Farewell to ‘Stormin’ Norman’
Sad to hear of the passing of Haughton Cricket Club President Norman Sturman.
I have fond memories of "Stormin' Norman" being the overall winner of...
Finding stories
I was once asked at a school careers event by a pupil: "Where do you find your stories?"
The truth is that, if you put...
Celebrating 10 years of Barron Media
It's 10 years ago today since I stepped down as the longest-serving editor of The Northern Echo and launched my own family business, Barron...
The importance of helping great people tell their stories
I've been a journalist for more than 40 years and, with changes in the industry that I often find depressing, there have been times...
Reaching down into the grass roots
NATURALLY, we get a buzz when our stories make it into the national press or big regional newspapers.
And yet we also love it when...
Questioning my sense of direction
My wife and I had great fun yesterday, joining in the attempt to break the world record for the most people doing 'The Loco-motion'.
The...
Kicking off about breast cancer awareness
In 2024, I wrote a story for The Northern Echo about how the CLS Amazons FC women's football team won their league.
What made the...
A trip back in time to The Palladium
As a young woman in post-war London, my mum loved nothing better than going to The Palladium to see the stars.
Money was tight but...
Remembering a proud Amazon
IN June 2024, I wrote a feature for The Northern Echo about how the CLS Amazons FC women's football team had become league champions...
Starmer has let trust slip through his fingers
AFTER 14 years of chaos, incompetence, lies, law-breaking and corruption under the Conservatives, the country desperately needed a safe pair of hands.
I hoped that’s...
Helping charities dovetail
ONE of the joys of my job is being able to bring people and organisations together.
At Barron Media, we have a wide range of...
Appreciating the value of obituaries
EVERY life is a story. And though obituaries may be sad, they are also extremely important, so I couldn't agree more with Sir Billy...
Back to the future
INTERESTING to read the Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions 2026, an annual report published today by the Reuters Institute for the Study of...
Headline Challenge 2026
We are all set to launch the Headline Challenge for 2026.Anthony James McCarthy was the 2025 champ and Mick Sullivan (below) won in 2024.There's...
Ho-ho-no! The night Santa dropped a right clanger
DRESSING up as ‘Santa Claus’ has become a Christmas Eve tradition for me over the past 20 years or more – but spreading the...
Division at the centre
Below is a Facebook post this week from Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen - Tees Valley Mayor.It's strong stuff that underlines a) the seriouness...
A new low for Donald Trump
Let’s just consider the depths to which Donald Trump has sunk with his abhorrent social media attack on Rob Reiner.
First, let’s think of the...
REVIEW | Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Darlington Hippodrome
A gold star panto full of bear-faced cheek!
Panto season sees Goldilocks and the Three Bears open at Darlington Hippodrome. We sent our own Goldilocks...
At 12 years old, a shining example of Christmas spirit
Every year, I'm asked to record a Christmas message for the Darlington Talking Newspaper for the Blind - a wonderful local charity that quietly...
An opportunity for business…and local history
Good news in today's edition of The Northern Echo that Ramside Estates, led by John Adamson, is to take over the derelict St George...