Hello everyone and welcome to this edition of the Washington Pride online e-Newsletter covering all of the Washington area. This newsletter is in a user friendly format and can easily be printed out if needed.

If you would like to see news and information from your organisation, promote an event, post job adverts or see what's going on in Washington please email you information to info@washingtonpride.org.uk or telephone Julie Stamp, Albany Family Centre. Albany Village, Washington, NE37 1UB 0191 - 497 2781.

Minutes of the Washington Pride Meeting

Held on Friday 30 November 2007 2pm at the Millennium Centre, Washington

To view minutes click here

Centenary Celebrations

John F Kennedy School are celebrating 100 years and need volunteers to help out with the celebrations, If anyone is an x pupil and can remember what the school was like when they attended or have any photos or anything to do with the school over the years please get in touch with Gill Henley 0191 2193744 or e-mail jfk.primaryschool@yahoo.co.uk /
jfk.primary@schools.sunderland.gov.uk

Christmas Activities

  Tree Lighting Event December 3rd Rainbow Family Centre
• Christmas Carols by Oxclose School Choir
• Refreshments
December 6th Wessington Primary School, 3.30 – 5.30pm
• Christmas Carols by Wessington Primary School choir
• Refreshments
Christmas Parties - December 17th & 18th, Washington Millennium Centre, 4pm – 6pm
• Disco & Party games
• Tickets available at the Rainbow Family Centre and Wessington Children’s centre on 4th Dec from 9.00am

Pantomime December 17th, Wessington Children’s /Centre, 10 – 11 and 1.30 – 2.30
• Presented by Dreambox Theatre – Cinderella
• Tickets available at the Rainbow Family Centre and Wessington Children Centre on 6th Dec from 9.00am
Soft Play sessions Rainbow Family Centre
• Dec 18th 1pm-3pm
• Dec19th 2pm-3pm
• Dec20th 9.30-11.30 & 1pm-3pm
• Dec27th 9.30-11.30 & 1pm-3pm
Messy Play Rainbow Family Centre
• Dec 27th 10 – 12
Community Christmas Activities Christmas Sessions (Dads and Kids Group)
• Dec 1st Rainbow Family Centre 10am – 12noon
• Dec 8th Rainbow Family Centre 10am – 12noon
• (Sessions will recommence every other Saturday from 12th January 2008 at the Rainbow Family Centre )
Coffee Afternoon Dec 27th Rainbow Family Centre, 1.30pm – 3pm

Aladdin Pantomime Jan 4th 2008
• Trip to Theatre Royal to see Aladdin Pantomime (2pm performance) Deposit required £5.00 per family. Bus will collect and drop off at Rainbow Family Centre, Limited spaces available, please book early to avoid disappointment. Note: All Families must have male parent/carer present on trip. If you require any further information or wish to book any seats for the Pantomime please contact:: Wendy Cook (Community Involvement Worker) 0191 2193995

Colliery Band In Comeback
A decade after the Last Post sounded, a Wearside brass band is set to reform. Washington Colliery Band had entertained the crowds at Durham Miners Gala for more than 60 years. Despite the closer of the town’s mines, band members soldiered on and were determined to keep the music alive. But in 1997 they were forced to disband because of lack of funding and interest. Now former band president Len Wilson and a group of four other supporters are attempting to re-launch the band. A request for financial help ha been submitted to City Councils Community Chest programme.

Two dancers have qualified for the 2008 World irish dance Championships to be held in Belfast in March 2008  the two dancers that will be participating are  Charlotte Hall aged 14 from Whitley Bay - Charlotte is a pupil at St. Robert's Comprehensive School in Washington and  Bronagh Rogers aged 18 - Charlotte is a student at Shiney Row College and both girls attend classes 3 times a week at Harraton Community Centre Washington.

Football League wants new teams
Houghton le Spring and Washington are urgently looking for new teams. Games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6-9pm. The leagues are fully affiliated to the FA and all games are fully officiated by fully qualified FA referees, with the emphasis being on fair play and enjoyment. Everything is provided including pitch hire, full season handbooks, top quality match balls, bibs onsite administration, referees, etc. So all the teams need to do is turn up and play. All the fixtures, results and tables are updated every week on wwwfootballmundial.com and there will be trophies and prizes for all winners and runners up in the league and cup competitions. There will be three divisions of eight teams, limited to th first 24 teams, with promotion and relegation taking place. For more details or a full information pack and application form, call league secretary Angus Taylor on 01937 841440 or email: footballmundial@aol.com

History Society Washington
The society was set up in June 07 Currently there are about 15 members and new members are most  welcome. We meet on the 1st Thurs of each month in the Town Centre Library between 2pm and 4pm. Most months there is a guest speaker and refreshments are available. Currently most members are engaged in compiling histories/stories of local interest, such as buildings, pits, headstones, industries etc which is giving rise to wonderful information and enjoyment. This month members enjoyed a most informative organised visit to the Tyne @ Wear Archives, which enabled us to handle and view artifacts not normally on show. For more information Email Veronica Birrell on: vbirrell@talktalk.net

School Design
A design for life: Sunderland's £100 million school designs unveiled The pioneering designs for six Sunderland schools have been unveiled at a Sunderland City Council-hosted event, marking the advent of 21st Century schools for the city. School pupils, teachers, governors and other key stakeholders all attended the design showcase at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland. Following months of school consultation the initial designs for £100 million worth of school buildings, part of Sunderland's £120 million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, are being finalised. The new schools will incorporate features most important to pupils, staff and governors including state-of-the-art facilities, flexible learning areas and sustainable design. Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Bob Symonds, said: "It is exciting to see our BSF programme taking shape; the designs look amazing and have been very well received by all." Cllr Symonds added: "We hope that these new 21st Century schools will not only raise aspirations and achievements within Sunderland but make school an enjoyable and safe environment for the city's children and young people.

To achieve this, investing in bricks and mortar is not enough; we must transform the way in which we deliver education so that lessons are tailored not prescriptive and expand far beyond the four walls of the classroom." Sunderland BSF will see Pennywell Secondary School and Quarry View Primary School close in August 2008 to make way for an all-age academy on the Pennywell site. The new academy is sponsored by Gentoo Group and co-sponsored by the City Council. Castle View Secondary School and Hylton Red House School will close one year later, in August 2009, to re-open as two separate academies in September 2009. The academies are sponsored by Northumbrian Water and Leighton Group respectively, while Sunderland City Council co-sponsors both. Meanwhile, Washington School will be rebuilt by September 2009 and Biddick School Sports College and St Robert of Newminster RC School will be refurbished by January 2010. All these schools, plus Sandhill View School, will also become part of a cutting edge ICT infrastructure delivered by the latest technology. Planning permission for Washington School and the academies to replace Castle View School, Pennywell School and Quarry View Primary School has been submitted.

Gentoo Group Chief Executive, Peter Walls, said: "Gentoo is delighted that these fantastic plans are now being realised. We hope that this innovative new school building, alongside our major investment in the surrounding community, will benefit the whole area for many generations to come." John Cuthbert, Managing Director of Northumbrian Water, said: "The community, education and environment are at the heart of all Northumbrian Water does. It is very exciting that we can now begin to lay the foundations for innovative education for pupils of Castle View and help them to strive to be Sunderland's future entrepreneurs and business leaders.

" Paul Callaghan, Chairman of the Leighton Group, added: "We are pleased to have reached this stage in the development of a new academy for the children of Hylton Red House School. The partnership approach, which has characterised the Sunderland Model, has meant that we are able to draw on the strengths of the City Council, private sector sponsors such as Northumbrian Water, Gentoo and ourselves. I look forward with great anticipation to the opening of the new academies in 2009."

Once the contracts are finalised in March 2008, building work will begin. The first buildings will welcome pupils and staff in September 2009 with all wave one schools completed in January 2010. For further information on Sunderland's BSF programme visit www.sunderland-bsf.org.uk.

Shoebox Appeal
Bring cheer in a box Needy children in Eastern Europe and Africa will et Christmas cheer through a seasonal
Charity appeal. Operation Christmas Child, a project of the international relief charity Samaritans purse aims to fill shoeboxes with gifts which will be handed out where they are most needed. This year the boxes will be going to Serbia and Romania. The Two countries are suffering from the collapse of communism, plus the recent Balkan wars in the case of Serbia. Last year the charity delivered 1.24 million shoeboxes from the UK, including an important 22,000 boxes from Sunderland Teeside areas Mr Martin said any one wish to help can contact Operation Christmas Child through the website wwwsamaritanspurse.uk.com or call the help line 08700112002. Guidelines include what to put in the shoeboxes, how to pack it and where to send it for collection and onward transport. You can drop off your shoebox:
Sunderland Croxdale Auto centre, Ryhope Road, Asda, Leechmere Road, Bridge Books & music, 14 north Bridge Street, Smiths Shoe Services, 17 Sea Road, Ashbrooke Sports Club, West Lane
Washington:
The Galleries Information Centre, St Georges Church, Vigo Lane, Harraton
Houghton:, Bethany Christian Centre, Hetton Road
Seaham: Fire Station, Parkside Road
Hordon:, Maureen’s florists, 5 Blackhills Road
Peterlee:, Fire Station, shotton road, Asda, Yordon way

Washington Neighbourhood Beat Teams

(NBM,S & PCSO,S)

Wearside Women in Need (WWIN)
Problems at home? When you are too scared to leave and too scared to stay. There are people who can help you.

Domestic violence is:

• Widespread: it affects 1 in 4 women at some point in their lives
• More than physical violence: it often includes threats, sexual assault, being put down, being controlled, being kept short of money, being blames for what’s happening
• Bad for your mental health: it can lead to feelings of shame, helplessness, depression and isolation
• Wrong: you have the right to live your life free from violence, fear and intimidation
• Something you can escape: the police and other services are ready to offer support and advice when you ask for help.

Who can help you during the day?

• Police (main switchboard) will listen and respond positively to your needs. Tel: 0191 454 7555
• Wearside Women in Need can offer refuge and support all year round. Tel: 0191 416 3550
• Housing Department (housing advice unit) can help with all your housing needs. Tel: 0191 553 1610
• Social Services can advise you on local services. Tel: 0191 553 7128
• Victim Support can offer support and help. Tel: 0191 567 2896
• Reach can help if you have been sexually assaulted. Tel: 0191 565 3725

Who can help at anytime, day or night?

• Police. In an emergency or when you need to reach a place of safety. Tel: 999
• Wearside Women in Need:
• 24 hour helpline (Washington): 0191 415 1506
• 24 hour helpline (Sunderland): 0191 514 1972
• 24 hour helpline (for young women): 0191 514 1964
• Social Services, Out of Hours Emergency Service: 0191 553 1991
• Samaritans (24 hours a day): 0191 567 7177

Safety Planning Information: It is difficult to plan in a crisis. If you are thinking about leaving, even for a short while, then you may need to take:

• Personal ID papers e.g. drivers license, passport, birth certificates
• Legal papers e.g. mortgage papers, rent book, benefits book, insurance document, court orders/ injunctions, divorce papers, work papers/ visas
• Medication needed by you and your children
• Other items: money, bank/ credit cards, house and / or car keys, toiletries, change of clothes for you and your children, pictures of you and your children

An Invitation from the Mayor
The Mayor's Carol Service will be held on Sunday 23rd December at 6pm Sunderland Minster, High Street West. Mince Pies and Mulled Wine will be served after the Service. EVERYONE WELCOME

Bill Proposes Use Of Dormant Cash To Fund Youth Services
Money lying in dormant bank accounts across England will be used to fund youth services, if a proposed Bill is passed through Parliament. The Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill also recommends that resources from dormant accounts would be distributed to beneficiary organisations across the UK by the Big Lottery Fund. If enough money is left over after youth services have been funded, the cash will be used to invest in financial capability and social projects. Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector said: "I am delighted that this legislation will enable unclaimed assets to be reinvested in society and will help the third sector contribute even more to our society, economy and environment." Dormant accounts are defined as those not having had any customer-initiated activity for 15 years. The Bill proposes that banks can enter the scheme on a voluntary basis after the Government decided not to legislate against institutions refusing to relinquish dormant accounts.
Account holders would be able to reclaim their funds if the measure is passed, however. Assets would be pooled in a central reclaim fund regulated by the Financial Services Authority, which consumers would be able to approach to claim their funds back.

How2get2.co.uk
This website aims to tell you how2get2 wherever you need to go if you're aged 16 -19 and in
further education. It'll also help you choose the best ticket to buy - so saving you time and money.
But you can use this site for much more than just getting to school and college - it'll be
useful for when you're meeting your mates, or travelling to your part-time job. The website is produced by Nexus in partnership with the five Local Authorities in Tyne and Wear. If you're not aged 16-19 and in further education, but are looking for information on public transport in Tyne and Wear - visit www.nexus.org.uk. It's the place to go if you're under 16, 16-19 but not in further education, or 18+ and in higher education. www.how2get2.co.uk

HELP US TO HELP OTHERS THIS CHRISTMAS …
Donations & New toys received here for distribution to those in need in our community. On Friday the 23rd of November, The Salvation Army launches the 2007 Christmas Present Appeal. The appeal will run until the 16th of December. Every year The Salvation Army relies on the generosity of the public to donate gifts and toys for children and young people who otherwise would have little or nothing on Christmas morning. Over many years millions of toys and gifts have been donated and hundreds of thousand of lives have been brightened in the process.

From the 23rd of November to the 16th of December members of the public are asked to drop off a new unwrapped gift for a child aged 0-16 years at Austin House Shakespeare Street Southwick. Local Salvation Army representatives will then distribute them to children and families in need in the area through their own networks, local groups and social services.For more information about where to drop off your gift in your immediate area, please ring the number below. Thanks to the generosity of people in Sunderland last year, the Salvation Army here collected 4000 toys and distributed to around a 1000 people and families in this area who might otherwise have struggled at Christmas. We look forward to receiving your gifts. May God Bless You. Graham Wharton, Community Manager, Contact Phone Number: 0191 5662677

An Important Message from Northern Rock Foundation about their Grant Programmes in 2008

Northern Rock Foundation has made an announcement (via their website) which helps clarify their current position and priorities for grant programmes in 2008.  If your organisation is currently funded by the Northern Rock Foundation, or you are planning to apply to them for funding in the new year, we would encourage you to visit their website for more information by clicking on the link below:

www.nr-foundation.org.uk/important_message.html

Think b4 u buy - Think before buying a Mini Moto this Christmas Ride bikes safely and legally 15/11/2007 - South Tyneside Northumbria Police is advising parents against buying mini motos as presents for their children this Christmas - unless they have a safe and legal place to ride them. South Tyneside Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton, Cleadon and East Shields said: "These bikes are expensive and often parents don't think about where their child ride them safely and legally. "These bikes cannot be used on local authority or public land and only with the permission of private land owners. Parents need to think carefully about where their children can legally use these machines before buying them. "We want to raise this issue now before people rush out and buy these bikes as gifts. If you child can't use their present it's an expensive mistake and makes for an unhappy family Christmas." Officers are already dealing with an increase in bikes being ridden off-road, annoying residents and causing a danger. While these incidents can happen throughout the year, police say there has been an increase in reports recently.

Insp Sutton said: "Operations to target this problem are being carried out and officers are authorised by the Police Reform Act to seize motorbikes from anyone riding illegally. "A number of these bikes have already been seized and a good proportion of those have been crushed. Not only does this illegal behaviour affect the quality of life of residents but there is a real chance of someone getting seriously hurt." Police are appealing to anyone with information about anyone who rides illegally to contact  them on 08456 043 043.

Bridge Project
The Bridge Project was set up in 1985 to provide education and training for local women, which incorporated quality childcare to enable them to gain qualifications. Bridge aims to increase women’s self esteem, confidence and support their personal development to enable them to be independent and have control over their own lives and learning activities. A range of courses and activities are on offer including English and maths, confidence building, deaf awareness, introductory courses, arts and crafts, alternative therapies, childcare courses, computers, and lots more. For more information contact:

Bridge Women’s Education Centre, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia, Washington, NE38 7LP,
Telephone: 0191 417 2445 - or e-mail info@bridgeproject.org or visit their website at www.bridgeproject.org

The Deadline for organisations to join SID phase 3 has been extended please contact:

0191 5654245 for more information

CHILDREN’S SERVICES TRAINING PROGRAMME 2007/2008 SAFER RECRUITMENT
This course is in addition to the general Recruitment & Selection course. This course will help incorporate measures that help deter, reject, or identify people who might abuse children, or are otherwise unsuited to working with them, in the organisations recruitment and selection procedures and other HR management processes.
Maximum number of delegates
• 30 per session
The Training is aimed at: This course is mandatory for those people who recruit to posts that provide services to children.
The aim of the training is to:
• give participants an awareness & understanding of offender behaviour
• identify the key features of staff recruitment that help deter or prevent the appointment of unsuitable people
• consider policies & practices that minimise opportunities for abuse or ensue prompt reporting
• help participants begin to review their own & organisations’ policies & practices with a view to making them safer
The training will be held as follows: 19 Feb 08, 14 March 08 9 am to 4.30 pm, Leechmere Training Centre
The training is a full day. Refreshments and lunch are provided All nominations should be made by completing a booking form and sending it to:
Carol Anderson at Leechmere Training Centre, Carrmere Road, Grangetown,
Sunderland, SR2 9TQ.
Email Carol.Anderson@ssd.sunderland.gov.uk or ring 0191 5662525

TYNE & WEAR FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
Creating the Safest Community
Prince’s Trust
Community Safety Department
Railway Row
Sunderland
SR1 3HE
E-mail:- sharann.smith@twfire.gov.uk or vicki.parnaby@twfire.gov.uk
Tel: 0191 444 1289/1290 Mobile – 0781 714 7435

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service are currently recruiting for the next Prince’s Trust Team Programme which commences on 21st January 2008. We are hosting an Open Day on Wednesday 9th January 2008, at North Moor Community Fire Station (Farringdon), for young people, youth workers and organisations to come along and learn more about the twelve week personal development programme. The open day is structured as a ‘drop in’ day, this means you can call in at any time between 9 – 4pm to speak to a member of staff who will provide you with information and share experiences of the Prince’s Trust.

The 12 Week Team Programme is a personal development programme for 16-25 year olds who are unemployed, not sure what career path they want to take, are wanting a change in life or just want to meet new people and have a good time. The course offers young people a chance to work as part of team to carry out a range of tasks to benefit their local community. It also offers young people an opportunity to recognise their own learning and gain a nationally recognised qualification for their progress. The Team Programme aims to help young people get into employment, education or training.

Since the launch of the Team programme in 1990, more than 105,000 young people have joined our personal development programme – please help us to continue helping young people by passing on information about the Prince’s Trust to your colleagues and young people.
Our main focus is upon young people who are:
• Unemployed, particularly those who have been unemployed for 6
months or more (benefits are not affected when on the course)
• Educational underachievers
• In/leaving care
• Offenders & ex offenders
• Black Ethnic Minorities
• Refugees or Asylum Seekers
• Lone parents
• With disabilities
If you would like to learn more about the programme, please come along on the 9th January, alternatively, if you are unable to attend, please feel free to contact Sharann or Vicki for more information or to arrange an appointment,
0191 444 1289/1290.

We would like to encourage you to invite young people and your colleagues to attend, so please feel free to extend this invitation as appropriate. We would also appreciate it if you could display the enclosed poster at your location.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us using the details at the head of the page. Kind regards, Sharann Smith Vicki Parnaby Team Leader Assistant Team Leader

Nursery Nurse
Location Blue Square Childcare
Private Day Nursery
North Hylton Road
Sunderland
SR5 5DB
Wage Exceeds National Minimum Wage, Hours 37½ hours per week x 52 weeks per year, Between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, Start date January 2008
Qualifications Minimum of Level 2 in Early Years and willing to work, towards Level 3
Contact details:
Please send your CV to
Joan Briton Childcare Manager
Bridge Women’s Education Centre
Grasmere Terrace
Columbia
Washington
NE38 7LP
Tel: 0191 4172445
e-mail joanbriton_bridge@yahoo.co.uk

It works! YOUR AGE BY EATING OUT

Don't tell me your age; You probably would tell a falsehood anyway-but your waiter may know!
YOUR AGE BY DINER & RESTAURANT MATH This is pretty neat. DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
It takes less than a minute. Work this Out as you read ... Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun.

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to go out To eat. (more than once but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3. Add 5

4. Multiply it by 50

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1757...  If you haven't, add 1756.

6. Now subtract the four digit year That you were born. You should have a three digit number.

The first digit of this was your original number. (I.e., How many times you
Want to go out to restaurants in a week.) The next two numbers are
YOUR AGE ! ------ (Oh YES, it is!!!)
THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2007) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS

And finally a look back at some great children's television