Durham Projects

Boxed In Window Boxes
Where? Lanchester
When? 28th April 2003
What's it about? To enhance the outdoor area of the Community Centre by providing window boxes.
Where's it happening? Community Centre, Lanchester
What will volunteers do? Build and secure window boxes/planters, select plants and flowers and maintain throughout year.
What to wear/bring:
What will be provided:
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? Volunteers are clients of Durham Day Service.
How many NEW volunteers required?
Press/Media Contact: Mark Carr (07786 191191)
Organised by: Durham Day Service
REF E493

Pit Ponds
Where? Quarrington Hill
When? 23 April 2003
What's it about? To tidy you Crow Trees Old Coalmine building which dates back to about 1833 and the Old Pit Ponds nearby which were very badly damaged by landowners which caused much of the pond to dry up.
Where's it happening? Near Cold Knuckles Quarry, Crowtrees Nature Reserve, Quarrington Hill
What will volunteers do? To dig trenches and make dams, saw down gorse bushes which are in the way.
What to wear/bring: Protective clothing
What will be provided: Spades and saws
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? None
How many NEW volunteers required? none
Press/Media Contact: Mrs Jean Jones or Mr R Jones (0191 377 2740)
Organised by: Quarrington Hill Youth Project
REF E459

Whit-le-Head Community Space
Where? Stanley
When? 16th April 2003
What's it about? To improve the Whit-le-head Community Space by installing bordering to parts of the site.
Where's it happening? Whit-le-Head, Tantobie, Stanley
What will volunteers do? Volunteers will help install the border on site and also help undertake some weeding.
What to wear/bring: Warm clothes, strong footwear and refreshments.
What will be provided: All tools.
Is there wheelchair access to the site?
Any restrictions? Pets would not be advisable.
How many NEW volunteers required? 5
Volunteer Contact: Stephen McDonald (01207 693202)
Press/Media Contact: Stephen McDonald (01207 693202)
Organised by: Groundwork West Durham
Email: gwkcraghead@hotmail.com
REF E497

Derwentside Doorstep Walks Event
Where? Stanley
When? 30th April 2003
What's it about? To put on a way marking event in Stanley Burn Wood and to recruit volunteers to participate in the project in future.
Where's it happening? Craghead Village Hall, Standerton Terrace, Craghead, Stanley
What will volunteers do? Lead/participate in walk.
What to wear/bring: Comfortable sturdy footwear and suitable outdoor clothing for the weather.
What will be provided: Staff time
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? No
How many NEW volunteers required? as many as possible
Volunteer Contact: Claire Longstaff (01207 693202)
Press/Media Contact: Claire Longstaff (01207 693202 (day), 07966 330028 (eve))
Organised by: Groundwork West Durham
Email: gwkcraghead@hotmail.com
REF E496

River Clean Up
Where? Waterhouses
When? 13th April 2003
What's it about? Remove any litter or obstructions in river and on its banks.
Where's it happening? River Deerness, between Hedley Hill Terrace and the "Iron Bridge", Waterhouses
What will volunteers do? Remove debris and obstructions from river and its banks.
What to wear/bring: Warm clothing, sturdy footwear.
What will be provided: Specialised footwear (limited), rubber gloves, first aid cover, hot drinks at end of project.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? Children must be supervised by an adult.
How many NEW volunteers required? 10
Volunteer Contact: Rhona Foster (0191 373 6054)
Press/Media Contact: Rhona Foster (0191 373 6054)
Organised by: Waterhouses Community Association
REF E343

Village in Bloom
Where? Waterhouses
When? 27th April 2003
What's it about? Planting up tubs and hanging baskets. Weeding and pruning of garden around village hall.
Where's it happening? Village Hall, Station St, Waterhouses
What will volunteers do? Plant up and site tubs and baskets, weed garden, prune shrubs.
What to wear/bring: Suitable outdoor wear, any spare plants.
What will be provided: Garden tools, plants, baskets, hot drinks, toilet facilities.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? Dogs on leads, children supervised.
How many NEW volunteers required? 10
Volunteer Contact: Rhona Foster (0191 373 6054)
Press/Media Contact: Rhona Foster (0191 373 6054)
Organised by: Waterhouses Community Association
REF E342

Completed Projects

Derwentdale Court Garden
Where? Consett
When? 18th February 2003
What's it about? To upgrade the garden area with a more robust border.
Where's it happening? Derwentdale Court, Blackhill, Consett
What will volunteers do? Help install the border and weed and maintain the area, which is primarily used by older people.
What to wear/bring: Refreshments, warm clothes, sturdy shoes.
What will be provided: All tools.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? No pets.
How many NEW volunteers required? 5
Volunteer Contact: Stephen Mcdonald (01207 693202)
Press/Media Contact: Stephen Mcdonald (01207 693202)
Organised by: Groundwork West Durham
Email: gwkcraghead@hotmail.com
REF E322

Improving Early Years Garden and Play Area
Where? Consett
When? 25th, 26th & 27th February 2003
What's it about? To have children work with an adult and create a willow tunnel and dome.
Where's it happening? Early Years Unit Consett Infant School, Teasdale Street, Consett
What will volunteers do? Assist the children to fix willow in appropriate positions.
What to wear/bring: Warm clothes.
What will be provided: The willow bundles and our expert Ruth Thompson from Sylvan Skills. Hot drinks and midday snack.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions?
How many NEW volunteers required?
Press/Media Contact: Mrs Olwyn Hall (01207 504464)
Organised by: Early Years Unit Consett Infant School
REF E273

Sensory Garden
Where? Consett
When? 31st March - 4th April 2003
What's it about? Development of school front garden into outdoor classroom area with benches, performance area and sensory appeal
Where's it happening? Moorside Primary School, Chester Road, Moorside, Consett
What will volunteers do? Plant up scented beds, install stepping stone log circles for Clock Theatre, dig and weed scented beds, plant scented planters
What to wear/bring: Old clothes, rainwear, wellies, garden gloves, garden tools, buckets
What will be provided: Some tools, plants, planters, tabards, "log" stone circles
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? Clearance to work with children. No pets.
How many NEW volunteers required?
Press/Media Contact: Mrs Jillie Hewitt (01207 509724 (day), 01207 560792 (eve))
Organised by: Moorside Primary School
REF E65

Harvest Mouse Nest-Box Project
Where? Darlington
When? 6th January - 24th February 2003
What's it about? The Harvest Mouse was once very common in the North East of England, but due to habitat change has now become extremely rare. Ian Bond of Castle Eden Walkway Nature reserve, Stockton-on-Tees, has instigated a breeding project that will support the reintroduction of the Harvest mouse into the North East. Harrowgate Hill Junior School are involved in this breeding programme. With the help of Bishop Auckland College the school now wishes to design and build Harvest mouse nest-boxes to support the reintroduction programme. The nest-boxes will be built during an after-school club and the children will work with a parent or guardian in a family learning activity. The nest-boxes will then be put up at Castle Eden Walkway Nature reserve and research data will be used by the school children to support their mathematics lessons.
Where's it happening? Harrowgate Hill Junior School, Thompson Street West, Darlington
What will volunteers do? The volunteers will be a family members of a child from the school who is undertaking the project. They will work with their family member to design and build a Harvest Mouse Nest-box for use at Castle Eden Walkway Nature Reserve
What to wear/bring: Strong shoes, old clothing to work in
What will be provided: The project will provide the tools and materials required to build the Harvest mouse nest-box. The wood for the nest-box will be pre-sawn at the college after the design stage, and supplied in kit form.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? Volunteers must be a family member of a child who is involved in the school Harvest Mouse programme, as they will be working with the children inside the school.
How many NEW volunteers required? 20
Volunteer Contact: Robin Laycock (01388 443132)
Press/Media Contact: Robin Laycock (01388 443132)
Organised by: Bishop Auckland College
Email: robin.laycock@bacoll.ac.uk
REF E15

Wildlife Garden
Where? Durham
When? 31st March - 4th April 2003
What's it about? Develop habitats to support wildlife. Install bird tables, nest boxes, bird feeders, log piles, rock piles, hedgehog houses. Further develop our butterfly garden.
Where's it happening? various sites, Durham
What will volunteers do? Help pupils make hedgehog houses and log piles. Fix bird feeders and bird tables. Secure nestboxes. Line and plant butterfly planters. Plant up new butterfly hedge.
What to wear/bring: Old clothes, wellies, gardening gloves, buckets
What will be provided: Tea, some tools, logs, nest boxes, feeders, hammers, nails, planters, rocks
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? Need clearance to work with children. No pets
How many NEW volunteers required?
Press/Media Contact: Mrs Jillie Hewitt (01297 509724 (day), 01297 560792 (eve))
Organised by: Moorside Primary School
REF E66

Spring Clean the green
Where? Easington
When? Wednesday 29th January 2003
What's it about? Nursery children and parent volunteers will go on a walk from the nursery to the village green and play area. Once there we will clean up all the litter. This will teach our children not to drop litter and will improve the environment.
Where's it happening? Easington Village Green, Easington
What will volunteers do? Work with the children to help pick up litter and ensure their safety.
What to wear/bring: Old clothes, boots/wellies. Refreshments.
What will be provided: Litter pickers, bin bags, first aid kit.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? All volunteers must contact the nursery beforehand to ensure that child protection procedures can be adhered to.
How many NEW volunteers required? 6
Volunteer Contact: Mrs Gillian Parker (0191 527 1168)
Press/Media Contact: Mrs Gillian Parker (0191 527 1168)
Organised by: Rosemary Lane Nursery School
REF E209

Townley Court Garden
Where? Stanley
When? 18/02/03
What's it about? Local volunteers will work in partnership with residents to maintain the garden area at the Sheltered Court.
Where's it happening? 31 Townley Court, Stanley, Stanley
What will volunteers do? The volunteers will help maintain the garden by helping with planting and weeding
What to wear/bring: Refreshments and protective clothing will need to be bought
What will be provided: All tools will be provided
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? Pets
How many NEW volunteers required? 5
Volunteer Contact: Stephen McDonald (01207 693 202)
Press/Media Contact: Stephen McDonald (01207 693 202)
Organised by: Townley Court
REF E323

Litter Pick - Tidy Village
Where? Waterhouses
When? 9th February 2003
What's it about? Litter pick
Where's it happening? Deerness Walk, Waterhouses
What will volunteers do? Collect all litter, bag and take to collection point.
What to wear/bring: Clothed for weather conditions.
What will be provided: Waste bags, litter picker sticks (limited number), plastic gloves.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? None
How many NEW volunteers required?
Press/Media Contact: Rhona Foster (0191 373 6054)
Organised by: Waterhouses Community Association
REF E254

Wood Clean Up
Where? Waterhouses
When? 23rd March 2003
What's it about? To remove all rubbish thrown or blown into the wood.
Where's it happening? Woodland opposite St Paul's Church and new "self build" housing, Waterhouses
What will volunteers do? Remove all debris, place in sacks at roadside.
What to wear/bring: Warm clothing.
What will be provided: Gloves, bags, hot drinks.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? Dogs on leads.
How many NEW volunteers required? 10
Volunteer Contact: Rhona Foster (0191 373 6054)
Press/Media Contact: Rhona Foster (0191 373 6054)
Organised by: Waterhouses Community Association
REF E344