North-East Screen – formerly Northern Film and Media – has appointed an Oscar and BAFTA-winning film producer as their new chair. David Parfitt has been tasked with steering the organisation at an exciting and pivotal time for the film and TV industry in the North-East. It follows record investment in the screen industry in the region,...

A County Durham primary school and a festival focusing on the planet are among the winners of this year’s County Durham Environment Awards. The awards, which are run by Durham County Council each year on behalf of the County Durham Environment and Climate Change Partnership, recognise the outstanding work that has taken place to improve the...

By Berni Borsberry It was a free week for many of our teams as lots of players and coaches headed to London for the League Cup final. U12 Eagles 3 v 1 Marske Utd Hosting the team sitting top of the table and with Aycliffe currently sitting second it was expected to be a competitive game and it didn't disappoint. An absolutely outstanding...

A County Durham woman who has gone above and beyond for her community through her love of litter picking has been recognised in the sweep-est way. Durham County Council’s clean and green team was contacted by resident Cris Robson who wanted to gift a unique birthday present to his wife Amanda, who has autism. Amanda, who is 51 this...

By Steven Dawson February saw the return of the NECCA Royal Signal Relays at Hetton Lyons Park. In the senior men’s race it saw a team of six run a leg each of 2.2 miles. John Surtees (11:48), Richard Campbell (12:56), Floyd Jones (14:29), Gaz Hamblin (15:08), Richard Holland (14:32) and Martin Turnbull (14:16) represented the club...

A Newton Aycliffe-based manufacturing firm has launched a four-day working week after a successful trial period. BTS Facades and Fabrications, a company which produces cladding and façade products for clients across the country, tested a condensed working week in October last year, and the team found productivity was not negatively...

By Paul Blythe A round-up of this week’s football from Newton Aycliffe Junior Section. Under 7’s Whites – Played against Whitburn & Cleadon JFC. Aycliffe worked extremely hard throughout. POTM was James who had a brilliant game in goal, pulling off great saves. Under 7’s Reds – Had a terrific result against Redcar Athletic...

People are being invited to have their say on potential changes to home to school transport arrangements in County Durham. Durham County Council currently provides home to school transport for almost 9,000 children and young people across the county every day. Growing demand and inflation have seen the cost of providing the service soar in...

Residents in County Durham are being invited to have their say on a number of documents which will affect developments across the county. The County Durham Plan, which was adopted in October 2020, sets out Durham County Council’s vision for housing, jobs and the environment until 2035. It seeks to ensure the county is a successful place...

Great Aycliffe Town Council staff and councillors are celebrating after St. Oswald’s pre-school was graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted following an inspection in January. The town council-run pre-school has been assessed as outstanding on all aspects of the inspection including quality of education, behaviour, personal development, and...