Welcome to our latest community roundup! It’s a busy start to the year for our members, with everything from historic exhibitions to business growth opportunities. Here is the latest news and a few exclusive offers from across the network...
Ann English: When You Wish Upon a Star… your dreams really can come true!
At DBN Expo I invited members to dream big and capture it on a Wish Star and place it in the dream jar.
Each star represented the dream of a business owner and the spark of possibility.
Everyone who filled in a star and subscribed to Ignite Ideas was entered into a prize draw to win a Bridge the Gap - Personal Strategy Session worth £197.
And the winner is… watch the magical reveal HERE
I don't want you to feel left out if the winner wasn’t you... or if you didn’t get the chance to make a wish... because your ideas matter too.
I Have a Gift for You! 🎁
As a thank you, DBN members can receive £50 off a Bridge the Gap - Personal Strategy Session when you grab your gift before 14th February 2026 (discount applied at checkout)
From unclear to unstoppable... let’s Bridge The Gap together!
During your 90-minute, one-to-one focused session we'll explore:
✨ where you are now
✨ where you want to be
✨ how to bridge the gap between the two
As we talk, I capture your ideas, insights and next steps in a personalised VisualDoodle™ Framework drawn live on screen and sent to you as a digital download for you to use as a visual plan of action.
This creative, strategic and thought-provoking process gives you suggestions for your next steps and clarity on what you want to do next.
Together let's make your ideas a reality in 2026
Ann
Ushaw Historic House Chapels and Gardens
Events and Exhibitions
Ushaw continues to host a variety of high-quality exhibitions and cultural events. These sessions offer a valuable opportunity to engage with local history, craftsmanship, and professional artistry.
Architecture & Design in the Age of Louis XIV: Until 12 April
A visual tour of 17th-century France featuring the Cabinet du Roi. This exhibition draws from Ushaw’s rare collection of 15 original volumes.Spring Handmade Crafts & Producers Fair: 28 February & 1 March
A showcase of North East artisans and speciality producers. An ideal event for supporting local makers and independent business.Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher: 13 March
A performance of Northumbrian pipes and accordion, highlighting the musical expertise and creative friendship of two world-class musicians.150 Years of Wedding Dresses: 28 March – 31 August
An exhibition of over 70 dresses, documenting the evolution of bridal craftsmanship and design from the 19th century to the modern day.Artists’ Open Studios: 4 April
A unique opportunity to meet the painters, illustrators, and silversmiths based at Ushaw and observe their creative processes firsthand.
Beamish Museum
Winter/spring highlights
Here at Beamish, we’re starting 2026 strong, with an action-packed events programme!
From pantomime to peas, music to Mothering Sunday and transport to traditions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
View our 'What's on' schedule HERE.
We are UMi
Opportunity: FUEL Business Finance and Funding Roadshow
We are pleased to share details regarding FUEL, an independent initiative designed to help SMEs navigate the complexities of business finance. Simply making funding available is often not enough; business leaders frequently require specific support to prepare for and successfully access investment.
Why attend? FUEL is entirely independent and brings together specialists from the British Business Bank, NatWest, the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, and others to provide transparent, practical guidance.
How to get involved:
Attend: We encourage DBN members seeking finance to take advantage of this roadshow.
Amplify: If you work with businesses that need funding, please share these resources within your own professional network.
Find out more about FUEL HERE.
Queries: Contact Craig Southern at craig.southern@weareumi.co.uk
More from UMi
UMi are excited to share a new free programme for SME owners and managers called Let’s Crack On.
It offers fully-funded training to improve workplace health, wellbeing, and productivity, with flexible options including self-paced eLearning, virtual sessions, and in-person workshops.
Participants earn the IOSH Managing Occupational Health & Wellbeing Certificate, a recognised qualification to help strengthen your organisation’s health and wellbeing practices.
Benefits for your business:
✅ Improve workplace health and wellbeing
✅ Boost team productivity and resilience
✅ Gain practical leadership skills
✅ Flexible training designed for SME managers
The Greenhouse Business Centre
Need a new office for your growing business? Do you want to make your business more sustainable? Would you like 24hr security, fast Wi-Fi and an onsite cafe? The Greenhouse Business Centre can offer all of this and more! Based in Stanley, we have excellent transport links from Newcastle and Durham, EV charging with ample parking spaces, as well as incredible meeting rooms. Something as simple as renting an office with us not only lowers your company’s carbon emissions, but also helps the charity Groundwork North East & Cumbria to do essential community work and take care of local green spaces.
We currently have a few offices available to let from 31m2 to 70m2. Our prices are very competitive and include utilities.
Send all enquiries to thegreenhouse@groundwork.org.uk
We also encourage everyone to visit our cafe onsite, Cafe @ The Greenhouse. We serve quality food, great coffee and like our room rent every penny of profit goes to charity. Open Monday - Friday from 8am.
Land of Oak & Iron
At Land of Oak & Iron, we’ve recently had a menu refresh for our café, developed by our head chef full of old favourites and tasty new dishes. We also have a brand new exhibition featuring the work of Brian Eyler, a landscape photographer with a colourful and dramatic style that we’ve seen catching the eye of many of our visitors. We’re also hard at work developing 2026’s event programme, and have already released dates for some excellent things to do in the Derwent Valley.
We also have a small room for hire where we can host up to 18 people we offer both a buffet menu or you can purchase directly from our café.
Why not spend some time getting back to nature helping clearing the mind, some light exercise and learn about local birds with the event below.
National Nestbox Week Guided Bird Walk, Sunday 15th February, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
On this guided bird walk local ornithologist Michael Turner will help identify the rich birdlife by sight and sound as we wander through this beautiful landscape and can also advise on putting up your own bird box at home. Situated in the Lower Derwent Valley this section of the Land of Oak and Iron is a mixed landscape of woodland, meadows, riverside and historic monuments, along with an abundance of wildlife. Tickets £9.50, bookable on our website.
