In this week’s Mercury
Proposals have been put forward to close Forest of Teesdale Primary School after no-one expressed an interest in sending their child there in the next school year. There is currently just one pupil on the school roll.
A warning has been sounded after elderly residents were scammed out of thousands of pounds
A two-pronged plan to tackle speeding in Staindrop has been put forward – and a new Speedwatch group has been formed in the village
Residents are being asked where they think tens of thousands of pounds should be spent across the dale
Tributes have been paid to the farmer turned hotelier who opened the Jersey Farm Hotel on the outskirts of Barnard Castle
An urgent plea has been issued for volunteers to come forweard to help a group for disabled youngsters
Raby Estate has bought the former NatWest bank building in the Barnard Castle – but details of its planned use have not been revealed
In sport, Barnard Castle School’s 1st XV rugby side is just one step away from a cup final at Twickenham, while David Dye has been crowned champion of the Wanderers’ Winter Snooker Trophy
We chat to Romaldkirk singer-songwriter Sam Nix ahead of the launch of his debut EP
Meet Oscar – an actor with a difference who is sure to prove a winner in a dementia play which is due to tour the dale’s primary schools
Plus… a full report from Barnard Castle Mart, this week’s what’s on guide, family notices, Bob Garton’s weekly quiz, readers’ letters and much more.
All in this week’s paper, which is out now
