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Mayors at front and centre of economic growth mission

King's Speech

New powers for England’s metropolitan mayors will be introduced in an effort to roll out ‘greater devolution’ of decision making in the regions. Laying out the government’s legislative plans during the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, King Charles III revealed plans to give combined authorities new powers to help ‘support local …

Henri Murison

Levelling Up is dead. Long Live growth through devolution

The new Government is very much at work. The King’s Speech this week mentioned many new bills that will be introduced, including one on English Devolution, referred to widely as the ‘Take back control’ bill, and a formal commitment to the new Council of Regions and Nations. The approach of mission-led government, including the idea …

What did the King’s Speech mean for the North East?

If there’s one thing we do exceptionally well, it’s political pageantry. Yesterday (July 17) was the State Opening of Parliament, and the King’s Speech, setting out the government’s legislative agenda. In the morning, the Yeoman of the Guard conducted a ceremonial search for explosives in the cellar, thanks to the Gunpowder Plot. The Imperial State …

Arlen Pettitt

Mental health

Schools need more help to support pupils’ mental health

A North East behavioural psychotherapist has backed calls for a ‘whole school’ approach to help tackle mental health issues affecting the region’s children and young people. The endorsement comes after a former headteacher who installed a specialist child counsellor to support her pupils at a Northumberland school warned the new Labour government not to ‘paper …

Employability

Could further education reform cripple our future workforce?

Scrapping BTecs in favour of a renewed focus on a three-pronged approach to further education will ‘obliterate opportunities’ for thousands of young people across the North East and only serve to widen the region’s skills gap. That’s the verdict of experienced college principal Darren Hankey who is urging Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to ‘pause and …

Solar power

Bitter battle for Burnhope’s soul

Located within County Durham lies the small rural village of Burnhope. Despite being only seven miles from Durham city, it’s like going back in time; four roads going in and out, no pavements, some shops, a post office and… a vibrant community centre. What it does have, is an abundance of nature and wildlife. Beautiful …

Off The Record

A jaw dropping performance…

For many years I’ve marvelled at the athletic achievements of friends and colleagues and barely a day goes by when my social media feeds aren’t full to bursting with pictures of race numbers, medals and triumphantly sweaty torsos. Most summers one of my mates poses proudly with large fish he’s caught in some remote Balkan …

EYES &

EARS

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Pam Royle

Power and strength in yourself

I am standing in Warrior pose. Not about to go into battle, this is yoga and only my third ever session. It is the beginning of a day-long retreat, guided by therapist Carole-Anne Knott, a petite woman with tousled, red hair and insightful brown eyes. Carole encourages us to connect with our strength and power. I …

How Redcar could be rocking again

For decades, The Coatham Bowl attracted some seriously good musicians. From homegrown talent such as Chris Rea and David Coverdale’s Whitesnake to star international names, including The B52s, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne, they all loved to play at ‘The Bowl’. Since its demolition in 2014, the site has stood empty — but that …

Entertainment

Half a century of capturing moments in time

Exhibition

“When attending art school in the early 1970’s my interests lay in drawing and painting. Everything had become conceptual. I found the photography department sane and down to earth.” So says renowned North East photographer, Ian Macdonald whose work is the subject of a double venue retrospective exhibition in Sunderland, opening this weekend. Fixing Time …

Environment

How parts of the region are tackling climate change

Gateshead Pupils at a Tyneside secondary school are leading the way in tackling climate change. The youngsters from XP Gateshead school in Felling have been working with climate education charity SOS-UK to create a Climate Action Plan (CAP) for fellow students and staff. The school CAP project is led by 10 students in the school’s …

DR MATT SUTHERLAND

Knowledge exchange can drive growth

You don’t have to look far to find calls for better collaboration between universities and business. The Tory Government’s 2017 Industrial Strategy placed university and business collaboration at the core of its agenda, acknowledging that businesses could access new knowledge from universities that would directly boost business performance. This culture is prevalent in STEM (science, …

Growth funding

Fund helping businesses to accelerate growth

Funding chiefs have pledged to further fuel the North East business community’s appetite for growth after striking a landmark first deal in the region. Tyneside-based marketing agency B7 has secured investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II). And in accessing the NEL Smaller Loans Fund, B7 becomes the North East’s first beneficiary …

Art

Globe Gallery’s story comes full circle

The Globe Gallery has certainly been a globe-trotting gallery. Even if its ‘trotting’ has been confined to the North East, there’s a circularity about a journey that, after nearly 30 years, brings it back to the place where it all began — 97 Howard Street, North Shields. It was here that Rashida Davison’s eye alighted …

Alnwick Castle to showcase homegrown fashion

Fashion

The historic confines of Alnwick Castle are set to become a contemporary catwalk next month (August) when a young fashion artist with a passion for the North East unveils her latest collection. Home Ground will be Northumberland designer Meg Fletcher’s first solo show since graduating from Northumbria University’s prestigious fashion degree with first class honours …

The Storytellers

My life through a lens: Emily Carey

Emily Carey doesn’t know for sure what she took her first photograph of, but if she had to put a bet on it, she knows what her money would be going on. “It was probably the dog in front of the gas fire… or my mum in the garden. “I do remember my first camera …

Kynren all set to work its epic magic

There was no dampening of enthusiasm even when everything else was getting damp beneath an authentically English sky — and even when this particular performance of Kynren was a preview, a trial run ahead of the first night proper on July 27. The Archers, as they call the volunteers who make this extraordinary pageant happen, …

Attraction

Unions

Solidarity on display at Gala

“Always a highlight in the Trades Union Congress calendar.” That’s how TUC general secretary Paul Nowak described the Durham Miners’ Gala after another memorable and emotional event last weekend. Despite the best efforts of the wet weather, thousands turned out for the annual celebration and firm fixture since 1871, with this year’s edition the first …

Peter Barron

Lyndon Longhorne’s iron will

With typical understatement, Lyndon Longhorne calls with what he describes as ‘a little bit of news’. “Just to let you know, I’ve called it a day,” he says. “I’m retiring from swimming…but there’s a challenge on the horizon.” For someone who’s just taken the agonising decision to call time on the dream he’s had since …

Climate Change

Voyage from Durham to Greenland’s glaciers

Geographers at Durham University will set sail tomorrow (July 19) on a mission to investigate Greenland’s rapidly decaying ice sheet and its impacts on ocean and global climate systems. The team on board the UK’s polar research vessel the RRS Sir David Attenborough will study Greenland’s glaciers and life in coastal waters around the edge …

The Conversation

Building blocks to supercharge sustainable housebuilding

The UK’s new Labour government has set itself the bold target of building 1.5 million homes in five years to deal with the critical shortage of housing. To achieve this, it will have to deliver 50 per cent more than the previous government managed over the same period. Can it be done, and if so, …

Sixty three percent of Northumbria University’s graduates who go into employment in England are employed in the North East

Conservation

A beaver safari on the Wallington estate

When so much about nature and the environment seems depressing, it’s nice to be able to report on something positive — something, moreover, that runs counter to a prevailing sense of helplessness. The ‘something’ is beavers which are gradually being reintroduced to enclosed pockets of land across England with almost instantly beneficial effect, creating wetlands …

Delicious way to enjoy the North East

When the Grainger Market opened in Newcastle in 1835, there was a huge banquet to celebrate, with notable men of the city, like builder Richard Grainger and architect John Dobson, on the guest list. Meanwhile the women stood on, looking down from the balconies as the men filled their bellies. Nearly 200 years on and …

Emma Wass

Cornish and Lowry share a show at the Bowes

Exhibition

Not many artists can be described as household names in the North East but Norman Cornish and LS Lowry can surely claim that accolade and they will be in lights from this weekend at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle. New exhibition Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and LS Lowry opens on Saturday (July 20) featuring …

Exhibition

The North East’s journey from Steam to Green

For centuries the North East exported vast tonnes of coal which powered the nation and met the demands of buyers abroad. It seemed that there was a colliery behind every corner in the region, providing work for thousands, underpinning the economy and creating special communities and a culture which has persisted — as demonstrated by …

Heritage

Buck up our ideas for Blue Plaques!

People of the North East are being urged to ensure that inspirational individuals from the region’s past do not miss out as Historic England launches a new national blue plaques scheme. Nominations close on Sunday, July 28 for the new venture which aims to highlight the achievements of people from all walks of life throughout …

Leisure

Great Run goes the extra miles

Ultra long and ultra-specific — welcome to Ultra North Run: one of the fastest-growing events organised by the Great Run Company as it continues to expand its varied roster of regional challenges. The event, which is designed for everyone from anywhere, has surged in popularity over the last few years and offers runners something more …

Exhibition

Making memories at Brinkburn Priory

Architects and designers have combined to create artworks which have gone on show in an empty historic house in Northumberland. The Material & Memory exhibition is inspired by Brinkburn Priory and Manor House, set in a secluded loop of the River Coquet near Rothbury and which is in the care of English Heritage. The creators, …

Heritage

Pottery collection to go (figuratively) under the hammer

At the age of 13 Clarice Cliff — one of a family of seven children — started work in the pottery industry. Born in Stoke in 1889, her job in The Potteries was that of a gilder, adding gold lines on pottery of traditional design. She would go on to produce work in such a vibrant …

Champions of business

Honoured for connecting communities

A North East-based champion of entrepreneurship has spoken of the pride underpinning her association with a university committed to unlocking potential by supporting disadvantaged communities. Caroline Theobald CBE is a nationally recognised figure in the business start-up community and co-founder of groundbreaking network group The Bridge Club. And after accepting an Honorary Doctorate of Civil …

News Digest

Eyes and ears

DENTAL DISMAY: One in four adults in the North East and Yorkshire is unable to access dental care. Official data shows 1.7m people have unmet dentistry needs across the region, including 820,000 adults who have tried and failed to secure an appointment in the last two years. The figures have been analysed by the British …

Conservation

There’s a bright golden haze on Rainton Meadows

A fundraising appeal to secure the future of a North East nature reserve has beaten its target after an ‘incredible’ public response. Durham Wildlife Trust set out to raise £54,000 to buy land adjacent to its Rainton Meadows base and protect the wildlife reserve from housing development. The total required to buy the fields, close …

Culture news

Culture digest

Rain stops play for Little Lindi Family festival Little Lindi, which was due to take place from July 26-28, has been cancelled due to the persistently awful weather the North East has been subjected to in recent weeks. Organisers of the younger sibling of the Lindisfarne Festial made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon (July 17), …

Sport

Basketball is back in business

The most successful franchise in the history of British basketball will compete at the top level again next season after a deal was struck to secure the future of the sport in the UK. Newcastle Eagles are part of a consortium of clubs awarded a three-year licence by the British Basketball Federation to run the …

Heritage

Revealing the hidden depths of Cambois

The ground has (literally) been broken on an exciting new project aimed at uncovering the hidden history of a Northumberland seaside village. Community archaeologist Barry Mead has been working on a special archaeological dig with children from Cambois Primary School to uncover artefacts from the village’s former Victorian School. The dig is part of Cambois …

Classical

Orchestral manoeuvres in the North

There are two versions of The Proms in the popular imagination — the common (and false) perception is of bow-tied poshos waving Union Jacks while bobbing along to Land Of Hope And Glory. The less well known, but true, perception is of people seriously passionate about their music. Passionate enough, in fact, to queue up …

Law

Public sector hat-trick for Muckle

A leading North East law firm is doubling down on its commitment to people and places after scoring a hat-trick of prestigious roles. Muckle LLP has won places on three regional and national procurement frameworks to provide legal services to the public sector. And managing partner Jason Wainwright insists the new positions underpin a firm …

Theatre

Review: The Railway Children, People’s Theatre

It’s nice to see a good set and you get that at the People’s, even if it isn’t quite what you see in the promotional photos which were taken at the wonderful Tanfield Railway. Prominent on stage is the bridge over the rural branch line where Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis, the children of E Nesbit’s …

Dance

Review: The Becoming, balletLORENT

Here’s an idea for tackling the energy crisis – find a way to connect balletLORENT to the grid. My goodness! On the evidence of this latest presentation, which leaves its dancers panting on the floor, it could power homes from, I’d guess, Heddon-on-the-Wall to Newcastle city centre. At least the dancers could take their clothes …

Review

Review: How to Disappear Completely and Never be Found

The Project A graduates of 2024 bow out with a disturbing exploration of what it means to disappear – or be ‘disappeared’, as can happen to those who have no say in the matter. Fin Kennedy’s award-winning play of 2005 is based on a book of the same name by Doug Richmond that was published …

Marketa Schulzova

Learn while you eat at the Magic Hat

If you’re ever in Newcastle and passing by the Laing Art Gallery, stop and look out for the cafe next door. Its logo and name invite you in with the promise of a bit of magic. Magic Hat is the city’s first food waste cafe. It collects food that would otherwise go to waste and …

Marina Snyder

These girls are made for walking

Since the pandemic, younger people are finding it more and more difficult to socialise, with reports of chronic levels of loneliness in youth currently at an all-time high. That, paired with the rising living costs, it’s no wonder that Generation Z struggles with mental health issues. It appears some, though, are finding ways to combat …

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Mayors at front and centre of economic growth mission

Schools need more help to support pupils’ mental health

Could further education reform cripple our future workforce?

Bitter battle for Burnhope’s soul

A jaw dropping performance…

EYES &

Half a century of capturing moments in time

How parts of the region are tackling climate change

Knowledge exchange can drive growth

Fund helping businesses to accelerate growth

Globe Gallery’s story comes full circle

Alnwick Castle to showcase homegrown fashion

Solidarity on display at Gala

Lyndon Longhorne’s iron will

Voyage from Durham to Greenland’s glaciers

Building blocks to supercharge sustainable housebuilding

Cornish and Lowry share a show at the Bowes

The North East’s journey from Steam to Green

Buck up our ideas for Blue Plaques!

Great Run goes the extra miles

Making memories at Brinkburn Priory

Pottery collection to go (figuratively) under the hammer

Honoured for connecting communities

Eyes and ears

There’s a bright golden haze on Rainton Meadows

Culture digest

Basketball is back in business

Revealing the hidden depths of Cambois

Orchestral manoeuvres in the North

Public sector hat-trick for Muckle

Review: The Railway Children, People’s Theatre

Review: The Becoming, balletLORENT

Review: How to Disappear Completely and Never be Found

Learn while you eat at the Magic Hat

These girls are made for walking

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GOT A STORY?

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