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Teesside stories you might have missed

News imageNewton Aycliffe Pipe Band The members of the Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band are standing in a line with four members kneeling in front of them. A pile of blue drums, about the size of large tom-toms, are in front of them with a bass drum on top containing the logo and name of Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band in writing curving around the drumskin. The band members are wearing blue kilts and formal uniforms. Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band
Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band is thriving once again

Student accommodation plans for a town's landmark building, a pipe band bouncing back after nearly ceasing to exist and paint appearing in a waterway.

Here are five Teesside stories you might have missed.

Friends' suicide awareness walk

News imageHarry McCabe Harry McCabe and his brother Jack. They both have short brown hair and beards. Jack is wearing glasses and a blue and black football shirt while Harry is wearing a blue, white and black sports top. They are stood on a football pitch with houses in the background. Harry McCabe
Harry McCabe (left) and his brother Jack will be joined by friends and colleagues for the walk

A group of friends who lost one of their own to suicide in December are taking part in a sponsored walk to get men talking.

Harry McCabe, 20, and his brother Jack, 23, from Stockton-on-Tees, will be joined by friends and colleagues for the 11.6 mile (19km) coastal walk from Robin Hood's Bay to Whitby and back on 4 January.

As well as raising money for Durham based men's mental health support hub Checkmate, Mr McCabe said they wanted men to know they were "not alone".

Read more about it here.

Fresh plans for landmark building

News imageGoogle A Google Streetview screenshot of Vancouver House in Middlesbrough. The large six-storey office block is built in red brick with large rectangular windows on each floor. The T-shaped building stands on a main road where there is a bus stop. Google
Vancouver House has been hit by vandalism, documents show

There are plans to turn a well-known building in Middlesbrough which has been empty for years into student accommodation.

The six-storey Vancouver House could provide with 183 living spaces, a gym and a pub on the ground floor.

Documents supporting an application to Middlesbrough Development Corporation said Vancouver House had suffered from vandalism, with the rear of the building being particularly "vulnerable".

Read more about it here.

Pipe band bounces back

News imageNewton Aycliffe Pipe Band The Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band before their performance at Remembrance Sunday. They are all in their formal dress with blue kilts and suits. They are carrying their drums and pipes. Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band
Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band nearly ceased to be in 2019 due to a lack of interest

A pipe band which nearly disbanded due to a lack of interest has surged in membership and attracted a former Piper to the Sovereign.

The Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band held an annual general meeting (AGM) in 2019 with just three remaining members and would have voted to end had it not been for Bill Farrell.

He took charge of the County Durham-based band as pipe major and slowly built membership back up to 40 people, including Paul Burns who played bagpipes for King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II.

Read more about it here.

Proposals to expand college

News imageLDRS A general view of Middlesbrough College taken across the dock, with the water in the foreground. The large building is clad with grey, blue and orange material creating an irregular pattern. LDRS
Middlesbrough College said it had a rise in applications for its construction courses

Plans have been put forward to expand a college campus due to an increase in student numbers.

Middlesbrough College wants to build seven temporary classrooms and workshops to help meet demand for its construction courses.

The workshops would house wet trades courses teaching skills such as plastering, tiling and bricklaying.

Read more about it here.

Bright blue 'paint' in waterway

News imageJenny Thompson A waterway which has an unnatural vivid blue colour and a pipe emerging from the middle of a round pool. Brambles and foliage cover the banks surrounding the water. Jenny Thompson
The discolouration was first spotted on New Year's Eve

A waterway has turned an unnaturally blue colour, to the alarm of walkers and other visitors to the site.

Jenny Thompson, a resident in Skelton near Saltburn, spotted the bright blue colour of Layland Beck.

She said her dog had taken a greater interest than usual in the water, which is believed to have been contaminated with paint or ink.

Read more about it here.

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