Long-awaited barn ruling is solution 'everyone will hate'

A SOLUTION that “everyone will hate” has been recommended to end a bitter, decade-long dispute in a dale hamlet.
An action group in Windmill has been at odds with the owners of Mill House Farm since planning permission was given for three barns for cattle farming on the 20-acre property.
Although two of the barns have been built, a Local Government Ombudsman found that Teesdale District Council and Durham County Council should not have given consent for the buildings.
Durham County Council’s south and west planning committee is now backing a solution which will put conditions on the use of the two barns and revokes planning permission for the third.
People in Windmill have called for the barns to be removed, the landowners Brian and Janet Sewell compensated, and the property returned to traditional farming.
The owners, who are supported by Evenwood and Barony Parish Council and the National Farmers Union (NFU), say they have done nothing wrong and want to stay put.
Tension in the hamlet is such that police attended the planning committee meeting last Thursday and the two factions were kept apart during the hearing.
Speaking for Evenwood Parish Council, clerk Martin Clark called for the planning permissions to remain intact.
He said: “The personal, financial and emotion strain placed on Mrs Sewell has been intolerable. They did what was asked of them from the outset and decisions were made. They have had to suffer years of uncertainty – again it is not their fault. The parish council supports Mill House Farm.”
Andrew Cutherbertson, of the NFU, added: “Mill House Farm is the biggest victim in this entire ordeal. Mill House Farm currently has to operate under 24-hour police surveillance for their own protection leading from the anti-social behaviour.
“Trying to place retrospective conditions is most certainly not the answer or solution to the now much bigger neighbourhood issues that have been caused by the local authority’s maladministration.”
Neighbours, who complain about smells and noise emanating from the barns, say the only permanent solution is to stop intensive farming on the land.
Robert Potts, speaking for people in the hamlet, said: “All residents living opposite and so close to the site have been affected by and have evidence of its ongoing unacceptable impact. The council has apologised in writing to all residents living opposite this site for the injustice and ongoing suffering caused by environmental health dangers.
“The council needs to rectify its own repeated failures. For ten years, residents have experienced one council planning attempt after another to control the site – they have all failed. Revoking all the planning permissions is the only way to ensure the unacceptable impact is permanently removed. It may not be an easy thing to do, but it is the right thing to do.”
He called for the owners to be compensated and relocated to another farm.
Although environment officers say they have found no evidence of statutory nuisance emanating from the farm, they have warned of the potential for problems if a third barn is built.
This prompted committee members to advise that planning consent for it be revoked and that conditions be placed on the existing barns about the type of animals that can be kept there and when they should be housed. They also want a waste management plan put in place.
Cllr John Clare said: “I find this a truly tragic situation.
“Nobody in this room can be happy with the quality of their lives while they are still at war with this issue. The only way forward is, I think, for this council to drive something down the middle. Experience tells that this will satisfy nobody, everybody will hate it, but the fact of the matter is that down the middle is where we have to drive.”
The solution was recommended by 11 votes against one.
Planning officers will take the committee’s advice into account when they make their final decision on a solution.
The two factions from Windmill were asked to leave the council chamber by separate exits.

Google phone app creates a virtual realtiy Teesdale

AN upper dale husband and wife adventure team are to feature in a major Google production which will be seen by millions of people worldwide.
A day-in-the-life of Rob and Abi Atkinson, of Kingsway Adventure Centre in Middleton-in-Teesdale, is to form part of the international internet company’s Expeditions app.
The app allows people, particularly school children, to take virtual reality day trips to places they otherwise might never have the opportunity to visit.
This is made possible through 360 degree photographs which, when viewed using a smartphone and Google goggles using the Expeditions app, immerses the viewer in the scene.
While the app is used to create virtual tours of Machu Picchu, Angel Falls and other world sites, a set of “a day in the life” programmes is being developed of different types of careers.
Mark Ellis, head of project development for Twig World which is producing the series for Google, said: “Talking to teachers who use it a lot, the children are asking questions that are interesting because they are engaged.
“It is immediately engaging because you can stand at the base camp of Everest and actually look around.”
Scenes at Low Force were used by education resource company Twig World to produce the feature on the Atkinsons, which may inspire future generations of outdoor instructors across the world.
Mrs Atkinson said it was wonderful to be part of the education programme. She added: “It is really exciting. I was a teacher at Green Lane Primary School so I think it is a really great opportunity for children who don’t have the opportunity to get out.
“It will be wonderful if it inspires children to get outdoors.”
Between eight and ten 360 degree images will make up the Teesdale feature on Google Expeditions.
Each one of the images was taken using a specially developed camera system which features a circular array of 16 GoPro cameras operated by filmmaker and interactive producer Austen Atkinson.
Currently there are only six such camera systems in the world.
He said the cameras take photographs simultaneously which are sent to Google in America where an algorithm stitches them together to produce the 360 degree panorama.

Row over use of gypsy stop-over site for Barnard Castle bonfire celebrations

BARNARD Castle’s bonfire night display has had to be moved at the 11th hour – amid claims there has been no time to consult with a traveller forum who use the site for two weeks of the year.
The organisers, Barnard Castle Meet, had planned to use the traveller stop-over point at Shaw Bank for their annual bonfire night celebration on Friday, November 4.
But they had to change the venue last week after problems with their application.
Their plans were submitted to Durham County Council’s safety advisory group (SAG) in July.
However, event organiser Thom Robinson says a series of complications had made it impossible to host the event there. He said it was only after getting in touch with the county council’s assets team in September did problems begin to emerge.
Mr Robinson said the team had not been informed about the application made months ago. He claims that after initially denying ownership of the land, county officers then said the land could not be used because there was no time to consult with the Teesdale Residents and Travellers’ forum, which uses the land for two weeks during the annual gypsy migration to Appleby Fair in May.
Teesdale Action Partnership paid for hard-standing to be put down on the site this year after the area turned into a quagmire during heavy rain in 2015.
Mr Robinson said: “I went to County Hall and they refused to come down and speak to me. I had to talk to them over the phone in the reception. She said unequivocally we can’t use the land because they don’t have time to consult with the travellers’ forum. People in Teesdale were taxed £16,000 to upgrade that site, and now they are saying the people of Teesdale can’t use it.”
However, Durham County Council says the Meet committee can use the site.
The council’s head of assets, Stuart Timmiss, said: “We received an application to hold a firework display on land we own at Barnard Castle.
“We are currently in discussions with the applicants and are happy for the display to go ahead subject to them providing information on a number of issues. As with any other event of this nature, we have to be satisfied that the safety of the public and the condition of the site are not compromised before giving approval.”
Mr Robinson says the conditions include the Meet committee having to commission a geotechnical survey of the land to ensure it can accommodate fairground rides that make up part of the bonfire night celebration.
They also have to have proof of insurance, which Mr Robinson said the committee was not prepared to pay for without concrete confirmation that they will be allowed to use the site.
He added: “They have basically made it completely untenable for us to use the site. The whole thing is a load of baloney and they have worked their socks off to keep us off the site.”
The event has now been moved to Streatlam Farm, which has more provision for parking.
Transport will also be put on from Barnard Castle to take people to the celebration.
But not everyone is happy.
One parent who has supported the fireworks since it was started four years ago said: “My four-year-old and nine-year-old daughters will be absolutely devastated because we will struggle to go up to Streatlam Farm because of the timescale of going there and back.
“They have been looking forward to this since the fireworks last year.
“It is sad the county council has put a barrier in the way to prevent this space being used for the people of Barnard Castle.”

Monthly Barnard Castle Farmers' Market set to go with a bang (er)... and mash

BARNARD Castle farmers market on Saturday, November 5, will have a bangers and mash theme to celebrate Bonfire Night.
Market manager Katrina Palmer said following on from a successful apple theme last month, she felt it would be a good idea to give each onthly market a new theme.
She said: “It’s a great way to emphasise the great produce we have here at the market and remind the public of just what they can buy. There is a great range of sausages that can be bought at the market – all with great quality and high percentages of meat to give them a great taste and importantly made from meat that you can know where it has come from.”
Smallholders such as Barton Farm Products have pork, pork and apple, lamb and mint and beef sausages while Westholme Farm has a range of venison and beef sausages from Deer n Dexter as well as a wide range from Mainsgill Farm such as Cumberland, pork and sweet chilli and pork and leek.
Ms Palmer added: “Customers really are spoiled for choice. Of course the mash part of the equation can be bought from our regular organic vegetable producer – Bluebell Organics. We even have a bangers and mash pie from our new stallholders – Gluten Free Food Products!”
“As winter is coming on – it’s time to think of winter warmers too and for other things to warm people as they set off to see the fireworks display – so how about a warming hot ginger wine from Gingerbread Mam or a warm Christmas spice apple juice from Bluebell Organics? Or how about chilli cheese from the Northumberland Cheese Company to go with chilli pepper bread from Sue’s Bread? For those with a sweet tooth there is also the return of toffee apples from Loopy Lisa’s Fudge along with her Hot Toddy fudge
“I love it when I ask the stallholders about a theme for a market – it reminds me of all the great things they produce.” Ms Palmer will be hosting her own stall with some tasters of some of the products on sale as well as a raffle to win a hamper of goodies from the market
She said: “The raffle on apple day was a great success and it helps raise funds that support the running of the market which is run by a not-for-profit company”
Her stall will also be selling the popular reusable market bags which make for an excellent Christmas gift.
A free toffee apple will be given to the first 30 children at the market.
The market welcomes two new stallholders this month – Renaissance Cakes with their range of delicious patisserie and the Gluten Free Food Products company with a great range of gluten free pies and scones.
Ms Plamer said: “There is an increasing need for gluten free products and many of our stallholders have gluten free ranges within their products – I am particularly interested as I have to have a gluten free diet myself.”
Barnard Castle Farmers’ Market runs from 11am to 3pm on the first Saturday of each month.

New chapter beckons for Blagraves, Barnard Castle's most historic house

Restaurant owners Ken and Elizabeth Marley are selling up after 28 years at the oldest property in Barnard Castle. Ken told Alex Metcalfe about its living, breathing history

OLIVER Cromwell, Richard III and Mount Everest have little in common. All claimed lives at one point or another, but the unlikely trio also have a link to a four-storey restaurant on The Bank, in Barnard Castle.
When Ken and Elizabeth Marley moved into grade I listed Blagraves back in 1988 they became the key holders of the oldest house in Barnard Castle.
After 28 years filled with digging, discoveries and dinners, the pair are selling up.
But Mr Marley says they won’t be handing on the 15th century structure to just anyone.
“If the right person doesn’t come along for a year or two we are in no hurry to leave it – it must go to the right person who will look after it,” he says.
“We will not rush.”
Full of chatter and replete in chef’s garb, Mr Marley leads me down the winding staircases of Blagraves.
Like many others before me, I bang my head on the doorway lintels – people were shorter in centuries gone by.
“It’s been many things over the years – a private house, a museum, a pub, a rope makers, but what it’s always been is a living breathing house,” he says.
“The first week we were here we were told about the history of the place and I am still finding things out about it today.”
Regular visits from English Heritage mean the pair juggle running a business with keeping Blagraves standing for future generations.
From repairing chimney stacks to renewing plumbing, the 60-year-old tells me their guardianship has been a labour of love.
He says: “A lot of people say it must cost a fortune to maintain an old property but the walls, foundations and roof are sound – they’ve been here 600 years.
“We’ve always had a good relationship with English Heritage.
“We’ve used wattle and daub and horse hair plaster.
“Nobody can see it but you have to – you have take it to the enth degree.”
As well as plumbing, electricity and chimneys, Mr Marley has customers to look after.
On days when it all gets too much, he says the house is the perfect place to reflect.
“We have loved our time here – like any business person, especially a small business, there are times it gets on top of you,” he says.
“Once everything is done on a poor night I will sit in front of the fire for a while, get a glass of wine and after 15 or 20 minutes I realise things aren't too bad.”
Mr Marley used to give guided tours of the house but he found the high demand for his hour long narrations difficult to manage.
After reluctantly bringing them to an end, he still occasionally offers guests “the works”.
It doesn’t require any arm twisting to get him to lead me into the bowels of the Blagraves.
“We have not stopped its historic character – we’ve opened it up for people to see,” he explains.
“It’s not sterile and not some little toy museum – it’s a living, breathing working business.
“That’s what we have strived for over the years.”
Dating back to the 1480s, Blagraves was thought to have been owned by an agent of Richard III, Miles Forest.
Questions have swirled about the role of Miles Forest, the Princes in the Tower and the link to Blagraves.
But Mr Marley pours cold water on any outlandish theories.
“I question his role having spoken to the Richard III Society,” he says.
“In 1648, Blagraves provided Oliver Cromwell with a dwelling when his army was camped on the Demesnes.
“It’s surrounded by history – that’s the thing I love about the property.”
Further down, Mr Marley tells me of another, more modern, mystery intertwining with Blagraves.
In 1999, the body of mountaineer George Mallory was found on Mount Everest – 75 years after his disappearance.
Fierce arguments are still fought today over whether the British team of Mallory and Irvine reached the summit 30 years before Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary.
But what is less disputable is where the rope they used came from.
“The ropes were made downstairs and we think they used them,” says Mr Marley.
“A lot of local people have a lot of genuine love for the place and regard it as one of the jewels in the crown of Barnard Castle.”
Ancient tunnels to the castle and narrow pathways to neighbouring houses have been uncovered by countless excavations in Blagraves.
More than two decades of his own digging has seen Mr Marley carve out four gaping basements – the perfect conditions for modern day punters.
“We’ve had real ale installed as there used to be a brewery,” he says.
“At the end of the working day you would change the spials to let the air through so the beer doesn't ferment.
“It is the same as what somebody would have done 400 years ago.
“We've been doing exactly the same thing because it is a breathing property not a stuffy nine-to-five museum,” he adds.
It’s hard to put a value on Blagraves but its market price sits at about £500,000.
Mr Marley says selling wasn’t a decision made lightly. He adds: “We want to get it right because it’s so noticeable and iconic.
“We’ve just got such love for the place and we’ve maintained it as best we can.
“We feel honoured and privileged – that’s the bottom line.”

Andrew's mision to track down descendants of Boer War prisoner

HELP is being sought to track down the family of a prisoner from the Boer War.
Builder William Foster found an army dog tag with the name Private A Gretton while he was working at Bildershaw Bank, near West Auckland, in the 1970s.
His son Andrew Foster, who lives in South Shields, came across the tag in an old box and decided to uncover its story.
The 42-year-old print technician said he had spoken to many experts and trawled his father's memory – but has yet to find a definitive answer to who its owner might be.
“I’ve drawn a blank everywhere,” he said.
“I put an article in the paper last year and there was a lot of interest on Facebook in Bishop Auckland.”
Mr Foster worked as a printer until recently but a serious shoulder injury left him with more time to explore the dog tag's story.
Emblazoned with the head of King Edward and with faint markings indicating its owners name, the tag offered a couple of helpful leads.
Emails to the Imperial Museum and the DLI Museum drew dead ends but help from amateur historians has helped him narrow down the search to the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902.
He said: “Above where it reads A Gretton there is the figure 376079 which presumably is his army number.
“I’ve been champing at the bit to find out – it’s been a project while I’m off work to keep my mind going.
“I just want to find the family.”
After unsuccessful attempts to find similar dog tags on eBay, Mr Foster hoped enthusiasts in the Gaunless Valley and Teesdale may be able to help him overcome his information impasse.
“Hopefully there is someone out there in my position,” he added.
If you can help, contact Mr Foster on 07749 681192 or email andrewfoster
393@gmail.com

Guitar made from an old wine box boosts Teesdale musician's charity night

A CHARITY night organised by a dale musician as a thank-you to an air ambulance crew for coming to his aid after a serious motorbike crash has raised £2,200.
Kev Pattison, from Winston, was badly hurt in January 2014 when he was off-roading on a ride from Yarm to Whitby.
He was taken to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance having broken three vertebrae, four ribs and cracked his sternum. Mr Pattison, 54, spent three weeks in hospital and a further four months in a body and neck brace.
Almost three years later he is still feeling the effects of the accident and continues to suffer from back and neck problems.
He turned to music as therapy following the accident, making his own guitars using recycled materials as well as singing and playing as part of the popular duo Box of Frogs.
They performed at a charity night held in Winston Village Hall earlier this month to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Mr Pattison said it had been an excellent evening, well supported by a sell-out crowd of 100.
To help boost funds, he auctioned one of his custom guitars – a six string instrument made from a wine box – which was sold for £140.

Flagship Teesdale community complex is changing with the times

The Hub youth centre opened in Barnard Castle to great fanfare six years ago this month. It’s battled back from a

financial abyss and reinvented itself as a community venue. Editor Trevor Brookes finds out what is has to offer

THINGS have come a full circle for Laura Tallentire. The deputy manager of The Hub remembers the “big green bus” which was run by youth group TCR. The vehicle toured villages to give young people something to do.
“I was about 11 and thought it was cool place to hang out,” she says.
By the time she was 16, Ms Tallentire was a regular at TCR’s building in Birch Road and recalls the legendary youth worker, ‘Joe’ Jones, with fondness.
So when the job came up at The Hub, she jumped at it.
“I feel I’ve come a full circle. The building is very different to the days of Birch Road but it’s a progression,” Ms Tallentire says.
Just how much things have changed at The Hub has meant that many people haven’t yet caught up.
Youth opportunities still remains a core value – The Hub has just taken on a 16-year-old apprentice, Halle Dixon, and plenty of young people still come through the doors to use the state-of-the-art music studio.
But funding for youth work is running dry and The Hub has taken a new role in the community.
There are dance sessions, three kinds of yoga, meditation classes, pilates, kickboxing, tai chi, taekwondo and a fitness class. The Alzeihemer’s Society hosts a regular “games for the brain” session and The Hub’s dance studio has classes through the age range including tots in tutus for ballet classes.
Sue Smith has been a volunteer at The Hub for a number of years and has now joined the board. She says: “The place is really buzzing now. It’s such a big beautiful building and is a blank canvas in terms of what we can offer.”
An example is how The Hub is bringing in new music teachers so it can cover different kinds of music and age groups.
“We still have lots of young people but it’s not just about them any more,” says Ms Tallentire.
Like the drama and dance studio, the music recording suite is up for hire.
Outdoor activities, from high ropes to pizza ovens, are all available for hire outside.
Ms Tallentire adds: “The centre is changing – we are much more open to the whole community now. With cuts and changes at county level to youth work, we have had to diversify. But there’s still a myth about The Hub that we’re a youth centre. We’re a community building open to everybody during working hours – whether that’s to pop into our café for a coffee or to book a room for a function or class.
“We’re bringing it all together under one roof.”
The use of The Hub’s accommodation block has “skyrocketed” with users ranging from African musicians to jugglers.
Several wedding and christening parties have been held there too, along with summer balls.
These are an important source of income.
“We get a small youth work grant from Durham County Council but that may end in December. Most of our income is from the building itself,” explains Ms Tallentire.
The Hub is working towards becoming self-sufficient. The centre is managed by Laura along with Jonny Elliott and Rachel Tweddle. The venue is reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.
Among those who help is Graham Moore, who has been looking after the grounds since January after the apprentice finished his post. More volunteers are sought at The Hub. People considering helping out are reminded that it can be a great way of gaining skills in roles such as admin to customer service. Board members are also needed.
A new website is being created to show The Hub’s commitment to community.
It’s not all about making ends meet, Ms Tallentire points out. The Hub runs a community transport project, which is still not widely known. For £17 a day and a charge per mile after that, community groups can hire a mini bus and if needed The Hub can try to arrange a volunteer driver.
Perhaps one of the greatest assets of The Hub is its space and views to the rear. The Hub is looking at the possibility of one day building camping pods in those grounds, which also feature adventure equipment and pizza ovens – a legacy of when young people helped designed the building with the developers.
Just as the Mercury left the Hub last week, The University of the Third Age (U3A) turned up for its monthly meeting – just one example of the breadth of community groups now making The Hub their home.

Photographers went chasing Teesdale's waterfalls for competition

THE winners of a photo competition, launched to coincide with an acclaimed art installation, have been announced and the standard of entries praised.
People from across the county have visited Steve Messam’s Waterfall art show near Bowlees. Artist Mr Messam, who lives near Low Force, projected footage of the dale’s waterfalls on three whitewashed barns, wrapping them in “mesmerising slow motion pulses of water”. The art show, which finished at the weekend, celebrated the dale’s landscape.
The Teesdale Mercury joined with Mr Messam and the project’s funders, Durham County Council, to launch a competition seeking people’s photos of the dale’s waterfalls.
Mr Messam has now picked the top three entries. The winner, Anne Botterill, of Lartington, was praised for capturing the essence of Low Force with her stunning shot. She will receive a £25 voucher.
Nearly 100 people entered the competition from across the region. Mr Messam said: “The response has been great. There are some cracking pictures and it was good to see more than just the same three waterfalls too.”
Joint second place were Geoff King, of Startforth, who captured the icy falls near The Demesnes, and Mark Brownless, of Barnard Castle, who took an atmospheric night-time picture of Gibson’s Cave, in upper Teesdale.
Other highly commended entries were Chris Morse, for his picture of Bowlees Falls, and Michael Quincy’s picture of Low Force.
Mr Messam also said he was amazed by the reaction to his barn art installation.
He said: “We’ve had people coming from all over the UK as well as a good turn out locally. The atmosphere has been great too. Lots of smiling faces – lots of families and lots of strangers talking to each other. Just seeing the endless stream of torch light across the landscape each night has been fantastic.”

Extra lights will add sparkle to Barnard Castle's festive season

AN extra event and an expanded array of Christmas lights look bound for Barnard Castle.
Members of the town council and volunteers at Barnard Castle Christmas Lights have lined up more displays on Galgate, Newgate and Market Place for the Friday, December 2, switch on.
Power is now linked up to the Galgate Greens, swan light motifs on Newgate have been renovated by the Friends of The Bowes Museum and curtain lights look set to adorn Woodleigh, on Scar Top.
However, an under spend on the events budget left councillors looking for something more substantial in a bid to make festivities feel special.
Cllr Sandra Moorhouse said: “We want something bigger – not just an extra little bit.
“It could be a much more spectacular event. We are really quite low on events after putting our efforts into the 1940s weekend.”
Ideas for a festive fair or an ice rink were quickly tossed aside due to time constraints but tried and tested plans made a return to the table.
Cllr Judi Sutherland added: “There's the craft market at The Bowes Museum. Is there any chance of a Christmas market for decorations and little presents or chestnuts and mulled wine?”
“We had a free event a couple of years ago with cards and baubles,” replied Cllr Moorhouse.
She added that The Bowes Museum would be hosting its annual Christmas market on December 18.
“I think this would be a good chance to get a really good event for everyone again,” added Cllr Moorhouse.
Barnard Castle Brass Band have been booked for the switch-on and deputy town crier Mark Wilkes will stand in for main man Iain Kirkbride, who is away on holiday.
Meanwhile, the separate Barnard Castle Christmas Lights Group has commenced “phase two” of their three year plan for the town.
Cllr Roger Peat said there was a possibility of festoon lighting on The Bank as well as large globes or icicle lights for the trees on Galgate greens.
“There will now be icicle lights starting by the Market Cross coming right up Market Place, up Horsemarket and up Galgate as far as 149 Fish and Chips,” added Cllr Peat.
Phase three of the new Christmas lights project will finish next year before the committee concentrates on maintenance.

Envrionment award for Barnard Castle's Veg Out scheme

A GROUP of guerrilla gardeners from Barnard Castle has scooped a prestigious environmental award for the second year on the trot.
Veg Out in Barney, which was formed to plant fruit, herb and vegetable gardens around the town for people to help themselves, earned Rotary North East’s environment award for The People’s Garden they have created at The Hub, Shaw Bank.
The award was made by Rotary’s outgoing district governor Terry Long. Dr Ann Barmby, of Barnard Castle Rotary, said: “The governor was so pleased with this project he even brought the international president of Rotary down to look at the site.”
The People’s Garden has been designed to be dementia-friendly and serve as a form of therapy for those afflicted with the condition.
Barnard Castle Rotary Club is the only club in the North East that has won the award for two consecutive years. Previous winners have included Rotary clubs from Hexham, Durham, Chester-le-Street and Derwentside.
Dr Barmby said: “I was quite surprised because I didn’t think they would give it to the same project twice. I think he was particularly taken by the dementia side of it. Rotary financed the project initially for some beds around the town, then it grew.”
Teesdale Action Partnership provided cash for the latest additions to the garden.

Visit County Durham hopes to lure tourists to Teesdale – with a little help from adventurer Ben Fogle

Visitors are being encouraged to follow in the footsteps of adventurer Ben Fogle, as a new national marketing campaign is launched to promote County Durham’s great outdoors.
Visit County Durham’s campaign features an episode of the online series Ben Fogle’s Great British Adventure, which showcases the outdoor experiences visitors can have on a break in the area.
As well as showing Mr Fogle taking part in activities including gorge walking at Low Force, mountain biking at Hamsterley Forest and paddle boarding at the Durham Heritage Coast, the film also highlights the county’s scenery and natural attractions. Campaign activity also includes
e-newsletters, social media activity, online advertising and a visit from the well-known blogger and travel writer Paul Steele, known as the Baldy Hiker, along with a dedicated section on the county’s official tourism website www.thisisdurham.com.
Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham, said: “Durham’s great outdoors is one of the county’s key tourism assets, with the stunning scenery of the Durham Dales, North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Durham Heritage Coast providing the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities or rest and relaxation. With national research showing that holidays involving outdoor activities tend to be slightly longer breaks than the average and with spend also higher than the average, this is a market that Visit County Durham seeks to capitalise on.”
The campaign activity follows previous promotions by Visit County Durham which saw County Durham and Durham Heritage Coast showcased on digital billboards at London’s King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley train stations, posters on the London Underground and an eight-page supplement in the Independent. Ms Gorman added: “With UK short breaks on the increase and with visitors seeking more ways to take some tranquil time out from their everyday lives, this campaign aims to showcase exactly what Durham has to offer.”
Cllr Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council, said: “We are thrilled to see the campaign get underway as this will prove a fantastic boost to our rural areas and help stimulate the visitor economy and, in turn, economic impact.”
The Durham episode of Ben Fogle’s Great British Adventure can be viewed at www.thisisdurham.com/outdoors

Village group looking to acquire former MIddleton-in-Teesdale ambulance station

A COMMUNITY group is in a race against time to save a former ambulance station and turn it into a business start-up unit.
Middleton-in-Teesdale Ambulance Depot, in Masterman Place, was declared an asset of community value two years ago and was put up for sale in June this year.
Under the Localism Act, the depot may not be sold to anyone except a community interest group before December 14, but Durham Dales Enterprise Community Interest Company (DDECIC), which successfully appealed for the property to be declared an asset of community value, says it is not getting the information it needs to make a bid.
The group is behind the successful business incubator units at the village’s auction mart which has helped enterprises such as Cafe Fresh and Hotch Potch upholsters get off the ground.
It wants to turn the depot into an extra unit to help other entrepreneurs but officials say they need information such as the asking price so they can start applying for funding.
They have yet to be allowed in to view the property despite their interest being registered four months ago.
Diane Spark, of the community interest company, said: “DDECIC remain very interested in acquiring the ambulance station and look forward to viewing the premises as soon as possible.
“We also hope that particulars relating to the value and purchase conditions, which are essential to any offer we may make, are forthcoming before the window of opportunity which the Localism Act offers us is closed”.
James Pain, of Frew Pain and Partners, which is acting as agent for the property sale, said there had been a “flurry of interest” in the property and he hoped to get all of parties at the site together for a block viewing.
He confirmed two private buyers were also interested in the station, but given the urgency he would arrange an individual viewing for the Durham Dales company.
Mr Pain said he had already sent photographs and floor plans of the property to all parties.
Regarding the asking price he said: “It is on sale for offers in the region of £75,000.”
The former ambulance station consists of a garage and store, an office, WC facilities and a kitchen.

Public invited to gave their say on £80m Glaxo plans

Residents of Barnard Castle are being invited to have their say on the planned designs for Glaxo’s £80million site expansion.
Earlier this year, GlaxoSmithKline’s factory, on Harmire Road, announced plans to expand its aseptic manufacturing capability which would support the production of existing and new biopharmaceutical drugs.
A public exhibition is being held next week to showcase what the state-of-the-art sterile products facility would look like if it is given the go-ahead. It is believed that GSK submitted the planning application for the project on Friday, October 21.
The exhibition will take place at GSK Sports and Social Club on Friday, November 4,  from noon until 7pm. It will also be held on Saturday, November 5, from 9am until 1pm.
GSK staff will be present alongside planning experts to answer any questions members of the public might have.
In a letter to residents, GSK public relations manager Paul Stinson wrote: “Aseptic manufacturing requires a clean and sterile environment so the building will have a hi-tech rather than industrial look and feel.
“We intend to start the phased development work on building in June 2017. Due to high specification and facility validation requirements for a facility of this kind, it will then take between three to four years before the first phase is completed.
“We will do all that we can to ensure that inconvenience and disruption are minimised.”
Work on the new facility will be carried out between 8am and 6pm. An estimated maximum of 32 vehicles are also expected each day during the works for site deliveries and the removal of waste.
The expansion in Teesdale is part of a wider investment by GSK of £275million which will benefit sites in Barnard Castle, Montrose, in Scotland and Ware, in Hertfordshire.
Barnard Castle is one of the drug giant’s biggest secondary manufacturing sites, employing 1,100 people with more employment opportunities on the way if plans for the new facility are approved.
The site also supplies nearly half a million packs of products a day to 140 global markets. It is believed that the planned expansion will help to secure the future of the site for years to come.
Any questions about the project can be emailed to the project team at barnardcastle
consultation@gsk.com or sent in writing to Building Consultation, D block, GSK, Harmire Road, Barnard Castle, DL12 8DT.

Marathon man Allen raises £5,000 for Great North Air Ambulance

A 78-YEAR-OLD former churchwarden has raised more than £5,000 for charity by completing his tenth consecutive half marathon.
Copley’s Allen Armstrong gathered £5,180 in sponsorship and donations for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) after completing the 13.1-mile Great North Run in September.
Mr Armstrong had run the world’s largest half marathon to keep fit in the past but an accident close to home changed all that.
When his son, David, badly broke his leg in three places in a work accident he had to be airlifted to James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough.
“I'd like to thank everyone who kindly donated,” said Mr Armstrong.
“It has been amazing.”
Mandy Drake, head of fund raising at the GNAAS, said the former farmer’s running exploits would keep their helicopters flying.
“We are hugely grateful to Allen for all his efforts – we are reliant on this kind of support to survive,” she said.
“It’s a phenomenal sum to be raised by one individual – it’s not often you see people raising that much money on their own.
“We’d like to thank everyone who got behind Allen as we know it was a real community effort and to say thank you on behalf of all the patients as well.”

Piano star Gavin Povey's return to Mickleton promises to hit all the right notes

STAR piano player and singer Gavin Povey, who has supported legendary music-makers of all styles, is now blazing his own trail and will embrace the new-look Mickleton Live as part of his tour of the UK and Europe.
He has played previously in Mickleton in Albert Lee’s sell-out visits and now returns to headline at the village hall on Saturday, October 29.
He said: “We’re looking forward to playing Mickleton again.”
His piano playing and singing covers an eclectic mix including New Orleans style rhythm and blues plus boogie-woogie, swing, stride, funk, rock & roll, mixed in with hints of jazz, country and blues.
He is performing with The Fabulous OKE-SHE-MOKE-SHE-POPS band featuring Brendan Doyle (sax), Shane Atlas (drums) and Simon Farrell (double bass) with songs from all eras of New Orleans style music, including their own material.
Gavin started learning piano aged five and discovered swing music in his dad’s 78rpm record collection, especially Boogie Woogie Man, by Pete Johnson, and Albert Ammons, which he said “knocked him for six”.
He turned professional when he was 16 and what followed was a lifetime of performing, TV, touring and recording.
He has collaborated with the likes of Kirsty MacColl, Dave Edmunds, Shakin’ Stevens, Graham Parker, Kim Wilson, Joe Cocker, Duane Eddy, Cyndi Lauper, Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes, Van Morrison, Meatloaf and Alison Moyet. Supporting him is the talented and amusing duo Loose Like A Goose. Bob Surgeoner (guitar) and Bruce Rollo (double bass) are a formidable duo with a vast repertoire spanning more than a century of songs and tunes.
Organiser Sue Brown said: “These acts are further examples of the great and varied entertainment that we bring to Mickleton Live. We have a real foot-tapping and jigging night ahead – and a hall full of happy smiling people.”
Doors open at 8pm. There is a full bar plus pie and peas at £2. Tickets (£17 or £15 in advance) are available online at mickletonlive.uk or from Sue at the Old School House, Mickleton, Barnard Castle, DL12 0LQ, 01833 641215, or email at mickletonrnb @hotmail.com.

Clash of culture and comedy sure to raise a laugh in Barnard Castle this weekend

CULTURE and comedy clash head on later this month when Tim FitzHigham brings his show Will Kempe – Shakespeare’s Stand-up to The Witham, in Barnard Castle.
Multi-award-winning comedian FitzHigham will perform his hilarious tribute to 17th century stand-up Kempe – the comedy mastermind behind of some of Shakespeare’s greatest comic characters – at on Saturday, October 29.
The show commemorates the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare by retelling the tale of the famous fall-out between the greatest comedian in the world and the greatest playwright in history.
After creating such legendary comedy parts as Falstaff, Bottom and Dogberry, Kempe came to blows with his frequent collaborator in 1599 over his ideas for a comedy part in Hamlet.
To show Shakespeare the true nature of comedy, Kempe walked out of Shakespeare’s office at The Globe theatre and Morris danced from London to Norwich in nine days.
The incident has gone down in history, and now, 400 years later, you can relive the wild dancing, near-death, arrest and injury with Tim’s one-man show.
Tim FitzHigham is a Perrier nominated, award winning comedian, explorer, presenter and author.
Among numerous TV credits as a comedian, he has presented several documentaries for BBC1, and Super Human Challenge for CBBC. He has also written and performed in two series of The Gambler for Radio 4, based on his hugely-successful 2011 Edinburgh Fringe show.
The show is part of Teesdale’s Funny Way to Be Comedy Club’s autumn programme
Promoter Peter Dixon said: “I’ve seen Tim FitzHigham perform a number of his specially-themed shows and they really are great fun.
“We always try to bring a bit of variety to our stand-up comedy seasons and this show certainly adds a bit of history and literature to our comedy stew.
“The results are bound to be hilarious for both Shakespeare and non-Shakespeare fans alike.”
The show starts at 8pm. Tickets are £12 in advance or £14 on the door (subject to availability).
The show is suitable for ages 10-plus.

Racing ahead with plans for Hamsterley Forest bike park

A DOUBLE world champion has taken the reins at his childhood mountain bike course.
World number one Danny Hart is the new owner of Hamsterley Forest’s downhill mountain bike trails.
The 25-year-old three time world cup winner will run the Descend Bike Park with help from mum Sue and dad Paul after taking over from former manager Craig Hunter.
One of the few downhill facilities in the North of England, the family team wants to improve the Hamsterley trail for the next generation of the sport.
“The place had reached a stage where it had plateaued and we wanted to take it to the next level,” he said.
“With my experience riding around the world, I think we can make it even better.”
Originally from Redcar, Danny first came to the centre, on Windy Bank Road, aged ten and has spent most of his weekends there ever since. A meteoric rise has seen him compete across continents and climb to the top of his sport.
A busy summer schedule means Danny’s father will run the site while he is away competing.
The family team have purchased two uplift minibuses to help ferry bikers back up the slopes and Mr Hart revealed further plans to expand the site.
“We want to put a kids’ track in as we want to bring in some younger riders and we’ve had lots of interest off Danny’s sponsors.
“We want to take it to the next level but it’s not going to happen overnight – working with the Forestry Commission is a slow process.”
Mr Hart added that the centre could also offer a boost for nearby businesses.
“It could lead to people wanting bed and breakfasts and people wanting meals. “Business has definitely picked up since Danny has been here,” he said.
Coaching sessions with the world number one are also in the pipeline and Danny hopes to have a more hands-on role at the centre in months and years to come.
“Long term when I decide to hang up the racing bike, this will be even more of a project,” he said.
The Descend centre’s official relaunch will take place in the coming weeks – go to Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park on Facebook for details.

This week's TM - out now

This week’s TM is now out and here are some of the stories making the paper:

Barnard Castle’s bonfire night has been moved at the 11th hour amid claims there has been no time to consult with a traveller group who use the site for two weeks of the year.

Public exhibition of Glaxo’s plans for £80million factory.

Google phone app creates a virtual Teesdale.

Long-awaited barn ruling is a solution ‘everyone will hate’.

Court hearing for man accused of carrying out robbery at the Co-op in Middleton-in-Teesdale.

Barn blaze near Butterknowle.

Dale sites named on English Heritage’s at-risk list.

Experts see town high street as future flooding risk area.

Developer’s criticism for Staindrop residents over objections.

Barnard Castle to employ its own dog warden.

We’re announcing the winners of our waterfall photo contest.

Art gallery to be revamped as a major town attraction.

Village looks to buy Middleton’s ambulance station after the ambulance service puts it on the market.

Middleton landmark being ruined by street clutter, parish council hears.

Sheep farmers get a Brexit bonus.

Mission to track down family of POW.

New chapter beckons for Blagraves, in Barnard Castle.

Great wins for Barney rugby team and dale footie teams.

Dad amazed by funds raised for his sick boy.

Plus letters, community news, farming, what’s on, sport and much more.

Cleatlam residents question sale of their 'priceless' village green

Residents have voiced concerns after discovering their “priceless” village green is up for sale.
The Lordship of Cleatlam has been put on the market – just days after the Lordship of the manor of Streatlam was taken by a mystery buyer for £7,000.
The title for the new lord or lady of the manor of Cleatlam is being offered by Manorial Auctioneers of London for £8,250.
This includes “three acres of common land known as the village green”.
However, residents in Cleatlam believe strongly that the land can’t be sold.
Janet MacLean has lived in the village for 43 years and was the parish clerk for 20 years. She said: “How can the registered village green be sold when powers were given to the parish meeting on September 22, 1926, for the purpose of the holding, management and regulation of the village green?
“Residents continue to maintain and protect the village green up to the present time. It costs a lot of money to cut the green so instead of having a precept we manage the village green. We cut it ourselves and the rest is grazed off. It is a mutual agreement between residents. It is the heart of the village. You can’t put a price on it.”
The Register of Common Land and Village Greens states that the green has been registered in the ownership of Richard John Hanby Holmes since August 1, 1972.
Andrew Hanby Holmes is now selling the title.
Resident Susan Littlefair said: “I am quite shocked. I know people who graze sheep and horses on there. It is a beautiful piece of land. I would hate to think that the village green would be taken away.”
Jane and Jackie Walker have lived in village for 23 years.
Mrs Walker said: “There are not many linear villages like this left with a village green holding it together.
“It is used by everyone really and it is a village effort to maintain it. I can understand the title but the fact that the village green is up for grabs, I think that is a worry. This village is quite special because it is relatively unspoilt. I think it would be a fantastic idea if the people of the village bought it.”
Robert Smith, of Manorial Auctioneers, said: “A new owner could not, I think, fence the green off since that would impede the legitimate rights of commoners and because commoners have access to the green no one is going to stop someone who is not a commoner from taking a short cut across it.
“Nor is anyone likely to build on it because first they would have to buy out all the rights of the commoners and second, turn what was common land into freehold and third, get planning consent. I don’t see the planning authority granting consent in such a beautiful part of Teesdale.
“My experience of the Manorial Lord or a Lady is that he or she is happy for things to carry on as normal and to help as they can which usually means money that the parish may need for improvements. I have sold lots of manorial titles with village greens and there has never been a problem.”
He also said that it was “highly unlikely” that a new owner would want to take on the burden of maintaining it.
But Mrs MacLean added: “It is not registered as common land. I am appealing to someone out there in Teesdale who can advise us whether or not that land can be physically sold. How can they put a price on a piece of land that you can’t buy?”
A Durham County Council spokesperson said: “Local people have the right to use the green for lawful sports and pastimes and any changes in ownership would not affect this.”
The new lord or lady of the Manor will be able to use the title on their passports and credit cards. They will also be eligible for membership of the Manorial Society of Great Britain.

Construction of Barnard Castle's 999 hub 'causing accidents'

PEOPLE in Barnard Castle claim construction of a new 999 emergency centre is causing accidents.
Residents say least three vehicles have been damaged on Wilson Street because of work being done on the building, which will accommodate police, ambulance, fire and fell rescue services under one roof. Wilson Street resident Dick Francis says people’s lives have been made a misery since work began earlier this year. He fears it will be “chaos” when it is finished as emergency vehicles struggle to negotiate the narrow lane.
Mr Francis, who owns a car workshop, says he has had to repair three vehicles that have suffered damage along the street. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service says it is not aware of any collisions but chiefs have vowed to follow up on any that are reported directly to them. Mr Francis said: “People don’t report them and the police don’t want to know. They are only interested if someone is injured or if there is damage to property.
“The size of the equipment they are bringing onto the site is farcical. They can’t get their stuff in so they have to park in the street. There were three trucks in one morning – that is a real joke.”
He said the frequent obstructions were creating problems for residents and buses that use the route.
Mr Francis complained that a large articulated truck obstructed the road earlier this month after causing damage to trees at nearby Dunelm Court. Police were called following a dispute connected to the matter.
Andy Bruce, estates manager for the fire service, said: “We are aware of an occasion when Wilson Street was obstructed for a short time.
“This was caused by a delivery vehicle reversing into the site compound. Once the vehicle had carried out this manoeuvre the road was clear. Unfortunately the vehicle damaged a tree from Dunelm Court. The police attended at the time and no further action was taken.
“We appreciate that, as with all building sites, there will be a level of inconvenience to those living close by – we have been, and will continue, doing all in our power to mitigate this as much as possible.
“Examples of this include a residents’ evening on March 3 when we invited those living nearby to attend to voice any concerns and ask questions about the build. Only three households from Wilson Street attended this event.
“The construction company Robertson has also been sending out letters to residents ahead of any road closures on the street or anticipated disruption to try and minimise any inconvenience to residents.”
Mr Francis, who campaigned against the hub being located at the site before building began, believes
it should have been built elsewhere, possibly at Harmire Enterprise Park.
“I just think it is unfair to have it in a fairly tight confine next to one of the best museums in the world,” he said.
However, the fire service pointed out that the fire station had always been located there.
Mr Bruce said: “Construction of the quad station in Barnard Castle is taking place following a full consultation and planning approval process, which was agreed by Durham County Council in 2015. The Wilson Street site, the site of Barnard Castle fire station for many years, was chosen following careful consideration of a number of options in the area.”
He added that residents will have access to seven additional parking bays at the station. Work at the fire station is slightly behind the planned programme but is expected to be completed on schedule.

Montalbo's citizen scientists look into decline of birds

A GROUP of determined school pupils braved the rain to act as citizen scientists and collect important data about bugs.
The children from Montalbo Primary School gathered the information as part of a national scheme called The Pod.
Eight-year-old Katy Patterson explained: “We are going to dig a hole, flip it over and see what bugs there are.” Her classmate, Becky Minikin, added: “Some birds are getting less and less each year in our country. We want to see why.”
Class teacher Dr Felicity Greenwell said studies had been done into habitats and other reasons why bird populations might be in decline, but never into their food sources such the creepy crawlies that live underground.
Individual groups of children scooped up a 30 square centimetre patch of ground and put it into a container. They examined the soil to find out which types of invertebrates live there, such as worms, centipedes, beetles and spiders. They also measured the size of their finds and took careful notes which will form part of The Pod’s national database.
The information will then be looked at by scientists from the British Ornithology Trust (BTO) to be analysed. 

No pulling the wool over pupils' eyes about life on the farm

CHILDREN from Woodland Primary School got to know more about life on the farm during a visit to Middleton-in-Teesdale Auction Mart.
Organised through Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services), the day included learning more about the farming year and how wool is processed. Julia Stephenson, from Utass, and agricultural consultant Jennie Stafford were on hand to answer any questions the children had. A special treat for the children was a presentation by Matthew Iceton on his diverse collection of unusual poultry.

Planned closure of HSBC branch in Barnard Castle 'will hit older people and harm our town'

THE imminent closure of a high street bank in Barnard Castle has been described as a bad mistake and a knock for rural customers.
While HSBC says it is closing its branch in Market Place because most clients contact the bank by phone or internet, customers complain that the town’s ageing population prefers one-to-one service. The branch is due to close on January 6.
Teesdale’s MP, Helen Goodman, is siding with customers saying she has already spoken to the bank about the situation. She said: “I have told HSBC that I think they are making a bad mistake.
“When they have the money to pay top executives millions of pounds but not the money to provide services for rural customers they are demonstrating that they have the wrong values and priorities.”
It has been widely reported that the bank’s chief executive, Stuart Gulliver, received more than £6million in bonuses and perks this year, on top of his annual salary of £1.25million.
But the bank says the number of people using the service in Barnard Castle has slumped dramatically and it needs to look at where its branches are located to keep its network sustainable.
News of the closure came as a shock to Neville Singleton, of Teesdale Disability Access Forum, which has a shop close to the bank
He said: “A tremendous amount of older people, and younger people, who come in to us use it quite a lot. It took us by surprise because it is quite a busy bank. We can see the people coming past us going in – it is quite continuous.
“They are not treating people like customers. It is absolutely ridiculous. I don’t think they care about rural people.”
An Age UK report indicates that bank branch numbers have halved in Britain over the past 25 years leaving many people without access to basic banking services. It estimates that 4.5million over 65s in the UK are “digitally excluded” because they cannot afford internet access or have few computer skills.
Age UK has called on banks to do more to respond to the needs of these people.
A pensioner from Victoria Road, in Barnard Castle, said he uses the bank on a weekly basis to access the automatic teller machine and to draw statements. The 70-year-old does not use internet banking.
He said: “I think it is disturbing news for customers, staff and the town, but I’m more concerned about businesses and farmers.
“I think the town has picked up in the past few months, the market has been good and there aren’t many closed shops. Having an empty bank doesn’t give a good impression. We don’t want to be like Shildon which doesn’t have a bank at all.”
Lesley Turner, who has been an HSBC customer for the past two decades, said: “Its disgusting. I was shocked. I prefer not to do online banking but I suppose I will have to. I tried it once and a Trojan virus got in and took a load of money.”
A spokesperson for HSBC said: “Over the past five years, we have seen an overall reduction in footfall at our Barnard Castle branch of 30 per cent, and sometimes we have to make the difficult decision to close branches. These are not decisions we take lightly and we work closely with those impacted, including customers, to help them understand their options.”
Customers say using the branch has been difficult in the past because there is no manager or senior clerk on site. Appointments have to be made for staff from Darlington to come out to open new accounts and other significant banking needs.
The bank spokesperson said a partnership has been struck with the Post Office to carry out some banking services and customers can still get face-to-face service at branches in Darlington, Bishop Auckland and Richmond.
The spokesperson added: “That said, 93 per cent of contact with the bank is now completed via the telephone, internet or smartphone, plus 97 per cent of cash withdrawals are made via an ATM.
“As a result, most of our customers are already carrying out their daily banking needs without need of the branch itself.”

Village green access dispute in Whorlton heads to court

BATTLE lines have been drawn in a bitter access dispute between a landowner and a parish council.
A public meeting heard how landowner Jill Carter is attempting to sue Whorlton and Westwick Parish Council for preventing access to the rear of Fernaville’s Rest pub.
Ms Carter won approval to build a three-home development on the site earlier this year.
But damage to the parish owned patch of green in front of the pub and fears of a parking crisis led to a backlash from villagers.
The parish council has blocked the right of way and councillors unanimously decided to fight their case in the civil courts at a meeting last Tuesday (October 11).
“The legal advice was, while not entirely clear, very much in our favour,” said Whorlton Parish Council chairman Cllr George Stastny.
“It’s an incredibly complicated set of affairs and there are ancient acts of parliament being called on.
“There will be more traffic and more damage to the green which already suffers – who is going to pay for upkeep? The theoretical side is that it’s possible we are not actually able to grant rights of access anyway.”
The GA Carter Ltd group, which also owns the pub, has also cried foul over a neighbour of the site losing their rights of access.
Two property sales are also reported to have been lost due to the impasse.
Villager and pub neighbour David Kinch told the parish council he was worried about costly consequences if the legal battle was not won.
“If you are sued and it costs you money it’s not your money – it belongs to the people of the whole parish,” he said.
“If you do get sued, and have to borrow money to continue running, you will have to increase the precept and you’re going to have to increase it a lot to pay it.”
Mr Kinch added the long access the landowners had may hold sway in court.
But parish clerk and trained lawyer Jonathan Dickinson said trespasses on the green while accessing the site had nullified the claim.
“It’s a criminal offence to drive a vehicle across the village green,” said Mr Dickinson.
“No parish council has granted them access historically.”
Former parish chairman John Stanwix said the legal wrangle reminded him of a dispute over the sale of the Newgate supermarket site in Barnard Castle.
Mr Stanwix added: “We sold part of the land but the crux of the matter was we had access for the sale and storage of motor vehicles, while the developer wanted access for delivering goods to the supermarket.
“It was a different use and this is a different use from the pub – they do not have access for new houses.”
Members of the press and public were excluded from legal discussions leading to some scratching of heads.
“I thought we were here representing the public?” asked Cllr Martin Saville.
“I was chairman of the parish council for 20 years and we never had a meeting in secret,” added Mr Stanwix.
But councillors said the decision was taken on legal advice.
Cllr Stastny added: “I am not sure whether any previous council has been sued by anyone.
“We have been elected to act in the best interests of the public – this is not best serviced by showing our cards.”
A court date has yet to be set.

Barnard Castle Memorial tree helps pay tribute to loved ones

A MEMORIAL message tree to commemorate loved ones has received a £500 boost.
The Friends of the Richardson Hospital has given funding for cards of remembrance to be hung on a tree at Galgate Greens, in Barnard Castle.
Christmas lights will adorn the memorial garden tree and the cards will hang from them. Personalised messages can be added to the cards, which are available from shops for an optional donation of £5. A fence will go around the tree when the lights are up and an opening ceremony will take place on November 25. The chairwoman of the Friends, Marie Yarker, said the project was one of several the group had backed this year.
“We approached Cllr Roger Peat and we offered to make it a memorial from the Friends of the Richardson,” she said. “It’s a way of reminding people we are here to support the community.”
Town councillor Roger Peat took on the project alongside the Barnard Castle Christmas Lights Group.
Andalucia, in Galgate, will be one of the shops giving out the memorial cards.
Owner Christine Taylour said: “I am delighted – to have something like this is really going to open up the town.” Cards can be obtained from Galgate News, Andalucia, the Teesdale Mercury Shop and Woodleigh, off Scar Top.

Teesdale entrepreneurs' cafe empire expands into Weardale

DALE entrepreneurs who have brewed up two successful businesses in the upper dale have now opened their third cafe in less than two years.
Chris Johnson and Phil Dawson opened Cafe Fresh, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, in January 2015. Despite only setting out to create a quaint coffee shop in the village with two or three tables, their business idea soon flourished.
They began to welcome more customers to their second cafe, at Bowlees Visitor Centre, in March this year.
The pair have now expanded with a third cafe in Weardale. Mr Johnson and Mr Dawson took over Chatterbox Cafe ,in St John’s Chapel, in August. Following a revamp of the premises, the business reopened last week and operated daily from 9am until 5pm. Mr Johnson said: “Taking over Chatterbox is a chance for us to diversify further. We will be offering a very similar concept to what we do in Middleton and Bowlees only it is here in Weardale. We’ve decided to keep the name because everyone knows it as Chatterbox Cafe.”
As well as brewing up a selection of hot drinks including a unique blend of Teesdale’s own Lonton Coffee, the cafe will also have its own deli so customers can order homemade pies and quiches to take out. The Cafe Fresh team also offer outdoor catering services for special occasions.
Mr Johnson said: “We want to give something back to the community like we do in Middleton.” The cafe is also a base for the Upper Weardale Visitor Information Point for tourists. Mr Johnson said: “I saw so much potential with this business. We have been asking people what they want to see and we have got lots of ideas on board. It is a talkative cafe and we are not changing that.”
The pair currently employ 16 members of staff across their three cafes, including the six new roles in Weardale.
Ann Usher, who has been working in the Middleton premises will manage the new venture. Meanwhile Mr Dawson will be managing the Middleton café and Mr Johnson will oversee the whole of Café Fresh including logistics.
Their business has flourished so much they have made Enterprise House, in Barnard Castle, the home of the Café Fresh headquarters.
Long-term plans include extending into tea-time and evening meals.
Mr Johnson said: “ When we first opened in Middleton we only wanted a small café but you can’t shut the door can you? We are victims of our own success. It has all been a bit of a whirlwind.”

Barnard Castle pupils' poetry that's fit for the Queen

Poetry composed by children in Barnard Castle has been given the royal seal of approval.
Youngsters at Montalbo Primary School wrote to the Queen to wish her a happy 90th birthday in June.
Having learned all about the royal family, pupils from years one and two also wrote a poem for Her Majesty which they recorded outside of The Bowes Museum.
They enclosed a CD of the recording so that the Queen could listen to it.
Despite the large number of letters and messages sent to Balmoral Castle, the children received a reply.
The response explained how the Queen was “very touched” by the children’s kind words.
Key stage one leader Sue Ridley said: “The children did a project to find out about the Royal family and to celebrate her 90th birthday. We explored the links with Barnard Castle and the Queen Mother.
“The children have been really fascinated by the royal family.
“They were very interested and were thrilled to get a letter back,” added Ms Ridley.

Historians, knights and the relics of Teesdale's lost heritage

What do a group of knights, an old barn and a threshing machine have in common? Editor Trevor Brookes catches up with amateur historian John Hay to find out more

FUTURE inhabitants of Barningham with an interest in what went before them will be able to count themselves incredibly lucky.
Thanks to the work of enthusiasts, the village’s history has been charted through the centuries – from ancient field boundaries to dueling aristocrats.
Barningham Local History Group was formed in 2009. Much has been recorded, but one mystery remained – where was the village mill? Historians had suggested there was a mill in Barningham in the 13th century but no one knew where. Retired villager John Hay picked up the case.
“Barningham has several fields with mill in the name so there must have been a mill somewhere, but no one had been able to find out anything about it. We found Mill Hill Farm but it couldn’t have been a mill because it’s above the beck,” said Mr Hay.
The search led Mr Hay to the Keeper of Muniments at Westminster, where an archive of manuscripts is kept. It was a strange place to find 30 or so Latin documents about distant Barningham.
One recorded how Willian, son of Stephen de Berningham, sold the mill rights in exchange for land at “Sageberge” in the 14th century.
The deed recorded that the mill was on Norbeck Hill, to the east of Norbeck Bridge, solving the long-standing village riddle. But to those who had staunchly believed Mill Hill Farm was the right location, it now begged the question – if not a mill, then what?
Neil Turner, famed for his cocktails and repertoire of jokes he regularly serves up at the Milbank Arms, was able to provided some clues.
“Neil told me that it was a byre and that there had been families living there,” Mr Hay said.
Inside was a gin gang. Gin is short for engine and gang for going. The words are from Northumbrian dialect and describe how a horse walked in circles to drive a threshing machine via wooden gears, drive shafts and drive belt.
“It makes sense because older residents have said there were plenty of horses in the area. It’s not plough land so they may have been used to run the gin gang,” said Mr Hay.
Mr Hay went for a look at the old byre. He discovered a wonderful relic of Britain’s agricultural history.
“Gorgeous” stone arches and ornate door hinges stood as a tribute to the village’s farming past with remnants of old machinery dotted around, including a grain-coating barrel, winnowing machine and seed grinders. Plaster could still be seen on the walls.
“It’s rather sad to see it all there – it should probably be in a museum,” says Mr Hay.
Mr Turner recalls working at Mill Hill in his teens when machinery had largely replaced horses. There was still wallpaper on the walls of the old home, which had been painted pink, red and blue. Census records say Mill Farm was uninhabited by 1911. Just a few decades earlier, in 1861, six people lived there – George Flower, 45, from Cockfield, his wife, Ann, originally from Bath, and their four children all under the age of 11, Isobel, George William and Sarah Ann.
Locals say operations at Mill Farm stopped in the 1970s when it was adapted to hold livestock and store hay.
Former journalist Jon Smith has been a major contributor to Barningham Local History Group. Phil Hunt is now the chairman and Mr Hay acts as vice chairman.
“The village has been analysed so thoroughly and we are now beginning to look back more at the social life of the village now,” said Mr Hay. “So I decided to go back even further to the early social life of Barningham.”
His study into Barningham’s gin gang started with the Latin deeds held at Westminster. What Mr Hay found extraordinary was how knights such as Wiilliam de Skargiile, Hugh de Ask and Robertt de Wiclif had witnessed the transaction, in 1321.
Mr Hay said: “The Magna Carta does not say much about Barningham but if there wasn’t much here, how come we’ve got all these deeds which show these knights who are clearly named after local places?”
In today’s money, those names would be Scargill, Aske and Wycliffe. It’s John’s guess that they are of Norman stock.
“They were descended from those who came over with William and smashed King Harold’s army at Hastings.”
Mr Hay has carried out an indepth study into what life was like for those knights who lived in Barningham in the 14th century.
“It ties nicely with the mills study,” he said.
The fact that Mr Hay’s ‘Knights of Barningham’ and ‘Mills of Barningham’ research failed to win top prize in history group’s awards in 2015 or 2016 shows the standard of Barningham Local History Group.
Helen Bainbridge, of Reeth’s Swaledale Museum, judged this year’s contest, which was won by Linda Sherwood.
Ms Bainbridge said: “I only wish that Reeth and Swaledale had a similar competition. Perhaps we should launch one but I suspect it would have difficulty coming up to the standards of the work presented here.”

Youth group's poignant project to remember those who served in Great War

THE part played by dale folk in the First World War will be remembered forever thanks to a recently completed project.
Dubbed Always Remembered, the project was carried out by Music at the Heart of Teesdale (M@HoT).
Through the first half of 2016, leading up to the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, M@HoT’s Mike Bettison and Rupert Philbrick researched the sites of each war memorial in the Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership area, uncovering the stories that lie written in each stone or plaque.
As part of their work, M@HoT’s youth folk band Cream Tees learnt a number of tunes contemporary to the First World War, as well as composing their own pieces of music reflecting their learning and emotions as they uncovered the hidden history of Teesdale’s First World War.
The Teesdale Longsword Dance team also learnt a new dance, under the guidance of tutor Patrick Langdon.
Both were performed at a special Tunes from the Trenches concert with musician John Kirkpatrick at The Witham, Barnard Castle in July.
Project co-ordinator Neil Diment said: “Now, based on Mike’s research and thanks to local artist and musician Rupert Philbrick’s film making and inspirational work with our young musicians, we have a fine filmed record of the First World War memorials in the Heart of Teesdale area centred on Barnard Castle.
“You can click on our website for links to a video record of each of the memorials in the town and surrounding villages.
“They all include original music created by Cream Tees’ young musicians working with Rupert.”
Former Cream Tees musician and Teesdale School student Edward Hart-Davis built the M@HoT website with a bit of help from his dad, Guy, but put together the Always Remembered web pages, complete with an interactive map, by himself.
He said: “It’s given me lots of really good experience. With both my fiddling and through my work on the M@HoT website, I have enjoyed bringing old traditions of Teesdale to the digital age, and sharing the legacy with anyone who might be interested.”
The group’s efforts have also drawn praise from Barnard Castle mayor Cllr John Blissett.
“The town council was delighted to support this project and has been impressed by the contribution of Cream Tees and the dancers of the Longsword dance team to the success of Always Remembered,” said Cllr Blissett.
“We continue to be reminded of the sacrifices of our forebears in the First World War, as successive anniversaries pass. This project has made a fantastic contribution to keeping those memories real and alive, through the involvement of Teesdale’s young people.”
For more information about M@HoT’s Always Remembered project, contact Neil Diment on 01833 638263 or email: neil@ndiment.co.uk.
For more information about the project and to view each of the video records of the First World War memorials, just click on: www.music attheheartofteesdale.com/ always-remembered.