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Parish Newsletter September 2008

Your Ward Councillors

Brandon

Esh Winning & Waterhouses

Langley Moor

Meadowfield & Browney

New Brancepeth

Ushaw Moor & Broompark

Quality Status for Brandon & Byshottles

The Parish Council is celebrating its success after being awarded Quality Status. The Quality Parish & Town Council Scheme was launched in 2003 with the aim of providing a benchmark minimum standard for parish and town councils throughout the country. Councils are required to pass a number of tests such as qualifications of the Clerk, accounting procedures and community engagement, to name a few, in order to achieve Quality Status.

Brandon & Byshottles Parish Council is the 12th council in Durham County and 598th in the country to achieve Quality Status and in doing so has demonstrated that the council is effectively managed and representative of all parts of its community.

Schools’ Painting Competition

Once again most of the primary schools in the area entered the Beautiful Durham Schools’ Painting Competition run by the Parish Council. Each year the council donates book tokens as prizes to 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners. The pictures were of the usual high standard and local ward members had the difficult but pleasing job of judging the paintings in the schools. Pictures painted by 1st prize winners were then judged by the Mayor and Mayoress of Durham at the council offices. The Chairman presented trophies to the overall winners at the Parish Council meeting in July and this year the Mayor of Durham kindly issued certificates of merit to all the children. Overall winners were as follows:

Katelyn Crooks, New Brancepeth Nursery Ethan Cochrane, Reception Class New Brancepeth Primary
Leon Morris, Joint winner Years 1 & 2 Silver Trees Primary
Caitlin Coxon, Joint winner Years 1 & 2 Esh Winning Primary,
Sophie Harle, Years 3 & 4 Langley Moor Primary
Lauren Hunter, Years 5 & 6 Brandon Junior School

Mayor of Durham’s Appeal Fund

This year the Mayor of Durham is raising funds for the County Durham Society for the Blind & Partially Sighted which was established in 1987. It currently provides free services to over 2,300 blind and partially sighted people across County Durham. These services include an information service, community support (e.g. driver/escorts to eye clinics), free loan and delivery of specially adapted CD/radio cassette machines, two talking newspapers, a befriending scheme and a computer mentoring scheme to introduce blind and partially sighted people to magnification and talking software. When the Mayor approached the Parish Council for support for his appeal the Council was delighted to help. The Council itself contributes to the talking newspaper and realises the importance of the services the Society provides. The Chairman, Councillor William Dowsey, presented a cheque to the Mayor, Councillor Grenville Holland in July.

Remembrance Day Services

The following services will be held on Sunday 9th November 2008 for Remembrance Sunday:
St.John’s Church, Meadowfield 10.30a.m.
New Brancepeth Village Hall 10.00a.m.
St. Paul’s Church, Waterhouses 10.30a.m.

Around the Wards

Brandon

The Orchards

Brandon Ward has recently paid for two seats to be installed at The Orchards Extra Care Home for elderly residents to enjoy the beautiful gardens around the home. Although the weather hasn’t been too favourable for sitting outside, the residents have expressed their thanks to the Council.

Brandon United F.C.

A contribution has been made to the football club to assist with the purchase of strips and equipment for the new Under 8’s and Under 14’s side this season. The Parish Council is happy to assist clubs who encourage the youngsters in the area to take part in recreational activities.

Esh Winning

Litter Pick

During August Esh Winning Residents Group joined forces with the Countryside Wardens to clear litter along the Deerness Walk. In a short time, 24 bags of litter were collected and taken to the tip. The group were proud to make such an improvement to our beautiful countryside.

Waterhouses Play Area

Rubber safety matting has been installed under the swings in the play area at Station Street, Waterhouses following representations by the Parish Council to Durham City Council. Safety fencing has also been erected in front of the north gate in order to deter children running straight onto the road.

Ushaw Moor

Regeneration Scheme

Ushaw Moor Ward’s contribution to the scheme has assisted with the continuing regeneration of Ushaw Moor with the laying of new pavements from Flass Terrace to Whitehouse Lane.

Residents Association

Ushaw Moor Ward was pleased to help the newly formed Hunters Gate Residents’ Association with its first year’s running costs. The Association hopes they can improve the environment for residents living in Ushaw Moor by involving all sectors of the community in activities such as litter picks, a community allotment and tackling graffiti. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact John Booth on 0191 3733381.

Meadowfield and Langley Moor

Meadowfield and Langley Moor Wards together with Brandon Ward have purchased picnic tables and seating for the recently opened Langley Moor and Brandon Family Centre. The furniture will be located in the fenced area to the rear of the building.

Citizens Advice Bureau Outreach Sessions Brandon Community Hall

11 am-12noon- second Thursday of month

Brandon House

11 am-12noon- fourth Thursday

Esh Winning Community Centre

2-3pm-first & third Tuesdays

New Brancepeth Village Hall

10-11am-first Wednesday

Sure Start, Ushaw Moor

10-11am-second Wednesday

Credit Union

Every Tuesday 2p.m.-3p.m. in Esh Winning Community Centre

Vacant Allotments

The Parish Council currently has vacant allotments for rent at Alder Park, Brandon. Anyone interested contact Mrs. Howe.

Clerk to the Council: Mrs Susan Carmedy
Administrative Assistant: Mrs Susan Howe
6 Goatbeck Terrace
Langley Moor
Co Durham, DH7 8JJ
Office Hours Monday-Friday 9.30am to 11.30am
Tel/Fax:   0191 3789947
Email:      info@brandonandbyshottlesparishcouncil.gov.uk
or at:        www.brandonandbyshottlesparishcouncil.gov.uk
Chairman: Councillor William Dowsey

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