The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle is recruiting for four positions across its collections, curatorial, visitor experience, and catering teams.

Each role supports the museum’s ambition to develop its visitor experience and expand public engagement.

Collections assistant

This full-time, permanent post carries a salary of £26,522.50, with applications closing at 5pm on Friday, May 22.

The collections assistant will take charge of maintaining and improving the museum’s collections records, supporting a database migration, and ensuring documentation is accurate and accessible.

The role also involves coordinating loans, supporting object movement, and contributing to the care and management of the museum’s works.

(Image: STUART BOULTON)

Curator (co-production)

This is a part-time role on a fixed-term contract until 2029, with an annual salary of £18,708.50 (based on three days per week).

The curator (co-production) will help embed co-production practices across the museum’s work as part of the Art Fund’s Going Places programme, backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Julia Rausing Trust.

The Bowes Museum is part of the Founding the Future network, working alongside Watts Gallery in Guildford and Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth.

The post will play a key role in a collaborative touring exhibition programme running from 2026 to 2029, leading community co-production for planned exhibitions in 2027 and 2028/9.

Welcome team supervisor (temporary cover)

This fixed-term, six-month position offers 34 hours per week at a rate of £13.27 per hour (£23,461.36 per annum, pro rata).

Candidates must be enthusiastic, self-motivated, and comfortable working in a visitor-facing, customer service environment.

Strong people-management skills and a passion for developing others are essential.

Applications close on Friday, May 22, with interviews scheduled for Thursday, May 28.

Chef

The museum is seeking a chef for its catering team to help deliver a high-quality, locally sourced menu for the museum café and events.

This permanent role is for 32 hours per week (four days), with a salary of £22,481.44.

The chef’s work will help create a warm, memorable experience for visitors through food.

Applications close on Friday, May 29, with interviews taking place on Thursday, June 4.

Visit thebowesmuseum.org.uk/jobs-and-volunteering/

Middlesbrough could make the Championship play-off final even if they lose their semi-final second leg, should rivals Southampton be removed from the postseason

An independent disciplinary commission could kick Southampton out of the Championship play-offs if they are found to have filmed and observed a Middlesbrough training session. The Saints are charged with breaching two EFL regulations around acting in good faith and watching other teams train in the days before they are scheduled to play against them.

Boro complained to the league about their alleged unauthorised filming on private property. It is said that the club’s hierarchy will push for their expulsion.

Any hearing would only happen after Tuesday’s semi-final second leg. There would then be 11 days until the final at Wembley Stadium.

The Mail claims that the North East club will continue training even if they exit the post-season, because Boro may still replace their under-investigation opponents. They want Southampton to receive a ‘sporting’ sanction rather than a financial one, as Marcelo Bielsa paid for Leeds United seven years ago.

READ MORE: Southampton face further scrutiny as Middlesbrough ‘approached by other clubs over spy fears’READ MORE: Hull City reach Championship playoff final as Millwall suffer more heartbreak at The Den

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Their coach, Kim Hellberg, said of potential punishments for their opponents: “Who will get the fine? Should they just pay (it) to the EFL?

“So, they see everything we do, and that’s OK? I just think it’s weird (that) they do that and try to cheat in this type of game.

“I know Bielsa paid £200,000, but that was not the law then. I think a lot of clubs will pay that amount to try to get an advantage by seeing you in the two sessions before a game.

“If it’s a game of this magnitude, clubs would pay that, but it’s not legal, so they should not do it. What the punishment should be, that is not my decision to make.

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“It’s not the players that have done anything, it’s not the fans that have done anything. So, it’s not my decision to make. I’m just telling you the facts, and you can see the facts too. We will see what happens.”

Southampton, meanwhile, have said little about the situation. The south coast club says it: “Acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL in relation to alleged breaches of EFL Regulations.

“We can confirm that we will be fully cooperating with the League throughout this process. Given the ongoing nature of the matter, the club is unable to comment any further at this time.”

Their head coach, Tonda Eckert, has refused to expand on what the club have said publicly. He repeatedly referred to their statement when facing questions before and after the first leg on Saturday, which finished 0-0.

The Guardian reported this week that other clubs have approached Middlesbrough to speak of their own suspicions of being spied on by Southampton. The Saints finished the season with a remarkable 19-match unbeaten run that helped propel them to a top-six finish.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

The man had previously been served with a Criminal Behaviour Order

A man from Peterborough has been found guilty of operating a waste business illegally. Mark Wheeler, 36, of Lakeview Way in Hampton, already had a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after behaving anti-socially towards his neighbours.

He had been served with a two-year CBO and 16-week suspended prison sentence in June 2025 after being found guilty for repeatedly carrying out car repairs on the highway and causing anti-social behaviour.

Wheeler was then found guilty of breaching his CBO by carrying out further car repairs. During a hearing at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on March 26, council officers produced additional evidence that Wheeler was operating a waste collection/disposal business illegally by failing to provide waste transfer documents.

Officers requested that magistrates increase the conditions of Wheeler’s CBO to include prohibitions preventing him from operating any business or trade which deals in the collection, carrying, or disposal of waste or scrap metal without permission from Peterborough City Council.

They also requested that Wheeler be prevented from advertising or promoting services for the collection, carrying, or disposal of waste or scrap metal.

At a recent sentencing hearing, magistrates agreed to add the conditions to Wheeler’s CBO as requested by officers. The 36-year-old was also sentenced to 16 weeks in prison for breaches of a suspended sentence.

Councillor Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We want to remind residents to always check that a waste carrier is licenced before hiring anyone to dispose of your waste. This includes companies that provide skips, waste collectors and tradespeople doing work at your property.”

He continued: “This prosecution shows that we take this issue extremely seriously and will look to take action against anyone operating illegally.”

Three new plaques wil be added to Comber War Memorial

An additional 123 names have been found for a World War Memorial in a County Down village.

The names are those of casualties from the First World War, covering the period 1914 to 1918, who were omitted from the war memorial in Comber.

The Comber Branch of the Royal British Legion were provided with a historically researched and compiled list of individuals who were previously not included.

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A report by officials at the Ards and North Down Borough Council Environment Committee states: “Upon receipt of (the list), the Branch agreed to initiate a process in accordance with War Memorial Trust Guidelines. This included the establishment of a working group to undertake detailed scrutiny of the names and to commence a formal verification process.

“Council officers have since been collaborating with the working group and all missing names are now believed to have been collated and verified. In total, 123 names have been collected and verified by the working group.”

Officers are proposing the names will be distributed over three plaques, situated on the existing war memorial. The council has approached a local foundry for production, with an initial budget approximated at £5,000 for the plaques.

DUP Alderman Trevor Cummings said at the council’s May Environment Committee meeting: “I want to put on record my particular thanks for the diligent work of Dr Sange and the working group who behind the scenes have brought the final list together. The council report comes at a good time, as the working group are making their final appeal to families. They don’t anticipate any further information coming forward, and they should have a comprehensive list.”

He said the group were hoping to do the unveiling this year, to tie in with the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

DUP Councillor Libby Douglas said: “It is incredibly important that we as a council do everything we can to keep the memory alive of all the individuals who lost their lives during the First World War. I look forward to the plaques with the individual’s names being added to the Comber War Memorial, and I give a special mention to the Comber branch of the Royal British Legion.”

SDLP Councillor Joe Boyle said: “I thank Alderman Cummings for bringing a very sensible and meaningful report. I don’t tend to take to my feet too often in these types of situations, but there is a humane side, and for 123 names that once were forgotten, for them to be now on display, is very special. For those families, it is a wonderful bit of work. I have to congratulate the working group, it is a mammoth task to unearth 123 names.”

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From Shute Road to the farmland between Catterick Garrison and Colburn, the way people live, work and access services here is set to change dramatically.

Here are the major developments set to change Catterick by 2027, what they involve and what they could mean for residents, soldiers and businesses.

Catterick’s £21m town centre revamp on Shute Road

The most visible change is the multi‑million‑pound redevelopment of Catterick Garrison town centre, focused around Shute Road and Coronation Park.

Planning permission has been granted and demolition work has already taken down a number of existing buildings on Shute Road, allowing construction to begin.

The redevelopment, being delivered by contractor Willmott Dixon, is expected to be completed by late 2026 or 2027.

At its heart is a new town square designed as a civic space for events and everyday use.

A new community and enterprise building will provide offices for small businesses, co‑working areas, rooms for community groups, food retail, and space for activities linked to Coronation Park.

Plans also include major upgrades to Coronation Park, with improved play areas, a skate park, sensory and reflective spaces, woodland planting and community gardens.

(Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL)

Integrated Care Campus: new health hub for military and civilian communities

Alongside the physical town centre changes, a flagship Integrated Care Campus is being built in Catterick Garrison.

The project is funded by the NHS and Ministry of Defence to bring together GP, community health and care services for both the military and civilian population of Catterick and wider Richmondshire.

Health officials say the campus will replace outdated facilities with modern, purpose‑built clinical space, helping to cut duplication and improve access to care for thousands of patients.

It is designed to make it easier for Army families and residents to see the right professional in one place rather than travelling between different sites.

Undated handout computer generated image (CGI) issued by the Ministry of Defence of Catterick (Image: Defence Medical Services Crown copyright/PA Wire)

Colburn Grange: up to 450 new homes between Catterick Garrison and Colburn

Just to the west of Catterick Garrison, on land between the garrison and Colburn, a major new housing estate is being proposed.

Developer Keyland has submitted outline plans for up to 450 homes on roughly 20–21 hectares of agricultural land north of Catterick Road, on a site branded Colburn Grange.

The masterplan shows a new neighbourhood with a mix of housing types, green spaces and walking and cycling connections into existing communities.

Residents and campaigners have raised concerns about the number of houses, the impact on roads and services, and the loss of open countryside.

The application is now with North Yorkshire Council, and if approved could see construction begin during the second half of the decade.

A computer generated image of the Colburn Grange development.

What this could mean for Catterick by 2027

By 2027, Catterick Garrison’s Shute Road area is expected to look very different, with a new town square, community and enterprise hub, improved park and better walking and cycling links replacing older buildings and car‑dominated streets.

The integrated care campus should be operating alongside those changes, giving the town a modern health facility that serves both the Army and wider community.

If the Colburn Grange estate is approved, the first phases of up to 450 homes could also be underway, bringing new families into the area and raising fresh questions about traffic, services and the balance between military and civilian life around the garrison.

What do you think of the plans? Let us know in the comments.

The non-binary, newly-elected Green MSP, who uses they/them pronouns, is currently in the UK on a student visa.

A newly elected MSP is applying for a visa renewal to allow them to work in the UK for longer. Dr Q Manivannan, one of two transgender Green MSPs elected this week, is in the process of applying for a graduate visa.

The non-binary politician, who uses they/them pronouns, is in the UK on a student visa but said they will also apply for a global talent visa to allow them to remain in the UK for the duration of their parliamentary career. But some social media users have said their right to work in the UK could be under threat due to their student visa status.

Dr Manivannan said: “Every MSP from every party represented in the Scottish Parliament unanimously voted to allow everyone with the right to live here to stand in elections, including new Scots on visas like me. I am a Commonwealth citizen and am currently on a student visa which will expire later this year. Having passed my grant-funded PhD and viva, I am able to work full-time.

“I am in the process of transitioning to a graduate visa which will allow me to stay in the UK for a further three years. At the same time, I am also applying for a global talent visa, recognising my contributions to the country, which will allow me to stay in the UK for the entire of my parliamentary term and beyond.”

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The MSP, originally from the Tamil Nadu region of India, said the Home Office can be “dehumanising” towards migrants, and that they will seek to change that in their time serving as a politician in the UK. They said: “I am proud of my heritage and who I am. I am also proud to be a voice for all my constituents, including migrants and people on visas who are often shut out of our national debate.

“I am also proud to have been awarded and recognised for my local work in arts and culture, academia, and human rights in Scotland — serving our people during my time here. Scotland is home, in every way. The Scottish Greens want to build a fair and humane system that treats people with dignity and respect rather than the current Home Office system that is costly, difficult, and often dehumanising. With my election, I seek to represent that goal.”

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “It is the responsibility of individual candidates and political parties to ensure that all relevant qualifications for standing for election are met. There is no role for the Parliament in carrying out checks on candidates who are elected.”

Green Party co-leader Gillian Mackay previously said the party would do “anything we can do to support Q” in their renewal process, though she believes it is “unlikely” they will be rejected in their visa renewal. The Home Office was approached for comment.

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Bilateral anophthalmia affects around 1 in 100,000 births

A Salford couple are raising money for some special adaptations for their son who was born without eyes or an optic nerve.

Beth Fair-Lawton gave birth to her second child, Rudy, at the beginning of 2025. “We didn’t know anything was amiss when I was pregnant – everything was fine with the birth,” she told the M.E.N.

“But I noticed he wasn’t opening his eyes. I kept asking the midwife to look but she kept brushing me off, saying it’s normal for C section babies to not open their eyes at first. I was just told they would eventually.”

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But Beth said she had a ‘gut’ feeling that something was off. An eventual scan days later revealed that Rudy had been born without any eyes or optic nerve, known as bilateral anophthalmia, which affects around 1 in 100,000 births.

Further genetic tests showed Rudy has a mutation of one of his SOX2 genes, which is little researched but may be behind his condition and his moderate hearing loss, Beth said.

“Everyone I know who has got pregnant since has asked at their scans to check the baby’s eyes. Their lenses do show up on the ultrasound. It’s not mandatory to check this on NHS scans, even though I’m pretty sure it’s a vital organ,” she continued drily.

“There were times when he was a new-born and we were referred to different hospitals and asked if he had undergone a vision test. I had to keep explaining that he doesn’t have any eyes.

“Knowing beforehand wouldn’t have changed anything for us, but being prepared would have saved us a lot of heartache and a very hard, confusing start to his life.”

Now 16 months old, Rudy has some developmental delays and has frequent hospital appointments and private therapy sessions to manage his condition. He also wears conformers, temporary plastic shells which maintain the shape of the socket and help his face to develop – while giving him the option to wear prosthetic eyes later in life.

“He has started to get up on all fours, he’s hilarious, constantly smiling, the cuddliest boy ever,” Beth said. “He loves to clap and sway and listen to music.

“If he’s been elsewhere, he puts his hands out and feels my face as if to check it’s me. He loves the sun on his face, as soon as he goes outside he will notice it. So he is reaching these milestones, just at his own pace.”

Beth and her partner Andrew are hoping that funds raised through their JustGiving page will help fund adaptations for Rudy, including a new Braille typewriter, an adaptation for a laptop that Rudy can type on at school, a vibration plate to help build his muscles, and adaptations for his hearing aid ‘so we can all watch TV together’.

“Anything on the NHS, you can’t get until he is classed as officially developmentally delayed,” Beth said. “I don’t want to just wait and see. He’s been in private therapy since last summer and there’s no way he would be where he is now without it.

“He has around four appointments a week alongside classes and therapy sessions. My partner works full time but I haven’t even thought about going back. We just about get by financially and are hoping to get him into nursery this autumn.”

Beth said that it had been a hard period for the family but described Rudy as an ‘amazing’ little boy. “It’s about the little wins that to other people might be nothing but to us make it worth it even on the hard days,” she said. “The first time he learned to clap, the first time he sat up on his own.”

Beth said she loved talking about Rudy and didn’t mind answering questions – but wished other could be more understanding of his condition.

“You either get people who are really curious, or people who don’t know what to say so they look away,” she said. “You get people who come up to look at him and other people who usher their children away.

“I wish there was more understanding that, yes it is hard, but with asking questions and talking about it, it’s not a scary thing.”

Anyone wishing to donate to their fundraiser can do so here.

William Gallas has instructed Chelsea’s owners to resist the temptation to appoint either Andoni Iraola or Cesc Fabregas as the club’s next permanent manager.

BlueCo are once again embarking on a search for a new head coach after parting company with Liam Rosenior last month, who ultimately spent just 106 days at the helm.

Chelsea had hoped to persist with the man they hired to replace Enzo Maresca in January, at least until the end of the season, but called time on an experiment that badly backfired on them.

Iraola, who will leave Bournemouth in the summer upon the expiration of his contract, is among the favourites to become the new boss.

Former Chelsea midfielder and two-time Premier League winner Cesc Fabregas, currently enjoying a stunning start to his managerial career at Como, is also prominent in the betting odds.

Gallas, however, believes a seasoned winner is required to transform the mood of the club and has championed the credentials of Diego Simeone, the long-serving Atletico Madrid boss, who would be be capable of ‘creating a dressing room of warriors’.

‘I think it all depends on what you are looking for,’ Gallas told Boyle Sports when asked who Chelsea should appoint next.

‘For the long-term, you can bring in Cesc Fabregas because he is doing well with his club at the moment.

‘He is young and able to speak to a young squad. He’s doing a good job. In the long term, he can bring Chelsea back to the positions where everybody wants to see Chelsea.

‘If you are thinking about the short-term, to have success straight away, they need that experienced head to guide them like Diego Simone and with his personality he can win things very soon with Chelsea.

‘Maybe the Chelsea players need him too because we need to see more warriors and soldiers in the team after what they’ve shown us.

‘I think you need that type of manager who is a little bit more harsh on the players.’

Whoever, ultimately, replaces Rosenoir, their priority should be addressing the recruitment strategy that has ignored the importance of complementing promising youngsters with players with experience under their belts.

‘I have spoken about the problem for many years and I think the people who are in charge of recruiting players, some of them need to be doing a better job,’ added Gallas.

‘They need to understand how important it is to bring experienced players into your squad, especially in your defensive line but also in midfield or in attack. You need experienced players in every line of your team.

‘At centre-back, you need experience in the middle of the backline. As a centre-back, you need to have one player who can control, who can speak to his defenders, who can speak to his midfielders and take the pressure on his shoulders.’

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Durham County Council’s planning committee voted to turn down the application from Unity Living in June 2025, warning that the extra purpose-built student accommodation was not needed.  

But the developer, which said its bid to transform Durham’s Hallgarth Care Home into 48 studio bedspaces would ease local housing pressures, appealed the council’s decision.  

Now, a planning inspector has approved the plans. 

The former Hallgarth Care Home will be converted into studio bedspaces for students. (Image: The Northern Echo)

In its ruling, the government said: “The proposed purpose-built student accommodation would not harm the objective of creating, or maintaining, a mixed and balanced community.”

Unity Living said the development would also meet the needs of the increasing proportion of disabled students studying at the university.  

The planning inspector also agreed with the developer’s statement that the facility would provide additional choice for international students, those who are neurodivergent and students who require accessible accommodation. 

A previous proposal to convert the building into 69 apartments was refused in November 2023 and later failed at appeal amid concerns that there are more students than permanent residents in Durham City.  

Unity Living warned that any further setbacks with the development would impact the wider city area.

“It is clear that such an outcome would have wider implications on the city and county as a whole, given the key role played by Durham University in the local economy, as well as the cultural and heritage offer of the City,” an appeal statement added. 

But the city’s parish council had repeatedly objected to the plans for the site near the university, labelling the development “unacceptable” and adding that it would have “no benefit” to the city or its residents.  

(Image: City of Durham Parish Council)

During the initial planning process, the council and other objectors raised concerns about the amount of shared housing in the area, adding that the proposed scheme would harm the objective of creating a mixed and balanced community. 

Mary Kelly Foy, City of Durham MP, also objected. 

“Given that this area already has issues with the number of people moving through the streets at ‘unsociable hours’, it seems that the introduction of a PBSA would only exacerbate this issue and have an impact on their quality of life,” the Labour MP said. 

A public hearing to discuss the appeal was held at Durham Town Hall in March. 

But the planning inspector ruled in favour of the applicant. 

A decision report added: “Several representations raised concerns regarding the loss of the use of the building as a care home. However, the building was last used as a care home in 2023, and has since remained vacant.”