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Elizabeth Kelly

Guess who’s coming to dinner….

1155773189 UXAPK S Guess who’s coming to dinner....An invitation has gone out to the region’s bon vivants from a new business venture intent on becoming the height of good taste.

The Opus Dining Club, with ambitions to establish a regional network for people who enjoy good food, is the brainchild of former NHS worker Lesley Craggs.

She has been joined by her partner Stuart  and daughter Helen to set up Opus which is planning its inaugral event at the Blacksmith’s Table restaurant in Washington later this month.

Lesley, of Gainford, Chester-le-Street, said: “I was on a dating site and looking for a better social life when the idea took shape. I really enjoy good food and eating at good restaurants and two themes came together as the Opus Dining Club.

“We wanted something that was highly original and unique to the region. Since then we have talked to selected restaurants from Alnwick to Yarm and have now launched a membership campaign and a website.

“As the club moves forward we will be responding to what the membership and developing dinner evenings, summer balls and themed events such as race days and cultural outings. We hope Opus will become a natural point for people who want to socialise in style.

“There are endless opportunities to expand the Opus portfolio in the future, but for now we will be concentrating on organising dinner events,” said Lesley (above right) with the Opus team and owner of Le Raaj restaurant, Chester-le-Street, Sofed Miah (second right).

Interested? More information is available at the Opus Dining Club at www.opusdiningclub.co.uk

North East businesswomen making it happen

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The prestigious Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship was picked up by Lilian Mains, chair

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Secrets to bringing up baby revealed

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Many don’t have a clue where to start, from what to buy for the baby, how to feed and wind, to the most holiest

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A Great North ambition fulfilled

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It’s a few weeks ago since I crossed the finish line of the Great North Run at the Leas in South Shields and it was with mixed feelings. I initially felt a huge sense of relief that I had made it, half way up

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Mums know best

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This was one of the key findings from a ‘Mum’s Know Best’ survey recently commissioned by HiPP Organic and conducted amongst 11,000 women via the brand’s online Baby Club.

The exercise looked at the trials and tribulations of motherhood in the 21st century,

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Supporting breast cancer awareness with Cupcake Panties

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The charity is based in Manchester and treats more than 40,000 patients a year providing radiotherapy, chemotherapy, highly-specialist surgery

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New firm aims to cook up a storm in North East kitchens

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Three cheers for organic baby food

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I soon realised there was a time and a place for using ready-made food, and the Hipp organic range fits the bill. With over 50 years experience in organic nutrition, they give

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A twist on the traditional photo frame

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Why stick to only using traditional photo frames or even the modern digital frames when you can choose an inspiring twist on the traditional with a range of quirky frames or practical items such as bookends and coasters that

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Doing ‘the run’ – fulfilling a great north ambition

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Anybody who witnessed me take part in PE at school can vouch that I am not

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