Picnic hampers full of delicious homemade treats were delivered to key workers by staff and residents at a Peterlee care home. Over a hundred sweet and savoury snacks were sent out by those living and working at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, for Random Act...
Leisure & Lifestyle
What’s happening in and around East Durham
Opticians to expand audiology services as it becomes a dedicated hearing hub
A Hartlepool opticians is set to expand its offering to become a dedicated hearing hub, providing enhanced audiology services to customers. Staff at Specsavers in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre offer a range of hearing services including, hearing tests, hearing aid...
History talk helps shine light on soldiers of the past
Family historians can gain top tips on how to discover their ancestors’ military past at an online talk this week. Durham County Record Office, which is run by Durham County Council, is continuing its successful Branching Out programme with an archivist-led talk about...
Work underway on new £10.4m Durham City bus station
Construction work on a new £10.4 million state-of-the-art bus station in the heart of Durham City has started. Workers started on site on Monday, with the current bus station closing to passengers and temporary stops being put in place close by. The new station has...
East Durham residents still have time to apply for 2021 garden waste scheme
Residents in County Durham still have time to apply for this year’s garden waste scheme and get all 17 collections during 2021. The first collection from the Durham County Council service takes place in late March or early April, followed by fortnightly collections...
Housing association awards £150,000 to community groups across the area
A north east funding programme that supports community groups including food banks, sports clubs and mental health projects has passed a major milestone. Believe Housing’s Community Investment Programme has awarded £150,000 of grants in the last nine months. More than...
East Durham residents encouraged to get ‘Wild About Winter’
A giant wolf, a story online and a call for people to make their own artwork – Wild About Winter is coming your way! Wild about Winter is a new project with artists and local people in East Durham, led by The Barn at Easington, running now until the end of April and...
Improvements to rail services underway as part of Network Rail upgrade programme
Rail passengers in the North East will soon benefit from a better, more reliable rail service as a major project to modernise signalling continues. The huge upgrade is part of a multi-million-pound project on the Durham Coast line in the Billingham/Stockton area,...
Owner’s desperate plea for people to stop feeding horses
Horse owner Jayne McGowan is making a heartfelt plea to people in the East Durham area to stop feeding the animals. It comes as figures show the number of deaths in horses since lockdown started has risen, with stories in the national media suggesting this is due to...
Charities come together to support people in East Durham with their mental health
Two local charities have come together to help people improve and manage their mental health. Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery, Hartlepool and East Durham Mind are working in partnership with East Durham Trust to offer help and support as well as encourage...
New Durham City bus station plans get £3.6m funding boost
Work to create a modern and vibrant new bus station for Durham City is set to press ahead after a multi-million pound funding package was approved. The North East Joint Transport Committee (JTC) has allocated £3.6million towards the overall £10.4m scheme following a...
Seaham Hall announces partnership with Peterlee-based charity East Durham Trust
Seaham Hall Hotel is increasing its presence in the community by announcing a new partnership to support Peterlee-based charity East Durham Trust. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the national lockdown last year, the five-star hotel has been...
Specsavers stores to remain open throughout national lockdown
The UK’s largest opticians and audiologists, Specsavers, will stay open for all eye and hearing needs now most of the country is in lockdown. Under current government guidance, people are allowed to leave home to attend medical appointments, including eye and hearing...
£4.6bn support package announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today (Tuesday) announced a £4.6bn of support for companies affected by last night's national lockdown announcement made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Leisure and retail venues can access up to £9,000 per business, depending on the...
Pubs affected by Covid-19 encouraged to apply for latest Government support grant
Hundreds of pubs across County Durham which have been affected by local and national coronavirus restrictions are being encouraged to apply for the latest Government support grant. ‘Wet-led pubs’, or those which predominantly serve alcohol rather than food, are...
Dalton Park management praises staff, partners and shoppers for their community spirit
As the year comes to a close, Dalton Park Shopping Outlet has reflected on some of the positive experiences from the last 12 months. Jerry Hatch, Centre Manager, has applauded staff, brand partners and shoppers for working together on everything from charity...
East Durham residents asked to sign up for 2021 garden waste collections
Residents in County Durham can now sign up for the Garden Waste Collection scheme for 2021. The first collection from the Durham County Council service takes place in late March or early April, followed by fortnightly collections until November when the season ends....
Restaurant review: Codrophenia at Dalton Park
East Durham Business editor Leanne Fawcett visited Dalton Park’s only independent food outlet, Codrophenia, to see whether the fish and chip shop was worthy of a five-star review – or more Rotten Tomato… Fish and chips are about as quintessentially English as things...
£100,000 boost for Ferryhill charity which helps vulnerable people impacted by COVID-19
A charity delivering independence and support throughout the North East has secured a £100,000 Covid-19 helping hand from a major community aid programme launched by Barclays. Supportive, based in Ferryhill, County Durham, has been chosen as one of Barclays’ UK...
Dalton Park gives retailers festive boost by extending opening hours this Christmas
Dalton Park is extending its opening hours to support retailers and give shoppers more time to get everything they need for Christmas. It will reopen on Wednesday 2nd December and stores will be able to operate until 7pm every week day up to and including Wednesday...
Peterlee care home residents get into the festive spirit to help children in need this Christmas
Paddington Bear and boxes of chocolates are among the gifts donated by a Peterlee care home to children in need this Christmas. Staff and residents at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, have put together two hampers of goodies for community project Santa’s Wish....
Peterlee company Auxillis steps in to keep NHS workers mobile
Auxillis has again stepped up to support insurer Admiral with its NHS and emergency service worker mobility scheme - providing a free courtesy vehicle if theirs is stolen, undriveable after an accident, or declared a total loss - keeping essential workers on the road...
Knitted gifts bring smiles to the faces of Peterlee care home residents
Bears, jumper, shawls, and knitted dolls are among the items donated to a Peterlee care home by a knitting initiative. Knit for Peace UK donated the gifts to Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, bringing smiles to the elderly residents. Derek Bestford, 57,...
Community cafe back up and running thanks to housing association funding
Funding from believe housing has helped to get a vital project in Easington Colliery underway again after the coronavirus pandemic. The Café Together initiative was brought to an abrupt halt by Covid-19 restrictions earlier this year. Unable to carry on with its...
Dalton Park announces a surprise festive addition to its team this Christmas
There are six new members joining the team at Dalton Park this winter as the centre announces surprising news of a reindeer adoption. Following the news that the Christmas launch event won't be going ahead this year due to Covid-19, and with reindeers being a...
East Durham housing association joins fight against hunger
County Durham-based believe housing is playing its part in tackling the threat of hunger during the coronavirus pandemic with food parcels to customers in need. The award-winning housing association is arranging for food parcels to be delivered to customers who are...
New project to make East Durham cleaner and greener launches
A new project aiming to make local neighbourhoods cleaner and greener is underway across County Durham. Launched by Durham County Council, Find and Fix involves the council and community working together to tackle a range of unsightly issues in the community such as...
East Durham’s Wellbeing for Life team offering help to people across the area
East Durham's Wellbeing for Life team is offering free support to anyone aged over 16 who lives or works in County Durham. The team, based at Heathworks in Easington, offers help in areas including weight management, healthy eating, physical activity and mental health...
Coastal community hub and café to be built at East Durham beauty spot
A new coastal community hub is set to be built at a County Durham tourist spot for residents and visitors to enjoy when taking a trip to the seaside. Working with the Heritage Coast Partnership, Durham County Council is investing £250,000 to attract £1.35 million...
Seaham landmark among six being lit up red to commemorate Remembrance Day
Six landmarks across County Durham will be lit up in red next month to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, many traditional services, parades and wreath laying ceremonies due to take place on 8 November have been cancelled....
Seaham youngster shortlisted to win toy retailer’s nationwide spooktacular competition
With families across the UK facing stricter lockdown measures, online toy retailer Bargain Max recently launched a Halloween inspired competition for kids. In what has been a spooky and creative competition for youngsters across the UK, Bargain Max has now announced...
Peterlee Labour Club among five venues ordered to close for failing to comply with coronavirus measures
Businesses across County Durham are being reminded that they must comply with the latest coronavirus rules, or face action. It comes as another five venues across the county were issued with direction orders and told they must immediately close for failing to abide by...
Crimdon Dene Caravan Park and Thornley Officials Club ordered to close until further notice
A club and a caravan park in County Durham which failed to comply with the latest coronavirus restrictions have both been issued with direction orders. Action was taken against Crimdon Dene Caravan Park and Thornley Officials Club on Friday (9 October) following a...
Over 65s encouraged to ‘fall on their feet’
A new 10-week wellbeing challenge aimed at people aged over 65 in the Easington GP area launches next week. Helix Arts’ regional Falling on your Feet programme is a dance and health initiative for older people to help increase their strength and balance to prevent...
Shotton Comrades Club ordered to close for failing to abide by coronavirus restrictions
A County Durham club has been issued with a direction order and told it must close immediately for failing to abide by the latest coronavirus restrictions. Durham County Council’s community protection team has taken swift action against Shotton Comrades Club, which...
Seventeen-day real ale festival comes to the Five Quarter in Peterlee
A range of up to 20 classic British real ales will be available at The Five Quarter in Peterlee during its 17-day real ale festival. The pub in Hailsham Place will host the festival from Friday, October 9, to Sunday, October 25. The beers will cost £1.69 a pint. The...
McDonald’s re-opens in Seaham and launches McDelivery
McDonald's has officially re-opened at Dalton Park Shopping Outlet in Murton. And there's more good news for customers because as well as being able to benefit from drive thru and take away, at the Murton restaurant locals can now benefit from the introduction of the...
Three more household names to open stores at Dalton Park Shopping Outlet
Three more household names are set to open at Dalton Park this autumn. Molton Brown, Lazy Jacks and Costa Coffee will join the outlet shopping centre, complementing the existing brands and enhancing guests’ shopping experience. The welcome news comes after Morrisons...
Initiative to improve standards of private rental properties backed by Grahame Morris
An initiative which aims to improve communities in County Durham by raising housing standards and management in the private renting sector has received backing by senior council members and two MPs. Durham County Council’s proposals to introduce a selective licensing...
Peterlee pub The Five Quarter to cut food and drink prices in support of Tax Equality Day
A Peterlee pub is to cut the price of all food and drink by 7.5 per cent on Thursday, September 24. The Five Quarter in Hailsham Place is supporting Tax Equality Day, aimed at highlighting the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry. The...
Seaham author brings experiences of young airman and his family to life in new book
Historian and author Jane Gulliford Lowes brings the wartime experiences of a young Seaham Harbour airman and his family to life in her new book. Above Us The Stars tells the story of Jane’s great -uncle, “Bomber Boy” Jack Clyde, a 20-year-old wireless operator. Jack...
Peterlee Running Club sees rise in membership following lifting of lockdown restrictions
A local running club is calling on people to continue to keep fit and active after seeing a rise in numbers post-lockdown. Peterlee Running Club, which was formed in 2013 by trained coach David Ferguson, is open to people of all ages and running abilities and meets...
Beautiful gardens and floral displays vying for county-wide accolade
Beautiful gardens and floral displays across County Durham are vying for the public’s vote this month. Entries for the Garden Treasures contest are now closed and now members of the public are being called on to help choose the winners. Organised by Durham County...
Seaham Hall Hotel recognised at national tourism awards
Three exceptional North East tourism businesses represented the region at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2020 last night, where they took home a host of awards and secured their position as some of the finest examples of tourism businesses in the country. The...
Seaham Hall Hotel shortlisted at prestigious national tourism awards
Three outstanding North East tourism businesses have been shortlisted in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2020, an event that champions the very best of the country’s tourism industry and celebrates quality, innovation and best practice. Seahouses bed and...
Peterlee Leisure Centre open today, Seaham in two weeks
1Life has announced that it will be re-opening Peterlee Leisure Centre today, Monday, July 27, with Seaham anticipated to follow on August 10. Following advice and guidance from the Government as well as the fitness trade body ukactive and there independent scientific...
Play parks across County Durham reopen as lockdown restrictions continue to ease
Play parks across County Durham have reopened as part of the nationwide easing of lockdown restrictions. Durham County Council is undertaking individual risk assessments on all 175 of its children’s play parks and is working hard to reopen these valued facilities as...
Keen gardeners from East Durham sought for outdoor spaces photography competition
Keen gardeners across East Durham are being invited to take part in a photography competition to share how outside spaces have helped them through the coronavirus pandemic. Durham County Council’s civic pride team is calling on residents to show off the green spaces...
Seaham Food Festival moves online
Food lovers can stock up on their favourite treats while supporting some of the region’s best producers when a popular festival moves online. Seaham Food Festival was due to take place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June but was cancelled to help slow the spread of...
Prestigious tourism award win for Seaham Hall Hotel
Durham’s five-star boutique hotel, Seaham Hall, has scooped Gold in the Small Hotel of the Year category at the prestigious North East England Tourism Awards. The awards, organised by the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, in partnership with a number of organisations,...
Popular online stories to continue through May
New virtual storytelling sessions are to continue throughout May following their initial success. Durham County Council’s library service recently began teaming up with artists to create video recitals of popular stories and poems which children and their families can...
County Durham residents encouraged to celebrate VE Day safely from home
As the 75th anniversary of VE Day approaches, arrangements are being made to help people in County Durham commemorate the occasion safely at home. In recent months, the nation’s focus has been on the coronavirus pandemic, but Durham County Council recognises that...
Panto stars visit poorly children who are spending this Christmas in hospital
Cast members from the Gala Theatre’s panto paid a special visit to children spending the run up to Christmas in hospital. The Durham City venue’s Christmas pantomime, Aladdin, is on a roll bringing festive thrills and lots of laughter to audiences. This week, Aladdin...
Ho ho ho as Santa Claus comes to Hardwick Park
Father Christmas will be welcoming visitors to his festive yurt for two weekends in the lead up to Christmas. Hardwick Park is once again inviting children to meet Santa Claus as he makes his pre-Christmas visit to County Durham. As well as receiving a gift from...
One More Sleep brings festive fun for little ones this Christmas
Little adventurers and their grown-ups can journey to a winter wonderland at a County Durham theatre this Christmas. The Gala Theatre’s production of One More Sleep will transport youngsters to an enchanting world, where dreams comes true on the most magical night of...
Ho ho ho… businesses urged to have fun within reason this Christmas
East Durham businesses are being warned to have fun this Christmas - but to be prepared for the problems which can come from an overly indulgent office party or night. HR expert Alison Schreiber of the HR Dept Durham works with a number of companies in the area to...
Business Review – LG Therapy
Business Review, LG Therapy Review by East Durham News editor Leanne Fawcett (it can also be found in issue two of East Durham Business magazine). The past few weeks have been particularly stressful and physically draining, so to say my body was ready for a bit of...
For the love of panto…Gala Theatre’s festive production of Aladdin begins
Getting rugby tackled by schoolchildren, squirting audiences with water pistols and plotting world domination – it is all in a day’s work for a pantomime star. For more than a decade, Neil Armstrong and Paul Hartley have starred in the Gala Theatre’s annual pantomime,...
Seaham Food Festival to return in 2020
A seaside town will serve up a second helping of culinary fun when a successful food festival returns next year. Organiser Durham County Council has announced the second annual Seaham Food Festival will take place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June 2020. County...
Peterlee pub to host Christmas carol concert to raise funds for church
Peterlee pub The Five Quarter will get into the festive spirit this December by hosting a carol concert to raise money for St Cuthbert’s Church. Duty manager Sara Malcolm has teamed up with vicar Elaine Jones to encourage people to support the church, which is located...
Peterlee community garden triumphs at environmental awards
Inspirational examples of innovative design, environmental guardianship and community spirit have been recognised at an annual awards ceremony. The winners of the 30th anniversary County Durham Environment Awards were announced at Hardwick Hall Hotel near Sedgefield....
Peterlee boxer prepares to square up in prestigious competition
A former East Durham College student is about to square up to the biggest opportunity of his boxing career as he prepares to compete in the prestigious MTK Global’s Golden Contract Tournament. Darren Surtees is a former bricklaying student at East Durham College who...
East Durham families sought for Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
Producers of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway are looking for a family in East Durham who could receive the hit ITV series' biggest surprise ever. People across the area are asked to put forward nominations for families they think are deserving of the surprise. A...
Pop-up space to showcase County Durham food produce proves a hit with shoppers
A three-month long pop-up programme to give food and drink producers from across County Durham the chance to showcase their products and explore potential routes to market is underway and already attracting crowds of shoppers. The event is a collaboration between All...
CCBC stars head to Seaham to kick off their summer tour
CBBC and Panto stars Danny Adams, brother Mick Potts and dad Clive Webb will be pitching up the big-top at Seaham next week to prepare for the start of their Midsummer Madness tour of the North East. Star of ‘Danny and Mick!’, Danny Adams, will also show his daring...
Investment and regeneration continues as new cinema opens its doors in Durham
As a new cinema opens its doors in Durham City, councillors have spoken of the important role private sector investment plays in boosting the economy. Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, and Cllr Carl Marshall, Cabinet member for economic regeneration,...
Peterlee Netball Club launches with grant from believe housing
A new netball club for east Durham youngsters has been set up thanks to support from a leading housing association. Families have the opportunity to get involved with netball thanks to a new club, founded thanks to a small grant from believe housing. Peterlee Netball...
15,000 people head to inaugural Seaham Food Festival
Almost 15,000 people headed to the first Seaham Food Festival yesterday (Sunday). County Durham’s spectacular heritage coast provided a beautiful backdrop to the event, with people of all ages enjoying fresh sea air while tucking into delicious local produce and...
Seaham gears up for its very first food festival
As Seaham gets set to host its first food festival this weekend, visitors are being encouraged to plan their journeys in advance. Seaham Food Festival will serve up more than 100 traders, cookery demonstrations by celebrity chefs John Torode and Phil Vickery,...
Seaham Food Festival just one month away
Children’s cookery workshops, live music and bingo with a refreshing twist – a food festival will serve up more than delicious dishes next month. Excitement is building ahead of the first Seaham Food Festival which is set to bring tasty local produce and enticing eats...
Relive your school days as comedy educates audiences at Durham theatre
A hilarious and fastmoving comedy will transport theatre goers back to their school days this week. Tickets are still available for the Gala Theatre’s latest production, Teechers, which runs at the Durham City venue from now until Saturday, May 11. Written by...
Northumbria in Bloom judges head to Durham for judging
Green fingered groups, volunteers and residents are hoping for horticultural success after a visit from competition judges. Representatives from the Royal Horticultural Society headed to Durham City and Chester-le-Street to consider the areas’ entries for the...
Sporting greats and intrepid explorers inspire all at Durham Adventure Festival
Adventurers of all ages were out in force in Durham this weekend when the city hosted the region’s most adrenaline-fuelled festival. Durham Adventure Festival attracted thousands of people to the city centre for three action-packed days of talks, film screenings and...
Top chefs John Torode and Phil Vickery signed up for Seaham Food Festival
Top television chefs John Torode and Phil Vickery are set to wow food lovers at a new food festival on the County Durham coast this summer. Following the success of Bishop Auckland Food Festival, Seaham Food Festival will bring fresh fare, fine flavours and exciting...
Beamish Museum’s Emily wins prestigious national tourism award
Beamish Museum’s Emily Hope is celebrating after being named national VisitEngland Tourism Superstar. Emily, who works at the museum’s Entrance, is thrilled to have won the public vote to claim the prestigious title. She was among 10 finalists and made the shortlist...
Plan your travel as popular food festival approaches
As excitement builds for one of the region’s favourite food festivals, visitors are being encouraged to plan their journeys in advance. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend Bishop Auckland Food Festival when it returns this weekend with a tempting...
Durham gears up as cycling event returns for a record-breaking tenth time
A pro-cyclist will be back racing on home turf when Durham hosts the eagerly awaited OVO Energy Tour Series for a record-breaking tenth time. The North East’s own Scott Auld will be among the elite cyclists taking on the gruelling 1.4km circuit in the shadow of the...
Upcoming theatre talent to be showcased at Durham Gala
An event that will showcase work by some of the North East's most exciting new theatre-makers will take place later this month. This event, entitled 'Next Up...', is the first of its kind at Durham's Gala Theatre and offers a first look at work-in-progress shows as...
Blues, rhythm and rock at Durham this weekend
A live music festival returns to Durham tomorrow as The Durham Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival is set to take place at the Gala Theatre. Now in its sixth year in Durham, the festival showcases the quality of live music in the UK and presents a line-up that aims to...
Durham set to shine again with Lumiere 2017
The UKs largest light festival looks set to return to Durham for a fifth time next year. This morning Durham County Council’s Cabinet agreed to recommission Artichoke to deliver another spectacular Lumiere in November 2017, with members endorsing a commissioning fee...
Derwent Valley AAP and Durham Cathedral join forces for educational events
Derwent Valley AAP and Durham Cathedral Join Forces for Education Events. Durham Cathedral has received a grant of £5,300 from Derwent Valley Area Action Partnership to provide school sessions for all primary schools in the Derwent Valley area. Twenty schools will...
Durham Cathedral prepares to remember
Durham Cathedral is preparing to welcome visitors and pilgrims from far and wide as they come to the Cathedral to remember those killed during the Battle of the Somme, on the centenary of this tragic event. A series of services will be held at the Cathedral from...
Helen Mirren brings The Queen to Durham cinema
A cinema broadcast of the original West End production of The Audience, featuring Helen Mirren’s multi-award-winning performance as Queen Elizabeth II, returns this week in celebration of the monarch’s 90th birthday. The play is written by Peter Morgan, who wrote the...
Picture perfect postcard competition to launch at Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral is hosting a special opportunity for photographers to snap the inside of the Cathedral this week. Photos of this world-famous building can then be used to enter the World Heritage Site’s postcard competition, with winning entries being displayed as a...
Lumiere festival delivers biggest ever economic impact
An event described by visitors as ‘majestic and mesmerising has delivered hugely increased financial benefits to County Durham and the North East. Lumiere, the UK’s largest light festival, was staged in Durham for the fourth time last November. It instilled a sense of...
Graeme of Thrones comes to Durham Gala
A hilarious parody of Game of Thrones is set to have the audience in stitches when it comes to Gala next month. The show, which will be performed at Durham's Gala Theatre on Monday 13th June, 7.30pm, is created by some of the UK's top comedy writers and will promise...
Will you be the one to complete Durham Cathedral’s LEGO replica?
Durham Cathedral has launched a LEGO lottery where the lucky winner will be selected to place the final brick on the now world-famous scale-model replica. The LEGO model, which was set up as a fundraising tool for the state of the art Open Treasure exhibition...
Durham Miners’ Gala mixes punk with reggae at Alington House gig
A club night organised by a Durham book shop is set to host a Punky Reggae Party event in aid of a 'justice' campaign for Durham miners. The 2016 Durham Miners' Gala will take place on Saturday 9th July and will this year go beyond its usual early evening wind-down...
Ancient cross donated for display in Open Treasure
A crucifix found on the site of the Battle of Neville’s Cross has been donated to Durham Cathedral to feature in a metal-work display as part of the Open Treasure exhibition experience, when it opens on Saturday 23 July. The crucifix was found between 1829 and 1868 in...
School gives Open Treasure a test run at Durham Cathedral
Schoolchildren from Dipton have visited Durham Cathedral’s £10.9 million Open Treasure exhibition experience ahead of the official opening, to give its education programme a test run. Twenty-five children from Collierley Primary School came to Durham Cathedral to take...
Hundreds of youngsters flying the flag at Empire and Flag Weekend
Hundreds of young people from across the region will gather at Beamish Museum to celebrate the contribution made by youth groups to the First World War effort. A magnificent flag parade, featuring Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Cadets and other young people’s groups will...
Cathedral Canon launches book of Sunday reflections
A new book will be launched at Durham Cathedral this weekend, featuring the writings of Canon Rosalind Brown. Fresh from the Word gathers together the reflections on the lectionary readings that appeared in the Church Times newspaper every week for three years,...
Rugby stars swap balls for bricks at Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral welcomed two of the Newcastle Falcons rugby stars as the players swapped their rugby balls for bricks and placed a section on the LEGO model of the Cathedral. The LEGO model is a fundraising project for Open Treasure, Durham Cathedral’s world-class...
Home bird Sarah is no outsider in the North East
South Shields lass Sarah Millican comes home to the region for the first of ten Newcastle gigs on her Outsider UK tour. Sarah is renowned for her sell-out tours and record-breaking homecoming show runs. The BAFTA-winning comedian embarked on her first national tour,...
Acclaimed musicians set for Gala gigs
Two of the country’s most renowned jazz and folk acts are set for gigs in Durham this week. The Ronnie Scott's All Stars will bring music from jazz greats and tales of old Soho in a celebration of one of the capitals most famous venues, Ronnie Scott’s jazz club....
US property expert is helping Durham househunters to the Max
A US property expert looks set to help househunters find homes in Durham thanks to a new reality TV show. Max Blake is coming to the UK to help couples who are trying to find their perfect home and to provide them with vital funding towards their deposit. With over a...
Tibetan monks to fill Durham Cathedral with music and colour
Durham Cathedral is preparing to welcome a team of eight monks from the Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Tibet. The monks will be taking part in a series of educational workshops and public performances from Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th May, including the creation of a sand...
Russell is the right man for North East comedy fans
Funnyman Russell Kane brings his Right Man, Wrong Age tour to the region this month. In his brand new show, the multi-award winning comedian and host of BBC3's Live At The Electric, unleashes a stand-up performance about growing up, growing down, and why farts will...
Durham Cathedral invites 6-10 year olds to be a chorister for the day
Children who love music are being invited to try their hand at being a Durham Cathedral chorister for the day. Children aged 6-10 years old can come along and enjoy making music in one of the world’s most majestic cathedrals, with some of the country’s most talented...
Tell Me On A Sunday this Saturday in Durham
I'd Do Anything star Jodie Prenger stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s classic musical, Tell Me On A Sunday, which comes to Durham's Gala Theatre this weekend. Following her acclaimed performance in the Watermill’s production of Calamity Jane, the stage star...
Former Fringe director becomes Durham festival’s top BRASS
One of the world's leading festival directors, who ran the Edinburgh Fringe for eight years, is taking the top job at Durham's BRASS Festival ahead of its 10th birthday. Paul Gudgin, who is sought worldwide for his festivals expertise, has been recruited as the...
Tribute acts Wannasee you in Bishop Auckland this May
The Wannasee Live Music Festival comes to County Durham later this month and features tributes to some of the world’s most popular acts past and present. With tributes to Prince, Elvis, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Oasis, Blues Brothers, U2, Stereophonics and many more,...