Deepdale Wood environmental project extended to nearby beauty spots

A PROJECT to carry out environmental improvements in a dale beauty spot is to be extended to other areas after Barnard Castle Town Council agreed to back the venture to the tune of £1,000.

Led by the Durham Wildlife Trust, work has been going on in Deepdale Wood, Startforth, for the past couple of years.

It has involved coppicing and thinning out trees, opening up areas to let in more light and improving footpaths in an effort to improve access, allow flowering plants to thrive and attract pollinators and butterflies.

As a result of the council cash, environmental work will now be extended to the lower Demesnes, Flatts Wood and the Tees riverbank.

Again, it will be led by Durham Wildlife Trust which is looking for extra volunteers to help out with the extra work.

Laura Tedstone, Durham Wildlife Trust living landscapes officer, said the intention was to link all the areas to produce a “wildlife corridor”.

“The first thing on the Demesnes is to clear scrub from the grassland,” she said.

“Then we will be working towards improving the path network there.”

Ms Tedstone said a botanical survey would take place in Flatts Wood.

“We need to find out what’s there before we start to manage it,” she explained.

“Then we will be looking at working alongside the Tees bank and improving that habitat.

“We will be putting up nest boxes, reseeding and putting in plug plants.

“Rather than just working in one woodland, which has been very good, we want to link all these sites together.”

Ms Tedstone said the town council money would go towards training volunteers, helping to improve their botanical skills and woodland work, such as coppicing trees.

“There is already a group of volunteers working on Deepdale Wood and we have had excellent feedback on that.

“We are looking to encourage more people to get involved as well,” she said.

“If people don’t want to do the physical work, there is the botanical side of things as well.”

Town councillors decided to back the project after hearing more than £7,500 had been pledged from the likes of the Tesco Bags of Help Scheme, the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and Durham County Council.

The town council grant covered a £1,000 shortfall.

Cllr Roger Peat said: “It seems very good value – for £1,000 we are getting £8,500 of work done.”

He explained that with volunteers learning the skills involved, when it came to ongoing maintenance, there would be no additional expenditure.

“We can do it ourselves,” he said.

Anyone who would like more information about the project or who wishes to volunteer can email Ms Tedstone at ltedstone@durhamwt.co. uk or call 01388 488728.

Grants sets up Turrets Youth Theatre group for a successful 2018

A YOUTH theatre group has resumed activities for the new year with a spring in its step.

The Turrets Youth Theatre, the junior members of the Castle Players, meet each Wednesday at The Witham.

The group has successfully applied to Teesdale Action Partnership for two grants to support activities for young people in the dale.

Turrets director Rupert Philbrick explained: “These funds were given to support the youth theatre in two ways; by providing funds to secure the core costs of the groups activities over the next 12 months, and a dedicated pot of money to deliver six public workshops throughout 2018.”

Mr Philbrick said these free public workshops would be an opportunity to bring theatre, music and dance professionals who work across the north east and nationally to Barnard Castle to deliver a masterclass not just to the group, but to anyone else that wants to take part.

“Not only will this be a chance to learn new skills, but in meeting and working with these practitioners there is the opportunity to learn more about how they have made their journey into working in the arts,” added Mr Philbrick.

“At a point when the arts are ever more absent from curriculum agendas, it’s really important to let young people know that there are still ways to learn and work in the arts.”

The workshop programme is supported by The Witham, a growing partnership that has already provided opportunities for Turrets to work with touring theatre companies, plus £2 tickets for participants that mean monthly theatre trips for the group to see a wealth of diverse and contemporary productions.

If anyone would like to learn more about the upcoming workshops, or register an interest to join Turrets, contact Mr Philbrick via thetur retsofficial@gmail.com

Wednesday sessions take place from 4pm to 5.30pm for junior members of the Turrets; 5.30pm to 7pm for seniors.

'Unacceptable' level of dog mess in Ingleton

CARELESS canine owners are in the crosshairs of councillors in a Teesdale village.

Walkers in and around Ingleton have faced dog mess on shoes and excrement in pushchair wheels in the past couple of months.

Ingleton Parish Council has received more complaints than usual this year and has sought to act with a firm note in the village newsletter.

Last week’s meeting heard how chairman Cllr Steve Leech suffered at the hands of an ignorant dog owner firsthand coming back from a walk with excrement in his shoes.

After the meeting, Cllr Sandra Parrett said: “We’ve had lots of complaints about dog fouling – not just on the playing field and in the village but on the public footpaths as well.

“It’s such a shame – every time I read the paper I see it and think ‘here we are again’.

“Everybody seems to be having the same problem,” she said.

“We don’t know if it’s the same one or two people who just cannot be bothered. It’s awful and it’s such a shame because we’re all animal lovers – I would never dream of doing it.”

The note in the parish newsletter said the problem had become “serious” and now reached “unacceptable” levels.

Fears over a “health hazard” were also highlighted for both children and adults – with fines of up to £1,000 for offenders reiterated to serve as a deterrent.

Cllr Parrett added that the council was looking for villagers to come to them with cases so they could pass information on to the Durham County Council dog warden.

She added: “I know a lady who has the courage to go over with a bag to say ‘pick it up’ when she’s sees someone.

“We have got quite a lot of dog bins in the village in very accessible areas – it’s a filthy habit and inexcusable.

“Once again the minority are spoiling it for the majority,” she said.

Cllr Parrett said the council was not going as far as “naming and shaming” offenders but was seeking to “open up a conversation” on the problem for the time being.

Cllr Judith Pressley said the winter weather hadn’t helped the situation, however, she did not think the problem was any worse than usual.

She added: “It’s always a problem in every village you go to and it’s mentioned in every meeting.

“We have one or two areas causing a problem on a regular basis – it’s just catching them and educating them.”

An update on fouling will be given at the council’s February meeting.

Final call for artists to open up their studios

THE final call is being made for artists and makers across the dale to publicly showcase their work this spring.

Teesdale ArtNet, a recently founded networking group for artists, is preparing to bring an open studios project back to the dale during April and May. 

To take advantage of the upcoming event, artists must register to be part of Teesdale ArtNet by Monday, February 12. The group aims to develop audiences for the work of artists living or working in Teesdale through collaboration.

This year’s open studios event will run from Saturday, April 28 to Monday, May 7. During this time, the artists will invite the public to visit them in their studios.

Meanwhile, The Witham, in Barnard Castle, will host a showcase exhibition giving people a taste of the artists’ work. This will take place from April 26 to May 26.

Group secretary Judi Caplin said: “By joining the group, artists get a presence on the website and social media publicity too. They also get an opportunity to take part in open studios.

“It is the major event of the year which will run concurrently with an exhibition at The Witham. Last time I think everyone found it very productive in terms of inspiration and creativity. It gave them sales too.”

Funding applications have already been submitted by the group’s committee to try to develop the organisation and help deliver a more diverse programme of events. If successful, Teesdale ArtNet will provide a bus tour service during the open studios project. This will provide minibus transport to the studios in dale villages.

Ms Caplin said: “I think it is great for visitors to Teesdale who don’t really know where they are or for people living in Teesdale who don’t have transport.”

It is also hoped that the group will be able to host art workshops for adults, children and families in village halls as well as offering artist members professional development opportunities.

A brochure detailing all events will be available in March.

Membership costs £50 and £20 for concessions. Artists can join the group after February 12 but will not be able to be part of the open studios event. For more information visit www.teesdaleartnet.org.uk.

Cavan's coming home for a special one-off exhibition

THE work of an internationally renowned artist is expected to bring the history of Bowes to life next month when a special exhibition is unveiled.

Committee members at Bowes Social Club are gearing up to host the one-off art exhibition during which visitors will be able to see the work of Teesdale born painter Cavan Corrigan.

About 20 of Mr Corrigan’s acrylic paintings will be on display at the club on Saturday, February 17.

The artwork will revisit the history of the village including Viking times, the Dickens era and battle scenes around the castle.

Mr Corrigan, 75, said: “The idea of an exhibition happened some months ago when one of my old paintings, which I had forgotten about, was adapted to become the new sign outside Bowes Social Club.

“I got in touch with Trevor Guy to say how fitting it looked.

“My work is dramatic whenever possible. It is big and bold they tell me. I am looking forward to being in Bowes again.”

Mr Corrigan, who was born in Barnard Castle but now lives in Staffordshire, studied a degree in fine art at Durham University.

In 1964, he moved to the Midlands where he worked as an art lecturer for 12 years. However, in 1976 he decided to abandon his teaching career and began to paint full time.

Over the years, Mr Corrigan has worked as a portrait artist for theatre and showbiz circles. He has worked alongside actress Ruth Madoc and comedian Les Dawson to name a few.

In 1993, his work finally reached an art gallery in Paris. For the past 25 years he has exhibited his work across the USA and the UK which has included shows at The Witham in Barnard Castle.

During Mr Corrigan’s visit to the dale club, he will be giving a talk about his career. Pieces of his artwork will also be available to buy.

Club committee member Chris Tunstall said: “It is something different that gets people in the club. It is a privilege to have Cavan here seeing as how he let us use one of his paintings for the sign.”

Entry to the exhibition is free. The event will begin at 8pm but the club will be open from 5pm.

Business Durham MD to present awards

THE RECENTLY-appointed managing director of Business Durham is to be the keynote speaker at this year’s Teesdale Business Awards.

Brian Archer will address the ceremony, which will be held at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, on Thursday February 15.

Awards in 12 categories will be handed out at the event, with all business organisations, social enterprises and individuals’ shortlisted as finalists receiving certificates as recognition of the achievements.

Joining Business Durham, which is part of Durham County Council, Leeds-born Mr Archer is the former business development director for a FTSE 250 company.

He has also been chief executive of two Business Links and was recently commercial director of Leeds City College Group.

He has also run his own business, which gives him the insight to understand the needs of start-ups and SMEs.

Peter Dixon, one of the Teesdale Business Awards organisers, said: “We are delighted to welcome Brian Archer to speak at this glittering event. Keeping to our tradition of securing the best North East business people to deliver a short key note speech, Brian will share his wealth of business experience based on his many different board level roles.

“Given his plans for Business Durham to support start-ups and smaller companies, I am sure that his address at the ceremony will be well-received by everyone.”

The awards ceremony starts at 7pm, preceded by the chance to spend an hour networking beforehand.

The auditorium doors will open at 6.30pm.

Business advisor John Atkinson and Teesdale businesswoman and voiceover artist Emma Hignett will host the evening on behalf of Enterprise House, in Barnard Castle. The last few tickets for the awards ceremony are on sale at £12 each from The Witham box office or online by visiting www.teesdalebusi nessawards.co.uk

Chef cooks up tasty sideline as landscape artist

PICTURESQUE Teesdale has inspired a pastry chef to host his first ever art exhibition.

Frederic Robineau is best known for his creativity in the pastry kitchen of Robineau’s Patisserie, in Darlington, which he runs with his wife Jane. However, his skills stretch beyond the artistry displayed in producing his menu.

Mr Robineau, who lives in Whorlton, has a passion for painting landscapes too and uses Teesdale as his backdrop. His oil paintings are currently on show as part of his first exhibition, Colourful Landscapes, which is being held at The Station, in Richmond.

Mr Robineau grew up in the Loire Valley, in France, but moved to London when he got a job as chef de partie at The Café Royal. It was here in 1996, when he first discovered his love of painting.

Mr Robineau, 42, said: “I was working at The Café Royal with a pastry chef who used to paint. He used to do the paintings on the cakes and I slowly started helping.

“I have always enjoyed anything to do with art. One day he came in with a small canvas, a bit of paint and a brush and said have a go. I really enjoyed it.”

Mr Robineau cooked up culinary delights at the Landmark Hotel, where the Royal family dined for a state banquet. He was also awarded the best pastry chef award at Salon Culinaire in 1997, the UK’s largest and most prestigious chef competition.

Having painted outside of work for about three years in the capital, he gave it up until 2011. Having relocated to the north east and opened the Cockerton patisserie in 2002, he went on to open his own art gallery in 2011.

He said: “I would go to the arts centre in Darlington every week to paint. That is where I got the bug back. I did something every week for about two years and it just became more. There is no stress involved whatsoever with painting. There is not the challenge of it having to pay the bills and staff and so on.

“It is the challenge of capturing the place and the look of the place as well as capturing the nature of the day and the seasons. I get lost in it totally. The hours just go by.”

The exhibition will run until Wednesday, February 7. Visitors will also be able to meet the artist on Sunday, February 4, from noon until 5pm.

He said: “In 2011, everything used to be very detailed. Now it is a lot of palette knife strokes. I have pretty much dropped the brush altogether.

“Nature inspires my work and Teesdale is full of it. We go on walks many times and before we lived in Teesdale we would come every weekend for walks.

“The camera is always with me and all year there are different pictures to take. It is different every time. The more you know the place the better you can paint it.”

Mr Robineau is also a member of Teesdale ArtNet, a recently formed networking group for artists in the dale. He will be preparing to showcase his work at the group’s open studios event later this year.

He added: “It is nice to see all of my work on display next to each other. At the same time it is the feeling of putting yourself on show and I am not the best one at things like that. It is nice to share them with everyone. It will be nice to see if people enjoy them as art is very wide ranging.”+

Residents to pay £100 towards Barnard Castle Town Council

BAND D council tax payers in Barnard Castle will now have to pay more than £100 a year to cover the costs of the town council.

Members agreed to increase the 2018/19 precept by 3.15 per cent, adding a further £3.10 to the band D bill, taking it to £101.62.

The town council set a total budget of £225,562 for the coming financial year – an increase of more than £6,000 – of which £182,779 will be raised from council tax payers through the precept.

And while spending on council staff, administration and the cost of running the HQ at Woodleigh, on Scar Top, will increase, there have

been cuts to the floral and open spaces budget (down from £11,700 to £9,500) and events – £7,000 compared to £9,000.

Councillors were told the floral and open spaces budget could be cut as the result of an underspend in the current financial year.

The town council will also give £6,500 to the Barnard Castle Christmas Lights group to help cover the cost of

festive illuminations as part of an agreement drawn up between to the two organisations.

In addition, the council has set aside £1,500 to cover any costs associated with implementing new data protection regulations which are due to come into force later this year.

Councillors agreed to increase allotment rentals by £2 per plot, taking the charge to £47, but will not impose any further rise during 2019/20.

There will be no change in the cost of playing a round on the mini golf complex.

Charges to hire the Dawson Room, in Woodleigh, will also remain the same at £12.50 for a community group and £20 for a commercial user.

With the town council now in charge of the performance area outside Woodleigh, new charges have been introduced for those wishing to use it.

Electricity will be charged at the metered rate, community groups will be offered use of the area for free and commercial enterprise will have to pay a £50 fee.

Deerbolt YOI launches military academy to instil discipline

A “MILITARY Academy” is being launched at Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution.

The venture will incorporate Army personnel from Catterick Garrison, prison officers and Deerbolt’s education provider Novus.

Details of the scheme were outlined to members of Barnard Castle Town Council last week in a letter from the prison. It states the aim of the academy is for inmates to “develop transferable skills around the values of loyalty, courage, selfless commitment, integrity, discipline and respect for others”.

Prisoners will work towards their Duke of Edinburgh bronze awards as well as alongside members of The Highlanders, 4th battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 Scots) who are based at Catterick.

“The academy is going to be a fully immersive experience, with learners living together in one unit following a military regime around the hours that the class isn’t on, engaging in activities such as parade, drill and room inspections to maintain the culture of the academy,” states the letter.

Both the Ministry of Justice and Novus did not respond to inquiries for further information.

It is not known how many inmates will be involved or whether prisoner enlistment in the academy is voluntary or an obligatory part of their sentence.

It is also unclear whether any alterations have been made to the fabric of the Deerbolt complex to house the new academy.

However, the letter to Barnard Castle Town Council states: “We are attempting to make the academy as real as we possibly can, working with staff with recent and existing military experience. Learners will wear uniforms.”

Those behind the scheme state they are “very keen” to forge community links and asked the town council if they could adopt the Barnard Castle coat of arms in the academy's cap badge.

However, town councillors declined the request, pointing out that the crest applies only within the town boundaries – and Deerbolt lies within Startforth parish. Clerk Michael King also questioned whether the town council could approve the use of the crest by other organisations, as that right rested with the College of Arms.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the current capacity of Deerbolt YOI is 513.

The prison holds convicts aged 18-21 serving sentences of between four years and life.

It normally takes prisoners from the North East, Cumbria, Yorkshire and Humberside.

Upper Teesdale flooding problems are getting worse, say residents

BLOCKED drains and a poor infrastructure have been blamed for worsening flooding in an upper dale village.

Cars were damaged in Newbiggin last Wednesday morning after the B6277 was left submerged following heavy rain and snow melt.

Two feet of water caused root problems for hedges and holes in farm walls at a stretch near Gateside.

One vehicle was written off after driving into the water and floods affected land behind Newbiggin Village Hall as well as a stretch of the B6277 between Newbiggin and Bowlees.

Rain and snowmelt were the primary causes but the finger of blame has been pointed at Durham County Council for its maintenance practices and poor drainage system.

Farmer Robert Hooper awoke to holes in his walls.

He said: “The thing that annoys me is the council has money to waste on £30,000 grit rounds when it’s plus 7C.

“It has washed all my hedge bottoms out – and when the wagons come down it just sprays onto them.

“I know when it comes bad it’s difficult to deal with but it would help if the drains were open.”

The fields surrounding Newbiggin are served by drainage systems dating to the 19th century and flooding is relatively common.

But villagers fear the problem is getting worse.

Sue and Mel Davies have lived at Laneside since 2004 and have spent thousands of pounds trying to flood-proof their home.

Mr Davies said: “The drains are not big enough to cope – it happens two or three times a year and it used to wash our driveway away.

“The drains get blocked with debris – they come to clear the drains before the leaves fall and the first rains we get wash it all into the drains.”

Mrs Davies added: “The council men that come out are really helpful and try their best – but they cannot be here all the time.”

The Davies and neighbouring farmer Garth Collinson often clear out the drains themselves in an effort to shift floodwaters.

Mr and Mrs Davies have witnessed several near misses on the blind bend outside their home when vehicles enter any water at speed.

Mr Davies feared the consequences could be dire if the drainage wasn’t sorted soon.

“We have lost count of the number of people who have got stuck – we helped 11 one night a few years ago,” he added.

“We’ve got visions of somebody getting killed here – I don’t want my wife to have to deal with a body retrieval.”

Council workers repaired a damaged section of the road last week in the wake of the flooding.

Newbiggin’s Phil Waites has lived in the village for 25 years and has known the village flood regularly.

“It’s flooded for at the last 50 years – they have known it and they’ve not really bothered about it,” he said.

“It needs to be done. It’s as simple as that – the drains simply do not have the capacity.”

The top road from Newbiggin to Middleton-in-Teesdale past Lane Head Farm also suffered flooding and its existing pot holes bore the brunt of existing traffic.

One Newbiggin resident, who did not wish to be named, added: “There are two areas, one at Low Houses and one on the High Force side of Newbiggin Village Hall that are getting worse every year for flooding – the drainage is very poor.”

John Reed, head of technical services at Durham County Council, said: “We are investigating the recent flooding and will be reviewing whether any further preventative measures are needed.”

Clinical trial hope for poorly Ryan

THE family of a little boy from Gainford who is living with a rare and fatal muscle-wasting disease have been given a glimmer of hope one year on from his diagnosis.

Cieran and Claire Chidzey received the devastating news in January last year that their son, Ryan, had Duchenne muscular dystrophy for which there is no cure. They were told that the then three-year-old would be in a wheelchair by the time he was 12 and would not live beyond his late teens.

Exactly a year later, Ryan attended a check-up appointment last week.

Mrs Chidzey, who is also mum to Abigail, 13 and Harry, 2, was told that Ryan would be able to take part in a new clinical trial when it begins.

Mrs Chidzey said: “He might be about six when it happens. It is just a trial but it is promising.

“The appointment went really well but it was a sad day and I was a bit tearful. It is an intense appointment but everything they asked him to do, he did.

“We are really proud of him. There has got to be hope. If we

don’t have hope we have nothing.”

The clinical trial would aim to treat the genetic errors that cause the disease and could lead to the improvement of his condition.

The process, called “exon 51 skipping”, creates a molecular patch.

Mrs Chidzey said: “When we got the news last year I just thought it was the end. It’s devastating when you’re in a room and someone tells you there is no cure – that he will be in a wheelchair by 12 and he will die in his teens.

“Even when they said 30, who wants to lose their son at 30? I just have to think that one day they will find something.

“It is still very raw. It has been a year but it does not feel like it. I don’t cry as often as I used to but I relive the moment. We take every day as it comes.”

Since Ryan’s diagnosis, the family have vowed to try to help find a cure in Ryan’s life time by setting a fundraising target of £50,000.

So far, with the support of the community, £29,785 has been raised for Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund.

Mrs Chidzey said: “It is fantastic the money that has been raised.

“I never thought we would get that much. I thought we might get to £5,000. Everyone has been so kind.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone for their support and the things they have done for us. We do have hope and that is why we need to continue with the fundraising.”

Fundraisers are now preparing to reach new heights to help the family reach their target.

Ryan’s uncle, Dave Clay, will be taking to the skies with family friends Colleen Tray and Jill Tolley as part of a sponsored skydive on Saturday, March 25.

The skydive is a Muscular Dystrophy UK Make Today Count (MDUK) event. Those taking part will have each funded nine hours of research by the time they land on the ground.

MDUK regional development manager Stuart Murray said: “We are only able to fund groundbreaking research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy thanks to the help of families like the Chidzeys.

“In September last year, we were delighted to announce an investment of £650,000 into seven new research projects as part of the Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund – projects that could make a huge difference to the lives of all those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

“We are incredibly proud of what the Our Fight For Ryan family fund have achieved in their first year.

“With the help of friends and others, they have raised enough to fund over 676 hours of world-class research into finding a treatment for Ryan and the 2,500 other boys and young men living with Duchenne in the UK.”

Meanwhile, Ryan, who attends Gainford Primary School, is just like any other four-year-old boy who continues to make his family burst with pride.

Mrs Chidzey said: “He is doing great and he is doing really well at school.

“He is so full of life and is such a loveable person. He never stops. We call him Little Rocky. Ryan knows he has got poorly legs because he will say his legs are tired. Eventually he will slow down but I’m hoping that won’t be for years to come.”

The family hope to reach their £50,000 goal by this time next year.

“For now though, they plan to continue making memories they will treasure.

Mrs Chidzey added: “Ryan’s condition is cruel.

“No boy deserves it. Who deserves to have everything and then have nothing? It is not fair but we have to keep positive.

“We just want to make memories.

“We want to keep fundraising and do something every year but we also need to make time for Ryan because our time with him is precious.”

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/muscular-dystrophy/ourfightforryan.

Police aim to recruit unpaid volunteers to patrol across Teesdale

UNPAID volunteers are being sought to patrol the dale as part of a new scheme to support frontline policing.

Durham Constabulary is recruiting police community support volunteers (PCSVs) to provide a new uniformed presence in communities and focus on local priorities.

The police force is particularly keen to recruit people in rural areas including Teesdale and Weardale. It will see successful applicants take part in foot patrols, help solve basic crime enquiries, assist in local incidents and get to the heart of neighbourhood issues.

They won’t be able to carry out arrests. They will be different from Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who are paid. They would also be different to Special Constables, who are volunteer police officers with the same powers as regular officers.

The launch of the volunteering scheme was revealed during this month’s Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP) board meeting.

Inspector Kevin Tuck said: “This is a brand new volunteering role which will give ordinary people the chance to do something extraordinary in their communities.

“We’re looking for positive, public-spirited people to volunteer in the heart of their local communities and build relationships with those who live and work there. The non-confrontational role is a great opportunity for people to give something back to their community while making friends and developing life skills.”

Insp Tuck said a key part of the role will be to build relationships with the community and support initiatives such as Speed Watch and Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings, when residents meet officers to talk about local issues. The volunteers will also provide support during police operations and events, as well as working with victims and witnesses where appropriate.

Candidates will be subject to a selection procedure and vetting process.

They will be given support and training and they will be supported by full-time officers. They must be able to commit to a minimum of four hours a week for at least 18 months. Travel expenses and uniform will also be provided.

Insp Tuck said: “We will not be losing PCSOs. Lincolnshire Police is the only other police force which has a similar scheme. I am keen to get a volunteer for the Barnard Castle area to run it as a pilot. I think it is an exciting opportunity to see if we can get some individuals to work with us to enhance our teams.”

The police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, Ron Hogg, added: “I am very excited about this innovative initiative. It will give people the opportunity to make a real difference by working alongside front line officers and providing valuable reassurance and visibility within our communities.”

The Policing and Crime Act 2017 allowed chief police officers to give more power to trained civilians.

Chief officers will now be able to give volunteers any policing power, although there are exceptions such as arrests, stopping and searching, and performing duties of custody officers. Local government think tank LGIU said: “This leaves a fairly extensive range of police powers that could be conferred.”

Chief constables can, if they choose, give them the power to request the name and address of someone committing anti-social behaviour, some powers to control traffic, the power to place traffic signs and the power to enter premises to save life or prevent serious damage.

For information, visit www.durham.police.uk.

Open meeting for Castle Players' next summer outdoor production

TEESDALE drama group The Castle Players is preparing to launch its 30th summer production at an open meeting next month.

It will be held at Startforth Community Centre, formerly Startforth Primary School, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 6. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting to hear more about the production and the opportunities to contribute and take part.

This summer the Barnard Castle based company turns its attention to Macbeth – Shakespeare’s classic tale of witchcraft and vaulting ambition. Laurence Sach, who will be directing the production, said: “The Castle Players always begins its productions with an open meeting.

“It’s an opportunity for new people to find out more about the company and its work as well as for members old and new to meet and chat.

“The summer production is an enormous undertaking and needs so many people both on-stage and behind-the-scenes, and this year is particularly exciting as it marks the company’s 30th summer Shakespeare production.

“It’s a friendly and welcoming group, so whether people’s interest is in acting, helping with set, costume or stage management, or with many of the other marketing and front of house activities, I’m really looking forward to meeting people on February 6.”

Macbeth will be performed at The Bowes Museum from July 10 and July 14.

The Castle Players was established in 1986 and produced its first summer Shakespeare production in 1989.

Since then the company has produced 29 annual Shakespeare productions in Barnard Castle, as well as touring classic tales to community centres and village halls during the winter.

Mr Sach has previously directed Henry V for the Castle Players’ 2016 summer production, along with Pride and Prejudice, Victorian Values and Oliver Twist for the group’s winter tours.

Macbeth will be his fifth production for the Castle Players. For more details, email info@castle

players.co.uk

All the world's a stage for ex-Barnard Castle publican

A FORMER innkeeper has traded pulling pints for learning lines as he prepares for a starring role at a new theatre venue.

Barnard Castle’s Peter Cockerill was landlord of the Old Well Inn, on The Bank, for six years before he passed on the baton to Roy and Rima Chatterjee. 

 Two years on, the 52-year-old has hit the nation’s TV screens with cameos in ITV’s Vera and BBC drama Inspector Gently and has now lined up a new spot at Darlington’s Hippodrome Theatre. 

 Mr Cockerill will lead the way in 30 shows of “Anywhere” from Friday to Sunday (February 4) at the renovated venue, taking patrons on an immersive theatre tour of its nooks and crannies.

He said: “What is exciting about this is it shows where all the millions of pounds have been invested.

“We can take customers around and you get to see what’s involved in theatre making as well as telling the story of the history of the site – all linked in with classic theatre from Shakespeare and Lewis Carroll.”

The former publican has been an integral part of the Castle Players amateur dramatics group for the past ten years – both on stage and behind the scenes. When the acting troupe got a chance to work with the Royal Shakespeare Company two years ago, he decided to take his hobby more seriously.

“It was a big deal at the time and it was almost like being a professional actor,” said Mr Cockerill. “I thought I’ll keep going with this and registered with an agency, did some supporting artist work and see what came along. I have been learning lines ever since.”

With the mortgage paid off and more time available, Mr Cockerill has been able to feed his acting passions.

Projects have been readily available including a sci-fi film role and a spot at the Edinburgh Fringe last year for second world war theatre piece D-Day Dodgers.

“How many people can say they’ve been in a sci-fi film?” he added. “They had me in prosthetics and using a green screen for it.

“I was in Vera and the new series is on at the moment – it was a bit ‘blink and you’ll miss me’ but I was on about five times and I got paid for that so that’s cool.”

The father-of-one and stepfather-of-two grew up in Shotton Colliery and moved to Barnard Castle after a spell working in the brewing industry. His acting career has seen him take bookings at Raby Castle and secure a spot working with the Murder Mystery acting group hosting guest evenings.

But he has not forgotten his roots and is still planning to play a part in this summer’s Castle Players production.

To book tickets to Anywhere call the Hippodrome on 01325 405405.

Singers appeal for more members

A SINGING group which is credited with putting on spellbinding performances is looking for more members.

Carillon’s music is a cappella and mainly renaissance – sacred and secular – although the group does perform later repertoire and folk arrangements when the occasion demands.

In recent years singers have performed at The Bowes Museum, Raby Castle, St Mary’s Parish Church and numerous other churches throughout the region.

Choir leader Jane Ford-Farrand said: “If you were at the annual Carols by Candlelight concert at The Scarth Hall, Staindrop, last December then you would have enjoyed a treat of festive music provided by concordia, Carillon and Noaddedsugar.

“As usual, this concert drew an audience of more than 100 people and everyone appreciated the variety of music and high level of performance.”

For Carillon, a small vocal ensemble with only five voices, it was the final performance featuring tenor Jonathan Heitler who, after eight years singing with the group, is leaving due to work commitments.

Carillon is now seeking a replacement tenor as well as an additional soprano to join them. They are inviting anyone interested in singing on a regular basis to come along and have an informal sing with the rest of the group.

They meet on Wednesdays in Staindrop from 7pm to 9pm and perform four to five concerts each year.

“Carillon are well known for the blended sound which they create so if you enjoy being part of a small vocal ensemble then this could be the perfect opportunity for you,” said Mrs Ford-Farrand. “Most importantly you will need to love singing and have the ability to hold a line confidently and be prepared to commit to weekly rehearsals.”

Call Jane Ford-Farrand on 07707 847289 for more information.

Hard work pays off for young boxers

FIVE full seasons after it was established, Barnard Castle Amateur Boxing Club continues to pack a punch.

And inspired by the success of the likes of double Olympic goal medallist Nicola Adams, the club now boasts its first three carded female fighters.

Previously based in the town centre, the club's gym is now based at Stainton Grove, where training is held three nights a week, split between juniors (6pm to 7pm) and seniors (7pm to 8pm).

Craig Harrison, a founder member of the club, says progress has been steady.

“We tend to average about 20 bouts a season and every season we have won more than we have lost.”

The club has about 30 members ranging in age from eight to 20.

Of those, ten are “carded” – which means they are registered and have been passed fit to fight competitively.

“We make sure they are ready before they go in. We don’t just put anybody into the ring,” says Mr Harrison.

“We make sure they can box to a certain standard.”

Even if members have no wish to set foot in the ring, they are welcome at the club.

“We want to encourage anybody into the sport. There is a social aspect to it. They are meeting up three or four times a week, become good friends and develop a really good work ethic.

“Even if you are only a recreational boxer, you get a good work ethic.”

Charlotte Burns, 14, from Barnard Castle, first set foot in the gym about five months ago – and now can’t wait to get into the ring for a proper bout.

“I have a couple of friends here who box and I took an interest in it,” said the Teesdale School student.

“I decided to give it a go and really enjoyed my first session. After a couple more I decided I really wanted to fight.

“That has made me train a lot harder – sparring with the boys – and be more committed to it.”

Having enjoyed success as a swimmer, Charlotte says she is “really competitive anyway” and although her family were a bit worried at first about her switch to boxing “they will support me 100 per cent”.

She adds: “The best thing about boxing is the stress and anger it relieves, along with getting to know everyone here– it’s like a really big family.”

Jack Mattless, meanwhile, has been boxing since the club was formed.

Now 20, he is a veteran of eight bouts, most of which have ended in victory. These days, he fights in the 80kg weight.

He says he tried other sports – cricket, football, rugby – but boxing suited him perfectly.

And there is nothing better than winning.

“The best thing is winning the bout after all the weeks of hard work and training and not drinking and living healthily,” he says.

“You have to put in all the hard work, otherwise you will get found out in the ring.”

He says the highlight to date was boxing at the club’s own show at Barnard Castle Workingmen’s Club.

“Your mam and dad are there, friends are there and everyone from the club is there and when you get your hand raised in victory, it is the best feeling in the world.”

The boxers' efforts are overseen by coaches Richard Jackson and James Layton who, along with Mr Harrison are all fully qualified and accredited with the Amateur Boxing Association.

The club is well supported across the town.

On the evening the Mercury called round to the gym, Dave Thompson, manager of the Co-op garage was handing over the proceeds of a collection bucket on the counter, which were added to the funds raised from a well supported family night at the workingmen’s club.

Town charity The Clique and the Marwood Trust have also backed the club.

“We would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped us,” says Mr Harrison.

Anyone interested in the club can contact Mr Harrison on 07746 201412 or find Barnard Castle Amateur Boxing Club on Facebook.

Charles pots his way to snooker crown

HOT shot Charles Blake scooped more than £100 in prize money in this year’s winter snooker knockout.

The dale snooker ace beat David Dye 4-0 in the Ken Coates Winter knockout trophy at the Teesdale Wanderers Snooker and Billiards Club, in Barnard Castle.

The round robin format saw the draw divided into three sections to cater for all abilities with tiered prize money offered to all finalists.

In the top tier, a tight opening frame between Dye and Blake saw the former leading the charge. But Blake hit back with two 30 breaks to pip his opponent on the black.

With the opening frame under his belt, Blake chalked up the next three with relative ease – taking the £30 top break prize with 41 and £75 for taking home the trophy.

Section B saw Peter Normanton lose out to Colling Morris while husband and wife Sue and Adam Staley were pitted against one another in Section C.

Mr Staley claimed the bragging rights with a 2-1 win.

Former clubman Ken Coates sponsors events and offers prize money from his home in Australia.

Fifteen players took part and organiser Peter Normanton was pleased with how the day had gone.

He said: “Our membership is gradually increasing all the time and the club is being used a lot – we can tell by the money in the meters.

“There will be more competitions coming soon.”

A six red tournament is in the pipeline at the Birch Road club as well as another competition in memory of former member Cyril Young.

“Competitions are open to players of all ability so they need not be put off,” added Mr Normanton.

For more information about the club and its competitions, email Mr Normanton on peternormanton3@gmail. com

Boys in a spin as cricket bowls the girls over

SCHOOLCHILDREN have been bowled over by a new cricket venture that pits boys against girls.

Mixed matches at Barnard Castle School and Preparatory School are creating healthy competition as popularity soars among the girls.

The initiative has kicked off indoors during the winter before students discover the pleasure of leather on willow on a grass wicket.

Prep school pupil Bea Dolby, 11, of Barnard Castle, said: “I started playing because my brother does and really enjoy it, especially batting. It’s good fun playing against the boys and we are learning a lot from each other. It does become competitive because we always enjoy beating the boys.”

Cricket is part of a new drive to increase the profile of sport at school driven by newly appointed head of PE and games Rachael Masterman.

Students of all ages and abilities are encouraged to try a range of sports including Australian rules football, rugby, badminton, athletics, hockey, swimming, rounders and tennis.

“The most important thing is that they enjoy themselves so they are more likely to continue being involved in sport all through their lives,” she said.

“The benefits are well proven both physically, mentally and in stimulating academic achievement. Health and wellbeing are boosted, as is self-esteem, it encourages team work and develops good communications.

“It’s great to see the boys and girls competing at cricket which is now establishing itself as a game for men and women.”

Truce called as plans for Evenwood sports ground makeover are revealed

SPORTS facilities in a Teesdale village could get a makeover after a cricket club and the group which manages their ground agreed to make a “fresh start” and create a development plan.

Relations between Evenwood Cricket Club and the parish council, which looks after the Randolph Social Welfare Ground, were strained to the point that cricketers made an “informal enquiry” to Durham County Council about finding a new ground.

Now the county council is helping the two parties settle their differences and come up with improvements all are happy with.

A draft development plan has been drawn up for the trustees to consider and includes ideas such as CCTV to protect the ground from yobs, fencing to stop horses roaming on the site and heating for the clubhouse, which is also used by the village football team. A final plan would then be created and applications to Sport England for funding would be made.

Wayne Brown, sports development officer at Durham County Council, said: “It’s a working document that may be amended but it shows the vision of the club to improve facilities and get more people participating.”

The cricket club and the parish council trustees met last week. Those present agreed that when the parties got together in 2012, it led to a positive outcome. Back then, they drew up plans that led to a grant being secured to refurbish the pavilion.

The cricket team has sought to make further changes such as installing CCTV. Funding has been granted but the parish council put the scheme on ice because of human rights fears and the need for a consultation, leading to tension between the two groups.

Parish chairwoman Cllr Barbara Nicholson said she felt like the parish council had been “kicked in the teeth” after hearing the club had sought advice about moving to a new ground last year.

“I thought we had just had a positive meeting when we met last October and then I heard about that,” she said.

At last week’s meeting, parish councillors reminded the club that the sports pitch was also used by other groups. Cllr Mary Prince said she was annoyed that the club often fails to pay the rent on time.

Cllr Rachel Webb said it was time to move on. “It can’t be pitchfork and backstabbing any more. We have got to get past that stage,”

George Richardson, senior sports development officer at the county council, said the plan also included working with schools to bring in more junior players, as well as improving the club’s finances.

Those at the meeting agreed to communicate better and Mr Richardson said he could act as a temporary go-between if needed. However, one member of the cricket team has been asked to apologise for comments made on social media.

Mr Richardson replied: “It sounds like everyone wants to move forward progress.”

Cllr Nicholson added: “Let’s hope it’s a new start.”

Chris Geddes, the manager of Evenwood Town Football Club, said the ideas put forward, such as CCTV, would benefit his team too.

Luke Bannister, secretary of the cricket team, said: “The parish council can see what we would like now. We’ve got the worst facilities in the league but we want to change that. The ball’s in their court.”

While Evenwood Parish Council act as trustees of the sports ground, it is owned by the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO).

Preparations for the coming cricket season were dealt a heavy blow earlier this month when horses got into the field and churned up the playing surface. Mr Bannister said: “We had them on the field for five days – they’ve absolutely destroyed the square.

“I put up a four feet white fence and was given permission by CISWO – the parish council took it down. The main reason for the horses getting in was the fence was down.”

Teesdale pupils help launch Peter's book

A NORTH East building society is supporting young people in the area with the launch of a children’s book.

The book was written by children’s author and Darlington Building Society ambassador Peter Barron, and all proceeds will go towards

the Darly Children's Foundation, a newly-created fund set up to boost literacy in the region.

The story features the character Darly, the mascot who supports children to save regularly with the society.

The proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to purchase books for schools in the region, continuing the society’s commitment to support the area it serves.

The book, released to coincide with the first birthday of Darly, tells the story of the steam train’s adventure through history.

Darly’s Magical History Ride was launched at The Hullabaloo, the only dedicated children’s theatre outside London, in front of society staff and guests including Darlington councillors.

Children from Green Lane school, in Barnard Castle, and Cockfield primary school also took part.

The launch event also featured a reading of the book by Mr Barron, a former editor of Darlington newspaper The Northern Echo.

He said: “Writing for a company with a reputation for investing back into the community made this project especially exciting for me.

“As a father of four, I understand the importance of children reading and letting their imaginations run wild.

“Books introduce children to wonderful new worlds, expand their vocabularies, and inspire them to be creative themselves.”

Darlington Building Society chief executive Colin Fyfe said: “We are all very proud to be able to make a difference to children locally by creating the Darly Children’s Foundation and sharing the proceeds of the book.

“Darly has become really popular with our regular savers and we are delighted that Peter has been able to bring our little train to life this way.”

Darly’s Magical History Ride is available from Darlington Building Society.

Landmark and author in running for BBC Countryfile Magazine awards

HIGH Force is in the running to be named the nation’s mightiest landmark.

The upper Teesdale waterfall has been shortlisted as one of the finalists in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2018 following a public vote.

An expert panel then whittled down the nominations to name the 90ft precipice among the top five in the landmark category.

Rachel Makin, from Raby Estates, said the nomination had come as a pleasant surprise and would offer a boost to the whole area.

She added: “If we can drum up some support and get people voting it would be great.

“We were really pleased that people put the time in to nominate us in the first place and we want to do our best to put High Force on the map.”

In the magazine’s nomination, panel judge Mark Rowe said the fall was “very dramatic” and an amazing part of the River Tees.

“It looks just like a high Pennine northern river should do when it’s really in spate and powering along,” he added.

Elsewhere, Bowes artist Andy Beck has also been nominated in the Country Book of the Year category for his Wainwrights in Colour.

The book, which illustrates every one of Alfred Wainwright’s 1509 sketches of the Lakeland fells, has sold more than 7,500 copies and scooped the Great Outdoors magazine’s book of the Year title in 2017.

Mr Beck said: “It’s a different kettle of fish this one.

“I’m very chuffed to get shortlisted as you can imagine – I’m up against four others and, to be honest, I would be really surprised to win.

“It’s a really broad category and one of the books on there I’ve seen on a shelf and thought that’s a beautiful book. It would be brilliant to have Teesdale winning in two categories – it just depends on the votes and if the people of Teesdale get to vote.”

The Teesdale artist will be up against The Lost Words, by Robert Macfarlane, and Jackie Morris, Islander, by Patrick Barkham, The Secret Life of Cows, by Rosamund Young, and Beyond Spring by Matthew Oates.

Meanwhile, High Force is pitted against the Dark Hedges, in County Antrim, the Minack Theatre, in Cornwall, the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis and Denbighshire’s Castell Dinas Bran in its category.

Voting is open until Monday 5 March.

Voters can only cast their ballot once per device but can vote in all the categories. To vote for Mr Beck or High Force, go to: https://goo.gl/

KhhhY8

MP presentes 1,000-name Toft Hill bypass petition to parliament

NEARLY 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for a bypass in Toft Hill.

MP Helen Goodman launched the petition last autumn, calling for Durham County Council and the Department of Transport to build a bypass as soon as possible.

She presented it in parliament last week when she told MPs about a crash in Toft Hill in December 2016.

Ms Goodman said: “The life of my constituent Alex Wright was literally shattered when a van drove into her living room and totally destroyed it. She had to move out for months while the house was rebuilt.

“For years, the residents of Toft Hill have been calling for a bypass, and 950 people have signed this petition. This is not purely a local issue; it raises questions of national road policy. Currently the criteria focus on housing and congestion. We would like to see a rebalancing of the criteria towards northern concerns, such as economic development and quality of life.”

The petition states that the A68 through Toft Hill is “unsuitable and unsafe for the volume and nature of vehicles, especially HGV lorries”.

The need is even greater because the primary school is on the main road, the MP said. Planned developments in the village would make this stretch of road more dangerous, she added.

The petition was available to sign online. One person commented: “My grandson and family live on this road. There have been two accidents within the last six months outside their home. It is a very busy road with lots of commercial vehicles and parked vehicles making it very congested.”

Another said: “It’s blindingly obvious that this nice little village needs a bypass.”

Ms Goodman said she would update residents about the government’s response when it was made.

Sign 'pokes fun' at bid to sell off police land

CAMPAIGNERS trying to save a Barnard Castle green space from being sold off have hit back at police with a visual protest. 

Durham Police is to sell the old force station site at Bede Kirk to make way for a housing scheme by the Railway Housing Association, a charity.

But Teesdale’s police and crime and victim’s commissioner, Ron Hogg, has come under fire for the move and this sign appeared on the site over the weekend.

A petition demanding the 1.36-acre site and its 29 trees to be retained has gathered more than 120 signatures so far.

Campaigner Sophie Ebeling said the people she had spoken to were “enraged” by the sell off.

She added: “Everybody we talk to say it’s really outrageous how they have behaved and what they think they can do.

“It’s a humorous sign – we don’t want it to become really bitter but everyone we talk to feels strongly.”

Barnard Castle Police moved into the emergency services quad hub on Wilson Street last year after leaving Bede Kirk. The Railway Housing Association wants to build bungalows on the site and renovate the former police station as part of a £3.2million housing development.

Mr Hogg said: “It is important that a sensible decision is made which balances three factors – the need to replace the old building with something more useful and

attractive, the natural environment, and the scope for much-needed income for the constabulary at a time when the government is cutting my budget and I am having to increase the policing element of council tax.

“What happens to the old building, and the site around it, is still to be decided. Durham County Council will have the final say because they are the relevant planning authority.

“The developer who is interested in the site is thinking of building affordable housing for older people there, something which I know is needed in the town.

“In any event, the building itself is ugly and should be replaced.”

Mr Hogg said he is prepared to meet residents to discuss their concerns.

Toddlers get a taste of school

A MESSY play scheme to get babies and toddlers used to a village school has been launched.

Gainford Primary School saw a dozen youngsters and parents get their hands dirty with help from Jemma Ransom at “Little Learners” last week.

By playing with foam, paint, sponges and cereal the toddlers can enhance their early motor skills ready for holding pens and pencils in a few years’ time.

Ms Ransom, the owner of Little Learners, said: “We are interested in their early writing skills and they can practice their motor skills.

“It’s useful for writing when they get to school.”

The primary school and pre school host a well-attended group on Friday mornings but there are few other opportunities for young families in the village since St Osmund’s pre school closed in 2016.

Headteacher Chris Riley said: “I have been amazed by babies as young as six months interacting with all of the resources and can see how the activities encourage their motor skill development.

“Our own pre-school children go along to the sessions and they’re very motivated to make marks and try to write.”

The sessions are held at the school from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesdays and clothes parents don’t mind getting dirty are encouraged.

For more information, ring the school on 01325 730274 or email jemma@littlelearners.com