Ashley Barnard

Richmond

Community Content Editor and Reporter at The Northern Echo

Community Content Editor at The Northern Echo Teessider living in North Yorkshire [email protected]

Articles

One of the north east's biggest leisure facilities make top ten in our search

5 days ago | thenorthernecho.co.uk | Ashley Barnard

Planet Leisure, Newton Aycliffe pictured manager Oliver Johnson (Image: Sarah Caldecott) A planet of action-packed leisure facilities has made the top ten of The Northern Echo's Best Indoor Family Entertainment competition. Planet Leisure, in Maple Way, Newton Aycliffe, boasts laser quest, a trampoline park, roller skating, bowling alley, crazy golf and arcade games.
Darlington skate park for young adrenaline seekers hits top ten

6 days ago | thenorthernecho.co.uk | Ashley Barnard

Best of pictured Will Greaves and Olly Graham of 4Motion, Darlington ONE of the largest and best skate parks in the region has made the top ten of The Northern Echo’s Best of Indoor Family Entertainment competition. 4Motion, at Faverdale, Darlington, is run by Olly Graham, but was opened around 10 years ago by Nigel Potter who saw the need for the facility in the town, which now has 25,000 users a year.
Darlington charity among finalists in family entertainment poll

1 week ago | thenorthernecho.co.uk | Ashley Barnard

2 1/1 A charity which specialises in giving children access to the best theatre and creative activities has made the top ten of The Northern Echo's Best Indoor Family Entertainment competition. Theatre Hullabaloo, in Darlington, is a registered charity and one of the UK’s leading children’s arts organisations.
Newton Aycliffe soft play with ‘chips to die for’ in Echo's top ten

1 week ago | thenorthernecho.co.uk | Ashley Barnard

A soft play which has seen the same management team running it since it opened 22 years ago is in the top ten of The Northern Echo’s Best Indoor Family Entertainment competition. Ruff ‘n’ Tumble Adventure World, in 2000 Millennium Way, Newton Aycliffe, is owned by Darren and Andrea Peckitt, but managed since day one by Diane Edwardson. Diane said: “I have been here since it opened, and all of the other full time staff have been here at least ten years.
Rail enthusiasts' heaven makes top ten of Echo 'best of' competition

1 week ago | thenorthernecho.co.uk | Ashley Barnard

3 1/1 A FEAST for railway fans young and old has made The Northern Echo's Best of Indoor Family Entertainment top ten. Locomotion, in Shildon, is on track for an action-packed 2025, as the nation marks the North East’s seminal role in railway history.
The little land of play 'destined' to be fun makes Echo final

1 week ago | msn.com | Ashley Barnard

Microsoft Cares About Your PrivacyMicrosoft and our third-party vendors use cookies to store and access information such as unique IDs to deliver, maintain and improve our services and ads. If you agree, MSN and Microsoft Bing will personalise the content and ads that you see. You can select ‘I Accept’ to consent to these uses or click on ‘Manage preferences’ to review your options and exercise your right to object to Legitimate Interest where used.
The little land of play 'destined' to be fun makes Echo final

1 week ago | thenorthernecho.co.uk | Ashley Barnard

Little Land of Adventures owner Brittany Davison and Se7en Johnson, 3 Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT IT FELT like fate for the imaginative play centre owner who took on the building, which was formerly a nursery where she had completed her childcarer training. Little Land of Adventures in Ferryhill, now run by Brittany Davison, 25, of Darlington, has made the top ten of The Northern Echo's Best Indoor Family Entertainment competition.
Historic railway attraction finalist in Echo best indoor family entertainment

2 weeks ago | thenorthernecho.co.uk | Ashley Barnard

2 1/1 A Darlington visitor attraction which celebrates the history of the Stockton & Darlington railway has been named as a finalist in The Northern Echo's search for the Best Indoor Family Entertainment. Hopetown, a vibrant celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, opened last summer to much acclaim from visitors of all ages.
Young County Durham swimmer with Olympic dreams secures multiple golds

2 weeks ago | msn.com | Ashley Barnard

Microsoft Cares About Your PrivacyMicrosoft and our third-party vendors use cookies to store and access information such as unique IDs to deliver, maintain and improve our services and ads. If you agree, MSN and Microsoft Bing will personalise the content and ads that you see. You can select ‘I Accept’ to consent to these uses or click on ‘Manage preferences’ to review your options and exercise your right to object to Legitimate Interest where used.
How young people and veterans are coming together in this town

2 weeks ago | thenorthernecho.co.uk | Ashley Barnard

2 1/1 TWO organisations have joined forces to help their local community – benefitting young people, veterans and older residents. Veteran Steven Foster, from charity Veterans Activities for Mental Health (VAMH), also works at alternative education provider Education Plus North East, and saw that both could support the other. Education Plus NE has centres in Durham, Shildon and Middlesbrough.