hartlepool
Issue 2 - Oct/Nov 2015
hartlepool
local, relevant and entertaining WELCOME Hello happy reader and thanks for picking up our second issue of Hartlepool Today
CONTENTS
We have a treasure trove of news, views and competitions to get you through the coming season, including a chance to win two overnight stays at two Northeast hotels There’s also a handy guide to this autumn’s hottest accessories, as well as tips on how to carve a pumpkin and what to do with the filling, in time for Halloween. For those of you who like to get out and about there’s some great ideas for a girly getaway to Liverpool and our usual what’s on guide with a host of suggestions for things to see and do.
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Stories from around the area
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LITTLE WORKS OF ART
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An overnight stay for two at Kings Head Inn goes to K Smith of Darlington An overnight stay for two at Holiday Inn Washington goes to D Hunter of Hartlepool Issue 51 - Sep/Oct 2015 ISSN 1745-4654
To Advertise in The Hartlepool Today magazine or its sister publications The Darlington Today and Middlesbrough Today magazines please call Sue RineySmith on 01325 304360 or email sue.riney@btinternet.com for further details and rates. Riney Publishing also specialise in producing High Quality magazines written by Award Winning Journalists for Hotel & Bridal Venues & Schools. Full Service of Design, Print & Advertising sales is available.
Bring hope to the world this Halloween
14 FALL INTO FASHION Autumn accessories for men and women
17 THE NOT-SO SECRET GARDEN
A look at Wynyard Hall’s new walled garden
18 HAPPY HENS
HARTLEPOOL TODAY ISSUE 1 WINNERS
A charming exhibition
11 A HEARTFELT HOLIDAY
Happy reading!
NEWS
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How Liverpool fared on a girly getaway
20 WIN WIN WIN
Your chance to win
22 WHAT’S ON
Things to see and do in the coming months
PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith t: 01325 304360 e: sue.riney@btinternet.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.
Hartlepool Today | 3
Local News
HYDROCHEM BOSS FLYING HIGH AFTER FIGHTING BACK FROM HEALTH PROBLEMS A company boss is hoping to take his firm to new heights after bouncing back from serious health problems to return to the hot seat. Bill Abbott set up Hydrochem back in 1987 having spent many years working as a chemical engineer across the Middle East. Having worked in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Libya as well as Russia, Bill moved into a manager role with a UK water company in Saudi Arabia where he played a key role in helping raise turnover from £100,000 with just two staff on board to an £8m business with a 30-strong team inside two years. Armed with a wealth of experience, North East-born Bill returned home in 1987 to set up Hydrochem, firstly
CONSTRUCTION FIRM GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH A construction firm has strengthened its management team with seven key appointments. Gus Robinson Developments Ltd currently has six house-building schemes in progress throughout the region, as well as a number of subcontracting commitments in and around Hartlepool. Managing Director Steve Bell, who initially joined the award-winning firm as Land & Development Director in
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into a British Steel-owned workshop and then into the firm’s current base in Graythorp Industrial Estate, Hartlepool, which lies just a stone’s throw from Teesside’s industrial heartland. The business, which specialises in water treatment and boasts the likes of Bannatyne’s, Bourne Leisure and Marriott Hotels on its client list, has had an impressive year so far and has been forced to increase the workforce to reflect a busy order book. Bill is delighted to see the business progressing so well, not least after facing a personal fight of his own after he was struck down with bowel cancer two years ago.
January 2014, took over the day-to-day running of the business from Chairman Dan Robinson earlier this year. As well as the change at the top, seven positions have now been filled over the last 12 months as the company looks to finish a busy 2015 on a high. Gus Robinson Developments Ltd has enjoyed an impressive growth over the last three years, winning recognition from a host of industry sector awards following the successful completion of several contracts.
MAKING HARTLEPOOL SAFER AND CLEANER
GIANT WIND TURBINES FOR HARTLEPOOL
Close to £200,000 of council funds are to be spent on a range of initiatives to improve the local environment in Hartlepool.
The Secretary of State will decide on a planning application for three large wind turbines after ministers took the decision to call in the proposal.
A chunk of the money will be used to employ two new enforcement officers whose role includes reducing environmental crime and making neighbourhoods cleaner and safer. The remainder of the funding is planned for use for grass edging works, pavement and verge improvements, additional dog and litter bins, bench maintenance and shrub removal.
COLLEGE PRINCIPLE HITS BACK AT ‘DEAD-END’ APPRENTICESHIP CLAIMS
apprentices progress through to Higher National Diploma programmes and then onto university – there is nothing dead-end about these training schemes.
A college leader has hit back at claims some apprenticeships are little more than “dead-end trainee schemes”.
“Apprenticeships provide an option for many students who do not wish to further their education down the university route, and I think it is vitally important they realise all of the options that are open to them.”
Darren Hankey, Principal at Hartlepool College of Further Education, was angered to see a report in a national newspaper which suggested 150,000 people were “stuck” on schemes which had low skilled and low paid employment at the end.
For more information about Hartlepool College of Further Education, call 01429 295111 or email enquiries@hartlepoolfe.ac.uk
A public inquiry will be held into plans to build the towering structures, which would be taller than Blackpool Tower, after the plan was called in by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Graythorp Industrial Estate and Tofts Road West is the site for the proposal of the 574ft-tall structures, which are being developed by Hartlepool renewable energy company Seneca Global Energy. After being approved by Hartlepool Borough Council in February they will be looked at again by the Planning Inspectorate. A date has not yet been set for when the inquiry will take place.
Mr Hankey said: “Many of these
A CHEMISTRY TEACHER PROVIDING THE CORRECT FORMULA FOR HIS STUDENTS
TEES VALLEY BUSINESS CLUB ADVICE ON HOW TO NARROW THE SKILLS GAP
A level chemistry teacher,James Donkin or MaChemGuy as he’s known online has posted a series of videos on YouTube to help his students understand the subject’s trickiest areas.
Company leaders were given guidance on how they can help to narrow the skills gap after the issue was highlighted at the latest meeting of a business group.
Hartlepool Sixth Form College teacher, James, from Rocker, Sunderland, understands that when it comes to revision there are times that the students will ask the same questions several times over and that is why he came up with the idea of creating short videos and uploading them to the internet, enabling his students to access answers to their questions while at home or during college hours.
Under the title Mind the Gap Addressing Skills in the Tees Valley, guests were given an insight into the ever widening skills gap and its threat on the future growth of burgeoning businesses. Presentations were put on by Jim French, Director of Portcentric Logistics, Kirsten Donkin who is the PR and Communications Manager at PD Ports, and Kevin Shakesheff from Casper Shipping Ltd and Chairman of the High Tide Foundation charity. The next event for Tees Valley Business Club members is entitled Working the Network, and will be held in The
Marquee, at Wynyard Hall, on Thursday, October 22. For more information on the Tees Valley Business club visit www.teesvalleybusinessclub.co.uk
The videos cover the subject of enthalpy changes, reaction mechanisms, shapes of molecules and other areas of the subject that can be particularly difficult to grasp. Hartlepool Today | 5
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LITTLE WORKS OF ART A charming exhibition exploring the history of greeting cards and postcards.
Wedding Packages 2016 Thousands of greetings and postcards are sent across Britain every day. The exhibition, ‘Little Works of Art’ explores the history of this tradition, and how sending a card for every occasion has become rooted in our culture. Featuring around 270 little works of art, from the intricate creations of the 1850s, to the mass produced, humorous cards of the 1950s; this exhibition showcases a vast collection that highlights both how design and production have changed. There are examples by many of the most significant publishers, including Raphael Tuck and Sons, Marcus Ward, Thomas De La Rue, Robert Canton and Ernest Nister. There are also a
broad range of designs and types of cards, including paper lace, silk fringed, embossed, shaped, novelty and traditional. Alongside cards which celebrate significant events such as Christmas, New Year, Easter, Birthdays and Valentines, are objects from the Museum of Hartlepool, and items on loan from other collections. These include a 1920s handmade, satin and lace wedding dress, an early 1900s child’s christening gown and a mourning brooch complete with a lock of hair from the deceased. The exhibition opens to the public at the Museum of Hartlepool, at
Hartlepool Maritime Experience, on Saturday 17th October 2015 and closes on 24th January 2016. The museum is open every day from 11am to 4pm and is free entry. The exhibition is supported by local waste management company Niramax Total Waste Solutions. Anna Dodgson, Cultural Officer at the Museum of Hartlepool said; “Little Works of Art is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the cards people have treasured and kept over the years – there are even some which date right back to Victorian times, when the greetings card industry was just kicking off.”
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Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience
Spoo Quay 5.30pm to 8pm
Bring your family along for plenty of Halloween family fun.
Friday 30th & Saturday 31st October 2015 Entertainment Includes:
For many young people, October 31 is a night of fun-filled frights, offering the opportunity to don their scariest costumes and go door to door collecting sweets. For some though, it’s another day of real fear, fighting against hardship, loneliness, poverty or abuse.
We’ve teamed up with the Carve A Heart Campaign to bring you a step by step guide to taking part, as well as a tasty way to use the left over filling…
Disco, Magician, Creepy Crawlies, Pumpkin competition, Story telling, Spooky trail, Trick and treat door knocking, Entertainment from students of East Durham College and Casting Call. Plus much more.
Join in with the fun!
Bring along your own pumpkins to enter our competition! Come in costume.
www.destinationhartlepool.com
A leading charity is asking families to “have a heart this Halloween” and we’re here to show you how…
This Halloween, international children’s charity, World Vision, is asking us to spare a thought for those living in some of the world’s hardest places and to carve our pumpkins into hearts in a show of solidarity.
Tickets: £4.50 each, Family ticket of 2 adults and 3 children, £18.00, Under 2’s free. All sold out last year!!! Get your tickets early.
Tickets available in advance from Hartlepool Art Gallery and Tourist Information Centre, Church Square & Town Hall Theatre Box Office: 01429 890000 (Open Tues to Sat 10am - 4.30pm)
A HEARTFELT HOLIDAY
Join us on
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FREE PARKING
How to Carve Your Pumpkin
Make More of the Filling
1. Cut around the stalk to make a lid Choose a large pumpkin and use a sharp serrated knife to cut off the crown. Measure a circle about two inches (5cm) radius from the stem and angle your knife to the centre of the stem when cutting. This will ensure your lid doesn’t drop into the centre once you’ve hollowed it out.
Once you’ve carved your pumpkin, why not reward yourself and utilise the filling for this mouthwatering meal …
2. Remove the contents Scoop out the filling and scrape the sides as clean as you can so that as much light will shine through it as possible. Set aside your filling for the recipe below.
2 onions, cut into wedges
3. Carve the heart Using a marker pen, draw the outline of your heart onto at least one side of the pumpkin. Then use a small sharp serrated knife to cut out your heart, remembering to always cut away from you in case the knife slips.
250ml double cream
4. Finishing touches Finally, pop a tea light inside the pumpkin and light it. Upload a picture of your creation to the World Vision Facebook page (Facebook.com/worldvisionuk) then place your pumpkin in your window to share this night of hope with your family, friends and neighbours.
Grandma’s Pumpkin Soup Ingredients Serves: 6 750g pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cubed 2 carrots, coarsely chopped 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large potato, sliced 1 litre water 2 or 3 cubes vegetable stock, crumbled 1 1/4 tablespoons ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground black pepper Salt to taste Method Preheat oven to 220 C / Gas 7. Place your pumpkin, carrots and onions in a roasting tin. Drizzle with olive oil and bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes, until soft but not charred. In the meantime place the water and crumbled stock cubes into a large saucepan and using a medium heat, bring to the boil. Cook the potato in simmering water, for about 20 minutes until soft. Add the potato and water mix to the roasted vegetables and blend in a food processor until smooth. Return to the pan and place on a low heat stirring in the cream, nutmeg, pepper and salt. Heat gently to serve.
Hartlepool Today | 11
Home Builders Federation Customer Survey
BISHOP CUTHBERT I OSPREY WAY I HARTLEPOOL I TS26 0ZF
Be quick...
Don’t miss out on our home of the week. The Larch – 3 bedroom townhouse.
ADVERTORIAL
Last chance for a great deal at Bishop Cuthbert Bellway’s Bishop Cuthbert development near Hart Village is a magnet for anyone looking for a new home in the area. To make that buying decision even easier for people who want to move in before December, Bellway has a range of tempting offers available. Sales Advisor, Julie Armstrong, explained: “Though we hope to keep a presence in the Hartlepool area, we are approaching the completion of the development here, so there are not many more good deals available. Currently, we can offer buyers free carpets and free modern kitchen appliances which include an oven, hob, cooker hood, dishwasher, fridge freezer and washing machine and externally, we will also
READY TO MOVE INTO. Bishop Cuthbert combines a great choice of stylish three and four bedroom homes with an appealing location near Hart Village and Hartlepool. 3 bedroom semi-detached and detached homes from only £139,995
Reserve in October and receive FREE*: • CARPETS • APPLIANCES • TURF
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provide turf to the rear garden.” Buyers at Bishop Cuthbert can select from a range of two, three and four bedroom homes which
start in price from £109,995. In order to gauge the appeal of Bishop Cuthbert, visitors can view two Bellway show homes which have been beautifully designed, furnished and decorated to show the living standards that buyers can enjoy. As well as the free carpets and appliances, Bellway is also offering buyers at Bishop Cuthbert the Help to Buy deal. This enables a buyer to put down a minimum 5 percent deposit and then take advantage of a 5-year interest free 20 percent Government loan. The Help to Buy deal therefore reduces mortgage repayments during the first five years of ownership thereby making the home more affordable. For buyers with a home to sell, Bellway will consider a part exchange deal, or
Click: www.bellway.co.uk Call: 01429 274 977 Visit: Monday 12pm - 5.30pm, Tuesday and Wednesday Closed, Thursday 11am - 8pm. Friday - Sunday 11am - 5.30pm.
*Available on selected plots reserved in September only. Prices correct at time of going to press. Specification on site may differ. Pictures for illustration purposes only. Help to Buy is not available in conjunction with Part Exchange or any other offer.
alternatively will help you sell your old home using their free of charge Express Mover deal, where Bellway will agree a price with you for your old home and appoint a sales agent on your behalf who is incentivised to achieve a swift and satisfactory sale.
For more information on Bishop Cuthbert visit www.bellway.co.uk or call the sales centre Tel 01429 274977. Monday 12 Noon to 5.30pm, Tuesday & Wednesday Closed, Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday 11am to 5.30pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am to 5.30pm.
FALL INTO FASHION
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The temperature may be dropping but, before you rush off into hibernation, why not check out these top tips for staying warm and looking hot all autumn long?
For him Hell for leather – This season’s must-have material for men is most certainly leather. Whether it’s a belt, shoes or even a jacket, there’s no place to ‘hide’ (get it?). Check it out – From shirts and scarves, checked patterns abound, just remember a failed game of noughts and crosses might invalidate your receipt. Back to black – For a stylish way to protect your essentials, why not invest in a manly backpack? Make it black, grey or blue and you’ll be covering two trends in one. Style star in training – It may sound like a ‘running’ joke but one of the hottest looks for autumn 2015 is to pair tailored trousers with trainers – at least you’ll be prepared if you need to run to work.
For her
enough to withstand any early frosts. The cherry on top – Prim headbands are a must for the next few months. Not only do they look pretty but, by keeping your hair under control in the autumn winds, they serve a practical purpose, too.
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For everyone ‘Bean’ there, done that – The Beanie hat is back and, we’re relieved to say, that not only is this a stylish seasonal accessory, but it comes in really handy for a bad hair day, too.
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It’s good to gilet – Gilets are great for men and women, serving as both a stylish accessory and a way of keeping warm. Layer with contrasting fabrics or over long sleeves and you’ll tick off another of this season’s key trends. 3
Go big and go bold – Jewellery is tipped to be huge (literally) this season. It’s all about making a statement with colour, heavy materials, oversized pieces and a good dose of bling for your fingers, neck, wrist and ears.
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Animal attraction – Leopard print is making a comeback and it’s bringing more friends from the animal kingdom. Keep a look out for wild designs pouncing on you from head to toe. Toe-taly amazing – Neat, low-block heels are the shoe of the season for all discerning fashionistas and the good news is they should be sturdy
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7 1 Wet-look Bag - Topman - £28 2 Tan Vintage Leather Belt - Matalan£10 3 Check scarf - Burton - £14 4 adidas Originals Gazelle Indoor - JD Sports - £67 5 Black faux fur gilet - New Look - £44.99 6 Autograph Cross Body Bag - Marks and Spencer - £89 7 Tropical Fabric Headband - Topshop - £8.50 8 Beaded Cluster Statement Necklace - Allusions at BHS - £18 9 Clarks Gabriel Candy - cognac £60 10 Cable Knit Beanie Next - £12
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BOLSHOI STAR TO DIRECT AT LOCAL THEATRE The world renowned Russian State Ballet and Opera House is coming to County Durham to perform some of the world’s greatest, and best loved, ballets. Touring the UK from mid - October to end of November 2015, the Russian ballet and opera company will be performing three ballets - The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Don Quixote, with each ballet being directed and choreographed by former Bolshoi Theatre Ballet Dancer, Konstantin Uralsky.
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker an eternal favourite Featuring an impressive cast and accompanied by a large live Orchestra with over 30 musicians, the ballet performance in County Durham will be the Nutcracker at Billingham Forum Theatre on Friday 20 November.
A highly accessible ballet, full of familiar music such as The Waltz of the Flowers and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Producer Alexej Ignatow, of Amande Concerts Ltd, who has co-ordinated the UK tour, said: “It’s fantastic to bring such a talented and inspiring Russian opera and ballet company to the UK to offer local audiences the opportunity to experience world class ballet performances. We want to make ballet much more accessible and with such a renowned Bolshoi star as Konstantin Uralsky, as director, audiences know that these performances promise to be both stunning and magical.”
Hartlepool Today has teamed up with The Russian ballet & opera company to offer one reader a pair of tickets to see The Nutcracker at Billingham Forum on Friday 20th November. For your chance to win the tickets simply enter your name & address on a postcard and title it Nutcracker competition and send it to the address at the bottom of page 27 in this magazine. Closing date for entries 30th Oct 2015.
THE GARDENS AT WYNYARD HALL
Tickets for this performance are available online www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk or by phone 01642 552 663
One of the region’s leading tourist attractions is now open to the public. We visited The Walled Garden at Wynyard Hall to find more…. When work began on the Walled Garden at Wynyard Hall, it was, in effect, a secret garden, having lain closed for decades. However, now, after years of planning and months of hard work, the Walled Garden at Wynyard Hall – the second phase of an ambitious The Gardens project – is finished open to the public. The man in charge of converting Sir John’s dream into reality is multi RHS award-winning landscape architect Alistair Baldwin. And, along with rose expert Michael Marriott, from David Austin Roses and the fourstrong team of gardeners at Wynyard Hall, he has echoed the garden’s past while ensuring its appeal will last throughout the 21st century and beyond. Perhaps the first impression visitors will get will be of colour; a dazzling array of roses planted in great swathes, in shades ranging from the softest whites to the deepest crimsons. Hartlepool Today | 16
Then, when they enter the garden and begin to explore, they will be able to see each rose, each plant and shrub from a new angle, thanks to a series of gently sloping – and wholly accessible pathways.
The visitor centre At the gateway to The Gardens is a visitor centre, showcasing the finest goods and produce the region has to offer. Open daily from 10am till 5pm, it is a great venue in which to meet up with friends or enjoy some precious ‘me’ time, whether or not you choose to visit the gardens. Everyone is welcome and there is no admission charge. Tickets for the gardens can be purchased here and male, female, disabled and baby changing toilets are available.
The café At the heart of the visitor centre, the café is the ideal place in which to enjoy a delicious selection of home-
made dishes and snacks while enjoying superb views of The Gardens. Choose from a hot dish of the day, hot and cold sandwiches and delicious cakes and pastries with a range of hot and cold beverages, all prepared and cooked by Wynyard Hall’s in-house chefs using locallysourced ingredients where possible. The café is open throughout the day and is fully licensed, so visitors can enjoy a chilled glass of wine or beer with lunch.
The farm shop The visitor centre is also home to a farm shop, selling everything from newly laid farm eggs and freshly baked bread to delicious pasta sauces, pâtés and relishes.
It really is a food lover’s paradise – but that’s not all…. It will also be stocked with a range of gifts, books and stationary, so you can take home a lasting reminder of your visit or choose a special treat for a friend.
Plant sales A fantastic range of plants will be on sale, including many of the varieties of rose on show in the garden, supplied by UK rose expert, David Austin. There will also be an extensive selection of seasonal plants and flowers on sale throughout the year. From bedding plants to Christmas trees there will be something to suit every garden, big or small.
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HAPPY HENS
Liverpool for everyone… Of course the land of Cilla and The Beatles isn’t just for a hen weekend. Liverpool has undergone a major transformation in recent years and, while still retaining its character and that Scouse friendliness, there’s plenty to see and do.
Ever wondered which are the best cities for a hen do? Then make sure you add Liverpool to your list. Following the hen party she planned with a co-bridesmaid, Kate Hindhaugh reports on her experience… As easy as it might seem, planning a hen do is incredibly hard work, particularly when you’re tasked with organising a weekend away for a big group of people in a city you’ve never been to before. As one of the bridesmaids for my best friend, the daunting task fell on my (and the other bridesmaid’s) shoulders and we were determined to make it a break to remember. We thought about a whole range of places to visit and eventually decided on Liverpool. Although we didn’t know it at all, it just seemed like a fun and unusual choice and we set about calling on every single person we’d ever known from the city for ideas. We considered everything from paintballing and pole dancing to sightseeing on Liverpool’s famous World War II landing vehicle – the Yellow Duckmarine – which as it transpired was no longer available for bookings, but we wanted something more unusual. Finally, completely by chance, we stumbled upon somewhere that we thought would be just perfect for a group of girls out for fun but with added style. The Tea Parlour, Mathew Street, Liverpool, is run by two lovely ladies, Sharon Conteh, 43 and Laura Curtis, 33, and was in theory the perfect venue for our friend’s hen do. From the moment we arrived, we had high hopes. The reviews looked great and the website really sold the concept of vintage afternoon tea with dress-up boxes, live piano music and some amazing pictures of the décor however, none of this did it justice. The colonial style building is the perfect setting for a very British, vintage afternoon tea and it’s evident that a lot of time and effort has
And that’s definitely the case in the months ahead. The amazing poppy sculpture that drew millions of people to the Tower of London is on the move from November until January.
gone into choosing the decoration. Sitting down to our afternoon tea, at tables full of beautiful china tea sets, we were quickly served our choice of English Breakfast Tea or Earl Grey Tea, complete with traditional tea timers and strainers, as well as jugs of elderflower water with strawberries.
Weeping Windows will be based at St George’s Hall and will see cascades of ceramic poppies put in place as a poignant reminder of those who lost their lives in conflict.
The venue operates a ‘bring your own bubbly’ policy so while we waited for our sandwiches to be served, we popped the corks and set about getting involved with the activity we’d been given, which was decorating our very own knickers! When my co-bridesmaid and I had planned the event we were a bit concerned that opting for an activity would disrupt the afternoon tea but we needn’t have worried. We stayed in the same seats and laughed at how poor our sewing skills were and as an added bonus everyone had a souvenir of the day to keep. As the sandwiches arrived we were amazed at how much was on each platter. There was a delicious selection of traditional British combinations including cucumber and cream cheese, coronation chicken, prawns and avocado butter and my personal favourite, roast ham with red currant jelly. The delicious savoury dishes were followed by tasty scones with clotted cream and jam and then a selection of cakes, the remainder of which we had boxed up to take home with us. Three hours after arriving, we left the venue having enjoyed one of the best hen do activities I’ve ever been to. The service was perfect and the afternoon went without a hitch, leaving everybody with smiles on their faces and my friend and myself to quietly celebrate at our success.
If you’re a culture vulture there’s a whole host of places to visit in Liverpool, which surprisingly boasts the largest number of museums and galleries outside of London. Or if you just want to remind yourself that it’s the home town of arguably the greatest pop group of all time, there’s plenty of ways to do just that.
On to the evening… When you’re in a new place, where to go to get the best out of your night is a complete mystery and, after our initial plans turned out to be a very poor choice, it was by chance that we ended up at Albert Docks.
Step aboard the Magical Mystery Tour bus at Albert Dock and you can enjoy a two hour journey through the Beatles’ Liverpool – visiting the places that inspired songs such as Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields and end up at the Cavern Club.
And why not complete your Beatlesfest with a stay at the themed Hard Day’s Night Hotel? Liverpool’s waterfront has undergone an astonishing renaissance in recent years and is now packed full of trendy bars and restaurants –and you can still enjoy a ferry across the Mersey if you fancy a bit of sea air. Sports fans are also well served and many visitors make a pilgrimage to the hallowed ground at Anfield where you can visit the Liverpool FC Museum and even dine in the Boot Room Sports Café. It’s also a city where there’s a number of surprises for tourists wanting a really different experience. The Mersey Tunnels tours take you deep into the Queensway Tunnel which runs below the Mersey. Or why not take a trip to the upmarket Wirral and visit Port Sunlight, a unique and stunning 19th century garden village which was created for the Sunlight Soap factory workers. If you don’t have a grand plan then you can simply enjoy wandering round the historic streets and look at the iconic buildings – including of course the famous Royal Liver Building with its Liver Bird peering over the crowds below. Liverpool is a revelation – a mix of culture, history and heritage filled with people with a sense of pride. For the casual visitor it’s an absolute joy – if you go once we suspect you’ll soon be back.
We were faced with a huge selection of bars and we planned to try them all, however, this went out the window when we found a bar called The Smugglers Cove. The quirky décor, the speedy drinks service and the lively atmosphere meant we stayed at the venue until we headed to our final destination, Alma de Cuba, later in the evening. We had it on good authority that Alma de Cuba was a great place to go and this is where we planned to end the night. Despite the fact that the venue does not allow any hen do paraphernalia, it more than made up for it with a lively atmosphere, tasty cocktails and live Brazilian petal show, which runs every Saturday night. Liverpool may not seem the first choice for a hen weekend but we had a fantastic time, with memories that will last forever. Now it’s just the wedding to look forward to!
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WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN W
HOLIDAY INN WASHINGTON Between historic Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle, the Holiday Inn Washington UK hotel is ideally located in Tyne and Wear, just off the A1M junction 64. 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 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 persons 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 Nov. See foot of page 21 for entry details
Holiday Inn, Washington Emerson, Washington NE37 1LB 0191 4189400
WIN an overnight stay for two at The Seaton Lane Inn Hartlepool Today has teamed up with The Inn Collection Group and top eatery The Seaton Lane Inn to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an overnight stay for two. This cosy former blacksmith’s forge has it nailed when it comes to location. Minutes from Durham’s dramatic heritage coastline in the peaceful village of Seaton, you’re still just a short drive from Sunderland, Newcastle and Durham at this award-winning inn. Seaton Lane Inn has serious food credentials. Famous for its spectacular Sunday roasts and locally-sourced seafood, this fantastic prize includes a three course evening meal as well as a
tasty breakfast to set you up for the day ahead. And even if you’re not the lucky winner, you can still enjoy a dinner, bed and breakfast stay in one of The Seaton Lane Inn’s newly refurbished en suite rooms from just £40 per person, per night. To book call 0191 581 2038 or visit www.seatonlaneinn.com Terms and Conditions Prize valid for six months upon winner notification. Prize based on two people sharing a double or twin room. Subject to availability and choice. No cash alternative. Prize excludes travel to and from The Seaton Lane Inn. Prize excludes Bank Holidays. Management decision is final. Closing date for competitions is 13 November Please see foot of this page for entry details
reservations@hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk www.hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk 20 | Hartlepool Today
ENTER TO WIN
Send your answers, along with your name, email, address and telephone number to: Hartlepool Today Magazine, 45 Atkinson Gardens, Aycliffe Village, DL5 6LH
Hartlepool Today | 21
CITY DENTAL
EXCELLENCE IN SMILE DESIGN
Hartlepool Town Hall 01429 890000 destinationhartlepool.com
Hot Potato Comedy Club Sat 24 OCT
We’re back with a brand new season of comedy capers – and what a storming Saturday night we have here. Could Ray Peacock be the best comic ON EARTH? Well worth a shout we reckon, so we’re chuffed to welcome him back as special guest MC on a fantastic night here. Tickets £9.00
The Kast Off Kinks Sat 7 Nov
Not to be missed! The Kast off Kinks are former members of the legendary band ‘The Kinks’, back together to re-live the good times. Expect all the hits, including: You Really Got Me, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Sunny Afternoon, Lola, Days, Waterloo Sunset, Come Dancing, and many more for a great night out! Tickets £16.00
Music The Studio Hartlepool 01429 857193
Beaty Heart Fri 6 Nov This South East London three-piece formed in 2010 as a video-art and music collective based in Peckham. After a year of bedroom recordings and strange and wonderful live sets, the collective developed into a band. Visuals make up a cornerstone of Beaty Heart’s normal live set and the band are still very much involved in video-art. Tickets £4.40
The Magic Band Thurs 12 Nov Captain Beefheart’s wildly influential and seminal band, re-visiting the classic Beefheart tunes with renewed fervour. The group’s members span all the different periods of The Magic Band’s history. Tickets: £19.25
Kagoule Fri 13 Nov
Attractions
This Nottingham lo-fi grunge trio have a self-confessed love of the Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth. Tickets £4.40
St Hilda’s Church Visitor Centre
John Otway Fri 20 Nov John’s autobiography ‘Rock and Roll’s Greatest Failure’ out sold all the records he had released since his hit, and now Otway is struggling to live up to this billing - selling out London Astoria for his 2000th gig in 1993, filling the Royal Albert Hall in 1998, and charting at number 9 with his 2002 single ‘Bunsen Burner’. For John ‘Two Hits’ Otway, ‘the future’s bright; the future’s Otway!
Tygers of Pan Tang Sat 5 Dec
This fine Early English church on the Headland is believed to be on the site of Sh Hilda’s c7th monastery. It has enormous buttresses, a long nave, c7th namestone and a Norman door. For more information call 01429 267030
Heugh Gun Battery Museum The Heugh (pronounced “Yuff”) Gun Battery is a site of great significance in terms of both history and poignancy. A surviving 19thC coastal battery, complete with WW1 and WW2 modifications. For more information call 01429 270746
At City Dental we use the latest techniques and the most up to date materials to provide the highest standard of service. Dentures are created and customised to meet your requirements on a one to one basis with our friendly Clinical Dental Technician who will see you through the whole process from start to finish and personally construct the denture. As we are a private dental practice you can be assured you will get bespoke dentures that are constructed not only for function but, just as importantly, are aesthetically pleasing. The teeth we use come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colours allowing us to make your smile exactly the way YOU want it. Quality is paramount so you can expect a high standard of workmanship, using only the best materials which will produce a natural looking smile. Whether you require a full smile re-design or simply to maintain excellent oral health City Dental can help. Our services include:
Summerhill Visitor Centre
Hailing from the northeast town of Whitley Bay, The Tygers were one of the original 80s New Wave of British heavy metal bands signed to Neat Records - now reformed and building on their awesome reputation as a live band. Tickets: £8.80
Summerhill is a 100 acre Country Park on the edge of Hartlepool that has been transformed for conservation and outdoor sports. The site includes open access facilities for rock climbing, cycling, walking, orienteering and play. For more information call 01429 284584
Ultimate Bowie Sat 19 Dec
Seaton Carew
Ed Blaney takes the spotlight and leads an eight piece band that takes you from David Bowie’s early years with hits such as Starman, through his remarkable career to songs like Let’s Dance, China Girl and many more. Tickets from: £8.80
At City Dental we’re different. We offer a private bespoke dental service, to create the smile you want and solve many of the problems people endure with basic dentures.
With its broad sandy beach, protected dunes, traditional amusement arcades, cafés, award winning fish and chips and newly extended promenade, it’s no wonder as to why Seaton Carew is so popular! The beach stretches over one mile in each direction from the resort centre allowing families enough space to enjoy beach games and peace and solitude to those who are seeking a more gentle respite.
All of our treatments are carried out with a professional and friendly service. We work with our patients in partnership to give you the smile you have always wanted.
Let City Dental, the private denture people, put the smile back on your face. Not everyone understands that ill-fitting dentures can really affect the way in which you feel about yourself. Your teeth not only affect the way you look, but also the way you are as a person. Why not let the experts at City Dental put the smile back on your face. Private Dentures are more affordable than you think.
Private Partial Denture From £380
New Patients Welcome
LOVE YOUR
SMILE FREE
Private Full Denture From £575
Consultation
So let us enable you to chew, smile and laugh out loud with confidence.
The fact you wear dentures will be our little secret! 115a York Road | Hartlepool | TS26 9DL
57 Dovedale Road | Sunderland | SR6 8LP
www.city-dental.co.uk
www.city-dental.co.uk
01429 222 886
22 | Hartlepool Today
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