The Sixth DURHAM & SUNDERLAND ONE ACT FESTIVAL
Alan Armstrong Theatre, Stanley Civic Hall, Front Street, DH9 0NA
Wednesday 8th March to Friday 10th March 2023
Tickets £8 (civic.hall@stanley-tc.gov.uk)
Each year amateur drama groups from across the country enter the All England Theatre Festival. The Sixth one is being held in Stanley for the second time. A full programme is planned for the three days, with two acts per night.
Wednesday 8th March
Royalty Theatre Sunderland with Daldorf by Billy Towers
Durham Shakespeare Group with Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare
Thursday 9th March
Durham Dramatic Society with Pitmen Painters by Lee Hall
Sedgefield Players with Try it Again by J B Priestley
Friday 10th March
Son of a Gun, Newcastle with Checking Out by Jamie McLeish
Washington Theatre Group with Father Ben by Barry Hogan
FOLLOWED BY FINAL ADJUDICATION AND PRIZE GIVING !
An Evening of Clairvoyance with Craig Morris – 21 April 2023
For well over a decade now, Craig has worked tirelessly for the spirit world. He has travelled up and down the country as well as overseas including Spain, Gibraltar & Switzerland to demonstrate his ability and to teach others the gift of communicating with those on the other side. Craig had the pleasure of working with The Late Colin Fry on his final tour, and now continues his work with the fun, laughter and humour during his evenings, as he very much believes that we are here for a good time, not a long time.
West Stanley Miners Memorial
16 February 2023 at 3.15pm
Thank you to The Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Olga Milburn for her speech and to Craghead Band for their continued support.
Laying of Wreath by the Town Mayor Alexander Clegg & DMA Chairman Mr Stephen Guy
Blooming Good Fun 2022
A yearly event for everyone to enjoy!
Three Bs brighten town eyesore in time for In Bloom judging
A derelict Stanley eyesore has been transformed into a colourful centrepiece for the summer.
Stanley Town Council has transformed the derelict former Stanley Board School into one of the main attractions of Northumbria in Bloom submission, thanks to artistic schoolchildren from the town.
The project saw youngsters from St Joseph’s Primary School, draw inspiration from previous year’s academic theme of “Birds, Bees and Butterflies” to design 29 new “windows” for the school, featuring brightly coloured animals, flowers and summer scenes.
“People in the town, quite understandably, are tired of the derelict building at the bottom of the Front Street, and when Northumbria in Bloom judges visited the town in 2019, our submission was marked down due to the state of the building. So, we decided that we would address it in the summer and I approached the building’s owners with the plan to brighten the place up and they agreed to let us carry out the project. Sadly, we had to delay the project when COVID struck in 2020, but as soon as the schools were back, we set about using the youngsters’ imagination and artistic talents to create a project of turning this eyesore into something that brightens up the area. We’re really pleased with how well the project has worked out.” said Dave Jarvis.
The colourful displays also seem to have found favour with In Bloom judges, who now commented on how much they improved the building, and the town main shopping street.
“So much effort goes into making the town a pleasant place to be, it’s nice to get so many positive comments,” added Dave. “The great thing is, we will keep the artwork once the building is finally earmarked for development, so it will go on to future displays elsewhere in the town.
“I’d like to thank all of the youngsters and staff at St Joseph’s who have helped drive this project forward and created such eye-catching, amazing work.”
The project was made possible thanks to support from Stanley Town Council and Durham County Council.
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.
Happy 100th birthday Vera Soulsby
Stanley Civic Hall – Diamond Anniversary
Stanley Civic Hall has been at the heart of the town and community since her opening on 7th January 1961, accommodating many shows through the Alun Armstrong Theatre, cinema films, weddings, and celebrations, not to mention training courses, a base for community groups and conferences.
The year 2020 will be always known as a challenging year for all, however, the Civic Hall has remained at the heart of the town and community, just as was always intended, upon her opening in 1961. Following her closure to the public because of government COVID restrictions, she had continued to provide space for the operations of Stanley Town Council, whilst the Alnwick Suite and Lumley Room had housed an extended PACT House team.
In December 2021 we reopened and brought back the panto with a production of Beauty and the Beast, we also look forward to relaunching our community cinema programme, and to top it all off, a live events programme. Also not forgetting our private event partners, including MMA contests, Amateur Dramatics and of course our local education conferences.
Do you have any fond memories from across the years? Let us know!
Community Support
A community isn’t just an area of land – a postcode or village, town, suburb or street. It’s people. It’s goodwill. It’s coming together to achieve a shared goal or offer support in a crisis.
It is all of these things and more and in the Stanley area we’re lucky to have such strong bonds that will see us through the difficult situations and emerge a more robust, more united community.
In my last update, I focused on the outstanding work of PACT House, which has mobilised incredibly since the very beginning of this crisis. Offering meals and free teas & coffee literally all day with a friendly warm smile.
County Durham Community Foundation
Victoria House
Whitfield Court, St John’s Road
Meadowfield Industrial Estate
Durham, DH7 8XL
Tel: 0191 378 6340
Email: info@cdcf.org.uk
Monday – Thursday 9.00am – 5.00pm; Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm
Just for Women welcomes all women and young girls, provide support and assistance in a non-judgemental, non-threatening environment that will give each woman the opportunity to be heard and accept the equal worth of each women and value the individually of her life experience.
“We are a community based, independent service dedicated to empowering women and young girls through support, advice and bespoke programs tailored around the women and young”.
- To be open to all women and young girls
- To offer counselling and support groups free of charge
- To focus activities that meet the needs of women and young girls
- To educate women and young girls through seminars and workshops at the centre
- Listen, understand and validate women and young girls in a non-judgemental, safe and
supportive atmosphere - Be sensitive to women and young girls choices and life circumstances
- Respect all differences
- Enable women and young girls to have a choice through provision of opportunity knowledge and support
- Partner with other organisations to meet the needs of women in our community
Tel: 01207 281145
Email:justforwomencentre@yahoo.co.uk
