The Weardale Community News is Weardale's source for local news, stories and information.

Your local machinery specialists • Agriculture • Construction

• Groundcare • Lawncare

Sales - Service - Parts - Advice Lloyd Ltd, Holland House, St Helens Way Bishop Auckland DL14 9AX T: 01388 660 300

Edition 9, January 2021

News from Weardale and the surrounding area

Lockdown until February

Free

More snow to come?

Strict measures now in place in country

WEARDALE, along with the rest of the country entered the third Covid lockdown on the 5th of January.

The government has published the following regarding the new rules: You must stay at home.

The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

You should follow this guidance immediately.

The law will be updated to reflect these new rules.

Leaving home You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to: •shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable

person •go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home •exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

•Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one.

•Seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse).

•Attend education or childcare - for those eligible

WOLSINGHAM School, along with the Advanced Learning Partnership (ALP) academy, to which the School now belongs, is considering the permanent closure of the sixth form.

Sixth form provision at the school was suspended on a temporary basis in 2018.

The school was in a considerable amount of debt with Durham County Council

seriously considering the closure of the school.

Following the suspension of the sixth form the school has a new head and has joined the Advanced Learning Partnership.

By joining a multi academy trust the school effectively left its debt with the council and is now on a surer financial footing.

The school believes that

WEARDALE Railway Ltd, a new company we have established to secure the future of the railway, has been granted a Transport and Works Act Order, enabling the running of trains to begin on Weardale Railway again.

A busy schedule over the next few months includes improvements to enable the line to continue running safely, including repair of bridges and the track bed.

In order to complete

the essential repairs by Easter 2021, trains and maintenance vehicles will be travelling on the line over winter. Not all of these vehicles make noise, and they pose a severe danger to anyone crossing the tracks or walking along them.

The Weardale Railway team will be repairing fences at access points and improving on-site communication to highlight the dangers of trespassing on the tracks.

Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers.

•All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open.

•Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.

If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you

should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.

You should not attend work Meeting others You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).

•You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble.

•You should ot meet other people you do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.

•Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.

A snowman looks out over Weardale

Christmas and early January saw snow fall in Weardale, but forecasters have warned that more could be on it’s way with the potential of another ‘Beast from the East.’

Busy Christmas for Mountain Rescue team

Proposal to permanently close Wolsingham School Sixth Form reopening the sixth form could undermine the new position of stability and that sixth form provision would divert funds from key stage 3 and 4.

The Weardale Community News contacted Mr Ferstenberg for a comment on the matter.

“Despite the increase in school roll, we do not have Continued on page 7

The TWSMRT Land Rover is vital to the team’s rescues

Safety warning for railway

By Scott Bisset THE volunteers from Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue team have been kept busy over the Christmas period.

On the 28th December the Forestry commission were alerted to a man who had slipped and injured his ankle while walking in Hamsterley forest. They contacted police who in turn

contacted the ambulance service. NEAS, the North East Ambulance Service then called Mountain Rescue to assist due to the location of the casualty.

The team located and extracted the man and took him to the visitor centre where he was met by relatives, who took him to hospital to get checked out.

Continued on page 5

Providing a professional, high-quality and confidential accounting service to: • Individuals • Sole Traders • Partnerships • Companies With value-for-money fixed fees • Tax & Self Assessment • Accounts • Bookkeeping • Payroll • V.A.T. www.butlerandgee.co.uk A steam locomotive crosses the bridge

Credit: John Dinsdale

Barnard Castle: 01833 630400 and Shotley Bridge: 01207 507000

facebook.com/weardalecommunitynews

Page 2

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Register for May’s local elections RESIDENTS in County Durham are being urged to ensure they are registered to vote ahead of local elections next year.

County and parish council elections are due to take place in May 2021, along with the election of a new Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington.

Durham County Council is already preparing for the elections, and in January it will be writing to residents across the county to ask them to confirm that the details held for them on the electoral register are correct.

If the information is accurate, then you do not have to do anything, but if it is incorrect, it is important to return the form with the

right information.

The council is also ensuring that measures will be in place to accommodate any coronavirus restrictions that may impact on polling stations and count venues.

As part of these measures, the authority is also encouraging people to think about applying for a postal vote so that they do not have to attend a polling station.

To register to vote, go online to register at www. gov.uk/register-to-vote.

To apply for a postal vote, simply complete and return the form you receive in January or visit www. d u r h a m . gov. u k /a r t i c l e / postalvote.

For more information, call 03000 261 212 or email electoralservices@durham. gov.uk

A host of knitted angels descends on Weardale for Christmas

The host of 250 knitted angels before being distributed around Weardale

A knitted angel

By Caroline Sawyer DURING the Christmas period, you may have come across one of the Knitted/ Crocheted angels that were knitted for Weardale. The vision for the angels was to spread some hope and joy

which contained chutney, Christmas cake and cheese scones (kindly made and donated by people in the dale).

Thirty three angels went to Crosshill nursing home for the residents, and arrived as they were celebrating a Christingle service, and enjoying mince pies and sherry.

The remaining angels were hung from trees and railings for people to findmany of which, were posted on Facebook, with pictures of them on people's Christmas trees, with words of them being a 'gift' and that they will be 'cherished' for many years, and having a profound meaning to some.

If you find an angel, please do take it with you and give it a home (or take and give it to a friend to continue sharing the hope and joy). In the New Year, we will be recovering any angels that haven't found a home!

Thank you to all those who were involved in making and distributing these angels, and bringing a smile to the faces of those who have seen them.

Discounts available for utility bills THE Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on people’s finances this year.

In order to help, some utility providers have introduced schemes in order to reduce bills.

Northumbria Water have introduced the Support Plus Scheme, which offers up to 50% off water rates. In order to receive the discount householders have to meet a set of criteria: •Your total household income is less than £16,105, and your annual water bill is more than 3% of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or

mortgage payments) • A member of your household receives Pension Credit, and your annual water bill is 3% or more of your net household income (after housing costs, rent or mortgage payments).

•Your income is not enough to cover your essential bills- in this case, you'll need a financial assessment from an independent debt advice organisation, such as StepChange Debt Charity, along with your application.

For more information on claiming the discount and a calculator to work out your income, please see, https://

www.wcng.org

www.nwl.co.uk/supportplus The government’s Warm Home scheme offers a oneoff reduction of £140 on your gas and electricity bills.

The money is not paid to you but comes as a one-off discount on your electricity bill, and can be claimed between September and March. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity.

To find out more information and to claim the discount, go to: https:// w w w. gov. u k/th e-warmhome-discount-scheme

Weardale Community News Newsdesk: 01388 737466 - Advertising: 01388 737426 Editing, design and content management: Paul Turton - paul@wcng.org Publishing Coordinator: Heather Giles - heather@wcng.org Acting Chairman: Jack Vincent - Jackvincent@wcng.org Directors: Richard Lawrie, Gerald Hirst

over the Christmas period, by those who would see them and also for those who made them. I know I enjoyed making them, and receiving them on my doorstep when the many angel knitters and crocheters brought them to my door, ready to be distributed throughout the dale.

For Christmas 2020, with Covid-19 affecting so many people’s lives, and the inability for us to gather together to celebrate Christmas, it was felt that we all needed a reminder of hope and joy.

Angels are God’s messengers and on the first Christmas they spread the news of hope and joy about Jesus’ birth, and it was our hope that these beautiful woollen angels would do the same for the people of Weardale.

The idea to ask people to help with this was only put into action at the end of Oct, so with only a couple of months before Christmas we were amazed by the community’s response in producing them – all of the angels being unique and created with love. The

vision was for 300 angels to be made, but once the idea was shared on Facebook, and patterns distributed with the help of Lynne in the Woollyback our vision grew to 400 then 500, culminating in 552 angels being created by over 40 people, our youngest knitter being 14!

Once they had been collected in they were then 'quarantined' for a few days before having a tag attached with the message "These Angels bring news of Hope and Joy" on one side and a website link on the other https://www. stanhopemethodistchurch. org.uk/hope where people could find a Christmas message from Bruce Sawyer (the Methodist Minister in the Dale) and Claire McClelland (Anglican Priest-in-charge of Upper Weardale) – a message of Hope and Joy. The knitted angels were spread throughout the dale in the week leading up to Christmas, from Cowshill to Wolsingham. 100 of them were put in Christmas hampers that were given to nominated people,

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 Heather Giles.

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.

The Weardale Community News is your local newspaper, provided as a platform for everyone in Weardale to share their news, writing, events photographs, stories, everything!

Share your news and publicise your events on our Facebook page, let everyone in the community know what you are up to!

Find us on Facebook at:

www.facebook.com/weardalecommunitynews

Look out for our holiday voucher lottery - coming soon Win £1000 to spend with Stanhope Travel!

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Government places country under third lockdown A statement from LA7 Leaders concerning the third lockdown in the North-East

THE Prime Minister has rightly imposed a national lockdown in England, meaning we must all now stay at home except for essential reasons.

It was vital decisive action was taken to regain control of infection rates that have been soaring across the nation, including in our own region, in recent weeks.

We know this will come as a disappointment to our communities who have already given so much during the pandemic, but it was a step the Government simply had to take.

We are all too aware of the mental and physical difficulties a lockdown brings, with people unable to see loved ones or do most of the activities they enjoy doing, and none of us wish to see schools closed.

But the health of residents is the absolute priority for all of us, and we are now in a position where we can take action, prevent the NHS from becoming completely overwhelmed, and save lives.

Stay at home The regulations are clear.

Stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. You can go to work if you cannot do so from home;

you can shop for essentials; you can exercise; seek medical attention; escape domestic abuse; attend educational and childcare settings for those eligible; and a few other exceptional circumstances.

Otherwise, staying at home and avoiding all contact with those outside your household or support bubble will deny this virus the opportunity to spread further. This is key if we are to prevent countless more deaths while the vaccination programme continues in earnest.

We have argued for more support for local businesses and this morning’s announcement from the Chancellor regarding grants is welcome.

But some businesses have fallen through the gaps since March, and still need additional support. We will monitor what other support our communities and businesses require.

Continued support Similarly, there will be many out there who require support once again during this lockdown, and we will continue to provide welfare support as we have throughout the pandemic.

We will also work with the Government to ensure

Local shops offering delivery services during lockdown STORES throughout Weardale will be offering home delivery during the new lockdown.

•Woodhall’s Grocers Stanhope: 07799 101115

•Stanhope Co-Op: 01388 528219 •Frosterley Co-Op: 01388 527321 •St. John’s Chapel Co-Op: 01388 537210

WOLSINGHAM’S post office will close on 1st February when the current owner retires At the time of writing the recruitment process is ongoing and the vacancy has been advertised.

In a letter regarding the closure Daniel Rooney, an account executive for the Post Office wrote: “I would like to assure you that we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community. In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable

for the person operating the service and for Post Office Limited.

“Future provision will reflect customer numbers and usage and we may take the opportunity to establish an alternative type of service.

This may be a local style branch which runs alongside an established retail shop in new refurbished premises and creates a more modern and convenient experience for customers.”

The closure of Wolsingham’s bank has meant that the post office is more important than ever, with many people relying on it to access their pensions.

Wolsingham post office set to close in February

the necessary equipment is available to children for online learning and support our communities wherever possible.

Hope is, however, on the horizon. Unlike when we first entered lockdown in March, we now have a weapon to fight back. The Government has set out timescales for quickly vaccinating the most vulnerable, as well as health and social care workers, and we sincerely hope this will permit the return of some freedoms when the time is right. We will be working closely with our colleagues in the NHS to support the rollout but for now, we have to play our part while the virus continues to spread.

Please, stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives. Thank You. Cllr Simon Henig, CBE, Leader, Durham County Council Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader, Gateshead Council Cllr Nick Forbes, CBE, Leader, Newcastle City Council Norma Redfearn CBE, Elected Mayor, North Tyneside Council Cllr Glen Sanderson, Leader, Northumberland County Council Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader, South Tyneside Council Cllr Graeme Miller, Leader, Sunderland City Council Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor Kim McGuinness, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner

Page 3

Points of Light award for Chapel’s Venita

Venita Pattinson receiving the award on behalf of the volunteer group from Richard Holden

By Scott Bisset VENITA Pattinson from St.John’s Chapel has received an award from MP Richard Holden.

The award, known as 'The Points of Light Award' recognises outstanding individual volunteers who are making a change in their community.

Venita, along with volunteers from around the Dale, hand knitted over 5000 poppies and made 255 poppies out of plastic bottles to create a display for remembrance day to recognise local individuals who lost their lives in WW1 and WW2.

MP Richard Holden, who presented Venita with the award in front of the war memorial in St. Johns Chapel said; “One of the great things you see as a local MP is the massive amount of really great community efforts that take place below the surface

by unsung local heroes.

“For me the whole town and village activity around remembrance across our towns and villages is something very special and this year normal activity has had to be much more restricted. Despite this our communities have continued to pay huge tribute to those who fought and continue to serve and I was delighted to put community volunteers forward for Points of Light

Poppies in St John’s Chapel

awards.

“A few weeks ago, I recommended Venita from St. John’s Chapel (on behalf of the whole volunteer group) for Points of Light awards from the Prime Minister. Only 365 are awarded across the United Kingdom every year.

“This recommendation was approved by the Prime Minister and it was great to be able to drop certificates and personal letters off to Venita.”

Credit: Graeme Carroll

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN OUR NEW LOCAL CAR CLUB? Would you like to hire an Electric Car, without high purchase & maintenance costs?... ...then WEARDALE CAR CLUB could be for you!

For more information contact Trevor or Vikki email: carclub@weardalecommunitytransport.org.uk or call 01388 528777

Page 4

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Fines issued to speeding motorists

Police News

News and reports from Durham Constabulary

2020’s huge impact on local policing

Steve White, Acting PCVC for Durham, writes for the Weardale Community News AT the end of the year we often find ourselves reflecting on the past 12 months and 2020 has been a year which has profoundly impacted on everyone.

It’s not just on individuals where there has been impact, with every business, every public body and institution which has had to adapt. I am immensely proud of the way in which your police service has responded to the many challenges it has faced this year.

Durham Police has again demonstrated its can do attitude, ensuring its officers and staff have been kept safe whilst they provide continued service delivery.

The ever-changing rules and regulations have not been easy to keep up with, but the stoicism and adherence shown by you, the communities we serve,

has for the most part been exemplary without the need for the strong arm of the law.

This has meant that the service has been able to continue to focus on the crime, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and issues that matter to you.

Necessity is the mother of invention and I know that many lessons and new ways of working now need to be incorporated into everyday delivery to make sure that Durham Police are able to stay one of the most effective and efficient Constabularies in the country.

We all wish for a better and healthier New Year most years, but this time we really do hope for it. Please continue to stay safe and stick to the rules as we all look forward to better times ahead.

Firearms and weapons amnesty

THE government has launched a scheme for members of the public to hand in any offensive weapons and firearms that they may have in their possession.

The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 makes it unlawful to possess rapid firing rifles, certain types of knives and swords.

It will be against the law to keep these weapons in private and make it a criminal offence to sell bladed products online without verifying that the buyer is over 18.

Unlike traditional weapons amnesties where weapons are handed in to the Police, the new scheme will allow the owners of surrendered items to claim financial compensation.

Claimants will be able

to request compensation that exceeds the standard level by providing evidence of the value of the item surrendered, such as a receipt of the price paid or a valuation from an auction house.

The scheme will be running until March 9th 2021.

People handing in firearms will not be required to attend a station, instead the licensing department will make arrangements to collect from their homes to take possession of the weapon/ammunition and compensation form.

Knives and offensive weapons can however be surrendered at Bishop Auckland, Darlington, Durham and Peterlee stations.

OFFICERS across the south of the county have made several arrests thanks to information from members of the public.

As part of Operation Trident, multiple search warrants have been executed across Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe, Shildon and Barnard Castle.

This has resulted in a man being charged with nine offences relating burglary, fraud and driving matters.

Two men, in separate incidents, have been arrested for the theft from a motor vehicle with one being charged and one being released under investigation.

Further arrests have also been made for a burglary in Ferryhill and Spennymoor.

A significant number of

stop checks have also taken place, particularly in rural areas during the hours of darkness.

Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Andy Reeves, of Durham Constabulary, said: “We have made several arrests in recent days and a lot of this is down to vital help and support we receive from our communities.

“Despite our recent good results, rest assured we won’t stop here. Anyone who thinks it is OK to cause problems will be dealt with.

“Your information and pieces of intelligence are invaluable to the work we do.”

Anyone wishing to pass on any information can do so by calling Durham Constabulary on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800555-111.

Police Operation Trident sees man charged

Witness appeal after fatal crash

Send your submissions to

newsdesk@wcng.org

A DRIVER has sadly died after his car left the road and collided with a tree.

The incident, involving a silver Mercedes SLK car, happened in the early hours of December 28, on the eastbound carriageway of the A177, near Thorpe Thewles, in County Durham.

The driver, a 30-year-old

www.wcng.org

man, was declared deceased at the scene and the road was closed for several hours.

An investigation is underway to try to establish why the car left the road.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information should call 101, quoting incident number 44 of December 28.

TOWARDS the end of December three motorists were issued Fixed Penalty Notices for exceeding the 30mph speed limit in Crook.

These motorists were travelling at 40 mph, 46 mph and 48 mph.

Police would like to remind motorists that speeding,

coupled with the icy roads and winter conditions will greatly increase your already high chances of losing control of your vehicle and causing an accident.

Please stay safe whilst driving and Happy New Year from everyone at Crook Police Station.

Mill Race plant stall raising money for local schools THE Mill Race Plant Ladies, Chris Raymond and Karen Rogers, would like to thank everyone who supported their latest sale on December 5th.

A magnificent sum of £240 was raised within a few hours. The sun shone and lots of generous folks turned out to make the enterprise a success. On offer were plants, bulbs and a large selection of stocking fillers. The stall looked most attractive with balloons, tinsel and bunting.

Once again the money was shared between Wolsingham Primary School and Crook, Hartside Primary School.

The next sale will be a

Spring Special with potted bulbs and a large selection of gifts for Mothers' Day or just to treat yourself. The stall will be on the garden wall of 12, Mill Race with everything spaced out and run in accordance with current co-vid restrictions.

Weather permitting we shall start at 9.30am on Saturday 6th March. Any donations of plants or items for re-gifting will be most welcome. In the event of poor weather we shall hold the stall on Sunday 7th or the next Saturday, 13th.

Chris and Karen look forward to welcoming everyone and being able to send another donation to the two primary schools.

Pennine Ways and The Everyday Cafe, Stanhope CAROL moved down to Stanhope from Aberdeen and is married to a huge local miner, who having had his fill of digging tunnels in Weardale now follows his subterranean trade digging tunnels in London.

Together they have produced a large and happy brood. Carol is a strongminded Scot with a twinkle in her eye. She and her daughters are liked by all and run the Everyday Cafe in Stanhope. They are the perfect hosts in their cafe that serves coffee and kindness to the whole world.

Visitors, bikers, locals and long-term aficionados meet to converse and eat or walk off with ice creams in cones.

Having this central meeting point in Stanhope, that is a magnet to people of all persuasions, was the reason why Pennine Ways, the Property people, sought and were lucky enough to secure a window in the cafe to display some of the properties that they have in the valley.

Pennine Ways will be pleased to look after all of your Property needs and invite you to ring one of the team on 01434 381808 in Alston, either for a conversation or to book an appointment.

Willie Giles is our man on the ground in Stanhope and you can find him on 07793059927.

All aspects of building work carried out New Builds Extensions & Garages Conversions & Renovations Roofing & Guttering Joinery & Kitchen Fitting Plastering & Tiling

For a free estimate call:

01388 528288 / 07843 576546

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Local MP leads calls to support Outdoor Education

Page 5

Busy Christmas for Mountain Rescue Team

John Noble and Kay Sheppard from Weardale Adventure Centre with Richard Holden, MP

NORTH West Durham MP Richard Holden is leading calls for the Government to provide decisive support for outdoor education residential centres which have been badly affected by restrictions introduced in response to the public health crisis this year.

Small outdoor education centres - like Weardale Adventure Centre in Ireshopeburn in Richard’s constituency – have not been able to bring in school groups which are normally a core part of the business, because of measures brought in to tackle Covid-19.

Richard last month joined MPs from all parties calling for new support and has joined the All Party Parliamentary Group for

Outdoor Learning which is campaigning on the issue. In recent weeks, Richard wrote a letter to the Secretary of State for Education highlighting the value of local outdoor education centres and calling for additional support to be provided to centres at this difficult time.

During the summer, Richard visited Weardale Adventure Centre in Ireshopeburn and met the centre’s team led by John Noble and Kay Sheppard and was impressed by the quality of the facilities and the dedication of the staff.

Commenting, Richard said: “I was deeply impressed by the work of John, Kay and their team at Weardale Adventure Centre and how their work

positively benefits young lives. I also know that many constituents are employed by this and other centres, especially in Upper Weardale.

“I support the campaign to Save Outdoor Education, without qualification. Since the crisis began in March, I have constantly lobbied the Government to provide additional support for the outdoor education sector, on top of the important grant and furlough packages that were brought in earlier this year. Along with other members of the APPG, I think it would be sensible for a sector deal, such as that provided by the Scottish Government, to be brought in to help save outdoor education here in County Durham and across England.“

The team assist the injured walker before evacuating him to safety

Continued from page 1 On the 30th December the team were again called

by NEAS to a male who had fallen while walking with his wife and dog on the fells above Stanhope in Weardale and had suffered a significant lower leg injury.

The casualty was over a mile from the nearest road so rescuers were grateful to the local gamekeeper who unlocked a gate allowing the team's Land Rover and an off-road vehicle from HART, the Hazardous Area Response Team, to get to the location of the incident.

The injured man, who had travelled from the Washington area, was treated by the team's doctor then transported down to the road where he was transferred to a waiting Ambulance.

Nine team members and one search dog attended, along with the HART crew and two Paramedics. It was later discovered that the man had fractured his fibula and is now awaiting surgery.

During this rescue, the team were contacted by police who asked if they could also prepare to search for a missing child near Derwent Reservoir, thankfully the child was located before the team deployed.

Mountain Rescue teams all over the country are being stretched by the amount of people out walking and advise anyone who is planning on walking in the countryside to be properly prepared: •Check the weather forecast.

•Have the correct attire.

•Plan your walk.

•Carry extra clothing, food and drink.

•Carry a torch and ensure your phone is fully charged.

•Have an app on your phone which will help you to know where you are and allow emergency services to locate you, such as OS Locate, View Ranger and what3words.

•If in doubt, stay at home.

To find out more about the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team find them on Facebook at facebook.com/twsmrt

Rescue vehicles line the road

Stanhope Barrington C of E Nursery Unit At Stanhope Barrington, we offer a caring, safe and happy environment.

We provide an enriching learning environment allowing pupils to thrive and have the best possible start to their educational journey.

Starting from January 2021 we plan to offer additional nursery places.

• Free 15 and 30 hour educational places for 3 and 4 year olds.

• Morning sessions 9.20am to 12pm.

• Afternoon sessions 12.15pm to 3pm.

• 30 hour sessions 9.20am to 3pm.

(Dependent on the number of children signing up)

If you would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01388 528218 or email us at admin@stanhopebarrington.org.uk

Some of the fantastic activities that Weardale Adventure Centre undertakes with schools

Stanhope Barrington CofE Primary School Westcroft, Stanhope. DL13 2NU www.stanhopebarrington.durham.sch.uk

Page 6

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Your Photographs Send your photos to newsdesk@wcng.org

www.wcng.org

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. See more fantastic pictures of Weardale at www.facebook.com/groups/i.love.weardale.photography

Frosty morning at Bollihope by Maurice Appleby

Icicles by Maurice Appleby

A tree stump by Graeme Carroll

Cairn above Stanhope by Susanne Pattinson

A cloud inversion over Weardale by Matthew Oliphant

Weardale in the snow by Aimilia Bakourou

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Weardale Practice begins Covid vaccination first phase

THE Weardale Practice is beginning to provide the first phase of COVID vaccinations.

Vaccination against COVID is an essential tool to help control the current pandemic and reduce associated deaths and suffering.

We are working with our Primary Care Network colleagues at North House Surgery, Crook and Willington Medical Group to provide this urgent national vaccine program to patients of the Wear Valley.

We initially expected to receive the vaccine in the week beginning 21st December; however NHS England made a decision to delay the deliveries until the New Year, at the time of writing this, the delivery is expected around the 5th January for the first doses. If the date changes we will not be given many days’ notice.

The Pfizer vaccine is the first vaccine to be licensed for COVID in the UK and there are some challenges posed by this particular vaccine. The vaccine cannot be moved once delivered, requires two doses three weeks apart and must be used within a very short timescale. As a result, all appointments in the Wear Valley will take place at a single location, North House Surgery in Crook.

The vaccination program will start with patients over 80 years of age. We understand that transport, particularly at short notice, will be difficult for many elderly patients. We will need community support to bring elderly relatives, neighbours and friends to appointments for the vaccine, both in January and in 3 weeks’ following for the second dose.

We ask for your assistance and patience as we deliver the vaccine. Large amounts of staff time will be taken up delivering the vaccine program both now and in the coming months.

This will have an unavoidable impact on waiting times for GP and nurse appointments and other services at the practice.

We will continue to assess and deal with urgent

medical problems as quickly as we can, but the wait for routine appointments is likely to be longer than usual. Patients with minor medical problems may be directed to other services, such as NHS 111 and local pharmacies.

Eligible groups You should have the vaccine when it is offered if you are: •Living in a care home for older adult.s •A frontline health care worker.

•A frontline social care worker.

•A carer working in a care home for older residents.

Then the vaccine will also be offered in age order to: •Those aged over 80 years.

•Those aged over 75 years.

•Those aged over 70 years.

•Adults on the NHS shielded patient list.

•Those aged over 65 years.

•Adults under 65 years with long term conditions (see clinical conditions list below).

•Those aged 50 to 64 will be offered it later.

Clinical conditions list: •A blood cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma) •Diabetes.

•Dementia.

•A heart problem.

•A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma •A kidney disease.

•A liver disease.

•Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as HIV infection, steroid

medication, chemotherapy or radiotherapy).

•Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or psoriasis.

•Have had an organ transplant.

•Had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

•A neurological or muscle wasting condition •A severe or profound learning disability.

•A problem with your spleen, example sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed.

•Are seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above).

•Are severely mentally ill.

At the same time as the adults under 65 years with long term conditions the vaccine will also be offered to: •Adults who provide regular care for an elderly or disabled person.

•Younger adults in long stay nursing and residential settings.

Please wait your turn.

If you are not in the groups above, you will have to wait for a COVID-19 vaccination until more supplies are available.

When more vaccine becomes available we will be offering it to more groups of the population.

The vaccination programme is a huge undertaking and will take time to complete particularly as “routine practice work” needs to continue. As a practice we want to support the delivery of the vaccine as we recognise the importance of returning all our lives and our communities back to “normal” in 2021. Thank you.

SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS, BARROW BAGS & DUMPY BAGS available from:

WARD TIMBER Ltd. Rogerley Sawmill, Frosterley

Tel: 01388 528362

Email: sales@wardtimber.co.uk (Collection only)

Advertise with the Weardale Community News to reach thousands of readers!

Page 7

Proposal to permanently close Wolsingham School Sixth Form

Continued from page 1 the number of students to guarantee that we would consistently meet the minimum number of 200 students needed to make up a financially viable Sixth Form.

“The School is finally in a position of financial stability and is providing a very well regarded 11-16 education. As much as I am sympathetic to families who want to keep a Sixth Form in Wolsingham, and especially to those students who have to travel from far up the Dale, it would be

irresponsible to put this wonderful school at risk again by heading back to the deficit spending that kept the Sixth Form going.

“I also understand why the vast majority of our students feel that they have enjoyed their time with us but want to move on to a college, where they have more freedom and a much greater variety of courses “Despite the increase in school roll, we do not have the number of students to guarantee that we would consistently meet the

minimum number of 200 students needed to make up a financially viable Sixth Form.

“This is not a position taken lightly but is done to keep a high-quality secondary school serving this area for many years to come.”

The school is currently inviting comments on the proposal, which can be emailed to s.emmerson@ alplearning.org.uk, or handed to Wolsingham school reception. The consultation is set to close on 29th January.

Dear Parent/Carer, As you are probably aware Durham Local Authority made the decision to suspend Sixth Form provision at Wolsingham School from September 2017 due to insufficient actual and projected student numbers.

Sixth form provision in the local area is very good and for many years, most Wolsingham students felt they had valued their time at the school but wanted to ‘spread their wings’ and go elsewhere for sixth form. Prior to suspending admissions, the school built up a considerable financial deficit largely as a result of trying to maintain its very small and unviable sixth form, which even led to the County Council considering closure of the school in 2018.

Suspension of the Sixth Form, however, has allowed the school to become even stronger. When the School joined the ALP Multi-Academy Trust it effectively left its debt with the County Council. The school is oversubscribed for Year 7 admissions next year, as it was last year. It

has continued to attract high quality staff and enjoys the support of the community – for its academic offer, extracurricular provision and excellent pastoral care.

We believe that these strengths would be undermined if the School renewed Sixth Form admissions. Despite the increased enrolment, maintaining Sixth Form provision would still require diverting funding from key stage 3 and 4 to subsidise post 16 places and courses.

Governors agreed at the time of the original suspension decision that this option would have a detrimental impact on the educational standards and life chances of lower school children. Those reasons still stand today.

This issue is not something unique to Durham. Small school based sixth forms are under a great deal of financial pressure and a considerable number of schools across the country have already closed their 16-19 provision. Nationally, the DfE require a guarantee of 200 students before they will agree to the creation of a new sixth form as they

recognise that small sixth forms are not viable.

After much consideration, we have begun a consultation period with a view to asking the Education Funding Agency and the Regional Schools Commissioner for permission to officially close Wolsingham School Sixth Form.

Other local providers continue to offer a wider choice of courses and more specialised facilities for our students. Our careers support for all Year 11 students will remain a priority and we will continue to provide our students with information, advice and guidance on how to access and apply to local providers.

We are now inviting comments on this proposal.

If you have any, please either email them to s.emmerson@alplearning. org.uk or send/hand them in an envelope marked Sixth Form Consultation into Wolsingham School reception. The consultation will close on 29th January 2021. All representations and comments will be shared with our Governors before a final decision is taken.

School’s letter to parents and carers

Page 8

Weardale Community News, January 2021

www.wcng.org

News from Weardale’s AAP

Look forward to ‘Fabulous February’ with more funding for holiday activities in 2021

The Awesome Autumn package contained recipe ingredients and lots of activities Credit: Michelle Turnbull

WEARDALE Action Partnership have been allocated funding for February 2021 school holidays from Durham County Council, Children and Young People’s, Holiday Activities with Healthy Food project.

This funding has been provided following the

success of previous projects in 2020 like ‘Summer in the Making’ and ‘Awesome Autumn’ that supported families with school aged children providing activities to develop creativity and encourage interest in the local and natural environment.

Some activities involved

cooking and many parents and children said this was something that encouraged their children to try foods and become involved in preparing food.

The funding will be promoted for groups to apply for from 5th January 2021 and information on successful projects will be made available in the week of 25th January.

The activities that will be available will be promoted to parents through the usual routes including the WAP Facebook page so follow us to make sure you don’t miss out on finding out what is happening.

Schools will be provided with the information on holiday projects, each school disseminates news through their usual communication route which may be facebook, text, emails or

Help and Support

website, remember to update contact information with school to receive this.

As always projects are promoted through WAP e-bulletin and so if you have signed up to this you will be kept up to date on all activities of WAP and other items of local interest sent directly to the inbox of all subscribers.

We look forward to applications to this project and if you are an organisation who wants to find out about funding please contact us on weardaleaap@durham.gov. uk You can contact the team to find out more by calling us on 07753 779975, 07747 486733 or 03000 268507.

We are sure that Weardale’s Fabulous February activities will be as successful as previous activities and if you have taken part in these projects or any others funded through the WAP please send a message or pictures to us and we can make sure that we provide more of the types of activities the community enjoys.

Weardale Action Partnership Board meetings

ON the 17th of December 2020 the Board of Weardale Action Partnership (WAP) held the last Board meeting of the year and looked back over the projects funded through the year, whilst looking forward to the projects being developed by the Board to support the area going forward.

The Board watched clips from the NorthPens Writing group project who had received funding in 2020.

The clips were of local writers sharing a snapshot of experiences of lock down and the covid pandemic on the writers.

Chris Powell from NorthPens spoke about the discussion she had with Angelina Maddison, WAP Coordinator when developing the project and making something positive from this extraordinary event.

Cllr Anita Savory, Chairperson, recommended the film to Board members who had not seen it and we would encourage others to

look up the Youtube film by searching NorthPens Our Isolated Dale or through the NorthPens website https:// northpens.wordpress.com/ Board meetings will continue in their virtual format until guidance permits with the next meetings planned will be held on 21 January 2021, 18th February 2021 & 18th March 2021.

Whilst the team continue to work from home anyone who would like to contribute to the meetings can contact through the shared email weardaleaap@durham.gov. uk or can contact Angelina directly on 07753 779975.

Help and support for Weardale community THE voluntary groups and volunteers who have supported the community through the difficult year continue to offer help and support.

The community spirit shown through this extraordinary year has been amazing and although people do not volunteer to receive recognition we hope that everyone who has been able to support their community realises just how important this has been to

so many people.

The response from businesses to set up delivery means that many of the most vulnerable in the community could stay safe whilst knowing they were supporting their local community by shopping local.

The Weardale Action Partnership produced the Help & Support leaflet with information from the groups and paper copies were shared with groups meaning

that those vulnerable people had this information to hand. It was also shared in the Weardale Community News to ensure each household could access the information. There is also the Locate website where you can find information on a range of services https:// www.durhamlocate.org.uk/ If you need help, please don’t delay in contacting, there are many people and services to offer support.

DURHAM County Council want to better understand how they can help you in the future to access services online and improve your digital skills.

To help us understand: •What support you might need to access things

online?

•The impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on you accessing services.

They ask if you can take part by either: Completing the survey online by entering the following link into your web

browser https://wh1.snapsurveys. com/s.asp?k=160683861188 Alternatively, if you require a paper copy, please contact customer service on 03000 260000 The deadline for survey returns is 25th January 2021.

Do you need support to get online?

Find funding for your Community Group THERE are hundreds of funding schemes available for voluntary and community groups in County Durham from many

national, regional and local sources.

If you are looking for funding for your community group, including sports clubs, local

charities, school fundraising groups or credit unions.

Visit www.durham.gov.uk/ communityfunding to find out more.

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Keeping active with the Wolsingham Wayferers

One of the styles on the Weardale Way

ANGELINA Maddison Weardale Action Partnership Coordinator started 2020 with the same plan as many, to enjoy more activity and during the summer walked with members of the Wolsingham Wayfarers the length of the Weardale Way. The Wolsingham Wayfarers are regular visitors along these paths as well as many others around Weardale and have created information guides on walks which can be found on their website http:// www.wolsinghamwayfarers. co.uk/ however printed copies can be found thanks to funding from WAP. The Wayfarers are an important group in the area walking many other rights of way to ensure that routes are open and safe for walkers and coordinating with others when they come across issues.

During August 2020 Angelina joined John Stephenson and Mike Newton of the Wayfarers

and saw first-hand how the route can have some challenging elements along with the beautiful scenery.

The pictures who had been funded to provide a survey of the route to help make this more . Angelina experienced first hand the many glorious views but then at times it was very important to keep eyes on the track with boggy patches This boggy area found on a sunny day highlights the importance of being prepared for the weather…

Many people will be keen to return to Weardale to enjoy the walking routes and anything else that is available and open in 2021 and we hope to support tourism by working to improve some of the information along the route to help people learn and enjoy more about the area as well as keeping safe.

If you are walking please ensure that you follow the countryside code details of which can be found

at https://www.gov.uk/ government/publications/ the-countryside-code where covid safe information is included.

If you want to know more about any project please contact us on weardaleaap@durham.gov. uk Just to keep you updated Angelina has continued with the walking, taking in her own local area during the year and appreciating how different the areas of County Durham are and would recommend to anyone getting out and enjoying the fresh air even on the dreary wet days she says “wrap up well and enjoy the fresh air.”

Check your finances THIS year many people have been affected by Covid, whether this be due to health or finances.

One important thing you can do to help start 2021 on the best foot is to think about having a benefit check as many people who do not think they will be eligible for support may be able to access benefits. Our local support worker, Linda Pearson has been helping people in Weardale both before and during Covid, to identify benefit that they may be eligible for and has successfully helped people make these claims.

We know many of us had

hoped by this time we could have been saying ‘post covid’ but unfortunately this is not the case and we do not want people to delay in seeking advice when we know that many people have been struggling financially for many months. With winter comes the additional costs of fuel and when people are home due to changes in their work situation this may be much more than in previous years.

Call Linda on 0191 Linda Pearson, Rural Advice Worker 3726758.

Page 9

Support from the Community Wellness Coordinator LISA Turnbull, Community Wellness Coordinator, will be one of the many staff who are being trained to deliver the covid vaccinations. Lisa is so pleased to be part of a team helping to fight against this dreadful disease.

Lisa has been speaking to vulnerable people in the community since lockdown in March 2020 and many are still very isolated and have not been able to get out because of their health issues but also due to their concerns about going out and being in contact with others.

Lisa said, “This vaccine will make so much difference to many people who have not stepped out further than their own garden since March and is a light at the end of the tunnel. When I have spoken to people they have said that they are so looking forward to getting out and meeting people to have the usual banter but they are understandably concerned as it has been so

long since they have done this.”

Lisa is still helping people from home by making referrals to services to help people stay safe in their home, this includes developing care packages for those who now need some extra help at home.

Lisa also wants Lisa Turnbull, Community Wellness Coordinator to remind to keep an eye out for their people that if you need help neighbours and where and support the services possible make contact; ‘pick are still there and if there up the phone, give a wave are health concerns please to a neighbour who may do not delay in seeking be alone, this will mean so advice from your medical much as it can be hard for practitioner. people who have no family Lisa is still keeping the and may not have regular important contact with contact with the outside our community and would world.’ encourage everyone in Lisa can be contacted on these dark wintry months 07766 239434

Help and Support

Page 10

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Be Prepared For Winter A warning from Mountain Rescue

By Scott Bisset MANY people say that we don't get proper winters anymore. Well, we don't have to go back very far to find proof to the contrary.

We had plenty of snow in 2009 and again in 2010, and who will ever forget the ‘Beast from the East' in 2018.

The following story is an extract from a report by the Team Leader of Teesdale & Weardale Search & Mountain Rescue team following a major event in 1990.

It began snowing on the 7th of December, within an hour a steadily strengthening wind and rapidly falling temperatures meant that snow was accumulating and drifting. Buses to take school children home were called early and commuters headed home.

Around 9pm the Chief Inspector of Barnard Castle Police contacted the team and asked if they could send a small group to Weardale as it was understood that a number of vehicles had become stuck on the moor between Stanhope and Edmundbyres. The police were becoming stretched with numerous weatherrelated incidents across the county.

Several motorists were rescued and taken down to Stanhope with reports of another vehicle off the road further on. As the rescuers battled through blowing snow, the noise of the wind seemed to take on a howling sound!

At the highest point of the road, the team found a 4x4 with a small livestock trailer attached which had left the road, the driver was fine, but said he couldn't abandon his vehicle as in the trailer was a pack of whining Beagles! They had been heading home to the kennels further up the dale. He finally agreed to be rescued only after being assured that the dogs would be recovered at first light.

By 2am all the drivers were safely down in the village.

Meanwhile Barnard Castle police were growing concerned about drivers being stranded on the A66.

A temporary ‘road closed’ sign had been put on the road near Scotch Corner, but it was thought that some motorists had driven around it! Later, permanent ‘snow gates’ would be installed, an addition still serving their purpose today and

The snow covered B6278 during 2018’s ‘Beast from the East’

first suggested by Mountain Rescue.

A police car had been dispatched with the PC taking a supply of thermos flasks to warm up any stranded drivers but had not been heard from since.

A group of 4 Moutain Rescue volunteers set off along the A66 on skis with others following behind on foot. Nothing was found for a while until they spotted a small truck with its engine running.

The driver said he had been there since the previous evening and had been running his engine on and off in order to keep warm. He later appeared on national TV saying he was greatly relieved to see a policeman on skis!

Of course, this was no policeman, but a heroic Mountain Rescue volunteer.

Further on more and more vehicles were discovered, their passengers cold but unharmed. This had now been labelled ‘a major incident’ and more resources were called for.

Snow ploughs, JCB's and even a Snowcat tracked vehicle all headed to the area.

The good people of Bowes opened the village hall and prepared hot drinks and food for the evacuees while further along the road, the A66 Hotel opened its doors. By this time at least 30 vehicles had been discovered, with around 40 occupants, one car contained an elderly lady who said she was unable to walk to safety, so a farm tractor was acquired and she was wrapped in a Mountain Rescue cas bag and sat in the rear loader of the tractor!

Realising that they could no longer manage to walk all the people to either Bowes or the Hotel, whichever was closer, and with more trapped vehicles ahead,

an RAF Sea King helicopter was called to assist. It gave a huge boost to rescuers to see the huge yellow aircraft overhead.

Mountain Rescue team members had gathered people into groups and the helicopter began ferrying them to safety, following telegraph poles as a visual aid. Three groups had been evacuated when a message came from the RAF crew, the helicopter had had to make an emergency landing when the pilot became disorientated in a complete ‘white out', somehow managing to land near a farm.

Fortunately, shortly afterwards, the team on foot met with the Snowcat and were able to evacuate the remaining drivers to the hotel. Apparently, there were over 80 people in the hotel that night. Rescued and rescuers alike were very grateful to the owner, Mr. Ash, who ensured they were all fed.

At first light a second Sea King with engineers onboard arrived to check out the ‘downed' aircraft.

Thankfully there was nothing wrong with it bar a flat battery which was restarted using the farmers tractor!

The team went on to deal with a number of other incidents during the day, including battling through snow drifts to remove a makeshift coffin from a house which held the body of a relative who had died the previous day.

Such is the versatility and resourcefulness of the Teesdale and Weardale search and Mountain Rescue team.

So, proper winters don't happen anymore... are you sure?

With thanks to former team leader Alan Best for the original report.

www.wcng.org

New electric chargepoints for Stanhope

THE installation of the new EV charging network around Stanhope is about to begin.

Following a competitive tender by Durham County Council the contract for the works has been awarded to Gronn Kontakt (UK) Ltd who are working with their trusted delivery partner Elmtronics Ltd, based in Consett.

The WEVA projects will install 20 chargepoints at 8 sites across Stanhope, which means that all residents will have a chargepoint within a 5 minute walk of their home. This project is funded by OZEV (Office of Zero Emission Vehicles) and is being viewed as a national demonstrator of how Government can encourage the switch to electric vehicles, both cars and small vans.

Despite the Covid pandemic the project is proceeding to schedule, and all charge points should be installed by the end of March but changes in Covid tiers may delay this slightly.

The project has been conceived to provide as much encouragement as possible for local residents and business owners to investigate and evaluate

The Renault Zoe electric vehicle

when they will change to an electric vehicle. Online Q&A sessions and information packs will be made available beginning in February and during March the Weardale Community Transport should have their EV car club up and running. This will be based at the Weardale Hub and will enable drivers to experience an electric vehicle in their own time and at their own pace with minimal cost.

Renault is also supporting the project and is offering extra competitive prices for anyone who buys an EV as part of the WEVA Project. in addition, Renault offers a trial of a new Zoe for up to 48 hrs on a no obligation basis.

This WEVA project forms part of the County’s

Credit: Renault Group

response to the Climate Change Emergency and will lead to hundreds of charge points being installed the County. Commitments have already been made for the DOCS Project (100 CPs, also supported by OZEV) and SOSCI (150-200 CPs funded

by Innovate UK). All three projects are scheduled to be completed before end 2021.

Local project support and co-ordination in Stanhope is being managed by the Weardale Area Action Partnership – AAP Co-ordinator Angelina Maddison says “this exciting project creates a win-win for Weardale: a win for Tourism to encourage more visitors and a win for Residents who want to move to environmental sensitive transport”

North West Durham Labour raising funds for foodbanks NORTH West Durham Labour members have raised £1,245 to support local food banks before Christmas following a series of fundraising initiatives.

Throughout November and December, North West Durham Labour were busy raising money via their initiative, ‘The Spirit of Christmas’, which was set up with the sole aim of providing additional support to local food banks over the Christmas period.

From gathering donations at virtual meetings, an online raffle and a showstopper event on 5 December 2020 which gained support from members of parliament including John McDonnell, Mary Kelly Foy, Kate Osborne, Ian Lavery and Rebecca Long-Bailey, as well as the performance poet, Rowan McCabe, NW Durham Labour were raising money at every possible opportunity to support the most vulnerable people in their local communities.

North West Durham

Labour fundraiser, Emma Heenan said: “At North West Durham Labour we know just how much support our food banks provide to local people and we wanted to contribute to their efforts again this Christmas. Our generous members and friends have helped us to raise £1,245 for this initiative and we are so grateful to everyone who has supported us. 2020 has been an incredibly difficult year for so many people and if the donations we are going to make help to make things a little easier for families, then we are pleased to have been able to help.”Commenting on the donations, Margaret Nealis from the Consett food bank (also known as 'Food4u') said: “A huge thank you from Consett Food4u on behalf of the future recipients of our parcels. Any family coming for help between now and Christmas will receive a normal food parcel, plus a bag of extra goodies and fresh produce to make

Christmas Day extra special.

Thank you so much to North West Durham Labour for helping to make this possible.”

It's not the first time this year that North West Durham Labour have helped out those in need. In October, five local food banks received £200 each after local party members, disgusted at the government’s refusal to extend free school meals over the half-term holiday, decided to act.

North West Durham Labour fundraiser, Emma Heenan, continued: “There is a real danger that food bank use is becoming normalised - and that should not be the case.

There needs to be a full overhaul of the cruel systems and policies of the government that have forced many working and self-employed people into poverty for the first time during the pandemic. We must work together to create a better future for everyone.”

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, January 2021

SOLVING THE EV PUZZLE

Page 11

...Will your next car be electric?

The WEVA project can help...

• 20 EV CHARGE POINTS BEING INSTALLED IN STANHOPE BEFORE APRIL • EV CAR CLUB: RUN BY WEARDALE COMMUNITY TRANSPORT • RENAULT OFFERING SPECIAL PRICES FOR ‘WEVA RESIDENTS’ • ONLINE Q&A AND INFO PACKS AVAILABLE FROM FEBRUARY For more information contact EVCHARGING@DURHAM.GOV.UK

WEARDALE ELECTRIC VEHICLE ACCELERATOR PROJECT PUTS STANHOPE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS A NATIONAL DEMONSTRATOR TO INVESTIGATE WAYS TO HELP RURAL COMMUNITIES SWITCH TO ELECTRIC CARS AND VANS. This project is funded by OZEV (Office of Zero Emission Vehicles), Durham County Council and Weardale Area Action Partnership

Weardale Community News, January 2021

www.wcng.org

Osgood Schlatter’s Disease place on the muscle and its insertion, it results in micro muscle fibre ruptures and minor bleeding causing traction, irritation, and inflammation of the soft tissue.

Common signs symptoms Local pain around and on the tibial tuberosity, especially on touch. Local swelling and a distinctive prominence around tibial tuberosity. It may affect both knees.

The pain is frequently made worse by high impact and deceleration activities such as running, jumping, and cutting, quadricep stretching and contraction.

Kicking and squats also play a major part in irritating the tissue.

Stages of Injury The degree of injury is evident when the young performer experiences constant pain. In severe cases they cannot run or compete in sport, training session or activities without

Gordon Ellis of Info-Physio, looks at an illness that affects young athletes WE see many young aspiring athletes and dance performers between the ages of 11 to 16 with this condition. Children are particularly prone during their teenage years of growth as their bone tissue is still developing.

Cause It’s caused by an overload or over use on the quadriceps (muscles at the front of the upper thigh) that function to flex the hip and extend the knee.

The condition is also enhanced by the fact that young bones are still in growth, with the bone growing faster than muscle, thus the muscle becomes tight creating a pull on the tibial tuberosity (a protruding piece of bone) at the upper part of the tibia (shin bone).

Pathology The condition manifests at the insertion of the patella tendon (the distal tendon part of the quadriceps) that inserts into the tuberosity in the upper tibia. Creating an inflammatory reaction

in the patella tendon insertion (tenoperiostitis), the periosteum (bones skin) and tibial tuberosity itself.

The patient often displaying symptoms of patella tendinitis at the same time.

Anatomy and Physiology The make-up of this muscle/bone connection or attachment of a muscle to a bone involves a gradual transition from the elastic muscle to tendon to cartilage to bone.

This gives the reasoning why these injuries take so long to heal as the bone / tendon junctions are poorly supplied with blood because the fibrocartilage creates a barrier, making the injury often chronic.

Factors It can be attributed to the patient participating in too much sporting activity, increased demand over muscle and insertion capability, not reducing or stopping sport when initial symptoms occur, not having enough rest periods between activities.

As the constant strain takes

STR8TS

SUDOKU

Tough

6

2 1

8

1 6 9 4

5

9

4 5

3 5

3 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.

3 5 2 1 Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ 2 1 3 are formed.

8 7 3 1

9

© 2021 Syndicated Puzzles

1 7

Easy

5 1 8 1 5

2 9 8 8 9

5

localised discomfort or pain.

There’s pain on resisted quadriceps contraction or full quadriceps stretching.

The patient is usually left with a painless growth of bone at the tibial tuberosity once healed that lasts for life.

In mild cases, there’s local tenderness, or soreness after activity which quickly disappears.

There are some key aspects in the identification and diagnosis along with treatment management, but the secret is to have it diagnosed and treated early.

For more information about treatment methods please contact us at: Gordon Ellis / Info-Physio The Old Rectory, Willington, Durham, DL15 0DE Mobile: (+44) 07985 610434 Email: physio-gellis@ hotmail.com Website: www.info-physio. com

5 7

4 3 8

5 3 2 2 1 1 5 4

2 9 9 3

6 3 5 9 6

© 2021 Syndicated Puzzles

Page 12

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.

Letters

Hamsterley resident speaks out against speeding

I read with interest your article in Edition 8 of the Weardale Community News concerning speeding traffic in Hamsterley. As a resident of this village I would like to make some further points.

I along with fellow residents are concerned at the lack of action from Durham Police and the County Council.

With regard to the Speed Awareness Project which was due to start in February 2020, some 40 to 45 residents turned up at the initial meeting to see PCSO Osbourne. This goes to show the strength of feeling and anger in the village about the speeding.

However, since that first meeting nothing at all has been achieved with the Police making one excuse after another. First it was COVID and to be honest we could have all of those 45 residents on the village green and they would all be at the requisite distance apart! Then we were told they were ordering equipment. It begs the question ”what could they possibly need to order that they didn’t already have “?

Other villages have schemes up and running but apparently we are not important enough for the Police to act. We have had Police camera vans and cars parked up none of which stopped longer than 15 minutes. They also make sure they park up where they can be seen 100’s of yards away giving speeding drivers time to slow down. They have been told the times to come on the weekend to catch the offenders but no, they come when they know it will be quiet. If they are serious about stopping speeding drivers, send out an unmarked car, they can do it when it suits them!

We finally managed to get the County Council to install some vehicle volume and speed counters but as yet no information is forthcoming. It will be interesting to see what the Council come up with because Saturday and Sunday in this village is horrendous due to the volume of traffic.

We have a County Councillor living in the village who only came on board after all the initial work had been done by villagers and she realised the strength of feeling.

Then of course, elections next year!

Makes you wonder what we pay them for!

As any measures have to come out of her budget we won’t be holding our breath for anything substantial, probably manage 2 scarecrows dressed in hi viz! In my opinion the only answer is speed averaging cameras at the four entrances to the village. However, this will never happen because of Durham Police’s negative stance on speed cameras, so someone is going to be seriously injured or God forbid killed before the Council and Police act.

Unfortunately for Hamsterley Village I think the forest is a sacred cow for the County Council who do not want anything to upset the apple cart, so we will be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.

Our rate paying villagers therefore when remonstrating with speeding drivers will be constantly faced with torrents of foul abuse. This is not acceptable. These people are coming here from all over the North East and beyond with one aim in mind, to make our lives hell.

Name and address supplied

Have you been affected by speeding in Hamsterley? Do you agree with the points raised above? Send your comments to us at: newsdesk@wcng.org

Names and addresses should be included with all letters. Whilst we can withhold names and addresses, we are unable to publish letters that have been sent anonymously. We may edit letters where necessary.

Letters reflect the opinions of contributors and are not those of the WCNG CIC or its staff.

Send your contributions to newsdesk@wcng.org

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Page 13

National award for council’s Students brush up painting and decorating skills at Raby Castle climate initiative

A COUNCIL’S plans to tackle climate change have earnt it a top national award.

Durham County Council’s Low Carbon Team was named as having the Best Climate Action Initiative at this year’s Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards, which recognise the very best in local government frontline services across the UK. In 2019 Durham County Council declared a climate emergency and pledged to reduce carbon emissions from its operations by 80 per cent from 2008/09 levels by 2030, and aiming to make the whole of County Durham Carbon Neutral by 2050.

So far, County Durham's emissions have been reduced by approximately 53 per cent (from a 1990 baseline), through a range of actions which saw collaboration across all of the council’s individual services and directorates, as well as work with external partners such as the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team; the Auckland Castle Trust; Durham University; the NHS, The Coal Authority,

OASES and Durham Food.

Carbon reduction projects such as the council’s Street Lighting Energy Reduction Project, which replaced existing lighting with efficient LEDs, as well as the installation of solar panels and work to maximise the generation and storage of renewable electricity on council land and buildings, have reduced the local authority’s own emissions.

The council’s awardwinning Climate Emergency Response Plan also sets out more than 100 actions that are reducing emissions from the county’s households, buildings, businesses, organisations and travel activity. They include improving the natural environment with woodland and wildflower planting; reducing waste and increasing re-use, recycling and composting; using natural, renewable energy resources; and promoting and improving infrastructure for walking, cycling and the use of public transport.

APSE is a not for profit unincorporated association

Public Notices THE LICENSING ACT 2003 Notice is hereby given that We, Integrated Event Management, have applied to the Durham County Council in respect of the premises known as Field near to Stanhope, Co Durham OS Map Reference NZ 00443 38150 for a New Premises Licence to permit the following proposed licensable activities: Provision of Live Music (Indoors and Outdoors) and Performance of Dance (Indoors only) Friday 16:00 – 23:30, Saturday 11:00 – 00:00, Sunday 11:00 – 23:30 Provision of Recorded Music (Indoors and Outdoors) Friday 16:00 – 00:30, Saturday 11:00 – 01:00, Sunday 11:00 – 00:30 Provision of Late Night Refreshment (Outdoors) Friday 23:00 – 01:00, Saturday 23:00 – 01:30, Sunday 23:00 – 01:00 Sale by retail of alcohol (On the Premises) Friday 16:00 – 00:30, Saturday 11:00 – 01:00, Sunday 11:00 – 00:30 Limited to 2 full weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday per weekend) between the months of May and September, inclusive of those 2 months.

Due to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 if you wish to view the full application please email the Licensing Authority at licensing@durham.gov.uk A Responsible Authority or Other Party under the Licensing Act 2003 can make representations/objections to these applications.

Representations must be made via email to licensing@ durham.gov.uk and received by 2nd February 2021.

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is unlimited.

working with over 300 councils throughout the UK, promoting excellence in public services. The awards were announced at an online event, following a rigorous round of judging, on 16 December.

The council’s Building and Facilities Maintenance Team was also shortlisted for the Best Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship Initiative award for its work to increase income generation and improve collaborative working.

Speaking about the awards APSE Chief Executive Paul O’Brien said: "These finalists are amongst the best in local government. Showing ingenuity and dedication to local government frontline services they are all deserving of their place. The APSE Service Awards are uniquely placed to recognise the enormous effort and dedication of these vital frontline services and the value of the unsung public sector heroes who deliver these services, day in and day out to local communities.

Congratulations to all the finalists for 2020."

Cllr John Clare, the council’s climate change champion, said: “It’s brilliant that our hard work to tackle climate change has been recognised with this award. The competition was very strong - to have been measured and compared with other authorities across the country and been judged as having the top plan is a fantastic achievement. I’d like to say well done to all the teams involved.

“It has been an incredibly tough year for everyone, but this award gives hope and reinforces that we are making the right decisions and taking the right steps in tackling the climate emergency. However, this is by no means the end of the story; it is just the beginning.”

“As we plan for recovery from the Covid pandemic we have a profound opportunity to steer the county towards a more sustainable and inclusive path, which would tackle climate change, protect the environment, reverse biodiversity loss and ensure the long-term health, security and economic wellbeing of our residents.”

For further information about the council’s efforts to tackle climate change visit www.durham.gov. uk/climatechange.

More information about the APSE awards is available at www. apse.org.uk

PAINTING and decorating students from Bishop Auckland College are testing out their newly acquired skills refurbishing a manor house on the historic Raby Castle estate.

The seven-week project at Raff Yard House is part of a multi-million-pound investment at the historic visitor destination which has just received planning permission from Durham County Council.

Existing buildings at the medieval castle are being repurposed for mixed tourism, leisure and educational uses, along with the formation of a new car park, creation of play facilities and the erection of a new visitor arrival building and vinery cafe.

Twelve Level 2 learners from the college are working with Trades4Care on the Raff Yard House refurbishment.

Formerly the home of the estate manager, the house has been empty since 2003, and is to be used initially as offices for staff during the estate developments before being incorporated into the wider scheme.

Trades4Care is an innovative Community Interest Company which gives young people valuable work experience, as part of a wider holistic life skills and employability programme, by pairing them with qualified tradespersons to work on maintenance projects at healthcare, education and community venues.

The latest collaboration with the college follows previous projects at West Lodge Care Home in Crook, Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland and Stainton Village Hall in Barnard Castle.

The programme is being managed by cofounders and directors of Trades4Care Andrew Coxon, Charlie Wright and Deborah Jenkins, supported by trade colleague and trusted partner Nigel Stevens.

Charlie said: “The CEO of Raby Estates Duncan Peake and Building Manager Philip Dent are keen to work with us, offering local young people great projects within the estate and keeping them focused and enthusiastic about their construction training courses. We hope this is the first of many projects there.

“We’d also like to thank Wear Valley Decorating Centre for their kind gifts for our year one students on the

Front - David Ross, Connor Woodward and Brandon Thompson.

Back (l-r) Nigel Stevens and Charlie Wright

Trades4Care programme for the first time.”

Michelle Andelin, Learning Area Manager for Construction and Motor Vehicle at Bishop Auckland College, added: ‘‘This is a fantastic opportunity for our painting and decorating students to gain first -hand experience in a stunning working environment and we are very grateful to both Raby Estates and Trades4Care.”

Elsewhere on the estate, the riding school, Dutch barn, stables and coach house, and walled garden are also earmarked for refurbishment. The riding school will accommodate events and exhibitions, whilst the Dutch barn will be showcased to visitors for the very first time.

The former Vinery building will be re-built to house a self-service

café within a glasshouse, with the retained sheds behind used to contain kitchens, storage and toilets.

The Vinery garden will benefit from an extensive landscaping scheme, revealing spectacular views across to Raby Castle.

The castle, built in the 14th century by the Nevill dynasty, is today the seat of Lord and Lady Barnard and the Vane family and is home to an impressive range of art, textiles and furniture dating from the 17th to 20th centuries. The landscaped parkland of the mid-18th century is registered as a park and garden of special interest.

Claire Jones, Head of Leisure and Tourism at Raby Estates, said: “We are delighted to be working in collaboration withTrades4Care on this exciting project.

Sales & Marketing Position Bishop Auckland

RPS is a family run business based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. We specialise in providing services to the property industry and private clients around the North East. Our services include: Gas, Electric, Energy Assessing, Maintenance, and Locksmiths.

The role will be focused on attracting new customers/ clients. You should have exceptional communication skills and relevant experience.

2021 will see massive challenges so you should be prepared to adapt and improvise with the business.

In return, we will offer you a basic salary plus commission, phone and travel expenses where required.

You will be office based in Bishop Auckland but some travel to customer premises may be required.

To apply, please email your C.V with covering letter to: jack@rps-limited.co.uk.

No agencies.

Closing date 14/1/2021

Page 14

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Local Services BREWARD

Your local family run roofing experts

Est. 1945

roofing contractors

• NEW ROOFS • FLAT ROOFS, HIGH PERFORMANCE FELT • TILING, SLATING, FIBREGLASS ROOFS • FLAT ROOFS TO TILED ROOFS • RUBBER ROOFS • LEADWORK • REPAIRS • CHIMNEYS • DRY VERGE SYSTEMS • PVC GUTTERING & SOFFITS, FASCIAS, ETC • STORM DAMAGE • VELUX WINDOWS Insurance work welcome • All work guaranteed • Time served tradesmen • FINANCE AVAILABLE For free, friendly estimates, call Justin on:

01388 661308 or 07967 018998 • Justin@brewardroofing.co.uk

RPS Heating and Plumbing • Gas Safe Registered • 24 Hour service covering County Durham • New gas boilers fitted from £795, with payment plans available

Call: 01388 606988 North Pennine Studios

Bespoke Picture Framing Service Here in the heart of Weardale Call John on 07908 573045 Earnwell Cottage, 7 Front Street, Ireshopeburn, DL13 1HA

North Pennine Studios www.northpenninestudios.co.uk

ACA Electrical

All electrical work undertaken, from small domestic repairs to full rewires. A fully certified and insured commercial service also available.

For a free quotation, call:

07548 193520

SOOTY’S

ELECTRIC CHIMNEY SWEEP

• No Mess • No Fuss • Reasonable Rates • Clean and Efficient Phone Stuart:

01388 834084 07752 870248

www.wcng.org

Safety campaign launched as Weardale Railway given the green light to run again WEARDALE Railway Ltd, a new company established by regeneration charity The Auckland Project, has been awarded a Transport and Works Act Order, enabling the running of trains to begin again.

The new licence grants permission for Weardale Railway Ltd to operate the heritage line and is a major step forward in plans to transform the railway and secure its long-term future.

The railway was purchased by The Auckland Project in March, who brought it out of administration with a bold vision for its future growth and development.

Jonathan Ruffer, founder of The Auckland Project, said, “Since purchasing the railway earlier this year, we’ve been unable to operate any stock on the line.

Now that all the licences are in place, we can finally look forward to trains running on the Weardale Railway in 2021, taking visitors from Bishop Auckland up into the Weardale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

Now that the licence to operate the railway has been granted, a programme of essential repair and maintenance work can begin to make the railway fit for purpose.

David Maddan, Chair of Weardale Railway Ltd

Board of Directors, said: “Despite not being able to operate trains, we’ve made significant progress over the last seven months. We are grateful to Durham County Council for contributing to the cost of bridge repairs and to the Weardale Railway Trust volunteers for their continued dedication. Work now starts on the railway infrastructure, training crews and preparing rolling stock to get ready for the return of heritage services around Easter next year.”

The busy schedule of works over the next few months includes muchneeded improvements to enable the line to continue running safely, including repair of bridges and the track bed. The re-training of volunteers will also be a major but crucial undertaking.

In order to complete the essential repairs by Easter 2021, trains and maintenance vehicles will be travelling on the line over winter, unlike in previous years. Not all of these make noise, and they pose a severe danger to anyone trespassing on the tracks.

Robert Wicks, General Manager of Weardale Railway Ltd explained, “We fully appreciate that through the coronavirus pandemic, people treasure outside spaces more and more.

The route of the railway

Heritage train at Frosterley Station, photographer John Askwith, courtesy Weardale Railway Trust

is beautiful, running as it does through the heart of Weardale, and we look forward to people being able to enjoy it from the safety of a train carriage.

However, crossing the tracks or walking on them is illegal, and incredibly dangerous: and doing so puts railway volunteers and staff at risk.”

Weardale Railway Ltd is starting a safety campaign in the local community this week in order to help members of the public understand the dangers and legal implications of trespassing on the tracks.

The organisation will also be repairing fences at access points and improving on-site communication.

Kevin Richardson, Chair

of Weardale Railway Trust said: “One of our main issues is where members of the general public have created illegal paths that either cross the railway or run along the track-bed. Use of these is a criminal offence. We often find that expensive fencing has been cut or pushed over, which not only constitutes criminal damage but could potentially allow children or livestock to wander on to the track.

“The railway is partly staffed by dedicated volunteers from the local community; members of the public can assist us by respecting the hard work that we put into keeping the railway going.”

Sports and clubs Stanhope Town SSC football results

By Dean Tinkler Stanhope 2 Crook Wanderers 0 (Weardale Cup Round 1) 5/12/20 AFTER another month away we returned to football on Saturday. The visitors were Crook Wanderers. In the first half, the home side were just the better side with Ross Clark causing havoc down the right-hand side of midfield. However, his good deliveries into the box could not be finished as we entered half time at 0-0.

Shortly after halftime Aydan Bowers entered the frame and made instant impact when his good cross was headed in powerfully at the back post by Charlie Sanderson.

Stanhope finally secured the win when Bowers drove through on goal and smartly finished.

Team, Hodgson, Shuttleworth, O'Neill, McArdle, R Embling, Storey, Gascoigne-Allen, Wright, Sanderson, Vayro and Clark Subs Bowers, Howell, Donnelly, Routledge and Tinkler Goals Sanderson, Bowers MOM: Clark Stanhope 6 Evenwood 3 (South Durham Bowl Cup Quarter Final) 19/12/20 After a testing pitch inspection, we got our game on in wet boggy conditions.

The visitors had a great start, scoring a free kick in the opening minutes.

It was a very open game after that with both teams searching for the next goal.

Stanhope finally equalised just before half time, when Ian Peadon used good strength to keep on the ball

and score a well-placed goal.

After half time the home side went through the gears when Ryan Embling put Peadon through to finish well again. Captian Danny Wright made it 3-1 not long after when his side footed shot looped into the goal.

Aydan Bowers then raced through and rounded the goal keeper for a tap in. The best goal of the game came when the ball was played into Peadon, who flicked the ball over the defender and span the over way to volley it in for a superb hat trick and calls of ”Dennis Bergkamp” were shouted from the side line!

Stanhope became too relaxed with the score line and a resilient Evenwood clawed 2 back in quick succession.

However, the game was put to bed when James Gristwood’s

initial effort was saved and rebounded to Wright who passed it into the net.

Tempers flared and the away side had 2 sent off in the dying minutes. The good result sees us in the semifinal. Shame we have to stop for Christmas as it’s taken us until now to really get going.

In a strange year for football, the club would like to wish everyone all the Best for the New Year. Thanks for all the support in 2020, it's really appreciated.

Team Hodgson, Donnelly, McArdle, Wilkinson, R Embling, Storey, GascoigneAllen, Wright, Clark, Bowers and Peadon. Subs Gristwood, M Embling, Tinkler and Routledge. Not used Reed.

Goals: Peadon 3, Wright 2, Bowers 1 MOM: Donnlley

www.wcng.org

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Page 15

A mindful walk in nature at Low Barns Nature Reserve

By Rachel Richards SO many of us found a new or deeper connection with nature, landscape and season during the last lockdown. As we enter another lockdown, take a walk with me around Low Barns Nature Reserve.

Watch the seasons change and the wildlife adapt, as we find ourselves doing the same.

Autumn is a time of change. For birds and animals it’s about feeding; getting busy in the short hours of day light, building up reserves for the winter.

For some, it’s about moving to warmer climes. For trees and many plants, it’s about dying back and resting. We are not that dissimilar.

The autumn colours are a beautiful reminder of this.

Greens become yellows, oranges, reds and, finally, browns as leaves fall and trees rest. An explosion of colour followed by a loss of colour. Walking around Low Barns Nature Reserve, eyes can feast on red berries, yellow larch needles and orange beech and, like a gift from nature or the creator, this beauty lifts the spirit.

Slowing down as you walk, stopping, listening, perhaps leaning against a tree, you will hear flocks of long tailed tits traveling together through the trees with blue tits, coal tits and great tits following along; gleaning seeds and insects from branches and leaves.

Redwings flit through the upper branches of tall trees or feed from haws.

Home online activity packs and people from all over the world signed-up to virtual workshops on topics ranging from otters and bees to orchids and dragonflies.

A nature conservation charity, Durham Wildlife Trust owns and manages 37 nature reserves throughout the region covering an area of almost 800 hectares, providing special places for people, for wildlife and for future generations.

The Trust relies on the Clouds gathering over Low Barns Nature Reserve

Male bullfinches flash their crimson chests, and the soft tones of nuthatch calls are never far away.

The bird feeders are a buzz of constant activity and competition. Watch a while and glimpse another world outside of our own.

Wait a while and chance an encounter: perhaps a hungry sparrowhawk flyby; a beautiful chestnutfeathered tree creeper with its white, fluffy belly feathers and long, forked tail always traveling up trees - it can’t go down – or maybe a flock of small, yellow, green and black siskin. No siskin today but the tree creeper was a treat.

Then the river. The river is both constant yet dynamic, like much of life.

The reserve at Low Barns is nestled within a loop of the River Wear. Along the southern side of the site, the path approaches the river and wanders along beside it. At a number of spots the trees part and provide a view; each is unique. Some stretches are deep and quiet, others rush by noisily over rocks. Otters fish in these rivers. I enjoy the fishermen’s tales but, so far, they have evaded me, leaving me only signs of their presence: a print in the soft river sand, spraint on a rock or a discarded crayfish claw. On a good day, a bright

turquoise kingfisher delights us with the short gift of its momentary presence, and often dippers are seen flying beneath the water to pick caddisfly larvae from rocks.

All the while, the constant notes of the rushing river, the autumn colours and perhaps a ray of sunshine somehow soothe and recharge the soul.

On the lake, the water birds are busy, or not. It’s surprising, when you watch, how much time many actually seem to spend doing little or nothing: sleeping, preening or splashing around. Tufted ducks and little grebes continually dive for fish and invertebrate, along with occasional goldeneye.

Numbers of goldeneye will build as more birds arrive from northern climates through the winter. Mallard, teal and a small group of female wigeon dabble for aquatic plants.

One solitary male shoveller dozes on an island.

When feeding, this duck swims along with its large wide bill in the water, waving it from side to side to filter feed. A female shoveller can look very similar to a female mallard at a distance, though slightly larger and with this unusual feeding behaviour.

I plod on round the reserve, kicking leaves and chatting with visitors as I go.

Stopping to stare up at trees: searching for the birds that call out of sight, absorbing the colour and beauty, spotting fungi, lush ferns, lichen-laden branches, breathing in the fresh, cool, autumnal air.

Back at the centre, I buy a take-away coffee from the café (note to self: bring a cup next time) and chat with regulars. Our regulars, most of whom are members, are at the heart of Durham Wildlife Trust. Many pick up litter, fill up bird feeders, fix things and share their wildlife encounters and knowledge with other visitors and so much more.

During the last 8 months, their continued support and adherence to social distancing has been hugely appreciated so a big shout out to them - THANK YOU. If you have never been to Low Barns, please do visit and enjoy. If you are not a Durham Wildlife Trust member, please consider joining us and supporting the work we do to manage over 37 nature reserves in the North East, all of which are open for all.

With more people than ever appreciating the benefits that nature and wildlife can offer, 2020 was a busy year for the team at Durham Wildlife Trust.

Families across the region enjoyed the Trust’s Wild@

support of its members to carry out its vital work protecting wildlife. Joining costs from as little as £2.50 per month and members receive a range of benefits including a magazine three times per year plus regular email updates and access to member-only events.

For more information about The Wildlife Trusts, and how to become a member, please go to: www.durhamwt.com

Revised version of classic Weardale book now available THE Life and Times in Weardale 1840 to 1910 was written for the Weardale Museum by Alf Milburn and was published shortly after the Museum opened in 1985. It proved very popular and it was out of print from 1988.

The author, Alf Milburn, was born in 1914 at Corn Riggs, near Lanehead, an area worked by farmerminers who struggled for survival. Alf entered the teaching profession, later working at Crook and Eastgate. Alf eventually moved into full time work among the County Durham farming community before retiring to Norfolk; he passed away in February 2001.

Alf’s family are very happy that his book will be available once again. His research and experiences of life in the Dale led to his writing of the book which is full of information about all aspects of Weardale life including mining, quarrying and farming as well as many aspects of home and social life.

In 2018 the Weardale Museum was bequeathed a small sum of money from a

local resident and it enabled the book to be reprinted with additional material and also extra images which were unavailable at the time of the first publication.

All the profits from the sale of the book go to support the Weardale Museum.

Books can be ordered by contacting Andy Pidd at a n d rew _ p i d d @ h o t m a i l . com . Or, if you do not have email, by telephoning David Heatherington on 01388 517433. The cost of the book is £11.99 and local orders, within Weardale, can be delivered. If the book needs to be posted, an additional £2 is required for postage & packaging.

Weardale Funeral Services

Established local family business Offering a caring 24 hour service Private Chapel of Rest Traditional Funerals Memorials and Inscriptions Golden Charter Funeral Plans

Covering Weardale and surrounding areas

The leaves beginning to turn on a walk around Low Barns

Autumn colours at Low Barns

Tel, Paul : 01388 528045 Mobile: 0770 341 0765

Page 16

Weardale Community News, January 2021

Michael Henderson took this photograph of the moon over Tow Law

Katie in charity singing challenge SINGER Katie Eliot has been entertaining residents of care homes throughout County Durham Katie is aiming to raise money for charity, The Angel Trust, though undertaking a singing challenge and visiting a care home or venue beginning with every letter of the alphabet.

So far Katie has visited seven local nursing and care homes, keeping residents entertained with a mixture of golden oldies

and favourites including Abba and Queen.

All performances are outside, Covid safety observed, and are free, although Katie says that a cup of tea is never declined The Angel Trust is County Durham based charity that aims to be there to provide support where it is needed.

Katie’s page can be found at: https:// uk.virginmoneygiving. com/ Katie braving the cold to sing

Kits for 300 Christingles distributed with Churches Together and Co-op

North East Trefoil Guild raising funds for Air Ambulances

Members undertaking one of their challenges, ‘The Big Balloon’

AT their Conference in March 2020 North East England Trefoil Guild decided to work together to raise funds for a particular charity – the Air Ambulance.

Three ambulances operate across the Region: Yorkshire; Great North; and Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire.

Amongst the several fund raising ideas was that of a badge challenge linked to the Air Ambulance and Carole Jones, the

ScotMid Co-op staff in Frosterley

The Christingle Services have not taken place this year but Churches Together in Weardale organised for 300 bags with all the materials to make a Christingle.

These were delivered to primary schools from Frosterley to Wearhead including Forest-in-Teesdale.

The Scotmid Co-op

donated oranges to the project and children’s groups from St Thomas’s Church donated the sweets.

Revd Bruce and Revd Claire had a Christingle service on YouTube including instructions and Str8ts Solution

7 6 5 8 9

6 3 1 7 2 8 3 4 4 5

4 5 4 5 2 6 3 9 1 8 6 7 9 7 8

6 5 4 2 3 1

2 1 3 2 8 9 7 4 8 9 5 4 7 5 3 6 3 4 8 6 5 9 7 6

the meaning of all the parts of the christingle.

Thank you to Liz from Horsley Hall who organised a group to pack the bags, and thanks to those who gave up their time to help.

Sudoku Solution

9 8 7 4 5 3

4 6 9 3 8 2 5 7 1

5 8 2 7 1 9 6 4 3

3 1 7 6 5 4 9 2 8

9 5 3 8 6 7 2 1 4

1 7 6 4 2 5 3 8 9

2 4 8 1 9 3 7 6 5

8 9 5 2 4 6 1 3 7

7 2 4 9 3 1 8 5 6

6 3 1 5 7 8 4 9 2

www.wcng.org

Programme Adviser for the Region, designed the challenge to tie in with the current Girlguiding programme for all ages from Rainbows aged 5 to the Trefoil Guild aged 18+.

The challenge comprises 3 Sections: •Flight and Science •Navigation and Communication •First Aid and Safety Plus one fundraising activity for the Air Ambulance

Credit: Mark Barratt

It is hoped with this and other fund raising initiatives to raise a sizeable sum to help maintain this valuable service.

“One air ambulance costs around £12,000 per day to run and maintain, and are mainly funded through charity organisations” The Trefoil Guild is “Guiding for adults” – a source of fun and friendship.

For your nearest Guild go to https://www.trefoilguild. co.uk and click “my trefoil.”