A region-wide group tasked with raising awareness of a national anti-terrorism initiative has met for the first time. The North East Prevent Forum, which includes elected members and officers from the region’s county and borough councils, came together at County Hall, Durham. Set up with support from the Home Office and the Local...

Newton Aycliffe-based Crafter’s Companion has appointed a new head of retail after experiencing a 12% increase in UK sales. Helen Hollings joins the multi-million-pound business, headquartered in Newton Aycliffe, from Joules clothing and will be responsible for introducing commercial retail practices plus improved workshop programmes across...

A round-up of the weekend’s cricket action… Saturday 30th June – NYSD Division 2 Middlesbrough 2nd XI v Newton Aycliffe 1st XI – weather was warm and sunny. Middlesbrough won the toss and chose to bat first. Middlesbrough 2nd XI 289 for 5 after 50 overs Adam Gittins 2 for 42, Lucas Pilling 2 for 71 and James Layfield-Carroll 1...

Since the beginning of 2017, M&G Real Estate has completed 115,900 sq ft of lettings on Aycliffe Business Park, taking the asset to 90.65% occupancy. Having acquired the 677,000 sq ft site in 2013, over half a million square feet has been let in 51 deals. The year included the letting of space at three key properties on the site,...

Nearly 200 students have improved their future career prospects by achieving gold and silver awards from the national industrial cadet programme. Students from South Durham UTC have completed a 12-week project culminating in a presentation of their assignments to ten different businesses. The business partners from across the region have...

A leading councillor has labelled a potential new multi-million-pound development for Newton Aycliffe as a “major deal”. As revealed exclusively by Aycliffe Today last week, Merchant Anglo – the company behind Merchant Park, home to Hitachi’s £82m factory which opened three years ago – is now planning to build three new units near to...

Woodham Academy’s annual Summer Concert has been moved back a day to next Wednesday, July 4. The event, titled ‘A Night at the Movies’ had been scheduled for Tuesday. All tickets purchased remain valid for the new date. The concert will feature performances influenced by music from films – ranging from cult classics to modern...

Following the recent Aycliffe 10k it was back to racing for the members of Aycliffe Running Club this week. The racing started with two members taking part in the North East Grand Prix at Monkton Stadium where they both competed in the 1-mile race on the track. John Surtees completed his heat in a time of 4 mins 43 and Tracey Surtees...

Children from four primary schools, including Heighington, played an important part in helping a company that runs a unique project linking industry and schools to celebrate its 30th anniversary. They took part in demonstrations, exhibitions and a talk to show how Children Challenging Industry (CCI) has helped hundreds of primary school pupils,...

A public consultation has been launched into plans for a new specialist school in Newton Aycliffe. Durham Gateway Academy has been proposed for young people from across the county who are not flourishing in mainstream secondary education but would thrive in a setting offering practical, skills-based learning. If it gets the go ahead, it...