LOCAL NEWS
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News from Peterlee, Seaham, Hordon, Easington, Hartlepool, Blackhall, Wingate and the wider East Durham area
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...
A lorry driver and his employer are counting the cost after an overloaded vehicle was stopped while travelling through County Durham. William Arthur Monkhouse, of Cunningham Court, Sedgefield, and Eltel UK Limited have been now been fined and ordered to pay costs...
A successful apprenticeship programme by one of the regions largest housing associations is set to grow by more than a quarter. Aspiring bricklayers and horticultural estates apprentices are among some of the positions being sought by believe housing as the County...
The chief executive of a local charity is taking part in a new local event that tests people’s skills and nerves. Hayley Hood, CEO of Haswell & District Mencap is representing the charity in the inaugural Soapbox Bogey Derby, organised by Peterlee Town Council....
Construction has begun on a £6.9m affordable home project that will bring much-needed new bungalows and family homes to Murton. A mix of wheelchair adaptable bungalows and three-bedroom houses is being built on a brown field site by believe housing. The County...
Over 132,000 people have signed up to the government-backed savings account Help to Save – depositing more than £31.4 million. The account offers working people on low incomes a 50 per cent bonus on what they save – rewarding them with 50p for every £1 they put away....
A unique County Durham landmark is to be transformed by a celebrated local artist as part of a year of celebrations to mark its half-century. The Apollo Pavilion at Peterlee is to host an inflatable and illuminated installation by Steve Messam – the man behind Hush in...
Failing to pay fixed penalties for ignoring requests to clear waste has left seven people a combined £5,000 worse off and with criminal convictions. Durham County Council has successfully prosecuted four men and three women who did not pay fixed penalties issued in...
The story of Peterlee and the Apollo Pavilion are the subject of a new exhibition. When the visionary artist Victor Pasmore took over the design of the emerging new town of Peterlee in 1955 he was told to “do what you like but don’t do what we have done before"....
Easington MP Grahame Morris has joined Electrical Safety First’s campaign to ensure constituents stay safe in their homes. “With 724 fires caused by tumble dryers in English homes last year and a major, ongoing tumble dryer recall, all of us need to check and use them...
Adults with disabilities enjoyed all the fun of the fair with their families and carers at a circus-themed celebration in County Durham. The Peterlee Pathways service, a branch of Durham County Council’s Care and Support Pathways, provides a range of fun activities...
Increased mental health support is to be provided for children and young people in County Durham, following the success of a funding application. Teams will work in schools and colleges in areas of social disadvantage after the county was one of 57 areas across the...
East Durham College is thrilled to announce that A Level students at the college’s sixth form, ED6, have achieved 100 per cent pass rate in all subjects for students studying three subjects or more. ED6 Sixth Form, which is part of East Durham College’s Peterlee...
A six-month trial of weekly sports and physical activities has been hailed a success for east Durham youngsters. National charity StreetGames ran the sessions at a variety of locations across Peterlee and Horden, which regularly attracted up to 70 young people a week....
A legal challenge against a scheme to redevelop a brownfield site in Peterlee could put jobs and investment at risk, according to county councillors. In March, a Durham County Council planning committee approved a £16 million scheme to redevelop the former East Durham...
Full-service law firm Ward Hadaway has successfully defended a judicial review claim in respect of planning permission for a multi-million pound garden village development in County Durham. Specialist planning lawyers within the organisation's Built Environment Team...
A County Durham shopkeeper found in possession of illicit tobacco worth thousands of pounds has been ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work. Balraj Singh Takhar, 49, owner of Lifestyle Express store at Blackhall Colliery, was also ordered to pay £585 having been...
Easington Village is in full flower this summer thanks to a local voluntary group and a little help from a leading housing association. Easington Village in Bloom Group have recently brightened the community with new planters and flowers, thanks to funding from...
Thousands of youngsters are set to benefit from a £150,000 funding pot aimed at combatting holiday hunger when children are not at school. Durham County Council’s Poverty Action Steering Group has been allocated the money from the Government’s New Burdens Funding...
Easington MP Grahame Morris is encouraging local charities and community groups to apply for funding from a pot of over £3 million that has been raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Applications are open from Wednesday 31 July for two weeks until 14 August....
Failing to pay fixed penalties for discarding cigarettes has left three people hundreds of pounds worse off and with criminal convictions. Durham County Council issued £150 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to two women and a man who dropped cigarette butts and made no...
A popular wildflower planting scheme is once again bringing a burst of colour to roadsides across County Durham. Various species of wildflowers and herbaceous plants have been sown on roundabouts and verges around the area as part of the Durham County Council...
With just seven days to go until the 31 July renewal deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging customers in the North East to renew their tax credits – or their payments will stop. Tax credits help working families with targeted financial support and more than...
Easington MP Grahame Morris has added his support to a cross party group of MP’s who have written to Home Secretary Sajid Javid calling for the abolition of visa fees for Commonwealth servicemen and women in the British armed forces. Currently Commonwealth citizens...
Work to improve more than 50 affordable homes in Horden is nearing completion as part of a major investment in the area. Homes on the Ponyfields Estate are receiving new roofs and upgrades to walls as part of an extensive improvements to affordable homes in east...
Celebrations have been held to mark the Apollo Pavilion's 50th birthday. A free-of-charge musical extravaganza took place yesterday at the structure, on the town’s Sunny Blunts estate, featuring performances from Mr Wilson’s Second Liners and Oompah Brass, as part of...
Primary school pupils are helping their peers stay road savvy by becoming Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSO). The Junior Road Safety Officer (JRSO) scheme is a national road safety education project aimed at primary schools which encourages peer to peer education. The...
Story Contracting has been awarded a Network Rail contract to design and build a new railway station in County Durham. Following a bumper start to 2019 for the civil engineering company’s expanding rail division, Story has secured further contract success, being...
A new project designed to support families in three east Durham villages has received £15,000 of funding from a leading housing association. Families in Shotton Colliery, Wingate and Wheatley Hill are set to benefit from a host of free activities and food as part of a...
It’s a day that marks half a century of one of the most celebrated moments in history – and one that is commemorated in County Durham in truly unique style. July 20, 1969 was the day man first landed on the moon at the culmination of the Apollo mission, an event which...
Easington MP Grahame Morris has called on Defence Ministers’ to lift the pay cap and deliver a fair pay settlement for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a civilian crewed fleet, which carried out 64 per cent of the Royal Navy’s tasks. The...
A new group looking to improve health in Murton has been boosted by funding from a leading housing association. The Murton Wellbeing Group has been able to turn a successful trial into regular weekly sessions to help improve health in the community after securing...
Work is underway on an £8 million housing project that will provide much needed affordable housing in County Durham. The development, in Peterlee, involves Galliford Try Partnerships North and believe housing (formerly County Durham Housing Group) and will include...
Businesses are being urged to give their support to a local foodbank as the six weeks holidays approach. The East Durham FEED project has previously reported a sharp rise in demand for its services and is urging businesses to give their support over the summer...
A store owner has been jailed after he was caught selling counterfeit cigarettes from his store in Seaham. Ismail Maulud, of Meadow Avenue, Blackhall Colliery, was jailed for a total of 30 months at Durham Crown Court, 12 months for the sale of counterfeit tobacco...
