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Durham Coach Wins National Award from British Gymnastics | Bdaily Business News
A gymnastics coach from County Durham has been named as the National Coach of the Year by British Gymnastics this week at the 6th British Gymnastics National Awards ceremony.
The award for ‘Outstanding Coach of the Year” was awarded to Stuart Thompson, of Deerness Gymnastics Academy. This award recognises an individual from the British Gymnastics High Performance programmes who has produced outstanding International results through their athletes during 2014.
The British Gymnastics National Awards celebrated the achievements of some the most inspirational people in the gymnastics community at Manchester Cathedral in a glittering award ceremony where gymnasts and coaches from across the country, from Olympic medal winners to grassroots volunteers, gathered to see who had been crowned the best in the sport this year.
Stuart Thompson, 40, from Durham is a high performance coach in acrobatic gymnastics and last year returned from the world age group championships with all of his eight gymnasts winning Gold. He has previously coached senior world champions and world games silver medallists.
“It’s a real honour to receive this award,” said Stuart Thompson. “As there are so many dedicated coaches involved in gymnastics working tirelessly to develop and mentor their gymnast’s right across the country.
“I am very fortunate to be able to have a career in a sport that I love and I also have to thank my colleagues at Deerness Gymnastics Academy, the gymnasts and their parents for all of their hard work and commitment too. Without that the club wouldn’t gain the success that it does on a national and international stage.”
Following success as a gymnast in his own right, winning a bronze medal at the World Games in a men’s four in acrobatic gymnastics he turned to coaching in 1998 at what has now become Deerness Gymnastics Academy. Over the past 17 years Stuart has coached many British, European and World Champions at the club in Ushaw Moor, County Durham. He is also the coach and choreographer for Acropolis, the entertainment group that won Lets Gets Gold on ITV1 in 2012.
From outstanding elite gymnasts proudly taking medals on the world stage to the passionate workforce and volunteers dedicated to delivering the sport, the national awards ceremony was a fantastic celebration of gymnastics.
“Stuart has been involved in acrobatic gymnastics since he was a teenager, first as a international gymnast and then dedicating himself to becoming one of the top coaches in the country,” said Karl Wharton, director of Deerness Gymnastics Academy.
“It takes a lot of time, dedication and commitment to become a high performance coach and then to go on and win multiple medals on the world stage is no mean feat. The whole club is very proud of Stuart and I hope this award will inspire many of our gymnasts and young coaches to stay in the sport and together we hope the club will go on to be even more successful in the future.”
Over the past few years Deerness Gymnastics Academy has gone from strength to strength. Attracting gymnasts from right across the region, the club located in Ushaw Moor, County Durham provides many young people throughout Durham and the north east with the opportunity to improve their health and physical development, promote social and emotional skills as well as boost their confidence.
As a volunteer-led club, it has responsibility not only for coaching, training and the development of gymnasts, but also the training facility itself, Deerness Gymnastics Academy has maintained its status as one of the most successful clubs in Great Britain and continues to be recognised on the international scene as one of the top clubs in the world, with over 100 international gymnasts with more than eighty World and European medallists, including 15 World and European Champions in its roll of honour.
Gymnastics coaching in acrobatics, tumbling and trampolining is available to all ages from novice to elite level. Recreational classes are available for children from 3 years and Baby gym sessions take place on weekdays..
To find out more call: 0191 373 9413, email: contact@deernessgymnastics.org.uk or visit www.deernessgymnastics.org.uk follow on twitter @deernessga or find on Facebook
Source: Durham Coach Wins National Award from British Gymnastics | Bdaily Business News
Ushaw Moor & Broompark Community Newsletter / Summer 2015
Download the NEW Ushaw Moor Community Newsletter, News and events from Ushaw Moor and Broompark.
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.
Broompark Play area Officialy Opened (From Durham Times)
A CHILDREN’S play area in north Durham has been officially opened following a lengthy campaign by residents.
Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council recently completed the refurbishment of the £45,000 Broompark Play Area, on Broom Lane, near Durham City.
Parish council clerk Susan Carmedy said: “The same play site came up as a community concern and request for refurbishment in 2011 when several young people and residents sent a petition to the local MP Roberta Blackman-Woods.
“This was then looked at by Durham County Council’s outdoor sport and leisure department alongside the area action partnership, however further community consultation led to the play site next to Deerness Gymnastics Academy being refurbished.
“A lack of toddler play was again brought to the attention of the parish councillors and the county councillors for the area during the elections in 2013 and as the county council would not take this forward the parish council decided to take the lead.”
The proposed project went on to win £5,000 at the subsequent Village Vote event in November 2013.
Further funding was found from Durham County Councillors David Bell, Jean Chaplow and Anne Bonner, Mid Durham Area Action partnership and from Section 106 money secured from Gleeson Homes as part of their Ushaw Moor housing development at the former infant school site.
The play area is owned by Durham County Council, but the parish council has secured a 25 year lease.
It will be jointly managed by both authorities with the county cutting the grass and the parish maintaining the equipment.
Children from the St Joseph’s and Silver Trees Primary Schools were consulted on the choice of the final design.
Equipment caters for toddlers up to 11 years old and there are also four pieces of adult outdoor fitness equipment on the site.
Andy Coulthard, coordinator for Mid-Durham Area Action Partnership, said: “This project is real example what people power can achieve.
“Local children and their families have campaigned over many years for new play facilities in this part of the village.
“The refurbishment of the play area has been jointly funded and includes contributions from local county councillors and the AAP.
“We’re delighted to be able to support this project, in partnership with the local parish council.
“The new play area, which features new play and fitness equipment, is already proving popular with families.”
via Play area opened following public campaign (From Durham Times).
Community club celebrates 18th anniversary – 2-4 Club (From The Northern Echo)
A PARTY has been held to mark the 18th anniversary of a community club in north Durham.
A special tea and entertainment was laid on at St Joseph’s Catholic Club in Ushaw Moor this afternoon. (Tuesday, May 12)
It was held to mark the anniversary of the Tuesday 2-4 Club, which was launched in 1997.
At its height the club had around 90 regular attendees and still has around 60 members.
The event gave old friends the chance to have a reunion and catch up.
Lilian Sowerby, a member of the team, which organises the club, said: “It went absolutely brilliantly. We had a good turnout and it was absolutely marvellous.
“The lady who cut the cake, Monica Smith, is our oldest member and is 93 years old.”
Mrs Sowerby said new members are always welcome at the group, which runs every Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm, and costs £1 a week to cover tea, cakes and biscuits.
She added: “People get friendship out of the group and it gives them a social life. We play darts and dominoes and do a quiz and play bingo.
“We welcome new members of all denominations and people come from the surrounding areas to attend.”
via Community club celebrates 18th anniversary (From The Northern Echo).
Ushaw College buildings and grounds open to public from Saturday (From The Northern Echo)
A FORMER training college for priests for the Roman Catholic church is openings its doors to the public over coming months.
Ushaw College, a Roman Catholic seminary from inception in 1808 until the last trainees were consecrated in 2011, is considered a hidden gem, set in a large expanse countryside four miles west of Durham.
It has been linked with Durham University from 1968 and, since the last trainee priests left, its residential block has been used as overflow accommodation by both the university’s business school and more recently by Josephine Butler College.
Surrounded by 400-acres of picturesque grounds, between the villages of Ushaw Moor, Bearpark and Langley Park, the site includes Grade I and Grade II-listed buildings, including St Margaret’s Chapel and St Cuthbert’s Chapel, as well as an ornate exhibition hall and refectory.
All were built by English architect Augustus Pugin in the classic Gothic Renaissance style.
The charitable trust now running the former seminary was awarded a £3,000 grant towards the enhancement of its herbaceous borders in the formal gardens in front of the college.
Work also began restoring the 19th Century gardens last autumn with initially a 20-strong band of volunteers, swelled on occasions after a call for extra helping hands.
Roger Kelly, chair of the college’s concert and events group, which promotes use of the grounds and buildings, said it was the beginning of a bid to restore the site to its former glory.
“Already, since last September, a transformation has taken place.
“The overgrown borders have been weeded, saplings and briars cleared away, and the gift of 3,000 tulips has resulted in the central borders becoming a blaze of spring colour.”
Both the buildings and gardens are open to the public on Saturdays, from 12-noon to 5pm, with a gift shop and cafe running during those hours.
It includes entry to the chapels, refectory and exhibition hall, with admission free.
Over the next four weeks visitors will also have the chance to view the medieval chasuble, a vestment worn by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, during the recent funeral ceremonies for King Richard III in Leicester.
Tickets are available for a concert featuring the Durham-founded singing ensemble Renaissance in St Cuthbert’s College, at Ushaw, on Saturday, at 7.30pm.
They are available for £10 each from the box office at Durham’s Gala Theatre, but can also be bought on the door on the night.
via College buildings and grounds open to public from Saturday (From The Northern Echo).
GYMNASTICS: Deerness tumblers target more success as 2015 gets into full swing (From The Northern Echo)
DEERNESS Gymnastics Academy is hoping to get 2015 off to a flying start as its young tumblers enter the Regional NDP (National Development Program) Championships this weekend.
The regional championships are being held in Hartlepool tomorrow when 19 tumblers from Deerness will compete against other tumblers from the region to compete to represent the region at national level.
The 19 Deerness Gymnastics Academy gymnasts are: Tia Barratt, Mya Malthouse, Ava Bayles, Tom Reid, Olivia Bell, Samantha Tull, Sophie Smith, Beth Watson, Abigail Raine, Daniel Wilkinson, Tia Simpson, Lorna McAllister, Quinn Young, Solomon Cornwell, Lewis Westwood, Megan Young, Eve Coates, Cleo Watson and Amy Jeff.
In total 168 gymnasts from clubs right across the North-East will thrill and entertain with their skills as they contend for medals in the different categories and the opportunity to proceed to the National NDP semi-finals.
The top two in each category will make it through to the semi-finals in Peterborough in May and Sheffield in June, hoping to then qualify for the national finals.
Your 1950s council house could be the model for an exciting new project at Beamish Museum
Any one who has been to Beamish museum will be familiar with the 1900s pit village, the pre-World War I town, and the 1940s farm.
These, among other attractions, are as close as you’ll get to stepping back into the North East’s past.
Now, Beamish is planning an exciting addition to its unique “living history” experience – a 1950s town.
The museum is inviting people to nominate their 1950s semi-detached house and see it replicated at Beamish.
As part of the opening celebrations, you’ll even get the chance to enjoy a short stay in the completed home.
Beamish needs your help to decide which style of semi-detached house should be replicated in its ambitious plans for a new 1950s Town.
If you live, or used to live, in a semi-detached house in the North East, built between 1950 and 1959 and originally constructed as social housing (although not necessarily still social housing) then you can nominate it to be replicated at Beamish. (You might even want to have a chat with your neighbour to get them involved).
The house which will be included in the final plan is set to be decided by a public vote between March 27 and 30, 2015.
Richard Evans, Beamish’s Director, said: “Our 1950s Town will tell the stories of the North East’s communities during an important decade of change. What better way to do this than by recreating the real homes of real people, to be shared with more than half a million visitors each year?”
Post-war Britain was a time of great change. The construction of new social housing estates in the 1950s was a big part of this change, as town planners tried to build better homes for ordinary people.
If your house is chosen for inclusion in the project, Beamish would like to work with you to explore the history of your home and the impact of the 1950s within your community.
The 1950s Town is set to include, in addition to houses, a parade of shops, police house, cafe, cinema and recreation area.
Aged Miners’ Homes will be a centre for people living with dementia and their families and carers, and a 1950s trolleybus system and restored buses will transport visitors.
- If you’d like to nominate a 1950s semi, complete the online form at http://www.beamish.org.uk. Alternatively, you can send the museum a one-minute video clip, via a YouTube or Facebook link, explaining why you would like your house to be replicated. Closing date for entries is 9am on March 5, 2015. Full terms and conditions can be found on the Beamish website.
Beamish staff will be visiting communities across the North East to share information about the exciting project and encourage people to make nominations.
Go along and find out more at:
- Sunderland Bridges shopping centre, Saturday, January 24
- Grainger Market, Newcastle, Saturday, January 31
- Durham market place, Saturday, February 7
- King Street, South Shields, Saturday, February 14;
- Tynemouth Market, Sunday February 22.
Karl Wharton named Local Hero of the Year for his tireless work supporting young gymnasts
THE guiding light behind one of the North-East’s most successful gymnastics clubs was crowned 2014 Local Hero by sporting legend Steve Cram tonight (Thursday).
The 15th annual Northern Echo Local Heroes award saw sports stars, enthusiasts and administrators from across the North-East honoured at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre.
More than 800 people, including VIP guests such as former Sunderland ace Kevin Ball and athlete Allison Curbishley, saw Karl Wharton named Local Hero of the Year for his tireless work supporting young gymnasts.
The 51-year-old, from Ushaw Moor, founded the Deerness Gymnastics Academy and has dedicated 25 years of his life to helping youngsters and growing his club into one of the most successful sporting institutions in the region.
Mr Wharton has helped hundreds of gymnasts achieve sporting success, with more than 100 of his protégés representing Great Britain, over 80 winning medals and seven crowned as either European or world champions.
The university lecturer also served on the gymnastic’s world governing body and oversees the day-to-day running of the academy in his spare time.
Northern Echo editor and compere Peter Barron said: “In choosing a winner, the judges had an unenviable task.
“It was the closest call in the 15-year history of these awards, but the casting vote went to someone who epitomises what these awards are all about.
“It is someone who has invested a great deal of precious time into helping others excel at sport.
“It is someone who started from humble beginnings and created something very special – one of the leading grass roots sports organisations, not just in the North but the country.”
Mr Wharton also picked up the Sir Bobby Robson Leading Light Award and was awarded £5,000 by the County Durham Community Foundation in recognition of his dedication.
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