Kayleigh Fraser

The Northern Echo • 14th March 2023

How Durham Cathedral will celebrate North East Saint with a feast of activities

St Cuthbert’s Day, celebrated annually by visitors, is to include Evensong led by the Dean of York and the traditional pilgrimage from Finchdale Priory in a two-day programme of special events.

Visitors will be given free entry to see the treasures of St Cuthbert, as well as the chance to take part in storytelling, craft activities and a reading nook for families.

Read more: North East England Chamber of Commerce event held at Durham Cathedral

Andrew Usher, Chief Officer of Visitor Experience

The Northern Echo • 9th March 2023

North East duo take gold at prestigious butcher awards

Bryce Lawson and Calum Robinson of McMurchie Meats brought home the bacon at the Golden Cleaver awards at this year’s Harrogate butchers show on March 5.

Manager of the store, Bryce, and his apprentice Calum impressed the judges and took home best overall display in the famous Battle of the Butchers showdown.

Read more: The Broad Chare in Newcastle makes list of top gastropubs in UK

Bryce told the Echo: “Our social media went a little bit wild! Well-wishers have been amazing.

“Our customers

The Northern Echo • 9th March 2023

Labour candidate claims Darlington MP “needs to do his job” over veteran ID cards

Slow progress of government-issued veteran cards has led to only 3.45% of Darlington’s veterans receiving the card, out of 5387 eligible in the town.

The government scheme, which began in 2019, planned to see nearly two million cards given to former service members to provide them quick access to health, housing, and charity services.

Read more: LibDems select candidate to fight for Darlington seat

Lola McEvoy, Labour’s candidate to be Darlington’s MP said: “The local conservatives talk the t

The Northern Echo • 8th March 2023

County Durham exhibitions celebrate women and girls on International Woman's Day

Award winning photographer Carolyn Mendelsohn is the mastermind behind the exhibition, displaying a series of photographic portraits of young girls between the ages of ten and 12.

Driven by “personal experience” Ms Mendelsohn’s exhibition encourages a dialogue about young girls’ “ambitions, aspirations, hopes, and fears”.

Photos of the girls hang in Bishop Aukland Town Hall. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Councillor Elizabeth Scott, Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “This is a fant

The Northern Echo • 8th March 2023

Sunderland scientists showcase pioneering Dementia research

Dr Heather Yemm and Dr Joe Butler were amongst scientists from across the region taking part in the ‘Meet the Experts’ and ‘Our Wonderful Brains’ programme held in the Life Sciences Centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Dr Yemm and Dr Butler, both based in Sunderland University’s Helen McArdle Research centre, presented their research that has been looking into personal and family experiences of living with dementia.

She said: "The discussions on the day were hugely engaging and I hope those who atte

The Northern Echo • 8th March 2023

Teenage Sunderland fan devastated after meet-the-players signing event cut short

Heidi Craik and her son Thomas Ivory, from Boldon, visited the Stadium of Light during half term last month (February 23) in the hope of meeting some of the footballers at a free official signing event.

“All his life Thomas has wanted to meet the players and he was dead excited,” Heidi said.

Thomas, who plays for a post-11’s football team in Jarrow, went to the signing that he understood was running until 5pm. However, the event ended at 4pm, leaving many fans feeling let down.

Fans were told

The Northern Echo • 7th March 2023

124 'much sought-after' homes will be built in this North East neighbourhood

Councillors on Newcastle City Council's planning committee have approved a joint Bellway North East and Amethyst Homes scheme to build housing on brownfield land off Westmorland Road.

The development will see two, three and four bedroomed homes to be built on the twelve acre site, utilising “modern methods of construction.”

Emma Chesterton, Bellway North East Sales Director, said: “This will be a much sought-after development as it is meeting housing need and supplying a range of home styles t

The Northern Echo • 5th March 2023

Family driving to Benidorm to raise £10k for 'only person in UK' with rare condition

Noah, who suffers from the rare degenerative mobility condition Gemin5, was diagnosed in 2021 and needs specialist healthcare that can be found in the USA.

Irene Reid, from Consett, a close friend of Noah’s grandmother Michelle, started the fundraiser that sees her driving to Benidorm in a renovated car to raise the money.

Read more: Norton vet raises money for child in need of brain surgery

Irene said: “He’s the only person in the UK known to have Gemin5. There’s only 15 to twenty 20 worldwi

The Northern Echo • 4th March 2023

County Durham resident swept off her feet by council for love of litter picking

50-year-old Amanda Robson, who is on the autism spectrum, set up a Facebook page for her litter picking to bring her community together.

Her hard work was then noticed by Durham County Council’s clean and green team, who awarded her with a ride on a Scarab street sweeper after being contacted by her husband.

Read more: Durham Women FC back If U Care Share by donating shirt sponsorship

Amanda, from Consett, said: “I felt really happy noticing a big drop in the volume of litter and waste that I

The Northern Echo • 3rd March 2023

Consumers urged to use Government energy bill vouchers

Millions of UK consumers are eligible to receive assistance paying their energy bills this winter.

The EBSS was introduced in October of 2022 to support the most vulnerable households with the rise in energy costs.

However, thousands of vouchers issued by the Government remain unclaimed – here’s how to redeem yours.

If you pay by direct debit, credit or debit card, a discount will be applied as a credit on your account.

Read more: DWP £900 cost of living payment update - dates and eligibilit