Durham, England

Young performers from Peterlee will be drumming up enthusiasm at a celebration of international youth work soon.
Afinado, a newly-formed group of young, urban street drummers, will perform at The Exchange Factor to celebrate the United Nations International Youth Day next month. (August 12)
Held at The Assembly Rooms, Newcastle on August 12, it aims to help youth workers and young people to find out more about international opportunities and launches the UN International Year of Youth.
“The event will give ideas, help and advice about setting up and running international projects and exchanges,” said Lucy Turzynski, Durham County Council’s assistant international officer, and a member of the International Youth Opportunities North East (IYONE) Committee which is organising the celebration with regional partners.
“We hope it will encourage young people to get involved in international projects and realise the value of working with similar groups from other countries.
“There will be a range of fun and inspiring activities as well as a team of experts on hand to answer questions about international projects and exchanges,” she said.
Leon Mexter, chief executive of the Regional Youth Work Unit, said:  “Taking part in an international youth exchange, volunteering abroad or going to visit other parts of the world can be life changing.
“International youth work has a tremendous amount to offer young people in our region.  We hope the day will stimulate a whole new group of young people to organise and take part in youth exchanges and volunteering programmes which open up their understanding of the world.”
Euro MP Stephen Hughes:  “This event will bring together youth groups and workers from across the North East to share good practice, learn about accessing funding.
“It will also encourage and congratulate youth workers for the invaluable support they give in raising the aspirations of young people in the North East of England.”
Young people wanting to  take part in the Exchange Factor should register in advance online at www.rywu.org.uk/exchange-factor/ or call Leon Mexter, Regional Youth Work Unit North East on 0191 440 4410.

While many people are jetting off for summer breaks abroad, a group of Chester-le-Street youngsters are about to start their school holidays by clearing up their local community.
The volunteers, from the Brockwell Centre at Pelton Fell, are all taking part in a programme of summer environmental activities organised by Durham County Council’s civic pride officers.
The young green teams will kick off with a DVD showing – but, far from the latest movie release, they’ll be watching the environmental film ‘open your eyes,’ followed by a quiz and then a litter pick in woods close to Henley Avenue.
Civic pride officer Helen Douglas believes the summer programme with a difference, will be very popular:” I am constantly amazed by the enthusiasm of the young people throughout County Durham, in keeping their communities tidy.
“I know many young people care passionately about where they live and really enjoy these opportunities to make a difference.
“The programme gives them the chance to learn new skills and help improve the appearance of their local community, creating a cleaner and greener county for everyone.”
The first activity will take place tomorrow, Thursday, 29 July, 10.00am – 12noon at the Brockwell Centre, Craghead Road in Pelton Fell.
The following activities have also been organised for young people at the youth club during August: -

Thursday, 5 August – Environmental craft sessions
Thursday, 12 August – Gardening activity
Thursday, 19 August – Trip to Seaham for beach clean-up with coastal rangers

Durham County Council Civic Pride Officers will be leading the sessions with support from neighbourhood wardens, youth workers and young people from the area. The activity programme is part of the ’14 for 14’ scheme run by the council, which promotes environmental activities across the 14 Area Action Partnerships set up by the authority on April 1 2009, to protect grassroots democracy.
Anyone interested in taking part in the activity should contact Carl Brough, Youth Coordinator on 0191 389 3399 to register.
 

Twenty local groups ranging from football clubs to village halls in the Newton Aycliffe area have been boosted by a small grants fund.
The Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) small grants fund has been so successful that it is hoped it can be continued.
“This unique fund has helped a wide range of groups, including Acle Scouts to help young people achieve their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, The Friends of Senior Citizens who received New Age Curling equipment and Newton Aycliffe FC Under 18s who provided coaching qualifications for players,” said Brian Riley, for GAMP..
“The fund has focused on trying to help a wide range of groups and has attracted over £50,000 in matched funding from a number of sources, including Durham County Council’s Sports Development Fund and the national charity Street Games.
“The success of the fund means it is now exhausted but we hope to run this successful scheme again for 2010-2011,” he said.
Angela Crick, of the charity Cloud Nine, which received funding for a food bank, said:  “The funding from GAMP has helped us to plan ahead to help families in Newton Aycliffe who have hit hard times through redundancy, illness or family breakdown. The food bank will supply the most needy people with essentials in a crisis.”
 
GAMP is one of 14 Area Action Partnerships set up by Durham County Council.

Neighbourhood warden Jason Collins became a knight of the road when he saw a man struggling to change a flat tyre.
Jason, who is Durham County Council’s neighbourhood warden for the Stanley area, was on his beat patrolling in Catchgate when he came across Peter McKenna trying to retrieve something from the boot of his car.
“I noticed his distress and that his tyre was flat so I went over to see if I could help,” said Jason.
“Mr McKenna was thrilled as he had just had a knee operation,” he said.
Jason changed the tyre and thought no more of his good deed until Mr McKenna called into the office to say thank you and then went to the trouble of sending a letter.
 “I was clearly unable to do anything myself to rectify the problem,” said Mr McKenna.
“Whilst wondering what best action to take, up popped Mr Collins who changed the tyre with such courtesy and efficiency that I couldn’t believe it.
“In this day and age, to receive such service was unbelievable,” he said.
Belinda Snow, the county council’s neighbourhood warden co-ordinator said: “We introduced a new neighbourhood warden service in the north of the county which aims to improve the quality of life by providing a uniformed presence in residential areas.
“They are the ‘eyes and ears’ of your community and are here to help whenever they can,” she said.

Members of the public, businesses and organisations are being invited to have their say on Durham County Council’s statement of licensing policy.
Durham County Council is the licensing authority, under the Licensing Act 2003, and is responsible for the preparation, publishing, promotion and regular review, of the policy.
The policy affects all activities and premises subject to licensing under the above act within the county, and covers areas including the sale and supply of alcohol in pubs and clubs and the provision of regulated entertainment.
It’s part of the council’s duty to carry out a public consultation exercise which is now under way and will last until October 1.
The council’s licensing manager, Craig Rudman, said:” The Licensing Act requires us to carry out our responsibilities with the core principles of preventing crime, disorder and nuisance, protecting public safety and protecting children from harm.
“As a new unitary this will be the first time we have had the opportunity to make any amendments and we have tried to make sure the changes made, make the policy clear on a range of issues including cheap drinks promotions.”
Cabinet member for strategic environment Cllr Bob Young said: “It’s really important that we continue to encourage safe and appropriate levels of drinking in our communities and responsible management throughout our licensed premisis.”
Information on this consultation is available in the ’Have Your Say’ section of Durham County Council website, www.durham.gov.uk. Alternatively, the public can request a hard copy of information by contacting Garry Keay, Licensing Team Leader on 01388 816 166 ext. 4679 or email licensing@durham.gov.uk
Comments should be made in writing to the email address above or can be sent to Garry Keay, Licensing Team Leader, Durham County Council, Green Lane, Spennymoor, DL16 6JQ.
 

A County Durham town is in line for a boost of at least £1m from the Big Lottery Fund.
Communities in the South West of Bishop Auckland are to receive the cash through the new Big Local Trust programme.
The money will be awarded over a 10-year period and will be targeted at areas including West Auckland, St Helen Auckland, Tindale Crescent and Woodhouse Close.
Residents will be asked to decide how best it should be spent.
Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “We are extremely pleased at the announcement Bishop Auckland is to be one of the first towns to benefit from this new funding pot.
“This is a significant sum of money and I’m sure it will make a big difference to the people of South West Bishop Auckland, where the money will be spent.
“We’re looking forward to working with local communities to ensure they are able to get involved in deciding how the funding is spent.”
The Big Local Trust is being set up to help people in communities that have traditionally been overlooked by funding bodies in the past.
This first phase will see 50 areas across the country receiving money, which will be given out by a new charitable trust set up by the Big Lottery Fund.
It is anticipated that the trust will begin distributing the money from October 2011.
Durham County Council will be working with local groups and organisations, including the Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership, during the coming months to develop an action plan for how the money will be spent.

Parks and open spaces in County Durham have been given the Green Flag for excellence.
A total of 10 green spaces within the county have received or retained the national accolade this year.
The awards recognise high standards of management and upkeep as well as the level of involvement local people in the use and development of a site.
Hardwick Park, Sedgefield; Witton Dene nature reserve, Witton Gilbert; and Bowlees Picnic Area, Teesdale; have all gained a Green Flag this year.
They are joined by Waskerley Way Railway Path, Moorside Cemetery and Castleside Cemetery, all in Consett.
Ropery Lane Cemetery and Riverside Park, both in Chester-le-Street; Blackhill and Consett Park and Annfield Plain Park, meanwhile, have all retained the award from last year.
The Green Flag scheme is the national standard for parks and open spaces in Britain.
To achieve the award, a site should contribute to the local area and provide facilities that suit the needs of local residents.
The community should view the site as a true asset and should be actively involved in its management and development.
The Friends of Witton Dene work to enhance the natural woodland area of Witton Gilbert by providing footpaths, bridges, steps and wetland scrapes.
Denis Daggett, chairman of the group, said: “The dene requires a great deal of commitment by friends and volunteers to ensure it is well maintained.
“The Green Flag status is particularly welcome, not just as recognition of all the hard work we have put in, but also because it is something which will inevitably provide a boost for the community, who can take pride in the fact they have such an asset on their doorstep.”
Alan Bowman, who has been head gardener at Riverside Park, for 40 years, said: “We are very pleased to have kept our Green Flag for another year.
 “We always try our best to make sure the flowerbeds, lawns and bowling greens look good, and it’s particularly lovely to get compliments from people using the park when you are out working.”
Cllr Brian Stephens Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Local Partnerships, said: “Achieving a Green Flag not only reflects our commitment to maintaining the various sites, but also the involvement of the local community in their development.
“Volunteers, ‘friends’ groups and our partner organisations have played an important role in our success in achieving a 10 Green Flags this year.
“We are particularly pleased that flags have been awarded not to just traditional parks, but also to a picnic area, railway path and a number of cemeteries, demonstrating the real diversity of open spaces in our county.”

Young eco champs in Chester-le-Street will kick off the school holidays by helping to tidy up local woodland.
Members of the Brockwell Youth Group will be taking part in a series of environmental activities throughout the summer.
The first event is a litter pick of woods behind Henley Avenue, Pelton Fell on Thursday, 29 July.
The group will be joined by officers from Durham County Council neighbourhood wardens, officers from the authority’s civic pride team and youth workers.
The young people will also be taking part in an environmental quiz.
Helen Douglas, Durham County Council senior civic pride officer, said: “Our young people are becoming increasingly concerned about the environment and the wider world around them.
“This programme of summer activities will give them the opportunity to make a real contribution to their local area.”

Durham County Council is hoping to help launch dozens of residents in to work with a recruitment drive for a new supermarket in Bishop Auckland.
The council is funding the ‘launchpad’, a mobile office unit, which will call at Crook Market Place this week, Thursday 29 July.
The council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration is Cllr Neil Foster: “The ‘launchpad’ is a purpose - built mobile unit perfectly suited to taking recruitment drives into rural communities like this.
“A range of partners will be on hand to offer expert help and advice to anyone interested in exploring the host of retail-related job opportunities which will come with the opening of the new Sainsbury’s supermarket in Bishop Auckland this winter.
“We are supporting similar initiatives involving Tesco and other retailers throughout the county.
“Our rural employability teams will also be able to offer advice on the Rural Jobs Fund which is a new initiative aiming to help unemployed people and local businesses in Teesdale and Weardale.”
More information on the Rural Jobs Fund is available by calling 01388 743188 or visiting www.ruraljobsfund.co.uk
The recruitment drive runs from 10.00am until 2.00pm and experts from JobCentre Plus, Sainsbury’s and the council will be on hand.
 

People are being invited to remember their loved ones at two special memorial services next month.
Durham Crematorium is holding the ceremonies at 11am on Saturday, 7 August and 3pm on Sunday, 8 August to mark 50 years of serving families in the area
The services will be interdenominational and will include Church of England, Roman Catholic and non-conformist clergy as well as a Humanist celebrant.
Both are open to the general public but are by ticket only. Tickets confirming times and other details will be posted to applicants nearer to the event.
To request a ticket write to AS José, Superintendent and Registrar, Durham Crematorium, South Road Durham, DH1 3TQ or call 0191 384 8677.
Applicants are asked to indicate which service they would like to attend and how many tickets they require.