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18 February 2018
February Newsletter
More refurbishments ...  more events … and a new stage!
In this edition of our newsletter we tell you more about further planned improvements to the building this year, as well as the events programmed so far for 2018 and ... the long-awaited purchase of a stage.
 

Our own portable stage
Courtesy of grants from the Foyle Foundation and Darlington For Culture, we have finally secured sufficient funds to buy our own portable staging for the Reading Room. This is great news and will be a real asset for us in the professional staging of events. The stage has been ordered and will be with us soon.
 
More refurbishment work
The planned improvements to the male toilets, decoration of the rear lobby and building of additional storage is scheduled to take place in the Spring / Summer of 2018. The external painting started last year will also be completed. This together with the work carried out to the kitchen and main hall in 2016, has made a major improvement to the Reading Room, helping to keep our village hall Fit for the Community and in good shape as an attractive, welcoming place to host local events for many years to come.
 
The National Garden Scheme (NGS) opens gardens in England and Wales for charity. It was founded with the aim of "opening gardens of quality, character and interest to the public for charity". 

NGS is looking for new gardens for the Scheme.  Perhaps there is a garden or two in Neasham which could fit the remit. The garden does not have to be very large - just big enough to provide about 45 mins of interest.

[Generally an area has an open day for several houses].
For more details click here
or call 01325 778446 Iain Anderson (Durham County Organiser NGS)
 
2018 - Dates for your diary
10th March & 21st April - Green woodworking workshops
Green Woodworking Workshops with Chris Helliwell
At Clervaux Trust, Jolby Lane, Croft on Tees, DL2 2TF
Join Chris for a relaxed introduction to the joys of green woodworking, using a pole lathe, where he will teach you the basics from tree to a finished article; chopping and turning. Two workshops will take place on a Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.You will be working outside, so please dress appropriately.  Bring a packed lunch and a mug.

The cost is £10 per person per workshop.
Places are limited to 5 people per workshop, therefore it is not possible to book onto both workshops. These events must be pre-booked and a booking is only secured on receipt of payment. 
Bank details available on request.


Places can be booked with either
Tina Murray – tmurray478@btinternet.com | 07907 469065 or
Lesley Blundell – lesleyblundell3@gmail.com | 07966 347047

These workshops have been made possible by a grant from the Radcliffe Trust which will also fund further heritage craft workshops in 2018, to follow on from the workshops currently funded by the River Tees Rediscovered project.
 
Saturday 14th April - Coffee morning

Spring coffee morning
10.30 till 12.00 noon 
Come along and join us for tea, coffee and delicious cakes.
Entrance is free.
More details to follow. 
 
Tuesday 24th April - AGM (Annual General Meeting)
7.00 pm Neasham Reading Room
Annual General Meeting
This is an open meeting and all are welcome.
The Reading Room elects its officers, trustees and committee members on an annual basis. If you are interested in being a Committee Member there will be a nomination sheet posted on the Reading Room Notice Board in advance of the meeting.
The committee would very much welcome new members and your attendance at the AGM to listen to your ideas/ thoughts and views about the Reading Room.
 
Saturday 12th May - Snake Davis (click here to view his website)
Snake Davis
Burden of Paradise 
Doors Open 7.00pm Performance starts at 7.30pm 
Snake has played sax with M People, Eurhythmics, Take That, Ray Charles and many, many more. Band member Dave has played bass with Martha and the Vandellas, Edwin Starr and the Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain. Helen from the trio has sung with The Eagles, Emmylou Harris and Little Feat. Burden of Paradise’s unique interpretations of evocative songs from Dylan to Dowland to Billie Holiday are spellbinding.
Audiences have called it “one of the most enjoyable evenings ever” and have said...“It absolutely blew me away! BRILLIANT.  How privileged we are to be able to see this stuff in our village halls. Thank you."

Tickets are £10 and are available online at Rural Arts
or from Tina Murray – tmurray478@btinternet.com | 07907 469065
or Lesley Blundell – lesleyblundell3@gmail.com | 07966 347047
Please note this will be a popular event. A number of tickets have already been sold, so please get your tickets early to avoid disappointment. 
 
 
Saturday 9th June. Applause Theatre - 'night, Mother'

We are pleased to welcome back Applause Theatre to the Reading Room with their production of this serious piece of theatre by award winning playwright Marsha Norman. Doors open at 7.00pm and the performance starts at 7.30pm and lasts for 90 minutes without an interval.
Tickets will go on sale in the coming months.
 
Saturday 7th July - Duck Derby!
Duck Derby
Watch out for further details about this great family fun day!
 
Coming this September - Scarecrow competition & Village show

By popular request we are pleased to announce that there will be a Scarecrow Competition in Neasham again this year.
It will take place in September possibly alongside a village show where residents can showcase their creative and horticultural skills.
Further details including the date will follow.
 

Christmas dance
Saturday 8th December

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Christmas coffee morning
Saturday 15th December

 
Details to follow later in the year!
 
REGULAR WEEKLY & MONTHLY ACTIVITIES
Whist Club
Mondays & Fridays
7-9pm


Keep Fit
Wednesdays
6-7pm
Thursdays 
10-11am
Book Club
Monthly
Thursdays
11.45 - 1pm

Next meetings
22nd February
22nd March

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Ukulele Group
Monthly
Tuesdays
7pm - 9pm

Next meetings
13th March
17th April
 
Craft Group
Monthly
Saturdays
9.30am - 12noon

Next meetings
10th March
17th April
12th May
2nd June

Where -Reading Room
Click for Map

Upcoming Events

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