A Newton Aycliffe engineer is now in charge of 50 staff members after completing management training with his employer. Darlington-based Cleveland Bridge UK has launched a new talent development programme to support its national growth strategy in UK bridge building. The structural steel engineering company has invested in a long-term...

Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club secured promotion to Durham and Northumberland Division Two with an emphatic win at the weekend. Aycliffe 1st XV travelled to Seghill RFC needing only one point to be guaranteed a long-awaited rise to DN2. And straight from the kick-off it was clear that there was going to only ever be one winner, with Aycliffe...

The trading arm of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) – Vital Fire Solutions Ltd – along with Durham County Council has developed a training course specifically for landlords in the region. The course was created after Vital Fire Solutions and the council identified a need for landlords to have an increased...

Fast-growing Crafter’s Companion has today unveiled plans to open a retail outlet in Newton Aycliffe, which will be the first of its kind in the UK. As exclusively revealed by Aycliffe Today last November, the Coundon-based global firm earmarked the former Holiways car dealership on Aycliffe Business Park as an ideal site to accommodate...

Newton Aycliffe 2, Guisborough Town 0 Newton Aycliffe's excellent league form continued as they climbed up to third in the Northern League first division with a win at home to second-placed Guisborough Town. A dominant second-half display saw Peter Dixon's side notch their fourth successive league victory thanks to goals by Matty Moffatt and...

Newton Aycliffe 80, Seaham 7 This has been a very sad week for Newton Aycliffe RUFC with the really sad loss of Ainsley Adams, son of ex club secretary Sue and ex player Charlie. At the tragically young age of 27 Ainsley passed away at James Cook Hospital surrounded by his close family. The players of Seaham and Newton Aycliffe together...

Sports Club 1, Huntsman 3 By Craig Woodhead Following last week’s victory against title rivals Coundon, The Huntsman were back in action away to The Sports Club on Sunday, aiming to maintain their 100% league record. Manager Neil Dodds was forced into three changes, with Anthony MacDonald forced to play in goal and Paul Barnes and...

Police are appealing for information after two bikes were stolen in the town. The two mountain bikes (pictured below) were taken from a garage burglary in Windsor Close some time between 10pm on Sunday (10th May) and 6am on Monday. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Newton Aycliffe Police on telephone number 101 or through their...

Newton Aycliffe Juniors FC round-up from the weekend... Newton Aycliffe Juniors Under 13's played their last game of the season today at home against a strong Polton All-stars who had won all of their previous 22 games and sealed the league title by a country mile. It was not about the result, we just wanted to give a good account of...

Four students at Woodham Academy have been given free tickets for their prom this summer after their outstanding contribution in school. Year 11 students have been working hard in their studies this year in an attempt to get the highest grades possible in their upcoming examinations. The students with the highest number of achievement points...

  Newton Aycliffe's cricket team earned a dramatic victory at home to Normanby Hall at the weekend. The two-and-a-half-hour delay for the ground to dry out was worth the wait as Aycliffe's first XI eventually came out on top, winning by one wicket off the last ball of the game against Normanby's second team. The visitors to Aycliffe...

  Newton Aycliffe residents are being urged to turn household waste into food for their garden by making compost. Turning organic waste into compost not only produces a nutritious food for the garden, it also reduces the amount of household waste that ends up in the bin. Rachel Gatland, waste strategy and policy officer at Durham...

Phil Wilson was this morning re-elected as Newton Aycliffe's Member of Parliament in the General Election. In what is turning out to be a shocking night for Ed Miliband, with the Labour leader set to resign, his party still strengthened its hold in the North East. Mr Wilson increased his number and share of the Sedgefield votes on the 2010...

A charity fundraiser moved closer to achieving his target after a successful charity reunion football match. Newtonian Paul McGeary pledged to raise £10,000 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research after he was struck down with Leukaemia in November last year. Now he's only £400 away from hitting his target after Saturday's fun game raised a...

Newton Aycliffe's Greggs shop is celebrating after being crowned the ‘Best in the UK’ by the high street retailer at its annual awards. The Beveridge Way outlet received the accolade based on their excellent all round performance during the past 12 months, which includes demonstrating outstanding customer service, excellent shop standards,...

Hitachi Rail Europe has announced two new senior appointments. With the company’s Rail Vehicle Manufacturing Facility in Newton Aycliffe becoming fully operational later this year, Hitachi Rail Europe’s focus is shifting towards delivering trains to existing UK customers and driving new European sales. Karen Boswell has been announced as...

The family of a popular and well-known Pastor issued a statement following her passing away last week. Tributes and messages have been pouring in from friends and family around the area and the world after the passing of Xcel Church Pastor Pamela Greenow, who died peacefully on Wednesday 29th April. Pamela was born in Cockfield, near Bishop...

Police are hunting a "spotty ginger" thief after a bike was stolen from an area of Newton Aycliffe on Wednesday. A statement said the suspect, a young male, allegedly took the white Carrera mountain bike, similar to the one pictured below, from an address at Kirkstone Place at around 4pm yesterday (Wednesday 6th May). "The male was described...

Aycliffe Today offers its support to the Labour Parliamentary candidate Phil Wilson today, and here's why... The focus of the General Election naturally hones in on the bigger picture - the leaders of the main parties - and while the national battle promises to be an intriguing one today, we prefer to concentrate on the local campaign, and who...

Below is a list of the polling stations in Newton Aycliffe. Remember, you don't need your polling card to be able to vote, but you do need to attend your nearest station and supply your address. Aycliffe Evangelical Church (Formerly Greenfield Meeting Hall), Ladybower, DL5 7EU Scout H.Q., Bluebell Way, Newton Aycliffe, Co...

The site of the former Aycliffe police station will be transformed into a new care home, as exclusively revealed on Aycliffe Today. We reported six weeks ago that a new home was expected to be built on the site of the station, which was reduced to rubble in March after it was sold by Durham Constabulary. Today, the Durham force confirmed it...

A group of four students from Woodham Academy competed in the regional final of the Team Maths Challenge at Durham Johnston. The event, organised by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT), saw 25 teams from schools across the North East compete in speed and relay rounds to complete a range of challenging problems. The team from Woodham...

Newton Aycliffe's cricket team suffered their first defeat of the season on Bank Holiday Monday, just two days after beating Hartlepool's second team in the NYSD League Division Two. Aycliffe's first XI beat Hartlepool by five wickets on Saturday. The visitors were 138 all out with Colin Myers taking an impressive six wickets for 24. John...

The UKIP candidate for Newton Aycliffe has sparked outrage after it emerged he said a female journalist "needs a good shag". John Leathley, who's standing for the Sedgefield seat in the General Election on Thursday, also said that the well-known columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown "would love a big black thing up her a***" during his vile rant on...

Newton Aycliffe Juniors Under 9's travelled up to Berwick to compete in the Haggerston Classic Tournament over the Bank Holiday weekend. Both the Russell Foster and TJFA teams were represented each playing five group games over two days attempting to reach the final on the Sunday. The Russell Foster side were allocated to Group 2 and despite...

A Newton Aycliffe man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving the car he was driving crashed in Middridge on Bank Holiday Monday. The 22-year-old was driving a silver Peugeot 206 through the village on Monday evening when he lost control of the vehicle. Police attended the scene shortly after 9.15pm and the driver was taken to James...

A message from Greg Robinson, the Green Party candidate for the Sedgefield seat in this year's General Election... While all the other parties squabble amongst themselves and look to use the election campaign as a point scoring exercise I, as the Green Party candidate, would like to draw people’s attention to the positives that they can...

Family, friends and colleagues of Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Inspector Mark Hall have paid tribute to him after his sudden death last week. Mr Hall, 47, who lived in Newton Aycliffe, fell ill when he was out on his bicycle on the evening of Thursday, April 23. He was taken to hospital in Darlington then transferred to Durham, where he...

The first image of what the region's first University Technical College (UTC), to be built in Newton Aycliffe, has been released. And the South Durham UTC, an engineering and advanced manufacturing Centre of Excellence, has also revealed the name of its new head teacher. As revealed on Aycliffe Today two weeks ago, planning for the £10m UTC...

Newton Aycliffe JUNIORS football round-up – Weekend of 25.04.15 U8’s Away to Hartlepool St Francis who stormed into a 2 goal lead, but we got back into the game with a goal from Kyle after good work from Parker. HT 2-1. Second half saw us press for an equaliser and looked likely but got caught on the break again to trail 3-1. Thomas pulled...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe's biggest employers has expanded again with the development of a new £11m press plant. Car parts maker Gestamp Tallent, which employs more than 1,300 people on Aycliffe Business Park, has updated the oldest part of its huge site in Aycliffe. The 17-metre tall extension is 75 metres in length and...

Former Newton Aycliffe FC captains Sean Tarling and John Close locked horns ahead of this weekend’s huge charity reunion game as they finalised their squads last night. In a specially arranged meeting, Close and Tarling spent three hours deliberating who they wanted to represent them in the Moore Lane Park showdown. The game is raising...

Residents in County Durham are reminded that there are no changes to bin collections during the May bank holiday weeks. All bin collections in the county will remain as usual during the weeks of Monday 4th May and Monday 25th May. Householders are asked to put their bins out near the kerbside by 7.00am on their usual day. This applies to...

  A Newton Aycliffe-based business which reunites people with valuable and sentimental lost items is being helped to grow thanks to DigitalCity. Lostbox has made national headlines thanks to its innovative use of social media to provide a lost and found service which returns items to their original owners. The business, based at the...

Both of Newton Aycliffe's cricket teams earned draws in a rain-affected day's play at the weekend. A three-hour stoppage for persistent rain ruined a game that Aycliffe's first team may well have won, as they had to settle for a share of the spoils at home to Wolviston in the NYSD Division Two. The visitors scored 137 for seven with Aycliffe...

Woodham Academy is to receive a grant of almost £500,000 to improve facilities at the school. The funds will be used to repair the roof structure and enhance the internal fabric of the building which will improve the learning environment for pupils. Woodham was selected following a prioritisation process by the Department for Education...

By Martin Walker Former Newton Aycliffe winger Stuart Owen says the Big Club's historic County Cup win this week tops his achievements with his hometown club. The midfielder was a key part in Aycliffe's rise to the Northern League first division in recent years. But he says Thursday night's victory over Stockton Hardwick Social beats...

  Peter Allison's gallery of pictures from Newton Aycliffe WMC's County Cup final win over Stockton Hardwick Social...                              ...

  A job opportunity has come up with Newton Aycliffe family-run garage Gregg Little Testing Centre. Details as follows... Job Description Fully Qualified Competent Motor Mechanic Min requirement of Level 2 and 3 NVQ Motor Vehicle Maintenance Duties will include car maintenance, repairs, servicing of all makes and models of...

Three North East football club owners are in the Sunday Times Rich List again, despite two of them apparently losing millions in the last year. Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson has seen his wealth cut by a third, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List. Newcastle United's unpopular owner Mike Ashley is still the region's...

The company responsible for constructing Hitachi Rail Europe's new train-building site in Newton Aycliffe has won a national award. Shepherd Construction, the main contractor for the Hitachi factory on Aycliffe Business Park, has won a prestigious Gold Award at the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s 2015 National Site Awards. The annual...

Newton Aycliffe WMC are one step away from completing their 'Revolution' with an historic cup final tomorrow night. The Big Club side, jointly managed by Blackburn Rovers star Jason Steele and Dave Owen, take on Stockton Hardwick Social in the Sunday County Cup final at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare ground in Hetton on Thursday evening...

Police want to speak to a "dirty blonde haired" woman who was spotted behaving suspiciously in Newton Aycliffe. Officers were alerted to a female allegedly trying door handles in the Isherwood Court area of the town on Tuesday afternoon (21st April). The woman is described by police as being of white appearance, stocky build, around 5'4"...

Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club's first team opened the season with an excellent home win against newly-promoted Whitby at the weekend. Debutant John Cavanagh (pictured) earned the man-of-the-match award with a brilliant unbeaten innings of 77, including 14 boundaries and a huge six. He reached his half century off just 29 balls and his 77...

A host of legendary Aycliffe footballers and other well-known stars will line up for a charity fundraising game next week. Former stars such as Dan Mellanby, John Shotton, Stuart Owen, Ray Stanger and Warren Byrne have agreed to take part in the game to raise funds for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. But organiser Paul McGeary (above...

By Martin Walker The Conservative candidate for the Sedgefield seat in the General Election has criticised Labour man Phil Wilson over claims he "led the campaign to bring Hitachi to Newton Aycliffe". Former Army tank commander Scott Wood, from Darlington, is running against Mr Wilson to be our MP on 7th May. He says the Labour...

Police are appealing for information after an assault in the Horndale area of the town. The incident happened at around 5.30pm on Sunday (19th April), when a man suffered serious head injuries after the alleged assault outside Horndale Post Office. Police say a number of people were in the area at the time. Anyone with information is...

An outstanding business performance by Newton Aycliffe-based Driver Hire was recognised at the company’s recently held annual Winter Conference. And the firm is expecting another record year this year, with turnover expecting to top £500,000. Driver Hire Darlington also won the firm’s prestigious Bronze Achievement Award for outstanding...

Hundreds of primary school children took part in the INEOS GO Run For Fun event in the town earlier today (Friday 17th April). Olympic long jumper Chris Tomlinson attended the event at Oakleaf Sports Complex, cheered on by crowds of supporters and campaign mascot Dart, as well as Aycliffe Mayor Wendy Hillary. Around 400 children from 11...

By Martin Walker Former Gestamp Tallent boss David Land is heading up a new engineering University Technical College (UTC) for the region, with building of the Aycliffe-based facility due to start in August. Mr Land, who recently left Newton Aycliffe car parts maker Gestamp which is sponsoring the UTC, is working with the University of...

Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club's first team begin their NYSD Division Two season this weekend (Saturday) when they welcome newly-promoted Whitby to Newton Aycliffe Sports Club. Newton Aycliffe have made two exciting signings during the winter with all rounder John Cavanagh and wicket keeper/batsman Tom Young joining from Sedgefield. Both...

Shildon Three Tons 2, Aycliffe Sports Club 4 By Paul Eales Four league wins in a row, which included 10 goals for leading scorer Chris Jones, saw Newton Aycliffe Sports Club secure the runners-up spot in the Wear Valley Sunday Morning League with their second promotion in as many seasons. Last week’s 6-3 victory against Cockton Hill...

A Newton Aycliffe renewable energy provider has stepped forward to replace £900 of stolen charity funds. Wayne Richardson, owner of Revolution Power, was shocked to learn money collected for the North East Air Ambulance, was taken from the The Ship Inn, Middlestone, on Monday night. More than £900 had been collected through a series of...

By Martin Walker The UK Independence Party candidate for Sedgefield insists he's committed to the constituency, despite campaigning to become a councillor in Stockton at the same time. John Leathley is standing for UKIP to become both an MP for Sedgefield in the General Election as well as a ward councillor for Stockton Borough...

By Martin Walker German retailer Lidl wants to create 70 new jobs in Newton Aycliffe with an expansion plan at its Newton Aycliffe warehouse. The discount supermarket has applied for planning permission to extend its warehouse on Aycliffe Business Park by a further 17,000 square metres in two phases. The plans would boost Lidl's...

A Newtonian hopes to live his childhood dream out for a second time in as many years, as he looks forward to playing in a charity football game at The Riverside, home of his beloved Middlesbrough FC. Ryan Gillham, 23, first played in the specially arranged Finlay Cooper Fund game last season, alongside the likes of Teesside pop icon James...

By Martin Walker The new owners of loss-making Woodham Golf Club have unveiled multi-million pound development plans which could be vital to securing the venue’s future. Hall Construction Services Ltd re-opened the course last summer after its closure in November 2013 when previous owners Washington Developments ran into financial...

Ashington 1, Newton Aycliffe 2 By Bob Wood Newton Aycliffe FC secured their First Division status in style on Saturday with a 2-1 win at a windswept Ashington. The Colliers have been the Northern League's in-form team of late, but their seven-game winning streak was brought to an end by a determined Aycliffe side. As has often been...

By Martin Walker The UK Independence Party's candidate for Sedgefield has slammed the "arrogance" of the Labour Party after Tony Blair's visit to Newton Aycliffe this week. The former Prime Minister visited Aycliffe Business Park on Tuesday to launch a rallying cry for Ed Miliband's party and for its Sedgefield candidate Phil Wilson, who...

By Martin Walker Boxing fans have a rare chance of getting up close and personal with ring legend Nigel Benn at a special event. All-round semi-pro sportsman Daryl Hall, from Newton Aycliffe, is bringing the boxing legend to County Durham for a sportsman's dinner at Willington Leisure Spectrum in May. It's one of only three public...

Local residents group ACORN and their junior section little Acorns had a successful third Easter Petting zoo this week. The popular community group put on an amazing extravaganza each year to entertain children and adults alike. See more of ACORN's pictures below Supported by Big Lottery fund grant the ACORN phenomenon gets bigger and...

Newton Aycliffe FC's season has taken on yet more twists in the last week. In what has been a troublesome campaign of ups and downs, the Newtonians lost their League Cup semi-final at Ashington last week, only to discover their victors allegedly fielded an ineligible player. It means the Northern League could overturn the result and place...

A coffee morning raising more than £1,000 has boosted a Newton Aycliffe fundraiser's charity fund. The event, held at St Mary’s Church in the town, raised £640 - with an anonymous parishioner boosting the total fund with a £500 persona donation. The £1,140 raised goes into Newtonian Paul McGeary's campaign to raise £10,000 this...

  A gallery of pictures showing how Hitachi Rail Europe's £82m train-building factory is coming on in Newton Aycliffe...                  ...

By Martin Walker Phil Wilson jumped on the Labour Party's campaign about Europe today during Tony Blair's visit in Newton Aycliffe. Labour's candidate for the Sedgefield Constituency in this year's General Election, who has been an MP after succeeding Mr Blair in 2007, says Hitachi Rail Europe wouldn't have come to the UK if Britain...

By Martin Walker Tony Blair says the "high quality" companies which are coming to Newton Aycliffe want the security of knowing they can trade in Europe without tariffs. The former Prime Minister and ex-Sedgefield MP was back in the area on Tuesday to promote the Labour Party's General Election campaign. He used the Xcel Centre on...

Here's our gallery of pictures showing Tony Blair's visit to Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday...                   ...

By Martin Walker The UK Independence Party candidate for Sedgefield has slammed Labour-controlled Durham County Council for enforcing a rise in council tax without consulting with the public. Like many local authorities, DCC opted to increase council tax by the threshold figure of 1.99%. Any rise over 1.99% would mean it would have to...

By Martin Walker The growing popularity of the UK Independence Party seems to be reaching Newton Aycliffe after its Sedgefield candidate in this year's general election came second to Phil Wilson in an Aycliffe Today poll. Following Thursday night's live leaders' debate, Aycliffe Today has published the results of a Sedgefield poll...

Aycliffe Today has revealed exciting plans to launch a brand new radio station just for Newton Aycliffe. Aycliffe's premier news outlet wants to get the new station on air this month. Bosses say they want to pack air-time with a range of popular music tracks and chart hits, so have appropriately named the proposed station Airplays Flood,...

Jane Ritchie ploughed £5m of her inheritance into fulfilling her dream of creating a facility which would encourage vocational learning in County Durham. Martin Walker finds out more about the Work Place... Jane Ritchie might not be a name familiar to many people on Aycliffe Business Park, but we have the Yorkshire woman to thank for one of...

An important collaboration between the fire service and local housing providers will see sprinkler systems fitted in homes across County Durham as part of the Safer Homes’ project. The agreement, announced during the Safer Homes’ week of action last week, is a first for the area and an exciting development in home fire safety. The...

  Communities across County Durham and Darlington are set to benefit from £150,000 towards projects aimed at improving community safety and reducing crime, thanks to a new funding scheme to be launched by the Police and Crime Commissioner. Ron Hogg, Durham's Police and Crime Commissioner, has teamed up with local grant-making charity...

More than 30,000 children in County Durham have completed a pedestrian training scheme. The 30,000 Year 3 primary school pupils from around the county have been given the Child Pedestrian Training by Durham County Council’s Road Safety Team. Their training included three practical sessions where children learnt about road safety and...

Guisborough Town 4, Newton Aycliffe 0 By Bob Wood A heavy defeat on Saturday to league leaders Guisborough Town leaves Newton Aycliffe still dangerously close to the relegation zone of Ebac Northern League Division One. Aycliffe are 17th, five points above the relegation places with just two games left to play. However, some of the...

Huntsman 2, Aycliffe Sports Club 3 By Paul Eales Derby Day came a week early in Newton Aycliffe as the Sports Club took the short trip to Simpasture Park to play local rivals The Huntsman. With just three games to go, the away side knew that a win would see them safely promoted in their first season in the Wear Valley Sunday League...

By Martin Walker Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious road traffic collision that occurred in Newton Aycliffe on Friday night. A black coloured Mercedes E350 collided with a red coloured Skoda Octavia taxi, resulting in the Mercedes leaving the road, on the A167 in between the Gretna Green pub and Central Avenue junction, at...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe's Mayor has hit out at Durham County Council's decision to cut street lighting along the A167 after it emerged three sets of lights were off when a serious accident happened on Friday night. As reported on Aycliffe Today, a taxi and a van were involved in a serious collision on the busy road at a spot in...

By Martin Walker Phil Wilson says Newton Aycliffe has a lot to be proud of after some hugely positive developments for the town in recent years. The Labour MP for Sedgefield was talking at the launch of his official 2015 general election campaign, held in Aycliffe town centre on Saturday morning. Mr Wilson retained his Sedgefield seat...

The A167 in Newton Aycliffe was closed for a number of hours on Friday night after a serious accident involving a taxi and a van. An estimated 14 emergency service vehicles including three ambulances, three fire engines and police cars attended the scene, in between Central Avenue and the Gretna Green pub. The two vehicles - a Skoda...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe police launched a dramatic covert operation down Woodham Burn to snatch three suspected burglars today, thanks to the force's social media page. After putting out an appeal on their new Facebook page, the Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team received information from a member of the public which has...

By Martin Walker A Newton Aycliffe Fabrication and Engineering firm is taking on more staff to cope with demand as its Apprentices exceed expectation following a string of recent success stories. Tom Holt (above centre), from Hurworth has just started his Level 3 Apprenticeship in sheet metal work and fabrication through neighbouring...

EXCLUSIVE By Martin Walker A new care home is expected to be built on the site of the former Newton Aycliffe police station, which has been reduced to rubble after it was sold by Durham Constabulary. The demolition of the three-storey structure on Central Avenue, built in the 1960s, cost £86,000 and our picture above shows how it's...

By Martin Walker A team of councillors were wowed by plans to create a permanent memorial to the Aycliffe Angels at one of the Royal Ordnance Factories on Aycliffe Business Park. Six of Newton Aycliffe's Durham County Councillors - Jed Hillary, John Clare, Kate Hopper, Eddy Adam, Joan Gray and Mike Dixon - visited the former Presswork...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe's MP Phil Wilson has joined forces with the town centre manager to launch a scheme based on a pilot idea which has already proved successful on Teesside which could see a host of new start-up retailers in our shopping centre. A Stockton-based social enterprise has already delivered the scheme on behalf of...

By Martin Walker The final track component was installed at Hitachi Rail Europe's train-building site this week, connecting the factory with the rail network for the first time. Network Rail, Story Contracting, Volker Rail and Hitachi turned the last Pandrol Clip at the Aycliffe Business Park site, which will soon start delivering the...

Opening hours at the Household Waste Recycling Centre in Newton Aycliffe are being extended throughout the summer starting next week. From Wednesday 1st April through to the end of September, the tip will be open seven days a week from 9am until 6pm. John Shannon, strategic waste manager at Durham County Council, said: “Extended summer...

Police are appealing for information after a burglary in Newton Aycliffe. It happened some time between midnight and 7.30am on Saturday 21st March at Winterburn Place. Suspects gained entry to a rear garden shed by forcing the lock. A quantity of tools, two bikes, and a metal detector were then stolen. One bike is described as silver...

Bin collections in County Durham will not be affected during the Easter Bank Holiday period. Residents can put their bins out on their normal collection day. Households which have collections on a Friday are reminded to put their bins out when they usually would as collections will still be taking place on Good Friday (April 3). This...

Police are appealing for information after an attempted double burglary in Newton Aycliffe. At about 9pm on Sunday 22nd March, suspects have used an unknown implement to crack a window of a conservatory in Kestrel Court. A short time later, a stone has been used to crack a window of a property in Garburn Place. "It is believed the...

Durham Constabulary is increasing the number of officers who carry Tasers to assist them in keeping communities safe. This follows recent calls from the Police Federation that all officers should be equipped with the devices, which were first introduced in the UK in 2003 and in Durham were issued to authorised firearms officers two years...

Students from Woodham Academy were in top form when the finalists battled it out to be Woodham’s Got Talent winners 2015. A near capacity hall was entertained by superb music and dance. The evening kicked off with the Woodham Academy Jazz band in their own unique version of Pharrell Williams’ Happy. Compering the evening was Y7...

Construction and development specialist Southdale is using more than £11m of new contracts in the North East to create opportunities for local supply chain companies and subcontractors, and to create jobs and apprenticeships. Newton Aycliffe-based Southdale has secured the work, including new projects on Tyneside, where it will build 116...

A week of action to help people feel safer in their homes started this week. The Safer Homes week, led by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, is linked to the project bearing the same name. Each day of the week the focus will fall on a different element of the project as follows: Monday - fire and crime safety...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe company Raisco has landed a multi-million-pound agreement to build new stores for Lidl, one of the largest food retailers in Europe. The construction firm, based on Aycliffe Business Park, has been approved as a principle contractor for Lidl after completing one of its new stores ahead of...

A body has been discovered in the Woodham Burn area of Newton Aycliffe today. It's understood a group of children made the gruesome discovery at about 8am this morning on their way to school, near the bridge at the bottom of Burn Lane. The body is believed to be that of a 17-year-old male. Police have confirmed the death is not being...

By Martin Walker Three Newton Aycliffe truck drivers will now help to train up their colleagues as part of a national safety training programme after achieving gold awards. Graham Bedford, John Parker and Michael McFarland - all employees of Aycliffe family firm Stiller Warehousing and Distribution - were awarded gold certificates after...

By Martin Walker The Government has confirmed it has approved funding for the North East's first University Technical College. And it has also been confirmed the South Durham UTC - an engineering and advanced manufacturing Centre of Excellence - will open in 2016. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Schools, John Nash,...

Newton Aycliffe 1 Morpeth Town 1 By Bob Wood It was heartbreak for Newton Aycliffe FC on Saturday as Morpeth snatched a 94th-minute equaliser, depriving the home side of two vital points. After their midweek defeat at home to Consett last week, the draw leaves Aycliffe 17th in Division One of the Ebac Northern League - six points...

By Martin Walker Hitachi Rail Europe has won a new deal to manufacture at least 29 new trains which will run between London and the South West, subject to government approval. The Japanese firm today announced it had been named by FirstGroup as preferred supplier for the supply of 29 trains for the new First Great Western...

EXCLUSIVE By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe's biggest employer has further increased staff numbers to accommodate the launch of new business with its automotive customers. Gestamp Tallent has employed 150 new people in the last six months, increasing its workforce to 1,322, while long service statistics continue to impress. The...

Durham Constabulary has announced it is due to complete the rollout of body worn video cameras to all frontline police officers, Special Constables and Police Community Support Officers, by the end of March. Assistant Chief Officer Gary Ridley said: “This is a big step forward for the force and the community. “We are the first force...

A Woodham Academy teacher and a pupil were both winners at the Northern Echo School Awards, held at the Xcel Centre. Year 11 student Emma Sandford was awarded the Inspirational Pupil award, while assistant head teacher Sarah McGinnety was recognised for her innovative work in careers education. Emma is described by the school as an...

By Ryan Burton Ambition is not a new concept to Lox of Love and its founder, Victoria Cartwright. The company was launched in December 2012, originally as a mobile hair extension specialist in the Aycliffe area. Over two years has passed and Victoria has seen her company expand into something that bit more special. Looking back to when...

The Bishop of Durham officially opened a new station for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighters, officers and guests gathered at Durham Community Fire Station in Sniperley to watch The Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, cut the ribbon and talked about the building’s importance in the local area. During...

Budding engineers were building bridges at a Newton Aycliffe training centre as part of a nationwide celebration of apprenticeships. More than 200 students from seven schools across the county have been enjoying the appliance of science in hands-on workshops with local employers at South West Durham Training. The year 9 and 10 pupils...

A Newton Aycliffe-based grounds maintenance and landscape company is celebrating its 50th year in business with a significant contract win. Family-run Beaumont Grounds Maintenance has secured a contract with Mitie PFI to complete work on three local schools, after celebrating its 50th birthday this March. The growing business will be...

By Martin Walker A Newton Aycliffe steel firm has completed a steelwork and cladding project for a distribution company to transform an industrial part of Teesside with a £6.5m super-green factory. Raisco, based on Aycliffe Business Park, completed a five-week project to fabricate and erect 800 tonnes of steel, from receipt of order to...

Encourage your little one to get more active this Easter as a series of sporty fun activities for young people take place. Four fantastic days of fun are taking place in the south of the county with football, cricket futsal and tennis on offer. Tuesday, 31 March, Junior Indoor Football Tournament, Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, 10am...

Groups in the Newton Aycliffe and Middridge are set to benefit from a new pot of funding dedicated to small community minded organisations. The fund, which has been developed by the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP), will provide a valuable source of funding to all non-profit making organisations in the area. The overall...

Durham Constabulary has today announced the start of the Evolve Programme – a three-way collaboration with Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police. Through the programme, each of the police services will be exploring ways to work together across organisational boundaries, in order to increase operational resilience, improve services...

Let’s join hands to stop child sexual exploitation... That’s the message the public are being asked this week as agencies unite in a bid to stop young people becoming victims of sexual predators. The work is part of a national campaign to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE), which will see people use their hands to share...

Susan Sadler can best be described as a pathfinder and most definitely a community champion. After starting up a small group at her home, to help people who had found themselves in unfortunate circumstances, Susan founded the charity - Lifeline Community Action - which is based in Newton Aycliffe. Susan’s charity has gone on to help...

By Bob Wood There was mixed fortunes for Newton Aycliffe FC this past week as they seek the points needed to ensure they will remain in the First Division of the Ebac Northern League next season. Last Wednesday night's trip to Bedlington saw a tremendous Aycliffe performance with four goals securing a well deserved victory. Once again...

By Martin Walker Firms on Aycliffe Business Park are being offered the chance to tap into a pool of skilled people after a former Aycliffe company announced redundancies. Components firm Filtronic has announced it will make redundancies in the UK and overseas as part of cost-saving measures. The manufacturer, which was previously...

Police have released an image of a man they'd like to speak to in relation to a theft in Newton Aycliffe. Officers say the man pictured (above) is believed to be responsible for a shoplifting at the town's Boots store on Friday morning. Anybody who knows his identity is asked to call police on 101.  ...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe Company of the Year Tekmar Energy is celebrating another award this weekend. The subsea and cable protection specialists, which won the top gong at the Aycliffe Business Park Make Your Mark event last September, won the prestigious Export Award at the North East Business Awards on Thursday...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe family-run garage Gregg Little Testing Centre have so far raised £500 for Comic Relief - thanks to a little help from their feathered friends. The firm's customer service receptionist Alice Todd, Gregg Little's granddaughter, agreed to be tarred and feathered as part of their annual Red Nose Day antics...

By Martin Walker Several learner drivers in Newton Aycliffe are hundreds of pounds out of pocket after being left in the lurch by a local driving instructor. Aycliffe Today has received a number of reports that Dave Mason, of Surestart driving school, took large cash sums of between £180 and £300 each from customers before telling them...

By Martin Walker Hitachi Rail Europe's first pre-series Class 800 train for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) arrived in the UK today. Rail Minister Claire Perry today celebrated the arrival of the carriage at the Port of Southampton. Train 800-001 is the first five-car pre-series train to be shipped to the UK from Japan, with 110...

By Martin Walker An ambitious accountancy firm is targeting major growth in the next year after seeing turnover jump by more than half. Matthew McConnell and Jonathan Tait are partners in the Durham franchise of national network Certax, and have been based at the HUB Workspace on Aycliffe Business Park since August 2013. Since their...

A free service for people living in Newton Aycliffe or Middridge who are out of work or at risk of redundancy has recently launched. The ‘Employability Pit Stop’ project, funded by Great Ayclife and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) and delivered by the Pioneering Care Centre (PCP) aims to help local jobseekers to develop skills to job...

Social enterprise Groundwork is celebrating 30 years of transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the North East for the better. Groundwork, established in the region in 1985 and which has an employment office in Newton Aycliffe, delivers a range of social and environmental regeneration programmes that engage...

Durham County Council’s Cabinet will discuss a new approach to providing childcare services for the under-fives, designed to improve the lives of some of the county’s most vulnerable children and their families. Proposals for the future of County Durham’s children’s centres will be decided on Wednesday, March 18, and if given the go...

By Martin Walker Hitachi Rail Europe has signed a deal to build new trains for the ScotRail franchise. Hitachi was announced as the preferred bidder for the train deal last October when Dutch operator Abellio won the franchise. Now the two firms have signed a contract for the provision and maintenance of 70 new trains. In all, 46...

By Martin Walker You could be the new owner of popular pub the Blacksmith's Arms - for a cool £425,000. The Hammers, as it's known locally, has been put on the market by Leeds-based leisure property specialists Fleurets. The freehold of the property, set in a beautiful 5-acre site on the outskirts of Aycliffe, is up for...

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we speak to one of Hitachi Rail Europe's Apprentices, Sally Beale, who's currently doing her Apprenticeship with South West Durham Training (SWDT). Sally is pictured above with SWDT CEO Trevor Alley... • What type of apprenticeship are you following? I am on an advanced technical...

A Newton Aycliffe GP Practice has been awarded the Primary Care Practice of the Year Award by the Clinical Research Network (CRN) North East and North Cumbria, part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The CRN: North East and North Cumbria NIHR Annual Awards 2014/15 took place at Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light in...

Shildon Supporters 3, Aycliffe Sports Club 2 (Invitation League Cup) By Paul Eales Newton Aycliffe Sports Clubs run in cup competitions came to an end on Sunday when they were beaten 3-2 off first division Shildon Supporters Club in the Wear Valley League Invitation Cup. This defeat came on the back of last week’s exit from the...

Newton Aycliffe 2 Durham City 1 By Bob Wood Newton Aycliffe earned three vital points at home to eighth-placed Durham City on Saturday. The win came courtesy of two goals from Dennis Knight, with the first coming in the 37th minute. A weak defensive header fell to Stuart Banks who found Knight on the left. The Aycliffe forward shot...

Pupils played princes and princesses as they took part in a special walk to St Francis Junior School in Newton Aycliffe with their very own MEGA Motion monarch. Demi-Leigh Steward, 11, won a MEGA Motion competition to decide which famous hero or villain should accompany them and was rewarded with Henry VIII himself escorting the pupils as...

There are no excuses when it comes to a choice between life or death, officers are warning motorists during a week-long seatbelt campaign. Police speaking to motorists who have not been wearing their seatbelts have heard all manner of excuses, including “my clothes will get crumpled” and “it is uncomfortable”. Motorists have...

By Martin Walker A former World War II munitions factory will become a permanent memorial to the Aycliffe Angels as part of an exciting development which will create up to 20 new jobs. Newton Aycliffe construction firm Finley Structures acquired the old Presswork Metals factory on Aycliffe Business Park more than two years ago. Almost...

By Martin Walker Plans to redevelop the North Briton pub in Aycliffe Village have been revealed. Owners of the Brit, the John Wade Group, hosted a consultation exhibition on Thursday (5th March) before they submit them to Durham County Council. The proposals include redeveloping the pub building itself into 10 self-contained flats,...

Police have released images of a man they suspect of stealing from Boyes in Newton Aycliffe. A statement said the suspect is suspected of shoplifting from the town centre store on Friday 27th February. Anyone who recognises him is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  ...

By Martin Walker The Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan has stepped up a gear with the formation of three working groups consisting of volunteers. More than 50 people attended a special Neighbourhood Plan meeting at the town's Youth and Community Centre two weeks ago, with 20 of those offering to get involved. Three working groups...

Newton Aycliffe will join 730 locations across the world in a huge raising of the Commonwealth Flag on Monday. Great Aycliffe Town Council have registered to take part in the marking of Commonwealth Day by raising and flying the Commonwealth Flag at a small ceremony at the flagpole outside of St. Clare’s Church. More than 730...

Residents, community groups and schools are being encouraged to get involved in the Big Spring Clean campaign as it returns to County Durham for the fifth time. The clean-up, which is being run by LitterFree Durham, Durham County Council’s Civic Pride team, and Darlington Borough Council, got underway on Saturday (28th February) and...

Residents in County Durham are being reminded to sign up for garden waste collections. Residents can join the scheme at any time of the year but the sooner they subscribe, the sooner they will start receiving collections. For an annual fee of £20 householders will receive fortnightly garden waste collections until the Autumn. A three...

By Martin Walker The Conservative Party candidate for the Sedgefield seat in this year's General Election has welcomed new jobs figures which claim a drop in the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in our region. Scott Wood, a former Army tank commander from Darlington who served in Afghanistan and Iraq on peace and stability...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe FC chairman Allan Oliver is appealing to the club's fans to get behind the club in the run-in to the season. The Newtonians progressed to the semi-finals of the League Cup with a 2-1 win at Washington on Tuesday night. But Aycliffe are hovering just two places and eight points above the Northern League...

Two former Newton Aycliffe captains will swap the pitch for the dugout later this year when they take charge of respective Newtonian XI’s to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Sean Tarling (pictured above, right) and John Close (above left) will select from a pool of current and ex-Newtonians in the charity game which will...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe WMC keeper Ste Richardson says the team dedicated their County Cup semi-final victory to two club legends who are no longer with us. The former Aycliffe FC shot-stopper made a blinding save with the tense last-four clash on a knife-edge last Sunday. Lewis Wing had put the home side ahead in the first...

By Martin Walker Construction of the North East's first University Technical College (UTC) will begin in Newton Aycliffe this summer, it has been confirmed. The University of Sunderland has revealed the South Durham UTC - an engineering and advanced manufacturing Centre of Excellence - will be built at Long Tens Way on Aycliffe Business...

By Martin Walker Business leaders from Newton Aycliffe were treated to a rare insight this week - a sneak peek of Hitachi's very first Aycliffe train carriage. Hitachi's first prototype train arrived at the Port of Tyne in January after making a 52-day trip to the UK covering 12,880 nautical miles. The 26m-long carriage arrived on...

By Martin Walker The leader of Great Aycliffe Town Council says we must avoid "unrealistic ambitions" in the light of the Durham County Plan being panned last week. Councillor Bob Fleming (pictured above) says Aycliffe's Neighbourhood Plan will "press on", regardless of inspector Harold Stephens' damning review of Durham County's...

By Martin Walker Durham County Council is considering a bizarre proposal to remove street lighting along the whole of the A167 which takes in Newton Aycliffe. Now the Aycliffe Business Park community is gathering support to oppose the council's intentions. The local authority was left reeling last week after its much-celebrated,...

iPad con woman Kirsty Cox could be facing jail again after asking for a £19,000 reprieve this week. The 38-year-old appeared at Teesside Crown Court in relation to the proceeds of crime order imposed on her in March last year. Cox duped hundreds of people out of thousands of pounds in the lead up to Christmas 2012 after telling friends...

EXCLUSIVE By Martin Walker The new owners of the North Briton in Aycliffe Village have drawn up plans to convert the pub into flats. And the John Wade Group, which acquired the old boozer last year, are inviting nearby residents to attend a consultation exercise next week. As reported on Aycliffe Today in August last year, local...

By Martin Walker A Newton Aycliffe manufacturer has been boosted with the news of a major acquisition. Norwegian-based IK-Group AS (IK) - which has a wholly-owned subsidiary, IK-UK on Aycliffe Business Park employing 47 people - has announced it has bought Online Electronics Limited (OEL), a leading global pipeline communications...

By Martin Walker Durham Constabulary is £50,000 better off after seizing a load of cash from a drug dealer. Officers seized £100,000, suspected to be the proceeds of drugs crimes, from a man stopped in the region. And while half of it must go to the Home Office, the other £50,000-plus goes into Durham Police coffers to help fund...

Woodham Village Community Association is celebrating after securing £46,000 funding to an extension at its popular community centre. The cash will pay for new male and female changing rooms at the community centre as well as a much-needed storage room. Planning permission for the project was secured last month and work is expected to...

By Martin Walker Hitachi Rail Europe strengthened its position as a world leader in train building by agreeing to buy an Italian manufacturer in a multi-million pound deal this week. The Japanese firm - currently building an £82m train-building factory on Aycliffe Business Park which will open later this year - says it has agreed to buy...

Whitley Bay 1, Newton Aycliffe 4 By Bob Wood Newton Aycliffe enjoyed a return to winning ways with an excellent performance at Whitley Bay last weekend. The three points return from the trip to the seaside was fully deserved with Aycliffe putting recent disappointments behind them. Right from the start Aycliffe took a positive...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe MP Phil Wilson insists Durham County Council can't be faulted for showing "real ambition" with its County Plan, which was ripped to pieces by an independent inspector this week. As reported by Aycliffe Today, independent inspector Harold Stephens said Durham’s County Plan – which would see Aycliffe...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe Working Men's Club are on the brink of a major cup final with a crunch tie this weekend. Jason Steele's Big Club side take on South Shields Rose & Crown at Woodham Academy this Sunday (22nd February, kick-off 10.30am) in the last four of the Durham County Cup. The Club beat Winlaton Commercial 4-3...

Two people have appeared in court in connection with a serious incident at Woodham Academy last month. Daniel Brannigan, 23, and a youth who can't be identified for legal reasons entered the grounds at Woodham at 1pm on Friday 23rd January. Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard how 23-year-old Brannigan, dressed in a monkey onesie,...

A tireless community worker, who is dedicated to supporting people in need, has been recognised for her work by being awarded a Chairman’s Medal. Susan Sadler, founder of Lifeline Community Action has been chosen by Durham County Council Chairman; Cllr John Robinson as the Great Aycliffe and Middrige Partnership (GAMP) recipient of this...

St Mary’s Church are hosting a fundraising coffee morning next month, with all proceeds being donated to Newtonian Paul McGeary’s charity push as he looks to raise £10k for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Paul, 33, was diagnosed with Leukaemia in November last year and has spearheaded a campaign which has seen almost £6k raised to...

A two-week mini Green Dog Walkers campaign will start in Newton Aycliffe next week. The campaign, organised by Durham County Council’s Civic Pride team, will start on Monday (23rd February). Assemblies and educational sessions will be held at St Francis Primary School, Woodham Burn Primary School and Stephenson Way Primary...

Newton Aycliffe’s most successful and best known sports star is offering an exclusive coaching session to one lucky primary school. Champions League winning goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, who started his career at Newton Aycliffe Youth FC before playing for clubs including Middlesbrough, Cardiff and Chelsea, is returning to the town to hone...

FC Turbinia 6, Crook Wanderers 1 FC Turbinia stormed to the top of the Crook and District League second division with a thumping win at the weekend. The home side were quick out of the box, forcing a great save from the Crook keeper in the opening couple of minutes. The Turbinia applied the pressure and opened the scoring after eight...

By Martin Walker Durham County Council's member for economic regeneration Neil Foster has admitted a planning inspector's damning review of its County Plan is "beyond disappointing". As reported by Aycliffe Today, independent inspector Harold Stephens said Durham's County Plan - which would see Aycliffe Business Park become the biggest...

Police are appealing for information after motorist collided with a parked car before making off. Officers say the driver of a small red vehicle sped off after it collided with an unattended parked Renault Clio in Scott Place, at about 7pm on Thursday 12th February, before heading towards Burnhill Way. Anyone with any information is...

By Martin Walker The much-celebrated multi-billion pound County Plan drawn up by Durham Council is in tatters after the findings were flawed by an independent inspector. It means Aycliffe Business Park's hopes of becoming the biggest industrial estate in the North East - and Merchant Park Development's plans to create 5,000 new jobs here...

For the second Saturday in a row Aycliffe surrendered a lead to lose 2-1 to a Cumbrian team. Following last week's loss at Penrith, Valentine's Day saw the Newtonians give Celtic Nation a present of their first away win of the season. The game was preceded by a perfectly observed minute's silence for Aycliffe fan Brian Starforth who...

By Ryan Burton Two businesswomen from Newton Aycliffe have set up a new website selling specialist dresses online. Liz Lambert and Nicola Maull, both born and raised in Aycliffe, have created Prom and Wedding, an online boutique specialising in wedding and prom dresses. The two have followed the ever-growing trend of businesses...

A popular sport facility in Newton Aycliffe is set for a major refurbishment thanks to funding received from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP). The well used 3G Pitch at Greenfield Community College opened in 2004 and has over 50,000 visits a year; however, as a result of the high demand the current 8-a-side floodlit 3G...

Woodham Academy is working with Gestamp Tallent for the fifth consecutive year as it looks to recruit more apprentices to its international engineering and manufacturing company. Students have the opportunity to work with a real life employer in a Lord Sugar style challenge. Over a five-week period, students will complete in a range of...

  Adam Cayless reviews Newton Aycliffe Junior FC's action from last week... U8’s - The under 8s entertained mount pleasant in what turned out to be a close game! Few chances for both teams in the first half meant the score was 0-0 at halftime! The deadlock was broke midway through the second half by Aycliffe player jason beadle and...

Newton Aycliffe police would like to speak to a man who they say is responsible for an assault in the town. Officers issued the above image, taken from a CCTV, after the incident outside the Tesco store at 5.30pm last Friday (6th February). Anyone who recognises him is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555...

Newton Aycliffe residents are set to benefit from warmer homes this winter as one of the UK’s largest energy efficiency initiatives offers additional support to people who need it most. Warm Up North is offering free or subsidised gas boilers to residents on certain benefits with an inefficient boiler in their home. To qualify, people...

By Martin Walker Two men have been arrested in connection with a series of burglaries at the Scout Hut in Newton Aycliffe. As reported by Aycliffe Today yesterday, the community centre had offered a £500 cash reward for information after thieves stole more than £1,000 and a load of booze in three separate incidents recently. Nearly...

By Martin Walker Around 70 jobs are expected to be lost after the collapse of furniture firm Ness, which has a site in Newton Aycliffe. Administrators are trying to find a buyer for the company, which was established by Fredrick Corner in 1945 and has factories on Aycliffe Business Park and Croxdale, near Spennymoor. Ness Furniture...

The man in charge of Hitachi Rail Europe's Newton Aycliffe factory has said it will be a "sexy" place to work when it opens for business later this year. Work continues on the site of the £82m facility on Aycliffe Business Park, which is expected to open in the autumn, with trains due to roll off production line early next year. Around...

By Ryan Burton Newton Aycliffe boss Peter Dixon took the blame for his side’s defeat at Penrith on Saturday. Things looked to be going to plan as Aycliffe went into half time a goal to the good. However, the Cumbrians fought back to secure a 2-1 win, with the winning goal late in the game. Dixon was disappointed with the manner in...

By Ryan Burton Preparations for this summer's Aycliffe Festival are well under way, with Great Aycliffe Town Council preparing to spend £30,000 on the series of events. Aycliffe Fest, which will be replacing the Great Aycliffe Show this summer, will be taking place across various venues in Newton Aycliffe from 3rd to 12th...

FC Turbinia returned to action with a thumping away win at Barnard Castle side Castle Rangers. The game started slowly with The Turbinia having the better of chances, Luke Williams forced a great save from the “Ranger’s” Keeper and Daniel Keane saw his effort just run wide of the post, but it wasn’t long before “The Tub” opened...

Newton Aycliffe shower manufacturer Roman has got involved and showed their support for the British Heart Foundation’s Wear It Beat It Campaign. The staff at Roman showed their support for the fantastic cause by wearing red, whether that be red shoes, red tie, red lipstick, Welsh Rugby Shirt or English (change strip!). Managing...

Durham Constabulary is joining a national drive to help keep young internet users safe. All of next week the force will be running a campaign to raise awareness of cyber crime. And tomorrow (Tuesday 10th February 10) it will join organisations from around the UK to mark Safer Internet Day. With the aim of preventing online child...

Left to right: Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager, Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, Oliver Sherratt, head of direct services, and Dave Riseley, neighbourhood protection enforcement manager. Flytippers are more likely than ever to be caught red-handed as extra CCTV cameras are being set up...

Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is encouraging people to get involved in its big plans to develop a socially inclusive garden in the grounds of the Pioneering Care Centre. Last year the garden was transformed into a hive of growing activity with thanks to participants attending a ‘Plot to Plate’ project. The idea became a reality...

Penrith 2, Newton Aycliffe 1 Newton Aycliffe lost out on their return to action after last week's enforced winter break going down 2-1 at Penrith. With both sides having been deprived of much recent action it was perhaps not surprising that the teams took a while to get going. Penrith were seeking their fifth win in a row in the Ebac...

Newton Aycliffe Spartans have unveiled their new pitching machine and a large portable batting net, which has been purchased with help from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) and local County Councillors Sarah Iveson and Jed Hillary. Newton Aycliffe Spartans was set up in order to help bring baseball back to the North East of...

Thrive Marketing has been supporting local lost and found company in their content marketing, since Lostbox won Aycliffe Business Park’s Achieve Your Dream competition in early 2014. With a view to build their online marketing strategy and brand further, Thrive’s Managing Directors, Rachel Townsend Green and Johnny Woods, have formed a...

Woodham Academy is trialling electronic reading tablets in some of its classrooms as part of a drive to embed the ‘Three E s’ in the school: e-reading, e-writing and e-arithmetic. Despite some public apprehension to the contrary, young people still find reading popular. However, more and more readers are accessing literature through...

By Jonathan Ward A Shildon business which specialises in designing and installing warehouse equipment has racked up one of its biggest contracts to date fitting out one of the North East’s Leading supply chain company for vehicle components. Advanced Handling and Storage installed pallet racking at Calsonic Kansei’s brand new...

Motorists are advised that a series of roadworks will take place throughout County Durham during half-term which may affect Newton Aycliffe drivers. Durham County Council will be carrying out carriageway resurfacing works on a number of routes from 14th to 22nd February. The essential works have been scheduled to take place during the...

An operation targeting travelling criminals and involving six police forces, farmers and local volunteers across the north of England and southern Scotland resulted in 189 vehicles being stopped and checked, as well as three people arrested and two vehicles seized. Nearly 90 officers from the North Yorkshire, Durham, Cleveland, Cumbria and...

Youngsters in Newton Aycliffe can fill up the first half-term break of the year with a range of sports organised by Durham County Council. The “Your Sport Your Patch” activities on offer (Monday 16th February to Friday 20th February) include a junior training camp with the Durham Wildcats basketball team, cricket, netball and...

Voters are being urged not to miss out on the chance to have their say in this year’s general election. All households in County Durham have been issued with a letter listing everyone at the property who is on the electoral register. Anyone whose name is not on the letter and is, therefore, not registered is encouraged to go online at...

A weekly bike ride for all ages and abilities is starting to be held in Newton Aycliffe to help people stay fit and healthy. The group cycles, organised by Durham County Council as part of the national Bike4Life programme, are led by trained experts and volunteers. They are free and you don’t even need a bike or helmet as these can be...

Councillors will be asked to agree an extra £52m of investment when they meet next week – bringing Durham County Council’s total capital programme up to 2017 to £366m. The money will help to fund road improvements, new schools and town centre development in County Durham. Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet will discuss...

By Martin Walker Hitachi Rail Europe will this week launch its recruitment drive for prospective employees across a range of roles at its £82m train-building factory in Newton Aycliffe. Two recruitment events will be held at the Xcel Centre on Aycliffe Business Park, on Thursday (5th February) and Saturday (7th February). There will...

Charity fundraiser Paul McGeary is spicing up his efforts to raise much-needed cash with a tasty event at a local curry house! Newtonian Paul, diagnosed with leukaemia last November, has already raised £5,000 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research after setting up his #NontOneInch Just Giving page before Christmas. After quickly racing...

Police are appealing for information after a handbag was snatched from a car in Newton Aycliffe. It happened some time between 12.30pm and 2.30pm last Friday (30th January) in the Phoenix Place area of the Agnew estate, when the bag was stolen from an unsecured, parked vehicle. Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101,...

Business Minister in the House of Lords Baroness Neville-Rolfe visited Newton Aycliffe appliances manufacturer Ebac to learn how a Regional Growth Fund grant is supporting its new production line, which will deliver the only UK made washing machines on the market. Click here to see a short video about this visit in our Video Vault The...

Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team Sergeant Mark Edwards continues his regular blog on Aycliffe Today... Hello all, I thought it was about time that I did another edition of my blog so here we go… Readers of Aycliffe Today and other local media will be aware that there was an incident that occurred on Friday 23rd January 2015 at...

By Ryan Burton Plans for a new solar farm in Newton Aycliffe are nearing completion. Lightsource Renewable Energy held a meeting with town residents and councillors during the Christmas period. Plans for the new solar farm was met with positive reactions. People were particularly impressed with how easily the site could be screened...

Woodham Academy student Ben Stephenson has been selected for a GB squad after he became a national champion representing Sedgefield Water Polo Club Under 15's at Manchester Aquatic Centre in October. After playing in the Under 14's Inter Regions competition for the North East in December, Ben was awarded The Most Valuable Player Award,...

In response to growing demand from the business community, GEM Partnership has recently bolstered their Commercial Team with the addition of Jamie Hayhurst, who has taken up his post at the company’s Newton Aycliffe office based at the Evans Business Incubation Centre on Aycliffe Business Park. At the heart of GEM’s philosophy is an...

By Ryan Burton Newton Aycliffe FC boss Peter Dixon is raring to get back to winning ways and put the disappointment of last week’s result behind them. Aycliffe suffered only their second defeat in six games as they went down 4-0 to title-chasers Marske United. They face Sunderland RCA at Moore Lane Park on Saturday, with their...

A campaign to stop flytipping has sparked a positive response from County Durham public after it emerged more than 460 incidents were investigated in December. As part of Durham County Council’s Operation Stop It, officers responded to 462 reports of waste being dumped illegally throughout the month and 18 CCTV cameras were set up at...

Sedgefield's all-conquering national water polo champions have put their names to the chairman of Durham County Council's charity appeal. Members of Sedgefield Water Polo Club's under-15 team, who won the British Gas Amateur Swimming Association’s (ASA) National Water Polo Championships at the end of last year presented the Chairman, Cllr...

Woodham Gymnastics Academy made an excellent start to their competition season earlier this month. The regional Milano competition, held at the University of Cumbria, was the first competition that the Gymnastics Academy has taken part in this academic year. Woodham had three girls’ teams in the under 16 category, where gymnasts were...

By Ryan Burton Newton Aycliffe FC boss Peter Dixon was left to rue missed chances and costly defending after his side’s defeat to Marske United on Saturday. Aycliffe went down 4-0 to the Teesside outfit, having knocked them out of the League Cup earlier on in the week. The game was always likely to be a tough one, with Dixon having...

EXCLUSIVE: By Martin Walker Gestamp Tallent has completed a major redevelopment of the former Sanyo site on Aycliffe Business Park - transforming the derelict building into a state-of-the-art training facility. Newton Aycliffe's biggest firm has invested heavily in completely rejuvenating the area and expanding its site across St...

Former Great Britain boxing champion Amanda Coulson visited Greenfield Community College to work with Mr Butterworth’s Year 8 boys PE group last week. The retired boxer’s loyalty visit coincided with an initiative, Sky Sports Living for Sport, that Greenfield Community College have signed up to for the fifth year in a row that uses...

Four lucky year 11 students from Woodham Academy are off on the summer of a lifetime this year as they travel to Camp Cody in New Hampshire, USA, as part of the school’s Coach USA programme. The students, who were selected from a strict application and interview process, will work on the American summer camp for three weeks. The group...

Marske United 4, Newton Aycliffe 0 By Bob Wood If a week is a long time in politics, then four days is a lifetime in the Ebac Northern League. Having put Marske United out of the League Cup last Tuesday evening, Saturday found Newton Aycliffe visiting the same opponents. This time the prize was the three points on offer for a...

It's a new era for South West Durham Training, as the training provider enters into partnership with Bishop Auckland College. Martin Walker finds out more... South West Durham Training (SWDT) is now officially a very different proposition. In December, the training provider was championed by Ofsted as one of the highest performing...

Newton Aycliffe Sports Club 6, Bishop Auckland Station 0 By Paul Eales Last week’s bad weather saw the Derby against The Huntsman put on hold for now, but another win this weekend saw the Sports Club extend their winning streak to nine in all competitions. Bottom of the league side, Bishop Auckland Station, came to Moore Lane Park...

Woodham Academy head teacher Christine Forsyth has praised the actions of her teachers after Friday's incident involving two intruders. Mrs Forsyth says the two suspects entered the school at about 1.10pm but were contained by staff within minutes. Police were quickly on the scene and the intruders were arrested and taken into custody,...

Two males were behind bars on Friday night after a serious incident at Woodham Academy. Eye witness accounts claim two young men stormed into the Aycliffe school during the Friday lunch hour and tormented young pupils before they were arrested by police. Woodham head teacher Christine Forsyth wrote to all parents at the end of the school...

By Ryan Burton It has been revealed Newton Aycliffe town centre is up for another award, as work on the third phase of the redevelopment gets under way. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has nominated the town for the renaissance award in the North-East. It comes just a month after our town centre won a gold award at...

By Martin Walker Police are launching a major crackdown across County Durham and Cleveland this weekend on motorists using their mobile phones. The campaign will be carried out by officers from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) over the week beginning Sunday, 25th January. The aim of the campaign is to...

Sharon Whitehead, director of Aspire Fitness Studios, believes she has found a gap in the market with her business... In 2010, Sharon Whitehead stood in a derelict roomwith a clear vision. Her aim was to provide all-purpose fitness studios with a wide range of quality fitness classes offering members the flexibility to pay how they want and...

By Ryan Burton Police are appealing for residents of Newton Aycliffe who have their own private CCTV cameras to help set up a crime-busting network. Durham Constabulary want to set up a database in Newton Aycliffe made up of CCTV cameras in the town to help assist with future enquires and investigations. PCSO Mike Hutchinson (pictured...

By Ryan Burton Newton Aycliffe FC boss Peter Dixon has warned his team to expect a reaction from Marske United on Saturday. Aycliffe take on the Marske in the league after playing them in the league cup on Tuesday night. They recorded a resounding 4-1 victory, which knocked the Teessiders out of the competition that they won last...

By Martin Walker The Aycliffe Business Park Community (ABPC) will celebrate its second birthday during a special event at the end of January. It's been two years since the Steering Group officially launched ABPC at the Xcel Centre, with around 100 firms from Aycliffe Business Park attending. Since then the group has hosted regular...

By Martin Walker Durham County Council says it is still trying to find a new location for The Cubby community cafe and charity fundraiser Honest John. As reported on Aycliffe Today last week, charities and voluntary groups in Newton Aycliffe could lose out to the tune of £20,000 a year if The Cubby can’t be relocated this...

Groups in the Newton Aycliffe and Middridge who work with young people are starting to benefit from a new pot of funding dedicated to groups organising projects and activities. Now other groups are being urged to apply for more cash which is available. The Small Grants Fund for Children and Young People, which has been developed by the...

By Martin Walker Hitachi Rail Europe's very first prototype train bound for Newton Aycliffe has arrived in the UK! It has taken 52 days and 12,880 nautical miles for Hitachi's training carriage to make its way from Japan to the Port of Tyne. Dramatic images (below) show the part-assembled carriage, shrouded in mystery, rolling off the...

Newton Aycliffe 4, Marske United 1 By Bob Wood Newton Aycliffe ended Marske’s hopes of retaining the Northern League Cup with a 4-1 win at Moore Lane Park on Tuesday night. The match had been in doubt throughout the day but at a 5pm inspection referee Terry Fletcher decided that the pitch was playable and that conditions should not...

A company specialising in personal and business finance has moved to Newton Aycliffe. Since the financial crash in 2008, when banks virtually ceased lending altogether, many people now assume that they are unable to raise funds for essentials such as consolidation of debts, home improvements, or funding business ventures. However,...

A Newton Aycliffe mum has even more reason to make her new business a success after her husband was recently diagnosed with Leukaemia, leaving her as the sole earner in the household. Becky McGeary, 31, launched her business Forever Living Aycliffe – a multi-level franchise of the health, wellness and beauty company Forever Living – in...

Police are appealing for information after thieves stole a pair of bikes. Police say the bikes, pictured above, were taken from a property in School Aycliffe sometime overnight on Thursday 15th January. Anyone with any information about the bikes is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  ...

Pupils at schools across County Durham and Darlington are set to feel the heat in a new competition just launched. The aim of the Dragons’ Den-style contest is to find an innovative way of raising awareness of the risks of under-age drinking. It is being run under the banner of Operation Aries, an on-going multi-agency campaign...

Eight teams from across County Durham competed for the second Royal Academy of Engineering Durham VEX Robotics Challenge at Woodham Academy. The schools taking part were Greenfield, St Leonards, Tanfield School, Park View, The Hermitage Academy, Staindrop, Ferryhill Business College and Woodham Academy. Each school presented a team of 6...

Lumiere, the UK’s largest outdoor light festival, is returning to Durham later this year for the fourth time. Created by Artichoke, one of the UK’s leading arts producers, Lumiere is commissioned by Durham County Council and receives additional support from Arts Council England and a raft of sponsors. This year's event will take...

The North East Combined Authority (NECA) will consider a significant programme of devolution of power, funding and responsibilities to the North East at a meeting tonight. This marks a major step forward in negotiations with government to promote economic prosperity in the North East and ensure decisions about the North East’s economic...

By Martin Walker Charities and voluntary groups in Newton Aycliffe could lose out to the tune of £20,000 a year if The Cubby community cafe can't be relocated this year. Durham County Council issued notice to The Cubby after it sold the land to developers - and the popular cafe must find new premises by October of this year. Along...

By Ryan Burton The Neighbourhood Plan set up by Great Aycliffe Town Council last year is about enter its second phase. Angela Corner, Community Neighbourhood Engagement Officer, has called on people to get involved as the plan goes into its next stage. Neighbourhood Plans have created a platform for members of the community to get...

By Martin Walker Honest John has raised literally tens of thousands of pounds for local charities and good causes in Newton Aycliffe. The sum total currently stands at £102,000 in the last seven years. A total of £21,850 was donated to 34 Aycliffe organisations in 2014, ranging from roller skating groups and youth football clubs to...

By Ryan Burton Newton Aycliffe FC manager Peter Dixon has called on his side to continue with their recent run of results and climb up the league. His side face a tricky week, starting with an away game to Bedlington Terriers followed by back-to-back games against highflying Marske United in the league and cup. Newton Aycliffe are in...

Aycliffe residents are being reminded there is a bike-marking event in the town this weekend. The Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team is holding the event 10am-1pm on Sunday (18th January) at the former BHP solicitors unit in the town centre. This is a free service, with PCSO Richard Scott and PC Thompson in attendance.  ...

Newton Aycliffe residents are reminded to sign up to the garden waste scheme this month to ensure they receive all collections this year. For an annual fee of £20, householders will receive fortnightly collections from their property between spring and autumn. A three-year subscription is also available at the discounted rate of...

Woodham Academy will once again showcase the very best in music and dance in the eagerly anticipated Woodham’s Got Talent 2015 later this year. Last year’s show saw the judges have to make the toughest of decisions in separating the performers as the standard was so high, however the wonderful dancing of Year 8 student Lauren Towell won...

Newtonian and charity campaigner Allison White will undergo a hysterectomy this week in her latest battle with leukaemia. She talks to Zoe Skerrett about her continued fight, and her support group which is approaching its first anniversary... Five years ago Newtonian Allison White popped home during a country festival in Barnard Castle to...

The Christmas drink-drive campaign in Cleveland and Durham saw more than 100 motorists arrested for failing a roadside breath test or being unfit to drive because of the influence of drugs. The Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) launched the initiative on 1st December to run alongside the national campaign led by ACPO...

The family of a Newton Aycliffe man who died in a road accident at the weekend have paid tribute to their "gentle giant". Shane Smith, 25, of Stainforth Close in the town, died after his blue Audi A4 left the road and crashed at Close House in Bishop Auckland, just before 8.50pm last Saturday (10th January). His family have issued a...

(Above, left-to-right): Fabricators Gareth Harman, Stephen Addison and Stephen Bell with directors Dave Knowles and Beau Stevens. By Martin Walker A Newton Aycliffe fabrication company has celebrated the end of its fifth year by hitting the £5m-mark. Premo Fabrications, based on Aycliffe Business Park, specialise in the design and...

Newton Aycliffe 3, Ashington 0 Peter Dixon's Newtonians bounced back from Saturday's disappointment at Shildon to record their third 3-0 victory in their past four outings. In a game which saw wind and snow batter the AuxAudio Stadium, goals from Stuart Banks and a Jordan Laidler double sealed the points against Ashington. Former...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe family firm Stiller Warehousing and Distribution is looking to create more new jobs after celebrating a £15m deal with a major multinational food packaging firm. Stiller, based on Aycliffe Business Park, hopes to create at least 10 new posts after striking a five-year contract with Coveris Rigid...

There’s still time for community groups in Newton Aycliffe to take advantage of funding on offer to help spruce up their local open spaces. As part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) It’s Your Neighbourhood campaign, Durham County Council is making up to £500 available to encourage volunteer-led community groups to take part...

A group of over 80 students and teachers from Greenfield Community College (both Greenfield and Sunnydale campuses) enjoyed a brilliant time in Italy’s Aosta Valley when they took part in the annual ski residential during the last week of term. Greenfield has visited Pila, a superb Italian ski resort boastings stunning views of Monte...

Residents in Great Aycliffe and Middridge can find out how local issues are being tackled when the Area Action Partnership meets later this month. The GAMP board meeting is on Tuesday 20 January 2015 (6pm to 8pm) at Great Aycliffe Town Council offices. Local people can also raise any neighbourhood concerns they want the board to address....

Newton Aycliffe Sports Club 5, Darlington Rolling Mills 3 Wear Valley Sunday Morning League 11th January 2015 Aycliffe Sports Club claimed their eighth consecutive win to go top of the table for the first time this season. After a 4-2 home win against Witton Victoria, the Sports Club went one better at the weekend with a magnificent 5-2...

By Ryan Burton Newton Aycliffe FC Chairman Allan Oliver has praised Gary Farley after announcing his decision to leave the club. Farley leaves the club after eight years at Moore Lane Park. He spent seven years in a dual role as chairman and assistant manager. Oliver, who took over as chairman in the summer after previously being...

Police have issued a picture of a man they'd like to speak to in relation to a theft which took place at Newton Aycliffe's Tesco store. As reported on Aycliffe Today last week, a suspected thief asked a member of staff at Tesco to remove security tags from computer games before leaving the store without paying. The incident happened on...

Shildon 3, Newton Aycliffe 1 Newton Aycliffe were left to curse their ill-discipline as they threw away three points against title challengers Shildon on Saturday, imploding in the second half which saw them surrender their early lead and have two men sent for an early bath. Dennis Knight gave the visitors and early lead on the counter...

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 25-year-old Newton Aycliffe man died when his car left the road and crashed in Bishop Auckland at the weekend. It happened just before 8.50pm on Saturday (10th January) at Close House in Bishop Auckland. One vehicle was involved, a blue Audi A4 driven by Shane Michael Smith, of Stainforth Close,...

By Martin Walker Inspirational fundraiser Paul McGeary has set an ambitious goal to reach the £10,000 mark after almost doubling his original target. The 33-year-old Newtonian, who was diagnosed with leukaemia at the end of November, has been undergoing a gruelling programme of Chemotherapy at the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough...

By Ryan Burton Horndale Residents’ Association has been awarded a £6,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund. The Newton Aycliffe group will use the money to fund community fun days and a number of low cost day trips throughout the year. Philip Clark, chairman of Horndale Residents’ Association (pictured above) said: “We are...

Police are appealing for information after a motor bike was stolen in Aycliffe Village. A statement said the motorcycle was taken from a garden shed in the Bickford Terrace area, some time overnight between last Saturday and Sunday (3-4th Jauary). Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101.  ...

Troubled supermarket Tesco has said it will close 43 unprofitable stores across the UK - more than half of which will be local convenience shops, known as Tesco Express. The firm, which has a Tesco Extra store in Newton Aycliffe, is also shelving plans to open a further 49 new "very large" stores. Additionally, Tesco is closing its staff...

Hitachi has started shipment of the first completed pre-series Class 800 train from Tokyo to Newton Aycliffe. The train manufacturers unveiled the train that will soon be gracing the East Coast mainline last November at Kasado Works in Kudamatsu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. In the first half of 2015 the three trains – each measuring...

A suspected thief asked a member of staff at Tesco to remove security tags from computer games before leaving the store without paying. Police would now like to speak to the male pictured in the above CCTV still in relation to the incident. It happened on Tuesday 23rd December at Aycliffe's Tesco Extra store. The suspect walked around...

By Martin Walker Durham County Council leader Simon Henig admits the local authority will no longer be able to protect frontline services after it was revealed cuts have yet again been increased. DCC said two years ago it must save £190m by 2017 and in December it said that figure had risen to £225m after the Chancellor's 2014 Autumn...

Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) are looking for individuals or organisations that have done something great for their community. The Chairman’s Medal is presented to individuals and groups to recognise significant achievement and outstanding effort in all walks of life. It’s the highest honour Durham County Council...

Police are appealing for information after a car was broken into this week. A statement said a silver Peugeot 308 estate vehicle was broken into on St. Oswald's Court, some time between 6pm and 10.10pm on Monday (5th January). Numerous items were removed from the vehicle. Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, or...

Goals from former West Auckland players Jordan Laidler (2) and Aaron Brown helped Aycliffe boss Peter Dixon secure a remarkable 3-0 win over the league-leaders on his return to Darlington Road on Tuesday night. West started the game the brighter, and had three chances to take the lead, with Steve Richardson testing 'keeper James Winter and...

An acoustic duo will use music and movies to illustrate how World War I affected local people during a special presentation in Newton Aycliffe. Man-and-wife musical team Steve and Carol Robson, known as Fool's Gold, will bring their musical performance 'Beat The Drum' to the town's Library, on Central Avenue, in February. The event will...

FC Turbinia got off to a New Year winning start after a five-week lay-off. The Tub re-started their 2014-15 season at Barnard Castle's Castle Rangers, and after the lengthy spell without any action they romped to a 5-0 victory. The visitors played a possession game and kept the ball well. A cross field through ball from Paul Hepper...

Criminals are being tracked by a new type of electronic tag being trialled by Durham Constabulary. The tags have been fitted to 10 offenders with a history of committing crime and enable the force to monitor the movements of the individuals remotely. This means officers’ time will be freed up to be spend time on other priorities and...

By Martin Walker Former Newton Aycliffe FC chairman Gary Farley has announced his decision to leave Moore Lane Park after eight years with the club. The popular Newtonian played a huge part in Aycliffe's meteoric rise from park football to the Northern League top flight. Farley's biggest achievement off the field was managing the...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe manufacturer Ebac has won another major deal to supply freezers to online retailer Amazon. Ebac bought the Norfrost freezers brand and equipment in 2013 and launched a new factory - the former Radius Systems factory on Heighington Lane, Aycliffe Business Park - to relaunch the popular brand. The firm...

Cops are hunting a thief who broke into a popular community centre before making off with two cash tills. Police say a suspect (pictured below) ransacked the Scout Centre, next to the Navy Club on Bluebell Way, before taking the tills, overnight on Tuesday 30th December going into New Year's Eve. "We believe the suspect has made his/her...

Newton Aycliffe's Northern League club got off to the best possible New Year at the weekend. Peter Dixon's side halted a five-match winless run with a thumping 3-0 victory at home to fellow strugglers West Allotment Celtic on Saturday. The win lifted Aycliffe back up to 17th in the first division table, three points above the relegation...

A record £268 million will be spent on improving local roads between 2015 and 2021 in the North-East, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has revealed. The investment amounts to £45m a year, enough to fix around 800,000 potholes across the region. It is the first time councils have been given locked-in funding over this length of...

Aycliffe Today editor Martin Walker takes a look back at 2014, reviewing October, November and December... October • A £40,000 Multi Use Games Area at Horndale Park is officially opened (pictured above). • Aycliffe FC appoint former West Auckland boss Peter Dixon as their new manger. • Tributes are paid to popular Newtonian...

The next PACT meeting for Shafto/St Mary’s Ward is due to take place on Thursday (8th January) from 6pm at The Library on Central Avenue, Newton Aycliffe.  ...

Aycliffe Today editor Martin Walker takes a look back at 2014, reviewing August and September... August • The Government confirms the first Universal Technical College (UTC) for the North-East will be in Newton Aycliffe - the South Durham UTC, sponsored by the University of Sunderland, Hitachi Rail Europe and Gestamp Tallent. •...

Aycliffe Today editor Martin Walker takes a look back at 2014, reviewing June and July... June • Aycliffe’s market looks doomed after traders snub an offer to relocate it to the Greenwell Road car park (pictured above). • Aycliffe Today plays a key role in the sale of Woodham Golf Club – its new owners, Rushyford-based Hall...

Brave Newtonian Paul McGeary has been handed a New Year surprise - a few days at home with his family. The 33-year-old, who was diagnosed with leukaemia at the end of November, has been undergoing a gruelling programme of Chemotherapy at the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough since early December, where he spent the festive season. But...

Aycliffe Today editor Martin Walker takes a look back at 2014, reviewing April and May... April • Aycliffe detectives are set to pioneer state-of-the-art spying technology that enables them to watch criminals in their own homes - but is 'Polar Flair' all what it seems? The story is later revealed to be an April Fool joke. • The...

By Martin Walker The date for the third phase of Newton Aycliffe's award-winning town centre redevelopment has been revealed. The Freshwater Group, owners of Aycliffe Town Centre, has confirmed Churchill House and adjoining shops - excluding the town clock - will be demolished in March. It has also been revealed that Durham County...

Police are appealing for information after an assault in the town at the weekend. A male is said to have been the victim of an unprovoked assault in the car park of the Turbinia public House at around 7pm on Sunday (28th December). Anyone with any information is asked to call the police on 101.  ...

Aycliffe Today editor Martin Walker takes a look back at 2014, reviewing February and March... February • Newton Aycliffe police hunt a suspected hit and run driver after a man was knocked over by a vehicle on Horndale Avenue, adjacent to Permoids, on Aycliffe Business Park. • Stiller Warehousing and Distribution announces the...

A festive 'Blood Drive' in the name of Newtonian Paul McGeary resulted in a large number of donors and several people being asked to return in the New Year. Becky McGeary’s ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ appeal gathered momentum in the build-up to a big Christmas Eve push. With four volunteers having already given blood under the...

Greenfield Community College teacher Sarah Robson has been revealed as the winner of Aycliffe Today's Christmas Cash Competition. The 35-year-old art teacher says she was "delighted" to have picked up the prize after returning from a Christmas holiday at the weekend. Sarah was drawn at random from all the correct entries in our...

Aycliffe Today editor Martin Walker takes a look back at 2014, reviewing January... • iPad con merchant Kirsty Cox is jailed for two years at Teesside Crown Court for her £450,000 scam in 2012, but is later released after serving just a few weeks. • Aycliffe-based subsea technology firm Tekmar Energy celebrates hat-trick of contract...

Newton Aycliffe police officers dished out crime-prevention kit to some of the town's residents over the festive season. Officers from the Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team gave out several pieces of kit - including 24-hour segment timers, magnetic door alarms and window alarms to name but a few items. The equipment was purchased as...

By Zoe Skerrett Tom Twissell is Newton Aycliffe’s youngest town councillor and has big plans for the Youth Centre and getting more young people interested and involved in politics. The 19-year-old, who attended Woodham Academy, says his interest in politics began in 2010 with the General Election with his friend, and fellow councillor,...

Nearly 200 people in County Durham are paying the price for committing environmental crimes such as fly-tipping. Throughout October and November Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection team issued 142 fixed penalty notices for littering, 11 for dog fouling and 39 for failing to respond to requests to clear untidy yards or...

Aycliffe Sports Club 7, BA Laceys 1 Wear Valley Sunday Morning League, 21st December 2014 By Paul Eales The second home game in a row saw The Sports Club win 7-1 against Bishop Auckland Laceys at Moore Lane. The Sports Club welcomed back the return of Craig Barrigan and Sam McKerr who slotted into the back three alongside Craig...

Courageous Newtonian Paul McGeary's fundraising efforts have already topped the £1,500 mark. As reported on Aycliffe Today earlier this week, Paul was struck down by leukaemia at the end of November and faces Christmas in hospital. But he and his wife Becky bravely launched a campaign to both raise funds for Leukaemia & Lymphoma...

An eye in the sky is capturing a unique view of the rapid development of the new Middlesbrough Sports Village, which has been constructed using Aycliffe steel. Dramatic aerial shots give a bird’s eye view of the new 400m track and Sports Hub - built by Aycliffe firm Finley Structures - which are the focal points of the £18m complex off...

Woodham Academy hosted its successful annual Christmas Fair earlier this month. "It was a wonderfully festive event which left visitors spoilt for choice," said the school. "A whole range of activities were on offer from face painting to writing letters to Santa. "There were families enjoying Christmas paper crafts, making tree...

Higher Level Teaching Assistant required for January 2015 Grade 6 Point 21-25 (subject to HLTA qualification) The Governors of Woodham Academy seek to appoint a Higher Level Teaching Assistant to manage the day-to-day running of the school’s Behaviour for Learning Centre which supports the learning of students eligible for Pupil Premium...

It's one of Newton Aycliffe's oldest and best traditions - Santa Claus' annual route around the town before his busy night delivering presents around the world! Aycliffe Today brings you Santa's Christmas Eve route in full... ROUTE ONE 3.45pm-4.10pm: Welbury, St Oswalds, Central 4.10pm-5.00pm: Washington area, Wycliffe, Armstrong,...

The Government has reached a deal with the four mobile networks to improve coverage across the UK, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said. A binding agreement has been reached with EE, O2, Three and Vodafone to tackle poor signal issues in so-called partial not-spots, a spokesman said. These are areas that have coverage from...

Police officers stormed six Aycliffe pubs as part of a crackdown on suspected drugs use. The operation, carried out earlier this month, involved officers from the town's Neighbourhood Police Team going into the pubs with a drugs dog and the force's Alcohol Harm Reduction Unit (AHRU) to search customers. The pubs involved were DL5, the...

Residents are reminded that bins will be emptied as normal up to and including Wednesday 24th December with collection days then changing during Christmas and New Year. The following collection dates are in place: Normal collection days  Revised collection days: Revised collection days   Christmas New...

For young people dealing with their sexuality, life can be a lonely place, but there is help out there with an Newton Aycliffe-based LGBT group, as Zoe Skerrett founds out... “Some people are LGBT Get support” is the motto for Newton Aycliffe’s LGBT support group, which is based at DISC (Developing Initiatives Supporting Commmunities)...

  Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team Sergeant Mark Edwards returns with a festive blog... Ho, ho, ho – well, I had to start this festive blog on a cheesy note! That said, now it’s down to business. What’s been going on in Aycliffe in the run up to Christmas? On Saturday 6th December there was a robbery at McColls Store on...

Aycliffe Sports Clu 6, Willington Cottles 1 Wear Valley Sunday Morning League 14th December 2014 By Paul Eales The first home game in six weeks saw Newton Aycliffe Sports Club FC host one of the front runners, Willington Cottles, in a return to league action. With Craig Barrigan still out through injury and Sam McKerr unavailable...

Police are warning people to be vigilant after a number of people in the north east were targeted by telephone fraudsters. Victims are contacted by someone posing as either a police officer or an employee at the fraud department of the victims bank. The fraudsters convince the victim that their bank account has been compromised and...

A Newtonian struck down with leukaemia just weeks before Christmas is selflessly asking people to donate to charity over the festive season. Married dad-of-one Paul McGeary will spend Christmas in hospital after he was delivered the blow on Friday 28th November that he'd been diagnosed with an acute form of leukaemia. His 14-month-old...

Newtonian and Aycliffe Today writer Paul McGeary is writing blogs from the bedside during his battle with leukemia… Work, Rest and Play At full health, I enjoyed them all. Probably in that order, too. Whatever my health numbers now, these three words mean much more to me. “You need to relax, switch off…” No, I need to keep going, I...

By Zoe Skerrett Burglary crime is on the rise in Newton Aycliffe but can be prevented if you remember to lock your cars, windows and front doors. Since July there have been a spike in reported burglaries, many of which are “2-in-1” crimes where the thief enters a home, takes the car keys and then steals your car. This was seen in...

A global manufacturing boss returned to his former training college after nearly 35 years to present awards to talented young engineers. Colin Thirlway, who qualified as a maintenance apprentice from South West Durham Training back in the early 1980s, is now Director of Global Product Compliance at Stanley Black & Decker. Appearing...

Aycliffe Today columnist Zoe Skerrett completes her review of the TV talent contest... Saturday 13th December. Tens of thousands applied, and now there is three left. It’s Saturday night and the X Factor 2014 final weekend is about to begin. Ben Haenow, Fleur East and Andrea Faustini will be faced with their toughest challenge yet...

Newtonian and Aycliffe Today writer Paul McGeary is writing blogs from the bedside during his battle with leukemia... Bruised Ego November 7th, 2014. My 33rd birthday. A small bruise appears on my forearm, innocuous blemish. Never mind that, there’s a curry and a few beers with my name on, let’s go. The following day, a matching bruise...

Police would like to speak to the woman pictured in these grainy CCTV images after an incident in the Co-Op store at Neville Parade. Police say the incident - believed to be a theft - happened on Saturday afternoon, and the female suspect made off in the car pictured below, also taken from CCTV. Anyone who knows her identity is asked to...

Newton Aycliffe police are appealing for information after a hit-and-run in Woodham. Police say a young man was hit by a car in Lowther Drive at about 10.20pm on Thursday night before the vehicle made off. "The only vehicle description we have is that it was possibly similar to a Vauxhall Vectra," said a statement. Anyone with...

By Martin Walker Talks are underway to officially formalise the Aycliffe Business Park Community (ABPC) Steering Group which will create a more powerful entity. The ABPC, which celebrates its second anniversary in January, has revealed plans to create an official organisation in 2015. The Steering Group, currently an informal...

By Martin Walker Woodham Academy student Megan Pluse picked up an engineering award at South West Durham Training's annual presentation this week. Megan was named Best Year 10 School Pupil at the training-provider's special event on Wednesday night. The school's deputy head teacher Jonathan Lumb, pictured below with Megan and her...

A Durham man appeared at the town's Magistrates' Court yesterday (Wednesday) charged with a robbery which happened in Newton Aycliffe last weekend. James Campbell, 22, from Meadowfield, Durham, was charged with robbery and possessing an offensive weapon. Cigarettes worth £54.86 were taken during an incident at the McColl's store at...

Online shoppers are being warned not to fall victim to any of the ‘12 scams of Christmas’. With time running out to get those all-important presents under the tree before the big day, many people will be heading online to snap up some festive bargains. But Durham County Council’s consumer protection team is warning residents to...

The Newton Aycliffe pensioner who stole his neighbour's knickers was today handed a restraining and community order. Terence Robson, of Jackson Place, appeared at the town's Magistrates' Court today (Thursday 11th December). His solicitor had previously said Robson would drink his own home-brew wine before "losing his...

Popular hair salon Stephen Russel celebrated its 30th anniversary in Newton Aycliffe this year by signing a new five-year lease. You can read more about this in the special Christmas issue of Aycliffe Today People - the only free community magazine in Newton Aycliffe - which will be landing on doormats from this weekend. We're producing...

Troubled retailer Tesco has slashed its profits forecasts for the fourth time in five months as its share price plunged to a 14-year low. Shares in the world's third-biggest retailer - which has a Tesco Extra store in Newton Aycliffe - plunged as much as 17% at one point on Tuesday, reported Reuters. More than £2.5 billion was wiped off...

Police say a man has been charged with the robbery which took place in Newton Aycliffe last weekend. The incident happened at the McColl's store at Washington Crescent last Saturday. A statement from the police today said a Durham man has been charged and remanded in custody, and will appear in court in due course.  ...

Because forecasters are predicting freezing temperatures throughout the North-East, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering urgent advice for ensuring the safety of animal companions. Please alert your audience to the following information, which could help save the lives of cats, dogs, birds and other companion...

Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club won the Spennymoor Indoor Cricket League at the first attempt after a huge 114 run win against title rivals Spennymoor CC. Aycliffe and Spennymoor were joint top of the table coming into the last game of the season, when they met in what was, in effect, a winner-takes-all championship play-off. And thankfully...

Savage cuts to local authority services look set to continue for at least another five years, Durham Council has warned. An update on council finances in County Durham outlines how difficult decisions about spending priorities look set to continue for several years. DCC's Cabinet will consider its Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) –...

Aycliffe's MP Phil Wilson took part in a cupcake making workshop at Love Thy Cupcake in town centre as part of this year’s Small Business Saturday at the weekend. The Labour MP for Sedgefield said: “It was an honour to get behind our areas local small shops and independent businesses on Small Business Saturday. “We should do all we...

Speed limits could be reduced to 20mph on roads near two Newton Aycliffe schools if councillors approve the proposal. Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet will be asked next week to agree a new approach to establishing 20mph limits and zones at several schools across the County - including Sugar Hill and St Mary's on the...

Greenfield Arts had a busy week of conferences last week, including the premier of the new Curiosity film “Be Curious” at the NCCPE Conference in Bristol. The film was designed and produced by two Greenfield Community College students alongside Dr Lorraine Coghill from Durham University, Katy Milne, Director of Arts and Creativity at...

By Martin Walker The transformation of Newton Aycliffe town centre has received national recognition with a top retail industry award. Our town centre won the Refurbishment/Extension of the Year (under £5m) award at the British Council of Shopping Centres’ Gold Awards this month. The £2m redevelopment of Aycliffe town centre was...

By Martin Walker Staff at 3M got on their bike when Travel Ranger Steve Shepperson popped in to visit the factory. Steve is heading up the Local Motion project for Newton Aycliffe, with the primary aim of making it easier for people to walk, cycle and take public transport in the South of the county. Steve has successfully taken...

BA Laceys 1, Aycliffe Sports Club 5 Wear Valley Invitation Cup By Paul Eales This weekend saw a break from league fixtures and a return to cup action for Newton Aycliffe Sports Club against Bishop Auckland Laceys. Cup form has not been great so far this season, and this fixture in the Invitation Cup is one of only 2 cups left for the...

Aycliffe Today columnist Zoe Skerrett continues her weekly feature on the popular TV talent show... After 15 weeks of auditions, judges houses and live shows, we are one week away from finding out the winner. The contestants performed a Christmas song and a second song picked by themselves. Simon is guaranteed an act in the final with...

By Martin Walker Police are hunting a man who terrified shop staff with a knife before making off with a quantity of cigarettes. As reported on Aycliffe Today yesterday, the raid took place at the McColl's store at Washington Crescent at around 2pm on Saturday. The man - described as white, slim and about 5ft 7ins tall - reportedly...

There are unconfirmed reports that an armed robbery has taken place in Newton Aycliffe today. It's believed robbers struck the McColls store at Washington Crescent this afternoon. Durham Police's helicopter was hovering overhead for more than an hour as police cars swarmed the area. Aycliffe Today is awaiting official comment from the...

Newton Aycliffe police have issued a CCTV image of a man who's suspected of theft. Officers say they'd like to speak to the man (pictured above) concerning a theft in Aycliffe shopping centre. Anyone who recognises him is asked to call the police on 101 or message them on Facebook.  ...

Could you do with bit of extra cash just before Christmas? To stand a chance of winning this fantastic cash prize from Aycliffe Today, simply answer the following question: WHICH COMPANY IS BUILDING A TRAIN FACTORY IN AYCLIFFE? A) HITACHI B) HONDA C) HARIBO Text TRAIN plus A, B or C to 82055 Costs £1.50 + 1 std text...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe have been further boosted by a double sponsorship whammy this week. Just a couple of days after announcing they'd been named the NYSD League's Gold Club of the Year for a second successive year, Aycliffe have revealed details of two sponsorship deals. The club have again won the support of shirt...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe manufacturer Ebac won Woodham Academy's Apprenticeship Awareness Programme 2014. Six high-profile businesses spent nine weeks taking part in the successful scheme, which is part-funded by the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) and brings education and business together. Ebac along with...

A new partnership between two of County Durham’s largest training providers is celebrating its first jobs success story. In August, Bishop Auckland College and South West Durham Training announced they were joining forces to boost the region’s manufacturing and engineering sectors. SWDT is now a subsidiary of the college, trading...

Woodham Academy student Dylan Lewis has had a fantastic month on and off the football pitch. During November he was selected to be part of the Newcastle United U12 squad that went over to play in the annual Premier League Christmas Truce International tournament, in Ypres, Belgium. This was a fantastic achievement for Dylan, as he was...

A multi-agency group set up to help people deal with welfare reform is holding a special Christmas Day of Action later this month. Is December proving to be a tough month financially? Are you unsure who to turn to for support? The Welfare Champions are planning a Day of Action at Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre on Tuesday 16th December,...

By Martin Walker The University of Sunderland has created a new scheme designed specifically to offer firms on Aycliffe Business Park a free graduate scheme. The Uni's Business Development Manager, Mark Donnelly, outlined details of the programme, dubbed Development in Newton Aycliffe (DNA), at Aycliffe Business Park's latest news and...

The number of County Durham residents signed-up to the extended garden waste collection scheme has already topped the 15,000 mark. Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, Cllr Brian Stephens, said: "These are early days but the initial feedback is hugely supportive. There is still plenty of time for others to subscribe and...

Staff at electrical products firm Ebac are raising money for Save the Children as they launch an online Advent Calendar of offers and discounts. Customers at www.ebac.com/shop could also win prizes including a Norfrost chest freezer, one of the first off the production line after the company’s recent launch of the Norfrost by Ebac...

A new business to the region is aiming to change perceptions around insolvency and to help the economy prosper as a result. Business recovery specialist Wilson Field opened its Aycliffe office in the summer. JONATHAN WARD finds out more... Ever since the earliest days of trading, profit and success have gone hand in hand with bad debt and...

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg has gathered support for reform and increased the pressure on the Government to review UK drug policy. At a drugs symposium hosted by Mr Hogg in Durham, professionals from across the country debated the future of drugs policy. Mr Hogg has previously voiced his concerns that the existing...

Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club have become only the second club in NYSD history to win the prestigious Gold Club of the Year two years in a row. What makes the achievement more amazing is that the club only joined the North Yorkshire and South Durham League in 2013. Newton Aycliffe also scored a new record 913 points only dropping 14...

Newton Aycliffe police are appealing for information after a child's bike was stolen. Officers say the black BMX was taken from the rear garden of a property in Lightfoot Road, near the town centre, overnight (Tuesday-Wednesday). Anyone who knows where the bike might be, or has any information, is asked to cal the police on 101, or...

By Martin Walker An occupational health business is working with Newton Aycliffe-based Compound Photonics to help maintain a healthy workforce. Teesside-based Liz Short and Jane Wright formed Business Health Partners two years ago, offering a wide range of health services to companies and their employees. The pair have extensive...

Green-fingered volunteers can get their hands on funding up to £500 for schemes to spruce-up their local areas. The “It’s Your Neighbourhood” campaign, a joint project between Durham County Council and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), has the money available for everything from planting flowers to litter picks. It was...

PD Ports has welcomed the arrival of the first Freightliner train at Teesport’s new intermodal rail terminal as part of a £3m investment to improve connectivity. The first train arrived on Saturday 15th November, signifying the creation of new intermodal connections from Teesport to Felixstowe and Southampton. Opportunities for the...

Newton Aycliffe police have released images from CCTV footage showing a man they'd like to speak to. Officers told Aycliffe Today they are investigating an incident which happened in the town centre between 9.30pm and 9.55pm on Saturday 22nd November. "We are hoping that someone can identify this male to greatly further our...

In a rare media opportunity, Gestamp Tallent's Plant Director PETER GALLONE talks to Aycliffe Today Business editor MARTIN WALKER about recent successes and its plans for the future... Gestamp Tallent is Aycliffe Business Park's biggest success story. The company has grown hugely in the last three years, increasing turnover, output and...

Woodham Academy has always had a strong swimming tradition and has excellent links to Sedgefield 75 and Sedgefield Water Polo Club. Over the past few weeks Woodham Academy students have had tremendous success both in water polo and swimming. Woodham Academy water polo players are currently enjoying tremendous success in the pool. Since...

Construction and development specialist Southdale has added two new people to its North-East team as they take their first steps on the career ladder. Sarah Dannatt and Lewis Minter have become the latest young people to join the team, which has recently moved into new office space on the Aycliffe Business Park. Sarah, 20, from...

Shildon The Crossings 2, Aycliffe Sports Club 6 By Paul Eales Another away game and another victory for Newton Aycliffe Sports Club which now sees them starting to close the gap on the teams at the top and pulling away from the teams in the bottom half of the league. The first game of the season saw the Sports Club surrender a 5-1...

Retail provision is the talk of Aycliffe Business Park. Is it needed? Tim Francis delivers his verdict... From coffee shops to fancy bistros... clothing retailers to DIY stores... or even just somewhere to grab a sandwich... retail provision on Aycliffe Business Park is decidedly lacking. There's said to be 9,000 people working here, and...

By Martin Walker Tony Blair returned to Newton Aycliffe this week - and we brought you an exclusive video interview with the former Prime Minister. Mr Blair dropped into Woodham Academy to officially launch a partnership between his Sports Foundation and Woodham's Sports Academy. The ex-Sedgefield MP was accompanied by Stephen Miller,...

By Martin Walker Newtonian Jason Steele says he'd love to see both Boro and Blackburn win promotion to the Premier League this season. The goalkeeper - who's on a season-long loan with Rovers from Middlesbrough - will return to his parent club tomorrow for the top-six Championship clash at the Riverside. Steele is not able to play in...

A prestigious museum in the region has been given a new brand as a £1.7m regeneration project comes to an end. The Green Howards Museum in Richmond, North Yorkshire, was given the Heritage Lottery Fund cash to give it a face-lift. And Newton Aycliffe inbound marketing and design agency, Thrive Marketing, has completed a rebrand of the...

A Newton Aycliffe samaritan has been voted Durham’s Unsung Hero for 2014. Ken Sadler, the Treasurer for Lifeline Community Action, won a public vote to gain the title as well as a luxury experience day worth £200 provided by local business, Modern Rugs. Ken was nominated by his colleagues at Lifeline Community Action in recognition of...

BA Laceys 3, Aycliffe Sports Club 4 By Paul Eales Newton Aycliffe Sports Club recorded their first back-to-back league wins with victory at Bishop Auckland Laceys last weekend. There had to be another re-shuffle of the squad due to absentees again this week and it was clear from the start that the heavy pitch was going to take its...

A consortium made up of Stagecoach and Virgin has won the franchise which will operate the Newton Aycliffe-built East Coast trains. The firms promised to invest £140m in the route over eight years, and will pay the government £3.3bn for the contract. The franchise, which covers the route between London and Edinburgh, has been publicly...

They called it the Big Dig - and so it was! About 20 people had answered an appeal by Woodham Wildlife Club to help them plant 450 trees around the perimeter of the school. Among those braving the freezing fog and muddy puddles were pupils and parents, staff members and volunteers from Wilkinson’s Helping Hands committee. Many had...

Newton Aycliffe police are appealing for information after a car had its tyres slashed. It happened some time overnight from Saturday (22nd November) into Sunday, when a red Vauxhall Zafira has had all four tyres slashed on Marshall Road near the town centre. Anyone with any information is asked to call the police on 101.  ...

Popular clothing retailer Boola is returning to Newton Aycliffe this weekend for a special sale. Boss Mark Shepherd will bring the men's sale to Aycliffe Sports Club at Moore Lane on Saturday (29th November), 12-5pm. Up to 50% will be slashed off some labels in the sale with brands including Peter Werth, Bellfield, Farah Vintage, French...

By Martin Walker A 241-home development on the outskirts of Newton Aycliffe has been met with a string of objections. Persimmon Homes has applied to build 241 new homes on the controversial Eldon Whins development. The developer is applying to build the new homes along with a park, woodland, landscaping and public open space on land...

By Martin Walker The Future Business Magnates competition has entered its tenth year, with competitors all set to do battle! Business Durham took ownership of Future Business Magnates five years ago, and the 2014-15 competition will be FBM's 10th anniversary. The Xcel Centre played host to the launch of this special year in November,...

Newtonians must make sure their bins are out from 7am on collection days beginning in December. Durham County Council is asking people in Newton Aycliffe and surrounding areas - as well as other parts of the County - to have bins out by 7am, regardless of whether it is usually collected later in the day. This is due to the Heighington...

A Newton Aycliffe man had to be air-lifted to hospital after a serious road collision. The motorcyclist suffered potential spinal and pelvic fractures after a road traffic collision on the A167 near Ferryhill on Friday (21st November). The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) worked alongside ambulance service personnel to treat the...

Rogue callers have been targeting elderly residents in County Durham, pretending to be from the police or bank. The convincing caller, often claiming to be a Detective, says they are investigating fraudulent activity on people’s accounts. They request people’s help in investigating the fraud and ask people to disclose their bank...

By Martin Walker Tony Blair says Woodham Academy is going to be a great school for the future. The former Prime Minister and Sedgefield MP was in Newton Aycliffe on Monday to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, which has linked up with Woodham Sports Academy. Mr Blair told Aycliffe Today that sport...

Our gallery of pictures from Tony Blair's visit to Woodham Academy on Monday (24th November).              ...

By Martin Walker Hitachi Rail Europe's historic train-building factory in Newton Aycliffe is on course to be completed by next Autumn. Site manager Darren Cumner told Aycliffe Today he's "delighted" with the progress Shepherd Construction has made up to now. Local family construction firm Finley Structures started to fabricate and...

A Newton Aycliffe pensioner has admitted stealing a pair of his neighbour's knickers after getting drunk. Terence Robson, 65, of Jackson Place, was caught red-handed as he tried to dispose of the yellow undies in the summer. Robson, who has no previous convictions, admitted burglary at Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. The...

By Martin Walker A Lib Dem councillor is claiming victory after the Labour-controlled Durham County Council did a U-turn on the so-called Living Wage. The local authority has agreed to look again at introducing a new Living Wage which will affect 2,500 employees, including 1,800 who work in schools. It will see staff earn £7.43 an...

Police have released CCTV images of a man they'd like to speak to after a large amount of clothing was stolen from the town's Poundstretcher store this week. Police would like to speak to the man pictured above after the theft on Tuesday (18th November). Anyone who recognises the man is asked to call the police on 101, or mess the...

More than 800 regional newspaper websites have teamed up to launch a combined digital advertising platform designed to take on Google and Facebook. 1XL is a collaboration between three of the top four local newspaper publishers – Johnston Press, Local World and Newsquest – and a number of independent local media businesses. Trinity...

By Martin Walker South West Durham Training (SWDT) has already started training up some of Hitachi Rail Europe's future train-building engineers. The Newton Aycliffe-based training provider, recently rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, has started working with the Japanese firm, which has now based some key management personnel at SWDT's...

"Watch out and slow down" is the key message from the top police boss, in support of National Road Safety Week this week. Ron Hogg, Durham's Police and Crime Commissioner, is in favour of introducing 20mph speed limits in the vicinity of local schools, to help keep more young people safe on the roads. Mr Hogg said: "It is well known that...

Super hero staff at Gregg Little Testing Centre helped to raise hundreds of pounds for the BBC Children In Need appeal last week. Workers raised £180 for the popular annual fundraising event by having daily bake-offs during the week. Staff then dressed as super heroes on the big day before Gregg and the garage's local parts supplier...

Dinner nannies, cleaners and lolly-pop people could be earning more than the national minimum wage next year under changes being discussed. Proposals for a Durham Living Wage would mean the lowest-paid workers at Durham County Council - such as lunchtime supervisors, caretakers, cleaners and school crossing patrols - would receive at least...

A Newton Aycliffe school has bagged a load of free gardening gear after a teacher's chance discussion. Literacy worker Mr Heaven set up Woodham Academy's Wildlife Club in September in the hope of encouraging students at the school to become involved in conservation projects. But he had been struggling to collect enough tools and...

As part of this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week, Durham Constabulary is working with Balance, the North-East Alcohol Office, to encourage women to ‘Think Twice’ about how much they drink. The force is promoting the week among its staff and has laid on a series of events to provide help and education for anyone concerned about their...

By Martin Walker A construction and development specialist firm which is on target to hit £30m turnover and create 20 jobs after opening new premises on Aycliffe Business Park. Yorkshire-based Southdale is planning for growth in its North-East business after relocating from Faverdale in Darlington to larger premises at The HUB Workspace...

Witton Victoria 2, Aycliffe Sports Club 10 By Paul Eales Newton Aycliffe Sports Club bounced back from a penalty shoot-out defeat to hammer bottom club Witton Victoria 10-2, their largest margin win in the league so far this season. An early scare in the first ten minutes, which saw Victoria hit the bar was enough to wake up the...

Aycliffe Today writer Zoe Skerrett continues her weekly review of the TV talent contest... Both Mel B and Cheryl began this week each with one act left, Louis had two and Simon still had a full house of four. But would be next to lose one? The theme of this week was Big Band – something I’m not the biggest fan of so I wasn’t sure...

By Martin Walker A once thriving industrial factory is back on the up after being stood derelict for six years. The former Presswork Metals factory, along Durham Way South on Aycliffe Business Park, has been closed since 2008. Now plans are in place to convert the building into a new leisure facility, with rock climbing being the main...

Saturday pub footy team FC Turbinia have sailed to the top of the Crook and District League after a rip-roaring start to the new season. Despite losing their first game, the Turbinia have gone on to win seven games in a row and go top by four clear points. After finishing in the bottom half of the table last season, the team has come a...

Police are appealing for information after a handbag was snatched in Aycliffe nightspot DL5. The ladies clutch handbag, which has jewels on its front, was stolen from the pub some time last Saturday evening or Sunday morning while the public house was open for business. The bag contained a mobile phone and personal documents. If...

Colour your Life free creative and learning courses are now underway at the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe. PCP use professional, experienced tutors who deliver artistic and informal learning activities whilst providing opportunities for friendship in a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment. Beat the Winter Blues started...

Woodham Academy students prove that raising money for charity is a piece of cake! Year 7 learners from Woodham Academy raised £383.45 for Macmillan Cancer Support by organising a giant bake-sale at their school. This amount beat all previous records and is, by any standards, a lot of dough. Not only did youngsters bake, beat, blend,...

It seems everyone has heard about or been to visit Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London but now Newton Aycliffe has its own, albeit smaller version of the hugely successful poppy installation. The ceramic poppies in London were created by ceramic artist Paul Cummings, with setting by stage designer Tom Piper. In total...

We're planning to publish a special Christmas edition of our community magazine, Aycliffe Today People. We'll also be printing and distributing 15,000 copies throughout Newton Aycliffe and surrounding areas, tripling the usual circulation of the popular magazine. The 32-page special Christmas issue will include a review of 2014,...

Businesses interested in working in the £11 billion space industry will gather for a unique space summit to be held in Newton Aycliffe next week. The inaugural Space Conference and Trade show is due to be staged at Aycliffe Business Park's Xcel Centre next Wednesday (19th November), with at least 230 delegates expected. The conference,...

By Martin Walker Durham's Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg has set up the first ever external Rape Scrutiny Panel in County Durham and Darlington. The panel is a key priority in the regional Police and Crime Commissioners’ Violence against Women and Girls Strategy. It aims to provide independent oversight of rape...

In a rare media opportunity, Gestamp Tallent's Plant Director Peter Gallone talks to Aycliffe Today editor Martin Walker in the November-December issue of our business magazine. Gestamp Tallent has grown hugely in the last three years, increasing turnover, output and staff numbers, to record levels. The manufacturer of car chassis...

Newton Aycliffe's Northern League club will hope to add to a midweek cup win with a league victory at home this weekend. Peter Dixon's side hit a blip when they suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Guisborough and title-chasing North Shields. But they bounced back with a 3-1 win at home to Hebburn Town in the second round of the...

Middlesbrough legend and former boss Gareth Southgate is set to return to the Riverside Stadium for an England Under-21 international. The Teesside club has announced it will host an England U-21 friendly against Germany on Monday 30th March, 2015. England U-21, managed by Southgate, are no strangers to the Riverside, having played...

By Martin Walker The TV star known as the “troubleshooter” has praised Newton Aycliffe manufacturers Ebac for bringing their freezer-making factory to fruition. As revealed on Aycliffe Today last week, former CBI Director General Lord Digby Jones returned to Aycliffe for the first time since filming BBC2’s Digby Jones: The New...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe print supplies company Inkland has landed a £2m deal with leading North-East firm Potts Print UK. Inkland was reeling after the announcement that one of its key clients, HPM and Addo, had gone into administration. But the Aycliffe firm, which employs 10 people at its site on Aycliffe Business Park,...

By Martin Walker We can now bring you the first real picture of the first trains that will be built at Hitachi Rail Europe's Newton Aycliffe factory. Hitachi today unveiled the first image, and detailed specifications, of the trains which are being manufactured for the UK Department for Transport’s Intercity Express Programme...

Community groups working with children and young people in the Newton Aycliffe area can apply for grants of up to £1,000. Great Aycliffe & Middridge Partnership (GAMP) and the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) have launched the ‘Small Grants Fund for Children & Young People.’ What is the Community Grant Fund? The Small...

Local photographer Dave Stocks brings us more stunning pictures from the 2014 Remembrance Day Service parade in Newton Aycliffe… ...

By Martin Walker Stiller Warehousing and Distribution has invested in a new batch of vehicles to accommodate an upturn in business. The family-run firm, based in the heart of Aycliffe Business Park in Newton Aycliffe, has purchased eight new trucks of varying sizes. They include two 12-tonne vehicles, two urban trailers and four long...

Newton Aycliffe JFC u23’s were delighted when The Bengal Lounge Indian restaurant kindly agreed to sponsor a new home kit for the 2014-15 season. The u23’s team manager Nige Slatcher said: "I'd like to thank both Ali and Abs from the Bengal Lounge for donating the money to purchase the new strip." The picture was taken after the...

A Newton Aycliffe woman who lied about being pregnant in a bid to avoid jail has finally been locked up. Lisa Philips, 37, tricked Teeside Crown Court when she was sentenced in October 2013 for stealing £14,700 from her aunt by saying she was expecting a child. As a result, Judge Peter Armstrong suspended her sentence for two...

Proposals for Greenfield Community College and Sunnydale Community College to become one school are being recommended for approval. Both are currently run by one governing body and are just over two miles apart with Greenfield in Newton Aycliffe and Sunnydale in Shildon. Durham County Council proposals would mean the closure of Sunnydale...

Councillors are being recommended to approve a task force to attract more investment into County Durham. It builds on the success of manufacturing and engineering in the county which currently provides more than 30,000 jobs across 815 companies. The task force, a public and private sector partnership, would include business leaders,...

A campaign to stop flytipping is being launched across County Durham. Operation Stop It is Durham County Council’s biggest ever crackdown on the illegal dumping of waste. The council is working in partnership with Durham Police, Crimestoppers and the Environment Agency to target flytippers and ensure householders understand their...

Local photographer Dave Stocks brings us a stunning gallery of pictures showing the Remembrance Day Service parade in Newton Aycliffe on Sunday (9th November). Click here to see the second part of our picture gallery. ...

There were mixed fortunes for Aycliffe Sports Club in the last fortnight. Last weekend saw a return to winning ways in the league, with a hard fought 3-1 win over Gainforth Cross Keys. The result saw them leapfrog their opponents in the Wear Valley Sunday League 3rd Division with two or three games in hand around their rivals. Gareth...

Police have released an image of a man who they'd like to speak to in relation to the suspected theft of a wallet. The male pictured above, taken from the still of a CCTV on an Arriva bus, is suspected of taking the bus driver's wallet before hopping off in Newton Aycliffe. It's thought the suspect boarded the bus in Eldon Lane, and...

Newton Aycliffe car experts Gregg Little Testing Centre was named Service Business of the Year at Aycliffe Business Park's Make Your Mark business awards event. And as a way of saying thanks, the garage has created a new winter offer for customers, with savings of up to £80 on a service and MOT. Gregg Little Testing Centre (GLTC), which...

Police have arrested a man in Darlington after he was suspected of stealing from a car in Newton Aycliffe. As revealed in his blog on Aycliffe Today, Neighbourhood Police Team Sergeant Mark Edwards says his team made a number of significant arrests recently when they apprehended two local males - one 16, the other 18 - who were suspected to...

By Martin Walker The boss of Ebac admitted she was on "cloud nine" after the firm's new freezer factory was officially opened this week. Former CBI Director General Lord Digby Jones returned to Ebac for the first time since filming BBC2’s Digby Jones: The New Troubleshooter, to launch the Norfrost at Ebac factory. In a Video...

The headquarters of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) has been officially opened by Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex. Firefighters, officers, control and corporate staff from the service gathered at HQ, Belmont Business Park, Durham, to greet the Royal party. They were joined by local councillors and...

By Martin Walker The TV star known as the "troubleshooter" was in Newton Aycliffe again today to launch Ebac's freezer range during a special event. Former CBI Director General Lord Digby Jones returned to Ebac for the first time since filming BBC2’s Digby Jones: The New Troubleshooter, in which he worked with Ebac as they looked to...

Great Aycliffe & Middridge Partnership (GAMP) are holding a community forum event to celebrate what’s ‘GREAT’ in Newton Aycliffe and Middridge this weekend. The Event is taking place on Saturday (8th November) from 10am until 2pm at Newton Aycliffe Youth & Community Centre, and a range of local community groups and service...

Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team Sergeant Mark Edwards continues his regular blog on Aycliffe Today... Hello all. As we sail into November I can’t believe how fast this year has gone by. There’s been so much change on the Neighbourhood Team during 2014 with more, I suspect, to come. Gone is (former) Pc Tracy Henderson who left to...

Team members at Newton Aycliffe's Wilko store raised £160 for their regional charity of the year, Macmillan Cancer Support, with a hair-raising Halloween event. The team swapped their usual red uniforms for witches’ hats, capes and fake blood to give customers a fright, the Wilko way. Having the store taken over by witches, zombies...

Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club have appointed their first Commercial and Marketing Manager with the remit to maximise the club's sponsorship and advertising revenue. Valerie Palmer, owner of graphic design company Vanila Design and Print Services, has been appointed to the role after previously lending her expertise to the Cricket Club by...

For the second year running, global workplace provider Regus is supporting a Christmas campaign which sends present-filled shoeboxes to needy children in developing and war-torn countries. The Regus Centre, along Durham Way South on Aycliffe Business Park formerly known as Evans Business Centre, is a local drop-off point until the 18th of...

A third of people living in our region have confessed to smuggling booze into bars as drink prices go up, it has been claimed. With alcohol prices on the increase, residents in the North-East are becoming savvy and looking to cheaper brands of alcohol. Nights in at home and are even giving up alcohol altogether to avoid paying the higher...

A campaign to ensure people stay safe on bonfire night has been under way this week. Members of the Safe Durham Partnership have been working to reduce the risks posed by illegal fireworks, unofficial displays and other dangers. Police and neighbourhood wardens have been carrying out extra patrols and arranging for any illegal bonfires...

Newton Aycliffe's four-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-0 humbling at home to Guisborough Town. Peter Dixon's side were on a roll after back-to-back wins over Jarrow Roofing, West Allotment Celtic and Morpeth Town followed a draw with Sunderland RCA. It signalled the beginning of a much-needed run of goof form which saw the...

By Martin Walker The boss of a Newton Aycliffe company says he faces the prospect of laying off staff following HPM and Addo's demise. Inkland, based on Grindon Way on Aycliffe Business Park, supplied HPM and Addo, previously HPM Group, with printing consumables including ink and printing plates. But HPM and Addo went into...

By Martin Walker MP Phil Wilson says Merchant Park Developments' ambition to bring 4,500 new jobs to Newton Aycliffe is "fantastic". MPD director Geoff Hunton told us his plans for Merchant Park 2 and 3 should bring thousands of additional jobs to Aycliffe Business Park. The Labour MP for Sedgefield, Mr Wilson, campaigned tirelessly...

By Martin Walker It has been confirmed that Newton Aycliffe printers HPM and Addo has gone into administration. But bosses claim a rescue deal to secure 30 posts was struck on Friday, with only 12 jobs being lost out of 42. However, mystery still surrounds the deal involving HPM Group's former managing director Richard Mortimer...

The following information has been released by Great Aycliffe Town Council regarding Remembrance Day on Sunday 9th November: Remembrance Day, Newton Aycliffe The Remembrance Day Parade will assemble in the Barnard Armoury Yard at approximately 10.40am and proceed via Greenwell Road, Macmillan Road and Stephenson Way to St. Clare’s...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe won their third game in a row with a 1-0 win at home to Jarrow Roofing at the weekend. And they hope to make it four when they take on Guisborough Town at the Aux Audio Stadium tomorrow night (Tuesday 4th November, 7.45pm). Stuart Banks' controversial 32nd-minute penalty was enough for Aycliffe to bag...