Arenas and award winners

Good morning, Durham! Today is World Egg Day so if that’s not an excuse for having scrambled eggs I don’t know what is.

In this week’s Durham Scoop:

• Exploring the proposed Durham Arena’s potential

• Holiday park named best in the UK

• Durham tourism continues to boom

• Young chef wins Best in the North East

• Durham man's 230-mile walk in memory of his nan

• Business news and more!

Let’s get to it.

— Stephen

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DEVELOPMENT

Exclusive: Exploring the proposed Durham Arena’s potential impact on the county

The announced proposal for the Durham Arena would make it one of the most ambitious projects in County Durham in recent years.

Set against the backdrop of Dalton Park, it aims to redefine County Durham as a cultural and community hub, drawing both national and international visitors with its convenient location and state-of-the-art facilities.

If approved, this development will become the largest indoor venue in the North East, featuring a world-class 15,000-seat music venue, sports facilities, and extensive hospitality options.

Spearheaded by Alex Bastholm, the man behind the Dalton Park development, the Durham Arena promises to create over 1,500 jobs, boost local businesses, and foster community engagement.

We spoke to the team behind the development of the Durham Arena to understand how they envisage it will impact the region if it gets the green light.

In our article, we explore the potential economic benefits, environmental considerations, and the exciting future this project holds for our region.

Get the scoop on the Durham Arena.

THE DIGEST

🌊 Durham holiday park named best in UK by TripAdvisor: Crimdon Dene Holiday Park has once again been recognised as one of the UK's finest, earning the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for the second year running. Situated along the Durham Heritage Coast, this accolade highlights the park's exceptional hospitality and commitment to guest satisfaction. [link]

👩‍🍳 Rockliffe Hall's Abigail Smith is North East Young Chef of the Year 2024: Abigail Smith, an 18-year-old commis chef at Rockliffe Hall's Orangery restaurant, has been named 'North East Young Chef of the Year' for 2024. She won the award after impressing judges with a sustainability-focused three-course menu during the competition organised by the North East Culinary and Trade Association. [link]

🧳 Durham's tourism boom continues: The latest figures reveal Durham's tourism sector continues to grow with visitor spending increasing by 18.8% to £1.23 billion. Over 20 million people visited the county in 2023, driven by major attractions like The Auckland Project and Beamish Museum. Employment in tourism also grew. With upcoming developments like New Hall at Locomotion and The Rising at Raby Castle, Durham is set for continued growth. [link]

💰 County Durham mam scoops £1m from lottery lucky dip: Toni Henderson saw her life change overnight when the lucky numbers were drawn, giving her and her young son an unbelievable £1,000,000 prize. The admin assistant and mam of one bought two lucky dips tickets in April. Upon checking, she believed she had won £1,700 - but it turned out to be so much more. [link]

🏛️ Durham Uni's Global Lecture Series visits Washington DC: Durham University has brought its Global Lecture Series to Washington DC, where senior colleagues reinforced partnerships with key institutions. The event featured a fireside chat between Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien and Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill. The Bishop Aukland born Dr Hill highlighted the links between Durham and Washington, drawing from her own experiences to emphasise the vital role of education in fostering social cohesion. [link]

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

📸 Jason Row | 📍 The river from Prebends Bridge with the Cathedral and Prince Bishops River Cruise in view.

Tag us on Instagram or Facebook with your brilliant photos of Durham to get in the Scoop!

WEATHER

This week in Durham, the sun will make cheeky appearances throughout while clouds and a few showers keep you guessing. So, keep your brolly close and enjoy those sunny moments when they appear.

• Monday, 3rd: 20°C 🌡️ 11°C. Cloudy changing to sunny ☁️ ➡️ 🌤️

• Tuesday, 4th: 17°C 🌡️ 7°C. Cloudy changing to light showers ☁️ ➡️ 🌦️

• Wednesday, 5th: 15°C 🌡️ 8°C. Sunny changing to cloudy 🌤️ ➡️ ☁️

• Thursday, 6th: 15°C 🌡️ 8°C. Sunny changing to cloudy 🌤️ ➡️ ☁️

• Friday, 7th: 16°C 🌡️ 7°C. Sunny intervals changing to cloudy 🌤️ ➡️ ☁️

CHARITY

Barnard Castle man's 230-mile walk in memory of his nan

Adam Wheeler, a 27-year-old from Barnard Castle, is challenging himself to the Cape Wrath Trail, a 230-mile trek from Fort William through the Scottish Highlands.

Adam is taking on the challenge in memory of his late nan, Vera, who passed away from Acute Myeloid leukaemia in April.

His gruelling journey, often called Britain's toughest hike, aims to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Adam has already raised over £500 and hopes to increase this amount significantly.

You can follow his progress and support his cause through his JustGiving page.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

Properties in Co Durham borders that recently came to market.

Esperley Lane, Cockfield

Oakwood Hall is a beautifully presented Victorian period property set over three floors, offering four bedrooms and four reception rooms, situated on a generous plot with well-stocked gardens and an additional 1.12-acre paddock across Esperley Lane. The property features original Victorian elements, a spacious kitchen with a central island, and an impressive drawing room with garden views. It also includes a double garage, parking for up to six vehicles, and various outbuildings.

Check the listing to see the price.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Music

🎤 A Vision of Elvis. Friday 7th June, 7:30 pm: Put on your blue suede shoes and come to celebrate the music of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll with the UK’s supreme Elvis – Rob Kinglsey – and his talented cast. This breath-taking recreation of a live Elvis Presley concert takes you on an epic audio-visual journey through time like you’ve never seen before. At The Fire Station. Tickets.

🎶 Simon & Garfunkel: Through the Years. Friday 7th June, 8 pm: The most authentic-sounding concert to the unforgettable music of Simon & Garfunkel. Made up of Dan Haynes & Pete Richards, Bookends have toured the globe extensively with their concerts being described as ‘simply breath-taking’. At Durham Cathedral. Tickets.

🏴‍☠️ Williams vs Zimmer. Sunday 9th June, 7 pm. Join the award-winning EverReady Band for a celebration of Hollywood's favourite composers: John Williams and Hans Zimmer. Enjoy epic themes from these two musical titans, accompanied by your favourite blockbuster moments from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean and Superman to name a few. At The Fire Station. Tickets

🎻 Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Friday 14th June, 6:45 pm. Durham University Orchestral Society and Durham University Choral Society are delighted to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony hosted in the atmospheric Durham Cathedral. Featuring the masterwork ‘Ode to Joy’, Beethoven’s ‘Choral’ Symphony celebrates humankind and acts as an advocate for equality and peace. At Durham Cathedral. Tickets.

Film

🪖 Saving Private Ryan. Thursday 6th June, 7:15 pm: Join the Gala Durham at their cinema as they mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day with a screening of the classic war film, Saving Private Ryan. Released in 1998, Steven Spielberg's Second World War blockbuster stars Tom Hanks as leader of a platoon of D-Day soldiers ordered to find and rescue the sole surviving sibling of a family of four brothers. At Durham Gala. Tickets.

Sports

🚣 Durham Regatta 2024. Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June. Get ready for a spectacular weekend of racing and bank-side entertainment. The Durham Regatta not only offers thrilling racing but also a variety of attractions for everyone. Entertainment from bands and performers along with a great selection of stalls to browse and local foods make it a brilliant family event. At Durham City. More info.

Theatre

🎭 Macbeth. Friday 7th June, 1:45 pm: Shakespeare’s brutal tragedy is given new life in this haunting, break-neck adaptation, retaining the intensity and intrigue of Macbeth in 80 high-octane minutes, with two award-winning actors brilliantly and boldly bringing more than 20 roles to life. At Sunderland Empire. Tickets.

🤖 Dr Who. 13th - 15th June, 7:30 pm. Ooook! returns with its annual 'sitcom'. This year its Dr Who adapted by Harry Threapleton. The Doctor and Donna are investigating Adipose Industries and its mysterious weight loss pills, comically missing each other at every turn. They must work together to stop the Racnoss and her army of robot Santas. At Assembly Rooms. Tickets.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Pretty Woman: The Musical. Until the 8th June, 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. With a blazing rock score from Grammy winners Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (Summer of ’69, Heaven), direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray) and a book by the original movie’s director Garry Marshall & screenwriter J.F. Lawton, a powerhouse creative team representing the best of music, Hollywood and Broadway ensures you’ll have a pretty magical time at Pretty Woman: The Musical. At The Sunderland Empire. Tickets

Children

🤴 Horrible Histories Live: Rotten Royals. Friday 7th and Saturday 8th June. Would you be wooed by Richard the Lionheart? Are you ready for a date with King Edward I? Would you be shaken or stirred by Richard III? Boasting the funniest and most outrageous regal scenes from the hit Barmy Britain shows, Rotten Royals promises Durham will be most amused! At Durham Gala. Tickets

BUSINESS NEWS

🧀 Prima Cheese eyes growth in London: County Durham-headquartered Prima Cheese, which is one of the largest exporters of dairy products in the country, has acquired a new site in London as it looks to exploit opportunities for international trade. The family-owned and founded business specialises in the supply of processed cheese, exporting its products to more than 50 countries. [link]

📊 Kromek expects to post record revenues on the back of rising demand: County Durham-based tech firm Kromek says it expects to post record revenues later this year on the back of commercial momentum. The Sedgefield business issued a full-year trading update saying the group expects to report record revenues for FY 2024. [link]

👶 County Durham nursery group named one of the best in the UK: Clever Clogs Nursery Group has been named one of the top nursery groups in the UK, achieving a perfect score in a national poll voted on by parents and ranking fourth overall. The group's three individual nurseries also performed exceptionally well, with each placing in the top ten of the regional rankings for the North East. [link]

HOW DID WE DO?

THANKS!

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