4
TH E T E E S D A LE M ER C U R Y
The Editor welcomes letters on all subjects but will give priority to those on issues directly affecting Teesdale and its residents. Due to the
pressure of space, letters should be concise. Correspondents are asked to include their full name, address and daytime telephone contact
number. Deadline for letters is first post on Monday. The Editor reserves the right to edit letters. Write to The Editor, Teesdale Mercury,
24 Market Place, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NB. Fax to 01833 638633. E-mail to [email protected]
L e tte rs
Is it all just
personal?
HOW can Frank Smith (Mercury,
September 17) comment on
wind turbines after attending a
meeting on wood chips? Are his
concerns actually founded or
merely his own opinion? I doubt
that a few wind turbines around
Teesdale would have such a
detrimental effect on tourism.
Mr Smith should consider the
pros and cons. These turbines
take up little ground space, emit
zero pollutants and could be
dismantled quickly should a
more efficient method of
generation be found.
We should all look for ways of
saving our natural resources
even if it may slightly blot our
Fund-raisers
are thanked
I WOULD like to th a n k th e
re s id e n ts o f B a rn a rd C astle
w ho su p p o rte d th e re c e n t
fu n d -raisin g a c tiv ities on
b e h a lf o f E p ilep sy A ction.
The m oney ra ise d h as
been set asid e for th e
B a rn a rd C astle a re a an d
once all th e fu n d s hav e
b een collected, d iscussions
will ta k e place w ith th e
T eesdale C a re rs C en tre to
e n s u re th a t th e m oney is
p u t to good use.
J L COLE
S e c re ta ry M iddlesbrough &
D istric t B ranch,
T h o rn ab y
landscape and fuzz our tellies.
However, if Mr Smith can
prove his concerns and assure
us this is not a personal thing,
I’m sure we’ll all listen.
How about it?
DAVE WATERS, Mickleton
The age old
question. . .
AN exceptionally intuitive person
once remarked that all wars
should be fought by the over
45s, as it was usually men
above this age that started
them.
Having read with increasing
frustration the opposing
viewpoints of the wind power
debate in these columns, might I
suggest any voting on the
subject be restricted to the
under 45s whose potential
futures are longer and on who
any environmental
consequences would impact to a
greater degree. It would be good
to trust the judgement of this
age group, and comforting to
know “all our yesterdays” were
not clouding our tomorrows.
MALCOLM HOCKHAM
(Aged 47) Bamingham
Thank-you
for a great*
charity nip iExpert:
Spokesman was p u t in a
difficult position on A
6
I WAS p le a s e d to see th e Mercury’s
c o v e ra g e o f th e R a m b le rs’
A sso c ia tio n ’s (RA’s) c o n c e rn s fo r
th e d u a llin g o f th e A66, b u t w o u ld
lik e to c la rify a few p o in ts.
The RA is not opposed to the dualling of
the two sections of the A66, which is clearly
necessary to prevent further accidents.
It is opposed to the provisions offered by
the Highways Agency for the crossing of
public rights of way, mostly bridleways,
which may be used by walkers, riders and
cyclists.
All but one of the crossings proposed are
a t grade, so th a t users will have to wait for
gaps in the traffic, expected, as elsewhere,
often to exceed the speed limit.
The one safe crossing proposed would
utilise an existing underpass created for
moving cattle across the A66.
The British Horse Society was also
opposed to the a t grade crossings, for
obvious reasons and both it and the RA
6
inquiry, was p ut in an awkward position
through a series of events th a t were not of
his doing.
A lack of proper communication arose
through two recent changes on the RA’s
Area Council (North Yorkshire & South
Durham Area), and also a change a t local
group (Barnard Castle) level.
Representatives of the RA originally
objected to the proposals, many months ago,
Inquiry: but failed to sustain them until this was
The A 66 realised as late as July.
supported some alternative proposals for
The Area Council, having no Area
the creation of further underpasses, and
Footpath Secretary, sought the assistance of
some new linking rights of way.
Ian M artin who is B arnard Castle Group’s
The government is currently aiming to
Footpath Secretary, so he was flung in at
have all public rights of way in good order
the deep end a t very short notice. The RA
and easy to use and has recognised the
and all other objectors’ evidence will be
value of walking in the countryside for the
weighed against th a t of the motorised lobby
benefit of the economy and the health and
by the Inspector, and the outcome may not
well-being of the individual.
be known for some months.
Crossing dangerous roads is not in line
JO BIRD
with these objectives.
North Yorks & South
Ian M artin, the RA’s spokesperson at the
Durham Area News Editor
MAY I, through the Mernoy,
say a very big thank-youto
Derek, Bill, the committee,ql
and members of the Dll CH
who organised a charityevajj
for the South Durham&Nti
Yorks Cardiac Support Groqi
Saturday September 6.
Thank you also to every®
who donated prizes for the
raffle, sold tickets and bough
tickets. Without your help*
would not have been ableto
raise the grand total of£607k
our funds.
Congratulations toall the
winners. All raffle prizesbn
now been claimed.
Thank you Doleno forally®
help on the night.
Our group meets onthe
second Tuesday of the months
Glaxo Sports &Social Clubit
7.30pm.
Au<
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Richard
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Also, he
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South Durham&Nut propertyf
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Group Secretary, Butted® Aftertw
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auctioneer
Why not take a look at income of councillor who balks at strategy group allowances heandhis
HAVING read with interest the
criticism made by Cllr Phil Hughes
about council members receiving
allowances for being on the Corporate
Strategy Group (Mercury, September 3)
and the subsequent letter by John
Constable (Mercury, September 10), I
feel th a t the people of Teesdale should
BAR N AR D C A S T LE
(WITHAM HALL)
Tel: 01833 631107
Thursday, 9th October 8.00 pm
An Evening to celebrate National Poetry
Day with David Platstone performance
poet, supported by music with Abi
Harrison. Tickets £4 / £2 concessions to
include glass of wine or juice.
Saturday, 25th October 7.30 p.m.
Giulio Tampalini - Italian Classical Guitarist
Contact Paul Croft on 01833 690665.
Saturday, 1st November 7.30 p.m.
Stepping Out Alastair Anderson &
Friends Folkworks. Concert & Ceilidh.
Tickets £5 / £3 concessions £15 family.
BARNINGHAM
Tel: 01833 621420
Monday weekly 7.30 - 8.30 p.m
Step Aerobics - new members welcome
Thursday weekly 7 - 8 p.m.
Aerobics - new members welcome.
Saturday, 18th October
10-12 Coffee Morning.
BQLDRON
Tel: 01833 631463
Tuesday, 7th October 8 p.m.
Brian Willoughby & Cathryn Craig Acoustic Roots Music.
BOW ES/GILM ONBY
Tel: 01833 628321
Saturday, 11th October 3 p.m.
The Ugly Duckling - Clydebuilt
Puppets, a show for 3-7 years olds
and adults too!
Tuesday, 21st October 7.30 p.m.
The Hit, a comedy play - Ouondam
Theatre Company
BUTTERKNO W LE
Tel: 01833 718448
From 12th September
12 weeks Computer Class. Desktop
Publishing, Word Processing, One to
One Tuition. Free refreshments.
Saturday, 4th October 8-11.30 p.m.
50/50 Dance with the Dougie Gee Band.
Saturday, 18th October 7 - 1 0 p.m.
Playgroup Family Night. Disco,
Party Games, Raffle.
C O C K FIELD
Tel: 01388 710808
Tuesdays weekly 6.30 - 8.30 p.m.
Bitesize Video/Digital Camera Course.
Thursdays weekly 6.30 - 8.30 p.m.
30 week Level 1 Clait, Computer Course.
CO PLEY
Tel: 01388 718172
Monday weekly 7 p.m.
Badminton
Tuesday fortnightly 7.45 p.m.
Bingo
Wednesday, IstOctot^, ^
be fully in the picture about Cllr
Hughes.
If anyone cares to visit the website
onenortheast.co.uk and go into the
board members of One North East, you
will see th at Cllr Hughes is a non­
executive director which paid last year
f 7,419pa, plus, I understand, expenses.
If you care to look a t his CV, other
appointments include membership of
Durham Rural Community Council, a
director of Groundwork West Durham,
member of the North Pennines AONB
partnership, vice chair of the West
Durham Rural Network, member of
County Durham Learning and Skills
T E E S D A L E V IL L A G E H A L L S C O N S O R T IU M
E n te r p r is e H o u s e , H a r m ir e E n te r p r is e P a r k , B a r n a r d C a s tle , C o . D u r h a m . D L 1 2 8 X T
CO TH ERSTO N E
Tel: 07732 571416
Wednesday weekly for 10 weeks
from 17th September ‘Barbarians at
the Gate’ WEA course.
Sunday, 19th October 3 p.m.
Tales from a Treehouse - Freehand
Puppet Theatre for 5 -11 year olds.
Saturday, 29th November 7.30 p.m.
Celtango - Festive Family Concert
with lots of Christmas Spirit!
EG G LESTO N
Tel: 01833 650475
Monday weekly
6.30 - 7.30 & 7.30 - 8.30 Pilates.
First Tuesday in month 7.30 p.m
Camera Club
Friday weekly 2 - 4 p.m. Bridge Club
EVENW O O D AND RAM SHAW
Tel: 01388 835455
Monday to Thursday 9 am -10 p.m.
Surf the Net. Please book.
Sunday, 2nd November
10 a.m. - 2.00 pm
Christmas. Craft Workshop all age
groups welcome.
Sunday, 16th November
10 am - 2 p.m.
Lantern workshop - all age groups
welcome.
GAINFO RD
Tel: 01325 730234
Monday weekly 7 - 8.30 p.m. and
Wednesday weekly 10-11.30 a.m.
Yoga. Contact Sue Tempest Cooper
01325 730534
Friday weekly 6 - 9.30 p.m.
Sequence Dancing. Contact
Mr J Graham 01325 460234
Ongoing Drama Club Contact
Clare Bell 01325 730855
H AM STER LEY
Tel: 01388 488323
Wednesday weekly 6.30 - 8.30 p.m.
Drawing and Painting Course.
Thursday weekly 7.30 p.m. Keep Fit
Saturday, 11th October 8 p.m. 12 midnight. Dance with Blencathra.
Tickets 01388 488287
HUTTON M AGNA
Tel: 01833 627607
Monday weekly 6.30 - 9.30 p.m.
Optimum Computer Class European Computer Driving Licence
(ECDL). A new class will be starting
shortly, anyone interested should
contact Mo Wallis on 01833 627607.
Tuesday weekly 7.30 - 9.30 p.m.
Art Club.
INGLETON
Tel: 01325 730250
Every Monday 1.30 - 3.30 p.m.
Art Group - new members welcome
Friday, 10th October 6 p.m.
Jumble Sale - Hall Funds
LANDS
Tel: 01388 718484
Tuesday, 14th October 7 p.m.
Evenwood and Barony Parish
Council Meeting.
Thursday, 20th November 7 p.m.
Chocolate Evening with Thorntons.
Thursday, 4th December 7.30 p.m.
Christmas Event - entertainment,
bring and buy sale, Christmas Fair.
LAN G LEYD ALE
Tel: 01833 637448
Tuesday fortnightly 7.30 p.m.
Barnard Castle Young Farmers Club
MARW OQD
Tel: 01833 638589
Friday weekly 7.30 p.m. Domino Drive
MICKLETON
Tel: 01833 640331
Saturday, 18th October 8 p.m.
Eugene Hideaway Bridges
Rhythm & Blues
Thursday, 6th November 6.30 p.m.
Flower Arranging for Christmas
First and Third Fridays
Children’s Cinema Club 6 p.m.
Cinema Club 8 p.m.
M IDDLETON-IN-TEESDALE
Tel: 01833 640382
First Tuesday in month 1 p.m.
Clinic. Contact Sheila Walton
01833 640009.
Tuesday weekly 10-11.30 a.m.
Toddler Group. Contact Sally-Ann
Teward 01833 640530
Thursday weekly 2 - 4 p.m.
Badminton. Contact Joan Staley
01833 640542
NEWBIGGIN
Tel: 01833 640877
Wednesday, 1st October 7.30 p.m.
Brian Willoughby and Cathryn Craig
- Acoustic Roots Music.
OVINGTON
Tel: 01833 627459
Commencing 29th September every
other Monday 7 -9 p.m.
Flower Arranging
First Thursdays 7 p.m. Carpet Bowls
ROM ALDKIRK
Tel: 01833 650369
Monday weekly 7.30 p.m.
Flower Class
Tuesday weekly 7 p.m. Y o g a
STAINDRQP
Tel: 01833 660901
Saturday, 8th November 1 3 p.m.
50/60 Autumn Fair
Second Tuesdays 7.30 - 9.30 p.m.
Dominoes for Christmas Lights
Third Saturdays 1.30 - 4.30 p.m.
Whist for Christmas Lights
STAINTON VILLAGE
Tel: 01833 637059
First Monday in month 2 - 4 p.m.
Drop in Club
Fourth Thursday in month 7.15 p.m.
Wl
STAINTON G RO VE
Tel: 01833 630780
Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays weekly 10 - 11.30 a.m.
Parent and Toddlers. Contact Cilia
Bushby 01833 631906
Tuesday weekly 6 - 8 p.m.
Desk Top Publishing
Wednesday weekly 6 p.m.
Youth Club (5-10 yrs), 7.30 p.m.
Senior Youth Group (11-16 yrs).
Contact Cilia Bushby 01833 631906
Last Friday in month 6.30 p.m.
Under 16’s Disco. STARTFORTH
Contact: 01833 638280
Monday weekly 7 - 9.30 p.m.
Bridge Club
Monday weekly 7 p.m.
Tai Chi
First Monday of the month
7.15 p.m. Wl new members welcome
Contact 01833 638260
Wednesday weekly 7.30 p.m.
Ladies' Keep Fit
TO FT HILL & ET H ER LEY
Contact: 01388 832265
Monday weekly 7 - 9 p.m.
Line Dancing
Tuesday weekly 1-2 p.m.
Dr. Said’s Surgery
Friday, 24th October
6.30 - 9 p.m.
Halloween Dance - Fancy Dress
Saturday, 8th November, 2 p.m.
Autumn Fair
W HORLTON
Contact 01833 627148/9
Friday, 24th October, 7.30 p.m.
Women on the Verge of a T junction,
an hilarious and poignant new
comedy drama from the
MsFits Theatre Company.
Tickets £5/£4
concessions/£15 family
Friday, 7th November
Bonfire Night
Friday, 5th December, 7.30 p.m.
Celtango - Festive Family Concert
with lots of Christmas Spirit! Tickets
£5/£4 concessions/£15 family
WINSTON
Contact: 01325 730811
Tuesdays from 9th September
for 10 weeks 6 - 8 p.m. Pilates
Tuesday, 21st October,
7.30 - 9.30 p.m. Charity in aid of
Senior Citizen's Christmas Party
Friday, 31st October
7-11 p.m. Playing Field Association
Disco/Dance
Saturday, 11th November
9 -1 p.m.
Playing Held Association Table Top Sale
returntot
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tobuildfui
successful
andtointr
sahinat
areas.
Heview;
auctionfac
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WOODLAND
special eve
Tel: 01388 718383
Inaddil
W ednesdays for 10 weeks fra antiques a
24th September 7 -9 p.m. auctions, i
W ater Colour Painting Classes. CostfZ forcoming
Perhaps Cllr Hughes shouldonta
himself before other members of
Teesdale District Council, as he
is on a nice little earner, plus hit
farming.
County Courni
JOHN SHUTTLEWOB
WeardaleMea
Council, member of the North East
Committee of the Heritage Lottery
Fund and Associate director of the
County Durham Development
Company, some of which I would
suggest pay allowances/salaries, such
as being m anager of the Teesdale
Citizens Advice Bureau.
Fridays for 10 weeks from
Arts of
26th September 7 - 9 p.m. Christmas
C onversational Spanish Classes. CountryS]
Moredel
Cost £20
Saturday, 18th October www.addis
C o u n try and Western with Coirt|
C o u sin s Band. Supper provided
Monday, 20th October 7.30put
’S uzanne’ jewellery designer
d e m onstration - everyone welctm
CM
bigc
8 T@PIT UK online computer cento THEGSK
with Internet access:
Butterknowie Village Hall
Cockfield Community Centre
Cotherstone Village Hall
Eggleston Village Hall
Hutton Magna Village Hall
Mickleton Village Hall
Newbiggin Village Hall
Stainton Grove Community Centre
The 30 village halls across Teesdale
have the amenities for Classes/Tram
Community Events and Business EverS
at competitive prices.
For further information
Telephone: 01833 690696
E-mail: helenteesdalehallsQvahootai
for up to date information on activities
and events, visit the website at
www.teesdalehalls.co.uk
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THE MOBILE POLICE OFFICE WILL BE VISITING THE FOLLOW# cleverlyin
members'
VILLAGES ON THESE DATES
DATE
October
Wednesday, 1st October
Friday, 3rd October
Thursday, 9th October
Monday, 13th October
Tuesday, 21st October
Thursday, 23rd October
Monday, 27th October
Wednesday, 29th October
Friday, 31st October
November
Monday, 10th November
Friday, 14th November
Tuesday, 18th November
Thursday, 20th November
Monday, 24th November
Wednesday, 26th November
December
Thursday, 4th December
Monday, 8th December
Friday, 12 th December
Tuesday, 16th December
Thursday, 18th December
Thenex
onOctobei
VILLAGE
vrilltalka
Gaunless1
Cotherstone, Romaldkirk & Mickleton.
Staindrop, Cockfield, Butterknowie and
Copley.
Middleton-in-Teesdale & Eggleston.
Bowes.
Evenwood, Hamsterley and Toft Hill,
Gainford, Winston, Ovington and Whortton.
Cotherstone, Romaldkirk and Mickleton,
Staindrop, Cockfield, Butterknowie and
Copley.
Middleton-in-Teesdale & Eggleston.
Bowes.
Evenwood, Hamsterley & Toft Hill.
Gainford, Winston, Ovington & Whortton,
Cotherstone, Romaldkirk & Mickleton
Staindrop, Cockfield, Butterknowie &Copley.
Middleton-in-Teesdale & Eggleston
Leased
rep
Gainford, Winston, Ovington & Whortton.
Bowes.
Evenwood, Hamsterley and Toft Hill.
Cotherstone, Romaldkirk & Mickleton.
Staindrop, Cockfield, Butterknowte &Copley
For further information, please contact Constable Tom Naden on 01325742316
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