In December 2020, the then Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Joe Makepeace held a Christmas Prize Draw to help out two local charities.  The idea was to provide three lucky winners with a Cash Prize in time for Christmas, whilst also raising money for two local good causes, namely Seconds Out Boxing Academy and Ferryhill Indoor Bowling Club, both based at the Ferryhill Sports & Education Centre.

The prize draw took place on Monday 21^st December 2020 in Ferryhill Town Hall, however at that time it wasn’t possible to personally hand over the cheque for monies raised to the two charities, finally on Friday 11^th June 2021 the past Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepace was able to meet up with the Ferryhill Indoor Bowls Club and Seconds Out Boxing Academy at Ferryhill Sports & Education Centre.

Councillor Makepeace presented a cheque for £440.50 to Mr Frank Snaith of the Indoor Bowls Club and a cheque for the same amount to Mr Paul Eddy along with members of the Seconds Out Boxing Academy.

Councillor Joe Makepeace said “I am so pleased to have finally been able to present these two groups with a donation to help them with the running costs of their very worthwhile clubs, I was also happy to have been able to provide funding to the Seconds Out Boxing Academy through my time as a Durham County Councillor to purchase a new boxing ring, I wish both club’s the best of luck for the future.”

When the presentation was arranged the Town Council were informed that one of the Members of the Indoor Bowling Club would be celebrating her 100^th Birthday, the current Mayor, Councillor Dave Farry was only too happy to come along with his consort Miss Neave Farry and present Mrs Vera Tolley with a bouquet on behalf of Ferryhill Town Council on her special day.  Speaking after the presentation, Councillor Farry said “I was very happy to have been invited to the Indoor Bowling Club to meet Mrs Tolley and help her mark such a significant birthday, it’s always a pleasure to meet with local residents”.

This year Ferryhill’s Annual Senior Citizens Trip will take place on Thursday 22^nd July 2021.  The destination for this year’s trip will be South Shields.  This was the preferred destination indicated by questionnaires completed by those attending the 2019 trip.

Ferryhill Town Council would like to say a huge thank you to local Company Supportive, who in partnership with Barclays have kindly covered the costs associated with booking this year’s coaches, and has enabled the Town Council to offer the trip completely FREE of charge to residents of the Town.

Due to uncertainty regarding ongoing Government restrictions likely to be in place at the time of the trip, numbers will be limited this year. Residents over 65 years wishing to attend are invited to pick up free early bird tickets from Ferryhill Town Hall from Monday 28^th June 2021.  Tickets will then be made available to all Ferryhill residents from Monday 5^th July 2021 onwards subject to availability. Proof of residency will be required when collecting tickets.

Supportive have also very kindly offered to provide free packed lunches to anyone attending the trip, who would like one.  These must be pre-ordered at the time of collecting tickets.  Residents must also advise staff of any special dietary requirements at the time of ordering.

Coaches will meet in Ferryhill Market Place from 9.30am and will leave for South Shields at 10.00am. Tickets must be shown prior to boarding the buses.  Pre-ordered packed lunches can be collected at this time.

Coaches will leave South Shields for the return journey to Ferryhill at 5.00pm and will drop off at various points on the main bus route around Ferryhill.

Town Mayor, Councillor David Farry said ‘It’s a privilege to be able to work in partnership with Supportive. The Town Council is extremely grateful for their support, and thoroughly look forward to working with the organisation again on future initiatives.’

Chair of Ferryhill’s Events Management & Community Engagement Sub-Committee, Councillor Joe Quinn said ‘As the newly elected Chair of the Sub-Committee I would like to say a big thank you to Supportive, and Barclays for their kind donation, which has made it possible for the Town Council to offer local residents the opportunity to attend this year’s Senior Citizens Trip FREE of charge.’

Tracy Hutchinson of Supportive said ‘It’s a pleasure for Supportive to be in a position to help thanks to Barclays 100 x 100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Fund, to offer local people especially our senior citizens something to look forward to after the restrictions of the last 18 months. We hope that everyone has a great day on the 22^nd – The sun may even shine!’

After careful consideration, the Mayor of Ferryhill for 2021-22, Councillor Dave Farry has chosen to support 5 local groups during his year in office, namely, Mainsforth Cricket Club, Ferryhill Town Youth Football Club, Chance Drama, Little Treasures Autism Group and The Rifles Care for Casualties.  Councillor Farry said “after such a difficult year due to the Covid Pandemic there are so many groups & charities out there in need of support.  We have so many excellent groups in Ferryhill and it was very difficult to narrow it down, I think the groups I have chosen support a wide range of talents we have in Ferryhill as well as support groups providing a vital service, I hope the local community get behind my fund raising efforts to raise as much money as possible for these groups over the next year”.

Fundraising events will be held throughout the year to raise funds for the charities, these will be advertised in the local papers, on noticeboards around Town, on Ferryhill Town Council’s website and Facebook page.

If anyone would like to donate raffle/tombola prizes for any of the events or would like to host an event to raise funds for the Mayors charities please contact Ferryhill Town Council on 01740 652157 during normal office hours.

Following the success of previous years, Ferryhill Town Council would like to invite green fingered residents of Ferryhill to enter the Town’s Ferryhill in Bloom Competition 2021.

This year’s categories in the Competition are: Front Garden, Back Garden, Back Yard and Commercial Properties.  Residents are permitted to enter more than one category if appropriate.

Judging is scheduled to take place week commencing 26^th July, and residents will be notified of their allotted date and time in due course. Subject to Covid restrictions winners will be announced at a special presentation evening later in the year.  Ferryhill Town Council will continue to follow Government advice and update entrants of arrangements nearer the time.

Ferryhill Town Council would like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to Thinford Nurseries for continuing to sponsor the event this year.  Their contribution is very much appreciated.

Anyone wanting to take part in the competition can do so in the following ways:

• Print and Complete the Entry Form Ferryhill in Bloom Application form 2021 (PDF) and post to Karen Younghusband at: Ferryhill Town Council, Town Hall, Ferryhill, County Durham. DL17 8JL;
• Print and Complete the Entry Form and Take a Photograph of it/Scan it and email to: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk
• If unable to print the Entry Form email kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

Providing your name and address, a telephone contact and details of which category you are entering i.e. Front Garden, Back Garden, Back Yard or Commercial Premises.

The Town Council would appreciate it if residents could submit their entries as soon as possible. All entries must be received by 16^th July 2021.

Do you know someone who has gone that extra mile to help their community?  If so, then we want to hear from you!

Ferryhill Town Council is inviting nominations for those unsung heroes, who contribute so much towards improving their local community. If you know a resident who has performed some act of kindness, or helped in some way to benefit others living in the Town, or carried out any action, which has achieved success in any field, then why not nominate them for a Civic Award. The Civic Awards are the perfect opportunity to officially recognise the commitment and hard work of the Town’s most deserving residents.

Nomination Forms are available online on the Town Council’s Facebook Page/Website or by clicking the following link Civic Award Nomination Form (PDF).   All applications must be emailed to: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk by no later than Monday, 2^nd August 2021.  Anyone unable to download the application form should email Karen Younghusband at the above address, with their contact details, and details of their nomination i.e. contact details for the person being nominated, with an explanation of why they should receive a Civic Award.

Please note that nominees must be unpaid for the work that they are being nominated for.

Awards are ordinarily presented at an Awards Presentation Evening later in the year.  The Town Council will continue to follow Government advice regarding Covid, and will announce further details about how the awards will be presented in due course.

For more information about the Civic Awards please email Karen Younghusband using the above email address.

Ferryhill Town Council would like to thank everyone who contributed to this years Annual Town Meeting.  Despite the Covid Pandemic, the event held at Dean Bank Institute on 27th May proved very successful.

Town Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor David Farry opened the event, welcoming everyone to the Meeting and thanking them for their attendance.

Councillor Joe Makepeace, former Town Mayor, announced the amount of charity money raised during his two years of office, which had been extended beyond his first term due to the Covid pandemic.  Both the Ferryhill Scouts and Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust had received cheques for £1,457.50, while both Seconds Out Boxing Academy and Mainsforth Indoor Bowls Club had each received a cheque for £440.50.

Presentations then followed by Ferryhill Town Council, the LADDER Centre, Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust, Supportive SRC Ltd., the Dean Bank Dog Walkers Association, Ferryhill Scouts.  Paul Howell MP also attended to show support for the marvellous work being undertaken by so many groups in Ferryhill, which continued throughout the pandemic to support local communities.  There was an opportunity for everyone to look around the displays that had been provided by Ferryhill Town Council, PACT, the LADDER Centre and Supportive SRC Ltd.

Town Mayor, Councillor David Farry said ‘I would personally like to thank everyone who has been involved in this years Annual Town Meeting.  The event has demonstrated what a fantastic and diverse range of groups there are available in the Town, all of whom are doing a fantastic job. Despite the difficulties that Covid has presented, it was great to see so many people turn out to attend the event, and especially Paul Howell MP who had taken time out of his very busy schedule to attend.  I am looking forward to engaging with local groups throughout my term as Mayor, and to promoting and encouraging partnership working moving forward, and the Town Meeting has provided a great starting point for that.’

 

At Ferryhill Town Council’s AGM held on Wednesday 19^th May 2021, Councillor Dave Farry was elected as Mayor of Ferryhill for 2021-22.

After being elected as Mayor by his fellow Councillors, Councillor Farry said “It is with great pride that I accept the Council’s decision to bestow on me the honour of the role of Mayor of Ferryhill.

I would like to thank the outgoing Mayor Councillor Joe Makepeace for his tremendous work over the past two years under very difficult times. Also, the Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Cansella, who will be greatly missed as a Councillor, a lady who had great passion and drive for reform in Ferryhill”.

Dave who was born in Ferryhill but has had spells away living in London , North Yorkshire and Wiltshire. He has been a long standing Councillor for Ferryhill representing the residents of Ferryhill at not only Town level but also at Sedgefield Borough Council and Durham County Council.

Dave has a proven track record of delivering for Ferryhill and bringing investment into the Town.  The Shop Front Grant Scheme, Town Centre Improvements were just two of many improvements Dave has been involved in.  Dave was also successful in saving the Railway crossing and having the footbridge installed over the East Coast Main Line, and of course the great achievement as a Councillor and at the time Chairman of Ferryhill Community Partnership, was the reopening of the then closed Ferryhill Leisure Centre.

Dave said “With the support of my colleagues and like-minded Councillors, I will strive to work in partnership with residents and community groups alike to have a more responsive Council which will work for the whole community regardless of political view, or belief.

I ask for your assistance and your confidence that things can change.  Do not just ask what Ferryhill can do for you, ask yourself what you can do for Ferryhill.”

The Mayor will hold various Charity Events throughout the year and is currently considering which charities to support.   Details of the Mayor’s chosen charities will follow

Ferryhill Town Council would like to invite local residents and businesses alike to attend this year’s Annual Town Meeting, which will be taking place from 6.00pm onwards on Thursday, 27^th May 2021 at Dean Bank Literary Institute.

Representatives from a range of different organisations operating in the Town will be delivering presentations and/or providing displays for everyone to view.  Refreshments will also be served, and there will be a chance at the end of the Meeting for questions.

The Meeting will provide an opportunity for local groups to share their plans for the forthcoming year whilst also reflecting on their recent successes.  The meeting will help to facilitate an exchange of ideas and information between the Town’s various stakeholders, encourage partnership working, and provide a snapshot for residents of some of the great work that is being undertaken by some of the organisations operating in the Town.

For more information about Ferryhill’s Annual Town Meeting please contact Karen Younghusband on tel: 01740 652157 or email kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

Please Note:  Due to the Covid Pandemic restrictions will be in place at this year’s Town Meeting, to ensure everyone is kept safe.  As a result of this, the number of attendees that can be accommodated at the event will be limited.

Broom Ward of Ferryhill Parish (PDF)

Ferryhill and Dean Bank Ward of Ferryhill Parish (PDF)

Ferryhill Station Ward of Ferryhill Parish (PDF)

Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce its commitment to the Investors in the Environment Accreditation Scheme, a scheme designed to help businesses and organisations reduce their environmental impact, while also being promoted for achieving their green credentials.

In response to the Climate Change Emergency declared across County Durham, the Town Council adopted its own Environment Policy and begun the process of monitoring all of its resources including gas, electric, water, fuel, paper and waste. Determined to reduce its resource usage and its Carbon Footprint, the Town Council made a pledge to Investors in the Environment, and is currently working towards a Bronze Award as part of the scheme.

An Action Plan, Travel Plan and Communication Plan have all been developed by the Town Council; each identifying methods that the Council will adopt to reduce its environmental impact. As part of its commitment and thanks to external funding secured through the Rural Community Energy Fund, the Council was also able to employ the services of a specialist company, Narec Distributed Energy, to produce an Energy Audit of all of its buildings. This was followed up with the production of procurement specifications, which moving forward will enable grant funding to be applied for by the Town Council, to deliver the installation of renewable technologies such as solar panels and air source or ground source heat pumps across its buildings, in a phased approach. This in turn will assist the Council greatly in its commitment to the Climate Change emergency, helping to reduce the number of greenhouse gas emissions released into the environment, while also saving the Council money through reduced energy bills.

Claire Thompson, Executive Manager of Capability North East, who deliver the Investors in the Environment Accreditation Scheme across the North East of England said “We are delighted that Ferryhill Town Council is working hard to become Investors in the Environment accredited, to reduce their environmental impact and take action on the Climate Emergency. The team are using the iiE process to help identify green actions already carried out across their operations and the opportunities to do more.  Karen Younghusband’s enthusiasm and can-do attitude to implement iiE is great and she is a real credit to the climate team.   I am really looking forward to seeing Ferryhill Town Council progress their green ambitions and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over the coming years.”