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Regatta revelry, festival feasts and scenic strolls
Plus luxury campsite named best in NE, food festival lineup, free walking tours along the coast, North Road refurb and much more!
Stephen
June 10, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes
Good morning, Durham! Canny weekend, I hope?
In this week’s Durham Scoop:
Excitement on the Wear for the 191st Regatta
Luxury campsite named best in North East
Food festival announces full line-up with TV chefs and GBBO stars
Free walking tours along Seaham’s historic coastline
Durham City’s North Road refurbishment
Business news
And more!
Let’s get to it.
— Stephen
EVENTS
Excitement on the Wear for the 191st Durham Regatta
Images: Rick Mitford, Ian Penrose, Ian Kelsey, Kevin Creagon and Tom Herron
The 191st Durham Regatta brought crowds together for a weekend of river racing, barbecues, and entertainment in the heart of Durham City.
Rowing clubs from across the nation competed fiercely on the River Wear, with athletes and spectators alike enjoying the picturesque riverside setting.
Participants raced over both the 700-metre 'short course' and the 1,800-metre 'long course', the latter finishing adjacent to The Count’s House.
Approximately 10,000 attendees revelled in the races and the off-course activities, which included live music, food, and drink.
The regatta culminated on Sunday evening with the presentation of 57 historic trophies, celebrating an event that dates back to the 1830s, making it the second oldest regatta in the world.
THE DIGEST
❤️ Brand Durham: Durham County Council has commissioned ‘thinkingplace’ to work with them to develop a shared story, brand and identity for County Durham. This will deliver a clear, compelling and consistent place story and identity that we can all unite behind when promoting the area. They want to hear what makes you proud about County Durham; how you feel about the area and how you might like it to develop in the future. You can have your say by completing a short survey. [link]
⛺️ Luxury Durham campsite named best in North East: Woodcroft Farm in Bishop Auckland has been awarded the best campsite in the North East by online booking firm Pitchup. This luxurious glamping site offers modern Scandinavian-style cabins and scenic walks, making it the perfect getaway. [link] P.S. See our guide to glamping in Durham here.
🚶♂️➡️ Free walking tours return to Seaham’s historic coastline: Seaham’s popular free walking tours are back, offering guided walks from Seaham Hall Beach to Seaham Marina on select dates this summer. These two-hour tours, led by a Blue Badge guide, are suitable for buggies and dogs, with accessible routes available upon request. [link]
🌮 Seaham Food Festival announces full line-up with TV chefs and Great British Bake Off stars: The festival announces TV chefs, a Great British Bake Off finalist, a master chocolatier and a former prankster turned vegan food and fitness fanatic. The likes of Rosemary Shrager, Phil Vickery and GBBO's Josh Smalley will all be in attendance. [link]
🚧 Refurbishment of North Road in Durham City to begin this month: Work will start on 23rd June to refurbish North Road in Durham, lasting 14 weeks and including improvements to footpaths, street furniture, and street lighting, following the reopening of Durham Bus Station. The project has received mixed reactions from the public, with some praising the overdue repairs and others expressing concerns over ongoing issues in other areas of Durham. [link]
Snippets
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
📸 Stevie Landscapes | 📍 Castle, bridge, boathouse and river
WEATHER
The sun might peek out as we approach the weekend, offering a brief reprieve from the otherwise grey June days.
Monday, 10th: 15°C 🌡️ 8°C. Heavy showers changing to cloudy 🌧️ ➡️ ☁️
Tuesday, 11th: 14°C 🌡️ 7°C. Cloudy throughout the day ☁️
Wednesday, 12th: 14°C 🌡️ 7°C. Cloudy changing to light showers ☁️ ➡️ 🌦️
Thursday, 13th: 15°C 🌡️ 9°C. Cloudy changing to light rain ☁️ ➡️ 🌧️
Friday, 14th: 16°C 🌡️ 10°C. Cloudy ☁️
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
Properties in Co Durham borders that recently came to market.
Bleach Green Farm, Alum Waters, New Brancepeth
Image: Rightmove
Detached | Bed: 7 | Bath: 4 |
Bleach Green Farmhouse is a detached stone property built in 1764, offering character with modern luxury across approximately 17 acres. The main house includes three bedrooms, a bespoke kitchen, multiple reception rooms, and a conservatory with superb garden views. The separate annexe, currently a gym, offers potential for conversion. The immaculate grounds feature landscaped gardens, a pond, a summerhouse, and various outbuildings, including a stable block. The property also has beautiful countryside views and is situated in a tranquil location with extensive private land, fishing rights on the River Deerness, and access to public bridleways and cycle paths.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Music
🎻 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.
🔫 The Music of Bond. Sunday 20th June, 7:15 pm and 9:15 pm. Enjoy cinema’s most iconic songs performed by a luscious symphony orchestra with vocalists under impressive illuminations in this beautiful historical venue. Playing the music of legends including Shirley Bassey, Madonna, Adele, Sam Smith, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney. At Durham Cathedral. Tickets.
😎 The Chicago Blues Brothers. Friday 14th, 7:30 pm. The Chicago Blues Brothers have put the band back together and are heading on tour with their spectacular live music. The world's biggest and best-loved Blues Brothers party show. Straight from the West End's Adelphi and Savoy Theatres. At The Fire Station. Tickets.
Dance
😴 The Sleepy Beauty. Friday 14th and Saturday 15th, 7 pm. Journey to a magical, enchanted world of princesses, fairy godmothers and wicked spells in this glorious adaptation of Marius Petipa’s classical ballet to a live rendition of Tchiakovsky’s beautiful score. Durham University Ballet Company (DUBC) presents their annual summer production and final performance of the year. At Gala Durham. Tickets.
Screening
🎶 Waitress: The Musical. Thursday 20th, 7 pm. Follow Jenna Hunterson (Sara Bareilles), a small-town waitress and pie-maker with a loveless marriage. When a baking contest offers her a chance at escape, she navigates love, dreams, and newfound courage to take back control of her life. Based on the beloved film of the same name, the musical adaptation was created with original music and lyrics by singer Sara Bareilles. At Gala Durham. Tickets.
Waitress: The Musical. Thursday 20th, 7 pm. Image: Gala Durham
Theatre
✝️ Jesus Christ Superstar. Tuesday 11th - Sat 15th, 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Timothy Sheader (Crazy for You, Into the Woods) directs this mesmerizing new production of the iconic global phenomenon, Jesus Christ Superstar. Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this reimagined production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, garnering unprecedented reviews and accolades. 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.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Saturday 15th, 6:15 pm. Image: Durham Cathedral
☀️ A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Saturday 15th, 6:15 pm. Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s best-loved romantic comedy. Let yourself be whisked away on an enchanting journey to the most magical of forests and meet bewitched lovers, playful fairies, and hilarious travelling players. At Durham Cathedral. Tickets.
🎤 Whitney - Queen of the Night. Monday 17th, 7:30 pm. Direct from the West End, The London Palladium, and the iconic Royal Albert Hall, Whitney – Queen of the Night is a celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of all time: Whitney Houston. At Sunderland Empire. Tickets.
BUSINESS NEWS
🚐 Esh Secures £6.4m Contract for Bishop Auckland Bus Station: Esh Construction has been awarded a £6.4m contract by Durham County Council to build a new bus station in Bishop Auckland, featuring modern facilities, improved lighting, and a 124-space car park. The project, part of an £11.8m investment, aims to enhance the town's transport infrastructure and public spaces. [link]
🌊 UPP picked for Durham University package: The student living specialist has been named preferred bidder for the refurbishment of the College of St Hild and St Bede and the development of new accommodation at the Leazes Road site. One of the key drivers for this project for both Durham University and the council is to increase the proportion of students living in university-owned or managed accommodation. [link]
👓 White Optics acquired by family glasses designer: Peterlee-based eyewear retailer White Optics has been acquired by a family-run glasses designer, known for its colourful frames, in a move which will create one of the UK's most prominent independent eyewear suppliers. [link]
😊 Newton Aycliffe-based Cogent Skills named one of the UK’s best employers: Cogent Skills has been recognised as one of the best medium-sized employers in the UK by The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024, scoring highly in employee happiness, pride, and wellbeing. Chief Executive Officer Justine Fosh attributes this achievement to the positive culture and strong support for employees within the organisation. [link]
🏡 Plans to convert a grade II-listed former care home into a hotel approved. Shotley Park in Consett was used as a care home until its closure in 2023, but has had several uses since the 1950s, first as a Dr Barnado children's home. Solomons Group wants to bring the building back to life as a hotel to "safeguard its future". [link]
HOW DID WE DO?
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