Issue No 279 At the heart of our wonderful community Saturday 8th February 2020

Published at: 3-4 First Floor Offices, Shildon Town Council, Civic Hall Square, Shildon DL4 1AH • Editorial: 01388 775896 • Advertising: 07909 992731 • Email: bishop@swd.news • Online: www.swd.news/bishop •

You can read all our sister papers online at www.swd.news: Spennymoor News • Ferryhill & Chilton Chapter • Shildon & District Town Crier

www.hackettandbaines.co.uk

EST 1898

hackettandbaines@btconnect.com

47-49 Main Street, Shildon, DL4 1AF 47-49 Main Street, Shildon, DL4 1AF • • 01388 77267101388 772671 ••Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Mon-Fri 9am-5pm • • Sat 9am-4pmSat 9am-4pm

COMPETITIVE PRICES

BIG SIZE MENSWEAR 2XL TO 8XL2XL TO 8XLPark right outside

our showroom and shop at your leisure!

SUITSSHIRTS

TROUSERSLONG TIEST-SHIRTSSHORTS

CARGO TROUSERSJEANS

EVERYTHING FOR THE LARGE MAN

“The event includes a full afternoon tea and is only £20 per person

MAYOR OF Bishop Auck-land, Councillor Joy Allen is hosting an International Women’s Day event, organised by Bishop Auckland Town Council, on Friday 6th March at the Park Head Hotel from 11am.

The event will hear from a range of guest speak-ers, including the new Chief Constable of Dur-ham Constabulary, Jo Farrell.

“There will also be a select group of stalls where you will be able to purchase products sup-porting local businesses,” said a spokesperson.

The event includes a full afternoon tea and is only £20 per person and there will also be a raffle to win some fabulous prizes.

Proceeds from the event will be going to the May-or’s chosen charity, The Angel Trust.

MAYOR TO HOST INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EVENT

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TOP TELEVISION chef John Torode will headline this year’s Bishop Auck-land Food Festival as organisers pull together all the ingredients for an irresistible culinary week-end.

The MasterChef co-host is the first famous guest to be announced ahead of the Food Festival’s return on Saturday 18th and Sun-day 19th April.

Entry to the festival has always been free but

this is the first time that visitors can also watch demonstrations by celeb-rity chefs without buying a ticket in a new cookery marquee.

John, who also presents John and Lisa’s Week-

end Kitchen with his wife Lisa Faulkner on ITV, will demonstrate a selection of delicious dishes on the Saturday.

Australian by birth, he

MASTERCHEF STAR AT FOOD FESTIVALJohn Torode is headlining Bishop Auckland Food Festival on the Saturday. Photo: Jane Sebire.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Support your local community newspaper

by mentioning the Bishop Press

when contacting advertisers.

2

For more news from Bishop Auckland and across South West Durham visit: www.swd.news Saturday 8th February 2020

www.swd.news/chapter

www.swd.news/crier

Published bySouth West Durham News

3-4 First Floor Offices Shildon Town Council

Civic Hall SquareShildon DL4 1AH

Editorial:01388 775896

Advertising:07909 992731

Email: bishop@swd.news

Online:www.swd.news/bishop

SEND US YOUR STORIES

If you have a story you would like us to cover, we

would love to hear from you.We are especially interested in good

news, be it personal achievements, local

fundraising, community service or any other

positive stories. Call us on 01388 775896 or email

bishop@swd.news

DISCLAIMER

Bishop Press cannot beheld responsible for advertisers offeringgoods or services.

As a general rule we wouldadvise anyone not to part with any money

until an order has been completed to your

full satisfaction. All information is correct,

to the best of our knowledge, at the time of

printing. Bishop Press

accepts articles ingood faith and takes no responsibility for

errors and/or omissions.

You can read our sister papers online:

SPENNYMOORNEWS

www.swd.news/spenny

The Angel Trust was formed as a local char-ity for the local people of Darlington and County Durham and aims to support individuals and organisations in the local community, by providing financial support and ser-vices to those in need.

Their aim is to improve

lives by supporting pro-jects that enhance the local community, pro-mote healthy recreational activities and offer relief from financial hardship.

To buy tickets or for more information, contact Bishop Auckland Town Council by calling 01388 609852 or email council @bishopauckland-tc.gov. uk.

FROM PAGE 1

MAYOR TO HOST INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Dated: 8th February 2020

Helen LynchHead of Legal & Democratic Services

County Hall, Durham DH1 5UL

The Council proposes to make an Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984 as amended, Section 14 (1) to prohibit all pedestrian traffic from proceeding on Footpath no 42 that extends between St Andrews Rd, South Church and A688, Bishop Auckland to enable street lighting renewal scheme works to be undertaken. Alternative route from the north western side of the closure from A688 roundabout junction with South Church Rd via a) The associated footways of B6282 South Church Rd in a south easterly direction then south westerly on Crown St and north westerly on St Andrews Rd b) The footpath adj to A688 in a south westerly direction then easterly on St Andrews Rd footway, to St Andrews Church to the south eastern side of the closure, and vice versa. The maximum duration of the Order is 6 months. The proposed works are to commence on 24/2/20 and are anticipated to be completed in 4 weeks. On occasions, alternative dates for closure may be necessary and these will be signed accordingly.

(FOOTPATH NO 42 BISHOP AUCKLAND PARISH, SOUTH CHURCH)(TEMPORARY FOOTPATH CLOSURE) ORDER 2020

The Council proposes to make an Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984 as amended, Section 14 (1) to prohibit all vehicular traffic from waiting at any time on a) B6282 Woodhouse Ln (northern side) from the eastern side of the entrance to Bishop Barrington School and westerly for a distance of 470m b) B6282 Woodhouse Ln (southern side) from opposite no 84 and westerly for a distance of 60m c) Side and rear of Woodhouse Lane (no 88) d) B6282 Woodhouse Ln (southern side) from opposite no 143 and westerly for a distance of 66m to the western side of the entrance to St Johns RC School e) B6282 Woodhouse Ln (southern side) for a distance of 26m equidistant across the exit from Bishop Auckland College f) B6282 Woodhouse Ln (southern side) for a distance of 26m equidistant across the entrance to Bishop Auckland College to enable new school construction works and to enhance pedestrian safety works to be undertaken. The maximum duration of the Order is 18 months. The proposed works are to commence on 1/3/20 for a period of up to 18 months. On occasions, alternative dates for closure may be necessary and these will be signed accordingly.

(B6282 WOODHOUSE LANE, BISHOP AUCKLAND)(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF WAITING AT ANY TIME) ORDER 2020

MASTERCHEF STAR AT FOOD FESTIVALLast year the festival attracted more the 29,000 people.

Last year, the festi-val attracted more than 29,000 people to the town’s historic Market Place, boosting the tak-ings of local businesses and more than 150 trad-ers.

Hundreds of people enjoyed demonstrations by celebrity chefs includ-ing John’s MasterChef co-presenter Gregg Wallace, who described Bishop Auckland as “one of the nicest, friendliest places I’ve been.”

As well as the main cookery theatre, the fes-tival has also teamed up with Savour Magazine to showcase the North East’s most talented chefs and restauranteurs

on the free Market Place Stage. An action-packed programme of work-shops, meanwhile, will educate and inspire chil-dren and adults alike.

Cllr Joy Allen, the coun-cil’s Cabinet member for transformation, culture and tourism, said: “Bishop Auckland Food Festival is

is credited as one of the major players in introduc-ing Australasian food to the UK in the 1990s. His television career has also seen him travel the world in search of vibrant cui-sines and exciting recipes for the BBC and UKTV.

John said: “I am really looking forward to com-ing to Bishop Auckland Food Festival. I have heard great things about the event and the wonder-ful produce that can be found in the North East.

“Please come along and say hello. I love to meet people who share my passion for food and cooking.”

FROM PAGE 1 a wonderful weekend out for the whole family and boosts the local economy by hundreds of thousands of pounds.”

Stay up to date with the latest festival news at bishopaucklandfoodfestival. co.uk and follow @bish foodfest on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Saturday 8th February 2020

3

For more news from Bishop Auckland and across South West Durham visit: www.swd.news

Valentine’s Day!The ULTIMATE romantic gift this Valentine’s Day

Free Chocolates with every deluxe order

Friendly, professional advice & serviceOver 21 years experience in floristry

Monday – Friday 9am-5:30pm | Saturday – 9am-2pm

7 Kensington South, Cockton Hill, Bishop Auckland01388 605000

We will be delivering on Friday 14th, Valentine’s DaymeiklesmeiklessolicitorssolicitorsFAMILY CHILDREN WILLS

PROBATE LPAs LITIGATIONMENTAL HEALTH

EMPLOYMENT CONVEYANCING

CRIMINAL YOUR LOCAL

LEGAL EXPERTS01388 451 122

DUE TO unprecedented demand on inpatient hospital beds and tak-ing into consideration patient, carer and stake-holder feedback, the NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in County Durham and Darlington have decided to stop the consultations on stroke rehabilitation and Ward 6 at Bishop Auckland Hos-pital (BAH) with immedi-ate effect.

NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG, NHS Darlington CCG and NHS North Dur-ham CCG believe that the clinical proposals pre-sented for both Ward 6 and stroke rehabilitation are valid, however the current level of demand

for inpatient beds has far exceeded expectations and this needs to be taken into account.

As local leaders respon-sible for planning and buying healthcare for the local population, the CCGs have taken a num-ber of different factors into consideration when reaching the decision to stop the consultations.

The CCGs have also carried out further anal-ysis of the complexity of patients’ health con-ditions and, given the unprecedented pressure faced across the health system during the winter, have concluded that the proposed model of care is not deliverable at the moment.

Dedicated therapy pro-vision made for stroke services on both Bishop Auckland Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham (UHND) sites and additional resources will be made available on Ward 6 to enhance the level of ther-apy for patients.

The consultations recently resumed follow-ing a pause just before Christmas due to the Gen-eral Election.

A spokesperson for the Clinical Commissioning Groups said: “We would like to thank everyone that has contributed to the public consultation to date and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

CLOSURES HALTED DUE TO DEMAND ON HOSPITAL SERVICES

THE AUCKLAND Shanty Singers is a new sea shanty singing group based in Bishop Auckland.

Their first session, which was attended by eight people, took place on Monday 3rd Febru-ary, but the group is keen to invite anyone with an interest in joining to go along to their twice-monthly sessions at the Valley Methodist Chapel in Coundon Grange.

The group will be gath-ering there on the first and third Monday of every month, from 7pm-9pm and the cost of each ses-sion is just £1.

“The North East of Eng-land has a strong mari-time seafaring tradition,” said group founder, Chris-topher Miller.

“When boarding a ship a mariner was often asked if they could ‘sing a pull’, so highly prized was the benefit of having a good shanty singer to lead the work on the voyage.

“We are seeking to revive and bring new life into tra-ditional sea shanty and songs of the sea from the great age of sail up to the

SHANTY SINGERS SET SAIL IN BISHOP AUCKLAND

The new shanty singing group had its inaugural meeting this week and is keen to welcome new members.

age of steam and iron and we will bring in new mod-ern songs and shanties.

“Sea Shanty has had a big revival across the country and around the world as a result of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series and the video game Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag,” he added.

“These rhythmical shanty work songs and songs of the sea are a lot of fun to sing.

“So, if you have a love of singing and want to sing then join this new group to celebrate and perform songs of the sea.

“Every shanty has a lead singer and a chorus. If you find you are more comfortable staying in the choruses that’s just fine.

“At our first meeting, we had a really good time, gathering our voices together, and we very much looking forward to more to come. A hearty welcome awaits you.”

Find out more about the group on their Facebook page at ‘The Auckland Shanty Singers’, or call Christopher on 07720 977670.

Saturday 8th February 2020

4

For more news from Bishop Auckland and across South West Durham visit: www.swd.news

a local business, it is a pleasure to donate one of our brand new freeview play Smart TVs to help launch the Mayor’s Civic Raffle, knowing it will hopefully bring in other kind donations and help raise vital funds for The Angel Trust’s work in our local community.”

Mayor of Bishop Auck-land, Cllr Joy Allen said: “I was absolutely delighted when I heard of Cello’s very generous donation.

“I hope, as Brian sug-gests, other local compa-nies will be equally as sup-portive as we finalise the grand town raffle prizes.”

The prize winners will be drawn at the Mayor’s Civic Ball, which will be held at

Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Friday 24th April.

Details of when raffle tickets go on sale will be published in the next issue of the Bishop Press.

Local businesses are urged to contact the Mayor via email at joy. a l len@durham.gov.uk or by phone at 03000 268672.

LOCAL MANUFACTUR-ING company Cello Elec-tronics, has generously donated one of their new 40” televisions towards the Mayor’s Civic Raffle, which will raise valuable funds for the Angel Trust.

Cello, one of Europe’s most innovative LED TV brands, is rightly proud that all their TVs are man-ufactured in the UK at their state-of-the-art plant at South Church in Bishop Auckland.

The Mayor was joined by representatives from the Angel Trust charity when she picked up their valua-ble prize from Cello Chief Executive Officer, Brian Palmer.

Mr Palmer said: “As

CELLO STRIKES A CHARITABLE CHORD WITH THE TOWN’S MAYOR

Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Joy Allen, Ellie Crampton of The Angel Trust and Cello Electronics CEO, Brian Palmer with the donated Cello Smart TV.

IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW?

Tel: 01388 606660

Crime and Road Traffic Offences • Matrimonial Family • Children • General Litigation

Personal Injury Claims • Conveyancing Business Leases • Wills & Probate

www.cwbooth.co.uk

IF Electrical & Security

Tel: Shaun Hope07857 813 393ifproducts07@gmail.com

- Intruder Alarms - CCTV - Fire - - Smoke Detection - Access - - Control - Security Lighting -

- Electrical Installation - NAPIT Approved

20 Years’ Experience, serving the Bishop Auckland area

Now supplying

CCTV equipment to the public

WHEN KEN Jones and his wife booked their Antipo-dean cruise of a lifetime, they realised they would have a day to spend in Auckland, New Zealand before their ship sailed.

Ken, 64, decided to do some research to see what the couple could do on their free day and discovered that Auckland Tower, which pierces the city’s skyline, offers a daredevil ‘Sky Jump’.

“I lost both of my broth-ers within six years of each other,” said Ken, “so as soon as I saw the Sky

KEN SET FOR AUCKLAND TOWER CHARITY JUMP

Not that one, this one: Ken Jones from Bishop Auckland will be jumping from New Zealand’s Auckland Tower for charity.

Jump I decided I wanted to do it and raise funds for Marie Curie.”

Auckland Tower is 192 metres high and it takes 11 seconds to reach the ground with jumpers reaching a free fall speed of 85mph.

Ken will be doing the jump on 17th February and has a justgiving page for anyone who would like to support his fund-raising. Search the site for ‘Kenneth’s Auckland Tower jump” and click the link to visit the page and make a donation.

PASSION PLAY Bishop Auckland is in need of vol-unteers to be Roman Sol-diers in their forthcoming Good Friday production.

BE A PASSION PLAY SOLDIERRoman soldiers are needed for Passion Play Bishop Auckland.

This is a non-speaking role.

If you are interested, email passionplaybishop auckland@gmail.com.

West Auckland WMC

DEAD CERTSaturday 8th February

Saturday 15th FebruaryBIG SISTER

Saturday 22nd FebruaryNIXON

Saturday 29th FebruaryFLY GUYS

Saturday 8th February 2020

5

For more news from Bishop Auckland and across South West Durham visit: www.swd.news

High Speed Drifters, Robert Olley, 2017. Courtesy of South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums.

Market Place, Bishop Auckland County Durham, DL14 7NR

aucklandproject.org

Admission to gallery applies. Included in Auckland Pass. Last admission 3pm.

In this exhibition celebrating Bob Olley‘s 80th birthday, we look back on his artistic career so far and reveal how the heart and humour of the people of the North East have inspired his work.

Sat 15 February–Sun 10 May 2020 Open Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm

FD12777_Auckland_Bob Olley_Bishops Press_195x140.indd 1FD12777_Auckland_Bob Olley_Bishops Press_195x140.indd 1 29/01/2020 09:3529/01/2020 09:35

ST CUTHBERT’S Church in Etherley is inviting potential stall holders to get in touch as it plans its July Garden Party, which will take place on Satur-day 18th from 1pm-4pm.

If any individual or organ-isation would like a stall, or would like to assist with organisation or refresh-ments, please contact Barrie (07798 764549) or Elizabeth (07929 718894).

STALLS AVAILABLE AT JULY GARDEN PARTY

Green on Sunday 2nd Feb-ruary (popularly named ‘Palindrome Sunday’ due to the date 02 02 2020 being able to be read the same back to front and front to back) to celebrate and show respect to Gail’s time, patience and talent during four decades of service to many loyal cli-

ents - often three genera-tions of the same family.

As a gesture of good will from the event, Trimmers has donated £200 to the Bishop Auckland branch of Marie Curie.

Gail’s former clients have now been welcomed to the well-established team at Trimmers.

HIGHLY REGARDED hair-stylist, Helen Gail Lawson has retired from award-win-ning Trimmers Salon, which has traded in Bishop Auckland’s Newgate Street for half a century.

Management and styl-ists, past and present, gathered at Thomas Wright House in Byers

GAIL HANGS UP HER TRIMMERSGail Lawson, centre, is surrounded by management and stylists past and present as they celebrate her retirement after four decades working at the popular Bishop Auckland salon.

CITIZENS ADVICE County Durham (CACD) is contin-uing to deliver high quality training for unemployed young people aged 16-24 who are living in the local area, through its site at the Four Clocks Centre in Bishop Auckland.

The next course avail-able for interested par-ticipants is Employment Ready?, a three-day inten-sive course to help young people into a job.

The course will take place from Monday 24th until Wednesday 26th February from 9.30am until 4pm each day.

To be eligible you must be aged 16-24, resident in

County Durham and seek-ing education, employ-ment or training.

In cases where public transport is not an option, CACD can help organ-ise transport. It can also cover childcare costs incurred when attending training and lunch is also paid for.

To access training you must first register with DurhamWorks.

You can do this online by visiting www.durham works.info or by con-tacting Eve at CACD, via phone, text or WhatsApp on 07876 346 047 or email eve.galloway@citizens advicecd.org.uk.

CITIZENS ADVICE OFFER EMPLOYABILITY TRAINING

Saturday 8th February 2020

6

For more news from Bishop Auckland and across South West Durham visit: www.swd.news

FAMILY HISTORIANS will have a chance to find out about their relatives’ bur-ial records when a popu-lar talk is repeated.

The archivist-led course will explore the wide range of records that may need to be searched in order to determine where an ancestor was buried.

Durham County Record Office will host the event, which has been brought back in response to public demand, on Monday 10th February from 6pm to 8pm and again on Thurs-day 13th February from 10am to 12 noon.

The session is part of a series of regular Branch-ing Out courses aimed at people who are already familiar with the basics of family history.

Each talk focusses on a different type of record and offers visitors a chance to research their past in more detail.

COUNTY DURHAM HISTORY TALK BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Bishop Auckland Cemetery, c. 1898. Image (D/CL 5/223) courtesy of Durham County Record Office.

Dawn Layland, educa-tion and outreach archi-vist, said: “Family histo-rians often want to know where their ancestors are buried and this talk will show you how to go about tracking them down.

“In the course of an hour, we will explain how best to determine where rela-tives are buried, look at what records exist, where they can be found and the information they contain.”

Following the talk, vis-itors will have an oppor-tunity to spend a second hour conducting their own research using the Record Office’s facilities and an archivist will be on hand to offer advice.

Tickets for the session, priced at £10 per per-son, must be booked in advance and are avail-able to buy online at recordofficeshop.durham. gov.uk or over the tele-phone on 03000 267 619.

Tel: 01388 775499All Saints Ind Est, Shildon, DL4 2RD

Porcelain, Ceramic & Natural Stone Wall & Floor TilesNatural Stone & Porcelain Paving

Adhesives, Grouts & Silicones

www.perfecthomeandgarden.co.uk

The PERFECT choice for tiles & paving

GUTTER CLEANING

Gutters & Downpipes CleanedNo Ladders Used

Soffits, fascias & conservatories cleaned

Gutters repaired and/or renewed

07519 376870(local)

THE LICENSING ACT 2003

Notice is hereby given that I, Susan Brierley, have applied to Durham County Council in respect of the premises known as THE GABLES POD CAMPING, THREE LANE ENDS, ESCOMB, BISHOP AUCKLAND DL14 7SR for the grant of a Premises Licence to permit the following proposed licensable activities:Sale by retail of alcohol (on & off sales) from 11:00 – 00:00, live music & performance of dance 12:00 – 00:00 and recorded music 10:00 – 00:00. All activities are Monday to Sunday inclusive and entertainment is indoor and outdoor.Any representations about this application must be made in writing by 24TH FEBRUARY 2020 and sent to:Durham County Council, Licensing, PO Box 617, Durham. DH1 9HZ or e-mail to licensing@durham.gov.uk A record of this application may be inspected at the Council’s offices at Annand House, John Street North, Meadowfield, Durham. DH7 8RS on weekdays between 9.30am and 4pm. Telephone: 03000 261016It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which carries a person is liable on conviction for this offence is an unlimited fine.

The first season of culi-nary events will launch at the castle’s Old Library in February, using pro-duce grown in the castle’s grounds in a new menu of seasonal treats.

All of the food uses locally sourced produce where possible and is cre-ated by The Auckland Pro-ject’s in-house catering team, headed by Culinary Director, Ant Brown who will host new, monthly Dining Club events tak-ing place on Fridays, 13th March, 17th April and 8th May.

The monthly event will offer a delicious four-course dining experience celebrating the changing seasons and some events will also include a talk.

And on selected dates from February to May, vis-itors can tuck into a sea-sonal selection of treats for Afternoon Tea, includ-ing special themed events such as Spring Afternoon Tea and Gardening Talk and Mother’s Day After-noon Tea.

For seasoned art lov-ers and novices alike, the arrival of Spring will see new exhibitions open at The Auckland Project’s galleries.

This will include a spe-cial exhibition at the Min-ing Art Gallery to mark the 80th birthday of min-ing artist, Bob Olley and exhibitions showcasing local artists in No 42, The Auckland Project’s shop and gallery space.

The new season also marks the return of The Auckland Project’s pop-ular talks programme including an opportunity to meet artist, Bob Olley in person.

In Conversation with Bob Olley will take place on Thursday, 23rd April and includes a live discussion and private tour of the exhibition.

And to mark Durham’s Year of Pilgrimage 2020, there will be a talk at Auckland Tower on Thurs-day, 19th March entitled: Forward to the Ancient Future: The revival of pil-grimage in contemporary culture with special refer-ence to County Durham.

To book a ticket for an event or activity or to pur-chase an Auckland Pass, which costs £12.50 and allows unlimited visits to all Auckland Project sites until January 2021, visit aucklandproject.org or call 01388 743 797.

A NEW season of inspir-ing exhibitions, tempting culinary events and family days has been launched for a host of Spring activ-ities at The Auckland Pro-ject in Bishop Auckland.

Visitors can pre-book for the upcoming season, which kicks off with the re-opening of Auckland Castle on Saturday, 15th February.

Family activities, from arts and crafts during February half-term, to the opportunity to Train Like a Tudor Prince Bishop in the May Bank Holidays will bring the rich history of 900-year-old Auckland Castle to life for all ages.

Youngsters can dig even deeper into the castle’s history and the stories of the Prince Bishops at Young Archaeology Club sessions, which meet at Auckland Tower on the second Saturday of every month.

Families can also recon-nect to nature with Easter adventures from Satur-day, 4th April to Sunday, 19th April, from exploring the castle’s 180-acre Deer Park to hunt hidden eggs to getting hands-on with horticulture in planting sessions.

SPRING AT THE AUCKLAND PROJECTSword fighting activities at Auckland Castle. Photograph: House of Hues. Courtesy of The Auckland Project.

Saturday 8th February 2020

7

For more news from Bishop Auckland and across South West Durham visit: www.swd.news

A £300,000 funding pot is being made available to help bring empty build-ings in Bishop Auckland back into use.

The Conservation Area Grant Scheme has been set up as part of the Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone (BAHAZ) to support the owners of historic prop-erties in the town centre refurbish and redevelop them for business, resi-dential or retail use.

Jointly funded by Dur-ham County Council and Historic England, it aims to improve the appear-ance of the high street but also support new businesses and create and safeguard jobs.

Cllr Carl Marshall, Dur-ham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “This really impor-tant funding will enable us to invest in the very heart of the town, an area which has been hit hard by changing shopping habits and the national decline of the high street.

“The town’s fortunes are already changing with recent developments set to significantly boost the visitor economy.

“This in turn will create significant opportunities for the development of new service, hospitality and leisure businesses which could operate from those buildings which are currently vacant.”

The launch of the fund by BAHAZ follows an economic study, includ-ing condition surveys of several empty buildings, which identified three key areas for invest-ment: Fore Bondgate,

FUND TO SUPPORT REGENERATION OF VACANT BISHOP AUCKLAND BUILDINGS

Market Place to the Newgate Centre; and the area around 80 Newgate Street and the former Beales department store.

Money is available for internal and external refurbishment work, with grants provided for up to 70 per cent of the cost of the scheme.

Maximum funding is dependent on the size of the project but could range between £20,000 and £30,000.

Jules Brown, historic places advisor for His-toric England, said: “This fund will help breathe new life into Bishop Auckland’s historic town centre, by realising the potential of its vacant and underused historic buildings, making it a place that local people want to visit and where businesses have the opportunity to thrive.”

Architect Graeme Dodd has been appointed by the council to help with the delivery of the scheme, advising grant applicants, supporting the grant team and car-rying out final inspection visits at grant aided prop-erties.

Applicants are encour-aged to provide oppor-tunities for people to develop new or existing heritage skills within their proposed scheme and to consider how they can engage with the commu-nity, for example through site tours or displays pro-viding information on the history and heritage of the building.

To apply for a share of the £300,000 funding, email bishopaucklandhaz @durham.gov.uk.

CCTV SURVEYDRAIN UNBLOCKING & REPAIRS

SEPTIC TANKSROOT & ENCRUSTATION REMOVAL MANHOLE INSPECTION & REPAIR

SKYVAC GUTTER CLEANING

07555 748 086 07784 815 720

INFO@DRAINBUSTERSNE.CO.UKWWW.DRAINBUSTERSNE.CO.UK

Petite HeatFemale Plumbing &

Heating Services

Appliance Maintenance Servicing, Landlord Gas

Safety Checks, Boiler Servicing & Repairs

Tel Nicola: 01740 65633107841 291779

petiteheat74@aol.com

Plans Drawn for

Planning Applications and

Building Regs

0800 781 4750info@sljprojects.co.uk

www.sljprojects.co.uk

A. FrAncisRoofing & Building

From a single slate to a new roofGutters cleaned and inspected

Chimney repairs

No job too smallTel: 01388 833853

Mob: 07811 848228Established 1987

Repointing to brickwork

tat, as it’s their future. “We are encouraging

children to get out more and this year we are aim-ing to work with more youngsters to get them off Xboxes and get out in the fresh air.

“Later in the year we will be running some free fly fishing lessons for juniors and adults of all ages who show an interest in the sport or would like to take up a new hobby.

“The club provides coaching by fully qualified instructors.

“Not only is fishing good for fitness and fun it’s also massively good for mental health, which is unfortunately becoming a bigger problem these days with the pressures of social media and busy lifestyles.

“It’s great to see two generations sharing the

same interest and spend-ing quality time together.

“People always associ-ate fishing as being bor-ing but they couldn’t be more wrong.

“There are so many dif-ferent fishing methods and styles and when you hook your first fish there really isn’t any better feel-ing.”

The fly fishing lessons are scheduled to begin on 10th May when the warmer weather returns. The lessons will last six weeks and include a trip to a fishery.

Anyone interested in learning to fish can con-tact the club by email at memberssecretary@bishopaucklandangling club.com or visit the club website at bishopaucklandangling club.com for more infor-mation.

BISHOP AUCKLAND Angling Club has been working with pupils from Toft Hill Primary School to help improve the hab-itat of the River Wear while educating the pupils about the effects of global warming.

Working with the Wear Rivers Trust, hundreds of trees have been planted along the banks at Escomb supported by wil-low weaving.

The work will help to pre-vent erosion of the river bank and protect the river banks from flooding while providing a better wildlife habitat.

“At Bishop Auckland Angling Club we are keen to educate the chil-dren about their local river,” said club member, Lucinda Gittins, “and to explain the importance of maintaining the river habi-

FISHING CLUB TEAMS UP WITH TOFT HILL PUPILS TO WORK ON RIVER WEAR

Toft Hill pupils, Max Bridgett and Kyle Mott with members of Bishop Auckland Angling Club and the Wear Rivers Trust.

BOILER INSTALLATIONS,

SERVICE & REPAIRGas Safe Registered

Tel: 07826 52795201388 720009

All plumbing & gas work carried out

J. DUNNHEATING & PLUMBING

@bishoppress

SportLocal leagues, competitions and events...

8

Saturday 8th February 2020

BBISHOP ISHOP AAUCKLANDUCKLANDCOMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES

Class Four, Five, 7 MOTs

www.bishopaucklandtyreandtests.co.uk www.bishopauckland-tyres.co.uk Email: info@bishopaucklandtyresandtests.co.uk9 Chester Street, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7LP Tel: 01388 604485 / 661339 / 605687

All Makes

of Tyres

Please don’t hesitate to contact us as we’re more than happy to help!

GROUP AUTO - AUTOCARE GARAGE APPROVED MEMBER OF THE GOOD GARAGE SCHEME

MASTER GARAGE 2013 www.approvedgarage.co.uk Member of the motor industry code of Practice

CLUTCHES | BRAKES BATTERIES | EXHAUSTS

DIAGNOSTICS

Tyres & Tests Ltd

For more news from Bishop Auckland and across South West Durham visit: www.swd.news

High Quality Gates Garden Fences - Wall Railings

- Free Estimates &Advice on any project

- Experienced Tradesmen - Friendly Reliable Fast AdviceTel Stephen on: 07976554046

Email: info@valleywroughtiron.co.ukwww.valleywroughtiron.co.uk

Valley Wrought Iron

FERGUSONTILING

BESPOKE TILINGBathrooms | Kitchens

Conservatories | Wet RoomCeramics | Porcelain

Over 15 years’ experienceTel Waine on

07468 558 285

Engine Diagnostics, EML, ABS AIRBAG etc, Free Battery Testing, Air Conditioning Service Centre, Starter Motor, Alterations,

Supplied, Fitted & Repaired,Key Coding, ECY Coding

HILLCRESTAUTOELECTRICSSeymour Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6JD

Engine Diagnostics, EML, ABS AIRBAG etc

Free Battery Testing

Air Conditioning Service Centre

Starter MotorAlternators

Supplied, Fitted & Repaired

Key Coding, ECU Coding

Tel: 01388 604717

FREE Air Con Testing!

Pass + Driving School30 years experience

High Pass RAte** Special Offer **

4 lessons only £40

Call Ian on07989 802481

Jessica Maughan swam long course pbs in each of her three events; the 50m and 200m breaststroke and the 50m fly.

Nicole Walker obtained long course pbs in both the 50m breaststroke and 100m freestyle.

Nicole also swam the 200m breaststroke in a 50m pool for the first time.

Lauren Flint also swam long course pbs in the 50m breaststroke and 100m free.

Annabel Cooper won

bronze in the 800m free, together with four long course pbs.

Owen Potter gained long course pbs in the 50m fly and 100m free.

Joseph Dobson also swam long course pbs in each of his five events and has a new 50m free time of 28.05 seconds.

To find out more about the club, visit their website at wearvalleyasc.co.uk, email info@wearvalleyasc. co.uk or call in at Wood-house Close Leisure Cen-tre.

A TEAM of eight Wear Valley Amateur Swim-ming Club athletes from the Junior and Senior squads recently attained some amazing swimming results at the Sunderland New Year Meet, held over the weekend of 11th and 12th January.

Seven out of the eight swimmers attained a 100% long course (50m) personal best (pb) record for all of their events.

Thomas Power achieved County (Northumber-land and Durham) and

Regional (North East Region) qualifying times in the 100m breaststroke, taking 4 seconds off to swim a new time of 1.16.51.

Thomas also took 24 seconds off his long course 200m breast-stroke with a new time of 2.51.62.

Emily Whitton also gained a 100% long course pb record and swam a County qualifying time in the 50m butterfly with a new time of 32.87 seconds.

SWIMMERS ACHIEVE NEW TIMESHead Coach Angela Callan with swimmers Emily Whitton, Joseph Dobson, Thoms Power, Owen Potter and Annabel Cooper.

AFTER THREE league games without a win, Bishop Auckland FC returned to winning ways with an impressive come-from-behind win at New-castle Benfield on Satur-day, 1st February.

The Two Blues went behind early in the game when Reece Noble opened the scoring for the home side in the 7th minute.

Into the second half and it looked like game over when Benfield doubled their lead in the 55th min-ute through Cyril Giraud.

However the goal came against the run of play and within five minutes Bishops had halved the deficit when Jamie Mar-shall scored on the hour.

With seven minutes to play, Bishops’ pressure was rewarded when Kyle Morris equalised and with just two minutes left on the clock, the referee pointed to the spot to award the visitors a pen-alty. Michael Hoganson stepped up and made no mistake to give the Two Blues a winning boost.

This Saturday (8th), Bishops host Guisbor-ough Town at Heritage Park with a 3pm kick off.

TWO BLUES COME FROM BEHIND TO EARN WIN