More than 800 people have paid the price for breaching environmental laws during the past 12 months. Neighbourhood wardens from Durham County Council have issued 803 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for environmental crimes since 1 April 2016. And of those who received fines for offences such as flytipping, littering and failing to clean up after...

Woodham Academy’s Dance Academy have been practising for many performances and competitions this spring. The first major competition was in Warrington at the Pyramid Parr Hall, a venue that is new to the students. The Great Big Dance Off is a competition that the Dance Academy enter each year and thoroughly enjoy. It is a national...

Following a midweek draw against Seaham Red Star, Newton Aycliffe gained a point away at Sunderland RCA with a goalless draw. Neither side played to the best of their abilities on what was a bobbly pitch. There were no clear chances early in the game, Aycliffe then suffered a blow when centre half Liam Browne had to go off with an injury,...

Newton Aycliffe climbing facility Rock Antics has confirmed it intends to close at the end of the month due to a lack of footfall. The facility’s owner/director John Crooks has told Aycliffe Today that “unless anything changes” he can’t see a way back for the struggling venture which opened less than two years ago. Rock Antics is a...

Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club secured promotion to Durham and Northumberland Division Two with an emphatic win at the weekend. Aycliffe 1st XV travelled to Seghill RFC needing only one point to be guaranteed a long-awaited rise to DN2. And straight from the kick-off it was clear that there was going to only ever be one winner, with Aycliffe...

Newton Aycliffe FC recently invited the under 8s and Under 9s teams from Newton Aycliffe Juniors FC to an evening of fun and professional coaching at their home ground Moore Lane Park. Aycliffe managers Dan Mellanby and Deano Browne have been working in partnership with the chairman of Aycliffe Juniors, Nige Slatcher, to forge greater links...

Durham County Council has announced its new funding partner for a £20m investment programme which will help businesses in County Durham grow and create thousands of jobs. As reported by Aycliffe Today last June, the Finance Durham LP fund will support up to 70 companies in the county in its first ten years with investments ranging from...

Great Aycliffe Town Council are organising a day of community litter picks to support Litter Free Durham’s ‘Big Spring Clean’. On Saturday March 25, local residents and community groups are encouraged to join Great Aycliffe Town Council and assist in the clear up of various locations. At 10am residents are asked to meet at Byerley Park...

Care leavers are receiving greater support - with more on the way - councillors have heard. Young people who have been in the care of the local authority are particularly vulnerable and Durham County Council has already introduced measures to improve their lives. Now Cabinet has heard how that support is being developed, to meet the...

The annual Year 6 ‘Friendship Day’ at Woodham Academy takes place on Saturday March 25, 10am-12noon. It’s a first opportunity for Year 6 children to spend time in their secondary school and to get to know people. At this year’s event, students will be able to choose from making notepad holders in Technology, exploring educational...