Let-me-grow

This time the guests had many problems travelling, as heavy snow had fallen across large parts of the UK. Some rail firms reduced services, many roads were badly affected and flights were delayed or cancelled. Some partners couldn’t reach Durham as planned and had to rearrange travel plans.

On Thursday the planned programme had to be changed as there was no chance of going to the school in the morning. The visiting children from Germany took the chance and built a snowman. In the afternoon we were able to enjoy the well planned programme. Partners went to the pantomime, Cinderella, in the Gala Theatre in Durham. Unfortunately pupils from Sunnybrow couldn’t take part, as there was no chance of them getting through the snow. After the enjoyable pantomime most guests took the chance to visit Metrocentre - the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe.

By Friday morning all partners had finally arrived and a tour guide was on hand to take the whole group on a guided tour of Durham. Archeological evidence suggests a history of settlement in the area since roughly 2000 BC. The present city can clearly be traced back to AD 995, when a group of monks from Lindisfarne chose the strategic high peninsula as a place to settle with the body of Saint Cuthbert, which had previously lain in Chester-le-Street, founding a church there. The River Wear flows north through the city, making an incised meander which encloses the centre on three sides to form Durham's peninsula. At the base of the peninsula is the Market Place, which still hosts regular markets; a permanent indoor market is also situated just off the Market Place.

Durham is well known for its Norman Cathedral and 11th-century castle, and is home to Durham University. In 1986, the Cathedral, together with the nearby Castle, became a World Heritage Site. The UNESCO committee reported "Durham Cathedral is the largest and most perfect monument of 'Norman' style architecture in England". Durham Cathedral has been featured in the Harry Potter films as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where it had a spire digitally added onto the top of the famous towers. Interior views of the Cathedral were featured in the 1998 film Elizabeth.

At lunch time partners left Durham by bus to visit Sunnybrow Primary School. Here they were welcomed warmly. After lunch pupils of Sunnybrow impressed their guest with a nice show. The younger children showed the legend of Lampton Worm. The older children played scenes from the mining history accompanied by peppy, rousing songs and dances. Afterwards groups were led through the classes. The children showed their works and talked about their life in school. Every guest-team had prepared a presentation about t heir country. Back to Durham the group met at Court House Inn for Dinner.

On Saturday morning partners went by train to Newcastle. Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear. Walking along the newly regenerated quayside partners admired the dramatic bridges, including the Tyne Bridge of 1928 and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The walk ended at Seven Stories, a centre for children's literature in the United Kingdom. It is based in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne, close to the city's quayside. The centre takes its name from the theory that there are only seven basic plots in literature, and the fact that the renovated Victorian mill in which it is housed has seven levels. All guests enjoyed this lovely place which is a joy, not only for children, but for adults also.

Back in Durham partners had the chance to take part in the traditional lantern procession. Every year hundreds of people, carrying traditional lanterns, light up city’s streets during the annual parade. The carol-singing parade started at Market led by the Salvation Army band. The procession went Durham Cathedral in time for a short service based on the life of St Nicholas.

Before partners left on Sunday to go home, a delicious farewell meal with a Christmas flavour was eaten at Finbarrs restaurant in Durham on the Saturday evening. All partners went home with full hearts for those wonderful days they had in Durham.