A group of North East teenagers are going the extra mile to improve their job prospects.



They have joined forces with training experts Resources NE Ltd who have launched their new Pre-Military Academy delivering a Pre-Military & Emergency Services (PMES) course, in pursuit of a Diploma that opens the door to a career in the armed forces and emergency services.

So far twelve trainees aged between 16 and 18 have signed up for the exciting 30-week course that will improve fitness levels and provide an understanding of everyday life in the military or emergency services and give them a head start when applying for jobs.

And to help get the best possible results the North East based company has recruited former Queen’s Royal Lancer and ex-platoon sergeant with the army cadets, Stephen Dutton to get the trainees fighting fit by the end of their course.

The demanding regime, modelled on military training schedules, includes long distance runs, circuit training and drill techniques. The course also teaches self confidence and discipline and includes team building exercises, mountain craft, canoeing and abseiling which leads to a 3 day exercise in the Lake District.

“Anyone wanting to apply for the armed forces or emergency services needs to have a very good level of fitness. The PMES course helps them reach the required fitness level. The Diploma adds value to their CV and will help them over the line when they go for jobs,” said Stephen.

Since the Pre Uniform Services Diploma, which is approved by NCFE (the Northern Council for Further Education) was launched by Resources NE formal links with the Territorial Army at Fenham Barracks have been established to extend and complement the training course.

Based in the North East, Resources NE Ltd is responsible for a diverse range of training courses aimed at equipping young people and adults with skills to put them on the road to employment and to sustain their employment through work based learning.

These include Foundation Learning, apprenticeships in IT Professional, Business Administration, Customer Services, Contact Centre Operations, and Security Services.

Adults do not miss out either as the training company offers pre and post-employment training opportunities.

Photo Caption
Career exercises: Stephen Dutton puts trainees through their paces during a routine training session at North Shields Fish Quay. (L-R) Stephen Dutton, Corey Roberts 16, Adam Duff 16, Jemma Mouzon-Wilson 16, Jack Robinson 16, Nathan Burnett 17.

The North East’s exporters and manufacturers continue to drive the region’s economy, but global economic uncertainty continues to impact on regional business.

The North East Chamber of Commerce’s (NECC) quarterly economic survey demonstrates once again that the region continues to perform well in overseas markets, but weakening UK sales and a poor service sector performance mean that growth levels are still not sufficient to offset public sector cuts.

NECC’s North East Business Barometer, produced in partnership with Barclays, is a trends survey that shows the health and direction of the North East economy measured across 11 separate indicators. Any score above zero indicates trading conditions are improving.

The indicators demonstrate increases in export performance and workforce levels, but decreases in UK trade and investment.

The Q4 Barometer demonstrated prices on the rise with positive results for current workforce recruitment.

It also shows a clear gap between business sectors with manufacturing and export again providing much of the positivity.

NECC Chief Executive, James Ramsbotham, said: “With a huge amount of uncertainty surrounding the global economy at the turn of the year, it is no surprise to see this reflected in most businesses in the final quarter of 2011.

“The continued excellent performance of region’s manufacturers and exporters perhaps demonstrates why the North East growing more strongly than much of the rest of the country, according to regional GVA estimates published in December.

“The importance of a healthy manufacturing sector cannot be underestimated, but in general manufacturers have been carrying the North East recovery for too long and this imbalance is unhealthy. The North East needs to see UK sales and workforce growth in the service sector if we are to maintain a robust business base.”

Emergency lighting manufacturer Tridonic, which employs 192 people at its Spennymoor plant, is one company that has expanded its overseas trade due to the slowdown in UK markets, exporting up to 40% of its products mainly to Europe and the Middle East.

Operations Director, Stuart Sloane, said: “The UK market has been depressed for some time so it makes sense to seek new markets overseas. We have opened up highly successful markets in Europe, Middle East and Australia which have proved incredibly lucrative.”

Brian Thorpe, Head of North East, Barclays Corporate, said: “Confidence is key. Large numbers of businesses are not investing and while we try to encourage them to do so, many businesses are preferring to sit on cash which is understandable. Similarly, until individuals become more confident in employment prospects, they won’t spend. Restoring this confidence must be our goal for 2012 in order to protect and strengthen what remains a fragile recovery.”

Once again the Christmas and New Year Holidays are upon us.

No doubt like everyone else you’ll be dashing to and fro in wintery conditions trying to get those last minute items to send to Father Christmas.

If so …all of us here at www.euvue.co.uk and www.euvuechester-le-street.co.uk would like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and  a Happy New Year.

To thank you for your support for the last year and to enable you to chillout sometime over this busy time of year we have complied a short video of relaxing music complete with winter scenes that you can unwind to in the warmth and comfort of your own home.

The music entitled ‘Beneath the Falls’ was written and performed by local  North East composer Frances Janet Balfour from Chester-le- Street and the images by EuVuE photographer Brian Clough.

We hope you have a special time over the holiday period and we look forward to welcoming you back to our site in 2012.

All the best of Health, Happiness and Prosperity for 2012.

From the EuVuE Multimedia Magazine On Line Website Team

A cutting-edge piece of cancer treatment and research equipment, purchased through a record £625,000 contribution from the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, has arrived on Tyneside.

The ABT Molecular Imaging Biomarker Generator is only the second of its type in the world and the first in Europe. It will help with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

It is being installed within Newcastle University, which has invested a further £600,000, to create a ‘specialist environment’ in the School of Chemistry to house the new equipment.

The Biomarker Generator will directly benefit cancer patients in the north east and Cumbria and will play a significant role in the development of new cancer treatments.

Its delivery is a very proud day for everyone involved with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Lady Elsie said: “It’s wonderful to see this piece of equipment actually becoming a reality and being prepared for use.

“We rely on the cancer expertise of our medical trustees who are always looking for promising new treatments which could make a real difference to people currently fighting cancer as well as helping with research into the disease.

“It’s a very significant investment for our charity, the largest we’ve made so far, and something we simply couldn’t have done without the incredible support we receive. It’s truly humbling when you think about the many thousands of donations and fund-raising events which have gone into making this happen.

“I’m very proud that the charity that my husband launched is continuing to make such a difference for other people fighting cancer.  He would share my fervent hope that this equipment helps to save lives.”

The Biomarker Generator creates radioactive tracers which are given to patients who then undergo scans, which is also known as imaging.

The information collected through this imaging helps doctors understand where the disease is in each patient, how serious the disease is, and the underlying processes and pathways that are sustaining the illness.
The tracers can also be used to see whether a new drug has penetrated a tumour and whether a new treatment is damaging the tumour cells and stopping them growing.

Herbie Newell, Professor of Cancer Therapeutics at the Newcastle Cancer Centre at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, says: “The Biomarker Generator is cutting-edge technology that will allow us to make sure that we deliver the best possible care for each patient we treat, whilst learning at the same time as much as possible about our new drugs.”

Funding for the Biomarker Generator was made possible thanks to fantastic ongoing support for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the cancer charity Sir Bobby Robson launched in 2008.

It is continuing to fulfil Sir Bobby’s ambition to help find more effective treatments for cancer and to focus on new treatments which directly benefit people currently fighting the disease as well playing an important role in wider research into the disease.

It funds projects within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which directly benefit cancer patients from across the north east and Cumbria, including the clinical trials of drugs at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre.

In addition to funding the Biomarker Generator, the Foundation has equipped the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care and funded a specialist clinical research nurse and research doctor within the Centre.

It has funded leukaemia laboratory research equipment and contributed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary’s teenage cancer unit.

The charity is very lucky to receive wonderful support from Patrons including Alan Shearer, Niall Quinn, Steve Gibson, Delia Smith (above) and Mick Mills and, as a fund within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity, receives substantial support which means it can limit administrative costs to less than one percent.

To make a donation, view messages of support, or for more information please visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk or donate by sending a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Room 203, Cheviot Court, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN.

Jet2.com has announced a series of major investments in the North East.

The move demonstrates the company’s commitment to Newcastle Airport and surrounding areas and position Jet2 as one of the region’s most high profile airlines.

The expansion programme includes the launch of four new routes to Bodrum, Rome, Reus and Venice. Flights to these destinations will commence from May 31 with prices starting from £34.99 one way including taxes.

And over one hundred new jobs will be recruited over the coming months to service the expansion plans and extra capacity.  Job seekers can apply for ground staff, cabin crew, flight crew and engineering roles at www.jet2.com/careers

An additional Jet2 aircraft will be based at the airport for summer 2012, taking the total to six increasing potential passenger capacity by 80,000.

There will also be additonal flights on favourite destinations such as Faro, Menorca, Malaga, Cork, Prague and Krakow.

Jet2.com, which last month added the Croatian hotspot of Dubrovnik to its list of destinations, will service 27 destinations from Newcastle Airport for 2012.

Ian Doubtfire, managing director of Jet2.com, said: “We have been closely monitoring the success of this airport over the past year and we believe there’s real potential for this region.  The people of the North East have genuinely embraced Jet2.com and we see exciting horizons for our organisation right here.

“In these tough economic times we are delighted to be creating more job opportunities for local people.  Our partnership with Newcastle College to deliver first-class training to our growing team of cabin crew across all our bases, further demonstrates our commitment to the local economy.

“This year has been a fantastic year for us at Newcastle.  We’ve seen flights taking off to five exciting new destinations and the return of our popular New York Christmas shopping breaks.  In addition we have increased capacity on some of our most popular routes, added a new 737 to the fleet earlier this year plus recruited 47 new staff to take our airport passenger handling entirely in-house.  This, combined with our ambitious growth plans for 2012 will firmly establish us as the North East’s biggest leisure carrier,” he said.

Dave Laws, chief executive at Newcastle International, said: “We are delighted that Jet2.com has invested further in Newcastle Airport, and in turn, the region. We work closely with our local authority shareholders to improve prospects for the North East in these difficult economic times. These five new routes will not only offer our customers the opportunity for leisure breaks, but also increase the scope for inbound tourism and business to business connections.”

High flyers: Celebrating the Jet2 announcement above are (l tor) Kirsha Gurr, David Laws, Ian Doubtfire and Kate Lancaster.

Long before U2 ever became synonymous with a pop group the symbols achieved lasting fame as a casualty of the Cold War.

U2 was the name given to America’s super spy plane, a machine designed to fly at heights that reputedly made it impossible to shoot down; a reputation the Russians shattered in May 1960.

The pilot was Gary Powers and those of a certain age will recall black and white TV news clips of him being paraded by his captors and later sentenced to 10 years in prison. As it turned out he served less than two years when both sides agreed a spy swap – an exchange that took place in February 1962.

What a lot of people won’t know, however, is that the man the Russians wanted back so badly was a geordie – Soviet KGB Colonel Rudolf Abel who was born plain Willie Fisher at number 140 Clara Street, Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Willie’s revolutionary parents had fled Russia in 1901 to settle in North East England and their fervour for a Tsar free country never diminished. In 1908 the family moved into a terraced house in Eskdale Terrace in Whitley Bay and Willie probably enrolled at the nearby John Street School.

He won a scholarship to the Whitley Bay and Monkseaton High School when it opened its doors in September 1914 and proved to be a very bright student, shining at science, maths, languages, art and music. All would prove invaluable in later life as one of Russia’s top spies.

On leaving school Willie started work as an apprentice draughtsman at Swan Hunter’s in Wallsend and went to night school at Rutherford College in Newcastle.

In 1921, four years after the Russian Revolution, the Fisher family upped sticks and went back to their homeland. Willie, the clever geordie lad who loved to paint watercolours and walk along the beach at Cullercoats, was about to start another remarkable journey.

Narrowly escaping Stalin’s purges, Willie was sent to spy in New York where he ran a network that included the notorious atom spies Julis Rosenberg (later executed) and Ted Hall.

In 1957 he was arrested and sentenced to 30 years in prison. But the USSR’s high regard for his talents was shown when they insisted on swapping him for Powers.

Willie died in 1971 and his absorbing story is told in The Kremlin’s Geordie Spy by Vin Arthey a former lecturer in arts and media at Teesside University. The book is published by Biteback at £9.99 and further information is available at www.bitebackpublishing.com

If you missed the 2009 Lumiere in Durham City then treat yourself to a lighting extravaganza which runs until Sunday evening November 20th,

The second edition of the biennial light festival  produced by leading creative company Artichoke was launched last night with displays in and around the city, the centrepiece being the ‘Crown Of Light’ where images including the Lindisfarne Gospels are projected onto Durham Cathedral.

The event brings together more than thirty British and international artists all working with light in different ways.

From dramatic installations, vast animated projections and human rivers of light to quiet more subtle interventions on buildings streets and bridges.

In the market place visitors can see a giant snowdome, which completely encases the Third Marquess of Londonderry statue, whilst Kingsgate footbridge features an exhibit entitled ‘Splash’ which features a vast illuminated curtain of water that falls continuously down to the River Wear beneath.

The four day event has been brought to the city by Durham County Council and the Arts Council England.

Leader of the Council Simon Henig said,”The star quality of the line-up for Lumiere 2011 underlines Durham’s position as a major cultural destination.This historic city will provide a stunning backdrop for a spectacular event and will see how culture can bring people together and, just as importantly, bring major financial benefits to the local economy”.

Full details of all the exhibits can be found by picking up a brochure in the Lumiere Hub next to the Gala Theatre in Millenium Square or by logging on to www.lumieredurham.co.uk.

Music, theatre, exhibitions and free tours will help visitors celebrate the 25th anniversary of Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham Castle and Cathedral.

A week long programme of cultural events will begin on Friday (Nov 4) and ending the following Friday.

Durham University and Cathedral have put together the diverse programme of events to celebrate Durham’s unique heritage, presenting the talents of local, national and international groups with activities taking place right across the World Heritage Site.

Durham World Heritage Site was inscribed by UNESCO in 1986, and was among the first sites in the UK to be listed in recognition of its outstanding universal value.

World Heritage Site status recognises the architectural importance of Durham Castle, home to University College, and Durham Cathedral, built between 1093 and 1133, one of the finest examples of Norman Architecture in Europe which was recently voted Britain’s favourite building.

Canon Rosalind Brown, Chair of the Durham World Heritage Site Co-ordinating Committee, said: “We are very happy to celebrate a site that is hundreds of years old and still retains its place in the hearts of people in the region and the nation, while growing in international recognition.

“A few weeks ago the Cathedral was the runaway winner in the poll to find Britain’s favourite building, and Durham University is a World Top 100 University. We do not stand still and the fact that parts of the WHS are currently a building site is evidence of some of the ambitious projects underway to restore our buildings and provide 21st Century facilities in medieval spaces.”

Families can take part in craft activities on Friday, November 4, in the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre, in Owengate. The launch of an illustrated children’s activity book “Discover Durham” will also be held that day.

A Norman re-enactment will bring Palace Green to life on Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6 between 10am and 4pm, showing visitors what Durham might have been like 900 years ago when the Cathedral and Castle were built.

Entry to The Wolfson Gallery, on Palace Green, which is holding the Treasures of Durham University exhibition,  will be free on Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6.

Musical events include the world-famous Polish Radio Choir performing works by the renowned contemporary Polish composer Henryk Gorecki in Durham Cathedral on November 5 at 7.30pm.  Tickets are available from the Gala Theatre Box Office 0191 332 4041.

Durham Polyphony and His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts will perform early music in the Church of St Mary the Less on Saturday, November 5, at 3pm and University College Durham Choir will perform Howard Howells’ Requiem in the Tunstall Chapel of Durham Castle on Thursday, November 10, at 8.30pm. Information and tickets are available from the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre in Owengate, visitor.centre@dur.ac.uk or 0191 334 3805.

Two theatre pieces, written especially for the occasion, are being performed by Durham Student Theatre: ‘The (almost) Complete History of Durham’, a humorous play to be performed in Durham Cathedral, on November 10 and 11, at 7pm, and ‘The Black Staircase,’ a ghost play in Durham Castle on November 4,5,6 at 9.30pm, 10.30pm and 11.30pm.

Also available are free tours, talks, exhibitions and the opportunity to see some of the site’s treasures not currently on public display. As part of the event, Durham University’s Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies will be hosting Tim Tatton Brown, author of “Great Cathedrals of Britain”, who will be giving a public lecture in Durham Cathedral’s Prior’s Hall on Friday November 4, at 4 pm.

For a detailed events programme please visit: www.durhamwhs.com/files/25th%20anniversary

Durham’s magnificent Heritage Coast has achieved European recognition.

It was one of only three entrants honoured with a formal ‘Special Mention’ for its work in the prestigious Landscape Award of the Council of Europe competition.

A total of 14 countries competed for the award and while Durham Heritage Coast narrowly missed out on winning the main award, to be selected as a ‘runner up’ from strong entries from countries including Italy, France, Hungary, Spain, Finland and Norway is recognition of just how far Durham’s coast has come after emerging from its industrial past.

From Sunderland to Hartlepool, the Durham Heritage Coast was once scarred by industrial activity.  For a century, colliery waste was tipped onto the beaches and into the sea in enormous quantities creating the infamous ‘black beaches’ that provided a bleak backdrop for the films Get Carter and Alien 3.

That landscape is now completely transformed.  The extensive environmental and community work being delivered by the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership has created a wonderful and varied coastal landscape with great natural, historical and geological interest.

The Landscape Award of the Council of Europe jury described the Durham Heritage Coast as ‘of great value and a source for inspiration’ and commented: “Characterised by sustainable development, public participation and awareness-raising the project achieved extraordinary results through mobilising local populations and creating a regenerated landscape and a new identity.

“It forms an excellent model for the regeneration of degraded coastal areas.”

Niall Benson (left), Durham Heritage Coast Officer, says: “We are thrilled that this fascinating stretch of coastline has been recognised internationally for its value and beauty.

“It’s a strong endorsement of all the hard work undertaken by the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership and the local communities along the coastal strip and it’s an achievement for which everyone involved should feel justly proud,” he said.

Durham Heritage Coast was awarded the UK Landscape Award in November 2010 earning the right to represent the UK in the international competition. The overall winner was the Carbonia Project in Italy, which has suffered many of the same issues as Durham’s coastline due to a mining and industrial past.

A video of the transformation of the Durham Heritage Coast can be viewed online by visiting www.uklandscapeaward.org/video/durham_heritage_coast.php.

Celebrated opera star Sir Thomas Allen, who has performed on some of the world’s great stages, has been appointed to a new leading role as Chancellor of Durham University.

Sir Thomas, 67, will officially become the University’s 12th Chancellor when he takes over from award-winning author Bill Bryson in January.

He follows a distinguished line of artists and performers who have held the role of Durham Chancellor including Bryson, Sir Peter Ustinov and Dame Margot Fonteyn.

His appointment was approved at a meeting of Durham’s Convocation – an assembly of members of the University – in London.

Sir Thomas was born in Seaham Harbour, in County Durham. His route to musical stardom began in the 1960s when, as a pupil at Robert Richardson Grammar School, in Ryhope, his talent was recognised and encouraged by physics teacher Dennis Weatherley.

The school’s headmaster arranged for the then 18-year-old Sir Thomas to visit Professor Arthur Hutchings in Durham University’s Music Department who arranged an interview for him at the Royal College of Music.

Sir Thomas’s career began with the Welsh National Opera and on his debut he was described as “surely the best British lyric baritone singing in opera since the war”.

He has won worldwide acclaim for the many roles he has made his own including Billy Budd, Pelléas, Eugene Onegin, Ulisse and Beckmesser and for his interpretations of the great Mozart roles, Count Almaviva, Don Alfonso, Papageno, Guglielmo and his signature role, Don Giovanni.

Sir Thomas has sung no less than 50 roles at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and in recent years, he has added directing to his credits, making an acclaimed US debut with The Marriage of Figaro.

According to the playwright Lee Hall, Sir Thomas’s remarkable story was the inspiration for his hit film Billy Elliott, about a boy who came from the mining communities of County Durham to dance Swan Lake.

Sir Thomas said: “As a County Durham boy I am extremely proud and honoured to be appointed as Chancellor of Durham University.

“No matter where my life and career have taken me, Durham has always held a special place in my heart so it is a particular privilege for me to accept this prestigious role.

“I am thrilled to be ‘coming home’ and I greatly look forward to meeting the students, staff and alumni at Durham and representing this magnificent University across the world.”

Sir Thomas is currently directing The Barber of Seville for Scottish Opera. He will officially become Chancellor in January, which will also coincide with the 40th anniversary of his association with the Royal Opera House.

Among his many honours, Sir Thomas received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Durham University in 1988. He is an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music and holds a Fellowship of the Royal College of Music. He is also President of British Youth Opera.