Work to commence on the village centre project

Following a detailed tender process just before Christmas, Landscaping contractor RHD Construction is to be awarded the contract and will be starting some preliminary works within the next couple of weeks.

These  works will consist of some alterations to the trees and shrubs behind the McColls shop. This work will be carried out in advance of the main contract to avoid disturbing birds during the nesting season. The following letter will be posted to adjacent properties in the next few days.

CHD letter SKM_C224e17013011490 (1)

The main contract works will start in mid-March and should take approximately 8 weeks to complete. The contractor is to minimise disruption and maintain access to the shop. Working hours are restricted to 8 am till 6 pm Monday to Friday.

village centre plan SG 4

Village Centre Page

If you have any questions please use the contacts form below.

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Do you remember Keith Skinner?

Recently received contact from Keith Skinner of Chester who spent his childhood in Witton.

“Greetings to all at Witton Gilbert from an 81 year old ex refugee who used to live at Westwood Cottage (now demolished) and Fell House with memories of Shirley Lamb brother Ernie, Margaret Wheelan nee Iredale et al- Langley Park primary & Sacriston Junior Schools and many other happy memories of an idylic childhood.Hope to re visit from home in Chester soon.”

Keith Skinner

Does anyone have any memories from this period? If so add your comment by using the comment form below.

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Village Centre project update

A lot of progress has been made on the Village Centre project in recent weeks, SouthernGreen (the Landscape consultants) have produced the design proposals and landscape details and they are currently compiling the tender documents. The Parish Council have secured £33,000 of additional outside funding  for the project. The pre-tender estimates are on target and the tenders will be returned at Christmas time with work hopefully starting in January. Visit the the Village Centre page to see some of the design sketches and download the master plan.

Village Centre page

 

Closure of Wallnook Bridge

Durham County Council release the following press release on 8th August.

Wallnook Bridge

“Wallnook Bridge, over the River Browney near Langley Park, closed to vehicular traffic in March 2013 but remained open for use by pedestrians and horse riders.

However the structure’s condition has now deteriorated further and we are to close it to all traffic in the interests of public safety. 

Signs will advise pedestrians and horse riders of alternative routes where possible.

Short diversion routes are already in place for vehicles.

Letters advising of the full closure have been sent to residents living close to the bridge.

Committed to new crossing

We are committed to providing a new crossing over the River Browney at Wallnook subject to funding being obtained.

Options for a new crossing are being considered.

Brian Buckley, our strategic highways manager, said: “The bridge is being closed in the interests of public safety and people will not be able to cross it on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.

“We are working to provide a crossing at this point in the long term and thank people for their patience in the meantime.”

Tai Chi & Qigong @ Cooper Hall

Tai Chi & Qigong is a gentle martial art suitable for all ages and abilities .

Classes are every Monday 1-30 2-30 at Cooper Hall we are in the playgroup room . We have a group at present with 14 learners who enjoy learning different styles of Tai Chi .

Cost is £4 per session

We welcome new learners . The group is well established we have been at Cooper Hall for over 6 yrs .

Go to the Whats on page for more details or follow the link below.

Whats on page

 

COUNTY DURHAM PLAN: ISSUES and OPTIONS

The County Plan will have an impact on Witton Gilbert. This is the first consultation phase; so it’s important to have your say!

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS THE 5th AUGUST

 

What’s it about? – Issues and options for the County Durham Plan

Durham County Council have set out the issues we believe affect the future development of County Durham including jobs, housing, shopping and infrastructure and identified options for how they can be addressed. This your opportunity to influence this first stage of the plan they want to you view on  :

  • Are these the right issues?
  • Do we take account of the needs of you and your community?
  • Are the options the right ones?
  • Are there others we’ve missed?

How to get involved

There are a number of ways you can contact us with your comments:

  1. Comment on all documents via our Planning consultation system. Guidance on how to use this system is included at the front of the system.
  2. Pick up a response form from your local library or customer access points.
  3. Write to us using our Freepost address: FREEPOST Spatial Policy
  4. email: Cdpconsultation@durham.gov.uk

WI @ Cooper Hall

Information about the Witton Gilbert WI meetings at Cooper hall has been added to the What’s on/ Community Hall page.

Witton Gilbert WI meets at the Community Centre on the second Monday of the month. Except for August when we have our Summer Outing. This year we visit Wynyard Hall Gardens. Meetings start at 7pm and a wide variety of speakers and social events have been organised for the year. Members also have the opportunity to attend workshops covering a wide variety of interests.
Visitors are welcome at any Meeting and can be assured of a warm welcome.

Witton Walking Group

The Witton Walks page has been updated with details of the Witton Walking Group; giving information of where and when to meet, to enjoy a pleasant walk in our beautiful countryside with a group of like minded people. What could be better to give a boost to the spirit and help keep you physically fit.

Candlelit vigil for Jo Cox MP

Tonight a candlelit vigil will be held in church from 7pm in response to the tragedy yesterday of the death of Jo Cox MP.

The following hymn was written by Ally Barret who, in her grief, was up all night unable to sleep and used her anguish to compose this heartfelt hymn. The hymn will be played at Sunday’s 9.15am Eucharist. (It can be sung to ‘I heard the voice of Jesus say’)

O God of all salvation
In this our darkest hour
Look down at your creation
with pity and with power.
in all the pain we’re seeing,
for parent, partner, friend,
we’ll cling with all our being
To love that cannot end.

O God, your loving passion
Is deeper thanour pain,
Look down and in compassion,
Bring us to life again.
When we are found despairing,
when all seems lost to sin,
we’ll hear your voice declaring
that love alone will win.

O God, when hate grows stronger,
with fear to pave its way,
the cry ‘Lord, how much longer’
with broken hearts we pray.
In all that is dismaying
In humankind’s freewill,
we’ll join our voices praying
that love will triumph still.

O God whose love will never
Be silenced, stalled or stilled,
set us to work wherever
there’s bridges to re-build.
we’ll take our lives vocation
to make, like heav’n above,
in this and every nation
a kingdom on love

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