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Tyneside stories you might have missed this week

News imageSupplied Jennifer Gane is wearing an orange and gold ballgown. She has her hands raised in the air and a bright smile on her face. She is standing in front of a colourful mural which makes it look like she has wings. Supplied
Jennifer Gane wore a ballgown every day in 2025, including when attending university

Find out why a woman wore a ballgown every day for a year, more about plans for a tourist tax and an unusual Christmas gift...

Here are some Tyneside stories you might have missed this week.

Global support for land bid after Attenborough appeal

News imageThe Wildlife Trusts A screenshot of the video with David Attenborough looking into the camera with a furrowed brow and pursed lips. He has white, short hair and is wearing a light blue shirt with short sleeves. He is standing outside in front of some trees and bushes.The Wildlife Trusts
Sir David Attenborough's endorsement resonated globally

People from as far as Canada and New Zealand have supported a bid to buy the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland following a public appeal from Sir David Attenborough.

The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT) are attempting to purchase the land from the Duke of Northumberland's youngest son, Lord Max Percy.

Sir David backed the campaign in October and his words inspired thousands around the world to donate to a campaign that has so far raised close to £10m - and many of those supporting the purchase had never even visited Northumberland.

Find out why they were moved to help here.

How did this fit under the Christmas tree?

News imageGateshead Council Edie Miller holding the large blue Computer House sign. She is standing in front of the building which is being demolished. Gateshead Council
Edie Miller claimed the sign after contacting Gateshead Council and demolition contractor BAM Nuttall for permission

Edie Miller surprised her partner with an unusual Christmas present when she saved a "small piece" of a town's history from a demolition site.

She gave her partner Tom the large blue sign from Gateshead's Computer House, which she was able to rescue in time to put under her tree.

The couple used to cycle past the former office block every day and it was something he said he had always loved.

Ms Miller said it will be hung in the couple's office, which they have nicknamed Computer House.

Read more about it here.

Dancing through 2025 in a ballgown

News imageSupplied Jennifer Gane is standing in a field and is wearing an orange ballgown and a pink sash. She also has a Great North Run competitor number pinned to her front which reads: "Jennifer 54351". She is smiling broadly and has her arms outstretched. Supplied
Mrs Gane completed the Great North Run in a ballgown

A Gateshead woman who wore a ballgown every day in 2025 to raise awareness of autistic "masking" said she did some "ridiculous things" over the year.

Jennifer Gane, 49, said it was "really hard sometimes" doing everything in a gown including household chores, going to university in Durham and even finishing the Great North Run.

She has been diagnosed with autism and finds herself masking, which is when people hide their traits or mimic neurotypical behaviours to try and fit in.

The process can be exhausting and difficult, she said, much like doing everyday tasks in a ballgown.

Read more about her experience here.

Short workouts can halt bowel cancer, study finds

News imagePA Media A stock image of a woman running on a treadmill. She is in a gym with floor to ceiling windows in front of her and next to her. She is running on one of six treadmills lined up and the others are empty. PA Media
Exercising for just 10 minutes could make a difference, according to researchers

Short bouts of exercise can protect against bowel cancer, according to a study, giving researchers hopes for new cancer treatments.

Researchers from Newcastle University found exercising for just 10 minutes could halt bowel cancer growth and speed up DNA damage repair.

Dr Sam Orange, who led the study, said it showed exercise benefitted healthy tissues as well as potentially creating a more hostile environment for cancer cells to grow.

Read more about the research here.

Plans to tax tourists drawn up

News imageLDRS Kim McGuinness smiling into the camera with her teeth showing. She has light hair which falls to just below her shoulders and is wearing park pink lipstick. She is wearing a beige blazer and dark brown top. She is standing next to a hot pink sign which reads Proud to be part of the great North. LDRS
Kim McGuinness had previously advocated for an additional £1 a night charge on visitors' bills

A tourist tax charged to visitors to the north-east of England could be set at £2 per night.

The government announced in November that North East mayor Kim McGuinness would be among local leaders being handed the power to introduce a new levy on overnight stays.

McGuinness had previously advocated for an additional £1 a night charge on visitors' bills in her 2024 election manifesto, in order to raise funds to invest back into improving cultural attractions.

But she has now said that her office is currently drawing up plans based on a £2 a night tourist tax, which the Labour mayor said would generate about £20m per year.

Read more about it here.

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