Given the local restrictions at the time of writing, it behoves me, as a resident of Durham city to be grateful that, if I am homeward bound, at least it is better to be living in a gloriously beautiful, scenic and historic part of the country.
November 1st 2020 will be the 34th anniversary of Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral both being designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is very heartening to know that we live in a city that has such prestige: I have lived in both Oxford and Cambridge, and even these beauteous places do not have a world heritage site label, probably much to their collective chagrin.
Just like Bill Bryson, ex-Chancellor of Durham University, above, I am in love with Durham, and here are some of the reasons why:
1. My job as the Head of Durham High. The very reason why I came to Durham in the first place.
2. Durham Cathedral. The most spiritually uplifting church I have ever entered, despite the fact that I have visited more churches in my life than you can shake a crozier at, so to speak.
3. Durham Indoor Market. I haunted the ‘world-famous’ Bury Market as a teenager, but I now prefer the quirkiness and fresh produce of ours.
4. Cardio-fit hills. The famous hills of the city have proven to be a much better cardio workout than any cross-training or stepper I have ever used.
5. The Pitmatic accent aka ‘yakka’. I love how ‘canny’ is used in any context of approval, whilst ‘fema’, is a word that I have found myself using when tat from Amazon falls apart after the first use…
6. The people. The people of Durham and its environs are, without doubt, the friendliest I have encountered and will give you an honest opinion, whether you asked for it or not: eg the cashier in M&S who commiserated me on my pale skin and advised me to get a fake tan.
Every day is an Open Day at Durham High School. Call 0191 384 3226 or email enquiries@dhsfg.org.uk to find out more or arrange a visit.