Latest news with #SarahCaldecott
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Second Darlington foodbank makes 'incredibly difficult decision' to cut back support
A second Darlington foodbank has announced it has cut back its support due to funding difficulties. St Mary's Church, Cockerton, said it is struggling to maintain its foodbank service and warned it could close within months. Visitors will now be offered one food bag a month from May. It comes after King's Church, also in Darlington, recently revealed it has significantly scaled back its operation after a drop in funding. The service, which operates out of facilities on Whessoe Road, provided more than 125,000 free meals to people last year but saw its donations dry up despite increased demand. The news of St Mary's also reducing its support came less than a week later. Father Damon Bage, of St Mary's Church in Cockerton, Darlington. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Father Damon Bage said the church is currently spending more than £200 per week on providing service, and if that continues, would be forced to close by July. 'So that we don't close fully we've had to make the incredibly difficult decision to drop down our offering to one bag a month beginning in May,' the announcement read. 'In the intervening weeks, clients are welcome to come and drop in for coffee and help themselves to whatever fresh food we have had donated that week. 'The Foodbank will still be open every week and that NEW clients who come along will be given food bags for four weeks. Sadly we can't sustain that for everyone all the time. 'This decision hasn't been made lightly and we would really appreciate people sharing this information as widely as possible.' Council leaders have been urged to improve and rethink how they support foodbank services and protect vulnerable residents. Jonathan Dulston, leader of Darlington Conservatives, said the foodbank cuts should act as a wake-up call for Darlington Borough Council. 'We are here for you': Darlington foodbank's emphatic message despite major cuts Darlington Council urged to rethink its foodbank support to protect vulnerable people Darlington plan to ban smoking in venues outdoor seating areas branded 'stupid' 'This is now an opportunity for us to rethink how our foodbanks across the borough work together in partnership,' Cllr Dulston said. 'I'm going to work to get foodbank leaders around the table to discuss how we can ensure foodbank provision is maintained across the borough, but also rethink how we deliver a universal foodbank programme across the town with solid information sharing.' Money from the council's Household Support Fund was allocated towards King's Church foodbank to help keep it afloat.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Incredibly passionate' Durham Tourism Superstar is shortlisted for national award
Kynren's head of volunteer casting and engagement has been shortlisted for a national tourism award. Wendy Wilshere is one of ten finalists in VisitEngland's national tourism superstar award, which celebrates the dedication of employees and volunteers in the industry. She is the only finalist from the North East of England, having won the Durham Tourism Superstar accolade in 2024. Wendy Wilshere (Image: Sarah Caldecott) The award recognised her dedication to Kynren and its volunteers. The winner will be decided by public vote, and Kynren is encouraging people to support Ms Wilshere and cast their vote. Ms Wilshere said: "It is a wonderful privilege to represent the North East in such an important national competition, and I hope I do our region proud. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) "Every day I think how lucky I am to do my role at Kynren. "I get to work alongside so many wonderful people, providing support to the volunteers whilst spreading the word about the phenomenal production at different events too. "I'm incredibly passionate about the show – not only to create unforgettable performances that wow our audiences throughout the summer, but also the integral role it plays to support our region and the tourism economy." Wendy Wilshere, who has been shortlisted (Image: Sarah Caldecott) As part of her role at the live action outdoor theatre spectacular in Bishop Auckland, Ms Wilshere looks after and organises all the volunteers. This includes setting up open calls to recruit new volunteers, helping to write schedules and timetables, and circulating clear communications and updates with team leaders and the volunteers themselves. Ms Wilshere also ensures she is present at as many local events and county shows as possible to reach new audiences, as well as national travel trade events to spread awareness about Kynren and County Durham. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Anna Warnecke, CEO at Kynren, said: "Wendy is without doubt one of the most hardworking and caring people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. "Her role as head of volunteer casting and engagement is absolutely integral to the success of Kynren. "Without Wendy to organise, look after and communicate with the volunteers, we simply wouldn't be able to perform this show, which in turn is vital to bring tourism and visitors to the area. "Her passion for Kynren is infectious, and it's clear to see Wendy's pride and the passion for not just the show, but the local area too, alongside her drive to make it a better place for generations to come." Ms Wilshere has been a volunteer with Kynren since the show's first season, and her experience as a volunteer is essential – it means she knows what volunteers need to make their journey as rewarding and meaningful as possible. She then became an employed team member in 2024 to help drive forward the success of Kynren. Michelle Gorman, managing director at Visit County Durham, said: "We are incredibly proud of Wendy's achievement in making the final ten in the tourism superstar award and she is a shining beacon at Kynren. "It is fantastic that our Durham Tourism Superstar winner has been shortlisted for the national award. "She is immensely dedicated and is a huge advocate for the role Kynren plays in the region as a visitor attraction and I encourage everyone in County Durham to support and vote for Wendy as their tourism superstar." To vote for Ms Wilshere Wilshere in VisitEngland's Tourism Superstar competition, visit the VisitEngland Awards website.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Poignant service commemorates the 116th anniversary of West Stanley Pit Disaster
Poignant tributes were paid in County Durham over the weekend to mark the 116th anniversary of one of the worst mining disasters in British history. It was at 3.45pm on Tuesday, February 16, 1909, that a muffled explosion rocked Stanley, and less than a minute later a second blast saw flames shoot into the air. West Stanley Colliery, also known as Burns Pit, had exploded and panic ensued as people flocked towards the pit head, with thousands gathering at the site within a short time. Rescue and exploration went on for six days and all but two of the bodies of the 168 missing men and boys were recovered. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Two skeletons were found when later workings were opened in the Busty seam, in the latter days of 104-year life of the colliery, in 1933. They were identified as the two missing men. Tens of thousands attended the funerals, but on the first day, February 21, an estimated 200,000 filled the town to bursting point. Members of the Stanley community, some of them descendants of the deceased, gathered at the memorial, on the pit site, off Chester Road, 116 years to the day of the disaster, today (Sunday, February 16). (Image: Sarah Caldecott) In a memorial event organised by Stanley Town Council, scores of townsfolk came together, despite the freezing February conditions, to pay tribute to the 168 men and boys who perished. Craghead Colliery Band accompanied by the voices of Beamish Choir performed at the open-air ceremony, during which there was a minute's silence and a laying of wreaths. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) During the event, the bells of nearby St Andrew's Church tolled 168 times to mark each of the fallen. Stanley Mayor, Carole Hampson, made a short speech harking back to the harrowing events of February 1909. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) She later thanked all those who attended and said she believes the disaster of 1909 will always be recalled, with anguish, in the town. 'Given the strength of our colliery background and mining community it's important we remember. 'Mining was the backbone of our community and its good that we still honour those who lost their lives all these years later.' (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Steve Terrance, of the Durham Miners' Association, also addressed the gathering, stating that all the 168 deceased would have been association members. Read next ... more County Durham news reported in The Northern Echo, by Service to remember West Stanley Colliery disaster West Stanley Colliery disaster memorial was unveiled by Kevin Keegan Stanley Pit Disaster He said, as with many County Durham communities, 'mining is in our blood and our DNA.' Weekend commemorations began at the nearby Beamish Museum on Saturday afternoon, with an act of remembrance marking the disaster, staged fittingly in the site chapel in the Colliery Village. It featured members of the Stanley community, Beamish Choir and Youth Club, who read the names of all 168 of the disaster deceased.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Latest work by award-winning artist unveiled at County Durham museum
An award-winning ceramicist has installed her latest work in a County Durham museum. Phoebe Cummings' piece, Time Line, was set up at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle on Friday. The creation is for an exhibition called From Joséphine Bowes: Trendsetters and Trailblazers, which opens on Saturday, February 8. Phoebe Cummings and Time Line (Image: Sarah Caldecott) The hanging sculpture is made from raw clay and is inspired by a Palladian-style plinth from the 1740s. As the exhibition goes on, the sculpture will change as it dries, cracks, and flakes. Ms Cummings said: "I am delighted to be working with The Bowes Museum to create a new artwork for the From Joséphine Bowes: Trendsetters and Trailblazers exhibition. The sculpture is made from raw clay (Image: Sarah Caldecott) "It is an incredible opportunity to research the history of the museum and its collection, working with the curatorial team to develop a new piece that both responds to and becomes part of the exhibition." Ms Cummings has undertaken a number of artist residencies in the UK, USA and Greenland, and was selected as the winner of the British Ceramics Biennial Award in 2011 The exhibition celebrates the achievements of Joséphine Bowes, who founded the museum alongside her husband John Bowes. The work celebrates the achievements of Josephine Bowes (Image: Sarah Caldecott) It will showcase several pieces from the museum's collection as well as new artworks by other artists including Helen Gorrill, Fiona Moorhead, Pascale Revert, and Kim Sowden. Tickets are available from the museum's website.
