Lee Weldon's weekly round-up from the wicket... Saturday 12th June – NYSD Division 2 Newton Aycliffe 1st XI v Marton 2nd XI – weather was warm and sunny. Newton Aycliffe won the toss and chose to bowl first. Marton 2nd XI 152 all out after 37 oversJack Slatcher 3 for 19, George Slatcher 2 for 26 and James Layfield-Carroll 2 for...

A government minister has met some of the first people to benefit from a multi-million-pound scheme to improve the energy efficiency of more than 1,000 County Durham homes. Lord Callanan, Minister for Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility, visited homes in Chilton to see how work to install free low carbon external wall insulation and...

There is still an opportunity to get insider insight into some of the secrets of the animation and games industry revealed at Teesside University’s Animex festival. Some of the biggest names in animation and computer games shared a digital stage last week for the internationally renowned event. Animex was held online on June 2 for only the...

Individuals, groups and businesses who have gone the extra mile to help improve the environment in County Durham in the past year are being invited to be recognised at a special awards ceremony. This week saw the launch of the 2021 County Durham Environment Awards, an annual event rewarding projects that demonstrate great design, environmental...

By Bob Wood Newton Aycliffe FC has announced their pre-season schedule ahead of the 2021-22 Ebac Northern League Division One campaign. Colin Stromsoy’s squad will return for training on Saturday (June 12) to undergo an extensive six-week programme including five pre-season fixtures to prepare for the new season. Aycliffe will play...

Plans for the multi-million pound transformation of Darlington railway station took another major step forward this week as the formal planning application was submitted to Darlington Council. The move comes just weeks after Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen unveiled new images for the scheme, which will improve the frequency and reliability of...

A unique sign language service on Aycliffe Business Park now boasts colourful new branding thanks to the work of a neighbouring business. Aycliffe-based LemonTop Creative has helped Rare Rockets – formerly known as CJ Interpreting Service – to create striking new marketing material and even a mascot. ‘Rocko’, which is based on Rare...

By Paul Dalton We start this week’s report with a trip to the South Coast as two Members took on the ‘Run To The Sea’ ultramarathon on Saturday, June 5. The race was a 50K (or 31 miles in old money!) point-to-point, multi-terrain ultramarathon, which started near Horsham. Initially the race commenced on firm trails through rural...

Improving connectivity for rural communities, reducing transport times and expanding economic and cultural opportunities are the focus of three schemes Durham County Council proposes to submit for additional government funding. And a bid by Durham County Council for a share of the cash will include a new walking and cycling route along the old...

Proposals to increase community budgets in order to boost local economic recovery and support projects go before councillors next week. Durham County Council’s Cabinet is to receive a series of recommendations including an increase to the Neighbourhood Budgets available to all 126 elected members, with each proposed to be given a one-off...