Business and community groups are being invited to spend the afternoon with a millionaire who will be revealing his latest secret charitable venture. John Elliott, who was Channel Four's very first Secret Millionaire in 2006, is hosting an event on Friday 13th July on behalf of County Durham Community Foundation. John, who is vice...

By Martin Walker Newtonian Jason Steele has been named in Stuart Pearce’s Team GB squad for this summer’s Olympic Games. The announcement was made today at Wembley Stadium in London, which will host the gold medal match on August 11. Steele, an Aycliffe lad, this afternoon Tweeted “really honoured and privileged to be named in...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe FC chairman Gary Farley says there’s a “great feel about the place” this summer. The Northern League club are hoping to improve on their ninth-placed finish in the first division last season. They’re planning a series of exciting new fundraising projects to boost their coffers, beginning with...

A drop-in event will give prospective adopters the chance to find out more about the support available for those giving a loving home to a child. It’s taking place on Thursday, July 12 and is a chance for people to find out more about adoption and the support available to adoptive parents. Anyone interested can pop along and find out...

Aycliffe Today Sports Editor and Newton Aycliffe FC reporter Glen Robertson completes his Euro 2012 blog after Sunday's final... I don’t think anyone will forget the Euro 2012 final. Not only did Spain cement their status as one of the greatest teams in the history of the game, they did it by annihilating a very talented Italy...

By Martin Walker Hitachi’s new plant manager for the proposed £77m Newton Aycliffe factory is relishing his new role in the North-East. Darren Cumner, 42, quit a secure job to join Hitachi Rail Europe seven weeks ago – a signal of the company’s confidence their £4.5bn Intercity Express Programme (IEP) will be rubber-stamped by...

By Martin Walker Phil Wilson says Hitachi’s decision to appointment a new plant manager for the eagerly-awaited Newton Aycliffe site shows their intent. The Sedgefield MP, who played a major part in helping to bring the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) to County Durham, says Darren Cumner’s arrival is good news, after recent...

By Martin Walker For all those pessimists out there, Aycliffe Today think there are several reasons to be cheerful following this week’s big Hitachi event. Whilt it is still yet to be officially signed, sealed and delivered by the government – only a matter of time, we’re told – Hitachi Rail Europe held an over-subscribed...

By Martin Walker Hitachi Rail Europe insists the company is here for the long-term – and is looking forward to embracing the local community in Newton Aycliffe. That was the message from the company’s managing director, Keith Jordan, who delivered a hugely-positive speech at Thursday’s construction open day at the Xcel...

Aycliffe Today Sports Editor and Newton Aycliffe FC reporter Glen Robertson continues his daily Euro 2012 blog… So here we are. After 30 games and 72 goals, it all comes down to tonight’s game at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev. Italy versus Spain. Gianluigi Buffon against Iker Casillas. Andrea Pirlo faces Andres Iniesta. A team playing...