By Martin Walker As the Olympic Games start, all eyes will be on two former Newton Aycliffe students who are set to take part. Ex-Woodham pupils Jason Steele and Angela Whinstanley-Smith are due to represent Team GB in this summer’s London Games, with the Opening Ceremony tomorrow. Steele, the Middlesbrough goalkeeper, is in Stuart...

Some key facts about what the Hitachi deal will mean for Newton Aycliffe… ● Archaeology and groundworks to start this autumn ● Construction to start spring 2013 ● Completion by end of 2014 ● Project involves development of 31.5 acres of land ● Factory will be 42,700sqm in size and will make up to 35 trains a...

A Newton Aycliffe taxi driver has had five points added to his licence after reversing into another car before driving off. As reported in the Northern Echo, Graham Goff, of Greathead Crescent in the town, admitted failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident to police when he appeared at the town’s magistrates’...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe comfortably overpowered lower-league opposition in their third pre-season friendly of the summer at Moore Lane Park on Wednesday night. New striker Gavin Barton grabbed two goals as Allan Oliver’s side, beaten 6-1 at home to a young Sunderland side last Friday night, beat Northern Alliance League outfit...

By Martin Walker What a day! It started at 7am this morning, when the official announcement was confirmed by the Government. Shortly after, Aycliffe Today reported that Hitachi Rail Europe’s £4.5bn Intercity Express Programme was coming to Newton Aycliffe. As usual, we’ve brought you unrivalled coverage of what MP Phil Wilson...

By Martin Walker Woodham Community College say their new-look uniform and school logo won’t be the only obvious change this summer. Woodham will officially convert to an Academy in September, and a wide change in branding as well as new décor will be the obvious cosmetic difference. But headteacher Christine Forsyth has told...

By Martin Walker Transport secretary Justine Greening visited Newton Aycliffe to deliver the fantastic news about Hitachi this afternoon. The Government this morning confirmed the £4.5bn deal with Agility Trains, a consortium led by Hitachi Rail Europe. Ms Greening stood with Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson at the Amazon Park site, near...

Woodham students and their parents attended the launch of Woodham Football Academy last week. Woodham Football Academy offers high-quality coaching to talented players in all age groups from U12s to U16s. The coaching is delivered by ex-professional footballer, Neil Maddison, from Premier Player Football Academy and Woodham Sports...

    Hitachi Rail Europe have sent Aycliffe Today some computer-generated videos of the Intercity Express Programme and what their £77m train-building facility will look like. Go to our Video Vault to see them now  ...

By Martin Walker The Government’s announcement this morning has revealed the long-awaited Hitachi contract will actually bring more than 900 jobs to Newton Aycliffe. The initial plans for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) outlined Hitachi’s new factory will bring 200 new jobs in its construction and 500 once...