Waddington Street Centre Chosen As Lumiere’s charity

Waddington Street Centre has been named as the official charity partner of Lumiere 2021 and will benefit from a significant donation to its 40th anniversary appeal to raise funds for a new minibus.

The independent North East mental health charity, which offers a wide range of informal educational activities and support services based on individual needs and aspirations, will receive a donation of at least £5,000.

The donation will come from half of the proceeds of this year’s Lumiere Gala Dinner, which is being held at Ramside Hall on Wednesday 17 November, and will help the Waddington Street Centre take another step closer to its £40,000 fundraising target.

Throughout its 40th anniversary year the centre has been running a series of fundraising activities, ranging from triathlons and pre-loved item sales to bake sales and quizzes. It also has the backing of a number of local businesses and organisations, including Milburngate on Durham’s riverside, which is being developed by Arlington Real Estate and Richardson.

The Waddington Street Centre is also contributing to Lumiere by producing lanterns that will form part of one of the light festival’s landmark installations.

Members of the Centre took part in a workshop to produce the lanterns that will be added to ‘City of Lights, City of Stories’, which will transform College Green into a glowing cityscape.

The Waddington Street Centre is among a number of community groups from across County Durham working with Artichoke and installation designers The Lantern Company to build an imaginary city of illuminated streets, houses and grand architectural wonders.

Ali Lee, centre manager at The Waddington Street Centre, said: “We are exceptionally proud to be the charity partner of Lumiere. It is such an important and highly anticipated event for our city, and we’re delighted to be part of it.

The generous donation we’re receiving is amazing and will be a real help as we aim for our target to buy the minibus that will allow us to take our members on trips that will aid their mental health.

“Our staff and members really enjoyed the lantern making workshop and can’t wait to see their creations glowing on College Green.”

Created by Artichoke, the UK’s leading producers of art in the public realm and commissioned by Durham County Council with additional support from Arts Council England and a host of additional funders and supporters including Durham University, Lumiere will run from Thursday 18th - Sunday 21st November 2021.

Sarah Coop, Artichoke Development Director, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Waddington Street Centre as Lumiere’s chosen charity this year, and the opportunity to support the important work they do, as well as to have been able to offer their members the chance to take part in making one of the festival installations.”

You can find out more about the Waddington Street Centre and donate online here.

Milburngate sponsors Lumiere for fifth time

Milburngate is continuing its longstanding support of Lumiere with sponsorship of one the 2021 festival’s high-profile installations and the return of its pop-up street food market, ‘Milburngate Munch’.

The landmark development on Durham’s Riverside is sponsoring Drop Scene, by the artist Liz West which will be on display underneath Milburngate Bridge throughout Lumiere, which runs from 18 to 21 November and features 37 stunning installations throughout the city.

The title Drop Scene is taken from the theatrical meaning of the word, playing on the idea of a curtain and an unexpected vibrant “change of scenery” dividing the riverside from the underpass.

This work invites audiences to investigate their surroundings, basking in coloured light and the artwork is made up of a series of coloured corrugated panels, which creates a kaleidoscope of visuals underneath Milburngate Bridge.

Liz West is a British artist who graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2007. West’s broad body of work encompasses site-specific installations, sculpture, and wall-based artwork.

Once visitors have experienced Drop Scene, they can make their way to the ‘Milburngate Munch’ pop-up food market, which returns this year after proving so popular in 2019. Located at Milburngate next to the Radisson Hotel and the Penny Ferry Bridge on the River Wear, Milburngate Munch will be open to visitors throughout the light festival.

‘Milburngate Munch’ will bring together a collection of stalls operated by specially selected North East traders serving a range of quality hot food and drinks.

Complementing the wider food and drink offering across Durham City available to visitors during Lumiere, ‘Milburngate Munch’ is part of the continued support of the festival by the developers of the living, working and leisure destination, Arlington Real Estate and Richardson.

The Milburngate development team has been a key supporter of Lumiere since the very first festival in 2009 and Arlington Real Estate founder Allan Cook is both Chair of the Lumiere Development Board and also a Trustee of Artichoke, the production company responsible for delivering the festival.

Allan said: “We are proud to have played a part in bringing Lumiere to Durham all those years ago and seeing it go from strength to strength and I am keener than ever to help Artichoke make this Lumiere a success as it will bring some much-needed light and joy to the city following the challenges of the last 18 months. It will be wonderful to see the city glowing again with the vibrancy of excited visitors and of course the amazing installations.”

He added: “Its great to also bring back ‘Milburngate Munch’, which proved to be exceptionally popular with visitors to Lumiere in 2019. It was a hive of activity throughout the festival, and I am sure it will again prove to be a welcoming location for visitors to grab a drink and a bite to eat as they tour of the city.”

Helen Marriage, Artistic Director and CEO of Artichoke said: “It is thanks to the incredible support of County Durham’s business community, alongside Lumiere commissioners Durham County Council and the support of Arts Council England, Durham University and all our sponsors, that we are able to return to Durham once again to produce Lumiere. This year more than ever, the festival will not only be a moment to enjoy the spectacle and wonder of Durham transformed by light art, but to reflect on the last 18 months and celebrate life and renewal.”

Triathlon Success For Waddington Street Centre

A group of fundraisers have swum, cycled and run to bring the cashing rolling in to help fund a minibus for the Waddington Street Centre in Durham.

The independent North East mental health charity is marking its 40th anniversary with a series of money-generating activities and events to raise £40,000 for the vital transport.

A team of keen athletes from the centre has taken part in a long-distance triathlon in Seaham, which generated £1,526 towards the appeal, which so far stands at more than £22,000.

The 40km course comprised a 1km swim in the harbour, a 29km cycle ride around the outer limits of the town, and a 10km run from the harbour and back.

Assistant manager Steve Wakefield, finance officer Claire McGrother and centre member David Davies undertook the running stage while Trustees David Shipman, Jeff Dean and his partner Annette Morris, and David Shipman tackled the cycling leg with housing co-ordinator Sam Mason and her friends Georgina Fuller and Maria Davies doing the honours in the swimming section.

The weather was kind – being calm and sunny – and did not add a further level of difficulty to completing the tough challenge.

Other events planned to help the Waddington Street Centre achieve its fundraising target include a sponsored walk and an entertainment and quiz evening in October, which will feature, among other activities, a chilli eating challenge.

Centre Manager Ali Lee said: “We chose Seaham for this fundraising activity as it is a location close to the hearts of centre members, who love a trip to the seaside.

“Future visits to the coast and outings to other places will continue to be possible with the purchase of a new minibus.

“These are an important part of what the centre can offer as many of the people we support are socially isolated and can struggle to use public transport.

“We are pleased that our money-raising endeavours have attracted the support of the public and local businesses, who appreciate how getting out and about can significantly improve people’s mental wellbeing.”

The Waddington Street Centre is working with a number of local businesses to help with the fundraising, including the developers of Milburngate, which in conjunction with contractor Tolent, funded and completed a makeover of the centre during lockdown.

Allan Cook, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, the joint venture developer of Milburngate, said: “Competing in a triathlon is no mean feat and the Waddington Street Centre team, which took on this tough challenge, deserve high praise.

“The centre is doing sterling work by providing a wide range of informal education activities and support services to people in the surrounding community.

“Arlington Real Estate and Milburngate are proud to support such a fantastic facility.”

The centre has set up a fundraising page where people can make donations here: www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/Waddys40thAnniversary

Royal Visit For Milburngate

Milburngate developer Allan Cook welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO to share his passion for contemporary architecture by taking a tour of the £120m first phase of the regeneration project in Durham City.

His Royal Highness, who practiced as an architect, visited the six-acre living, working and leisure destination, which is currently under construction on the city’s riverside, where he unveiled a commemoration stone to mark his visit.

On arrival, the Duke was greeted by representatives from the Arlington Richardson Development Partnership, which is developing Milburngate, contractor Tolent and key members of the project team, including the architects behind its design.

Phase one, which includes a boutique cinema, 92-bed Hotel, 153 apartments, 53,000 ft office building along with premium bars and restaurants including Bar + Block, has been sensitively designed to compliment its setting whist respecting its location within a UNESCO world heritage city.

Architects FaulknerBrowns has also designed Milburngate to incorporate high-quality public realm from which to enjoy stunning new views of the city’s riverside and historic castle and cathedral as well as providing a new direct route to Durham railway station.

Milburngate continues the high-quality regeneration of Durham’s riverside, which was set by the developers with the construction of HM Passport Office and National Savings & Investment facility at Freemans Reach on the opposite bank of the River Wear.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “We were truly honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to see the great progress we are making in delivering Milburngate during these challenging times.

“Maximising the economic and social benefits this fabulous riverside site will bring to both Durham City and the wider North East has taken some real architectural, construction and engineering skill, which His Royal Highness, as an experienced architect, really appreciated.”

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Waddington Street Centre To Raise £40k at 40!

The Waddington Street Centre in Durham has announced it is to mark its 40th anniversary with a series of fundraising activities to raise £40,000 to fund a much-needed new minibus.

The independent North East mental health charity, which offers a wide range of informal educational activities and support services based on individual needs and aspirations, is kicking off the next stage of activities by hosting a week-long bake sale from 28th June with cakes and other items being made and donated by staff and volunteers.

Local people will be able to enjoy their sweet treats at a pop-up seating area in front of the centre.

Having already raised almost £5,000 towards its target, The Waddington Street Centre team is planning a number of other projects including a Pre-Loved Sale at the next-door United Reform Church in August and is appealing for donations for the event, which will also help promote sustainability.

Businesses are also encouraged to support the fundraising challenge with donations of goods and services being requested from organisations across the area for a raffle to be held later in the year.

The Waddington Street Centre is also working with a number of local business supporters on fundraising initiatives, including the developers of Milburngate, which in conjunction with contractor Tolent, funded and completed a makeover of the centre during lockdown.

One of their bigger fundraising events will see a team of keen athletes from the centre attempt to complete a long-distance triathlon, which will take place in Seaham in September.

Assistant manager Steve Wakefield, finance officer, Claire McGrother and centre member David Davies will take on the running leg of the challenge, while Trustee Jeff Dean and his partner Annette Morris will tackle the cycling before handing over to housing coordinator Sam Mason who will complete the swimming leg.

The team has selected Seaham as the location for the triathlon because it is a special place for members of The Waddington Street Centre who enjoy visiting the coast.

Getting out and about can have a significant positive impact on people’s mental health and, with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the opportunity to arrange more trips away from the centre after a year of lockdowns is at the heart of the fundraising efforts and the need for a new minibus.

Centre manager Ali Lee, who is also a professional artist and will be selling small pieces of artwork for a suggested donation of £40 per piece on her social media pages throughout July, August and September, said: “Everyone involved in the centre is really excited about this fundraising campaign, which will mark our 40th anniversary of supporting local people.

“We’re hoping to have a lot of fun on our way to hitting our £40,000 target and are grateful for all the donations, fundraising and support we’re getting that will help us buy a new minibus.

“Many of the people who are supported by the centre are socially isolated and struggle to use public transport and, as a result, travelling to and from social or educational locations can be challenging.

“A minibus would be a wonderful addition to our resources. It would allow our members to get out and about with supportive, like-minded people, and would help improve their mental health by increasing their self-esteem and confidence while alleviating their feelings of social isolation.”

Allan Cook, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, the joint venture developer of Milburngate, said: “Waddington Street Centre has been serving vulnerable people within the community for four decades, which is a milestone worth celebrating.

“We’re really keen to continue our support for the centre and have some exciting plans for a unique fundraising event later in the summer, which we’re keeping under wraps for now, but will hopefully contribute greatly to the overall fundraising challenge.”

The centre has set up a fundraising page where people can make donations at:

www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/Waddys40thAnniversary

For more information about the centre visit: https://www.waddingtoncentre.co.uk/.

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4,000 tonne steel frame completed

Phase One of Milburngate is on course for completion in the first quarter of 2022. The latest milestone in the construction of the £120m Arlington Richardson development has been achieved with the completion of its structural steel frame.

Comprising of 40,000 individual pieces of steel weighing a combined 3,800 tonnes, the key structures that will make up Phase One of Milburngate are now complete and visible on Durham City’s riverside.

Following a 54-week build programme, the steel frames of the office building, hotel, boutique cinema, retail and leisure units, as well as the three apartment blocks, are now in place ready for external finishing and interior fit-out to take place.

The structural frame, which utilises 20,000 welded shear studs, is strengthened with 5,500 square metres of pre-cast concrete beams and supports over 100 flights of stairs through the development.

More than 30 local operatives successfully delivered the steel work project with minimal delays to programme, despite the need to adhere to strict Covid safety guidelines including social distancing.

Led by Milburngate’s main contractor Tolent, it was delivered in conjunction with County Durham-based constructional steel company Finley Structures and structural engineers Atkins.

Allan Cook, managing director at Arlington said: “Erecting 40,000 pieces of steel in this timeframe in a sensitive riverside location such as Milburngate has its challenges, but to achieve this against the backdrop of a worldwide pandemic is testament to the expertise of our construction team and strength of their supply chain.

“This is an important moment in the development of Milburngate, not only as a construction milestone, but also in terms of attracting new occupiers. They can now visit site and see first-hand the unique position Milburngate occupies on the riverside and experience the fabulous views we have created of the river and World Heritage site peninsular.

“When they visit Milburngate they can now appreciate the important role it will play as a living, working and leisure destination in attracting people to Durham from across the region and beyond. This is certainly paying dividends with potential occupiers as interest in Milburngate has grown significantly in the first part of the year.”

Michael Rutherford, project director for Tolent, said: "The completion of the steel frame programme is a significant milestone for the project and what you can now see on site is the best visual representation so far of just what a fantastic development this is going to be for Durham.

“As the majority of the structures on site are now weather tight, we are progressing with internal fit out works of the apartment blocks, hotel and leisure and retail units. We recently passed 750,000 hours on site and have a workforce over 300 people which we continue to manage with health, safety and wellbeing as our number one priority."

Another step in the right direction

Milburngate has taken a step towards enhancing pedestrian connectivity in Durham with the installation of a brand-new suspended staircase, which will create a direct route into the development and the riverside from Durham railway station.

Located in the north west corner of Milburngate and accessed directly from Framwellgate Peth, the new steps sit on top of a raised steel frame, which was installed following a three-month substructure programme including excavation, in-situ concrete structures and piles.

Installed over two days, around 80 tonnes of pre-cast concrete was carefully positioned into place using a specialist mobile crane designed to operate in a confined space and able to manoeuvre the 14 individual pieces up to their final resting place some 54m from the ground, negotiating obstacles including the trees on the bank at the rear of Milburngate on their way.

This new staircase will provide seamless pedestrian access to Milburngate, connecting the development with the railway station while offering uninterrupted views across the River Wear towards the spire of St Nic’s church.

As they arrive in the public square at the heart of Milburngate, office occupiers, residents and visitors will have an outstanding view of the church and the World Heritage site’s Durham Cathedral and Castle.

Over the coming months, the staircase will be completed with a mix of soft and hard landscaping, which will be finished with the installation of illuminated handrails.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, which is developing Milburngate in a joint venture with Richardson, said: “This staircase has always been a fundamental part of the design of Milburngate, connecting the railway station to the heart of the city.

“We always envisioned a view of St. Nic’s Spire framed on each side by the development, which as you descend opens up stunning views of the cathedral and castle; standing at the top of the steps we can now see the first part of that vision coming to life.”

Paul Salkeld, Project Manager from main contractor Tolent, said: “This is another important milestone for the scheme as Milburngate continues to take shape. It was a challenge to complete the install in such a tight area, which included the treeline either side of the staircase location, but our groundworker, specialist lifting team, together with the Tolent project team, expertly handled the project and ensured a successful completion.”