Issue 77 - December 2019
Your favourite PRICELESS community magazine
What’s Inside Feat ured Ar t i cles A chatMarket with to Darlington 12 Dorothy be graced withRand new exhibition space
Places to go: Rotherhithe
20
Reviewed:
30 Le Mans ’66 &
Last Christmas
LOCAL BUSINESSES
10 years of Lumiere shining its light in Durham
LOCAL EVENTS COMPETITIONS Darlington Monthly is proudly sponsored by
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These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Yorkshire Loft Ladders come in. The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50 sq ft of boarding and a light all fully fitted in less than a day from just £277 + VAT. But it’s not just the affordability of the package the company offers that makes Yorkshire Loft Ladders stand out as manager Warren Ingleson explains: ‘Our watchwords are Quality,
Integrity and Value. Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen so our customers are assured of the best job. Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we say and make sure the house is spotless when we leave, and Value in that we offer our services at a price people can afford. Our business relies on referrals and we got a huge amount of our calls from people who have been referred to us by our existing customers - that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles.
lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for every installation we carry out!’ So, if you want to make use of your loft space, however big or
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At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers
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Welcome to the December edition of Darlington Monthly! Christmas may be a very special time of year regardless of where you are (or at least, we hope so!), but it promises to be even more magical in Darlington – as you’ll see from one glance at our monthly events listings on page 34. Or why not head out to the cinema this winter to see Le Mans ’66 or Last Christmas – both of which we have reviewed on page 30 – or visit Rotherhithe, which is the subject of Alex Nelson’s ‘Places to go...’ column on page 20? It’s all happening around the town – and beyond – this Yuletide. So don’t miss out, with a little help from your favourite free community magazine. Bye for now, and from everyone here at Darlington Monthly, have a very Merry Christmas.
Findley Roofing & Building is the proud sponsor of this month’s Darlington Monthly. Renowned as the UK’s biggest and most trusted roofing and building specialists, Findley can serve all of your requirements in these specialised fields, wherever you are in the North East of England – and even beyond. Call 01325 638 905 or visit www.findleyroofing.co.uk to find out more about the firm’s considerable roofing, leadwork, brickwork and related expertise, and to ask for your free quote.
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TV show contestant makes finedining vision a reality
A
fter coming tantalisingly close to winning reality TV show The Chef not once but twice, Syed Shany Ahmed has
transferred his talents to setting up Bombay Gate restaurant on Skinnergate. Finishing as runner-up on the show both in 2017 and earlier this year, Mr Ahmed, 39, beat a high number of fellow contestants – including 30 other North East chefs – and now wants to offer a brand new dining experience in the town centre. People of the town may not just recognise him from TV, however, as he was previously the head chef at the Bombay Duke cafe on Duke Street. He specialised there in street food, and his new restaurant, Bombay Gate, will be serving up contemporary fine dining. “We are trying to do something different in Darlington,” said Mr Ahmed. “Being in the competition has shown me more ideas, better ideas instead of street food.” Some of his ideas are influenced by none other than Douglas Jordan, the founder of the North
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East Culinary Trade Association (NECTA), which both trains and supplies professional caterers across the North East. Mr Jordan, a chef himself for more than 30 years, is renowned for creating unique dishes, so his expert advice could be crucial. “He told me how to do different things,” said Mr Ahmed. “Not just Asian cooking, he said he wanted me to do other dishes. The secret is a lot of hard work and I use my restaurant as a base, which allows me to use my customers as my judges – they give me feedback on the food.” Dedicated to the culinary arts since being a 17-year-old, when he helped his father run food outlets on Teesside and Durham, Mr Ahmed has been inspired by his two participations in The Chef – and hopes that his new 80-personcapacity restaurant will be the ideal platform to serve his delicious, contemporary creations directly to a new audience. Bombay Gate is open 7 nights every week, and bookings can be made by calling
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An exceptional range of high quality stoves available in the heart of the town centre. Owner Stephen Airey and his engineers have many years experience in the heating and fireplace industry. The showroom boasts an array of traditional and contemporary woodburning and multi fuel stoves from leading manufacturers. From bespoke inglenook designs to modern freestanding versions, JTA Fires and Stoves will endeavour to make your dream a reality. We have a fully qualified installation team that cover HETAS approval for solid fuel applications, Gas Safe for gas fires and central heating systems, and also OFTEC for oil boiler installations. JTA Fires and Stoves also supply and install inset hole in the wall gas and solid fuel appliances for a minimalist look. Alternatively, we can cater for those wanting a traditional focal point fireplace in either solid wood, marble or stone. Many of these fireplace designs can be tailor made to your own specifications. We offer a free site survey with absolutely no obligation to purchase. We pride ourselves on our vast knowledge and experience, and welcome you to call in to see what we have on offer - you won’t be disappointed. Our showroom at 9 Duke Street, Darlington is open Monday to Saturday 9.30am-5.00pm. Sunday opening is by appointment only. If you would like to arrange a free site survey either call into the showroom, or get in touch on 01325 389238 or email jtafiresandstoves@ icloud.com. A warm welcome awaits at JTA Fires and Stoves.
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In conversation with...
Dorothy Rand We catch up with the north east author bringing local history brilliantly to life. Who was Lord Lawson of Beamish? Jack Lawson was a miner, trade unionist and Methodist Lay preacher who came from Boldon Colliery, in 1910, to be Mens’ Checkweighman at the Alma Colliery, Grange Villa. He became a Durham County Councillor in 1912 and was Labour MP for Chester Le Street, 1919-1949. Later, he became Baron Lawson of Beamish in 1950 and was Lord Lieutenant of County Durham 1949-1958.
What would you primarily like readers to take away from your latest book? I have written about things which should not be forgotten – the things that we take for granted today came about by the efforts of people like Jack Lawson. He resented the ‘serf status’, to which the manual worker was condemned. In his novel “Under the Wheels” (1934) he said: ‘Few there be who know the price those of yesterday paid for the things of today. Your Union and the Labour Party have done more for you than you ever dream!’
How was your experience working with North Durham MP Kevan Jones on the book? Ever since being elected in 2001 Kevan Jones has been interested in our local history – especially the life of Jack Lawson – and has supported many local history projects in the constituency. It was good to see his delight when first researching original documents from the Lawson Papers in Durham University Library. Where else could you see a letter from Winston Churchill and a telegram of congratulations from Chang Kai Shek, alongside 12
family photographs showing Jack in his garden? Kevan also enjoyed meeting Lord Lawson’s granddaughter Ruth on several occasions.
Over the years, have you uncovered anything particularly startling while delving into the history of local areas? Relatively recent archaeological research has shown that Newfield was inhabited as far back as the Stone Age. My next book, hopefully to be published in late 2020, will be about Newfield and Pelton Lane Ends from prehistoric times, to today. I have lived here since 1968 and collected information ever since. This albeit tiny area does have a long and rich history – and it’s my sort of history. I love to find out about the living and working conditions of ordinary people. Pelton Fell comes next, and then my autobiography which charts the changing times since my birth in 1944.
How did you find out you were going to receive an MBE and what was the day of the award itself like? I received a letter from the Cabinet Office on 20th of November 2017, asking if I would accept the honour, so I said “Yes.” It was unreal and, even when it was gazetted in the New Years Honours List, it was still surreal. I didn’t feel able to travel to Buckingham Palace and elected to have the medal presented locally, instead, in the Chairman’s Office at County Hall. It was a lovely afternoon and the Lord Lieutenant (Mrs Sue Snowdon ) made it a very special day. I was able to have family and friends there and we had a lovely tea. Certainly a day to remember.
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Darlington to host flagship event for the UK beef industry
O
ne of the British beef industry’s most significant events will be held in the North of England for the second year in a row. It has been confirmed that next year’s National Beef Association (NBA) Beef Expo will take place at the grand opening of Darlington Farmers Auction Mart’s (DFAM) new auction centre, on Thursday 28th May. The announcement comes after the success of the 2019 beef expo held at Cumbria’s J36 Rural Auction Centre in May, which attracted a record number of exhibitors and competition entrants and around 4,000 visitors. ‘Delight’ at announcement William Walton, NBA board member and Northern region representative, commented: “The National Beef Association (NBA) is delighted to be hosting its flagship technical beef event, Beef Expo, in the North of the country for the second consecutive year, and in doing so marking the grand opening of Darlington Farmers Auction Mart’s brand new Humbleton Park Auction Centre.
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“The NBA is committed to representing and supporting the interests of beef farmers across the UK, and the fact that we return to the North of the country following last year’s successful event in Cumbria demonstrates the strength, depth and importance of the sector in the Northern counties. Mr Walton, of Penpeugh Farm, Bardon Mill near Hexham, added that the organisation was “also pleased to recognise the important role livestock auction markets play in delivering a competitive and traceable live sales environment for the sector.” He described the new facility at Darlington as “state-of-the-art”, voicing his expectation that it “will be a key resource both for beef farmers and also the wider rural communities it serves.” The NBA said that the 2020 event would be “bringing together the very best in British commercial and pedigree cattle, equipment, groundbreaking developments, and show classes for everyone involved in the industry. NBA Beef Expo is a celebration and exploration of everything British beef has to offer.”
A major boost for Darlington and the wider region The announcement represents hugely encouraging news for both DFAM and farmers across the broader region. The auction was finally able to start work on its new premises at the edge of Darlington earlier this year, after several decades of attempting to relocate from its existing site in the town centre. DFAM also recently launched a new competition for young handlers, sponsored by The Northern Farmer, and the mart’s cafe has won a national award. The expo itself is regarded as an important showcase for pedigree and commercial breed societies who want to promote the quality of their cattle. It will be preceded by the renowned industry farm tours, and the Beef Industry Dinner will take place on Wednesday 27th May. The event will also host the National Commercial Cattle Show and the South Devon Technical Championships.
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PUZZLE PAGE Simply complete one of the competitions below, fill in the entry form and send to the postal address provided.
You have the chance to win...
aExcluding Sunday Lunch for Two!* drinks *
Courtesy of... H O T E L
Name The Ad HOW TO PLAY: Match the five segments of images below with an Advert in this magazine, place either the company name or the page number in the space below each box.
Sudoku easy 8 2 3 2 5 9 1 3 8 7 5 4 7 2 4 9 4 5 3 9 5 4 8 1 8 4 9 3 7 1 6 7 3 8
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Please send all entries to: Competition Department, Unit 4, Station Road, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3DY. Competition End Date: 22nd December 2019
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The Smarterbuys Store Limited is a company registered in England and Wales under the number 07526461 and with the Charities Commission under number 1144676, whose registered office is Greengates House, Amos Drive, Greencroft Industrial Park, Co Durham, DH9 &YE. Smarterbuys store is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority reference number 713746. Store is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority reference number 713746. Find us on Facebook: DarlingtonMonthly Visit us online: www.darlingtonmonthly.co.uk
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Places to go...
R OT H E R H I T H E
O
n 6th November, a select band of rail professionals and interested members of the public gathered in the shaft of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s tunnel under the Thames, the oldest structure on the oldest Underground network in the world, and the first tunnel under a river ever constructed by man. The occasion was the launch of the new National Rail map, and it took place in Rotherhithe, a mile down the river from Tower Bridge, and it took place there for a special reason. The map this year features the voyage 400 years ago of the Mayflower ship from Rotherhithe via Southampton, Dartmouth and Plymouth to the new world and a port now known as Plymouth in Massachusetts. The Mayflower is commemorated in the name of a pub on the riverside, on the south
side of the Thames, where many of the Pilgrims boarded the ship of Captain Jones for the historic voyage. They used to be known as the Pilgrim Fathers, but there were women and children too so they are now known as Pilgrims. The pub was known as the Spread Eagle in those days – indeed it would be most odd if it had been of the same name as the ship. But today it is one of the attractive riverside pubs from which activity on the river can be observed, and was an excellent spot for some networking after the launch. Brunel’s tunnel was originally opened in 1843 after many years of delay, for the passage of pedestrians and goods on carts, but was converted to became a railway tunnel in 1869, only six years after the first underground railway (Paddington to Farringdon) opened in 1863. It was for many years the fag-end of the Metropolitan line, known as the East London Section, and trains just ran from Shoreditch and Whitechapel in the north to New Cross or New Cross Gate in the south. In recent years, the stations on this line have undergone a renaissance and form part of the Overground orbital line around London. The new National Rail map is an ideal Christmas gift for a rail enthusiast or regular traveller, and whilst it describes 2,700 stations on land in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the story of the Mayflower and her ill-fated sister ship the Speedwell is told on the sea. Speedwell started its journey in the Netherlands at Leiden, but only Mayflower ended up in Massachusetts where the Plymouth Settlement was founded in 1620. It’s a great educational tool for young people wanting to find out more about their home country. Today, the Mayflower pub in Rotherhithe is still licensed to sell US
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Extract at actual size postage stamps for mariners and visitors, and proudly flies the star spangled banner over the Thames. There is a Thameside riverside path up and down the river, but the easiest way to get there is on the Overground. From King’s Cross use the Hammersmith and City line and change at Whitechapel. The map is available as a coated paper poster, and the size is 100cm width by 63 cm side. It retails, as last year, at £10 a copy, and up to five copies can be placed in a postage tube for sending all over the country, indeed all over the world. Postage costs £5.80. plus £2 for a sturdy tube to send them in. There is a website at railmap.org.uk to order maps online, or send a cheque for £17.80 for a single map including P+P made payable to National Rail Bishop Auckland Ltd at 32, Front Street, Pelton, Chester-le-Street DH2 1LX.
Alex Nelson
alexnelson@dunelm.org.uk
www.nationalrail.com
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40 Years
www.darlingtonmind.com
We are celebrating our 40th Anniversary: 1979 - 2019 Darlington Mind was established in 1979 because it was recognised that there was a lack of social outlets and support for people with mental health problems. Over the last 40 years Darlington Mind has assisted over 10,000 people. We operate throughout the Borough of Darlington, the Durham Dales, South Durham, North Yorkshire and work collaboratively with colleagues across the North East with other Local Minds on a range of cross boundary mental health services. Darlington Mind will maintain its commitment to provide high quality support & recovery services to people with mental health and emotional problems in our region.
“We could not have continued for 40 years without your help so we would like to thank each and every one of you who has fundraised, donated money and volunteered for Darlington Mind.”
“Thank You” Gary Emerson, CEO
Darlington Mind has grown substantially and now offers a wide range of recovery support services to hundreds of people a year: Our services include the following: Music Therapy Computer Project Walking Group Counselling Green Project Arts & Crafts Healthy Living Group Activity Hub Housing Service Young People’s Self Harm Prevention Project Rapid Response Suicide Prevention Service St Hilda’s Day Centre for people with Dementia You can help us to continue serving the local community for another 40 years by donating via www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com. Thank you!
Please call for more info: 01325-283169 St Hilda’s House | 11 Borough Road | Darlington | DL1 1SQ
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Darlington is a registered charity No: 1093140 To Advertise Contact Darlington MonthlyMind Email: sales@darlingtonmonthly.co.uk Tel: 01325 776225
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Season’s greetings from everyone at Findley First of all, a merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year to all of you, from everyone here at Findley’s. It’s been another flat-out year of roof repair, installation and maintenance, during which we’ve been delighted to meet many more wonderful customers in the North East – so thank you for making 2019 a fantastic year for us all.
Let it snow without worry this Christmas While white Christmases are far from guaranteed, there’s always the chance that December will bring at least a few days of heavy snowfall. And though a few flakes are unlikely to cause any significant damage to a well-maintained roof, the extra weight of the snow and extreme cold can test the integrity of both your roof and guttering. There’s also the possibility of ice dams and icicles forming, which can be detrimental to the roof’s integrity when left untreated. Rest assured though, a roof that’s performing well shouldn’t have any trouble getting through the winter, and this is one of the many reasons we offer a Free Roof Health Check to homeowners in the North East of England.
To secure yourself a little extra peace of mind over Christmas, and into the New Year, give us a call on 0191 417 3422, and one of the team will be with you soon. In the meantime, enjoy this wonderful, magical time of year with the people who matter to you the most – if we don’t see you this month, we’ll catch up with you in 2020. Once again,
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Contact us today
01325 638 905
www.findleyroofing.co.uk
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Established. 1998
Join us for an enhanced dining experience serving our much loved dishes in our new spacious and contemporary restaurant. Fully licensed and fully air-conditioned. Ideal for couples, small & large parties (up to 80) | Separate party room available Full take away service including deliveries
Closed Christmas Day Only For Bookings call
Tel: (01325) 46 46 55 www.starofbengal.org.uk 24 Duke Street | Darlington | DL3 7AQ
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Lumiere:
celebrating 10 years of the spectacular
A
nother astonishing weekend of art, design, innovation and drama unfolded last month, as the 10th edition of Durham Lumiere captured the eyes and minds of an estimated 165,000 visitors. The largest festival of light in the UK saw visitors of all ages descend excitedly on the city to take in 37 installations that embodied the creativity of 55 international and local artists in the medium of light. Supporting the artists and the event were 88 businesses, and 340 dedicated volunteers who helped to guide visitors around the city. In total, more than 1 million people have visited Durham Lumiere in just the last 6 years. Invited to experience the event on Friday 15th, we had the pleasure of speaking to two of the artists whose work took the city by storm. Deepa Mann-Klerr, who was showcasing both ‘Neon Dogs’, and ‘Shoefiti’, said of Lumiere: “We are living through quite dark times, it feels, and we need light and colour and shared experience. Lumiere does this and it’s awe-inspiring.” Durham Lumiere 2019 was the first time Mann-Klerr had introduced ‘Shoefiti’, which was located at South Bailey, just outside Durham Cathedral, to the public.
On her experience of creating the piece, and seeing how people responded to it for the first time, she added: “Yesterday I just stood in the street, listening and watching people’s faces in response. People may love it, may hate it. I think most people find it funny, and I watch families and ages from 2 to 90 engaging with it. It’s accessible to so many people because it’s visual.”
“You have so many ideas in your head as an artist and 99.9% are never realised. When you do realise that 0.1% and it then goes into the public space, it somehow becomes real because it’s a shared experience.” Bucko Arends, from Mr. Beam, was one of the creative minds behind ‘Keys of Light’, an audio-visual, interactive piano installation that had already been enjoyed in Europe and Asia, before arriving at Durham Lumiere’s Rushford Court.
“I love the location,” he said. “It’s in its own secluded environment and it’s very layered, so you can watch the lightshow from multiple angles. You’re engulfed into the world with Keys of Light.”
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The installation, which translates piano-played music into light, allowed visitors to co-create the environment by playing their own music. He added: “I hope that people will hear the songs they love. Sometimes you have younger talents playing, where you can feel they’re not at the level they want to be – but for me that’s even better.” The audience can hear that it’s not pre-recorded. It’s real, there’s a human touch to it. As an artist, I love when we get a piano player on stage who can improvise and then starts exploring the building. These are magical moments.” In fact, Keys of Light proved to be so inspiring that one marriage proposal actually took place right there in Rushford Court. This was just one of many magical, awe-inspiring moments, shared and enjoyed by tens of thousands over the weekend – and there will hopefully be many more to come in the future.
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Christmas rocky road
Nigella’s Christmas rocky road is a no-bake Christmas treat that’s wonderful for making with children too.
Method
1/
Place the dark and milk chocolate pieces into a heavybased pan. Add the butter and golden syrup and cook over a low heat to melt and combine.
2/Place
recipe by H O T E L
5/Add the glacé cherries and
mini marshmallows. Fold the mixture carefully to coat all of the solid ingredients with the syrupy chocolate mixture.
6/
the amaretti biscuits Pour the mixture into a into a freezer bag and bash with 25cm/10in x 30cm/12in greased a rolling pin to make crumbs of and lined baking tray and various sizes. smooth the surface as much as possible (although it will look Place the Brazil nuts into bumpy). another freezer bag and bash in the same way. Refrigerate for two hours, or
3/
7/
until firm enough to cut. Dust the pan of melted with icing sugar, then sprinkle chocolate mixture off the heat with edible glitter if you wish. and add the crushed biscuits and nuts. Remove the block of rocky road from the tray and cut into 24 rectangles.
4/Take
8/
Ingredients 250g/9oz dark chocolate, chopped 150g/5oz milk chocolate, chopped 175g/6oz butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 4 tbsp golden syrup
200g/7oz amaretti biscuits 150g/5oz shelled Brazil nuts 150g/5oz red glacé cherries 125g/4oz mini marshmallows 1 tbsp icing sugar edible glitter, to decorate (optional)
COMPETITION TIME
We are offering a family ticket for any film at Vue Darlington at Feethams (valid for 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children). All you have to do to enter is answer the following question...
Cliff Richard single was at number Q: Which one over Christmas in the UK in 1988? Answer: Name: Address:
Post Code: Email: Please send all entries to: Competitions Department, Unit 4, Station Road, Chester-le-St, Co. Durham, DH3 3DY *NEW* Or enter free by commenting on this advert on our Facebook Page @DarlingtonMonthly
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Theatre Tickets & Vouchers Make The Ideal Christmas Gift
Best Seats Available From Only £19.00
3rd – 8th February 2020
23rd – 28th March 2020
29th April 2020
BOX OFFICE 01642 552663
Or visit us online www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk Find us on Facebook: DarlingtonMonthly Visit us online: www.darlingtonmonthly.co.uk
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FILM REVIEW:
LE MANS ’66 The tale of Ford Motor Company’s audacious attempt to topple the long-dominant Ferrari at the prestigious Le Mans 24-hour race is one that continues to enchant even relatively casual motorsport fans – but Le Mans ’66 also succeeds in venturing far from mere petrolhead territory. It accomplishes this in part through director James Mangold and writers Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth and Jason Keller’s weaving of a captivating story that is as much about the very human travails of British driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) and the vision of automotive legend Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon), as it is about squealing tyres and shot brakes. Equally instrumental, however, is Bale’s wringing of a genuinely textured character out of a dialogue that could have so easily seen him reduced to sentimental cliché, rote British slang and a penchant for seemingly endless cups of tea – as well as Damon’s turn as a charming playboy who is nonetheless equally determined to win the big race. The end result is far from perfect, having to cultivate a halfconvincing underdog story out of a matchup that – in real life – was always more a case of Goliath versus Goliath. However, Mangold has gamely lifted Le Mans ‘66’s bonnet and worked his spanner with just-about sufficient finesse to pull off a real rip-roarer.
Gavin Lenaghan
Content Manager
Last Christmas Christmas movies are always tough to review. Are they great? Not usually. However, do they have lots of ‘Christmas joy’ sprinkled effervescently into the narrative? Relentlessly. Last Christmas, written in part by none other than Emma Thompson, is certainly packed with plenty of Christmas clichés, spirit, joy and love. So, it does the job. Fresh from being killed off in the un-Christmassy conclusion to HBO’s Game of Thrones, Emilia Clarke is a down-on-her-luck singer working as an elf in a Covent Garden Christmas emporium that’s open-for-Christmas all year round. By chance, though, she meets the charismatic but elusive Tom, played by Henry Golding (A Simple Favour, Crazy Rich Asians), and becomes inspired to put on a talent show. As you may have noticed from the title of the movie, there’s something of a George Michael theme gleefully dancing through the narrative, although this is never fully
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explained or resolved in the story. There are a few niggly points like this. Twists that stop twisting and simply disappear. Questions that, while aren’t wonderfully important, never get answered. However, that’s not really what Christmas films are about, is it? They’re about personal development, character growth, and falling in love with life again at this inspiring time of year (Charles Dickens probably has a lot to answer for). Ultimately, Last Christmas does everything it needs to. It’s as warm and full-bodied as mulled wine, but as debatably delectable as Brussels sprouts. Ergo, it’s made for Christmas, and doesn’t need to be anything else.
Simon Trelfa
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Get in touch: 07583 000101
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What’s on
December
Darlington Christmas Markets
05 – 07 December – 16:00 – Covered Market The town’s ever-popular Christmas markets return to Market Square from 4pm to 9pm on Thursday 5th December and between 10am and 7pm on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th December.
Jack and the Beanstalk
06 December – 05 January 2020 – 19:00 – Darlington Hippodrome A titan of a panto comes to Darlington, as Jack climbs a gigantic beanstalk and fights to outwit the evil giant and win riches beyond his wildest dreams, as well as the hand of the girl he loves. Stars Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas as Mother Nature and Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson as Jack Trot.
Darlington Ice Sculpture Trail
Christmas Family Fun Day
14 December – 10:00 – Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel This free festive family fun day takes place in the stunning Kings Ballroom, where visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of stalls, face painting, cakes, bakes, sweets, arts, crafts and taster sessions – not to mention the opportunity to visit Santa’s Grotto.
Darlington Christmas Fayre
14 December – 11:00 – The Education Village Autism charity Little Treasures’ first-ever Christmas fayre will feature an amazing magician and fantastic balloon modelling, along with Disney princesses, stalls and even the Grinch.All money raised will go back into the charity’s efforts to support autistic children and their families across the North East.
Boilermaker CD Launch with Special Guests
07 December – 10:00 – Darlington Town Centre For the second year running, the town centre will host a frosty and festive collection of ice sculptures as part of this free family event. Look out for some well-loved fictional characters, as well as some more traditional Christmas designs around the town.
21 December – 19:00 – The Forum Music Centre The local street punk rockers will be launching their new CD, with special guests Zero Tolerance and One Man Stand.
Mardi Gras
Groovy Street
07 December – 20:30 – The Majestic Theatre Two old-school legends – Baby D and special guest Mikee Freedom – will be brought together for the first time on the Majestic Theatre stage. Support will be provided by the original Mardi Gras and Escapade DJs.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
08 December – 03 January 2020 – 14:00 – The Majestic Theatre New in-house production company Majestic Productions presents a version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that is packed full of comedy, beautiful costumes and outstanding scenery – as well as amazing special effects never before brought to The Majestic Theatre stage.
21 December – 21:00 – Harrowgate Club & Institute Ltd A wacky, tongue-in-cheek, multi-costumed party tribute band will perform some of the greatest hits of the ‘70s, including “Proud Mary”, “Crocodile Rock”, “Tiger Feet”, “I Will Survive”, “YMCA” and many more.
New Year’s Eve Live
31 December – 19:00 – The Forum Music Centre This year’s event will showcase two great bands; Deeper Season, which will be playing an array of synth, pop and indie hits from the ‘70s,‘80s and ‘90s, and Forum favourites Six Nowt, who will be performing mod, ska and punk hits. Ticket price includes hot roast sandwich with all the trimmings.
Got an event coming up? Let us know and we’ll help spread the news. Email details of your event to:
sales@darlingtonmonthly.co.uk
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#LoveDarlo Town Centre Business Awards Over 400 people joined us at Darlington Hippodrome on Sunday 17th November for the FIRST #LoveDarlo Town Centre awards. Compèred by BBC TV antiques expert, David Harper, a whole host of businesses join us for this fantastic event to celebrate all the town centre businesses. It was an evening of glitz, glamour & fun with special performances by Darlington OS & Darlington Hippodrome Youth Dance theatre followed by an after party with DJ.
THE WINNERS Customer Service Team (Sponsored by Queen Street Shopping Centre) - THE OLD YARD TAPAS BAR Independent & Specialist Retailer (Sponsored by tgi MEDIA) - GURU National Retailer (Sponsored by the Cornmill Shopping Centre) - WATERSTONES
Events in December include:
Best Bar (Sponsored by Barker Proudlove) - VOODOO Hair, Beauty and Health Retailer (Sponsored by Latimer Hinks) - FORTY7 THE SALON
5th - 7th
Christmas Markets 10-5pm
Market Square
Best Café (Sponsored by HC One) - ECHO 3
6th to Jan
Jack & the Beanstalk pantomine
Darlington Hippodrome
7th
Ice Sculpture Trail 10-5pm
Town centre
7th-22nd
Santa’s Grotto 10-4pm
Cornmill
8th
BIG Little Gigs 11:304pm
Market Square
14-15th & 21-22nd
Santa at the Station 10-4pm
Head of Steam Darlington Railway Museum
Best Restaurant (Sponsored by Angel HR) - AL FORNO Professional / Service Industry (Sponsored by Mercure Kings Head) - CLARK WILLIS LAW FIRM Market Trader (Sponsored by Arriva) - FENWICKS BUTCHERS Leisure and Arts (Sponsored by Darlington Market) - THE FORUM MUSIC CENTRE Fashion Retailer (Sponsored by Al Forno) - LEGGS Shooting Star (Sponsored by DL1) - DAN ROWLANDS (UP & RUNNING)
Lots More events planned, visit enjoydarlington.co.uk
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Find us @ The Grange, 41 Hurworth Road, Hurworth Place, Darlington, DL2 2BN
Tel: 01325 952360 • www.oaktreehi.com • sales@oaktreehi.com
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