THE Newcastle Building Society has appointed Gemma Leighton has as manager of its Darlington branch, in Skinnergate.

She joined the building society in 2007 and has worked at its branches in Hartlepool and Stokesley, where she was manager.

She said: “Stokesley and Darlington are obviously very different places, but customers in both places want to know that the people they come to for financial advice are aware of their particular needs, and can help them manage their personal finances in the best possible way.

The branch has a very welcoming atmosphere and we’ve got a really strong team in place with the knowledge to help local people make the right financial decisions.”

MARKET TALK: Chris Lloyd, deputy editor of The Northern Echo, will give a talk about Darlington’s covered market at a meeting of Darlington Retired Teachers Association on Wednesday (March 12). The group meets at 2pm, in the Harroway Room, at Elm Ridge Methodist Church. Visitors and new members are welcome. For more information, call 01325-353367.

EASTER FUN: Live music, balloon modelling, face painting and a free raffle will be among the attractions at Elim Pentecostal Church’s community fun day on Saturday, April 19. The event, from 10am to 4pm, also includes an Easter bonnet competition. Entry is free.

BURGER CONTEST: The Brinkburn pub, in Lady Kathryn Grove, Darlington, is giving foodies the chance to create their dream burger which will feature in pubs nationwide. The overall winner will receive £500 along with the chance to see their creation on sale at 93 Flaming Grill pubs across the UK. For more information, visit facebook.com/flaminggrillpubs

ON SIDE: Northern League 125, an exhibition about the history of the Northern League, runs at the Centre for Local Studies, in Crown Street library, until March 29. It includes programmes, photographs and magazines. Visitors will also be able to see Seamus O’Connell’s football shirt, worn in the 1959 Amateur Cup Final, and an Amateur Cup winners medal from 1950. The exhibition has been compiled by John Phelan of the Durham Amateur Football Trust. Visit darlington.gov.uk/library for opening times.