It came out of nowhere and I very quickly developed a sore throat and achy joints.

I was swabbed and tested positive for Covid-19.

The speed with which this develops is frightening. Sore throat, temp, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Walking up a few stairs takes up every inch of your energy, then there’s the lethargy and headaches.

Then the cough came. The coughing bouts weren’t that frequent for me but when they came, they came with a vengeance, often making me panic, gasping and ending up with me vomiting (lots of vomit).

Every single bone in my body ached and throbbed, my throat felt like it was closing up, as if someone was actually sitting on my chest. Although my symptoms have only been quite mild compared to some, it has been absolutely horrendous. I can honestly understand how this horrible virus will totally floor someone who is vulnerable or immunosuppressed, because I like to think of myself as pretty young, fit and healthy and it knocked me on my ass!

It's the strangest illness ever. One second, you’re thinking you feel a little better, then all of a sudden, WHAM, you’re on your ass again. I have pretty much lived in the bedroom for the

Lorraine Carline on the ward before being infected

past few days, occasionally sitting in the garden for some fresh air, only to retire back to bed after a short while.

When sleep came, it was certainly most welcomed.

My husband’s new bed has become the couch.

It's been difficult for the kids to understand, why I can’t be there to play with them, kiss and cuddle them like normal. One of the worst things about all of this is the huge amount of guilt I am feeling right now.

The thought of what I have brought home to my family and what I have potentially infected others with; how I can’t be there to help out with mam and dad, how I can’t even kiss my own kids and the thought that I have completely let down all of

my fabulous work colleagues at a time where they need everyone the most.

This all makes me so, so sad. I am not writing this to scare people, I feel like I am one of the lucky ones, a lot of others will not be as fortunate. I just wanted people to know that this can happen to anyone and everybody can be affected.

Please, please, please, listen to the government guidelines, if not for yourselves then do it to protect others. I’m feeling a little better today, still as weak as a kitten but I'm in no doubt that I will be fighting fit and back at work with my second family in no time.

AAP contacts in Weardale COMMUNITY WELLNESS COORDINATOR Lisa Turnbull is our Community Wellness Coordinator, funded by the Weardale Action Partnership.

She is contacting (by telephone) members of the Weardale community who have been identified as vulnerable in some way.

She is

coordinating and signposting to services of volunteers (see above post). To contact Lisa call 07766239434.

RURAL ADVICE WORKER Linda Pearson is our Rural Advice Worker, funded by the Weardale Action Partnership. She is a fully qualified Citizens Advice worker and would usually

make home visits to people in Weardale who are unable to travel to a Citizens Advice office. Linda is continuing to work with residents of Weardale at this time by telephone.

She can be contacted on 0191 3726758 for advice on all aspects of Welfare Benefits advice, debt and other advice. All calls are confidential.

Page 6

Weardale Community News, April 2020

Your Photographs

www.wcng.org

Follow ‘I love Weardale’ on

Send your photos to newsdesk@wcng.org We’re lucky enough to live in a beautiful part of the country, surrounded by stunning landscapes and blessed with scenic views wherever we go.

There are many talented photographers in the area, both professional and amateur and we aim to provide the Weardale Community News as a showcase for their excellent work. If you have a picture you’d like to see in the paper, please email us.

Colin Alston caught these frogs enjoying the fine weather

Ian Twizell snapped Pedro the Mouse enjoying a snack on a stone wall

Catherine Robson photographed this dramatic view of Ashes Quarry

Waterfall in Stanhope Dene, by James Prescott

A pheasant enjoys the view - Phil Andrews

Lesley Hodgson snapped this green tiger beetle Julie Griffiths photographed this peacock butterfly

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Weardale Community News, April 2020

Volunteers producing PPE for the NHS

Overlooked superheroes: Covid-19 and the retail sector

Aaron Jackson explains how he got involved My first tip off that there was a need for PPE was through trying to help my mother. She is a pensioner and spends much of her time helping others, so I wanted to try and keep her safe.

I have a 3D printer and one of my passions is sculpting and creating custom props so I’m on a lot of 3D printing forums.

The first prototype I came across was a much more complicated respirator type face mask, but the more I read about it and asked others in the 3D printing community, the more I realised they weren’t very effective.

Whilst researching a better alternative I came across a design for a face shield by a company called 3Dverkstan. The designer had been printing them to help out his local health care service in Sweden.

It occurred to me that this design could also be used for front line staff here. I asked in the Bishop Auckland Covid-19 support group and was overwhelmed with how badly needed they were.

I had requests from NHS staff as they were working

with absolutely no PPE at all.

now

with

some

breaks

A simple, but potentially life saving design

Along with my partner, Lisa, we immediately started taking requests for shields and we are still doing our best to get them printed and sent out as quickly as possible.

Initially I was able to print two in four hours but with some alterations to my 3D printer I’ve managed to get that down to three in one and a half hours.

We are running the printer almost continuously

between to try and sleep.

This cause is important to me because not only am I in the higher risk group, having type 1 insulin dependent diabetes and severe asthma, but I also have family and friends in that group.

I understand just how much these NHS workers are risking and how much they are giving to help everyone.

I really want to give back to them, even if it is just a bit of peace of mind.

Local connection to Covid-19 test kits

When a friend asks if you would like to support his new company you never dream that five years later that very same company would be developing tests to detect Covid-19, but that is exactly what happened to Willington based Malcolm Read.

Map Sciences in Bedford was established by Professor Ray Iles after leaving Middlesex University, where he worked with Malcolm Read.

The company

develops medical diagnostic tests that check people for a number of different conditions.

Now that the Covid-19 test is being added to the collection of Map Sciences test kits the company looks set to be in great demand.

Malcolm said “you don't dream of being a small part of such an exciting venture.

Ray has really driven this and we're all very proud of him and his team.”

During the current lockdown the Weardale Foodbank is open Tuesday from 11.30 to 1:00pm.

If you know of anyone who would benefit from the Foodbank please let them know.

Also, all donations of nonperishable food are greatly appreciated. Here is an idea of the type of donations that would be welcomed:

Dry foods, such as cereal, pasta, rice etc.

Tinned or jars of food: soup, vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, pasta sauce, cooking sauce, pies, curries, stews, beans and spaghetti Drinks: tea, coffee, juice, long-life milk, fruit juice, cordial Other: jam, marmalade, sugar, biscuits etc Toiletries and toilet rolls,

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Professor Ray Iles.

Credit Malcolm Read

The Weardale Food Bank needs your support shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving foam, disposable razors Baby food There are collection points in the Co-op at St John’s Chapel; Frosterley Co-op; Robsons in Wolsingham and at St Thomas’ Church, Stanhope or contact Josephine on 01388 517572.

A couple of months ago, something odd happened, customers were flooding into shops and buying every last toilet roll. Why? Was there a cataclysmic stomach bug raging through the country? Had there been a supply chain crisis that was going to cause a shortage?

Australians, for a reason nobody understands, went on a toilet roll buying surge and thanks to social media, the rest of the world acted like sheep and did the same.

There was media coverage of Australian customers fighting over toilet roll, but closer to home had people fought over toilet roll?

They hadn’t, but something had changed, people were spooked. It happened first at the big supermarkets and then in convenience stores, customers literally clearing the shelves.

Each time the government told people not to panic buy it had the opposite effect. More stock was sent through the logistics network than ever before.

It wasn’t that stock wasn’t coming in, it was just that people were buying the stock faster.

Although the vast majority of customers were lovely, something else had changed. In less than an hour on a till, a colleague was sworn at three times. Verbal abuse is part of working in retail, it shouldn’t be but that’s a different story. However, it had increased hugely. In a nearby store, colleagues were even physcially threatened.

Reports of assaults in shops sky rocketed. Does

working in a shop make people immune to the impact of this behaviour?

No. Does working in a shop make you immune to the virus? Clearly not. However, our wonderful food store colleagues continued to come to work because, when it comes to the crunch, it turns out one of the most vital jobs a person can do is keeping the nation fed.

After a glorious weekend when it appeared that around half of the nation descended upon the other half - who were happily staying at home, lockdown was introduced.

Retailers had been trying to introduce social distancing measures for a while, but due to the quantity of people it had been impossible. The day after lockdown they were put into effect.

Ever tried to introduce a one-way flow into a store designed to allow customers to browse and easily shop?

Or tried to give people two metre social distancing in a confined queuing area? Or ensure food store colleagues (who are still human beings with families of their own) are able to maintain social distancing between each other for every task they do?

Nothing in our shops is designed to allow shopping like this, it’s the definition

of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. But those same food store colleagues who had been verbally or physically abused set to do their very best to achieve this.

If this wasn’t enough to make our food store colleagues super heroes, the same people were looking after the elderly and vulnerable in their community too: taking deliveries to vulnerable people in their own time and carefully holding back some stock for those they knew were high risk. Colleagues even identified people who should be shielded, but had no choice to go out and buy food, and connected them with the army of helpers that has been established.

These store colleagues did all of this knowing that they are putting themselves at more risk of catching this virus and taking it home to their loved ones.

None of us know what else this pandemic will bring or where the next few months will take us but I literally couldn’t be prouder of our food store colleagues.

My super heroes.

The author of this piece has asked to remain anonymous.

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Weardale Community News, April 2020

www.wcng.org

Stanhope Barrington Primary School pupils pose questions for new MP, Richard Holden We helped pupils at Stanhope Barrington School to get in touch with our new local Member of Parliament, Richard Holden to ask him questions about how he intends to represent and support Weardale.

Deputy Headteacher, Deb Cross said, “Here at Stanhope we have a number of Pupil Voice groups and two of those have put these questions together.

“We have a Social Action Team who support our local community and we also have a Shadow Leadership Team who present on a regular basis to our governing body to represent the views of children across the school.”

The pupils asked Richard a broad range of questions, across a range of topics that are important to them and we’ve published Richard’s answer below: 1. What changes have you made since taking up your position as MP for our area? (Lewis Aged 9) Really great question Lewis because it gets to the heart of what MPs are about. There are so many things that have changed since December. The main job of an MP is to represent people at a national level and I’ve done that in helping to deliver Brexit.

For our area though, I think it has also made a big difference having an MP in Government. This was really helpful in managing to get the Chancellor to reverse the Motor Homes Tax in the budget which had led to Elddis, based in Delves Lane, Consett, see their sales fall by 20% and was about to cause redundancies.

I’ve also managed to get a commitment from the Prime Minister to look at Shotley Bridge hospital, which is really important for the community, too.

2. What are your plans for the future which will benefit Stanhope? ( Chloe G Aged 11) So many different things Chloe G. One of the most important is getting better transport infrastructure into the Dale. That will help deliver jobs locally which in turn helps keep it a thriving place for families. The last thing I want to see is the Dale just turn into a second home place. It’s a living and breathing working community and a great place to live and I want to keep it that way.

3. How do you plan to support the local schools in our community? (Melody Aged 9) Well Melody, both my mum and dad and both my grandmas were both teachers at different parts of their lives, so I get lots of advice on this.

The first thing is money – the key thing is that we’ve got to see more money, particularly to help schools support children with Special Education and health needs. So I’ve voted for the overall budget to be increased for the next three years. And I’ll be campaigning for the special needs budget to get increased too.

I also think we need to value teachers as much as we can too, we’re increasing the starting salary of all teachers to £30,000 a year – which means that teachers will get a graduate salary that is towards the top of those coming out of university.

The second thing is being available and local. I will visit every school in my constituency over the next couple of years. I’ve already been to Benfieldside but unfortunately Coronavirus has put a temporary halt to my plans to get out and visit more. It’s important for both pupils, their parents and teachers that they have a line into their local MP.

4. What are you planning to do about plastic pollution in Weardale? (Alice Aged 11) Really good question Alice. The environment is a really important issue not just to keep our area looking pretty but also to stop climate change. The best thing we can all do to cut plastic pollution is not to use it.

One of the biggest wastes is the amount of packaging on food. We need to get that down and where possible replace it with biodegradable products instead. Some shops have started to do this with their bags and I want to see them all do that.

5. What will your party do to support our local Peat Bogs?

(Dailey Aged 11) Dear Dailey, my Party give a manifesto at elections times which gives everyone who stands for it a common platform of policies. However, MPs represent everyone in their constituencies, no matter who they voted for or which party they support.

On peat bogs – they are one of the most important carbon traps that we have. I recently took the Secretary of State for the Environment up onto Rookhope Moor to see the work that is being done to restore the peat bogs as a major measure of carbon capture and storage. Both the Agriculture and Environment Bills that are in parliament at the moment have massive environmental sections in them which are all about helping us to reduce our emissions and taking carbon out of the air and trapping it in sources like peat in the ground.

6. Which local places are you trying to improve in Stanhope such as parks, shops, etc.? (Lewis Aged 9) Stanhope is such a pretty town and it’s so important that it thrives as a community. The Government has done some big national things, like cutting business rates (this is tax for shops) to help encourage them to set up and survive.

Locally, I’d love to see the train line open more frequently for visitors to provide local jobs and mean that people can travel to Stanhope without using a car as there is a big problem with parking.

Lewis, if you have any specific things you’d like to see improved for you and your friends – or the older people in your family too – then please write to me and I’ll see what I can do.

7. How will you help families who need support from our local food bank? (Alex Aged 11) People helping each other Alex is what makes out communities in Durham, and in Weardale particularly, so special and that’s what is good about food banks, it’s people helping each other, often in quite difficult circumstances.

There are several things I want to do. The first is to help get more good and well paid jobs in the Dale so that people don’t need to use the food bank. But sometimes, even if people are earning good money they or their family might need to use the food bank because of other problems.

That’s why it’s so important that we get good local support services in place on everything from debt to mental health and these are things I’m campaigning for as your local MP. 8. What can you do to improve safety at Ashcroft Park?

(Lewis Aged 9) I’m not an expert on the park I’m afraid and I know it’s a bit tucked away at the top of the estate behind the garages but if you let me know what you would like to see Lewis I’ll

Richard Holden MP

speak to your local councillors about it.

One of the things that I think has helped around parks and schools is a 20mph speed limit but I’d really be interested to hear your thoughts.

9. How will you support the health of the River Wear? (Lily Aged 10) Well Lily, one of the most important things for our community is that our environment is healthy. A healthy environment means that we get all sort of different animals and plants able to grow.

The old mines, particularly well up near Rookhope and towards the top of Weardale were mined for lead and other heavy metals. Their spoil heaps still leak out some of these metals into the water. In recent years, we’ve seen brown trout and salmon return to the Wear, however I think that there’s clearly more work that needs to be done to make these old mineworkings safe and the water in the Wear safer.

Schools during lockdown With schools throughout the country remaining closed during the lockdown, Wearhead Primary School have launched a weekly newsletter called Wearhead Warriors.

The newsletter is full of information, including messages from staff and photos of what the children have been doing whilst the

school has been closed.

Stanhope Barrington has remained open to support key workers in the area and have a rota of staff who are either working at home or in school, providing childcare for children. Stanhope Barrington is also taking in the children of key workers from other local schools.

District nurses in Weardale have put out an appeal to local garage owners.

In order to restrict the possible transmission of coronavirus they need disposable car seat covers, the type used by garages to

keep car seats clean.

If you have any car seat protectors that you can donate to our nurses during this difficult time, please get in touch with us via our email address or via our Facebook page.

Car seat covers needed for district nurses

Advertise with us and reach thousands of readers in Weardale

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, April 2020

Fish and chip drop is a huge success

By Anita Atkinson Two days before the Easter weekend was to begin, Adrian Smith who lives in St John’s Chapel had an inspirational idea.

He wanted to supply as many isolated people as possible with a fish and chips lunch on Good Friday.

This tradition usually sees the fish and chip shops with enormous queues but in this difficult time, it remained to be seen, if indeed, any such outlets would be open.

Adrian called on his aunt, Anita Atkinson from Harperley for help and agreeing this was a wonderful idea, immediately took to social media. She asked via her Facebook page if anyone would be willing to fund a fish and chip lunch for a vulnerable or elderly person in Weardale on Good Friday.

Within minutes, she was overwhelmed with generous folk who began to send money to her Paypal account – the first being Fir Tree businessman, Sean Kell. Sean runs the Feed Warehouse outlets and sent Anita £140 – enough for 20 lunches. This was followed by scores of others, including Lynn Boon, originally from Frosterley, who sent £100 to be spent in her home village.

And so, two days of constant computer work and contact with fish and chip shops – Freddie’s in Stanhope and the Golden

Fry in Crook and Tow Law – there was enough money for almost 200 lunches. This was mainly made possible by the amazing work of Gillian who runs Freddie’s in Stanhope. She offered the 114 lunches ordered for Stanhope, Frosterley and the upper Dale at just £5 each with free mushy peas thrown in. It was a very generous offer.

The shops also agreed all orders and gave time slots for the score of volunteer delivery drivers to collect their allotment for each village. Will Wearmouth took over the Eastgate deliveries while Kevin Roddam and his wife, Christine, took the lunches around Rookhope.

Adrian collected the lunches for the upper Dale, delivering them to Les and Lesley Blackett at Wearhead who had suggested those in need in the upper Dale and called on every household, including one on the moors road, high above Wearhead.

In Wolsingham, Ben Martin-Denham led a team of volunteers to deliver around the town and in Frosterley, a whole gang of eager deliverers took great pleasure in delivering 48 lunches around the village.

In the lower Dale, Anita who was recovering from a nasty fall and wasn’t able to drive herself recruited her family – son, Jimmy and daughterin-law, Emma – delivered

Les Blackett delivers fish and chips

around Fir Tree and Wittonle-Wear while youngest daughter, Gemma, took the lunches to Fir Tree and even one to Bishop Auckland to a former Weardalian who had been nominated.

In Crook, Willington and Sunnybrow, it was Kay Gilligan who completed the task. All the volunteers had come forward after an appeal on social media and were delighted to play their part.

Adrian said, “It worked like clockwork thanks to the fish and chip shops and the generosity of those amazing people who donated – from around the uK and abroad as well as locally, and nominated needy people as well as the wonderful delivery people.

“It all happened within 48 hours and was magical to watch it unfolding. Thank you to everyone involved.”

Adrian is already talking about another meal drop in the coming weeks – so watch this space!

The Weardale Practice

The Practice has faced an unprecedented challenge over the last few weeks. Big changes have been made to the way we do things but we want to reassure our patients that the practice is still working. Staff are still working, unless off sick themselves or self-isolating because a family member is ill.

We are however working in very different ways to ensure that the surgery remains as safe an environment as it possibly can be for both patients and staff.

We are managing patient’s urgent needs by telephone, by video, by e-Consultation and where absolutely necessary by face to face appointments.

Routine appointments, such as yearly bloods and routine reviews are

currently postponed until services return to normal.

What we don’t want is our patients to ignore any new symptoms of illness that go on for longer than a week.

We don’t want patients to put off “bothering the surgery” because they think we will be too busy to deal with their concerns.

If your long term condition changes or you develop new symptoms that you think may be related to the condition then please get in touch.

The telephone lines are open 8.00am – 6.00pm 01388 528555 Monday to Friday, our website is

Page 9

accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week where you can submit an electronic consultation - https://www. theweardalepractice.nhs. uk/.

Thank you to the members of our community who have been making face visors, door handle openers and mask clips, thank you to the bakers who keep providing us with goodies to keep our energy levels up, but most of all thank you to our patient’s for the support and understanding, for following advice and for the fantastic Weardale spirit that is shining through. Stay safe everyone.

Will Wearmouth with his delivery

Kevin and Christine Roddam from Rookhope collect fish and chips from Freddie’s

Durham Deafened support Wolsingham based help group DuRHAM Deafened Support are a Charity who work throughout County Durham to support those with hearing loss.

Whilst we can't offer a home visit we are still available to support those with a hearing loss and can help with queries such as equipment, broken hearing aids, where

to get batteries etc.

Our phone line 0191 5183358 is still up and running although you will need to leave a phone number for someone to call you back or you can E-mail us at admin@ ddsupport.org.uk and we will do our best to help.

Bishop Lock & Safe offer a 24/7 Call out service to both commercial & domestic customers throughout the North East. We specialise in lock-out situations, uPVC door lock repairs and Access Control Systems. We are accredited suppliers for all the top name brands such as Chubb, yale, Era, Paxton and Burg Wachter. Call for free no obligation advice. Tel 01388 606988.

Bishop Lock & Safe, 94 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7EQ

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Weardale Community News, April 2020

Letting agency offers vital support during Covid-19 pandemic

Bishop lettings have also updated their company signs

A Bishop Auckland lettings agency is doing its bit to remind people out and about to Stay At Home.

Stephanie Crawford, of Bishop Lettings said “In support of our wonderful NHS, we have changed our normal ‘To Let’ boards to something a little different.

We urge people to Stay at Home, Protect the NHS and Save Lives” During lockdown the agency is closed but staff are working hard from home supporting tenants and landlords with repairs and rent issues.

“We’ve been particularly busy this past two weeks” said Stephanie. “Shortly after lockdown, the Government announced that it wanted each and every rough sleeper off the streets and in to accommodation within 48 hours. Given the numbers involved and a shortage of social housing, we’ve pulled out all the stops to support the effort.

“As an accredited Private Rented Landlord and Agent, it was only a few minutes after the announcement that we had phone calls from councils and other crisis agencies to see if we could help.

“We’ve helped find accommodation for over 30

individuals referred through various agencies. It’s been a challenge but an absolutely worth while cause that we are happy to help with.”

If you, or anyone you know, are homeless, please contact your local council Housing Team in the first instance. Councils have lists of approved agents and landlords who they can refer you to. They can also offer financial help towards furniture, food and utility costs.

Bishop Lettings are also helping front line NHS staff who need to keep safe distances from family at home. “It’s important to remember the families of our Doctors and Nurses on the front line fighting Covid-19. By simply doing the job they are doing, they run the risk of taking home the virus and passing it on to family members. We are happy to help those staff who need accommodation for a few days, or even weeks, without charge during this crisis. If you are a front line NHS worker and need accommodation in the North East, please reach out to us. Simply call on 01388 662199 or email office@ bishoplettings.co.uk We are available 24/7 and will do all we can to get you through this crisis.”

PAINTING & DECORATING Contact

Alan Alderson Telephone: (Teesdale) 01833 640839

Local business owner petitions local MP

A local business owner is petitioning Durham North West MP, Richard Holden, over the government's plan to support small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gillian Williams, who co-owns Ford hair salon in Stanhope is not covered by the scheme as she has not been trading for the required number of months.

Gillian is frustrated that the government's scheme for supporting the self-employed is not broad enough and will see thousands like her left without support. Weardale has many people who are self-employed or run small businesses and Gillian is concerned that they will miss out on vital support.

In her online petition, Gillians says: "The new corona virus selfemployed support scheme does not include those

who have not submitted a 2018/19 tax return. In other words, anyone who set up as self-employed between April 6th 2019 and March 2020 cannot receive this grant.

“Others are to receive 80% of average profits (including those who are still able to work) How can this been seen as fair?

People like myself - I set up a hairdressing business in April 2019 and legally cannot now work due to Covid-19 restrictions, have been left high and dry. If you feel this is unacceptable and the government must be pressured to come up with a solution for us, then please sign and share this petition."

To sign the petition and to support Gillian and countless other self-employed people, please follow the link below: change.org /helpall selfemployed

www.wcng.org

Weardale Adventure Centre adapts to Covid-19 We are an outdoor activity centre based in Ireshopeburn, Upper Weardale. We provide a range of adventure activities to a variety of groups including schools, youth groups, families and corporate clients, who join us for both day visits and residential stays. We also run various events throughout the year, details of which can be found on our social media pages and website.

Usually this time of year is the beginning of our busy season, and we would start to welcome many groups who come along to stay with us and take part in fun, exciting activities. Some of these include canoeing, rock climbing, high ropes, gorge walking, archery, mine exploration and crate stacking.

Sadly, due to the ongoing outbreak and spread of coronavirus, this year has not got off to the start that we expected.

We have been left with no choice but to temporarily close the centre, and many of our school groups and business for the upcoming year has

been cancelled. This is devastating for us however totally understandable given the circumstances.

We are following all guidance from the government and other relevant bodies and we will continue to do so as the situation develops. You can keep up to date with us on Facebook (Weardale Adventure Centre) and Twitter (WeardaleAC).

We’re currently working from home and can still be contacted on the details below. We hope you’re all keeping safe and well, and we hope to back very soon.

Phone: 01388 537387, email: we a rd a l e a d ve nt u re @ outlook.com Website: www. weardaleadventurecentre. co.uk

New children’s novel published by local author

By Jenny Spooner Cat and the Dragon is the first of a series of books published by Jenny Spooner and Sue Beasley.

Jenny and Sue are sisters who’ve always enjoyed stories – writing them, telling them, and listening to them. And, even though they now live more than 100 miles apart, one in Weardale the other in Edinburgh, they still enjoy them so much that they want to share some of their stories with readers, young or old, who might like them too.

You may wonder how two people living so far apart can collaborate over a single story. Jenny and Sue haven’t found too many problems – so far – and they find modern technology to be decidedly helpful.

They start with a series of long plotting sessions on the telephone and, over time, come up with a working, though not necessarily workable, plot. Then the writing starts, with Jen doing

the first draft and emailing it, several chapters at a time, to Sue who does the second draft. And so, it continues, backwards and forwards until they’re both happy with the result – a little like tag wrestling with the manuscript as opponent.

Maybe it works because they have different but complementary strengths, Jen concentrating on the action and atmosphere while Sue works on dialogue and continuity. Also, they’ve been very lucky to find their cover artist, Jacqueline Abromeit, who has given a perfect interpretation to their story’s theme and characters.

Cat and the Dragon is the story of orphan Cat who lives with her small bother on the streets of a harsh and uncaring city. She’s learned the hard way to rely on no one but herself, but her problems get a whole lot worse when her brother is sentenced to hang for stealing. Of course, he

hasn’t done it.

Cat has to rescue him, and with her fellow street children she comes up with a master plan, requiring strangers to the city.

She spots her strangers coming through the city gates – an old man and a dragon pushing a handcart – but she isn’t the only one who’s noticed the dragon.

Grey Ladies, owners of a chain of teashops selling more than teacakes, have spotted him too. A dragon harvested and marketed correctly will make them rich.

Using Snarls, the world’s most clueless dragon, and his friend Professor Wiseacre in her rescue plan is simple, but losing them thereafter proves harder than Cat expected. And, as they are chased across country by the soldiers of a vengeful dictator and a coven of witches, did she really need a half-wet witch

in pink boots tagging along?

To find out more, Jenny and Sue suggest you read their book, which is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. It could be the ideal story to engage and amuse children at these difficult times.

The second book in the series, Cat and the Senior Serpent, will be published later this summer, while the third, Cat and the Whacky Worm, is in the plotting stage.

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, April 2020

Future secured for historic Weardale Railway North East charity, The Auckland Project, has launched a campaign to reinstate the western section of the historic Stockton to Darlington Railway, which will celebrate its 200th anniversary as the first passenger service in 2025.

The first phase of this ambitious project has been concluded with the purchase of the Weardale Railway, which stretches from Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham westwards for nearly 20 miles into the heart of Weardale.

The heritage railway, built in 1847, has been bought out of administration, securing its future and unlocking the potential for reinvigorating the regional tourism economy and reinstating connectivity between rural communities and urban economic hubs.

The Auckland Project is a regeneration charity which for the last nine years has sought to create opportunities and drive investment into Bishop Auckland and the surrounding area. It believes that the purchase of Weardale Railway will be a further catalyst for change and consolidate its investment to date of £200m in the region.

The Auckland Project has no experience of running trains and to deliver a full service from Darlington westwards it will require a partnership with a Train Operating Company. This consortium could lead the

way in demonstrating that the ‘Beeching Cut’ in the UK railway service could soon be reversed and potentially be the first of many such enterprises up and down the country.

The Project will work with Durham County Council and will continue to call on the essential expertise provided by the staff of the former Weardale Railway Community Interest Company and volunteers of the Weardale Railway Trust, who operated the Summer heritage service on behalf of its previous US owner.

Together with new potential partners such as, the Science Museum Group’s National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion museum in Shildon, whose history of passenger railways goes back to the pioneering Stockton and Darlington Railway, a new era for the railway will be born.

At a time when the Darlington to Bishop Auckland train franchise is about to become available and investment in the North East transport infrastructure has been named as a priority for the current Government, this project is consistent with their declared intent.

This development also follows the recent announcement of proposals to create a Rail Heritage Quarter in Darlington.

In 2019, the Tees Valley Combined Authority signed off £20m towards the first phase of these regeneration works. And a bid by the

Crossing the river Wear

Combined Authority for funding a £100m overhaul and transformation of Darlington Railway Station was approved as part of the Budget.

The Auckland Project is committed to bringing about real and long-term change to County Durham. To date, this has come to fruition through the development of Bishop Auckland as a visitor destination, currently comprising the open air, live action spectacular Kynren – an epic tale of England, the recently re-opened Auckland Castle and Deer Park, the UK’s first Mining Art Gallery and Auckland Tower welcome centre.

David Maddan, CEO of The Auckland Project, said: “The North East’s magnificent industrial heritage offers a unique opportunity for change. By linking with other major transport infrastructure projects and working with partners, including the dedicated team at the Weardale Railway Trust, we can ensure an immediate impact is felt right across the Tees Valley and throughout County Durham.”

Kevin Richardson, Chair Weardale Railway Trust, added: “We at Weardale Railway Trust were initially

disappointed when the previous owners announced the decision to offer Weardale Railway for sale.

We had enjoyed a successful relationship, which has been beneficial to both parties.

However, the arrangement had not been without its difficulties, particularly given the six-hour time difference between Chicago and the UK. We were delighted, therefore, to learn that The Auckland Project had taken over ownership of the railway. To bring the line back into local ownership will, we feel, be a major positive step. We believe that doing so will encourage local people to join us in preserving this important part of our local heritage.

“We have followed the progress of The Auckland Project with great interest. Here we have an organisation, which has already proven at Bishop Auckland what commitment and vision can achieve.

Their aspirations for the railway going forward are very impressive and we look forward to working with them to take the Weardale Railway into the next chapter of its fascinating history.”

About The Auckland Project: The Auckland Project is working to create positive change for those living, working and visiting Bishop Auckland and to ensure the town’s future is as magnificent and vibrant as its past.

Page 11

local support for domestic abuse Many people will be spending the lockdown trapped with their abusers and unable to get the help and support that they need.

Harbour is an organisation that works with families and individuals who are affected by abuse from a partner, former partner or other family member.

Domestic abuse isn't just physical. It’s about someone you know trying to control your life - a partner, ex partner, friend or family member. It can be financial, psychological, emotional or sexual and there is no excuse for it. Abuse can affect you long term by damaging your self esteem and wellbeing and that of your children.

Ask yourself…

• Are you prevented from seeing friends or family or from leaving the house?

• Are you constantly criticised?

• Does someone constantly check up on you or follow you?

• Have you or your children been hurt or threatened?

• Does someone control your finances?

• Are you made to take part in sexual activity that you don’t like or

aren’t comfortable with?

• Are you afraid of someone you live with or someone you know?

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. Any age, any culture, any social class, any religion or lifestyle or sexual orientation. It can involve other family members, including children.

Harbour’s origins date back to 1974 when a group of women set up a refuge to meet the needs of women and children in Hartlepool fleeing violence and abuse.

In the years since then they have taken on more refuges, been contracted to provide services through local and central government funding and been awarded numerous charitable grants.

Although now a very different organisation to the one established in 1974 Harbour still operate with the same passion as in those early days. Harbour work from a deep conviction that everyone has the right to live free from violence and abuse and that drives them to do the very best for everyone who comes to them for help.

Credit: The Weardale Railway

Send your submissions to newsdesk@wcng.org

Page 12

Weardale Community News, April 2020

A letter from the new Anglican priest for Upper Weardale, Claire McClelland Dear Friends, I’m Claire McClelland and am the new Anglican priest in charge for Upper Weardale. This benefice is made up of the parishes of Eastgate, Westgate, Stanhope with Frosterley and Rookhope, St John’s Chapel and Heatherycleugh.

The churches gave me a really warm welcome on 11 March at my licensing service and then about a week later we were all in lockdown! So I haven’t met many of you yet in person, though I am trying to ring round to say hello to people.

If I haven’t had chance to ring you yet and you would like a call, do let me know: clairemcclelland@cloud. com or ring on 01388 537063.

Our church buildings are closed in line with the government recommendations to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but the work of the church very much goes on.

The Lay readers Heather

Ross and Greg Round and I are praying twice a day, do let us know if you have anyone you would like us to pray for by name.

Each week I am sending out an order of service for people to use in their own homes at 10am, at the same time that I am praying the service at home. This helps us to stay connected even if we can’t meet. If you would like to receive one please email me.

This week we are trying out virtual coffee after the service, on Zoom from 11am. We hope it will be fun to see each other and have a chat.

There is much anxiety and quite a lot of stress around for everyone at the moment.

We think particularly of key workers who are keeping vital public services going at some risk to themselves.

There are many people who are isolated and missing contact with friends and loved ones. One thing that is immediately clear to me is that communities are

very good at look after each other in this part of the world! However, if anyone would like a regular phone call, or needs some practical help, please be in touch – there are lots of people around who can help.

I love this prayer for the office of Compline (Night Prayer) and am using this regularly. The night can be a difficult time for anyone experiencing worry or stress, especially if sleep doesn’t come easily. This prayer reminds us that Jesus walks alongside us in all of life’s experiences.

By Willie Giles Whether you are a romantic and believe that Nature is fighting back, or you are an interested observer who has noted the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, you will have seen that economic growth has stopped: in fact it is collapsing. This is in tandem with a huge reduction in international travel, such that many of the toxic ingredients of global warming are being greatly reduced.

Where world leaders have continued to promote growth and have paid little more than lip service to

climate change, despite the searing dismay shown amongst many others, by Greta Thunberg, they have now been forced by the new coronavirus to accept this reduction in fossil fuel consumption and have the brave opportunity to make this reduction permanent.

Forecasts would indicate that the pandemic will go on till the end of 2020 and we have this time to get used to a society that does not rely on excessive consumption in its current globalised fashion.

We have the chance to move away from our failed capitalist system

that only benefits the few, to a system that is more localised and communityminded and which respects and cherishes the balance of species that the World supports in a harmony that man has badly damaged.

Watch, Lord, with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ; rest your weary ones; bless your dying ones; soothe your suffering ones; pity your afflicted ones; shield your joyous ones.

And all for your love’s sake.

Amen

Another chance?

We welcome submissions from local writers. If you have a subject which you are passionate about then please get in touch at newsdesk@wcng.org.

Submitted articles reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Weardale Community News or WCNG CIC.

We would like to wish all of our customers well and advise we are still able to work providing certain criteria are met regarding social distancing.

www.wcng.org

The Hospitality Industry Where are we now?

Dawn Emery, owner of Che restaurant, considers on the impact of Covid-19 on the restaurant industry Unfortunately at Che Restaurant the lockdown hit us hard on the 23rd of March 2020, when the hospitality industry fell off a cliff. We knew it was coming and that it was only a matter of time before the pandemic arrived in the UK, as it had in other countries.

Our family in Spain have kept us informed of the measures taken over there and how they are trying to deal with it. Obviously sooner or later we would all be in similar boats, rowing together along the same river.

The Che team decided to make an immediate announcement regarding the temporary closing of the restaurant to the public, but all was not lost as a new menu would be available for takeaway from Wednesday 25th March! We invested money in new stock, take away boxes, bags, etc, and we created a pick up system of one customer every five minutes to support social distancing and gave it a try for 5 days.

It was very different to what we are used to. We are a very small, casual, fine dining restaurant in Stanhope, a small town in county Durham. We are all about well-presented fresh home cooked food, with a very friendly front of house attitude (and gorgeous wines and beer), so we knew it wasn't going to be an easy task. Nevertheless, we did it and realised that once polished up it could actually work for everyone.

Then we saw Spain start to shut down takeaways and food delivery services, so it was obvious that we were only buying ourselves a very short amount of time.

On the evening of Sunday 28th we assessed the situation, taking into account all the possible scenarios and the conclusion was, above all, to keep everyone safe and the only way to do this was to #stay-at-home.

After three weeks of lockdown we have had plenty of time to reflect and observe what is actually happening worldwide and

how this may change the way we live our lives, at least for the immediate future, and what we can expect from now on.

This leads us to the question: where does this leave us now? Will we want to risk being within two metres of other people we don't know, just to enjoy a meal?

Over the past few months, we have had social distancing, ultrahygienic practises in all aspects and ‘distrust thy neighbour's state of health’ drilled into us. Will that become a thought of the past or will it become the norm? Everything we have been told, researched and listened to lately has opened our eyes to things we really never considered as historical pandemics had been long forgotten.

Perhaps it is a wake up call alerting us to do things differently and adapt to our changing environment.

As we’ve seen, nature is thriving at the moment, so maybe every cloud...

The hospitality industry may also have to adapt to a new way of life, where people's mindset is slightly different than it was before.

We will all want to feel life is back to normal but are we absolutely sure that we will be relaxed whilst being in the proximity of others?

This is a huge shift that may leave a lot of restaurants in a difficult situation, as size will be key to their survival.

Let's face it, although at Che we love creating great food and good vibes, we couldn't carry on if the business wasn't able to sustain itself.

An interesting option for restaurants that have outdoor space is to put up dining pods, igloos or similar, a self-contained (completely sanitised) dining experience.

That way we could enjoy our favourite meals without being too close to others. It would be a valid option in our eyes as when we can finally open to the public, we don't know the response of the public to having 30 diners in 60 square metres!?

It has been suggested that

businesses, come the time, will open progressively by region and importance to the economy. Unfortunately restaurants don't seem to be at the top of the list.

Even when we can open, social distancing won't just suddenly become a thing of the past, it may need to be around for quite some time, so as not inundate the NHS. There is a high possibility that restaurants and other social events may have to reduce their capacity to ensure distancing guidelines, this may mean a huge loss of profit for the small and medium size restaurants. In our case we would only be able to get 15 people in the whole restaurant. Prices would also need to be increased so as not to jeopardise quality of the produce and the service. Great if people can afford it, but after going through all of this will a meal out be on anyone’s top 10 priority list?

So, to resume; we are aware that our customers have the power to decide as they will be the ones supporting us. The question from us at Che Restaurant to our customers is therefore: Would you all prefer to: • Eat in our restaurant with fewer numbers but higher prices?

• Dine in a private pod/ igloo or marquee in our large garden?

• Stay at home and order in? Maybe a catering service for larger numbers?

These opinions are important to us as a rural business, the only support we receive is from our customers, and we definitely don't want to stop providing them with good quality, fresh, home cooked food.

We love being where we are, we love our customers, we have a great team, we all live local and this tiny business supports 5 full time employees, even more in peak season.

Opinions matter, please let us know yours! #save restaurants cherestaurant.co.uk info@cherestaurant.co.uk

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, April 2020

Council announces financial support for residents and businesses A SERIES of financial measures to help residents and businesses impacted by the coronavirus outbreak has been announced by Durham County Council.

The authority is to postpone debt recovery action for anyone in council tax or business rates arrears, as part of the support it is offering people during the Covid-19 pandemic. Further resources have also been ploughed into its welfare assistance scheme to support people in difficulty.

Residents are being encouraged to seek financial assistance through the authority’s council tax reduction scheme, the only such scheme in the North East to offer reductions of up to 100 per cent.

Residents are also being urged to get in touch if they need to rearrange their council tax payments for the coming year, with the authority offering a range of flexible payment plans, including the ability to spread the cost of council tax evenly over 12 months or starting payments from June instead of April.

Any residents who are struggling or worried about their council tax position can find out about the support available by visiting the authority’s website at http://www.durham.gov. uk/counciltax They can also contact the council’s customer services team for assistance by emailing help@durham.gov.uk The council has been closely monitoring the continuously emerging government guidance in relation to Coronavirus, and national announcements of a range of financial measures designed to support businesses and residents.

These measures include offering a three-month mortgage holiday for those in need, reimbursing small

and medium-sized companies for the cost of statutory sick pay, supplying vouchers for children who currently receive free school meals when schools close, and continuing to fund free childcare entitlements for two, three and four-yearolds.

The government also announced £1 billion to support vulnerable people across the country, half of which will be ploughed into the welfare system and the rest in the creation of a new hardship fund for local authorities; as well as £3.2m in emergency funding across the country to help rough sleepers isolate.

The council’s postponement of debt recovery action will apply until further notice.

Paul Darby, the council’s head of finance and transactional services, said: “We appreciate that this is a really difficult time for everyone but especially the most vulnerable members of our society and those who are struggling financially.

“That is why we have taken the decision to postpone debt recovery action in most cases that we deal with – and this will include anyone facing action in relation to council tax and business rates.

“We’d also like to thank residents who are able to continue paying council tax despite the difficult times we find ourselves in.”

The council has set up a webpage to provide advice for residents on the various means of support available to them during the outbreak, which covers welfare, finances, housing and the closure of schools.

This can be found at http:// w w w. d u r h a m . g o v. u k /

article/22971/Support-forresidents The authority’s Customer Access Points are also open providing a range of help and information for residents, although residents are asked to phone them on 03000 260 000 rather than visiting where possible. Details of these can be found at http://www.durham.gov.uk/ customeraccesspoints The council’s One Point hubs and Family Centres remain open to provide advice, guidance and signposting on a one-to-one basis, although residents are advised to phone them during opening hours on 03000 261 111 rather than visiting where possible.

However in line with government guidance around social distancing, all group-based family activities in community venues and family centres have been cancelled for the time being.

This includes baby clinics, breastfeeding groups, early learning groups, parenting support programmes and sensory play sessions.

More information, including opening hours of One Point hubs and Family Centres, is available at http://www.durham. g o v. u k / a r t i c l e / 2 2 9 7 7 / Family-centre-One-Pointcancellations For more informtion see: http://www.durham.gov.uk/ coronavirus

Page 13

Northpens writing group

By Chris Powell NORTHPENS is a writers’ group, based in Weardale.

Like other community groups, we can’t meet at the moment, but, we are still writing, finding ways of staying in touch and setting ourselves regular writing challenges.

When the lockdown began, we decided to keep positive and look to the future by writing travel pieces and emailing them around the group. you can read some of our armchair adventures on our website: www.northpens.com.

The group was established in 2013 and, under normal circumstances, we meet weekly at Stanhope Community Centre. There is a wide range of strengths, aspirations and interests among our members; some of us are published authors, some of us want just to write for ourselves, but the most important aspect of our meetings is that we all love writing, enjoy each others’ company and have fun.

Each session has a focus agreed by the group. usually, (although not always!) our meetings follow a similar pattern. We spend part of the time working on writing exercises, focussing on a particular topic or technique, or discussing stories, poems, novels etc. that we have read – the rest is devoted to sharing work and offering each other supportive feedback. We also run master classes with professional writers, last year we had workshops on writing poetry, writing for children and short stories.

The master classes are always open to all to attend.

We don’t just hole up in the Community Centre, however! We have also

Members at a NorthPens meeting

performed our own work and delivered workshops at the Sedgefield Bookends Festival and our first anthology of stories and poems, ‘Talking Threads’ was published in 2017.

More importantly, the group is committed to working with the Weardale community. We run writing workshops in local schools and an annual creative writing award for children, usually in association with other local organisations, such as the upper Weardale Agricultural Show, the Weardale Museum and, for the last two years the North Pennines AONB Partnership.

Look out for details of the 2020 Award.

We are also making plans for the third Weardale WordFest at the end of October.

Most events will be free and we hope that, as well as offering a fantastic weekend of talks, discussions, workshops, exhibitions

Credit: Chris Powell

and entertainment to local residents it will also bring people back into Weardale.

Of course, we can’t finalise anything amid the current uncertainties, but in the meantime, you can keep in touch by checking our website or via email: northpens15@gmail.com.

And for the writing group, anyone is welcome to join us, it doesn’t matter how much or how little experience you have; we meet between 10 and 12 a.m. on Wednesdays at Stanhope community centre, we hope to be ready to re-start our creative endeavours as soon as life allows, and will always be pleased to see you.

Over the last 6 years, NorthPens has received funding from the Weardale AAP, Durham County Council Arts fund, The Lakes and Dales Co-op & Northern Heartlands all of which have helped to support our activities.

Celebrating 15 years!

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Page 14

Weardale Community News, April 2020

www.wcng.org

Thousands of County Durham households set to benefit from council tax support 5,700 or so families will see their bills reduced by an additional £300.

Cllr Alan Napier, Deputy Leader of Durham County Council and Cabinet member for resources, said: “We have one of the best schemes in the country for helping people with council tax support. Our staff have been working hard since the government’s announcement to ensure those eligible to receive additional help to pay their council tax bills are able to access this as soon as possible.

“We are already one of only a handful of councils across the country that do not cap the level of support available to residents, with almost 26,000 families receiving a 100 per cent discount on their bills – that’s 78 per cent of the total number of households signed up to the scheme.

“This additional funding from government means that an expected 7,300 more households will now see their bills reduced, with a significant number now having nothing to pay.

“This means we are providing double the support to people in receipt of CTRS than the Government is

STR8TS 4 1

8

4 8 5 6 7 2 9

4 1

4 8

6

3 4

4

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. 2 1 4 Each compartment must form a straight 6 4 5 a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be 4 5 in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells 4 3 6 2 remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight.

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need it but particularly at times such as these.

I’m pleased that we are able to use some of the money awarded through the government’s Hardship Fund to further support our Welfare Assistance Scheme.”

For more information, visit www.durham.gov.uk/ counciltaxreduction.

Meanwhile, the council has updated information on other service areas affected: • Pathways Day Centres at Stanley, Spennymoor, Peterlee and Newton Aycliffe are closed until further notice. Durham Pathways at Abbey Road, Pity Me, remains open but is providing a restricted service.

• Following reports of scams related to coronavirus, the council is advising people to report concerns to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Advice is also available from the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

SUDOKU

Medium

7

recommending. This is only possible because of the level of support already available through our existing scheme.”

The council has already postponed debt recovery for anyone falling into arrears with their council tax bills and is encouraging anyone with concerns about their payments to get in touch.

A range of options are available to support residents who need help, including spreading payments evenly over 12 months or starting payments from June instead of April.

Many residents have already taken up this offer.

The authority is also investing an additional £1m from the government Hardship Fund into its Welfare Assistance Scheme, which provides short-term cash awards to people in crisis situations. This includes those impacted by benefit sanctions, vulnerable people who need help to cover daily living expenses and residents unable to purchase essential furniture and appliances.

Cllr Angela Surtees, Cabinet member for social inclusion, said: “It’s always important that we provide help to those who most

Very Hard

4

2 7 6 5 1 2 6 4 2 4 1 4 7 4 3 3 5 5 3 2 2 1 1 5 4

6 8

Given the current health issues, regretfully, Bishop Auckland Music Society has decided to cancel the 2020 concert series which was to have begun on Friday, 3rd April in the Methodist Church on Cockton Hill Road.

For further information, subscribers are encouraged to contact Treasurer Brian Varley (01388) 606075

Poetry With the lockdown in place many people have turned to their creative sides to help make sense of the challenges faced by us all. If you would like to share your verse with us, please send it to newsdesk@wcng.org.

Lockdown 2020

By Lynne Chatterton I’ll never take for granted the wonder of our world Each seed and leaf and flower Their beauty all unfurled I’ll never take for granted birds singing in the trees The creatures in our ponds and lakes Forests, fields and seas.

I’ll never take for granted this land that is my home Every mountain, wood and valley Where I always love to roam.

I’ll never take for granted the family I love Every precious moment spent with them A gift from heaven above.

I’ll never take for granted the friends I hold so dear Who pick me up when I am down And wipe away my tears I’ll never take for granted the people far and wide Who are working still so very hard In them we should have pride In fact all this has taught me The things that bring most pleasure Are not the things that money buys But things we cannot measure Like love and understanding Compassion, faith and trust The strength to keep on going When follow rules we must So when this fight is over And the battle has been won I’ll never take for granted The things we rely upon.

Family Announcements Harry George Fowler

3 1 5 6 5 7 1

© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

MoRe than 7,000 households to benefit from extended council tax support scheme Thousands of households across County Durham are set to benefit from extra help in covering the cost of their council tax bills during the coronavirus pandemic.

Durham County Council already provides council tax discounts of up to 100 per cent to eligible households through its Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) and is one of only a small number of councils to provide this level of support.

Following the announcement of an additional £500 million government Hardship Fund to support people across the country struggling to pay their bills due to coronavirus, the council is now offering additional support.

Households who currently receive assistance through CTRS but still pay some money towards their council tax bills will receive a further reduction of up to £300.

This will mean an estimated 1,600 extra households will now benefit from a 100 per cent reduction on their council tax bills, while a further

Music society concert series cancelled

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org for Sudoku and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts.

If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

Diane Butcher and Anthony Fowler would like to welcome the birth of their son Harry George Fowler. Born on the 20th Feb 2020 at 4.45 am at Darlington memorial hospital. He weighed 6lb 11.5 ounces and is healthy and well.

Harry’s proud grandparents are Ellen Butcher, Dave Butcher, and Sonya Fowler, and Harry is named after his deceased grandad Harry Baxter. Also little brother to Kain and Ava.

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, April 2020

Page 15

Weardale Museum looks ahead to the new season

By Kathleen Gill It is great to be able to keep in touch with our friends, volunteers and potential visitors though this newspaper.

As with all similar organisations, the Weardale Museum is closed until further notice due to the pandemic and, first of all, we want to express our hope that everyone is staying safe and well even if staying at home seems a bit tedious – we all know that it is something that needs to happen.

The impact of not being able to open is not just financial although this is, of course, a worrying factor.

The Museum relies on entrance fees, shop sales and donations to keep going and these generally only cover our overheads; and, without these income streams, we still need to pay items such as insurances and utility bills.

We are concerned that we cannot provide an interesting and informative place for people to visit

Weardale Museum

especially as the weather improves so we have been thinking about what we can do to keep in touch, let people know who and where we are, what we do and how we look after Weardale’s history and heritage.

So, first of all, if you don’t know much about us, some basic information – the Museum is in the Upper Dale in Ireshopeburn and currently occupies the former Manse of High House Methodist Chapel (more on that later). It was set up in 1985 by a group

Credit Joanne Emerson

of interested volunteers and has been fully run by volunteers ever since. It has just 3 rooms, a Victorian Kitchen, the Wesley roomdedicated to Methodism and John Wesley, and, upstairs, our main collections which include mining, minerals, railways, emigration, military, farming and much more. So, there is a lot in a little place! Under18? then entrance is free (and just £3 for adults) and there are activities for younger children and interactive ipads.

Staying in touch with friends and family during the lockdown

By Andy Rogers of Computer Insight During these scary and uncertain times, the use of technology in the home has never been more important, either in terms of ‘working from home’, or keeping in touch with friends, family & neighbours.

Technology does not have to be scary. Generally, there is nothing that a user can do that cannot be fixed (even physical damage). As a self-employed Mobile IT technician for over 20 years there are not many things that I have come across that could not be solved.

Lately my role has been more geared towards helping business understand what they need to work from home or remotely; how they can help their employees work from home or remotely and also how we can keep in contact with friends and loved ones.

Apart from the cost of the hardware (PC/ Mac/notebook/tablet or smartphone) pretty much everything else does not have to cost anything.

Even before the Covid-19

pandemic software products like Zoom, Skype, Duo, WhatsApp, FaceTime and Facebook Messenger, to name but a few, were free. Some of them such as FaceTime are specific to Mac/iOS but others are what is called cross platform, which means they will work on a wide variety of devices and hardware.

Over the last few weeks, I have talked over the phone with many new and existing clients about how to improve their use the technology they already have.

I love hearing back from people that they thought it would be expensive or they needed extra hardware or software, when actually in most cases they just need to use what they already have, just smarter.

My business practices have certainly changed to meet with new social distancing requirements.

Where I used to specialise in going in to the home or business to rectify the issue on-site, now I collect the problem hardware and where possible carry out the

diagnostic and repair in my van after having sanitised the item.

I also carry out a lot more remote support work, where I access the computer over the internet and either solve the issue or, in many cases, help them set up what’s required for ‘working from home’ or setup what they need to have a video chat with a friend or loved one.

Sure, my business has slowed down, however I will always do whatever I can, and most independent, reputable, and customer focused business will.

An increasing service that I perform is to obtain a tablet, generally for an elderly relative, setup their email (or create one), setup and test Zoom or Skype and send the package to them. I talk them through connecting it to their internet, and then co-ordinate with a loved one connecting the two of them together and seeing/ hearing such heart-warming reactions and yelps of glee that they cannot just hear but see each other – it can melt the coldest of hearts.

Helping children to learn at home

We had planned to be open for the full 2 weeks of the Easter holidays and then follow this with a 2 week exhibition commemorating V.E. Day. As we cannot do these we have been posting some information on our Facebook page and we hope to still put on the V.E.Day later in the year.

We are continuing to work on displays and are asking people to get in touch with any WW2 stories, memorabilia and photos including those about life in the Dale during the war.

Getting bored with selfisolation – have you thought about researching your Weardale family history? We have thousands of records and our volunteers can access most of these from home. We don’t charge but ask for a donation towards the amount of work that is done. Maybe we can set you off on seeking your ancestors?

What can you do to help?

Please keep in touch with us through Facebook and our website www. weardalemuseum.co.uk. Let us know what you think of our posts and give us ideas for the kinds of events you would like to see happen.

Consider becoming a ‘Friend of the Museum’, an annual subscription is just £5 per person; this will help to keep us going while closed and you will get free entrance and a regular newsletter. Contact: Kate Gill 07990786220 kategill31@gmail.com David Heatherington 01388 517433 dtheatherington@ormail. co.uk

With schools closed during the lockdown many parents will be wondering how they can continue to support their children’s education.

Whilst parents may feel under pressure to home school their children it is also important to remember that this unprecedented situation also represents an opportunity to spend extra time together.

However, with parents also trying to work from home it may not always be

possible to structure their time to ensure that children are engaged.

Fortunately, there are now many free online resources available that will both support the national curriculum and crucially, keep children entertained.

Below are a list of educational resources that are accessible online and can be used to entertain your children and help them to spend their lockdown time constructively.

White Rose Maths Hub – Free home learning for EYFS to year 8.

Hamilton Trust - Learning at Home Packs for Reception class to year 6.

Planbee – Free Home Learning Packs for years 1 – year 5. https://www.planbee.com/ Stem – Home Learning Resources for all children from primary age to A level.

The Literacy Shed – Lots of free video with activities. For primary aged children.

Maths Shed – Lots of free maths activities for primary aged children.

TES resources – Everything from EYFS to key stage 5.

Twinkl – Get a month of free access using code CVDTWINKLHELPS Twig and TigTag Education – Free resources for students aged 4-16.

Khan Academy – Free resources for children aged 2-18.

BBC Bitesize – Lots of free resources here with videos and quizzes.

Teachit – Free resources for KS3, 4 and 5 all following the English national curriculum.

Classroom Secrets – A range of free resources for primary school-aged children.

TTS – A choice of free workbooks for primary-aged children.

Robin Hood MAT – Learning projects for EYFS and primary school pupils.

Ark Mastery Programme – English and maths four-week booklets for students from Years R-9.

Purple Mash – Resources aimed at primary school-aged children have been made free now schools have closed.

Century Tech – English, maths and science resources for primary and secondary students.

Teacher’s Pet – Wide range of resources for primary pupils.

Phonics Play – All the resources on Phonics Play have been made free for the duration of the school closures.

Email: mail@computerinsight.co.uk Telephone: 01388 435 013 Mobile: 07958 640 415

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Page 16

Weardale Community News, April 2020

Competition time: Win a £100 holiday voucher with Stanhope Travel

With everyone in lockdown and holidays put on hold until the Covid-19 threat is beaten, we thought it would be fun to look back at holidays past and hold a competition for all of our new readers.

Stanhope Travel and Weardale Community News have teamed up to offer a £100 voucher to be used on a holiday booked through them. To enter, send us the funniest picture that you’ve managed to snap whilst on holiday. We’ll print the winner in the paper.

Send your snaps to admin@wcng.org. Closing date is 15/06/20. T&C’s apply, voucher is valid for 28 days and is non-transferable.

Durtona Kitchens and Bathrooms, a family business for 44 years, wish all of their customers in Weardale well and look forward to seeing them again soon.

Call us on 01325 357752

Getting Married?

Get in touch to secure photography for your special day.

www.wcng.org

Council announces £1.4 million funding pot for community groups Community and voluntary groups can now access an additional £1.4 million of funding to help provide much-needed support during the coronavirus pandemic.

Durham County Council is giving each of its 14 area action partnerships (AAP) an extra £100,000 to allocate to groups who are working hard to provide support at a grass roots level across the county.

In addition, the council is providing local councillors with flexibility to use their neighbourhood budgets to support community groups and the voluntary sector by releasing revenue funding previously allocated for capital projects.

This flexibility, if fully utilised, will provide up to a further £1.76 million of financial support to County Durham communities.

The announcement follows the launch of County

Durham Together last week.

Led by the council, this is a virtual community hub that brings together groups, charities and volunteers to support vulnerable people who are self-isolating.

Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of the council, said “During these extremely difficult times, it is important that the council does all it can to help our local communities by bringing together the many groups that are providing much-needed day-to-day support.

“We have already launched our community hubs and we are now setting out a package of additional financial support to help fund costs being incurred by community and voluntary groups right across County Durham. This will ensure the money will be directed to where it is most needed.”

Cllr Alan Napier, Deputy Leader and the council’s Cabinet member for

resources, said: “This additional funding will help community groups to continue to provide vital services during the coronavirus outbreak.

“We know that financial pressures are a challenge for many groups providing help to local communities and that is why we are committing these significant funds, which will be managed locally across the county.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “Our AAPs are very much at the heart of the communities they serve, and, over the last ten years, they have provided practical and financial support for tens of thousands of projects benefiting people of all ages.

“At a time when the nation is facing an unprecedented challenge, this support is more important than ever.

This additional funding will help AAPs to support our communities to meet the challenge and help one another through this difficult and uncertain time.”

AAPs will be working with groups to identify gaps in provision in their areas.

More information can be provided by contacting AAPs directly.

Contact details are available at www.durham.gov.uk/aaps, with groups encouraged to contact AAPs through their specific email addresses due to Coronavirus working arrangements.

For further details about the support on offer to communities and businesses in County Durham, visit w w w. d u r h a m . g o v. u k / coronavirus To request help or to volunteer for County Durham Together, contact communityhub@durham. gov.uk or call 03000 260 260.

Prospective students invited to ‘virtual’ event A County Durham college and its engineering training centre are inviting prospective learners to join an open event from the comfort of their own home.

With colleges, like schools, being forced to remain closed during the Covid-19 lockdown, they are finding innovative ways to both teach remotely as well as help applicants for courses starting in September.

Bishop Auckland College and South West Durham Training are therefore holding their first ever ‘virtual’ open evening next

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80 Hope Street, Crook, County Durham DL15 9HT

month, where applicants can speak to course tutors and careers advisors via live chat and over the telephone.

The event will enable people to log in or dial in and receive instant advice on courses offered, student support and how to apply to secure a confirmed place for September.

Staff will be available from the following areas: art and design; barbering; beauty therapy; brickwork; business; carpentry and joinery; catering; childcare; criminology; engineering; foundation learning; hairdressing; health and social care; IT and computing; motor vehicle; music; painting and decorating; performing arts; photography; plumbing; sport and uniformed services.

There will also be tutors available to advise on apprenticeships and higher education courses.

Natalie DavisonTerranova, Principal and Chief Executive of the Bishop Auckland College Group, said: “It has been hard for both staff and students to adapt to working from home over the past couple of weeks, but I am incredibly proud of how they have found innovative ways to enjoy remote teaching and

learning.

“And while our doors at our campuses and centres may be closed at the moment, our staff are working hard remotely to continue to support both our current learners and those looking to join us in September.

“This ‘virtual’ open evening is another way we

can give applicants direct access to our tutors and careers advisors to help them choose the right course and confirm their place for next year.”

The Virtual Open Evening is being held on Thursday May 7th from 5pm to 7pm and people can register to take part at bacoll.ac.uk/ Events/virtualmay

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