The Northern Echo | Columnists https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/columnists/ The Northern Echo Columnists en-gb Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:06:55 +0100 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:06:55 +0100 https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/rss/terms/ M6 toby.granville@newsquest.co.uk (Toby Granville) webmaster@digitalmedia.newsquest.co.uk (Tim Joy) https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/images/sitelogoalt/?type=rsslogo The Northern Echo | Columnists https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/columnists/ £35m leisure hub to throw free launch party with paddleboarding and live music https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26458047.hartlepools-35m-highlight-hub-celebrate-opening-free-party/?ref=rss Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0100 64c78d765487589f13dccd83d0cb9719 will.foxx@newsquest.co.uk | Will Foxx Help for Teesside parents struggling with expensive back-to-school uniform costs https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26441944.launch-teesside-uniform-scheme-help-parents-costs/?ref=rss Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:30:00 +0100 bb867c1d8869dfd4f0d7146667019fe5 freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf Leading manufacturer officially opens new Teesside depot with £14m investment https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26422266.scania-uk-officially-opened-new-stockton-service-depot/?ref=rss Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0100 d53f644331e0bcb694d30c4f39f2f6a3 freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf 'Fantastic' opening in Teeside to help recycle e-waste and cut reliance on metals https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26278220.teeside-plant-opens-reduce-e-waste-cut-reliance-metals/?ref=rss Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0100 0155cd179ec5566e5c57de10bbd541ef freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf 26 jobs up for grabs at multibillion-pound North East industrial site - how to apply https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26278695.26-teesworks-jobs-grabs---apply/?ref=rss Tue, 14 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0100 c1787948686ca4468d94da1d8e21e23a anna.barnes@newsquest.co.uk | Anna Barnes Tourism pumps £1.5bn into Tees Valley economy as visitor numbers hit 'superb' record https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26275562.tourism-delivered-1-5-billion-boost-tees-valley-economy/?ref=rss Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0100 ecf0e02358c2e9cd2921bb4e93ff117d freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf Should we follow Tuchel's advice and let the kids stay up for England's match? https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26252578.echo-comment-pubs-open-kids-stay-englands-match/?ref=rss Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:30:00 +0100 d7cc69ceb806fdc87845899da9544c5b Echo Comment Residents invited to have their say on planned transport changes across Teesside https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26244551.residents-say-teesside-transport-plans/?ref=rss Wed, 01 Jul 2026 17:30:00 +0100 049a67a907ae8aa1c320bb27c896cee1 freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf Crackdown on crime and yobs launches in North East town thanks to £1.3m grant https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26242032.new-scheme-agreed-tackle-crime-middlesbrough/?ref=rss Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:44:50 +0100 5b78f96042392cc6c6311c9cdb87a004 freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf Darlington link road scheme concerns as 'perfect' route dropped from new consultation https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26230824.darlington-northern-link-road-concerns-route-dropped-plans/?ref=rss Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:28:01 +0100 33746ff3cacc59cac693bfdfceb0d7d1 Local Democracy Reporter TVCA Mayor’s office budget is rising by 78.68 per cent to £486,000 next year https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25913710.tvca-announces-78-8-funding-increase-mayors-office/?ref=rss Fri, 06 Mar 2026 10:43:17 +0000 8820750ea992de83f0325440551165fa Daniel Hodgson Grandad At Large: A trip back in time to The London Palladium with my mum https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dadatlarge/25860646.trip-back-time-london-palladium-mum/?ref=rss Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 2cc2e26a9bb9f0f70e9f91ad9f21d843 peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron Ben Houchen denies Reform UK deflection rumours as he says loyalty is important https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25784581.tees-valley-mayor-ben-houchen-denies-reform-uk-deflection/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:01:00 +0000 5505809db881ec19d0e637adc026b3c2 Daniel Hodgson Grandad At Large: Taking a stand against old age during a holiday bus ride https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25758651.taking-stand-old-age-holiday-bus-ride/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000 0ced0f10c25deee7b359231aee451f47 peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron Ben Houchen makes Reform UK election victory prediction during interview appearance https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25730264.ben-houchen-says-reform-uk-win-tees-valley/?ref=rss Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000 b3b1fcd3a077259f8e80439d2cace2de Kayleigh.Fraser@newsquest.co.uk | Kayleigh Fraser Grandad At Large latest: The night Santa dropped a right clanger in Darlington https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25725657.night-santa-dropped-right-clanger-darlington/?ref=rss Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000 1a267332b1988606f8a882f68acaa387 peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron Police chief hits back at mayor as he claims town becoming 'no-go zone' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25713977.chief-constable-rebukes-mayor-unnecessary-criticism/?ref=rss Sat, 20 Dec 2025 10:11:25 +0000 df1beb2d0437f2186b1905dbefb3d187 Gareth Lightfoot The truth behind the future of the Transporter Bridge six years after closure https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25658127.truth-behind-future-transporter-bridge/?ref=rss Sat, 29 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000 d03baaaad1eae5ac8f91841b71bc4540 alex.oleary@newsquest.co.uk | Alex O'Leary 'No thanks': No tourist tax for Darlington, Lord Houchen confirms https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25652784.ben-houchen-says-no-thanks-tees-valley-tourist-tax/?ref=rss Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:05:00 +0000 2af5edc938589a6ba79d6d7961e96e46 joshua.nichol@newsquest.co.uk | Joshua Nichol Grandad At Large: A trip to The Kinks musical isn't the hit it might have been https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25634515.wrong-note-trip-york-kinks-musical/?ref=rss Thu, 20 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000 1e4d9003191987f0d1c7cc991b1fb50e peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron Ben Houchen gives update on Jet2 negotiations after plane spotted at Teesside Airport https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25545609.jet2-fly-teesside-airport-ben-houchen-gives-update/?ref=rss Sat, 18 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100 6348c8107f07307d7a4efac587349b2c adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Ben Houchen on AI, data centres and how ex-SSI site could become next Silicon Valley https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25535996.ben-houchen-talks-new-era-former-ssi-steelworks/?ref=rss Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0100 072360bff27bee245d31e9e94e009d46 alex.oleary@newsquest.co.uk | Alex O'Leary Ben Houchen on losing 'community anchor' SSI and avoiding a repeat of history https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25507363.ben-houchen-talks-losing-ssi-avoiding-repeat-history/?ref=rss Mon, 13 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100 7048fba9bd4e58ff9a121119753a8f4f alex.oleary@newsquest.co.uk | Alex O'Leary Grandad At Large: itching to get back home after Italian island holiday https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25525314.itching-get-home-holiday-italian-island/?ref=rss Fri, 10 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100 2014c0e7dd24ef94db435093e98092be peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron Mayors 'appalled' and 'saddened' as terror attack confirmed at Manchester synagogue https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25513097.north-east-mayors-react-horrific-scenes-manchester/?ref=rss Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:39:17 +0100 14d07e45743ce5d0b9ca559e1e8d7f65 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Teesside Airport announce extra end of year flights to Alicante now on sale https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25505884.extra-flights-alicante-teesside-airport-now-sale/?ref=rss Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:26:32 +0100 b520077aac9a47b8f2aa68f091ce70fb adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Jobs secured at Teesside chemical factory after commitment from company https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25460512.sabic-continue-polyethylene-operations-teesside/?ref=rss Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:23:01 +0100 dddb5a12834474fe6df42e1cc2f90eed adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Mayor Ben Houchen argues Reform is 'singing to a tune' of public concerns https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25423152.ben-houchen-argues-reform-tapping-into-public-concerns/?ref=rss Fri, 29 Aug 2025 16:00:00 +0100 c1df3c7bfee7e2c7e260638a4ef06ed9 alex.oleary@newsquest.co.uk | Alex O'Leary Grandad At Large: How Eric and his trusty metal detector saved the day https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25300476.metal-detectorist-comes-rescue-lost-ear-ring/?ref=rss Fri, 11 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100 59f6a0f9c6a9db30f6aa45d99ca767df peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron Labour hails progress year from sweeping General Election win but Tories slam 'chaos' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25286959.labour-mps-hail-year-progress-tories-say-government-chaos/?ref=rss Fri, 04 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100 dcab0cef4725532ab3566df895ca5d94 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Has the Government delivered on The Northern Echo's manifesto one year on? https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25286122.government-delivered-northern-echo-year/?ref=rss Fri, 04 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100 c5cde9ee8c3bd6058610eb031861a19a adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Darlington fish and chip shop named UK's best takeaway is expanding https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25239352.darlington-chippy-named-best-uk-expanding/?ref=rss Sat, 14 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0100 c841967a9c1d02d55c9fabd3f5c257e9 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Why I ended up lugging a drum-kit along Platform 4 at Darlington station https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25226094.ended-drum-kit-darlington-station/?ref=rss Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100 3554cfe51afcc5e7bdbf83ab2cc26037 peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron Drone footage shows progress at Darlington station as final footbridge link installed https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25217970.drone-shot-shows-final-footbridge-link-installed-darlington-station/?ref=rss Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0100 0d9e6b13345665c61d62d23df7d37f90 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Tees Valley Combined Authority gets £1bn to improve transport links across region https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25212515.tees-valley-combined-authority-gets-1billion-boost-transport-links/?ref=rss Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:01:00 +0100 bb6c15d60df68a9a2e86d1e03c9520d9 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Leaders hail 'immense' opportunity of £118bn Great North blueprint https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25175604.ben-houchen-joins-northern-mayors-create-investment-group/?ref=rss Mon, 19 May 2025 19:00:00 +0100 d418f85fa1e1aa82316c13105608bf81 joshua.nichol@newsquest.co.uk | Joshua Nichol Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen to face public questioning in new Q&A slot https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25153212.ben-houchen-face-public-questioning-bbc-radio-tees/?ref=rss Sat, 10 May 2025 12:54:34 +0100 9c376d328feb3697208796eb2b3e777d olivia.howlett@newsquest.co.uk | Olivia Howlett A bird’s eye view – how I herocially solved the great starling mystery https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/25142817.birds-eye-view---solved-great-starling-mystery/?ref=rss Sat, 10 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100 a6ccb763782876e637de37bf12f0a0ac peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron PICTURES: North East falls silent and pays respect on 80th anniversary of VE Day https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25149029.ve-day-80-north-east-pays-respect-historic-anniversary/?ref=rss Thu, 08 May 2025 20:00:00 +0100 de43963d49a40f665db7eb7b5db6c6c3 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Tees Valley Mayor issues update on Trump invite after state visit offer https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24979344.ben-houchen-issues-update-trump-visit-teesside/?ref=rss Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 0b8feb3eb54c79b2d5cf9b4b0bd13de0 joshua.nichol@newsquest.co.uk | Joshua Nichol Easy World Book Day outfits to make in 5 minutes with stuff you already have https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/24969132.easy-world-book-day-outfits-can-make-5-minutes/?ref=rss Thu, 27 Feb 2025 14:18:12 +0000 9ad74baddad580121582dda849475ee3 jade.wright@newsquest.co.uk | Jade Wright Focusing on the growing challenges us oldies face with reading glasses https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/24907141.ingenious-solution-issues-reading-glasses/?ref=rss Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000 ab2375190b124d6a393f20524089e1d6 peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron The day a Durham headteacher wished he hadn't asked about a pupil's dog having pups https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/24860571.headteacher-wished-hadnt-asked-pupils-dog/?ref=rss Wed, 15 Jan 2025 17:12:37 +0000 a90f87b0db142f775302b2431e5ae71e peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron A case of mistaken identity that left our family shellshocked https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/24772970.sudden-death-left-family-shellshocked/?ref=rss Fri, 06 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0000 8c5339d2cf2dd7d5b28e4095fb36c4d2 peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron Ben Houchen 'invites Donald Trump to Tees Valley' in congratulatory letter https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24746307.ben-houchen-invites-us-president-donald-trump-tees-valley/?ref=rss Sat, 23 Nov 2024 20:15:44 +0000 98473cff75d7fad7fc8ad0d4995876c9 daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Hordon Children invited to name and design new electric buses by Tees Valley Mayor Houchen https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24732545.tees-valley-mayor-ben-houchen-invites-children-name-buses/?ref=rss Tue, 19 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +0000 66252274f0c8071687ee64b958ee3547 Cian Mortimer Today's investment summit 'moment of significant opportunity', Ben Houchen writes https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/24649065.houchen-investment-summit-moment-significant-opportunity/?ref=rss Mon, 14 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0100 1658bdda64de0bba58d56fd8895dc517 Ben Houchen Comment by Ben Houchen: Devolution, done right, can be a game-changer for UK https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24644884.ben-houchen-devolution-done-right-can-game-changer/?ref=rss Thu, 10 Oct 2024 20:15:20 +0100 18675a8e0cc4af85d9a40cc2a470869c Ben Houchen Ben Houchen says Tories have 'huge job to do' on trust at party's conference https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24617270.tory-party-conference-ben-houchen-says-party-h/?ref=rss Sun, 29 Sep 2024 16:00:00 +0100 584f730288ba7a35c6b68e12c0f01438 daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Hordon The answer to my 92-year-old mother's hearing problems – Nat King Cole https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/24484151.answer-mums-hearing-problems---nat-king-cole/?ref=rss Tue, 30 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100 bb9f8cfca28544ea026f00d22c8e86af peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron