Libraries across County Durham will remain open despite reductions in Government funding, under proposals being discussed by councillors. Durham County Council, which needs to make savings of at least £145.8m over the five years between 2011 and 2016, is proposing measures that will guarantee that no libraries have to close. However,...

People who own off-road bikes are being asked to make them identifiable in case they get stolen. As there is no statutory obligation to register ownership of off-road bikes, they will not appear on the Police National Computer. This means that if a bike is stolen then recovered, police can have difficulty reuniting it with its...

The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is offering a range of free courses to help job seekers. The PCP has formed a partnership with Bishop Auckland College, as part of the Newton Aycliffe Learning Partnership, to offer a range of Community Learning courses, free to those who are claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support...

An exhibition of documents, pictures and records showing Charles Dickens’ connections to County Durham will be launched next week. Dickens in Durham has been organised by Durham County Record Office to mark the 200th anniversary of the author’s birth. Dickens visited the county on at least two occasions and even took inspiration from...

Almost £150,000 is being used to fund a programme of training to help people in Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding area into work. It’s the biggest project to date for Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) and will see cash spent on both an Employability Skills Fund which can respond to specific training needs and a...

A community is celebrating work which has made their local hub a safer, more attractive place to be. GAMP has funded renovations to the Neville Community Centre on Neville Parade in Newton Aycliffe. Funding has helped to pay for new front double doors, side panels, railings and toughened glass. The new doors were moved forward, flush...

The British Automation and Robot Association (BARA) is looking for all Newton Aycliffe manufacturers who wish to take advantage of the latest government funding to improve efficiencies and create more jobs. The initiative is available to all sizes and types of manufacturers, but mainly small and medium sized enterprises who aims to improve...

Click the image to open the gallery.      

By Martin Walker It certainly wasn’t anything like I expected – and not necessarily in a good way. Stunning performances by Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent aside, The Iron Lady is a sad portrayal of an ageing Margaret Thatcher suffering with dementia, set in the modern day. With insightful flashbacks to her early political years...

Newton Aycliffe FC are on the brink of losing their star players after a chronic lack of business support has left them short of cash. Now their manager is pleading for help from local firms to help him keep his promising young squad together. Northern League first division outfit Newton Aycliffe, who’ve won three promotions in the...