Dodgy Headline Stanley Music Festival

Stanley Music Festival – Sunday Aug 25 – Oakey’s Field, Stanley

Organisers of this year’s Stanley Music Festival have now confirmed the headline bands that will be ‘wowing’ the crowds at Oakey’s field this August.

Top of the bill will be Dodgy, the event is part of their ‘Back to Back’ tour which see them up and down the country before hitting the Stanley Music Festival on Sunday 25^th August.

 Dodgy were originally together for seven years and sold over a million records worldwide, released three albums and 12 Top 40 singles including 'Staying Out For

The Summer', 'So Let Me Go Far', 'If You're Thinking Of Me' and the Top 5 hit 'Good Enough', all still a staple of radio playlists.  After a break up they got back together in 2011 and have been getting stronger ever since.

Also coming to the northeast are ‘The New Forbidden’, featuring Lloyd Grossman who is no stranger to festivals.  He and the band play produce a wild, catchy sound with a modern edge, with the influence of Blondie, Iggy Pop, The Killers, and The Doors. 

Local music lovers will be happy to see ‘Mitch Laddie’ on stage.  From the region, Mitch will be marrying his Police and Hendrix influences on stage as well as tracks from his second album ‘Burning Bridges’.

‘Ultimate Bowie’, ‘Dust Town Dogs’ and ‘Leesa Mae’ will also be performing across the day.

Carl Marshall, one of the organisers for this year is more than pleased with the line up:  “It is important that we get a good mix of music that will appeal to the type of crowds we get here in Stanley.  To get ‘Dodgy’ as part of their tour was a great coup for us and we think that the people will see we are organically growing the festival to become a great day in County Durham for music fans.”

The daylong event sees the gates open at 10am with the first band due on stage Shortly after

“The full line-up is on our website and facebook site and tickets are now on sale through Leisureworks and the Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley. .  If last year is to go by, we are looking at a bumper crowd so our advice is to get tickets as soon as possible” said CARL.

More information see: http://stanleymusicfestival.co.uk/

Nate training hard for his unusual ride this September

Durham Big Ride and The Beast – 1September and 8 September

Nate McIntosh is training hard for this year’s Durham Big Ride, nothing unusual about that you may say.  But there is a difference!

Nate is set on completing the 10 mile route this September on his unicycle!

“I love getting on the unicycle and going around the City and I though why not do the Durham Big Ride on it.” He said during one of his training session.

The 17 year old lives in the City and has been using the ‘one- wheel’ since about nine years of age: “I started just for fun and took to it straight away.  Once you get used to it, riding slightly above everyone is a nice feeling and you do get some strange looks and comments.”

“I am out and about Durham City three times a week on this cycle as well as my ‘normal’ one.  I can easy do six miles at the moment so I think the ten will be tough but come September I should be fine.”

As well as keep his balance, Nate will be raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust who have a branch in the RVI Newcastle. www.justgiving.com/Nate-McIntosh/

Durham Big Ride is on 1 September this year with 3, 10 and 25 mile routes starting and finishing at Durham County Hall.  The Beast is a week later starting from Sniperley Park and Ride.  More information on all the rides can be seen at www.durhambigride.co.uk

Fire fighters Work and Play Together

Fire Service employees are once again getting out and about training hard for the double weekend of the Durham Big Ride and Beast in September.

In previous years around 50 County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service staff have taken part in one of the four rides on offer and this year looks set to be just as popular.

Pete McDermott, one of the firefighters based at Framwellgate Moor, is one of the people behind the push for all staff to get involved:

“When the first Durham Big Ride was introduced a few years ago we used the training as part of our fitness regime and it has snowballed since then.  There are some very keen cyclists amongst the staff and we will hopefully recruit even more this year.”

 

                                  Pete McDermott, Ian Cockburn, Stuart Thew

Pete and his colleagues are continually raising awareness of how easy fires can start in the home as well as encouraging people to use and maintain their smoke alarms.

 “We see the taking part in the Durham Big Ride as a part of our community commitment and it is another way of engaging with the people of County Durham and Darlington through handing out safety advice leaflets and talking to them after the event.  It is also a great way of socialising with workmates while keeping fit. ”

Colin Wilkes, Event Director:  “One of the reasons we have developed both the Durham Big Ride and The Beast is to get workmates and friends together on their bikes for a day of nice social riding and to take in some of the great scenery we have to offer around the City.  To have the team from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue join us year after year shows what a good day it is.

For more information on the Durham Big Ride and The Beast, go to www.durhambigride.co.uk