Families in County Durham will have plenty to keep them busy this half term (Sat, Oct 27 to Sun, Nov 4) with a number of events lined up.
Durham County Council’s sport and leisure services have organised a range of activities, including football, swimming, Halloween fun, walks and conservation events.
Half term football fun
On the Ball sessions help children aged eight to 14 to develop football skills.
They are taking place at Spennymoor and Meadowfield leisure centres on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Oct 30 – Nov 1) and a girls-only session is being held at Riverside Sports Complex, in Chester-le-Street, on Friday (Nov 2).
Each five-hour session costs £8. For three sessions the cost is £20.
To book places contact Spennymoor Leisure Centre on 03000 261 161; Meadowfield Leisure Centre on 0191 301 8304; Riverside Sports Complex on 0191 389 0986.
Find out more at www.durham.gov.uk/ontheball
Half term swimming lessons
Durham County Council swimming pools are running a five-day learn to swim crash course between Monday (Oct 29) and Friday (Nov 2).
The lessons are for over-fives and are priced £18. People should contact their local pool to book.
Further information is available at www.durham.gov.uk/leisureoffers
Halloween fitness
Spook-tacular fitness sessions are running from Monday (Oct 29) until Sunday (Nov 4).
People can enjoy free use of Durham County Council fitness suites and selected exercise classes – some with a spooky theme. Fancy dress optional!
Further information is at www.durham.gov.uk/leisureoffers
Hardwick Park seasonal fun
Families can enjoy a range of Halloween activities at Hardwick Park between 6pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday (Oct 31).
There will be a scary walk, arts and crafts, fire jugglers, a box of horrors, grim reaper magicians, creepy crawlies and much more. Tickets are available from the Hardwick Park Visitor Centre or by calling 01740 621 505 and are priced £8 each or £30 for a family ticket.
The fun continues on Friday (Nov 2) with a fireworks-themed family craft session, priced £2 per child, between 11am and 3pm.
And on Saturday (Nov 3) families can try their hands at Bushcraft and willow craft, priced £10 per child, between 1pm and 3.30pm. This activity must be booked in advance by contacting Hardwick Park on 01740 621 505.
Award-winning walks
Durham County Council’s countryside service has nine guided walks taking place during the half term week.
The guided walks programme – which recently won a County Durham Environment Award – includes events ranging from a short photography walk around Kepier Wood to a long walk around the stunning landscape at Cassop Vale.
There’s no need to book and further information is available at www.durham.gov.uk/countryside or by calling 0191 372 9100.
Help conserve your countryside
Two community conservation events will be taking place to give people a chance to improve their local environment. The events are suitable for all the family and no experience is necessary.
The first will take place on Sunday (Oct 28) between 10am and 12 noon on the Hart Haswell Railway Path, at Castle Eden. People are invited to help with the cutting and raking of a wildflower meadow to encourage new growth of rich grassland.
And the following Sunday (Nov 4) between 10am and 12 noon people can help with tree planting at Willington Wood.
Further details are available from www.durham.gov.uk/countryside or by contacting the council’s countryside service on 0191 372 9100.
