EXCLUSIVE By Martin Walker The new owners of the North Briton in Aycliffe Village have drawn up plans to convert the pub into flats. And the John Wade Group, which acquired the old boozer last year, are inviting nearby residents to attend a consultation exercise next week. As reported on Aycliffe Today in August last year, local...

By Martin Walker A Newton Aycliffe manufacturer has been boosted with the news of a major acquisition. Norwegian-based IK-Group AS (IK) - which has a wholly-owned subsidiary, IK-UK on Aycliffe Business Park employing 47 people - has announced it has bought Online Electronics Limited (OEL), a leading global pipeline communications...

By Martin Walker Durham Constabulary is £50,000 better off after seizing a load of cash from a drug dealer. Officers seized £100,000, suspected to be the proceeds of drugs crimes, from a man stopped in the region. And while half of it must go to the Home Office, the other £50,000-plus goes into Durham Police coffers to help fund...

Woodham Village Community Association is celebrating after securing £46,000 funding to an extension at its popular community centre. The cash will pay for new male and female changing rooms at the community centre as well as a much-needed storage room. Planning permission for the project was secured last month and work is expected to...

By Martin Walker Hitachi Rail Europe strengthened its position as a world leader in train building by agreeing to buy an Italian manufacturer in a multi-million pound deal this week. The Japanese firm - currently building an £82m train-building factory on Aycliffe Business Park which will open later this year - says it has agreed to buy...

Whitley Bay 1, Newton Aycliffe 4 By Bob Wood Newton Aycliffe enjoyed a return to winning ways with an excellent performance at Whitley Bay last weekend. The three points return from the trip to the seaside was fully deserved with Aycliffe putting recent disappointments behind them. Right from the start Aycliffe took a positive...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe MP Phil Wilson insists Durham County Council can't be faulted for showing "real ambition" with its County Plan, which was ripped to pieces by an independent inspector this week. As reported by Aycliffe Today, independent inspector Harold Stephens said Durham’s County Plan – which would see Aycliffe...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe Working Men's Club are on the brink of a major cup final with a crunch tie this weekend. Jason Steele's Big Club side take on South Shields Rose & Crown at Woodham Academy this Sunday (22nd February, kick-off 10.30am) in the last four of the Durham County Cup. The Club beat Winlaton Commercial 4-3...

Two people have appeared in court in connection with a serious incident at Woodham Academy last month. Daniel Brannigan, 23, and a youth who can't be identified for legal reasons entered the grounds at Woodham at 1pm on Friday 23rd January. Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard how 23-year-old Brannigan, dressed in a monkey onesie,...

A tireless community worker, who is dedicated to supporting people in need, has been recognised for her work by being awarded a Chairman’s Medal. Susan Sadler, founder of Lifeline Community Action has been chosen by Durham County Council Chairman; Cllr John Robinson as the Great Aycliffe and Middrige Partnership (GAMP) recipient of this...