I spoke to someone who seemed like a foreman about the intrusive building at the bottom of the Mill Lane. He told me they hoped to be finished before the beginning of the new university term in September. So at least we know it’s for students, surprise, surprise. We will then have our street back, but my sense of outrage has not diminished one bit.
As a parishioner observed recently that we (Gilesgate area) are slowly becoming part of the university campus. While it is always so uplifting to have students come to our services, sensible planning might keep our local historic community together at affordable rental and purchasing levels.
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges facing our cities or to the housing crisis, but the two issues need to be considered together. From an urban design and planning point of view, the well-connected open city is a powerful paradigm and an engine for integration and inclusivity.” Richard Rogers, Architect.
We, as parish, hope to contribute to more affordable housing with the surplus land we have in the parish, and especially with the development of the old car park at St Bede’s presbytery, the planning of which could have been faster, but is now proceeding with a bit more pace. The sale of which might offset the ever increasing costs of maintaining our present structures. And all this before we come to the ever diminished state of Durhams once beautiful city.
First Communions. A special thank you to the staff of our three primary schools for the hard work they put in bringing the children to this important stage of their spiritual development. It’s over to the parents now to continue with what communion really means: Community, belonging, gathering, breaking of bread, sharing….and commitment.
Happy Father’s Day to all our Dads!
"One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters."
George Herbert