News

January 2026 Why is this happening? Our region’s NHS must continue to adapt to the changing needs of the people it serves. Alongside the opportunities this brings, there are challenges such as workforce pressures and rising costs. And as the

Front left to right – Jane Ruffer, CEO of The Auckland Project, Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street.Back left to right – Dr John Castling at The Auckland Project, Mark Rowland,

Over the last two weeks Trades4Care have been carrying out the redecoration of the community hall at St Thomas’s Church in Wolsingham. The team have been supported on this project by decorating students Niamh, Thomas and Matthew from Bishop and

The stunning Manor House Hotel & Spa, West Auckland was transformed into a playground of elegant dread this past Friday the 13th, as guests gathered for a Masquerade Ball in honour of the sensationally successful horror character, Eve Valentine. The

It has just started snowing at Swinhope and is forecast to continue through the night and all through tomorrow though getting lighter. There is a possibility that we will run the tows either Friday or Saturday, both if we are lucky, but we

A rogue trader who conned 24 victims of more than £31,000 has been sentenced to prison for 19 months. Mark Thirkell, aged 49, of Laburnum Park, Brandon was sentenced today at Durham Crown Court in a case brought by Durham

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is calling upon rural residents and businesses to speak up about crime and policing to shape future services in the way they want. Since first being elected as County Durham and Darlington’s PCC in

Across rural County Durham, voluntary organisations, community groups, and individuals know their communities best. They know what it is like to struggle with transport, feel isolated, or keep local services going with limited funding and time. Iin 2026, a programme

Photo: left to right – Speaker Greg McCormick, Food Bank member Debbie Richardson, Chair of BACS Brian Haywood. Following his successful talk to Bishop Auckland Civic Society, speaker Greg McCormick requested that his fee be donated to a local food

Councillors in County Durham have this morning agreed to recommend an overall 1.99 per cent increase in council tax. Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet revised their proposed increase and agreed to reassess proposed savings following the announcement earlier this

A council has pledged to celebrate and encourage reading with a year-long programme of events. Durham County Council is supporting the National Year of Reading, a major nationwide push to get people of all ages behind the pages of books.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is empowering residents to use their voice to help her make ongoing improvements to neighbourhood policing – just as they have asked. The County Durham and Darlington PCC is set to examine the force’s

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has confirmed she will increase the policing element of council tax in County Durham and Darlington by £18.50 a year for a Band D property, following clear public support and against a recommendation from

North Pennines Playwrights, a group of local writers, have been working together to write a new stage play that celebrates the lead mining heritage of our area. Lead and Silver is inspired by North Pennines National Landscape’s Land of Lead

The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has commented on business rate increases as having a detrimental impact on wedding, and other hospitality venues. Gavin Lane, CLA President, said: “This tax could kill the dream of the countryside wedding. Entrepreneurs

Every year, hundreds of thousands of new drivers set out to buy their first car, faced with the challenge of balancing affordability with reliability. With the cost of living rising, choosing a car that is cheap to insure, run, and