Latest news with #NorthernEcho
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Leeds have third Longstaff bid rejected
Newcastle United have rejected a third bid from Leeds United for 27-year-old English midfielder Sean Longstaff. (Northern Echo, external)Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Magpies reject third Longstaff bid from Leeds
Newcastle United have rejected a third bid from Leeds United for 27-year-old English midfielder Sean Longstaff. (Northern Echo, external)Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful village just five miles from major city is packed with rural charm
A 'scenic' village just 10 minutes away from the popular city of Durham is the perfect getaway place for those looking to get a break from the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets One of the things that's brilliant about Britain - despite the weather - is the many unique villages that are well-known for their picturesque scenery and rural charm. A small but gorgeous village called Hetton-Le-Hole, also known as Hett, is described as 'scenic', and is just five miles away from the city of Durham. Interestingly, its name comes from the Old English word haet, which means 'hat'. Located at the top of a small hill that resembles a hat, hence its name, is surrounded by nature - making it the perfect place for history and outdoor lovers, especially those who love hiking. Its tranquillity is also a bonus point for those who are seeking a break from the bustle and hustle of city life. As reported by the Northern Echo, Hett has a concentrated population, and the village's history is tied to traditional English farming life due to its agricultural settlements. Many of its houses were initially built as farms. Despite the village's rural character, there's a lot of history with medieval mining. Other reports by the same publication explained that in the 13th and 14th centuries, sea coal was mined at Hett under the jurisdiction of the Priors of Durham Cathedral. Hett is now only of the few places in County Durham with evidence about these events. Fast forward to the present day, Hett is a beautiful place that's worth visiting. It offers a touch of rural and peaceful village life, and despite its few amenities, it's still a great place to spend time. It's close to the City of Durham, which gives a completely different vibe. Things to see and do in Hett Village Green (with a Duck Pond) Just at the centre of Hett, there's a massive open space that has a duck pond. It's a go-to place for locals and visitors, and one of the most lively places in the village. It's also a good area for those wishing to take a walk overlooking the traditional houses, and even to have a picnic. Historic Church (St Michael's) St Michael's was the former church, once a chapel of ease dedicated to St Michael. After many years of service, it closed in the 20th century and turned into a private residence. Nonetheless, it remains part of its history. Hett Moor and countryside walks One of the best things to do in Hett is to walk. There are a lot of extensive paths from the village to the countryside, offering stunning and relaxing views through fields and hills. During the spring and summer months, the local flora and fauna are in full bloom, making the area so picturesque. Visit Croxdale and Sunderland Bridge Despite its proximity to Durham city, the nearby villages of Croxdale and Sunderland Bridge are also worth visiting. Not only is there more history to be learnt, but some of the key features include the stone bridges crossing the River Wear. If you're looking for a peaceful retreat with barely tourists and without having to hop on a plane, Hett is the destination for you. The easiest, fastest and most convenient way to reach Hett is by train, with prices varying depending on the route and the time of year. From London to Durham, visitors can take the LNER train, taking less than three hours. Alternatively, there are direct buses from London Victoria Station to Durham University, the Palatine Centre. Then, you can take the Line 65 bus to Hetton-Le-Hole, which takes 21 minutes and costs £2 for the ride, or a 10-minute taxi ride.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
36 pictures of County Durham and Darlington school leavers in Echo supplement
Calling all parents and guardians across County Durham! Today's edition of The Northern Echo (Tuesday, July 8) is one not to miss as it contains a special supplement, the Last Class of 2025. It's a 16-page photographic feature celebrating Year 6 leavers from across the area, visually recording a memorable stage in our local young people's educational development and marking the end of their time at primary school. The Last Class of 2025 supplement is a wonderful keepsake that we're sure families and loved ones will cherish for years to come. Every edition of Tuesday's paper will contain a supplement and will be available to purchase wherever you usually pick up a copy of The Northern Echo. Not able to buy a copy in person? Don't worry, we've got you covered! If you would like to order a copy to be delivered straight to your door, you can order one for £5 via PayPal here:
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Darlington women who were caught up in London July 7 attacks look back 20 years on
Two Darlington women have recalled their panic in London 20 years ago today as the city came under attack by terrorists. For Liz Lamb and Hayley Jones, July 7, 2005 is a day they will never forget. On that Thursday morning a group of four Islamic suicide bombers carried out the UK's deadliest terrorist attack since the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 near Lockerbie. (Image: PA) Within 50 seconds of each other at about 8.50am, three explosions rang out in the vicinity of Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Square stations. Just under an hour later, at 9.47am, a fourth device exploded on a bus that had been diverted via Tavistock Square. Frantic commuters were initially told there was a "power surge" as they were directed to find other modes of transport. But, the situation soon became clear when police began to swarm streets and cordon off underground stations. Exiting Kings Cross station just as its underground station was closed was Liz Lamb. Liz, who was a reporter for The Northern Echo at the time, had travelled to London to cover a court case. Liz Lamb, 48. (Image: LIZ LAMB) "I was going to cover a court case at the High Court of Justice and was set to meet the barrister in Holborn," Liz, 48, said. "My train from Darlington that day was a bit delayed and I should have got into London a little earlier than I did. Potentially, I could have been on the underground when one of the devices was detonated. "But when I got off the train there was a guard with his arms outstretched, saying 'you can't come down'. There was a whole load of us there. "He said 'there has been a power surge' but couldn't say when it would be fixed and he didn't know what was happening. "Everyone was a bit disgruntled, but we didn't think much of it." The mum-of-two's next move was to take a bus to the High Court - which was travelling on the same route as the double decker that would soon explode at Tavistock Square. It was at this point that she started to see police, ambulances and fire engines across the city. "On the bus we were thinking, 'What the heck is going on?'," she added. Walking wounded leaving Edgware Road tube station to be treated at the London Hilton Metropole on Edgware Road. (Image: EDMOND TERAKOPIAN) "There was a lot of panic. I remember speaking to my mum on the phone very briefly and said that there was something strange going on." By the time she emerged from the court an hour later, phone networks were down and news had broke about attacks across the city. Luckily, Liz, now a lecturer in journalism at the University of Sunderland, was able to board a train home that evening - but every year on the anniversary of the attacks, she thinks of those who lost their lives that day. She added: "It's hard to believe that 20 years have passed since that fateful day. Even though it was two decades ago, it was such a horrific attack on our nation that it is not something easily forgotten. "My memories of 7/7 have faded in places, but when I read my own account recently, I became teary just recalling the sheer emotion and panic of that day, as people desperately tried to find out if their loved ones were alive. The Northern Echo's front page on July 8, 2005. "So many people lost their lives, entire families were torn apart. Others were maimed and scarred for life, and countless others – including rail and underground workers, emergency services, and medical staff – were left traumatised by the horrors they witnessed. "I visited London a week after the attacks to write a tribute piece, and I was overwhelmed by the sense of community and the floral tributes across King's Cross and Russell Square, which had come from across the country and around the world. "It wasn't just an attack on the United Kingdom; it was an attack on humanity. My thoughts are always with those who lost their lives, and their loved ones left behind." Also in London on July 7 was Hayley Jones - who works for Darlington Borough Council. Hayley, who left The Northern Echo in 2006, was in the city with colleagues for an awards ceremony on July 6 and was waiting for a train home on July 7. Hayley Jones, 50. (Image: HAYLEY JONES) Reflecting, Hayley told the Echo: "We were just sat waiting for our train on the concourse. The first thing we saw was a woman who had soot across her face. We thought, that's a bit odd. "Then we saw another couple of people in the same way and a police officer screamed for us to get out. They told us it was a power surge so we waited outside the station thinking we would be let back in." The first Hayley, 50, heard of the attacks was on TV alongside a crowd of people craning to see the screen as others heard a bomb had gone off on a bus. According to Hayley, buses were abandoned and taxis refused to stop as she made her way to a pub where the news blared out emerging information about what was going on. "When we were walking I got paranoid thinking what will they do next? I had convinced myself that there would be bombs in the bins. Walking wounded leaving Edgware Road tube station to be treated at the London Hilton Metropole on Edgware Road. (Image: PA) "Eventually we managed to get on a train up north and at every station there were paramedics checking on people and handing out water. "It was scary - but it was when I got home and turned the telly on that I realised how close we were to it really." More than 770 people were injured and 52 people tragically died in the attacks. In the weeks and months that followed, the four attackers were identified as Hasib Hussain, Mohammad Sidique Khan, Germaine Lindsay and Shehzad Tanweer. Read more about the July 7 attacks: BBC to air documentary series about response to July 7 London bombings Family's anguish at 7/7 inquest evidence Ten years after terror struck London Leeds man Hussain, 18, was behind the Tavistock Square attack that killed 13 people. Thirty-year-old Khan, of Dewsbury, detonated his device at Edgeware Road, killing six. Flowers left in Woburn Place, near the scene of the bus bomb blast in Tavistock Square. (Image: PA) Behind the deadliest attack, at Russell Square, was 19-year-old Lindsay from London - who killed 26 people with his device that exploded just after it pulled out of King's Cross station. Tanweer detonated his device on a train between Liverpool Street and Aldgate. The 22-year-old, from Bradford, killed seven people. All four men died when they detonated their devices. A memorial service will be held in Hyde Park at 11.15am today where a memorial stands to those who lost their lives. It will be live streamed online.
