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Comedy festival returns, Defoe launches football academy, Durham Easter egg run and more!
Stephen
March 25, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes
Good morning, Durham!
You can now let us know what you think of each edition of the Durham Scoop voting in the poll at the bottom of this newsletter.
In today’s Durham Scoop:
Comedy festival returns
Defoe launches Co Durham football academy
Durham’s Easter egg run
Walkies at Raby Castle
And much more!
Let’s get to it.
— Stephen
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
📸 Marion Charlton | 📍 Elvet Bridge / Saddler Street
DURHAM PEOPLE
Love across borders: Solange Johns celebrates a century of adventure and resilience
Solange soon after meeting Tony in Brussels and celebrating her 100th birthday (Image: Family)
In a tale that intertwines the threads of war, love, and a journey across countries, Solange Johns of Spennymoor recently celebrated her 100th birthday with her family at a care home in Bishop Auckland.
Born in the picturesque Lauwe in Belgium, Solange's life was changed forever due to the outbreak of the Second World War. Her life took a romantic turn on New Year's Eve in liberated Brussels, where she shared a kiss with a dashing RAF serviceman from Durham that would change her future.
This kiss beside a fountain was the beginning of a lifelong partnership with Tony Johns that saw Solange move to England, embracing a new life in County Durham.
Over the years, Solange has become a cherished figure in the community, remembered fondly as the school dinner lady. Her story is of courage, love, and a remarkable life that experienced the terrors of war to the tranquillity of making a home in County Durham.
Happy birthday, Solange!
WEATHER
Looks like a bit of a mixed bag, so it might be wise to keep an umbrella handy!
Monday, 25th: 8°C 🌡️ 6°C. Overcast changing to heavy rain in the afternoon 🌥️ ➡️ 🌧️
Tuesday, 26th: 10°C 🌡️ 4°C. Light rain changing to cloudy by late morning 🌦️ ➡️ ☁️
Wednesday, 27th: 10°C 🌡️ 4°C. Overcast changing to light rain by late morning 🌥️ ➡️ 🌦️
Thursday, 28th: 10°C 🌡️ 5°C. Overcast changing to light showers in the afternoon 🌥️ ➡️ 🌦️
Friday, 29th: 12°C 🌡️ 5°C. Sunny intervals changing to light showers in the afternoon ⛅ ➡️ 🌦️
COMEDY
😂 Laughs galore as Consett Comedy Festival returns
The much-loved Consett Comedy Festival is returning from 2nd - 5th May featuring a lineup of stellar comedians who've made waves across the UK and on TV.
From the uproarious Phil Reid to the beloved Crissy Rock and the legendary Joe Pasquale, each evening is packed with talent guaranteed to leave you in stitches.
But it's not just about the big names; the festival shines a spotlight on local talent from the North East, dedicating a slot each night to home-grown comedians and hosting a special 'new act night' to kick things off.
Plus, there's a treat for families with a special afternoon show headlined by the viral sensation Tiny Tim. And for those looking to make a weekend of it, camping and live-in vehicle passes are now up for grabs.
Check out the full lineup and grab your tickets at Consettcomedy.co.uk – this is one comedy fest you won't want to miss!
THE DIGEST
🎺 Durham Brass Festival announces return with spectacular opening concert: Durham's Brass Festival is making a grand comeback this summer, starting with a heart-stirring concert at Durham Cathedral. The opening concert, scheduled for 5 July, will feature the Public Service Broadcasting band performing their album "Every Valley" in its entirety. The album poignantly captures the rise and fall of coal mining. chroniclelive.co.uk
⚽️ Jermain Defoe launches football academy in County Durham: The former Premier League star is setting up a new football academy in partnership with East Durham College in Peterlee. Slated for a grand opening in September 2024, the Jermain Defoe Football Academy promises top-notch sports academia and elite football training. With a focus on nurturing talent both on and off the pitch, the academy will offer training sessions led by UEFA-licensed coaches, including former Sunderland AFC defender Darren Holloway. thenorthernecho.co.uk
Defoe with students at East Durham College. (Image: Contributor)
🏍️ Hundreds to rev up for charity in Durham’s Easter Egg Run: Hundreds of bikers from Sunderland and Seaham are gearing up for the Durham Easter Egg Run. This annual convoy is set to thunder out of Dragonville on Easter Sunday, 31 March, bringing generosity to the streets. From 10 am, the bikers, many in fancy dress, will ride out on a mission to deliver Easter joy to North Durham Hospital, Darlington Memorial Hospital, and various charities across the region, including women's refuges and housing associations. msn.com
🌱 Your voice needed for Durham's nature recovery: Durham County Council is rolling up its sleeves to craft a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) that aims to safeguard our county's rich landscapes and wildlife for future generations. But here's the twist - they want you to be at the heart of this initiative. Share your vision for our natural habitats and highlight priority areas for conservation in the county. Deadline for feedback is set for 5 pm on 16 April. durham.gov.uk
🐕🦺 Walkies at Raby Castle: Fancy a stroll in the stunning surroundings of Raby Castle, all while contributing to an incredible cause? Mark your calendars for Sunday, 5 May, as Hearing Dogs for Deaf People brings you The Great British Dog Walk. Participants can choose between a leisurely 3km jaunt or an adventurous 8km trek through parts of the Raby Estate usually closed to the public. It’s a brilliant opportunity to meet fellow dog lovers, enjoy some tail-wagging fun, and importantly, support deaf people by raising funds for life-changing hearing dogs. hearingdogs.org.uk
SNIPPETS
Country and Town House magazine covers Raby Castle as Lord Bayford's castle in a 'Faraway Land' in the new Netflix film, Damsel (link)
Award-winning North East short film director, Dean Midas is looking for help with his upcoming horror films (link)
Barnard Castle’s oldest house is up for sale and this is the asking price (link)
Heather Small and Feeder join The Kaiser Chiefs in full lineup for Hartlepool Soundwave Festival 2024 (link)
North East man heading for Hollywood after wowing judges on American Idol (link)
Kynren announces return of Viking Village (link)
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
Properties in Co Durham borders that recently came to market.
Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland
(Image: Rightmove)
Detached | Bed: 6 | Bath: 4 |
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EVENTS
Music
🎸 Destination: Bowie. Saturday 30th, 8 pm: An 11-piece, live band performing the music of David Bowie. At The Fire Station. Tickets.
Opera
🎭 The Rake’s Progress. Tuesday 26th, 7:30 pm: Igor Stravinsky’s brilliantly inventive The Rake’s Progress charts young Tom Rakewell’s journey from unexpected riches to ruin at the hands of his own naivety and a devilish new friend. At the Gala Durham. Tickets.
BUSINESS NEWS
🌊 £160m investment zone set to create 4,000 jobs: Big news for the North East as a game-changing £160m Investment Zone is gearing up to launch next month, promising to bring 4,000 jobs to our doorstep. Spanning four key sites across Northumberland, Tyneside, South Tyneside, and notably, County Durham’s NETpark, this initiative aims to turn the region into a centre for clean energy and green manufacturing. With £3bn in private investment on the horizon and local councils, universities and businesses on board the Investment Zone is gearing up to make the North East a powerhouse of progress and opportunity. business-live.co.uk
🚝 County Durham Jobs at Risk: Urgent call for action to save Hitachi rail plant: In a development that's got both sides of the political aisle talking, the future of hundreds of workers at the Hitachi Rail plant in Newton Aycliffe hangs in the balance. The heart of the UK's train building sector is facing a severe crunch, with not enough orders to keep the wheels turning. Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh and Sedgefield's MP Paul Howell have voiced their concerns, spotlighting the dire need for government intervention to prevent potential job losses. chroniclelive.co.uk
💰 Wootzano strikes £161m Canadian tech deal: County Durham's tech titan, Wootzano, has clinched a £161m deal with Canadian firm Xcela Inc. This agreement is set to revolutionise the food packing industry across the pond, with over 2,000 of Wootzano's advanced robotic systems heading to Ontario, the heartland of North America's vine tomato production. business-live.co.uk
BUSINESS SNIPPETS
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