Latest news with #THENORTHERNECHO
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Manjaros set to open brand new restaurant in County Durham
A popular chain restaurant with venues across the country is set to open brand new place in County Durham Excitement is building in Peterlee as new signs go up for Manjaros have appeared at the York Road shops, confirming that the popular chain restaurant is bringing its unique flavours to the town. Known for its bold fusion of African and Caribbean cuisine, Manjaros has become a firm favourite across the UK, especially in the North East- and Peterlee will soon host the brand's 12th venue in the region and 19th overall. Signs go up for new Manjaros in Peterlee (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) New signs can be seen on the windows at York Road shops and has caught the attention of locals, sparking plenty of buzz on social media as fans of the restaurant eagerly await the official opening date. Recently, Manjaros has been the place for celebrities as the likes of Ricky Tomlinson, Paddy McGuinness and James Haskell have been spotted with the 'iconic' orange takeaway boxes. This latest expansion follows a decade of rapid growth for the brand, which first opened in Middlesbrough back in 2012. READ MORE: Manjaros set to open new restaurant in Middlesbrough Paddy McGuinness spotted with parmo at Teesside takeaway Bez from Happy Mondays gets Manjaros Middlesbrough Parmo Since then, it's become especially known for its signature take on the Teesside classic, the parmo, and was even name-dropped in BBC3's hit series Smoggie Queens. Manjaros has grown significantly over the past decade, with locations now spanning the UK, including Darlington, Middlesbrough, Ingleby Barwick, Billingham, Sunderland, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, London Ilford, Preston, Huddersfield, London Southall, London Leyton, London Brick Lane, Leicester and delivery services in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Redcar. Further details about the new site and an opening date remain scarce at the moment.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'A sight to see': Huge crowds cheer 1,200 bikers in record-breaking Durham Easter run
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Darlington as a record-breaking 1,200 bikers revved their way through town for the Durham Easter Egg Run 2025. Easter bunnies, minions, and even a few of the Avengers took over the roads on Easter Sunday (April 20) as the highly-anticipated charity event returned. It took about 25 minutes for all bikers to make their way along Woodland Road into Darlington Memorial Hospital, beeping their horns as ecstatic onlookers waved on. The event has been a staple since 2005 when just a few hundred bikers took part - but this year, a staggering 1197 joined in, the most ever. The Durham Easter Egg Run 2025 (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) The Durham Easter Egg Run 2025 (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) Organiser Graeme Mills, 51, who runs the event alongside Tony Hudspith, said he 'couldn't believe' the 'unbelievable' turnout from both the public and participants. Graeme, from Haswell, told The Northern Echo: 'It was 897 I think last year… I never expected to get 1,200 this year. Organiser Graeme Mills (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) 'It's quite emotional and overwhelming but because we've had the police support this year, and everything's run pretty smoothly. It's all gone quite well. 'We've got the staff at the hospitals coming out, and the public support lining the streets on the way down was absolutely phenomenal. 'It was brilliant and it's great to see the amount of people that show their support for the NHS and the charities that we support.' The Durham Easter Egg Run 2025 (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) The Durham Easter Egg Run 2025 (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) The bikers set off from the Durham Tesco in Dragonville at 10am, travelling en-masse to Darlington Hospital and arriving at around 11am. The break meant children had a chance to see the bikes up close and personal and so people could deliver Easter eggs to the children's wards. Biker Jean Parker only passed her test last year, having spent the best part of the last three decades riding on the back of bikes - so today was special. Biker Jean Parker (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) 'It is amazing', she told The Northern Echo on her break at the hospital. 'All the groups are just incredible, they really club together to help out. 'It makes you feel part of a big family.' The 53-year-old really got into the spirit of the event, throwing on a bunny costume and adding some face paint to complete the look. 'I've been eating dandelions', Jean, who was watched on by her brother, two nephews, niece, and three cousins, joked. The Durham Easter Egg Run 2025 (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) The Durham Easter Egg Run 2025 (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) 'My partner has been riding for years but I passed my test at the end of the season last year. 'It is totally different riding when you are in charge of your own bike, it's amazing. I never thought so many people would come out. 'It gives you little butterflies in the tummy.' Hundreds of people watched along Woodland Road as the bikers arrived, flocking to greet them before they returned to Durham to deliver eggs to the University Hospital. Stephanie Bagley, 38, who watched on with William, five, said she didn't know how many bikes to expect and was thrilled with the turnout. 'It goes quite quick actually', she said. 'The kids are there going 'look at that one! Now look at that one!' William's favourite was Captain America'. Rachel Lister, who was watching with Glenis Harrison, said: 'It's good fun. It's just a nice thing to do on Easter Sunday. Rachel Lister and Glenis Harrison (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) 'It's an impressive sight and I love the effort that people put in with the bikes and costumes.' Glenis added: 'It's part of our tradition on Easter Sunday, we do it every year. Rachel's husband Graham does the bike and it's our other granddaughter on the back of the bike. 'We walk down, it's a family thing, and then we'll go back and have Easter lunch together, 13 of us! So it's just part of the tradition.' One onlooker, who wished to remain anonymous, branded the event as 'amazing': 'It is outstanding how many bikers there were. It's just fantastic'. The Durham Easter Egg Run 2025 (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) The Durham Easter Egg Run 2025 (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) Another woman said it was 'absolutely fabulous', adding: 'There are all these horrible things going on in the world but this is kindness. It's just lovely. 'I live over the road so I usually watch from there but I thought I would turn up at the hospital. There seems to have been an awful lot of bikers this time which is lovely.' Some of the charities benefitting from the run today include the Teenage Cancer Trust, Stray Aid, Feeding Families, Miles for Men, and the Northumbria Blood Bikes, among others. At the time of writing, more than £5,000 had been raised on the GoFundMe page, with hundreds more expected from fundraising across the day. Read More: Jaw-dropping bird's nest arena to be built at new Bishop Auckland theme park La Piazza to open restaurant 'very soon' on Yarm High Street Popular Darlington nightclub confirms permanent closure Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. . Graeme said it was 'quite the sight to see' - and was proud of everyone taking part. He said: 'I'm pleased so many people have come out to support what we do, because without the support of the public and the bikers, Durham Easter Egg Run wouldn't happen.' You can donate to the fundraiser here:
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Portillo spotted at Stockton and Darlington Railway 200 event
Much-loved presenter Michael Portillo has been spotted in County Durham at a Stockton and Darlington Railway 200 event. The railway travel documentary presenter, was seen at the 'All Change' event at the Kynren site in Bishop Auckland today, March 29. This event marks the official launch of the Stockton and Darlington Railway's 200th-anniversary celebrations. Michael Portillo at the D&S200 launch event (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) The event, part of the year-long programme, features large-scale performances, projection mapping, original music, and drone displays, with up to 100 community performers highlighting two centuries of railway history. Portillo, best known for his railway-themed television series, is currently set to present a two-part special, '200 years of the Railways', which will focus on the North East and the Stockton & Darlington Railway's legacy. Michael Portillo at the D&S200 launch event (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) READ MORE: Invitation to the launch of our railway 200th anniversary "bookazine" Stockton and Darlington Railway 200 events across County Durham Stockton & Darlington Railway feature in Portillo BBC series
