Spark News
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Sunderland Winter Gardens has been awarded a hefty repair grant from the Arts Council, with the city council also planning a significant investment in the repairs from it own funds. The Winter Gardens is a much-loved landmark in the city, and home to more than 2,000 species of plants. Spark’s Kyoka Omori went along to […]
This weekend was the last time the National Glass Centre would open on a Sunday, as it prepared for closure in 2026. Yibin Wang went along to find out what visitors to the Centre think.
An American Geordie has travelled over 4,000 miles to watch his beloved Newcastle United take on Liverpool FC in the Carabao Cup final. Barry Thomas [Pictured Left] and John O’Hare [Pictured second from the left]. CREDIT: John O’Hare John O’Hare, 66, was born and raised in the United States of America with a lifelong love […]
Thousands of small businesses across the country will have more opportunities to win valuable contracts with public sector organisations, supporting local economic growth and innovation under a new government plan. Under the National Procurement Policy, complicated government buying processes will be simplified to make it easier for small businesses to create more jobs. The idea […]
As more than 500 crime fiction fans descended on the Playhouse, Whitley Bay for Bay Tales 2025, Spark‘s Eleanor Tait spoke to award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland book series, Ann Cleeves, about the writer she’s supporting at this year’s festival.
Glass making events taking place in Sunderland have been providing a ‘unique’ experience for children. The National Glass Centre (NGC) in Sunderland has been hosting “Animal Sandcasting” events over the last few months. Children aged five and over are taught how to use sandcasting techniques with hot glass to make animals such as a hedgehog […]
A vibrant market showcasing over 50 women-owned businesses will take place in Newcastle this International Women’s Day weekend. The event, held on March 8 and 9 at the Ouseburn Trust Visitors Centre, will run from 10 am to 4 pm. Organised by Flaura Rose and The Find, the market is free to attend and aims […]
Schools across Gateshead went into lockdown following a threatening email this morning. A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Just before 9am today (Thursday, March 6), we received a report of malicious communications directed towards a number of primary and secondary schools across Gateshead.” The emails are understood to have been sent overnight. Cardinal Hume Catholic School […]
Sunderland City Council has been awarded up to twenty million pounds in funding to regenerate Washington, through the governments Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme. The scheme aims to give councils money to invest in the most deprived areas of the country, with many of the targeted areas being in the north. Housing, Communities and Local Government […]
Sunderland Restaurant Week is set to return this month (March 2025), with many eateries across the city preparing for a much-needed hospitality boost. The popular event will take place between March 15-23, and have £10, £15 and £20 offers for diners to visit old favourites or try new cuisines. Almost 50 venues – including venues […]
