Issue 78 - April 2020 ISSN 1745-4654
Darlington Markets 2020 Farmers Market
Arts Market
Vegan Festival
Vinyl & Vintage Record Fair
First Sunday of each Month 10am – 3pm from March to December. Town Centre. Saturday 25 April, 18 July, 17 October 10am – 4pm. Indoor Market.
Food & Drink Festival
Saturday 16 May and 1 August 10am – 4pm. Indoor Market.
Saturday 20 June and 21 November 10am – 4pm. Indoor Market.
Friday 1 and Saturday 2 May 10am – 8pm Sunday 3 May 10am – 4pm
The award winning annual Food and Drink Festival is back! The festival brings some of the showcase their culinary delights.
Sample delicious nibbles, pick up tips from demonstrations and feast on street food from around the world.
Darlington Pease Pudding Market
Celebrate summer nights in the Market Square with award winning food vendors, carefully selected craft ales and live entertainment. Special VE Pease Pudding Market Thursday 7 May 12noon – 9pm. First Thursday of each nonth 4pm until 9pm April to September. Market Square.
local, relevant and entertaining Nobody would argue that we aren’t in challenging times and our hopes here at Darlington Today are that everyone stays safe and well.
CONTENTS 4-5
LOCAL NEWS
Find out all the news from
Darlington and the
If you are self isolating, we hope that reading Darlington Today may give you some much-needed cheer.
surrounding area.
All the best Easter treats on
We know people can’t get out and about as they normally would but when life returns to normal, then perhaps these pages will give you some ideas of what you can look forward to.
the market.
Please do enter our competitions – I suspect we’ll all be in need of some R & R later in the year. And of course it goes without saying, please support your local businesses as much as you can. We’ll get through this together – take care!
5
8-9 EGGSTRAVAGANZA
13
THE THUNDER GIRLS
Coleen Nolan tells all about
her stage debut.
14-15 ST TERESA’S HOSPICE
13
The news from your local
hospice
20
VIVA LA DIVAS
Janette Manrara, Katya
Jones and Nadiya Bychkova
head to Billingham.
22-23 A VERY VENICE TIME
How to spend a weekend in
the picturesque Italian city.
Sue
20
Win a pair of tickets to see Aladdin on Monday 7th December at 6pm
PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING
Book early for our 2020 / 2021 Christmas Pantomime ALADDIN as tickets are bound to “Fly Out Of The Door”.
EDITORIAL
Answer the following question to win a pair of tickets. How much is a full price ticket to see Aladdin on Monday the 7th December at The Forum Theatre Billingham. Box office tel 01642 552663 www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk
Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith t: 01325 304360 e: sue@rineypublishing.co.uk Bronia McGregor and Bernice Saltzer Sorted PR t: 0191 265 6111 e: bernice@sortedpr.com Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate at the time of going to print, the publishers cannot accept responsibilities for errors, omissions, or changes in the details given.
Closing date for entries is 22nd May 2020 - See page 26 for entry details or email your answer with full name & address to: sue@rineypublishing.co.uk Competitions: Riney Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised, late entries or prizes not received. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers.
Darlington Today | 3
LOCALNEWS POPULAR ILLUSTRATOR OPENS SCHOOL READING SHED NORTH EAST children can boost their future career prospects, thanks to the launch of a regional computing hub.
computing education over the next three years.
Carmel Education Trust, based at Carmel College, Darlington, will be home to the centre of excellence – which will work with hundreds of teachers across the town and surrounding areas.
At the launch, attended by more than 40 teachers and head teachers, CET’s Computing Hub Lead Simon Roberts outlined the benefits to teachers and pupils including increased subject knowledge, training and bursaries.
The initiative is one of three hubs in the North-East and 40 nationally, as part of an £84m Government drive to boost
He said: “Try and find a job today that doesn’t involve a computer; this initiative will improve knowledge and our pupils
Carmel Education Trust’s Computing Hub team
will benefit from better ways of teaching computing.” The DfE have already identified an 8000 shortfall in computing teachers and the hope is that the project will encourage existing teachers to retrain, along with attract new ones to the profession.
DESIGN STUDENTS CREATE EYECATCHING DESIGNS FOR NEW COMPANY YOUNG designers have gone to extreme measures in their latest project for one of Europe’s newest lifestyle clothing brands. Art and design students from Darlington College were challenged with coming up with the artwork for the Adrenalin Factory – a new company providing merchandise for extreme sports. While all of the Level 1, 3 and 4 UAL diploma students won high praise from company manager Jason Logan, three lucky students were selected to embark on a 45 day industrial placement with the Darlingtonbased firm. Designs ranged from the clever use of stickmen and graffiti, to tribal art and Marvel
Avengers. Jason said: “I was impressed with every single one of the designs. The amount of work that has gone into their portfolios was amazing. We can see how it will work on clothing – it is right on the mark.” The Adrenalin Factory is developing a host of accessories, such as tee-shirts, hoodies, technical clothing and hydro flasks for extreme sports including paintballing, Airsoft, skateboarding, off-road cycling and motocross. Darlington College lecturer Pippa Eeles added: “Our students benefit so much from taking on a live brief, with genuine clients, working to tight deadlines. They have really
Darlington College art and design students with Adrenalin Factory manager Jason Logan
risen to the challenge by producing some excellent work and in the process have made some invaluable industry contacts.” For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington. ac.uk.
STUDENTS GAIN A TASTE FOR LANGUAGES STUDENTS have developed a taste for languages thanks to a new university initiative. Linguacuisine has been developed by Newcastle University to teach people a range of languages, learn about a country’s culture and improve their kitchen skills. Year 8 students from Wyvern Academy, Darlington, worked with Paul Seedhouse, of Newcastle University, learning how to make crepes along with being taught all of the associated French terminology. WA1: Dalaa Alammar, 13, left, and Ella Moss-Wilkin, 12, make crepes while learning French
4 | Darlington Today
Professor Seedhouse said: “The app was originally designed to help people with
dementia but I realised it would be perfect for modern foreign languages. “It has been shown that children learn more effectively when they are set a task and this uses the same principles but in the kitchen as well. “This way it’s more enjoyable and engaging, they learn something about the culture of the country – and they get to eat the food at the end.” The programme can help students learn anything from Arabic to Catalan and has recipes for a range of food, from Chinese to Geordie jam.
TOP TV CHEF NAMES NORTH EAST RESTAURANT BEST IN UK… TOP TELEVISION chef James Martin has named The Raby Hunt the best restaurant in the UK. The accolade came on his Saturday morning television show, where he welcomed two Michelin-star chef, James Close to the programme for the first time. The North East chef cooked on the show, while a delighted James Martin urged viewers to visit the restaurant, saying his experience was “the best meal I’ve ever eaten in the UK.” The restaurant, at Summerhouse near Darlington, has previously featured on the hit BBC series, Masterchef the Professionals, but this is the first time James has appeared on live daytime television.
His dish of Tagiolini Carbonara, which included fresh truffle, was greeted with huge enthusiasm by both the tv chef and his guest, Cherry Healey. The appearance, with James supported by his sous chef, Maria Guseva, also showcased the restaurant’s signature chocolate skull, which has a filling of yuzu, Japanese black pepper and popping candy. “It was a fantastic experience and of course I was delighted to hear James say that the best meal he’s ever had in the UK was with us,” said James. The programme is still available to watch via the ITV hub. Further information about the restaurant is available at www.rabyhuntrestaurant.co.uk
L-R James Close, Maria Guseva and James Martin
PAINT THE TOWN LOBSTER RED THE WOMAN behind some of the most popular sounds at Notting Hill Carnival will perform at a North East event this spring. DJ D’nyce has been added to the lineup at the Lobster Ball, which returns to Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, on Friday 1 May. The trailblazing DJ is known for being part of the Rampage sound system, which is the biggest of its kind at Notting Hill Carnival, and for hosting the weekly Mi-Soul radio show Soul-D-Out. She will take to the stage alongside the event’s headliners Crystal Waters, CeCe Peniston and Julie McKnight, who will be entertaining the crowd with a string of chart-topping hits. And the event, which is sponsored by the Great Annual Savings Group, will
DJ D’nyce
also showcase music from the Paul Pashley Band and The Sally Army Band. The event, which takes place from 7pm to 12:30am, raises money for The Daisy Chain, which supports families affected by autism, with Steve Walls returning as compere. Guests will also enjoy a four course surf and turf menu created by the award-winning chefs at The Rib
Room, Steakhouse and Grill and complimentary beer, lager and wine all night. Tickets cost £150 per person plus VAT and can be booked by calling the hotel on 01749 620 253 or by emailing events@hardwickhallhotel.co.uk For more information, visit www.hardwicklobsterfestival.co.uk Darlington Today | 5
BLACKWELL GRANGE HOTEL GRANGE ROAD | DARLINGTON COUNTY DURHAM | DL3 8QH T: 0330 102 7238Â E: INFO.BLACKWELL@BRUHENNYHOTELS.CO.UK 6 | Darlington Today
H A V E L O C K S Eat | Drink | Relax
"OUTSTANDING QUALITY, TASTE & PRESENTATION"
Havelock’s also serves Afternoon Tea for only £16.95 per person. Available between 12 noon and 5.00pm, when are you coming to join us?
Just a 5-minute drive from Darlington Town Centre, the multi-cuisine venue replaces the premises of what was once known as The Havelock Restaurant. An extensive refurbishment has taken place and Havelock’s is now fully open for business at the multimillion pound refurbished Blackwell Grange Hotel. The open plan layout has changed adding more intimate spaces, fabulous furniture & breath-taking chandeliers. Whether it’s for a casual catch up over lunch, a quick stop off on your nature walk, a special occasion or relaxed family meal, Havelock’s is the perfect place to eat in Darlington. We’re open 7 days a week for brunch, lunch and dinner and we have something for everyone ranging from hanging Middle Eastern kebabs to Blackwell’s signature burger including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Our Head Chef, Mark Raw and his team work with the best farmers, butchers and fishermen sourcing local produce to make your favourite home cooked dishes. We are committed to delivering fantastic food, exceptional service in a fresh new environment. Our menu demonstrates great value for money,
Havelock's is open daily from 11am. Last sitting 9pm. Darlington Today | 7
EGGSTRAVAGANZA Easter is nearly upon us and, here at Darlington Today, we celebrate Easter treats in all their forms. From traditional eggs to snack bags and even ice creams, we’ve rounded up the best goodies to look out for this month. Morrisons, The Best Decorated Trio Of Mini Chocolate Eggs £5
Why stop at just one egg when you could have three? Dark chocolate and raspberry, milk chocolate and caramelised hazelnut and white chocolate and cocoa nibs make the perfect trio. Hotel Chocolat, Eggs and Soldiers £10 A quirky take on the traditional Easter Egg. Creamy white chocolate ganache eggs and hazelnut praline soldiers are a perfect choice to share with the family – but we won’t tell if you decide to keep them all for yourself.
Thorntons, White Chocolate and Raspberry Easter Egg £12 Scattered with pieces of dried raspberry, this egg really is a cracking choice. Meltin-your-mouth white chocolate is both light and sweet and it’s the gift that keeps on giving, with four chocolate squares thrown in for good measure. Asda, Kit Kat Mini Bunnies £1 All the best bits of a Kit Kat with a fun Easter twist. These new treats are a perfect filler for an Easter gift, made with creamy chocolate and crisp wafer and all encased in an adorable bunny shape.
*Tesco, Terry’s Chocolate Orange Large Hollow Easter Egg, £4 You may be more used to Terry’s in its iconic orange sphere, but it’s an excellent choice for Easter too. Flavoured with real orange oil, this egg is a real winner. *www.joeandsephs.co.uk, Joe & Seph’s Chocolate Popcorn Mini Eggs £3.50 What could possibly make Joe and Seph’s famous salted caramel popcorn any better? By encasing it in chocolate of course. These mini eggs are an ideal treat for anyone looking for something different for their Easter Egg hunt this year.
*Tesco, Lindt Lindor Milk and White Chocolate Egg with Truffles £8 Lindt has a reputation that speaks for itself and once you’ve made your way through this luxury Easter Egg you’ll have a pile of indulgent white and milk chocolate truffles to make the most of too. Iceland, Cadbury’s Creme Egg Ice Cream £2 Everyone loves a Crème Egg at Easter – and now you can enjoy it in ice cream form too. A biscuit cone with vanilla ice cream and a gooey centre, topped with Cadbury milk chocolate buttons is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
8 | Darlington Today
Holland and Barrett, NOMO Fruit Crunch Easter Egg and Bar £5.99 No one should have to miss out on a special treat at Easter and NOMO is a perfect solution, free from dairy, gluten, eggs and nuts. Their fruit and crunch egg combines juicy raisons with crispy pieces to create a vegan egg you won’t forget in a hurry.
*Home Bargains, Chick ‘n’ Mix £2 Who said Easter treats have to be chocolate? This cute little chick comes with a selection of HARIBO snack bags, including mini mallows, tangfast-chicks, fried egg gummies and more. *Home Bargains, Springtime Friends £1 Enjoy all your favourite fruity HARIBO flavours, in a variety of spring-themed jellies shaped like bunnies, lambs, chicks and more.
*Waitrose, Buttermilk Caramelised Hazelnut and Chocolate Easter Egg £9.99 Columbian chocolate is blended with caramelised hazelnuts to create this delicious moreish egg. Three indulgent hazelnut and caramel duos help the egg last a little longer and this is a great environmentally friendly choice too, with completely plastic-free packaging.
*Sainsburys, Buttermilk Dairy Free Choc Orange Easter Egg £5.99 Another one for the dairy-free gang, this chocolate orange egg is so creamy that you’ll struggle to believe it’s not traditional chocolate. Made with real orange oil, Buttermilk are proving that free from dairy doesn’t have to mean free from flavour.
*www.whittard.co.uk, Limited Edition Banoffee Pie Flavour White Hot Chocolate £9 A great option for an Easter gift that is a little different. White hot chocolate with creamy banana and molten toffee flavours provides a great pick me up for spring.
*www.fionacairns.com, Six Gingerbread Easter Bunnies £24 Add a touch of luxury to your Easter celebrations with a treat from Fiona Cairns. These delicately spiced gingerbread biscuits are individually decorated by hand so they not only taste delicious, but look fantastic too.
Darlington Today | 9
K T S TO AR JU XT E P E D N SI S E E
T
THIS SPRING
WE ALSO DO
EPIC BIRTHDAY PARTIES!
UP TO 55 PEOPLE | INCLUDES AIR TYKES | T&CS APPLY
INDIVIDUAL TICKET £11.50 | FAMILY TICKET £41.95
Follow us on social media 10 | Darlington Today
airtrail.co.uk This facility is managed by Tees Active Ltd.
OPEN EVERY DAY DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS PLUS EVERY WEEKEN D & WED - FRI NIGHTS DURING TERM TIME
ading ions le ture g e r e n Th r adve indoo g centre in b clim
CHOOSE EITHER STANDARD OR DARK CLIMB
PARTIES INCLUDE • 1 HOUR OF CLIMBING FUN • 45 MINS USE OF PARTY ROOM • FREE COMPLIMENTARY VISIT FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY/GIRL • FREE INVITES
HOW DO I BOOK? Choose a date & time with full capacity. Select 24 participants (to ensure that you have GoClimb exclusively for your party). Apply discount code PARTY2020 & checkout. In the booking notes please add whether you require the party room & specify if you would like to book a standard or dark climb.
Darlington 11 only. T&C’s: Discount code expires 31/07/2020. Booking must be made before this date, however parties can be beyond this date. ApplicableToday to weekend|bookings
Wilkinsons Landscapes – Ready for the year ahead! Garden design and construction requires a huge amount of forward thinking and consideration - bringing together different elements of space, practical function and personal desires to meet the customers needs as best as possible. Our work entails close customer contact to understand the current needs and difficulties the householder is facing as we create their future garden design. Researching newly available products and constantly developing our landscaper’s skills enables us to stay ahead of the game in creating stylish, modern gardens. Over the past 6 months our staff have been on professional training courses to develop new skills and refresh existing ones. Also, some of our vehicles and equipment has been upgraded (as the budget has allowed) to keep reliability and efficiency at the forefront of every job we complete. 12 | Darlington Today
Further improvements have been made to our landscaping yard and plant centre areas, paving displays are currently being upgraded and new stock is in abundance ready for the new season ahead! We are already seeing a high demand for nursery stock, particularly the larger specimen plants and wide range of herbaceous perennials. We provide plants not
only to the private householder but also trade customers such as: hotels, builders, local authorities, hospitals and schools. The vastly knowledgeable and enthusiastic plant centre team are here to give advice on any of your plant queries. If you wish to contact us regarding any garden design and construction work, we will be pleased to assist you.
East Brooks Farm, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, TS16 0QH Tel 01325 369777 or 01642 790409 • www.wilkinsonslandscapes.co.uk
THERE’S A STORM BREWING Fame, greed and betrayal take centre stage in new play The Thunder Girls and we caught up with Coleen Nolan ahead of its arrival in Newcastle.
There’s no better news than hearing your favourite band is getting back together, but wouldn’t you like to know what really goes on behind closed doors?
talks you saw Posh and then when the tour came about she wasn’t part of it and it would be great to be sitting around the table for those talks.
Well you’re in luck because The Thunder Girls does just that, letting you be a fly on the wall as the biggest girl band of the 80s prepares to reunite… that is, if they can bury the 30-year feud they’re all harbouring.
“Thunder Girls is an exaggerated version of that – it’s like Dynasty meets the soaps.”
And a reunion tour is something that one of its stars is no stranger to, with Coleen Nolan having enjoyed huge success as part of one of the world’s biggest selling girl groups, The Nolans. “The show is about a girl band, so I have some experience with that and we did a reunion tour in 2009 – but it was nothing like this,” Coleen laughed. “When it’s family, if you fall out then you just have to get it over and done with. “But the reunion dinner has to happen before the tour can happen. Look at the Spice Girls – when they had their reunion
Already a Dancing on Ice winner, panel favourite, agony aunt and author among other accolades, many people may think that a role on the stage would be the next logical step for Coleen. But having been offered numerous parts across the UK and the West End in the past, it was Anita’s character that really stood out for her. “It was just the right time. I loved the part of Anita, loved the story and I didn’t want to turn something down and regret it later. I’ve just turned 55 and you don’t get these opportunities all the time. “I was really nervous when we first did it because it was a brand new play, but we were getting three standing ovations a night and I was thinking ‘is something else happening behind me that they can see?’” Starring alongside Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard and Eastenders’ Carol Harrison, the show broke box office records when it opened at The Lowry, Manchester in September 2019, making it the theatre’s fastest-selling new play. And if you’re not someone who would usually regard themselves as a theatregoer then this may be the show to change your mind, with 80 per cent of people who bought tickets for the preview having never been to the theatre before. “The producers were offered the West End but it was too expensive and they didn’t want to price anyone out of seeing it,” said Coleen.
“It’s opened theatre to a whole new audience and it’s great for people who love the soaps – Beverley Callard is in it and she’s great. We all get on so well.” Coleen Nolan stars in UK national tour of The Thunder Girls, which opens at Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle from Tuesday 22nd – Saturday 26th September. Tickets cost £29.50 and can be purchased at www.thundergirls.co.uk
COMPETITION For your chance to win a copy of Mel Blake’s novel The Thunder Girls, which the show is based on, simply answer the following question:
What girl group was Coleen Nolan part of? Closing date for entries is 22nd May. Please see page 20 for details of how to enter.
Darlington Today | 13
Oh yes they can, valuable collection money from this year’s panto is handed over for St Teresa’s Hospice, L-R, St Teresa’s communications and marketing manager John Paul Stabler, Hippodrome theatre house manager Tim Hollinshead, box office staff member Freya Mawhinney and St Teresa’s community support fundraiser Emily Robson
THEATRE-GOERS RAISE BUCKETS OF CASH FOR CHARITY THEATRE-goers proved to be full of beans after raising buckets of cash for charity during panto season. Collections were made at the Hippodrome Theatre Darlington with generous visitors to Jack and the Beanstalk raising £2,115.32 for St Teresa’s Hospice. The donations will go towards the annual £3m running costs of the charity, which provides in-patient, day and community care for people in Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire. Every year the front of house staff at the Hippodrome collect before and after performances for St Teresa’s raising tens of thousands of pounds over the past 10 years.
Theatre Marketing Officer Julian Cound said: “Our audiences are amazing. People’s generosity is never ending and they are always ready to dig even deeper to help a good cause.” St Teresa’s Communications and Marketing Manager John Paul Stabler added: “The Darlington Hippodrome staff are always so supportive in our fundraising efforts and the public have once again been incredibly kind and generous. “We are proud to be a charity which serves the whole community and we certainly couldn’t do this without the continued and tireless support of everyone who donates.”
PLEASE SCAN TO GIVE! → Our fundraising is severely reduced! Please send a £5 hug to St T’s to help us to continue.
We are so proud of our amazing workforce continuing to provide care during these difficult times. Stay safe and keep following medical advice, but please don't wash your hands of us!
www.justgiving.com/campaign/HugToStTs in aid of
01325 254321 enquiries@darlingtonhospice.org.uk Reg. Charity No: 518394
14 | Darlington Today
For more info:
www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk
Left to Right: Nancy Spencer, St Teresa’s Hospice Chief Executive Jane Bradshaw, Janet Humble
CHARITY NIGHT REACHES 15TH YEAR Organisers of a popular charity night have celebrated its 15th year by donating over £2,000 to a local hospice.
The charity night began when Nancy decided to raise awareness of cancer when a couple of her friends passed away from the disease.
To date the events have raised almost £30,000, which has been used to help fund the day to day running costs of the hospice.
The annual Darlington and Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club charity night is held in aid of St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington, and reached the 15 year milestone in November 2019.
Nancy added: “The first charity night was such a success that it gave me the incentive to do even more to help local causes and the St Teresa’s Hospice charity night became an annual event.”
Nancy shows no sign of slowing down, saying: “I want to get to the 20th fundraising night before I stop. It will be my 80th birthday in a couple of years and I really want to do a sponsored freefall for the hospice.”
Hospice volunteer and event organiser Nancy Spencer recently presented a cheque for £2,120.15 to St Teresa’s, which provides care and support to those living with lifelimiting illnesses in Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire. Nancy, who has volunteered for the hospice for over 20 years, said: “It’s fantastic that this has been going for 15 years now. I’ve done this every year, only missing one when my husband Brian died.”
The fundraising evening features live entertainment, fundraising games and a star prize raffle. Janet Humble, from Darlington and Simpson Rolling Mills Club, helps Nancy to organise the event and said: “This is brilliant for the club. Everyone loves it and the entertainment is fantastic. We’re all looking forward to the next one in November.”
St Teresa’s Hospice Chief Executive Jane Bradshaw added: “Nancy is a wonderful hospice supporter and an honorary life member, in recognition of all her hard work in volunteering and fundraising. I always enjoy her charity nights and I am delighted that it continues to grow after 15 years.”
Darlington Today | 15
KEEPING FOSTERING IN THE FAMILY With a 93% increase in children in care in the last 10 years, the need to find loving homes has never been greater. This could be through fostering a child or providing supported lodgings to a young person leaving care, or by providing a permanent home for a child through adoption. Our foster carers are very proud of the work that they do, and what better way to share their good work than to showcase them in our campaigns. Jan and Brian Peel foster with us, alongside their son and daughter-in-law, Simon and Clair, and now their faces are helping us recruit even more carers for this rewarding role. Jan and Brian have been fostering for around 10 years, after Jan decided to leave her job working with young people with behavioural issues, so that she could have even more impact on their lives. She explained: “I would work with them during the week and then they’d go home at the weekend and sometimes you’d be back to square one by the next Monday – I just wanted to do something where I could be with them for longer and make an even greater difference and fostering just seemed like the perfect way to do that.” 16 | Darlington Today
Not only is Jan an inspiring role model to the young people she fosters, she inspired her son and daughter-in-law to take up fostering too. Daughter-in-law Clair explained: “We had to have IVF to have our own son and knew we didn’t want to go through that again but did want a bigger family. We could see what a difference Jan and Brian were making to the lives of the kids they had fostered and even though we’d thought about adoption at first, we thought we could help more children if we fostered.” Although Clair and Simon had originally planned to wait until their son was older,
when they heard how many children were waiting for foster families, they decided to apply and when their son Josh was just one, they had been approved and offered a home to a teenage girl on an emergency placement. Clair said: “Simon has been really involved with Jan and Brian’s fostering journey and our son Josh has never known any different – it wouldn’t be right for every family – but it works for us.” The two families are now a support network for each other, and Jan’s daughter Emma is also hoping to foster when the time is right for her.
We foster with Durham... Could you? Find out more at durham.gov.uk/fostering
Darlington Today | 17
ADVERTORIAL
WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN
HOLIDAY INN WASHINGTON HOLIDAY INN WASHINGTON Holiday Inn’s founder Kemmons Wilson said ‘a smile is a curve that can set a lot of things straight.’ At the Holiday Inn Washington we believe our smile and friendly nature suits every traveller. The hotel offers a bar, lounge and our in-house restaurant, Traders, along with 136 contemporary bedrooms, including family, accessible rooms and a mini
gym. Ideally located between historic Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle. we area long-established hotel well known for our friendly team and warm welcome. We are perfectly placed for enjoying the many tourist attractions the area has to offer. So, whether you fancy a trip to the coast, a day in the beautiful historic city of Durham or a step back
THE COMPETITION
An overnight stay dinner, bed and breakfast with a bottle of wine. Answer this question for a chance to win:
What is the name of the hotel’s restaurant? Closing date for entries is Friday 22nd May. Please see page 20 for entry details. *All prizes are subject to availability on dates requested
Holiday Inn, Washington, Emerson, Washington NE37 1LB 0191 4189400 | reservations@hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk www.hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @HIWashington Like us on FaceBook Holiday Inn Washington
H A V E L O C K S 18 | Darlington Today
IT'S COMPETITION TIME
in time at the award-winning Beamish, The Living Museum of the North our location will suit your every need.
WIN AN OVERNIGHT STAY AT THE COQUETVALE Located in the 19th century country town of Rothbury, on the edge of Northumberland National Park, The Coquetvale Hotel is perfect for a relaxing break in beautiful countryside or the ideal base for walking, cycling or many outdoor pursuits. The stunning Cragside House and grounds are a five minute drive away, as are the breath-taking Simonside Hills. A little further afield you can find famous attractions such as Alnwick Castle and Gardens with Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island also on the doorstep The Coquetvale Hotel offers the finest Northumberland welcome, with 14 well-appointed en suite bedrooms. Boasting a combination of double, twin, family and two stunning superior suites, which were recently refurbished. The hotel recognises that many of the visitors to this spectacular area are of of the four-legged variety and therefore is very dog friendly. As many guests enjoy time either walking or cycling, the hotel is equipped with secure bike storage and happy to look after wet clothes along with offering packed lunches.
The grand restaurant offers a mix of traditional and modern, with its high ceilings, decorated in subtle grey and silver – with stunning double aspect picturesque windows and views towards the Northumberland National Park and Coquet Valley. An experience team of chefs offer tempting dishes with many seasonal and daily specials, ensuring there truly is something for everyone. We are also extremely proud of our award winning breakfast, created with locally sourced ingredients. At the same time, we serve afternoon tea every day and Sunday lunch from midday. The bar offers a diverse selection of wines, guest ales both on tap and bottle, premium spirits and fine wines. The bar is also accessible to our relaxing decked terrace with comfortable seating and panoramic views of Rothbury – weather permitting. A family owned businesses with a wealth of hotel experience, the team are focused on delivering a truly special guest experience, in terms of both service and product.
The Coquetvale, Station Road, Rothbury, NE65 7QH, Northumberland
Newly refurbished Superior king-size suite
READER OFFER Why not take advantage of our special reader offer of a 2 course dinner for 2 people with a glass of wine each, overnight stay and a full Northumbrian breakfast the next morning for only £99.00 per couple. Upgrade to the Ingram or Cheviot suites for a supplement of £20.00 Call for more details on 01669 622900 or email stay@coquetvale.co.uk Visit our website www.coquetvale.co.uk
READER COMPETITION Win an overnight stay for 2 persons, in double or twin room fully inclusive of Northumbrian breakfast and 3 course evening meal. Subject to availability.
How many well appointed bedrooms does the Coquetvale Hotel have? Closing date for entries is 22nd May 2020 and see page 20 for entry details.
Darlington Today | 19
ADVERTORIAL
N WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN W
VIVA LA DIVAS A brand new show featuring three of Strictly Come Dancing’s best-loved dancers is heading to Billingham. From the sophisticated glamour of classic Hollywood to today’s high energy pop chart-toppers, a new show touring the UK this summer is celebrating divas in all their forms. Strictly favourites Janette Manrara, Katya Jones and Nadiya Bychkova are bringing Viva La Divas to the Forum Theatre Billingham on 15th June, where audiences can enjoy songs and dance routines from across the ages. The extravagant production will pay tribute to women from past and present, from the classic screen starlets to Broadway and the West End, along with modern day superstars and female icons who have had a huge impact on the trio’s lives and careers. So whether you’re a follower of Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Celine Dion, or fancy yourself as more of a Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe fan, there’s something for everyone in this all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza. “I am so excited to be touring the UK with two of my best friends and what a show it’s going to be,” said Janette, who has won Strictly’s Christmas Glitterball trophy twice with celebrity partners Aston Merrygold and Melvin Odoom. “We’re going to be celebrating the glitz, the glamour and the style of the greatest divas in showbiz and we’re going to have so much fun bringing this show to audiences across the UK.” The trio have worked in collaboration with the original producers of the hugely successful show Viva La Diva, which was first performed in 2007 starring Darcey Bussell and Katherine Jenkins.
Katya, who won the BBC show with Joe McFadden in 2017, said: “To tour Viva La Divas across this beautiful country this summer with two incredible dancers is a dream come true. How the three of us managed to keep everything a secret for so long I’ll never know!” Two time World Champion and European Champion in Ballroom and Latin Nadiya added: “We have an incredible team working on what will be a dazzling show that I can’t wait for audiences everywhere to see. “It’s going to be a stunning spectacle full of the elegance, style and attitude befitting of the greatest divas’ legacies.”
ENTER TO WIN To enter any of the Darlington Today
competitions please ensure you clearly mark on your entry the name of the competition that you are entering together with the answer to the question if there is one with your name, address, email address (if you have one) and contact telephone number to:
Darlington Today Magazine competition, 45 Atkinson Gardens, Aycliffe Village, Co. Durham, DL5 6LH (Please note any competition entries without full contact details and contact telephone numbers will be voided and not entered into the competition)
COMPETITION To win a pair of tickets to the Matinee performance of Viva La Divas when it comes to the Forum Theatre Billingham on 15 June, simply answer the following question:
What was the name of Katya’s Strictly Come Dancing partner in 2017? Please see Enter to Win box below for details of how to enter. Closing date for entries is Friday 22nd May.
WINNERS OF THE LAST DARLINGTON TODAY ISSUE 77 A pair of tickets to see Dance to the Music at the Billingham Forum went to L Hood.
Holiday Inn Washington overnight stay with dinner & wine - W Lowdon
A table for four at a forthcoming event with dinner at Bannatyne Hotel Darlington – P Boden
A pair of tickets to see Woman in Black – show cancelled.
Overnight stay at the Coquetvale Hotel, Rothbury with dinner – Mr Whitehead
Overnight stay at The Impeccable Pig Sedgefield – R Parkinson
Tickets to see Fleetwood Mac – show cancelled
CW DTon Today 190x115 Advert.qxp_Layout 1 07/11/2019 13:08 Page 1
CLEAR LEGAL ADVICE
Darlington 01325 281111 I Catterick Garrison 01748 830000 Email enquiries@clarkwillis.co.uk I www.clarkwillis.com /clarkwillisllp
@EnquiriesWillis
ClarkWillisLaw
Should I use the “Free Legal” service with my Mortgage? A number of Mortgage providers offer a “Free Legal” incentive as part of a mortgage product and you should consider this option carefully before signing straight up. Whilst the word “Free” may seem appealing, there are a number of key benefits to choosing your own legal firm and and the saying, cost and value are two very different things. The “Free Legal” firm is likely to be a national provider and will not have the same local knowledge as a local law firm. Understanding the location of your purchase highlights possible issues that will be applicable, such as development plans, flooding risks or whether mining was carried out in the area that can all have a practical impact on the property. Being remote to you, contact with your case handler will be via email and telephone and you would not be able to attend their offices to drop papers off or for face to face meetings. This may be suitable for some people but you may feel with such a significant capital purchase you would rather deal with someone face to face to ask all those personal questions which you may not be comfortable asking over the telephone. The “Free Legal” firms operate on economies of scale, undertaking high numbers of transactions for reduced fees payable by the mortgage provider. To accomplish this way of
working you are likely to have a team dealing with your transaction who will also have a large number of cases and it may be that they are not able to progress your matter as swiftly as you may wish. This is an important consideration as you will be eager to move into your new home and more importantly, your mortgage offer will have a deadline date before it will expire, and you may lose a preferential rate. We would always recommend that whilst considering your mortgage that you should look at all of the products and incentives available to you. You may feel that choosing your own solicitor, or an incentive such as cashback that you can offset against some of your legal costs might be more valuable to you. It would certainly be worth obtaining a quote for a local law firm to understand what your legal fees may be in order to make an informed choice – you may even be pleasantly surprised! You can obtain an instant, online quote for your property purchase at any time on our website www.clarkwillis.com to explore the costs of using a local, award winning firm. Alternatively, you can call our dedicated Residential Property team to receive a quote or to answer queries using your local office numbers above.
Alister Jones, Head of Residential Property, Clark Willis Law Firm
Please contact your local Clark Willis Law Firm office or visit www.clarkwillis.com to find out more.
Darlington Today | 21
A VERY VENICE TIME
Historic landmarks, picture-perfect views and wine by the waterside – Bronia McGregor discovers all that Venice has to offer. Venice has been high on my list of places to visit for a long time now, but little did I know it would be a £99 mystery holiday voucher that would finally get me to take the plunge. I mean, what could go wrong when buying a Wowcher offer for a weekend break, without knowing when you’re flying or where you’re going to end up? Very little, as it happens, because I got a phone call about a month later from a very friendly man who told me we would be off to Venice in the new year and, before I even had time to process it, three nights in the city and our flights were all booked – we just had to show up. 22 | Darlington Today
While Venice is notoriously expensive, staying in mainland Mestre is a budget-friendly option to a hotel on the island itself and only cost us €1.80 and a ten minute train journey before we stepped out to face Venice’s colourful streets and canals. If we had stayed in the area for longer than a few days then we would definitely have made the most of the excellent train links to Italy’s other famous cities including Bologna, Milan and Verona, especially when the tickets are so affordable. But we were here to explore Venice and so we set off walking, trying not to stop every two minutes to point our phones at one of the picturesque streets or towards a gondola heading
down the canals. If you’re looking for somewhere to up your Instagram game, then you would struggle to find anywhere better, because everywhere you turn looks like something straight out of a scene in a film. A gondola ride was at the top of our list and at €80 for half an hour it’s definitely not cheap but it’s a really unique way to see the city, navigating down the back streets and getting to admire the views from the middle of the Grand Canal. Because we were only there for a short stay, we wanted to tick off the main tourist spots so we headed to San Marco, home of Saint Mark’s
Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Saint Mark’s Basilica is impressive just to stand outside, but it’s well worth making the most of the free entry to have a look at the grandeur inside, with high gold ceilings and opulent gilded mosaics. Next on our list was the Palace, the former home of the chief magistrate of Venice and now a Gothic landmark which is awe-inspiring to walk around and imagine what went on between the walls centuries ago. We made our way through huge rooms and craned our necks to admire the intricate paintings etched on the ceilings, along with the chance to explore the eerie former prison underneath. The Rialto Bridge was another one we wanted to see and you would be hard-pushed to miss it as it is one of only four bridges – and the very oldest – crossing the Grant Canal. The impressive white arch bridge is certainly a sight to behold and one that is definitely worth circling back for to see it at night, when it really comes alive bathed in light reflecting from the waterside bars and restaurants. But one of the best things to do in Venice is just to wander the streets and get a little bit lost – which is almost inevitable when exploring the city. Google Maps can only help you so far in the narrow, winding streets and there was only so long we could watch the little blue dot jumping
around the map erratically – all while we stood completely still – before giving up on it entirely. This was the perfect time to hunt out one of city’s many wine bars and enjoy a drink by the canal and I can honestly say that, despite not even knowing what I was ordering half the time, I’ve never enjoyed a nicer glass of wine. While Venice was a wonderful place to spend a weekend, it’s safe to say that with more than 100 islands to explore, countless museums and plenty more wine bars to try, I’ll definitely be making a return trip.
Darlington Today | 23
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Established 1981 Wilkinsons Plant Centre, East Brocks Farm, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, TS16 0QH Find us on the A67 midway between Yarm & Teesside Airport