Some of Middlesbrough’s newest arrivals enjoyed a day of celebration as they settle into their new homes.

The town’s first Ukraine Welcome Day was a chance for those fleeing the war in their home country to meet one up, enjoy some great food and listen to Ukrainian music.

The event on Saturday (Aug 20) was held at Stewart Park ahead of Independence Day in Ukraine which also marks the six-month anniversary of the Russian invasion launched on February 24.

Around 60 people attended from Middlesbrough, Stockton, Yarm and further afield and enjoyed a range of activities in the park, visitor centre and Captain Cook Birthplace Museum, including the popular venue’s Pirate Day.

Refugee STEP (Specialised Training and Employment Programme) Advisor Rozie Rafiq said: “It was a lovely event and everyone who came along really enjoyed it.

“It was a real success and they were all delighted to be able to meet other Ukrainians and make new contacts.

“It was also a great opportunity for the children to make new friends and speak their native language with one another.

“Our guests enjoyed the event so much that they asked when the next one would be.

“We are so proud of our Stronger Communities team and grateful to Stewart Park for organising such a wonderful event for our Ukrainian guests.”

Councillor Stephen Hill, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Culture & Communities, said: “Middlesbrough has been a City of Sanctuary for many years, and we are proud to offer homes and support to those fleeing war and persecution in their own countries.

“I’m delighted to see our new arrivals from Ukraine settling into their new surroundings, and extend them the warmest of welcomes on behalf of everyone in Middlesbrough.

“The Ukraine Welcome Day was a huge success and I look forward to future events.

Northern announces FLASH SALE with ONE MILLION tickets for journeys across the North of England available for just £1

Train operator, Northern, has launched a flash sale with over 1,000,000 tickets for journeys across the North of England available for just £1.

The £1 fares are available on bookings made online or through the Northern app, whilst stocks last, for travel between Tuesday 6 September and Thursday, 20 October 2022*.

Tickets go on-sale at 10am TODAY (Tuesday, 30 August 2022) at: www.northernrailway.co.uk

Mark Powles, customer and commercial director at Northern, said: "This is our way of helping to extend the summer holiday feeling by a further six weeks - getting people through until the start of the October half term.

"Whether it's for a weekend in the historic city of Chester, a night out in Newcastle; a day at the seaside in Scarborough or a walking holiday in the Lake District – these fares will get you where you want to be for less.

"Tickets are on a first come, first serve basis – so those looking to take advantage of these great £1 fares should book early to avoid disappointment. When they're gone, they're gone."

The £1 promotional tickets must be booked seven days in advance of travel and are only available online, via Northern's app and website.

The £1 sale fares are spread across Northern's nearly 2,000 services a day – with between 5-10% of service capacity up for grabs at the 'flash sale' rate. Some peak time services are excluded – as are those that are already expected to be busy in line with events across the region.

Northern is the UK's second largest train operator, with nearly 2,000 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

This week in Middlesbrough a special "Back to School" Vaccine clinic on Wednesday 24th August in the usual spot at the Cleveland Centre - this is for 5-11 yr olds only for their 1st, 2nd (or boosters for any who are clinically vulnerable) jabs.

EA BAGS, CORKSCREWS AND NO 4G: HIPCAMP REVEALS HOW BRITS ARE CAMPING THIS SUMMER

• Brits revisit camping days gone by with many camping from as little as THREE, and nearly half plan to pass on to the next generation and take their kids this summer
• Getting off-grid continues to be a key driver, with campers looking for stays with no phone signal for a sense of escapism
• Corkscrews, wine and tea bags cited as some of the ultimate camping essentials, with more practical items like gaffer tape left at home

With the summer holidays upon us, more Brits than ever are trading their holiday abroad for a UK camping break.

Hipcamp, the world's largest provider of outdoors stays, has seen bookings surge with a 460 percent increase since 2019.

And while more Brits are pitching up, traditional tents are just one of the ways campers are celebrating the great outdoors this summer.

According to James Warner-Smith, Camping Consultant for Hipcamp, demand shows no sign of slowing down as nostalgia bites for Brits this summer, with nearly a quarter (23%) camping from as young as three. Brits are passing the camping bug to the next generation, with nearly half (46%) planning to take their kids this summer.

Hipcamp's Summer 2022 Camping Report also found that more than a quarter of Brits (26%) are looking to camp with their pets this summer, with one in 10 (12.8%) looking to camp completely solo. 

Natural beauty, great value and proximity to the coast make up the ultimate UK wish-list for camping enthusiasts, but Brits are opting for shorter stays with more than a third (37%) citing a long weekend as the optimum break.

With camping breaks slightly shorter, Brits are holidaying closer to home, with less than a quarter (21%) revealing they would travel for two hours. In fact, nearly half (43%) admitted that the current cost of petrol has made them less likely to travel far for their summer camping trips.

From local staycations, Brits are looking for other ways to save on their camping breaks with one in 10 (12%) admitting that they are more likely to borrow camping gear than buy it brand new, showing the shift towards more conscious camping as Brits seek to live more sustainability.

Hipcamp found that more Brits are looking to get off-grid on their camping holidays, with more than a third (38%) admitting they love it when they don't have 4G or Wi-Fi. In addition to time away from screens, the report found nearly one third of Brits (31%) are looking to get outside for their mental health, and a quarter are looking to relax (24%), no doubt in a bid to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

And while Brits might be looking for escapism on their camping breaks, they are not leaving home comforts at home with wine and a corkscrew, two of the top camping essentials. Alongside a tipple, it will come as no surprise that tea bags also make the cut with more than half of Brits (54.9%) citing it as a must-have item.

With more Brits embracing this pastime this summer, Hipcamp has just awarded its Best Summer Job to Grace Kelly, a self-confessed camping obsessive from Stratford-upon-Avon, who is set to travel 15 Hipcamp glamping and camping sites this August, receiving £15,000 as they go.