News
PCC funds trailblazing drug education pilot in secondary schools
A major new pilot to educate children and young people on the harm and consequences of taking illicit drugs has been delivered, co-funded by County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen. The project was delivered by the
Council welcomes new early years funding
A council has welcomed new government funding that will bring improvements to early years education and support the development of children from more deprived backgrounds. From April 2025, the Government increased the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) to £655 per
Hamsterley Forest Development Faces Growing Doubts Amid Economic Downturn and Public
Serious concerns are being raised about the viability of a proposed cabin development at Hamsterley Forest, as new evidence highlights changing visitor behaviour, economic pressures, and a lack of supporting demand data. The scheme, involving large-scale holiday accommodation in a
CLA welcomes plan to tackle waste crime
he CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has commented on government and the Environment Agency measures targeting illegal dumping. The new Waste Crime Action Plan sets out a zero-tolerance approach, with action to prevent waste crime at its source
Fly-tip and failure to assist leads to £1,000 bill for woman
A woman has been ordered to pay £1,000 after waste was dumped on a County Durham lane. Responding to a fly-tip in May last year, Durham County Council’s Neighbourhood Wardens found a large amount of waste dumped on Knitsley Lane,
County Lines are devastating young lives
Ruthless organised crime gangs are targeting our children. This can happen to any child, from any background, in any neighbourhood, that is why we all have a role to play in keeping them safe. County lines are not just about
CLA comments on new Land Use Framework
The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has commented on the government’s long-awaited Land Use Framework which will be unveiled this afternoon (Wednesday 18 March) by Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds. The Framework sets out how England uses its land. CLA
CLA comments on new law to protect animals from dog attacks
The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has commented on the new Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill which comes into force today. This marks a watershed moment in improving the protection of farmed animals in England and Wales from
Firefighter opens up about how new role in Service led to neurodiversity diagnosis
It was a passion for helping people that attracted Lindsay Blake to join the fire service in 2009, but little did she know it would also help her to understand herself. After 15 years as a firefighter, the Watch Manager
OUR BOOKS ARE BURNING
By James Maasz O’Connell (Wolsingham School) They are burning our books These arsonists in charge Their lies and propaganda Are more than just sparks Every word that they utter And fake sentence they string Is fuelling the inferno And the
Donations doubled to support free therapeutic drawing classes at Bishop Auckland’s Artists’ Hub
A pioneering project supporting people’s health through classical art tuition has been selected by the Big Give Arts for Impact Campaign – a high-profile match-funding event. The backing of this national charity means donations will be doubled during a campaign
Durham Brass Festival announces line-up
A popular festival celebrating all things brass has announced its line-up as it makes a milestone return in 2026 for its 20th anniversary. Durham Brass Festival, organised by Durham County Council and with funding from Arts Council England, will be
The new course preparing people for a career in the fire service
A North East fire service named the best in the UK has helped a group of young people take their first steps on the ladder to a career as a firefighter. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS)
FIR TREE CENTENARIAN CELEBRATES
THE oldest Resident of Fir Tree has turned a century. Joyce Temple, nee Bell, was born, the youngest of four children, at Fawnlees, Wolsingham on March 17th 1926. In 1931, when she was five years old, the family moved to
Samuel King’s School pupils make first foreign visit in a decade
Pupils from Samuel King’s School in Alston have returned from a highly successful educational visit to Berlin — the school’s first foreign trip for ten years. Last week, 38 students from Year 8 and Year 9 travelled to the German
‘Weird’ Review
By Amalia Sabrosa (aged 13) If you loved ‘Six’ you are going to love ‘Weird’! It tells the story of Shakespeare’s Macbeth from the point of view of the witches. You don’t need to have seen that play to enjoy