Ferryhill Town Council is thrilled to report that the 2022 Art and Photography Exhibition was a huge success. For the very first time the exhibition was held both physically in Ferryhill Town Hall and electronically on Ferryhill Town Council’s facebook page. With over 120 pieces of artwork displayed, the exhibition was enjoyed by all.

The exhibition gives local artists and photographers an opportunity to showcase their work.  Members of the public are then asked to vote on their favourite pieces of artwork in each category.

The 2022 Art and Photography Exhibition winners are as follows:

Art – Tommy Shelby, Peaky Blinders by Paul Eddy

Photography – The Bridesmaid by Edward Serrell

Children’s Art – Pixie by Megan Jenkins

A final thank you to all artists and photographers who took part, and to all who viewed the exhibition.

Ferryhill Town Council would like to say a huge thank you to Shildon based Company, Racebourne, who stepped in to refurbish the commemorative Miners Pit Tubs, situated in the street outside Ferryhill Town Hall and at Mainsforth Sports Complex.

A special thank you to Paul Harle, who also kindly offered to refurbish the pit tub located on Ferryhill Station Bank free of charge, and to Ewan and Yann for all their hard work.

Following the success of last year’s Youth Activities Fund, Ferryhill Town Council’s Events Committee agreed to advertise a second round of funding to providers of youth activities in this year’s school Summer holidays.  The Town Council is pleased to announce that four local groups submitted applications, and will benefit from the scheme, which not only concentrates on providing youth activities in the School holidays, but also tackling holiday hunger.

Little Treasures, The LADDER Centre and Mainsforth Boxing & Fitness Club will each receive a donation of £1,000 towards their programme of activities with refreshments, in the School Summer holidays, while Dean Bank & Ferryhill Literary Institute will receive a donation of £565.

The Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Carole Atkinson and the Chair of the Town Council’s Events Committee, Councillor Curtis Bihari, welcomed representatives from the four organisations to Ferryhill Town Hall to present them each with a cheque.

Councillor Curtis Bihari said “As the Chair of the Events Committee, I am thrilled that Ferryhill Town Council is able to support local organisations in this way, especially supporting the youth of our Town with these activities’.

Mayor, Councillor Carole Atkinson said ‘It is great to see so many activities being organised for young people in our Town, and it is a privilege to be able to support them.  I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with these and other local groups in the future.”

For more information about any of the activities being organised please contact the groups directly.

Citizens Advice hold outreach sessions in Ferryhill Town Hall, the sessions are held fortnightly on a Friday, 10am – 1pm, no appointment necessary – Ferryhill Schedule 2022

Ferryhill Town Council is celebrating this week after four of its Parks are named as winners of the 2022 Green Flag Award.  Mainsforth Sports Complex, Surtees Doorstep Green, King George V Playing Field and Duncombe Cemetery have all picked up a Green Flag Award this year, which is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

After two years that have seen parks and green spaces play a vital role for people throughout lockdown as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that four of the Town Council’s facilities has achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make these green spaces a great place for everyone to enjoy.

Commenting on the news that Mainsforth Sports Complex, King George V Playing Field, Surtees Doorstep Green and Duncombe Cemetery had met the Green Flag Award standard, Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these sites worthy of a Green Flag Award. “All four of Ferryhill Town Council’s facilities provide a vital green space for the community in Ferryhill. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

Town Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Carole Atkinson 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.”

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.

In a cheque presentation held at Ferryhill Heritage Centre, Councillor Peter Atkinson recently presented a cheque from his Members Initiative Fund allocation for £200 to Geoff Wall from the Ferryhill History Society, to support the Heritage Centre located at Duncombe Cemetery.

Formed in 2002 Ferryhill History Society developed the Heritage Centre, to celebrate local history in the old Chapel building at Duncombe Cemetery; opening its doors to the public in 2007.  The Centre is used as a resource for local schools and to hold displays for the local community especially on important days such as Remembrance Sunday. To book a viewing at the Heritage Centre contact Geoff on telephone no: 07872883105.

Councillor Atkinson said ‘I am delighted to be able to support Ferryhill History Society and the excellent work that they do in providing a Heritage Centre to commemorate the History of Ferryhill.’

Funding is still available through the Members Initiative Fund, for more information please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or Email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

Ferryhill Athletic FC have become the latest group to benefit through Ferryhill Town Council’s Members Initiative Fund.  Launched in April 2022, the Fund has now seen a total of £3,850 being donated to support local projects and initiatives.

In a cheque presentation held at Ferryhill Town Hall, Councillor Sue Jones presented a cheque for £100 to Fraser Reynolds from Ferryhill Athletic FC.  Funds will be used to purchase a new Match Day Football Strip.

Originally formed in 1921 Ferryhill Athletic FC played in both the Northern League and Wearside League for 60+ years before eventually folding in 2006.  With a large football following, it may have taken 15 years to resurrect the Club, but with the whole Town supporting them, and with aspirations to return to Northern League Football the team are destined to grow from strength to strength.

Councillor Jones said ‘I am delighted to be able to support Ferryhill Athletic FC.  It is great to see the Team reform and back playing at their old ground, at Dean Bank Park.’

Funding is still available through the Members Initiative Fund, for more information please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or Email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

Having launched its Members Initiative Fund in April 2022, Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that donations have now been made to eight local community groups through the scheme. The latest group to receive funding is the Friends of Cleves Cross School, who were presented with a cheque for £450 by Councillor Curtis Bihari.

The Friends group, who were established to support Cleves Cross Primary School, providing activities, equipment and helping to advance the education of pupils attending the School, will use the monies donated through the Members Initiative Fund to purchase a defibrillator cabinet. The installation of the cabinet outside Cleves Cross Primary will enable the School’s existing defibrillator to be installed in an easily accessible location, so that it can benefit the whole community.

Councillor Bihari said ‘I am delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile project, which will ensure that a life-saving defibrillator can be made fully accessible by the whole community.  Supporting Cleves Cross Primary School on this initiative has been a pleasure.’

Funds are still available through the Members Initiative Fund, for more information please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or Email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

Ferryhill Summer Gala will take place on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of August 2022. Show rides and family amusements will operate on both days within the Market Place Car Park from 11.00am until 6.00pm on both days.

On Sunday 7th of August there will be a road closure in operation in order to accommodate a number of attractions and family entertainment that will be taking place between 11.00am and 4.30pm

Market stalls will be placed along Market Street selling crafts.  Anyone wishing to hire a stall please contact Ferryhill Town Council at the Town Hall on 01740 652157 by no later than 21^st July.

Free parking will be available on both days during the event in the car park at the rear of Mel’s Travel (former Nat West Bank)

Temporary bus stops will be on operation on Sunday 7th until 7.00pm with notification of their location on the original stands as well as the Market Place notice board.

Ferryhill Town Council have opened an online book of commemoration to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  If you would like to add a comment/message to be included in the book, to mark this historic event, please email your message and name to: enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk or visit the Town Hall if you would prefer to write your message, this will be added to the webpage (please be aware your name will be published on the Ferryhill Town Council website along with your message)

The book of Commemoration can be viewed here: Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Book of Commemoration