Magna Carta Study Day at Durham Cathedral

Esh residents may be interested in a forthcoming public study day to be held on Saturday 18th April, 2015 at Durham Cathedral, entitled:

Magna Carta: Who Made It? Who Used It? Why?

The day begins at 9.45am with a reading (in Latin with English translation!) of the Magna Carta, performed in the North Transept of the cathedral - probably the first time this has been done since the thirteenth century.

From 11.15am - 3.00pm, three specialists from the Department of History, Durham University, will lead panels on various aspects of the Magna Carta, from its historical context to its importance to both the Crown and the Church. For more details, click on the poster on the left.

Entry is free, although donations to the cathedral are much appreciated. Feel free to bring a packed lunch or to eat in the Undercroft Cafe at the cathedral. To reserve a place at the study day, please contact Durham Cathedral: events@durhamcathedral.co.uk

Concerts and Vestments at Ushaw

Ushaw College is hosting two concerts over the next few days, both in the beautiful space of St Cuthbert's Chapel.

The first, a performance of Couperin' s Trois Leçons De Ténèbres, takes place on Wednesday, 1st April, 2015, at 7.30pm. Admission £10.00.

The second is a performance of Haydn's Seven Last Words of Christ for String Quartet, due to take place on Saturday 4th April, 2015, at 3.00pm. Admission £6.00.

Photograph courtesy of Ushaw College

The college is also planning to display one of its oldest vestments during the month of April, known as the Westminster Chasuble. Worn most recently by Cardinal Nichols at the Requiem Mass on 23rd March 2015 as part of the ceremonies marking the reburial of King Richard III in Leicester, the vestment is believed to date from second half of the 15th century and was worn by the Benedictine monks of Westminster Abbey. Made from velvet cloths of tissue, sewn together with silver-gilt brocading thread, the chasuble depicts the Crucified Christ, along with images of St Nicholas, St Catherine, and St Pancras. For more information about the concerts and the display of the vestment, please email tickets@

Your Invitation to the NHS North Durham CCG Spring Patient Congress 2015

The North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group, responsible for organising and providing health care services in our area, are holding their Spring Patient Congress on Saturday 18th April 2015, from 9.30am - 1.00pm, at Park View School, Church Chare, Chester-le-Street.

If you would like to know more about the Clinical Commissioning Group or would like to get involved in discussions about its challenges, successes and commissioning priorities, the event is an ideal way to get more involved. There will be Question Time forums, information stalls, and children and young person's activities run throughout the morning: for more information and details of how to book a place, please click on the thumbnail poster to the left, or telephone 01388 742040.

Have Your Say in North Durham's Health Care Provision

The Esh Village Residents' Association is a member of the North Durham Community Action Group, a group set up to provide a channel for the public's voice on their experiences of local health care provision in the area.

The Community Action Group collect the public's feedback on all aspects of health care in North Durham through a series of focus groups, telephone surveys, and public forums, and ensures that these views are relayed to the North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group. Voicing your views and experiences really does make a difference.

The next focus group, convened to discuss Urgent and Emergency Care, takes place on Thursday 2nd April 2015, from 10-12pm, at the North Road Methodist Church Hall in Durham. The group want to hear your thoughts on the ambulance service, hospital admissions, dialling 111, and out of hours GP practice access. For more details, click on the thumbnail poster on the left or telephone the Community Engagement Team on 01388 742040.

Esh's Solar Eclipse

Eclipse over Esh

Just after 9.30am this morning, the first total solar eclipse since August 1999 occurred across the more northerly reaches of Europe and the Arctic. It's longest duration of 'totality' was approximately 2 minutes and 46 seconds, witnessed off the norther coast of the Faroe Islands.

Over the North East, the eclipse was visible as a partial solar eclipse: the moon casting the lighter, outer part of its shadow, the penumbra, on Earth. We had a particularly spectacular glimpse in the village as the cloud cleared, something one Esh photographer managed to catch on camera...

Hooky and Proggy: A Clippy Mat Demonstration at The Cross Keys

If you've ever wondered what a proddy, cleekie, clootie, stobby, poked, tab, broddy, bodged or peg rug is, then now is time to find out! All of these terms refer to 'clippy mats': rag rugs made on a frame using strips of colourful cloth.

On Tuesday 24th March 2015, there will be a demonstration of clippy mat-making in The Cross Keys Pub, from 1-3pm. Everyone is welcome: entrance costs £4.00. Do come along if you can - the more the merrier!

 

Esh Easter Coffee Morning

The next village coffee morning takes place on Saturday 28th March, 10.30am-12.00pm, at Hankey Hall, Hall Road.

Kay and Claire will be hosting an Easter extravaganza:  on offer will be home made cakes, fruit pies, meat pies, lemon and orange marmalades, strawberry conserves, fresh flowers and more! There is also a treasure chest of gold to be won by guessing where the pirates have hidden their bounty and Phoenix cards will be selling a range of their greetings stationery. All are welcome - as are family and friends!

Adults £2.00, children 25p entry. 

All proceeds towards the St Michael and All Angels church appeal. 

Jazz and Brass Concerts at Ushaw College

The next two concerts in Ushaw College's exciting programme of public events take place this week.

On Friday, 6th March, 7.30pm, the Virtuoso Jazz Trio (George Macdonald (Clarinet) James Birkett (Guitar) Tony Abel (Bass)) take to the stage to perform a repertoire of rhythm and swing inspired by the Great American Songbook in a concert that will appeal to all ages. Admission £6.00; a licensed cafe-bar will be open to concert-goers.

The following evening, Saturday 7th March, 7.30pm, Ushaw College's Exhibition Hall plays host to the Ferryhill Town Band, an award-winning local group seen every year at the Durham Miners' Gala and the Remembrance Day Parade. A retiring collection will be taken.

For more information, please contact tickets@ushaw.org. Tickets for both events will be available on the door.