Woodham Academy will be launching a new Performing Arts Academy in September. This will give all students the opportunity to develop their skills in music, drama, sound and lighting, set design and costume design. Following this year’s hugely successful performance of Grease, the Performing Arts Academy will stage a musical in the Spring...

By 2035, County Durham will have more and better jobs, people will live long and independent lives and communities will be well connected and supportive. That’s the vision being proposed for the area by the County Durham Partnership – but do you agree with this ambition for the future? Residents, business and visitors to the county are...

By Donna Campbell The racing this past week started in what were atrocious conditions at two different races. Firstly two members attended the Newburn River Run in Northumberland. This was a six-mile course in very wet conditions. Mark Bainbridge completed this in 47.26 and he was followed by John Richardson in 51.21. There was also...

Traffic cops from across the region are urging people to drive sober as they take part in a national drink and drug drive campaign. The campaign is being led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and runs from June 24 to July 7. It comes after 1,575 people were arrested for driving while under the influence of drink or drugs in...

Miller Homes is opening a new regional office in Newton Aycliffe to support the company’s strategic regional growth plans. The leading housebuilder will occupy a unit at Aycliffe Business Park which will open in the autumn and be a sister office to its current regional office in North Shields. Mark Bayliss has been promoted from technical...

Councillors in County Durham have voiced their support for an ambitious £377m bid to transform travel across the region. The North East Joint Transport Committee confirmed the region’s outline bid for Government Transforming Cities funding – a £1.28 billion pot for schemes that encourage sustainable travel. The committee is made up of...

Great Aycliffe Town Council is hosting a Horticultural Show later this summer. The event will be held ay the Oakleaf Sports Complex on the weekend of Saturday August 31 and Sunday September 1. More details are included below, along with rules of entry. RULES OF ENTRY AND INFORMATION.     Closing date for entries will be...

Lee Weldon with his weekly round-up from the wicket… Saturday 15th June – NYSD Division 2 Barnard Castle 2nd XI x Newton Aycliffe 1st XI – weather was cool and overcast. Aycliffe won the toss and chose to bowl first. Barnard Castle 2nd XI 176 for 9 after 45.2 overs George Slatcher 5 for 58, Patrick Howe 2 for 31 and Jack Slatcher 2...

Newton Aycliffe’s only surviving coach hire firm are looking to the future after investing £100,000 in their fleet of vehicles. J&C Coaches, who are due to celebrate their 45th anniversary in 2020, are committed to maintaining a modern range of coaches which stand up to the demands of a highly-regulated modern transport industry. The...

Aycliffe has long been associated with spectacular floral displays and to continue this tradition Great Aycliffe Town Council are seeking nominations for the best floral displays. Residents are being asked to nominate gardens around the parish for an award. Applicants will be considered for: • best garden (must be front garden) • best...