LOCAL NEWS
LOCAL BUSINESS
LEISURE & LIFESTYLE
News from Peterlee, Seaham, Hordon, Easington, Hartlepool, Blackhall, Wingate and the wider East Durham area
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...
Residents in County Durham are being reassured they can still receive housing advice and support during the Coronavirus outbreak. Durham County Council’s Housing Solutions continue to deliver advice and assistance, as well as the statutory homelessness duty, to ensure...
HC-One's Grampian Court care home in Peterlee has been chosen by residents and their families as one of the Top 20 care homes in the North East. There are 735 homes in the North East, with the top 20 receiving an award from the UK’s leading reviews guide to care...
Peterlee-based Langley House Care Centre is gearing up to extend its services to the wider community following a programme of investment and strategic development that has led to a significant improvement in standards. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has awarded a...
Thousands of households across County Durham are set to benefit from extra help in covering the cost of their council tax bills during the coronavirus pandemic. Durham County Council already provides council tax discounts of up to 100 per cent to eligible households...
More than 1,000 businesses across County Durham have already received their grant to help support them through the Coronavirus pandemic. Staff at Durham County Council have worked tirelessly since government guidance was received late last week to contact businesses...
The UK's largest opticians and audiologists, Specsavers, has suspended all routine testing for the foreseeable future to focus on essential and urgent care only. CEO John Perkins said: "We may be closing our stores for business as usual, but will remain open for...
Durham County Council continues to update residents on the impact of services as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The council is reassuring people that they are working hard to ensure priority services are continuing during these unprecedented times. Details of...
A number of temporary changes are being made to a North East council’s services in line with latest government guidance during the Coronavirus outbreak. Following an announcement from the Prime Minister on Monday, which told residents to stay at home and practice...
A council has pledged to do everything in its power to quickly implement the support announced by Government for businesses and workers impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Durham County Council is urging businesses to take advantage of the support packages announced...
Statement from the HR Dept, Durham in response to the ever-changing coronavirus situation: Due to our close involvement with SMEs across various sectors, we have been hearing firsthand of the devastating impact that COVID-19 is having on businesses nationwide. Many...
People across East Durham are being reminded that help is available if they’re affected financially by the coronavirus pandemic. East Durham Trust, which manages the area’s foodbanks, is urging anyone in financial difficulty to contact them about the help available....
Construction work on a new housing development in Seaham is to finish a year earlier than planned due to the huge demand for properties at the site. Bellway is building 75 new homes at Byron Heights, off Dalton Heights Road. The housebuilder was due to finish work on...
A North council Leader has outlined the steps it has taken to “provide community leadership and support to our communities in what are truly unprecedented, uncertain and challenging times for everyone.” Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, was addressing...
Durham County Council has announced further details of how its services and events are affected in response to government guidance on Coronavirus. The council is continuously reviewing emerging government advice on how best to stop the spread of COVID-19, and...
Work to encourage dog owners to be more responsible has seen a welcome fall in the number of complaints about dog fouling and stray dogs in County Durham. Durham County Council launched a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in 2017 to tackle issues such as dog...
The powerful past and the distinct present of a County Durham structure will be the focus of a special talk, open to the public. Durham County Record Office will host its Third Thursday Talk titled, In Search of the Future - The Peterlee Archives, on Thursday 19 March...
East Durham College has reaffirmed its commitment to staff and students by signing up to a brand new national mental health and wellbeing charter - created by the Association of Colleges in conjunction with mental health experts. The 11-point document includes...
The ultimate clean-up in County Durham is now underway, as the Big Spring Clean launches. The annual event sees thousands of bags of litter cleared from local areas. This year’s litter pick will confront the amount of plastic thrown away as litter and ending up in the...
A major investment project designed to help more north east families onto the property ladder is celebrating the completion of its 100th home. A three-bedroom house in Seaham has helped the innovative m!ne ‘Rent to Buy’ programme hit its century of new affordable...
A man who was paid to remove and dispose of another person’s waste has been fined for flytipping. In January, a Neighbourhood Warden employed by Durham County Council was made aware of reports of flytipping at Tudor Court, in Shotton Colliery. The rubbish, which...
County Durham shopping and leisure outlet, Dalton Park, is transforming part of its outdoor area into an ecological oasis with the help of community interest company Climate Action North. Over 250 wildflower plants suitable for bees, butterflies and birds will be...
As the coronavirus continues to spread globally, Peterlee and Seaham HR expert Alison Schreiber provides some essential advice to avoid the risk of contamination. Novel coronavirus, or Covid-19 to give it its official name, has been dominating news headlines since it...
A trio of talented student barbers from East Durham College are celebrating after success at this year’s City & Guilds National Student Barber of the Year competition. Elle Metcalfe won the silver medal, Jessica Filby won the bronze and Simone Morrow achieved the...
A care home in Easington is celebrating after receiving a ‘Good’ rating from the health and social care regulator. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home was awarded the rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an unannounced inspection. The Sanctuary Care...
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping has seen an increase in sales and visitor numbers, bucking the national trend of difficult trading for many of the UK’s retailers. Results for the whole of 2019 at Dalton Park, showed a like for like turnover increase of four per cent, with...
Proposals to raise the standards of privately rented properties in County Durham are being put forward in a scheme to create better housing for residents. Durham County Council is proposing to introduce a selective licensing scheme across the county which would ensure...
Thousands of trees will be planted across County Durham’s towns and villages to create greener and healthier urban areas. As part of Forestry Commission’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF), Durham County Council has secured almost £500,000 to plant thousands of trees...
Four talented young stylists from Durham have booked their places in the final of a national student hairdressing competition. The third regional heat of Concept Hair Apprentice of the Year 2020 took place at New College Durham and there was a strong showing from the...
Construction on a ground breaking development in County Durham is set to begin in spring, and will become the UK’s first district heating scheme to utilise mine water energy. The Seaham Garden Village development will consist of 750 affordable homes, 750 private...
Ten County Durham schools were set the challenging task of pitching out-of-this-world business ideas in a foreign language, as part of a special space themed learning day. Working alongside astrophysicists from Durham University, the Year 10 pupils learned about zero...
People are being urged to donate their old, unwanted glasses to Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) which aims to improve the eye health of those less fortunate in the developing world. Specsavers in Seaham and Peterlee are collecting unwanted glasses and urging customers to...
More than three million customers are yet to send in their 2018/19 tax returns and have just five days left to the deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned. The deadline for completing tax returns online is 11.59pm on Friday 31 January. 8.5 million...
A North East developer is among the first to pilot a new industrial programme, which is helping to construct careers. Jay Dixon (17) from Murton and Kyle Cummings (17) from Easington have joined Durham Villages Regeneration Company’s (DVRC) developments – Byron Mews...
A lorry driver who caused the death of a much-loved son after stopping on a dual carriageway has been convicted. Marcel Balan, 57, stopped the lorry he was driving on an unlit stretch of the A19 near Sunderland in March last year. His dangerous decision behind the...
Durham County Council has received government recognition for its inclusive approach in recruiting and retaining staff with a disability or health condition. Awarded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), the status of Level 3 Disability Confident Leader...
East Durham College is thrilled to announce that its Engage 14-16 programme has been shortlisted for an award at the Tes FE Awards 2020. The college has been nominated for the Contribution to the Local Community Award. This nomination comes after the Engage 14-16...
Failing to get his dog microchipped has left a County Durham man with a criminal conviction and financially worse off. Connor McKittrick, 38, from Surtees Road, Peterlee, will have to pay £170 following the prosecution brought by Durham County Council. McKittrick...
More modern, vibrant and innovative leisure services are promised for County Durham as part of £63 million plans approved. Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet have given the green light to proposals which have been developed to ensure the authority’s leisure...