More than 300 new jobs could be created with the launch of a £4.9m fund to help County Durham’s small and medium sized businesses to expand and grow. The three-year County Durham Growth Fund has been launched by Business Durham, the economic development arm of Durham County Council, to help stimulate and enable businesses to grow by...

The appointment of Jo Farrell as Durham Constabulary’s new Chief Constable has been confirmed. The announcement follows a Confirmation Hearing – a statutory process where members of the independent Police and Crime Panel have the opportunity to question the preferred candidate, and to endorse the appointment. Jo first became a police...

What exactly is cyber security, and do we need it? Cornerstone MD Chris Petty explains… The chances are that you’ve probably heard lots on the news, in the press and on social media about the importance of cyber security. Some have even suggested to me that “It’s just another GDPR”, something many of us have already forgotten...

Woodham Academy’s outgoing head teacher Christine Forsyth has told Aycliffe Today she’s “delighted” with the appointment of her successor. The school revealed in March that Andrew Bell would take over from Mrs Forsyth this summer. Andrew joined Woodham in 2013 and, as deputy head teacher, has been responsible for student...

The final stage of a troubled plan that sets out how much development and where it is needed in County Durham will go before councillors next week. Durham County Council’s cabinet will be asked to recommend that full council approve the submission of the County Durham Plan when it meets on Wednesday, June 12. If agreed for approval the...

By Donna Campbell This week again saw our runners racing during the week with two races taking place last Wednesday. Bev Phillippo attended the Wynyard 10k trail race around the grounds of Wynyard Hall. She completed this in 59.12. Over in Darlington it was time for the next race in the Darlington Trail Series which is popular with the...

Two UK-based rail giants are submitting a ‘Great British’ train proposal to High Speed Two (HS2) that would be the most advanced, customer-oriented train ever to run in the UK. The contract, worth £2.75billion, is to design, build and maintain at least 54 trains for Phase One of HS2. Hitachi has pioneered Japan’s world-renowned...

Children are being encouraged to wear their pyjamas to County Durham libraries as part of a national campaign. Durham County Council libraries are taking part in BookTrust’s Pyjamarama which aims to get youngsters all over the UK reading bedtime stories. From today, Monday 3, to Sunday 9 June, libraries across the county are hosting...

Aycliffe Today editor Martin Walker on the critical role Business Durham, the economic development arm of Durham County Council, is playing in Aycliffe’s future success... Aycliffe Business Park really is somewhere that is ‘making its mark.’ Increasingly it’s recognised for what it is, a major economic driver, not just for County...

Members of Horndale Community Association enjoyed a trip out on a classic bus. They travelled on the beautiful 1950’s United coach, ran by Aycliffe and District bus Preservation Society, to Dobbie’s Garden Centre in Birtley, where they enjoyed a lovely afternoon. “We were given a talk on planting pots, hanging baskets and other...