The Story hosted the Durham County Brass Band Association’s competition on Sunday (May 17), with music running throughout the day from 10am to 5pm.

The event marked the 80th year of the association’s contest and formed part of wider celebrations as the county prepares to mark 20 years of Durham BRASS Festival.

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

A total of 11 bands took part, with performances beginning at 10.30am.

Bands competing in this year’s contest were Bearpark and Esh, Billingham Silver, Craghead Colliery, Dunston Silver, EDMG Peterlee, Felling, Ferryhill Town, Spennymoor Town, Trimdon and Valley Brass.

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Councillor Karen Allison, cabinet member for leisure, tourism, high street and regeneration, before the event said: “We’re delighted to bring families and friends together for the 80th year of the Durham County Brass Band Association’s competition.

“This year, as we prepare to mark 20 years of Durham BRASS Festival, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate a remarkable milestone of music and heritage at The Story.”

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Julie Carmichael, chair of the Durham County Brass Band Association, also added: “This event will showcase brass at its best.

“Families can look forward to fantastic music at a beautiful venue this weekend, and we can’t wait to see audiences making the most of the day.”

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Alongside the competition, families were able to take part in a range of activities.

Face painting was available, while children also took part in arts and crafts in the venue’s Search and Discover area, where they could design their own badge and banner.

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham brass Band competition at The Story, Durham (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Visitors were also able to use the on-site café and a number of street food vans throughout the day.

The event received £700 in councillor grant funding from Cllr Elizabeth Scott and Cllr Liz Brown.

Results have not yet been released but can be found here, when they have been processed.

Defence counsel Mark Farrell told District Judge Amanda Brady “there has been a misuse of the statutory time limits”

A police officer was today charged with an indictable common assault, alleged to have been committed six years ago.

38-year-old Lauren Murphy, who was not present in person at the hearing before Newtownards Magistrates Court, was charged with common assault (indictable), alleged to have been committed against a male complainant on 22 April 2020.

Defence counsel Mark Farrell told the court he intends to lodge an application to stay the proceedings against the defendant, whose address was given as c/o PSNI Brooklyn.

He added that while “there is a bit of a background, it’s a fairly net point” which he intended to set out in a brief skeleton argument. When District Judge Amanda Brady asked what the net issue is, Mr Farrell told her the defence contend “there has been a misuse of the statutory time limits”.

Adding that the “nature of the charge is highly unusual for this court,” he suggested timetabling the lodging of skeleton arguments from both sides, before the court hears submissions.

Judge Brady agreed and adjourned the case to 22 June.

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Listed building consent is being sought for works to the White Bridge in Berw Road, Pontypridd

Works are planned to secure the long-term structural integrity of a bridge in Pontypridd. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is seeking listed building consent for a series of works required to secure the structural integrity of Berw Road Bridge, also known as the White Bridge

The works include the removal of waterproofing applied to both abutments as well as removal or potential relining of the gunite to both abutments of the bridge.

They also include a new lighting arrangement on the bridge, masonry repairs to the northwest retaining wall, and footway improvements on the south side of bridge.

Of the works included within the listed building consent application the removal of waterproofing to the abutments is retrospective as is the new lighting arrangement.

A planning committee report for Thursday, May 21, says it is understood informal agreement was sought by Cadw prior to the works commencing.

A heritage impact assessment has indicated recent works have mitigated the immediate risks to the structure’s integrity and repaired the bridge to ensure that it can remain open and functional.

It also states additional works are proposed to maintain and restore the structure to reduce ongoing deterioration to the structure and further prolong the life of the bridge.

The bridge is a Grade II-listed building which is listed primarily for the rarity of the construction method used to create the bridge with the bridge belonging to the first generation of reinforced concrete construction. Get the latest Ponty news first by signing up to our newsletter here

The type of structure is considered to be rare within Wales with few examples present.

In recommending the application be approved subject to a favourable referral to Cadw planning officers at the council said: “The works are to Berw Bridge which is a historic structure that is at risk of becoming compromised as a result of water ingress and seepage into the structure.

“As the works proposed are intended to ensure the long-term structural integrity of the bridge as well as to protect the special historical and architectural significance of the bridge it is considered that the works would be acceptable.”

They add: “The proposed works requiring consent would be in keeping with the special architectural and historic importance of the listed building.

“The works are required to ensure the structural integrity of the structure and would provide greater protection from water seepage.”

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed, Christopher Henry, 57, of Thornhill Road in Tameside, faces three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The charges relate to a collision on July 21, 2025, in which a double-decker bus struck the Bridgewater Canal Aqueduct on Barton Road, Eccles.

A 19-year-old woman and two men, one in his 20s and another in his 40s, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Seventeen other people were treated at the scene for injuries described as non-life threatening or life-changing.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 3pm.

Greater Manchester Police said the bus had travelled off its expected route before colliding with the low-level aqueduct.

The bridge had height restriction warnings, including hanging chains and signage.

The impact tore the roof off the top deck and caused one passenger to be ejected from the bus.

Mr Henry has been bailed and is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 15 September 2026.

A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene

A woman has been left with potentially life-changing or life-threatening injuries following a three-car crash near the Cambridgeshire border. The crash happened at around 10.53am on Sunday, May 17, on the A47 near Terrington St John in Norfolk.

The crash involved a grey Audi, which was travelling in the direction of Wisbech, a grey VW Tayron, and a red Vauxhall Corsa, that were travelling in the same direction. The driver of the Tayron, a woman in her 50s was taken to hospital by air ambulance with potentially life-changing or life-threatening injuries. The drivers of the other two vehicles had minor injuries.

A road closure was put in place on the slip road at Terrington St John while emergency services attended to the scene. A man in his 40s, who was driving the grey Audi, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was taken to King’s Lynn Police Investigation Centre. He was bailed to return to the police on Monday, May 25.

Norfolk Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or has information about the manner of driving before the incident as well as anyone with dashcam footage. You can contact the police via the force website quoting the reference NC-17052026-141.

You can also call 101. If you want to report anything anonymously, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

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Britain is expected to edge closer to inking in a long-anticipated free trade agreement with the oil-rich Gulf nations. The six Gulf Cooperation Council states – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait – are on the verge of signing the deal after two years of talks with the British government. Jasem al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC, in London this week, is likely to finalise the remaining detail before returning to brief the members ahead of a formal signing. It will be seized upon by both sides as a welcome boost. Here, Sir Keir Starmer’s regime is under pressure, while the GCC members are having to contend with the US-Israeli war against Iran, drone and missile strikes and disruption to oil and gas shipments, and harm to their previously booming economies. UK principal beneficiaries are likely to be luxury cars, financial services, industrial goods, food and drink.

The victim was found on the ground with a wound to his neck

A man stabbed another motorist over a parking dispute on New Year’s Eve. Jameel Ali, 24, was approached by a man at about 4pm on December 31, 2023, in Windmill Street in Peterborough.

When the man, who is in his 30s, asked Ali to move his car forward so another vehicle could park on the street, the pair argued. Ali then headbutted the man and stabbed his neck with what the victim described as a knife. The 24-year-old ran off and police were called.

According to Cambridgeshire Police, officers found the victim on the ground with a wound to his neck, described as consistent with a stab wound. He was taken to Peterborough City Hospital for treatment, before being transferred to Addenbrookes’ Hospital, in Cambridge, for specialist assessment.

Ali’s vehicle was identified and he was arrested two days later. He denied assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent but was found guilty following a trial at Cambridge Crown Court in January. Ali, of St Pauls Road in Peterborough, was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday, May 15 at the same court.

DC Lloyd Davis said: “This incident could have been much, much, worse. It is only luck that the victim was not more seriously injured. I’m pleased Ali was identified, apprehended and has now received a significant custodial sentence for his actions. I also hope the conclusion of the court proceedings will enable the victim to put this experience behind him.”

New figures from HM Revenue and Customs reveal that more than 30% of parents fail to claim Child Benefit during their baby’s first year.

That means huge numbers of families could be losing out on vital support at a time when household bills, childcare costs and everyday expenses are soaring.

HMRC is now urging parents who welcomed a baby this spring to act quickly and submit a claim online or through the HMRC app.

The warning comes as more than 6.8 million families across the UK already receive the payments – worth up to £1,406.60 a year for a first child.

Parents can also receive £930.80 a year for each additional child, with no limit on how many children can be included in a claim.

But there is a catch many families do not know about.

Child Benefit can only be backdated for three months, meaning parents who delay too long could permanently lose money they were entitled to.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Spring is a wonderful time to welcome a baby and claiming Child Benefit as soon as possible means your family can benefit from much-needed financial support.

“It is quick and easy to claim Child Benefit via the HMRC app at a time that suits you.”

📢 Parents – don’t miss out this summer! 🌞

If your child is over 16 and staying in education or approved training, your Child Benefit can continue – but you need to act. 🚨

Check and extend your claim now using the HMRC app or online now. 👇https://t.co/se9CKHarEv

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Cymraeg… pic.twitter.com/qNbyu7502s

— HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) May 15, 2026

Parents can apply just 48 hours after registering their baby’s birth.

To make a claim, families need their child’s birth or adoption certificate, bank details and National Insurance numbers.

Experts say many parents wrongly assume Child Benefit is only for low-income households – but millions still qualify even if one parent earns over £60,000.

Although higher earners may have to repay some of the money through the High Income Child Benefit Charge, claiming is still considered important because it protects National Insurance credits linked to the State Pension.

Failing to claim could also affect future entitlements.

Parents who claim Child Benefit automatically ensure their child receives a National Insurance number at age 16, while the award notice can also help families access other benefits and support.

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HMRC says most payments are made automatically every four weeks directly into a bank account once a claim has been approved.

The team has also released guidance videos online explaining how parents can apply digitally in minutes.

For many families struggling with rising living costs, experts say checking eligibility now could make a significant difference before valuable payments are lost for good.

Born in Leicestershire and educated at Stamford School, Smith represented his home county and Oxford University before joining Warwickshire.

He captained the Bears from 1957 to 1967 and scored 39,832 first-class runs in 637 matches during his county career, the 18th-highest total of all time.

Smith still holds the Warwickshire record for most runs in a single season after scoring 2,417 runs in 1959 and was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1960.

He remained involved with cricket after his retirement as a player, as chairman of Warwickshire and also as an ICC match referee, officiating in four Tests and 17 ODIs.

A dual international, Smith played rugby union for Oxford University and Leicester and won a cap for England against Wales in January 1956.