News
Weardale preparing to welcome a new vicar.
THE Parish of Stanhope is preparing to welcome a new Minister with the arrival in a few weeks of Revd Graeme Holdsworth. Rev Graeme is currently the Interim Vicar of Marsden and Slaithwaite, in West Yorkshire, but his family ties
Stanhope church hall to go up for sale
THE church hall in Stanhope’s main street is to be put up for sale in the New Year. The announcement was made during the church service on Sunday in St Thomas church, Stanhope. For months there has been speculation and
Weardale entrepreneur Luke Allan Holmes recognised at Northern Enterprise Awards as Holdham Group wins major innovation honour
Founder & CEO of Holdham Group, Luke Allan Holmes, has been named the North East’s Most Visionary Young Entrepreneur & Community Leader at this year’s Northern Enterprise Awards, in a major boost for a business with deep roots in Weardale.
Families have only days left to experience AGLOW 2025
Families across the region are being urged to book now as AGLOW 2025 enters its final days, with the spectacular festive light trail at Auckland Palace closing on Wednesday 31 December. With limited availability remaining, visitors have just days left to
Eastgate Christmas Carol Service
Eastgate Christmas Carol Service 24th December at 7pm Join us for a fun, family-friendly Christmas service with carols, the Weardale Nativity, and a cosy festive atmosphere surrounded by decorated trees. Perfect for all ages – relaxed, joyful, and welcoming.Refreshments afterwards too! Forget
CLA comments on significant change to inheritance tax reforms
The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has commented on a government announcement of a significant change to its planned reforms to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), with the valuation threshold rising from £1m to £2.5m
Call for people to become foster ‘aunts’ or ‘uncles’
A North East council is to be one of the first in the UK to recruit a new type of foster carer. Durham County Council is working in partnership with Now Foster to introduce the Weekenders Programme, a flexible way
CLA comments on rural mobile mast upgrades
The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has commented on a government announcement as over a 100 mobile masts are upgraded across rural Wales, Scotland and England delivering new 4G coverage from all mobile network operators for the first time.
PCC partners with national safety charity as illegal tyre use soars in the North East
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is joining forces with a national charity to prevent serious and fatal collisions involving illegal or poorly maintained tyres. The County Durham and Darlington PCC, who is Joint National Lead for Roads Policing on
Meet the County Durham firefighter taking on 1,393 mile challenge for youngster battling cancer
A County Durham firefighter is set to walk, run and cycle more than a thousand miles to raise funds for a little boy battling a rare form of childhood cancer. Gary Tough, a Station Manager at County Durham and Darlington
Darlington Mart
Darlington Farmers Auction Mart held their weekly sale of cast cattle and store stock and their fortnightly sale of fodder on Monday 22nd December 2025. Forward were 78 cattle, 267 sheep and 236 lots of fodder. 33 Cast Cows/OTM sold
The Auckland Project supports County Durham and Darlington families by donating toys, clothing and food to local charities
Shaun Emerson from Stanhope who founded and runs 123 Help4Famiy’s meets Jane Ruffer CEO of the Auckland Project. Photo Credit: Clayton Lucas. The Auckland Project has donated toys, clothing and food to support families across County Durham and Darlington ahead
123 Help 4 Families aided by Van hire company
A CHARITY based in Stanhope that helps families in need at Christmas needed helped itself this weekend. 123 Help 4 Family’s, founded and run by Shaun Emerson, works hard all year round to raise the money to help local families.
Joyce Jones
ANNOUNCEMENT The family of Joyce Jones of Wearhead announce her SAD PASSING. Dearly beloved wife of the late Ivan, mother of Michael and Shirley and a dear grandmother. Funeral details to follow.
Stanhope granddaughter heading for world glory
THE daughter of a Stanhope man, who emigrated to Australia over 20 years ago, has set her sights on the Olympics. Cienna Tinkler (15), whose grandmother, Jan, still lives in Stanhope, is a talented and competitive cyclist, training daily towards
Newest Lord reveals title
A Weardalian who is to be appointed to the House of Lords in the New Year has revealed what he has chosen as his title. Nick Forbes CBE, who is a former pupil of Wolsingham School, will become Lord Forbes
Enjoy a Fabulously Festive Visit to Beamish Museum This Christmas
There’s still time to enjoy Christmas at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North! From magical Christmas Daytimes to Twelfth Night Celebrations and the annual Beamish Pantomime, visitors can enjoy a whole host of exciting events and activities this Christmas.Step
Calling All Adventurous Adults!
Volunteer with Beavers & Cubs on Thursday evenings! ARE you looking for a fun, rewarding way to give back to your community? Do you enjoy working with children and want to help them grow in confidence, skills, and friendship? If