Weardale Gazette

25/07/2024

Virtual Tour

22/07/2024

✨ Celebrate the Harvest Season with Us! ✨🌾

Join us for Lughnasadh (pronounced Loo-nah-sah), a joyous festival honouring the harvest season in the tradition of the Celtic Bards. 🌟 This family-friendly event features enchanting music, poetry, and storytelling by local members of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids.

🗓️ *Date*: Sunday 28th July
📍 *Location*: Dilston Physic Garden, Corbridge NE45 5QZ
➡️➡️For more info and to register, email [email protected]

*Programme*:
2:00 PM - Welcome & Opening Ceremony
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM - Bardic Performances

*Please Note:*

• Normal Garden admission applies. Visit our website for info on entry fees.
https://dilstonphysicgarden.com/visit-us/

•
• Parking available in the Top-up Car Park shared with Dilston Scouts (see directions)

22/07/2024

New job opportunity at Weardale Community Transport. Please contact [email protected] for more details!

21/07/2024

16/07/2024

PCC calls for an urgent review of the resettlement package for released prisoners

Following confirmation that more prisoners will be subject to early release to ease prison overcrowding, PCC Joy Allen is calling for better resettlement packages to deter reoffending.

The PCC is clear that without appropriate levels of support, both the prisoner and the justice system are being set up to fail.

"Far too many prisoners are being released on licence without any practical support," she explained. "I met a woman recently who explained that she was released from prison without anywhere to live. This meant that she breached her licence conditions and was returned to prison very quickly.

"This then adds to the overcrowding conundrum, and we are in a worse position than before. It's like bed blocking in the secure estate.

"We have to get the basics right. If prisoners are to be released early, then everything possible should be done to keep them out of prison, not returning within a few days. That makes a mockery of the whole early release system.

"I know that this will heap pressure on other agencies, but we have to be practical. We cannot condone prisoners being released early, without a home or means by which to live. That simply leads to further problems.

"I know we are told that there will be 1000 more probation officers by March 2025, which is good news for the future, but something needs doing now! The whole process needs fixing, not just capacity inside the prisons.

"I will be writing to the Minister for Justice and the Home Secretary to explain my concerns, and asking for assurance that the lack of resettlement support will not simply lead to further overcrowding."

14/07/2024

Kate Gill
Kate
Of Stanhope passed away peacefully on 30th June aged 75 years.
A devoted wife to Ian, a much-loved mother to Jill and James, and an adored sister and gran.
Kate was a friend to many and will be sorely missed by all.
Friends, please meet for a service in St Thomas Church, Stanhope on Friday 19th July at 11.30am.
Kate expressly wished for a celebration of her life so we will be meeting for a wake at the Bonny Moorhen after the church service. All welcome.
If you wish, we encourage you to wear a splash of colour (a tie/scarf etc) to the service/wake in celebration of Kate’s life.
Family flowers only please. Donations, if so desired, can be left in memory of Kate for Cancer Research UK.

12/07/2024

11/07/2024

CLA issues Labour with ambitious programme to help power growth

Labour has been handed an ambitious ‘programme for government’ to help it power growth in the rural economy, covering everything from food production to the planning system.

Compiled by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), the document is designed to explore how the Labour Government’s manifesto, published ahead of the general election, can be implemented in a way that supports a strong rural economy, an improving environment and a stable system of food production.

Each chapter focuses on a promise made by the Labour Party during the election period, offering detailed policy analysis and concrete proposals that will help ministers, officials and parliamentarians deliver for the country.


CLA President Victoria Vyvyan said: “We are ambitious for the countryside and want to see businesses flourish, good jobs created and communities strengthened. So too do we want to fight climate change, reverse biodiversity decline and provide quality access for the general public.

“There are many Labour policies with which we agree – there are some that we believe need to be revisited. We hope, however, that this document will help deliver a new era of government-industry cooperation that will, finally, unlock the potential of the rural economy

“The rural economy is 16% less productive than the national average. If you close that gap, up to £43bn could be added to the Gross Value Added (GVA) of England alone. There are many barriers in place that prevent rural economic growth, but by implementing the ideas contained within this document, many of those barriers will be removed – and often through simple policy change rather than new investment.”

The document covers topics including cross-government working, farming and food security, planning and housing, access, rural crime and energy. Key recommendations include:
In order to ensure successful cross-government collaboration on the rural economy, the CLA recommends the creation of a ministerial-led, cross-departmental working group to identify and remove the barriers to economic growth in the countryside.

· Commit to the continued rollout of the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, providing a budget of £4bn to adequately fund the agricultural transition in England, and £1bn in Wales.

· To further increase British food security in a manner that protects businesses, the environment and livestock, the CLA recommends investing a minimum of £400m per year in England in productivity growth schemes, as well as maintaining Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief.

· Fund a new planning officer in every local planning authority and provide training on rural issues and agricultural matters including Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

· Ringfence planning application fees to finance improvements to the planning system.

· To ensure sustainable rural housebuilding where it is needed, while supporting rural home owners and tenants, the CLA recommends introducing a ‘planning passport’ for rural exception sites in national policy to develop small sites in a large number of villages.

· Provide sufficient funds for appropriate access infrastructure, and develop a capital grants scheme to finance green social prescribing projects.

· Invest in data standards and specialist rural training to frontline police call handlers, officers and volunteers, to equip them to identify and record cases of rural crime correctly.

· Place a statutory requirement on Ofgem and network operators to include rural needs and proportionate investment in rural grid infrastructure planning.

· Pay landowners to store floodwater on their land through long-term contracts that build on existing ELM schemes.

07/07/2024

CLA President reacts to General Election outcome



Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said:



“We congratulate Labour on its election victory. The new government must listen to and learn from the rural community, as farmers and rural business owners can so often provide the solutions to the problems that government faces. We will work with Ministers constructively, and perhaps at times robustly, in pursuit of a strong rural economy.

“The new government must hit the ground running. From providing certainty around the farming budget to overhauling the archaic planning system, it needs to go for growth with a robust and ambitious strategy for the countryside.

“The rural economy is 16% less productive than the national average, and closing that gap could add £43bn to UK GVA. With the right support, rural businesses can generate growth, creating good jobs and prosperity for every community.”

04/07/2024

We're recruiting!!

From 1st September until 31st October 2024 we are taking applications for our 2025 intake of new recruits. We are looking for competent hill walkers who live within County Durham and who have the time to attend not only call outs but also training, fundraising events and helping with equipment and vehicles. Team members freely give up a lot of time to train and operate to high standards in hazardous weather conditions and difficult terrain, but the rewards of working in a team and contributing to a successful call out are huge. For more details on what we do and how to apply see our website www.twsmrt.org.uk under “Joining us – Full Team Membership”"

04/07/2024

Dilston Physic Garden, Corbridge, Northumberland
☀OPEN 5 days a week
🗓Wed - Sun
⏰11am - 4pm

Photo credit: Sarah Tulloch

02/07/2024

Firefighters urge public to ‘pack a picnic, not a barbecue’ this summer





Firefighters are urging the public to pack a picnic instead of a barbecue this summer to reduce the risk of wildfires.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) has issued the warning as part of their Safer Summer campaign as many people across the North East look to make the most of summer.

While the weather might be looking drizzly at the moment, when temperatures turn and things start to heat up again, dry conditions mean that fire can easily spread when exposed to flame.

CDDFRS Group Manager Dan Wootton, said: “We are urging the public to please pack a picnic, not a barbecue, when enjoying the warm weather this summer.

“Not ensuring your barbecue or campfire is fully extinguished before you leave can lead to fires which can quickly spread - especially in dry, warm, and windy conditions.

“Please also ensure that you take any rubbish home with you as reflective items like glass bottles can also start a fire.

“Wildfires can have devastating consequences on the landscape and put lives at risk but by making these small choices, you can significantly reduce that risk.”

Between April 2022 and March 2024 - CDDFRS crews tackled 18 wildfires across County Durham and Darlington, many of which were in grassland areas.

Dan added: “If you see a possible wildfire, call 999 immediately and ask for the fire and rescue service.

“Do not attempt to tackle it yourself.

“Even if the blaze is in a busy area, you may be the first to inform us about it.

“You can use apps like what3words or any landmarks to help provide a precise location for our crews.

“We want everyone to enjoy the summer but please do so responsibly and make sure to pack a picnic, not a barbecue.”



CDDFRS has issued the following advice to help the public stay safe this summer and reduce the risk of wildfires:

Pack a picnic instead of a barbecue.
Do not start fires in the countryside. This includes campfires.
Take your litter home.
If you see a possible wildfire, get to a place of safety immediately and then call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service.
Never leave a lit barbecue unattended and ensure it is fully extinguished before disposing of it.

02/07/2024

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death after a short illness of our Curator and Museum Trustee Kate Gill. Kate became our Curator in 2019 at a time when the Museum was setting out on its venture to create a new Museum and Heritage Centre in High House Chapel and she had a great vision of how the new enterprise would look. She guided us through the difficult months of COVID, built a Team which took the collection out from our small building to exhibit in all parts of the Dale and showed enormous energy and leadership in all that she did. New stewards and Trustees have all remarked on the friendly way she supported and helped them in their new roles and she will be hugely missed by all of her friends.

We are thinking especially of Ian, Jill and the family at this sad time and invite you to post your own words of condolence for the family.

02/07/2024

01/07/2024

29/06/2024

Events & Festivals in County Durham

26/06/2024

Layla on track to be a Lioness
At just 13 years old, King James I Academy student, Layla Vickers is already making her mark in the world of professional football. Not only has she spent the last two seasons playing for Sunderland AFC Womens’ Academy Under 14s team, but she has also attended two England ‘invite-only’ camps for potential lionesses.
Layla started her footballing journey at the tender age of five, firstly attending Tiny Tots sessions before moving up to play with Bishop Auckland Juniors the following season. She spent two seasons playing in the boys’ team before moving on to Bishop Auckland Girls in 2018 at the age of eight years old. Here she excelled, breaking all previous goal scoring records set in the Girls Russel Foster Premier League. In 2018/19 season, Layla scored a staggering 94 goals for the under 9s, followed by 51 goals in 2019/20 for the under 10s, 56 goals in 2020/21 for the under 11s and 42 goals in 2021/22 for the under 12s.
Layla then signed for Sunderland Womens Academy Under 14s team, where she has spent the last two seasons playing against other elite academy teams and travelling to matches in Derby, Notts County, Bradford and Doncaster. After winning the Junior Premier League Northern Section this season, the team then went on to finish runners-up in the national play offs to West Ham United, where the final score was 2-3. In September, Layla will be moving up to the Under 16s team and playing her third season at Sunderland.
As a result of her footballing talent, Layla has already been spotted by England Scouts and has been attending England Talent Camps since mid-2023; these are strictly by invitation only and designed specifically for potential lionesses. The youngest England team are the Under 15s and it is Layla’s ambition to break into the squad when she is old enough next season.
David Longstaff, Deputy Headteacher at King James said, "Layla has done exceptionally well as a student with us. As well as being a talented young footballer, Layla is also a respectful and positive student in school, and has shown resilience and determination - characteristics we value highly. We are looking forward to seeing her achieve her dream of playing professionally."