'It's not worth it' grieving Teesdale mum warns motorists

Nick Davidson

THE mother of a Teesdale man who died in a horrific car crash is urging motorists not to get behind the wheel when under the influence of drink or drugs.
Anita Thompson is backing Road Safety GB North East’s campaign, in the hope it saves lives during the festive period.
Mrs Thompson’s 27-year-old son, Nick Davidson, and his friend Grant Benson, aged 21, were killed when the car they were travelling in crashed into a tree, ricocheted into another tree and burst into flames.
More than two years on, both families remain devastated, and Mrs Thompson now works hard to alert people to the dangers of drink driving, and to educate them on how it can tear lives apart.
She has also helped RoadPeace North-East launch their official road safety website.
“If I can help prevent even just one family from going through this devastation, that’s positive,” said Mrs Thompson, from Middleton-in-Teesdale.
“I cannot and will not allow Nick’s death to become just another statistic.”
 Her son and his friend had been for a night out in Barnard Castle. After returning to Mr Benson’s house, for reasons unknown, they decided to go out for a drive in his high-powered Audi A4 Quattro.
In the early hours, Mr Benson lost control of the car on a rural road near Whorlton, crashing into two trees, killing Mr Davidson instantly and badly injuring himself.
Trapped in the wreckage, Mr Benson was able to dial 999, but the emergency services were unable to reach him in time and he died after the car burst into flames.
Police found the driver had been one-and-a-half times over the drink drive limit at the time of the accident.
Mrs Thompson said: “If we expect people to make an informed decision, they need to know all the facts, and they need to know what all the potential consequences of a bad choice are. I want them to understand that young drivers are a particularly high-risk group.
 “My message to motorists is don’t drive after drink or drugs. It’s really not worth the risk; think of your family.”
Mrs Thompson said she was still coming to terms with her son’s death, adding that Christmas was a particularly difficult time.
She said she planned to visit the churchyard on Christmas morning.
“No parent should have to do that,” she said.
Paul Watson, chairman of RSGB NE, said: “Nick and Grant’s deaths are a stark reminder of the dangers of drink driving.
 “Having just one or two drinks can badly impair your judgement, and dull your reaction times, in this case with tragic consequences.
 “People need to be aware of the dangers of drink and drug driving and how it can tear the lives of families apart.
“It’s easy to go out with the intention of having one drink, but unfortunately during the Christmas period some people get carried away and that’s when accidents happen.”
 Mr Watson reminded drivers that they can still be over the limit the morning after a night out. He added: “The message is simple, plan your night out and either drive and stay sober or leave the car at home.”
Between 2011 and 2015, 46 people were killed on the region’s roads due to a suspected drink/drug driver, 297 were seriously injured, and a further 1,567 were slightly injured.
In 2015 alone, 80 people were killed or seriously injured – the highest number for six years.
Police Inspector Mark Pitt, of Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “Everyone has a responsibility to look out for a driver getting into a vehicle who they believe could be impaired by either drink or drugs and therefore will be a danger on the road by contacting police and helping us to keep our roads safe.”

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Police pleased with breath test results

TEESDALE motorists have performed well amid fresh drink-drive warnings. 
Traffic officers breathalysed more than 50 drivers in Barnard Castle on Thursday, December 22, – all blew zero.
Christmas and New Year brings greater alcohol consumption throughout the dale.
Acting Sgt Simon Hogg was pleased with last week’s roadside tests.
He said: “People have been asking us questions and we’ve been giving advice as to what kind of thing is safe – it’s getting that safety message out at this time of year.”
Sgt Hogg added there was a chance the checks will return next year. 

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Old and new battle for Teesdale Business Awards glory

THE organisations shortlisted in the 12 categories of the Teesdale Business Awards 2016 have been unveiled.
Companies which have tasted previous success in the annual awards, such as Middleton-in-Teesdale-based Cafe Fresh and Evenwood CA Group, are joined by newcomers including fish and chip shop operator Katie Barker and Neat Acoustics.
The awards aim to recognise Teesdale businesses and social enterprises who have been successful in their own field during the past 12 months.
Peter Dixon, one of the awards organisers, said: “The aim of the awards is to celebrate achievements over the last year within Teesdale businesses and community groups.
“With more than 200 nominations our judging panels, which were each led by the sponsor for the award category, all had a difficult job on their hands.
“As we received feedback from each judging panel, we were consistently told that the standard of entries was very high this year.”
He added: “It clearly demonstrated to us that there is an exceptional range of high quality business endeavour taking place within Teesdale.”
The winners will be announced at a special ceremony, which takes place on Wednesday, February 15, at The Witham, in Barnard Castle.
Business advisor John Atkinson and Staindrop-based businesswoman Emma Hignett will host the evening.
Tickets for the award ceremony are on sale now for £12.
Ticket information and more details about the awards is available at www.teesdale businessawards.co.uk/
The awards shortlist is:
Best Business, sponsored by Thermal Compliance Ltd: 999 Fire and Safety; S & A Fabrications Ltd; Teesdale Community Resources (The Hub).
Best New Business, sponsored by Addison & Co: 4 Paws Farm; Café Fresh (Teesdale) Ltd; Teesdale Cheesemakers.
Growth Business of the Year, sponsored by Business Durham: Café Fresh; Francis Bookkeeping Solutions Ltd; Poppy’s Children’s Boutique.
Most Innovative Business, sponsored by Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm: Eating and Living; Spectrum Prints; Teesdale Alpacas.
Best Business Trading Outside Teesdale, sponsored by CA Group Ltd: Lonton Coffee Company; Neat Acoustics Ltd; The Carrosserie Company (UK) Ltd.
Best Social Enterprise, sponsored by Café Fresh Group: Barnard Castle Farmers Market Ltd; Gaunless Valley Community Group; Sporting Force.
Best Community Engagement Project, sponsored by S & A Fabrications Ltd: 1st Staindrop Scouts; Barnard Castle Cricket Club; Teesdale YMCA.
Environmental Achievement, sponsored by The Greenfields: Cross Lanes Organic Farm; Lonton Coffee Company; Teesdale Alpacas.
Best Customer Focus, sponsored by Teesdale Renewables Ltd: 999 Fire & Safety; Reboot Repairs and Design; Sandringham Financial Partners.
Employer of the Year, sponsored by Spice Island Restaurant: CA Group Ltd; Sporting Force; The Dress Agency TDACIC.
Young Entrepreneur, sponsored by Durham County Council: Claire Stoddart, hairdresser; Katie Barker, Katie’s Fish and Chips; Phillip Dawson, Café Fresh.
Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by GSK: Gus Rowell, Anthony Nixon Furniture Ltd; Laura Willis, Café 15; Matthew Charlton, Teesdale Sports Centre.

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Dance, music and song on the menu for the new year

A TRIO of Tuesday events are offering the dale a chance to stretch its musical muscles. 
Musicians Amy Purvis and Dan Kilford are starting a contemporary community choir and ukulele lessons at The Witham, in Barnard Castle.
Every Tuesday in term time will see the pair teach the four-string lute between 6pm and 7pm alongside other percussive instruments.
Between 7pm and 8pm a community choir accompanied by a live band will take centre stage.
The duo, from Newton Aycliffe’s branch of MusiKality Services, revealed they were looking to extend their reach across Teesdale. Mr Kilford said: “I will run the band and Amy will run the choir – we will be using local musicians.
“We have had a lot of enquiries so we’re going to sit down and work out where everyone will fit in.
“We want it to be as mad and fun as possible.”
The choir will have a “contemporary twist” using a live band to play hits from the likes of Coldplay and Snow Patrol. Ms Purvis added: “Sometimes people in choirs may not have had the opportunity to work with live musicians so it’s nice to be able to do that.
“Some people think of a choir as four or five part traditional hymns which is fine but we want to give it a modern twist.”
The pair said both the uke and singing lessons are open to those who might not consider themselves musical.
“Some people dismiss music from a young age if they cannot pick an instrument up quickly – the choir is quick and instant access to music,” said Ms Purvis. “The ukulele is a really in thing at the moment – it’s easy to handle and for all ages.”
Before the music, ballet and tap dance lessons are available for youngsters on Tuesday tea times with Rambert London trained professional Janie Lavell.
Sessions for four to eight-year-olds will be between 4pm and 5.30pm and ages nine and above from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Sarah Gent, from The Witham, was looking forward to the Tuesday treble bill.
“I am really excited by it all and I know a lot of people who are either in the band or the choir. It fits in really nicely with what we’re doing to give people access to the arts.”
Sessions start on Tuesday, January 10, and cost £5 each.   For more details contact Musikality on 07985 483566 or email musikalityservices@ gmail.com.

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Grant scheme to keep slurry under wraps

A NEW grant is available to farmers in an effort to cut emissions of ammonia.
Natural England has launched the  Farming Ammonia Reduction Grant (FARG) scheme.
Under the scheme, farmers will be able to apply grant funding at 100 per cent more than the standard Countryside Stewardship rates to pay for slurry store covers. 
In addition, one-to-one advice will be available on ways to reduce ammonia emissions and conserve nitrogen, both of which could ultimately increase the efficiency of farm systems.
 Applications for the FARG scheme are open to all beef and dairy farmers in England.
Floating covers for slurry stores are grant funded at £11.20 per sq metre, while self-supporting covers attract a grant of £61 per sq metre. There is no maximum available grant on eligible.
The new grant has been welcomed by Thomas Armstrong, of H&H Land and Property.
He is urging farmers to take advantage of this additional funding, as well as the advice being offered. 
 “Ammonia is a key air pollutant that can have significant effects on human health and ecosystems and, in 2014, the agriculture sector accounted for 83 per cent of total emissions,” said Mr Armstrong, associate director and chartered surveyor for H&H Land and Property.
“This scheme will benefit both the environment and farming businesses, so we strongly recommend beef and dairy farmers make use of this grant funding if they can.”
 Slurry store covers can benefit farms by protecting the store from rainwater and reducing storage and field application costs.
Covers can also cut the loss of nitrogen and increase the quality of slurry as a fertiliser.
They also work towards reducing ammonia emissions and improving air quality and minimise odour.
The closing date for all applications to be received by Natural England is January 31.
As applications will be prioritised on a first come, first served basis, Mr Armstrong said is was important to apply as soon as possible.
To be eligible, existing storage facilities must meet Environment Agency rules for storing slurry.
Any covers installed under the scheme must be maintained for a minimum of five years.
In some cases, planning permission may be required.
Further information on the Farming Ammonia Reduction Grant scheme is available on the government’s website, www.gov.uk.

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Farmer's plea after dog kills his sheep

A TEESDALE farmer has urged dog owners to be “extra vigilant” when their animals are near livestock.
The call comes after a dog attacked and killed a sheep near Staindrop in the early hours of Wednesday, December 14. John Robson, of Friar Cote Farm, on Moor Road, discovered one of his Texel gimmer lambs motionless in the field at about 8am.
The animal, which was carrying twins, was found with a wound to its neck. It is believed that the animal was killed shortly before being discovered by Mr Robson.
He said: “I have never had anything killed at the farm before. It is the first incident here. I would ask people to be extra vigilant when their dogs are off the lead near livestock.”
No-one has approached the farmer to accept responsibility and the police have launched an appeal for the owner of the dog to come forward. Officers are also reminding dog owners that they must keep dogs on leads around livestock and make sure they know the whereabouts of their animals.
PC Dave Williamson, of Barnard Castle Police, said: “The farmer found that one of his sheep had been brought down by a dog. He did not see a dog but it had all of the tell-tale signs including lesions to its neck. At this time of year sheep are in lamb so dog owners need to be more careful when their dogs are off the lead.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident DHM-16122016-0098.

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What's making the news in this week's Mercury

GOOD sports from Barnard Castle fundraising group The Clique dived into the Tees on Boxing Day and we were there to capture the fun.

Teesdale's fell rescue service is to maintain a local presence despite moving its centre of operations up to Durham.

The secretary of the Cockfield pigeon federation is stepping down after clocking up 55 years in the job.

Volunteers served up Christmas Day lunch to more than 30 people at Barnard Castle's Parish Hall.

Evenwood is in line for a major spring clean as part of a Durham County Council pilot programme.

Music tuition at The Hub is Barnard castle is to be extended thanks to a £14,000 boost.

In sport, meet the ladies of Barnard Castle RUFC who are embracing rugby.

Plus... our fun quiz, review of the year, letters, policing County Durham with Ron Hogg and the latest on The Bowes Museum's ground-breaking WW1 project.

All in this week's Mercury, in the shops today.

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Dales farming calendar 'the best yet'

A FUNDRAISING calendar created by a Teesdale farming charity is said to be its best one yet.
The Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) calendar for 2017 is now on sale, packed with images from the Durham Dales. Members and friends of Utass have sent in their images of the countryside for the calendar, which has been well supported by businesses. Money raised will be ploughed back into the charity.
Utass worker Emma Spry, who helped select the images, said: “There are some really cracking photos – it gets better every year.”
The cover photo of Eggleston Fell, named ‘What more could a man want?’, was taken by Frazer Davies. One photo in particular resonated with Ms Spry, who farms in Newbiggin. It’s of hay making, snapped by Helen Alderson.
To many it portrays a peaceful scene of the northern dales, but Ms Spry has a different view. She said: “I can feel the sense of urgency because of the dark clouds bringing rain. “People from across the county have sent in pictures for the calendar this year. It’s nice that we’ve got members from across the area,” said Ms Spry.
The calendar is on sale for £5 from Utass, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, as well as at Simpsons butchers in Cockfield and Gainford. People who live out of the area can message Utass on the charity’s Facebook site and staff will explain how to make a donation and receive the calendar in the post for £5.99. Utass is also selling Christmas cards this year.

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Katy's new year class to help shed pounds

Katy before and after

TRAVEL consultant Katy Davies is offering to show anyone who wants to lose weight the route to a slimmer, healthier new year.
Ms Davies, 36, who works for Kyle Travel, in Barnard Castle, has transformed her appearance after losing four-and-a-half stones.
Now she is launching a Slimming World evening group in the town for men and women anxious to shed those unwanted pounds.
In March, Ms Davies decided she’d had enough of unflattering family photos and holiday snaps and was determined to take action.
 “I thought I could do it myself, but Slimming World was always cropping up in conversation so I joined a group in Darlington,” she said.
 “Having been unsuccessful with weight loss in the past, at first I decided not to tell anyone I was trying again.”
Ms Davies needn’t have worried because she lost 5lbs in her first week and has never looked back.
“I never feel limited or restricted in what I eat – it has just made me appreciate my food more,” she said.
Ms Davies, who lives in Newsham, says although her eating habits have changed she still enjoys things like spaghetti Bolognese, curries and roast dinners.
She was also encouraged to be more active.
“I hate gyms but I do like swimming and walking so I just did a bit more of that.”
By August, she looked so different that friends sometimes failed to recognise her. Her self-confidence has grown and she loves shopping for new clothes in a size 12.
“A big high-point for me was when my group nominated me for Slimming World’s Woman of the Year award and for Miss Slinky 2016,” she said.
Ms Davies has now decided she would like to help others.
“I love my job at Kyle Travel and I am so pleased that I have been given the opportunity to continue doing that while running a Slimming World group,” she said.
Ms Davies’ group opens on Monday, January 2, in the Methodist Church Hall on Scar Top at 7.30pm.
For more information, call 07946 103437.

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A688 Barnard Castle -West Auckland road named one of the most dangerous in UK

THE A688 between Barnard Castle and West Auckland is to get interactive speed signs after being declared one of the ten most dangerous roads in Britain.
The 10.5 mile stretch of road came in eighth on the Road Safety Foundation’s (RSF) annual list of high risk roads in England, Scotland and Wales, published in November.
People in Staindrop and Evenwood have been campaigning for years for traffic calming measures to be introduced along the road because of the volume and speed of traffic passing through.
The situation was made worse when the road was being used as a diversion during overnight closures of the A1 near Scotch Corner.
In its report, the RSF found that 15 crashes on the road resulted in fatal or serious injuries, with more than half of them involving motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.
Some 47 percent happened at junctions. The foundation wants more attention to be given to the roads on its list.
The RSF report said: “Roads that are featured in these tables need attention because not only are they high risk but they have a high number of crashes causing death or serious injury.”
Several communities along the route have made similar calls in the past.
Staindrop Parish Council has had its calls for a pedestrian crossing on the road as it passes through the village rejected on several occasions.
Parish chairman Cllr David Reed said: “We’ve been complaining for years and Durham County Council came out about six years ago and said there wasn’t enough traffic to warrant a pedestrian crossing.
“It is a really, really busy road. Sometimes you can be standing five or ten minutes trying to cross.”
People at Evenwood Gate gathered hundreds of signatures in support of a reduction in the 40mph speed limit through the hamlet because of the risk posed by the junction to Evenwood.
Evenwood and Barony Parish Council believes the problem will become worse when new houses are built at the site of the demolished Brown Jug Inn, off the A688.
However, the county council’s head of transport, Adrian White, said statistics did not highlight a problem in either Staindrop or Evenwood Gate.
He added: “The safety of residents across County Durham is our number one priority and we would like to reassure everyone that we closely monitor accident rates on all of our roads.
“Although nothing in the accident statistics suggests that there are any ongoing issues in either Evenwood Gate or Staindrop, work is already scheduled in to install interactive speed signs on other areas of the road in the new year to increase safety.”

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Security measures installed to protect Cockfield sports pavilion from yobs

Improved security measures are being introduced to help protect a state-of-the-art community sports facility.
County councillors Heather Smith and Andy Turner have each used £1,480 of their neighbourhood budget to fund CCTV cameras and improve access to the Pauline Charlton Pavilion, in Cockfield. Cllr Smith said: “It is going to provide external lighting because at the moment there isn’t any.
“It is a little way off the main road in the village and it is deterring people from going there on an evening in the winter. We are keen for it to be used as much as possible.
“Security cameras will also be fitted as there have been several incidents of vandalism. We are hoping that by having CCTV it will deter this. I think it is very important we do this. It is a lovely building and resource for the village.”
During recent months, yobs have targeted the building on a number of occasions. Locks have been glued up making access impossible, graffiti has been daubed on the building and there has been a failed attempt to torch the building.
Opened in 2015, the sports pavilion cost £120,000 and was developed by Cockfield Parish Council with financial support from bodies such as Sport England.
Cllr Neville Singleton said: “It is not too far out the way but there are no houses around it. We haven’t had any serious damage, just bits of graffiti mainly. The money will be used to put security cameras right round the building and one floodlight for now. We will put lighting right round eventually. I think it will be a big deterrent.
“We put notices up about cleaning up after dogs. They were pulled down the next day. It is a recreation area and a football ground. Before there is a football match we always have to go round and make sure it is clean. Hopefully the cameras will show who is letting their dogs foul.
“The building is getting more and more used. It is used about four nights a week. It is extra safety. It will be top-of-the-range equipment. This building needs protecting.”

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Owl sanctuary opens at Kays Hill rescue centre

AN animal sanctuary is now home to a new owlery thanks to help from a house-building firm.
Kays Hill Animal Sanctuary entered a competition which was part of Barratt Homes North East’s Fix Up Look Sharp campaign and was run in partnership with Star FM radio.
The sanctuary at Bildershaw, near West Auckland, is run by volunteers and cares for unwanted pets as well as local wildlife rescued by the team.
Having been hoping to create more space to rehome owls, the sanctuary was one of many community groups and charities from across County Durham and Teesside who entered. They were then chosen from a shortlist of five as the most favoured project in need of some TLC, voted for by members of the public on Star FM’s website. Barratt Homes donated £5,000 worth of time and expertise to assist them with their plans.
Owner of the sanctuary Kevin Plummer said:  We’re hugely grateful for not just the financial help but the hard work that Barratt’s construction team has put into this project from start to finish.
“The building of the owlery gives us much needed space to rehome more animals, allowing owls, some of which can have a six foot wing span, to join our residents at the sanctuary.
“The public’s support for our work at the shelter and Barratt Homes North East’s generosity means a lot to
us.”

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Local historians hear how spy's shoe was kept as a trophy by firing squad

VETERANS of the First World War were well known for rarely speaking about what they went through and the grandfather of Brignall farmer Andrew Watson was no different.
Samuel Day did, however, share two  significant stories with his only grandson – as well as an extremely unusual artefact that proves the stories to be true. The item, a handmade leather shoe, and the gruesome story behind it was a hot topic of  discussion during a recent Barningham Local History Group meeting.
The shoe belonged to a Turkish spy, and Mr Watson’s grandfather was part of a six-man firing squad that killed him. Mr Watson said: “There are only two things he ever told me about the war, that was one.”
Other than the fact that the soldiers drew lots to divide up the spy’s belongings, with Samuel Day getting the shoe, the grandson was told little else about the incident.
The second story Mr Day told him gives an insight into the horrors that soldiers in the trenches faced on a daily basis. It tells of how a soldier near Mr Day had held up a recently washed shirt to dry. It was spotted by the Germans who fired off a “whizz bang”.
Mr Watson said: “It exploded between his legs.”
While the soldier was killed, Mr Watson’s grandfather was unscathed. Mr Day, who joined the Loyal Suffolk Hussars at the age of 19 on October 15, 1915, served in Palestine, Egypt and in the trenches in France. He was still there when the Armistice was agreed and gathered .303 bullet casings from the last shots that were fired. He was discharged in 1919 and earned the victory and service medals.
All of his memorabilia, including his pay book, badges, photographs and the Turkish spy’s shoe, were handed to Mr Watson by his grandfather before his death.
Mr Watson said: “He was born on December 19, 1895, and died December 7, 1995, just 12 days short of his 100th.”

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