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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Alan Dotchin Blog
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260423T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260423T191500
DTSTAMP:20260426T084439
CREATED:20260328T232221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260426T064550Z
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SUMMARY:Live Skies in the Planetarium - Hercules: Life Science Centre
DESCRIPTION:Explore the night skies with the Life team in our amazing planetarium.\n\nEnjoy a tour of the night skies – just as they would look on the evening of your visit but without weather or light pollution spoiling the view. Our presenter will also share the history and mythology surrounding the patterns of stars and take a deeper look at this season’s chosen constellation: Hercules.  \nLife’s planetarium uses the most advanced technology available for ultra-rich\, high-resolution visuals and wonderful sound quality – for a totally immersive experience. And the comfiest seats around!  \nhttps://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/event/live-skies-in-the-planetarium/ \n 
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/live-skies-in-the-planetarium-hercules-life-science-centre/
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260424T151500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260424T160000
DTSTAMP:20260426T084439
CREATED:20260423T210056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T210056Z
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SUMMARY:Durham Castle - Guided Tours
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n \n\n\n\nExperience over 1000 years of history on a Durham Castle Tour and discover how it functions today as the home of University College. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIMPORTANT NOTICES: \n\nOn Friday 10th April we will be running our special Family Fun Tours for children and their families. To book your ticket\, please follow this link: Book your ticket\nDue to Durham Castle being a residential college of Durham University visits are allowed by guided tour only.\nWe are unable to run tours every day as the college and university host a variety of events in the building throughout the year. If your selected date in the current month shows as not available for booking\, it means tours are not running on that day.\n\n\n\n\n\nTake a tour around one Durham’s most significant historic buildings\, designated a World Heritage Site since 1986. \nOur knowledgeable and friendly tour guides will take you through the gatehouse and into the heart of the historic building\, where you will experience stories and tales from 950 years of living history. Find out about the early days of the Castle\, built in the 1070s as a Norman fortress by William the Conqueror\, and learn about the powerful Prince-Bishops of Durham\, whose seat of power was based for hundreds of years at Durham Castle. Discover how the building became the first college of Durham University and how today it is the home of University College students\, who live and learn in Durham Castle. \nPRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR THE DAY \n\nYou must check in and collect a lanyard from Palace Green Library (near the Castle entrance\, between the Castle and the Cathedral) prior to the tour start time.\nPlease arrive on time for your tour – unfortunately we won’t be able to accommodate arrivals outside of the chosen tour start time. The time you have booked is the start time of your tour.\nTours last approx. 45-50 minutes.\nThe tour takes place both outide and inside the building\, please be prepared in the event of bad weather.\nAll children must be accompanied by an adult.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nINFORMATION ON BOOKING YOUR TICKETS: \n\nTour times are released on this page one month at a time – if times for the next month are not available for viewing yet please check at a later date.\nWalk-in spaces may be available to purchase from reception – if your selected tour time is sold out ring us on 0191 334 2932 or email castle.tours@durham.ac.uk to enquire about availability.\nPlease consult our FAQs for more information – if you have any other question not covered on this page\, please call us at 0191 334 2932 or email us at castle.tours@duham.ac.uk.\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility \nThe historic nature and layout of the Castle means that the majority of the building is inaccessible to wheelchair users. The tour route involves many steps and staircases\, some of which are uneven. Accessibility within the Castle is limited due to access to areas via steps only. Any visitors with accessibility needs please contact 0191 334 2932 to discuss. For a full access statement to the venue\, please visit our FAQs at the bottom of this page.
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/durham-castle-guided-tours/
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260425T103000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260425T120000
DTSTAMP:20260426T084439
CREATED:20260410T144627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260426T064615Z
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SUMMARY:Step into Sunderland’s ancient past
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n \n\n\n\nA fascinating talk on local archaeology\, led by Gary Bankhead from the Department of Archaeology at Durham \n\n\n\n\nStep into Sunderland’s ancient past at a fascinating talk on local archaeology\, led by Gary Bankhead from the Department of Archaeology at Durham University. Following his sell-out talk last January at Hylton Castle\, Gary returns to share the latest exciting discoveries from the River Wear. These recent findings are transforming our understanding of the city’s history—offering new insights into its past while challenging long-held assumptions about Roman activity in the area. With Roker seafront recognised as a significant site of Roman interest\, this promises to be a compelling and thought-provoking event. \nPerfect for anyone with a passion for archaeology\, local history\, or the heritage of our region—don’t miss this opportunity to uncover Sunderland’s hidden story. \nVenue: The Roker Watch House\, Pier View\, Roker\, Sunderland SR6 0PRSaturday 25th April10:30amTickets: £2 (proceeds to Sunderland Volunteer Life Brigade) Spaces are limited—be sure to secure your place! \nhttps://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/step-into-sunderlands-ancient-past-tickets-1985799290133
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/step-into-sunderlands-ancient-past/
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260425T141500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260425T155000
DTSTAMP:20260426T084439
CREATED:20260328T214447Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260426T064622Z
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SUMMARY:A Fistful of Dollars
DESCRIPTION:Clint Eastwood is the iconic Man With No Name in Sergio Leone’s seminal spaghetti Western\, as a gunslinger drifter plays off the warring Baxter and Rojo families against each other in the frontier town of San Miguel. \nSan Miguel is a one horse town that’s being pulled apart by two rival families. John Baxter\, the crooked town sheriff with a sideline in weapons smuggling\, seeks to establish his own version of law and order with support from his son\, Antonio and their gang of thugs. But the Rojo Cartel – headed up by a trio of volatile brothers: Miguel\, Ramón and Esteban – have their own ambitions for San Miguel and its strategic position on the Mexican border. \nEnter the Man with No Name: a laconic gunslinger for hire who drifts into town and\, after learning of of the Baxter-Rojo feud\, spots an opportunity. He plays the warring clans off against one another and turns their vendetta to his advantage – but the stranger’s duplicity riles both families\, and the vengeful Rojos decide to take drastic action in the battle for San Miguel. \nA Fistful of Dollars \n \nRead More
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/a-fistful-of-dollars/
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260502T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260504T170000
DTSTAMP:20260426T084439
CREATED:20260426T083202Z
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SUMMARY:Festival of Steam Festival of Steam
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate steam power this May bank holiday weekend! \nSteam is ubiquitous with the railways but it is also used to power a range of engines. From a traditional carousel to traction engines in action\, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. \nWhat’s On\nCarousel rides\nEnjoy all the fun of the fair by taking a nostalgic ride on a traditional carousel\, great fun for all the family. \nSubject to availability \nEngines on display\nWitness the power of full-sized traction engines\, traditionally used to pull heavy loads and steam rollers in action. You can also enjoy the beauty and ingenuity of miniature steam engines\, including a display by Northern Miniature Road Locomotive Society.  \nFamily activities\nJoin author Caroline Hardie for drop in storytelling and activities through the weekend\, themed around ‘Little Loco’s Big Day’\, an uplifting tale of the first steam locomotive to run on the Stockton & Darlington Railway.  \nFilm screening | Monday 4 May at 15.00\n‘The First Five Miles’ starring Stephen Tompkinson as George Stephenson. The documentary-drama\, written and directed by award winning filmmaker Michael Smith from Witton Park\, has wowed audiences across the region since its premiere at the Tees Valley International Film Festival. \nThe screening will include a Q&A with the film’s writer and director Michael Smith.
URL:https://blog.alandotchin.com/event/festival-of-steam-festival-of-steam/
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