Farmer spared jail over rotting carcasses

Carcasses in various states of decay were found on the 600 acre farm, including some on the Deerness Walkway between Stanley Crook and Waterhouses, …READ MORE >>>>HERE

Sheltered housing gets support of councillors

A COMPANY’s plan to build warden-controlled sheltered accommodation have won support from councillors despite a neighbouring school’s objections.

Brett Bros wants to build 16 homes at Middlewood House, Middlewood, Ushaw Moor, on land that is designated as Green Belt.

Members of Durham City Council’s development control committee are minded to approve the plan but need the Government Office North-East to give the green light because of the Green Belt issue.

The committee heard that Durham Community Business College objected to the loss of access by its pupils across the site, considering its removal a “health and safety risk’’.

Councillors agreed to the stopping up of a footpath on the land.

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‘Tailend Charlie’ bomber hero dies

Tailend Charlie

Northern Echo – Darlington,England,UK

Mr Welsh grew up in Ushaw Moor and lived in Quarrington Hill, near Durham after the war. He and is wife, Vera, moved into the Peterlee Care Home, …

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Vandalised trees re-planted

Northern Echo – Darlington,England,UK

Trees Re-Planted

A GREEN-fingered eight-year-old is refusing to let vandals stop him bring a little cheer to his elderly neighbours.

Liam Manning was among a handful of youngsters who spent the Sunday before Christmas planting trees and bulbs close to aged mineworkers’ homes in Ushaw Moor.

Little Liam took to the project so enthusiastically he returned to water his tree every day, always pointing it out to friends and family as they passed by.

So he and organisers from the Hunters’ Gate residents’ association were devastated when more than half the young trees were wrecked – snapped in half by mindless yobs.

But they are refusing to be beaten and have re-planted the trees, with better protection.

John Booth, secretary of the residents’ association, said: “We were trying to improve the environment and decided whatever we did we wanted the children to be involved.

“Trees make a real difference to the environment and about how people feel about their village.

“Liam was absolutely over the moon planting his tree. He was devastated to see it had been chopped in half.

“We’re shocked that someone would do this. But we’re determined not to give up. We feel we have to press on – we can’t let them win.”

Liam said: “I planted the tree and a few days after we went past and I thought it had been snapped. I found out it was. I felt quite bad.”

Craig Manning, Liam’s father, said his son often helped on his allotment and since the tree was snapped has bought him one for their back garden.

The residents’ association originally planted 12 trees at a cost of £150, supported by Durham County Council countryside ranger Mark Oliphant.

In future, the group hopes to adopt a stretch of a nearby former railway line which has been converted into a popular walking route, maintaining it and keeping it free from litter.

Housing development is underway

WORK to build new homes for rent in a village is underway.

Durham Villages Regeneration Company, a partnership between builders Keepmoat and Durham City Council, is building 29 homes in Ushaw Moor, near Durham City in a £2.7m development.

The properties, just off Valley Drive at the eastern end of the village near the new Hunter’s Gate development, will be managed by the Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association and Nomad E5 Housing Association.

The development, due to be completed by the end of the year, includes 18 two-bedroom bungalows, four two-bedroom houses and seven three-bedroom houses which, the company says, will be highly eco-friendly, with high levels of insulation, energy efficient heating and the use of solar panels.

Gordon Gray, chief executive with Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association, said: “Having recently completed 20 new bungalows at Hunter’s Gate, I’m delighted to be working in partnership with DVRC again to provide much needed affordable homes for the people of Ushaw Moor.”

City Council leader, Cllr. Fraser Reynolds, said: “This new scheme demonstrates our commitment to regenerating the county’s former mining villages by developing affordable homes which help keep communities together.

“To date, we have delivered nearly 270 homes for rent to those on the housing waiting list and we strive to help many others to access the affordable housing they need.”

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