Teesdale Mercury review of 2016 – part 3

September

IT took members of Durham County Council’s ruling cabinet just 15 minutes to agree to the closure of Startforth School.
A last ditch plea by chairwoman of the governors Sandra Moorhouse to defer a decision for an academic year fell on deaf ears.
The decision came after it was revealed that extra staff had been taken on at Green Lane Primary School, in Barnard Castle, to cope with an influx of 37 pupils to its reception class.
It was also in September that the Boundary Commission proposed splitting Barnard Castle right down the middle as part of an overhaul of MPs’ constituencies.
If the plans eventually get the go-ahead, it would see neighbours being represented in parliament by different MPs.
Half the dale would be included in a new West Durham and Teesdale seat, while the other half would remain in a rejigged Bishop Auckland constituency.
Campaigners were out in force highlighting concerns about the possible downgrading of services at Darlington Memorial Hospital and wider health issues affecting rural areas.
Save Our Services (SOS) Darlington was launched in the wake of a review of health services by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and the Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group. Concerns about the future of NHS had come to the fore after a meeting in Barnard Castle earlier in the year during which a number of possible changes were outlined.
In the end, it was something of an anticlimax – Barnard Castle CC were confirmed NYSD champions when rain washed out an entire league programme, not that anyone minded.

October

IT’S the hall that’s got the lot.
That was the proud boast of officials at the Scarth hall, in Staindrop, when the 150-year-old building was reopened after a £500,000 revamp.
Lord Barnard was on hand to cut a special cake to mark the occasion, adding: “The transformation is amazing. I know village halls can struggle in the modern world so it is great to see this remarkable achievement, which I think boosts the village enormously.”
After the Houses of Parliament and a replica First World War tank were sent up in flames, organisers of this year’s Barnard castle bonfire unveiled this year’s structure to be torched – a 30ft Viking longboat.
It very nearly didn’t go up in flames at all. Plans to host this year’s bonfire at the Shaw Bank travellers site fell through and it was only at the 11th hour that the event was moved to Streatlam Farm.
A younger generation was taking on traditional roles in the dale – 23-year-old Katie Barker took over the former Fryer Tucks fish and chip shop in Barnard Castle, while 29-year-old Andrew Hyslop was introduced as Raby Estate’s new head gamekeeper.
Despite her young age, Katie has worked in the business since childhood at her parents’ fish and chip shops and as manager of the Fox Hall Inn, while Andrew had spent almost a decade learning his trade from his predecessor Lindsay Waddell.
Hundreds of people flocked to upper dale artist Steve Messam’s latest installation Waterfall, which projected video footage of Cauldron Snout, High Force, Low Force and Summerhill Force onto four white barns.

November

THE sudden appearance of strange looking brass plaques in the pavement of Barnard Castle town centre caused much scratching of heads.
It turned out they were part of a Durham County Council scheme to signpost people to the castle and The Bowes Museum, claiming they were an easy to follow walking trail.
Kevin Roberts, from Bowes, was not so impressed. “What are they for? For a council that has no money, they seem like a waste.”
Glasses were raised in celebration of the completion of Barnard Castle CC’s new clubhouse extension.
Under construction since March, more than 150 sponsors, supporters and former players went along to the official opening of the new facilities, which the club hopes will prove popular with the whole community.
The inaugural Teesdale Mercury Community Pride awards were staged at The Witham, honouring the brightest and the bravest.
In all, ten awards were presented, highlighting the good work of individuals and community groups across the dale.
Hosted by editor Trevor Brookes, the awards were presented by the UK’s leading mountaineer Alan Hinkes, assisted by the Mercury’s chairwoman Carolyn Vane.
The future of Staindrop Carnival was secured after a call for new volunteers was answered.
With only seven people left on the committee, fears were voiced that the carnival would come to an end unless others came forward.
In all, 11 people signed up to help out when a public meeting was held to discuss the future of the annual carnival.

December

CHARITY champion Chris Read has a million reasons to smile this Christmas.
A Smile for a Child, the organisation he launched from his front room in 2009 to support disabled and disadvantaged youngsters, has raised £1million.
Mr Read said he was overwhelmed by the charity’s achievements, and paid tribute to the support he has received from his family and the army of volunteers who help out.
Is mediation the best way of solving problems afflicting the Demesnes, in Barnard Castle? That was the question posed after volunteers from Restorative Hub met residents concerned about high levels of anti-social behaviour on the lower Demesnes.
With the festive season just around the corner, passionate real ale fans Ryan Stone and Alison Bearpark opened the dale’s first micro pub.
The Firkin Alley promises no TV screens, pool table, gaming machines or loud music.
Instead there are real ales, ciders, wines, bar snacks and good old fashioned conversation.
Despite the loss of the village school, plans were unveiled for 162 new homes on land next to Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution, in Startforth, in addition to those already being built in the village.
Durham County Council said there would be capacity at other schools in the area to cope with extra pupils if and when the houses are built.