There was universal approval for Woodham Academy dinners this week! Students chose from a selection of hot and cold dishes, including pasta pots, jacket potatoes, freshly made sandwiches and a traditional hot dinner, pudding and custard. Woodham’s chef, Linda Vipond, and her team are committed to using only fresh, locally sources...

Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet will hear next week how the authority could tackle the major changes the Government is proposing regarding council tax benefits. Like all local authorities, the county council must introduce a Local Council Tax Support System ready for April next year to coincide with the abolition of the current...

Councillors are being asked to agree to the formal adoption of a Countywide Allotment Policy at a Cabinet meeting next week. Durham County Council invited people to have their say on its new policy to standardise the management of allotment sites in a consultation which took place from October to December 2011. A total of 1,363 postal...

Autumn is a time for new beginnings, new school year, new season etc. and as such it’s the perfect time to amp up your fitness routine. The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) in Newton Aycliffe have a brand new timetable to suit all ages and abilities. It aims to give people a new energy and positivity to help them through the upcoming...

Woodham Academy welcomed its first cohort of Year 7 students on Tuesday this week. Formerly Woodham Community Technology College, the school has taken the opportunity to become an academy after having achieved a glowing Ofsted report last year. Some changes are immediately obvious – the distinctive new logo, smart uniform and interior...

By Glen Robertson Newton Aycliffe hope to welcome back Mark Peck for the visit of Marske United on Saturday. The defender has missed the last three games as the Aycliffe defence has conceded 12 goals but he is expected to return and partner Darren Craddock at centre-back. In his exclusive interview with the club’s award-winning...

Our panel of three football writers give their predictions on Newton Aycliffe’s game this weekend… Three points are awarded if our ‘experts’ pick the exact score, 1 point awarded if they get the result correct. Paul McGeary maintained his slender lead over his fellow experts as all three predicted defeat at The Brewery Field last...

By Martin Walker Aycliffe Police say they’re working “around the clock” to find missing boys Kieran and Thomas Miller. The teenage cousins haven’t been seen since Sunday night – and almost three days later, police say they have dedicated a number of officers to the search. Inspector Mark Hall said: “There’s clearly a...

By Martin Walker An energy firm hoping to create a huge wind farm near Newton Aycliffe have had its application to build two temporary wind-measuring masts rejected. E.ON had hoped the masts would determine whether the site is suitable for The Isles – a controversial wind farm proposal currently under public consultation. Planning...

Residents in Great Aycliffe and Middridge can find out how local issues are being tackled when the local Area Action Partnership meets later this month. The GAMP board will meet on Tuesday 25th September, between 6pm and 8pm, at Agnew Community Centre in Newton Aycliffe, and local people are invited to attend. There will be a...