Paul McTaggart

England

Digital Audience Content Editor at Newsquest

Reporter for Newsquest, working on @newsandstar @whitehavennews, @timesandstar and @cumbnews • All my own views • Story? [email protected]

Articles

Sunshine snaps from the Hexham Courant Camera Club

1 day ago | hexham-courant.co.uk | Paul McTaggart

Winshield Crags trig point next to Hadrian's Wall (Image: CD Imagery) We're excited to share some fresh images submitted this week, all captured by the talented members of the Hexham Courant Camera Club. You can join our Camera Club on Facebook here and start sharing your pictures with us to be featured in our weekly newspaper and online.
Carlisle chippy marks 40 years and life of dad with hospice fundraiser

1 day ago | newsandstar.co.uk | Paul McTaggart

On St George's Day (April 23), Fontanas Chip Shop donated the full proceeds from every portion of chips sold to the hospice, in honour and celebration of the family-run business reaching its 40th anniversary. For the sisters who now run the shop, Samantha Dixon and Emma Ward, the milestone was 'bittersweet' however, coming just a few months after the death of their dad, Davy Foster, who established the London Road shop in 1985 and had also raised money for the hospice throughout his life.
Plans to turn former Central Plaza site into 104-bedroom hotel

1 day ago | newsandstar.co.uk | Paul McTaggart

Cumberland Council has announced that Whitbread PLC, the parent company of the Premier Inn hotel chain, has been secured for the former Central Plaza site in Carlisle. The 'Citadel View' site was previously home to the Grade II Central Plaza Hotel, which was demolished and cleared during 2020 after falling into disrepair in 2011. It has been ownerless for several years and was subject to escheat by the Crown Estate.
Carlisle school announces four major projects including padel facility

2 days ago | newsandstar.co.uk | Paul McTaggart

Alongside the increasingly popular racket sport facility, Austin Friars, based in Etterby Scaur, has announced they will be creating a 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP), an art and design centre, and a food technology department. Chris Hattam, headmaster at Austin Friars, hopes that making sports like padel locally accessible will inspire a new generation of athletes.
City centre brewery looking to cement spot as 'go-to hub' for live music

2 days ago | newsandstar.co.uk | Paul McTaggart

In recent months, West Walls Brewing Co. has seen capacity crowds brought together by a creative mixture of musical talent. One such event, 'One Giant Step For Man', organised by Craig Bright (Black Foliage), featured a blend of jazz vinyl DJ sets and live music from the Jam’d Jazz Quartet, a young group from Trinity School, performing their first proper gig. The event consisted of jazz vinyl sets and 20-minute live sets from the quartet over six hours.
Fundraising campaign sees more than £16,000 raised for disadvantaged youngsters

1 week ago | newsandstar.co.uk | Paul McTaggart

Caldew Lea Primary and Matalan were among those contributing. Carlisle's Civic Centre was also adorned in the charity's colours (Image: Supplied) A fundraising campaign has raised more than £16,000 to support disadvantaged children and young people in Cumbria and southwest Scotland. The initiative was part of a national effort by Cash for Kids, a charity that supports those youngsters affected by poverty, abuse, neglect, life-limiting illness, and additional needs.
Sycamore Gap felling 'mindless thuggery' - prosecution closing statements

1 week ago | nwemail.co.uk | Paul McTaggart

A court artist sketch of Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers appearing in the dock at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court (Image: Elizabeth Cook/PA) TWO former friends accused of cutting down the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree committed the “arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery,” thinking it would be “a bit of a laugh”, a jury has been told.
Sycamore Gap felling 'mindless thuggery' - prosecution closing statements

1 week ago | newsandstar.co.uk | Paul McTaggart

A court artist sketch of Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers appearing in the dock at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court (Image: Elizabeth Cook/PA) TWO former friends accused of cutting down the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree committed the “arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery,” thinking it would be “a bit of a laugh”, a jury has been told.
Appeal for witnesses following tragic death of 14-year-old boy in Gateshead

1 week ago | hexham-courant.co.uk | Paul McTaggart

Floral tributes left at the scene of the fire (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA) POLICE are appealing for further witnesses to come forward following the tragic death of 14-year-old Layton Carr. A total of 16 people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the incident at Fairfield Industrial Park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead on Friday evening (May 2). They have since been released on police bail.
Carlisle's Border City Centurions to host flag football tournament

1 week ago | newsandstar.co.uk | Paul McTaggart

Barry Waters and Edward Johnson of Border City Centurions (Image: Supplied) A rapidly growing sport is set to showcase some of the North’s finest talents at an upcoming tournament in Carlisle this weekend. Teams from Lancaster, Manchester, Warrington and more will be taking to the field and competing in the British American Football Association’s National Flag Football League (NFFL) Division 1 tournament, hosted by the Border City Centurions.