thirlwells - Billingham Community Newspaper

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Rhythm and Play
Northern Children’s Centre, St Paul’s
Primary School. Every Tues 9.30 –
10.30 am. Get moving with fun action
songs including all the favourites,
singing and themed play activities.
Admission is £1.00 per child.
For further information please contact
Natalie Maughan on 07769 207587.
Craft and Collectables
Fair
Billingham Forum
4th October 2015
This Fair is held every 1st Sunday of the
month. Lots of stalls including Jewellery,
Cards, Cakes, Wood Products, Glass
Art, Soaps and Aromatherapy Products,
Origami and Oriental Crafts, Preserves
and much more. Supporting a charity
each month.
Open 11am-3pm FREE ADMISSION!
Contact telephone: 07903026107
ISSUE 39
SEPT/OCT 2015
Billingham
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
thirlwells No.1
Number 1 agent for
Sales Agreed in
Billingham in 2015
T E E S S I D E ’ S E STAT E AG E N T
the name you can trust!
We are Teesside’s longest
established independent
professional Estate Agents
Friendly
staff
Free valuations
Low fixed
selling fees
Stats: Rightmove
65 Queensway, Billingham, TS23 2LU. T. 01642 361 111
75-77 Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3AA. T. 01642 245 796
ESTATE AGENTS • LETTINGS • VALUATIONS • AUCTIONS
www.thirlwell-estates.co.uk
The Smiles Say it All
The Billingham tion
Legacy Founda
The Billingham
Legacy Foundation
Our Town, Our Community, Our Fund
Chapel Road Youth
Club
Mon/Wed 6.30 – 8.30 pm
Range of engaging activities for young
people ran by Youth Direction, pop
along, have some fun and make some
new friends.
Calling All Students
Not sure if you have made the right
choice? If suddenly you realise, the
college or course is not what you
expected it to be and need advice,
then please be encouraged and speak
to your tutor who will help you.
Everyone wants you to be the best
person you can be and sometimes,
just sometimes, we don’t all make the
right choice first time but, tap into the
help and support available – please
ask, tutors and staff will help you get
it right!
Catalyst Conference
SRC Bede
29th October 8.45 am – 4.45 pm
Conference theme is:
Challenging Inequality and promoting
Social Justice. Keynote speakers Peter
Kelly Director of Public Health, Shahda
Khan MBE, Rob Wilson MP Minister
for Social Justice
Call 01642 733906 for details
Festival of Thrift
26/27 September - Lingfield Point,
Darlington. Funfilled weekend,
frugal fun, scrimpers, savers, artists,
musicians, debates and workshops.
Celebrating everything thrify.
St Columba’s
Messy Church
27 Sept 3 – 5 pm
Range of harvest themed activities ideal
for families with small children. Play
is followed by worship then shared
harvest tea. Please come along and join
us, you’ll receive a warm welcome.
Young people from S & N Dance Centre in
Billingham couldn’t help but laugh when they were
enveloped in a colourful array of balloons as they
fundraised for new equipment at Billingham Carnival
and Horticultural Show last weekend. With supportive
onlookers, they cheerfully collected in The Bullgarth,
taking time to enjoy the glorious September sunshine.
This year’s event brought new trade visitors to
Billingham, who surprisingly didn’t know we were
here, including one attendee who had believed us to
be Bellingham in Northumbria! Never mind, they
did arrive safely following the Sat Nav and advised
us they will definitely come back next year as we
are simply fantastic, praise indeed! The judges from
the Royal Horticultural Society said that Billingham
remains one of the best shows in the RHS calendar,
OPEN EVENING
OPEN EVENING
15th OCTOBER 5.30pm - 7.30pm
THURSDAY 8th October TUESDAY 3rd November
5.30pm - 7.30pm
Marsh House Avenue, Billingham, TS23 3HB 01642 373 250
producing outstanding produce and blooms. We had
a fantastic selection of entries to the primary schools
competition, both for vegetables and in the arts and
crafts section in St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, with
judges hard pressed to select the winning entries, a
huge well done to all who took the time to enter this
year’s competition.
Continued on page 4...
A part of Stockton Riverside College
www. stockton.ac.uk/skillsacademy
t. 01642 607 464, [email protected]
s
THE
SKILLS
ACADEMY
It’s in your hands
Our Sponsors
The Billingham Community
Newspaper is an
independent
publication that is funded
by sponsorship and adverts.
This issue has been
supported by:
Low Vision Supplies
www.lowvisionsupplies.com
Queensway Dental Clinic
www.queensway.co.uk
Billingham International Folklore
Festival
01642 553220
St. Modwen (Billingham) Ltd.
Telephone: 01642 360973
PD Ports
www.pdports.co.uk
Impetus Environmental Trust
01642 673313
The Pharmacy
Telephone: 01642 530304
JW Smith Accountants
0800 915 5393
SRC Bede 6th Form College
www.stockton.ac.uk
Northfield School & Sports College
www.northfield.stockton.sch.uk
Cowpen Cars
01642 370101
Thirlwells Estate Agents
01642 361 111
Flooring Pete
01642 891840
Billingham Removals
07903 265 409
Billingham Gardening Services
07712228555
The Lock Shop
07717357791
The Green Hops
01642 205025
thegreenhops.webs.com
Thirteen Group
www.thirteengroup.co.uk
01642 773600
CCG
01642 745500
If you are interested in
becoming a sponsor or
advertising in the
newspaper, please email us
at news@billinghamcommunitynewspaper.
co.uk or call 07770455651
Billingham Community Newspaper
is published by the Billingham
Community Newspaper Ltd.,
a not-for-profit organisation ran wholly
by volunteers with its board of trustees.
Whilst every care is taken,
the publishers cannot be held
responsible for the accuracy of any
information herein. All dates and
details of events may be subject to
change and you are advised to check
with the organisers.
The publishers endeavour that any
information is correct at the time of
printing but may be liable to change.
The views expressed herein are not
necessarily those of the publishers.
BCN, 6 Bingfield Court, Billingham
TS23 3UX - Tel: 07770455651
[email protected]
Printed locally on Teesside.
‘‘
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
Vals
Corner
Val Scollen, Chair, Board of Trustees
‘‘
2
What an amazing few weeks we’ve had, glad to see all the schools back and the children in their smart
uniforms. I was touched at the carnival when a stall holder commented that he had never been in a
location where the people and children were all so polite – obviously his first time in Billingham but not
the last! Weather was changeable on the Saturday but fantastic on Sunday and as the photo’s inside this
edition will show, loads of fun enjoyed by everyone.
We’ve said a sad farewell to some great teachers and are busy welcoming a host of new leaders and
their staff into our school – looking forward to hearing more from them in future editions too.
We’ve a big vote coming on the future of Billingham Town Council, as with all other elections, do take
the time to vote and have your voice heard.
Take care and see you all soon
Val
Happy Birthday to Us, Happy Birthday to Us,
Happy Birthday Dear BCN, Happy Birthday to us!
Yes, can you believe it – BCN is now 5 years old, a not for profit and independent newspaper, wholly
ran by volunteers. As loyal supporters will know, we are put together across snatched hours in between
‘real work’ and great juggling of diaries to make it all fit! We’re honoured to serve you, providing you
with a regular newsletter that gives our community a voice and showcases what a great place Billingham
is to live, work and play. Without doubt, we wouldn’t be here if it were not for the regular advertising we
receive from local businesses or, via direct sponsorship, so a huge THANK YOU for your support.
From a small start with a vision of just 4 seasonal publications a year, containing just 12 pages, BCN
now forms a regular part of our community, where we share good news, about good people achieving
great things. We believe we help raise awareness about what is going on in our community and inspire
people to want to be a part of playing an active part in sharing skills and knowledge, young and old
alike.
When we were just 2 years old, were hit the wall that many other small businesses do, we were very
reliant on a single supporter, for us that was Billingham Town Council, who committed to pay for
distribution costs in exchange for advertising and art work. Without any notice, funding was withdrawn
and we found ourselves unable to pay for distribution – we nearly went to the wall but thankfully a local
business believed in our band of volunteers and covered the gap in the distribution for that edition,
enabling to make delivery.
We’re glad to say that sometimes it takes a tumble to help you learn, which we did
very quickly; we looked more towards the support from local businesses and our many
readers, who now form a loyal band helping us with regular advertising that helps
cover our costs of printing, production, distribution and our annual insurances – we
don’t take any salaries or expenses. That generous support has helped us evolve and
grow, providing space where our community can have a voice, showcase their talents
and inspire so many other people to help each other. We now publish 20,000 copies
and deliver to Billingham, Port Clarence, Wolviston, Wynyard, our schools, business
parks, our library and community centres. We have a website and issue an electronic
copy that we know is shared around the world, with readers in USA, Canada, New
Zealand, Australia and Germany all contacting us. We’re now global – it’s official!
Thank you – all and hope you share in our birthday too!
BROUGHT YOU BY LOW VISION SUPPLIES
176 Belasis Avenue , Billingham
TEL: 01642 530801
www.lowvisionsupplies .com
SEPT/OCT 2015
Useful Numbers
Local Government
• Billingham Town Council –
01642 551171
• Stockton Borough Council –
01642 393939
Community
• BELP Hereford Terrace –
01642564077
• Billingham Carnival and Garden
Show – 01642 559115
• BIFF – 01642 553220
• CAB – 01642 633 877
• SRCGA – 01642 733902
Libraries
• Billingham Library – 01642 528084
Business Services
• Know How NE – 01642 607592
• Five Lamps – 0800 4580 120
• HMRC – 0845 0109000
Emergency Services
• Cleveland Fire Brigade HQ –
01429 872311 or 999
• Billingham Fire Station, Seaton
Carew Road – 01642 546000
• Cleveland Police – 01642 326326
or in an emergency 999
• Billingham Police Station,
Town Centre – 01642 302930
• Billingham Neighbourhood
Enforcement Team –
07747 033429
• Ambulance – 01904 666000
• James Cook University Hospital –
01642 850850
• University Hospital of North Tees
– 01642 617617
• NHS Direct – 0845 46 47
GP Practices
• Marsh house medical practice
01642-561282
• The Roseberry Practice 01642-552700
• Dr S Rasool’s Practice 01642-360033
• Queenstree Practice 01642-553389
Chemists
• The Pharmacy, Finchale Ave –
01642 530304
• Davidson Pharmacy,
3 Station Road – 01642 360145
• Billchem Ltd, Billingham Health
Centre Pharmacy – 01642 553846
• Boots – 01642 553263
• Harry Hill Chemists,
Kenilworth Road – 01642 553184
• Rowlands Pharmacy,
39 Queensway – 01642 554416
• Tesco Pharmacy, Leaholme Road –
0845 677 9770
Churches
• New Life Church – 01642 646009
• St Cuthbert’s – 01642 554929
• Our Lady of the Most Holy
Rosary – 01642 553118
• St Columba’s – 01642 654388
• St Luke’s – 01642 554929
• St Aidan’s – 01642 554929
• St Mary Magdalene – 01642554929
• North and South Billingham
Methodist – 01642 562046
• Spiritualist Church – 01642 881211
• Kingdom Hall – 01642 563895
• Billingham Baptist Church –
01642 656966
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints – 01642 563162
• St Peter’s Church Wolviston
01642 554929
SEPT/OCT 2015
News in Brief
Billingham Trefoil
Guild
Thursday 17 September, 7 pm
Wolviston Court Community Centre
Billingham Trefoil Guild fundraise
every year nominating charities to
support which in previous years have
included Butterwick Hospice, Help the
Heroes and Daisy Chain. We usually
raise around £500 and this year, have
chosen to support ‘Schools Aid India’
having previously helped some of our
Billingham Girl Guides to visit India.
The founder of the charity will visit us
in Billingham, give a talk telling us how
she became involved and then raised
the money needed to build a school and
continues to support that school now.
Anyone is welcome to come and hear
her and in particular we would like some
Guiders and maybe older Guides to come
and give their support. It might be of
interest for any badges etc they are doing
or maybe inspiration to go out and see
what they are doing, even if you have no
connection whatsoever with Guiding but
would like to learn more, or make new
friends, please do join us.
The Trefoil Guild meets on the 3rd
Thursday of the month, meeting in
Wolviston Court Community Centre.
Email Joan Heslop for more
information on [email protected]
Wolviston Court WI
The September meeting proved popular
with members and a number of guests
who heard the story of the Seaham
Harbour Lifeboat, how it was sunk in
1962 whilst attempting a rescue, lost
and later found on ebay and how it
was returned and restored! Everyone
enjoyed the delicious Faith Supper
afterwards. October is Birthday Month
and entertainment will be provided by
Anne and Ian Dobson. It is hoped that
a Founder member will be returning
to the area to cut the cake. The branch
is now 48 years old, although the UK
movement is celebrating 100 years - an
afternoon tea is planned for November as
part of our celebrations and in December
some members will be visiting the
Georgian Theatre in Richmond to see the
Pantomime.
Interested ladies are always made very
welcome and can attend three meetings
as a guest before enrolling as a member
– meetings are always on the second
Thursday of the month at 7pm in the
Community Centre, Clifton Avenue.
Check the Centre or Library for details or
call the Secretary Ro on 01642 562391
Synthonia Male Voice
Choir
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
Anti Bullying Message a Hit in Billingham
Sammi Courtney was mobilised to do something
positive to get the message across that bullying
is never the answer, so organised a ‘Sticks and
Stones Family Fun Day’ in Billingham Town
Centre recently. Involving other charities too,
including Ditch the Label and Bullying UK, great
fun was had by all. Many people made great use of
costumes, arriving dressed as Stormtroopers, Red
Riding Hood, She Ra, Flash and Belle etc. Sammi
said ‘I know you can’t print all the photo’s but
Paula Milburn and Paul Wardropper were clicking
throughout the event and have uploaded to their
facebook so please visit www.facebook.com/
imageworks.info to see more photos. I also want to
thank local businesses who showed their support,
including ‘Snake, Rattle and Roll’ who brought
along a host of creatures for children to hold.’
‘A big thank you to Asda, Boyes and Town Square
Jewellers, Fone House, Forbidden Planet, Toys R
Us and the American Diner. We raised £300 for
our anti bullying charities. A bid thank you to St
Modwen for letting us use the Town Centre for
our fundraiser and BCN for letting us use the band
stand.’
Well done Sammi – great effort and initiative to
inspire so many people to be involved in saying
‘NO’ to bullying on any level.
Feeling Hot Hot Hot
Danyelle Clarke and David Barnes are
definitely setting the dance floor alight
in the highly competitive world of
professional Latin dancing. The couple who
have been dancing together since January
2014 and competing July 2014, are already
making 2015 a year to remember as they
have already been crowned professional
Latin champions in the Pennine Trophy,
they finished 6th in the Dance Promoters
Association at the World Dance Councils
European Championships. Most recently
they finished 6th at the UK Closed
Professional Latin Championships held at
the Summer Festival in Bournemouth.
Danyelle and David have to make regular
trips to London and Sheffield to meet up
with their coaches and train at Billingham
Forum and Billingham Social Club.
Danyelle who teaches at her regular
Monday night class at Splash said “Things
are going well this year but it has taken a lot
of hard work and David and I are training
hard for the Imperial Latin Championships
and the British Closed Championships
which will be both held in October. I
would like to thank Bling Post Box a local
company whose generous sponsorship has
helped greatly in assisting with the costs of
travel, training and costumes.”
For further information on Danyelle’s
Ballroom and Latin class at Splash
Telephone (01642) 660610
New Family
Centre Opens in
Billingham South
ABC Counselling, Play Therapy & Family Solutions is a
new not for profit Community Interest Company that
aims to help and support local children and families
in Billingham. The generosity and kindness of local
people, schools and businesses has been humbling and
enabled ABC to move into new premises located at 23
The Green in Billingham. ABC works in partnership
with Billingham South Community Primary School
and Northfield School & Sports College to deliver a
wide range of services aimed at improving emotional
and physical well-being. The Family Centre is
currently running two targeted youth nights per week,
empowering children to reach their full potential in
life. ABC also delivers high quality play therapy and
counselling services in schools using professionally
accredited and experienced therapists. ABC services
are funded by local schools, donations and grants,
and we are very grateful to all our funders, volunteers
and supporters for having faith in what we can do and
achieve by working together. If you want to donate and
make a difference locally, we are accepting toiletry items
for our Essentials Bank. The Essentials Bank provides
toiletry items to Billingham families facing severe
financial hardship e.g. toothpaste, washing powder and
nappies. Referrals for the Essential Bank parcels are
received from ABC’s school partners and are distributed
on this basis. If you would like to contact ABC then
please email Peter Lowe MBE (Director) at ABCpeter@
outlook.com or telephone 01642 913060.
Mayor Attends Celebration
of Achievement
As previously reported, the choir is
now combining both rehearsals and
concerts with Stockton Male Voice Choir.
Rehearsals begin at 7.30pm and alternate
between the Synthonia Club, Billingham
and Gray’s Road Institute, Stockton.
Anyone interested in joining should
contact Peter Mason on 01325 288278 for
further details. Information regarding
concerts between now and Christmas can
be found on Synthonia’s website www.
synthoniamalevoicechoir.org.uk
If you have news stories,
please email us at:
news@billingham
communitynewspaper.co.uk
3
Mayor Ian Dalgarno and some of the 50 Learners who attended course
4Children’s New Life Children’s
Centre in Billingham hosted a
“Celebrations of Achievement”
event recently in recognition of the
hard work and accomplishments
of parents who have trained and
gained qualifications through
the centre over the past year. The
Honourable Mayor of Stockton, Mr
Ian Delgarno, presented the awards
which were attended by learners;
their children; extended family
and friends; training providers
including Priors Pursglove,
Stockton Riverside College and
Stockton Council Learning Skills.
Qualifications achieved have
included Health & Social Care
Level 1 & 2; Entry Levels Maths &
English and Levels 1 & 2 Enterprise
Training, Money Management,
Home Safety & Art & Crafts.
Many learners have since progressed
to further education, training and
sustainable employment.
For further information on how
you can benefit from the range
of courses available through
4Children, please contact Jane
Simpson on: 01642 61748 or 07769
206280 or you can email:
[email protected]
4
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
Billingham Carnival &
Horticultural Show 2015
sat & sun - 12/13 Sept 2015
Continued from front page
Some of the new exhibitors included
the Bird’s of Prey from North
Yorkshire, where we were informed
that ‘Billingham folk are just so nice
and polite, everyone is friendly and
whether young or old, there was a
please and thank you at every turn! ‘
Be proud Billingham – you’re all really
nice to know. Britain’s Strongest Man
Competition was fierce as ever with
some breath taking feats of strength.
Tom Shaw was this year’s winner and
will go onto the World Finals in the
USA. Kenneth Simm came second with
John Pollock coming third. Sadly, one
of the contestants suffered an injury
this year, Matthew Heys competing in
the Barrel Lift, slipped and dropped the
barrel on his foot. The event medics
from Teesside Voluntary Emergency
Services were quickly on hand,
reassuring Matthew and ultimately
helped to transport the casualty to
North Tees Hospital after being advised
that an ambulance could take up to 5
hours to arrive. We’re pleased to report
that Matthew was successfully
operated on – steel pins inserted into
his toes to enable the broken bones
to heal. We know that a lot of the
community kept Matthew in prayers
during the Sunday evening, we passed
on the get well soon messages that
poured in and in turn, he has expressed
his sincere thanks for all the support and
prayers he received, Teesside Voluntary
Emergency Services were not the only
support at this year’s Carnival – we were
overjoyed with the level of community
policing, which as the front page shows,
had its lighter moments, Cleveland Fire
brought one of their tenders on Saturday
but following the heavy rains they were
called to an road traffic accident. Our
uniformed services also included Air
Cadets, Royal British Legion – then we
had our Hi-Vis staff who helped keep
our event running smoothly, including
our Health and Safety Advisor, our
Care for your Area team and Stockton
Borough Council’s events team. All
going to prove that there is a lot more
going on behind the scenes of any
show than you sometimes realise.
Billingham Carnival and Horticultural
Show is ran wholly by volunteers and
genuinely takes a full year to organise,
sponsorship being a constant challenge,
just having the time to speak to
everyone who could be involved. This is
a Billingham Legacy Foundation event
and, if you are interested in sponsoring
any aspect of the 2016 show (10/11th
September 2016), or would like to book
trade or craft stalls, then please email
[email protected]
or call Pat on 07770455651 to discuss.
Teesside Voluntary Emergency Services
support a host of events and provide
an advisory service enabling them to
understand your specific event needs.
So, whether you need on site security,
fully qualified medics, safety equipment,
communications systems please do call
and arrange a convenient time to meet
and discuss your event needs.
Tel: 0808-2353-999 for details.
The Billinghamation
Legacy Found
The Billingham
Legacy Foundation
Our Town, Our Community, Our Fund
a Billingham Legacy
Foundation Event
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
5
Billingham Carnival & Horticultural Show
2015 BILLINGHAM HORTICULTURAL SHOW
SPONSORED BY GROWHOW UK.
The produce was of the highest
standard despite the changeable
weather throughout the growing
season. The Show Manager Steve
Forrest thanked the exhibitors for
supporting the show with their fine
exhibits and introduced Jacqui Reed
from Growhow UK to present the
winners with their awards.
FIRST IN POT LEEKS RHS SILVER
MEDAL Roly Gray
SECOND IN POT LEEKS RHS
BRONZE MEDAL Brian Warren
BEST EXHIBIT OF
CHRYSANTHEMUMS RHS SILVER
MEDAL Barry Stainsby
2ND BEST EXHIBIT OF
CHRYSANTHEMUMS BRONZE
MEDAL Roly Gray
MOST POINTS IN
CHRYSANTHEMUMS RHS
CERTIFICATE Barry Stainsby
BEST EXHIBIT OF DAHLIAS RHS
SILVER MEDAL Ken Westwood
2ND BEST EXHIBIT IN DAHLIAS
RHS BRONZE MEDAL Eric Booth
MOST POINTS IN DAHLIAS RHS
CERTIFICATE Ken Westwood
BEST EXHIBIT IN VEGETABLES
RHS SILVER MEDALp Steve
Chambers
2ND BEST EXHIBIT IN
VEGETABLES RHS BRONZE MEDAL
Steve Chambers
MOST POINTS IN VEGETABLES
RHS CERTIFICATE Steve Chambers
MOST POINTS IN FLOWER
SECTION RHS CERTIFICATE Kevin
Trischler
BEST EXHIBIT IN FLOWER
SECTION RHS MEDAL Kevin
Trischler
2nd BEST EXHIBIT IN FLOWER
SECTION RHS BRONZE MEDAL
Kevin Trischler
MOST POINTS BY BILLINGHAM
RESIDENT RHS CERTIFICATE Steve
Chambers
BLANCH LEEKS Ian Hale
DRESSED ONIONS RHS
CERTIFICATE Barry Stephenson
BEST TOP TRAY RHS CERTIFICATE
John Gallon
PRIMARY SCHOOLS VEGETABLE
COMPETITION NEWLIFE
CHILDRENS UNUSUAL VEG
COMPETITION Sophie Walker
2015 BILLINGHAM dog SHOW SPONSORED
BY petmania.
6
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
Billingham Carnival & Horticultural Show
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
7
Billingham Carnival & Horticultural Show
billingham strongest
man competition
Matthew Hey who was injured when
he dropped this 150 kg keg on his foot,
thankfully only bones broken and
news is that with the steel pins now
inserted in his toes, he is on the mend.
Matthew Hey who was injured when
he dropped this 150 kg keg on his foot,
thankfully only bones broken and
news is that with the steel pins now
inserted in his toes, he is on the mend.
This year’s winner in Britain’s
Strongest Man Event Tom Shaw – 5.5
points clear of his nearest rival.
Well done and huge congratulation’s
– thanks also to you and the team
who helped lift injured fellow athlete
Matthew into the vehicle so we could
take him to hospital.
A Big thank you to our sponsors & supporters
Billingham Carnival and Horticultural Show 2015 BLF
Supporters would like to extend a huge thank you to all show
sponsors, however big, or small, together you all made a
difference to our little band of volunteers who help keep this
fabulous family show on the road. Thank you to the residents
on The Green and the surrounding businesses, we know this
show creates an inconvenience to your lives for a few days
as we set up, operate and dismantle but we are very grateful
this wholly volunteer ran event does continue as a legacy
to our community, now in its 65th year. We do hope we can
count on you all for next year on 10/11thSeptember 2016
GrowHow, Sita Suez, Billingham Horticultural Society, Royal
Horticultural Society, Devereux Transport, Stockton Borough
Council Events Team, Care for Your Area, Tummy Tickers,
Warburton’s, KP Snacks, McDonalds, Highways, Pet Mania,
BELP, Schools Competition, Cleveland Police, Lucite, Police
and Crime Commissioner, Johnson Matthey, Cllrs Mike Smith
& Jean O’Donnell, Turners Fairground and Elite Strongmen.
8
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
Message to Billingham
“It’s a pleasure for us to be able to join Billingham
International Folklore Festival of World Dance
which serves as a bridge for cultural exchange
and friendship. We are very grateful to your
considerate arrangements , hard work and
preparation. Besides, we are also deeply impressed
by your hospitality and honesty. We’d like to take
this opportunity to express our thanks to all the
volunteers.
We believe that the festival will be as good next
year if not better and we are looking forward to
our possible cooperation!”
Lanzhou Stars Dance Ensemble – China
“On behalf of my entire group, I just want to
thank you once again for inviting us at this year’s
Billingham festival. It will be an experience for me
and “my children” they will never forget. Thank
you for all your hard work in making sure that we
were comfortable and fed. But most of all, thank
you for all the fun and memories that will always
be in our hearts.”
Philippine Performing Arts Company
“Now I returned home, but the thing is that I
my heart is still inflated with so many beautiful
experiences of this new journey in Billingham.
With all my heart I want to thank everyone! My
heart is in Billingham, it is increasingly difficult to
say goodbye to you, I love you all! I hope that life
join us again soon, remember there is always hope”
Music Director,Ballet Folklorico Tupa Marka,
Chile
“We cannot thank Billingham enough for all
the memories we made once more with all you
beautiful people! So many memories for a lifetime.”
Bailey Mountain Cloggers, USA
“A huge thank you to everyone and congratulations
for the great Festival, and thanks for all your
attentions. Greetings from Mexico from Compania
Mexicana de Danza Folklorica.”
Compania Mexicana de Danza Folklorica,
Mexico
“An experience to remember for the ages. Coming
back home as an international dancer, with many
new friendships and lasting memories created,
this trip will always be remembered. This is so
awesome to have culture surrounding you.”
“So honored and happy to have been a part of such
a special festival. Many memories and experiences
were created here to last a lifetime!”
Dancers from Philippines
“I had an amazing time, I met people, made
friends, met cultures, meals, taught and learned, I
learnt languages, places, traditions, lots of music, I
laughed a lot and cried with emotion among many
things. I’m refreshed and happy to go back to my
country, to my roots. Thank you Billingham and
England for the love and hospitality! I cry like a
child in these moments”
A musician from Chile
The organisers of Billingham International
Folklore Festival of World Dance would like to
thank Cllr Bob Cook and Stockton Borough
Council for their continued support, St. Mowden’s
Billingham Town Centre Management team, Seven
Entertainment for their support and generosity for
providing the venues for UNCLE BIFF Children’s
Club and International Youth dance Workshops,
our great festival audience and all our supporters,
all our dedicated volunteers and, of cause, the
brilliant performers, all of whom contributed to a
great success of our Festival 2015.
The dates of the next festival are: 12th-20th
August 2016
Billingham International
Folklore Festival 2015
visit our website for more photographs www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
Billingham International
Folklore Festival 2015
It has been a long held tradition that participants and
performers from the folklore festival are invited to
join Mass at Holy Rosary Church in Billingham, in
fact 51 years, with Mexico being the country that has
attended every year!
The international guests are welcomed and all
language barriers disappear in the humble act of
worship, through the celebration of Mass together.
Prayers are said for all the groups hoping for strength
to cope with their rigorous performing schedules and
for safe onward journeys, whether home or to other
events.
This year groups from Mexico, Philippines and Chile
joined the service and took time for a quick photo call
with Fr John Butters before heading off to perform.
9
10
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
Faith Space
SEPT/OCT 2015
Second ‘close shave’ for
charity fund-raiser John
Family Matters
The institution of the family is in crisis. There’s been an
unprecedented social revolution in attitudes and practice
over an amazingly short period of time. One trend is
to undervalue the importance of families, especially
traditional families with their network of relationships.
The emotional, material and social support that
families once provided has all but disappeared in some
communities.
Families come in all shapes and sizes: a mother and
father with children; a couple by themselves, single
parents, three generations in one household, older
siblings sharing a house. Adopted children, stepchildren
or no children. Some families live together; some live
apart - single people living alone are still part of a family.
Whatever kind of family it is, we want it to work well and
be happy.
There’s a wide range of support needed for all kinds
and types of family. At one end of the scale families are
seriously dysfunctional and need major assistance. At
the other end, they are functioning well but need support
when crises and stress occur. As a society we rightly focus
resources to help the most needy, however all families,
even the most successful, need encouragement. They
can benefit from creative ideas, inspiration or just simply
reassurance that they are doing the right thing.
Come and join us on Saturday 17 October, 1:30 p.m.
at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the
Linkway, Billingham TS23 3HH (next to Tesco) for
“Family Matters” – a celebration of the family. We’ll have
a variety of displays, demonstrations, hands-on activities
and videos to entertain, instruct and inspire. We’ll cover
topics as diverse as frugal family cooking, scrapbooking,
self-reliance, communication, support agencies and much
more. How about family history - who do you think your
family is? Find out online with help from our experts.
After the introduction at 1:30 it’s an open house until
4:30; pop in for as long or short a time as you want. Light
refreshments will be served throughout.
Craig L. Marshall, Billingham Ward Bishop
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints For
more details [email protected] or call on Tel. +44
(0)1642 897786 or Mobile +44 (0)7764 588837
The King’s Project
The Kings Project brought 300 young American’s to the north east of England in July.
Working in collaboration with Tees Valley Youth for Christ and youth leader Mike Taylor,
smaller groups worked around the north with young children and disadvantaged adults,
participating in sport, Messy Church, school mission and as seen below, working with Linda
Deakin from Thirteen Group, community clean-up projects in Port Clarence.
The young people from across Texas, had all fundraised to enable them to spend time in
the UK, which included 2 days in London, then travelled north to us in Teesside. Students
were sleeping in tent at a farm in Yarm, they had participated in the Mayor’s Service and
performed at Preston Park but the culmination was the 300 young people coming together
in John Whitehead Park to unashamedly sing and dance their way through mission and
worship. To hear 300 voices sing ‘Lord, I will lift your banner high’ is truly outstanding!
John, pictured with Emre, caused a burst of
laughter at the end of the evening when he won a
prize in the weekly raffle – a tube of anti-dandruff
shampoo!
Sedgefield Church member John Burrows had a hairraising experience at his Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club
meeting when he volunteered to have his head, eyebrows
and trademark-beard shaved for charity.
Traditional Turkish barber Emre Sahin put the
finishing touches to the Macmillan Cancer Support fundraiser by swapping his electric razor for an extremely
sharp cut-throat.
“No wonder Macmillan call it the ‘Brave the Shave’
campaign”, quipped John after Emre had removed the last
few whiskers.
For retired housing association director John, a regular
worshipper at Saint Edmund’s Church,
it was the second occasion on which he had lost his hair
for a worthy cause.
Twelve years ago, he had his head shaved to raise funds
for the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle as a thankyou for the cancer treatment given to his great-nephew.
Anyone wishing to support John in his fund-raising
effort can make a donation via https://bravetheshave.org.
uk/Donate/John Burrows.
Prior’s Mill
Spiritual Garden
Prior’s Mill were overjoyed to be successful in their bid
to the National Lottery Fund for work to build a Spiritual
Garden in the school grounds.
Work will be starting soon using the £10,000 grant, to
create an area of peace and calm . Spirituality is an area
of children’s development which can easily be overlooked
in the hustle and bustle of today’s busy world. Gardens
are just one way of providing children and adults with
opportunities for spiritual development..
Mrs Wild Head Teacher of Prior’s Mill Church of
England Primary School said, “This is a very exciting
project and I am looking forward to completion, where
we hope both children and adults will experience the calm
and tranquillity of our spiritual garden.’
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
Josh Daniel has the X-Factor
There is something so magical about
watching an internationally recognised TV
show like X Factor and shouting at the screen
‘It’s Josh Daniel – he’s from Billingham’.
It’s almost as if we forget about the
exceptionally talented people we have in
our community, we see them come up
through our schools, attend concerts and
performances. Celebrate as organisations
such as BCT Events and Fracture Theatre
put on fabulous youth productions, inspired
by Paul Burgum and Mattie Campbell
respectively. Then of course we have our
college who encourage our young people to
‘go for it’ and reach for the stars.
Well we are just so overjoyed that Josh’s
performance of the Labrinth ‘Jealous’
brought an emotional response from Simon
Cowell, because there can’t have been a
dry eye in the house nationwide as his Josh
captured out hearts as he sang in memory of
his best friend Tom Woolley. Well done Josh,
you are absolutely fabulous, Billingham is so
proud of you (we know your mum’s heart is
fit to burst with pride) and want you to know
that you have our vote. So get ready for the
next round of X Factor.
Billingham Loves You!
Our Back Yard
As part of a schools careers awareness
exercise students at Northfield School
and Sports Academy recently took
a much closer look at the wealth of
business and leisure facilities in and
around Billingham.
Using a regular school bus, the journey
was transformed with an ongoing
commentary as if students were tourists
to the area and had no knowledge
about community. The Year 10 students
visited Wynyard Hall Hotel and Spa,
where only days previously the Year 11’s
had held their annual prom, departing
through Wynyard to see the diversity
of the architecture in individually built
executive homes, then visiting Cowpen
Bewley Woodland Park, our business
parks including those on Seal Sands and
Haverton Hill, the outstanding RSPB
Saltholme and learned about the BELP
allotment project in Port Clarence.
Surprisingly most of the students were
unaware of the host of businesses that
surround us, had never been to Wynyard
or Wynyard Hall and had no idea of
the diversity of business, or the future
investment of key brands into our area
that should, potentially, provide career
opportunities for many years to come,
such as Air Products, Fujifilm, Sita Suez,
FMC, PD Ports, Wilton Group and
of course the fabulous Wynyard Hall
itself. They also learned that behind
every brand lies a host of careers from
administration and catering through to
scientists and engineers, tour guides and
environmentalists, through to transport
and logistics, in essence – jobs to suit
every ambition!
Here are some of the comments from
students and as you can see Wynyard
made quite an impression:
it has many features to it such as the
executive houses, great scenery, Wynyard
Hall Hotel and Spa, Wynyard Business
Park, the football club training ground
and many more things. It is a very
wealthy part of Billingham and some
of the houses in Wynyard can go up to
2 million pounds or more and can get
some famous people living there. There
are some really good career opportunities
in Wynyard such as the football club,
Wynyard Hall and Wynyard Business
Park.
We loved the visit to Wynyard Hall, it
was so big and old fashioned, everything
was so big and tall, Brian the General
Manager said it was so big as when it
was built the size showed how powerful
you were to own it. It had many rooms
and to stay there for one night it would
cost £195 including the breakfast. It also
offers things such as afternoon tea in the
library, weddings, proms, business rooms
and a spa. We hope we can have our
prom there next year.
Amie Devine and Katie Elwell.
Club are also residents of this fantastic
and popular area. A new estate is now
being built in the area to accommodate
a high demand for executive homes as
more and more people are wanting to live
in the beautiful, outstanding area that we
have here in our back yard.
Megan Dodgson
The Catalyst Conference 2015
Thursday 29th October, 08:45 - 16:45, SRC Bede College
Book your place now!
We’re please to announce that you can now book your place for the Catalyst
Conference 2015 - Challenging Inequalities: Promoting Social Justice.
Following the success of last year’s conference, we’re determined that 2015
Conference is going to be bigger and better still.
The key speakers for the event are:
• Professor Peter Kelly, Director of Public Health at SBC;
• Shahda Khan, MBE;
• Rob Wilson MP, Minister for Civil Society.
There will be performances from Hilaire, a drummer/storyteller, and Lee
Ridley, otherwise known as “Lost Voice Guy”.
Information and booking via Eventbrite, or contact Catalyst enquiries@
catalyststockton.org
the waste product from one business
becomes the raw material for the next
plant. Sabic interlinks with all the other
plants. In Wolviston there was one of
the busiest McDonalds in the north east,
the other being the one at the Metro
Centre. Clipper Logistics works for
lots of businesses and one of it’s biggest
customers is Asda.
Garylee Anderson
In my back yard
A day out viewing
Billingham
Wynyard hall is a stunning building to
visit with the opportunity to get married
there or hold a school prom. There is
also a chance to have afternoon tea or
business conferences in the many rooms.
Each room in Wynyard Hall has so much
detail and amazing furniture you could
spend days upon days just taking in all of
In and around
the little details. Wynyard itself is a lovely
clean place to live with no house looking
Billingham
the same there is no need for people to be
Wynyard is a beautiful area surrounded spending loads of money personalising
there house when each house its self is
by greenery, fresh lakes and very
a unique design. Wynyard is home to
importantly, Wynyard Hall. Wynyard
some of the Middlesbrough football
Hall is a colossal building placed in
team who also sometimes enjoy time
the area with gorgeous interior such
training in the Wynyard hall grounds
as giant, elegant chandeliers, detailed,
among the many fields. After we had
stunning paintings on the celling and a
visited Wynyard Hall and had a look at
beautiful chapel where there are around
all Wynyard has to offer then we moved
160 weddings a year. The hall is able to
our tour to look at some of the business
hold big events such as weddings and
proms and as small as a Sunday lunch or in Wynyard Business Park. We continued
our tour of Billingham by visiting the
afternoon tea. However, the fresh food
RSPB Saltholme and learned about the
and impeccable service brings people
waste to energy plants that are around
back with the outstanding experience
Billingham. Over all we had a fantastic
given. The Hall was renovated by Sir
trip viewing all business opportunities
John Hall and the whole grounds are
accessible by the general public. The area that Billingham offer.
By Caitlin Charlton and Beka Tunney
is huge and the new Rose Gardens are
one of the largest in the UK’s. Also in
the gardens a brand new visitor centre,
In our back yard
café, farm shop and a grand marquee are
In Teesside there are several businesses
open. In the area of Wynyard each house
that use chemical engineering, Teesside
is individually designed where no two
Wynyard
gas, Npower or National power, Ineos,
houses the same making the area a very
unique and gorgeous place to live. Some FMC (which makes Omega 3 fish
Wynyard is just one of the wonderful
oil). In some of the chemical plants
and exciting places to visit in Billingham, members of Middlesbrough Football
11
This morning we went to look around
our area, too see what sites were around
us locally. When we visited places
like Wynyard, RSPB and different
engineering plants, we had to look out
for the different jobs that these places
need to run them.
a lovely place to visit if you’re looking to
get married or just to stay for the night.
The rooms are so fascinating it will make
you want to stay longer and enjoy.
I think Wynyard Hall is great because
there is one wedding nearly every day
and they host a range of events from
social gathering to business meeting and
parties. It is also important because it is
where I would like to go to prom next
year I hope this article had made you
want to visit this fascinating place.
Chayse Leigh Cooke
My backyard –
Wynyard
Today I spent my time looking around
Wynyard and looking at the fabulous
architecture that Wynyard has to offer us.
Wynyard Hall was not finished until 1846
Wynyard Hall and
and then it opened to the public. Sir John
Hall was the man who bought Wynyard
Business Park
and decorated it and filled it with colour.
Now 2015, Wynyard is very popular for
When we went to Wynyard we visited
its attractions. People like to have their
both the hall and the business park.
weddings here because of the fabulous
The business park was more meant
architecture that it has to offer. As you
for meetings and had many different
businesses. Within the Wynyard housing enter the hall you are mind blown with
the pretty colourful walls and scenery.
estate, they had a few shops and a
Wynyard has a main hall for after parties
pub to provide facilities for the local
or proms.
community.
Northfield school has recently had
a school prom for the year 11 school
RSPB Saltholme
leavers and it was very successful.
Wynyard is used for mainly meetings
We found out that when we went to
RSPB it was built on reclaimed industrial and conferences for local business. Loads
of money has been spent on Wynyard
land and is now one of the best places
because the owner Sir John Hall has put
in the UK for bird spotters. There was
stain glass windows, secret passage ways,
a great variety of birds. While we were
painting on the ceilings and wall, spiral
there we saw another group of primary
stair cases down to the underground
children learning about the birds.
floor, many rooms and the amazing lake
Mary, Cath and Lauren
and back garden that they have. You can
use Wynyard as a hotel, it costs around
My back yard £195 a night, this is because they include
Wynyard Hall
breakfast, and dinner and you have the
leisure of going out into the spa. Even
In my backyard, there’s a place called
the walls are very expensive because they
Wynyard Hall. Wynyard Hall was
are made out of Italian marble and the
renovated Sir John Hall. When he was
walls all over Wynyard hall are covered
young Sir John lived in a 2 up 2 down
with it. You can tell Wynyard is much
house but wanted to create a place that
looked after because nothing that I saw
could be open to the public. So when
was broken or scratched and everything
he bought Wynyard Hall he renovated
was polished and cleaned, the service
it and let the public visit to look at the
that the workers provide is sensational
creative things he has done to it. Some
of the things he did was he decorated the if you need anything then they staff will
ceilings with beautiful painting of people provide you with it and everything that
and angels which took years and years for they serve you is homemade.
My opinion on Wynyard Hall is that I
the painter to create.
would definitely stay there for a night or
The second thing we got told about
two and that I love the fabulous art that
was the secret hallways hidden behind
Wynyard is surrounded with. I would
mirrors, where the cleaning team and
people who had to make the place ready go there for days out and that I would
recommend it to others which have not
for meetings and dinner parties had
yet been to Wynyard before. I certainly
to go through so they weren’t seen by
enjoyed my time at Wynyard and would
important guests, they lead up to their
go again.
rooms where they stayed until they
Shelby Stanislawski
were needed. But now Wynyard Hall is
12
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
Close Shave at Tesco GrowHow Supporting
British Farming
Deborah Joice (aged 44) suffered 2 heart
attacks, believed to be brought on by stress
and is so grateful to be alive, she wants to raise
money for both The British Heart Foundation
and Diabetes UK which is a health condition
she now suffers with too.
Needless to say, it was a huge shock to the
system, at such a young age to suffer 2 heart
attacks and Deborah has now changed her
whole outlook on life. She now watches what
she eats, keeps fit and doesn’t let herself get
stressed, recognising her body’s limitations.
She agreed with her friends that she would
undergo a ‘close shave’ to raise money for others
who may suffer like her, in the hope that better
education will help them to change their lives
too.
Well done Deborah and to hairdresser Collette
Lacey (07769262260), who administered the
shave!
British fertiliser company, GrowHow, is the latest
business to sign up to, and support, the NFU’s Back
British Farming campaign. Today UK agriculture
keeps 3.7 million people in jobs. However, provides
just 60% of our nations’ food supply, a selfsufficiency figure that is slowly falling. GrowHow
offers British farmers security of supply with two
fertiliser plants including the local Billingham
manufacturing site, supplying produce for farmers,
and investment in research and development key to
moving production forward. The company supplies
to 16,000 farmers every year, and is a vital supporter
of the arable and livestock sector.
“With leading British fertiliser Nitram®
celebrating its 50th anniversary, we are keen to
show how effective and efficient use of our products
can result in premium food products for the British
household. At recent events we have shown an
exciting display of quality produce grown with this
distinctive blue bag products from GrowHow. On
display were English sparkling wine, cider, apple
juice, cheese, milk, beer, flour, potatoes, a selection
of oils and salad dressings, fresh fruit, biscuits and
sugar, all grown with Nitram®”
A recent YouGov survey showed that 85 per cent
of the population want to see supermarkets selling
more food from British farms… and GrowHow
is behind this campaign to support future food
security.
“We want to thank our loyal customers and
demonstrate how Nitram® has contributed to
the success of so many quality products,” says
GrowHow commercial marketing manager Sam
Bell. “The important role food and farming
plays must be recognised,” says Sam. “As well as
producing food, it’s farming’s contribution to the
country’s economy, in creating jobs, as well as to the
rural landscape, are issues we are right behind.”
During 2015, farmers up and down the country
may be in for a real surprise – with over 100 finding
Your Choice
Vote Yes to Abolish
Billingham Town Council
or Vote No to Keep
Billingham Town Council
Following a campaign by residents seeking to abolish Billingham
Town Council, over 2,700 votes were submitted to Stockton
Borough Council , where on 10 September 2015, Cabinet voted
for a governance review. Letters will shortly be arriving at your
homes, giving you, our residents, the choice. This is a big decision,
so BCN asked both sides, Association of Billingham Residents and
Billingham Town Council to state their views to help you decide.
BCN offered equal space this was not fully used however
all submitted articles are printed in their entirety and have printed
both views in full as submitted.
Whatever your views, do use your vote – this is your choice.
their next Nitram® delivery arriving in a special
edition golden bag rather than the iconic blue bag.
The promotion is all part of Nitram®’s 50th birthday
celebrations.
Farmers who get the golden bags will also get
a GrowHow goody bag worth over £50 and a
voucher worth £150 off their next full load order of
GrowHow fertiliser.
Says Marketing Manager, Sam Bell. “We’re
keen to demonstrate the value of the product, and
the contribution it’s made to British agriculture.
Nitram® has been a key part of the British farming
scene for half a century, and we’re delighted to be
celebrating its golden anniversary.”
Arriving Soon Through Your Door
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Following receipt of a petition containing in excess of 2,700 signatures calling for the abolition of
Billingham Town Council, Stockton Council is seeking the views of all local government electors on
whether there is local support for abolition.
The views of local electors will be taken into account as well as other matters as part of a Community
Governance Review including:
• Whether the change would reflect the identities and interests of the community in the area
• Would the change be effective and convenient?
• The impact on community cohesion
• The size, population and boundaries of the Town Council
Please let us know your views by completing the reply slip and retuning it in the envelope provided
(no stamp is required).
The consultation ends on 31 October 2015 so please make sure we receive your comments by then.
Findings and recommendations will be considered at a Council meeting on 27 April 2016 who will
decide next steps.
Thank you
David Bond
Electoral Registration Officer
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
13
VOTE YES to ABOLISH Billingham Town Council
The Association of Billingham Residents urges you to use your
right to vote and abolish Billingham Town Council (BTC) when
you receive your voting letter in the next few weeks from Stockton
Borough Council.
Since BTC came into existence in 2007 it has collected over
£1,000,000 from you, the residents of Billingham in the form of
a local charge or “precept” to every household. There has been
year after year of increases, when all other councils have displayed
restraint. BTC Spend, Spend, Spend – not on us, but on running
themselves!!!! Public records show nearly 80% of the precept income
is spent on their own administration, with ever increasing staff to
administer the paltry 20% of the remaining precept budget!
So what have you got for your £1,000,000 + ?
• A few extra waste and dog waste bins here and there. If needed
they would have been provided by Stockton Borough Council (SBC)
at no extra cost to you!
• Until recently, payment to SBC for extra enforcement officers to
respond to anti-social behaviour
• Paying a third party to tend some small flower tubs. Again, this is
a duplication of an SBC service
• Investment in a café in John Whitehead Park that loses money,
including all the equipment and staffing. Why try to compete with
local traders who do not have the benefit of a precept to underwrite
losses? Thus is what your precept is currently doing! Should this not
have been left to a local entrepreneur to run as a genuine business
and not BTC who act as if they have monopoly money!
• Installation of exercise equipment in John Whitehead Park which
nobody uses has been vandalised and needs maintaining through
your precept. Great idea? – but did any public consultation show it
was needed when we have a state of the art sports facility across the
road!
• Now advertising opening a Job Club – more duplication which is
in direct competition to existing and successful local providers based
in Causeway and Hereford Terrace Community Centres! Could they
not utilise the skills already ‘working’ in our community, instead of
competing for trade using your precept!
Whilst the concept of a Billingham Town Council might have
sounded good in 2007, the reality has created another layer of cost
that does little for local people. However, our residents are ‘doing it
for themselves’ without any cost to the tax payer. From Billingham
Environmental Links Projects, Billingham Legacy Foundation, BLF
Supporters, Bedford Rocks, Billingham Synthonia, Billingham 5
A Side, Dementia Groups, WI, Royal British Legion and of course
Billingham Community Newspaper – all working successfully with a
range of volunteers and delivering events and activities that cost you
the tax payer ‘nothing’.
BTC now employs 8 staff. Your precept charge funds their
salaries, pensions, staff sickness and holidays, national insurance,
expenses, offices, phones, equipment, training courses, insurances,
this list goes on. BTC recently voted to jointly fund salaries for 4
young Americans, covering 50/50 salary and accommodation costs,
with New Life Teesside Church and Family Resource Centre - to
do work local people could have done! The concept might seem
commendable but where were these jobs advertised? Do we not have
any local people that would love the opportunity of a salary and
accommodation to work here for one year? How is that even possible
that your precepts are funding this?
During a recent interview on BBC Tees, the BTC Chairman was
asked ‘What do the town council do?’
His response was “We have a partnership with Stockton Council
where we look after certain things that Stockton Council would look
after”
In truth BTC provide no real value or services to the people of
Billingham. Their Councillors and staff mainly act as unnecessary
middlemen to get action from Stockton Council and in our
experience SBC are responsive, cost effective and extremely open in
all of their dealings – which unfortunately cannot be said of BTC!
What would any of those volunteer organisations accomplish with
£200,000+ a year being given to them? We believe it would be far
more than has been achieved by Billingham Town Council its high
level of paid staff in and infrequently used Café in John Whitehead
Park (which has never published its accounts even though this is tax
payers money that is running it!!!!)
How much are you willing to pay if you decide to keep the town
council? There have been year after year of increases by up to 24.9% how far are you prepared to let this runaway train go?
Town Councils are a law unto themselves – they do not answer
to you, Stockton Borough Council or anyone else. If they choose
to raise your precept to fund their loss making ideas – you can do
nothing to stop it – unless you take the time now to VOTE YES to
Abolish Billingham Town Council! Help us put common sense back
into play and rid ourselves of this costly administration that bleeds
nearly 80% of its income on paying itself!
The people of Billingham were sold a false promise in 2003 when a
town council steering committee leaflet suggested that a Billingham
Town Council would be a low cost operation with just a full time
clerk. It now has 8 staff and currently costs the town’s households
a total of about £218,000. VOTE Yes to Abolish Billingham Town
Council!
Peterlee is a similar sized town to Billingham. Peterlee Town
Council now collects over £1.5 Million from its residents and it
cannot be stopped! With the success of our petition, we have this
one chance to make our vote count – please use your vote and VOTE
Yes to Abolish Billingham Town Council!
Do remember that BTC is an administration that admitted in the
press and on radio that it spent YOUR money on Christmas meals
for themselves, flowers and presents for themselves – things we
would, in our work place, usually have a whip round for, not use tax
payer’s money!!!
Don’t be misled by BTC’s recent award as ‘Council of the Week’.
This award came from NALC – an association that BTC pays
hundreds of your pounds to be a member of. NALC invites councils
to NOMINATE THEMSELVES – read what you like into the value of
that! Some people may be concerned at the possibility of not having
a town council – but Norton and Stockton manage find without them
and both are envious of the community and volunteer programmes
we have running successfully here already – all without any input
or support from BTC – in essence, Billingham residents are already
doing it for themselves.
This is a real opportunity to have your say, recognise the good work
that a host of volunteers are already doing without layers of expensive
bureaucracy – simply getting on with it and making Billingham a
great place to live, work and play.
Please use your vote – you will only have this chance to vote – don’t
waste it, VOTE YES to Abolish Billingham Town Council!
Stay informed with us: Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/
abolishbtc or visit Youtube https://youtu.be/TwZqRdswOj8 and
https://youtu.be/Y57Ln1a4jUE
VOTE NO to ABOLISH Billingham Town Council
Only 5 years after its foundation Billingham Town Council
achieved the national award of Quality Council, only the second
council in the Cleveland area to reach this status. Then, in June of
this year, we were named “ National Council of the Week” ( out of
nearly 9,000 in the country ) Why, we wonder, is a group of residents
attempting to abolish your own nationally recognised council?
Here is a list of reasons why this makes no sense at all.
JOHN WHITEHEAD PARK
• We have entered into a working agreement with Stockton
Borough Council to manage the facilities in the park, where we have:
• Re-established the café, creating employment to run it as a nonprofit making community asset.
• Secured funding both to create the Community Hub behind the
café and to install the outdoor exercise equipment.
• Been awarded a substantial grant to renovate one of the 2
bungalows for future community use
• Promoting and delivering health & wellbeing programme from
within community hub and café.
YOUTH COUNCIL
We have set up our own Youth Council and secured funding on
its behalf to clean up the derelict Harrington’s Pond area (behind
Billingham Town football club) and turn it into a nature reserve. This
is the start of a larger campaign to tidy up Billingham.
All of the above has meant a total of well over £100,000 of
investment in Billingham over the last 2 years.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
• From the start of a Christmas event we now have three more
annual events: Easter, Summer and Halloween. Apart from providing
entertainment for hundreds of children and adults we raised almost
£4,500 for charity up to May this year, since when our summer event
alone has seen over £1,000 collected for the local food bank.
COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
• We played an important role in the foundation of this newspaper
(as acknowledged in the first edition) and contributed a total of
£12,000 in the first 2 years to pay for its distribution.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
• Over the years we have supported, by both donations and
funding bids, local groups such as the Billingham Folk Festival, the
Billingham Carnival, St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, and many, many
more.
IN AND AROUND BILLINGHAM
• One of our first projects was to give identity to the town by
financing the entrance signs to Billingham . This was followed by
providing extra dog bins, litter bins and flower tubs, which we
restock twice a year.
All of the above – and more – is made possible by the precept,
which we all pay, at the very modest cost of between 28 pence
and 47 pence per week per household., Bands A – E. However,
none of what we do would be possible without the efforts of our
hard working and dedicated paid staff, aided by a team of 15 unpaid
volunteers (your town councillors)
Stockton Borough Council is now in the process of seeking your
opinion of your town council. Take this opportunity to show your
support: VOTE NO TO ABOLITION
14
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
Royal British Legion Update
On Friday 11th September 2015 20 members
of the Billingham Branch paid a visit to the
national Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas
Staffordshire. We will be laying wreaths at
specified monuments during the visit.
The 11th September also commemorates
the 14th Anniversary of those who lost
there lives, British, American and other
Nationalities, at the World Trade Centre in
New York. As a mark of respect to those who
lost there lives, we flew the flag of the Stars
and Stripes at the Cenotaph on Station Road
from dawn till dusk.
The weekend Sat/Sun 12th/13th we
were fundraising at our usual stall at the
Billingham Carnival to raise money for our
Poppy Appeal.
This year for our Poppy Launch, on Sunday
25th October we are putting on a Variety
Show with a 40’s theme in the Forum Leisure
Centre. The show will last for about 1 hour
filled with local talent and supported by local
school talent. There will be seating for around
200 people. the show will be free, though we
would look for donations for those attending.
Keep your eyes and ears open for further
details.
The Branch meet every Tues/Thurs 10am
to 12am monthly meeting first Wed in the
month. Breakfast Club last Sat in the month
10.30 am Owington Farm Pub. Come and
join us for a chat, coffee or breakfast.
Contact Peter Clark 07745 611228
Photo shows most of our branch members –
please come and join us?
Cleveland firefighters in
Zimbabwe charity mission
A group of our Cleveland firefighters
returned from Africa recently having
completed their part in a worldwide
charity mission to pass on skills and
expertise to their counterparts in
Zimbabwe. They took part in a twoweek long visit as part of Cleveland
Fire Brigade’s partnership with the
international fire and rescue charity
Operation Florian and Zimbabwe’s
Harare Fire Brigade. This will be the
second of five planned visits between
2014 and 2018.
Firefighter Andy Cook, who is based
at Redcar Community Fire Station,
led the team and was accompanied by
Nick Jones, Dave Bradshaw and Mike
Williamson along with retired Cleveland
firefighter Bill Hatfield.
Andy Cook said: “Cleveland Fire
Brigade has been working in partnership
with Operation Florian to help develop
the Fire and Ambulance Service in
Harare, through the donation of surplus
equipment, uniform, personal protective
equipment and allowing our firefighters
to carry out training in Harare.
“This project provides excellent
development of our own staff and the
equipment that is no longer required
in Cleveland is helping to save lives
in communities worldwide such as
Zimbabwe. Everyone is loved the trip
and we are proud to play our part to
RBL National Arboretum. Alrewas, Staffs
Since planting began in 1997, the National
Memorial Arboretum has been a special place
honouring those who have served, and continue to
serve, our nation in many different ways. Officially
opened in 2001, it’s not a cemetery, it’s a place of
life, represented by the 50,000 trees planted here,
where older and younger generations alike can
wander and wonder.
Covering 150 acres, the Arboretum has something
for everyone. For some it’s a wonderful place to
stroll and enjoy the trees; for others it’s a peaceful
and beautiful place to remember loved ones,
particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice
for their country.
Billingham Branch of Royal British Legion
travelled to Staffordshire to remember the Twin
Billingham
Patsy Davison – I’m
Makes Top 5 so Proud of You!
Best Places
To Live
The Borough of STOCKTON-ON-TEES, which
of course includes us here in Billingham, is the
fifth best place to live in the UK according to new
research published by the Telegraph and Hamptons
International.
The research ranks areas by a combination of
affordability and residents’ happiness and is based on
official data of house price-to-income ratios and the
Life Satisfaction Index from the Office of National
Statistics.
Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council,
Councillor Bob Cook, said: “Positive results such as
this really complement the efforts of ourselves and
Tees Valley Unlimited to further put us all on the map
as a great place to live, work and do business.
“There is plenty to be proud of across the Borough
from our beautiful parks and countryside, to the
great town centres and regenerated High Streets in
Stockton, Thornaby, Billingham and Yarm, and of
course our popular, diverse programme of events
which take place throughout the year.
“What’s more, previous research named Stockton
among the top 10 per cent of places in the UK to
do business with particular praise given to our
outstanding environment, business infrastructure and
strong skills base”.
BCN are always singing the praises of our great
community so it’s great to be officially recognised
too!
SEPT/OCT 2015
Those are the words of loving husband Dick Davison for his lovely wife Patsy and her
best friend Carol Hodgson as they completed yet another Great North Run. Patsy is 66
years young and has run numerous races to raise money for a host of charities dear to
her heart.
Dick said ‘Patsy and Carol have helped raise many thousands of pounds for charity.
Fundraising is in the family blood as our son Simon, who now lives in Lincoln,
frequently participates in events to raise money for his former regiment, The Parachute
Regiment, helping his disabled friends. Simon’s wife is also competing representing
England in the Running with Dogs Competition. I’m so proud of them all as they
always put others before themselves.’
Well you deserve to be proud and a huge well done to Patsy and Carol!
assist vulnerable communities around
the world.”
Operation Florian is a UK Fire and
Rescue Charity that works to assist Fire
and Rescue services worldwide through
the donation of equipment, appliances
and training. Over the past twenty
years the charity has worked in Europe,
Africa, South America and Asia.
The training provided to the Harare
fire-fighters included Incident
Command, road traffic collisions, use
of breathing apparatus, emergency
care, hazardous materials and fire
safety. Ian Hayton, Chief Fire Officer
with Cleveland Fire Brigade, added: “I
am delighted that once again we have
been able to join forces with other
fire and rescue services in the UK to
offer support to our counterparts in
Zimbabwe.
“Clearly, the level of advancement of UK
fire and rescue services means that we
can help by putting our old equipment
to good use and by passing on our
knowledge and expertise there’s no
doubt that this will help to save lives and
prevent injuries.”
Towers and the horrors of 9/11 – so many lives
lost but through the act of remembrance, they will
live on. A wreath was also laid at our cenotaph in
Billingham, with trumpeter Sandy Peebles playing
the haunting melody of ‘The Last Post’.
We will remember them.
News in Brief
Zumba Your Way To Fitness
Zumba is a great way to stay fit and enjoy exercise at the same
time. Why not come along to Liza’s Zumba at Low Grange
Community Centres, days and times to suit everyone, with
classes on:
Monday evening 6:30 - 7:30
Thursday evening 6:30 - 7:30
Friday morning at 9:30 - 10:30
Classes cost £3.50 for 1 class with the 10th class free or you can
make a saving by paying £5.00 for 2 classes but even better you
can pay £6.00 and come to all 3 classes, by doing so you will save
£4.50 if you pay at the beginning of the week.
Zumba is a mixture of various dance styles, my class various
from all ages and I have been running my class for 5 years in
October and still have some of my original Zumberettes from
when I first started my class. If anybody would like more
information you can contact me on 079844 16323 or by email on
[email protected] and I will be more than happy to help.
Wolviston Court WI
Billingham Trefoil Guild fundraise every year nominating
charities to support which in previous years have included
Butterwick Hospice, Help the Heroes and Daisy Chain. We
usually raise around £500 and this year, have chosen to support
‘Schools Aid India’ having previously helped some of our
Billingham Girl Guides to visit India.
The founder of the charity will visit us in Billingham, give a talk
telling us how she became involved and then raised the money
needed to build a school and continues to support that school
now.
Anyone is welcome to come and hear her and in particular we
would like some Guiders and maybe older Guides to come and
give their support. It might be of interest for any badges etc they
are doing or maybe inspiration to go out and see what they are
doing, even if you have no connection whatsoever with Guiding
but would like to learn more, or make new friends, please do join
us. The Trefoil Guild meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month,
meeting in Wolviston Court Community Centre.
Email Joan Heslop for more information on [email protected]
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
15
SRC Bede Sixth Form College: 01642 373250
SRC Bede Sixth Form – Celebrating Success
STUDENTS and staff at SRC Bede Sixth
Form have been celebrating another year of A
level success.
Results day saw the College in Billingham
achieve a 98% pass rate with 100% success in
18 subjects.
Vocational results at the College also proved
outstanding with 58% of students receiving
a Distinction or Distinction Star, the highest
possible grades.
Rick Wells, Director of SRC Bede Sixth
Form, said: “I am very pleased with the
performance of our students again this year.
“Many have exceeded expectations and I
think this is a result of the dedicated support
that they have received from the teaching staff,
along with the hard work and ability of our
students, encouraged and supported by their
parents.”
The College director said all of this has paid
off with some really exceptional individual
results, with many students having successfully
gained a place in their first choice university.
“These students have contributed
considerably to the College in all areas of
endeavour over the year,” said Mr Wells. “They
have been committed to the College, worked
very hard and we are very proud of them all.”
However, the hard work doesn’t stop there.
SRC Bede Sixth Form is already looking
towards further success in 2016, continuing
to ensure students have the best possible sixth
form experience.
Mr Wells said: “My congratulations go to
our students for their success and of course
my thanks to our talented team of staff for the
enormous efforts they have put in to ensure
students can reach their maximum potential.”
Graded Good by Oftsed, SRC Bede Sixth
Form offers a wide range of AS, A level, BTEC
and additional courses.
Pictured here left to right are SRC Bede
students Jack Beckwith, Jonathan Tait, Grace
Birdsall and James Harris on A level results
day.
WHAT WILL YOU BE?
YOU CHOOSE WE’LL GET YOU THERE
OPEN EVENING
98% OVERALL A LEVEL PASS RATE
THURSDAY 8th October
TUESDAY 3rd November
5.30pm - 7.30pm
A part of Stockton Riverside College
Marsh House Avenue, Billingham, TS23 3HB 01642 373 250
Short Course Offers Skills for Life
Beauty (Nail Technology), Caring for Children, Construction, Creative Arts & Media,
Health & Social Care, Princes Trust, Foundation Studies, Small Animal Care and
Horticulture, Radio Station Skills (employer based with Ignition Radio), Individual
programmes for young carers and teen parents, Car valeting (introduction to)
OPEN EVENING
15th OCTOBER 5.30pm - 7.30pm
HOW would you like to build your
confidence, develop new skills and make
new friends, all while improving your
chances of finding work?
Places are now available for Stockton
Riverside College’s Prince’s Trust Team
programme starting in Billingham this
September.
The 12-week personal development
course is free to young unemployed
people aged 16 to 25, helping to build their
confidence, motivation and skills.
Taking place at The Skills Academy,
situated off Marsh House Avenue on the
former Billingham Campus/Northfield
site, the free programme is a fast-paced
student-led course that sees the young
people take part in a wide range of activities
and challenges, including a week-long
outdoor adventure residential. Stockton
Riverside College currently delivers Team
programmes in Billingham, Stockton,
Middlesbrough, Darlington and Bishop
Auckland and this summer was named
winner of The Prince’s Trust North East
Team Programme Delivery Partner Award.
s
THE
SKILLS
ACADEMY
It’s in your hands
www. stockton.ac.uk/skillsacademy
t. 01642 607 464
[email protected]
Gillian Hutchinson, Stockton Riverside
College’s Head of Department Prince’s
Trust, said: “We were delighted to receive
this award and so proud to have delivered
the Team programme to so many young
people.”
For more details about the next
Billingham Team, which is due to launch
on Monday 21 September, call Martin
Copley on 07436 795884. Or for details
about any of Stockton Riverside College’s
Prince’s Trust programmes go to www.
stockton.ac.uk/princes-trust/
Open Evening at The Skills Academy A Clean Sweep for Oxford Hopefuls
HAVE you paid a visit to The Skills Academy
yet?
It’s the brand new college now open in
Billingham offering introductory and entry
level courses to schools leavers and young
people.
With information sessions, coffee mornings,
trade skills demonstrations and open days
there has been lots going on. And that was all
before the first batch of students arrived.
“It’s been all systems go,” said Academy
Manager Lorna McLean. “But we have loved
every minute.”
She said: “The beauty of The Skills Academy
is that it is a brand new facility with the flexibility
to respond to its students’ needs.”
With this in mind the Academy has already
increased its range of courses, now offering
childcare/health and social care, creative arts and
media, construction, hair and beauty, radio skills,
car valeting and more.
Students can also develop essential
employability skills through work experiencebased courses.
“The Skills Academy is an amazing place to
learn – it’s a great way to make friends, learn
about yourself and others, and to be part of a
small community,” said Lorna.
“We have everything you need to be your best
and take your first steps on the way to your
future career.”
The Skills Academy, which is situated off
Marsh House Avenue on the former Billingham
Campus/Northfield site, was established as part
of a three-way partnership between Stockton
Riverside College, Stockton Council and
Egglescliffe School.
Want to know more? The Skills Academy
is holding an Open Evening on Thursday 15
October from 5.30-7.30pm or give them a call on
01642 631 420.
APPLY NOW
A CLEAN sweep of A*s proved just the ticket for
two Oxford University hopefuls.
SRC Bede Sixth Form students, Jack Beckwith and
James Harris, both secured places at the prestigious
university after picking up an impressive eight A*
grades between them.
“I still can’t believe it,” said Jack, 18, from
Billingham. “I think it will really hit me later.”
Fellow student James, also 18, of Norton, said:
“It feels pretty good to have got my place. Now I’m
looking forward to getting started.”
Jack, who will now go on to study a BSc in Biology,
achieved top marks in A level biology, maths and
physics, while James, topped the A level results card
in maths, further maths and chemistry. He will now
go on to study maths at university.
The pair each picked up an additional A* grade for
their final projects.
Despite having been predicted the highest grades
both admitted to feeling the nerves come results day.
Jack said: “You always come out of an exam
thinking that went better in the practise ones, there’s
always that doubt in your mind.” Fortunately the pair
had nothing to fear.
Of Jack and James’ success Deputy Director of SRC
Bede Sixth Form Andrew Panayi said: “Naturally we
are delighted for both of these students, they have
worked very hard and their results are testament to
both their own dedication and hard work and that of
the teaching staff at SRC Bede.”
APPLY NOW
www.stockton.ac.uk/src-bede
www. stockton.ac.uk/skillsacademy
A part of Stockton Riverside College
s
THE
SKILLS
ACADEMY
16
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
Education
Northfield’s A*/A Success
SEPT/OCT 2015
Northfield News
Northfield School and Sports College is once again celebrating record
breaking examination results. For the third time in four years students
at the school have achieved the highest results for 5 or more GCSEs,
including English and maths. At 63% this year’s results are 18% higher
than the results in 2011. Headteacher Craig Walker said: “I am delighted
that the hard work of staff, students and parents have been so successful. I
am particularly pleased at the progress we have achieved in maths which
has improved each year since 2011 moving from 53% in that year to a very
impressive 78% this year. Well done also to the following subjects that also
achieved their highest ever results: IT 99%, Art 92%, Health & Social Care
82% and RE 80%.”
Congratulations to all our students for their success. I would like to pick
out a few whose achievements were extremely impressive: Laura Stockton
achieved 12 A*/A grades, Christopher Andrews, Lucy Bedford, Hannah
Featherstone and Sophie Larkin each achieved 11 A*/As, Harvey Cobb
(Head Boy) and Nicola Ezekude achieved 10A*/As and Sam Gamblin
(Deputy Head Boy), Chloe Ozkan and Hannah Stothard achieved 9A*/A
grades. In total, 106 students achieved at least one A*/A grade. Students
achievements at A*-C were equally impressive with 161 students achieving
8+A*-C grades.
The school’s Progress 8 score, a measure of students’ achievements over a
range of subjects that will soon be the ‘gold standard’ for academic success
was the highest in Stockton.
47 A*/As grades between them
Harvey Cobb 11*/A, Christopher Andrews 11A*/A, Hannah Featherstone 11A*/A, Sam Gamblin 9A*/A and Nikitta Trainer: 5A*/A.
Northfield’s Staff Success
As well as having cause to celebrate the
success of its students, Northfield starts
the term with splendid news about the
quality of its staff. The school’s Silver
Award for Investors in People has been
upgraded to Gold! Investors in People
judges the quality of all staff who work
at the school including teaching staff,
catering team and site management team.
Headteacher, Craig Walker, was delighted
with the news: “To achieve the Gold Award
is exceptional, indeed, only 4% of schools,
businesses and institutions achieve this
standard. The report states that all staff are
proud to work at Northfield.”
Sporting Champions Students First Day Back
at Northfield
Northfield School and Sports College has recently
been judged by ‘School Sports’ Magazine as one of
the top ten state schools nationally for its sporting
achievements. This year, as well as continuing to
be national champions at table tennis and also
playing at Wembley in the final of a national football
competition, the school had over twenty students
representing their sports at national and international
levels. The school’s latest champion is Mary who is
now the current British BMX champion.
Sporting success is not restricted to Northfield’s
students. The staff are also pretty sporty. Allyson
Butterfield, who works in the school’s office has just
returned from Canada with a Gold medal from
the World Dragon Boat Championship and Data
Manager, Angela Warburton recently won a Silver
Medal at the National Rowing Championship.
51 A*/A Grades between them
Calum Reynolds 8A*/A, Nicola Ezekude 10A*/A, Lucy Bedford
11A*/A, Chloe Ozkan 10A*/A and Laura Stockton 12A*/A.
Year 10 Careers Event
In July 2015 year 10 students took
part in a careers event to give them
all experience and information to
help them develop and shape their
personal careers paths. 15 local and
regional businesses helped with the
event which provided both workplace
visits and internal school based talks
by business ambassadors.
Students gained a massive amount
of information on careers in the
motor industry, healthcare, public
services and many more. The
organisations that helped with the
event included:
Nissan, Darchem Engineering,
Nifco, Cleveland Fire Brigade,
North Tees Hospital, Ignition Radio,
Queensway Dental Practise, Clipper
Logistics, Lucite, Effective Transport
Solutions, Trinity Mirror Group, TSB
and Ineos
As well as finding out about specific
career paths students worked on
developing employability skills in
order to understand recruitment
processes and what will be expected
of them in the future. The event
was organised with help from Pat
Chambers and was a great success.
A big thank you goes to all of the
businesses involved for the time they
took out to work with Northfield
students.
If you have stories about your college or school, please email us at:
news@billinghamcommunity newspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
17
Education
Pupils double up with GCSE results
STUDENTS celebrated their exam results at the
double yesterday as four sets of twins collected their
GCSEs.
The twins were Olivia and Joseph Shovlin, Callum
and Nathan Tonks, Jack and Sophie Wilkinson and
Amy and Joe Buck, all 16.
Head teacher Andrew Ramsay said: “We are used to
twins in the school but four sets is unusual, particularly
as they all performed so well.”
Sophie Wilkinson, of Norton, plans to study textiles
and fashion in the future while Jack plans to attend
Middlesbrough College to study electrical installation.
They gained their GCSEs despite losing their mother
and have been fundraising over the past year realising
over £1,300 for Lifeblood, The Thrombosis Charity.
Sophie said: “We were overwhelmed with the support
from staff and students at the school for us and our
fundraising event, I’m really going to miss them.”
Jack added: “I’m looking forward to starting my new
course in September.”
Nathan Tonks, of Billingham, plans to continue his
apprenticeship at RPD Builders while Callum is going
to Hartlepool College to study fabrication and welding.
Amy Buck, of Wynyard, plans to study maths,
biology, chemistry and French, at Queen Elizabeth
Sixth Form College, Darlington.
Her brother Joe will study maths, computer science
and physics at the same college.
Jack said: “I’m going to miss the teachers so much
and I couldn’t be prouder of my sister and her
achievements today.”
Olivia Shovlin, of Stockton, will also attend QE to
study chemistry, English, art and maths, where brother
Joseph will join her to study English, history, biology
and chemistry.
Seeing double. St Michael’s Academy, Billingham, celebrate as four sets of twins collect their GCSEs, L-R, Olivia and Joseph Shovlin, Callum
(white T) and Nathan Tonks, Jack and Sophie Wilkinson (sitting) and Amy and Joe Buck (standing back right)
Amy Buck will study maths, biology,
chemistry and French at QE, Darlington,
while Joe will study maths, computer
science and physics at the same college
Olivia and Joseph Shovlin
Jack Wilkinson and sister Sophie gained their GCSEs despite losing
their mother and have been fundraising over the past year realising
over £1,300 for Lifeblood, The Thrombosis Charity.
Jason Diggle
Max Bover
Twins Callum and Nathan Tonks
celebrate their success
Elish Chambers
18
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
Education
Prior’s Mill
Welcome to
New Staff
In addition to welcoming 57 children into Early Years Reception
Class, staff at Prior’s Mill CE Primary School have welcomed
several colleagues new to their team. Mrs Lynne Hoyle joined the
school earlier in the year as an experienced Key Stage 1 teacher;
she is also responsible for leading the school in Collective Worship
and RE. Mrs Sophie Pitchers, Miss Charlotte Rigg, Mrs Sarah
Legender and Miss Jackie Horner have all joined the school as
class teachers starting this term. They are joined by Mrs Angela
Braviner who supports the school with Music and Mrs Amanda
Waldock, Teaching Assistant in Key Stage 1. Head Teacher, Gill
Wild, is delighted with the new appointments and is confident that
they will bring new ideas as well as strong teaching to the school.
Happy Birthday
Prior’s Mill
School are celebrating raising over £3000 with a sponsored Fun Run for great
causes, Colitis UK, Cancer Research and Hope for Nell. The young people of
St Joseph’s
RC Primary
Head Teacher Ruth Whyte is so happy that the start of
this term sees the appointment of a new Deputy Head, Jen
Moodie who will help build on the current successes at
St Joseph’s including winning second prize in the Healthy
Hearts Competition and now participating in the Unicef
Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA).
The RRSA links to the UN Convention on the rights of the
child which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in
1989 and is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in
history. Its aims for children is that they
• Make the most of their opportunities to fulfil their rights
to an education, to be safe, to be healthy, to be treated
fairly, and to have a voice in decisions that affect them,
and to encourage others to do the same.
And also that they will
• Do what they can to act in ways that will enable other
children and young people, locally and globally, to enjoy
their rights.
Well done St Joseph’s – fabulous to see you leading the way
for us in Billingham!
Priors Mill were touched by those they knew, as fellow students,
who suffered with, or had family members, impacted by life
threatening illnesses.
Mrs Gill Wild, Head Teacher said “This is an amazing achievement,
for young people to work so hard at fundraising to help others, I
am so proud of each and every one of our students.’
So are we Mrs Wild – well done Prior’s Mill, showing us all how to
love and care for others.
Happy Birthday Prior’s Mill
Happy Birthday to you – it only seems like yesterday but
Prior’s Mill as ‘Prior’s Mill CE Primary (amalgamated school)
was 25 years old on 1st September!!! Mrs Gill Wild said, “We
are planning a Silver Birthday Celebration later this term as
we hadn’t returned to school on the actual anniversary, we’re
excited that in this 25th year, we have so many exciting projects
underway at school.’
Surprise, Surprise! A Disney Farewell for Pam
The tissues were out when Head teacher Pam
Edwards retired from Billingham South just
before the school holidays and BCN are pleased
to say they formed part of the ruse to help spring
a ‘whole school’ surprise to ensure it was a
blockbuster performance!
Pam’s deputy Edwin Squires, with support of staff
and parents had planned a wonderful ‘purple
themed event’ using the newly build wooden ship
in the school playground. The only problem was
Pam wouldn’t stay put in her office, being such
a hands on Head it was proving more and more
difficult for students, staff and parents to dress in
their purple array and slip out to the playground,
which is where BCN came in.
Feigning no knowledge of the imminent
retirement, Pat Chambers chatted and reminisced
on Pam’s family and career, her years of avid
fundraising for causes dear to her heart,
Macmillan and Dementia Research, having lost
loved ones to cancer and Alzheimer’s. We also
discussed plans for the future and how much
she would miss the children but with a new
grandchild due, Pam believed it was time to enjoy
life and spend more time with husband Mick and
her family.
All the while, Edwin and the team were moving
class after class quietly down the corridors, outside
to the playground and getting everyone in position
ready to play their part in this huge ‘Surprise,
Surprise’, including Pam’s husband of 34 years
Mick and daughters Amy and Laura who were in
on the secret too.
When everyone was in position, a knock at the
door signalled it was time to go, so Pam was
escorted on a circuitous walk around the school,
towards the new piece of playground equipment,
the ship, totally unaware that everyone was
gathered, dressed in Pam’s favourite colour purple,
around a throne fit for this Queen of Education!
The rest they say is history but needless to say
many tissues were used as the children stood on
the newly launched ‘HMS Edwards’ and sang
their hearts out with a host of Disney favourites
for this exceptional Head who has touched so
many hearts. With songs like ‘I want more’ from
The Little Mermaid and ‘make lots of fun in the
sun’ and ‘ I wish I could be a part of your world’,
followed by Disney favourite Hakuna Matata
– means no worries for the rest of your days, a
problem free philosophy from The Lion King and
from Toy Story ‘You’ve got a friend in me’ – there
was more than Pam crying.
The ‘Surprise Surprise’ was followed by a joyful
farewell that comes from knowing, that good
friends never have to say goodbye, good friends
like Pam are never more than a phone call away,
so here’s hoping we continue to hear much more
about this fabulous superstar!
Enjoy your retirement Pam but don’t be a stranger!
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
19
Education
Liz Puts Billingham on the DofE Map
Liz Bramley, Executive Head Teacher of Oakdene Primary
School was one of only 4 teachers selected to represent
the north of England by participating in an intensive
5 day review of the current challenges facing primary
schools, then to present their findings to a panel from the
Department of Education.
Liz said, ‘The purpose of the Fellowship Commission is
to bring together 20 outstanding primary, special and
secondary headteachers to consider a significant issue
facing schools. This takes the form of a question, posed
by the NCTL. This year the question focused on system
leadership and to understand the current challenges being
faced by our varied primary schools.’
So What’s the Fellowship Commission Membership
About?
Every member of the Fellowship Commission was a
National Leader of Education (NLE), each with a unique
perspective on the challenge of system leadership. The
NLEs who took part in the 2015 Commission were
identified after an open application and selection process.
Many more applications were received than the number
of Commission places available. As previously stated Liz
was one of just 4 Head Teachers selected from the North of
England, so this was a huge honour.
The findings, proposals and recommendations will be
presented to Ministers this term. It is hoped that this will
influence the White/ Green paper in the late Autumn/
Spring term.
Mrs Bramley shared “It has genuinely been the best
professional learning and development that I have
experienced in such a long time. I loved the challenge
and dialogue at all levels, I am genuinely proud of what
we managed to achieve and I feel that I have been gifted
a situation in working with some truly remarkable and
talented leaders, which any country would be proud to
have leading their schools.
It gives me great hope that if the system can harness
our talents, then we have an opportunity to take real
ownership of educational leadership in this country and
change it for the better.”
New Head Teacher at
Bewley Primary
BCN caught up with
Head Teacher Mrs Maria
Carlton who has recently
been appointed to her role
at Bewley Primary School
on Low Grange Avenue.
Maria has an outstanding
record of achievement in
education and is looking
forward to the challenges
of leading a much larger
school with the support of
Deputy Head Mrs Duncan
and her staff.
Mrs Carlton left the
Officially Outstanding
Wolviston Primary School
to take on this great career
opportunity, we all wish
you every success and look
forward to reading more
about Bewley Primary
School in upcoming
editions.
Local NCS Group Helping
Vulnerable Families
The National Citizen Service (NCS) is a personal and
social development programme for 16 and 17 year olds
in the transition between school and college, with a key
focus on volunteering and community based projects.
One local NCS Group, fondly named YacPack, has
focused their efforts on raising money and resources for
the Billingham Food Bank.
The YacPack NCS Group are ready to help their local
food bank, however they can’t do it alone. The group are
working towards installing donation boxes across the
Borough – one of which is going to be installed in the
reception of Catalyst Stockton on Yarm Road.
It is hoped that the installation of these donation boxes
will increase the amount of donations in the area. All
of the donations will be collected and managed by the
group completely voluntarily.
Many assume that food banks are there to provide for
those who are homeless or do not work, but that is not
the case. Many use food banks as a result of unavoidable
personal or financial issues. During the school holidays
is often the hardest time for many families due to the
lack of free school meals, leading to a higher demand at
food banks across the country. Without the help from a
generous cohort, these food banks would simply not be
able to meet families’ needs during this period.
Yacouba Traore, group leader of YacPack, said “We
hope to work with local people and businesses to
acquire sizable financial and food donations on a
regular basis. By giving tinned goods and cereals, those
stricken by poverty can be well cared for.”
Hannah Wears, Group Mentor, said “This project has
helped us to learn more about our community. We’ve
found out a lot more about the food bank, learning
that they provide toiletries and items of clothing. The
staff also provide cooking classes and food preparation
courses.”
If you would like to learn more about Billingham Food
Bank, the services they offer or would like to give a
donation, please contact Jill Coyle on 07583 575522 or
e-mail [email protected].
Billingham South Community School Becomes Dementia Friendly
Head teacher Pam Edwards was overjoyed that her
primary school was the first to sign up to a special project
to promote awareness of dementia and memory loss
among its staff and pupils.
Billingham South Community Primary School has
committed to become a ‘dementia friendly’ school by
pledging to increase understanding about dementia and
reduce stigma about the condition.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Health and Wellbeing
Librarian has been working with the school to teach
children about dementia through innovative lessons
involving interesting storybook sessions and memory
games.
To gain the special status the school agreed for all staff
to attend ‘dementia friends’ sessions and raise dementia
awareness with all the children in school. The school has
now appointed two champions to promote understanding
about memory loss and dementia. They will also provide
an annual update of their progress.
The project is part of wider work Stockton-on-Tees
Borough Council, Cleveland Alzheimer’s Residential
Centre (Clevearc) and its partners are doing to make
Stockton-on-Tees a nationally recognised dementia
friendly community.
Gayle Tweed, Chief Executive of Clevearc, visited the
school to present staff and pupils with their working to
become ‘Dementia Friendly Stockton’ certificate.
Pam said: “I am so proud that our school is the first
primary school in Stockton Borough to be involved in this
wonderful project and has been recognised for our work to
become a dementia friendly school.”
Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton-on-Tees Borough
Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People,
said: “We know a growing number of our residents’ lives
are affected by dementia. This is why the Council is keen
to educate people of all ages about this condition but
especially children and younger people because it’s crucial
that the next generation is dementia friendly.
“I’m really pleased that Billingham South Primary is our
first school to sign up to this project and I congratulate
them on their efforts. I’d encourage any school interested
in this project to get in touch and find out more how
children develop their confidence and understanding of
this condition.”
Billingham South Community Primary will now be able to
display the national working to become dementia friendly
logo and will be promoted on the Dementia Friendly
Stockton website – www.dementiafriendlystockton.co.uk
To find out more about the project contact Karen Morris,
Health and Wellbeing Librarian at Stockton-on-Tees
Borough Council on 01642 526518 or email Karen.
[email protected]
20
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
Ingition Radio is Calling You
BCN had the pleasure of meeting with Tony Beards and a group of
NCS young people who had worked hard to decorate and refurbish
Ignition Radio’s building creating space to enable training and
development of would be presenters or technicians in the world of
radio or media.
Tony Beards, who is the stations Programme and Training Coordinator said ‘The young people have been absolutely fabulous;
they sourced all the materials themselves and literally transformed
our building for us. As we’re based in Hope House, it’s even more
fitting to link their hard work to the hopes and dreams these young
people have for their future. I just want to say a big thank you to the
National Citizenship Service for introducing us to this vibrant team.’
If you haven’t yet listened into Ignition Radio, we’ve added some
of the scheduling information for you but as a community radio
station, the team are interested in your views, so do get in touch,
give feedback and help shape the future of this local radio station.
The majority of our shows are produced and presented from our
studios in Hardwick (opposite North Tees Hospital) by local people
from around the Borough. Our presenters range from 15 years old
to 70+ so there are opportunities for any one young or old to get
involved either presenting a full hour or two hour show or providing
a feature for one of our shows providing information for local
people.
We’re really pleased to say that 2 Northfield Students who visited
Ignition Radio as part of their careers week have both signed up to
volunteer with station – well done and hope to hear you live soon!
Here’s a taste of what you could listen on ton Ignition Radio and
there is loads of opportunity for you to engage and pick the music or
join in with the chat.
Monday
6am Wake up to the 80’s
9am Morning Get Together – Clive Hort
12noon Lunchtime Requests
Your music choice ring 01642645827
1pm Magic Roundabout – Mick Pearce
3pm The A to Z of Pop – Richard Smith
4 pm Airplay 40 – Spencer James
7pm Unsafe Space - Liam Carberry
9pm Re-Ignition
Through the night a repeat of Ignition shows
Teesside Community Media
Ignition Radio, Hope House, 13-15 Whessoe Rd,
Hardwick, TS19 8LB, 01642 645827.
Billingham Choral
Society
Rehearsals are in full swing, after the
summer recess and anyone interested
in joining the choir would be welcome
any evening between 7.15 and 8.45pm at
the Community Centre, Clifton Avenue.
If you would like further information,
please telephone Musical Director
Margaret Pringle on 01642 363502. The
choir recently performed at a wedding in
Wynyard Hall and are happy to help make
any Special Day even better. Now plans are
going ahead for a concert in aid of the new
buildings at St. Michael’s school to be held
in the school on Friday November 6th at
7pm, tickets are £5 each and will include
light refreshments. During December we
shall be raising money for Cancer Research
UK with Christmas carols and concerts.
For over 40 years the choir has sung at St.
Columba’s and will again be singing there
to mark the start of the Christmas Tree
Festival on Sunday December 13th. All
concert details appear on our website www.
billinghamchoralsociety.org.uk
The choir is grateful for help from the
Evening Gazette WISH Campaign and will
once again be collecting the WISH tokens.
Please save them for us and help to boost
our total. At the end of the campaign,
tokens can be sent to 17 Barton Crescent
Billingham TS22 5HJ.
Peter English
Flooring
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Wolviston Court Wi
Flying the flag for Billingham Member’s of
Wolviston Court WI were over joyed to received
tickets to attend the Royal Garden Party at
Buckingham Palace. Meeting with the Duchess of
Cornwall as she hosted a garden party to celebrate
the institution’s centenary year.
They were joined by thousands of Women’s
Institute (WI) members, at least one from every
branch.
The duchess herself is a member of the Tetbury WI
near her Highgrove home.
She was joined at the party by three other royals,
the Countess of Wessex, the Duchess of Gloucester
and the Queen’s cousin Princess Alexandra.
01642 552100
www.flooringpete.co.uk
fl[email protected]
If you have news stories, please email us at:
news@billinghamcommunity newspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
21
Business
Further Investment Supports Growing
Container Volumes at Teesport
PD Ports has demonstrated its commitment to supporting
Teesport’s continued growth in container volumes by
investing in three new Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes (RTGs).
The specialist cranes have been ordered from Liebherr
Container Cranes, who has over 50 years of experience in
crane development and manufacture.
In the past five years, PD Ports has invested over £60M at
Teesport in developing, upgrading and enhancing capacity
to meet the demands of its customers and position the Port
as the northern gateway for containerised goods destined for
the North of the UK.
Teesport has experienced uplift in container volumes of
13% year on year since 2007. The port handled 420,000
TEU in 2014 making it the 2nd largest container port in the
North.
David Robinson, PD Ports’ Group Chief Executive Officer,
said: “We are committed to continuing to invest in Teesport
to ensure we have the right infrastructure to support the
growth of our business and those of our customers. We
already have a strong operational platform with solid
infrastructure and a state-of-the art terminal operating
system. Teesport continues to be a leading player in the UK
ports sector and these new cranes signify the next step in the
Port’s development.”
Speaking about the order, Liebherr Container Cranes’
Managing Director Pat O’Leary, said “Liebherr has been
a commercial partner of PD Ports for over 25 years and
during that time has supplied a number of STS cranes to
Teesport. We are delighted to continue this partnership with
the signing of a framework agreement for RTGs and the
supply of these state-of-the-art machines to the Port. The
combination of productivity technologies and numerous
safety systems which are features of these RTGs will allow
for increased box handling capacity and continued safety for
personnel and equipment at Teesport.”
Record Numbers for High Tide’s Summer Scheme
Local charitable foundation, High Tide has this year broken
records, with a significant increase in both the number of student
applicants and placements for its outstanding Summer Scheme.
Joining together industry and education across Teesside to improve
learning and employment opportunities; Middlesbrough based
High Tide Foundation offers a range of programmes and schemes
to encourage young people across the region into work experience.
Offering 16-17 year olds placements over the summer holidays, the
Summer Scheme allows students to spend time with employers in
and around Teesport, where they can learn invaluable business skills.
After aiming to attract 50 students to participate in the scheme
in 2015, High Tide has successfully surpassed this goal, bringing
in a total of 56 students which has almost doubled the figures from
previous years. With the help of 33 companies, 16 of which are newly
joined members such as Nifco UK and Clugston Construction,
together with the existing High Tide members increasing their
involvement; the charity has firmly secured a total of 108 placements.
These opportunities will accommodate participants to take part in
two-week placements over the next few months.
The Summer Scheme, which kicked off at the beginning of July,
has not only broken past records but has also created a platform
that has generated around 140 weeks’ worth of work experience
opportunities for youngsters in the region looking to get their foot
on the career ladder.
High Tide Co-ordinator, Lauren Bywater said of the Foundation’s
achievements: “We’re delighted to have brought in record numbers
of students for our Summer Scheme this year. It is a real credit to
the member companies who we are so lucky to have on board and
championing our programmes.
“The increased support this year from current and new member
companies demonstrates the real value and success the programme
brings to not only the student, but the businesses involved also.”
Echoing the success of the numbers, the Summer Scheme also
saw three of last year’s participants applying again as they found the
experience so valuable the first time around. From the momentum
of its achievements, High Tide will continue to promote awareness of
its work and hope to increase the placements available again in 2016.
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
22
SEPT/OCT 2015
Business
Augean Dig in at Community Gardens Town Centre
Update
Picture L-R Michele Armstrong (Partnerships Manager Groundwork North East &
Cumbria), Terry Blanchard (Augean) Roger Black (BELP) Sarah Ransome (Groundwork
North East & Cumbria) Kevin Pitt (BELP) Jayne Hector (Clarences Families Group)
from Tony Donnelly,
Town Centre Manager, St.Modwen
With ever more staff wanting to give back to their local community and
in recognition that some of Augean’s employees live in Port Clarence,
there was simply no contest when it came to shortlisting a project to
engage with for their corporate ‘work day’.
The allotments at Port Clarence have been transformed from an
area that contained contaminated waste and had become a ‘dumping
ground’ for rubbish, into a vibrant community garden that like anyone,
or anything, that is tended with care continues to grow strong, expand
New
Appointment
at Thirlwells
Thirlwells have appointed Leanne Nash to
the newly established role of HR & Business
Development Manager. This position within
the firm will help support the Partners and
Staff in their drive to promote and progress
the business. Leanne has an extensive and
and engage ever more people. Terry Blanchard Augean Site Manager
said, ‘We knew from our staff about the community gardens and in
conjunction with Groundwork North East and Cumbria and BELP here
in Billingham, identified a project that we could help with locally. The
focus has been on the introduction of a pond to the community gardens
and helping with the final work on the rockery. I’m overjoyed with the
work we have accomplished here today and glad we also had the help
from local residents too.’
varied range of experience as a trained solicitor
and business manager. She brings a wealth
of business experience to Thirlwells and an
in-depth knowledge of the Teesside business
community.
Commenting on the appointment Partner
Wendy Clarke said “Leanne is an excellent
addition to our Senior Team here at Thirlwells,
and brings a range of skills and experience.
Leanne will spearhead the pursuit of the many
opportunities that exist to work more extensively
across Billingham, Stockton and Middlesbrough
and the many positive new leads that come our
way. She will also share her experience and
knowledge with the wider staff complement,
helping us all to develop our skillsets.”
Partner Nicola Munro added, “As a result
of continued growth and expansion, this role
has become necessary. We are excited to be
growing our business not only in Middlebrough
and Billingham, where we have always been a
strong presence, but across the wider Teesside
area. Leanne has already brought some great
new ideas to us” Speak to Leanne at Thirlwells
Billingham on 01642 361 111 or visit www.
thirlwell-estates.co.uk
Over 150 performers from all across the world descended
on Billingham Town Centre last month for the 51st
Billingham International Folklore Festival. The festival
presents a unique opportunity for the local community to
explore different cultures and traditions. This year dance
groups from Mexico, China, the Philippines and USA
joined the celebrations, bringing a bright splash of further
colour to Billingham.
Spectacular performances took place at a number of
different venues, including an arena in the town square.
Dancers also performed along Queensway and attracted
quite a crowd of local shoppers. It was great to see so many
people enjoying the festival. We should be very proud that
Billingham is home to such as well-respected international
event.
The festival has been a long standing tradition in
Billingham and, over the years it has become a highlight
of the region’s arts and culture calendar. We look forward
to working with the organisers to build on this success for
future generations.
As well as supporting the International Folklore Festival,
we are pleased to highlight our support for new start-up
businesses in the region. We recognise that some new
businesses can have difficulties establishing themselves
and are not ready to commit to a full size shop. We have
therefore created a new Enterprise Hub in the town centre,
located two doors down from Timpson’s, which is available
for fledgling businesses. Pamper Me is the latest new
business due to open in early October in the Hub, offering
soaps, bath bombs, candles, shaving kits and much, much
more. I hope shoppers coming to the centre will support
these new businesses.
If anyone is interesting in finding out more about space
in the Enterprise Hub, please contact me on 01642 360 973.
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
23
Business
SMEs recognised for their NCS –
environmental efficiency In Port
Clarence
Young people from in and around Billingham
chose the community gardens in Port Clarence
as part of their NCS course to give back to local
people. Participation in the training provided
through the National Careers Service is all
voluntary but helps develop skills in young people,
working as a team, communication, prioritising
tasks, fundraising and physically ‘hands on’ work
experience. School leavers can learn so much in
such a short space of time through the programme,
helping them making sense of some of life’s big
decisions such as:
• Career Choices– and how to identify routes to
those roles.
• GCSE results – whatever they are, they should
never limit your ambition
• Higher Education or routes to apprenticeship or
employment
• How do you want to learn – if college is not
for you, you might prefer more hands-on ways of
doing things, so you might want to think about an
apprenticeship.
Well the hands on route was certainly in order
down at the community gardens with the young
people spending 2 weeks clearing weeds, levelling
ground, building a rockery and planting flowers and
seeds.
Well done everyone, a great job and we’re so proud
of all you have helped achieve in our community.
Guy Bashford Teesside University and Pat Chambers Editor BCN
North-East companies which have made
significant environmental improvements have been
recognised by a Teesside University project which
has helped firms save millions of pounds.
The Resource Efficiency Pathways to Sustainable
Growth (REPS) programme, based at The Forge
at Teesside University, helped companies become
leaner by looking at resource efficiency savings
from all aspects of business process including use
of raw material, energy, water, waste, and product
design.
Over the last four years, the £2.5 million
programme, which was part-funded by the
European Regional Development Fund, worked
with more than 192 businesses, helping them to
make more £5 million in savings, investment and
new business generation.
In addition, the project helped save 21,710 tonnes
of greenhouse gas emissions and diverted more
than 218,500 tonnes of waste with 31 jobs created
or safeguarded as a direct result of the REPS
business support.
The REPS programme, which began in July 2011
and ended in September this year, aimed to help
North-East SMEs to undertake resource efficiency
improvements and help them appreciate the value
of a resource and environmental management
strategy for their business.
At a special event, held at Wynyard Hall, 16
SMEs which had made significant environmental
achievements with REPS were recognised for their
work.
Pedro Rivera, REPS Project Manager, said:
“From the outset of the programme, it was key
that we recognised the companies which have
made a significant environmental improvement
as a result of implementing the solutions and
recommendations from REPS support.
“Each of these companies has seen costs savings
and increased efficiency as a result of the changes
they have made to operational and environmental
processes.”
“It was also a fantastic opportunity for the SMEs
and our stakeholders to share best practice and
network.”
The companies that picked up awards were:
Silver award – Cleveland Site Safe, Sotech
and Tees Care. Bronze Award – Billingham
Community Newspaper, Brewlab, Carroll &
Meynell, Double Concentrate, HNL Engineering,
Macaw Engineering, Mike Acton CIC, North
East Automotive Alliance, PASS, Process Control
Equipment and Renoovo Design.
For more information on how Teesside
University can help your business, visit www.
tees.ac.uk/theforge
OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE
Competitive rates, easy in/out terms
For further information please
contact Gavin on
01642 533089 or [email protected]
Old Billingham Business Centre
1 Chapel Road, Billingham, TS23 1EN
24
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
Thirteen Group supporting people in Billingham
The Thirteen Group is a partnership of housing landlords who manage more than 32,000 homes in the North East.
Tees Valley Housing and Tristar Homes are part of Thirteen and provide quality homes for people in Billingham.
The Clarences Annual Community fun day! Money advice for residents
Over 250 people came along to the annual community fun
day at the Port Clarence Community Centre on Wednesday
26 August. Residents brought their children for a great
family day out, jam-packed with activities including bouncy
castle, balloon modelling, magic show, giant inflatable, a
variety of craft and gardening stalls, and much more.
Housing group Thirteen’s Money Advice and
Employability Service, Billingham Environmental Link
Project, Billingham Legacy Foundation, Billingham
Community Newspaper and Cleveland Fire Brigade also
attended – the children were particularly keen to climb
aboard the fire engines and chat to the officers!
The event was run in partnership with Tristar Homes and
The Clarences Residents Action Group (CRAG). Staff from
Thirteen were also on hand to take housing queries and
provide refreshments and drinks.
Feedback from the event was extremely positive, with some
attendees saying it was the best fun day yet.
Estate walkabouts
Residents of Tees Valley Housing and
Tristar Homes can get help to make the
most of their money, develop new skills
or boost their job prospects.
The Money Advice and Employability
Team at Thirteen can help you manage
your money, explore the internet or take
steps to find a job.
The team can help you:
• check that you are claiming the
benefits you’re entitled to, and sort out
any benefit problems
• deal with debt
• manage your money and budget for
the things you need
• find training courses and work
placements to boost your skills and
experience
• create a CV, search for jobs online and
prepare for interviews
• use the internet to pay bills, report
repairs, or find lower prices for things
like gas and electricity
• set up an email account and learn
basic computer skills.
Get in touch today
You can contact us to make an
appointment with the Money Advice and
Employability Team at:
Email: customerservices@
thirteengroup.co.uk
Tel: 0300 111 1000 and ask for the
Money Advice and Employability Team
Click: www.tristarhomes.co.uk or www.
thirteengroup.co.uk
Alternatively, just call into one of
Thirteen’s offices or speak to your
neighbourhood officer.
Thirteen regularly carries out estate inspections in
the Billingham area, and we work closely with the
council to keep the area as clean and tidy as possible.
In particular, we identify ‘HOT SPOT’ areas where
fly-tipping is particularly bad, so we can increase the
surveillance in these areas. In some places, we have
CCTV to help us identify people who are fly-tipping,
which helps us to improve the appearance of your
neighbourhood.
We encourage residents to report any issues of flytipping, and are always looking for people to attend
estate walkabouts. To report fly-tipping or to attend a
walkabout, please give us a call, we’d love to hear from
you! Just call 0300 111 1000 and ask for your local
neighbourhood officer.
Have your say on
Neighbourhood Plans
We’re currently developing a plan to guide the
development of your area. It’s called a Neighbourhood
Plan and we need to make sure it meets the needs of
residents and the wider community in Billingham.
At Thirteen, we’ve already started looking at the plan,
and now we’re keen to find out what you have to say.
So you’re invited to take part in focus groups to tell us
about the issues that matter to you in your community.
We aim to run local events in your area, so please get
in touch with your local neighbourhood officer to find
out more - tel: 0300 111 1000.
Housing
surgeries
Did you know that Thirteen hosts
housing surgeries across Billingham?
The surgeries give you the chance to
meet with neighbourhood officers
and other staff to talk about a range
of issues. They can help you:
• find your new home
• report a repair
• pay your rent
• discuss anti-social behaviour
• get information and advice about
housing.
You can come along to housing
surgeries for:
• High rise accommodation
including Kennedy Gardens: weekly
on Wednesdays, from 2pm – 4pm at
Kennedy Gardens, Block 2.
• Prior Court and Melsonby Court:
Weekly on Thursdays, from 9am 11am at Melsonby Court.
• Eden House: Monthly on the last
Friday of the month, from 2.30pm at
Eden house Community Room.
• The Clarences: Every Monday
and Friday, from 8.45am at High
Clarence School.
For more information about the
surgeries, just call tel: 0300 111 1000.
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
The Billingham tion
Legacy Founda
The Billingham
Legacy Foundation
Our Town, Our Community, Our Fund
25
Happy Birthday Billingham
Legacy Foundation
Visit our website for more detilas
www.billinghamlegacyfoundation.co.uk
Billingham Legacy Foundation was started just
5 years ago, with 2 residents each agreeing to put
just £1 per week into an endowment trust for the
benefit of the Billingham Community. The vision
was quite simple, monies held in the endowment
trust would be a legacy investment for the
people of Billingham. The trust itself would
never be touched, however the interest from the
trust would be used for charitable giving in our
community, supporting those most in need, our
local groups and associations – indeed, through
a Legacy Foundation, help our community grow
strong.
Working quietly in the background, guided
and supported by Tees Valley Community
Foundation, monies continue to be held in
trust, this year, Billingham Legacy Foundation
has £12,000 available for potential grant giving,
so if you, your group or association would like
to be considered for support, please visit www.
billinghamlegacyfoundation.co.uk and complete
the application form. If you need any assistance
in completing the brief documentation please
call Pat Chambers on 07770455651. If you would
like to become one of the patrons of Billingham
Legacy Foundation and make regular donations
to help others in our community, please do call
to discuss. Look at what we have achieved in
just 5 years and with our BLF Supporters group
we continue to work to make Billingham a great
place to live, work and play.
BLF Supporters have organised a host of
community activities geared towards building
that community cohesion we all seek, which
includes Corporate Golf Days, hosted by
Billingham Golf Club. Billingham Community
Games, hosted by SRC Bede 6th Form, an
‘It’s a knockout extravaganza which involves
residents (Chilterns won this year)businesses
and educators as they learn about team work,
communication and socialising together.
Billingham Carnival and Horticultural Show is
an event which showcases all the best of produce
and blooms along with a host of craft and trade
stalls and traditional carnival. A fabulous ‘Titanic
Evening’ brought together a cross section of
the community, followed by Christmas in the
Clarences and the Pensioners Christmas Party
– all delivered through our dedicated volunteers
who fundraise all year round to help make
Billingham a great place to live work and play.
Quietly in the background our grants
programme has supported local people and
groups to be the best that they can be, to look
at how goods and skills can be shared in the
community, further demonstrating the mutual
benefits of working together.
Like all voluntary organisations, we continue
to need skills and talents, if you want to
be a part of our future, please email us on:
[email protected]
or visit our website for more details: www.
billinghamlegacyfoundation.co.uk
26
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
Arts
Arts Council Chair Officially Opens New Library
SIR PETER Bazalgette, Chair of Arts Council England, officially opened the new £2.7million Library
and Customer Service Centre in Billingham recently.
Sir Peter is a leading creative figure behind global TV production company Endemol and has also
been awarded fellowships by BAFTA and the Royal Television Society before being knighted in 2012
for services to broadcasting, so was well placed to endorse our new library.
Sir Peter said: “I am delighted to officially open the new Library and Customer Service Centre in
Billingham.
“It is a state-of-the-art facility providing the latest technology alongside a wide range of library and
customer services and an excellent example of how libraries are being reimagined to lie at the heart
of the community.”
The official opening also featured a performance by dance group Urban Kaos, who showcased their
interpretation of SIRF 15’s ‘Instant Light’ story, and a bespoke poem written for the event by Kate
Fox.
Cllr Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “Buildings like this are
important hubs of our local communities where residents can go to be informed, educated and
supported.
“We’ve already seen an increase of in new library memberships and number of books being issued
since the library’s initial opening in January. There has been great feedback about the new facility
and this has been echoed by the building being awarded the prestigious Best New Public Building
prize at the Local Authority Building Control Northern Regional Awards.”
For more information about our great facility, contact Billingham Library on 01642 528084 or
[email protected]
Photo caption: Sir Peter Bazalgette (left), Chair of Arts Council England, officially opens the
Billingham Library and Customer Service Centre alongside Councillor Bob Cook.
Cheryl, Mike & Jay
Formerly Of Bucks Fizz
Early in 1981, four complete strangers sat in the drawing room of a
house in Fulham and were told: “you are now Bucks Fizz”.
In the eight weeks between that first meeting and appearing on “A Song
for Europe” on 11th March 1981, Bucks Fizz were hurled into a melee
of rehearsing, recording, routines, styling, interviews and photography.
Forum Theatre Billingham - Date Information 18th Sep 2015
Pricing: All Seats £22.00. Show Times 7.30pm
The Cavern Beatles
20th Sep 2015The Cavern Beatles are widely regarded as being as close
to the real thing as it’s possible to get. Be prepared to enjoy all the hits
of the Fab Four in a 2 hour show that is completely live.
Forum Theatre Billingham - Pricing - All Seats £17.00, Conc. £15.00.
Show Times 7.30pm
U2:UK Concert Show
Saturday 26 September 2015 ~ 7.30pm
Forum Theatre Billingham
£22 Conc: £20
Box Office: 01642 552663 Forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk
U2UK will be performing songs spanning four decades with some
of the greatest rock anthems ever written. U2UK recreates the
most captivating moments of the tours which have earned U2 their
reputation as ‘The World’s Greatest Rock Band’.
The Searchers
The Searchers remarkable career continues. With such classic hits as,
Sweets For My Sweet; Needles and Pins; Don’t Throw Your Love Away;
Sugar and Spice and When You Walk In The Room.
Forum Theatre Billingham - Date Information - 27th Sep 2015
Pricing: All Seats £19.50. Show Times 7.30pm
Puzzles & Fun
SUDOKU
EASY
WORD SEARCH
NUMBER SEARCH
Can you find the words below.
They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards
or backwards.
Can you find the hidden numbers? They may be
horizontal or vertical.
HARD
ACCOMPLISHED, ADROIT, ANALYTICAL, ASTUTE, BRAINY, BRIGHT, BRILLIANT,
CANNY, CLEVER, CREATIVE, CUNNING, EDUCATED, ENLIGHTENED, GIFTED,
IMAGINATIVE, INCISIVE, INGENIOUS, INTELLIGENT, INVENTIVE, KEEN,
LEARNED, LOGICAL, PERCEPTIVE, PRODIGIOUS, PROFICIENT, RATIONAL,
RESOURCEFUL, SENSIBLE, SHARP, SHREWD, SKILLED, SMART, TALENTED,
THOUGHTFUL, WILY, WITTY.
04473, 05133, 05147, 10193, 11707, 19274, 23457, 29593, 34477,
37432, 47474, 64738, 73849, 87207, 94383, 99874.
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
27
Health
The Clinical Commissioning Group
Over the last couple of months NHS Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees CCG have
been recruiting Community Health Ambassadors.
Community Health Ambassadors will help the CCG to reach people from
disadvantaged communities that are particularly likely to be affected by health
inequalities and deprivation.
Traditionally people from these groups and communities have been less likely to
have the opportunity to become involved and the CCG recognises that it can do more
to reach and listen to people who are less likely to engage with public bodies.
This is particularly important to the CCG, as health inequalities and deprivation in
Hartlepool and Stockton is higher than the national average. Joined up working with
disadvantaged local communities will develop the work of the CCG to improve overall
health and reduce preventable disease and inequality across our area.
The CCG is proud of the relationships it has achieved with key voluntary sector
organisations in both Hartlepool and Stockton. To ensure that as many local people,
groups and organisations as possible are given the opportunity to become involved
in the Community Health Ambassadors initiative, the CCG are working closely with
one of its voluntary sector partners, Catalyst Stockton to develop and manage the
Community Health Ambassador role.
The aim of the Community Health Ambassador role itself is for Ambassadors to:
• create a link between the CCG and a diverse cross-section of individuals, groups
and communities from across Hartlepool
• actively engage these individuals, groups and communities in CCG projects and
activities
• ensure that health priorities, commissioning intentions and planning,
development, commissioning and reform of health services include, and are
influenced by, the views, experiences and needs of our local population.
Ambassadors will work on a voluntary basis, with expenses covered by NHS
Hartlepool and Stockton CCG.
If you are interested in becoming a Community Ambassador or would like more
information please contact Gemma Clifford, Health and Wellbeing Officer at Catalyst
on 01642 733906 or email [email protected]
Vaccination Programme
At the beginning of September, Public Health England hailed the start of a
new vaccination programme, which offers young children protection against
meningococcal group B (MenB) disease.
The MenB vaccination has been added to the NHS Childhood Immunisation
Programme in England to help protect children against this devastating disease
which can cause meningitis (an infection of the protective membranes that surround
the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (blood poisoning) which are serious and
potentially fatal illnesses.
Babies will be offered the MenB vaccine with the other routine vaccinations at two
months, four months and 12-13 months of age. Vaccinating babies at these times helps
protect them when they are most at risk of developing MenB disease.
Infants under one year of age are most at risk of MenB and the number of cases peak
at around five or six months of age.
Meningococcal B disease can be devastating for babies and young children and it has
cut many lives short and left young people disabled.
The disease develops quickly and early symptoms in babies and young children can
include a high fever with cold hands and feet, vomiting and refusing to feed, agitation,
drowsiness or being floppy or unresponsive, grunting or breathing rapidly or having
an unusual high-pitched or moaning cry.
A classic sign is pale, blotchy skin, and a red rash that
doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it.
We must all remain alert to the signs and symptoms of
meningococcal disease and seek urgent medical attention if
there is any concern as the vaccine does not protect against all
types of meningococcal disease.
Be aware of all signs and symptoms and trust your instincts
– don’t wait for a rash to develop before seeking urgent
medical attention. As a parent, you may not like seeing your
baby or child being given an injection. However, vaccination
is an important step in protecting your child against a range
of serious and potentially fatal diseases.
Vaccinations are quick, safe and extremely effective and
if more parents have their children vaccinated, then more
children in the community will be protected against an illness.
Flu Jab
With school holidays over and winter knocking on the door
its that time again when we start talking about flu jabs!
We are almost at the time of year when people who are at
high risk from seasonal flu will be invited for their free annual
flu jabs to ensure they are protected through the winter
months. The annual flu vaccination campaign began at the
beginning of the month, and your GP practice will be gearing
up to get as many eligible patients and carers immunised
during the campaign and to invite them for their jab.
28
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
Health
Stockton on Tees Stoptober Launch
Smokers in Stockton-on-Tees are being urged to
give quitting a go for the launch of Stoptober as new
research finds people’s chances of stopping soar if
they quit with a partner or friend.
Public Health England and Fresh are urging
smokers from the area to sign up to Stoptober
- the country’s 28 day mass quit attempt from
Public Health England – to receive support and
encouragement every step of the way from some of
the nation’s top comedians.
And to stand an even better chance of quitting,
Stockton-on-Tees residents are encouraged to sign
up with their friends, family and colleagues, as
evidence reveals that this type of ‘social quitting’
can dramatically improve people’s chances of
successfully stopping.
Research shows that smokers are two thirds
(67%) more likely to quit when their spouse stops
smoking, and a third more likely to quit when a
close friend (36%) or someone they work with
(34%) stops . The data also shows that individuals
are much more likely (61%) to smoke if their
partner or a close friend smokes – showing the
powerful influence that people’s social networks
have on their own smoking behaviour.
This is backed up by a study of smokers in
Australia, Canada, the UK and the United States
which shows that the fewer smoking friends
someone has, the more likely they are to succeed in
a quit attempt.
Lisa Surtees, Acting Director of Fresh, said:
“Making a pact to quit with your partner or a friend
is a great way to really boost your chances of kicking
tobacco once and for all. That support can make all
the difference and keep you going.”
Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton Council’s Cabinet
Member for Adult Services and Health, said: “We
recognise people who smoke face huge health risks
such as preventable diseases and premature death.
That is why we are pleased to support the Stoptober
initiative again to encourage Stockton-on-Tees
residents to quit. We know it can be very difficult to
stop smoking but there is plenty of advice on hand
to make it easier if you need additional support. By
taking up the Stoptober challenge with friends and
family you will be able to help each other quit and
have a healthier, smoke free future.”
This year, Stoptober will be providing quitters with
a personal touch from some of the nation’s leading
comedians – Bill Bailey, Rhod Gilbert, Al Murray
and Shappi Khorsandi. Messages of support and
encouragement will be sent straight to quitters’
phones and emails throughout October.
Over a quarter of a million people across the
country signed up to Stoptober last year with
more than half making it to 28 days; this year, it is
expected the campaign will welcome the millionth
sign up. By stopping smoking for 28 days you are
five times more likely to stop for good.
Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and
Wellbeing for Public Health England said:
“Stoptober will be providing people with more
engaging and personalised support than ever.
Along with receiving proven advice and support,
participants this year will get encouragement every
day from some of the best comedians in the country
to help them reach 28 days smokefree.
“The benefits of stopping smoking are almost
immediate: quitters will soon see reduced blood
pressure, easier breathing and better circulation. It
is one of the best things a person can do to improve
their health and reduce their chances of developing
long-term conditions and dying prematurely.
Sign up today and get ready to start your quitting
journey with our support on 1 October.”
Rhod Gilbert who is supporting this year’s
campaign says: “I smoked for about 25 years and
probably spent 23 of those trying to quit, trying
everything you can think of to kick the habit. I
know first hand that it can be hard to find the
motivation to quit, but Stoptober is the perfect
time to give it a go. Not only will you be joining
thousands of others taking part, you’ll also have
exclusive support from myself, Bill Bailey, Shappi
24 Hour Fundraiser for James
Cook Neurology Department
Dear BCN
Re: 24 Hour Fundraiser for James Cook
Neurology Department
Two years ago, on 24 October 2013 I suffered an
accident while playing football with friends, which
fractured my skull and caused a traumatic brain
injury. The accident subsequently caused a bleed on
the brain, swelling the brain itself. I needed part of
my skull removed to release pressure and stop the
bleed, then had a titanium plate fitted to replace the
gap in my skull. Since then I have used this accident
as my motivation to hold three charity events for
local charities, two of which were influential in my
recovery.
On the anniversary of my accident 23/24th
October 2015, I will be holding a 24 hour 5 a
side match to fundraise for James Cook Hospital
neurology department, the hospital that not only
saved my life, but over the past two years, have
made my recovery possible through their ongoing
and patient consultation.
During the 24 hour marathon match, being
played at SRC Bede 6th Form College, 30-40 of my
family and friends and family will all play at least 6
hours each, ensuring that play is continuous. I will
also be playing my first game of football in 2 years
not only to celebrate my own life but to ensure we
raise valuable funds to help other people who, like
me, have their whole lives impacted by everyday
accidents.
Although the match is being played at SRC Bede
6th Form down on Bedford Terrace there is also a
whole evening of fundraising for anyone who can’t
be involved on the pitch itself.
I am hopeful that local people reading this in
your newspaper will either consider attending our
fundraising event, or support our marathon match,
or perhaps consider donating a raffle prize for us to
use, or perhaps refreshments for the participants,
or simply a direct donation.
The event has already received coverage from
BBC Tees and will be covered by the local
newspapers as well as BCN but for now, if anyone
can help, or wants to know more about how
they can be involved, please call me on mobile:
07837766803 or email me on: seandolan6@hotmail.
com
Thank you and hope BCN readers can help.
Yours sincerely,
Sean Dolan
Khorsandi and the Pub Landlord, as well as access
to lots of other help along the way. My advice to
those taking on Stoptober would be to take the 28
days one day at a time.”By signing up to Stoptober,
participants can choose from a range of free support
tools including daily emails and text messages from
the comedians throughout the 28 day quit attempt
as well as a mobile phone app which includes lots
more tips and advice - all of which have shown to
increase the chances of staying smokefree.
To sign up to the nation’s biggest mass quit
attempt, search Stoptober online or visit www.
smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober
presents
The
Winter
Affair
A luxury beauty, fashion and
lifestyle event.
Start the countdown to Christmas. With a glass
of fizz in hand, join us for an afternoon of insider
master classes and learn industry secrets from
an inspiring line up of the best in the North East.
Be Pampered, Be Prepared, Be Perfect...
With headliners ...
Queensway Skin Clinic. Hooker & Young Hair. Psyche Fashion.
Amanda Bell Makeup Artist. Atom Health & Fitness. Chadwick & Co.
Plus
Artisan
...
Exclusive
Food
Stalls.
Pop
Up
Cocktail
Boutiques.
Mixology.
Mini
Beauty
Glorious
Gifts.
Treatments.
Mince
Pies
&
Gin
Tasting.
Mulled
Wine.
Sunday 22nd November 12:30pm - 6:00pm
Preston Park Museum, Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, TS18 3RH
Tickets
£25
Includes Fizz & Canapes!
Available from
www.queenswayskinclinic.co.uk
Queensway Dental Clinic,
170 Queensway. Billingham, Teesside, TS23 2NT
Call us on 01642 554667
or please visit www.queensway.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
29
Health
+
This winter, protect
yourself from flu
Flu is a highly infectious disease which can affect
anyone during the winter months. It causes very
unpleasant symptoms which often result in missing
work/school and upset normal living for several
days, even weeks.
In some cases the infection can lead to serious
complications and may even be fatal. It is caused by
a virus which can be spread by coughing or sneezing.
It can be picked up by breathing in droplets from the
air or touching contaminated surfaces.
Some people are more vulnerable to the effects
of the virus and can suffer more seriously from
the complications of flu. These people include the
elderly, pregnant women and those with certain long
term conditions. In other words, people who you
are likely to be in contact with each day at home or
school or work, maybe without realising it.
There is a very easy way to protect not just yourself,
but also those who you could pass the virus on to….
HAVE A FLU JAB
If you receive this vaccination you will protect
yourself from flu and its complications and so won’t
be able to infect anyone you come into contact with,
either at home or in the workplace. Even if you have
been vaccinated in previous years it is vital to get it
again this year, as each year a new vaccination is used
to protect against the latest and most harmful strains of
the flu virus.
The Pharmacy offers a flu vaccination service which
is available free of charge to those who are eligible on
the NHS. Our staff can advise you if you fall into this
group. If not we can still vaccinate you for a small
fee. There is also a vaccination available for children
in the form of a nasal spray which our pharmacists are
trained to administer. There is no need to make an
appointment, we will fit you in at a time to suit you.
Flu can be a major cause of people taking sick days off
work which is inconvenient and costly to businesses.
If you are an employer and would like to offer the
flu vaccination to you employees, please call The
Pharmacy to discuss how we could help with this.
Our vaccination service will run from 22nd
September so now is the time to plan your flu jab,
before winter sets in.
To find out more please drop in, visit our website
www.thepharmacy.org.uk
or call us on 01642 530304
FASD Foetal
Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder
Awarenss Day
It was international FASD (Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) awareness day on
9/9/2015. The Public Health team in Stockton on Tees are working with the FASD
Network UK and Teesside University to raise awareness of the risks involved in drinking
alcohol during pregnancy and the impact of FASD on individuals and families.
FASD is a term given for a range of permanent disabilities that can be caused when
a developing baby in the womb is exposed to alcohol – this can include physical
disabilities; learning difficulties and behavioural problems. International studies estimate
that at least 1% of the UK population is affected by FASD; for Stockton Borough this
means that at least 472 children could be affected by FASD, and at least 24 babies born
each year with FASD.
There is no cure for FASD but it is preventable – no alcohol means no risk. Stockton
Public Health team, the FASD Network and Teesside University, supported by Chapel
Road Youth Club have worked together to produce a 2 minute animation aimed at
young people to share key messages about FASD and alcohol in pregnancy, promoting
the Stockton Public Health message and international message of 0-4-9 – zero alcohol
for 9 months of pregnancy. By watching the animation, and learning about the dangers
of drinking alcohol in pregnancy it is hoped that young people will be able to make the
informed choices later in life that will help to ensure every baby in Stockton-on-Tees is
helped to have the best start in life.
The animation loop is now available to view on the Stockton Council YouTube channel
at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLZlZ4pExNI , please follow the link and watch
the animation (please note for some council PCs headphones will need to be inserted
before the animation will play).
The animation will be free for organisations across Stockton Borough to use; if you
would like a copy of the animation please contact Direct Line: 01642 524293
E-mail [email protected]
For more information about FASD please visit www.fasdnetwork.org
Alex worried
blood supply
changes
pose risk to
health
Plans to close the North East’s single blood manufacturing
and processing department risk the region becoming
unable to cater for its own health needs, according to Alex
Cunningham, and will jeopardise the survival and recovery
rates of patients.
The Stockton North MP was alarmed to learn that NHS
Blood and Transplant intends to close the Blood Process
and Manufacturing Department in Newcastle, along with
a corresponding site in Sheffield. The plans will see blood
manufacturing and processing centralised in Manchester
by 2017, signalling the demise of vital services east of the
Pennines from London to Edinburgh.
The latest in a raft of departmental closures to centre on
Newcastle as a direct result of the Government forcing
the NHS to make savage cuts in budgets will result in
the manufacturing of blood products becoming highly
restricted geographically. And the Labour Member of
Parliament is worried there will be ramifications for the
wider North East.
Alex said:
“My chief concern is that, following this closure, the
manufacturing of blood products will be concentrated in
areas that do not best serve hospitals in the North East. I
fear this will produce knock-on consequences for hospitals
across the region and will prove to be damaging to public
health.
“It is my understanding that, should these plans come to
fruition, our hospitals will be forced to rely on products
from holding units which may have been manufactured
and transported several days previously. As things stand
currently, facilities across the region are able to access
freshly manufactured products which can aid the survival
and recovery of patients.
“Being compelled to rely on suboptimal provisions is a
cause of considerable unease. Closure of the Newcastle
site will harm the ability of our region to cater for its own
healthcare needs and increase our vulnerability to external
factors in the availability of vital blood products.
“I have written to the Chief Executive of NHS Blood and
Transplant to raise my concerns with him directly and
seek further information on the planned changes. I hope
to have a fuller picture in the coming weeks and to engage
constructively with the organisation to ensure that service
standards are maintained across the North East.”
Want to comment on this story, contact us email: news@
billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
30
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
Sport
North East Volleyball
wins award
North East Volleyball Association (NEVA) has
successfully secured almost £10,000 to support the
development of junior volleyball across the North
East!
The funding received via the Sport England
Small Grants programme will be used to build
four North East representative teams for u14 and
u16 girls and u15 and u17 boys. This is in line
with Volleyball England’s junior development
pathway and will give our young talented players
the opportunity to learn and develop alongside the
best coaches and players in the region!
Volleyball England Funding Officer, Ian Poynton
said: “I am delighted that the North East Volleyball
Association have received a Sport England
Small Grant to allow junior players, from the
region, to train for and play in the Inter Regional
Championships. An immense amount of work
went into the bid led by Paul Welsh and it’s great to
see that this has paid off! I wish the region the best
of luck with their training and competition!”
The open training sessions will be offered to
players from clubs and schools across the North
East region. The four playing teams will be selected
from this pool and will progress to the Volleyball
England Inter-Regional Tournament May 2016
where they will compete against other regions from
around the country in a three day competition
held in London. This competition is a key talent
identification opportunity for those players
wishing to progress into Volleyball England junior
and senior academies around the country.
NEVA Performance Manager and England
Juniors Coach, Paul Welsh said: “We’re thrilled
to receive this funding from Sport England! It
will really help us to accelerate the development
of junior volleyball in the North East. Having
representative teams for our young players to
aspire towards is absolutely essential for us and
will help us to build a stronger pathway here in the
North East.”
Regular North East junior training sessions
will commence in October and run throughout
the season working towards the Inter-Regional
Tournament May 2016.
While the funding received will cover most
of the costs for one year, North East Volleyball
must also generate funds to secure the running
of the programme in future years. Sponsorship
opportunities are available as a headline sponsor
for the overall programme and team sponsors for
all four teams please contact Samantha Jamieson
[email protected] for more
information.
Table Tennis Project
Ping! serves up another spectacular summer of
ping pong
It’s been a record-breaking year for Ping!, the
nation’s biggest street festival, with an estimated
ONE MILLION visits to its free table tennis tables.
The Ping! festival was managed and delivered by
Table Tennis England and has been coordinated in
Middlesbrough and Redcar by Tees Valley Sport
working with Ormesby Table Tennis Club, Swerve
Table Tennis Club and Redcar & Cleveland Council
over the summer. The tables and equipment were
provided free of charge thanks to funding from
Sport England and were located in parks, shopping
Wimbledon
Champion at 11
years old!
centres, workplaces and even at the summit of
Roseberry Topping!
Tees Valley Sport Chair, Mike Crawshaw says
‘The great thing about ping pong is that no level of
experience or ability is required – simply anyone
can play – from the very young to the elderly;
Ping! is wonderfully addictive and the informal
programme in Middlesbrough and Redcar will have
inspired many people who wouldn’t normally have
ever considered playing table tennis to try the game’
The photograph shows members of the Swerve
Table Tennis club running a PING! session at the
summit of Roseberry Topping.
Cheri DARLEY age 11 from Billingham recently
competed in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon National
tennis tournament and came away a Champion! The
HSBC Road to Wimbledon tournament starts off with
over 20,000 young people competing nationwide,
with only 48 going forward to the grass courts of
Wimbledon.
Cheri, who trains at Tennis World delivered an
amazing performance at Wimbledon in the singles
winning all of her qualifying matches right through
to the main draw finally being knocked out in the
quarter finals.
The big success came in the doubles competition
where Cheri partnered up with her friend Leah
from Surrey whom she knew from previous under
14 tournaments. The girls were the youngest players
competing, both aged just 11 years but managed
to beat off all opposition to be crowned under 14
Wimbledon doubles Champions.
Tim Henman presented the winning trophy and
joined with the players at the end of tournament
party. Cheri said ‘It was great to receive the trophy
from Tim Henman and being part of a Tim Henman
masterclass. It also felt great to be treated like
professional tennis players all week at Wimbledon.’
Well done Cheri – what a fantastic achievement and
BCN are looking forward to seeing you win the Ladies
Final in the future – what a talent!
SEPT/OCT 2015
There’s Something About Mary
For further information on tees Active
A Billingham BMX rider has returned home
Sports Academy contact Academy Manager
to Teesside after winning a prestigious National
title. Mary Johnson a Member of the North East Allan McDermott on (01642) 528772 or visit
BMX Club and Tees Active Sports Academy was www.teesactive.co.uk
competing at the British BMX Championships
held at the National Cycling centre in
Manchester. The Championships saw over a 1000
competitors battling for honours. Mary a pupil
at Northfield School was racing in the 15 and 16
years female class where she was placed first in
all three of her qualifying heats and was second
in the semi-final. Mary saved her best for the
final finishing in first place and claiming her first
British Championship.
This talented teenager was over the moon
with her British title and added “It was the best
possible end to a long season and has made all
the hours spent training on and off the bike
worthwhile”
Mary’s proud father Allan added “Mary has
worked hard throughout the season and last
winter started attending Spinning and Circuit
classes at Billingham Forum and she is now
reaping the rewards for all her hard work.
Mary is now determined to retain her title
next season and become an even quicker rider
so she is already planning her winter training
programme which no doubt will see her a regular
attendee at Billingham Forums Activ8 gym.
Presentation
Evening
At the recent Annual Presentation Evening
Barwick Rangers picked up their sixth
successive Champions trophy. Station Plastering
collected the Runners Up trophy. The second
division Champions trophy was collected
by P.A.C.S. & Teesside Wanderers lifted the
Runners Up shield.
Blue Bells, Newton Bewley gained bronze
medals as the third placed team in the SRC
Community Cup. Runners Up Pinpoint
Recruitment collected their trophies ahead of
double
winners Barwick Rangers.
In division one Station Plastering & Scouting
For Goals shared the D&P Trophies Fair Play
awards. In division two the award was shared by
three teams The Wanderers, Teesside
Wanderers & P.A.C.S. All of these teams had a
perfect disciplinary record over the season.
Scouting For Goals won The Janet Davidson
Memorial Trophy in the first division & The
Wanderers won the award in the second
division trophy.
Individual Awards
The first division top goalscorer award was
won by Marc Dawson of Scouting For Goals
with 33 league goals. The Division Two winner
was Shaun Baker of P.A.C.S. with 44 league
goals.
Player of the Season in Division One was
Marc Dawson of Scouting For Goals. The
Young Player of the Year Award was won by
Robson Leonard of Pinpoint Recruitment. The
Goalkeeper of the Year was Steve Thompson of
Swans.
In Division Two, Player of the Year was
Anthony Griffiths of The Wanderers. The Young
Play-er of The year Award was Ryan Kennedy
of. The Goalkeeper of the Year was Simon
Blakelock of P.A.C.S.
Paul Flint of Motortech became the seventh
winner of the Graeme Turner Memorial
Trophy. Paul became the first three time winner
of the award. In the Second Division the award
was won by Brian Wilson of Half A Crown.
New Season
The new season has now kicked off with
the first division one games taking place.
Champions Barwick Rangers continued their
winning ways with a 4v0 victory over newly
promoted Teesside Wanderers. Blue Bells,
Newton Bewley eased past Motortech 4v1
whilst Scouting For Goals took three points
with a 3v1 win against Station Plastering. Early
table leaders are Bullet
Busters after a 5v0 victory against last season’s
division two champions P.A.C.S.
Games are played at SRC Bede College Sports
Centre, Marsh House Avenue, Billingham on
Sunday evenings from 7.00 p.m. More
information on the league can be found on our
website www.billinghamfiveasideleague.co.uk
on Facebook or on Twitter #b5side or call Rob
on Tel.: 01642 657789 Mob.: 07742 077196.
You can view all the pictures fromthe
presentation evening on our website www.
billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
For more information on the league please see our
website www.billinghamfiveasideleague.co.uk or follow
us on Facebook or Twitter #B5side
SEPT/OCT 2015
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
31
Sport
Duathlon National Crown Coming To Stockton
THE STOCKTON Duathlon has been named as a major national event for next
year as British Triathlon unveiled its key dates for 2016 yesterday (Thursday 10
September).
On Sunday 24 April 2016, the National Duathlon Championships will arrive
in Stockton as the first event on the Triathlon England National Championships
calendar for next year.
This year’s Stockton Duathlon proved a great success with its accessible run-riderun format being offered across three separate races which varied in difficulty.
The novice, sprint and standard distance races will be on offer again in 2016
as the increasingly popular Stockton Duathlon enters its fourth year. From new
beginners to experienced competitors, there is a race available to suit every ability.
Councillor Norma Wilburn, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet
Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, said: “The Duathlon has always been a
key event within our wide-ranging sport and events programme so to see its
popularity and success rewarded on a national scale is very pleasing.
“Close to a thousand people took part in last year’s event so I look forward
to even more residents of Stockton Borough lacing up their running shoes and
getting in their cycle saddle for what is set to be the best duathlon yet when the
Triathlon England National Duathlon Championships arrive in Stockton in April
2016.”
Full details of how to enter the 2016 Stockton Duathlon will be released later this
year.
The announcement follows the news from earlier this year that Stockton will also
be hosting the 2016 British Cycling National Road Championships next June.
For more information on the full range of events on offer in the Stockton
Borough, visit www.events.stockton.gov.uk
Evelyn & Bill Win at Skegness
Representing Cleveland County Bowling
in the English Bowling Federation Mixed
Pairs Championship at Skegness, recently,
Evelyn and Bill Shand proved to be a
perfect match, not only in matrimony but
on the green too! Well done on winning
the national title!
Evelyn said ‘English Bowling Federation
Championships are played at Skegness,
where 13 counties are represented. We are
both very proud to have achieved winning
a National Championship.
The men’s Secretary of Billingham
Bowling Club, Barry Young got through
to the Finals of the Secretary’s Cup at
Skegness and he was Runner Up this was
a great achieved for the club having two
entries through to the Finals.’
Evelyn and Bill play at Billingham
Bowling Club where they are both
members, they want to encourage anyone
who has not tried bowling to ‘give it a go’,
it’s great fun and it’s a wonderful way to
meet new friends.
Bill gave a quick round up of the men’s
section saying ‘The men’s section of
Billingham Bowling Club have had a very
good season winning Division 1 in the
Hartlepool League and also won the Ces
Foster Cup beating all other clubs in the
Hartlepool area’.
Well done to all a great result all round.
leaflet
distributors
required
leaflets samples papers
work alone or with your own team
car/telephone essential
tel: 01642 438 414
Mobile: 07810 240 434 or 07971 312 043
Email: [email protected]
British Summer
Swimming Championships
A fantastic performance from Billingham ASC swimmer
Stephanie Blakeburn saw her win the bronze medal in the final of
200 metres individual medley of The British Summer Swimming
Championships at Ponds Forge, Sheffield. The top 24 swimmers
in Great Britain had qualified to compete in each event at The
Championships.
Stephanie equalled her personal best time in the heat of the 200
individual medley race to qualify for the final. She then went on to
set a super new personal best time in the final to win the bronze
medal in a hotly contested race.
Stephanie also won places to swim in the finals of 50, 100 and 200
metres butterfly events. She set new personal best times in the finals
of 50 and 200 metres butterfly and a new season’s best time in 100
metres butterfly final. Stephanie was 5th in the 200 metres butterfly.
Head Coach Guy Fawkes was delighted with Stephanie’s
performances. He said it is a tribute to her hard work and
determination throughout the year that culminated in her winning
a medal in The British Championships. Stephanie has successfully
combined her intensive swimming training schedule with another
highly successful year at Teesside University.
32
www.billinghamcommunitynewspaper.co.uk
SEPT/OCT 2015
Sport
Stars Hook Toothless Sharks
ULTIMATE WINDOWS sponsored
Billingham Stars bounced back from
their opening night defeat in National
Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division
1 with a hard-fought 3-5 victory at muchfancied Solway Sharks in Dumfries on
Saturday evening.
Billingham travelled to Scotland still
licking their wounds following a fourgoal mauling at the hands of reigning
champions Blackburn Hawks in their first
game of the season. They faced a Sharks
outfit also smarting from an opening
night loss at Whitley Warriors, the Scots
bolstered by the midweek signing of
former Elite League netminder Andy
Jaszczyk. Put straight into the squad as
starting keeper, Jaszczyk was called into
action in the second minute but spilled
Michael Elder’s effort to Callum Davies
who poked the puck underneath him to
put the Stars on the score sheet very early
in the game. Jaszczyk did better in the
seventh minute when he got a glove to a
long-range Chris Sykes effort. Billingham
were dictating all of the early exchanges
and doubled their lead in the ninth
minute when James Moss broke clear
with Elder in support, Moss’s initial shot
was saved but fell kindly to Elder who
rounded Jaszczyk to score. In an effort
to kick-start his team, Solway’s Ross
Murray attempted to engage Stars import
forward Dennis Boström in the 13th
minute, both men sitting out penalties
for unsportsmanlike conduct with
an additional minor given to Murray.
A minute later Craig Mitchell joined
Murray in the Sharks sinbin to give the
visitors a two-man advantage. Although
Billingham peppered Jaszczyk, the new
Solway keeper stood firm to keep the
score at 0-2 going into the interval.
It was the Stars who ran into penalty
trouble early in the middle session, Luke
Brown and Jack Davies falling foul of the
officials in the 24th and 25th minutes
respectively. This time it was Billingham
netminder James Flavell’s turn to shine
as he turned away shot after shot to deny
the home side. Not long after returning
to full strength, Scott Ward broke away
clear of the Sharks defence and found
himself one-on-one with Jaszczyk, the
rejuventated forward making no mistake
to put the Stars three goals to the good
WELCOME TO
ULTIMATE
windows & conservatories
Est. 1988
just before the halfway mark.
Solway were in no mood to give
the game up and began to pile the
pressure on. With much of the play
concentrated in the Billingham
defensive zone, the Sharks
eventually got themselves on the
scoresheet when Joe Coulter poked
a bobbling puck under Flavell’s pads
in the 35th minute. Just 15 seconds
later it looked like game on when
Struan Tonnar fired through Flavell
to narrow the gap to a single strike.
The Teessiders ended the period
under the cosh, but with Flavell in
fine form Solway could not bring
themselves back on level terms.
The Stars came out firing on all
cylinders at the start of the final
stanza, Chris Sykes hitting the roof
of the net with just 32 seconds
played. It was Sykes again just
before the 42-minute mark, onetiming a Michael Bowman pass into
the bottom corner to re-establish
the three-goal cushion. The hosts
could not find the extra gear that
had seen them push Billingham so
Billingham Removals
hard at the end of the second period,
and it was the Stars who looked more
likely to score as Elder and Ward
both went close on the breakaway.
When called upon, Flavell continued
to keep his side well ahead with
some fine saves. The Sharks got a
late consolation marker when Juraj
Senko squeezed the puck inside
Flavell’s near post, but despite pulling
Jaszczyk for the final 59 seconds,
Solway never troubled the net and
it was Billingham who claimed both
points with a 3-5 win.
Crossword
Across
1. Hanker (5)
3. Lariat (5)
6. Decimal base (3)
8. Conundrums (7)
9. Garret (5)
10. Dull pain (4)
13. Long narrative poem (4)
14. Commence (5)
17. Vegetable (7)
18. Novel (3)
19. Nursemaid (5)
20. Synthetic fabric (5
Down
1. Abominable snowman (4)
2. Serviette (6)
3. Indolent (4)
4. Choice (9)
5. Marine mollusk (6)
7. Sustenance (9)
11. Time of year (6)
12. Gentle breeze (6)
15. Untrusting (4)
16. Aquatic bird (4)