Latest news with #DurhamCounty
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Durham propose radical county cricket shake-up
Durham have proposed a radical shake-up of English domestic cricket, including a rugby-style Grand Final to decide the County county has addressed members, external with a change to the domestic structure and schedule in a bid to reduce player proposal, which Durham said has been developed along with other counties and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), suggests the current two-division championship should be would be replaced by two upper divisions of six teams each, and a lower division of six top team from each upper division would play in a five-day "Grand Final", which Durham claim would become "the first £1m domestic red-ball match". The Grand Final format is already in use in Australia, New Zealand, India and South lower conference sides would be competing for two promotion places, with one county from each upper conference being relegated to accommodate format would provide 12 games for each county, meeting the other five teams in their group home and away, and then two inter-group games, one home and one away. 'More compelling cricket' Durham chairman Phil Collins said in a statement on the club website, external: "We support the 18-county model but, believe the current 10/8 division structure lacks meaningful fixtures as the season progresses. "The current structure produces a plethora of games in both divisions that do not have any meaning; teams involved in mid table games in the last third of the season onwards do not have any jeopardy… the teams involved cannot get into a title or promotion race and are safe from relegation. "We don't believe this produces the intensity of cricket that our great game needs and is something that both players and fans constantly comment on to us."The proposal also suggests the T20 Blast should be reduced in size and comprise three groups of six teams each, with the entire competition played before The Hundred county said the plans have been drawn up following a Professional Cricketers' Association survey, which found that 83% of players think the current schedule "harms physical wellbeing", 72% saying it "hinders high performance", and over two-thirds claiming mental health is affected by the statement added that other counties have proposed alternative structures, including an 8/10 and a 10/8 division said the idea will be discussed at a members forum on 30 July. "These proposals aim to reduce workload, enhance performance, and offer more compelling cricket. We believe they represent the best way forward," he ECB has been approached for comment.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Emergency crews respond as '1,000-year' flood devastates North Carolina
Floodwaters surged through parts of central North Carolina after Tropical Storm Chantal dropped several inches of rain in just a few hours. WRAL reported that areas of Moore, Orange, Chatham, and Durham counties experienced what researchers call a "500-year to 1,000-year flood" — an event with just a 0.1% to 0.2% chance of happening in any year. Chapel Hill and Siler City recorded up to 10 inches of rain in under 12 hours, surpassing totals from past hurricanes like Florence and Fran, per WRAL. The Eno River overflowed beyond recent records, flooding isolated communities across multiple counties. Deployed emergency teams cleared roads, reconnected power in key areas, and rescued nearly 80 people from rising water in Durham County alone, according to AP News. Storms are unleashing more rain in less time. Warmer air holds more moisture, and with cities being covered in pavement, water runoff builds quickly. This is worsened by aging drainage systems and rising groundwater levels, which push floods closer to the surface. These events damage homes and businesses, raise insurance costs, and endanger lives. Recent massive floods in Brazil and record rainfall across New England prove that this is part of a growing pattern. Years of data confirm that storms are getting stronger as the planet warms. Local governments are studying the growth of weather risks and rethinking how and where to build, update drainage plans, and regrade roads. Some homeowners are initiating weatherproofing upgrades, such as elevating electrical systems, installing flood vents to redirect water, sealing gaps, or adding backflow barriers to reduce cleanup and damage. Installing solar panels with battery backup can also help maintain essential power during outages. EnergySage lets users compare quotes from vetted installers and save thousands on installation. More frequent extreme storms highlight the need for stronger infrastructure, smarter planning, and coordinated action to address the impact of rising global temperatures. Do you worry about the longevity of EV batteries? For sure Not really Not at all I've never thought about it Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Durham outdoor gym row after 'show and tell' consultation
Council plans for outdoor gym equipment have caused outrage as a consultation event has been branded a "farce".The proposals are part of the redevelopment of the former Elvet bowling green near Durham city centre and designs were displayed during a drop-in session at the site on residents and parish councillors said the event was a "show and tell" and people wanted a play area for young children County Council said current plans included a children's obstacle course and Tuesday's session was "just the start of the engagement process". According to the plans, the equipment would be suitable for cardio, strength exercises and cross-training. The local authority said designs featured wheelchair-accessible surfaces, low-resistance machines and equipment suitable for seated use."We want your views on what type of equipment we should install from a variety of options," the project's website added. Resident Steve Lindsay said gym equipment was not what the community wanted and there were enough sporting facilities in the city already."It wasn't a consultation," he said of Tuesday's event."It was a show and tell where the councillors show you a plan and tell you to approve it."The only changes you could possibly have is what colour is the gym equipment."But Mark Bell, manager of Durham Amateur Rowing Club, said the club supported the plans."The type of equipment they're proposing to install would be beneficial to our members," Mr Bell said. "The site has long been overdue [to have] something done with it." 'Not what residents want' Durham Parish councillor Rory Handy said he was not "totally against" the gym equipment, but it was not what people wanted and there had been a "huge lack" of consultation."There are loads of residents around there who are really, really angry about it," he drop-in session on Tuesday faced technical difficulties, raising concerns that objections were not properly Parish councillor Victoria Ashfield said officers were "scribbling a few things" on paper."The process on Tuesday was ridiculous," she said. "It isn't a consultation, it's a done deal. "They come in with a ready-made programme, which is not what the residents want." 'Concerns acknowledged' Graham Wood, Durham County Council's economic development manager, said all feedback had been recorded despite a "minor technical issue"."This event is just the start of the engagement process, and people can continue to provide their views by contacting us at ced@ he Carter from the Hemp Garden Community Association, which has been renovating the site since 2017, called for a proper consultation. "This has been farce. It is a failed consultation," he Wood said concerns were acknowledged and the local authority was "committed" to providing inclusive and accessible facilities."We have extended the deadline for comments and will be taking stock of all responses before finalising the proposals," he can comment on the plans until 15 July. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Council shut down my disability podcast... all because a photo of me taking my prescription cannabis was circulated by a spiteful social media user
A disabled woman has claimed the council blocked a podcast she recorded from going live after a 'spiteful' social media user sent in a video of her smoking her medicinal cannabis. Sarah Wingfield, 37, was keen to draw attention to employment issues for disabled jobseekers in the episode, which was set up by DurhamEnable - a council-funded body focussing on such challenges. The podcast was also aimed at opening up job opportunities for herself, including in the world of indie acting, where she has already appeared in several roles. The independent disability advocate, who has autism, even attended a photoshoot to promote the episode. But the exciting prospect soon turned into a nightmare ordeal, with Durham County Council opting to stop the podcast from being uploaded after they were handed a screenshot from Facebook which appeared to show her smoking cannabis. Ms Wingfield, who says police are aware of her prescription for the drug, was then hauled into a meeting with a DurhamEnable officer, where she claims she made her case - but to no avail. The painful experience has left her feeling 'cancelled' and full of doubts about using the employment body in the future. She told MailOnline: 'I am reluctant to use DurhamEnable for support now, which is a concern considering I've been looking for employment for three years. '[The podcast] could have opened doors and opportunities for me. It's a big jump to being cancelled. 'I'm the only voice that has been silenced.' Ms Wingfield typically smokes her cannabis in a vape but when the device's cooling head breaks, she smokes it in rolling papers while she waits for a replacement part. A screenshot sent to the council in between the recording of her podcast and the date it was due to go live appeared to show her taking the prescribed substance in this way, although she refuses to confirm what was in the papers. The disability advocate was then called into a meeting attended by a DurhamEnable representative, as well as her job coach, where they discussed the decision not to upload the episode. Ms Wingfield said she was told the move was based on 'perception' and a breach of the council's social media policy, despite her not being a direct employee. In fact, she pointed out that she does not get paid for her podcast appearances, rather she has to arrange transport out of her own pocket. 'They said that it didn't matter if it was tobacco I was smoking,' she added. '[Cannabis] is really good for chronic pain. It's helped me with my studies and everything. 'I understand it can be abused. I understand the stigma surrounding that as well.' After the meeting, the Durham local then asked for a copy of the council's social media policy but claims she got vague screenshots of rules applying to employees. Further attempts to determine what regulations or guidance she had broken with the video have proved unfruitful and now Ms Wingfield is threatening to escalate the matter to the social care ombudsman and her local MP. She said: 'I told the council to reinstate the podcast to help the disabled community. '[The submission of the Facebook screenshot] was sabotage via malicious communications and hate and Durham County Council have aided and abetted in this abusive and unnecessary ostracising of a disability advocate's voice. 'My voice matters too. 'It's unprofessional, harmful, and hasn't been handled professionally at any time.' Ms Wingfield insists the saga has opened her up to increased abuse online, the exact outcome the council's social media policy aims to prevent. '[The saga] has allowed people to bully and that isn't what the policies and procedures are for,' she said. 'I've made a lot of enemies doing disability advocacy, and there's a lot of hate for disabled people and when you are in the public eye, it's magnified. So I deal with a lot of trolling. 'This was an issue close to my heart and by cancelling it, they're telling me I'm not as valid or important as everybody else. 'I wish I could change it. I'm considering moving out of the area because my charity work and community work is fine, it's my local area where opportunities are being sabotaged. 'I did nothing wrong, and at the end of the day, the content [on the podcast] was very important.' The fallout, however, has not ended with the shelving of her podcast. The disability advocate later noticed she had been cropped out of the pictures taking during the photoshoot she attended. Ms Wingfield's shoulder can still be seen in one of the shots from the promotional day but her face has been left out of the snaps. 'I broke down in tears [when I saw the cropped photo,' she added. 'I just felt so rejected and discarded. It was so dehumanising.' To add insult to injury, she has also had a Facebook account dedicated to her acting career taken down after someone reported it for impersonation. Meanwhile, her page on Etsy was temporarily removed after a similar complaint, which she suspects came from someone in her hometown of Newton Aycliffe. 'It's a very small town so the smallest thing becomes a huge thing,' Ms Wingfield added. 'I've been a target of some local click-led hate campaigns in my hometown, and I'm constantly battling that.' Jim Murray, head of education and skills at Durham County Council, said: 'We are committed to supporting and giving a voice to people from all backgrounds. 'This commitment is a key motivation behind the DurhamEnable podcast, which we set up to share the experiences of people with disabilities. 'A decision was made not to publish an episode featuring Sarah. We informed Sarah of this decision and the reasons behind it, both in writing and in person and stressed how her wellbeing is of the utmost importance to us. 'We are keen to continue supporting Sarah through our DurhamEnable service, which aims to help disabled people gain the skills and confidence to succeed in long-term employment.'
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Durham County Council by-election date after Reform UK resignation
A by-election to decide the final vacant seat on Durham County Council is set to take place in July, following the resignation of a Reform UK Kilburn, who was elected to the Benfieldside ward in May's local elections, was forced to stand down after a week for failing to declare he worked for the local was elected with 1,007 votes, alongside Reform's Sandra Grindle, which saw the party gain seats from Labour and the by-election on 3 July will cost Durham County Council £22,800, a figure described as a "gross waste of taxpayers' money" by former council leader, Liberal Democrat Amanda Hopgood. National legislation means council employees are disqualified from standing as councillors simultaneously. Landslide victory Hopgood sent a petition to residents in Benfieldside calling for Reform UK to cover the cost of the election, according to the Local Democracy Reporting said: "Reform have made a huge issue of reducing council 'waste', but there can be few things more wasteful for the taxpayer than calling a by-election because they could not get their paperwork in order."Despite the setback, Reform UK said it hoped to retain its stronghold on the ward, which also covers Blackhill and Shotley Bridge. The party secured a landslide victory just weeks ago to control the council, with its 65 councillors officially inducted earlier this month.A Reform UK spokesman said: "We understand that Mr Kilburn did not declare his employment to the returning officer as expected and is now required to resign his seat."We look forward to contesting the upcoming by-election to give the people of Benfieldside a strong voice in Durham County Council."A full list of candidates for the July by-election will be released following the nomination deadline on Friday, 6 June. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram
