Durham's beauty through the lens

Good morning, Durham! And a Happy New Year to you!

We’re looking forward to bringing you everything going on in Durham in 2024.

In today’s newsletter:

• Durham’s beauty through the lens

• North East duo win The Voice UK

• Durham railway covered on the BBC

• Durham clash with Man City in historic match

• And much more.

Let’s get to it.

— Stephen

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Durham's beauty through the lens 📸

Discover Durham like never before through the eyes of our talented local photographers.

From the quaint cobbled streets of the city to the sweeping landscapes of the county, these Instagram maestros are capturing the essence of Durham, one stunning snapshot at a time.

Their diverse perspectives, ranging from aerial views to intimate street scenes, not only celebrate our county’s beauty but also invite people globally to experience the unique charm of Durham.

Our recent article is about showcasing and appreciating these visual storytellers who are putting Durham on the global map and making our county a must-visit destination through their captivating imagery.

@DURHAMSCOOP

📸 @leehillphotography | 📍 Penshaw Monument from Durham Cathedral

Tag @durhamscoop with your brilliant photos of Durham to get in the Scoop!

THE DIGEST

North East duo, Jen & Liv, clinch victory on The Voice UK 🎤

Exciting news for music fans in Durham! Spennymoor's own Olivia Irvin and Jen Wheatman from Whitley Bay, the sensational duo known as Jen & Liv, have triumphed in the final of The Voice UK 2023.

Making history as the first group to win the show, they wowed the audience and judges with their innovative cover of Whitney Houston's I'm Every Woman. Guided by Will.I.Am, their journey from busking on Newcastle’s Northumberland Street to clinching a record deal is an inspiring tale of local talent making it big. Read more.

Sidenote: Is it me or do people from the North East win a disproportionate number of talent and reality shows?

Durham's own Fiona Hill honoured by the King

Chancellor of Durham University, Dr Fiona Hill, has been named a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 2024 New Year Honours. This prestigious accolade from King Charles III recognises her significant contributions to international relations and US-UK relations.

The County Durham native and a globally respected foreign affairs expert, Dr Hill's honour is a proud moment for both the University and the North East.

Born in Bishop Auckland, the daughter of a Durham coal miner went on to advise not just one US president but three is an awe-inspiring achievement. More on Durham University’s website.

Weardale Railway in spotlight on BBC's 'Weekend Escapes'

In a delightful showcase of County Durham's railway heritage, Weardale Railway was featured in the BBC's 'Weekend Escapes', which aired on New Year’s Day. Viewers were treated to an enchanting episode where Robson Green and Lee Ingleby unravelled the mysteries of the scenic 18-mile heritage line.

The duo's adventures included a forest fitness class in Hamsterley Forest and managing a Rolls Royce-powered train, culminating in a stay at a local farm and a raft-building course in a disused quarry. This episode brought to life the unique charm and history of Weardale Railway and if you missed it you can catch up on BBC iPlayer.

WEATHER

A mild start to the New Year. Importantly, temperatures are above zero and there will be little rain. At least for this week.

Tuesday 

9 🌡️ 4 | ☁️ | 💨 SSW 8 mph

Wednesday 

8 🌡️ 3 | ☁️ | 💨 SW 7 mph

Thursday 

7 🌡️ 0 | ⛅️ | 💨 SW 8 mph

Friday 

6 🌡️ 2 | 🌧️ | 💨 WNW 9 mph

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Durham Women vs Manchester City: A historic match live on BBC

Get ready for an extraordinary day in Durham football history! Durham Women are set to face Manchester City Women in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Fourth Round on Sunday 12:30 pm, 14 January at Maiden Castle.

This epic showdown will feature our local heroes challenging a star-studded Barclays Women’s Super League team, including some England Lionesses.

In a first for Durham Women, this monumental match will be broadcast live on the BBC, available via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online in the UK.

Tickets for the match sold out in under 20 hours, promising a record crowd at Maiden Castle. For those who secured tickets, prepare for an unforgettable experience. And for fans watching from home, tune in to support our team in this historic clash.

Discover Curiosity at Bowes Museum

Bowes Museum is transforming its galleries into interactive spaces designed to ignite curiosity and inspire creativity. Dubbed 'The Curiosity Project', these new spaces invite visitors to explore stories behind unique objects, engage with art-making processes, and participate in thought-provoking conversations.

Opening in April 2024, the project includes innovative areas like 'The Hive' for community-curated collections and interactive spaces for hands-on learning and dialogue.

Spearheaded by the museum's director, Vicky Sturrs, and shaped by visitor feedback, these galleries promise a fresh and engaging museum experience, emphasising the joy of discovery and the power of collaborative creation. More on the Northern Echo.

Twelfth Night festivities at Beamish: A seasonal spectacle not to miss

As we bid farewell to the festive season, don't miss your chance to experience the Twelfth Night Celebrations at Beamish Museum. This historical extravaganza, running through to 6 January, offers an immersive journey into yesteryear's New Year traditions.

From lively music by The Ran Tanners and Ceilidh dancing with the King Cole band to crafting Twelfth Night masks, there's joyous entertainment for all ages

The museum’s Pockerley Old Hall has been transformed into a Georgian festive hub and wander through the 1900s pit village to experience the first-footing tradition. The festivities end soon so go while you can. More info here.

DURHAM BUSINESS NEWS

New ‘padel tennis’ venue set to open in Durham

Durham is set to welcome its first dedicated padel tennis facility, offering a unique blend of tennis and squash.

True Padel, on Belmont Industrial Estate, promises a state-of-the-art experience with nine indoor courts, including two show courts, and modern amenities such as a sports room/cafe and a retail shop.

Keep an eye out for its grand opening to the public in mid-January, following a private launch on 7 January. Padel tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world so perhaps we’ll have some budding champions coming out of Durham shortly. Read more.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Sunderland Empire - Some Guys Have All the Luck - Friday 5th, 7: 30 pm (tickets)

Live Lounge - Electric Sheep - Friday 5th, 8 pm (tickets)

Forum Music Centre - The Jam’d - Friday 5th, 8:30 pm (tickets)

The Point - Luke Combs - Sunday 7th, 7:30 pm (tickets)

THANKS!

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