COUNCILLORS have approved plans to issue statutory closure notices at ten schools as part of a scheme to create five new educational establishments.
Durham County Council’s cabinet has agreed to open three new sponsored academies through the merger of Stanley School of Technology and Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School; Moorside Community Technology College and Consett Community Sports College and Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Belmont School Community Arts College as part of the plans.
Councillor Owen Temple said neither children, parents, governors nor sponsors supported the decision at Consett Community Sports College.
He said: “The cabinet papers state the preferred option is to open the Consett Academy in existing, that is split-site, buildings from September 1, 2011. Preferred by whom?”
“Does the county council actually prefer the option of starting Consett Academy on a split site, or is it simply the case that it has spinelessly given in to blackmail from its big brother at Westminster and allowed the children of Consett and other towns in the county to be held to ransom?”
Leader of the county council, Simon Henig, said that if the council did not pursue the project, it could miss out on £230m of government investment.
A MASTER plan for the regeneration of Consett is to be drawn up.
People are being invited to help shape the town’s future development.
Durham County Council is working with experts GVA Grimley to develop a comprehensive scheme and residents are being urged to get involved.
It will focus on the town centre, but will also address links with key surrounding areas, such as the Genesis and Belle Vue sites.
As part of the development of the master plan, a series of public consultation exercises are being planned to ensure that local people can share their thoughts.
Coun Neil Foster, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “This is an opportunity for local people to help shape major redevelopment proposals for the whole of Consett, which will bring massive long-term benefits for families, businesses and investors.
“We recognise that the future success and development of Consett must be underpinned by a robust master plan that will meet the aspirations of local residents, attract new business opportunities and increase future employment prospects.”
The plan will include work that Groundwork North-East will carry out with the community looking at the design of enhanced public green spaces and children’s play areas.
The wider development of Consett will complement the council’s existing plans for a new academy and a £14m worth of sports facilities.
People will be able to give their views by completing a survey on Durham County Council’s website www.durham.gov.uk/consett
From November 30 to December 14 there will also be touch screen computers in each of the four existing leisure facilities in the town.
Coun Foster added: “This is the start of an exciting and important time for Consett
Band's anniversary celebrations
The Northern Echo, Thursday 19th November 2009
THE world’s oldest Salvation Army Corps Band is celebrating its 130th anniversary by releasing its debut album and performing a musical charting its colourful history.
Consett Salvation Army Band, which was formed in 1879, spent two days recording ‘First Through Faith’ at St Cuthbert’s Church, Durham, in February.
The CD includes such pieces as The Coventry Carol, Jesus Loves Me and I Know Thou Art Mine and it is hoped sales will boost church funds for its work in the community.
There is a narration from former corps officer Major John Jeeves who helps bring some of the band’s history to light in between the musical pieces.
Captain Mark Sellers, who plays bass trombone in the band and wrote some of the songs for the musical, said: “I’m extremely proud to be corps officer here at Consett and play in the band that can lay claim to being the oldest Salvation Army Corps Band in the world.
“The recording of the CD album was a fantastic experience.”
The release of the album precedes the performance of a musical, The Consettonian, which will feature corps members and present band members for a one-off show at The Empire Theatre in Consett on Saturday at 7pm.
The show charts the history of the band from its early days in industrial Victorian Britain when Consett relied on its mighty steel industry.
Bandmaster Jeff Baker said: “The steel industry has important links to the band’s history as band members would have practiced in the steel workers cottages after work.
“The standard would not have been terribly great in the early days either as many could not read the music properly and so found playing pieces difficult.
“But through their desire to minister through music everyone who took part tried their best and had a go.”
Local historian and director of the musical David Jackson, said rehearsals for the show are going well and hopes people will turn out to learn about the band’s history.
He said: “I thought we should write a musical and tell the band’s story. Not everyone knows that the world’s oldest Salvation Army Corps Band is here in Consett so we’d like to educate people as to their local history and have some fun at the same time.
“The musical will feature the story of the band being told through the eyes of former member Sam Carruthers, a colourful character in a colourful band you might say.
“But rather than give too much away people need to come and see the musical for themselves and find out more.”
Tickets for the musical, which will chart the history of the band, are now on sale for £6 from the theatre box office on 01207-218171.
The CD, priced £13.95, can be bought by contacting Captain Mark Sellers on 01207-504795 or by emailing consett@salvationarmy.eclipse.co.uk
Distressed woman found collapsed in street