Derby Day bother in Chester-le-Street

Durham County Cricket Club family fun day was great success

Durham County Cricket Club’s anniversary weekend was hailed as a “success” by the club’s marketing manager.

The club were celebrating their 21^st anniversary as a first-class county and they did so in style as young children and their families were among the usual cricket fans for Durham County’s curtain raiser for the new season.

The North East club held a four-day celebratory event at their home stadium, Durham International Cricket Ground, in Chester-le-Street which had something for everyone. With a beer and wine festival on the Thursday and Friday for the adults and a family fun day on the Sunday for the families.

On the Saturday Durham County Cricket Club (DCCC) staged their annual pre-season friendly match against Durham University.

Sarah Baggot, the marketing manager of DCCC, said it was a “success” even though she said described holding an event at this time of the year as a “risk”.

She said: “It was a success. It was always going to be a risk holding an event at this time of the year but we had good weather for it.

“We had around 150 people in on the Friday enjoying their beer and cider in the festival and the Saturday continued with the nice weather with people able to watch the cricket.

“There were around 1000 people through the gates across the day on the Sunday for the family fun day with Peppa pigg and George being the main attraction for the children.”

The club’s marketing manager continued: “It was a good event as a whole and I think the club would like to host further events to celebrate the 21^st anniversary in the near future.”

Dave Thompson and his wife Maria, both from Chester-le-Street, attended the family fun day with their two young children and I spoke to them on the day (April 7).

Mr Thompson said: “It has been a great day and we were lucky with the weather but I think the kids would have enjoyed themselves whatever the weather.

“I do hope the club do host events like this in the future because just imagine this during the school’s summer holidays in the warmer weather. It would be great.”

Even if the club decide against holding further events, Chester-le-Street folk have an Ashes test to look forward to in the Summer.

Durham will be hosting their first ever Ashes Test as the England internationals go up against their Australian counterparts in the most anticipated cricket test series.

Tickets are still on sale and you can purchase yours by clicking here.

Police name Chester-le-Street family in fatal crash

Five people from the same family have died in a fatal car crash on one of Britain’s most dangerous roads.

Police have currently only identified four of the five family members.

They are David Cockburn, 48, and his daughters Carley Ann Cockburn, 21, and Bethany Cockburn, 18.

Bethany’s 23-month-old daughter Lacie Jade Stephenson also died in the accident near Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire on the afternoon of Friday April 12.

The family were travelling to Skegness with friends to attend a dance festival held at the Butlins resort.

The victims’ relatives travelled down from County Durham to help with identification, and laid floral tributes at the scene.

The A18, the road of the accident, featured in BBC’s documentary Britain’s Killer Roads in 2011 and there is currently talks of lowering the speed limit from 60mph to 50.

This has obviously come to a shock to family and friends of the Cockburn family and there has been huge remembrance of the family on the social network site Facebook.

A page has been set up for people to pay their respects and the page currently has over 30,000 ‘likes’ which shows just how popular and liked the family were.

If you would like to pay your respects or share photos and memories then you can do so by clicking here.

Durham County Cricket Club Commercial Director’s full statement

Durham County Cricket Club commercial director Scott Sherrard talks 21st anniversary; hosting an ashes test and raising the clubs profile.

“When Durham CCC first campaigned to become a First-Class County, a film was produced showing a small boy walking out to the crease as the voice-over wondered if one day he might be walking out to bat at a Durham Ashes. Just twenty-one years later, the dream has come true and we will be hosting our first Ashes Test in August.

This is a reward for many years of investment in infrastructure and earning a reputation in world cricket for our welcoming and professional approach. The Ashes represent the biggest international sporting event ever held in the region. Tickets have been in great demand and many of these have been sold to people outside the North East, with enormous benefits to the wider regional economy.

For the Club, the Ashes bring a welcome focus on cricket to a wider audience, especially in an area of great sporting passions. It has enabled closer ties with a wide range of community groups from Chester-le-Street to Durham Cathedral to Beamish and beyond. Working with local residents, a volunteer force is being put together to ensure a warm welcome for our visitors.

The Ashes, however, do not simply mark a destination reached. They must become the starting point for the future development of both the Club and the venue. That’s why it’s such a happy coincidence that this is our 21st anniversary as a First-Class County, a classic birthday for looking to the future rather than the past.

We have many events planned to celebrate this milestone and great plans to use our heightened profile to support young people in the region, whether through our Foundation or Academy. The Academy has already given great opportunities to youngsters in the region. One in eleven of its graduates have gone on to play international cricket; one in four to play at County level.

And of course the County team has three important trophies to win this season. The best effect of all the celebrations this year would be for more people to give a day at the cricket a go. They’ll enjoy it and with their support, we are confident we shall be challenging for prizes in every form of the game.

The first person to be asked the million pound question in “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” was asked who played at Chester-le-Street. He failed but we think he’d know now – and certainly by the end of 2013. Raising the profile of Club and town will bring responsibilities – we need to deliver an exceptional event – but it will also bring shared rewards.”

Update: Durham County Cricket Club confirm 21st anniversary plans

Durham County Cricket club have confirmed a special weekend full of events to celebrate their 21st anniversary of being a first-class county.

In their 21 years as a first-class club they have won the County Championship on two occasions.

The event to celebrate their achievements will be taking place from Thursday 4 – Sunday 7 April, 2013. There will be something for everyone to enjoy as there is a beer and wine festival taking place on the first two days and a family fun day on the Sunday.

Tickets for the beer and wine festival are priced at £10.00 per ticket and are available by clicking here.

The ‘family fun day’ will be a brilliant day out for the whole family and it will all be for no cost. The cricket club have confirmed there will be face painters along with fun rides for the children and they will have the chance to meet and get pictures with the Durham County mascot ‘Chester the Lion’ while the parents can enjoy a relaxed day with a glass of wine or two.

And of course there will be cricket taking place, on the Saturday you will be able to see the Durham stars go up against Durham UCCE for their first fixture of 2013.

Scott Sherrard, Commercial Director at Durham County Cricket Club, said: “We have many events planned to celebrate this milestone and great plans to use our heightened profile to support young people in the region, whether through our Foundation or Academy.”

Not only are Durham County Cricket Club celebrating their anniversary but they are also popping the champagne to the news that their home ground, Emirates Durham ICG – formerly the Riverside –  has been selected to host the fourth test of the up-coming Ashes series which will see the England internationals go up against their rivals Australia right here in Chester-le-Street.

The Commercial Director went onto say: “For the Club, the Ashes bring a welcome focus on cricket to a wider audience, especially in an area of great sporting passions. It has enabled closer ties with a wide range of community groups from Chester-le-Street to Durham Cathedral to Beamish and beyond. Working with local residents, a volunteer force is being put together to ensure a warm welcome for our visitors.” [click here for full statement]

A member for the last six years of the club, said: “It shows how far the club have gone in 21 years that they are hosting an Ashes test.

“I hope we can push on in the league and make this a year to remember for Durham County Cricket club.”

The cricket club are holding a cake baking competition in their anniversary weekend and the winner’s cake will be sold throughout the Ashes test in August.

To enter your cake please complete the ‘Application Form’ and email to marcoms@durhamccc.co.uk

Tickets for the Ashes test are currently on sale and can be purchased here.

However, Brian Watson, who runs the DCCC fan forum, said the club should be doing more on the pitch than holding celebrations as he believes relegation beckons for the North East club.

He said: “As I’m the poor man on the street, the 21st Anniversary is just another day for me. I’ve supported the club since 1989 but for the paid up member it’s a chance to mingle and be a guest at the club at their open day on April 6.

“I would much rather see the club invest in new players than Peppa pig. We were all told in 2010 when new investors came in that things would be rosy.

“Since then it’s all been downhill, all the promises have not been made, and this year no overseas tour, no overseas players due to lack of money and we have to plug gaps with youngsters with our ageing team.

“I hope Durham CCC all the best this season but all I can see ahead is a season of hardship and maybe Division 2 beckons.”

£45,000 pocket park officially opened

A new green space for residents in Chester-le-Street has been officially opened.

The “pocket park” which cost £45,000 was created on land at Camperdown Avenue, near Blind lane and Park Road North.

The park is an area which can be used by people of all ages.

It has taken around five months for it to be fully completed but there has been improvements made to the access track and creation of a loop footpath which enables less mobile residents and parents with pushchairs to get around with ease.

Read more here.

Revamped pub in Chester-le-Street re-opened today

A Chester-le-Street pub has re-opened today with a new look and a very long new name.

Following a successful £500,000 refurbishment the pub formerly known as the Lambton Worm was today ready to pull their first pint.

The pub, which is now called the The Lambton Worm Sonnet 43 Brew Pub and Restaurant, is located on North Road in Chester-le-Street.

No doubt punters will still call the watering hole just the Lambton Worm and not its new long tongue-twister version.

For more information call the Lambton Worm Sonnet 43 Brew Pub and Restaurant on 0191-387 1162.

Read more here.

Police officers in Chester-le-Street looking for witnesses

Police are investigating the theft of tools and equipment from a car firm in Sacriston over the weekend of February 16 and 17.

A yellow De Walt “flipover” saw bench, a green Ryobi angle grinder, two green Bosch heat guns, a red Mactool jump pack, a black car polisher and a red two-stroke petrol generator were taken from a workshop at R Harold Car and Commercials and a static caravan on land known as the vegetable oil warehouse.

Any witnesses or anyone with information should call PC Ian Choake at Chester-le-Street police station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

Read more at the Northern Echo here.

Durham County Cricket Club confirm 21st anniversary plans

UPDATE: Durham County Cricket club have confirmed a special weekend full of events to celebrate their 21st anniversary of being a first-class county.

In their 21 years as a first class club they have won the County Championship on two occasions.

The event to celebrate their achievements will be taking place from Thursday 4 – Sunday 7 April, 2013. There will be something for everyone to enjoy as there is a beer and wine festival taking place on the first two days and a family fun day on the Sunday.

Tickets for the beer and wine festival are priced at £10.00 per ticket and are available by clicking here.

The ‘family fun day’ will be a brilliant day out for the whole family and it will all be for no cost. The cricket club have confirmed there will be face painters along with fun rides for the children and they will have the chance to meet and get pictures with the Durham County mascot ‘Chester the Lion’ while the parents can enjoy a relaxed day with a glass of wine or two.

And of course there will be cricket taking place, on the Saturday you will be able to see the Durham stars go up against Durham UCCE for their first fixture of 2013.

Not only are Durham County Cricket Club celebrating their anniversary but they are also popping the champagne to the news that their home ground, Emirates Durham ICG – formerly the Riverside –  has been selected to host the fourth test of the up-coming Ashes series which will see the England internationals go up against their rivals Australia right here in Chester-le-Street.

Durham County Cricket club are holding a cake baking competition in their anniversary weekend and the winner’s cake will be sold throughout the Ashes test in August.

To enter your cake please complete the ‘Application Form‘ and email to marcoms@durhamccc.co.uk

Tickets for the Ashes test are currently on sale and can be purchased here.

Durham Cricket Club to celebrate 21st anniversary in style

Durham County Cricket Club have confirmed they have many celebrations planned for their 21st anniversary as a first-class county.

In their 21 years as a first class club they have won the County Championship on two occasions.

Durham’s home ground, the Emirates Durham ICG – formerly the Riverside, in Chester-le-Street has been selected to host one of the Ashes tests for the first time this year.

You can buy tickets now for the fourth ashes test here: http://www.durhamccc.talent-sport.co.uk/PagesPublic/Home/home.aspx

More to follow.