Community projects – and even Christmas – wouldn’t be the same without Palram DPL. A successful business in its own right, the Coatham Avenue-based PVC sheet maker also devotes time and expertise to several good causes – from creating a sensory room at Glow Church and transforming the Little Clubs nursery garden to providing PVC sheets...

Lee Weldon’s weekly round-up from the wicket… Saturday 24th – NYSD Division 3 Normanby Hall 2nd XI v Newton Aycliffe 1st XI – weather was mild and overcast. Newton Aycliffe won the toss and chose to bat first. Newton Aycliffe 1st XI 224 for 6 after 40 overs Chris Palmer 111 not out, Tez Smit 68, Ramzan Hussain 11 and Tom...

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has called for more to be done to tackle alcohol harm, particularly in young people. In 2023 it was revealed by the Government that 42% of violent incidents are alcohol-related and 40% of secondary school-age children have been involved in some form of violence because of alcohol. Attending the...

He saw a window of opportunity – and now Tidal Services CEO Ralf Hodgson is riding the crest of a wave as a Make Your Mark award-winner. After starting a window cleaning business eight years ago in Aycliffe, Ralf realised there was a gap in the market for things to be better organised. Tidal Services was the result – a firm that since...

By Paul Blythe A round up of Newton Aycliffe Juniors Action. WE 11/05/2025 Under 8’s Blues – Had an away friendly at Darlington United Vikings and were excellent from start to finish, with goals from Nate and Leland (3). POTM was Leland. Under 11’s Reds – Faced Riverside Junior Yellows Riverside who are a division above and put...

Companies are increasingly having to do their bit for the environment – but BTS Facades & Fabrications continues to do more than most. For the second year running, the façade and rainscreen product firm has bagged the Make Your Mark Environment award – testament to its ongoing determination to move towards net zero. As part of its...

A new Leader of Durham County Council has today been appointed at the authority’s annual meeting. Cllr Andrew Husband was voted into the post, with his appointment marking a new political leadership for the council. Cllr Husband will lead the first Reform political group to control the council, and announced the following appointments to...

An award for her inspiring leadership topped quite the night for Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) chief executive Carol Gaskarth at the 2025 Make Your Mark Awards. Earlier, the wellbeing charity – founded in Newton Aycliffe back in 1998 and now a North-East wide organisation – had picked up the Services Business of the Year title. But...

Lee Weldon’s regular round-up from the wicket… Saturday 17th – NYSD Division 3 Newton Aycliffe 1st XI v Blackhall 1st XI – weather was hot and sunny. Blackhall won the toss and chose to bowl first. Newton Aycliffe 1st XI 198 for 9 after 40 overs Chris Palmer 49, Tom Dearden 43, Jimmy Newton 21 and Ramzan Hussain (18 not...

“The crowning achievement in my career”. That’s how Brian Corker summed up an emotional night at the Make Your Mark Awards that culminated in a standing ovation as he won the Lifetime Achievement trophy. With more than 40 years’ experience of teaching in the engineering and manufacturing sector – with many of those years...