Gymnastic gem gearing up for two big competitions – Northumberland Gazette

A talented gymnast from Felton is relishing the prospect of competing at two major events, which will pit him against national and international acrobats.

Finn Gavin will be heading to the British Championships in Liverpool this weekend, before representing Great Britain in the Acrobatic European Championships in Germany in September.

The 13-year-old, who trains at Durham’s Deerness Gymnastics Academy, will be competing in the 12-18 age group for men’s four.

His team will consist of fellow Deerness members Michael Gill, 17, from Ponteland, Nathan Brady, 17, from Durham, and Ryan Dury, 18, of Teesside, for both events.

Last year, Gavin, Gill and Brady won both the British Championship and Word Championship in the 11-16 age group. Dury is a new team member.

Finn says he is looking forward to the challenges of both events.

via Gymnastic gem gearing up for two big competitions – Northumberland Gazette.

Pupils Make Their Own Banner for Gala : Silver Tree Primary School – Ushaw Moor

The artwork combines modern images from Silver Tree Primary School in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, with pictures of the village’s past as a mining community – a miners’ lamp, a pick axe and a coal wagon.

Since 1871 scores of banners new and old – each one representing a colliery community – have been paraded through the streets of Durham as part of the city’s gala celebrations. This year’s event – on Saturday – will be no different.

In recent years, the number of banners has increased as schools and community groups have embarked on restoring them or making new ones.

Ushaw Moor’s pit closed in 1960 but there is still a fascination with the area’s mining past – a clue to why the gala remains one of the largest union organised gatherings in the country.

“We have been learning a lot about mining – it’s really interesting,” Millie told me, adding that she never misses the gala.

via Durham Miners’ Gala: Continuing success of the city’s celebration – BBC News.