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News from Peterlee, Seaham, Hordon, Easington, Hartlepool, Blackhall, Wingate and the wider East Durham area
“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...
Employees and elected members from Durham County Council gave families in need a helping hand this Christmas. Councillors and staff donated new, unwrapped toys and gifts for children and young people who might not otherwise have received a Christmas present, as part...
Villagers are to be asked for their views on the future of a building that has blighted their community for more than 20 years. The former Easington Colliery Primary School, in Seaside Lane, has stood empty since 1997. With various owners failing to find a viable use...
Three new state-of-the-art leisure centres could be built under plans to invest almost £63 million in leisure services across County Durham. Durham County Council is proposing to transform leisure provision across the county with plans to create more modern,...
Dalton Park scooped up the gong for National Eco Friendly Toilets at the Loo of the Year Awards. The toilet facilities were praised following an independent, unannounced visit from judges. This is the 16th time that the outlet shopping centre has been recognised by...
A government minister has welcomed the start of work on a new railway station during a visit to County Durham today (Monday, 6 January). Transport Secretary Grant Shapps met with representatives from Durham County Council, Network Rail and the North East Local...
Completing a tax return may not be on the top of your to-do list on Christmas Day, but that didn’t stop more than 3,000 taxpayers from filing their Self Assessment returns on 25 December. For some customers, doing their tax return on Christmas Day is as traditional as...
A Mercedes was seized and a stolen JCB recovered during a multi-agency crackdown on anti-social behaviour and vehicle nuisance. Operation Bellflower saw Durham County Council and Durham Constabulary teaming up in the Peterlee area to target off-road bikes, quad bikes...
Residents can receive a helping hand with their Christmas clear-out thanks to a free tree collection service. Durham County Council are offering to pick up real Christmas trees for residents who book with the free service. Bookings for real tree collections can be...
Generous council staff and elected members have donated thousands of festive treats to foodbanks across the county to help people in need this Christmas. Employees and councillors from Durham County Council donated throughout November to the appeal which asks them to...
A convenience store in Murton has undergone a significant refurbishment. G&E Murgatroyd, James Hall & Co.’s company owned stores division, is delighted to announce the completion of the project to drastically improve the shop. The store has been refurbished to...
Dalton Park is celebrating after a bumper second half-of-the-year, following new store arrivals, upgrades and refurbishments. The largest outlet centre in the North East recently welcomed popular retailers White Stuff and WHSmith, with development well underway for...
A £9.4 million development to provide 71 extra care apartments in County Durham has received planning permission. The development on a former school site in Robson Avenue, Peterlee, was unanimously approved by Durham County Council’s Planning Committee. It will be...
Two student-led art projects designed to celebrate the anniversary of an iconic County Durham structure have culminated with shining success. Pupils from The Academy at Shotton Hall and Dene Academy in Peterlee have been working with artists throughout the year to...
A successful funding programme by one of the north east’s largest housing associations has now helped more than 150 community groups. In excess of £75,000 has been distributed to grassroots projects stretching from Easington to upper Weardale by believe housing’s...
A rattan suite has been given to a care home in Peterlee as part of an initiative to tackle loneliness among the elderly. Desser & Co, a furniture manufacturer and retailer based in Manchester, has donated the suite to Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way. The...
A charity which supports adults and children with life threatening illnesses has been given an early Christmas present thanks to financial advice company Wealth of Advice. The company, which is based at Belmont in Durham, decided that rather than sending Christmas...
An annual free parking period has returned to give festive shoppers a small boost to their Christmas budgets. Durham County Council is bringing back its ‘Free after 3’ offer which will see free parking available in council owned car parks after 3pm, every day in...
A County Durham housing association has received national accreditation for the support it offers to victims of domestic abuse. The work of believe housing to offer high-quality advice and support to domestic abuse victims has been recognised as some of the best in...
A Peterlee school which proved it goes the extra mile to encourage pupils to be global citizens with respect for different cultures has been celebrated. Acre Rigg Academy was among twelve schools from across County Durham which were honoured at Durham Town Hall as...
Housing group believe housing and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) have joined forces to educate young children about the dangers of starting fires. The two organisations delivered the Phoenix Fire Champions project, which aims to educate...
Families visiting the Peterlee shopping centre this weekend are in for a treat as it prepares to host its biggest yearly Christmas spectacular. Castle Dene Shopping Centre is bringing back their amazing Christmas Parade, which will feature an afternoon of festive...
A number of unusual homes in east Durham have been receiving a makeover as part of believe housing’s £138m improvement programme. Homes built using innovative construction methods straight after World War II have been given a new lease of life. A total of 35 houses...
With temperatures set to drop, preparations for winter 2019 are well underway in County Durham. Durham County Council is ready to keep the region moving this winter with a 76 strong fleet of gritters and snowblowers ready and waiting for the colder weather. There are...
Easington MP Grahame Morris is inviting everyone in East Durham to get involved in UK Parliament Week and ‘have your say’ on the issues that matter to you most. UK Parliament Week is a UK-wide festival taking place from 2-8 November, which aims to engage people,...
A mosaic inspired by the coastal denes in County Durham has been designed by children from the east of the county. Pupils from Easington Colliery Primary School worked with local artist Angela Tomlinson to create the artwork, which represents their time learning about...
Easington MP Grahame Morris has written to Walmart, parent company of Asda, to ask them to rethink imposing Contract 6. As part of GMB’s campaign, nearly 4,000 people have emailed the Walmart CEO directly to demand Asda drop the threat to sack people and work with GMB...
Spook-tacular cupcakes decorated as bats, spiders, ghosts and ghouls have helped raise funds to support those with cancer. The creepy cake sale at University Hospital of Hartlepool was organised by staff from Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, in Peterlee....
People who get their garden waste collected are being reminded that the last collection of the year will soon take place. Residents who are signed up to the garden waste collection service provided by Durham County Council will receive their last collection, on their...
Construction students from Seaham are building a brighter future, thanks to an onsite teaching experience which has helped exam results soar. A group of 28 students, from Seaham High School, visited the Byron Mews development in the town, which is part of the Durham...
A seaside town’s rich heritage will soon be enhanced following the launch of a £2.25 million regeneration project this week. Last month, Durham County Council announced it had secured a £1.6 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the three-year...
Pupils from around County Durham have been honoured for never missing a day of school. Twenty-nine pupils who attend schools in the county achieved 100 per cent attendance during the course of their secondary school careers, never having missed even a half day of...
A unique arts project, “Shadows of War”, will be unveiled this Sunday, November 3, at the foot of Seaham’s ‘Tommy’ sculpture. “Shadows of War” was created by Dave McKenna, Founder of Seaham Remember Them Fund, in support of this year’s British Legion Poppy Appeal. The...
At least 20 grass roots community groups are set to benefit from the expansion of a successful grant programme. A two-year pilot scheme is offering projects in communities across County Durham, and some neighbouring areas, up to £1,000. believe housing is expanding...
An eyesore building in the centre of Seaham is to be demolished. Durham County Council has begun work to knock down the Drive 2 Data building, formerly known as the Noah’s Ark public house, in the town’s North Railway Terrace. The council is taking the action after...
A decision to uphold the granting of planning permission for a major £16 million retail scheme has been welcomed. Durham County Council awarded permission to Quora (Peterlee) Ltd to redevelop the former East Durham and Houghall College site, in Peterlee, earlier this...
A Peterlee care home has received high praise following an independent assessment by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Inspectors visiting Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, spoke to more than a dozen residents and relatives, observed staff and reviewed records...
The number of stray dogs found in County Durham continues to decrease as partnership working keeps man’s best friend safely off the streets. Durham County Council in the past three years has seen a significant reduction of 29 per cent in stray dogs being picked up in...
Loneliness in some of the most remote communities in County Durham is set to be tackled by a new initiative, part funded by one of the region’s largest housing associations. Durham County Federation of Womens Institutes has launched a new programme of training in the...
East Durham College is putting out an appeal to the doggie owners of County Durham – how would your dog like to be a pampered pooch as a model for one of our dog grooming students? EDC’s Houghall campus, in Durham, is looking for dogs to act as models for students...
A landlord has been ordered to pay more than £700 for breaching the terms of a licence for a property in a designated selective licensing area. Durham County Council brought the case against Stephen Lilley, of Howden Road, Hartlepool, after he failed to comply with...
Young people have gone online to encourage their peers to get involved in decision-making in their community. Members of the East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership (AAP) Youth Forum have presented details of an online project, designed to get their peers...
The town of Haswell has commemorated the Haswell Colliery Disaster that claimed the lives of 95 men and boys. On the 175th anniversary of the disaster, the communities of Haswell & Haswell Plough came together to remember those people who lost their lives. The...
More than 130 hopefuls are battling it out for the latest apprentice positions at believe housing as demand for development opportunities in roles such as bricklaying and business admin have soared. A total of 134 applications were received for six apprenticeship...
A £1.4 million scheme to improve safety at a busy County Durham road junction is now complete. Durham County Council has been working with Highways England on the initiative at the A19/A179/B1280 Sheraton junction, near South Wingate. The work has seen the...
A van driver who denied he had flytipped waste found behind his parked vehicle is facing a legal bill of more than £800. Thomas Cowan was parked in a layby in Long Edge, Sacriston, in January, when his white Transit van was spotted by a Durham County Council...
A project which aims to restore and protect the rich heritage of a coastal County Durham town is set to receive a £1.6 million boost. Durham County Council has secured the £1.6 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Seaham Townscape Heritage Project....
Schoolchildren have been visiting a unique County Durham landmark for an art project, as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. Students from The Academy at Shotton Hall at Peterlee were at the town’s Apollo Pavilion, for Playful Places, which is part of a year of...
The NHS is launching a local campaign to help make it clear what to do and where to go if you feel unwell and your GP practice is closed. In a recent public consultation people told NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group that services...
A trio of talented young engineers are getting their teeth into life in the real workplace as they have been taken on as manufacturing apprentices at the new VBites factory in Peterlee as part of an exciting new partnership between the company and East Durham...
An Indian restaurant in Seaham has been ordered to pay almost £7,000 after traces of peanuts considered to be a danger to health were found in a curry sold to be nut-free. Food safety officers from Durham County Council conducted a test purchase from the Sagar Indian...
The owners of an eyesore building are being urged to comply with a legal notice requiring them to demolish the structure. Durham County Council issued a notice against the owners of the Drive 2 Data building in Seaham in August last year. The notice required Malcolm...