Dog walkers urged to PAWS for thought

Dog walkers are being asked to paws for thought when it comes to cleaning up after their pet.

Durham County Council’s countryside rangers, supported by neighbourhood wardens, will be promoting the message to dispose of dog waste in the bins provided at an event at Broompark Picnic Area on Wednesday, 1 June from 10am to 2pm.

A packed day of activities is planned for both pooch and owner.

Watch expert handlers at work as daring dogs tackle an agility course, while smaller jumps will be set up for beginners to test their skills.

Stray Aid will be offering residents free micro-chipping for dogs over the age of 12 weeks as part of the council’s ongoing initiative to reduce the number of lost animals. Dogs must be fully vaccinated if less than six months old.

Additionally, waste bags will be handed out to encourage pet owners to keep the environment clean.

Countryside ranger, Karen Fisher, said: “Dog fouling is an issue at the picnic area and a concern for visitors. We want everyone to know they are welcome at the site but equally we want to remind people of their responsibility to scoop up after a canine companion.

“The roadshow is a chance for dog walkers to come along and have some fun, while at the same time finding out how to play a part in eradicating the problem.”

via Press Release-Durham County Council.

Leisure centre closure consultation had just 37 responses From The Northern Echo

A QUESTIONNAIRE which helped shape the strategy to close six North- East leisure centres received only 37 responses, from the public, The Northern Echo can reveal.Durham County Council’s Sport and Leisure Strategy is cited as one of the main factors behind the council’s decision to consult on closing six indoor leisure facilities.

However, only 37 people completed questionnaires during a consultation on the strategy, and campaigners fighting to save the leisure centres say without proper consultation, the document has no mandate.The council says it carried out other consultation, including workshops and focus groups, over the plans for centres in Ferryhill, Crook, Coxhoe, Pity Me, Sherburn and Ushaw Moor.

via Leisure centre closure consultation had just 37 responses From The Northern Echo.

County Durham Leagues – Cricket – Sport – JournalLive

Leaders Brandon are also set to face Tudhoe on Monday, but this afternoon they entertain Ushaw Moor, a side still searching for their first win of the season. With Cloudsley Long missing, the table-toppers hand a debut to youngster Joel Dalby against a full-strength Moor side.

via County Durham Leagues – Cricket – Sport – JournalLive.

Press Release-Durham County Council

Two bush craft events are taking place at Ushaw Moor Sure Start Children’s Centre starting this week.

Families are invited to the Durham County Council run Sure Start Centre, on Durham Road, Ushaw Moor DH7 7LF, to join in the fun this Saturday. (May 28)

It’s also a chance for dads and male carers to help plan for the new male carers group.

The next session, a family learning event teaching outdoor survival techniques, takes place on June 10.

Barry Bird, childcare development coordinator, said: “We are delighted to be offering bush craft at the children’s centre.

“If families enjoy these new exciting outdoor activities we hope this may be the start of more sessions in the future.”

To book a place telephone Barry Bird.

Tel: 03000 269 839, limited places are available.

via Press Release-Durham County Council.

Cricket Scoreboard – Newton News

Aycliffe’s under 15’s had their first win of the season away at previously unbeaten Ushaw Moor by 3 wickets. Chasing 85 for victory opener Matty French got Aycliffe off to a solid start scoring 13 runs, but it was Ben Nicholson who gave the innings some genuine momentum when he smashed two big sixes in his career best score of 36. A middle order collapse threatened to take the game away from Aycliffe, but Captain Thomas Gledhill with 12 not out and Patrick Howe with 5 not out, held their nerve superbly to take Aycliffe to a thrilling victory with only 2 balls remaining.The under 13’s team played very well and were unlucky not to win away at Sedgefield. Chasing 115 for victory, Aycliffe fell just 12 runs short with good contributions coming from Patrick Howe 22 runs, Sam Dobinson 20 runs, Sam Morgan 17 not out and Joshua Pearson 10 runs.The under 11’s continued their unbeaten start to the season with their third straight win away at Sedgefield in a thrilling game by just 2 runs. Adam Hickey top scored with 14 and there were also good innings from both Tom Roberts with 9 runs and Sam Dawson who scored 8 runs.

via Cricket Scoreboard.

Deadline set for leisure centre plans

GROUPS hoping to take over the running of six closurethreatened leisure centres have been set a deadline to submit initial business plans.Durham County Council last night confirmed it had received a number of expressions of interest in taking over the management of the buildings, which are under threat to save the authority £1.3m a year.The news came as MPs handed a 3,500-name petition to Downing Street, calling on the Prime Minister to halt the programme of spending cuts that they say has put the leisure centres under threat.Public consultation on the proposed closure of the sports centres in Sherburn, Ushaw Moor, Coxhoe, Pity Me, Ferryhill and Crook ends tomorrow.

via Deadline set for leisure centre plans From The Northern Echo.

COUNTY DURHAM LEAGUES – Cricket – Sport – JournalLive

Willington kept up their challenge in second place with a 90-run win at Ushaw Moor, Karl Brown’s half- century helping push his side up to 191 before Calvin Stephenson and Gary Cummings shared six cheap wickets as the Moor were ushered out for 101.

via COUNTY DURHAM LEAGUES – Cricket – Sport – JournalLive.

Opposition to play park From Durham Times

RESIDENTS have spoken out against a plans to push ahead with the creation of a play park and recreation area on the outskirts of a north Durham village despite overwhelming opposition.

The £69,000 facility, funded by Marks £ Spencer, Durham Area Action Partnership and Durham County Council is proposed on land near Colliery Road, in Bearpark, near Durham City.

Residents have argued the new play park will be in an isolated area and would compound existing anti-social behaviour.

Earlier this year they collected more than 600 names on a petition asking for the facilities to be placed in the centre of the village.

Campaigners said they will be making their feelings clear meeting arranged by Durham County Council at the Bearpark Community Centre at 2pm on Friday – Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods is expected to attend.

Geraldine Hendry of Blackburn Close said: “We are not happy they are pressing ahead regardless. “Even with its problems it is very isolated.

“The facilities are meant for children from Ushaw Moor and New Brancepeth, as well. So how on earth is that central for them?”

Fellow campaigner Ron Kemp said: “The council are acting in a high-handed fashion in pressing ahead with these plans.

“This decision is being railroaded through.”

He was responding to a letter from council’s head of sport and leisure Stephen Howell, which said the authority remained committed to the development of the Colliery Road Recreation ground, “as it had always been an area for young and old to participate in sport and leisure”.

Mr Howell wrote: “There is enough land to develop a play park that would fulfil the requirements of all young people in Bearpark.

“Funding has already been committed to the development of this area and would be at risk if the project is delayed or indeed relocated.”

He added there was no other suitable site for the type of facility young people in the community were requessting, including for BMX and skate ramps.

Mr Howell said: “The Wood is too close to housing occupied by vulnerable people and already has problems with anti-social behaviour.

“However, we have agreed to look into providing some equipment on this site for use by younger children.

via Opposition to play park From Durham Times.

Ushaw Moor CC report – ::TalkSteelers::

The curtain came down on the 2010/11 season with a third defeat on the belt and a good drenching into the process. If my spirits weren’t dampened enough during the second half the storm that hit us midway through it certainly made sure I was. Within seconds of the down pour Michael Bennett and I were the only ones left standing on the side line as the rest of the supporters had vanished like rats down holes.

via Ushaw Moor CC report – ::TalkSteelers::.

Durham Community Business College – Prepares for Studio Schools

A BUSINESS college is set to become the North-East’s first Studio School, offering work and life skills training to hundreds of teenagers.

The Durham Federation school has secured £650,000 in Government funding to transform unused buildings at its Durham Community Business College, in Ushaw Moor, near Durham, into one of only a handful of Studio Schools being piloted across the country.

The concept, pioneered by the Studio Schools Trust based on research from New York and Australia, involves creating small ‘schools within schools’, where up to 300 youngsters aged 14 to 19 get class- and work-based training to prepare them for employment.

via College to become region’s first ‘studio school’ From Durham Times.