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Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Durham County Council

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Durham County Council

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Follow us for updates about council services, jobs, events, consultations & more. The page is monitored 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Out of hours please use our Online services: www.durham.gov.uk/OnlineServices or call us on 03000 260 000. Situated in the north east of England, we provide council services to a large county of around 500,000 people.

29/10/2026

"Life’s too short. I’d rather spend my money enjoying myself than spending it on cigarettes.”

After 50 years of smoking, 69-years-old Lestryne knew it was time for a change.

Tired of constantly thinking about her next cigarette, she reached out to Smokefree County Durham for support to quit.

Now, Lestryne says quitting is one of the best things she’s ever done. Soon after quitting, she noticed her breathing improved and she wasn’t getting ill as often. She’s now enjoying life without constantly thinking about her next cigarette.

Her story shows it’s never too late to quit smoking and enjoy the benefits.

Find support to start your smokefree journey here ➡️www.freshquit.co.uk

Fresh

29/10/2026

Meet Sean Bell, one of the faces of ‘he thrives’ 2026 ⛹️🏋️🚣‍♂️

Our annual campaign celebrates the positive difference physical activities can make to men’s health and wellbeing. It returns from Sunday 1 to Monday 30 November.

We’ve teamed up with local clubs and organisations to deliver FREE activities throughout the month. From rowing, golf, table tennis, walking cricket and squash to indoor bowls, hockey and dragon boat racing – there are plenty of ways to get involved, whatever your age or fitness level.

Sean, 56, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in December 2022.
After hearing about the ‘he thrives’ indoor rowing sessions delivered by Lambton Rowing Club last year, he decided to give them a go and now attends twice a week. Being part of a club, working towards his own goals and encouraging others has helped Sean to push himself further than he might have done exercising alone.
“During a session I feel energised and motivated,” he said. “There is something about the rhythm and repetition of rowing that demands concentration and commitment.”

Alongside the free taster sessions, other activities and offers taking place in council leisure centres in November include:
• Free seven-day passes, giving people the chance to try out leisure centre facilities before committing to membership.
• Dads and Kids sessions offering fathers and their children the chance to have fun and be active together.
• Men’s Health MOTs delivered in partnership with the NHS Adult Wellbeing Service
• Su***de Awareness Training delivered by If U Care Share.

Find out more 👇
www.durham.gov.uk/article/37576/News-Free-activities-to-help-men-thrive

29/10/2026

🎨If your looking for something to do this half term, The Light Durham 's first exhibition, Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light, is FREE entry for kids!

From sculptural installations to immersive environments there is lots for all ages to discover!

Children's entry is free to the exhibition with a paying adult until 17 January.

Tickets for Victory Over the Sun are £10 for adults and can be booked 👇

📍The Light, Durham, Aykley Heads, Durham DH1 5TU
📆22 August 2026 – 17 January 2027
Open Wednesday – Sunday each week
🎟 shop.thelightdurham.org.uk/products/daily-admission

Entry to The Light, Durham's latest cultural destination, and the We Are The Durhams: The Durham Light Infantry Exhibition is FREE for all.

28/10/2026

Were you or someone you know affected by the closure of Clayton Glass?

Please remember that there is free support on offer to help you through this difficult time.

Our Employability Durham team has been supporting former employees of the Annfield Plain-based manufacturer since it announced its sudden closure last month.

From help to create and update CVs and conduct job searches, to submitting applications, preparing for interviews and accessing training and skills opportunities – the team can provide advice and practical support to help people seeking work build confidence and plan for the future.

Cllr Darren Grimes, the council’s Deputy Leader, said: “Many Clayton Glass employees had been with the firm their whole working life, be that ten, 20 or 30 years, and the jobs market has changed a great deal in that time.

“We want to remind anyone impacted by the Clayton Glass closure that they are not alone. We’re still here to help, and I would encourage anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or uncertain of what to do next, to contact our Employability Durham team on 03000 262009.”

Alongside Employability Durham, our business support service, Business Durham, can help people interested in becoming self-employed.

There is also a wide range of specialist support for companies in the Clayton Glass supply chain that have been impacted.

To contact Employability Durham, call 03000 262009 or email [email protected]. For more information about the support on offer, visit www.durham.gov.uk/employability.

To contact Business Durham, call 03000 261261 or email [email protected]. Find out about the support available at www.businessdurham.co.uk.

28/10/2026

The highest civic honour in County Durham has been bestowed on volunteers for their work in transforming the world’s oldest railway.

As Tanfield Railway celebrates 300 years of operation, the dedicated volunteers who help to preserve it have been presented with a Chairman’s Medal by our Vice-Chairman, Cllr Jackie Teasdale.

The railway has been run by volunteers for over 50 years and currently has 218 people, aged from 14 to 94, volunteering their time, skills and passion.

28/10/2026

Back of the net! Our fostering team has scored a sponsorship deal with a local football club.

Foster with North East has provided grants to local authorities to set up sponsorship packages with grass roots sports organisations. The grants will help each local authority promote its fostering services, as well as providing opportunities to give back to local foster carers.

We’re using our grant to sponsor Spennymoor Town Football Club. You’ll see our advertising on match days at the club and the deal also allows us to make use of the club facilities and The Moors’ community programme.

We’re delighted to have teamed up with the club who have a real focus and pride in their community. We need more foster carers in Spennymoor and the surrounding areas and this partnership helps us to spread that message with people who share our values of making a difference in their local community.

27/10/2026

🎬Looking for something to do this half term?

From family favourites to must-see movies, Gala Durham has cinema tickets for just a fiver!

Grab your popcorn and enjoy a trip to the big screen.
🎫 https://galadurham.co.uk/gala-cinema-home/

27/10/2026

Colours of the world…Spice Up The Light! 🎤🎶🪩

International light art and girl power will become one when our cultural venue heads back to the 90s for an exclusive party featuring a display of original Spice Girls outfits.

In the second of its After Dark events, on Friday 6 November, The Light Durham is inviting people to Pop Goes The Prism – a celebration of the colour, sound and spectacle of 90s pop music.

The event is being curated by Liz West, whose artwork, Our Spectral Vision, is part of the Durham City venue’s current contemporary art exhibition, Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light.

Liz is also the owner of a Guinness World Record-breaking collection of Spice Girls memorabilia. A selection of Liz’s collection will be on display beneath the colourful lights of her artwork at the After Dark event, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Spice Girls’ debut album.

Party-goers will also be treated to a pop music set from DJ Annie FM, themed food and drinks and a chance to view The Light’s exhibitions after hours. And, for an added serving of nostalgia, there will be a 90s bedroom for visitors to explore.

Say you’ll be there and follow the link in the comments to book your tickets! ⬇️

27/10/2026

There’s just under a week left to have your say on draft visions for the future of three areas of County Durham.

We’re developing investment plans for the Crook North and Tow Law, Peterlee East, and Stanley South areas, as part of the government’s Pride in Place programme.

The programme will see £20 million awarded to each place over the next ten years, and we’re looking for feedback from the community on draft visions for each area.
Your feedback will help us develop investment plans which will be submitted to Government for approval.

The consultation ends on Sunday 1 November, so don’t forget to give us your views: https://letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/en-GB

27/10/2026

We’re supporting the transformation of a building which has stood empty for 10 years.

This unit between Kingsway and Newgate Street, in Bishop Auckland had fallen into a severe state of disrepair and had begun to attract vermin and anti-social behaviour.

Its current owner has successfully applied for support from the Property Reuse Fund, which we administer on behalf of the Bishop Auckland Stronger Town Board. The initiative provides grants to help support people in bringing empty properties back into use.

The Kingsway side of this building will be demolished, after which the Newgate Street unit will be fully renovated. The ground floor is set to become a new retail space and the first floor transformed into modern residential accommodation.

The scheme forms part of our wider investment and work with the Stronger Town Board to enhance Bishop Auckland and make it a thriving destination for residents, businesses and visitors.

Address

Durham

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+443000260000

Website

http://www.durham.gov.uk/

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