The 2016 Blackhall Flower Show in full bloom!

The Fourth Annual Blackhall Flower and Vegetable Show took place at Blackhall Community Centre on Bank Holiday Monday. And what a glorious day it was!

Once again yesterday's event exceeded all expectations as the fine and warm weather attracted visitors in their droves to see the bewildering variety of flowers and vegetables on display. As in previous years exhibitors travelled from near and far to take part in what has become a major event of its kind, both locally and regionally.

The increasingly high profile of the show is a credit to all involved and, from speaking yesterday to some of the visitors and exhibitors, it is clear that this event has put Blackhall Colliery firmly to the fore in the flower and vegetable growing calendar. 

Our thanks go to the show's main organisers, John and Allyson Peace, whose dedication and hard work throughout the year are the main ingredients of the show's continued success. A mention must also be made of the hard-working Community Centre staff, especially Rob Mason and Faye Simpson, who put their all into ensuring that our visitors were adequately and regularly fed and watered throughout the day!

We'll be meeting up again soon with John to begin the early stages of planning for next year's event, which will of course include securing funding to help sustain the show for many years ahead.

For the time being though, we think everyone involved should allow themselves a moment to relax and reflect on another outstanding flower and vegetable show at Blackhall Community Centre!

No changes to August Bank Holiday bin collections

Please note below a press release issued by the county council relating to bin collection arrangements over the coming Bank Holiday period:

Families are being reminded that there are no changes to Durham County Council’s bin collections over the August bank holiday.

Rubbish and recycling will be picked up as normal, on the usual collection day, during the week commencing Monday 29 August.

Garden waste will also be collected for those who have signed up to the scheme.

To find out when bin collections are scheduled, residents should visit the My Durham section of the council website, enter their postcode and house number, and download a calendar of pick up dates.

Bins should be put out for collection by 7am and for information on which items should go in which bin visit www.durham.gov.uk/whatgoeswhere

2016 Annual Flower & Vegetable Show

The 2016 Blackhall Colliery Annual Flower & Vegetable Show will be held this coming Bank Holiday Monday, 29 August, in Blackhall Community Centre (please see posts dated Tuesday 26 August 2014 and Saturday 5 September 2015 for reports on previous shows).

Last year's Flower and Vegetable Show at Blackhall Community Centre

This will be the fourth consecutive annual show since its inauguration in 2013 and each year's event just keeps getting better, with exhibitors travelling to our village from many parts of the country to take part in one of the region's most attractive and competitive flower shows (please take a look at our post dated Saturday 25 May 2013 for details of how the show came about).

The event this year promises to be the biggest and the best yet so come along and take a look around. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please click here for further details: Flower and Vegetable Show 2016

Handrail request for Blackhall Steps

We have been contacted recently by a few residents from the Scheme Houses in Blackhall Colliery concerned that a handrail has not been provided on the newly renovated steps linking the estate with the A1086 (please see post dated Sunday 31 July 2016 for background details).

The newly renovated steps at Blackhall, looking down onto the A1086

Given the potential risk of falling at this location we contacted the county council yesterday to ask that a handrail be installed as soon as possible and we are currently awaiting their response.

We will update on progress as soon as we hear back from the council.

Bus shelter safety concerns at Hesleden

Following concerns expressed by residents in Hesleden about the safety of children climbing onto the roof of the bus shelter opposite the chapel in Front Street, we have been in touch with the transport department at the council to ask for a re-located fixed waste bin and a redesigned curved top bus shelter. 

It is hoped that together these two changes will help to prevent children climbing onto the bus shelter and placing themselves at risk of falling through the roof.

We would like to offer our thanks to the Hesleden Voice Facebook page for drawing this matter to our attention.

The bus shelter opposite the chapel on Front Street in Hesleden

Hesleden Memorial: Blackhalls Local History Group Open Day

Blackhalls Local History Group is proposing to erect a war memorial in Hesleden and they will be holding an open day next month to give residents an opportunity to have their say on whether they would like a memorial in their village and, if so, where they think it would be best located.

Members of the History Group have asked us to promote their event so we've published all the details below. Please make every effort to come along. We will both be there and we look forward to meeting you on the day:

Monk Hesleden Parish Council

In Association With

Blackhall’s Local History Group

Invites:

Residents and Former Residents of Hesleden

To give their Views

On The Possible Siting of a War Memorial

In  Hesleden.

Including:

Display of Hesleden Photos

To be held in the Methodist School Room, Hesleden on

 Saturday  3^rd September 2016

 10.00am – 3.00pm

Tea and Coffee will be available

Present will be:

Blackhall’s  Local  History  Group

County Councillors Rob Crute & Lynn Pounder

Wayne  Gibson (Community  Development Officer)

BT wants your comments on proposed telephone kiosk removal at Castle Eden

We have been notified of BT's proposal to remove the telephone kiosk in Castle Eden. As part of the process BT has asked the council to collate any local comments for their consideration.

Please see below all the information we have received, along with details of how to make your comments known to BT:

Proposal:            Payphone kiosk removal

At:                        Payphone Kiosk Opposite Post Office, Stockton Road, Castle Eden

For:                      British Telecommunications PLC

Over the past seven years there has been a decline of 93% in payphone usage as a result of significant changes in communication in the UK, 94% of adults now own or have regular access to a mobile phone and 85% of all adults in the UK have access to a landline and 96% of those who don’t, have a fixed line do have a mobile.

As part of BT’s Universal Service Obligation it is required to provide adequate coverage of payphones within the area, however BT constantly needs to review payphone usage and on occasions look to re-align public payphone provision more closely to the reducing demand that still exists.

It has been identified that a BT payphone in your area is no longer required and therefore could be removed. BT has asked Durham Council County to collate any comments regarding the matter and to relay these back to BT for consideration.

Details of the phone box in question are detailed below:

Telephone Number:                                   01429836211

Address:                                                    Opposite Post Office, Stockton Road, Castle Eden

Number of calls in last 12 Months:            4

BT offers to Parish Councils and registered charities the facility to adopt a kiosk, taking ownership of the kiosk for just £1 thereby protecting the heritage of the community.

In order to be taken into account, any comments should be made in writing to the above address or via email to planning@durham.gov.uk clearly stating the telephone number of the kiosk on your correspondence within 14 days of the date of this letter.