It’s Carnival Time at the Boating Lake next week! The Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) have organised and funded ‘Cutting Loose’, a carnival celebration of live music, dance and costume. The event is taking place at the Boating Lake, West Park, Newton Aycliffe, on Thursday 12th July, from 6pm. Full details are in...

Four lucky year 11 students from Woodham Community Technology College are off on the summer of a lifetime this weekend as they travel to Camp Cody in New Hampshire, USA, as part of the Coach USA programme at Woodham. The students, who were selected from a strict application and interview process will work on the American summer camp for...

A severe weather warning has been issued for the region this weekend, with some parts of the region already suffering flash flooding. Residents are being urged to take extra care while travelling and to keep a close watch on weather forecasts in light of another severe weather warning being issued to the North-East. Barnard Castle and...

Young people are being encouraged to get involved in a new competition for those who love skateboards, BMX bikes and micro-scooters. Funding from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) is being used to fund three local ‘jams’ set to keep young people occupied during the school holidays. The competitions will last between...

Shafto St Marys Ward Police and Communities Together (PACT) are meeting tonight (6pm). Durham Constabulary is dedicated to making your neighbourhood safer. If you have any issues affecting your quality of life and want to discuss it with your Neighbourhood Policing Team then get involved in your local PACT meeting. This is an informal...

By Martin Walker New figures have revealed that County Durham already has the second highest number of wind farms in England – before E.ON’s controversial bid for a 24-turbine cluster near Newton Aycliffe. Campaigners fighting against the new application, including our MP Phil Wilson, say the county has played its part...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe’s newest superstore is making steady progress – as our picture shows. The £1.5m Aldi store is expected to be open for business by early 2013, with construction of the steel frame of the shop now well under way. The new Aldi, on Greenwell Road opposite Tesco, is the latest phase in Freshwater’s...

Library-users could be given the chance to decide on new opening hours for facilities across County Durham if changes to services are given the go-ahead. Durham County Council’s Cabinet will next week be asked to approve proposals that would enable it to make required savings of £1.457m while ensuring that all libraries can remain...

Newton Aycliffe family-run steel firm Finley Structures are looking for a new part-time receptionist to job share. The role will involve 22 hours a week, Wednesday and Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, and Friday 8.30am to 3.30pm, as well as covering holidays and sickness. The salary is £14,000 pro rata, and previous experience is...

Feedback on plans to review the provision of CCTV cameras across County Durham will be discussed by councillors next week. Durham County Council is reviewing where cameras are sited and how they are monitored in order to create an improved, better value and more effective service. As part of this process, which includes all equipment...