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Gymnasts bidding for Euro glory – Sunderland Echo
Six gymnasts from a Durham club are representing Britain in the Acrobatic European Championships in Germany.
The gymnasts are from Deerness Gymnastics Academy in Ushaw Moor.
Nathan Brady, Ryan Dury, Michael Gill and Finn Gavin will compete in the 12-18 Men’s Group. Although gold medallists in the world championships last year, this is a new line-up, with Ryan joining the team for his first international competition. The four are the current British champions.
Chelsea Fisher and Abbi Greaves will compete in the Senior Women’s Pair for the first time in an international competition after moving up from the age group category following their gold medal success at the World Championships in 2014. They are also current British champions.
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.
Troubled school hit by financial crisis – Durham Federation – From The Northern Echo
A CRISIS-hit federation school that was plunged into special measures just two years after being hailed the most improved in the country has hit a financial crisis, The Northern Echo can reveal.
Trevor Dunn, the principal at the Durham Federation, has written to staff and trade unions spelling out the need for “significant savings” to balance the budget.
Mr Dunn appealed for money saving ideas, including expressions of interest in early retirement or voluntary redundancy.
However, suggestions at least 15 jobs will be axed across the two schools, Durham Community Business College (DCBC) in Ushaw Moor and Fyndoune Community College in Sacriston, have been dismissed as premature.
However, Roberta Blackman-Woods MP, whose Durham City patch includes Ushaw Moor, said while it was very unfortunate, decisions on the federation’s future should not be rushed.
The Unison trade union, which represents many school staff, said it would be inappropriate to comment.
“The letter is clear that at this stage we are asking for suggestions or ideas to reduce spending, which could include expressions of interest in early retirement/voluntary redundancy, a reduction in hours, job sharing or new ways of working.”
He added: “I would like to stress that we are at the very early stages of this process and we will listen carefully to all suggestions before making any further decisions.”
The federation, the first in County Durham back in 2006, has suffered a remarkable fall from grace. Just two years ago, Fyndoune was the most improved secondary school in the country and DCBC was given £650,000 to pioneer vocational education with the region’s first Studio School sixth form.
Mr Jones said the conversion must happen as quickly as possible to minimise uncertainty for staff and families – and with a sponsor other than Durham County Council, which he accused of dragging its feet over the school’s leadership problems.
Dr Blackman-Woods linked the budget deficit to the school’s management problems but said she hoped compulsory redundancies could be avoided.
Troubled school hit by financial crisis – From The Northern Echo
Trio of gold medals for Deerness Gymnasts (From Durham Times)
NORTH EAST gymnasts from Deerness Gymnastics Academy have returned from the British Acrobatic Championships with three gold medals and one silver medal and with all reigning British Champions retaining their titles.
Twelve of the 15 gymnasts from Deerness Gymnastics Academy, who competed in British Acrobatic Gymnastic Championships last weekend against the very best acrobatic gymnasts from around the country, returned with a medal and the womens trio were a close fourth in their very first British Championships.
Abbi Greaves, 13, from Ushaw Moor and Chelsea Fisher, 17, from Darlington, took the British title for the second year in the 12-18 Womens Pair. Last year they also won a silver medal in the European Championships.
Millie Nesbitt, 15, from Durham and Liam Sneath, 17, from Spennymoor also took the British title for the second year in the 12-18 Mixed Pair. Last year they also won a silver medal in the European Championships.
Eight gymnasts competed in two different mens four groups. Winning the gold medal and British title in the 11-16 age category were Michael Gill, 15, from Ponteland, Nathan Brady, 15, from Durham, Stuart Napier, 14, from Durham and Finn Gavin, 12, from Alnwick.
via Trio of gold medals for Deerness gymnasts (From Durham Times).
Top award for Ushaw Moor Kids Club (From The Northern Echo)
A KIDS’ club has been honoured for its work encouraging children to follow healthy lifestyles.
Ushaw Moor Kids Club received an Outstanding Energy Club Award from Sports Leaders UK.
The national group praised the club’s work in encouraging children to take part in physical activity, recruiting parent volunteers and running cooking workshops.
The club was established in Ushaw Moor, near Durham, a year ago this week.
Chairman John Booth said: “We are delighted to receive this award.
“The parents have a lot of fun and are as daft as the kids. It’s brilliant to see the kids interacting with the adults in a fun way.”
Emily Burns, from Sports Leaders UK, said: “Ushaw Moor Kids Club have had so much parent support which is great to see in a village.”
via Top award for Ushaw Moor Kids Club (From The Northern Echo).
Ushaw Moor Celebrate Start of Christmas – Decorate Our Community TREE
RESIDENTS are being invited to plant and decorate a community Christmas tree.
The festive tree will be planted in Ushaw Moor Community Garden next week with a free family fun day being organised around the decoration of the tree.
Ushaw Moor Action Group organised the planting of the tree in the community garden where it can be seen by people passing on the main road.
Currently, the village has no lights and there is demand for a tree to give the community a festive feeling.
Other activities include card and wreath making workshops and a Santa’s grotto where children will be given a free gift.
There will also be a selection of free food and drinks on offer including hog roast, hot drinks and mince pies.
The event will take place on Saturday, December 7 from noon to 3pm at Ushaw Moor Community Garden.
via Village to celebrate start of Christmas From The Northern Echo.
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.
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