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...

Robotic mower maker Husqvarna UK is officially a cut above the rest after bagging the big one – the Company of the Year title at the Make Your Mark Awards. And for manufacturing director Caraline Robinson, it was quite the moment in a career at the company which began 45 years ago when it was Flymo. In that time, Caraline has seen massive...

Just under 300 guests celebrated the seventh Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards night at Hardwick Hall, as Husqvarna UK was named Company of the Year. BBC Tees presenter Gary Philipson again hosted the event for organisers Resolution Media and Publishing, on behalf of Aycliffe Business Park, the North-East’s largest business park. In...

Nigel Farage has said council staff working on diversity or climate change initiatives should be “seeking alternative careers” after Reform UK took control of Durham County Council. Farage’s party swept control of the local authority, winning 65 of the 98 seats on the council. The Lib Dems and Conservatives collapsed in the local poll,...