SWD News

30/07/2024

Entombed staircases, lost rooms and unmarked basements have been discovered as work to redevelop the iconic Northern Echo building in Darlington begins.

Entombed staircases, lost rooms and unmarked basements have been discovered as work to redevelop the Northern Echo building in Darlington begins.

29/07/2024

Following confirmation that more prisoners will be subject to early release to ease prison overcrowding, PCC Joy Allen is calling for better resettlement packages to deter reoffending.

27/07/2024

This month we are looking at the latest S&DR visitor attraction to entice people from near and far – that is Hopetown in Darlington. This major visitor attraction is centred on an internationally significant collection of S&DR railway buildings. This podcast will explore these buildings an...

26/07/2024

County Durham based award-winning wedding photographer, John Alderson has fallen victim to a Facebook hacking incident, causing severe disruption to his operations and leading to a significant loss of business.

County Durham based award-winning wedding photographer, John Alderson has fallen victim to a Facebook hacking incident.

24/07/2024

Over the course of a week, Durham Brass Festival 2024 navigated some wet weather and brought sunshine to thousands of people across County Durham.

23/07/2024

Summer 2024 marks the launch of a new campaign for Sisters Of Support, a Newton Aycliffe-based peer support group for women struggling with mental health.

23/07/2024

Over 50 paintings, drawings and sketches by artists Norman Cornish and LS Lowry will be showcased at The Bowes Museum from 20th July 2024 – 19th January 2025.

This major new exhibition includes 35 rarely or previously unseen artworks by the artists who shared a strong love of the north which was the focus of so much of their work, and who have a history of exhibiting together.

Over 50 paintings, drawings and sketches by artists Norman Cornish and LS Lowry will be showcased at The Bowes Museum.

16/07/2024

South West Durham News were invited to the preview night of the absolute spectacle that is Kynren - here is our review!

15/07/2024

Dear Editor,

It’s a huge honour to have been elected as our new Member of Parliament for the Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor constituency. I’m really humbled by the level of support I received.

I’m a firm believer in public service; country first, party second. That’s why I pledge to work hard for everyone, regardless of whether you voted for me or not. I’m here to serve our community and our country. I’ll do so with dedication, commitment and integrity.

As a new MP, I’m setting up offices locally and in Westminster, recruiting staff and organising regular surgeries. This will take some time, but in the meantime please contact me on alan[.]strickland[.]mp[@]parliament[.]uk and I will do my best to help.

My first priority as our MP is to secure the future of Hitachi Rail in Newton Aycliffe, with its 700 engineering jobs and fight for more world-class jobs, apprenticeships and opportunities. I’ve started work on this straightaway by holding urgent meetings in Parliament to raise this issue.

I’ll also be organising visits to schools, local employers and community groups, as well as meeting senior officials at the Council, Durham Constabulary and other key organisations. If you’re involved in an organisation you’d like me to meet, please get in touch.

Life’s been hard for many local families over the last 14 years. I promise to give us a powerful voice in Westminster and make sure our new Labour government makes a real difference to our area. This is my home and I’ll do my very best for us.

Alan Strickland MP
Member of Parliament for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor

14/07/2024

Leading wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is today calling on people across the UK to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count (12 July - 4 August) and help scientists understand how climate change is moving butterflies.

14/07/2024

Northern will offer a range of affordable fares to customers on the new Northumberland Line, ensuring they pay no more than £3 for a single journey along the entire route.

13/07/2024

Durham Cathedral has recently achieved Accreditation for the Durham Cathedral Museum.

13/07/2024

Latest tourism figures show a major boost for Durham’s economy as the county builds on its bumper £1bn milestone achieved in 2022, with new attractions playing a key role in helping the county reach a new record.

Latest tourism figures show a major boost for Durham’s economy as the county builds on its bumper £1bn milestone achieved in 2022.

12/07/2024

Northern has completed a review of its recruitment process to ensure applicants with neurodivergent conditions are better supported.

12/07/2024

Locomotion will host a spectacular six-week summer festival, including a four-week visit from iconic locomotive Flying Scotsman.

11/07/2024

The General Election saw Labour return to power after 14 years in opposition. This holds a significant opportunity for the party to set out how it will deliver on its manifesto commitment to ‘support children in care, including through kinship, foster care, and adoption’.

11/07/2024

The pool at The Louisa Centre has reopened this week, Monday 8 July, with the rest of the centre to follow from Monday 22 July.

10/07/2024

Tributes have been paid to two much-loved teenagers who died in a motorcycle crash last week.

10/07/2024

A drunk driver who killed a baby and his auntie when he slammed into the back of their car at 141mph while on his phone has been jailed.

10/07/2024

Last month, Elemore Hall School in Windlestone hosted a fun run event to raise money for mental health and su***de prevention workshops for young people, along with the charity If You Care Share.

Elemore Hall School in Windlestone hosted a fun run event to raise money for mental health and su***de prevention workshops for young people.

10/07/2024

People in County Durham are being asked for their views on information, advice and guidance services.

10/07/2024

Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has announced the launch of a new Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) to support community initiatives across the CrossCountry network.

09/07/2024

The annual County Durham Future Business Magnates competition saw Year 8 pupils from local schools apply creativity and problem-solving to a range of challenges.

08/07/2024

A gaggle of geese are set to get top ‘bill’ in this year’s live outdoor theatre performance Kynren, which begins its 2024 summer season on Saturday 27th July in Bishop Auckland.

A gaggle of geese are set to get top ‘bill’ in this year’s live outdoor theatre performance Kynren, which begins its 2024 summer season.

08/07/2024

One of the north east of England’s largest housing associations is helping to develop the workforce of the future by delivering careers sessions in schools across County Durham.

08/07/2024

Adopt Coast to Coast is campaigning to encourage members of the LGBTQIA+ community to consider adoption as a route to becoming a family.

08/07/2024

Forestry England’s Hamsterley Forest is gearing up to ignite Olympic-sized excitement in the nation’s forests this summer with a fantastic addition to their beloved Gruffalo 25th birthday trails.

Forestry England’s Hamsterley Forest is gearing up to ignite Olympic-sized excitement in the nation’s forests this summer.

08/07/2024

A Consett shop which was reportedly selling illegal vapes and to***co to underage children has been ordered to shut for three months.

07/07/2024

New research amongst parents reveals that 14% in the North East regret their choice of baby name or wish they’d chosen something else.