Five-years-ago, Farah Mahjoub could not speak English. Today the Greenfield Community College pupil has been awarded the highest possible grade in English Literature. The 16-year-old, who was born in Syria and lived in Jordan before moving to the UK at the age of 11, said she revised two hours every day for several months, “worked hard and...

By Paul Blythe A round-up of this week’s football from Newton Aycliffe Junior Section… Under 7’s Reds – Played in the Durham FA summer tournament, playing five games across the day. A wonderful experience for the team. The Red’s also played in Sunderland against Velocity Hurricanes. Under 10 Blacks – Travelled to Skelton...

Drivers in Durham will have better access to electric vehicle chargepoints, after being awarded £2.1m through a new pilot backed by £20,m of government and industry funding announced this week. Through the innovative Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme, Durham Council and industry will work together to create new, commercial EV...

Greenfield Arts are due not welcome back collaborative artist and tailor Richard Bliss with a new exhibition ‘Our Voice’ inspired by young people. Richard has been working alongside students from Greenfield Community College, exploring important issues that connect with the curriculum and support and encourage the ability to have a strong...

By Bob Wood Newton Aycliffe had another successful week which saw them climb to the top of the Ebac Northern League first division. Two 1-0 wins – over Crook Town and Thornaby – put them on 16 points, one ahead of Ashington who have a game in hand. The three points against Crook Town were secured thanks to an eighth-minute goal by...

Violence and abuse against retail workers will be put under the spotlight in the latest accountability meeting to be hosted by County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen. The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 22, and will see the Commissioner examining the progress being made against her Police and Crime Plan...

County Durham’s roads and footpaths are on track for a £20m investment over the next three years. Durham County Council has agreed to fund improvements in four priority areas, as identified by the Cabinet member responsible for highways. The county’s unclassified road network, public rights of way, urban and rural footway links as well...

Lee Weldon's weekly round-up from the wicket... Saturday 20th August – NYSD Division 2 Norton 1st XI v Newton Aycliffe 1st XI – weather was windy with sunny spells. Newton Aycliffe won the toss and chose to bowl first. Norton 1st XI 243 all out after 49.1 overs Sean Morgan 4 for 48, Matty Greaves 3 for 32 and James Layfield-Carroll 2...

People who live and work in County Durham can now make more active travel choices following a range of improvements to a popular national cycle route. Durham County Council has been able to extend its current work on the county’s 23-mile stretch of the National Cycle Route 1 (NCN1), which runs from Dover to the Shetland Isles, thanks to...

A deaf-led charity based in Newton Aycliffe, Rare Rockets, is the most recent beneficiary of the Open North Foundation (ONF), having received £3,000, the largest grant awarded to date by the not-for-profit organisation, to help boost its website and marketing efforts. The majority of the grant will go towards the charity’s In-vision work,...