News
Lanchester Neighbourhood Plan
Lanchester Parish Council is co-ordinating the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan which will be a community-led framework for guiding future development, regeneration and conservation over future years.
New Christmas Lights
In 2013 the lights on the 7 large trees on the Village Green were replaced with new LED energy efficient lights. A grant of £18,000 was secured to enable the works to take place. The old lights were approximately 12 years old and it was necessary to replace them to continue the lovely festive display in the village. In 2014 the decision was taken to also replace the lights on the main Christmas Tree.
The light switch on took place on Saturday 29 November 2014. Several hundred people turned out to see the switch on. The event included music from Lanchester Brass Band and Lanchester Choral & Operatic Society. The children received a free gift, sweets and a drink whilst the adults enjoyed mulled wine and cakes and mince pies. The lights look fabulous and really set off the Village Green.
Fenhall Drift Lodge Banner
The banner was returned to Lanchester in 2012 under the custodianship of Lanchester Parish Council.
The banner was made in 1960 and carries illustrations of the Parish Church on one side and a Roman figure and Miner on the other side. Following the closure of the mine in 1963, the banner was relocated to several communities across County Durham. The banner is owned by Durham Miners’ Association and was retuned to Lanchester in 2012 under the custodianship of Lanchester Parish Council.
Lanchester Miners’ Banner Group was formed in 2012. They raised over £24,000 and during 2013 and 2014 delivered a comprehensive community project which has included:
- necessary conservation works being undertaken on the original banner. The original banner is now displayed in the Parish Church.
- the production of a replica banner
- art and dance workshops in the schools
- the production of a school information pack and a community information leaflet
- a large celebration event
The celebration event took place on Friday 27 June 2014. The road was closed to traffic and the banner led by representatives from the Churches and by Lanchester Brass Band and accompanied by several hundred school children marched along Front Street to the Village Green. On the Village Green there was a display of maypole and traditional miners’ rapper dancing. In addition music was provided by Lanchester Brass Band and St Bedes School.
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Lanchester Village Green
2012 saw further improvements being made to the village green. This formed phase two of the development following the successful introduction of the path in 2011. Improvements included tree planting, tree works, planting wild flowers, hedge laying, litter bin and seat replacement and the installation of wood carvings along the route of the path.
Funding for the scheme had been secured through a Northern Gas Network grant, National tree Week grant, Lanchester Wine Cellars Ltd and Lanchester Parish Council.
A celebration event on 27 April 2012 was attended by all three local schools and members of the community.
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Lanchester Wildlife
The launch of the Lanchester Wildlife book took place on Saturday 17 March 2012. The event attracted hundreds of people and Professor David Bellamy OBE, Mrs Pat Glass MP and Councillor Ossie Johnson officially launched the proceedings. This fabulous publication was written by a group of dedicated volunteers with support from the Parish Council Development Officer. Copies of the book can be picked up from the Library, comunity venues and from the Parish Council Offices at Lynwood House.
New Management Agreement
A new Management Agreement was signed in April 2011 between Lanchester Parish Council and Lanchester Allotments Association. The allotments have been successfully managed by the Allotments Association for the past 10 years and the new agreement allows the association to manage them for a further 20 years.
Christmas Lights 2011
Lanchester Village Green
Celebration Event
A celebration event was held on Thursday 9 June 2011 to officially launch the new facilities on the village green.
The Village Green is at the heart of Lanchester village and the project has been developed following consultation with the community.
The project includes the introduction of a recreational path along the side of the burn. The sinuous path approximately 330m long, links the existing unused seats on the green and connects to paths at the top and bottom creating a circular path around the village. Further developments include surface improvements to an area beside the church, the installation of a Parish Council information board and circular tree seat on the main green to encourage people to sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
The project was completed at the end of May 2011.
The launch event was attended by children from the local promary schools who were the first to officially walk the circular path. In addition, children from Lanchester EP Primary School gave a fabulous demonstration of Maypole dancing. Many members of the community attended the event and enjoyed the dancing and refreshments on offer.
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The Parish Council have led on the project and provided funds for the development. In addition a grant of £15,200 has been funded by County Durham Environment Trust from funds received under the Governments Landfill Communities Fund, from the Premier Waste Management Company. A 10% contribution of £1500 was made available from local business Lanchester Dairies.
