Deerness Teams Tumble to Success – Sky Tyne and Wear

Some of Deerness Gymnastics Academy youngest tumblers have returned from a national team competition with more success for the Durham based gymnastics club.

The National Team Tumbling event held in Wakefield last week was open to up and coming young tumblers from age 7 upwards.

19 girls from Deerness competed in the Springer section (age 8-11) with teams from the club taking first, second and third place. Springer boys also took first place. Junior girls (age 11-14) teams took second and third place; with the senior girls also winning their competition.

“While our older tumblers are busy preparing for the World Championships in November, it is key for the club to keep developing the talent of our younger members,” said Glen Wharton, head of tumbling, Deerness Gymnastics Academy. “This competition involves some of our youngest gymnasts from just seven years old and its great to see Deerness teams taking first place in both the under 11 boys and girls categories as well as in the older age groups.

”We are starting new tumbling recreational classes at Deerness Gymnastics Academy and its still a relatively new discipline for us – but one which we intend to develop for both the local community as well as national and international gymnastics.”

The club also had seven of its members gaining judging experience at this event: Neale Davies, Jackie Gilmore, Steven Gilmore, Matilda Hamilton, Emma Watson, Marie Liddell and Georgia Clayton.

Deerness Gymnastics Academy, which has its former gymnast, Matt Baker as its patron, has become one of Britain’s top gymnastics clubs over the past twenty years, with over 100 international gymnasts with more than sixty World and European medallists, including four World and six European Champions in its roll of honour. It is not only one of the most successful clubs in Great Britain but it is also recognised on the International scene as one of the top clubs in the world.

Recreational classes are available for children from 3 years. To find out more call: 0191 373 9419 or visit http://www.deernessgymnastics.org.uk follow on twitter @deernessga or find on Facebook.

via Deerness Teams Tumble to Success – Sky Tyne and Wear.

Community garden arson strengthens Ushaw Moor volunteers’ resolve From The Northern Echo

 

VILLAGERS have pledged to continue their efforts to improve their community, despite an arson attack setback.

A shed at Ushaw Moor community garden was burnt to the ground in broad daylight on Sunday lunchtime (October 20).

The garden, off Durham Road, opened last summer – part of an effort by Ushaw Moor Action Group (Umag) to spruce up the village and boost community spirit which has also seen the development of The Hive, a community venue on Station Road, and The Hut, a space for group activities.

The garden features displays, paths, vegetable plots, a large potting shed and a “classroom”, which is soon to become a “Men’s Cree” – a space for men to meet in an alcohol-free environment, having won funding from the East Durham Trust.

It has enjoyed support from Groundwork North East and hosted Durham Agency Against Crime’s highly successful Haggrid project, aimed at inspiring young people to stay away from crime and give them a stake in their community.

Both neighbouring schools, Silver Tree Primary and St Joseph’s RCVA Primary, have been involved.

Umag leaders were devastated to learn the shed had been set alight, but said they had suffered vandalism previously, were thankful the fire had not spread to other buildings and were determined to continue their good work.

Secretary John Arthurs said: “It reinforces to us that we’ve got work to do.

“We’re not going to be knocked back by it.

“You do get annoyed and think these people must face the criminal justice system. Perhaps they could be given some community payback and come and work in the garden.”

Volunteer David Drape-Comym said: “It feels like one step forward, two steps back.

“But we’re trying to build the garden up, bit by bit.”

Umag is now considering whether to replace the shed.

The incident has been reported to Durham Police, which is treating it as arson.

A spokesman appealed for anyone who could help the police investigation to call the non-emergency number 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

via Community garden arson strengthens Ushaw Moor volunteers’ resolve From The Northern Echo.

Enterprise Development and Education Network – Ushaw Moor Cafe

We are a Cafe based in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, giving young people in the area and other ages a chance for training in working in the Cafe and also work experience, this is because of our close links with Enterprise Development and Education Network, also known as EDEN. EDEN which is run by Anne-Marie Booth who is also the Manager of the Cafe. We are primarily based in the lovely Village of Ushaw Moor, in ‘The Hive’. Our staff who are all volunteers are extremely friendly and constantly open for a chat. So if you are ever visiting Durham, this is the place to go.

Basic info

Joined Facebook	19/10/2013
Location	5 Station Rd, DH7 7PX Ushaw Moor
Hours	Wed – Fri: 10:00 – 16:00 Sat: 10:00 – 14:00

Enterprise Development and Education Network.

New cafe is space to meet in Ushaw Moor From The Northern Echo

 

The opening of The Hive; a community cafe in Ushaw Moor. From left social entrepreneur Andrea Watts, Anne-Marie Booth and Rachel Shepherd, chair of Ushaw Moor Action Group

 

A VOLUNTEER-run cafe has opened in a community hub.

 

Drinks, scones and teacakes are being served at The Hive, on Station Road, in Ushaw Moor, near Durham, after the coffee shop was officially opened by social entrepreneur Andrea Watts today (Thursday, October 17).

 

The cafe was set up to meet an identified need for space for the community to meet, particularly young people.

 

It is hoped it will become a training centre for village youngsters, who will get work experience in the cafe.

 

The facility will be run by the Enterprise Development and Education Network (Eden). Eden leader Anne-Marie Booth said: “The opening went really well. We had a near-constant flow of people all day and two young people volunteered to help.”

 

The cafe, decorated with pictures of the local area, will be open Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm.

via New cafe is space to meet in Ushaw Moor From The Northern Echo.

TEN gymnasts from Deerness Gymnastics Academy off to Portugal

TEN gymnasts from Deerness Gymnastics Academy, in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, will leave for the European Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships in Odivelas, Portugal, later this week. The contest runs from October 18 to 27. The ten are: Alex Houston, Tim Pritchard, Michael Gill, Liam Sneath, Stuart Napier, Chelsea Fisher, Abbi Greaves, Finn Gravin, Millie Nesbitt and Nathan Brady.

via Gymnasts off to Portugal From The Northern Echo.

Kids Club – The Hut, Chestnut Grove,Ushaw Moor

Kids Club is an after school activity club run by local mums and volunteers who are CRB checked and aims to provide recreational and leisure time activities for children aged 7 to 11 years in an effort to develop their physical and mental capacities and in doing so support them in growing to full maturity as individuals and members of society.

Kids Club meet every Tuesday from 5.00-6.30pm at the Hut Chestnut Grove Ushaw Moor, and provides children with a friendly, safe and stimulating environment, where they can enjoy making new friends. We provide a wide variety of activities to keep them busy after school and during school holidays, which includes the following:

• Arts and crafts
• Organised games
• Board games
• Sports (indoor / outdoor)
• Air hockey / football table / table tennis/ pool / x box 360
• Discos
• Environmental project activities
• Cookery Course
• Gardening Club
• Outings

via About Us.

River Wear Preservation Group – R Deerness Improvements – Open Day Oct 26th

 

A GROUP whose aim is to look after the River Wear and all its tributaries has been given a vote of confidence by a water chief.

Jerry Gallop, the national manager for the DEFRA Catchment Restoration Fund at the Environment Agency said he was very impressed with the work being done by the Wear Rivers Trust, who have been appointed the official custodians of the River Wear catchment, which includes all the waterways that flow into the river.

The trust is now working on a three year project to remove a number of barriers restricting fish movement throughout the River Deerness sub-catchment which will help to increase fish populations and benefit the wider environment.

Durham University have surveyed baseline fish populations and will measure improvements.

During his visit Mr Gallop was able to see some of the improvements that have been delivered on the River Deerness during the last 12 months and discuss the planned activity for the next year.

He said “The trust is looking at the whole picture along the river which is exactly what the catchment restoration fund and catchment based approach is looking for.

“The genuine desire to get the environmental outcomes is more than apparent.”

Partner organisations include the Environment Agency, Durham County Council, Northumbrian Water, Ground Work North East, Durham Wildlife Trust, Durham University, North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Natural England.

The trust will hold an open day starting at Ushaw Moor Bridge at 10am on Saturday, October 26, followed by another information event at Lion Mouth Rural Centre in Esh Winning at noon.

via River Wear preservation group gets support from Environment boss From The Northern Echo.

Deerness Gymnastics Academy, in Ushaw Moor

NORTH-East gymnasts have won four medals in an international contest.

Tumblers from Deerness Gymnastics Academy, in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, represented Great Britain in competition in Denmark last week (October 2-6).

British champion Steven Gilmore took a bronze in the 17-18 years category; while Georgina Clayton, also a British champion, won gold, Rachel Davies took silver and Matilda Hamilton picked up bronze in the 15-16 years section.

Ryan Drury finished sixth in the 15-16 category.

Glen Wharton, the academy’s head of tumbling, said: “Tumbling is a relatively new discipline for our club but we have been able to achieve a lot in a short amount of time and it’s a real achievement for the club to continue to represent Great Britain and for our gymnasts to win medals in internationals.”

Seven Deerness tumblers have been selected to represent Great Britain at the Tumbling World Championships in Bulgaria in November.

via Medals tumble at gymnastics contest From The Northern Echo.

Cash on offer to villages From Durham Times

RESIDENTS of 16 villages are to be asked what projects they would like to receive funding.

The Mid Durham Area Action Partnership (AAP) has £80,000 to spend and is looking to give £5,000 to each of the communities it serves.

Earlier this year members of the partnership, the parish council and county councillors held surgeries in the villages across Mid Durham and using the views of 800 residents they created 16 Village Action Plans. From these Action Plans project proposals have been identified which would benefit from a £5,000 boost.

Events will be held in each village at which residents can vote on which local scheme should be funded.

The £5,000 per village has been funded by contributions from the Mid Durham AAP, the Northern Clinical Commissioning Group and county councillors’ neighbourhood budgets.

Attendees will also be asked to help Durham County Council shape its budget in the coming years.

The sessions are: Burnhope, Ivy Leaf Club, Thursday, October 10, 4.30pm to 6.30pm; Lanchester, Community Centre, Saturday, October 12, 10am to noon; Castleside Village Hall, Saturday, October 12, 2pm to 4pm; New Brancepeth Village Hall, Tuesday, October 15, 4.30pm to 6.30pm; Langley Park, Woodview Community Centre, Saturday, October 19, 10am to noon; Quebec and Esh, Quebec Village Hall, Saturday, October 19, 2pm to 4pm; Ushaw Moor and Broompark, Ushaw Moor Catholic Club, October 23, 4.30pm to 6.30pm; Brandon, Meadowfield and Langley Moor, Meadowfield Leisure Centre, Saturday, October 26, 10am to noon; Esh Winning and Waterhouses, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church Hall, Saturday, October 26, 2pm to 4pm.

For more information call the partnership on 01207-529085 or e-mail mdaap@durham.gov.uk

via Cash on offer to villages From Durham Times.

Ushaw Moor pupils tackle school parking problem

CHILDREN in the North-East have issued their own tickets to prevent parents parking their cars outside their school.

Pupils from Silver Tree Primary school in Ushaw Moor, near Durham, have been working with police on the project to tackle the problem.

People are leaving their vehicles, blocking the road and making it unsafe for youngsters trying to cross.

PC Jeff Barksby said: “I arranged for the Year Four children to design their own ‘parking ticket’ in order to help with educating drivers, rather than prosecution.

“The idea is that myself and a small number of the school children will then issue the tickets as appropriate to motorists outside of the school to try and ensure a safer environment for children attending and leaving the school.”

Rhiannon Henry, eight, from Ushaw Moor, who designed the winning entry, was presented with £25 toy voucher at a special assembly at the school on Wednesday.

via Ushaw Moor pupils tackle school parking problem From The Northern Echo.