Spark News
Tyne and Wear is full of Christmas wreath making classes this year, and they’re all happening soon to ensure you learn well before Christmas comes! Green Fingers Garden Centre, South Shields When: November 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30, on each of these days the classes are either 10am to 12pm or 2pm to […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a part of everyday life – but can we trust what it tells us? Elizabeth Earl asked chatbots to plan a day out in her hometown. Some of their responses were not as they seemed… AI chatbots like Chat GPT can provide users with human-like, conversational responses and can […]
BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend is set to bring “the biggest names in music” to Sunderland in May 2026, when the festival will take place at Herrington Park – with around 100 acts performing. The announcement was made by presenter Greg James, who said: “Radio 1 is going back to the glorious North East! The […]
A Newcastle business claims its sales dropped by 80% because of disruption caused by this year’s festive market. Over the weekend, Priory Press – a coffee house and juice bar – posted on Instagram showing how their shopfront on Nelson Street has effectively disappeared behind two Christmas markets sheds placed directly in front of the […]
A new all-vegan cafe, called Layla’s Kitchen Cafe, opened at Jesmond United Reformed Church this month. The all-vegan cafe offers a mix of vegan, and some gluten-free, drink and food options, including teas, lattes, salads and wholesome cookies. The owner of Layla’s Kitchen Cafe, Yasmin Sayed Ahmed, had been running an independent catering business for […]
Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical The Rocky Horror Show will return to Sunderland Empire in January 2026, following its previous run at the venue in January 2024. West End star Stephen Webb will once again take on the iconic role of Frank-N-Furter, having performed it both on tour and in the West End. […]
Tyneside nail technician Lucy Walton is challenging herself to complete a non-stop 24-hour beauty marathon to raise money for charity. From 10am on Friday 28 November Lucy is aiming to complete 16 appointments, at 90 minutes each, without sleep. She’s doing so to raise funds for Tiny Lives, an independent charity which “supports and champions […]
Matei Trache, a sports and exercise student at the University of Sunderland, placed 5th at the Natural Strongman Champion of Champions on November 2nd. Trache, 22, travelled to Birmingham to compete amongst the strongest natural men in the country. The event focuses on clean sport, requiring athletes to get tested for performance enhancing drugs, […]
With Christmas just around the corner, you might be wondering how to make the most of your relationship this festive season. From ‘Brr baskets’ to cosy films by the fire, this five-step list of festive ideas is full of ways to boost the romance and make the season feel extra special. Go to a Christmas […]
More than 60 local small businesses will showcase their products at the Vegan Festival at Newcastle’s Walker Activity Dome on Saturday, November 15. From 10:30am to 4:00pm, ticket-holders can explore a range of vegan food, drink, skincare, clothing, and organisation stalls — all promoting sustainable living, ethical choices, and charitable causes. Victoria Bryceson, founder of […]
