The Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Dave Farry recently held a raffle to win a playstation 5, which was very kindly donated by Tarmac Quarry.

The draw took place on Thursday 7^th October 2021 at an Awards Presentation Evening.  The winning ticket was drawn by Mr Lawrence Petterson, who was at the awards evening to receive an award in recognition of 44 years dedicated service, providing legal support to the local community and businesses in Ferryhill.

The winner of the draw was Mrs Gillian Coates.  Gillian and her husband, Eric, visited the Town Hall on Monday 25^th October, to collect their prize.

The raffle raised £565, which will be added to the Mayors Charity Fund and divided between Chance Drama, Ferryhill Town Youth FC, Little Treasures, Mainsforth Cricket Club and The Rifles-Care for Casualties at the end of the Mayors year in office

Councillor Dave Farry said “I would like to congratulate Gillian Coates for being the lucky winner of the Playstation 5, special thanks again to Tarmac Quarry for the donation and thank you to everyone who bought a raffle ticket and to those who helped sell tickets, this amount will boost my Mayors Charity Fund and will help five deserving local groups.”

Preparations are currently underway for Ferryhill’s Annual Christmas Fayre and official switch on of the Town’s Christmas Lights.  As in previous years Ferryhill Town Council will be holding an indoor Craft Fayre at St. Luke’s Parish Hall as part of the event, which this year will be taking place from 2.00pm – 6.00pm on Friday, 26^th November 2021.

A limited number of stalls are still available for the event. Anyone who would like to have a stall this year is therefore being urged to contact Ferryhill Town Hall at their earliest opportunity, to avoid disappointment.

Craft Fayre Stalls in St Luke’s Parish Hall are available at a cost of £20 each. Tables and chairs will be provided. Please note tombola stalls have already been allocated for this year’s Fayre.

Application forms for stalls are available at Ferryhill Town Hall. All applications must be submitted by no later than Wednesday, 17^th November 2021. Cheques for the relevant amount should be enclosed with forms, and should be made payable to Ferryhill Town Council, cash is also accepted. Please return completed applications to Ferryhill Town Council, Town Hall, Ferryhill, County Durham, DL17 8JL.

For more information about the event please contact Karen or Nikki at Ferryhill Town Council on telephone: 01740 652157 or email: enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk

Ferryhill Town Council is urging residents to purchase their tickets for this years Fireworks Display, to avoid disappointment. The event which will be taking place on Friday, 5^th November 2021 at Dean Bank Recreation Park promises to be a great night out for all the family. The event will include professional singers live on stage, with the event being compered by Steppin’ Out DJ Keith Martin, and Fireworks choreographed to music, taking on a Bond theme.

Entrance fees for the Fireworks display are:

£2.00 per ticket for residents of Ferryhill

£3.00 per ticket for residents of other Towns & Villages

Children under 3 years of age will be permitted entry free of charge.

Tickets for the event will remain on sale at Ferryhill Town Hall until 3.30pm on the day of the event.

This year’s event will comprise show rides and a range of street food catering vehicles as well as performances by stage acts.  The full programme for the event is as follows:

5.00pm            –    Gates Open for show rides and street food caterers with music compered by DJ Keith Martin. Keith a DJ since 1979 is a resident DJ on Steppin’ Out, which is broadcast live, every Thursday Night on Pride Radio from 7.00pm – Midnight (previously, on the Magic Network 2004 – 2018). Playing everything Soulful, Stepping Out includes the Glitterbox Radio Show. Keith is also resident at Colonel Porters (Newcastle) on Friday’s and is regularly booked to play at events across the UK & Abroad to play his own collection.

5.40 – 5.50pm  –    Poppy & Charlie

Poppy and Charlie are a young brother and sister acoustic duo with a love for rock music and power pop, but also cover a wide range of genres and popular, upbeat tunes from across the decades.

With a music background of singing and playing guitar from a very young age, the pair formed as a duo in 2018, just before entering the Unstoppable UK Talent Competition, where they won performance of the year. With further support and encouragement from North East singer Channy (and founder of Unstoppable UK) they have never looked back.

6.00 – 6.10pm  –   Teah McCafferty a singer/songwriter for 14 years is based in

Durham/Glasgow. Previous performances include SEC Armadillo Glasgow and O2 Arena London. Teah is also part of Unstoppable UK, ran by Channy.

6.15 – 7.00pm     Music compered by DJ Keith Martin with build up to the Fireworks

7.00pm              –  Fireworks Display

Town Mayor, Councillor David Farry said ‘I would like to say a huge thank you to Stanley Events for running our Fireworks Display this year, they did an amazing job in 2018 and 2019, and I can’t wait to see the event return again this year.  After what has been a very difficult 18 months I am especially looking forward to seeing the community coming together to enjoy what promises to be a fantastic evening with show rides, street food caterers, singers and music compered by the fantastic DJ Keith Martin, culminating in a Bond themed Fireworks Extravaganza.’

For more information about this year’s Fireworks Display please contact:

Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or Email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

Users of King George V Playing Field were asked to complete a survey to gather information about its use and to help decide what action to take to try to alleviate incidents of anti-social behaviour in the park.

The survey, which ran from 15^th September until 15^th October, was publicised via the Council’s website, Facebook page, in the Chapter and on notices placed in the park.  Copies of the survey were also hand delivered to the properties around the park to make sure residents living closest to the park had an opportunity to have their say.

The survey has been a huge success achieving 185 responses.  Councillors considered the results of the survey at their meeting held on Wednesday 20^th October.  After careful consideration and taking into account views expressed the Council has decided to install additional fencing and gates so that the park can be locked on an evening.  When the fence and gates have been installed the park will open from 8.00 am and will close at 4.00 pm during winter months and 8.00 pm during summer months in line with other parks in the town.

In addition, barriers or kissing gates are to be installed within the Park to make access by off-road bikes and quadbikes more difficult.  We are aware that people with disabilities and parents of young children use the park and therefore we will ensure that the barriers are accessible for wheelchairs, Motability scooters and pushchairs.

New LED lights are also to be installed on the existing lighting columns and two high quality CCTV cameras will be installed.

Councillors Peter Atkinson and Joe Quinn have committed to contribute funding from their Durham County Council Neighbourhood Budgets to help finance the work.

The Council deferred the decision on the installation of the skatepark to gather further information about technical aspects of the installation and the views of potential funders.  This will give the opportunity to assess the impact of the measures to be taken before making a final decision.

Councillor Dave Farry, Mayor of Ferryhill, said that ‘I am delighted that so many people took the time to complete the survey.  This has helped the Council make informed decisions about the park.  It is hoped that the measures being taken will help tackle antisocial behaviour in the park.  A decision will be taken about the skatepark at a later date when we will be able to see what effect the agreed action has.  I would like to thank Councillors Atkinson and Quinn for their contributions to help finance the work’.

The work will take place as soon as possible, however it is not possible to give timescales due to the difficulties experienced by contractors obtaining materials at the current time.

The results of the survey can be found here King George V Survey Results

Tickets are currently on sale at Ferryhill Town Hall for this year’s Fireworks Display, which will be taking place on Friday, 5th November 2021 at Dean Bank Recreation Park.

Ferryhill Town Council fully understands the difficulties many residents face in obtaining tickets for the event during the Council’s normal office hours, and have therefore extended its opening hours for one night only to help residents purchase their tickets as follows:

Monday, 25th October 2021 – Town Hall will remain Open until 7.00pm

Tickets are already selling fast for the Fireworks, which will be choreographed to music, with this year’s event taking on a BOND THEME.

Gates to the event will open from 5.00pm for show rides and street food catering vehicles, with fireworks commencing at 7.00pm.

Entrance fees for the Fireworks display are:

£2.00 per ticket for residents of Ferryhill (proof of address required).  Residents will be allowed to collect tickets for family and friends.

£3.00 per ticket for residents of other Towns & Villages

Children under 3 years of age will be permitted entry free of charge.

Tickets for the event are limited but will remain on sale at the Town Hall until 3.30pm on the day of the event (subject to availability). As this event is expected to be hugely popular residents are being urged to purchase their tickets early to avoid disappointment.

For more information about this year’s Fireworks Display please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Council on telephone: 01740 652157 or Email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

PLEASE NOTE: Dean Bank Recreation Park will be closed from 1.00pm until 5.00pm on the day of the Fireworks Display to allow the organisers time to prepare for the event.

In a record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award Scheme, as it marks its Silver Jubilee, four of Ferryhill Town Council’s facilities are among a record breaking 2127 UK parks and green spaces across the Country, that have received this year’s prestigious Award, which is the international mark of quality for parks and open spaces.

After 18 months that have seen parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through the lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that Mainsforth Sports Complex, King George V Playing Field, Surtees Doorstep Green and Duncombe Cemetery have achieved a Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make these spaces a place that everyone can enjoy.

Commenting on the news that Mainsforth Sports Complex, King George V Playing Field, Surtees Doorstep Green and Duncombe Cemetery had achieved the Green Flag Award standard, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in maintaining these sites, ensuring that they are worthy of a Green Flag Award.”

“To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and/or volunteers who do so much to ensure that the parks and green spaces that they manage have high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and is a place that supports people to live healthy lives.”

Town Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor David Farry said: “The Town Council is absolutely delighted to receive Green Flag Awards for four of its facilities.  Quality green spaces matter to both residents and visitors alike, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining these sites to such a high standard. I would like to congratulate the Town Council’s staff for a job well done, and to mark the occasion, Ferryhill Town Council with be joining other Green Flag organisations across the Country, by turning the Town Hall green on the evening of Thursday, 14^th October.”

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.  It recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Following the judging of gardens and allotments in this years Ferryhill in Bloom Competition, Civic Award nominations, and Annual Art & Photography Exhibition, and to acknowledge the hard work of Ferryhill’s retiring Councillors, a Presentation Evening was held at The Masonic Hall in Ferryhill on Thursday, 7^th October 2021.

Approximately 100 people attended the event, which saw Town Mayor, Councillor David Farry present awards, certificates and prizes to the winners, in what proved to be a vey successful evening, with residents, Councillors and Town Council staff coming together to celebrate different aspects of Ferryhill’s community.

At the end of the evening a special award was also presented by the Town Mayor to Lawrence Petterson in recognition of 44 years dedicated service, providing legal support to the local community and businesses in Ferryhill.

A Prize Draw, which in total raised £565 for the Mayors charities; Little Treasures, Chance Drama, Mainsforth Cricket Club, Ferryhill Town Youth F.C. and The Rifles Care for Casualties also took place.  The winner of the Prize Draw, who will receive a brand new Playstation 5 was named as Gillian Coates.

Ferryhill Town Council, who organised the event, would like to say a huge thank you to Thinford Nurseries for once again sponsoring this year’s Ferryhill in Bloom Competition, providing gift vouchers for the winners, and to Viv and her team at the Masonic Hall, for providing an excellent venue for the event, with a delicious buffet.

Winners of the competitions and retiring Councillors being presented were as follows:

Civic Awards

Maria Cansella – In recognition of outstanding voluntary effort and making a difference in the local community.

Glenys Newby – In recognition of outstanding voluntary effort and making a difference in the local community.

Ferryhill Dynamos FC – In recognition of outstanding achievement in winning the Durham & District Premier League County Cup 2019/20.

 

Art & Photography Exhibition

Karen Thompson – Winner of Art Exhibition

Gary Weatherston – Winner of Photography Exhibition

 

Ferryhill in Bloom

Front Garden 

Commended –  Mr J. Johns

Commended – Mr & Mrs Peel

Highly Commended – Mrs Hewitt

3^rd Place – Mr Harris

2^nd Place – Ms Atkinson

1^ST Place – Mrs Kavanagh

 

Back Garden 

Commended – Mr Pitfield

Commended – Mr Hartley

Commended – Mrs Cole

Commended –  Mr Harris

Highly Commended - Ms Osment

3^rd Place – Ms Atkinson

2^nd Place – Mr and Mrs Gargett

1^st Place – Mr and Mrs Hamilton

 

Back Yard

Highly Commended – Mrs Charlton

3^rd Place – Ms Rykowska

2^nd Place – Ms Lemon

1^st Place – Mrs Dixon

 

Commercial Premises 

2^nd Place – The Ladder Centre

1^st Place – The Garth

 

Allotment Competition

Best Plots

Storehouse Allotments – Mr Davison

East End Allotments – Mr Auton

Paxton Street Allotments – Mr Blackett

Mainsforth Row Allotments – Mr Carter

 

Most Improved Plots

Storehouse Allotments – Green Horizons

East End Allotments – Mrs Hope

Paxton Street Allotments – Mrs Rykowska

Mainsforth Row Allotments – Mr Ord

 

Special Recognition (Storehouse Allotments)

Durham Tees Valley Rehabilitation Company

 

Best Overall Allotment Plot – Mr Davison, Storehouse Allotments

Best Overall Allotment Site – Mainsforth Row

 

Retiring Councillors

Jacqueline Cansella

Ken Campbell

Kate Graham

Neville Jones

John Lindsay

Zena Roddam

Ann Lauraine Smith

Richard Smith

Margaret Walton

 

Honorary Burgess

Ken Campbell

Zena Roddam

           

 

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY 11^TH NOVEMBER 2021– 11.00AM

A flag lowering ceremony will take place at the Town Hall Cenotaph at 11.00am on Thursday, 11th November 2021 with members of Ferryhill Town Council, Council staff, local Schools and

St. Luke’s Church.  Members of the public are also very welcome to attend. The programme for the event is as follows:

10.40am –   School children and Councillors arrive

10.45am –   Introduction by the Town Mayor or the Mayor’s representative

10.50am –   Vicar addresses the congregation

11.00am –   Flag lowered with two minutes silence

11.02am –   Congregation place crosses in planter

11.10am –   Vicar makes closing address

11.15am –   Event ends

Refreshments will be served upstairs in the Town Hall after the event

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 14^TH NOVEMBER 2021

Ferryhill Town Council will be holding a Remembrance Sunday parade, church service and wreath laying ceremony on Sunday 14^th November 2021.  All residents of Ferryhill are invited to attend. The programme for the event is as follows:

09.30am –        Parade gathers in Market Place Car Park*

09.45am –        Parade leaves for St Luke’s Church

10.00am –        Church service at St. Luke’s Church

10.50am –        Parade leaves St. Luke’s Church and marches to the Cenotaph

11.00am –        Service, wreath laying and The Last Post, played by ex-Bugle Major Garry Suggett, in the Town Hall garden with the flag being lowered by ex-serviceman Paul Gray, 5^th Regiment of the Royal Artillery

12.30pm –        Wreath Laying Ceremony at Memorial Cottage led by Ferryhill Town Mayor

*In the event of wet weather the parade will gather inside St Luke’s Church Hall

Any groups, clubs or societies from Ferryhill, who are not registered, but would like to take part in the Remembrance Sunday Parade being held on 14^th November 2021, should contact Karen Younghusband on 01740 652157 as soon as possible, and by no later than 20^th October 2021.

Anyone who has not yet placed their order for a poppy wreath should contact Clare Metcalfe, Ferrydec as soon as possible, and by no later than 20^th October 2021.

HERITAGE CENTRE, DUNCOMBE CEMETERY – OPEN 9.00AM TO 2.00PM

To coincide with Remembrance Sunday, the Heritage Centre at Duncombe Cemetery will be open to members of the public from 9.00am to 2.00pm.  The history of Ferryhill and the surrounding area will be on display with members of Ferryhill’s History Society available to help and advise visitors to the centre.  Free refreshments will be available.

WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AT MEMORIAL COTTAGE – 12.30PM

A separate wreath laying ceremony will be taking place, led by the Town Mayor, at 12.30pm on Remembrance Sunday, at Memorial Cottage.  Any residents wanting to attend should congregate at Memorial Cottage at 12.20pm for the Ceremony at 12.30pm.

Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that it has recently contributed funds towards two Halloween events that are taking place in the Town this year.  A cheque for £300 each was presented by the Chair of the Events Sub Committee, Councillor Joe Quinn and Town Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor David Farry, to Dean Bank & Ferryhill Literary Institute and the Ferryhill Station Royal British Legion Club , in a presentation held at the Town Hall.

Monies provided by the Town Council will be used to cover the costs associated with holding children’s entertainment including a Movie night on Monday, 25^th October and a Halloween party on Thursday, 28^th October at Dean Bank & Ferryhill Literary Institute (for more information please contact Chris Cairns on tel: 01740 657221), and to hold a Halloween Disco on Thursday, 28^th October at the Royal British Legion (for more information please contact Lolly on tel: 07803303320).

Councillor Joe Quinn said “As Chair of the Town Council’s Events Sub-Committee, I am pleased that Ferryhill Town Council is able to support local organisations in this way and help to provide fun activities for local children to enjoy. I look forward to being able to continue partnership working with a range of community groups and organisations in the Town in the future.”

Town Mayor, Councillor David Farry said “Ferryhill Town Council is always keen to support local community groups and is pleased to be able on this occasion to contribute towards Halloween events for local children. The Town Council is looking forward to supporting more community groups moving forward.”

TICKETS ON SALE FROM MONDAY, 11^th OCTOBER!!!

Having not been able to hold its Annual Fireworks Display in 2020 due to the Covid Pandemic, Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that the event will once again be returning to Dean Bank Park this year.  The Fireworks Display, which will be held on Friday, 5^th November 2021 will be managed by Stanley Events Ltd.

The ticketed event which is open to anyone will include show rides, music, and refreshments. Gates to the event will open from 5.00pm with fireworks commencing at 7.00pm. Entrance to the Fireworks display will be £2.00 per ticket for residents of Ferryhill and £3.00 for anyone residing outside the Town.  Children under 3 years can attend free of charge. Tickets will go on sale from Monday, 11^th October 2021 and must be obtained from Ferryhill Town Hall prior to the day of the event (Ferryhill residents will be asked for proof of their address upon requesting tickets).  Tickets are limited therefore people are urged to purchase early as the event is expected to be very popular.

The Fireworks Display will be a strictly ‘NO PARKING’ event. There will be a drop off point for disabled residents however arrangements for this service should be made at the Town Hall prior to the event. Parking in neighbouring streets will also be restricted to residents only.

Security arrangements for the Fireworks Display will be heightened. Please avoid bringing bags to the event as Marshalls reserve the right to search all bags which could lead to entry delays. No sparklers, personal fireworks, alcohol, or pets will be allowed at the event and all children Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

PLEASE NOTE: Dean Bank Recreation Park will be closed from 1.00pm until 5.00pm on the day of the Fireworks Display to allow the organisers time to prepare for the event.

Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor David Farry said ‘For several years residents of Ferryhill requested that Ferryhill Town Council, like other neighbouring Councils, host its own Fireworks Display. Finally, in 2018 the people of Ferryhill got their wish and were able to witness the Town’s first ever fireworks extravaganza. The event proved so hugely popular that it returned in 2019, and although Covid prevented the event going ahead in 2020 the Council is thrilled to be able to invite residents to attend the event again this year. Choreographed to music and with the addition of show rides and street food caterers, this years Fireworks Display promises to be just as successful if not more so than in previous years.

For more information about Ferryhill’s 2021 Fireworks Display please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Council on telephone: 01740 652157 or Email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk