November 2014 - Darlington Together

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Welcome to this month’s magazine for Darlington Borough Welcome to the November edition of Darlington Together

shopping locally this Christmas, and I hope you’ll all join me. Check out our four-page spread on pages 24-27 to find out more about the parking offers and shopping in Darlington town centre, as well as all the great events taking place over Christmas and New Year.

It was fantastic to hear the Civic Theatre’s great news – it has been granted £5 million of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, this will be its biggest investment since it opened 107 years ago. The money will be NOVEMBER As always, you can keep up to date with used to restore the theatre, improve Darlington Borough Council’s latest access and enlarge the backstage areas, updates and developments on our website meaning that it can host bigger shows and larger (www.darlington.gov.uk) and social media. tours. Along with The Hullaballoon children’s theatre, The Forum and the developments taking place in the Cllr Bill Dixon MBE town centre, this means Darlington will have a (@billdixondton) cultural and entertainment hub which will rival that Leader of the Council of larger cities.Visit pages 22 and 23 to find out more.

Speaking of the town centre, I am pleased to announce some special parking offers to help businesses and shoppers in the run-up to Christmas.

You can now park for 50p an hour in selected car parks and from mid-November, if you pay for two or more hours parking in Council-run car parks, you’ll get an extra hour free. Darlington has so many wonderful independent shops and well-loved high street brands, as well as a wide-selection of both traditional and contemporary market stalls. I’ll be

MP’s surgeries Jenny Chapman: MP for Darlington.

Walk-in surgery will be held on 7 and 21 November from 9:30 - 10:30am at the Constituency Office, 40a Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7RG. E-mail: jenny.chapman.mp@parliament.uk Call: 01325 382345

Phil Wilson: MP for Sedgefield. The office is open between Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5pm. Appointments can be arranged by calling 01325 321603 or e-mail phil.wilson.mp@parliament.uk

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NEWS IN BRIEF • NEWS IN BRIEF • NEWS IN Winter is coming Our Highway and Street Scene teams will be using social media to let you know when the roads are being gritted this winter, with messages going out through the day and night.

The alerts can be found on our main Facebook account (www.facebook.com/darlingtonboroughcouncil), main Twitter account (www.twitter.com/darlingtonbc) and Google+ account (gplus.to/darlingtonbc).

More information about winter gritting, including a list of frequently asked questions, a list of grit bins and information about which routes are gritted is available on the website: www.darlington.gov.uk/wintergritting.

White Ribbon Campaign The White Ribbon Campaign aims to educate and raise awareness of violence against women and asks men to pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence.

There will be a stall in the Dolphin Centre on Tuesday 25 November between 10am and 3pm where you can find out more information about the campaign and sign the pledge.

For more information visit www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk

Well done Harewood House!

A Darlington home offering short breaks for children with disabilities has been presented with £200 after being chosen as the winner of a charitygiving scheme at ASDA’s Whinfield Store.

ASDA’s green token scheme allows individual stores to invest in local community organisations and support local projects. Shoppers are given green tokens at the checkout which they can ‘give’ to three local charities. The charity with the most tokens is presented with £200, with the other two charities receiving £50.

A parent applied for the scheme and the money is going to be used to buy a trampoline for the recently-renovated back garden.

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Official Service of Remembrance The Official Service of Remembrance will be held in Holy Trinity Church, Woodland Road at 10am on Sunday 9 November, followed by a marching parade to the Cenotaph, Memorial Hospital for a further Act of Remembrance at 11am.

There will be two minutes silence on High Row on Tuesday 11 November at 11am.

Head of Steam Poppies Head of Steam Railway Museum is asking Darlington residents to help knit, crochet and felt poppies to commemorate each of the 2,236 North Eastern Railway staff who died in World War One. For more information or to request a pattern, email headofsteam@darlington.gov.uk.

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IN BRIEF • NEWS IN BRIEF • NEWS IN BRIEF Revised Weekly Collections have begun Revised Weekly Collections started in Darlington last month. If you have any questions about your collections, what you are able to recycle and which materials go in which containers, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/rwc. Please ensure that you put all your recyclable materials in the right container, otherwise we will not collect them. Please remember to put your refuse and recycling out for collection by 7am on the day.

Learn the online basics

Christmas in Darlington The Countdown to Christmas in Darlington has begun – with lots of activities for all the family.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about computers, come along to a free weekly course.

Visit pages 24-27 to find out more about what’s taking place – including an interview with Pantomime stars the Chuckle Brothers!

The course takes place at Crown Street Library from 9am-4pm on a Monday and covers using the internet, downloading files and sending emails.

Call 01325 248021 to book.

Have your say about County Durham Fire and Rescue Service CDDFRS have made some proposals about the service they provide and would like Darlington residents to have their say.Visit www.ddfire.gov.uk by 1 December to view their strategic plan and have your say.

CONTACT US www.darlington.gov.uk 01325 380651 customerservices@darlington.gov.uk Did you know we’re also on social media?

Follow us on Twitter (@darlingtonbc) and give us a ‘like’ on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ darlingtonboroughcouncil)

STREET SCENE www.darlington.gov.uk/streetscene Tel (01325) 388777 COUNCIL TAX www.darlington.gov.uk/counciltax Tel (01325) 388373 HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT www.darlington.gov.uk/benefits Tel (01325) 388514 HOUSING AND REPAIRS www.darlington.gov.uk/housing Tel (01325) 388542 HIGHWAYS,TRANSPORT, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH www.darlington.gov.uk Tel (01325) 388799

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Best of Darlington’s 10th year!

Darlington Partnership is looking for nominations for the 10th annual Best of Darlington awards, which honour individuals, groups and businesses from the town.

Nominations will be considered by a panel of judges and the final three nominees from each category will be invited, along with their nominators, to an awards ceremony at Darlington College on Friday 22 May 2015.

This year’s awards: • Contribution to Sport • Performance in Sport • Contribution to the Arts • Business Bringing Success to Darlington • Business Contribution to the Community • Contribution to the Environment • Academic Excellence

Alex and Sam Blackham, winners of the 2014 ‘Contribution to the Community Award’ with Councillor Andy Scott.

• Vocational Excellence • Exceptional Student • Volunteer of the Year • Contribution to the Community • Young Person’s Contribution to the Community (up to 18 years) • Putting Darlington on the Map Two exceptional individuals will also be awarded the title of ‘Citizen of the Year’ and ‘Young Citizen of the Year’.

Boxing Champion Stuart Hall, winner of the 2014 ‘Performance in Sport Award’ with Martin Phillips.

Nominate someone that has contributed to Darlington by downloading a form from www.darlington.org.uk or picking up a form from the Customer Service Centre at the Town Hall.

The closing date for nominations is Saturday 31 January 2015.

Many thanks to all of the sponsors of the Best of Darlington awards.

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Lol Degnan, winner of the 2014 ‘Citizen of the Year Award’ with last year’s Mayor, Councillor Charles Johnson.

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Make your vote count The Scottish Independence Referendum made headlines with a record 85% of people registered to vote turning out to have their say.Voting in elections is an important way that you can shape how your town, your ward and your country is run. Now’s the time to make sure you’re ready for the elections taking place next year.

Elections 2015 Local Elections are happening in Darlington on Thursday 7 May 2015. Polling Stations are open from 7am till 10pm. It’s expected that a Parliamentary (General) Election will take place on the same day. In order to vote in any election, residents must be registered to do so. If you haven’t yet registered to vote, it couldn’t be easier – just visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or contact the Elections Team on 01325 388351.

Postal and Proxy Voting If you are registered to vote, but won’t be able to get to your Polling Station for any reason, you can apply for a Postal or Proxy Vote. With a Postal Vote, the Council sends your Ballot Paper to you in the post a few days before Polling Day, which you then complete and send back by post. Alternatively you can nominate someone else to vote on your behalf – this is known as a Proxy Vote.

To apply for a Postal Vote or Proxy Vote contact elections@darlington.gov.uk or call 01325 388351.

Do you know someone who is drinking too much?

Alcohol misuse means drinking excessively more than the recommended limits of alcohol consumption.

This can lead to a number of harmful physical and psychological effects, such as alcohol poisoning, cirrhosis, inability to work and socialise and destructive behaviour, such as drinkdriving.

Did you know that approximately 5.5% of the Darlington population are classed as higher-risk drinkers?

If you’re concerned about your or somebody else’s drinking, a good first step is to visit your GP or health professional. Alternatively visit www.nhs.co.uk or contact Alcoholics Anonymous on 0845 769 7555.

The NHS recommends: • Men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day • Women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day • If you've had a heavy drinking session, avoid alcohol for 48 hours ‘Regularly’ means drinking this amount every day or most days of the week.

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Civic Theatre successful in

Lynda Winstanley, Darlington Civic Theatre Director with Ivor Crowther, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund North East and Councillor Nick Wallis

The stage is set for a show stopping future for Darlington’s Civic Theatre which has received initial support for a £5m bid from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The £5m funding will be used as part of an £8m project to restore the Grade II listed building to its former Edwardian glory.

This includes restoring the front of the theatre, the creation of a stunning vaulted bar in the old water tower and making the theatre more comfortable for everyone with better seating and disabled access including a lift.

There will also be an education centre for school visits and a gallery with a changing programme of theatre related exhibitions.

Big improvements to backstage areas will bring the theatre up to modern standards and allow it to host larger touring companies and bigger shows.

The remaining money needed for the project will be raised through the restoration ticket levy and fundraising.

Ivor Crowther, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund North East says: “For over a century people have flocked to the historic Darlington Civic Theatre to enjoy memorable evenings of entertainment.We thought this was an impressive project and have given the initial go-ahead for restoration plans to be progressed.”

Work is expected to start in Summer 2016.

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n £5million restoration bid!

Did you know?

• The Civic Theatre was founded by Signor Rino Pepi, an Italian born quick change artist • He set up a chain of theatres across the North but the Civic is the only surviving working theatre • It was known as ‘The Hip’ • Signor Pepi’s dog was found buried in the theatre in the 1990s and is said to still haunt the building

This is not the only good news the theatre has had this year. In a joint project with young people’s theatre company, Theatre Hullabaloo, it successfully bid for £1.5million from Arts Council England to build a children’s theatre next door. The theatre will specialise in productions for a younger audience and will be known as The Hullaballoon – it’s set to open in autumn 2016.

Lynda Winstanley, Darlington Civic Theatre Director says: “This is incredible news and will help us to ensure this well-loved venue can meet the expectations of modern audiences and touring theatre companies.The Theatre stands on the threshold of a new era; coupled with the development of The Hullaballoon next door, this is a unique opportunity for supporters old and new, to join with us to take the theatre forward into the next chapter of its incredible history.”

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It’s beginning to look Christmas is just around the corner – when you get this magazine the big day will be just over a month away!

No matter what your age and interests are, there’s lots going on in Darlington this year! Read on to find out about some of the things taking place this Christmas...

Darlington set to sparkle!

Come along and celebrate the official start of the Christmas season on Thursday 27 November from 5pm as we switch on the famous blue and white Christmas lights!

With special guests, music, shopping and entertainment for all the family, Darlington Town Centre is the place to be!

Kids Christmas Crafts There will be a Christmas craft workshop at Crown Street Library on Saturday 6 December from 10am-noon (£1 per child) and at Coleridge Centre on Wednesday 10 December from 3:30-4:30pm (free).

Call 01325 248021 or email l&s@darlington.gov.uk to book.

Meet Santa and his reindeer The Reindeer Parade on Sunday 30 November at 11am will see Santa and his reindeer touch down in Darlington. After the parade, come along to the Cornmill Centre where you can meet Santa and take photos!

This ice is nice The Town Centre ice rink will be returning for a third year! It opens on Saturday 6 December and runs until Sunday 4 January.

For more information, including opening times and prices visit www.distinctdarlington.co.uk

It’s a Cracker!

St Teresa’s Hospice will hold a Christmas Cracker Concert at the Dolphin Centre on Saturday 20 December from 6:30pm.

It will be a festive night with carols, choirs, soloists and an orchestra.

Call 01325 254321 for more information.

Santa stops at the Station Festive arts Santa will be at the Head of Steam on the 13, 14, 20 and 21 December from 10am to 4pm.

Bring the little ones along to meet Santa and get a present! There will also be lots of fun activities to enjoy including arts, crafts and a mini-train ride.

Entrance fee applies and booking is essential – call Head of Steam on 01325 460532 to book your place.

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and crafts

Crown Street Library is holding a Christmas Wreath Course from Saturday 15 November , 10am-noon for five weeks. £25, call 01325 248021 to book.

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k a lot like Christmas!

Panto time!

Our Christmas Pantomime ‘The Chuckles of Oz’ starts in December!

Christmas at the Library Santa will be visiting Bookstart Rhymetime sessions from the 15 December.

Author Kay Wilson will be at Crown Street Library on Monday 22 December from 10:30-11am, reading and performing her own Christmas story. Suitable for under 6’s and free.

On Tuesday 23 December at 10am, Animal Stories will be presenting their own take on the Christmas Nativity! Children 4+ £3.50 per child.

Down in the Denes There will be a Christmas fair in the Tennis Dene on Sunday 7 December from 1-4pm, with lots of festive activities.

Christmas parkrun Burn off the turkey and mince pies and keep fit over the holiday with a 5k run at South Park on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day – times to be confirmed.

Visit www.parkrun.org.uk/ darlingtonsouthpark for more information.

Chuckles a-plenty at the panto!

The Chuckle Brothers return to Darlington this year for ‘The Chuckles of Oz’ – the fun-filled family pantomime!

We met up with Paul and Barry at the launch to talk to them about the panto and coming back to Darlington.

You did the panto in Darlington last year - how did you find it?

This year will be the 7th panto we’ve done here.We could do a backstage tour blindfolded. It’s a nice place to be, it’s a really friendly place, like being at home.

Paul – We’re good friends with the ghost of the theatre…

Barry – Actually we are the ghosts of the theatre…

Have you ever done a panto without a Dame before?

No! Forty-seven consecutive pantos and this is our first without a Dame.

Do you have any funny stories from backstage last year?

Paul – We can’t tell you that!

Barry – Ooh no, can’t tell you that!

Ok then, can you tell us a joke?

Paul – Yes, Barry!

Barry – Bit harsh.

Speaking of Barry, will we get to see you in your pants again this year?

Barry – Now, that would be telling!

Paul – We might well get to see his legs, but it won’t be the full monty Barry – It might be back by popular demand.

So why should the people of Darlington come and see the panto this year?

If you want to have a laugh and enjoy yourself, come and see the panto!

The Chuckles of Oz starts at Darlington Civic Theatre on Saturday December 6 and runs until Sunday January 11. To book your tickets visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk Look out for a competition coming soon on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/darlingt onboroughcouncil) where you can send in photos of your Christmas decorations and win a family ticket to the pantomime!

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Shop when you pop to Darlington With unique local stores, high street names, indoor shopping centres, vibrant markets and longer shopping hours, why go anywhere else for your festive gifts this Christmas?

Darlington really does have it all. Our fabulous range of specialist independent shops offer something a little bit different that you simply can’t get elsewhere along with a superb selection of national retailers.

Make it to the Markets Did you know, you can get all you need for your Christmas Dinner under one roof at the Indoor Market? Take a look at our sample menu and let the market take the stress out of planning your festive fayre….

Starters

Prawn Cocktail – pick up your prawns from our fish stall and salad from our fruit and veg stalls.

Chestnut Soup – get your chestnuts at one of our fruit and veg stalls.

Mains

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Roast Turkey – pre-order your turkey at one of our three family butchers or the Italian deli.

Glazed Roast Ham – choose the one you like from one of our three butchers.

Sides

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Brussel Sprouts with Bacon – grab your brussel sprouts from our fruit and veg stalls.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing – find this at our Italian deli.

Roasties and roasted veggies - fill up on fresh veg from fruit and veg stalls.

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Trimmings

Cranberry Sauce and Turkey Gravy – get these from the Italian deli

Pudding

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Traditional Christmas Pudding and Yule Log – get your festive puds from the Italian deli and sweet stall Christmas Cake – collect your cake from the cake and sweet stalls Brandy Butter – pick this up from the Italian deli

Wine

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Pop into the Italian deli to see what’s on offer /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Wrapping paper, cards and bows, stocking fillers and table decorations are all available from the Indoor Market. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Don’t forget your four legged friends – there’s Christmas treats for your pets too!

Festive Market Thursday 27 – Sunday 30 November A festive four-day Christmas Market in the town centre with stalls selling gifts, crafts, sweets and festive foods. Open Thursday 12pm – 8pm: Friday and Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm.

Christingle Markets Thursday 4, 11 & 18 December, Noon to 8pm.

Festivities will carry on throughout December, as the Christingle Market arrives in town. The markets will feature a variety of Christmas stalls and coincide with late night Christmas shopping.

The market is only closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day!

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Alongside fantastic shops there’s a whole programme of events to get you in the festive mood.

don’t forget to make your vote on the Cornmill Centre’s Facebook page. See www.cornmillcentre.co.uk for details.

From the family fun of the lights switch on and ice rink to the magic of Santa with his reindeers. Make a date for Darlington – you’ll be glad you did. See pages 24 and 25 for more festive fun.

For more sounds of Christmas, and to help raise money for a local charity, pop into Queen Street Shopping Centre. From Monday 24 until Friday 28 November and then from Monday 1 to Friday 5 December at 10.30am and 1.30pm, there will be carol singing from the volunteers at St. Teresa’s Hospice and local choirs.

There will be festive fun indoors as well as Thursday 27 November marks the start of the heats of the Cornmill Shopping Centre’s Sing to Win. Local choirs will be performing every Thursday evening from 6 – 7pm until 11 December. Pop along and listen and

For details of all events visit: www.darlington.gov.uk/christmas

Parking is as easy as One,Two, FREE There’s plenty of choice when it comes to parking your own sleigh in the town centre. To help your Christmas budget stretch even further, we’ve introduced a range of money saving options.

One,Two, Free – did you know from 14 November that if you pay for two or more hours parking in Council-run car parks, you will get an extra hour free.

That’s as little as £1 for three hours.

50p an hour - parking charges have been reduced to 50p an hour at: East St, Garden St, Archer St and Chesnut St car parks.

Park & Ride - A Saturday Park & Ride is running from Darlington College to the Town Centre to help cope with the Christmas rush. £1 all day.

For a full map of car parks visit www.darlington.gov.uk/ parking

It’s less fuss on the bus Did you know, more than 8,000 people take the bus into or out of Darlington every day? Why not leave the car at home and make a day or a night of it in Darlington? For details of bus routes and times visit: www.connectteesvalley.com Cycle into town and take advantage of the new covered bike park. For more information on walking, cycling and public transport go to www.dothelocalmotion.co.uk or call 0800 4589810.

Did you know that...?

For every £1 that is spent with a local, independent business, between 50p – 70p goes back into the local economy.

Shopping online or out of town means only 5p trickles back into the local economy.

Source:The Centre for Local Economic Strategies.

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What can a job in e As part of our series looking at job opportunities for young people here in Darlington, this month we’re looking at Whesso eengineering.

The company has been in Darlington for the best part of 200 years. From a start in metal working and the rail industry, it now designs and engineers very low temperature liquid gas storage plant for customers in the UK and the rest of the world.

The company is re-establishing a graduate development and apprenticeship programme for local

talent, offering young people the opportunity to develop a career in design engineering without leaving the Borough.

CEO Steve Kim says: “We are a local company doing business across the world.We value our local roots and want to see more young people from the area taking science subjects at school so they can start a career in engineering.

“Modern engineering is very different from the image that some people have of dirty factories or hard labour – it offers a fantastic career with the opportunity to work abroad.”

What subjects do you need to study to break into engineering?

GCSE: Maths, English and a Science.

One of Whessoe’s engineering sites abroad

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engineering offer?

Profile 1 :

Gemma Warner, Structural Engineer

“When I was 14 I went to a careers fair where an engineer was speaking about their job. It sparked an interest in me and led to me wondering why high rise buildings don’t fall over in the wind?

A career in engineering has seen me turn my skills from designing restaurants and national grid substations, to the design of storage tanks. No two days are ever the same in engineering and every project has its own problems and quirks which have to be worked around. It really is a cliché but with engineering you really do learn something new every day, which makes it such an interesting field to be in. The job provides great satisfaction when you see something which was effectively numbers and letters on your calculation pad being constructed. I went through the academic route into Engineering from A Levels to Degree and then into Engineering as it suited my needs.”

Profile 2 :

Robert Edwards, Piping Designer

“After completing my GCSE’s unaware of the opportunities in engineering, I did my A levels at QE Sixth Form College. I didn’t think an academic path suited me so I went to an Engineering fair at Darlington College. After the event I was lucky enough to get a job as a Mechanical Design Engineer.

During my 6 year career in engineering, I have learnt that “to engineer” literally means to “make things happen”. Engineering is so diverse; it’s possible to find something suited to you, whatever your interests.There is a growing skill shortage of trained engineers, ensuring demand and job security.The potential to earn good money provides you with a good work/life balance. Projects happen all over the world, resulting in engineers having to travel worldwide – I’ve worked in numerous countries around the world including China,Taiwan, South Korea and Germany. It is a very rewarding career which can take you anywhere, either with companies, governments, aid organisations, or as your own boss!

Whessoe is also sponsoring me through a degree in Mechanical Engineering (Part Time) at the University of Teesside.”

Profile 3 :

John Wheeler, Project Engineering Manager

“Engineering to me is all about being a researcher, problem solver and pioneer while continually striving to develop and improve the technology around us; engineering is a very creative area to work in.”

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Are you caring for someone?

Check your benefits...

Did you know millions of pounds of carer’s benefits go unclaimed every year? To celebrate Carer’s Rights day on Friday 28 November, here are some need-to-know facts for anyone who thinks they might be entitled to carer’s benefits.

• Some carers are entitled to a Council tax discount even if they do not get carer’s allowance – the rules about who counts as a carer changed in April 2012 and there are now more carers who qualify.

Forms are available at www.darlington.gov.uk/ discountsandexemptions or call 01325 388373 • Carers who are in paid employment may still be entitled to carer’s allowance but there is an earnings limit, which is currently £102 after certain expenses.Visit www.gov.uk/carers-allowance for more information about who can claim • If you are currently getting carer’s allowance and are working 16 hours a week, the minimum wage rise on 1 October this year may have caused you to go over the maximum earnings limit, so don’t forget to check

• Carers who are over pension age may be missing out on benefits that they are entitled to even if they can no longer be paid carer’s allowance.

Contact Carer’s UK on 0808 808 7777 to see what you may be entitled to

For more advice about being a carer and the practical support that is available: Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/carers Contact the Carers Support Service at DAD on 01325 357533.

For carers aged 25 and under, contact the Young Carers Service at DISC on 01325 483038.

Aspiring to work Young adults with learning disabilities at Darlington College are taking the chance to hone their skills through work experience placements with local organisations.

The course is designed so that students develop employability skills and gain experience in the world of work. Students are taught through classroom activities and work placement as well as working on their English and maths skills.

Jason (pictured right) is on work experience at Vane House and Eastbourne Sports Complex where he has been supporting the grounds maintenance team. He says “It’s hard work… but I like working and would like to be able to look for a (paid) job”

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Sarah Kelly, Assistant Duty Manager at Eastbourne Sports Complex says: “The programme has only been running for a few weeks but the support students like Jason have provided to the complex has been fantastic. Customers have noticed the work and regularly comment on how good it is.”

Placements are set-up by the Aspire team at Darlington Borough Council. If you would like to offer a work placement, please call the team on 01325 350078.

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Spotlight on...

Part Three Darlington’s Secret Superheroes November 3 – 9 is National Adoption Week As part of our series focusing on Darlington’s Secret Superheroes, we’re looking at how our foster carers play a vital role in helping children settle in with their forever family.

Stephen Haigh has been fostering children with his partner, Julie Boyce, for eight years.

Stephen told us about the process of helping children move from fostering on to adoption.

“When we first speak to the new adoptive family they’ll have had some information but we can tell them about who the kids really are; their likes, dislikes and quirks.

“Then the adoptive family will make a talking book for the children.This will include pictures and recordings for us to introduce the children to the fact that they will be getting a new family, and explain to them where they’ll be going and what it will be like.

“The children are usually then ready to meet their new family, first at our house where they are comfortable, then after a couple of visits we’ll go with them to their new home. After about 10 days when everyone is sure of what’s happening the adoptive family will take over the care of the children.

“We save pictures, party invites and tickets for children while they are with us so they have a picture of their past. It can be very emotional for us, sometimes we’ve had children for two years before they move on and they’ve been a part of the family.

“Fostering is hard work, but so worthwhile.We do what we can for children to give them a good start in life. It’s tough, but it’s enjoyable, it really is.”

There are a few different routes that a child can take after a short term foster placement: going back to their birth parents, moving to live with extended family, going on to a long term foster placement, or being adopted by a new family.

One of our adoptive families said: “Our children, who had previously been neglected, had been with their foster carers for almost two years when we met them. We worried they might not want to leave to be part of our family but their carers had prepared them well and shown them the family books we’d made so they were excited to meet us. We still see the foster carers a couple of times a year as they are so important to the children as people that really made a difference to their lives.”

Short term foster placements can be anything from a couple of hours to two years.

To find out more visit: www.darlington.gov.uk/fostering or contact the Family Placement Service on 01325 388077 or fostering@darlington.gov.uk

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DARLINGTON TOGETHER

Please contact your local councillor if you have any issues that are affecting life in your ward – they are here to listen to you.

You can email, call and meet them face-to-face at regular ward surgeries.

For more information visit www.darlington.gov.uk/wards

E-mailing councillors: If you wish to e-mail your councillor their e-mail address is: firstname.lastname@darlington.gov.uk For example, if you wish to e-mail Bill Dixon, type in bill.dixon@darlington.gov.uk • The only exceptions are Andy Scott (Haughton West Ward), Anne-Marie Curry (North Road Ward) and Tom Nutt (Haughton North); their e-mail addresses are shown with their ward surgery details.

BANK TOP WARD Veronica Copeland (L) Tel: 358530; Chris Taylor (L), Tel: 243298. Fri 21 Nov, King William Street Community Centre 5pm-6pm and Wesley Court Community Centre 6pm-6.30pm.

CENTRAL WARD Jan Taylor (L) Tel: 243298; Malcolm Wright (L) Tel: 484374. Wed 3 Dec, Park Place Community Centre, 6pm7pm.

HURWORTH WARD Joe Kelley (LD) Tel: 266760. Martin Swainston (LD) Tel: 07535637060. Thurs 4 Dec, Hurworth Grange Community Centre Library 6pm-7pm.

LASCELLES WARD Wendy Newall (L) Tel: 251574. Helen Crumbie (L) Tel: 462642. Sat 8 Nov, Cleveland Bridge Social Club 12noon-1pm. Tues 18 Nov, St John’s CE Academy 6pm-7pm.

COCKERTON EAST WARD Paul Baldwin (L) Tel: 362690 Sue Richmond (L) Tel: 351538. Bryan Thistlethwaite (L) Tel: 485466. Thurs 13 Nov, Cockerton Library 6pm-7pm.

LINGFIELD WARD Ian Haszeldine (L) Tel: 741508/07807381613 Lynne Haszeldine (L) Tel: 493298. Wed 12 Nov, Eastbourne Sports Complex 6pm-6.30pm. Wed 26 Nov, Heathfield Primary School, 6pm-6.30pm.

COCKERTON WEST WARD Jan Cossins (L) Tel: 241124 David Regan (L) Tel: 495258. Wed 12 Nov, Windsor Court 10am11am. Thurs 13 Nov, Cockerton Library 6pm – 7pm.

MIDDLETON ST. GEORGE WARD Doris Jones (C) Tel: 332820 Steve York (C) Tel: 332025. Tues 25 Nov, Dinsdale Court, 6.15pm-7.15pm.

COLLEGE WARD Tony Richmond (C) Tel: 351538 Ian Galletley (C) Tel: 07507904109. Wed 12 Nov, Abbey Junior School 7pm-8pm.

MOWDEN WARD Bill Stenson (C) Tel: 468249. Pauline Culley (C) Tel: 07535470805 Mon 1 Dec, Mowden Junior School, 6.30pm-7.30pm.

EASTBOURNE WARD Roderick Crichlow (L) Tel: 488173 Bill Dixon (L) Tel: 486588. Lee Vasey (L) Tel: 488513. Wed 19 Nov, Pilmoor Green Community Centre 5pm-6pm. Wed 26 Nov, Maidendale House 3pm-4pm.

NORTH ROAD WARD Anne-Marie Curry (LD) Tel: 07531304050 annemarie.curry@darlington.gov.uk Fred Lawton (LD) Tel: 467413 Alan Macnab (LD) Tel: 482015 Wed 19 Nov, Morrisons North Road, Car Park Entrance 6pm-7pm.

FAVERDALE Richard Grundy (C) Tel: 266314. Wed 12 Nov, West Park Academy 6pm-7pm.

NORTHGATE WARD Eleanor Lister, (L) Tel. 254091 Dorothy Long, (L) Tel. 355755. Wed 3 Dec, Reid Street Primary School, 6pm-7pm.

HARROWGATE HILL WARD Gill Cartwright (C) Tel: 382276. Wed 3 Dec, Harrowgate CIU Ltd. Salters Lane North 7.30pm – 8.30pm. Marjory Knowles (L) Tel: 265847 John Vasey (L) Tel: 488513. Tue 2 Dec, Classroom, New Sports Hall, Longfield Academy, 7pm-8pm.

HAUGHTON EAST WARD Chris McEwan (L) Tel: 283262 Martin Landers (L) Tel: 07709804580. Wed 3 Dec, Red Hall Community Centre, 6pm-7pm. Sat 6 Dec, Asda Foyer 10am11.30am HAUGHTON NORTH WARD Tom Nutt (L) Tel: 360953 thomas.nutt@darlington.gov.uk Beverley Hutchinson (L) Tel: 262015. Sat 6 Dec, Asda Foyer 10am-11.30am.

HAUGHTON WEST WARD Nick Wallis (L) Tel: 488797 David Lyonette (L) Tel: 464693 Andy Scott (L) Tel: 253707 andrew.scott@darlington.gov.uk Wed 12 Nov, Salvation Army, Thompson St. 6pm–7pm, Sat 6 Dec, Asda Foyer 10am-11.30am.

HEIGHINGTON AND CONISCLIFFE WARD Gerald Lee (C) Tel: 314622 Paul Crudass (C) Tel: 374537. Sat 6 Dec, Killerby and Summerhouse Village Hall, 10am-11am.

HUMMERSKNOTT WARD Alan Coultas (C) Tel: 350453 Charles Johnson (C) Tel: 463712. Mon 24 Nov, Carmel College, The Headlands 6pm-7pm.

32 | www.darlington.gov.uk

PARK EAST WARD Paul Harman (L) Tel: 483259 Cyndi Hughes (L) Tel: 480975. Joe Lyonette (L) Tel: 263480.,Fri 14 Nov, St. Columbas Church Hall 6-7pm. Fri 21 Nov, The Coleridge Centre 6-7pm.

PARK WEST WARD Bob Donoghue (C) Tel: 352582 Heather Scott (C) Tel: 468547. Fri 21 Nov, 76 Carmel Road South, 5pm6pm.

PIERREMONT WARD Bob Carson (L) Tel: 240627 Stephen Harker (L) Tel: 380039 Linda Hughes (L) Tel: 07904772387. Wed 5 Nov and Wed 3 Dec, Reid Street Primary School 6-7pm.

SADBERGE AND WHESSOE Brian Jones (C) Tel: 332820.

Wed 26 Nov, Brafferton Village Hall, 6pm-7pm.

Key: (L) Labour (C) Conservative (LD) Liberal Democrat

Upcoming Committee Dates General Licensing Committee

Tue 11 Nov

9.30am

Committee Room 3

Planning Applications Committee

Wed 19 Nov

1.30pm

Committee Room 2