Chester le Street

VOLUNTEERS are calling on people with memory loss, long term illness or who are feeling socially isolated, to join a Rhythm not Blues group to help improve wellbeing and meet new friends. The weekly group in Chester-le-Street offers people and their carers an opportunity to socialise, enjoy music and dancing and develop friendships. The group supports about 25 people every week with music therapy. Volunteers hope to reach even more people after receiving a Big Lottery Fund grant. Loading article content A spokesperson said: “This is a friendly and welcoming group, and more about being social and together than having any singing or music skills. The sessions are led by a trained music therapist, and everyone is welcome to drop in.” Sessions take place on Mondays at Chester-le-Street Community Association on Newcastle Road. The cafe opens at 2pm with music and singing from 2.30pm- 3.30pm. … [Read more...] about Rhythm not Blues group helps people through music

PARENTS at primary schools across the region have been helping to get classes back on track. Clair Pendleton, of Friends of Ouston Primary School, in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, said a number of parents, staff and governors pulled together to clear the school and access roads of snow and ice. She said: “We were told that the route to the school was not a priority for clearance by the county council. Loading article content “The school was therefore at risk of closing for a fourth day, so parents volunteered to start clearing snow. She said: “Not only did they clear all around the school grounds when they heard that no gritter would be sent to clear the access road, they also cleared the street outside the school, the parking bays outside Ouston shops, which are used by parents, and then the main street all the way to the main road that runs through the village of Ouston. It was such an amazing response and we are so grateful to everyone who … [Read more...] about Parent power gets school open

A MAN has appeared in court accused of threatening a pensioner with a knife and forcing him to hand over his keys so he could steal his car. Jason Andrew Bolingbrooke, 23, of Pine Street, Chester-le-Street, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court this morning. He faced charges of robbery, possession of a bladed article and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent following an incident at Horden on Saturday afternoon. Loading article content He is also accused of attempted robbery and being in possession of a bladed article in a public place, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, following an incident in Peterlee the previous night. No pleas were entered and the case was sent to Durham Crown Court on April 6. Mr Bolingbrooke was remanded into custody until then. … [Read more...] about Robbery accused appears in court

GATEWAY Wheelers has been presented with a grant of £2,500 from MAXIMUS Foundation UK to build a new website so it can reach more people and bring the joy of cycling into more disabled people’s lives. The charity enables people with disabilities to enjoy cycling in Chester-le-Street and Darlington. It organises a number of fun, suitable rides, and has a wide range of bicycles, tricycles, go karts and two-person cycles. Sarah Young, development officer of Gateway Wheelers, said: “The new website will go a long way in helping us reach more people and tell the stories of our members and volunteers.” Loading article content … [Read more...] about Grant means new website for Gateway Wheelers

IT’S a touching scene in the cavernous main hall of a North-East sports centre, as little girls in a variety of football shirts stop trying to tackle each other and turn their attention to the bespectacled, middle-aged woman who’s just walked through the door. “Julie! Julie!” they shout, gathering round her, giving her cuddles, and gushing with news of their latest exploits. It’s a display of affection José Mourinho could never hope to receive from his Premier League stars, but Julie Scurfield is clearly “The Special One” in this part of County Durham. Mum-of-two Julie, 54, was in tears on stage at Durham’s Gala Theatre last week when she won the Contribution To Sport category at the Active Durham Sport and Physical Activity Awards, in recognition of the impact she’s had on women’s and girls’ football. Loading article content A few days later at Abbey Leisure Centre in Pity Me, watching her interact with … [Read more...] about She lost her first game 20-0 and it took 3 years to score a goal