Sedgefield MP Paul Howell with an open letter on the current Covid-19 crisis… There was some good news this week with Boris returning to lead us and starting to talk about the plan to release the lock down in a controlled and appropriate way. Obviously congratulations to him and Carrie too on the birth of their son. In line with the...

A Newton Aycliffe business leader says companies must “do the right thing” by both their staff and clients during the Covid-19 crisis. Sarah Monk, who owns Aycliffe-based Avec Partnership with her business partner Julie Sowerby, spoke openly during a webchat on Aycliffe Today’s Facebook page this week. She said people and businesses...

More roadsides across County Durham have been decorated with messages thanking key workers for keeping the county running during the coronavirus pandemic. Durham County Council has already created two displays dedicated to NHS staff, in Bishop Auckland and Durham. And now its Clean and Green teams have been busy arranging more roadside...

Communities across County Durham are being asked to look out for vulnerable adults and children during the coronavirus pandemic. Many women, men and children face a higher risk of abuse whilst isolating at home and Durham County Council’s safeguarding teams are concerned that the stay-at-home message could be causing increased anxiety for...

A popular bakery chain has announced that it will re-opening some of its stores on a trial basis. Greggs, headquartered in Newcastle, has more than 2,000 outlets across the country, including one in Aycliffe town centre, and will trial trading from 20 of those next week. The company has said that it will open the stores on Monday (May 4),...

Darlington Hippodrome is running regular online dance and drama classes available to young people and adults in a move to keep people active in body, mind and spirit during this period of social distancing. Hippodrome Youth Theatre sessions are tailored to specific age groups and explore a range of theatre techniques and styles. Sessions...

A new volunteering unit has been set up in County Durham to provide more support to local organisations and charities during the coronavirus pandemic. The unit builds on the work of County Durham Together, the community hub operated by Durham County Council to support people and families who are vulnerable and in need during these unprecedented...

Cheryl Spears, sales director at Lucid Technology Solutions, recommends all companies must consider obtaining the cyber essentials certification. Cyber essentials protects against 80% of common cyber threats. The MOD has mandated that all suppliers and subcontractors have the certification in place to work with them and other public services...

“I am more grateful than I can say and thank them from the bottom of my heart for everything they did and all with such gentleness and professionalism.” “We really are very grateful to you and cannot stress how much of a difference it has made to us this week just knowing we’re not alone in these worrying times.” These are just two...

Businesses in County Durham are being encouraged to seek financial support after nearly 7,500 grants were paid out totalling almost £83m. Durham County Council is inviting local companies to apply for Business Support Grants to ease the financial burden they may be facing during the coronavirus pandemic, where they meet the government’s...