North East thread 5: The one where we move to Chat!

[Someaddedsugar]

Here's thread 5 everyone! I'll post a link over on thread 4 too.

Hope you managed to see Fenwicks window reveal. Mine opened straight away.
Can’t wait now to see in flesh. Christmas is coming 🎅.

I managed to get it working with a lot of refreshing. I know! I can’t wait! I did notice a house with their decorations and lights up while walking the dog this evening - I can’t decide if I think it’s too early, or whether I’m just jealous that they’ve got theirs up 😂

I love outside decorations, going to put my door wreath up extra early this year.
I love other people’s outside lights etc, I’m too mean to pay the extra electric they must cost
But it’s something lovely in the darkness of winter ❄️. Especially as last year last so shit.
Lockdown made me realise I actually do like
some people (not everyone but some) and not seeing them hurt. Seeing my Mam cry seeing her children and grandchildren in same house on Christmas Day will stay with me forever.

Hi all, I didn't realise this thread was here!
I live about a mile from Matt Baker's "Farm in the dales" so am familiar with many of the places you've posted about.
I've not yet visited the FF farm shop, is it near the fishing pond at Bearpark?

Hello, can anyone remind me where the ticketing points are for lumiere... It dawned on me the other day that I'll need to drop DD for work at Revs over lumiere weekend. The sat/sun won't be a problem as its before the ticketing comes into play but on Friday night she starts at 6... how can I smuggle her in!!

In past years they've been on the bridges (fram, Elvet, Kingsgate, maybe prebends, too, though never went that way) and on Claypath/market place, by the church.

And surely businesses should have arrangements to allow staff through - she needs to ask her employer!

The Lumiere website is crap (like last time). I don't want to click on a map, just give me a list of artworks and where they are. In writing!

There is an installation at Finchale. But click on it, and it tells you about the art. But doesn't tell you the arrangements for getting there.

Hidden in the FAQs it says you have to book a shuttle bus from Sniperly to get there. It's going to be chaos, isn't it?

And for road closures, it just says they've told residents and businesses. What about the rest of us? We need to know too! It refers us to DCC website, I couldn't find anything.

@myrtleWilson your DD’s job should provide her a pass.
The map for Lumiere is dreadful on phone, my fingers are too fat and I couldn’t click on icons.
I’m also going to print out tickets as my mobile data doesn’t like too many people!
And staff last three times have never been helpful, just there to control the crowds. And be unhelpful, non of the ones I asked questions last time were pleasant, most were rude and had no idea about Durham City.
We are thinking of going to cinema on the Saturday then doing the ones out ticketing zone.

@Thatnameistaken hello! F&F just next to the fishery.

@myrtleWilson they must be letting employees in and out as the nursery team will still be driving in to work as they can exit by Neville Street rather than North Road. Hopefully they'll provide a pass or similar.

It's not great but alternatively could you drop off before 4.30 to avoid the crowds and she goes for coffee at Starbucks?

It does seem quite poorly communicated for businesses and their employees.

@MrsEWeatherwax I've always thought it would be pricey to run Christmas lights but I've just seen on another thread that people have had 5 years use out of their battery powered lights!

Thanks everyone, she'll ask at work this weekend. When we're been previously we went via ticket stations at market square so wasn't sure what the set up was like on North Road end!

Oh hiya north east thread ❤ born and bred in Gateshead, moved south 20 years ago for work. Do miss the place though x

Hi, @RedBonnet, and welcome! Roughly where are you now? A few of us on here are incomers, I came up from South London to university many, many moons ago, and never really went away again

Hi silvery waves I'm on the south coast almost, near Poole x

If anyone is still after chocolate Colin advent calenders, they had a huge stack of them in Newcastle M&S, this morning

I’m on the look out for a Christmas Colin. Didn’t know about Advent calendar.

Anyone see the news about the 1700 new houses planned for Sniperley! Where are they going to secondary school/ Dr’s etc. Will the hospital cope?
And I won’t mention the roads!
On local news there was a councillor talking about using public transport etc. Taking bus then metro to work. They never seen to mention being able to get home! Or working weekend! Sunday service anyone.
Go north east buses are being cancelled left right and centre at moment. No idea about other bus companies.
I won’t be getting bus to work 50 minutes in total to nearly 4 hours on bus. Life is too short!!

That is a lot of new houses. They have built a lot in villages near us too, does make me worry about school places. I've got 1 more to get into secondary before I can relax! It is tricky for school places, we've traditionally been fine out here getting kids into schools in Durham but with more and more houses built I can see it being the secondary in Ushaw Moor for everyone. Not that it hasn't improved and I know people who are very happy with it now but some semblance of choice is nice.

Public transport can be dire. I used to do bus to Durham, train to Newcastle and metro. Worked very well in the morning for the most part but took flipping ages to get home with lots of standing around.

The dc get the public bus to school and it was terrible at the start of term, seems to have picked up though.

Weekend and holiday services are the worst. Lots of activity on the NHS Trust page already of people offering and looking for lifts over the Christmas period.

When are the new houses due to start @MrsEWeatherwax? It'll be a nightmare for schools, doctors etc, and travel like you say. It's bad enough getting into and out of Durham at peak times never mind with 1700 extra houses!

I wonder if they'll have to build a new primary school somewhere as I'd imagine a new build estate will appeal to young families?

We're still looking for a house although I'm a fan of an older house with a bit of character. Be interesting to see what the new estate looks like though.

@Someaddedsugar it was in the Council Facebook page. I’m sure there are signs next to Park and Ride. It will be in stages won’t it.
Will ruin the beautiful view from Park and Ride.
Part of plans are for new Primary school, I think builders have to build.
I’m just pleased mine are in further education etc. primary was ok for us, but secondary was a worry. Will be worry for people with young children and planning secondary etc.
The University hospital has less beds than Dryburn did. But more people to treat.

But the Arnison centre will go from strength to strength. It’s the old Outfit store Poundland is going in, bloody big store. I’m hoping Hobbycraft will go in old Laura Ashley.
Durham city is feeling very tired at moment, and the new Riverwalk haven’t even filled all the units yet!
Moon 🌚 has left cathedral, I left it too late to go late afternoon. 😔

There's another huge development in the offing on the Gilesgate side of town, too.

Yes I saw that too PickAChew near Sherburn hill/road( can you tell I have no idea).
Around Chester le street, Pelton fell, Newfield they are building loads of new houses too.
I’m just concerned about infrastructure. I’m going to stop telling people it’s a great place to live
On a lighter note wonder if the Santa go north east bus will be back this year! And sorry I can’t remember who, gets to see it.😊
Will we catch the Santa Angel

Colons also in abundance at Arnison M&S - end of aisle facing the self checkouts.