May / June 2017 - Issue 11
DURHAM Magazine
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Editorial - May / June 2017
Welcome
Dear Durham Readers,
It’s certainly been an interesting few weeks in Durham City. For anyone who has been living under a rock; the A-list cast and crew were in Durham to film the latest Marvel Comics movie ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ at the start of May. We first broke the news of the filming on DurhamMagazine.co.uk and received incredible social media love from fans across the North East and from around the World. We’d like to thank everyone who contributed and helped us to cover the story. It’s going to be fun looking out for the Durham Cathedral scenes when the film is released in 2018.
the Durham Magazine is truly a collaborative local publication.
We’re here to give the people of Durham a positive news driven publication. That’s why we’re on the lookout for people who want to see their articles or photographs published in print and online. To get involved simply email or call us with your ideas. You can send us your stories, photographs for the front cover, or anything interesting that’s happening in Durham City. Warmest regards, Barry Kirkham, Marco Elsy and The Durham Magazine team.
Contributors Brian Harrison George Ford Neil Collins Sam Lupton David Sunderland Alex Nelson Glenn Maltman Audrey Rogan Mark Tee
Content and advertising team Barry Kirkham Marco Elsy Firefly New Media UK
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Disclaimer: Durham Magazine and durhammagazine.co.uk make sure to only use reliable sources and we try to verify all content as much as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions. All details are believed to be correct at the time of printing. We recommend that readers check information with any venue about times and dates of events in advance. Readers are welcome to send photographs, letters and other content to Durham Magazine and Firefly New Media UK but we cannot guarantee they will be featured in the publication. Firefly New Media UK reserves the right to neither use submitted material in print and online publications nor return it. The views and opinions expressed in advertisements and content do not reflect that of Durham Magazine and Firefly New Media UK. No part of this publication/website may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from Firefly New Media UK. Permission is only deemed valid if approval is in writing.
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Your Free May / June 2017 Durham Magazine
BRASS Announces Full Line-up The full line-up of this year’s BRASS festival has been announced, with events ranging from popular Northern Soul band Keep the Faith to a unique play-along screening of iconic British film Brassed Off. Returning for its 11th year, Durham’s popular BRASS festival celebrates the best of brass across ten days in one of the North East’s most stunning cities. Organised by Durham County Council, this year’s festival is the first under the leadership of new Artistic Director Paul Gudgin and will showcase the broadest possible range of brass music from Broadway to 17th century Venice. Tickets for the new events go on sale on Friday, 19 May and are available from www.brassfestival.co.uk
www.durhammagazine.co.uk
Popular Yorkshire-based band Keep the Faith joins forces with North of England Champion Band NASUWT Riverside Band to celebrate Northern Soul – the movement that emerged in the North in the late 1960s from the British mod scene and which continues to sweep dancefloors across the UK to this day.
Covering classic songs from the likes of The Specials, Billy Ocean, Frankie Valli, Edwin Starr and Stevie Wonder; Keep the Faith creates its own authentic arrangements of these original songs and provides a live experience that brings together two of the North East’s great musical traditions. Joined by local BRASS favourites NASUWT Riverside Band for some special brassed up arrangements, get set to dance! This year’s festival – which takes place from Friday, 7 July to Sunday, 16 July – also includes the chance to experience iconic British film Brassed Off as never before, with its first ever play-along screening. In this special show, brass players can bring their own instruments to the theatre to rehearse and play along with the BAFTA nominated music in the company of professional brass players and characters Andy Barrow (Ewan McGregor) and Gloria Mullens (Tara Fitzgerald) on screen. In Cutting Edge Brass, the 1960s avant-garde and free jazz inspired Family Band brings its powerful and dynamic music combining jazz, brass and blues into simple, repeated riffs.
Tickets are already on sale for a number of other events, including BRASS on Broadway, which sees stars of the West End Matt Corner (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys) and Kate Graham (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Billy Elliot) who hail from the North East perform swing versions of songs from a range of musicals. Other highlights include Venetian Surround Sound, where the audience will experience early surround sound in Durham Cathedral with the Cathedral Choir and His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts, while the 100th anniversary of Dizzy Gillespie will also be celebrated with American jazz trombonist Jiggs Whigham and the BBC big band. The ever-popular Streets of BRASS also returns to the festival, bringing international favourites such as Mr Wilson’s Second Liners to the streets of Durham, while brass and voices join together for a newly arranged version of William Walton’s thrilling Belshazzar’s Feast. For more information and tickets visit www.brassfestival.co.uk
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Get Tips from the Very Best Musicians at Durham BRASS Festival
A summer school – led by ace trombonist Jiggs Whigham and members of the BBC Big Band – will run alongside the festival from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th July. This will be the first time the summer school has run, and it is hoped it will add to Durham’s growing reputation as a great place for jazz musicians to congregate, learn, have fun and show off. In addition to Jiggs Whigham, emerging and semi-professional musicians will get to work with lead trumpet Martin Shaw and Robin Aspland (piano), Jeremy Brown (bass) and Tom Gordon (drums).
Jiggs has been playing professionally since he was just 17-years old, when he began his career in the Glen Miller/Ray McKinley Orchestra. Jiggs is currently the director of the Berlin Jazz Orchestra and a visiting tutor with Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Northern College of Music. In addition to the summer school’s workshops, there will be the opportunity to participate in two Big Brass jams with members of the BBC Big Band and visiting musicians, which will be held as part of the festival’s fringe. The courses are divided into three sections or ‘bands’: Youth (aged 17 to 22), intermediate and advanced. Applicants should be at the level of grade six or above. Applications are welcome from musicians who play the trumpet, the trombone, the alto, tenor or baritone sax, the piano, the bass, the guitar or drums.
The costs for the summer school are as follows: Youth band participants (non-residential): £150 Intermediate and advanced band participants (non-residential, but includes lunch and coffee/tea): £250 Intermediate and advanced band participants (residential, includes breakfast, lunch, evening meal and coffee/tea): £385 On Thursday 13th July, the BBC Big Band will be putting on a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie and other brass greats. If you would like to stay another night and attend this concert, it will cost an extra £90. Application forms for the courses can be downloaded from www.brassfestival.co.uk/big-ban d-summer-schools/. As well as the BBC Big Band, the Durham Brass Festival is set to feature the Scottish Swing Orchestra, the Brass Broadway Orchestra and a ‘Venetian surround sound event’ in Durham Cathedral. For more information about the Durham Brass Festival, please visit www.brassfestival.co.uk. By David Sunderland
www.durhammagazine.co.uk
photo courtesy of herval, from Flickr Creative Commons Durham is gaining a reputation as a centre for jazz (photo courtesy of herval, from Flickr Creative Commons) Jiggs Whigham is a world-famous trombonist who has played with Ray
Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Gil Evans, Judy Garland and Jerry Lewis.
Your Free May / June 2017 Durham Magazine
The Brass Festival is coming to Durham this summer and up-and-coming musicians will have the chance to learn from some of the world’s jazz greats.
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Your Free May / June 2017 Durham Magazine
Beauty and History On Our Doorstep – Hownesgill Viaduct By Brian Harrison
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Durham’s industrial giants are now gone, but in their wake they have left us some amazing treasures. No matter where you live in this wonderful area you are only ever a few minutes away from some truly awe inspiring countryside. The Waskerley Way and The Derwent Walk, as well as many other pathways and cycle paths are all reminders of our industrial past. Left by the abandoned railway lines which serviced The Works, they have become an integral part of our area and heritage. One of the greatest of all the treasures is the Hownesgill Viaduct found on the Waskerley Way which is not
only a major attraction of our town, but is also stated as one of the must see sites of County Durham. The Gill has always been a place of wonder and awe to me. I would spend hours playing beneath its arches in the wood and the caves, especially on those hot summer days. The Hownesgill Viaduct was built between 1857 and 1858, opened in 1859 and designed by Thomas Bouch, to enable the completion of the Stanhope to Tyneside railway link. It is constructed of 12 arches, each with a span of 50 feet, stands at a height of 175 feet and is 700 feet long. There were some 3,500,000 yellow fire bricks and over 10,000 feet
of stone used in its construction and is estimated to weigh over 12,000 tonnes. It was truly a major feat of engineering. Saying all that, it always seems to be the red cross of stones that intrigued us all! The cross which is high up on the fifth pier from the south is reputed to be the spot of a fatal accident but no records have ever been found to prove this one way or the other. So next time you have a chance to go exploring, forget about those far flung places and get yourself out and about around our beautiful local area. There is plenty to see right here on our doorstep.
Hollywood in Durham
Lupton, who played the lead role of Seymour in last years UK theatre tour of the musical Little Shop Of Horrors, said 'I'm passionate about Durham and the continued success of our city.
Have you seen anyone famous on the streets of Durham?
To book your game at Escape Rooms Durham and for more information visit escapedurham.co.uk , call 07492428835 or visit Saddler Street.
Although the city is beautiful and has a great history, I felt the city needed something
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The current rooms, based on Saddler Street in Durham City, involve being locked in 'Mr Borrowdales Study' and trying to 'Escape The Lab'.
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This is not the first time Durham Cathedral has been used to stage blockbusters movie scenes. Many Harry Potter scenes were filmed on location drawing in tourists and visitors from all over the world. Tens of millions of movie-goers will now have the chance to see Durham Catherderal in all its magical glory on big screens worldwide.
Escape games, now popular worldwide, involve your team being locked in a themed room with one objective, Escape! Using teamwork and mental and physical skill your team must solve a series of puzzles and clues to escape the room before the timer runs out.
An actor from Durham who has appeared in a series of west end musicals, plays and radio dramas has returned to Durham to open a new tourist attraction. Sam Lupton, 26, who last year took over management of Escape Rooms Durham, Durham's first and only live escape game.
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Your Free May / June 2017 Durham Magazine
Over the past few weeks and months there has been a buzz of activity surrounding the cathedral. Avenger fans have been eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the A-list stars rumoured to be in the vicinity. Celebrities such as Chris Helmsworth and Robert Downey Jr are in Durham to film the hugely anticipated Marvel Comics-inspired movie, Avengers: Infinity War.
that gets the blood pumping. I can't wait to bring the exciting and thrilling fun of escape rooms to the streets of Durham'
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Whispering Wood Folk bring ancient stories to life with treetop acrobatics at Hamsterly Forest. Your Free May / June 2017 Durham Magazine
“Our shows combine circus and theatre with unforgettable storytelling. Presenting the work in stunning outdoor locations gives children and parents a day out that they can truly enjoy together as a family,” said Nina Bambrey, Director of Whispering Wood Folk. Artistic group, Whispering Wood Folk (who) are lining up a series of shows called “The Boy Who Grew Wings” in woodlands around England, including performances on the 22nd July in Hamsterly Forest as part of the Durham Dales Festival with the support of the Forestry Commission and Arts Council England.
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Each show is a daring mixture of treetop acrobatics, folk story-telling and outdoor theatre. The shows will encourage families to take days out to places of natural beauty by providing a unique new form of entertainment. A troupe of dare-devil acrobats are going to provide a new series of spectacular shows under
the canopy of the England’s forests. “Our shows are quite unique. We tell traditional folk stories with a narrator, musicians and aerial artists who use aerial silks and harnesses hanging from high branches to perform elegant routines within the context of a story, high up in the treetops,” said Nina Bambrey, Director of Whispering Wood Folk. The five artists involved include Justine Squire, Kino McDonald and Nina Bambrey. They will be performing amongst thebluebells this spring. Each show will last about one hour and is suitable for all ages. The story winds around the woods and the audience are encouraged to feel that they are at the heart of the experience, meeting mythical creatures which are part bird/part human. “We really want to encourage families to come and see the shows as they are unlike anything else andthe children can get involved with what feels like an interactive fairytale.”
To book tickets visit: www.whisperingwoods.org.uk. For venue information visit: www.forestry.gov/hamsterley and for information about other events included in the festival go to durhamdalesfestivalofperformingarts.com
Photo By: George Ford
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Your Free May / June 2017 Durham Magazine
Photo By: Audrey Rogan
Photo By: Brian Harrison
Photo By: Mark Tee
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The 2017 General Election Timetable All the key dates are listed below (all times are British Summer Time):
Your Free May / June 2017 Durham Magazine
18 April
11 May
19 April
11 May
Prime Minister Theresa May announced her intention to hold a snap election
MPs voted to dissolve Parliament
22 April
Start of Purdah Purdah is the pre-election period in the United Kingdom, specifically the time between an announced election and the final election results which affects civil servants. The time period prevents central and local government from making announcements about any new or controversial government initiatives which could be seen to be advantageous to any candidates or parties in the forthcoming election.
25 April
Royal Proclamation under section 2(7) of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, 2011 issued by HM The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister
27 April
Second session of Parliament prorogued
3 May
Deadline (4pm) for the delivery of candidate nomination papers
Deadline (5pm) for the publication of Statements of Persons Nominated (or 4pm on 12 May if objections were received)
11 May
Earliest date returning officers can issue postal ballot packs
22 May
Last day to register to vote (unless an anonymous elector)
23 May
Deadline (5pm) to apply for a postal vote/postal proxy vote
31 May
Deadline (5pm) to apply for a proxy vote,and last day to register to vote as an anonymous elector
8 June
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Formal dissolution of Parliament (in order for election to take place on 8 June) and official start of 'short' campaigning
Polling day (polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm or once voters present in a queue at/outside the polling station at 10pm have cast their vote). Counting of votes begins no later than 2am on 9 June.
3 May
13 June
4 May
19 June
Royal Proclamation is issued summoning a new UK Parliament
Local elections (were already scheduled, are not part of the general election)
Parliament re-assembles
State Opening of Parliament
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Places to Go: Gravesend, Kent
Your Free May / June 2017 Durham Magazine
When I wrote two months ago about Letchworth Garden City as an alternative to London hotels, I felt I should also mention another town with good quality accommodation and a view of the River Thames. Midweek rooms in London of good quality start around £180, even in a Premier Inn. But I had an excellent suite of three rooms to myself, overlooking the river, for £120 including a good breakfast, and only 22 minutes by High Speed 1 train from St. Pancras (which is right next door to Kings Cross). If I was looking for a family break close to London but without the capital’s prices, I would seriously consider Gravesend. Don’t let the name put you off. It’s where the river opens out into an estuary, with Tilbury over the other side of the river by ferry, with its interesting Tudor fort which has been used to defend the river until WW2. It was at Tilbury Fort that Queen Elizabeth, in 1588, rallied her troops against the Spanish Armada with the words “I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too!” As well as visiting London itself, there are interesting places such as Rochester and Chatham Dockyard nearby, and shopping centres like
Lakeside (on the north side) and Bluewater (on the south side) for those interested in that kind of thing. Don’t neglect the attractions of Gravesend itself though. The Guru Nanak Gurdwara is one of the largest Sikh temples in Europe and welcomes visitors – indeed all seekers after truth - particularly at weekends. It’s a short walk from the town centre, but best to avoid all tobacco and alcohol on the way. The Clock Tower is famous locally, and has just been restored fully at a cost substantially more than the £679.20 it cost in 1887 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The information panels state that the Tower is modelled on the lantern spire of Newcastle Cathedral, which was built in 1448. I did not know Newcastle Cathedral was that ancient, but having checked subsequently that is indeed true. My second visit to Gravesend this year saw me staying at the Clarendon Royal Hotel, which is on the riverside, a couple of hundred yards from the Port of London Authority Control Centre. Staff there monitor and direct all shipping on the Thames. Close by is the large New Tavern Fort which is now part of a large park, and was interesting to wander around in. There are lots of ancient pubs in the older quarter of the town, including the Three Daws which is a pub
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Crushing Cans For Testicular Cancer adjacent to the Town Pier for Tilbury, which has
existed since around 1450 with the same name. Gravesend was celebrating 400 years since Princess Pocahontas, of the Powhatan tribe of what is now Virginia, USA, arrived in the town on her way back to America, and sadly died there and was buried at St. George’s Church. I Local businessmen Garry Hughes (known to many attended a ceremony in the church attended by as “The Scrapman”) and the TimeUSA Bar’s owner James many guests from and enjoyed a McDonald have confirmed an Mayor’s interesting and fun sumptuous buffet in the Parlour eventafterwards. to raise funds for Testicular support. I even met threeCancer chiefs from Native American Indian tribes, shown in the picture On the 5th of Maythe 2017 fromof10:00am until 5pm underneath statue Pocahontas. people are being urged to get involved and donate The inadequate Disney film her remaining their empty pop and beer cans tohad be crushed in the in Virginia at themachine end of the story,Bar buton sheFront Scrapman’s crushing at Time to England, Streetactually Consett;came all proceeds fromwas thepresented event willatgo died Charity. in Gravesend on 21 March 1617. to theCourt, Orchidand Cancer I also attended a theatrical production the same evening until I was totally Pocahontased out! Orchid exists to save men's lives from testicular, prostate and penile cancers through pioneering research and promoting awareness.
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So please start saving your empty cans and bring them along to the event and we can all help crush testicular cancer together.
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Elvet Bridge to Get Makeover
Your Free May / June 2017 Durham Magazine
Its ancient arches date back to the 13th century; it has supported fortifications, chapels and even a prison in its time; and it may have the narrowest arches in Europe it’s possible to row a boat through. Elvet Bridge has been a feature of Durham City ever since the Prince Bishops ordered work to begin on a bridge to link the city centre with Old Elvet. And now Durham County Council has revealed plans to renovate Elvet Bridge to ensure this beautiful and historic structure stays around for future generations to enjoy.
www.durhammagazine.co.uk
Work was due to start in May as part of a council scheme to invest £1.84 million in the city centre’s roads and footpaths over the next two years. The work will include the waterproofing of the bridge deck and the realignment and
replacing of its paving. In order to protect and preserve the bridge, a special layer of concrete will be placed under the paving to provide a waterproof membrane. The existing paving materials will be reused as much as possible. Loading bays will be created on either side of the bridge. Work on the bridge has been planned to fit around major events such as the Durham Miners’ Gala and the Lumiere Festival. During the maintenance work, pedestrians will have access to Elvet Bridge at all times though access for vehicles may sometimes be suspended. Discussions are taking place between Durham County Council and local businesses to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.
John Reed, Durham County Council’s head of technical services, said, “Old Elvet Bridge is an important historic structure in Durham City and this work will ensure it is safeguarded for future generations.” “This scheme, together with the recent works at North Road, will aim to significantly improve the appearance of the area and make the bridge safer and more accessible.” “We appreciate there will be some disruption, but we have planned the work to keep it to a minimum and we’d like to thank people in advance for their patience and understanding.” Elvet Bridge, which is a grade one listed scheduled ancient monument, has been repaired and restored several times over the years, including in 1804-5, when it was broadened to its current width of 33 feet.
Entrepreneurial Couple aiming to 'Kickstart' Business with Art Exhibition in Durham City
for pledges of £20 and £40 respectively and represent a reduced cost against retail prices. You support the campaign and receive something of greater value in return for the amount you pledge!
Kevin and Jennifer aim to take their business to the next level via a Kickstarter Crowdfunding campaign with the aim of hosting an art exhibition in their home city of Durham in August 2017.
MyArtBrief.com is the only service that facilitates the art commissioning process entirely online. You can watch the video on the websites home page to learn how it works. Their goal is to 'bring art commissioning to the many, not just the few' by providing a low cost platform with low cost marketing and low commission rates that ensure the lowest possible price. Their ethos is that the money goes where it belongs, the Artist!
A4 and A3 prints are two of the rewards that are available
Since going fully live with low cost marketing campaigns in December 2016, the business has reached their first goal of averaging 1 commission per week and is receiving excellent feedback from artists and users on their customer service and easy to use website. The online presence and platform is working and
Kevin and Jennifer hope the campaign will be successful so they can bring their artists work to the public and self-fund future exhibitions for the business. If you would like to support the campaign you can pledge and choose your reward via Kickstarter now. The campaign has been live since Friday 21st of April 2017. MyArtBrief.com would appreciate any support to the campaign. myartbrief.com /kickstarterartists
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If you aren’t familiar with Crowdfunding, (specifically Kickstarter in this instance) their mission is ‘to help bring creative projects to life’ and the concept is very simple. If you like the idea behind a campaign and want to support the cause, you pledge an amount and in return receive a reward offered by the business or people behind the campaign. In this campaign, rewards are high quality ‘giclee’ prints of the original artworks commissioned for the proposed exhibition in Durham City.
gaining momentum but there's no substitute for seeing an artist’s beautiful artwork in real life. Feedback from a recent sale of a painting perfectly embodies this sentiment as the customer would not have purchased the painting had they not previously seen some of the artist’s work: 'A painting is real; and, impossible as it is to judge a work on screen, which of course simply reproduces it in a smaller, two-dimensional world, I have enough faith in Hugh's work to feel that this is a painting with which I want to live'.
Your Free May / June 2017 Durham Magazine
Durham based husband and wife team Kevin and Jennifer Platts have created a platform to 'Bring Art Commissioning to Everyone' and aim to 'Kickstart' the business via the evermore popular 'Crowdfunding' approach.
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