News

VILLAGERS in Fir Tree have been working very hard over the last two years bringing the village to life with beautiful floral arrangements and have been rewarded for their efforts in an award ceremony help recently. This is the first

Northumbria Police firearms officers swapped the streets for the railway as Weardale Railway played host to a specialist armed response training exercise. The railway welcomed firearms recruits to its Stanhope site, where its historic carriages were transformed into a realistic

County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has unveiled her Annual Report 2025/26, highlighting sweeping progress against her pledges to better support victims, tackle the public’s top priorities and prevent crime. Her Annual Report, presented at a

County Durham An opportunity has opened for an experienced festival producer to help develop the next major festival for County Durham. Durham County Council is seeking experienced cultural organisations, festival producers, creative practitioners and consortium partnerships to help develop and

PD Chewy was deployed alongside response and Durham Roads & Armed Policing officers in the early hours of this morning following reports of a garage burglary in Bishop Auckland. Suspects were seen fleeing the scene in a WV Golf after

New safety measures have been installed at a County Durham junction as part of a £2.94 million investment programme.  Durham County Council has completed an improvement scheme at St John’s Road Junction in Meadowfield, in a bid to ease traffic

Families are invited to celebrate the autumn season when Bishop Auckland’s Harvest Festival returns to the grounds of Auckland Palace on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September. Taking place from 11am to 4pm and free to attend, the two-day festival

Hidden inequalities in rural areas are deeply impacting residents of all ages, according to new community research. Both young people and older adults are disproportionately affected, struggling with isolation, fewer opportunities, and unfair life disadvantages.  Four community research teams, funded

Photographer Louise Taylor, who lives in Tow Law but whose parents lived for many years in Cowshill, has spent the past decade documenting the extraordinary collections her father, John Taylor, left behind after his sudden death in 2013. Her work

Durham-based rail business Holdham Group is celebrating national recognition at one of the rail industry’s most prestigious awards ceremonies, after Bishop Auckland train station was named Highly Commended for Customer Service Excellence at the National Rail Awards 2026. The accolade

PCC Joy Allen explains, in her own words, why residents and businesses across County Durham and Darlington need to take part in a national survey and share their experience when reporting crime and whether it has been positive or whether

Weardale Wilf and his mates have had a very busy time of late visiting the local shows and there’s nothing like a catch-up over a good pint. Cheers lads! ARTIST: HELEN BLACKBURN

From left: Simon Whitehead, Lucy Wilson, Lois Best, Jade Franklin, Lucy Mulryan and Codey Austin. Five members of staff and a Sixth Form student from King James have completed the Great North Run 2026. As a result, over £2,500 will

A Roman altar dedicated by a soldier grateful for his safe return home will be on display in Bishop Auckland this autumn, offering a remarkable glimpse into faith, travel, and everyday life almost 1,750 years ago. The altar, discovered in

Durham County Council has launched a consultation to raise awareness of the financial pressures it is facing and to give people an opportunity to shape how it transforms and delivers services over the next four years. The council is asking

Another Young Futures Hub is set to be created in County Durham following a successful bid for funding. Durham County Council has been selected by the government to establish a second Young Futures Hub, following the success of its pilot

Two of Bishop Auckland’s leading charities are investing in the town’s future after recruiting a new cohort of apprentices to strengthen their organisations while creating valuable career opportunities for local people. Working in partnership with Bishop Auckland College, The Auckland