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South West Durham News

@swdn.bsky.social

Independent publishers of the free to read Ferryhill & Chilton Chapter, Shildon & District Town Crier, Bishop Press and Spennymoor News community newspapers, serving the communities of south west Durham. https://swd.news press@swd.news

147 Followers  |  46 Following  |  1,074 Posts  |  Joined: 11.12.2024  |  1.3248

Latest posts by swdn.bsky.social on Bluesky

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PCC funds roll out of ‘on the street’ dip testing to prevent street drinking in Durham City New ‘dip sample’ strips have been distributed to officers in Durham City Centre following concern street drinkers are disguising booze in soft drinks bottles. Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen...
15.02.2026 13:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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A&E Government plea Parish councillors have demanded an urgent meeting with the Government over delays to a hospital’s new accident and emergency (A&E) department, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.  The two-storey facility,...
15.02.2026 08:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Cuts to school transport scheme Cuts to a council scheme providing school transport for more than 100 children have been supported by council leaders, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.  Durham County Council’s cabinet voted...
14.02.2026 19:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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North East tourism stars take centre stage as voting opens in National Tourism superstar competition A much-loved volunteer guide at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens is representing County Durham and the wider North East in VisitEngland’s prestigious national Tourism Superstar competition, with public voting now...
14.02.2026 18:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Helping to protect two of Chilton’s important heritage buildings Chilton Town Council is bringing forward its application to list St Aidan’s Church and the Miners Welfare Pavilion as non-designated heritage assets, writes Cllr Sue Reece, based on residents’ feedback in the...
14.02.2026 13:00 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Upgraded Sexual Assault Referral Centre opens to support survivors across county The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for County Durham and Darlington, Joy Allen, has announced the re-opening of The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Chester‑le‑Street. The upgraded centre...
14.02.2026 12:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Rural crime strategy Rural communities in County Durham and Darlington have been told that the police are “here to help” as they work to reduce crime, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar. Police...
14.02.2026 08:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Ferryhill School students step back in time with World War One workshop GCSE History students at Ferryhill School were transported back to the era of the First World War as they took part in an engaging workshop led by Frontline Living History....
13.02.2026 19:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Greggs approval concerns Plans by Greggs to convert a former motorcycle showroom into a new store have been approved despite uncertainty over the future use of the site, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill...
13.02.2026 18:01 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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County Durham joins National Year of Reading A council has pledged to celebrate and encourage reading with a year-long programme of events. Durham County Council is supporting the National Year of Reading, a major nationwide push to...
13.02.2026 13:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Bishop Auckland Civic Society Foodbank donation Following his successful talk to Bishop Auckland Civic Society, speaker Greg McCormick requested that his fee be donated to a local food bank. Debbie Richardson from Woodhouse Close Food Bank...
13.02.2026 12:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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PCC prioritises public and policing needs Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has confirmed she will increase the policing element of council tax in County Durham and Darlington by £18.50 a year for a Band D...
13.02.2026 08:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Quarry plans approved Thousands of tonnes of materials will be extracted from a quarry over the next 18 years, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.  Tarmac applied to Durham County Council for permission...
12.02.2026 19:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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County Durham teen through to finals of competition to find the UK's top young chef A young aspiring chef from County Durham is celebrating after being crowned the regional winner as part of a national competition to find the UK’s top young chef. Maisie Crank...
12.02.2026 18:01 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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believe housing welcomes four new recruits to its Board Trainee Programme Not-for-profit landlord believe housing has welcomed four new participants to its Board Trainee Programme, which supports the development of future leaders and aims to strengthen diversity in housing and public...
12.02.2026 13:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Benefit cap reaction North East campaigners have welcomed the “beginning of the end of one of the worst policies imposed on children in modern times”, after a move to scrap the two-child benefit...
12.02.2026 08:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Chilton dentist impact Residents have urged health officials to support a dentist’s plea and open a new practice in a community affected by declining services, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.  The closure...
11.02.2026 19:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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PCC invites public scrutiny on visible neighbourhood policing Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is empowering residents to use their voice to help her make ongoing improvements to neighbourhood policing – just as they have asked. The County...
11.02.2026 18:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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New hospital A&E delays Plans to build a new hospital emergency department are in limbo due to funding delays, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.  The two-storey facility, which is set to be built...
11.02.2026 13:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Raising the Roof – ‘Hollywood’ Thatchers add star quality to Kynren's landmark new attraction Kynren – The Storied Lands has brought a touch of Hollywood to County Durham after enlisting renowned film and television specialists Brandon Thatchers to create thatched roofs for the full-size,...
11.02.2026 12:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Council defends budget and tax rise Reform leaders in County Durham have defended plans for a council tax rise and £12.9 million worth of cuts over the next year writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.  Durham...
11.02.2026 08:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Spennymoor Youth and Community Centre Community Cafe Spennymoor Youth and Community Centre's Community Cafe is now open term time Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am until 1pm as part of the organisation's Feeding Spennymoor project. Thanks to funding from...
11.02.2026 07:01 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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School transport proposed changes A council concessionary school transport scheme for 143 children is due to be cut, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar. Durham County Council will vote on plans to end its...
10.02.2026 20:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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PCC approves precept rise County Durham and Darlington’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has defied calls from concerned councillors and approved a 6% precept increase, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.  Households throughout the...
10.02.2026 19:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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New equiptment for Dean Bank Play Area Ferryhill Town Council has announced that it’s Play Area at Dean Bank Park will close from Monday 9 February for approximately 6 – 8 weeks, to enable new play equipment...
10.02.2026 18:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Councillor becomes independent A former Reform UK councillor in County Durham has become an Independent, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.  Michael Ramage, who represents Shildon and Dene Valley, was elected alongside Reform...
10.02.2026 17:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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‘A Day in My Life’ YouTube documentary captures the heart of The Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust A powerful new documentary series, A Day in My Life, is set to give viewers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust. The opening episode...
10.02.2026 13:05 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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This Morning chef makes Bishop Auckland Food Festival return Celebrity chef Phil Vickery is to make a welcome return to a popular North East food festival this spring. Phil, who has graced screens for more than a quarter of...
08.02.2026 08:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Call for submissions as 100 Portraits of Bishop Auckland launches at new Artists’ Hub Residents across Bishop Auckland are being invited to take part in a major new community arts project celebrating the people and stories that make the town unique. 100 Portraits of...
07.02.2026 19:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Iconic locomotive ‘Flying Scotsman’ 2026 tour dates announced  The National Railway Museum in York has announced dates for the 2026 tour of the most famous steam engine in the world, Flying Scotsman.   First entering service in 1923, Flying Scotsman became a world record breaker in...
07.02.2026 18:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

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