Skip to content

Teesside stories you may have missed this week

BBC The knife angel. A 27ft-tall (8m) metal sculpture in the shape of an angel with its hands held out, made from 100,000 blades.BBC
The Knife Angel is in Newton Aycliffe town centre until 28 June

From a riot-hit town aiming to strip away preconceptions, to the confessions of a compulsive hoarder and a visit by the Knife Angel - here are some of the stories from Teesside you may have missed this week.

'So much more than just parmos'

Robert Nichols standing on Linthorpe Road. He has short grey hair, brushed to his right, and is wearing a blue-and-black Middlesbrough FC tracksuit top. A row of terraced houses can be seen in the background on the left, while on the right are two advertising billboards.
Organiser Robert Nichols said the one-hour tours were a chance to "amaze and inspire"

A town hit by riots last summer is shining a light on its community in an effort to "strip away people's preconceptions".

Hundreds of people confronted police during protests in Middlesbrough in August, with more than £750,000 of damage estimated to have been caused.

A series of free tours are focusing on the area where the disorder began.

They feature audio recordings of several residents sharing their memories of the town.

  • Read more on this story here.

Gallery's clock tower to reopen after seven years

LDRS A wide view of the former Christ Church in Hartlepool with the 120 ft high clock tower on the right. A large circular window can be seen on the left side of the building.LDRS
The council secured £300,000 in funding for repairs to the art gallery

A clock tower offering panoramic views of Hartlepool will be reopening after seven years.

Proposals submitted to Hartlepool Development Corporation earlier this year to carry out repairs and improvements at Hartlepool Art Gallery in Church Square have now been approved.

The work will allow the 120ft-high (36.6m) clock tower at the venue to open for the first time since 2018.

  • Read more on this story here.

Breastfeeding mums told 'be kind to yourself'

Redcar and Cleveland Council/Middlesbrough Council Hayley O'Sullivan holding one of her young daughters. Mrs O'Sullivan has long blonde hair and is wearing a white shirt. She is holding a red toy dinosaur in her left hand. Her baby is wearing a cream outfit and has a green dummy in her mouth.Redcar and Cleveland Council/Middlesbrough Council
Hayley O'Sullivan says mums should not beat themselves up over breastfeeding struggles

Twelve mothers have recounted their experiences as part of a campaign launched in an effort to address a below-average rate of breastfeeding on Teesside.

One of those taking part in the Mamazing project, Hayley O'Sullivan from Ormesby, said she experienced early struggles.

However, she now remembers "beautiful moments" shared with her daughters.

  • Read more on this story here.

Teen stab victim's family welcomes Knife Angel

Head and shoulder shot of Zoe McGill, a woman with long blonde hair and a serious expression. She is wearing a white T-shirt with a "Justice 4 Jack" logo, and standing in front of a metal sculpture made of knives.
Jack Woodley's mother Zoe McGill hopes the Knife Angel will raise awareness

The Knife Angel has paid its first visit to County Durham.

The 27ft (8m) statue, made from 100,000 seized blades, has been installed in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, the hometown of Jack Woodley, who was killed in a knife attack in Houghton in 2021.

His mother Zoe McGill said it was good to have the Angel there in his memory to raise awareness among his friends, family and the wider community.

  • Read more on this story here.

'I didn't know my hoarding was a mental illness'

Piles of carboard boxes, plastic bags and other possessions in a room
The spare bedroom is completely inaccessible due to the volume of items piled up

A Middlesbrough woman whose home was full to the brim with belongings has said she did not realise her hoarding was a mental illness.

Susan Lindo always thought her conditions were born out of laziness, but then an interview with BBC Radio Tees changed her life.

Now she knows the extent of her disorder she is now attempting to "get her mindset sorted".

  • Read more on this story here.

Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.