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Gateshead’s Thirft Energy Group becomes employee owned

Published

2 months ago

30 January 2026

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The group hopes to see more growth on the back of the Government’s £15bn Warm Homes Plan

Thrift Energy Group has transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust.

From left: Peter Anditt, contracts manager; Josh Raffo, commercial director; Claire Wright, operations manager, and Robert Browne, managing director.(Image: Thrift Energy Group)

Energy efficiency installer Thrift Energy Group says it has become among the largest employee owned firms in its sector.

The Gateshead-based provider of boiler replacement, wall insulation and solar panels, among other services, has transitioned to become an employee owned trust (EOT). The move sees founder Derek Campbell step down to become non-executive chairman after more than four decades in the industry, with directors Rob Browne and Josh Raffo continuing to lead the business which includes Thrift Energy and Provincial Seals.

Thrift says the decision follows a period of investment including recruiting to grow its headcount to 116, with the majority of employs based at its Gateshead headquarters. Last year the group saw turnover of more than £24m, up from £16.2m, with operating profit having climbed from £1.9m to £4.5m.

The group has taken advantage of the UK Government’s support for renewables installation and is eyeing growth on the back of the £15bn Warm Homes Plan, which aims to cut bills over the next five years through increased use of solar energy and heat pumps. Thrift says an estimated 14.4% of North East homes are in fuel poverty and it has helped thousands of UK homes and businesses unlock more than £96m in Government funding, while reskilling and upskilling the green energy workers.

Rob Browne, managing director, said: “When we looked at the future of Thrift Energy Group, we explored all the options, but what became clear very quickly was that we didn’t want anything to change. We’ve loved building this business alongside our team, and we want to keep doing that – focusing on our customers, culture, values and people. An EOT allows us to do that, with the added benefit that our team now gets to share in our financial success too.”

Josh Raffo, commercial director, added: “We were determined to ensure Thrift remained a Gateshead business, supporting people across the North East and creating jobs in the region, while also building the capacity and capability needed to scale delivery as national retrofit programmes ramp up and play a key role in lifting local people out of fuel poverty.

“As an employee-owned business, one of our key priorities for 2026 is the introduction of The Thrift Energy Group Academy. This will be one of the first initiatives we focus on as we continue to invest in upskilling our team, including the creation of apprenticeship opportunities. By supporting our people to gain further qualifications and providing clear career progression pathways, we’re strengthening both our workforce and the service we deliver to our customers.”

NewsBeat

Northern Echo’s Best Restaurant 2026 top ten finalists revealed

Published

6 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Northern Echo's Best Restaurant 2026 top ten finalists revealed

It’s no secret that there are some fantastic spots to get some great grub across the region, a place home to so many talented and dedicated restaurants.

And this year we’ve once again been looking to shine a spotlight on the best of the best, along with the help of our readers.

We can now reveal the top ten finalists in our competition – and we want you to now vote for your favourite.

This year’s top ten are:

Burtree Inn – Burtree Gate, Darlington, DL2 2XZ
Stable Hearth – 33-35 Duke Street, Darlington, DL3 7RX
Taipan Asia – 10 Crown Street, Darlington, DL1 1LU
Tawny Owl – Neasham Road, Hurworth Moor, Darlington, DL3 1QE
The Bay Horse – 45 The Green, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, DL2 2AA
The Bridge Inn – The Green, Stapleton, DL2 2QQ
The Crown at Mickleton – Mickleton, Barnard Castle, DL12 0JZ
The Ivy Tree – Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3RY
The Loft Steakhouse & Grill – 10 Crown Street, Darlington, DL1 1LU
The Talbot – 47–49 The Green, Bishopton, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 1HE

To vote, you simply need to cut out a coupon printed in The Northern Echo this week and next. You have until Wednesday, April 22 to vote for your favourite.

In the meantime, we’ll be highlighting each of the restaurants and gastropubs in our top ten to help you decide which one to vote for.

The Northern Echo editor Gavin Foster said: “We have some fantastic restaurants across Darlington and County Durham and our best restaurant or gastropub competition is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on that.

“We are delighted to once again be launching our search for the best of the best. Get your votes in now!”

To vote, you simply need to cut out a coupon printed in The Northern Echo this week and next. You have until

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The White House Easter Egg Roll explained

Published

12 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The White House Easter Egg Roll explained

Last year’s activities included a Best Hopscotch competition, play garden, a reading nook, Best Military Card Writing Station and more.

But the crown jewel of the event every year in the White House Easter Egg Roll and Egg Hunt. First Lady Melania Trump announced the details for the 148th White House Easter Egg Roll which is set to take place on Monday, April 6 in Washington.

This year, the White House Easter Egg Roll will honor America’s 250th birthday by incorporating patriotic themes throughout the event and each year there is a ticket lottery for people to apply to join in.

The event sees children given wooden eggs to partake in a host of games and activities from rolling competitions to egg races on the lawns of the White House.

Here’s everything we know about the tradition.

What is the White House Easter Egg Roll?

The White House Easter Egg Roll is a historic annual event held on the South Lawn on Easter Monday for children aged 13 and younger, featuring egg rolling races, games, and entertainment.

It is one of the oldest annual events at the White House. Newspaper accounts from as early as 1872 recount stories of children of all ages joining together to roll eggs on the west side of the Presidential Capitol grounds.

But it all came to an end when families and their children apparently caused such a ruckus on the congressional grounds in 1876 that the Turf Protection Law was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant citing landscape concerns and stopping the grounds from being used for egg rolling fun.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, stand with the Easter bunny as they participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The egg rolling party was rained out in 1876 and in 1878 notice was posted that children would not be allowed to roll eggs at the Capitol.

In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes instructed his guards to let the youngsters through the gates again after becoming aware of their disappointment.

From then – and barring times of war – an annual egg rolling event has been held on the South Lawn.

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The supplements to take this spring (and the ones to ditch)

Published

26 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The supplements to take this spring (and the ones to ditch)

Just when you thought you’d nailed your supplement routine, we’re here to tell you that you might need to shake things up for spring.

After what feels like the longest winter, the days are finally getting lighter and brighter, and with the change in weather comes the perfect time to kickstart a path to a healthier life. You might already feel like you’re striving to do everything right — racking up your plant points each week, working out consistently, getting your sleep hygiene in place and trying your best to keep a lid on stress, but taking a seasonal approach to wellness can give your efforts an extra boost.

Supplements can play a part in supporting your health, but rather than viewing them as a quick fix, think of streamlining your routine to sync with the seasons. That said, it’s always wise to consult a registered healthcare professional, such as a nutritionist, before introducing new supplements. And remember, supplements should complement (not replace) a balanced diet, since nourishing your body through whole foods should always come first. As winter fades and we welcome spring, certain nutrients may become more important — here’s an overview of what to consider.

The change in seasons naturally brings with it a fluctuations in the microbiome as your diet, environment, and activities change. Longer days often mean more travel, al fresco dining, and shifts in routine, all of which can temporarily disrupt gut balance. A probiotic during these months may help maintain healthy gut flora, support digestion, and keep your immune system strong. It’s always worth choosing formulations that contain multiple well-studied strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, to maximise the benefits across your digestive system.

The noise around collagen has been loud for a while now, and with good reason. This protein (which is the most abundant protein in the body) supports skin elasticity, hydration, and overall firmness. During spring and summer, increased sun exposure and higher temperatures (they don’t have to be that high to cause an effect) can accelerate moisture loss and the breakdown of collagen in the skin. Supplementing with collagen (especially hydrolysed collagen peptides) may help maintain skin hydration, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and support natural repair processes. Combining collagen with vitamin C-rich foods can further enhance collagen synthesis and help protect skin from seasonal environmental stressors. Most collagen supplements contain animal derivatives, however, there are vegan alternatives available, meaning you can easily find an option that works for you.

You don’t have to be an athlete or even a seasoned gym-goer to benefit from including electrolytes in your routine. Crucial for maintaining fluid balance, muscle function, and nerve signalling, these minerals are lost through sweat. Even modest increases in temperature can leave you feeling fatigued, sluggish, or prone to cramps — which is when the benefits of electrolytes shines.

While UK summers aren’t exactly Dubai-esque, the Met Office predicts 2026 will be among the four warmest years on record, with March already experiencing unusually high temperatures. Replenishing electrolytes through hydration on these hotter than usual days with mineral-rich foods, or targeted supplements can help sustain energy levels, support workout performance, and keep your body functioning at its best during the warmer weather. Electrolytes usually come in powder sachets or dissolvable tabs, making them easy to add to water to stay hydrated on the go.

Magnesium is an ‘all rounder’ mineral that supports everything from stress to sleep, so generally speaking, it’s one of those supplements that you could probably do with topping up. Magnesium is utilised by the body to support hundred of day-to-day processes and it’s readily available in foods like dark green leafy veg, nuts, seeds and legumes. Yet even with a balanced diet, many people don’t get enough, especially during periods of stress when the body uses more. Certain medications such as some antibiotics, and acid reflux proton pump inhibitors can lower absorption rates, and even taking GLP-1 medications can also lower levels due to reduced appetite. Magnesium bisglycinate or citrate are two of the highly absorbable forms to choose when it comes to supplementing.

In the spring and summer months Vitamin C can be obtained from eating well

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The supplements you might no longer need

The nutrients that may be less essential during spring…

We need vitamin D for brain health and bone health, and unlike most other vitamins, which are readily absorbed from our diets, our main source of vitamin D comes from sunlight. From March to September, the sun’s UVB rays are high enough in the sky to penetrate through our skin, so unless you fall into a category of people that might need to supplement all year round (such as people with darker skin, shift workers and the elderly), you are probably ok to ditch the bottle over the spring and summer months.

In winter, vitamin C supplements are often used as a buffer against colds and infections. By spring, exposure to sunlight, more activity, and fewer circulating viruses reduce that pressure. That’s not to say vitamin C isn’t important, but you’ll be able to obtain it from seasonal fruits and vegetables like strawberries, citrus, spinach, and peppers which the body is generally able to absorb well.

Energy levels often slump in winter, which is why CoQ10, a compound that facilitates cellular energy production is a popular supplement to take during the darker, colder months when fatigue can feel more pronounced. In summer, however, your energy naturally benefits from longer daylight hours, increased physical activity, and given that your body usually produces enough on its own when you’re active and eating well, you might be able to sidestep supplementing with an energy-boosting supplement such as CoQ10 and include lots of CoQ10 foods such as oily fish including salmon and sardines, nuts and seeds, chicken and spinach in your diet.

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Former North Yorkshire foster child praises Harrogate family

Published

32 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Former North Yorkshire foster child praises Harrogate family

Ashley Smith, 23, spent 13 years in care from age eight, alongside his twin brother Nathan, for nine of those years.

Mr Smith is one of four siblings and lived with three different foster families during his time in care.

He said: “I would ask more local families to think about fostering and offering a safe and loving home to a child who needs one, and I would especially ask for brothers and sisters to be kept together whenever possible.”

He credits his progress to his final foster carers, Diane and Stuart Kelly from Harrogate.

Ashley with his final foster parents Diane and Stuart Kelly from Harrogate (Image: North Yorkshire Council)

He added: “They offered a warm and loving home where I felt I belonged.

“Diane and Stuart have done a lot for me emotionally and financially too.

“Truly caring and treating a young person as part of the family makes all the difference.”

Ashley now lives in York and is studying children, young people, and society at university, where he then hopes to become a social worker.

Cllr Janet Sanderson, executive member for children and families at North Yorkshire Council, said: “We are incredibly proud of Ashley and everything he has achieved.”

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The healing power of a multi-generational stay at Lakes by Yoo

Published

44 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The healing power of a multi-generational stay at Lakes by Yoo

Hotel rooms, cabins and apartments are all available for rent and included in the price are the endless lakes, woodlands and meadows to romp in. It would be impossible to get bored here, with paddleboarding, fresh-water wild swimming, cycling, kayaking, zip wire, archery, bushcraft and tennis all on the menu.

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York Green Party activist recognised for Ukraine work

Published

59 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

York Green Party activist recognised for Ukraine work

Mike Kearney, a National Education Union (NEU) representative, received the award at the NEU’s national conference in Brighton for his solidarity work supporting teachers in Ukraine.

Daniel Kebede, president of the union, said: “Congratulations to Michael for his exemplary international solidarity work.

“Michael’s commitments to Ukraine’s teachers and pupils have been unwavering.”

Mr Kearney is travelling with support from the NEU Ukraine Solidarity Network (Image: York Green Party)

Mr Kearney was honoured for his ongoing efforts to support Ukrainian teachers and students, and is travelling with support from the NEU Ukraine Solidarity Network.

On April 2, he set off from Brighton in a van delivering aid to Ukraine.

The van included educational materials donated by York schools, along with Easter eggs for children and families.

He will leave the van in Ukraine to assist with ongoing aid delivery.

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