Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that the latest group to receive funding through its Members Initiative Fund (MIF) is the Ferryhill Branch of the Women’s Institute (WI). In a cheque presentation held at Ferryhill Town Hall, Councillor Peter Atkinson presented a cheque from his MIF allocation for £125 to the President and Treasurer of the Ferryhill WI, Christine Lymer and Loraine Maddison.

Established in 1927 Ferryhill WI will use the monies donated to contribute towards the cost of hosting a celebration event to mark the organisation’s 95^th Birthday.

Councillor Peter Atkinson said ‘I am delighted to be able to support the Ferryhill branch of the WI.  The organisation has been providing social activities, education and support to women in the community for decades.  The organisation provides an invaluable service helping combat the barriers to social isolation that many women face.’

For more information on the Town Council’s Members Initiative Fund please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or Email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that it has finally managed to present one of its 2022 Civic Award Winners with their award. Unable to attend Ferryhill’s Annual Presentation Evening due to Covid, Val Watson was finally presented with her award by Mayor, Councillor Carole Atkinson at Ferryhill Town Hall earlier this week.  Val was nominated for her services to the community as a volunteer.

Councillor Carole Atkinson said ‘I am delighted to be able to present Val Watson with her award. Val continues to work tirelessly as a volunteer in the local community, a role that she has undertaken for many years. The award is very well deserved.’

Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that the latest group to receive funding through its Members Initiative Fund (MIF) is Durham County Carers Support.  In a cheque presentation held at Ferryhill Town Hall, Councillor Kim Tinkler presented a cheque from her MIF allocation for £450 to a representative from the organisation.

Monies will be used to support carers from Ferryhill who are experiencing financial hardship, helping out with items like fuel costs, travelling to appointments and food etc.

Councillor Kim Tinkler said ‘I am delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile cause.  Carers work incredibly hard to look after the needs of the elderly and vulnerable in the community, and I am only too pleased to be able to help support our local carers by contributing to their essential costs.’

For more information on the Town Council’s Members Initiative Fund please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or Email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

Tickets for this year’s Fireworks Extravaganza are selling quickly.  Around two thousand people are expected to come to Dean Bank Park to celebrate fireworks night.  Residents are being urged to purchase tickets as soon as they can to avoid disappointment.

The Extravaganza is taking place on Friday, 4th November 2022 at Dean Bank Recreation Park and promises to be a great night out for all the family. The event will be compered by Steppin’ Out DJ Keith Martin, along with Soloist Alex Hall and includes professional singers live on stage.

Residents are encouraged to walk to the fireworks display and to leave their pets at home. There will be children’s rides, food vendors, sweets, treats and hot drinks and also a licensed bar.  The finale of fireworks will be choreographed to music, taking on a family movie 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 3.00pm on the day of the event.

This year’s event program will comprise of :

5.00pm      Gates Open for show rides and street food caterers and music from DJ Keith Martin and soloist Alex Hall

6.15pm      Build up to the fireworks with DJ Keith Martin

7.00pm      Fireworks display choreographed to music, taking on a family movie theme.

Town Mayor, Councillor Carole Atkinson said ‘Ferryhill Fireworks has become a fantastic community event.  I would encourage anyone wanting to celebrate bonfire night to join us at Dean Bank Park. It takes the worry and expense out of organising your own fireworks which, by their very nature, can never be as safe or as spectacular as a fully regulated, professional display. The display is always extremely popular with residents of all ages. We are looking forward to seeing you there’.

Please be aware no pets will be allowed into the ground, any remaining tickets sold on the evening of the event are cash sales only – £3 per ticket (card payment at the gate will NOT be available).

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

Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157

Email: enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk

Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that it has contributed funds towards two Halloween events taking place in the Town this year.  Chair of the Events Committee, Councillor Curtis Bihari and the Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Carole Atkinson presented a cheque for £300 to the Ferryhill Station Royal British Legion Club and a cheque for £275 to Dean Bank & Ferryhill Literary Institute in a presentation held at the Town Hall.

Monies provided by the Town Council have been used to cover the costs associated with holding a children’s Halloween Disco on Monday, 24th October at Dean Bank & Ferryhill Literary Institute, and a Halloween Disco from 4.00 – 7.00pm on Saturday, 29^th October at Ferryhill Station Royal British Legion (for more information please contact Lolly on tel: 07803303320).

Councillor Curtis Bihari said “As Chair of the Town Council’s Events Committee, I am pleased that Ferryhill Town Council is able to donate funds to local organisations in this way to help 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.”

Mayor, Councillor Carole Atkinson 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.”

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY 11^TH NOVEMBER 2022– 10.45AM

A flag lowering ceremony will take place at the Town Hall Cenotaph at 11.00am on Friday, 11th November 2022 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:

10.45am –   School children and Councillors arrive

10.55am –   Introduction by the Mayor or the Mayor’s representative

10.57am –   Prayers of Remembrance by the Vicar

11.00am –   Flag lowered with two minutes silence

11.02am –   Congregation place crosses in planter

11.07am –   Prayers and Blessing by the Vicar

11.10am –   Event ends

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

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 13^TH NOVEMBER 2022

Ferryhill Town Council will be holding a Remembrance Sunday parade, church service and wreath laying ceremony on Sunday 13^th November 2022.  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, with the flag being lowered by 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 13^th November 2022, should contact Ferryhill Town Hall on 01740 652157 as soon as possible, and by no later than 20^th October 2022.

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 2022.

HERITAGE CENTRE, DUNCOMBE CEMETERY – OPEN 10.00AM TO 3.00PM

To coincide with Remembrance Sunday, the Heritage Centre at Duncombe Cemetery will be open to members of the public from 10.00am to 3.00pm.  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 Councillor Carole Atkinson, 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.

Having launched its Members Initiative Fund in April 2022, Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that it has already been able to support 14 local groups through the scheme. The latest group to benefit from the Fund is the Days In Days Out Club (DIDO), who recently received a visit from Councillor Peter Atkinson, who presented members of the group with a cheque for £125 in honour of one of the groups’ Members, Velma Dixon, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

 

Held at Dean Bank & Ferryhill Literary Institute, the DIDO group was set up to help bring senior citizens and especially more isolated residents together to socialise.  Now well established the group is growing from strength to strength.

 

Councillor Peter Atkinson said ‘I am delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile group, who continue to break down barriers to isolation through the work that they do. It was especially nice to be able to visit Members at one of their sessions and present them with a cheque.

 

For more information on the Town Council’s Members Initiative Fund please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or

Email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

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 Friday, 7^th October 2022.

Over 100 people attended the event, which saw Mayor, Councillor Carole Atkinson 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 Mayor to Alan Thompson in recognition of 23 years dedicated service as Parade Marshall for Ferryhill’s Annual Remembrance Sunday Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony.

Mayor, Councillor Carole Atkinson and 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.

A raffle organised to raise money for the Mayor’s Charities; Endeavour Woodcrafts CIC and the LADDER Centre, was drawn at the Presentation Evening, and managed to raise an impressive £137.00.  Two prizes remain unclaimed.  If you were present at the event and have raffle ticket strips 321 to 325 and/or strip 216 to 220 you are asked to call in at the Town Hall to collect your prize.

 

 

 

Winners of the competitions and retiring Councillors were as follows:

 

Gardening Competition

Best Front Garden Category

Commended

Mr William Maddison

Mr L Hardy

Mr Paul Slater

Ms S Osment

Mrs Maureen Vincent

Mr J. Johns

Mrs Marian Enticott

Highly Commended

Mrs Rita Hewitt

Mr and Mrs Peel

Ms Susan Todd

Mrs Patricia Kavanagh

Mr R Webber

Mr Fred Cornbill

3^rd Place – Mr Gordon Harris

2^nd Place – Mrs Celia Higginbottom

1^st Mrs Denise Atkinson

Best Back Garden 

Commended

Mr Bill Walker

Mr William Maddison

Mr R Webber

Mr L Hardy

Mr Paul Slater

Mrs P S Quinn

Mr Bill Porter

Mr Gus Hopper

Mrs Vivien Auton

Highly Commended

Ms Gaynor Williams

Mr Andrew Hartley

Mrs Karen Dowling

Ms S Osment

Mr Gordon Harris

Mr & Mrs Gargett

3^rd Place – Mrs R Hewitt

2^nd Place – Mr Ray Hamilton

1^st Place – Mrs Denise Atkinson

Best Back Yard

Commended

Dinaz & Firoz Hasnani

Highly Commended

Ms Danuta Rykowska

3^rd Place – Ms Holly Lemmon

2^nd Place – Mr & Mrs Peel

1^st Place – Mr Colin Dixon

Best Commercial Premises 

2^nd Place – The Ladder Centre

1^st Place – The Garth

Allotment Competition 

Storehouse Allotment Site

Most Improved Plot   –   Mr Kaddoura

Best Plot – Mr Mitchinson

East End Allotment Site

Most Improved Plot   –   Miss Hamilton & Mr Ambrose

Best Plot – Mr David James

Paxton Street

Most Improved Plot – Danuta Rykowska & Maciej Rykowski

Best Plot – Alastair & Graham Pybus

Mainsforth Row

Most Improved Plot – Ms Danielle Scott & Family

Best Plot – Mr John Archibald

Best Overall Allotment Plot – Alastair & Graham Pybus

Best Overall Allotment Site – Mainsforth Row – Joanne Avery

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY

Best Artwork: Paul Eddy – Tommy Shelby, Peaky Blinders

Best Photograph: Edward Serrell – The Bridesmaid 

Best Children’s Artwork: Megan Jenkins – Pixie

CIVIC AWARDS

Valerie Watson – Services to the Community

Derek Staines – Services to the Community

Dale Tomkinson – Services to the Community

Susan Jowett – Services to Sport

RETIRING COUNCILLORS

Margaret Seymour

Jane Makepeace

Ralph Petitjean

Stephen Varty

 Arrangements are being made to ensure that those people who were unable to attend the Presentation Evening receive their certificates/prizes as promptly as possible.

Ferryhill Town Council is launching a 20 week community consultation to find out what’s important to Ferryhill residents.

The consultation kicks off on Monday, 17^th October at Ferryhill Sport and Education Centre.  This is an opportunity for local people to have their say about what’s important to them so that the Town Council can prioritise services and funding to reflect local needs and aspirations.

Local people can drop in anytime between 1 and 3pm or between 5 and 7pm and have their say about Ferryhill.  Residents will be able to view a map displaying the boundaries of Ferryhill Town Council area and historic photos showing what the town used to look like.  We’re also asking people to bring in copies of their own photos of how Ferryhill used to look like to illustrate what they love about the town.  The photos will be added to the picture wall at the event and could be used in future consultations events and the final report.  These should be photos depicting various aspects of Ferryhill rather than family photos.

Ferryhill Town Council has appointed Durham Community Action to manage the consultation.  Durham Community Action will be on hand to note down what people think about Ferryhill today and their aspirations for the future.

A Town Council spokesperson said:

“We‘re really looking forward to hearing about what’s important to people in Ferryhill.  At the launch we’d like to talk to as many people as possible about what they love about Ferryhill and what changes they’d like to see.  We want everyone in Ferryhill to have a chance to have a say, so we’ll be making sure we try out different ways of reaching people over the next few months starting with this drop-in session.”

The Town Council is responsible for local services such as parks, the cemetery and allotment sites.  It holds an annual programme of events, which has included the Summer Gala, Queen’s Jubilee Party in the Park, Ferryhill in Bloom, Fireworks Display, Christmas Switch-on and Santa tour.  We want to make Ferryhill a great place to live, visit and work.  The consultation will help the Town Council shape future plans and will help services and organisations in Ferryhill to better understand and support the local community.

After the launch representatives of local community organisations and residents’ groups will get together to look at what people said matters to them and will decide how to dig deeper into some of those issues.  Findings from consultation will be collated in spring 2023.  The Town Council will then consider the findings to ensure that its priorities and spending reflect what is important to local people.

Ferryhill Town Council are pleased to announce that the annual fireworks display will be returning to Dean Bank Recreation Park this year. The Fireworks Display, will be held on Friday, 4th November 2022

The ticketed event will include show rides, music, entertainment and refreshments including a licenced bar.  Gates to the event will open from 5.00 pm with fireworks commencing at 7.00 pm.

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 are limited therefore people are urged to purchase them early as the event is expected to be very popular.  Payment at the gateon the evening of the event will only be possible if spare tickets are available, however this cannot be guaranteed.  Tickets purchased on the night will be charged at £3.00 per person.  There will be no charge for children under three.

Tickets go on sale from Monday, 10^th October 2022 until 3^rd November 2022 from Ferryhill Town Hall (Ferryhill residents will be asked for proof of their address upon requesting tickets).

The Town Hall office is open 9.00 am – 3.30 pm Monday to Friday.

Ferryhill Town Mayor, Councillor Carole Atkinson said ‘I am delighted that Ferryhill Town Council will again be hosting its annual fireworks display.  It provides a safe way for families to enjoy a spectacular display choreographed to music.  Rather than go to the expense and associated risks of having your own fireworks, join us in Dean Bank Park for a safe community event which also includes children’s show rides and street food caterers’.

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.

In order to maintain safety standards, there will be no sparklers or personal fireworks allowed on site.  Please do not bring your own alcohol.  Pets will NOT be allowed at the event.  All children Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

PLEASE NOTE: Dean Bank Recreation Park will close to the public at 1.00 pm on the day of the Fireworks Display to allow the organisers time to prepare the site for the event.

For more information about Ferryhill’s 2022 Fireworks Display please contact Ferryhill Town Council, on 01740 652157 or enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk