News

Cheerleader Ruby goes to US
A TEN-year-old girl from Wolsingham has competed in an international competition. Ruby Clarke, who attends Wolsingham Primary School, took part in the Cheerleading competition last month with her team, ‘Claw’, in Florida, USA. She began cheerleading following the Covid Lockdown

Tackling Organised Crime on our High Streets
PCC Joy Allen explains, in her own words, why she is continuing to push for action against organised crime so that high streets can be places of pride, safety and opportunity and not a cover for crime and disorder. Walk

Imagining the Unknown: The Reckoning of Space
New immersive space-themed exhibition and performance opens at Beamish Museum Artist Sarah Stamp presents Imagining the Unknown: The Reckoning of Space, a new immersive exhibition and performance opening at Beamish Museum from 9 to 30 May 2026. Presented in partnership

South West Durham students embark on ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip to Singapore
The students enjoy the view from Singapore’s Sentosa Island, the southern-most point of continental Asia STUDENTS from a County Durham secondary school travelled 6,000 miles on the ‘trip of a lifetime’ thanks to a Government travel scheme. The group of

Opening date confirmed for Bishop Auckland Bus Station
A brand-new bus station for Bishop Auckland is set to open this weekend. Durham County Council will officially open the new Bishop Auckland Bus Station to the public this Sunday, 10 May. Built on the site of the former station

Rare First World War ledger returned to North East
A rare handwritten ledger containing the names of hundreds of North East men who volunteered for the First World War has been returned to the region. The century-old register lists about 900 volunteers who signed up to serve in the


Former soldier turned fire service advisor to take on Great North Run in aid of firefighter charity
He’s a former soldier who spent 22 years in the Army and is now working to keep people safe in the fire and rescue service. Jonothan Hitchen, Health and Safety Advisor at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service

Lebaneat in court over hygiene and licence breaches
The operators of Lebaneat are facing a bill of over £16,000 after officers found poor food hygiene and licensing breaches at its Durham premises. Durham County Council took legal action against the companies Lebaneat (Yarm) Limited and O&A International Limited,


VET STAFF WALK MILES FOR ANIMAL CHARITY
STAFF at the Weardale Veterinary Clinic in Crook took on a 26-mile walking challenge on Saturday (May 2nd) to raise money for Blue Cross charity. Blue Cross is a British charity dedicated to helping sick, injured and homeless domestic pets,

Weardale remembered
Blue Bell Leek Club Pudding Festival, Cowshill Stanhope Barrington Bonfire Art Stanhope Methodist Schoolrooms Stanhope Methodist chapel

Bike sessions promote joy and confidence for children
CHILDREN at County Durham schools are discovering the joy and confidence found in riding a bike, as part of council-funded sessions. Delivered in a fun, positive and supportive environment, the sessions form part of Durham County Council’s Bikeability programme being

Mystery portrait sparks County Durham appeal as major Tom McGuinness exhibition opens
A mystery at the Mining Art Gallery has sparked a public appeal, as visitors are asked to help identify an unknown man captured in a 1963 portrait by celebrated miner-artist Tom McGuinness. The charcoal drawing, Portrait of an Unknown Man,

MP presents cheque from Persimmon to Crook Community Centre
MP Sam Rushworth, centre, with Persimmon Homes representative along with four members of the Community Centre committee. LOCAL MP, Sam Rushworth, visited Crook Community Centre on Friday (May 1st) to present a cheque to the hardworking committee who saved the

More new houses for Wolsingham proposed
RESIDENTS have reacted with surprise at the proposal for more new housing in Wolsingham. A planning application for 40 new houses on the site of the now demolished upper school in Wolsingham is being prepared by Chapter Homes. The news

NFU Mutual agency to occupy County Durham unit
An insurance company has opened a new base at a Spennymoor business park, with help from a fund which brings vulnerable buildings back into use. Durham County Council contributed £50,000 of its Towns and Villages Vulnerable Buildings Fund to finish

CLA comments on ‘rural affairs’ inclusion in Devolution Bill after lobbying effort
As MPs debate the Devolution Bill again, the UK Government has confirmed it will support adding the term ‘rural affairs’ to the list of responsibilities of mayors and councils. This is an important step that puts rural interests clearly into