Nearly 2,000 families in County Durham will save hundreds of pounds a year thanks to a pilot free school meals scheme. Durham County Council ran a pilot project which saw nearly 2,500 children automatically enrolled for free school meals following a data matching exercise on their family’s eligibility. This means that 1,727 households...

Liversedge 4, Newton Aycliffe 0 By Ryan Livingston Newton Aycliffe ended a disappointing week of results with a surprisingly poor 4-0 defeat at Liversedge on Saturday. Many were hoping to see Aycliffe bounce back from their 4-2 defeat at Heaton Stannington on Wednesday, although this wasn't to be the case. Aycliffe didn't start too...

Residents in County Durham are being invited to have their say on proposals to balance council budgets next year and beyond. Durham County Council’s Cabinet was this week told the council forecasts a budget gap of £64.1million over the next four years, with savings of £21.7m to be made in 2025/26 - even if council tax is increased by the...

Councillors have agreed to extend a council tax reduction scheme which supports County Durham’s most vulnerable residents. Durham County Council’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme offers a council tax discount to eligible residents on low incomes, whether in work, unemployed or retired. Just over 53,800 residents are currently...

Emley 0, Newton Aycliffe 3 Isuzu FA Trophy, second qualifying round By Ryan Livingston Newton Aycliffe continued their excellent run in cup competitions by defeating Emley 3-0 in the FA Trophy second qualifying round. It was a game on paper where Aycliffe were certainly the underdog, but once again Brian Atkinson's side defied the odds...

Visit County Durham has announced the formal appointment of its new chair. Duncan Peake from Raby Estates will take on the role having held the post of Interim Chair since last June. Duncan has been on the board of directors at Visit County Durham for six years. As an experienced chartered surveyor, land manager and rural business leader...

By Steven Dawson It has been another very busy week for Aycliffe Running Club with some excellent performances across a series of races. Last Wednesday, 14 members took part in the final race of the Darlington Trail 5k series and a new course, the Harrowgate Hill 5k. John Firby (19:09) finished first with Lucy Postle (23:42), third...

Bungling Aycliffe thieves who advertised their swag on a Facebook ‘bonus ball’ competition have been caught out thanks to eagle-eyed shop workers. Neighbourhood PCs Adam Crawford and Josh Roberts were patrolling Newton Aycliffe town centre last Saturday when staff at Heron reported a shoplifting incident. Workers mentioned that they'd...

A group of beavers, cubs and scouts from the 1st Byers Green Scout Group visited Newton Aycliffe Sports Club to be put through their paces by club’s sports teams. Coaches from Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club, Newton Aycliffe Football Club and Newton Aycliffe Rugby Union Football Club gave the children, aged between 6 and 14 years, a chance to...

Lee Weldon’s final 2024 round-up from the wicket… Saturday 14th September – NYSD Division 2 Newton Aycliffe 1st XI v Middlesbrough 2nd XI – weather was mild with sunny spells. Newton Aycliffe won the toss and chose to bowl first. Middlesbrough 2nd XI 204 all out after 41 overs Luke Telford 4 for 43, Tom Dearden 3 for 51 and James...