By Martin Walker Angie Winstanley-Smith got her Olympic campaign off to a dream start with a hat-trick on Monday night, but Great Britain’s women’s water polo team lost their opening game against Russia. The 26-year-old Newtonian, a former Woodham School pupil, scored three goals for Team GB – including an equaliser in the final...

A whole host of activities for children and young people of all ages are available during the school holidays. Durham Council’s Extended School Services, working in partnership with Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) have produced a leaflet listing more than a hundred activities for youngsters in Aycliffe during the school...

Have you got what it takes to be a Local Broadband Champion? Durham County Council is appealing for local people and community groups to promote and represent Digital Durham on a voluntary basis, locally within their area. The Digital Durham programme aims to bring superfast broadband to the whole of the county and champions will...

People are being urged to join in the magic and fun this Saturday (4th August) when Hardwick Park hosts a new production of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ by Laura Turner. A leading national theatre company, Chapterhouse Theatre Company, is currently touring the country with the play, which brings new life to a favourite childhood...

By Martin Walker Angie Winstanley-Smith is expected to represent Newton Aycliffe in the Olympic Games this evening. The 26-year-old is in Team GB’s women’s water polo team, which plays its first group game against Russia tonight (6.20pm). Angie and Boro goalkeeper Jason Steele, who is in Stuart Pearce’s Team GB squad but is yet...

By Martin Walker Gavin Barton bagged a second successive brace of goals as Newton Aycliffe won 3-2 at Richmond Town on Saturday. Aycliffe’s new striker scored two at home Percy Main Amateurs last Wednesday night at Moore Lane Park, and followed it up with another two at Wearside League side Richmond at the weekend. Boss Allan...

Talented young performer Nathan Elwick is having a show-stopping summer as he prepares for a bright future training in musical theatre. Nathan is currently in a busy schedule of rehearsals for his role of “The Engineer” in “Miss Saigon” at Durham’s Gala Theatre.  This stunning theatrical spectacle will run from 27thJuly to 4th...

Advice to campers and caravaners to help them enjoy a happy and safe holiday is being offered as part of a public awareness campaign. Durham County Council is running the campaign during the summer holiday season. It is aimed at raising awareness about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can result from using portable cooking...

Brodie Millichap picks out this week's TV highlights... Five Picks of the Week: We Love The Monkees: Monday 9pm, ITV1. Special tribute to the famous band The Monkees (pictured) looking back on their glitzy career, including their musical talent and their popular TV show. The stardom of Davy Jones is also highlighted, who died in...

By Martin Walker The much-awaited new Aldi store in Newton Aycliffe is expected to be open before Christmas, it was confirmed today. Town centre manager Bryan Haldane, pictured with the town’s MP Phil Wilson on the site earlier today, says he expects the Aldi shop to be open for business in early December. Aldi are spending £1.5m...