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 […]

Please note the closure of Baths Bridge in Durham City has been put back to 28 February instead of 31 January. This is for approximately five days and is due to a requirement for essential structural inspection and investigation works

Civitas, a registered charity is now offering a Saturday morning Civitas School in the centre of Durham and is inviting parents of local children to apply.It is aimed at children from Years 3 to 6 who have fallen behind in English and Maths and helps children catch up. Following Covid, that has become an even […]

There isn’t long left to apply for primary school places!The deadline for applications for the next academic year, which starts in September, is Saturday 15 January.In order for a child to be eligible to start school in September, a child must have been born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018.A late application greatly […]

Regrettably, Baths Bridge in Durham City will again have to be closed, from Monday 31 January 2022 for approximately five days.The closure is due to a requirement for essential structural inspection and investigation works.