West Auckland Labour

27/03/2026

In the picture...

Rob Yorke and Kelly Guest, Chair of West Auckland Parish Council, are honoured to be guests for the sneak preview screening at the new Reel Cinema today.

Part of the £54m Bishop Auckland Retail and Leisure Park, the seven-screen cinema is the latest significant leisure investment at the site, following the opening of Game’ On Bowling last year, which also boasts gaming, virtual reality, mini golf, live entertainment and a 150-seat restaurant.

The development is part of this major regeneration project that has attracted 20 national and regional businesses, created 495 jobs, has 600 car parking spaces and will bring in £1.4m in annual business rates to County Durham.

Rob Yorke, instrumental in the park’s creation said: “Bishop Auckland Retail and Leisure Park is an absolute game-changer for the town and surrounding areas. I can't wait to visit the new cinema - every new opening represents another major milestone in our evolution.

“This development and others around the town and communities demonstrate real confidence in our area and builds on the incredible foundations laid by The Auckland Project and Eleven Arches, whose £350m investment to date in our history and heritage helped inspire private investment in our retail and leisure sectors. Together, they’re transforming Bishop Auckland.”

Kelly Guest added: “When private investment and local ambition combine, this is what can be achieved. Bishop Auckland is on the up and that can only be a positive thing for the many communities around the town centre and beyond.

“Everyone here knows this is a great place to live, work and raise a family, but that news is spreading to a wider audience thanks to our ambition and the delivery of projects like Bishop Auckland Retail and Leisure Park.”

A £46m Phase 2 for the Park is in the works, providing more retail space, along with 400 parking spaces, and a further 355 jobs.

12/03/2026

WE DID IT!

A huge thank you and well done to everyone who supported our SOS - Save Our Surgery campaign, to keep St Helen Auckland Medical Practice open.

Auckland Medical Group has agreed to keep the facility open, which is incredible news for the community.

SOS mobilised residents and businesses to defend local healthcare provision, with thousands backing the campaign and more than 2,500 signing our petition for the practice to remain open.

Auckland Medical Group had proposed closing the surgery, citing concerns that the building was not fit for purpose and suggesting patients could go to facilities in Toft Hill and Bishop Auckland, but this week confirmed the surgery will remain open.

Rob Yorke, who helped establish the campaign, said: “SOS brought people together from across the village and beyond and shows the power of a united community. Thank you to all who promoted and signed the petition, attended meetings, shared concerns and supported the campaign.”

Rob also paid tribute to friend, George Smith, who sadly passed away last year: “This victory is a tribute to George, who worked tirelessly for this community. He was passionate about protecting services and ensuring resident voices were heard. He would have been delighted.”

West Auckland Parish Council welcomed the news. Chair Kelly Guest said: “This is great news for residents and the surrounding areas. The surgery is vital to supporting people’s health and wellbeing - its importance cannot be overstated.

“The SOS campaign demonstrated just how strongly people feel about protecting essential local services. I would like to thank everyone involved in the campaign, and recognise the role played by George Smith, whose efforts helped secure this outcome.”

With the decision now reversed, campaigners hope focus can shift toward ensuring long-term viability of the surgery and maintaining healthcare for locals.

The increased number of people in St Helen Auckland is cited as one of the reasons for the reversal.

12/03/2026

Brilliant news for the North East!

This investment announced by Kim McGuinness- North East Mayor in these key areas has the potential to supercharge our creative industries, create new jobs and launch a whole new supplier network.

Crown Works Studios represents a real key moment in our region too - we will look back on this announcement in years to come as a landmark economic and cultural milestone.

16/02/2026

From bypass to half a bypass to no bypass at all...

Plans for a long-awaited bypass for the villages Toft Hill and High Etherley have been axed.

Former Labour councillor, Rob Yorke, said: “Having campaigned for years for a bypass, Levelling Up funding was secured for what can only be described as “half a bypass” - a road that would ease congestion in Toft Hill simply by shunting it into surrounding settlements like West Auckland. Now, even that’s been shelved after DCC announced spiralling costs of around £36m.

“What must residents of Toft Hill, High Etherley, West Auckland think? The previous Tory, Lib Dem and Independent administration have a lot to answer for and this scheme should have been delivered years ago when the investment was first approved. Now we must ensure that this funding, that had been allocated for our ward, is spent here in the constituency and not sent back to Whitehall.

“As far as the bypass is concerned, Labour will not let the issue be swept under the carpet. We will continue the fight for this bypass and deliver a scheme that benefits the residents of Toft Hill and West Auckland. We have written to the leadership at DCC and asked for an updated business plan, route and costings that can be submitted to the Department for Transport for consideration and I urge everyone to get behind a fresh application that meets everyone’s demands.”

Cllr Kelly Guest, Chair of West Auckland Parish Council, said: “This is devastating news for the people of Toft Hill who been living on undelivered promises for years. However, Labour will continue fighting for a bypass that helps all of the villages along the A68.

"We must take this news as an opportunity to double our efforts for a better road network for the people in West Auckland and Toft Hill."

A council says £750,000 will be given to improve road safety in Toft Hill after axing bypass plans.

19/12/2025

A fair deal for Durham at last...

Rob Yorke and West Auckland Parish CouncilChair, Cllr Kelly Guest, have reacted to the Labour government giving a fantastic settlement to Durham County Council.

Rob said: "This settlement will finally help put us on the road to recovery after 14 years of cruel and unjust Tory budget cuts.

"Over £300m was slashed from Durham County Council budgets under the previous conservative and coalition governments since 2010. Labour is now righting that generational wrong."

Cllr Guest added: "Real backing from the government gives our county the opportunity to demonstrate what we can do and has the potential to start addressing the food poverty, health inequality and dearth of economic activity we endured under the consecutive governments of Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak.

"I genuinely hope our county council administration has the ability to make the most of this incredible opportunity. County Durham expects them to deliver."

18/12/2025

Government comes through for County Durham...

This is great news - the Government changing the funding formulas is brilliant news for the county.

18/12/2025

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10/11/2025

10/11/2025

We will remember them...

There were excellent turn outs at parish war memorials at the weekend as residents observed Remembrance Sunday services.

Wreaths were laid at Escomb War Memorial on behalf of West Auckland Parish Council Chair Kelly Guest and on behalf of Bishop Auckland Labour Party by Rob Yorke.

They also attended the Witton Park service, which looked incredible with its stunning poppy display.

The West Auckland service was well attended as usual, with special thanks to the Ferryhill Band, Cadets, Rainbows, Brownies and Scouts - all doing a sterling job.

Cllr Guest said: "It was a difficult day for the Parish, as the absence of Cllr George was felt by all, but the service did him proud and the work continues by myself and fellow councillors and clerk to continue his great legacy."

Rob Yorke added: "It is incredible that such solemn occasions when we pause to remember and reflect on those who gave so much for their country, can be such unifying events too, and it was amazing to see so many turn out pay their own personal tributes."

Volunteers did a great job providing refreshments to all in the Monteith Hall, Parish Community Hall. Baking done by Sheila Peart and buffet preparation by the "Bloomers", Audrey Beck, Jean Pattison, Elaine Geldard and Susan Richardson.

07/11/2025

We will remember them...

We were out and about around the parish this week, helping plant poppies at Witton Park, Escomb and West Auckland, ready for our national remembrance wreath laying on Sunday.

Wreath laying times for Remembrance Sunday:
Witton Park - 10:00am
Escomb – 11:00am
West Auckland - 3:00pm

Picture are: Sharon Proud, Liz Smith, Kevin York, Rob Yorke and Ted.