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US space leaders to touch down in Durham

Four people stood in front of flags

A senior delegation from Space Florida is making a flying visit to the North East for a tour of some of the region’s most exciting space, engineering and advanced‑manufacturing projects.

The whistle-stop visit, with the US delegation arriving this Sunday, follows last year’s successful Space North East England (SNEE) conference, which Space Florida attended, and a visit to Florida last month by North East delegates.

Those involved in this year’s SNEE conference in Durham in June are hoping the visit from the Americans will turbocharge relationships developed over the last year.

Lisa Mullen, Interim Cluster Director of Space North East England, said: “Space Florida is well aware of the UK’s growing capabilities in the space sector and made a point of visiting several areas across the country involved in this sector last year.

“However, the North East is the only place they have planned a specific, follow-up visit to this year, because they’re excited about the possible collaborations and link-ups that can be made.

“They will spend all Monday reviewing projects across the region, and we’re looking forward to showing them projects we think they’ll be especially interested in.”

Space Florida’s delegation next week will be led by Matt Chesnut, its vice president of business development, who has previously emphasised his commitment to strengthening transatlantic links with the UK.

As well as Matt, the small Space Florida leadership group will also include Zach Bettis, Space Sector business development manager, Jimmy Moffat, vice president of Spaceport Operations and Rufus Brabble, the Consul General to Miami.

Lisa says SNEE’s job next week will be to showcase the region’s growing capabilities in satellite technology, instrumentation, and high‑value manufacturing.

The tour will begin at 3S Northumbria – a start-up led by Ralph ‘Dinz’  Dinsley, the charismatic creator of a company creating ways to tackle the growing problem of space debris in the atmosphere, posing a risk to satellites.

From there, the delegation will head to Northumbria University to meet the team behind the new £50m North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST) — the university’s cutting‑edge space engineering and satellite‑testing facilities currently under development.

The group will get an update on the building’s construction and hear how the site will boost research, skills and industry collaboration once complete.

The afternoon will be spent at NETPark in Sedgefield, the region’s flagship science and technology park. 

Space Florida representatives will join a working lunch with companies from the Space North East England cluster, who will showcase their expertise and current projects. 

The session will also include an overview of Durham University’s SPARC (Space Research Centre), which leads research into astrophysics, instrumentation and space‑science applications.

The delegation will then tour Durham’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI), home to world‑class facilities that develop optics and precision instruments for astronomy and space missions.

And the visit concludes at Filtronic’s new NETPark facility, where the US team will see one of the region’s strongest space‑manufacturing success stories. Filtronic specialises in advanced RF, microwave and mmWave technologies used in satellite communications and high‑performance aerospace systems.

Lisa Mullen said the visit was a major opportunity to showcase the region’s capabilities on a global stage.“Space Florida is one of the most influential organisations in the US commercial space sector, so hosting them here is a fantastic endorsement of what our region is achieving,” she said. “We want them to see the ambition, the skills and the collaborative spirit that make the North East such a strong partner for future space‑sector growth.”

Further discussions between the organisations are expected following the visit.

* This year’s North East Space Conference is due to be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham on Tuesday, June 9th, from 9 am to 3 pm. Entry is free. For more information, visit the Space North East England page here.

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The Light offers a bright future for County Durham culture

Cllr Karen Allison, Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, and Cllr Joe Quinn, Cabinet member for planning, investments and assets, at The Light.

The name of a new cultural venue that will boost Durham City’s visitor offer and provide a home for creativity and innovation has been announced.

The Light will bring together art and science in an engaging space where visitors will be able to view internationally significant exhibitions; artists will be able to create and collaborate, and communities can gather.

The name of the Durham County Council-run venue has been inspired not just by the building’s history, but also its future use.

Once the site of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum and Art Gallery, the building is undergoing significant works, which have seen it stripped down to its basic structure and almost completely rebuilt.

While it’s new design will transform The Light into a multipurpose cultural space, the venue’s links to military history will be retained through a dedicated DLI Gallery telling the story of the ‘Durhams’ through objects, documents and film footage from the DLI Collection.

The new name also reflects County Durham’s many associations with light – from the creation 1,300 years ago of Bede’s lunar calendar to Durham University’s involvement in the James Webb Space Telescope.

Housing the county’s only contemporary art gallery, The Light will also provide a beacon for creativity, arts and culture when it opens, with light art also set to play a prominent role.

More than just an exhibition space, The Light will also offer facilities to host private events and conferences, and a ground floor café will provide a place for visitors and passers-by to stop for refreshments. The stunning natural grounds will be an oasis in the centre of the city and a place for reflection.

Cllr Karen Allison, Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “The transformation of the site in the past few months has been amazing. It’s been fantastic to see the venue taking shape and, now that we’re able to announce its name, it really feels like we are getting closer to opening day.

“I’m sure The Light is going to provide a fantastic place for local residents, people in our wider communities and visitors from near and far to enjoy – all bringing a financial boost the city and county.

“County Durham has a long history of culture-based regeneration, and we are committed to building on its reputation as a culture county.”

Situated at the heart of Aykley Heads, The Light will be an anchor institution of Durham’s Innovation District, which took a major step forward just last month when Durham County Council signed a Collaboration Agreement with Muse and Durham University to accelerate its development as a hub for investment and innovation.

Acting as a meeting place and a creative hub, The Light will support the game-changing ambitions of the new district and play a key part in the sustainable growth of the site.

Cllr Allison added: “The innovation district will revitalise the Aykley Heads area, creating a new employment district and thousands of new jobs. To have a cultural venue such as The Light at its centre can only enhance its appeal.

“The café will be a great place for an informal meeting, while the opportunity to host a corporate event in the surroundings of a contemporary art gallery really is something pretty special.”

The Light, which is due to open next year, will be a sister venue to The Story, which provides the permanent home to the DLI Collection. The two venues will work together, along with other attractions across the county, to support a local, regional and national visitor offer that celebrates our heritage and highlights our ambition.

Col Ted Shields MBE, chair of the DLI trustees, said: “The trustees have been following closely the council’s plans to regenerate the former DLI Museum and Art Gallery site at Aykley Heads.

“The redesign of the building, including the dedicated DLI Gallery, is truly impressive and will surely put The Light – and The Story – at the very forefront of the culture and heritage sector.

“The branding is stunning – communicating vision and innovation as well as tradition. ‘Durham’ or civilian, young or old, local resident or visitor from afar – all will be inspired. Our congratulations and thanks to the council and all involved.”

It was a great opportunity to reflect on the work and impact of our organisation over the last ninety years, and to hear directly from community groups the difference we have made to them. 

DCA exists to help those working to support their communities by making sure voluntary and community organisations are recognised for the work they undertake and the impact they have in communities, on people’s health, their economic well-being and their ability to enjoy their lives in their places.

Thank you to everyone for your support. We hope to continue working alongside you all for another ninety years!”

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Durham Community Action celebrates turning 90!

A group of people in a conference hall

Durham Community Action, the voluntary sector infrastructure organisation for County Durham, celebrated it’s 90th birthday last week.

The organisation provides advice, support and assistance to frontline groups operating in the Voluntary and Community Sector and to various communities of interest across the county.

Back in the depression years of the 1930s, more than 30% of County Durham’s workforce was unemployed.  The National Council for Social Service (the Government Agency of the day) recognised a need to provide social support for the unemployed, and this led to the establishment of The Community Service Council for County Durham in 1935 (the Council).

The Council provided practical help and support for hard-pressed men and their families, by establishing a series of Service Clubs for men and women covering skills such as handicrafts, keep fit, education and drama.  

In 1984 the organisation changed its name to Durham Rural Community Council, reflecting the growing importance of the rural agenda, thanks in particular to financial support from the Rural Development Commission, and then in 2013 to embrace work in more urban areas became Durham Community Action.

To celebrate this historic occasion, over one hundred people gathered at Ushaw Historic House and Gardens to catch up, enjoy a selection of videos from groups that have received support from DCA and there was an opportunity to explore the Durham Community Action archive.

Kate Burrows, Executive Director of Durham Community Action, said:

“It was lovely to see so many people from across the County join us to celebrate this momentous milestone for Durham Community Action.

It was a great opportunity to reflect on the work and impact of our organisation over the last ninety years, and to hear directly from community groups the difference we have made to them. 

DCA exists to help those working to support their communities by making sure voluntary and community organisations are recognised for the work they undertake and the impact they have in communities, on people’s health, their economic well-being and their ability to enjoy their lives in their places.

Thank you to everyone for your support. We hope to continue working alongside you all for another ninety years!”

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Durham Cricket partnership shortlisted for national award

A woman playing cricket

The inspiring partnership between the county’s new place brand, The Durham Story, and Durham Cricket’s first professional women’s team, has been recognised nationally after being named as a finalist in the ECB Business of Cricket Awards 2025.

To ensure long-term success, Durham Cricket needed the right partners, those who not only aligned with their values, but shared a vision for creating meaningful, sustainable change in sport and in the region. The Durham Story became the first-ever exclusive sponsor of the Durham Women’s team. It was a powerful message – a new team representing the future of women’s sport, supported by a new brand representing the future of the county.

Tom Seymour, Commercial Director at Durham Cricket said: “This partnership exemplifies the power of true alignment in sponsorship. In March 2025, as Durham Cricket was launching its first-ever Tier 1 professional women’s team, the Durham Story place brand was being launched – both representing bold new chapters for the county. And this shared moment of transformation created a perfect platform for collaboration. The sponsorship not only helped launch and sustain the women’s team, it strengthened the identity of a county committed to progress, and with the shared grit, determination and passion to succeed”.

The Durham Story partnership was brought to life through a multi-channel strategy that reached audiences locally, nationally, and globally, including kit branding, pitch presence, digital and broadcast exposure and events, with the women’s team also becoming Champions for the place brand, acting as ambassadors for the county.

Michelle Gorman, Managing Director of Visit County Durham added: “This partnership is about more than logos and advertising – it’s about identity, pride, and progress. Supporting Durham Cricket’s women’s team allows us to showcase our county’s commitment to equality, ambition, and excellence. The Durham Story is about celebrating what makes this place special, and our partnership with Durham Cricket brings that story to life on a national and international stage.”

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National newspaper names Durham as one of the happiest places to live in Britain

Durham City drone image

The Guardian’s happiest places to live in Britain revealed.

Durham City has been ranked as one of the happiest places to live in Britain.  Journalists at The Guardian used scientific data to work out the happiest places to live taking into account a number of social factors including easy access to countryside and parks, the ability to see a GP and even proximity to shops. Durham’s medieval streets and confined geography were listed as some of its highlights.

Find out more on The Guardian’s website.