This month we are showcasing a mixture of people and organisations, that are some of most recent photos taken as Government restrictions are gradually relaxed.
If you wish to be part of the project or have suggestions, please contact us at: consettcoronaphoto@gmail.com

The Consett Corona Photo Project started in March 2020 and has continued to document the effects of Covid-19 upon the people, volunteer groups and businesses of Consett area. All images have been photographed within the Government guidelines. We are currently planning and arranging some exhibitions in the area, we will publish details of them shortly and continue to publish more photos on our Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/ConsettCoronaPhotoProject

1. 17th May saw Stage 3 of the Governments relaxation measures allowing various premises to reopen including Pubs. Graham, landlord of the Scotch Arms in Blackhill pulls the first pint on Monday since the 4th of November, and the customers enjoy their first ones too. Graham and Louise have been keeping things going by supplying takeaway Sunday dinners, and Louise and her daughter have been delivering them to local people who can’t get to the pub. Let’s hope all the pubs and bars in Consett can pick up business and survive now that the situation is improving. – (Image: Chris Bruce)

2. During lockdown a lot of Muslims were unable to attend mosque at some points. This never disrupts their routine of praying 5 times a day and they can pray anywhere so long as it is clean and there are facilities to wash their hands and feet. They will pray at home, at work and even when they are out and about. The staff at Pizza Corner in Stanley have worked all through the pandemic and have been very busy especially during the total lockdown periods. It has been all work and no play but now they can relax during the daytime and resume their outdoor BBQs. They all bring meat, salad and bread and contribute to preparing and cooking it then chat and catch up before cleaning the area thoroughly. This is something that is very popular in their home town so they like to keep the custom alive – (Image: Debbie Todd)

3. Care Connect is Durham County Council’s monitoring and response service, which allows vulnerable people to remain independent for longer in their homes. The service normally runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and has continued to operate to fully throughout the pandemic. The system allows a person to call for assistance if they have an accident, feel unwell or have fallen at home. John, works as part of the Council’s dedicated team of highly trained staff who respond to the calls and offer the required assistance that is needed. This has the added benefit of giving peace of mind to the person and to their family and friends. Care Connect staff have had to adapt to wearing PPE and hand sanitising as well as conforming to social distancing whilst they continue to deliver an excellent service and offer reassurance and assistance to many people. – (Image: George Ledger)

4. Life is slowly getting back to normal at Village Halls and Community Centres such Ebchester Community Centre. Clubs like Crafting and Pilates, events like the Beer Festival and film nights, wine tastings, wedding receptions and christenings and many others will all hopefully start again soon when the regulations allow. Graham and his partner Christine are back running Pilates classes for the first time since November. – (Image: Chris Bruce)

5. Church goers and the general public heard the sound of Church bells on Sunday 23rd May for the first time in full after they fell silent at the start of lockdown. In line with guidance updates during the different lockdown periods and Tier structures, many churches have been completely silent and others, like St, Cuthbert’s Benfieldside, have been permitted occasionally to ring some bells for short periods of up to 15 minutes ahead of church services. In their case, up to 3 bells were able to be rung by members of the same household, but this doesn’t sound quite the same. St Cuthbert’s recommenced ringing all 6 bells together again ahead of the church service on Sunday 23rd May, under Government Stage 3 restrictions with some of the ringers being able to ring for the first time in over a year. The guidelines to allow this include – The Rule of Six applies indoors meaning that only six people from different families can meet at one time, so the band have set up a rota of ringers to comply with this (however, since St Cuthbert’s small band of ringers includes 2 families with 3 ringers from each, social distancing is easier in the very confined area of the bell tower). Hands – Face – Space rules apply, Benfieldside ringers have ‘Hand sanitisers’ inside the tower, Face coverings are worn by all ringers and Social distancing in the tower is kept to the maximum distance possible. Finally, unlike many Bell Towers, St Cuthbert’s has particularly good ventilation with two opening windows, a balcony door opening into the body of the church and the staircase providing a through draft of fresh air. (Image: George Ledger)

6. Consett Rugby Club Music Event, the club recently opened its doors to the public for a weekend music festival. The Covid secure open-air concert was met with anticipation from the community as a sign that some normality was returning to our lives, as from March 17th Large Events were allowed but with restricted numbers and further restrictions. A great time was had by all who attended, including the music acts who were grateful to be able to perform again. The friendliness of the club and the glorious weather ensured plenty of smiling faces. (Image: Steve Webb)

7. Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team operates 24 hours per day every day of the year and provide a search and rescue service for the whole of County Durham, from the high fells in the West to the coastal communities of the North Sea. The team responds to requests by the police to a range of incidents, from injured or lost people in the hills to vulnerable missing people in urban settings. The team’s skills and resources continue to grow to keep pace with our developing role. The rescue team consists of about 50 volunteers, all on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All our volunteers have full time jobs and meet almost all their own expenses. To maintain the skills of the team members regular training events are vital as each member must receive training in casualty care, crag rescue techniques, communications, search techniques, search management and searching rivers. Unfortunately, during Covid times many of these sessions were cancelled because of the restrictions. Sadly, the requests for help have not lessened and over 30 call outs have been responded to by the team so far this year. As can be seen in the photos, team members must abide by social-distancing rules and PPE guidance in order to restrict the ‘fall out’ if a member tests positive for Covid-19. Creating even more stress and hardship for the team members every time they respond to a call for assistance. (Image: George Ledger)

8. Durham County Council Street Wardens have had plenty of challenges during Covid helping our local community to stay safe and protecting the environment. One of these challenges was that members of the public couldn’t access Council tips, so Fly-tipping increased. They have also had opportunities though to learn new skills by helping other Council departments such as becoming a ‘Dog warden’ or a ‘Pest control officer’. Their main role involves partnership working with agencies such as the Police & Fire Service. They are very much at the heart of our community. (Image: Steve Webb)