EXCLUSIVE: By Martin Walker Woodham Academy is planning to link-up with the Tony Blair Sports Foundation to offer new leadership and sporting opportunities in Newton Aycliffe. The innovative school launched its Sports Academy last year and this year has increased the number of academies to 11 sports, to accommodate Water Polo and...

By Martin Walker Middlesbrough goalkeeper and Newtonian Jason Steele has won the praise of his local MP! Phil Wilson, the Labour MP for Sedgefield, watched Steele pick up both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards at the club's presentation evening last Sunday night. Mr Wilson, a Boro fan and president of Northern...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe's cricket team continued their excellent start to life in the NYSD League with victory over top-of-the-table Maltby this week. After drawing at Bedale last Saturday, Aycliffe's first XI beat Maltby's second XI by five wickets on Bank Holiday Monday at Aycliffe Sports Club. The visitors were all out for...

A Woodham man has been charged with a racially-motivated offence this week. The 63-year-old, from Kirkham Close in Woodham Village, was arrested for racially aggravated public order and charged with the offence. He's due to attend court soon to answer the charge.  ...

By Martin Walker Jason Steele was among the spectators when Woodham Academy staged a successful football tournament for primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Bathed in glorious sunshine, participants from Stephenson Way, Heighington, Byerley Park, Aycliffe Village, Woodham Burn and St. Francis schools performed in front of the Boro...

A woman was caught red-handed stealing from Newton Aycliffe's Tesco store this week. On Tuesday, the 37-year-old female was detained at the store for theft of £40-worth of items. She was issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice and banned from the shop.  ...

By Martin Walker Phil Wilson has praised Newton Aycliffe's team of Labour councillors who steamrolled to victory in last week's local elections. Labour candidates John Clare, Eddie Adam, Kate Hopper, Mike Dixon, Jed Hillary, Joan Gray and Sarah Iveson all won seats in the Durham County Council election. It represented an embarrassing...

A Newton Aycliffe man has been charged with racial harassment. On Monday this week, the 22-year-old male, from the Ashfield area of the town, was arrested for causing racially aggravated harassment, causing harm and distress and resisting police arrest. He was charged to attend court for these offences.  ...

By Martin Walker Newtonian Chris Mason enjoyed an unbelievable triple celebration last week. The former Woodham Academy student and Aycliffe resident became a father for the first time last Wednesday. Three days later he was named captain for Spennymoor Town in their FA Carlsberg Vase Final against Tunbridge Wells, before lifting the...

EXCLUSIVE By Martin Walker Local Independent councillors Paul Gittins and Dorothy Bowman both lost their seats on Great Aycliffe Town Council in the local elections. The shock result saw the Labour Party increase its majority on the Town Council with a total of 26 seats, to 12 Independents. In the results for the town's West Ward...