2023 is drawing to a close. After yet another eventful and chaotic year in news, there are many moments and stories to look back upon. Here's a glimpse at some of the stories that defined the North East from January to April 2023.
Following on from the election of Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister in October 2022, the country entered the new year with its first Northern leader since Sedgefield's Tony Blair.
During the first quarter of 2023, the region experienced turmoil at Teesworks as some called for an inquiry into goings on at the site whilst the final Redcar blast furnace stoves were brought down in a controlled explosion, marking the end of an era.
Elsewhere, teachers walked out in mass strikes, Darlington lost a shop that had been open in the town for 51 years and the Northern Lights made an appearance in Hartlepool.
Here are some of the most memorable stories, front pages, and investigations from January to April that dominated The Northern Echo's coverage and defined the North East in 2023.
Two sites identified by Darlington FC for new stadium
January 3, 2023
Darlington Football Club’s new stadium could include additional sports, retail and hospitality facilities, with two areas in the north of the town identified as the preferred location.
The new ground could be sited at Skerningham or Faverdale, The Northern Echo revealed, as the club continued its expansion plans to make it fit for purpose for the Football League.
The Quakers were yet to confirm the two sites, and said it is in confidential discussions, but information obtained by the Echo showed the two locations are on the shortlist.
Tees freeport: Call for transparency on Teesworks site ownership
January 11, 2023
The year in politics began with calls for an inquiry into the ownership of shares at the Teesworks site by Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham.
Mr Cunningham called on the Prime Minister to launch an inquiry into the transfer of publicly owned shares in the Teesworks site to private ownership in what he calls "crony contracts".
At Prime Ministers' Questions on Wednesday January 11, Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham told Rishi Sunak that "taxpayers are set to lose tens of millions of pounds" as a result of the transfer of public assets to two Teesside businessmen.
But Simon Clarke and Jacob Young, two neighbouring North East Conservative MPs, accused Mr Cunningham of using parliamentary privilege to make a series of "damaging insinuations".
Car smashes into the side of a home in Kinninvie, near Barnard Castle
February 8, 2023
Residents were left shocked and owners of a home traumatised after a car crash saw a vehicle slam into a house, smashing the wall entirely.
Emergency services were called to Kinninvie, near Barnard Castle, shortly after 1.30pm today on Tuesday, February 8 after the crash on the B6279, between Staindrop and Eggleston.
CCTV footage showed the terrifying collision between the van and the Volvo, which was then pushed into the building.
Following the initial crash, multiple safety procedures and measures have been implimented and redacted leaving residents eternally concerned about the possibility of another similar incident.
Legendary Darlington shop Guru closed after 51 years
February 20, 2023
An era sadly came to an end in Darlington with the closure of the town’s most famous independent shops.
Columnist Peter Barron wrote that Darlington will never be the same again.
The wonderfully wacky little town-centre shop, Guru Boutique, which counts celebrities among its many fans, is to close after more than half a century.
Newcastle United reached Carabao Cup Final
February 26, 2023
Newcastle United clashed with Manchester United in February at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final, making their second ever appearance in a league cup final.
The team lost 2-0 in the final and missed out on that coveted trophy.
Incredible pictures showed Northern Lights in Hartlepool
February 27, 2023
Hartlepool locals were treated to a stunning display in the sky as the Northern Lights were visible along the coast in February.
Captured by Terry Piper, the amazing pictures showed the luminous green streams over Hartlepool Headland last night.
Stargazers were also able to see the incredible show again the following night where the Aurora Borealis graced the region again.
Final Redcar Blast Furnace stoves demolished in explosion
March 22, 2023
The final structures of the Redcar Blast Furnace were brought down on March 22, marking the bittersweet end to Teesside’s steel-making history.
Crews carrying out the demolition of the former blast furnace on the Teesworks site carried out the final explosive demolitions, after the majority of the site was brought down in November last year.
The 40-metre structures of stoves one to four of the Redcar Blast Furnace were flattened in simultaneous explosions at around 9.30am.
Raoul Moat series aired on ITV
April 13, 2023
A TV series based on the infamous crime spree of Newcastle man Raoul Moat in 2010 aired in April of this year.
The three-part series titled The Hunt for Raoul Moat aired on TV screens on April 16, 17 and 18 at 9pm each evening.
Notorious Darlington pothole fixed after being spotted by Rishi Sunak
April 14, 2023
A notorious pothole that was pointed out by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a photograph with MP Peter Gibson, Mayor Ben Houchen and Cllr Jonathan Dulston was finally filled after the photograph went viral online.
On his visit to Darlington’s Firthmoor on March 31, Rishi Sunak, accompanied by local politicians, took a close look at an obnoxious pothole.
Even more stories that shaped the region made front pages in the first quarter of the year.
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