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Ferryhill paid a fitting tribute on Remembrance Sunday to all those who fought and gave their lives during two world wars and conflicts since.

This year’s acts of Remembrance needed to be carried out differently because of coronavirus and the national lockdown.  This did not prevent residents of Ferryhill marking Remembrance Sunday.  As the services at St. Luke’s Church and the Town Hall Garden could not be held in the usual way, many people observed the two minutes silence at 11.00am at their front doors.

St. Luke’s Church live streamed a Service of Remembrance from the Church. The Last Post and two minutes silence was live streamed from the Town Hall Garden, followed by the laying of wreaths by the Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jacqueline Cansella on behalf of the Town. Ex Bugle Major Garry Suggett, who played the Last Post laid a wreath on behalf of The Light Infantry, The Royal Green Jackets and The Rifles, and Lee Carter (Tommy), Ex Second Battalion Light Infantry raised the flag, and laid a tribute on behalf of the Rifles.

The Town Hall gates were opened from 12 noon to enable wreaths to be laid on behalf of organisations, groups and individuals.  A total of 36 wreaths were laid.

As the night drew in, the Town Hall was lit up red as a further act of Remembrance.  This illumination of the Town Hall will be continued until Armistice Day on 11^th November.

The Town Council would like to thank everyone who was involved in this year’s Remembrance arrangements, and especially St. Luke’s Church, the Royal British Legion, Ferryhill Town Band, Ex Bugle Major Garry Suggett, Lee Carter, Ex Second Battalion Light Infantry, Parade Marshall Alan Thompson, and Ferryhill Remembers for producing the beautiful poppy nets that adorn the front of the Town Hall this year, as well as the poppy tributes around the Town.

The Town Council appreciates that many people including veterans were disappointed at not being able to host this years commemorations in the usual way, but would like to thank everyone for their understanding during this difficult time.

The Government has announced a national lockdown from 5th November to 2nd December 2020, stating ‘Covid-19 cases are rising rapidly across the whole of the UK and in other countries.  We must act now to control the spread of the virus.  The single most important action we can take in fighting coronavirus is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

The Town Hall will therefore be closed for the duration of the national lockdown.

Staff will continue working throughout this period and can be contacted on 01740 652157 or by emailing enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk

Further updates will be posted on the Town Council’s website and facebook page.

Stay Home – Protect the NHS – Save Lives

Due to the ongoing situation with Covid19 and in line with National and Local Restrictions and Guidance, it is with deep regret, that despite every effort by the key organisations involved in planning the Town’s annual Remembrance commemorations, that Ferryhill Town Council must announce, that it will not be possible to host this years Annual Remembrance Sunday Parades and Wreath Laying Ceremony on Sunday, 8th November 2020 as planned.

The Council appreciates that this is very disappointing, especially for those who routinely take part in the Parade, and attend to pay their respects however, the safety of the Town’s residents including its veterans must remain a priority at this difficult time.

To ensure that the occasion does not go unmarked St. Luke’s Church will live screen a Remembrance service at 10.30am on its Facebook Page. This will be shared on the Town Council’s page, and followed by a small service observing the National Lockdown rules, in the Town Hall garden, at approximately 10.55am, for the Last Post and two minutes silence. The Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace will lay a wreath on behalf of the Town. This will also be live screened on the Town Council’s Facebook page.

The organisers are urging residents not to attend the service, or to be in the vicinity of the Town Hall garden between 10.30am and 11.30am on 8th November, to ensure that everyone is kept safe, and that the proceedings can go ahead unhindered. It has not been possible to put road closures in place this year, and unfortunately, if people do gather around the Town Hall, it is likely that the organisers will be forced to cut short the commemorations in order to comply with Government restrictions.

The front gates to the Town Hall garden will be open from 12 noon on Remembrance Sunday to enable anyone wanting to lay a wreath at the cenotaph, and pay their respects to do so after that time. The Council asks that anyone who does intend to lay a wreath ensures that they observe social distancing regulations at all times.

For anyone wanting to make a personal tribute this year, The Royal British Legion has created a site for ‘home tributes’ on its website, under ‘virtual field of remembrance.’ Virtual Field of Remembrance | Ways to Give | Royal British Legion

Ferryhill Town Council would like to thank everyone in advance for their cooperation, and would especially like to thank Ferryhill Remembers for creating the beautiful Poppy Nets that are in situ on the front of the Town Hall building, and poppy displays around the Town, which provide a very fitting tribute for the occasion.

The Town Hall will also be lit red from Remembrance Sunday, 8^th November until late evening on Armistice Day, 11^th November 2020 as an act of Remembrance.

For more information regarding this years Remembrance Sunday arrangements please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Council on tel: 01740 652157.

When Councillor Joe Makepeace was elected Mayor of Ferryhill in May 2019, he chose to support The Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust and Ferryhill Scout Group during his year in Office.

Unfortunately, in March 2020 we were hit with the Coronavirus pandemic and all fundraising events were cancelled. Luckily, some events had already been held including a Quiz Night, Fashion Show, Carol Service and Charity Burns Night Dinner and the Mayor was able to raise £2,915.

A socially distanced presentation was finally able to take place at Ferryhill Town Hall on Wednesday 28^th October 2020 where the Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace handed over a cheque for £1,457.50 to Mark Solan of the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust and Malcolm Turnbull of the Ferryhill Scout Group.

Speaking after the presentation Joe said “I am extremely proud to have been able to support the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust and Ferryhill Scout Group.  I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the last year, either by coming along to events or by donating prizes.  I am overwhelmed by the support I have received and extremely happy I have been able to help two fantastic local groups.”

Mark Solan of The Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust said “We are honoured to have been the chosen charity for Ferryhill Town Council and the money raised will help us continue to support local families who are living with a cancer diagnosis or dealing with a cancer bereavement.  We would like to say a huge thank you to the Mayor and everyone who has supported him”.

Ferryhill Scout Group representative, Malcolm Turnbull said “We are very grateful for the donation from the Mayor of Ferryhill, the money will be spent on making the Scout Hall Covid secure and the purchase of tablets and upgrading the subscription on Zoom for children to be able to engage online”.

Councillor Makepeace will continue to serve as Mayor of Ferryhill for the time being and he has decided to support Ferryhill Indoor Bowls Club and Seconds Out Boxing Academy for the remainder of his time as Mayor.

We are unsure when we can start holding fundraising events again, however tickets are now on sale for the Mayors first ever Christmas Prize Draw.  Three lucky winners will each receive a Cash Prize, with 50% of the proceeds also going towards Seconds Out Boxing Academy, and Ferryhill Indoor Bowling Club. Tickets are £1.00 each, and are available from the following outlets:

• Seconds Out Boxing Academy
• Ferryhill Indoor Bowling Club
• Ferryhill Town Hall (10.00am – 2.00pm Mondays and Fridays only)

Many Local Councilors will also be selling tickets.

The Prize Draw will take place on Monday, 7^th December. Residents are urged to buy their tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Following the judging of gardens and allotments in this year’s Ferryhill in Bloom Competition, Civic Awards nominations, and Annual Art & Photography Exhibition, Presentations have been held at Ferryhill Town Hall.

Unfortunately, due to the situation with Covid-19 it was not possible to host the usual Presentation Event however, the Town Council felt it was important that the winners did not go unrecognised, and their efforts be rewarded. The Town Council would like to thank Thinford Nurseries, who kindly sponsored the Ferryhill in Bloom Competition again this year, providing gift vouchers for the winners.

Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace made a series of presentations where possible awarding certificates, trophies and prizes to the winners, who were announced as follows:

Civic Awards

Awards Category: Supporting the Community during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul Gray

Karen Carr & Keith Patterson

Kevin Newell

Award Category: being a Good Neighbour

Gordon Harris

Ken Thompson

Award Category: Fundraising for Good Causes

Garry Suggett

Award Category: Preserving and Commemorating Ferryhill’s History

Geoff Wall

Award Category: Family Carers

Mr & Mrs Molloy

Art & Photography Exhibition

Colin Cook – Photography Exhibition Winner

Karen Thompson – Art Exhibition Winner

Ferryhill in Bloom

Front Garden

1^ST – Mr Gordon Harris

2^ND – Mr Fred Cornbill

3^RD – Mrs Patricia Kavanagh

Highly Commended – Mr J Johns

Commended – Marie Peel

Commended – Mrs Rita Hewitt

Commended – Mr John Gibson

Commended – Rosalind Mundy

Back Garden

1^st – Mr & Mrs Gargett

2^nd – Mr Gordon Harris

3^rd – Mr Ray Hamilton

Highly Commended – Mr Fred Cornbill

Highly Commended – Mrs Rita Hewitt

Highly Commended – Mr Andrew Hartley

Commended – Ms J Hawker

Commended – S Osment

Back Yard

1^st – Joanna Orlowska

2^nd – Ms J Hawker

3^rd – R Langthorne

Highly Commended – Holly Lemmon

Allotment Competition

Best Plots

Mr E Michinson – Storehouse

Mr G Chaytor – East End

Mr & Mrs Harris – Mainsforth Row

Mr T Bowden – Paxton Street

Most Improved Plots

Mr S Reseigh – Storehouse

Mrs M O’Dowd – East End

Mr J James – Mainsforth Row

Mr J Kavanagh – Paxton Street

Mr & Mrs Harris, Mainsforth Row Allotments – Best Overall Allotment Plot

Mainsforth Row Allotments – Best Overall Allotment Site

Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace said “Once again this year it was my pleasure to present the Civic Awards, Ferryhill in Bloom and Art & Photography Winners. 2020 has been a particularly difficult and trying time for many, yet still a number of individuals walked that extra mile, and gave that extra effort either to help others, or to maintain and improve overall standards of gardens, allotments and yards in the Town.

In recognition of that “special” effort in this COVID year, Ferryhill Town Council was determined to recognise more people than ever before and hence the presentations took place over two days. This year is the inaugural year for the Mayor’s Medal, which has been specially struck. The medal will provide a lasting momento for those who have received it, and who are all very worthy recipients. We thank them most sincerely for their effort and public spirited attitude, without them Ferryhill would indeed be a far poorer place to live, congratulations to you all. “

The Surtees Doorstep Green, Duncombe Cemetery, Mainsforth Sports Complex and the King George V Playing Field in Ferryhill have all been recognised this year, by the Green Flag Award Scheme as being four of the very best facilities in the UK.

The facilities are among a record-breaking 2,000 UK parks and green spaces across the Country, that have received this years prestigious Award, which is the international mark of quality for parks and open spaces.

In a year when millions of people have recognised the value of having great quality green open spaces on their doorstep, Ferryhill Town Council will be joining other Green Flag organisations across the Country, to mark the occasion, by turning the Town Hall green.

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

Commenting on Ferryhill Town Council’s success in achieving 4 Green Flag Awards this year, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said:

“This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time”.

“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of staff and volunteers who, despite the challenges this year has faced, have still managed to achieve the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

Ferryhill Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace said “To celebrate achieving 4 Green Flag Awards this year, Ferryhill Town Council will proudly be joining other winners around the Country to light up their facilities green. Ferryhill Town Hall will turn green for three consecutive nights from the 14^th -16^th October to join the wave of green light spreading across the Country, demonstrating its support for every high quality green space, and fantastic staff and volunteers that continue to maintain them.”

Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that this year the Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace will be holding the Council’s first ever Christmas Prize Draw. Three lucky winners will each receive a Cash Prize, with 50% of the proceeds also going towards two local good causes; Seconds Out Boxing Academy, and Ferryhill Indoor Bowling Club. Tickets, will be going on sale on Monday,19^th October at a cost of £1.00 each, and will be available from the following outlets:

• Seconds Out Boxing Academy
• Ferryhill Indoor Bowling Club
• Ferryhill Town Hall (10.00am – 2.00pm Mondays and Fridays only)

Many Local Councillors will also be helping out by selling tickets.  Any local businesses, who are also able to assist, and want to help spread a little joy, by helping to sell tickets, please contact Karen at the Town Hall on 01740 652157.The Prize Draw will take place on Monday, 7^th December. Residents are urged to buy their tickets early to avoid disappointment.  Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace said “It has been a difficult year for so very many people, and I just wanted to be able to spread a little Christmas joy. Hopefully, this Prize Draw will do just that, providing three lucky winners with a Cash Prize in time for Christmas, while also raising money for two local good causes.”  For more information about the Mayor’s Christmas Prize Draw please contact Karen Younghusband on telephone: 01740 652157 or email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

Risk a Pound to Help Make Someone’s Christmas!!!

Following Government advice the Town Council’s offices and facilities are closed and all events have been cancelled until further notice.

However, on Monday 10th August Ferryhill Town Hall re-opened to the public Mondays and Fridays from 10.00am till 2.00pm. Covid Secure arrangements have been put in place to enable the Town Hall to be re-opened. There will be a one way system in place:- enter through the front door and exit out of the rear door. The rear door will also be used for disabled access.

Staff will continue to work from home when the Town Hall is closed and can be reached by calling 01740 652157 or alternatively e-mail enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk

Our priority is the health, safety and well-being of our communities and service users.

When visiting the Town Hall please adhere to the following :- Only one customer to be in the reception area at a time, use sanitiser on entering and exiting the building, equipment has been installed for this. Please wear a face mask or covering. Do not enter if you have Covid symptoms.

We will continue to monitor Government advice on a daily basis and review our response to the coronavirus pandemic as circumstances change.

Updates will be published on this website and our Facebook page.

If you need to contact the Town Council you can do this by emailing enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk or by sending a message via our Facebook page.

Suppliers are asked to email invoices for payment where possible to egildersleeves@ferryhill.gov.uk.

Further information and advice:

Durham County Council has published lots of useful information and advice on its website including:

• Get help if you’re self isolating
• Volunteer in your community
• Support for residents
• Information for businesses
• Money advice
• Housing advice
• Schools and learning

The latest Government advice can be found on its website.

A leaflet has been issued by Durham County Council – Coronavirus Support In County Durham

STAY AT HOME / PROTECT THE NHS / SAVE LIVES