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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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International cricket in Durham set to bowl visitors over

People watching a game of cricket at Chester-le-Street

High-profile international matches will bring world-class cricket, and visitors, to Durham during 2026, showcasing elite talent and offering local fans a chance to watch England play close to home.

Banks Homes Riverside, home of Durham Cricket, prepares to welcome three major England international matches in 2026.

The international season kicks off on Sunday, 10 May with England Women taking on New Zealand Women in a One Day International. This fixture launches both the international season and the New Zealand series, providing a perfect opportunity for supporters to see the England Women’s side in action ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.

The venue will then host two men’s internationals. The first set to take place on Wednesday, 1 July, as England Men face India Men in a Vitality IT20. The programme concludes on Tuesday, 22 September, with England Men versus Sri Lanka Men in a Metro Bank ODI.

Durham has a long-standing history with cricket, and hosting matches such as those taking place this summer helps to boost the economy and showcase the county on the world stage. Not only will fans travel to games and spend money in the visitor economy, but with billions watching worldwide, it is an incredible promotional platform.

David Jackson, Director of Marketing at Durham Cricket, said: “We are looking forward to hosting three England internationals this year. The schedule creates a perfect cricketing summer, allowing fans to experience top-level action right here in County Durham from May right through to September. With the Women’s T20 World Cup on the horizon, seeing England Women start their build-up against New Zealand is particularly special. We look forward to welcoming supporters from across the region and beyond to create unforgettable atmospheres.”

Michelle Gorman, managing director at Visit County Durham added: “Hosting these prestigious England internationals is fantastic news for Durham and the wider North East. As well as delivering a significant boost to the local economy through increased visitor numbers, hotel stays, dining and transport, they highlight our county as a premier destination for major sporting occasions, showcase our world-class facilities, and

encourage more people to discover the amazing attractions, heritage and hospitality Durham has to offer.”

Tickets for these matches are available through official channels. For more information, visit the Durham Cricket website or contact the box office at 0191 387 1717. Email: box.office@durhamcricket.co.uk.

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To Florida, Nasa and beyond! Durham flies flag for the region’s space sector as part of North East delegation

A group of people standing outside of NASA space station

Experts, entrepreneurs, innovators, and scientists from the North East have travelled to the United States to seek interest and investment in the region’s booming space sector.

The Space North East England delegation touched down in Orlando for Florida Commercial Space Week, kicking off a packed programme of conferences, meetings and site visits across the Space Coast.

The delegation included representatives from UK space companies and the North East’s universities, all travelling with a shared ambition to build international partnerships, showcase capability and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

Those taking part included Durham, Newcastle and Northumbria universities as well as North East companies MSP and NEL Technologies.

Lisa Mullen, Interim Cluster Manager of Space North East England who coordinated and led the trip, said: “Our mission brought the North East England’s leading innovators into the heart of Florida’s booming space ecosystem during Commercial Space Week to SpaceCom 2026.

“It helped us forge new collaborations and opened market opportunities, as well as reinforcing transatlantic links across the commercial space sector.”

Over the course of the five-day visit, which concluded at the weekend, the North East team met global space leaders, showcased North East and UK capability and built relationships that will support future growth and investment.

The first day was spent at the University of Central Florida, with the delegate programme focusing on industry, academia, and the broader space ecosystem.

The next day, the delegation headed to Florida’s Space Coast for meetings and site visits with some of the world’s most influential space organisations, including Space Florida.

The third day included a tour of the NASA Kennedy Space Centre to gain firsthand insight into the scale of their space launch operations and to learn what it takes to put a rocket in orbit for deep-space travel.

The highlight was seeing the SLS rocket on the launchpad during the final preparations before launch as part of the Artemis II mission, which will see crew on a lunar flyby to test the Orion spacecraft’s navigation, life support, and other systems in deep space, ahead of future landing missions.

Suitably inspired, the final two days were spent attending Commercial Space Week, SpaceCom 2026 in Orlando to pitch their products and services to potential investors and partners.

Lisa said: “It was a fantastic visit for the delegation and we hope we’ve done the North East proud and that the relationships we’ve built and the contacts we’ve made will benefit the region’s space sector, which has continued to go from strength to strength in recent years.

“There’s no substitute for being in the room where things are happening, and it was great for us to be there representing the region, showing the skills and expertise we can contribute to investors in this field.”

The visit was arranged by the Government’s Department for Business and Trade and hosted by the British Consulate General in Miami.

A delegation from Space Florida is expected to visit the North East next month to further strengthen international ties and develop existing links.  Space North East England is looking to bring everything together when it holds its annual North East Space Conference for regional, national and international delegates this June.

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Durham research reveals North East England leads UK on scaleup growth

A series of roof tops

New research from Durham University Business School reveals the North East England led the UK on business scaleup growth in 2020-2023, challenging long-held assumptions about regional disadvantage.

Research from Durham University’s Smart & Scale programme

The study, conducted through the Business School’s Smart & Scale programme, is led by Dr John Moffat and Dr Stephanie Scott.

The research examined high-growth firms, the barriers they face, and conditions for sustained performance.

Using internationally recognised definitions of scaleup growth, the findings show a more encouraging picture of the North East England economy.

Between 2020 and 2023, North East England recorded the UK’s highest scaleup rate under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definition.

1.8 per cent of firms met the definition of average annual growth in employment or turnover of at least 20 per cent over three years and employment of 10 or more. This compares with a UK figure of 1.55 per cent.

Women-led firms exceed national benchmarks

Notably, women-led businesses in North East England outperformed national scaleup rates at the highest growth thresholds.

This challenges assumptions about regional disadvantage and highlights the strength of the region’s pipeline of ambitious, high-performing firms.

The importance of aligned enterprise ecosystems

The study shows aligned enterprise ecosystems are critical for business growth.

Collaboration between universities, support organisations, and policymakers improves outcomes for scaling firms.

It is particularly valuable during economic transition and leadership change.

These findings align with independent evaluations of regional scaleup initiatives, including Scaleup North East.

This programme delivered by RTC North, improved turnover and productivity for participating businesses.

Alongside the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s Scaleup Leaders’ Academy, these programmes are recognised nationally by the Scaleup Institute.

The research shows such initiatives work best when evidence informed and locally embedded.

They are most effective when connected to a wider ecosystem of expertise and delivery.

Executive Dean, Professor Kieran Fernandes said:

“This research highlights the importance of strong enterprise ecosystems, where collaboration between universities, support organisations, and policymakers is critical to translating ambition and innovation into sustained economic performance.”

Informing future policy and practice

The findings will guide the Business School, partners and policymakers to strengthen North East England’s scaleup capacity. They will help build on successful approaches and support sustainable high-growth enterprise.

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S&DR200 Celebrates a year of Storytelling Through the Arts

Testing Locomotion No.1 on the Weardale Railway, in preparation for the 200th anniversary of the first train journey, from Darlington to Stockton.

Since March 2025, S&DR200 has captured the imagination of hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe with a vibrant cultural programme that has used culture as a tool to tell stories of international importance.

Since March 2025, S&DR200 has captured the imagination of hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe with a vibrant cultural programme that has used culture as a tool to tell stories of international importance. Artists, practitioners, historians and storytellers were asked to think about bringing the past, present and future to life in a captivating way.

The festival, which has been extended until May 2026 due to its success, continues to highlight the importance of the railways to the industrial revolution and this pioneering time. While celebrating a remarkable chapter of British history that shaped our world, S&DR200 also turns to the future, encouraging the next generation of engineers, artists, and leaders to find collaborative solutions for today’s most pressing challenges. Storytelling proves to be crucial for capturing global narratives, as well as spotlighting lesser-known stories of local people, ensuring a lasting and meaningful legacy for all.

Throughout this year across Durham and Tees Valley, Shildon to Stockton via Darlington, S&DR200 has showcased how championing collaboration and the arts is vital to driving progress, critical thinking, communication and wellbeing. Across this corner of England, the visitor economy, museums, hotels and towns have experienced the benefit, with hundreds of thousands of visitors making trips to the region’s museums and public spaces. S&DR200 has been delivered by Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

The programme’s legacy continues, secured due to the support of national bodies and local authorities working together in a unique way to ensure longevity and the progression of the region’s creative sector. The programme has highlighted the wealth of talent and skills across Durham and Tees Valley, from the visual arts to performance and spoken word. The festival aims to encourage the next generation of young people to develop their careers in both the creative and STEM sectors.

  • Events have taken place throughout Durham and Tees Valley, covering over 1000 square miles across urban areas to the open countryside.
  • Over 25,000 local people have participated in S&DR200 activities including workshops, walks, talks, a 300+ strong event fringe programme and the central performative showcase in performances Ghost Train, STEAM and All Change.
  • 60,000 school children and students aged 5 to 18 have participated in the education programme
  • More than 60 artists and 20 organisations have been involved in the programme to shine a light on and reimagine the landscape where the first train journey took place.
  • Major exhibitions have unfolded in museums and galleries across the region, notably within Locomotion, The Story, Preston Park and Hopetown, with more to follow – including a site-specific work by Yann Nguema, a French physicist turned digital installation artist, a world record attempt at Locomotion, and a significant Women of the World (WOW) open air exhibition looking at how people from various fields influence the area now.

Cultural Programme Highlights S&DR200’s cultural programme, the result of close collaboration between Director Niccy Hallifax, local authorities and cultural partners, has delivered unique large-scale commissions, from multi-layered outdoor performances to beautiful and insightful museum exhibitions and art installations. Audiences were invited to take an alternative look at the stories surrounding this 26-mile journey and the people and communities behind it. New public art installations have been introduced across the area cementing the region’s position as a leading destination for world-class heritage and culture.

Through the commissioning of over 60 artists, from internationally renowned household names to upcoming local talent who have been invited to tell the unique story of the railway’s past, present and
future, the festival continues to shine a spotlight on the lesser-known stories weaved into this, ensuring that they are documented as part of the project’s wider legacy and recognised as offering notable engineering and critical artistic thinking from the region.

A number of these artists worked with local community groups, including young creatives and asylum seekers. As part of an ongoing programme, nine murals and two sculptures along the S&DR Trail of Discovery route have started to appear, to mark and celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. These artworks were placed along key historic locations of a new trail between Witton Park in County Durham and Stockton in Tees Valley, closely following the original 26-mile route of the S&DR, as part of a wider commission awarded to Teesside University (University of the year 2025) to create a digital game that can be played both on the route and virtually.

Aida Wilde, an Iranian-born, London-based printmaker and visual artist, brought her signature style of social commentary to Hopetown, Darlington. The work was located next to one of the first station’s, North Road, offering her reflections on displacement, the working class, education, and equality. PAST, PRESENCE, LOCOMOTION was based on the legacy of the Stockton and Darlington Railway at Hopetown Darlington, working with a series of local community groups (Action Asylum Volunteers from Refugee Futures in Stockton, The Friends of Stockton and Darlington Railway and the wider community in Darlington) connecting themes of heritage, memories, pioneers, migration and stories of the famous railway cats. The work produced can now be seen in the museum grounds.

Another highlight included the collaborative talents, imitating the dog with SKYMAGIC, who created the visual feast All Change at the famous Kynren site to open the year in March 2025. This partnership, using projection mapping, storytelling through dance and performance, film, and a new soundscape with spoken word demonstrates just how the region changed our world. The 25-minute sold-out show wove together a series of playful images and music, telling the remarkable story of innovation over the past 200 years because of the railways, playing like a sonnet to the region that gave so much to the world we live in today.

Upcoming Exhibitions

  • Perfume by Yann Nguema opens at Preston Park, 17 January to 10 May 2026.
  • The Trail of Discovery official game and art walk launch, January 2026.
  • The Hope Brigade in the North East with WOW, March 2026 onwards.
  • Memory of a Journey – exhibition display in Durham City Town Hall, May 2026.
  • S&DR200 a look back, Hopetown, September 2026.

S&DR200’s Legacy

S&DR200 has highlighted the importance of creating legacy and placemaking through culture, alongside exemplifying the many ways this can be achieved. By situating legacy and community at the heart of the festival, the intention was to invest into the cultural fabric of communities, increasing opportunities for the public to experience the arts and therefore bridging the past, present and future. The works meaningfully communicate shared heritage, by creating a replicated sense of wonder for visitors in the experience of witnessing the very first train.

In commemorating the year of celebration, many artworks, projects, and collaborators will remain in and around the 26 mile route of the S&DR, with many pieces becoming part of permanent collections and recorded stories forming part of national archives. The artworks that are now part of the landscape form part of people’s lived experiences and subsequent memories.

S&DR200 Festival Director, Niccy Hallifax said: “The arts have a huge role to play in our national celebrations as well as revitalising our towns and public spaces. Alongside the importance of economics, it’s about harnessing the power of created works and pieces that imprint within the landscapes, creating meaning in and for all our communities. It is through the legacy of S&DR200’s amazing celebrations that we can continue to champion the pioneers who went before us for this project, as well as celebrating what we value: creativity, expression, and the power of healing human connections.”

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Seaham celebrates first-ever direct train link to London with historic Grand Central launch

Chris Brandon (Grand Central Director), Margaret Levitt (Mayor of Seaham) and Grahame Morris MP cut the ribbon at Seaham station.

Open access operator Grand Central have launched its first-ever direct services between Seaham and London. This historic launch will provide four new services to London, cementing Grand Central’s role in connecting underserved communities and boosting regional growth.

A celebration event took place at Seaham station on Monday 15 December to mark the historic occasion, attended by local MP Grahame Morris and other local councillors and businesses, who heralded the new services as “invaluable” for the local community. 

Attendees applauded the 10:41am service from Seaham to London into the station, before Grahame Morris MP stepped on board to travel to Parliament, and made a tannoy announcement to celebrate the new services.  

Previously, passengers from Seaham would have had to change services to travel to London, with the journey taking up to four hours. Now, the new direct service will enable passengers to reach London in approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. 

This new service builds on Grand Central’s proud history of bolstering regional connectivity in the North East, providing direct services from historically underconnected areas like Sunderland, Hartlepool and Eaglescliffe into London. Its services play an essential role in boosting regional growth, supporting an area outside London with a combined GDP of £113bn. 

Earlier this year, Arriva, which operates Grand Central, placed an order for £300 million-worth of tri-mode new trains for Grand Central routes following the extension of its track access rights. These trains will be manufactured in the North East at Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe facility, and bolster connectivity by increasing seats by 20%.

Services provided by Grand Central can work in tandem with the new Great British Railways, enhancing and complementing the UK Government’s rail nationalisation plans, ensuring that the rail network is making the best possible use of its capacity. 

Chris Brandon, Director at Grand Central, said: “Today is a milestone not just for Grand Central, but for Seaham. For the first time in history, residents here have a direct, reliable connection to London – a connection that reflects the town’s growing ambition and needs. This launch reflects our mission to continue investing in the North East: through our £300 million order of new trains, and through seeking increased track access rights, which will allow us to provide more services in the region for years to come. Our focus remains on delivering the essential services that communities need, at no cost to the taxpayer, while supporting regional economic growth.”

Grahame Morris, Member of Parliament for Easington, said: “It’s fantastic news that Grand Central has launched its new four-a-day stopping service from Seaham to London. This service will be invaluable for my constituents, whether travelling for work or leisure, providing direct connections to both York and London. The East Durham Coastline has been underused for decades, and I’m delighted that Grand Central has recognised the enormous potential of this route and worked hard to make it a reality. This is a major step forward for our constituency’s connectivity and local economy, opening up new opportunities for jobs, tourism, and investment. I will continue to work closely with Grand Central to ensure these services continue well beyond the initial one-year approval period.”