Focusing on the feelgood factor with flowers, flags, and events

Stanley Town Council continuously has its focus firmly on the feel good factor, having signed-off a budget aimed at adding colour, lifting spirits, and enhancing the environment.

Among the projects bringing colour to the streets, is Blooming Good Fun, the yearly competition encouraging residents to show off their gardens, yards, window boxes, hanging baskets, tubs, open spaces, and businesses. The contest has been running for several years and is the prelude to the town’s entry into Northumbria in Bloom.

The Council will also issue messages of unity following the implementation of a The Council Flag policy that will see the Council flying a variety of flags to coincide with designated days and months as a sign of unity, support and respect.

Stanley Town Council will also add colour to the Civic Hall, embracing a variety of countries, cultures and events via their flag displays.

 

Greenland School Application withdrawn

The Town Council has just been informed that the Planning Application to turn the old Greenland School into a care home which the Council lodged an official objection against has been withdrawn by the applicant.

Stanley Town Mayor Cllr Carole Hampson said “I would like to thank everyone who attended the public meeting and for the continued support. I would also like to thank the planning officer for writing a comprehensive report, it was well researched”

Blooming Good Fun Awards 2019

Last night (21st October) Stanley Town Council hosted the 2019 Blooming Good Fun awards, a gala evening to award prizes for the most beautiful gardens, yards and business in the Stanley area and to thank the people and organisations from around the Stanley area who contributed to the Town Council’s first entry of the town into Northumbria in Bloom.

The winners of the three categories were Alan Gleghorn for best garden,

 

Kathleen Gibson for Best Yard, and

Stanley Park Care Home for Best business.

The overall winner was Alan Gleghorn, see below being presented with his award by Town Mayor Cllr Carole Hampson

Speakers included Oliver Sherrat, Head of Environment at Durham County Council, discussing the importance of partnership work in improving the street scene, Nathan Hopkins from the Woodshed Workshop – a social enterprise based in Sacriston which works with people who are long term unemployed, taking mental or other health issues and uses reclaimed materials to make bespoke furniture and Cllr Les Timbey, the Leader of the Council who outlined how working together with residents, charities and community groups had made the project such a success.

At the event, Town Mayor Carole Hampson re-presented the Tanfield in Bloom group with the Percy Boydell Cup for overall winners of Northumbria in Bloom which they won, beating off the likes of Durham City, Hexham, Corbridge and Saltburn-by-the-Sea to take the trophy. Tanfield are competing in the National Britain in Bloom finals in Friday in London and we wish them all the very best.

A raffle was also held for the Town Mayor’s chosen charity, PACT House, which raised £171.

Hedley House Opens Its Doors for Vulnerable Young People in Durham

Hedley House is a supported accommodation project for young people at risk of homelessness in County Durham, to provide safe and secure accommodation when facing difficult circumstances and/or being at risk of becoming homeless.

The project, based in Park Road, South Moor Stanley, is provided by a partnership of Changing Lives, Durham County Council Housing Solutions and Children and Young People’s Services.

The project was officially opened by Councillor Carole Hampson, then Town Mayor of Stanley.

In celebration of the launch, Changing Lives hosted an afternoon tea, which was prepared by the young residents. The event was well attended, with our CEO Stephen Bell welcoming guests from Durham Police, Durham Housing solutions and Durham County Council.

Announcing Blooming Good Fun 2019!

The Town Council are announcing the return of the ‘Blooming Good Fun’ competition for 2019, this time to support our application for an award in the Northumbria in Bloom competition.

We are hoping to encourage gardeners from right across our Parish to make a special effort to brighten up their surroundings – and everybody else’s by bringing colour and floral displays to Stanley.

Entry is FREE and there are CASH PRIZES to be one.  There are awards for the best garden, tubs, window boxes, back yard, open space or communal space and  businees so it’s open to everybody.

To get an entry form, see our Blooming Good Fun page

Play in the Park 2018

Stanley Town Council is delighted to announce the dates for this year’s Summer Play in the Park Events. As always, all the rides and activities will be FREE so get the dates in your diary now.

The dates are:

Wed 1 Aug – View Lane Park

Sat 4 Aug – Oakies Park

Wed 8 Aug – South Moor Greenland School Playing Fields

Sat 18 Aug – Annfield Plain Park

Wed 22 Aug – Craghead Millennium Green

All events are from 10 am to 3 pm

Dynamic duo all set for the Stanley beat…

A PAIR of crimefighters are clamping down on community anti-social behaviour in a North Durham town.

Two new neighbourhood wardens have been recruited to prowl the Stanley beat, working alongside their communities to improve the environment and help tackle minor disorder and vandalism.

The new full-time patrolmen are funded by Stanley Town Council, which is also funding essential equipment and training.

Kieron Rice and Dave Jarvis started their first shifts this week and were eased into the role by Paul Rutherford, one of Durham County Council’s community wardens.

Kieron said: “I couldn’t wait to get started. I think Stanley is a great town and there seems to be so much happening at the moment, with everyone pulling in the same direction.

“My aim is to quickly get to know people across the community and begin to build up trust in ourselves and the service. In doing that, we will learn about areas of concern, potential areas of anti-social behaviour and also involve ourselves in some of the proactive community projects happening all over Stanley.

“The more we can help improve Stanley, the better civic pride will be and the more pride we can instil, the easier our jobs will be. Every village and town has its issues with challenging elements, but if we can reduce their impact on other people, then our introduction will have been a success.”

The wardens will work closely with the Town Council as well as other community groups. It will also provide a link with Durham Police, which has backed the introduction of community wardens.

Leader of Stanley Town Council, Councillor David Marshall said: “Stanley will benefit from the arrival of Kieran and Dave, who will immerse themselves in the community and quickly learn about the projects that are making a real difference to their lives and also address some of their concerns.

“When the enhanced wardens service was cancelled in 2015, the quality of life for people in and around Stanley deteriorated. Almost overnight, there was an increase in dog fouling, more fly tipping and a rise in the amount of rubbish blowing around the streets. How can people be proud of where they live in that sort of environment?

“The people of Stanley wanted to see an improvement in their environment, so I’m delighted that we can start tackling that by bringing back a dedicated team of wardens and environmental caretakers that can really get stuck in to improving the environment for all of our communities.”

The wardens will also work alongside Stanley’s Environmental Caretakers, who, among other services, take a lead the town’s “In Bloom” entry and other civic pride programmes.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “This is an example of partnership work at its best, and demonstrates the commitment of Stanley Town Council and ourselves to ensuring Stanley is a safe and attractive place to live, work and visit.

“Neighbourhood wardens make a positive difference in towns and villages across County Durham, and Stanley Town Council’s decision to invest in an enhanced service demonstrates a proactive approach that should be applauded.”

Full Council Papers 27-3-18

The Agenda and Background Papers for next week’s Ordinary Council Meeting are linked below.  The meeting will be held at 6.30 pm at the Civic Hall. All meetings are open to the public. Please note: If you wish to ask a question at the meeting, it must be notified to the Clerk in advance of the meeting. The Clerk can be emailed on info@stanley-tc.gov.uk

Business to be discussed at the meeting includes:

Member’s Initiative Fund – Details of the projects supported by Councillors in 2017/18

Events Specification – Tender details

Wardens SLA – Specification for enhanced wardens service

Civic Hall Hire charges

‘-Full Council Agenda 27 March 2018

Background Papers March 18

Council Agenda and Papers 27th February 2018

The agenda and supporting papers for the February Ordinary Council meeting are linked below. Business to be considered at the meeting includes:

Events Specification, War Memorial, Allotments and the Louisa Morrison disaster memorial

Agenda 27 February 2018

February 18 Supporting Papers

The meeting will be held at the Civic Hall and starts at 6.30pm.  All Council meetings are open to the public