West Auckland News

Baths Bridge in Durham City

Local government

1

County Durham bridges requiring repairs and 'significant investment' due to damage

There is concern from dozens of residents who said nearby roads, including the A688 bypass at Tindale, cannot cope with the increased traffic.

There is concern from dozens of residents who said nearby roads, including the A688 bypass at Tindale, cannot cope with the increased traffic.

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Road improvements plan to ease 'nightmare' traffic near Bishop Auckland retail park

The Feed Warehouse opened its new store in West Auckland on Saturday.

The Feed Warehouse opened its new store in West Auckland on Saturday.

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The Feed Warehouse opens new County Durham store with celebrity guest

A new crime sticker initiative to prevent agricultural theft in rural communities has been introduced in County Durham and Darlington.

A new crime sticker initiative to prevent agricultural theft in rural communities has been introduced in County Durham and Darlington.

4

Police launch new stickers to prevent agricultural theft in Durham and Darlington

The five proposed routes as part of plans for an A68 bypass in County Durham have been revealed.

The five proposed routes as part of plans for an A68 bypass in County Durham have been revealed.

Local government

4

A68 bypass: Five ways new County Durham link road could be built

The proposed scheme near West Auckland was first mooted after residents called for a bypass to reduce traffic and prevent large vehicles and HGVs from travelling through the village.

The proposed scheme near West Auckland was first mooted after residents called for a bypass to reduce traffic and prevent large vehicles and HGVs from travelling through the village.

Local government

Long-awaited consultation on A68 County Durham bypass opens

Durham Police has stepped up rural patrols as part of a drive to offer reassurance to the county's countryside communities

Durham Police has stepped up rural patrols as part of a drive to offer reassurance to the county's countryside communities

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Durham Police step up rural patrols to reassure county's countryside communities

Police arrested defendants near to the car park of the Sainsbury's store near Bishop Auckland in the early hours of September 8.

Police arrested defendants near to the car park of the Sainsbury's store near Bishop Auckland in the early hours of September 8.

Durham Crown Court

Teen trio admit overnight spree of burglary and theft attempts in Bishop Auckland

A dozen defendants locked up at Durham Crown Court in September

A dozen defendants locked up at Durham Crown Court in September

Durham court round-up

Durham Crown Court

Arsonists, dangerous drivers and shop robbers among defendants jailed in Durham

Police welcome the prison sentence handed down to iam Smith, whose spate of shop theft and robberies came to a halt with his arrest at Sainsbury's at St Helen Auckland on Saturday August 10

Police welcome the prison sentence handed down to iam Smith, whose spate of shop theft and robberies came to a halt with his arrest at Sainsbury's at St Helen Auckland on Saturday August 10

Durham Constabulary

1

Police welcome prison sentence for County Durham man following summer crime spree

Shoplifter Liam Smith arrested after struggle with store security guard and off-duty police officer at Sainsbury's at St Helen Auckland, on August 10

Shoplifter Liam Smith arrested after struggle with store security guard and off-duty police officer at Sainsbury's at St Helen Auckland, on August 10

Durham Crown Court

2

Homeless man stole and robbed from Durham and Bishop Auckland stores in summer spree

Fears nuisance off-road bikers have become ‘untouchable’ in County Durham communities

Fears nuisance off-road bikers have become ‘untouchable’ in County Durham communities

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Fears nuisance off-road bikers have become ‘untouchable’ in Durham and Darlington

182nd Stanhope Show

182nd Stanhope Show

Crowds flock to the Stanhope Show as event marks 182nd year with success

Officers from Durham Police, including the armed response unit, were called to Station Road in West Auckland on Tuesday, July 24, following reports of a firearm discharge

Officers from Durham Police, including the armed response unit, were called to Station Road in West Auckland on Tuesday, July 24, following reports of a firearm discharge

Durham Constabulary

1

Police investigating after gun fired on County Durham road sparks armed response

Councillor John Shuttleworth, cabient member for rural communities and highways

Councillor John Shuttleworth, cabient member for rural communities and highways

Local government

4

National park authority complained about Durham councillor's 'abusive' comments

Lee Hume, a West Auckland Town player, is raising money for James Cook Hospital's neonatal ICU.

Lee Hume, a West Auckland Town player, is raising money for James Cook Hospital's neonatal ICU.

County Durham footballer's Three Peaks Challenge in memory of late newborn son

The Eve Suite has pened at the Manor House in West Auckland

The Eve Suite has pened at the Manor House in West Auckland

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County Durham hotel launches room dedicated to horror character

Thomas O'Connor was heckled with shocking ableist abuse during a game at West Auckland FC's ground in February.

Thomas O'Connor was heckled with shocking ableist abuse during a game at West Auckland FC's ground in February.

6

Player suspended after abusing fan with one leg at County Durham football match

Readers have had their say on the best pubs to take your four-legged friends along to.

Readers have had their say on the best pubs to take your four-legged friends along to.

The best dog-friendly pubs in the North East according to readers

Bishop Auckland College

Bishop Auckland College

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Bishop Auckland college reveals bid to upgrade sports facilities and multi-pitch hub

Dean Midas, left, with Johnathon Cairns, the general manager of The Manor House Hotel and Spa, West Auckland, and, inset, the key to the hotel's new 'Eve Suite'

Dean Midas, left, with Johnathon Cairns, the general manager of The Manor House Hotel and Spa, West Auckland, and, inset, the key to the hotel's new 'Eve Suite'

1

The stuff of dreams, or nightmares, as County Durham hotel honours horror character

The holiday park will be built of the A688 near West Auckland

The holiday park will be built of the A688 near West Auckland

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New holiday park with over 100 chalets to be built near County Durham town

Rachel Reeves in Bishop Auckland on Wednesday

Rachel Reeves in Bishop Auckland on Wednesday

Local government

21

'We have changed': Labour's appeal to County Durham voters ahead of election

A new bypass is due to be built at Toft Hill for the A68

A new bypass is due to be built at Toft Hill for the A68

Local government

Consultation on A68 County Durham bypass set to finally open next month after delays

Find out your County Durham constituency ahead of July 4 general election

Find out your County Durham constituency ahead of July 4 general election

Local government

Find out your County Durham constituency ahead of July 4 general election

Supporters of West Auckland Memorial Hall were delighted to learn the venue has been awarded a £30,000 community grant from believe housing when they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the laying of its foundation stone

Supporters of West Auckland Memorial Hall were delighted to learn the venue has been awarded a £30,000 community grant from believe housing when they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the laying of its foundation stone

Planning and development

Delight as County Durham memorial hall renovation secures £30,000 birthday boost

Jealous Bishop Auckland man terrorised his partner during drink-fuelled violent outbursts

Jealous Bishop Auckland man terrorised his partner during drink-fuelled violent outbursts

Bishop Auckland

Jealous Bishop Auckland man terrorised his partner in drink-fuelled violent outbursts

Jack Greenwell, from Crook, has been inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame

Jack Greenwell, from Crook, has been inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame

North East great changed the face of football on his way to becoming Barcelona legend

Drugs supply 'spearhead' Christopher Taylor used his influence to launder money through the accounts of family members and associates, Newcastle Crown Court was told

Drugs supply 'spearhead' Christopher Taylor used his influence to launder money through the accounts of family members and associates, Newcastle Crown Court was told

County Durham pair allowed drug ring mastermind to use their accounts to launder cash

West Auckland pant on the village green

West Auckland pant on the village green

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How many of these pants have you spotted on our village greens?

Thomas O’Connor at West Auckland Town's ground where he alleges a player for the opposing team heckled shocking ableist abuse at him.

Thomas O’Connor at West Auckland Town's ground where he alleges a player for the opposing team heckled shocking ableist abuse at him.

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FA investigate as disabled man claims he was heckled with shocking abuse by player

Arsonist Patrick Campbell jailed at Durham Crown Court for a total of three years and eleven months

Arsonist Patrick Campbell jailed at Durham Crown Court for a total of three years and eleven months

Arsonist set fire to moped close to County Durham home before attacking householder

Derek Griffiths, Arthur Wharton and Bod

Derek Griffiths, Arthur Wharton and Bod

Bod, Play School and the world's first professional black footballer

Actor Derek Griffiths who is playing Arthur Wharton in a film Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Actor Derek Griffiths who is playing Arthur Wharton in a film Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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Children's TV legend in Darlington making film about pioneering footballer

Film director Dean Midas, from Willington, County Durham, with his character Eve Valentine, who will feature in his latest horror short

Film director Dean Midas, from Willington, County Durham, with his character Eve Valentine, who will feature in his latest horror short

Eve Valentine returns in County Durham horror short as filming starts on prequel

Patrick Campbell has admitting setting fire to a scooter at an address in St Helen Auckland, in December and will be sentenced at Durham Crown Court, next month

Patrick Campbell has admitting setting fire to a scooter at an address in St Helen Auckland, in December and will be sentenced at Durham Crown Court, next month

County Durham man admits reckless arson charge arising from scooter fire

Bluefield Development Limited’s proposal to build the 158-acre site at Bluestone Farm, near Cockfield in County Durham, was approved

Bluefield Development Limited’s proposal to build the 158-acre site at Bluestone Farm, near Cockfield in County Durham, was approved

Planning and development

28

Solar farm in County Durham approved despite fear it will 'devastate' countryside

Death crash driver Edward Alan Crawford jailed for 112 months at Durham Crown Court

Death crash driver Edward Alan Crawford jailed for 112 months at Durham Crown Court

Teenager took 'cocktail' of drink and drugs before fatal accident in County Durham

Full details about proposed boundary changes in County Durham have been revealed.

Full details about proposed boundary changes in County Durham have been revealed.

Local government

10

Explained: How County Durham boundary changes will impact residents

The Station Freehouse, in Station Road, St Helen Auckland, closed in 2015 and has fallen into disrepair

The Station Freehouse, in Station Road, St Helen Auckland, closed in 2015 and has fallen into disrepair

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New County Durham mural 'divides opinion' as mystery of who painted it continues

Alan Anderson and Barbara Slasor work with residents in Bishop Auckland through the Gaunless Gateway Big Local

Alan Anderson and Barbara Slasor work with residents in Bishop Auckland through the Gaunless Gateway Big Local

Local government

How community groups are changing lives in County Durham's 'left behind' areas

Teenage dangerous driver to be sentenced at Durham Crown Court next month after admitting causing the death of another motorist and seriously injuring his passenger

Teenage dangerous driver to be sentenced at Durham Crown Court next month after admitting causing the death of another motorist and seriously injuring his passenger

Teenager admits causing death by dangerous driving on County Durham road

Christopher Taylor, centre, Todd Franey, bottom left, and Keith Johnstone, all jailed at Durham Crown Court for roles in 'county-lines' cocaine supply conspiracy

Christopher Taylor, centre, Todd Franey, bottom left, and Keith Johnstone, all jailed at Durham Crown Court for roles in 'county-lines' cocaine supply conspiracy

County Durham money laundering and cocaine-supply 'spearhead' jailed for 16 years

Council wardens in Durham began investigating after a report of fly-tipping on August 30, 2022 that happened on the A68 at Harperley

Council wardens in Durham began investigating after a report of fly-tipping on August 30, 2022 that happened on the A68 at Harperley

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NAMED AND SHAMED: Pair fined after fly-tipping next to major County Durham A-road

Durham County Council has renegotiated a deal with bus operator Arriva regarding four services throughout the county

Durham County Council has renegotiated a deal with bus operator Arriva regarding four services throughout the county

Local government

Several County Durham bus routes SAVED - but other key routes still at risk

From left, Stephen Nicholson with Andrew Jackson, Wayne Dobinson, Neville Morris, Jeremy Smith and Ernest Spowart along with club members and coaches sporting their new T-shirts and tracksuits

From left, Stephen Nicholson with Andrew Jackson, Wayne Dobinson, Neville Morris, Jeremy Smith and Ernest Spowart along with club members and coaches sporting their new T-shirts and tracksuits

Boxers kitted out thanks to businesses after mystery benefactor funds Spain trip

Some of the final congregation at Wind Mill Methodist Chapel

Some of the final congregation at Wind Mill Methodist Chapel

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Wind Mill is blown out as County Durham chapel holds its final service

Cllr Rob Yorke with campaigners, calling for the bypass to be extended to West Auckland

Cllr Rob Yorke with campaigners, calling for the bypass to be extended to West Auckland

Local government

5

Locals 'disillusioned' over plans for A68 bypass due to delays and lack of progress

A new bypass is due to be built at Toft Hill for the A68

A new bypass is due to be built at Toft Hill for the A68

Local government

9

Surveys for A68 bypass begin despite no council deal with landowners

The site where the development could be built

The site where the development could be built

35

New holiday park with over 100 chalets could be built in this County Durham town

Celebrity chef Rachel Allen and host Chris Bavin on the Cookery Theatre stage at Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO

Celebrity chef Rachel Allen and host Chris Bavin on the Cookery Theatre stage at Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO

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Crowds cooked up a treat on first day of a rain-soaked Bishop Auckland Food Festival

1

County Durham criminal jailed for a year after 'shameless' livestock trailer theft

Darlington's Gallant Airman - 1

Darlington's Gallant Airman - 1

Mary Ann Cotton and the teapots of terror

Newly trained roads policing family liaison officers to serve the Durham and Cleveland forces Picture: DURHAM CONSTABULARY/CLEVELAND POLICE

Newly trained roads policing family liaison officers to serve the Durham and Cleveland forces Picture: DURHAM CONSTABULARY/CLEVELAND POLICE

Families who have lost a loved one in fatal road accident to get more police support