Imagine a local council policy that aims to reverse the North East’s economic malaise, that directs money and jobs to the people most in need. It’s already here, the town hall revolution is happening in Labour councils across the North East, from Newcastle to Stockton. Community wealth-building is a toolkit of measures to help councils make the […]
Ray Laidlaw was the drummer in Lindisfarne up until 2003. With the BBC4 documentary on Alan Hull , interest in the north east band has been ignited again. I spoke to Ray about the band, Alan Hull and of course those famous Top of the Pops appearances. Do you think Alan got the recognition he […]
One quick look at their website gives an insight into life in the workplaces which make up Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS). Listed on the ‘about us’ page are gold awards from the ‘Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’, ‘Investors in People’, and ‘Better Health at Work’, alongside awards for diversity […]
The chief of the region’s Fire and Rescue Service has today, on White Ribbon Day, called for communities to come together and say “No” to violence against women. Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther, of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), has made the pledge in support of White Ribbon Day. He has joined groups […]
In the last few months we have kept hearing about this government’s promise of levelling up. Is this a slogan or a policy? Let’s look at what is really happening. In all honesty, I’ve never been particularly impressed by the idea of HS2. £100 billion would have been better spent by giving the UK’s top […]
Jackie Milburn picks up dog ends on the high level bridge, beneath the all seeing stare of Stephenson. Joseph Swan drinks Carlsberg Export, huddled on a pavement mattress outside the Holy Jesus Hospital. Bobby Charlton smokes his last in bed, red all over his face; no consolation goal, no-one to see. While darling Grace saves […]
North East residents will be on the streets of Newcastle today to protest against the local impact of the recent HGV and supply chain crisis. Campaigners from North East for Europe will be speaking to members of the public at Grey’s Monument on Saturday 20 November about shortages of goods and the difficulties faced by […]
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps have today unveiled plans to modernise rail connections in the Integrated Rail Plan. However, the mothballed Leamside Rail Line which runs from Gateshead, through Washington, Penshaw, Fencehouses, West Rainton, Belmont and Shincliffe before merging with the East Coast Main Line at Ferryhill, was not included. The campaign to re-open the line has […]
British Theatre Guide, one of the first sites dedicated to theatre in Britain on the new World Wide Web at the turn of the millennium, celebrates its 20th birthday on 17 November 2021, although its online roots go back even further. 20 years, 20,000 reviews, 1,000 newsletters, 200 podcast episodes, 20 (+5) Edinburgh Fringes […]
Fireworks in Allendale Many of us enjoyed the fireworks, the great fire, food trucks, the presence of fire fighters and shortage of incidents requiring them. The Lions event was much appreciated. Firefighters across the rest of Northumberland had a busy Bonfire night and handled 343 calls. Northumberland County Council said: “Crews attended 60 bonfires across […]
Only last week the government voted to change the rules on parliamentary standards. This was a direct attempt to save one of their own from a parliamentary suspension due to wrongdoing. Just how honourable are our ‘honourable’ members? In a typical U-turn, the government then back-tracked. This was followed swiftly by the resignation of Owen […]
Last week the final round of successful bids from the Restoring Your Railways programme were announced by the Government in the Spending Review. Sadly, one of the unsuccessful bids was the bid to re-open the Leamside rail line. This was sponsored by Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West, and Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield. […]
With the end of a difficult and chaotic 2021 in sight, it is time to explore the things that happened in the education sector this year that did not get the needed attention due to the pandemic. This is Education, Uncovered. Nationwide, less than 5% of white students from working class backgrounds are represented at […]
Julie Ward reviews ‘The Body on the Moor’, a historical and creative production by Drama in the Dale at Killhope Mining Museum.
Without coal, Britain’s Industrial Revolution would have been impossible, The steam engine could not have operated without it; the iron industry demanded it. Coal was in fact at the very heart of the Industrial Revolution. In this North East History series, Audrey Marshall takes a look at the issues of safety and eventual legislation for […]
A review of Seaburn’s newest inn. Beautiful views, comfortable room, friendly welcome, great food…what’s not to like?
TWFRS is one of just five to be nominated in ‘Emergency Service of the Year’ in the Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards.
A group of volunteers in the North East are working to support and resettle refugee families who find a home in our region. The ANEW team (that’s Amnesty North East Welcomes) must raise funds, find suitable accommodation and work for at least one year – if not two – on integrating the new arrivals into life here in the […]
Why Eye North East is a collaborative video project from North East Bylines. It’s a celebration of a year of publication.
By 1850 many of the technical problems of safety in the north east coal mines had been solved. This did not mean a completely smooth ride though
The views about Station Taxis, Sunderland, from the perspective of a disabled person who has experienced discrimination
Louise Brown was delighted to attend the premiere of the new series of Angels of the North, an event with fancy frocks, laughter and fun
I am sure I am not alone in deploring and regretting our exit from the Single market and the Customs Union
Firefighter, Annabel Evans, of Sunderland has gained distinction grades ‘across the board in her training with TWFRS.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Read more by Peter Lathan
Yesterday a group of protesters with Irish, British and EU nationalities went to London to highlight their belief that the rewriting of the Northern Ireland protocol is not democratic. Some came from the group, North East for Europe, representing the region’s Irish community. Spokesperson Louise Brown said: “We were out protesting yesterday as it is […]
Bus routes and services are experiencing disruption across the country, particularly in the North East. This is a knock on effect from the HGV crisis as bus drivers are being ‘poached’ by haulage bosses for hugely increased wages. The reasons for the bus driver shortages Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon, chairman of the North East […]
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Without coal, Britain’s Industrial Revolution would have been impossible, The steam engine could not have operated without it; the iron industry demanded it. Coal was in fact at the very heart of the Industrial Revolution. In this North East History series, Audrey Marshall […]
The Stately Homes of England,Though rather in the lurch,Provide a lot of chancesFor Psychical Research –There’s the ghost of a crazy younger sonWho murdered, in thirteen fifty-one,An extremely rowdy NunWho resented it,And people who come to callMeet her in the hall.The baby in the guest wing,Who crouches by the grate,Was walled up in the west […]
A new generation of firefighters have pulled on their uniform this week after one of the largest recruitment drives in recent years. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has announced 36 recruits have started their training at their headquarters in Washington. The trainee firefighters began their 12-week training programme on 27 September and […]