New data released this week has revealed UK councils are investing £9 billion of their workers’ pensions into companies that frack, despite fierce local opposition to fracking across the UK. And it’s emerged Durham County Council invests £48.8m in companies that rely on fracking, although the figure represents just 1.69% of the local...

Gretna Green 2, Aycliffe Sports Club 3 By Paul Eales Newton Aycliffe Sports Club were up against local rival Gretna Green in what turned out to be a very close affair. The Gretna surprised the Sports Club with an early goal on five minutes, with Kyle Cook chipping over Craig Hannant to make it 1-0 to the hosts. But it was all level on...

Students from Greenfield Community College have once again taken part in the World Challenge Expedition. Eight students travelled alongside Mr Butterworth and Mr Robson to Morocco in North Africa as part of the trip. They had previously raised the £1,500 for their place during the previous year and a half taking part in events including...

One of Teesside’s leading law firms is targeting further growth after opening an office on County Durham’s biggest business park. Stockton-based Endeavour Partnership has expanded to Aycliffe Business Park and wants to bridge what it says is an obvious gap between Leeds and Newcastle for “city-level” legal services. The firm was...

The Pioneering Care Partnership is launching a new 20-week dancing course for over-65s. If you’re over 65 and would like to be more active, exercise safely and enjoy dance is probably ideal for you. The free ‘Falling on Your Feet’ course, by Helix Arts, starts on Tuesday September 25 and runs every Tuesday and Thursday for 10 weeks at...

Newton Aycliffe 0, Bishop Auckland 2 By Dave Strickland Newton Aycliffe were knocked out of the FA Vase after losing a replay 2-0 at home to Bishop Auckland. They started well and were the better side in a goalless first half. Kurt Mattthews and Ian Ward had good chances early on, but both missed the target. The Bishops came into the...

A new private sector business park capable of attracting up to 6,000 new jobs, worth £400m to the county’s economy looks set to move into its first phase of development. The unique site on Aykley Heads, set in mature parkland and with outstanding views over the World Heritage site, offers a once in a generation opportunity to transform...

A former club runner from Newton Aycliffe is taking on the Simplyhealth Great North Run for the first time in more than 20 years to raise money for dementia research in memory of his wife who died with Alzheimer’s disease, aged just 62. Newtonian John Elliott, a former member of Darlington Harriers, last ran the Great North Run in 1996, but...

A round-up of the weekend’s cricket action… Saturday 1st September – NYSD Division 2 Barnard Castle 2nd XI v Newton Aycliffe 1st XI – weather was mild and sunny. Newton Aycliffe won the toss and chose to bat first. Newton Aycliffe 1st XI 115 all out after 46.2 overs Darryn Bancroft 31, Adam Gittins 26 and Luke Telford...

Teesside University is to provide even more doctoral level training opportunities for early career researchers as part of an innovative new funding stream. The Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA) Programme, led by the University Alliance, has received an award of almost £6m, (6.5 million euros), from the European Union to support the development...