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Issue 58 - Nov/Dec 2016 ISSN 1745-4654

local, relevant and entertaining ‘Tis the season to be jolly, so grab yourself a gingerbread latte, pop your Christmas pjs on and get snuggled on the sofa to enjoy this special, seasonal edition of Darlington Today.

We’ve got a Santa’s sack jam-packed with content for you to indulge in, including a guide to the most unusual food and drink to buy this Christmas, interviews with two popular panto stars – one on the nice list and one on the naughty list – and a round-up of what’s on in Darlington this Christmas, including Distinct Darlington’s magical Spiegeltent.

There’s also the usual round-up of Darlington news (we’ll see you on the Santa Express) and a fashion spread complete with shoes, coats and festive frocks.

If that isn’t enough to warm you up this winter, there are lots of competitions including a chance to win an overnight stay at the Coquetvale, a sumptuous Spa Day at Rockliffe Hall, one night at Mercure’s Darlington King’s hotel with dinner and a full English provided and a free studio portrait shoot with your favourite photo framed for your mantelpiece.

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year – see you in 2017.

12

CONTENTS 7 ALL THE LATEST NEWS

Read all about what’s going down in Darlington town

12 BENIDORM AND THE BEANSTALK

We chat to Benidorm’s Danny Walters about his starring panto role

14 GIFTS, GLORIOUS GIFTS

Perfect presents available on the high street

17 FROM BATTERSBY TO PANTO BADDY

30

We talk life, acting and Sleeping Beauty with soap star Vicky Entwistle

21 FESTIVE TREATS

We tried and tested the best Christmas food and drink

30 ALL DRESSED UP…

Get ready for the Christmas party season with our top picks

14 The panto of dreams is coming to the Sunderland Empire this Christmas, when Sleeping Beauty hits the stage with a spell-binding cast!

Vicky Entwistle (Coronation Street, Les Misérables) stars as the evil Carabosse, alongside ‘Steps’ star Faye Tozer as the Good Fairy and children’s TV favourite Andrew Agnew (CBeebies’ Balamory) in the role of Silly Billy.

Sleeping Beauty comes to the Sunderland Empire from 9 – 31 December. For tickets go to www.atgtickets.com/sunderland

WIN A FAMILY TICKET Answer the following question to win a family ticket (4 people) to the 7pm performance of Sleeping Beauty on Fri 9 Dec. Who plays the Good Fairy?

Closing date for entries is Monday 5th December (please note performance is Friday 9th December) See page 38 for entry details.

PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith t: 01325 304360 e: sue.riney@btinternet.com

EDITORIAL Bernice Saltzer, Emma Walker, Zoe Burn and Shannon Hodge, 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.

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.

Treat someone special this Christmas…

Our gift vouchers are attractively presented and available for everything from an overnight stay to a relaxing day spa experience. Available to purchase in person at Headlam Hall, Headlam Spa or online at www.headlamhall.co.uk/gift-vouchers

Also this Christmas...

Festive Luncheons Enjoy a festive three-course lunch with family or friends in the charming setting of Headlam Hall.

Available Monday to Saturday from 5th – 23rd December

£27.50 per person (private dining rooms available)

Snowball Christmas Party Nights To include a three-course dinner and dancing to a live band in the stunning Coach House Suite.

Friday 9th December – SOLD OUT Friday 16th December – SOLD OUT Friday 23rd December – TICKETS AVAILABLE

£40 per person Minimum party size of 8 people

For more information on events at Headlam Hall this Christmas please visit www.headlamhall.co.uk/christmas

www.hea d l a m h a l l . c o . u k

H e a d l a m H a l l H e a d l a m N e a r G a i n f o r d Te e s d a l e D L 2 3 H A Te l : 0 1 3 2 5 7 3 0 2 3 8 r e c e p t i o n @ h e a d l a m h a l l . c o . u k

LOCAL NEWS

ALL ABOARD THE SANTA EXPRESS Children can meet Santa and a herd of baby reindeers when they join the Santa Express this Christmas.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is inviting those on the nice list to join Father Christmas and his special helpers on a festive journey throughout December.

Passengers travelling from Grosmont will also have the chance to meet a small herd of baby reindeer calves, which will be visiting the station.

The festive trip lasts approximately one hour and each Santa Express Ticket includes a mince pie and warming hot drink.

Tickets cost £20 each and pre-booking is essential. To book visit nymr.co.uk analysis, how to develop career and life plans, how to use basic IT in the workplace and financial management.

It will also include placements in college; offering young people an invaluable insight into a course of their choice.

“Many young people struggle to make suitable life choices when they leave school and this new initiative can help them develop the skills they need,” said Restart programme leader Josh Spears.

“If they are curious about catering, childcare or media, for instance, we can put them in a place where they can decide whether it is right for them.

Josh Spears, programme leader for Restart at Darlington College

FRESH START FOR TOWN’S TEENAGERS Teenagers are being offered a fresh start as part of a unique college course designed to boost their prospects.

Darlington College has launched Restart, a programme to offer teenagers the skills, confidence and knowledge they need to progress in life.

Young people who have struggled to find the right path since leaving school will get a second chance thanks to the pioneering initiative to get them into learning, apprenticeships or the workplace.

The 10-week course, which will run for six hours on a Thursday and Friday from November 24, will cover a host of vital skills including writing for purpose, self-

“The entire programme is low risk and all about helping individuals progress, whether that be by developing their future plans, providing them with a qualification or giving them the opportunity to stay on and study at Darlington College.

“Often young people have personal issues to deal with or end up on the wrong course for them after leaving secondary education, so here at Darlington College, we feel it is our duty to support them, to try and help to change their fortunes by showing them there is a path to better prospects.

“There is always time to restart and we are prepared to do our utmost to help them.”

Anyone interested in the initiative can visit www.darlington.ac.uk or talk to the admissions team at Darlington College.

BRAND NEW BOOK FOR CHILDREN’S AUTHOR A DARLINGTON author has launched her latest children’s book.

Carol Dean’s book, Charlie Dryden and the Stolen Roman Standard, was officially launched at the Corbridge Roman Town recently.

The unusual location was chosen to reflect the Roman influence of the book, which is part of the Charlie Dryden series.

The storyline covers interesting facts and history about Roman occupation in the North East.

For more information about the book, visit caroldeanbooks.com or email carol.dean41@btinternet.com.

Darlington Today | 7

LOCAL NEWS

HOUSE OF FRASER CELEBRATES NEW LOOK Christmas and January sales shoppers are in for a treat this season at Darlington’s newly-refurbished leading department store.

House of Fraser, Darlington, completed a major refurbishment programme in October, following a significant investment to the store’s interior, as well as the introduction of new premium brands across all departments and the opening of a new restaurant on the lower ground.

The prestigious department store, formally known as Binns, has increased the size of its womenswear, menswear and beauty floors, with new flooring and lighting throughout, as well as exposing windows to allow more natural light in to the store.

The new floor layouts also create a more effective use of space allowing for even more premium brands to be introduced to Darlington.

HIGH HOPES FOR AUTISM SUPPORT GROUP A trio of mothers has teamed up to launch a new support group for children with autism and their families.

Little Treasures, based in Ferryhill, will welcome families from across the North East on the second and fourth Saturday of every month.

Michelle Abbs, of Ferryhill, launched the group with Laura Younger, of Bishop

8 | Darlington Today

ORCHESTRA WINTER CONCERT RETURNS The newly-refurbished House of Fraser store launch night

The department store’s beauty hall has also been significantly transformed with the introduction of new luxury brands, including MAC Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown and Urban Decay.

Both womenswear and menswear departments have also been improved womenswear has introduced new brands, including Mint Velvet and Barbour and menswear has launched exciting new brands including Hugo Boss and Gant.

Peter Kirsop Store Manager at House of Fraser Darlington said: “We are extremely proud of how premium our newly refurbished store looks.

“We have created a department store in which Darlington can be proud. We’ve listened to our customers and introduced some amazing new brands such as MAC Cosmetics and Bobbi Brown – all brands which customers wanted to see in their local department store.”

Auckland, and Donna Cleary, of Seaham to provide help and support for families with autistic children.

The team have secured funding to buy equipment for a sensory room and a games room at the Dean Bank Institute in Ferryhill and welcome all children on the spectrum as well as those going through the diagnosis stage.

The support group offers a parent support session on the second Saturday of every month with children welcome, and a stay and play group on the fourth Saturday.

Entry is £3.

Classical music lovers can look forward to the return of a wonderful winter concert in the new year.

The Darlington Orchestra Winter Concert will see guests enjoying a night with a wide variety of classical music at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington.

The concert will be held at 7.30pm on January 28 and will include everything from famous classical performances of Beethoven, Borodin, Strauss and Rossini to 21st century works.

There will also be special guest performances on the evening.

Tickets for the 2017 Darlington Orchestra Winter Concert are £7 – or £5 for concessions - and can be purchased by calling 01325 406000.

To keep up to date, follow the orchestra on Twitter @DarloOrchestra and Facebook. com/Darlington-Orchestra Caption: Members of the Darlington Orchestra performing at last year’s concert

FLOODS OF FOOTAGE A network of cameras will be keeping an eye on the region’s rivers this winter in a bid to protect the North East from extensive flood damage.

Twelve cameras were put in place at flooding hotspots across the region, as well as debris screens, to reduce the chance of a blockage or a debris dam being created.

Real-time footage from the cameras at sites across Darlington, County Durham and Teesside, will be relayed to Environment Agency staff working in the region’s incident room, who can react to the rising water heights.

A further five infrared cameras – which can capture images at night – are hoped to be added to waterways across the North East, with two mobile cameras.

THE BOWES MUSEUM CHRISTMAS MARKET Icicle queens are set to melt hearts at The Bowes Museum’s annual Christmas market.

The well-established Christmas Market – a firm favourite in the regional calendar – takes place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December 2016.

For £2.50 visitors can look forward to a wide array of food and creative craft stalls, use of the Santa bus ‘park and ride’ facility and admission to the Museum, including access to the current exhibitions.

WORK IS UNDERWAY Darlington FC are one step closer to coming home after work officially gets under way on a £175,000 Blackwell Meadows car park.

The 250-space car park will serve the Blackwell Meadows Community Sports Hub as part of a raft of upgrades being made to the ground ahead of the club’s homecoming.

Darlington RFC, Darlington FC and Darlington Borough Council entered into a three-pronged programme of expansion, with plans for the site to include new stands and refurbished changing rooms.

The council pledged its support to the facility in March 2015 before receiving a £75,000 grant from Sport England to go towards the car park.

The event, which takes place from 10am to 4pm each day, offers quality produce from some of the finest suppliers in the area, including cheese, breads, cakes, preserves and local beers.

Visitors looking for an individual gift will discover craft stalls, locally made jewellery, upcycled furniture, wreaths, ceramic and glass art and more.

Smooth Radio will be on site all weekend, providing festive music and offering gift wrapping masterclasses.

Musical group No Added Sugar will also be performing, along with a festive repertoire

New for this year will be the incredible Icicle Queen stilt walkers, who will interact with visitors at various times throughout the day.

As dusk falls, watch as they illuminate!

Inside the Museum, Santa will welcome children to his grotto from 10am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 4pm. Admission to the grotto is £5 per child (accompanying adult free), and includes a gift.

Event co-ordinator Rosie Bradford said: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s Christmas Market. We have some exciting new traders in addition to our wonderful regulars, all offering a fun and friendly shopping experience. With sparkling new exhibitions and jolly seasonal music, it’s a truly magical day to lift everyone’s Christmas spirit.”

The Bowes Museum, Café Bowes and Shop are open daily from 10am. A full programme of events and exhibitions is available by calling 01833 690606 or by viewing the website at www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk.

Popular TV show, Bargain Hunt, returned to Darlington for a day of antiques, auctions and bargains galore.

The authority has arranged to cover outstanding costs for the car park, with £30,000 set to be repaid to the council

by Darlington RFC over the first decade of a lease for the site.

Thomas Watson’s at Northumberland Street – an auction house often chosen to feature on television - hosted the show in November with local auctioneer David Elstob.

Construction work on the car park is expected to be completed within weeks – weather-permitting – ahead of safety certificates and FA approval of the grounds.

Now in its 16th year and 45th series, Bargain Hunt features two teams of amateur collectors who have an hour at an antiques shop or fair in which to acquire the best bargains possible with £300.

Finalisation of the ground-share arrangement could see Darlington FC play at home again as soon as December 2016.

They then have to sell the items at auction for a profit.

Funding to expand the Blackwell Meadows Community Sports Hub was agreed by councillors during a Darlington Borough Council cabinet meeting in July 2016.

A covenant on Darlington RFC land was also relaxed to secure borrowing opportunities to fund part of project costs.

from Barnard Castle Band and the Andreas Ensemble.

The collective items sourced by eight teams – making up four programmes – were auctioned at Thomas Watson’s regular Gallery Sale on November 8.

BARGAIN HUNT BIDS FOR DARLINGTON © BBC

The sale was filmed live with presenter Charlie Ross, who calculated the ups and downs of the results as the hammer fell.

Members of the public attended during the sale and some even joined in the action.

Earlier in 2016, Thomas Watson’s hosted BBC1’s Antiques Road Trip and is also scheduled to host an episode of ITV’s Dickinson’s Real Deal in February 2017.

Darlington Today | 9

FESTIVE FUNDRAISING IN AID OF ST TERESA’S HOSPICE

In aid of St Teresa’s Hospice | Registered Charity Number: 518394

Darlington’s favourite festive fun run returns Santa Suits provided!

Register

today to be entered into a prize draw to

Refreshments, games and stalls until 2pm!

Sunday 4th December

LETTER FROM SANTA

Starting from West Park Academy Darlington

2016

Registration from 10am Run starts at 11am

For a suggested minimum donation of £5 we will provide a letter to your child from Santa, which they will receive by post in the run up to Christmas. Please note that it gets very busy at the North Pole! Please make sure that we receive your request by Friday 9th December, to ensure Santa has time to write all his letters!

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How it works There are 26 cash prizes every week, selected at random, by computer, from all of our paid members.

The prizes for the numbers drawn each week include:

★ 1st Prize £1,000 ★ 2nd Prize £250 ★ 3rd Prize £125 ★ 4th Prize £75 ★ 5th Prize £50 ★ 6th Prize £25 ★ Plus 20 prizes of £10 each

GIVING TO LIFE TREE

The results of each draw will be advertised in our charity shops and on our website www.onewish.net

Offering people the every chance £1,725 worth of prizes week! to leave a Christmas greeting, a message to Plus a bonus draw in Spring and Autumn which loved all ones, the opportunity paid upor members are entered into. to Prizes are posted out. remember someone they have lost, No need to claim. No weekly forms to complete. the Giving to Life Players must be 16 or over.Tree will stand in the Cornmill Centre intoare the New Year. Our All profits of One Wish Lottery shared equally between St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington, St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham, volunteers the St Benedict’swill Hospiceman in Sunderland andTree Butterwick10am-4pm Hospice in Bishop Auckland Monday-Saturday and 10.30am-4pm To join now or for more information please contact: on Sundays from 14th to One Wish Lottery, FinanceNovember and Fundraising Office, Middlefield Road, Stockton on24th.

Tees Tel: 01325 288484 December or email dawnwatson@butterwick.org.uk North East Hospice Lottery Limited, Registered Office, Middlefield Road, Stockton on Tees TS19 8XN Registered with the Gambling Commission Tel: 01325 288484 Fax: 01642 628931 Registered Company No. 3540674 Promoter and Manager: Mrs Dawn Watson

CHRISTMAS CRACKER

DARLINGTON SANTA RUN

On Saturday 17th December we will Darlington be holding our annual Christmas Darlington’s favourite festive fun run Concert. Join us for a night of festive returns on Sunday 4th December fun with carols, choirs, soloists and our starting from West Park Academy Enter online at www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk wonderful volunteer orchestra helmed Santa Suits provided! Registration starts

by Musical Director Forsyth. or callJohn 01325 254321 for more information from 10am, run starts at 11am with Tickets will be on sale from the Hospice refreshments, games and stalls until and our shops from November – this is 2pm. To take part register online one event not to be missed so mark the www.darlingtonhospice.co.uk or call date in your diary!

01325 254 321 - register today to be entered into a prize draw to win £100 to spend at Morrisons!

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£1,7on2us drawtumn b Plus ring & Au in Sp

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CHRISTMAS TOMBOLA

ONE WISH LOTTERY

We will be holding our annual Christmas tombola in Queen Street Shopping Centre the 17th Call 01325 288484 for a from copy of North East3rd Hospice– Lottery’s Terms and Conditions.

Please gamble responsibly. Tickets December, excluding Sundays.

Visit www.gambleaware.co.uk cost 4 for £1, with lots of fantastic prizes up for grabs!

By supporting the One Wish Lottery you will be helping to raise vital funds Yourhospices Local Hospice for Supporting four of our local including For in details contact 01325 288484 St Teresa’s Darlington.

Visit our website www.onewish.net For details contact 01325 288 484 or visit www.onewish.net

CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION SERVICE Enjoy your real Christmas tree, and we will collect it on Saturday 7th January to be recycled! Simply register your tree and pay for collection at www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk (opens 21st November). Supported by Darlington Rotary

For more information please contact us on 01325 254321 or email events@darlingtonhospice.org.uk

He’s known to fans of hit TV comedy show Benidorm as Tiger Dyke, but the region will get to see Danny Walters in a totally different light as he stars in panto this Christmas. Here, the Essex boy tells Zoe Burn how he’s looking forward to heading north.

DANNY Walters is swapping the hot Spanish sunshine for the cold north eastern winter – and yet he couldn’t be more excited.

The Essex born and bred actor will spend two months based near Teesside when he stars in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Forum Theatre Billingham, as he takes up the role for the second time.

“I’ve only done panto once before, and that was also Jack and the Beanstalk,” he reveals. “It was a couple of years ago and I really enjoyed it, but so far this one looks like it’s going to be even better.

“The script is fantastic, it is very funny and I am sure the audiences are going to love it as much as I do. I genuinely think this going to be a great show and I just can’t wait to get started on it.”

Danny will join a young and exciting cast which includes Emmerdale actor Kurtis Stacey and 2014 X Factor finalist Lola Saunders, and admits he owes this job to one of his Benidorm co-stars.

“My friend Jake Canuso – he plays barman Mateo in Benidorm with me – was here a few years ago doing the pantomime and he put in a good word for me. He said I’d make a good Jack, and they must’ve agreed because here I am!”

We may know him better for his TV role, but Danny is a big fan of the stage. He’s recently starred in London’s West End in a show called The Greater Game, and says the buzz of performing live is something 12 | Darlington Today

that really excites and challenges him.

“I love it. It’s a different skill, a different way of working. On TV you have the time to be precious, if you make a mistake you can go again.

“But on stage there isn’t that luxury. If you make a mistake you’ve just got to come back from it and keep moving. That’s something quite daunting but it’s also a buzz.

“Theatre also gives you the audience interaction you don’t get from TV. You get to see how they react, and there’s no greater feeling than knowing you’ve done the job properly when you get a good reaction. TV doesn’t give you that, and it’s something pretty special.”

Danny will base himself in the region throughout his run, and knows it’s going to be a hard few months. “It’s gruelling, it’s hard work and it’s energetic. You’re doing two shows a day and three sometimes, and you hardly get a day off.

“I finish early on Christmas Eve and I’ll head home to spend the day with my family, but I’ll be back on Boxing Day, but this is what you sign up to. You know it isn’t going to be easy, but the fun makes it worthwhile.

“This will be my first visit to the North East and I’m really looking forward to it.

Jake has told me all of the places to visit and I’m keen to have a good look around and meet the people – I keep getting told how welcoming you all are. It’ll be nice

for me to get out of Essex for a bit and experience something new. It’s going to be great.”

Jack and the Beanstalk runs until January 8, 2017 and Danny fans can then look forward to seeing him back on screen as Benidorm returns to TV screens with a brand new series a few weeks later.

Jack and the Beanstalk opens at the Forum Theatre Billingham on Sunday, December 3 with evening and afternoon performances most days until it closes on January 8.

Tickets priced from £16-19.50 are available now from the Forum Theatre box office: 01642 552 663. For more information visit www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS To win a pair of tickets to see the 7.30pm performance on Tuesday 6th December answer the following question: Where was Danny born?

Closing date for entries is 30th November. See foot of page 38 for entry details.

GIFTS GALORE To help spread Christmas cheer – and banish the seasonal shopping fear – Santa and his pint-sized, pointy eared pals have whipped up a gift guide jam-packed with goodies to surprise your loved ones with this holiday season.

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And with Darlington’s impressive list of top high street retailers including Debenhams, Next and House of Fraser, there’s a gift suitable for everyone – even your pooch.

So, start making your list and checking it twice before heading into town to pick up something nice…

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6

1 Boots Toni and Guy Style Fix Straightener £29.99 2 Primark Light Box £12 3 Waterstones ScandiKitchen Fika and Hygge – published by Ryland Peters and Small - £16.99 4 Mr and Mrs Family Edition - Next or Debenhams - £19.99 5 Primark Christmas Jumper £16 6 House of Fraser KitchenAid Artisan 4.8L Stand Mixer £485

14 | Darlington Today

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7 River Island Bulldog Christmas Jumper £25 8 Next, Men’s Checked Scarf £24 9 Superdrug Braun Body Groomer -£39.99 10 New Look Brown Textured Elasticated Wallet £7.99 11 Boots, Barbiere pure bristle shaving brush £10.95

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12 River Island Girls Christmas Jumper £18 13 Debenhams LEGO DISNEY PRINCESS Belle’s enchanted castle £50 14 Debenhams Paw Patrol Air patroller £40 15 Next Fairisle jumper from £14 16 Cadbury’s Santa Gift Box, Tesco £2.99

17 Debenhams, Dog Cushion £12 18 Debenhams Reindeer Toy £12

Darlington Today | 15

At The Redworth Hall Hotel

Built in the 17th Century, The Redworth Hall Hotel is a beautiful stately home, providing a magnificent backdrop to your big day. Surrounded by 26 acres of peaceful woodland and landscaped grounds, creating a secluded, tranquil and atmospheric setting for your celebrations.

To enquire about your wedding day at The Redworth Hall Hotel, please contact our wedding planner on 01388 770600 or email redworthhallevents@thehotelcollection.co.uk Redworth, County Durham DL5 6NL thehotelcollection.co.uk/weddings

@TheRedworthHall

/RedworthHallHotel

Image courtesy of Fyzal Photography

A PICTURE PERFECT SETTING

FROM THE STREET TO SLEEPING BEAUTY… For years Vicky Entwistle was known as Coronation Street bigmouth, Janice Battersby. Bernice Saltzer finds how life is treating her – and how she’s relishing playing a panto baddy.

IF she hadn’t hated PE, Vicky Entwistle’s career might have taken a very different path.

“It’s quite a few years and I’ve done quite a lot of other things since then,” she said.

This born and bred Lancashire lass admits that nobody in her family had any links with the theatre and if she hadn’t been desperately trying to find a way out of school gym class, she too may have never realised her true potential.

Those things include a whole host of theatre productions including Funny Peculiar, The Vagina Monologues and the one of which she is really proud – The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

“I absolutely hated PE and at my school if you didn’t do it, then your option was to do drama,” said Vicky.

“That was an absolutely fantastic show and a real challenge as during the whole two and a half hour run of it, I was not on the stage for about ten minutes,” said Vicky.

“That seemed like a much better choice and I found that not only did I like it, I was quite good at it.”

A six month stint in the West End followed, playing Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables.

Having found her passion, Vicky enrolled at a drama school at St Anne’s near Blackpool to hone her craft, working as a bluecoat at Pontins in Devon before she was accepted on a scholarship to attend London’s Drama Centre.

“I’m not really a singer, “she confessed.

A number of stage and tv roles followed and it was while playing Madonna fan, Maxime Graham in the play Like A Virgin that she was spotted by a Granada Television casting director.

“But spending six months in the West End in a production like that was amazing, a real experience.”

This year Vicky will be taking to the stage again – this time at the Sunderland Empire as she plays the wicked fairy Carabosse in the pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.

“I love being the baddy,” she said with a giggle.

She approached Vicky to play a new role in a top tv soap – and television history was born.

“It’s more fun than being the good girl!

I’ve played this role six times and I’m really looking forward to doing it again.

In 1997 Vicky appeared as loud mouth machinist Janice Battersby in Coronation Street the first time, joined a few episodes later by her on-screen family which she headed up for a staggering 14 years.

“it’s got something for everyone – lots of stuff for the kids and enough innuendo to keep the adults happy.”

“It was an amazing time but I did have other things I wanted to do and I thought leaving during Corrie’s 50th anniversary year was perfect timing,” she said.

“My husband was working on that production so I came to see it but I was also checking it out all the seating and the boxes!”

Although Vicky is resigned to the fact that she’s always going to be inextricably linked to the world’s longest running soap, she says that less people instantly recognise her from it now.

The North East is a familiar place to Vicky, who revealed she came to the Empire to see Billy Elliott.

The punishing schedule of a panto run doesn’t faze Vicky at all, although she admits that Christmas Day “will be mostly spent sleeping.”

Then it will be on to more work, hoping to make a few ticks on her wish list.

“I’ve done a few things that I’ve always wanted to do like appearing in the West End and doing Little Voice,” she said.

“And I’m hoping next year will give the chance to do a few more!”

Sleeping Beauty at the Sunderland Empire runs from 9 – 31 December.

Tickets are available from www.atgtickets.com Darlington Today | 17

CHRISTMAS AT QUEEN STREET Santa and his elves are really busy at the North Pole getting everything ready for Christmas Eve.

Dear Santa...

They are so busy that this year they’re looking to train new elves at The Elf Academy in Queen Street.

Each Saturday you can learn new elf skills from letter writing to making gifts and learning to fly in Santa’s sleigh!

It’s all for free so why not book your space now www.queenstreetshoppingcentre.co.uk

Letters to Santa

Carol Singing Mon 28th Nov - Fri 9th Dec 10.30am and 1.30pm Weekdays Come along and and listen to local school choirs performing a selection of carols with all proceeds going to St Teresa’s Hospice.

Santa and his elves love getting your letters and pictures and you can post them at Santa’s Post office in the magical talking post box.

You can watch your letter fly off to the North Pole, in front of your very eyes.

Wait a few days and you’ll get a personal reply from Santa to make this Christmas even more special.

Don’t forget to visit Dasher the reindeer too for his Christmas message to you.

Opening Times LATE NIGHT THURSDAYS

LATE NIGHTS

Open until 8pm 24th Nov, 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd Dec

We are open until 7pm every week night from 19th - 23rd Dec

CHRISTMAS SUNDAYS

CHRISTMAS EVE Open early 8am - 4.30pm BOXING DAY 26th & 27th December 10am – 4pm

10.30am - 4.30pm (Malls open at 10am) 27th Nov, 4th, 11th & 18th Dec

CHRISTMAS FAIR AT AYCLIFFE VILLAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL The Annual Christmas Fair organised by the PTA will take place at Aycliffe Village School on Thursday 1st December 6pm until 8pm.

There will be lots of Christmas stalls selling Christmas Decorations, Candles, Perfumes, Greetings Cards, Gifts and Cup Cakes plus many more.

Tickets are being sold on the night for our fabulous raffle* which has fantastic prizes up for grabs including several overnight hotel stays that include dinner bed & breakfast as well as meals out, afternoon teas and shopping vouchers.

Homemade soup and refreshments will be available.

Santa will even be paying us a visit so come along and bring the family, it should be a great night.

Everyone Welcome!

*raffle will be drawn at 7.30pm

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FESTIVE FOOD AND A TIPPLE OR TWO… Christmas is a time to eat, drink and be merry. So, to get in the seasonal spirit, Darlington Today’s little helpers have been hard at work testing the most unusual festive food and drinks that are new this Noël.

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SANTA’S SUPERMARKET FAVES The supermarket shelves are stocked to the brim with seasonal goodies to get your teeth into, so let’s kick things off with some festive favourites - mince pies.

ALDI’s Specially Selected Exquisite Mince Pies (£2.99 for 6 - 1) were reduced to nothing but crumbs within five minutes at Darlington Today HQ and would make the perfect Christmas eve supper when washed down with some Belvoir Mulled Winter or Spiced Ginger Punch (£3 each - 2). Just don’t forget to leave some out for Santa…

We’re hoping Santa puts a Haribo Tangfastics Cracker (£1.50 - 3) in our stocking this year – it’s a cracker full of our fruity favourites and we’re even considering swapping our traditional dinner table crackers for them!

As well as Haribo, Monty Bojangles have also had us licking our lips with their new buttery, cocoa-

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dusted Popcorn Carousel Truffles (£4, Waitrose - 4) – they weren’t kidding when they made “curiously moreish” their slogan…

Hooked Seafood Kitchen, Salmon Sweet Red Pepper Tartlets (£4, Iceland - 9) are a delicious alternative.

If savoury is more your thing, we thoroughly enjoyed munching on the Nairn’s Gluten Free Super Seeded Wholegrain Crackers (£1.75 - 5) which we found paired perfectly with a glass of fizz, namely the Picpoul de Pinet Mascavinae, Languedoc Roussillon 2015 (£6.99, Lidl - 6).

Even the youngest of guests can enjoy a taste of Christmas this year with the Ella’s Kitchen Jingle Belly Christmas Dinner (£1.39 Boots, Asda, Tesco - 10). Our tiny tester must have really enjoyed it because her bib was spotless at the end.

When it comes to festive food, we like to stick to some traditions so trying the ALDI Specially Selected Exquisite Jewelled Layered Pie (£14.99 7) really got us in the Christmas spirit and with its layers of pork, chicken breast and pate, we were in our element. The golden sparkle was just the cherry on top of the pie for us.

Pescatarians rejoice, because Young’s have a whole lot of fishy faves for the festive season.

Swap the turkey for the flavour-packed Hooked Seafood Kitchen, Salmon Roast With Asian Crust (£8, Iceland - 8) and if you’re wanting to mix it up from the usual prawn cocktail starter, the Young’s

Don’t think we forgot about the special desserts that layer the supermarket shelves… The beautifully handmade ALDI Specially Selected Exquisite Vintage Christmas Pudding (£9.99 - 11) was delicious with a drizzle of brandy butter but if you’re not a fan of fruit cake, the ALDI Specially Selected Exquisite Yule Log Cake (£9.99 - 12) was mouth-wateringly good with lashings of fresh double cream. Mmmm…

After a full day of eating, there’s nothing better than watching the Christmas day soaps with a glass of red wine - a big glass of juicy Barefoot Malbec (£6.99 - 13) for us please.

Darlington Today | 21

THERE’S A HO-HOWHOLE LOT ON THE HIGH STREET

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Marks & Spencer have done it again. In fact, they’ve outdone themselves with their spectacular selection of festive goodies this year, available to buy, or order, in store.

We were especially keen on their more unusual products including the Cornish Cove Cheese Wreath (£5 - 1) which is packed with the juiciest cranberries and apricots and makes the perfect cracker combo with a dollop of Sparkling Prosecco & Peach Conserve (£3 - 2) on top.

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But the ultimate savoury show-stopper for us, has to be the Stuffing and Pigs in Blankets Wreath (£10 - 3), a pork, sage and onion stuffing wreath topped with pigs in blankets and a cranberry glaze – it’s AMAZING, trust us.

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Again, if fish is more up your street, the 10 Mini Smoked Salmon Pearls (£7 - 4) add a touch of glamour to any cocktail party and the smoked salmon and lemon mousse pearl, dusted with silver lustre in a mini sea shell, was the prettiest thing we’ve ever had the pleasure of eating.

If you’ve got veggie visitors, the VBites range at Holland and Barrett has some great meat alternatives. The Cranberry Sausage Rolls (£3.39, Holland and Barrett or www.vbitesfoods.com 5) and the Spinach and Roasted Pepper Tartlets (£3.59 - 6), both with melt-in-the-mouth puff pastry, are delicious and would make great veggie canapes.

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The VBites Seed Roast (£4.99 - 7) made from sunflower and pumpkin seeds with a seasoned blend of chickpeas, mushrooms and leeks was also a huge hit in the office with both the vegetarians and carnivores alike.

The Marks and Spencer Luxury Salted Caramel Mixed Nuts (£5 - 8) were also a firm favourite at HQ. Coated in a sweet, salty caramel, they would be ideal to pick at while watching Christmas movies and if you fancy a tipple to go with it, we recommend a glass or two of their Sloe Gin (£13 - 9). Or if gin isn’t your thing, the Christmas Cobbler Cocktail (£12 - 10) is a ready-to-drink sherry cocktail with a very unusual ingredient…

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If you enjoyed more than a tipple or two on Christmas Eve, make sure you’ve got a bottle of Overhang Revitalising Drink (£2.49, Holland & Barrett - 11) in the fridge for the morning – the clue’s in the name…

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Or if the excitement of Christmas just isn’t enough to get you up on a morning, a mug of the Starbucks Christmas Reserve Coffee Blend (£4.95 - 12) should do the trick, with its strong holiday flavours of mulled spices and orange zest, it’s an excellent winter warmer.

Another one of our high street favourites who will help lessen the stress of the annual Christmas Eve buffet is the North East’s favourite baker, Greggs. No need to cook mini sausage rolls and vol-au-vents, just head to your local Greggs and pick up some Festive Bakes (£1.50 each - 13) which are full of delicious chicken, stuffing and sweetcure bacon in a creamy sage and cranberry sauce and not forgetting a pack of Sweet Mince Pies (6 for £1.50 - 14) – it wouldn’t be Christmas without them.

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WINTER WONDERLAND ON THE WEB

Gingerbread Popcorn (£10, www.yumbles.com 20) which not only smells incredible, but tastes it too.

While we’re big fans of shopping local here at Darlington Today, sometimes we just can’t resist the festive finds we see online.

The men in the office were more interested in tucking into the Black Sheep Brewery Draymans Hamper (£38.95, https://www.blacksheepbrewery. com - 21) jam-packed with craft ales, cheese and chutneys aplenty. They then ended an afternoon of eating, with handfuls of pork scratchings from the Snaffling Pig ‘n Mix Small Jar Bundle (£19.99, http://www.snafflingpig.co.uk - 22). Going from the food babies and grinning faces afterwards, we think that’s a thumbs up from the men.

One of our favourite finds this year is the Raisthorpe Manor 9ct Shimmering Toffee Caramel Vodka (£24.95, RaisethorpeManor.com - 15) which made a smooth and tasty shot of sweet, shimmering goodness without the sharp vodka aftertaste.

If you’re after a beverage even more unusual than the last, try the Black Cow Milk Vodka (£27.95, 31Dover.com - 16), which is made from actual milk from cows in the West Dorset countryside – now there’s a conversation starter.

Our favourite sweet treats include the extremely moreish Baru Sea Salt Caramel Marshmallows (£3.25, www.baru.be - 23), the Prestat Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Bar (£3, www.nhmshop.co.uk - 24) - whose clientele span from the royal family to Roald Dahl, might we add - and not forgetting the delicious box of chocolatey goodness delivered

by Letterbox Gifts (£22.95 - 25) – perfect to send to family or friends you may not see this Christmas.

More of a gin kind of guy/gal? The Botanist Gin (£34.99, thebotanist.com - 17) was lovely paired with a glass of sweet Apple Elder Flower juice from the James White Classic Range of Apple Juices (£2.25 each, www.jameswhite.co.uk - 18).

Seeing as ‘tis the season to be jolly, why not pair your chocolate nibbles with a chocolate tipple?

The Rubis Chocolate Wine (£9.85, www.31dover. com - 26) is a rich wine with a velvety chocolate finish. We liked it so much, we went back for seconds…

Speaking of apples, the Stag Bakeries, Apple and Cinnamon sweet straws by West Coast (£2.30, www.stagbakeries.co.uk - 19) were a great accompaniment to the juices but our favourite seasonal snack had to be the Dessertsville

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If you’re wanting to have more traditional sweet treats this Noël, the Imperial War Museum Shop has some Christmas classics including Traditional Plum Pudding (£3.50, http://www.iwmshop.org.uk/ - 27) and Traditional Sugar Mice (£4 - 28), which both went well washed down with a glass of Great Uncle Cornelius Famous Spiced Ginger (£3.60, www.jameswhite.co.uk - 29).

Some other great bevvies our taste team enjoyed were the rich yet smooth France Chateau De Grezels Chaors AOP Malbec (£6.99, LIDL - 30) and making – and tasting - our very own Bloody Mary’s with the Godminster Horseradish Vodka Spirit drink and blended spicy tomato juice (£36, www. godminster.com - 31).

If you do prefer to order from a little closer to home, then why not try Bill’s? The Durham-based restaurant has an online store full of festive hampers and gifts for family and friends. The Bill’s Champagne Christmas Hamper (£55, www.billsshop.co.uk - 32) comes with a lovely bottle of fizz, a box of indulgent truffles and a Christmas candle.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the cheese and crackers, so last but by no means least, is this fabulous, heart-shaped Godminster, Vintage Organic Cheddar (£24.95, www.godminster.com - 33) to not only express our love for cheese, but our love for the hap-happiest season of all. Happy holidays everyone!

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Darlington Today | 23

cornmill centre

Open late throughout December www.cornmillcentre.co.uk

Christmas

opening hours CHRISTMAS SUNDAYS

CHRISTMAS WEEK

Sunday 27th Nov Sunday 4th Dec Sunday 11th Dec Sunday 18th Dec

Monday 19th Dec Tuesday 20th Dec Wednesday 21st Dec Friday 23rd Dec CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY

9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 8am - 4.30pm CLOSED

BOXING DAY Tuesday 27th Dec Wednesday 28th Dec Thursday 29th Dec Friday 30th Dec

8am - 6pm 9am - 5.30pm 9am - 5.30pm 9am - 5.30pm 9am - 5.30pm

10.30am - 4.30pm 10.30am - 4.30pm 10.30am - 4.30pm 10.30am - 4.30pm

CHRISTMAS THURSDAYS Thursday 24th Nov Thursday 1st Dec Thursday 8th Dec Thursday 15th Dec Thursday 22nd Dec

9am - 8pm 9am - 8pm 9am - 8pm 9am - 8pm 9am - 8pm

DECEMBER 2016 Monday 28th Nov Tuesday 29th Nov Wednesday 30th Nov Friday 2nd Dec Saturday 3rd Dec

9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 6pm

Monday 5th Dec Tuesday 6th Dec Wednesday 7th Dec Friday 9th Dec Saturday 10th Dec

9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 6pm

Monday 12th Dec Tuesday 13th Dec Wednesday 14th Dec Friday 16th Dec Saturday 17th Dec

9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 6pm

NEW YEAR NEW YEARS EVE NEW YEARS DAY Monday 2nd Jan

8.30am - 5pm CLOSED 9am - 5.30pm

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Gorgeous gifts for all... ✯

Wow your friends and family this Christmas with gift experiences from Rockliffe Hall.

Choose from a dreamy selection of spa days, treat someone to a round of golf or help them improve their game with golf tuition from our experienced team.

Delight with dainty afternoon teas and fantastic food vouchers or give the gift of the ultimate night’s sleep with a luxury overnight stay at our five star hotel.

Can’t choose? Don’t forget our range of monetary gift vouchers available from £20-£500 which can be redeemed across the entire resort.

To browse and buy online visit www.rockliffehall.com or visit Rockliffe Hall’s Spa Boutique for a range of gift sets, gift experience vouchers and a bit of spa indulgence.

www.rockliffehall.com Hurworth-on-Tees Darlington County Durham DL2 2DU +44 (0)1325 729999 enquiries@rockliffehall.com

WIN A MIDWEEK SPA DAY AT ROCKLIFFE HALL One lucky reader and a guest will win a sumptuous Spa Day at Rockliffe Hall.

You could be enjoying a fabulous mid-week Spa Day at the awardwinning Rockliffe Hall Spa.

ROCKLIFFE HALL WINS ‘BEST SPA FOR LUXURY’ AWARD Rockliffe Hall, near Darlington, has been named the Best Spa for Luxury in the UK by the Readers’ Choice National Awards, organised by The Good Spa Guide.

Members of the Spa team attended a glittering ceremony on November 15th at Spa Life UK at the Telford International Centre to find out they’d won – Rockliffe Spa won the same award in 2014.

The Spa was selected by special Spa Spies™ who visited dozens of venues around the country to carry out an extensive and thorough review. The category is defined by the Spa Spies™ as ‘pure bliss, outstanding facilities, indulgent treatments and impeccable service’.

The Good Spa Guide is considered the expert guide to the best spas and treatments in the industry, and since the awards were first launched in 2010, The Good Spa Guide has seen rising standards, new developments and a huge growth in the popularity of spas.

Victoria Rickett, Spa Manager at Rockliffe Hall, who also recently won a Spa Manager of the Year award, says: “We are thrilled to have been awarded this coveted title again. The entire team works tirelessly to ensure that Rockliffe Spa is the best in the industry and we’re so pleased to have this confirmed by winning such a prestigious accolade.”

You’ll be treated to a delicious two course brunch on arrival from 10am, followed by full use of the wet spa and wellness facilities. You’ll both all enjoy either a Hot Rocks Massage or Indian Head Massage before checkout at 3pm.

Rockliffe Hall’s award winning 50,000 square feet spa, recently named Good Spa Guide’s Best Spa for Luxury, includes a 20 metre leisure pool, a thermal bathing suite with a tepidarium, caldarium, roman and heat saunas, tropicarium, hydropool and ice fountain, sound wave therapy beds and an extensive range of signature treatments using some of the most luxurious products available from names such as Neom, Comfort Zone and ORLY. There are even spa butlers on hand to serve you fresh fruit, juices- or maybe even a glass of fizz to make your day even more indulgent.

There is also a wellness suite fully kitted out with Technogym equipment and offering a wide range of fitness classes. www.rockliffehall.com To win simply answer the following question - How many square feet is Rockliffes Hall award winning spa?

Closing date for entries is Friday 13th January 2017. See foot of page 38 for entry details.

Terms & conditions: Prize must be redeemed within 12 months of the winner being notified and is valid for spa days on Tuesdays to Thursdays, subject to availability. Treatments included are a 45 minute Hot Rocks Massage or 45 Minute Indian Head Massage.

For more details or booking information, contact www.rockliffehall.com or call 01325 729999.

Darlington Today | 27

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Happy Birthday

All Through September Lunch Monday to Saturday 5 Daily Changing Bar Menu Main course

On ly

£5 each

The Main Event Dinner Monday to Sunday

The Game of “Dice”

At the Start of every meal you will roll Four Dice with the following prizes: throw one two and get a FREE Drink for everyone on the Table. * throw two twos and get a FREE Starter or Dessert on the table. * throw three twos and get Free Meals for the Whole Table (Food Only) *

* Table of 6 people or less only

COME ON DOWN & JOIN IN THE CELEBRATIONS

BOOKING ADVISABLE The Mowden • Staindrop Road • Darlington • DL3 9BE

The Devonport Hotel Darlington, 16-18 The488740 Front, Darlington, DL2 1AS • t 01325 332 255 t 01325 www.mowdendarlington.co.uk www.devonportdarlington.co.uk TheDevonportDarlington themowdenpub

Follow Us

GingerVillage

GingerVillage

www.gingervillagepubs.co.uk

FESTIVE FASHION

by Shannon Hodge

The festive party season is almost upon us, so whether you’re heading to the office Christmas party, going for a tipple or two at the pub or seeing the whole family at the annual Christmas gathering, you can find everything you need to look dressed to the nines this holiday season.

From show-stopping dresses and swanky suits to metallic mules, Christmas knits and sparkling jewels, Darlington’s top stores including Primark, New Look, Topshop and Next have your festive wardrobe all wrapped up.

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Next Jacket £75, Roll neck sweater £22, Trousers £35, Derby shoes £78

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Primark Jumpsuit £15 Shoes £14 Bag £1.50 Earrings £1.50

30 | Darlington Today

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1 Next Santa jumper from £15 2 Next Rainbow party dress £32 3 Debenhams Girls Jasper Conran Riding Coat £36 4 River Island Boys Rudolph Jumper £12 5 River Island Boys Red Checked Shirt £12 6 Debenhams Girls John Rocha Dress £38 7 Debenhams Bluezoo Elf Sleepsuit £12

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8 New Look Womens Blue Velvet Quilted Box Bag £19.99 9 Primark Womens Costume Ring £2 10 Topshop Womens Red Dress £85 11 Topshop Sequin Star Mini Dress £125 12 New Look Womens Light Brown Faux Fur Coat £54.99 13 Dune Osmond Bronze Boots £120 14 Next Womens Necklace £22 15 Miss Selfridge Metallic Wrapover Heels £45 16 Debenhams Teal Embellished Debut Dress £250 17 New Look Womens

Silver Cami Dress £19.99

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18 River Island Mens Brocade Jacket £60 19 River Island Mens Navy Roll Neck Jumper £25 20 Primark Mens Checked Shirt £10 21 Dune Mens Maida Vale Boots £100

Darlington Today | 31

BFIA DARLINGTON TODAY OCT 16.pdf

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ADVERTORIAL

GIVE THE GIFT OF CONFIDENCE THIS CHRISTMAS As Christmas approaches again, parents and grand-parents worry about what to buy for the special children in their lives. They know that the latest toys fade in popularity, or get broken. But what if you could give that child something with lasting value, something which would bring them weekly fun and friendship and improve their self-esteem, confidence and life chances. Well – now you can!

Stagecoach Darlington offers all of that through classes in Drama, Dance and Singing, on Fridays or Saturdays, for young people aged from 2 – 18 years. Students harness creativity and confidence and this often improves their success at school and helps them to work towards their future goals, in all walks of life.

Stagecoach Darlington has been in existence for 19 years, working out of the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, and has won six awards for its work with young people.

Stagecoach has an unrivalled reputation locally for the quality of its training; the experience and expertise of its staff ; and the care that it gives to its students. The teachers work to increase selfesteem, confidence, team work and leadership skills, encouraging students to be articulate, creative and self-disciplined. And there is always something exciting happening at Stagecoach.

If you would like to see what Stagecoach could mean to your special child and how it could improve their life chances, then contact Stagecoach for their information pack by E mail thindmarsh15@gmail.com Text 0773 6164616 Visit www.stagecoach.co.uk/ darlington or Ring the Hotline 0808 208 5134

You will be glad you did.

FREE T SHIRT FOR NEW CHILDREN ENROLLING FOR THE FULL TERM QUOTE `Darlington Today` to claim yours

Darlington Today | 33

Don’t be left with an unwanted present this Christmas!

If you plan on celebrating over Christmas and New Year, don’t forget to be prepared!

If you would like some long acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as a coil or implant, please telephone 01325 952277 to make an appointment Contraceptive advice, pills and depos are available from your registered GP practice – please ensure you have a supply of your contraception for the holidays.

Just in case..…

Local pharmacies can provide you with emergency contraception should you need it.

Contraception & Sexual Health Clinic (CASH) Service

The CASH Service will be running clinics over the Christmas period on the following dates: Saturday 24th December

9.30am - 1pm

Wednesday 28th December 4pm - 7.30pm Thursday 29th December

4pm - 7.30pm

Saturday 31st December

9.30am - 1pm

Please visit our website for further details: www.darlingtoncash.com

Aged 24 or under?

CARD

Make sure you stay protected this Christmas with our free C-Card Condom Scheme.

Visit www.darlingtoncash.com for details.

Provided by

ADVERTORIAL

WIN AN OVERNIGHT STAY AND DINNER AT NEW NORTHUMBRIA HOTEL… NEWCASTLE is full of hidden gems and we are giving one lucky reader and their guest the chance to uncover one of them.

Dene – a spectacular public space, gifted to the city by Victorian industrialist Lord William Armstrong – top of the ‘to do’ list.

We are heading slightly out of the city centre to the leafy suburb of Jesmond, which is to Newcastle what Chelsea is to London.

And, when it comes to dinner, our winner and their guest will be in good company at Scalini’s, which regularly plays host to stars from TV and sport.

This upmarket suburb, just two Metro stops or a 15-minute walk from the city centre, offers such a vibrant mixture of nightlife, shops, restaurants and activities that is fast becoming a leisure destination in its own right.

Italian through and through, its extensive menu is matched only by its atmosphere.

You’ll find diners of all ages here - attracted by the friendly welcome and superb food.

And this competition will put the winner right at the heart of it.

We are offering an overnight stay for two people at the New Northumbria Hotel, at Osborne Road - the very heart of Jesmond - along with dinner for two at the Scalini’s Italian restaurant and breakfast the following morning.

The 55-bedroom hotel is owned by Newcastle’s leading leisure and hospitality operator, the Malhotra Group plc, and is just a short walk away from Acorn Road; a shopper’s paradise with designer labels galore and a whole host of stylish coffee shops and cafés.

It is also an ideal base for those wishing to explore a little, with picturesque Jesmond

To win an overnight stay and breakfast for two at New Northumbria Hotel, with dinner at Scalini’s to the value of £50, all you have to do is answer the following question.

Q: Who gifted Jesmond Dene to the people of Newcastle?

William Armstrong Prince William Will.i.am Entry details can be found at the bottom of page 38 of this magazine. Closing date for entries is January 13th 2017. The prize is subject to availability and is valid until 30 June 2017. Terms and conditions apply.

Those not lucky enough to win can find out more about the New Northumbria Hotel by calling 0191 281 4961 or visiting www.thenewnorthumbriahotel.co.uk.

Darlington Today | 35

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN ADVERTORIAL

WIN AN OVERNIGHT STAY WITH DINNER AND FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST AT MERCURE DARLINGTON KING’S HOTEL.

Enjoy a Sunday Lunch If you aren’t successful in winning this competition, then why not take advantage of the hotel’s fantastic value Sunday Lunch.

Located in the heart of Darlington, the Mercure Darlington King’s Hotel is the perfect place for a relaxing weekend getaway. After checking into one of our luxurious privilege guest bedrooms, the afternoon is then free for you to shop in Darlington’s many independent shops and boutiques. Back at the hotel, begin your evening in our upmarket cocktail bar, and then dine in the forthcoming refurbished restaurant the King’s Grill, which has stunning views across the town centre. Enjoy a refreshing bottle of wine while sampling the delights of our our newly themed restaurant, which showcases the best of modern British cuisine. Leave feeling rested after a comfortable night’s sleep, and hearty full English breakfast.

£13.95 for 3 courses Answer this question to win: What’s the price of the new Sunday lunch at Mercure Darlington?

Pre-booking is essential, to make a reservation, call reception on 01325 380 222

Entry details can be found at the foot of page 38.

Closing date for entries is 13 January 2017.

Limited free parking available.

Terms & Conditions Valid January to end February. Prize includes 3 course dinner, bed & breakfast at the hotel. Pre-booking is essential. Valid for 2 people for 1 night. Subject to availability.

HOLIDAY INN WASHINGTON Holiday Inn Washington UK hotel is ideally located between historic Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle, just off junction 64 of the A1.

This long-established hotel is well known for its friendly staff and warm welcome.

With plenty of free parking, the hotel has an established restaurant Traders, and a contemporary lounge and bar area, serving drinks and light snacks. There are 136 fully air conditioned bedrooms at this hotel in Washington, including family and accessible rooms.

Ideally placed for enjoying the many tourist attractions the area has to offer. So whether you fancy a day in historic Durham, a trip to the coastal areas of South Shields, a day back in time visiting the award winning

Beamish Museum, a day of retail therapy shopping at the famous intu Metrocentre or taking in the history and culture, not to mention the amazing restaurants, bars and shops that the city of Newcastle has to offer.

THE COMPETITION Win an overnight stay for 2 people in a luxurious double bedroom, fully inclusive of bed, breakfast and dinner with a bottle of wine in Traders Restaurant.

Answer this question for a chance to win: What is the name of the hotel’s restaurant?

Closing date for competitions is 13 January 2017.

See foot of page 38 for entry details

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

36 | Darlington Today

Just completed a bedroom refurbishment, so all 136 bedrooms have a new look!

ADVERTORIAL

N WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN W WIN AN OVERNIGHT STAY AT THE COQUETVALE Located in the nineteenth century country town of Rothbury, on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, The Coquetvale 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 5 minute drive away as are the breath-taking Simonside Hills.

A little further afield Alnwick Castle and Gardens as well as the stunning coastline with Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island being landmarks.

The Coquetvale offers the finest Northumberland welcome, offering 14 well-appointed ensuite bedrooms.

Boasting a combination of double, twin, family and 2 stunning very recently refurbished superior suites.

The hotel recognises that many of the visitors to this spectacular area are those of the 4-legged variety and therefore is very dog friendly.

The grand restaurant offers a mix of traditional and modern, with its high ceilings, featuring ornate rose and cornice, decorated in subtle grey and silver – with stunning double aspect picturesque windows and views

towards the Northumberland National Park and Coquet Valley.

An experienced team of Chefs offer tempting dishes with many seasonal and daily specials. There truly is something for everyone, not to mention the award winning breakfast, which boasts locally sourced ingredients.

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.

Recently under new ownership, the family, with a wealth of hotel experience, are focussed on delivering a truly special guest experience in terms of both service and product, so with that in mind have already commenced a gradual and discreet refurbishment programme of all areas.

READER OFFER As a special readership offer, why not take advantage of the Winter rates from December to February, selected dates available at £45.00 per couple fully inclusive of Bed and Breakfast.

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.

How many well appointed bedrooms does The Coquetvale have?

The Coquetvale, Station Road, Rothbury, NE65 7QH, Northumberland

Closing date for entries is 13th January 2017.

See foot of page 38 for entry details. Winning stay to be taken before end of February 2017.

Darlington Today | 37

ADVERTORIAL

WIN A STUDIO PORTRAIT SHOOT AND FRAMED PRINT It is our aim to capture and create photographic images which you will keep and treasure forever. We will keep your studio portrait session as fun and relaxed as possible and ask you to help us by bringing props which help make you smile.

We are confident that you will enjoy your studio experience and we have many hand crafted frames, canvasses, and acrylics to help make your images an invaluable piece of art.

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YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! We are offering one lucky reader a studio portrait shoot and their favourite photograph from that shoot framed in a stunning, hand-crafted 20x16 inch, champagne coloured frame.

To win answer the following question: How much has a studio portrait shoot with a framed 10x8 photograph been reduced to?

Closing date for entries is 13th January 2017. Please see foot of this page for entry details.

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH GROSVENOR CASINO STOCKTON Grosvenor Casino Stockton is offering one lucky Darlington Today reader the opportunity to win an exclusive VIP experience for four at the casino located on Bridge Road.

To celebrate the launch of Grosvenor Casinos’ Call of the Wild Christmas campaign, we’re offering the chance to win an incredible night to remember at Grosvenor Casino Stockton. The lucky winner and three guests will be given the full VIP treatment with executive travel to the casino, where a glass of bubbly and a table in the restaurant will be waiting. There they will enjoy a delicious threecourse meal in the restaurant from the brand new menu, as well as an exciting Learn to Play session at the gaming tables with one of the casino’s experienced croupiers.

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Closing date for entries 13th January 2017 - see foot of this page for entry details.

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ENTER TO WIN 38 | Darlington Today

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 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)

An overnight Stay for 2 Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington, County Durham is set in 9 acres of glorious countryside An overnight and surrounded by a scenic 18Stay for 2 hole golf course, the hotel is Blackwell Grange Hotel, perfect for both the leisure guest Darlington, County Durham is set overnight stay including a 3 course and business traveller alike. in 9 acres of glorious countryside

WIN AN OVERNIGHT dinner & a bottle of Prosecco plusanda full surrounded by a scenic 18We have teamed up with Darlington Today hole golf course, the hotel is English Breakfast all served in the hotels to offer one lucky reader and their guest the An overnight perfect for both the leisure guest STAY IN OUR NEWLY chance to win an overnight stay including fabulous restaurant, also includes use and business traveller alike.

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TODAY E saunas and gymnasium and the opportunitythe opportunity for discounts off hair

We have teamed up with Darlington Today to offer one lucky reader and their guest the chance to win an overnight stay including a 2 course meal accompanied by a glass of wine in the hotel’s fabulous restaurant, and surrounded a scenic 18Only £79 per couple forby one night standard accommodation a aren’t 2 course use ofin the hotel’s extensive leisure facilities including If you successful in winning the com for discounts hair and beauty treatments.and beauty treatments.

Blackwell Grangeoff Hotel, Darlington, hole golf course, the hotel is include which an indoor swimming pool, spa, fantastic exclusive to Darlingt meal accompanied by a glass of wine in the hotel’s fabulous restaurant, use ofreader the offer hotel’s All before retiring to a comfy bed for a good saunas and gymnasium and the opportunity perfect for both the leisure guest County Durham is set in glorious £79 per couple for one night in stand extensive leisure facilities which indoor swimming pool, spa,Only saunas forinclude discounts an off hair and beauty treatments. night’s sleep and awakening to a full English meal accompanied by a glass of wine in th and business traveller alike. gymnasium opportunity discounts off hair All beforefor retiring to a comfy bed for aand goodbeauty countryside, hotel is perfect for Answerand this questionand forthe your chance extensive leisure breakfastthe before departure.

If youtoare lucky enough to facilities which include a night’sToday sleep and awakening a fullnot English We have teamed with Darlington treatments and a fullupEnglish breakfast before departure. and gymnasium and the opportunity for d both the leisure guest and business breakfast before departure. to win: to offer one lucky reader and their guest the Answer this question for your chance to win: treatments and a full English breakfast bef win you can book this same offer st Offer ischance subject to an availability for dates December end February to win overnight stay including Answer this1 question for youruntil chance to win: traveller alike.

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We have teamed up with Darlington If you aren’t successful in winning the offer. competition then why not take ad To book call reservations on 01325 50995 To book call reservations onleisure 01325 509955 Please see foot of page 37 for entry details which include an indoor swimming pool, spa, Please see foot of page 37 for entry details fantastic reader offer exclusive to Darlington Today readers.

Tel 01325 509955 Quoting: Today reader offer Today to offer one lucky reader and rd saunas and gymnasium and the opportunity Quoting: Today reader offer Closing date for entries is 3 January 2014 is 13th January 2017 Only £79 per couple for one night in standard accommodation including Closing date for entries is 3rd January 2014 Closing date for entries for discounts off hair and beauty treatments. their guest the chance to win an meal accompanied by a glass of wine in the hotel’s fabulous restaurant, u Please see foot ofAllpage for entry details Subject to availability before38 retiring to a comfy bed for a good extensive leisure facilities which include an indoor swimming pool, spa, s night’s sleep and awakening to a full English Terms & conditions apply and gymnasium and the opportunity for discounts off hair and beauty breakfast before departure. treatments and a full English breakfast before departure.

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FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS PRESENT?

DARLINGTON TODAY EXCLUSIVE READE

BROOM MILL SKIN BAR

Through their expert knowledge and experience in helping their clients obtain their best possible skin, Dawn and Jill at Broom Mill skin bar ( formerly Broom Mill Day Spa) are happy to announce that they are now focusing all of their expertise on your skin. After a full refurbishment they are now in a unique position to help you achieve both your short term and long term skin care goals. As long term Dermalogica experts they can now offer specialist IPL treatments and High Definition make up and brows to further enhance your results.

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To enter just answer the following question: What was Broom Mill Skin Bar previously known as?

Closing date for entries is 13th May 2017 Please see foot of page 38 for entry details.

To check their opening hours or to book online see our website www.broommillskinbar.co.uk.

Darlington Today | 39

Whole Roast Gressingham Duck with a Honey and Cardamom Glaze, Cumin Roast Potatoes and Greens Prep/cooking/resting time: 20 minutes per 500g of duck plus an extra 20 minutes and 30 minutes resting time (E.g. If your duck is 1.25kg cook for 70 minutes and then rest for 30 minutes, giving a total time of 1 hour 40 minutes) Serves 4 Ingredients 1 Gressingham duck For the glaze: 3 tbsp honey 1 tsp dry sherry 1 tsp cracked black pepper Juice of 1 orange 5 cardamoms, husks removed and seeds crushed For the vegetables: 1 Savoy cabbage 1.5 kg Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks for roasting 3 x sprigs of rosemary 150g duck fat 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 bulb of garlic split into cloves Method Pre-heat oven to 200°C, Fan 180°C, Gas Mark 6. Remove all packaging from the duck and remove the bag of giblets (if included) from the cavity. Weigh the duck.

Prick the skin around the duck legs and season with salt and pepper.

Place the duck on a rack in a baking tray big enough to allow you to also fit the potatoes, and add the duck fat (or vegetable oil if you do not have duck fat).

Place the duck in the oven. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes per 500g, plus 20 minutes extra.

Meanwhile prepare the glaze by mixing all the ingredients together and gently warm in a small pan. Then leave aside in a warm place.

Prepare the cabbage: peel off the leaves, discard any that may be spoilt and remove the core. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil. Blanche the cabbage by plunging the leaves into the boiling water and then into a pot of cold water. Drain well, slice thinly and set aside.

After the duck has been cooking for 45 minutes, place the potatoes into the roasting tray around the duck, then add the rosemary, garlic and cumin seeds.

Baste with the duck fat and season. Turn the potatoes once during cooking.

Ten minutes before the end of cooking take the glaze and paint all over the duck with a pastry brush.

When the duck is ready, remove from the oven and carefully take out of the tray and place in a warm resting place for approximately 30 minutes.

Then take the potatoes from the tray and put into another roasting tray, baste with the duck fat and return to the oven to finish cooking.

Pour off all the fat from the liquid left in the tray, and save for another cooking opportunity.

You should be left with just the juices to create the sauce. Pour into a saucepan and place onto the hob, bring to the boil, add a generous dollop of butter and simmer.

When you are ready to serve, quickly fry off the cabbage in some butter for 2-3 minutes.

Test the sauce for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Your meal is now ready to serve.

Gressingham has lots of recipes along with ‘how-to’ videos on their website www.gressinghamduck.co.uk

Roast Gressingham duck legs with redcurrant jus, seasonal greens and a chive and olive oil jacket Duck Breast with Roasted Vegetables, Spinach, Garlic & Thyme A warming winter recipe seasoned with garlic and thyme. Perfect for cosy nights in.

Serves 4 10 minutes preparation 40 minutes cooking

Serves 2 You will need: 2 Gressingham Duck® Small sprig thyme 1 garlic clove 2 small baking potatoes (cleaned and wrapped in foil) 125 g tender stem broccoli 125g green beans Handful fresh chives 200ml good red wine 1 tablespoon redcurrant jelly 500ml chicken stock or 1/2 stock cube mixed with 500ml hot water 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar A knob of butter 2 sprigs fresh redcurrants (for garnish) 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper Method Pre heat oven to 160°c.

Dry the duck leg with absorbent paper.

Season well and sear the duck legs on both sides in a hot frying pan with no oil, until browned. Leave the legs skin side down and add a dash of oil to the pan along with a sprig of thyme and a clove of garlic.

Cover the pan with tin foil and place in the oven (if your pan is not all metal then transfer to a baking tray and do the same). Place the potatoes in the oven at the same time. Check both the duck and potatoes after 45 minutes for tenderness and adjust cooking time accordingly.

While the duck is cooking prepare the jus and vegetables. Place the red wine, redcurrant jelly and balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and reduce until it starts to get sticky and dark. Add in the chicken stock and reduce by 2/3. Whisk in a knob of butter and then take off heat. Blanche the vegetables in salted boiling water, drain them and set aside.

When the potatoes are ready, slice off the top of each potato and scoop out the filling with a teaspoon and into a bowl. Mix the potato with the chives, 2 tablespoons olive oil and salt and pepper.

Place the potato back into the ‘jacket’ When you are ready to serve place the potato back into the oven for 5 minutes and quickly reheat the jus and the vegetables. Divide everything onto 2 plates and garnish with the fresh redcurrants. It’s time to be seductive!

Ingredients 4 Gressingham duck breasts 4 medium size raw beetroots 1 small butternut squash 1 bulb of garlic, cut in two 1 bag washed baby spinach 2 x sprigs of thyme 4 tbsp olive oil 10g unsalted butter Salt and pepper Method Start by pre-heating your oven to 180oC, Fan 160oC, Gas Mark 4.

Peel the squash then remove the seeds and cut into wedges. Place in oven proof dish and add the thyme, garlic, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper and cook until tender (around 30 minutes) While the squash is cooking boil the beetroot in a pan until tender. Drain and when cold peel the skin and cut into quarters, then place in an oven proof dish with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper, and bake for 10 minutes.

While the beetroot and squash is cooking, place the duck breasts in a pan and cook on a medium heat without oil for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown. Pour off the fat regularly and seal the other side for 30 seconds.

Next, remove the breasts from the pan and place them skin side up on a rack in a roasting tin in the middle of the oven for 10-18 minutes depending on how you like your duck cooked. Once the breasts are cooked, leave them to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Remove the beetroot and butternut squash from the oven and add the spinach. Divide all of the vegetables on to the plates, slice the duck lengthways and place on the vegetables, pour the juices on the cutting board over the top of each breast.

Gressingham has lots of recipes along with ‘how-to’ videos on their website www.gressinghamduck.co.uk

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WHATS ON EXHIBITIONS Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum, North Road Station, Darlington DL3 6ST. Tel: 01325 405060 www.head-of-steam.co.uk

Little Works of Art: 5 November - 8th January 2017. 11am - 3.30pm With Christmas uppermost in the mind, why not take a break from shopping to visit this temporary exhibition which looks back at 100 years of greetings cards?

There are more than 280 cards on display, from the 1850s to the 1950s, including many celebrating Christmas and New Year.

Tickets: Adults £4.95; concs £3.75; 5-16yrs £3 and under 5s can visit free of charge.

Crown Street Library, Crown Street, Darlington, DL11ND Tel:

Dickens in Darlington From now until 21 December Free exhibition will include images from the Charles Dickens Museum, a reconstruction of Dicken’s famous reading desk, footage from an early Dickens film as well as the display of an amazing dolls’ house based on Dickens’ home in Doughty Street, London, which is now the Charles Dickens Museum.

MUSIC St. Cuthbert’s Church, Darlington DL1 5QG Tel: 0191 443 4661 www.sagegateshead.com

Royal Northern Sinfonia: Baroque Christmas by Candlelight 1 December. 7.30pm Get into the Christmas spirit with seasonal instrumental favourites in the gorgeous candlelit atmosphere of this beautiful church. Programme includes Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Albinoni’s

44 | Darlington Today

Concerto for Oboe and Strings in D minor and Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’ from The Four Seasons.

Tickets: Adults £16.13 and £5.38 (under 18s)

the beautiful Princess, the hilarious Widow Twankey, Wishy Washy and the dastardly Abanazer. An unmissable pantomime.

Tickets: £10.50+

Durham Cathedral, City Centre, Durham DH13EH Tel: 0191-3864266

ARC, Dovecot Street, Stocktonon-Tees TS18 1LL Tel: 01642-525199 Email: box.office@arconline. co.uk

Christmas with Cathedral Choir 10 December. 7.30pm Enjoy a festive concert of Christmas carols and seasonal music in a candlelit Cathedral. A chance to hear both the girl and the boy choristers sing together along with the gentlemen of the Choir.

Tickets: £26, £22, £18 & £10 (£22, £18, £15 & £8 concessions), available from the Gala Theatre Box Office 03000 266600 or www.galadurham.co.uk

Ku Bar, Prince Regent Street, Stockton-on-Tees TS181DB Tel: 01642 671663 Email: KuBarevents@gmail.com

Coldplace (Authentic Coldplay Tribute) @ KU 3 December 9pm Coldplace have been on the tribute circuit for about seven years and have firmly established themselves as one of the top tributes in the world.

With many memorable shows in their back catalogue, they aim to give the audience a live experience they won’t forget.

Tickets: £6 for advance tickets. Event is suitable for over 18s only.

THEATRE The Majestic Theatre, Bondgate, Darlington DL37JT Tel: 01325-482848 www.majestic-tickets.co.uk

Aladdin 9 December 2016 - 2 January 2017

The Snow Dragon 6 – 20 December The night of the Snow Dragon approaches! Billy has everything a young goat could need, and more besides. On New Year’s Eve, Billy is looking forward to the annual visit of the legendary Snow Dragon. who will bring him even more goodies…

But when Billy bumps into some hungry wolves in the forest, New Year’s Day seems a long way off. How will Billy escape? And has he been naughty or nice?

Toe-tapping songs and lots of laughs for everyone aged three and over, from Tall Stories, the company that brought you ‘The Gruffalo.’

Suitable for ages: 3+ Tickets: £10; family(4 people) £35; school rates available.

ACTIVITIES The Bowes Museum, Newgate, Barnard Castle DL128NP Tel: 01833 690606

Christmas Fun 19 – 21 December The Bowes Museum is offering three days of fun with the chance for children to create a range of Christmas crafts. Children must be accompanied by an adult, for whom there is no charge for the event. Repeated each day from 1.30-3pm. Booking required on 01833 690606.

Tickets: £4 per child

Join AJ Productions and the cast of Aladdin for a magical adventure this Christmas. Starring X-Factor’s sensational Bre Music as Aladdin, meet

All details were correct at the time of going to press. Please check with the individual venues before travelling as information may change.

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MUSIC IN THE SPIEGELTENT Festive Folktown Friday 2 December What better way to kick off the festive season than with a night of the region’s finest folk acts, all performing in our beautifully ornate Spiegeltent?

Tickets: £5 advance or £7 on the door Time: 7.30pm - 11.30pm

Darlington Jazz Club in The Spiegeltent - Sunday 13 December Big Band Night, featuring the combined award-winning Durham County Big Band and Little Big Band and the Durham Alumni Big Band.

AND, FINALLY …

If Christmas should be anything, it should be magical - and this year Darlington town centre plans to bring you Christmas with bells on.

Because, from 1 December right up to Christmas Eve, the Market Square will be home to a Spiegeltent.

When this magnificent, wooden structure opens its ornately carved and elaborately painted doors, you will be welcomed into a theatre of opulence, lined with stalls, lit by gas-light style lanterns and echoing to the sounds of the carnivals of yesteryear.

And, in the magical world of the Spiegeltent you will be treated to the very best of …well … everything, that Darlington has to offer.

There will be dancing and music, family activities and food from around the globe.

There will be stalls filled with gifts, with accessories and with homewares – there will even be the chance to meet Santa Claus.

To find out more about the packed schedule of events, activities and performances at the Spiegeltent - including dates and times of events and to buy tickets visit www.christmasindarlington.co.uk

WIN 4 TICKETS TO THE SALSA NIGHT AT THE DARLINGTON SPIEGELTENT on Saturday 3rd December 7pm - 11pm.

All you have to do is answer the following question: Where in Darlington will the Spiegeltent be located?

Hurry! Closing date for entries is Wednesday 30th November. Please email your entries to sue.riney@btinternet.com The winner will be notified by email.

If you are not lucky enough to win and feel inspired by Strictly and are keen to let your

WINNERS DT57 Best Western Derwent Manor goes to: Sarah Steel of Darlington Mercure Kings Head goes to: V Buttery of Hartlepool

Latin rhythms loose on the dance floor now is your chance! Book your tickets at www.christmasindarlington.co.uk - tickets are £15 and include food, live music and dancing.

Holiday Inn Washington goes to: C Ford of Hartelpool Redworth Hall Hotel goes to: Ross Cooper of Darlington A pair of tickets to see Blood Brothers at Billingham Forum went to S. Smith of Darlington.

The evening will feature a wide range of Big Band jazz music with some Christmas treats along the way. Hope you can join us for this unique event.

Tickets: £5 on the door (student concessions available) Time: 6pm - 8pm

Darlo-Ho-Ho Electro Wednesday 21 December Darlo-Ho-Ho is a yuletide celebration of the emerging electronic scene in Darlington, brought to you by Tracks in association with Jukebox (a night promoting electro music every Thursday at Avalon), Distinct Darlington and Rocket Town Brewing Co. Tickets: £5 advance or £7 on the door Time: 7.30pm - 11.30pm

Soapbox Sessions At The Spiegeltent - Saturday 3, 10 and 17 December Soapbox Sessions, in association with Tracks and Rocket Town Brewery, is an established acoustic/open mic night at Hole In The Wall Market Tavern.

Each Saturday afternoon for the first three weeks of December they have hand-picked a selection of singer-songwriters and solo artists to fill the Spiegeltent with music.

Soapbox Sessions are FREE to attend

All tickets available to book online at www.christmasindarlington.co.uk . Advance tickets available for purchase at the Dolphin Centre reception (Horsemarket, Darlington, DL1 5RP). Tickets also available on the door. Tickets are non-refundable and subject to availability.

Darlington Today | 45

It’s t Christmas!

I It’ at t Cherry a Hill Garden at Centre

C

Y Your local independent garden centreYo

Garden & Landscape Centre Stokesley Road, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, TS8 9DY Find us on B1365 between Stokesley & Coulby Newham

Telephone 01642 590650 Visit our Cafe - the perfect place to unwind

www.cherryhillgardencentre.co.uk

THE SILVER SHOP 24 POST HOUSE WYND, DARLINGTON, DL3 7LP | 01325 464175 | Facebook: @thesilvershopdarlington