A leading independent councillor has labelled Aycliffe’s latest selections as “ridiculous” after great grandmother Mary Dalton was appointed the town’s mayor for a fifth time. The selections, made during Great Aycliffe Town Council's AGM last week, were met by opposition from some members who said the council was a “Labour...

A round-up of the weekend’s cricket action… Saturday 18th May – NYSD Division 2 Guisborough 1st XI v Newton Aycliffe 1st XI – weather was cold and overcast. Aycliffe won the toss and chose to bowl first. Guisborough 1st XI 152 all out after 46 overs James Layfield-Carroll 5 for 25, Jack Slatcher 3 for 39 and Patrick Howe 1 for...

A Newton Aycliffe resident who’s bidding to bring the Great Aycliffe Show back in 2020 has acquired the services of an events expert. Russ Gibson (above left) has joined up with entrepreneur Chris Petty (above right), who successfully brought about the return of the air show at Durham Tees Valley Airport in 2016 after a 29-year absence. Mr...

Students from Woodham Academy continue to visit Hamsterley Forest after school on a Friday evening, with help from GAMP funding. There are a wide variety of challenging red graded mountain bike trails that the students continue to enjoy. On average, students cover about 10 miles and the mix of challenging climbs followed by exhilarating...

“If somebody gives me work to do that I’ve done 100 times, I struggle with being able to do it because my mind tells us I’m not good enough to do it, or that I’m going to make a mistake, or I’m going to do it wrong.” These words offer a glimpse inside the mind of a man who suffers from anxiety and depression, who has chosen to speak...

By Donna Campbell There was a full racing calendar last weekend with members taking part in several events over both days on the weekend. Events started as usual with the parkruns and this week sat two members achieving PBs at Darlington’s South Park. Kathleen Tonge in a time of 27.30 and her husband Richard Tonge in 28.20. Later that...

One of Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe-built Azuma trains carried passengers on the East Coast Main Line for the first time this week. The new Intercity Expresses should have started running last December, but the already postponed launch was further delayed by continuing problems with electromagnetic interference, which affected signalling and...

Here are some pictures, courtesy of LNER, which show off some of the Azuma’s assets…

Vehicles being used to transport controlled waste have been inspected at the roadside during an operation to clamp down on rubbish being disposed of illegally in County Durham. As part of Operation Stop It, Durham County Council’s award-winning campaign to eliminate flytipping, the authority’s neighbourhood wardens and licensing team, along...

Aycliffe police caught 49 speeding motorists after carrying out six camera sessions around the town in response to public feedback. As part of Road Safety Week, the Ayclilffe officers were supported by the Police Motorcycle Section in carrying out the Speedwatch in six areas – including two locations along Greenfield Way, Shafto Way,...