The Focus team is delighted that Elvet & Gilesgate Councillor David Freeman was elected Mayor of Durham last week. David said: “I want to thank my colleagues for giving me this wonderful opportunity. “It is a great honour to be Mayor of the city I have always lived in. “I look forward to meeting lots […]

St. Margaret’s Allotments on Margery Lane, Durham, are holding their annual open day on Sunday 10th July 1.30- 5.30pm. Visit over 100 allotments, spread across 5 acres, set against the spectacular backdrop of Durham Cathedral. On a site that has been cultivated since the Middle Ages enthusiastic gardeners, many using organic methods, cultivate plots which […]

Great news, the National Trust has announced the re-opening of Crook Hall and Gardens this summer. The Hall was closed during the pandemic and has recently been taken over by the National Trust.  More details here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/souter-lighthouse-and-the-leas/features/crook-hall-and-gardens?fbclid=IwAR3pACbqZbMEJc2lGyE8TmGew0ZiS7dKsyCqzowAhe2A4bwqHLNdBWPLa3U

Spring is on its way and there is still time for Durham residents to sign up for garden waste collections. Durham County Council’s Garden Waste Collection scheme is due to start next month and those who sign up before Monday 14 February will receive all 17 collections. Cllr Carole Lattin, Chair of the parish council’s […]

Durham County Council is planning to clean and protect Old Elvet Bridge following receipt of funding as part of the recovery from covid. Lib Dem Cllr Rob Hanson said: “The area will be pressure-washed. Once the cleaning is complete a specialist treatment will be applied that will seal and protect the area. This will make […]

John Harris from Walking England writes: At this time of year we start to think about the mud drying up and getting out to walk in the beautiful English Countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks? The Walking in Durham website has hundreds of walks to download and print, free, it also […]

Councillors David Freeman, Richard Ormerod, Carole Lattin, Helen Weston and Rob Hanson wish all residents a happy, peaceful and successful 2022!

Liberal Democrats have chosen lifelong local resident Phil Layton as their candidate for the parish council in Durham South. Phil says: My name is Phil Layton. I live in Hallgarth Street in Durham City. I work for St Oswald’s church, which I have attended since I was a child. I have lived in Durham for […]

The Liberal Democrats have a full slate of six strong candidates for the Elvet & Gilesgate ward of the City of Durham Parish Council. We say goodbye to the excellent Councillor Mandy Ross, who has moved to her native Northumberland. Big thanks to Mandy for her excellent contributions and hard work over the years. Cllr […]

We want to know what local residents in Elvet and Gilesgate think. Most grateful if you can spare a few minutes to complete this survey (please follow the link) https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RCNMXWP