Welcome to the February 2023 edition of the Consett Magazine!
As we welcome in the month of love, let’s take a moment to reflect on some fun facts about February. Did you know that February is the only month that can pass without a full moon? Or that it’s the shortest month of 2023 with only 28 days (29 days next year as 2024 is a leap year)?
This month, we have a variety of exciting content for you to enjoy. Our front cover feature is the Consett Tabletop Games Society, captured beautifully by Chris Bruce. Our resident history buff, Lorraine Weightman, delves into the past of Fat Tuesday (or Mardi Gras) in another fun story.
Our “Consett in Focus” group takes a visit to the Consett and District Model Railway Club, the Consett Tabletop Games Society, and a Ukrainian artist and restorer living right here in Consett.
We are thrilled to announce the official opening of Consett Eyecare on Middle Street. This premier optician offers a range of great glasses and lenses, along with 60 years of combined experience. Be sure to check out their Coral Eyewear frames on page 8 and visit them at 25
Middle Street.
In our “Places to Go” section, we travel to Wakefield in West Yorkshire on page 9. And, for all you coffee lovers out there, we have an interview with local coffee roaster Mike Williams of Eclectic Coffee Roasters. Mike shares the reasons he started roasting in Consett and the entire process of how to get those beans ready for your morning cup of coffee.
We also have an important topic on page 11, where we invite residents to have their say on the homelessness situation in County Durham, particularly in Durham City. Together, we can shape a new strategy to help reduce homelessness and rough sleeping in our community.
In this edition, we also pay tribute to a much-loved local figure, Darren Blakey, who recently passed away after a short illness. Darren was a larger-than-life character who was loved by all at Consett AFC, from fans to
board to players.
And, as always, we have a whole bunch of other positive local content for you to enjoy both in print and online at consettmagazine.com.
Next month, we want to hear from you! If you have a story to share with the Consett community, please call or
email us: editor@consettmagazine.com
Best regards for February 2023 from Barry Kirkham, Marco Elsy, and everyone who makes the free Consett Magazine possible.
