Achievements

The Partnership has taken on many projects over the years and has contributed to the improvement in the quality of life of our community in a variety of ways.

Here is a look back over the years to celebrate some of our success stories:

Environment

  • A complete environmental appraisal of the village was completed in Autumn 2001.
  • A major landscaping project on the Victoria Showground was completed in 2002.  The work, which was carried out by Groundwork East Durham, involved revamping a piece of under-used open space which, through neglect and vandalism, had fallen into disrepair.   New fencing with restricted access to deter motorbikes was also erected, together with new paths, tree and shrub planting.
  • The Salters Lane barrier, which had been an eyesore for many years was removed and replaced with new metal fencing, trees and artwork.  The improvements have greatly enhanced the visual approach to the village.
  • The Memorial Wall at the Workingmen’s Club has been painted and the two inscribed plaques were given a facelift.
  • The War Memorial underwent a major facelift in 2006, which included new metal fencing, landscaping, and the soldier statue was also given a makeover.

Training and Education

  • The I.T. Resource Centre was opened in June 2000. (To find out more go to: www.shottonitcentre.co.uk )
  • A major project of the I.T. Centre started in 2001, when it became Partners with educational establishments from Ireland, Finland and Denmark to explore adult learning.  As part of this 3-year Grundtvig project (which is linked to the Socrates, European Community Action programme), we had the opportunity to visit the Partner countries and take some of our learners along with us. (To find out more visit :www.miadultlearningeurope.org)

Community Facilities

  • Phase Two of the Victoria Showground project (mentioned above) concentrated more on the needs of the younger generation and incorporated a multi-purpose sports facility, curved tarmac ramp for skateboarding/roller blading and an art project designed with the help of local children.
  • A Play Area for children up to the age of four was added to the site at the Victoria Showground.
  • The old tennis courts at the Community Park, which had been derelict for a number of years and spoilt an otherwise excellent facility, were replaced by a multi-purpose sports arena.
  • New parking bays to accommodate 10 cars were introduced at Potto Street, which has resulted in reducing the congestion outside the shops and has also improved the safety of both pedestrians and drivers.

Traffic / Transport

  • Traffic calming measures have been established at the rear of Victoria Street and in Hawthorn Terrace.
  • Since the opening of the Bracken Hill Business Park, traffic through a part of the village showed a marked increase and necessitated the closure of the country lane affected.  This is now open for access only and has made the local streets much safer.

Community Events
See:

  • Festival
  • Health Forum

Youth

Community Groups

Over the years, most community groups have benefitted by information received from the Partnership.  This support has included initial setting up of the groups, advice on governance, identifying funding streams and help with completing the application forms.

  • Youth Club – received £2,170 from the Children’s Fund, which they used to purchase new equipment and take the children on a day trip in the summer.
  • Shotton Community Association – received a grant of £1,741 from the N.R.C.C., which they used to purchase a new computer, scanner, software and office furniture.  This equipment will be used to keep their records up-to-date and to enable them to do their own promotional material.
  • History Club – received £1,500 from the N.R.C.C. to purchase a digital camera and a camcorder.   The group has produced a book about Shotton and now wishes to compile a book of ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs of the village. They also plan to make a video of local places of interest.
  • Alcote House – a bid of £5,000 to ‘Awards for All’, to purchase a ‘loop’ system, two computers, a DVD player and TV, was successful and the residents are now enjoying cinema nights.  After the success of this application, the committee grew in confidence and has been successful in receiving £605 from N.R.C.C. to purchase a larder cupboard and a bingo machine.
  • Watercolour Artist Group – to help set up this new group, the Partnership allowed its bank account to be used to receive its first grant of £250 from the N.R.S.G.  The group used this funding to open a bank account and to buy palettes for the artists.  Help was then given to the group to draw up a Set of Rules which would enable it to apply for funding in its own right.  Some hidden talent was unleashed by the setting up of this group and although there are no Picassos as yet, a further grant of £1,718 has been obtained to buy brushes, watercolour paper, brush washer and to pay for two trips – one to Northumbrian Artists’ Trail and the other to an exhibition in York.
  • Shotton Legionnaires Jazz Band – was established in November 2002 and has achieved great success in competitions.  With £205 from the N.R.C.L.C., members attended First Aid training and a Judging seminar and a further grant of £998 covered the cost of a competition they entered at Berwick.  The committee expressed its thanks to the Partnership, especially as most of the children in the Band are from the poorest families of our ward and would not have been able to participate without our help.

This is just a snapshot of our achievements -  if you would like to know more, why not contact us.