Fire, ice and more

Good morning, Durham! Have you noticed recently that the nights are beginning to stay lighter for longer?

In this week’s Durham Scoop:

• Fire and Ice Festival is back

• Durham honours world-renowned sculptor

• Durham Cricket Club plans new hotel and stand

• Europe's premier scare fest to thrill Durham

• And much more!

Let’s get to it.

— Stephen

🔥 🧊 Fire and Ice Festival is back to light up Durham this half-term

Durham is bracing for the return of the Fire and Ice Festival this half term, promising a spectacle that's not to be missed. Scheduled for 23 and 24 February, this star-studded event, organised by Durham BID, is set to dazzle visitors from 10 am to 5.45 pm promising a magical blend of fiery displays and intricate ice sculptures that will transform the city into a wonderland of creativity.

This year's theme ‘Stars of the Screen’ brings the magic of film and TV to icy life with 14 spectacular sculptures including favourites like Thing from "Wednesday", a menacing Demogorgon from "Stranger Things", and the mighty Mjölnir from the Thor saga.

But that's not all - fans of sci-fi and fantasy can look forward to chilling encounters with an Alien sculpture, time travel with a Dalek, and even find The Genie’s Lamp and The Millennium Falcon frozen in time. With have-a-go ice carving sessions and breathtaking Fire and Ice Shows set against Durham's historic backdrop, the festival is a perfect day out for families, offering something for everyone.

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THE DIGEST

Durham honours world-renowned sculptor Dr Fenwick Lawson

Durham City has unveiled an English Heritage blue plaque in honour of the world-renowned sculptor, Dr Fenwick Lawson. Located on Bow Lane, where Lawson lived from 1977 to 2015, the plaque celebrates the artist's contributions to the UK's art scene, including the famed sculpture ‘The Journey’ and his deep-rooted connection to the local community.

At a heartfelt ceremony attended by admirers and notable figures like Sir Brendan Foster, Lawson's legacy was celebrated as one that continues to inspire and enrich the cultural side of Durham and beyond. Read more.

The Bay Horse dazzles in Michelin Guide 2024

The Bay Horse in Hurworth has once again cemented its place in the esteemed Michelin Guide 2024. The County Durham gastropub, renowned for its ambitious modern dishes and the serene beauty of its garden and terrace, continues to earn accolades, including the Michelin Bib Gourmand and Gastropub Chef of the Year.

Praised for its innovative cuisine and the iconic caramelised rice pudding, The Bay Horse's dedication to creating a memorable dining experience has captivated locals and earned it a prestigious spot in the global culinary spotlight. Read more.

North East's devolution deal to ignite culture and sport

In a recent op-ed with the Chronicle, Durham County Council leader Amanda Hopgood unveils the transformative potential of the new North East mayoral authority, setting the stage for a vibrant cultural and sporting renaissance.

Hopgood says the devolution deal promises to leverage the region's unique blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and robust sporting heritage to fuel economic growth and community engagement.

By fostering collaboration across cities and focusing on culture, creativity, leisure, and sport, this initiative aims to celebrate the North East's distinct identity and create a more connected, accessible, and enjoyable place for both residents and visitors. Read more.

WEATHER

Durham's skies are set to showcase a bit of everything this week. It's a reminder to stay versatile with your wardrobe, perhaps sidelining the heavy coats but keeping those layers and umbrellas within arm's reach.

Monday, 19th Feb: Max Temp: 11°C 🌡️ Min Temp: 8°C | Cloudy changing to sunny by late morning ☁️ ➡️ 🌤️

Tuesday, 20th Feb: Max Temp: 13°C 🌡️ Min Temp: 5°C | Cloudy changing to clear by early evening ☁️ ➡️ 🌙

Wednesday, 21st Feb: Max Temp: 13°C 🌡️ Min Temp: 5°C | Overcast changing to heavy rain by late morning ☁️ ➡️ 🌧️

Thursday, 22nd Feb: Max Temp: 8°C 🌡️ Min Temp: 2°C | Light showers changing to cloudy by lunchtime 🌦️ ➡️ ☁️

Friday, 23rd Feb: Max Temp: 8°C 🌡️ Min Temp: 3°C | Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning ☁️ ➡️ 🌤️

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Durham Cricket Club hits a six: New hotel and seating stand at Riverside 🏏

Durham Cricket Club is setting the stage for a major sporting makeover - a £27m development plan aiming to bowl us over with a 154-bed hotel and a new two-tier seating stand at the Riverside. This ambitious expansion is about enhancing the match day experience with rooms offering pitch-side views and a forward drive for local tourism and employment, promising to create up to 120 jobs.

With designs inspired by iconic cricket venues like Old Trafford and the Rose Bowl, this project is ready to hit a six in making Durham a top destination for sports, leisure, and business. Read more.

Durham's cultural landscape to shine with the opening of 'The Story' at Mount Oswald

Durham is set to welcome an exciting addition to its cultural scene this summer, as 'The Story' opens its doors to the public. Located within the beautifully restored Grade II listed Mount Oswald manor house, will house the entire Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Collection.

For the first time since 1998, the collection will be reunited with the DLI Archive, allowing visitors to learn about County Durham's 900 years of rich history and heritage through exhibitions, activities, and state-of-the-art digital tools.

Thanks to a generous £1.2 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, 'The Story' promises to be a hub of learning and discovery for all ages. Read more.

Europe's premier scare fest, Psycho Path, thrills Durham this June 😈

Psycho Path, crowned the UK's top scream park by ScareCON, is gearing up to bring chills and thrills right to our doorstep at Lintz Hall Farm. Mark your calendars for 5th June, because Europe's largest scare fest is making a historic move north, promising an unforgettable experience.

From the spine-tingling Scare Ball kickoff to exploring haunted attractions and mingling with the masters of fright, this event is a dream (or should we say nightmare?) come true for adrenaline junkies. With early bird tickets already on sale, you can secure your spot for a scream of a time. Find out more.

DURHAM BUSINESS NEWS

Darlington welcomes cutting-edge podcast studio to boost local business 🎙️

Darlington has opened its doors to the town's first professional podcast studio, housed within Business Central. The innovative Darlington Stream Space is set to revolutionise how local businesses engage with their audiences, offering state-of-the-art sound and recording equipment, along with the option for professional technical support.

This new facility, a collaborative effort spearheaded by Adam Walker of Hubspoke Media and supported by Business Central's manager, Vanessa Wood, promises to provide a platform for sharing the human stories behind local brands, fostering a stronger community connection through the growing trend of podcasting. Read more.

Join Co Durham's exclusive productivity programme for the hospitality sector 🍜

Food and Drink North East is joining forces with RTC North and Durham County Council to roll out a fantastic opportunity to boost productivity for our local food, drink, and hospitality businesses. This fully funded programme is part of the broader Durham Business Growth initiative, offering face-to-face workshops and bespoke 1:1 mentoring designed to enhance business performance and profitability. With a call for 25 businesses to join this early March workshop, it's a golden chance to gain invaluable insights and practical advice on refining operations. Read more.

Raby Castle on recruitment drive ahead of its restoration project

Ahead of the opening of its new visitor experience this spring, Raby Castle is advertising for several new job vacancies. A key area of the restoration project is the recreation of the historic glass house into a beautiful dining destination with stunning panoramic views of Raby Castle. The Vinery Restaurant will provide many unique career opportunities including a sous chef and a bakery and pastry chef. See all Raby Estate opportunities here.

EXTRA SPRINKLES

• New banking hub service set to open up in Ferryhill (link)

• Co Durham residents invited to join board to decide how to spend £20m funding (link)

• £25m Co Durham residential development set to deliver over 100 new affordable homes (link)

• Durham Coffee Roasters announce new coffee training courses (link)

• Elvet & Bailey announce their next exhibition (link)

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd

• NE Volume Bar - The Bad Actors - Thur 22nd, 6 pm (tickets)

• The Forum - Outcast Syndicate & Succour - Thur 22nd, 7:30 pm (tickets)

• The Fire Station - Marvin Gaye Songbook - Friday 23rd, 7:30 pm (tickets)

• The Forum - Beatlemania - Fri 23nd, 7:30pm (tickets)

• The Canteen Bar - Ana Muñoz Saiz - Fri 23rd, 8 pm (tickets)

Saturday 24th

• Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern - James Hedley - (more info)

• The Studio - Now that's what I call the 80's - 7 pm (tickets)

• Durham Cathedral - Lost in Music - 7:30 pm (tickets)

• The Forum - The Bryan Adams Experience - 7:30 pm (tickets)

• The White Room - Bert Louissen & Kenny Jobson - 8 pm (tickets)

• Live Lounge - Broken Toys - 8:30 pm (tickets)

• Ushaw Historic House - Candlelight: Pink Floyd tribute - 9 pm (tickets)

Sunday 25th

• The Witham - Barnard Castle Band - 2 pm (tickets)

• Vesuvio - Mean Street - 4 pm (tickets)

THANKS!

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