Debate society members from year 10 at Woodham Academy competed in the second round of the ESU English Speaking Union debate competition. The group took part after previously, successfully progressing past the first round of the competition. They were given the position of proposing the motion that “16-year-olds should have the right to...

By Paul Dalton We start this week with a very different parkrun round up, as members of Aycliffe Running Club performed a ‘takeover’ of Sedgefield parkrun on Saturday, February 5. Members of the Club took on virtually all the volunteer roles on Saturday, including Run Director, Timekeepers, Barcode Scanners, Marshals, Pacers and Course...

Communities across County Durham are being encouraged to have their say on priority areas for funding. Durham County Council’s 14 Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) are calling on those who live, work, volunteer or go to school in the county to help them establish key priorities for the next financial year. From creating opportunities for...

Aycliffe Town Council has announced it’s closing the lorry park adjacent to its council offices after long running issues problems and anti-social issues. In a statement, the local authority said the site – adjacent its town council offices on School Aycliffe Lane – will be closed to HGVs and other large vehicles from March 1. But the...

By Paul Blythe A round up of this week’s football from Newton Aycliffe Junior Section… Under 9’ Blacks – Hosted Billingham in atrocious conditions. Aycliffe played good football, Fin putting in lovely deliveries from corners, but Aycliffe could not score. Finally, a lovely through ball from Max, saw Fletcher hammer the ball in off...

With the first snowdrops now in bloom, spring is on its way and there is still time for County Durham residents to sign up for garden waste collections. Durham County Council’s Garden Waste Collection scheme is due to start next month and those who sign up before Monday, February 14, will receive all 17 collections. The first collection...

Sarah Slaven has been appointed as the permanent managing director of Business Durham, Durham County Council’s business support service, following a recruitment process. Sarah – an Aycliffe Business Park Community board member – previously held the post of operations director at Business Durham before taking on the position of interim MD...

Know a foster carer with an inspiring story who has done some amazing work caring for children? Durham County Council is looking for nominations for foster carers to be recognised at an awards ceremony. Next month, the local authority will be hosting its Foster Care Star Awards, which recognises the outstanding achievements of foster carers...

A community crisis project in Newton Aycliffe has received cash support to fund a new community garden. Junction 7 – a crisis intervention programme for the residents of the West ward area of the town – has received £8,354 in funding from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP). The money will be used to start renovations to...

News that a programme providing tailored support to vulnerable families has been extended for three years has been welcomed by Durham County Council. As part of the government’s £200m extension of the National Supporting Families Programme, the local authority and its partners will receive almost £2.2m to build on the success of the...