last up-dated Sep 2007

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North Dock Open Days

As part of the Heritage Open Days this year (Friday 7 to Sunday 9 2007) there will be displays and events at the North Dock level, organised by FONDS (Friends of the North Dock, Seaham). The Dock Company hasn't provided an official open day since 1990, but FONDS began its own version, covering the North Dock and pier (weather permitting) in 2006, with stalls and a visiting lifeboat, etc. It worked well, and your support in 2007 is warmly invited - no entry fee!

Heritage Open Days

A lot else is happening in September for HODs...
At the Morden Tower, Newcastle, there will be a Dialect Day, Saturday 8 September - with displays, publications to browse through and buy, and the chance to make a recording of your voice for online. The new book, Pitmatic: the talk of the North-East coalfield will be available.
Taling of mining... In conjunction with other venues in East Durham on Friday 7th September a display of mining banners will be on show in the main hall at Thornley Community Centre. Admission FREE. Open 10am to 4pm

ASDA

The vast ASDA opened on Monday 4 September 2007, though the only free gifts were some very oily inc-creams. The stock inside is impressive, from clothes to electricals to food and wine, but what its effect will be on other supermarkets in Seaham, or indeed ordinary shops, remains to be seen.

But WHERE...?

The local papers recently featured a marvellous new development 'to the south of Seaham' that will bring a movie studio, a museum, and all manner of jobs, some perhaps for local people.
But there was no detail given as to where this development is to be sited, although the planning application is varnigh ready. We are telled there will be some consultation over the coming months, prior to plans being lodged with Easington District Council, perhaps in late September 2007. Part of the site will apparently be used by Sunderland University.
When the District Plan was being challenged some years since, Policy 48a, that vowed "to allocate 65 hectares of farmland beside the A19(T) to Dawdon link road (south of Seaham) as a new industrial site for a single major employer," received over 200 objections from individuals and organisations. Nonetheless, a Government Inspector allowed it to stand, providing the site was reserved for 'a single major employer', and not developed piecemeal.
Now if this is the land intended, coastal land between Dawdon and Hawthorn Dene, then getting a consortium together and insisting this is one single employer seems a doubtful strategy. There will be one developer perhaps, but many employers - and it would be odd if some profitable housing were not included somewhere. At the expense of some of our finest open countryside and coastal scenery...
Of the course the coast is a valuable asset - but generally one assumes the District Council is elected to protect it, and ensure that development is steered inland.

A Tale of Three Cities

Unconcerned at the cries for help of a drowning District Council, we tell a story:
Once upon a time, when there was to be a major redrawing of 'county' boundaries in the North-East, Seaham was to join Ryhope and Sunderland in Tyne & Wear. The Seaham Dock Company objected on the grounds that Sunderland would favour its own docks, and aim to shut Seaham's if it could. An M.P. or two took note, and redrew the boundary so that Seaham remained in County Durham.
The question is, if there is to be a referendum, shouldn't it be asking "Which 'city' do you want Seaham to be associated with? - Durham, Sunderland or Peterlee?"

The 'Cutty Sark' and the 'Adelaide'

You will have seen the pictures on TV of the terrible damage to the 'Cutty Sark' at Greenwich, due to fire. The tragic event made headline news - the ship was a 'national treasure', 'the most important historic ship in the world', etc.
Quite right. But few will realise that the 'Cutty Sark' is only one of three surviving ships of its kind. They are called 'composite' because they combine a metal frame with outer wooden planking. Another example is the 'City of Adelaide', built on Wearside in 1864. Unlike the famous 'Cutty Sark', the 'City of Adelaide' is suffering in a mud berth in Scotland, deteriorating so fast that it is likely the ship will be dismantled (broken up) and lost forever.
How come the 'Cutty Sark' is a world famous monument, but Sunderland has done nothing to reclaim the 'City of Adelaide'? Despite its poor condition, it is entirely possible that it could be dismantled, transported back to Wearside in pieces and stored until a proper place is found for it; then reconstructed - replacing any lost or rotted parts. Wearside would then have an icon of national importance, a centrepiece for docks renovation and a major tourist attraction.
But it isn't happening because Sunderland Council cannot be tewed. Which is more tragic - the loss of the 'Cutty Sark' or the loss of the 'City of Adelaide'?

Mair on the Topic

The City of Adelaide, later known as HMS Carrick, and now officially SV Carrick, is the oldest surviving clipper ship in the world. Although listed by the National Historic Ships Committee as part of the "Core Collection" of ships of the United Kingdom, as of 2006 she is a decrepit hulk in the possession of the Scottish Maritime Museum, though may be saved and brought to Falmouth, Cornwall as a tourist attraction.
She was built by William Pile, Hay, and Company of Sunderland, and launched in 1864. City of Adelaide was designed to carry both passengers and cargo between England and Australia. Researchers have estimated that 60% of South Australians can trace their origins to passengers on City of Adelaide.
This great and historic vessel is a derelict hulk because money can't be found for it.
Meanwhile ¤35 million is being suggested for the Cutty Sark, which was one of the last clippers to be built (on Clydeside) and spent most of its life being surplus to requirements.
But it's in London and the London media are nearby.
It's a disgrace. If City of Adelaide is to be at Falmouth why not Sunderland - with a bit of help from South Australia?
As Simon Jenkins points out, if British builders aren't keen, move the job to Rochefort in France, where L'Hermione is being rebuilt, or study Australia's James Craig or Texas's Elissa. The world is full of working square-rigged ships, both authentic and replica. What an attraction for the North East. A trip on the world's oldest clipper ship!
Alan Myers

E-mail received:
"The City of Adelaide has a great deal of significance to South Australia. A campaign has begun in Adelaide to try to save this ship. Details are on the website www.cityofadelaide.org.au
At this stage members are raising awareness of the importance of this ship as most South Australians are completely unaware of its importance to South Australia and its world historic importance."

Doom

As we are often remembered, the date of doom for smokers is 1 Jul 2007. A google search on goverment+smoking+legislation will take you to the Act itself. It provides against smoking in any enclosed public space - the definition of 'enclosed' seeming to be, 3 walls and a roof; 1 wall and a roof doesn't count. Also a place of work for one person doesn't qualify (with certain reservations). Prison doesn't count either, which is reassuring considering the rate at which smokers are being criminalised.
Outside, when winter comes, you face the option (which you would not in prison) of having to stand outside a pub in the rain to legally smoke a tab with your pint. That would be a good time to recall Gordon Brown's reassurance about defending "the dignity of the individual" (3 Jun 2007).

Kurling Club

...or should that be Curling Klub? Anyway, it's new and starting at Ropery Walk Primary School. There is a free introductory day on Friday 1st June 2007, 10.30 to 2; thereafter £1.50 per person, every Wednesday afternoon from 13 June on. For more details contact seahamkurling@yahoo.co.uk.

Other development moves

It only took a day or two to demolish the ugly shell of Seaham's old cinema near the seafront. Work is going ahead apace to set up a new shopping complex, including, it is believed, an ASDA.
Anything on this scale, in a small town, is bound to have major visual as well as commercial impact. The seafront above the docks will be significantly remoulded; existing supermarts will feel the pinch; and Church Street itself, as pleasant a pedestrian centre as can be met anywhere in Co.Durham, may well feel the effects. Re-use of waste land cannot be faulted, but the culture of refusing to sustain older buildings that do have merit while insisting on modern design has dire implications for the rest of the town.
Meanwhile the crack is that the go-ahead has been received for the redevelopment of St John's Square and the old bus station / Court area. Design scope has been limited here by the unilateral decision to go ahead with the Job Centre. While the original square was designed to reflect the majesty and extent of Seaham Urban District Council (defunct), it is hoped new designs will reflect the essentially intimate scale of the town centre.
Paradoxically, one of the few elements of the old square worth preserving could be the former Council chamber. No doubt that will be found impractical.

Wor Language

A major new project on dialect, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and bringing together partners Northumbria University, Beamish Open AIr Museum and the Durham & Tyneside Dialect Group has getten under way. This ettles to explore three main topics - the kitchen and cooking, mining, and the coast, relating words to objects, actions and skills. All welcome to participate. Go to www.worlanguage.co.uk to get started.

The Lost Chauldron

Most of you will mind the fine chauldron that used to be proudly on display at the former docks entrance, a fitting tribute to the mining and railway heritage of the town. It disappeared when the previous management moved base. It was believed that it had been handed to the Bowes Railway, without consultation at this end. I recall Bowes Railway failing to confirm this at the time. Some even maintained the chauldron was the work of apprentices at Dawdon Pit and not the property of the Dock Company to dispose of.
The recent Tyne and Wear Specialist conservation Team Annual Report 2005-2006 at least clears up the question of the pesent location of the chauldron. On page 61 is a photo of our chauldron (256-L-2.11.3] at Bowes Railway, at Springwell. What a wonderful centrepiece this would have made at the new Byron Place, or the projected new St John's Square...

Docks Development

A document handed out in early March 2006 (but itself undated) has some interesting detail on the future of the North Dock and the redevelopment of parts of the town centre.
For the North Dock it envisages the refurbishment of the coal chutes, the instalment of new lock-gates, and the provision of moorings via pontoons running out in the water. The old lifeboat house will be refurbished along with the lime kilns; and in the same area three new 'business units' (a cafe, a chandlers, and a marine store). The viewing area atop the 'castle' will be improved, but (a definite minus) the rather fine battlements are questioned. There will be a significant new development abacka the castle, in the area known as the Spiles (currently car parking): this is to become a 'new water sports centre'. The North Pier itself will be resurfaced (at the loss of the old rail lines?), and hand-rails put in place - to facilitate 'public access'. (Let's hope!) Rocks will be tipped near the vulnerable outer curve of the pier to protect it from wave damage. Traditional rather than modern building materials would be appreciated for new elements; there is nothing worse than the clash between venerable weathered stone and slab concrete.

Rock House to be demolished soon?

Rock House, arguably the most imposing mid-Victorian house in Seaham, later the base of the famous 'Rock House Settlement' which pioneered community education in Seaham in the 1930s, is set to be demolished.
Plans are so far along, that the design of a new chalet-style modern building to replace the two existing blocks has been prepared. It will cost some three-quarters of a million pounds. Arguably the defects in the old Rock House (a poor back wall) could be repaired at a fraction of that cost - to say nowt of the importance of preserving so historic a building. At the very least, its facade should be preserved as part of any rebuilding.
Since a conservation zone was put in place for the centre of Seaham, the loss of historic buildings has increased alarmingly. The old chapel on Tempest Road was demolished; the old water works at the foot of Deneside followed; and now Rock House is condemned.
Tempest Road contains some of the finest buildings is Seaham - to knock one down is to devalue the remainder. Without protection for these landmarks a culture of demolition will be free to raze at will, depriving the town of any identity or focus. It will end up just another featureless Euro-town that no one cares about.
For something of the proud history of Rock House, visit the Story of Seaham website...

A comment from a correspondent in New Zealand...
"It is hard to save buildings from the developers. Wiht our short history in New Zealand it seems to have been even harder - in some cities perfectly good art deco and Victorian buildings were torn down in the 60s and 70s - only now when its almost too late are we saving the ones that are left! In one move in Wellington some old houses were put on the backs of trucks and taken to a new area - not wholly satisfactory but better than nothing. We even moved a huge hotel (the Museum Hotel in Wellington) in the same way!!! Ask a few New Zealanders to help - they'll soon sort things out for you!!"

Where is Your ID Card?

If you press on the link at the end of this item, you will open a file giving information on the implications of the new craze for ID Cards. Far from making us more secure, our representatives in the House of Commons seem set to impose the most extreme system of surveillance ever devised, one that can and almost certainly willl be used to keep tabs on our movements, our spending, and our personal history. Alarmed? you have good reason to be. PRESS HERE for more.

Seaham Piano Society?

I wonder if there is any support for a piano society in Seaham? That is, an informal linking of anyone playing and interested in the traditional piano, to compare models and share information on piano tuners, etc. If interested, phone Bill on 581 6738 (leave message if I'm out).

Seaham Scenes

This is a name of a local website that recently got in touch. As well as news and photos, it is has fascinating movie clips of the collieries. CLICK to access.

New road

The banks of earth visible between Ryhope and the coast are in fact the new Ryhope by-pass, aimed to counter delays on the awkward road junction at the heart of Ryhope (if you are travelling from Seaham to Sunderland by the coast road).
However, nothing is purely for your convenience; a spur off to the A19 strongly suggests the area is going to see a lot of development - more housing?

Chimney Aid

If you are offered instant repairs on your chimney stack by a group of young men, you might like to ask them for a business card first, showing their company name and address.

For the Connoisseur

The picture below, by John Bacon, of the opening of the new South Dock, Seaham Harbour, 1905, selled at Bonham's on 14 Sep 2004 for £23.900. It originally hung in the offices of the Seaham Harbour Dock Company...

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Sport

New Kickboxing Training

A new opportunity to learn kickboxing (and keep very fit) is being launched at Seaham Leisure Centre, Sunday 17 July, 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon. If you haven't tried this before, it is quite an experience. You can benefit at any level, but for a taste of the big-time go to www.yingyai.co.uk...

Seaham Harbour Cricket Club

This must be the oldest of Seaham's sports facilities, as it was founded in 1868. It is located on New Drive. They have U11, U13, U15, U18 and senior cricket teams that play in the Durham Senior League. For more info go to http://seaham-harbour-cricket-club.blogspot.com/

Seaham AFC

"Seaham AFC is a football team in Seaham. We are currently accepting players from Seaham, Sunderland, Easington and/or Peterlee. We are also currently looking for a sponsor as well. As long as we have players on our team we will continue to run. No league is'nt all doom and gloom because our team is working hard at getting us into a league.

We are always open to new players please contact us at seahamafc@gmail.com for further information or visit our website at www.seahamfc.tk."

Aerobics

Aerobics classes (all levels welcome) are held at Seaham Leisure Centre, near the bottom of Deneside, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-8 pm.

Angling contests

The Seaham Angling Club hold various angling events throughout the year, for senior and junior club members, as well as open competitions and 'badger' (i.e. evening) open competitions on selected Fridays. With reduced access to the piers for fishing, the club has faced something of a crisis, and deserves all the local support it can get.
For details contact the Club HQ, at the bottom of Church Street (tel. 0191 581 0321).

Capoeira

This unpronounceable sport or exercise is actually a Portuguese-South-American tradition, combining fighting skills and dance. At the Howletch Sports Centre, Wednesdays 8-9.30 pm, Fridays 8-9.30 pm. They have a website at http://www.groupsenzala.co.uk.

Coble & Keelboat Society

Continuing the maritime theme, you might like to look at the website of the Coble & Keelboat Society - a lively group devoted to the preservation and continued use of the traditional fishing craft of our coast. Membership tends to cluster round Cleveland and Northumberland, but there are interesting meetings at the Port Hole pub, North Shields, on the first Tuesday of the month (May, June... 8pm) for coble enthusiasts, with lots of information, projects and discussion...

Dawdon Karate Club

Dawdon Karate Club meets on a Wednesday 6pm-7pm at Dawdon Welfare Club in Mount Stewart Street. The ad. says you are welcome along, or phone 534 4390 / 549 0370 to check details.

Karate

A new Karate class is running at Parkside Community Centre, led by Andy Beveridge. For details phone Andy on 07659 592 711.

Kick Boxing

Tuition in Muay Thai, or kick boxing, is now available at Houghton-le-Spring sports complex on Tuesdays, 8 to 9.30 pm. An unusual experience for anyone who hasn't tried it. And they say beginners welcome... Further details - tel.07947 361042
Kick-boxing tuition is also offered at the Spartan Gym, Canterbury Road, Hylton Castle; tel. 0797 146 7989.

The Marlbrough Fitness Centre

The Marlbrough Fitness Centre in central Seaham is a convenient location and a friendly atmosphere for keeping fit. Facilities include free weights, weight machines, running machines, a tanning bed, and advice on training and fitness. £2.50 per session. Tel.0191 581 0022.

Taekwon-Do

Parkside Community Centre is hosting sessions for learners of Koguryo Freestyle Taekwon-Do, on Fridays 7.30pm-9.30pm, and Sundays 7.30pm-9.30pm. For further information telephone 0191 587 2875.

Walkers Group

The Seaham Walkers Group has a good programme for the year ahead. Contact Albert on 526 4995 or Allan on 528 8814 for details.

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Opportunities

Car-boots & Markets

Please help verify / correct information below. Contact: billygriff@postmaster.co.uk

There continue to be some excellent car-boot sales and markets in the area. However these change with each season, so the list here will concentrate on the longer-term markets in the area. Details of carboots best obtained from Nobles Entertainments direct: www.nobles-promotions.co.uk

• Seaham's own carboot sale on the open land just north of St Mary's church on the coast. Sunday afternoons from Easter; later in summer at Strawberry Fields, Seaton (on the road between Seaham and Ho'ton).
• The McEwan Centre at Houghton is a Saturday morning sale, usually good on tools and supplies, sometimes with an indoor section.
• At Peterlee Leisure Centre, Thursdays, 9am to noon.
• The Chester-le-Street Market is held every Saturday morning: clothes, music, bric-a-brac, mostly secondhand. The first Tuesday in every month is a "Farmers Market".
• The railway station at Tynemouth hosts a Saturday morning antiques market, good on china and the usual collectibles. It now has an additional craft dimension.
• The South Shields market is also a Saturday affair, but more for first-hand goods - clothes, mobile phones, electrics, music tapes, etc. On a Friday, it features secondhand goods, an impressive display of tagger...
• A moderate size market at Hartlepool, Wednesday mornings.

Friends of Hazel Dene

This local group has been formed to monitor and encourage sound use of the dene (known also as Dawdon Dene), including the study of wildlife and flora. They meet at Dawdon Community Centre. For details contact HazelDenefriends@aol.com

New forum for discussing Seaham's future

A brand-new on-line forum to discuss the Seaham Regeneration and related topics has been opened at www.seaham-forum.co.uk. Worth trying out and adding to your list of favourites. It could make a useful contribution to airing views and coming up with ideas (equals democracy?).

Parish Friends

St Johns Church,Seaham (the one at the top of Church Street in the Harbour), has a meeting of "Friends" on the last Wednesday of every month, in the Parish Room. There are different speakers and events each month followed by tea/coffee and raffle. Membership is 50p per month. Anyone who needs to make "friends" or would like to join, is welcome (non church goers too).  

Quizzes

Local tests of skill include:
Wednesdays at Dempsey's on the seafront...
Tuesdays at the Mallard, on the road to Seaton...
all start about 9pm, but it's traditional to turn up well before that to settle in.

Rock House Community Centre, Seaham

The weekly programme possibly continues in annexe; main building now condemned and shut up!

St Mary's Church, Old Seaham

The old church of St Mary on the headland north of Seaham will be open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2-4 pm, throughout May to August. If you haven't visited, this beautiful and ancient building is essential experience.

Visit the Baltic

If you want to visit the Baltic, there is a shuttle bus from Gateshead Metro to the site itself. It is certainly an impressive building now, but the main exhibits seem to be the visitors. Hordes of them. Reportedly nearly 10,000 on the first day. Which means (although it's free) you have to queue to enter at busy times like a Saturday. Best fun: riding up and down in the lifts. Least fun: the bar on the ground floor, which doesn't seem to show a price list. Take you own bate-box!

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Contacts

TV programmes

SR7 (e-mail: billygriff@postmaster.co.uk) - news and views welcome

www.seaham-forum.co.uk - discussion of regeneration issues etc.

weather (plus 5 day forecast for SR7)

calendar of County-wide events.

County sports and leisure listing

Seaham Town Council website

Durham & Tyneside Dialect Group

Folk club news

football facts

football talk

North East Football League

GNER (purchase tickets on-line)

Seaham Online - a totally free website to view and it's new. Has all the latest news, pictures and more...

link to 'Seaham Today' website with snapshots and info on churches

local news with The Sunderland Echo

Newcastle Clubs via the Evening Chronicle

the issue of a regional assembly.

regional news from North East Online (including Evening Chronicle)

Seahamdistrict list of local events.

Story of Seaham illustrated website

travel info

US news

Web Network Solutions - hosting local websites.

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