LOCAL NEWS
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LEISURE & LIFESTYLE
What’s happening in and around East Durham
A North East council is ready to keep its county moving during winter. Durham County Council’s preparations are well under way to ensure priority roads are kept clear during the winter months. While the weather has started to become colder, the council’s highways team...
While the streets of Durham City and Bishop Auckland were lit up for Lumiere 2023, local artists were also given the chance to put their work in the spotlight. As part of this year’s light-art biennial, Durham County Council’s community arts team has been involved in...
Durham’s unique and diverse experiences, world-class attractions and eclectic accommodation are the inspiration behind a new campaign aimed at boosting the county’s visitor economy. Do Durham Differently is the latest national destination marketing campaign from Visit...
Seaham based Novo Cabelo is one of the UK's fastest growing Hair System companies and the team are making history and disrupting the hair industry with their innovative, non-invasive approach which is quite literally changing lives. Following a transformative and...
British Garden Centres, the UK’s largest family-run garden retailer which includes East Durham Garden Centre, has unveiled its new Christmas advert, “#AllWrappedUp” for 2023’s festive season. The touching advert, which stars two local children from North Lincolnshire,...
A leading North East mental health organisation is calling for greater awareness of the link between mental health struggles and the cost-of-living – ahead of the upcoming energy price increases this winter. Following the announcement by the International Energy...
As we approach the winter season and the temperatures decrease, it is important to provide support for the birds and insects that reside in your garden. Autumn and winter can be challenging for outdoor wildlife due to the colder weather, limited food availability, and...
Residents of County Durham can now find out where they can get free access to the internet, devices and support with digital skills, this Get Online Week 2023. Good Things Foundation runs its Get Online Week campaign, from 16 to 22 October. This encourages community...
A fun magic show with a serious road safety message has been enjoyed by more than 1,000 County Durham school children. Allan’s Road Safety Magic Show toured 10 of the county’s primary schools in one week, performing to audiences of pupils from reception and years 1...
The best time of the year is nearly here, and the ever-popular Santa’s Breakfast and Afternoon Tea experience is available to book at East Durham Garden Centre with tickets on sale now. Make sure you don’t miss out on the most important meal of the day and book...
Dalton Park makes even bigger waves into using its outlet as a place to ‘feel good and do good' this week with the arrival of Dale, the magnificent eco Whale. A family-friendly recycling activation to support The Great British Beach Clean Project. Made entirely from...
A range of real ales, including those from overseas brewers, will be available at The Five Quarter in Peterlee, during its 12-day beer festival. The pub in Hailsham Place will host the festival from Wednesday 11 to Sunday 22 October inclusive. The overseas brewers are...
Dozens of handmade shirts have gone on display at a County Durham arts venue as part of an exhibition exploring masculinity. ‘The Quest for the Perfect Shirt’, from North East-based textile artist Richard Bliss, is on show in Bishop Auckland Town Hall’s gallery until...
A Peterlee electrical test and measurement equipment specialist has donated thousands of pounds to County Durham charities. Seaward Electronic, based at the South West Industrial Estate, has donated £3,000 to three local charities to help support a number of important...
Young people from across County Durham have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at an annual awards ceremony. Durham County Council’s Youth Council hosted its third annual County Durham Youth Awards to recognise the achievements of young people and...
A Peterlee pub is to cut the price of all food and drink by 7.5 per cent on Thursday, September 14 - to highlight the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry. Prices at Wetherspoon pub The Five Quarter in Hailsham Place will be reduced for one...
Raby Castle has been nominated for the prestigious VisitEngland ‘Welcome’ Accolade after its staff scored 100 per cent in a recent assessment. Staff across visitor services, catering and retail as well as tour guides and volunteers within the castle were awarded marks...
Visitors to Durham Cathedral may spot a new feature outside the 930 year old building – a purple ice cream bike! On sunny days the bike will be parked outside of the cathedral serving up award winning, real Italian gelato and ice cream. The cathedral team has...
Work has finished on a £3.4m sewer upgrade to help protect the environment in and around a North East beauty spot. Northumbrian Water and its partner, Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB), have increased the capacity of the sewer network and added underground storage tanks at...
Fans of Alice in Wonderland can continue the adventure with a free theatre production coming to parks across County Durham. Throughout this month, Gala Durham will be touring A Mad Hatter Adventure, a spin-off from the venue’s recent show, Alice In Wonderland. The...
The sunshine followed the rain as food-lovers flocked to County Durham’s coastline for two days of festival fun. Around 120 traders set up shop at Seaham Food Festival to sell everything from sizzling street food to sausage rolls, scotch eggs, cheesecakes, cheese,...
From the audience to the stage - the final chef to complete the Seaham Food Festival line-up has now been announced. The popular seaside event returns on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August, with visitors able to enjoy two days of fun, entertainment, and delicious food...
Green spaces across County Durham have once again been awarded a prestigious national status. Eight parks and green spaces, which are maintained by Durham County Council, have received Green Flag accreditation from the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. The...
Super scotch eggs, dirty fries, local fudge and cookie pies – these are just some of the tasty delights that’ll be on offer at this summer’s Seaham Food Festival. Durham County Council, which organises the festival, has confirmed that around 120 traders from County...
“What have you done today, to make you feel proud?” Pupils at Seaham Trinity Primary School were treated to a music performance M People singer Heather Small and drummer, Andrew Lovell. Andrew, better known as “Shovell”, arranged the show through his company AjoiA as...
Tom A. Smith is set to fill in for Luke Royalty at this Friday’s Brassed On event at Durham International Brass Festival following an announcement from the Darlington artist that he will no longer be able to perform due to personal reasons. The festival organisers...
Residents of Peterlee, both past and present, are being encouraged to share their memories of the town as part of its 75th birthday celebrations. Durham County Council has marked the start of a year-long programme of celebrations for the three-quarters-of-a-century...
People in County Durham are being encouraged to volunteer to help look after their countryside. Durham County Council has invested £2.3 million into its parks and countryside sites across County Durham, including nature reserves, local wildlife sites and Sites of...
Tourism contributed more than £1 billion to Durham’s economy for the first time ever in 2022, the latest industry research has revealed. Last year, 17.9 million people visited the county, spending a record-breaking £1.04 billion. This is an increase of 25.6 per cent...
Year-long celebrations are set to begin to mark 75 years of an East Durham town. Durham County Council has received a grant of £92,302 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to carry out a programme of events to commemorate 75 years of Peterlee being established as a...
A scheme has been recognised for its efforts to create social value opportunities across County Durham with a prestigious national award. The County Durham Pound scheme has been awarded Best Public Sector Project award at the 2023 Social Value Conference. County...
His Majesty The King has approved the nomination of the Reverend Canon Dr Philip Plyming as the next Dean of Durham. Dr Plyming succeeds the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, who was appointed Dean of St Paul’s in London last year, and has been Warden of Cranmer Hall,...
The latest famous faces heading to the County Durham coastline for a popular food festival have been announced. Seaham Food Festival returns on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August, bringing with it a spectacular line up of food and drink traders, family entertainment and...
County Durham’s roads are set to benefit from a funding boost of over £2.5 million. Durham County Council has been awarded £2.64 million by the Department for Transport for the repair and prevention of potholes across the county. The money will help strengthen the...
Three stars of MasterChef and Great British Bake Off are among the first celebrity chefs announced to headline a popular seaside food festival this summer. Seaham Food Festival returns on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August, bringing back a sensational line up of food and...
Talented up and coming musicians from the North East are being given the chance to headline at a County Durham music festival. Durham Brass Festival returns from Sunday 9 to Sunday 16 July, with the Durham County Council event promising a week of spectacular...
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination is set to become dog friendly from Bank Holiday Monday 29th May and is planning a day of doggy delights to mark the occasion. The event, which starts at 10am will include best behaved dog trials, a doggy selfie spot (with...
The new head of a charity that stands up for County Durham's countryside has appealed for members of the public to join him in defending its rolling fields, woods, rivers, streams, and ponds. Wingate farmer Andrew Thompson, who is the new chair of the Durham branch of...
Renowned North East artist, Mul Draws, has created the largest art installation Dalton Park has ever seen to celebrate the centre’s 20th anniversary. Two huge, stunning murals have been created and 48 planters have had a Mul style makeover to add new dimensions of...
Successful funding bids are paving the way for improvements to sustainable travel across County Durham. Durham County Council has been awarded £2.8 million from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund to create sustainable transport infrastructure in Durham City....
Following months of anticipation, leading British Home, Leisure and Gardens retailer, The Range has opened it’s new Dalton Park store. The store will provide the local area with all the home, leisure, and garden offerings of the range alongside a dedicated outdoor...
Thousands flocked to this weekend’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival, where celebrity chefs, tantalising treats, and family fun were all on the menu. Almost 140 stalls lined the streets, with traders from County Durham and beyond selling everything from burgers and...
Bishop Auckland Food Festival returns to the town this weekend, bringing celebrity chefs, street food traders, live entertainment and fun family activities. The festival, organised by Durham County Council, will take over the town’s marketplace from 10am to 5pm this...
Banging burgers, katsu curries and local cheeses and chutneys are just some of the culinary delights that’ll be on offer at next weekend’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival. Durham County Council, which organises the festival, has confirmed that around 140 traders from...
Audiences can enjoy a live music experience featuring an animated classic and take a trip down memory lane in two exciting performances at Durham Brass Festival. Organisers of the Durham County Council-run festival have announced two more acts for Durham Brass, which...
Rebecca White is the new co-director of The Royal George pub and restaurant in Old Shotton and here tells us more about her move from restaurant manager to boss. It’s just three months since Rebecca White became co-director of highly popular pub and restaurant, The...
Young people in County Durham are being given the opportunity to have a final say on funding for community projects. 3 Towns Partnership’s (AAP) newly-formed Youth Panel gathered for the first time to assess applications for its Children and Young People’s Small...
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination has donated £6,516 to the Great North Air Ambulance Service following a four-year fundraising partnership. It comes as Dalton Park prepares to announce a new charity of the year following a rigorous application and selection...
Magic was in the air when Tim Lichfield from Northallerton wowed audiences with his new youthful looks live on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch this month. Award-winning magician and radio presenter Tim, a regular ‘lunchmate’ audience member on the popular show...
A summer festival which brings the streets of County Durham alive with the sound of brass music is set to return this year, with the first act now announced. Durham Brass Festival promises a week of spectacular performances, new commissions, free concerts, community...
A MasterChef champion and Great British Bake Off runner-up will be among the Sunday headliners at this year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival. The festival, run by Durham County Council, pulled in a record 30,000 visitors last year and returns to the town on Saturday 22...
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination’s calendar of events got off to a ‘n’ice start with a free seaside themed Ice & Waves Trail during February half term. The event, which was in support of Visit County Durham’s Year of the Coast campaign, saw five stunning...
A mobile app that rewards residents and visitors for picking up litter has been launched in Durham City as part of the county’s commitment to becoming a sustainable destination. UnLitter UK encourages people to play their part in maintaining clean and green...
Grants of up to £1000 are available now for not-for-profit organisations across County Durham. believe housing’s community investment programme has opened two new funding opportunities to support groups in the areas it operates in. The £500 Small Community Grant and...
Women and girls are being celebrated in a free exhibition and special event in County Durham next month. The Being Inbetween exhibition, showcasing the transition from child to adult, arrives at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Monday 6 March, before the Durham County...
An employment referral app is helping a number of care providers across County Durham to recruit and retain high quality care staff. Durham County Council is supporting a group of providers to pilot the technology, with more than 100 care staff having already been...
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination is set to support Visit County Durham’s Year of the Coast campaign with a free seaside themed Ice & Waves Trail event during February half term. Five stunning sculptures will be placed around the centre on Monday...
Organisers of the hugely popular Bishop Auckland Food Festival have confirmed a trio of celebrity chefs will headline the event’s Saturday line-up. The festival, run by Durham County Council, pulled in a record 30,000 visitors last year and returns to the town on...
A County Durham man who worked to overcome addiction has thanked those who helped him find a job supporting others. David, from East Durham, came to Employability Durham after spending some time with an independent charity for people affected by drug and alcohol...
A play set on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela spent nearly two decades in prison is set to tour the North of England on the fiftieth anniversary of its first ever staging in Apartheid South Africa. Elysium Theatre Company, based in Durham, will bring The Island, by...
After a successful festive period, a County Durham theatre is now looking ahead to its next Christmas performance. Over 30,000 people booked tickets for Gala Durham’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. The production, which ran for 73 performances at the Durham County...
A housing provider has been recognised as a ‘beacon of good practice’ for its work to improve and save the lives of domestic abuse victims. The Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance has awarded County Durham-based believe housing DAHA accreditation for a second consecutive...
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination ended 2022 on a high with a record year for sales. Like for like sales across the year were up 14.5 percent vs 2019, the last comparable year due to the pandemic. The results come following an incredible 2022 for the outlet...
A service offering care and support to adults and young people with learning disabilities and mental health needs has been rated as outstanding. Durham County Council’s Shared Lives service, which supports almost 100 people across County Durham and Hartlepool, has...
Specsavers stores across Peterlee and Seaham are thanking customers for helping raise funds to support people experiencing homelessness. Research has revealed that more than half of people experiencing homelessness have unresolved issues with their vision1, with a...
The region’s largest local authority has been recognised for its for its forward-thinking work to improve employment opportunities for disabled people in County Durham. Durham County Council has once again been awarded Disability Confident Leader Level 3 status by the...
Traders are being encouraged to get ahead for the new year as applications open to be involved in one of the North East’s most popular food festivals. Durham County Council has confirmed Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August will be the dates for Seaham Food Festival 2023....
Christmas is almost here, and East Durham Garden Centre has all your last-minute stocking fillers and under-the-tree day makers for the big day. After months of increasing energy bills and December being arguably one of the most expensive months of the year, your...
Staff at Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination are celebrating following the opening of its newly expanded Levi’s store. The store has doubled in size to an extended 2,986 sq ft unit, with significant investment to boost the shopping experience including the...
A seven-year-old who sparked a County Durham school to collect much needed supplies for Ukraine, has been spreading festive cheer by lighting up a Christmas tree in Durham City. Earlier this year, Israelia Manson, who attends Neville’s Cross Primary School in Durham,...
Dalton Park is living its sustainable values this Christmas with incredible festive displays made from sugar cane and recycled bottles. A giant light-up polar bear, Santa's selfie sleigh, a 6-metre Christmas tree and a sparkly, snowflake-filled walk-through arch are...
This week will see the Christmas festivities kick off at the Empire Theatre in Consett with a production of Aladdin, following on from last year’s smash-hit pantomime Treasure Island. In her 11th year of directing the Durham County Council venue’s pantomime, Leah Bell...
Cosy is pulling out all the stops for Christmas this year. From 23rd November until 24th December, Cosy Club Durham‘s fabulous festive dining menus are on offer to help get you in the festive spirit. From £33.95, guests can experience a three-course Christmas...
Christmas is just around the corner and for many, a real Christmas tree is at the heart of the celebrations. With many watching their purse strings this year, British Garden Centres, which includes East Durham Garden Centre, have frozen last year’s prices of real...
As Christmas draws nearer, Durham Cathedral is inviting people to experience the joy of the festive season with a programme of special services, concerts and events, in celebration of the birth of Christ starting from 26 November. Visiting the cathedral for Advent and...
Peterlee Care Home has made a dream come true for resident Eileen Moses, who is an avid Emmerdale fan. Eileen, 76, who has lived at the home, which is in Westcott Road in Peterlee, for 17 years, loves the soap opera and makes sure she never misses an episode. When she...
A North East council has been recognised for its social work at a national awards. Durham County Council claimed a gold and silver at the Social Worker of the Year Awards, which celebrate individual excellence and outstanding practice among social workers. The council...
A young student is putting out a plea to her local community to help raise money for life-saving surgery for her brother, after being informed that the surgery can’t be funded by the NHS and will cost them £10,000. Hollie Ferguson, 19, from Houghton-le-Spring is...
A Durham City theatre is preparing to get into the festive spirit as rehearsals begin for its popular annual pantomime. Cast and crew came together for the first time for Gala Durham’s Christmas show, Sleeping Beauty. The production, written by Gary Kitching and...
Christmas at Dalton Park will be bigger and better than ever before with a whole host of new festive family activities and treats in store for shoppers. With so much to see and do, the launch of Christmas will now run across two events - doubling up on the magic! The...
With the cost-of-living crisis affecting many, families might be looking to cut down on their usual festive spending over the Christmas and New Year period. Having a memorable Christmas whilst going easy on your purse and the planet is not as difficult as you think...
A story written more than twenty-five years ago has been given new life by a regional gifts retailer. On New Year’s Eve 1994, author Christopher Goulding told a story to his friend’s children. That story was Tinseltoon – about the fairy from the clock on Newcastle’s...
Caribbean restaurant and bar Turtle Bay Durham a has launched its Christmas offering and its sunkissed tropical escapism all the way. Turtle Bay Durham’s vibrant soul food makes the perfect, laid back festive feasting experience. Guests can choose two courses for...
A crew of pesky pirates have washed up at the North East’s largest outlet shopping destination with plans to take over during the half term holidays! Dalton Park’s Scare Academy II - The Haunted Island won’t leave you a nervous wreck though - it’s a fun-filled (and...
A Shotton Colliery care home is bucking the national trend with a local new carer who could not be happier with her new career. Nicola Hunter started working at Croft House in April 2022 having never worked in the sector before. Having long held an interest in looking...
Colourful artworks created by young adults who need additional support have gone on show as part of a free exhibition. We Can We Will, by The Wider World Project, will be displayed at Gala Gallery in Durham City, which is run by Durham County Council, until Friday 30...
A new running club to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get fit has launched. East Durham Running Club is based in Easington and is affiliated by England Athletics. The club has recently seen its first cohort of runners complete the Couch to 5k challenge....
It’s been two years since the first bottle of gin left WL Distillery and the County Durham based distillery have been shaking up quite a ginpire ever since with plans for future expansion set to be unveiled. In a short space of time the independent distillery made one...
The Seaton Lane Inn has long been a firm favourite on the East Durham food scene, with it’s modern, zen-like interior and luxury rooms which make it a popular choice for national and international visitors to the North East. Keen to keep up with the demand for...
Durham Women FC are delighted to announce a new partnership with local renewables firm Clear Climate. The Peterlee-based business will see their logo feature on the front of our away shirt for the 2022/23 season. Our new away shirt, which is again produced by Hummel,...
Residents are being given the chance to help shape the future of the swimming pool programme at leisure centres across County Durham. As part of a review, Durham County Council is asking people for their views on how they currently use the pools, what is important to...
Turtle Bay Durham has announced a brand new cocktail menu as well as two new “Steel Bottom Beers” which will launch on 12th September, serving up some much needed sunshine as the Autumn months beckon. Turtle Bay Durham has ramped up its island-style beach bar vibes to...
A North East roofing firm is supporting local schoolchildren by providing equipment for the new school year. Findley Roofing and Building, which is based in Hartlepool, has continued its Kool 4 Skool initiative for the fourth year in a row, providing local children...
Believed to have been built on a mass grave, this former hospital is one of the most chilling locations we’ve ever investigated. Built in 1873 as a military barracks known as Gilesgate Militia Barracks, the building also served as a smallpox isolation hospital for...
A Hearty Affair Hallgarth, The Manor House, in Pittington has long been a firm favourite for happy couples tying the knot. But recently, thanks to a six-figure investment committed by its new owners, the venue is branching out. EDB editor Leanne Fawcett went along to...
Talented young actors are set to take to the stage as a hit film is adapted for Gala Durham. Six youngsters have been cast in Brassed Off, directed by Conrad Nelson. The production is based on the 1996 film about the troubles faced by a colliery brass band as it...
County Durham is set for a tourism boost as the internationally broadcast AJ Bell Tour of Britain cycle race comes to the region next month. Over 100 of the world’s top professional cyclists will be racing in Stage Three of the tour as it journeys from the county to...
Dalton Park’s first BeachFest bonanza has proven a big hit with little shoppers and the fun is set to continue until Monday 29th August. The free, two-week event celebrates the great British seaside and, inspired by the nearby stunning Durham Heritage Coast, it...
People who live and work in County Durham can now make more active travel choices following a range of improvements to a popular national cycle route. Durham County Council has been able to extend its current work on the county’s 23-mile stretch of the National Cycle...
Premium British footwear and accessories brand, Dune London and iconic handbag retailer, Radley London have opened new outlet stores at Dalton Park. Dune London opened last week and warmly welcomed guests for the first time while Radley London expanded into larger...
Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens is to host a flower festival celebrating County Durham’s heritage, culture, people and places. Ushaw Flower Fest, will see the 214-year-old Georgian house transform into a floral walking tour that tells rich stories from...
A Seaham artist has produced a series of paintings which show how the RAF defeated the Luftwaffe in the North-East of England on 15th August 1940 The paintings, entitled The Battle of Britain in North-East England 15th August 1940, have been produced by Denis Harry...
