Out and about as restrictions are lifted

VISITORS and locals alike were out and about at the weekend as the dale’s tourism and leisure businesses reopened after a further easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
However, uppermost on many minds was a hair cut as salons were also given the green light take appointments again from Saturday.
At Riley’s barbers, in Barnard Castle, a queue started to form from 6am ahead of a 7.15am opening time.
A one-way system had been devised, two chairs were operating and only one person was allowed inside to wait.
Meanwhile, English Heritage unbolted the doors to the town’s ancient castle.
Visitors must book a time for their visit online in advance and numbers through the gate are limited to 30 people per hour.
Among those to visit were Daniel and Nicole Hunter, from Murton, near Sunderland, who had come along with children Elias, 4, and two-year-old Adriana.
Mr Hunter said the family had visited a number of National Trust properties, where parks and gardens had been open during the lockdown, but this was their first time back to an English Heritage site.
Closer to home, Kim Hills and Tamsin Diment, from Barnard Castle, were among a steady flow of visitors.
For the younger ones, some – but not all – play areas also reopened on Saturday.
Facilities operated by Barnard Castle Town Council were open with “Keep safe” signs put up urging people to use had sanitisers and to wash hands on returning home.
Those taking children along were also reminded about social distancing.
However, both Staindrop Parish Council and Middleton-in-Teesdale Parish Council decided their play areas would remain closed for the time being.
At special meetings on Friday evening, Judith Mashiter, who is clerk to both parish councils, told members government guidelines relating to children’s play areas issued on June 26 had been “widely acknowledged as not fit for purpose” and “not practical” .
Following a subsequent meeting between play industry bodies and officials from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, revised advice is due this week.
Parish councillors in Middleton-in-Teesdale decided in light of this and the imminent start of major improvements at Wesley Terrace play area, it would remain closed until the work was completed.
Cllr Sue Bainbridge said it would be pointless opening the play area only for it to be closed on July 13 for the start to work and Cllr Bob Danby said this was the consensus of opinion among people in the village he had spoken to.
Ms Mashiter said the work was expected to take two to three weeks to complete.
Members of Staindrop Parish Council also decided to postpone the reopening of their play area, in Stangarth Lane, to await up-to-date guidance from the government and carry out some outstanding maintenance work.
Cllr Ian Royston said: “I don’t think we can be in any position to make a decision until we get see that (government) guidance.”
Pubs and clubs welcomed thirsty regulars keen to sample a pint for the first time in three months.
At Barnard Castle Cricket Club, a seating plan had been devised, with visitors allocated to tables as they entered the premises.
All were asked for their details, which will be held for 21 days, before being served at their table.
A simple card system had been introduced indicating to staff whether they wished to be served.
No-one other than members of staff are allowed at the bar.
At Hillcrest Country Park, near Winston, Kate Nicholls, who runs the popular caravan site and camping pods, was busy adjusting to new systems put in place as she welcomed the first visitors since lockdown.
She said she had spent the build-up to reopening ensuring that the park met all guidelines laid down by the government.
Yvonne Phoenix and Stuart Platt, from Saddleworth, near Manchester, were the first campers through the gates.
The couple had stayed at Hillcrest previously, and Ms Phoenix said they had booked up as soon as restrictions had been lifted.
They were just staying one night as Mr Platt, a firefighter, was due back on duty.
“If we could have come on Friday night we would have done so,” said Ms Phoenix, an national account manager for a lift company.
There was also plenty going on at Raby Castle.
The castle was reopened to visitors and junior members of Raby Castle CC resumed practice on the picturesque pitch within the grounds.