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News from Peterlee, Seaham, Hordon, Easington, Hartlepool, Blackhall, Wingate and the wider East Durham area
A cowboy builder who ripped off customers in County Durham by carrying out sub-standard work on their homes has been handed a prison sentence of more than two years. Anthony James Gray, 57, who traded as Cathedral Home Improvements Ltd, defrauded a collective £39,600...
A council has successfully obtained a closure order against a County Durham gym for breaching health protection regulations by operating during lockdown. Durham County Council applied for the closure of Ed’s Gym and Fitness in Horden, also known as Ellwood’s Gym,...
Redu Group, a leading provider of employee benefit & retail marketing solutions, has announced the appointment of Karen Hubbard to their Board of Directors, as Non-Executive Chair to help drive further growth and expansion for the company. Karen Hubbard, former...
An innovative modular North East housebuilder is expanding the business by recruiting a team of people with a diverse skillset. CoreHaus, which recently set up a manufacturing facility in a 20,000 sq ft unit on Jade Business Park, Murton, near Seaham in County Durham...
Community groups have just weeks left to apply for grants from a successful County Durham funding programme. Food banks, sports clubs, schools and charities are being urged to apply for the last batch of grants from believe housing’s community funding programme before...
East Durham College has been announced as the winners of the Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Pears #iwill Award for Social Action and Student Engagement. During 2019/20, East Durham College created our own bespoke Community Action Projects for all learners to...
Residents are being asked to help uncover the identity of the location in an old photograph found in a collection belonging to an East Durham couple. The photo, which shows a greengrocers shop with many people outside of it, was found by George Kevin Bell, who was...
A £25million investment in the regeneration of communities across County Durham is to be presented to councillors for approval. Durham County Council’s Towns and Villages Investment Plan commits £20m to the county’s most disadvantaged communities and, following the...
East Durham College has announced two new direct routes as part of its ongoing partnership with Arriva North East. From September 2021, East Durham College will be offering a new, ED5, bus route directly from Darlington to its Houghall Campus in Durham. The new...
Organisations across County Durham are benefitting from a big book giveaway. Following a successful Facebook campaign, hundreds of surplus books which have been withdrawn from Durham County Council’s libraries, have been donated to new homes across the county. Each...
The Government’s decision to slash northern transport funding by more than half will deprive the region of vital investment at a critical time, as well as undermining promises to close the North/South divide. This is the view of Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County...
Electric vehicle charging points will become more widespread across County Durham in a move to reduce carbon emissions and make it easier for residents to own electric cars. As part of an ambitious plan to ensure residents without off-street parking can access an...
Maximising the value of every pound spent in County Durham is key to developing a sustainable economy and driving forward recovery, councillors will hear. Next week, Durham County Council’s Cabinet will receive an update on the progress and next steps for Social Value...
Residents across County Durham are being invited to take part in a survey about digital services over the next month. Durham County Council is hoping the survey will help to identify any barriers facing people across the county, in a bid to improve access for its...
Thankful parents have praised a County Durham bin crew for going out of their way to bring festive joy to children on their route. Colin Hodgson, Paul Bailey and David Heslop, who all work for Durham County Council as refuse collectors in the east of the county,...
A Peterlee mum has undergone life-saving brain surgery – just 24 hours after doctors told her she had two days to live. Emma Selby was admitted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough last week after doctors found she had a bleed from one of the three brain...
A further £10 million in funding has been provided to help support young people into education, employment and training across County Durham. The Durham County Council led partnership programme, DurhamWorks, has been awarded the funding from the European Social Fund...
Believe Housing has won the prestigious Homebuilder of the Year award at the UK Housing Awards. Judges were impressed by believe housing’s commitment to provide both affordable and quality homes in communities of greatest need across the region, from small rural...
As evidence reveals one in five people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK is now under the age of 30, a 17-year-old living with MS in County Durham, is shedding light on the need for new treatments as part of a £100 million charity appeal. Lucy Wood from...
County Durham community groups can now apply for funding to help make their neighbourhoods cleaner and greener. Volunteers can apply for a grant of up to £500 from Durham County Council, as part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) It’s Your Neighbourhood...
Enforcement officers are warning flytippers that they risk being stripped of their vehicles this Christmas. The warning comes after a number of vehicles found to have been used in flytipping incidents in County Durham were taken off their owners for good....
The family of a Peterlee mum who is battling three incurable brain tumours have launched a campaign to raise funds to pay for potentially life-saving cell therapy treatment. Durham County Council employee Emma Selby was first diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour in...
East Durham College has made it to the finals of the prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards in the Social Action and Student Engagement category, the Oscars of the Further Education sector. The Association of College’s Beacon Awards celebrate the best...
A County Durham charity has helped people with learning disabilities, and their families, beat isolation during coronavirus thanks to support from believe housing. Haswell Mencap has supported 50 families who faced the challenge of being alone during the pandemic....
The first in a series of training courses providing top tips on how to repair and maintain historic buildings has taken place in a County Durham seaside town. Durham County Council has teamed up with East Durham College to deliver heritage construction training...
An interactive programme which uses actors, virtual sessions and objects to tell the stories of County Durham soldiers has been produced to teach children the importance of Remembrance. Durham County Council and the Durham Light Infantry Collection (DLI) have put...
A short-distance move has gone a long way towards helping John Hodgson begin the next chapter of his life. The 61-year-old machine operator, who has lived in Seaham for 20 years, had been thinking for a couple of years about downsizing from his four-bedroom house in...
Construction work is starting at a new residential development in Wingate after plans were approved by the local authority. Bellway has planning permission to build 250 new homes at the site off High Grange Way in the village, which is nine miles to the east of...
A council is to step in to support families during next week’s half term holiday by providing support to those who would normally receive free school meals. Senior members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet have met to discuss a scheme to provide support for eligible...
Preparations for winter are already well underway in County Durham. In order to keep the region moving over the colder months, Durham County Council has its 76 strong fleet of gritters and snowblowers ready and waiting on standby. The winter maintenance team is now...
A former East Durham College student has landed her dream job seven years after making the decision she wanted to work with children and signed up for a childcare course. Lauren Crampton, aged 23, from Coxhoe, joined EDC from Framwellgate School Durham school to study...
A man who borrowed his brother’s vehicle without asking and used it to fly-tip has been left more than a thousand pounds worse off and with a criminal conviction. Gary Peacock, 39, of Horden, was taken to court by Durham County Council after one of the CCTV cameras it...
More than £104 million has been paid to more than 9,500 businesses across County Durham to help them deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Durham County Council has now processed all of the government’s Business Support Grants and the Local Discretionary...
A key figure in an initiative to reduce suicide in County Durham has been left stunned after receiving an MBE. Jayne Adamson, who works for County Durham-based believe housing, was awarded the prestigious accolade for services to housing and suicide prevention in the...
An expanding North East care provider is creating dozens of new jobs on the back of growing demand for its domiciliary care services. Aurora Care Group operates two residential care homes in the region and also provides specialist staff to a range of industry clients...
One of the UK’s leading build-to-rent developers has unveiled the first phase of properties to be released for let to the public, at its new £14 million housing development in the North East. The ambitious ‘Scholars View’ development created by Placefirst is situated...
Dalton Park stores and customers have come together to raise over £1,400 for Great North Air Ambulance (GNAAS), the shopping centre's nominated charity partner over the past 12 months. The North-East based charity is receiving this boost after kind-hearted shoppers...
Specavers is encouraging people to take part in the 'Stoptober' challenge by highlighting the dame drinking and smoking can have on your eyesight. Smoking and drinking alcohol are two things many people put on their list of habits to give up time and time again to...
New grants of up to £20,000 are being made available to community groups in some of the towns and villages hardest hit by the economic fallout of coronavirus. County Durham-based housing association believe housing has launched a new funding programme to provide...
East Durham College has confirmed it is one of the first colleges to be part of the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence, in partnership with NCFE, to mainstream world-class standards in skills development in the UK. Working together with WorldSkills UK, NCFE and our...
Leaders across the North East have written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock calling on him to amend new local COVID-19 restriction measures to allow families to continue their usual childcare arrangements. Seven local authorities came together to request stricter...
A collaboration between two of the north east’s largest home providers is set to find new ways that technology can help more people live independently for longer. County Durham based housing associations believe housing and Karbon Homes are bringing together experts...
A festival which promotes lifelong learning in adults has been celebrating individuals and organisations who have gone above and beyond in their learning. Durham County Council’s Adult Learning and Skills Service (ALSS) hosts an annual awards ceremony to recognise...
Nearly 100 new affordable homes are set to be built in Easington Village in an £11m construction project for believe housing. A mix of family houses and bungalows is set to be built on the site of the long-demolished Easington working men’s club in Seaside Lane. The...
A North East council has employed 11 new neighbourhood wardens to help it keep enviro-crime and anti-social behaviour under control. Durham County Council has invested £500,000 in the recruitment of the wardens as part of its efforts to ensure previous reductions in...
Work is underway to enhance a seaside town’s rich heritage as part of a £2.25 million regeneration scheme. Durham County Council launched the Seaham Townscape Heritage Project last November after securing a £1.6 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund...
Adult social care providers across County Durham will be able to access additional training for their staff thanks to a £44,000 grant. County Durham Care Academy has secured the funding from the Workforce Development Fund to help local care providers cover the cost of...
Peter Baker from Murton is to be recognised with a British Citizen Award Medal of Honour in recognition of his extraordinary endeavours. The British Citizen Award, in partnership with One Stop, is now in its fifth year and recognises exceptional individuals who...
As part of County Durham’s electoral register update, canvassers will be visiting households that have not yet responded to the annual request for information. Last month, Durham County Council sent letters to all homes in the county asking residents to check the...
Confirmation that a new Morrisons store will open in County Durham by the end of the year has been welcomed by Durham County Council. The new store will open at Dalton Park in Seaham, creating 150 jobs and providing essential community services to the area. At a time...
Picnic hampers full of sweet and savoury treats have been distributed to Peterlee’s vulnerable as well as public sector workers. Staff at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, prepared the “hampers of kindness” with a variety of food to give away to those in need....
One of the north east’s largest housing associations has been recognised for the support it gives to veterans, reservists and their spouses. believe housing has picked up a silver award in the armed forces Employer Recognition Scheme. The County Durham-based housing...
A warning has been issued to County Durham residents following a series of scam emails, trying to obtain personal and financial information. The trading standards team at Durham County Council is urging residents to be on their guard after it has received reports of...
East Durham College has announced that A Level students at the college’s sixth form, ED6, have achieved 100 per cent pass rate this year, the fifth consecutive year that students at the college have achieved this milestone. In addition, all students at the sixth form...
An industrial placement has been the key for unlocking a future career for East Durham College student Callum Fishwick, who has now secured employment at Seaham-based engineering firm Kraftwerx as an engineering apprentice. At East Durham College, many of our Level 2...
More than 600 affordable homes across County Durham are in line for major improvements as part of a massive programme by believe housing. Streets in Bishop Auckland, Horden and Seaham are among those set to benefit from the £8.5m investment during the 2020/21...
A redundant site in the Parkside area of Seaham has been transformed with 48 new low-cost homes by a leading housing association. The 30 family homes and 18 bungalows have been built on a brown field site in Heathway by Seaham based believe housing. The last new...
A new app will showcase the sites and stories of Seaham to visitors. Durham County Council have commissioned heritage app specialists At Creative to produce a smartphone app, aimed at encouraging locals and visitors alike to explore the history and heritage of Seaham....
A former East Durham College student has graduated as a qualified dentist from Newcastle University. Laura Maddison, who originally began work at the age of 16 as a dental nurse, completed an Access to Higher Education course in science at East Durham College from...
A successful funding programme has been expanded to cover projects that will help communities recover from the coronavirus pandemic. County Durham-based believe housing has already distributed more than £20,000 of funding to coronavirus related projects. But now the...
Residents are being invited to a series of virtual engagement sessions to help identify and tackle housing and environmental issues in their community. This week, Durham County Council’s Community Action Team (CAT) launched a 12-week project to address priorities...
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding tax credits customers that they need to tell HMRC about any changes in their circumstances or income by 31 July. Tax credits help working families with targeted financial support so it is important that people don’t miss out...
A fairy princess carriage is the latest exchange in a pen pal project between care home residents and primary school pupils in Peterlee. Residents at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home and pupils from Dene House Primary School, both on Manor Way, have been exchanging letters...
Young people across County Durham have been recognised for their commitment to their communities. More than 1,500 youngsters from across the county signed up to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award between April 2019 and 31 March this year. Between them, they gave almost...
Half of the homes have now sold at a new development in Seaham, showing the strength of the property market in the area. Five-star housebuilder Bellway Durham is currently building 75 new three and four-bedroom houses at its Byron Heights development, which is located...
A North East council has been asked to help secure the future of a County Durham secondary school as it prepares to join a multi academy trust. St Bede’s RC Comprehensive, in Peterlee, has been supported by the Northern Saints Academy Trust, now the Bishop Chadwick...
A building that has blighted a County Durham community for more than 20 years could soon be demolished – with an overwhelming majority of residents backing the plans. The former Easington Colliery Primary School, in Seaside Lane, has stood empty since 1997. With...
A North East regeneration partnership is laying the foundations that will help economically at risk communities to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Responsible for breathing new life into Durham for almost 20 years - through the provision of housing, jobs and...
A new multi-million-pound station in County Durham has opened to passengers. The first scheduled train stopped at the new Horden station this morning (Monday, 29 June), marking the entry into service of the £10.55 million development near Peterlee. Located on South...
A series of new virtual walks and cooking sessions to tackle isolation during the coronavirus pandemic have been supported by funding from a leading housing association. New IT equipment to help former armed forces personnel take part in virtual sessions while social...
A talented young entrepreneur from East Durham has earned the chance to pitch their business to star of Dragons’ Den Peter Jones CBE. Sam Prince, 28, studies with the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy at East Durham College and has been chosen as a finalist for this...
A specially created fund to assist communities during the coronavirus pandemic has helped to provide more than 3,000 meals for vulnerable people. The believe housing Coronavirus Crisis Fund was launched in May to provide targeted assistance to communities that were...
Climate change and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on travel and work will be the focus of a virtual meeting spanning three countries next week. Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, Boris Palmer, Mayor of Tübingen in Germany and Christopher...
People who have lost their job or are looking for new employment are being offered help in County Durham. Durham County Council is encouraging residents aged 25 and over to take advantage of a tailored support programme which could boost their chances of finding work....
Specsavers stores in England, including the optical and audiology services in Seaham and Peterlee, have reopend for routine testing. This follows approval from NHS England, having operated an urgent and essential care only service throughout the COVID-19 restrictions....
Students in the North East will have a clear route to technical employment with the launch of the region’s new Institute of Technology. Following the successful bid in 2019, the licence to operate as the North East Institute of Technology has now been awarded by the...
Town centres in County Durham are preparing to welcome back shoppers as many more retailers reopen this month. During the lockdown period, town centres have remained open to the public to provide essential goods and services. From today, in line with government...
A successful mental health charity will be able to carry on supporting vulnerable people through the coronavirus pandemic thanks to funding from a leading housing association. Gilesgate based RT Projects has received £10,000 from believe housing to allow it to...
Measures to enforce responsible dog ownership in public spaces will be set in place for another three years, following overwhelming support during a public consultation. Durham County Council introduced the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on dog control in June...
A new fund for communities during the coronavirus lockdown has directly helped more than 1,750 people in just three weeks. The believe housing Coronavirus Crisis Fund was launched last month to provide targeted assistance to communities that were struggling with the...
Tributes to the hard work of the NHS have been painted on roads across County Durham to show gratitude to frontline workers during the coronavirus outbreak. Durham County Council has been installing rainbows and messages of thanks on the county’s roads to show support...
Durham Cathedral has given its support to the NHS during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic - as it spectacularly turned blue for the night. Thanks to Martin Warden of Hi-Lights, who made the light showcase possible, the cathedral could be seen for miles around. Picture...
Young fitness fanatics from an Easington Village gym have quadrupled their NHS fundraising target after completing their 30-day burpees challenge in style. The youngsters, all members of Jupiter Juniors, part of Jupiter Health Club, initially set themselves the target...
Construction has started on a new mixed-use development in Seaham’s North Terrace. Durham County Council is supporting the project, which will see an office, restaurant, café, bar, indoor-bowling lanes and residential apartments built on the site. Planning permission...
A County Durham housing association has landed a great result in its first external assessment of its environmental credentials. Seaham-based believe housing has been given a silver award in a national sustainability scheme for affordable housing providers. The SHIFT...
Work at a busy road junction in County Durham has resumed as a council begins to reinstate some projects and services. Durham County Council has resumed work on Junction 61 at Bowburn, one of the projects it halted in March in response to government guidance aimed at...
Food parcels and essential items are being delivered to vulnerable residents in East Durham thanks to a council funding grant. East Durham Area Action Partnership (AAP) has awarded funding to a number of community groups as they support those who are vulnerable and...
Residents in a Peterlee street came together to celebrate VE Day in style. The social distancing rules in place during the coronavirus pandemic didn't stop people living in Oxford Close enjoying the Bank Holiday Friday celebrations. Every household in the street...
Junior members of an Easington gym have smashed their fundraising target in support of the NHS. The Jupiter Juniors youngsters, part of Jupiter Gym in Easington Village, set themselves a target of raising £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by completing a '30-burpees...
“I am more grateful than I can say and thank them from the bottom of my heart for everything they did and all with such gentleness and professionalism.” “We really are very grateful to you and cannot stress how much of a difference it has made to us this week just...
Businesses in the East Durham area are being encouraged to think about their apprenticeship offering for September. Despite the tough economic conditions brought about due to the coronavirus pandemic, the college is asking employers to consider how they might be able...
believe housing has announced new support for projects tackling isolation and financial hardship during the coronavirus outbreak. At least £10,000 has been allocated to the Seaham-based housing association’s new Coronavirus Crisis Fund. The funding will be directed at...
Durham has been hailed as the UK’s greenest city as carbon emissions reduced by half and air quality continues to improve. Solar technology specialists, The Solar Centre, researched Government data to rank cities based on 10 green criteria including waste management,...
Junior members of an Easington gym are completing a 30-day burpees challenge to raise money to support the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic. The Jupiter Juniors youngsters, part of Jupiter Gym in Easington Village, set themselves a target of raising £1,000 for NHS...
May the fourth be with you in choosing your college, as you can now take part in a virtual open day with East Durham College. East Durham College, with its main campuses in Peterlee and Houghall in Durham, will be holding its first ever virtual online information and...
Residents concerned about losing their home due to the financial impact of Coronavirus are being urged to contact a council’s housing team as soon as possible. Durham County Council has reissued the plea following a recent poll by the homelessness charity Shelter,...
More than 6,000 households in County Durham have had a combined £1.7m taken off their council tax as part of a local authority’s efforts to help residents through the Coronavirus pandemic. Durham County Council is giving households in receipt of a partial council tax...
Hundreds of Easter eggs have been distributed to families in Peterlee thanks to a generous donation from a shopping centre at the heart of the town. Castle Dene Shopping Centre donated 250 Easter eggs to Peterlee Police, who gave them to schools in the community which...
New job opportunities are being created in County Durham’s adult social care sector as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. An online recruitment and training programme has been launched by the County Durham Care Academy in response to the pressures placed on the...
Staff at a North East council are being redeployed to help those in the community who are most vulnerable during the Coronavirus outbreak. Durham County Council’s staff have been preparing food boxes to assist their Community Hubs in making sure essential items are...
Residents in County Durham are being reminded about the importance of staying at home during the Coronavirus outbreak. With the Easter bank holiday fast approaching, Durham County Council is asking residents to continue to stay at home and only leave the house for...
A North East council is continuing to provide employment and skills training during the Coronavirus pandemic. Durham County Council is offering support to unemployed residents and young people remotely, as it adapts services to comply with government guidance aimed at...