From Monday 29th March, a COVID-19 Testing site will be situated on the Car Park at Ferryhill Sport & Education Centre, inside the area outlined in red on the photograph. In order for this to run as smoothly as possible, members of the public are asked not to use the main car park. Access to the car park will still be fully permitted for staff, parents and visitors to Childs Play Private Nursery, so parents will still be able to drive in and pick up/ drop off as normal. Please do however be mindful that there may be more traffic going in and out of the car park than normal as part of the testing process.

Notice Of Election (Single Area) 2021- Ferryhill Dean Bank Ward of Ferryhill Parish (PDF)

Notice Of Election (Single Area) 2021- Broom Ward of Ferryhill Parish (PDF)

Notice Of Election (Single Area) 2021- Ferryhill Station Ward of Ferryhill Parish (PDF)

Ferryhill Town Council is supporting a national day of remembrance in memory of those who have sadly passed away during the coronavirus pandemic, and to show support for those who have been left bereaved.

The National Day of Reflection Campaign, which is being lead by end of life charity Marie Curie, and which has the support of the Prime Minister, will take place on Tuesday, 23^rd March 2021, which coincides with the anniversary of the date the UK entered into its first national lockdown.

To mark the occasion the Town Council is inviting residents to join other communities across the UK to participate in a minutes silence at 12 noon, and then to create a ‘beacon of remembrance’ on their doorsteps, by beaming phones, candles and torches into the night sky at 8.00pm. At the same time Ferryhill Town Hall will join other prominent buildings and landmarks across the nation in turning yellow. The event will offer everyone an opportunity to reflect and remember, grieve, and celebrate the life of those who have died during the pandemic, while also demonstrating support to those who are grieving for family members, friends and colleagues.

Marie Curie Chief Executive Matthew Reed said ‘it is important that we all come together to reflect on our collective loss, celebrate the lives of the special people no longer here, support those who’ve been bereaved and look towards a much brighter future.’

Town Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Joe Makepeace said ‘it will be an honour to join the nation on the 23^rd March in a Day of Reflection. It is important that we mark this poignant occasion, and celebrate the lives of those who have died during the Coronavirus Pandemic, while also showing support for those who are grieving their loss.

Ferryhill Town Council is once again providing local residents the opportunity to pick up a FREE bird box for their garden. Building on the success of last years project, which saw over 100 boxes being installed in residents gardens, school grounds and local parks, the Town Council has recently purchased an additional 50 open fronted bird boxes from Ferryhill based Endeavour Woodcrafts CIC, and are now offering the boxes to local residents free of charge on a first come first served basis, to encourage people to do their bit to help protect local wildlife.

The Town Council would like to say a huge thank you to Endeavour Woodcrafts, who provide an invaluable day service, providing training in the art of woodwork and crafts for adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues, and who have worked tirelessly to produce these boxes.

Anyone who would like a bird box is urged to contact the Town Hall as soon as possible on tel. 01740 652157 or email us at enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk to avoid disappointment, and to arrange delivery/collection. Bird boxes will be limited to 1 per household.

Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace said ‘Ferryhill Town Council is delighted to be able to once again offer local residents the opportunity to pick up a free bird box to help protect local wildlife, and I personally would like to thank Endeavour Woodcrafts for working so hard to produce the boxes.’

The 2021 Census is just a few weeks away (21^st March). The Office for National Statistics (ONS) are the responsible body and are wanting to work as closely as possible with principal and local councils to support and promote the whole process so that engagement is as high as possible.<

The census is for everyone. Once every 10 years, it helps build the most complete picture of England and Wales. The whole population has the chance to provide the information that ensures all communities are represented in decisions on funding and services.

By taking part and encouraging others to do the same, you’ll help make sure your community get the services it needs.

Useful links can be found below:

Councillor Handbook (PDF)

Community Handbook (PDF)

Census Website Homepage

The Prime Minister has announced a national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.

The decision follows a rapid rise in infections, hospital admissions and case rates across the country, and our hospitals are now under more pressure than they have been at any other point throughout the pandemic.

The Town Hall will therefore be closed for the duration of the national lockdown, but our staff are still working and providing services to the people of Ferryhill.

The Town Council can be contacted on 01740 652157 or by emailing enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk. We are also regularly collecting post from the Town Hall.

The following arrangements have been put in place during this period of lockdown.

Hands Face Space

Approximately 1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and could be spreading it without realising it.

Remember ‘Hands. Face. Space’.

• hands – wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds
• face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
• space – stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)

Town Council Services

Exercise can continue alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day. People should not travel outside their local area.  Social distancing should be maintained.

To enable this parks, playgrounds, allotments will remain open.  However, organised sport cannot take place.  All football is therefore cancelled until current restrictions are lifted

Outside gyms must close and therefore arrangements will be made to isolate these.

Cemeteries will remain open to enable people to visit and to attend to graves.

Burials and linked commemorative events.  Unfortunately, there are limits on numbers able to attend.  Your undertaker will advise on numbers able to attend a burial.  Linked religious, belief-based or commemorative events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings can take place with up to 6 people in attendance.

A reduced market will operate with only retailers defined as essential being present, if stall holders wish to attend.

Public toilets in the Market Place will remain open.

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

Stay Home – Protect the NHS – Save Lives

After a difficult year for so very many people, The Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Joe Makepeace wanted to spread a little Christmas joy and arranged a Christmas Prize Draw to do just that. 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 and the winning tickets were drawn by Dr David Willis (now retired) of Ferryhill Surgery, the winning numbers are listed below.

1^st Prize                Ticket No. 0766             £440.50

2^d Prize                Ticket No. 1946             £264.30

3^rd Prize                Ticket No. 1781             £176.20

The draw raised £1762, 50% of which will be divided equally between Seconds Out Boxing Academy & Ferryhill Indoor Bowling Club, meaning each club will receive £440.50, with the remainder of the proceeds being awarded to the 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd Prize Winners.

Winners are asked to contact Ferryhill Town Hall on 01740 652157 or by emailing enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to collect their prizes, winning tickets will need to be provided to claim the prize.

Councillor Joe Makepeace said “ With the help and support of local residents, those helping to sell tickets and those who bought tickets, after such a difficult year I am happy to have been able to support two well deserving local groups and also bring a little Christmas joy the winners of the draw.”

On Monday 21^st December 2020 Councillor Joe Makepeace had the honour of presenting recently retired Dr Willis of Ferryhill Doctors Surgery with a Mayors Medal & certificate, in recognition of 23 years outstanding service, caring for and looking after the health and wellbeing of the people of Ferryhill.

Councillor Joe Makepeace said “I was extremely proud to have been able to present a Mayors Medal to Dr Willis, a very well know figure in Ferryhill for many years, he will be a big miss to Ferryhill.”

Dr Willis said he was proud to receive such a prestigious award. It had been a pleasure to serve in Ferryhill for so many years, adding that Ferryhill has a great community spirit.

 

Thanks to a funding boost of £3,695 Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that works to install a commemorative Miners Wheel Feature at Dean Bank Recreation Park have been completed.

The project, which has seen an original Miners Wheel being sympathetically restored, and given pride of place just inside the entrance to the Park will provide a fitting tribute to the Town’s Mining heritage, for future generations to enjoy, and ensure that the areas mining legacy is never forgotten.

The Town Council would like to say a huge thank you to Councillors Joe Makepeace and Peter Atkinson who each contributed £1,847.50 from their Neighbourhood Budget allocations via the 4Together Partnership, to enable the delivery of the project, and also to Wharton Construction, who carried out the project works.

Councillor Peter Atkinson said “I was delighted to be able to contribute to this project, which will provide a lasting memorial to the Town’s Mining Heritage. Ferryhill is very proud of its history, and it is important to commemorate it with projects like this one.”

Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace said “It was a pleasure to be able to support this project, which commemorates the Town’s deep rooted mining heritage. The project is important, and will provide a fitting tribute, which is especially poignant for the many families of those miners who worked in the Town’s mining industry.”

Anyone with any questions regarding this or any other project being developed by Ferryhill Town Council should contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on tel: 01740 652157 or email: Karen Younghusband

On behalf of Ferryhill Town Council, after such an incredibly difficult year I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

I don’t think anyone could have imagined at the start of 2020, the challenges that this year would bring. I sincerely hope that you are all able to enjoy a safe and enjoyable break in the company of your loved ones, whilst also sparing a thought for those in the community who are less fortunate.

I am very proud to be the Mayor of such a strong community as Ferryhill, and I know everyone will pull together to help those most in need at what can be the most wonderful time of the year, but can also be the most difficult.

I am confident that we can all help and support each other to enjoy the festive period; be it checking on an elderly or vulnerable neighbour, donating food, clothes or toys to a local charity, or remembering to support local businesses by spending local where possible.

This year I would like to say a special thank you to those who continue to do so much to support our communities, and will continue to work over Christmas to enable the rest of us to enjoy the festive season. A special thanks to the fabulous doctors and nurses in the NHS, care workers, the police, fire service, hospitality and retail workers and those who keep our utilities running. We all owe them a massive debt of gratitude. And, not forgetting, of course, our clergy who help us celebrate why we do all this in the first place! I hope that you are all able to enjoy some time with your families this year.

Due to the Pandemic, Ferryhill Town Council was forced to cancel its events programme and many of its plans for the year however, I am proud that scaled back commemorations still managed to be held to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE and VJ Day, Armed Forces Day, Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

I was also honoured to present Civic Awards to those in the community who went the extra mile this year, and to those who brightened up the Town with their floral displays, as well as being able to present the two charities, which I had chosen to raise money for during 2019-2020; the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust and the Ferryhill Scouts, with a cheque each for £1,457.50.

To ensure that a little festive joy could still be spread in the Town this year I was extremely proud to switch on the Town’s Christmas Lights on the 27^th November, accompanied by Paul Howell MP.

I was also honoured to be invited by local schools through Approach Too, to choose one of the children’s Christmas themed designs, to use in a Poster displaying a Christmas Message from Ferryhill Town Council to the public. A huge thank you and congratulations to Jessica from Dean Bank Primary School whose design was chosen and can be seen in the large advertising board in the Town Centre.

The Town Council continues to make plans for the future, and is very much looking forward to working with, and supporting you all in 2021.

Best wishes to all!