David Huntley

Sarah Baulch and John Dalton returned with their children to Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales, where they married on 6 August 1996, to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. The couple originally combined a Pennine Way walk with a wedding at the pub, which became England's first licensed wedding pub after a 1995 change in the law. Although ill health prevented them from repeating the walk, they were pleased with the venue's upgraded facilities and preserved character. Owner Andrew Hields said the pub now hosts more wedding couples than ever.

Tynemouth RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Osier was sent more than 130 nautical miles offshore after an unregistered emergency position-indicating radio beacon activated. The crew and volunteer mechanics carefully managed fuel and speed because the reported location exceeded the vessel’s practical range with a safe return. A Coastguard aircraft from Humberside later confirmed that nobody was in distress, allowing the lifeboat to return to Tynemouth after more than three hours at sea. The vessel was refuelled with over 3,000 litres and ready for service by 5pm; the call-out narrowly missed breaking the station’s offshore-distance record.

The Set for Life draw held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, offered a prize of £10,000 per month for 30 years. The winning numbers were 1, 24, 28, 31 and 47, with Life Ball 3. Draws take place every Monday and Thursday at 8pm.

Life-saving throwline boards at Havannah Three Hills Nature Reserve, Hodgkin Park and Jesmond Vale in Newcastle have been vandalised over the past nine months. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service warned that damaged or missing equipment could prevent rescues and have devastating consequences. One throw-bag box was ripped from its board, with repairs at Havannah Three Hills expected to cost hundreds of pounds.

Natalie McDonald, 34, and seven-year-old Valentina Foster died in a house fire in Grangetown near Middlesbrough, while four others were injured. McDonald’s brother Josh Kirton called her death senseless and rejected suggestions that she was involved with gangs. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder, and Cleveland Police is investigating whether the fire is connected to a nearby fatal A66 crash, in which two police officers and five young men died. Inquests have opened into all seven crash deaths, while police also investigate a rammed property in South Bank and a separate stabbing in Eston amid concerns about possible organized-crime links.

Jamie Latham, 38, was jailed for 33 months after being arrested at Newcastle Airport when he returned from Alicante. He had taken part in violent disorder in Middlesbrough during summer 2024, leading a march on Linthorpe Road and kicking and punching police officers. He subsequently fled the UK and travelled around Europe before returning, prompting police to arrest and charge him. Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Dave Sutherland condemned the violence and said officers remained committed to bringing those responsible to justice.

A 16-year-old boy died at the scene of a collision between a black Yamaha motorcycle and a grey Volkswagen Polo on the A196 near Stobhill, Morpeth. A 24-year-old man travelling on the motorcycle remains in hospital with serious injuries, while the woman driving the Volkswagen stayed at the scene. Northumbria Police is investigating and appealing for witnesses, CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage. Emergency crews, including the North East Ambulance Service and Great North Air Ambulance Service, attended.

A suspected arson attack caused extensive damage to the Grade II listed old Davidson building on Fenkle Street in Alnwick. Northumbria Police arrested two teenage boys, while five fire appliances attended and worked overnight to prevent the blaze spreading to neighboring buildings. No injuries were reported, but roads remain closed and the building is cordoned off pending a structural inspection.

A fire severely damaged the Grade II-listed old Davidson building on Fenkle Street in Alnwick. Northumbria Police are treating the incident as arson and have arrested two teenage boys, who remain in custody. Firefighters used five appliances and continued damping down hotspots, while the street was closed and the building cordoned off for a structural inspection. No injuries were reported, and firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to adjoining buildings.