Have a say in local healthcare provision

The North Durham Community Engagement Project has been set up by Durham Community Action and North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group to improve patient, public and carer engagement in the North Durham area.  The project aims to complement existing networks such as Healthwatch and Patient Reference groups.

The project has a free membership scheme and is inviting local people and voluntary organisations to join.  The scheme has two types of membership:

1. Inform: members receive regular information about health services, issues and decisions in their geographical area.

2. Involve: members also have the opportunity to shape and influence what services are needed and brought into their area for the public, patients and carers by attending focus groups, meetings etc.

Individuals, groups or organisations can also join the free membership scheme and have a say on health services available or not available in their area. It is envisaged that this project will help people to understand their rights and to have a voice in the provision of local healthcare.

By becoming a member of NHS North Durham CCG you will:

• Receive regular updates about the work of North Durham CCG

• Receive invitations to events

• Have opportunities to give your views about areas of healthcare that interest you

• Be able to participate as much or as little as you like by choosing your level of membership

If you are interesting in joining or would like more information on the project or the membership options please contact Anne-Marie Parkin, Community Engagement Project Officer/Administrator at Anne-Marie.Parkin@durhamrcc.org.uk , telephone 01388 724040 or go to the website. The Project will be coming to EVRA's March meeting to meet Esh residents (date to follow shortly!). 

EVRA AGM: 12th February 2015

A quick reminder that the Esh Village Residents' Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting tomorrow night, 12th February 2015, at 7.30pm in The Cross Keys.

Everyone is welcome: items on the agenda include traffic and speeding (with input from our local police officers), the development of the new village playground, and planned events and new clubs for 2015. Our invited speakers are Father John Marsland and Peter Seed from Ushaw College, who will be introducing the new plans for Ushaw as it opens its doors to the public. To see the full agenda, please click on the image to the left. See you there!

Walk 4 Life in County Durham

If 2015 saw you making new resolutions to get fitter and outdoors a bit more, then County Durham's Walk 4 Life programme might be right up your street. Their programme of short walks (30-60 minutes) take place every week in local communities across the county, with starting points in Durham city centre, the Durham Dales, Sedgefield, and right here on our doorstep in Langley Park. 
All walks are led by trained walk leaders and follow safe and accessible routes, allowing walkers to make the most of their surrounding area. Participation is free of charge, and everyone is welcome. 

To find out more, click on the map on the left, and visit the Walk 4 Life Country Durham website: http://www.durham.gov.uk/walk4life

Burns Night in Esh

Robert Burns (1759-1796)

Everyone is welcome to join the village celebrations for Burns Night on Friday 30th January 2015, from 7pm onwards at the Esh Church of England School.

As well as the address to the haggis ('Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!'), there will be entertainment by 'Just Us' and a buffet supper with wine and soft drinks.

All monies raised will go towards the St Michael and All Angels Church Heating Fund.

Tickets: Adult £5.00, Child £1.00

Raffle prizes on a Scottish theme would be greatly appreciated! Heather honey, tablet, oats or a single malt are just a few ideas....

For more information, to buy tickets, or to drop off raffle prizes, please see Gillian (14, Green Court), Evelyn (7, Front Street), or Kay (Esh Hall).

Monthly Live Music at The Cross Keys

The Cross Keys pub, our village local, is fast gaining a reputation for great live music.

Each 3rd Wednesday of the month sees a talented group of fiddlers, accordionists, hurdy gurdy players and guitarists get together to perform finger-snapping, toe-tapping folk music whilst local punters enjoy the real ales from local breweries such as Black Sheep, Wylam and Allendale. The perfect antidote to these chilly winter evenings...

See you there!

Public Events at Ushaw College

Esh is lucky enough to have Ushaw College right on its doorstep. 

Founded over two hundred years ago as a college to house and train Catholic priests, much of Ushaw was designed by the famous Gothic Revival architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-1852) and the buildings and gardens are still home to some of the finest Victorian architecture in the North East.

Since closing as a seminary, the College has opened its chapels and performance spaces up to the public and has designed an exciting and varied events programme for 2015 to which everyone is welcome. Folk, classical and jazz concerts, and talks, exhibitions and services will be taking place throughout the year: for more information, please follow this link to Ushaw's Event's page.

Car parking is free and easily accessible and the College is only 5 minutes drive from the village!

Carols around the Esh Christmas Tree: Tuesday, 9th December

The tree is up, the lights are sparkling, and tomorrow night, Tuesday 9th December, marks the start of the village's festive celebrations, with carols around the tree starting at 4pm. All are welcome: children, parents, and staff from both primary schools along with members of the Esh Residents' Association will be making up the choirs of angels, and everyone, including Rudolph, are very welcome to join in! Following the music-making, everyone is invited to defrost in the Cross Keys with a glass of mulled wine, soft drink, and a mince pie.

The village carol service takes place next Tuesday evening, 16th December, in St Michael's and All Angels... times to follow!