Mayor

Tees Valley Combined Authority leader Ben Houchen.

Town centre regeneration body set to be scrapped

The new production hub aims to support Hartlepool creative businesses and boost the wider film studios and Production Village.

New multi-million pound creative production hub approved

Hartlepool Sixth Form College hosted the launch of Black History Month with group Transformers HPL. Photo: Chris Bate Photography.

Event shines a light on unsung heroes

Marina Way and the surrounding area from the air.

Town set for £24m from fund to boost transport connections

Hartlepool Royal British Legion and Seaton Youthy members with the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Sue Little and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Peter Bowes (centre).

Children and veterans mark Battle of the Somme anniversary

Gemma Ptak, Hartlepool Borough Council’s director of housing, growth and communities, has been praised as she prepares to leave the authority

Tributes to senior council officer as she leaves for new role

Hartlepool Children's Choir.

Children's choir showcase their progress at first concert

The charity football tournament will celebrate the life and legacy of Syed Taalay Ahmed, 31, from Hartlepool.

Football tournament to will celebrate life and legacy of journalist

Graham Harrison of Reform UK, Hartlepool.

Reform: 'Why we deserve your vote in Thursday's local elections in Hartlepool'

Mayor Houchen outside the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton.

Mayor says the fight for new hospital will go on

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, whose uncle Keith is a Pools legend, admitted he was relieved after American businessman and investor Landon Smith completed his takeover of Hartlepool United. Picture by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.

Tees Valley Mayor 'relieved' following Hartlepool United takeover

The Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Carole Thompson leads the parade for the Hartlepool Bombardment service, in Redheugh Gardens before sunrise on Tuesday.

Community turns out in force for 111th Bombardment anniversary

Nova is a new art installation for Hartlepool's Wintertide Festival.

Dazzling art installations set to light up Hartlepool

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash insists he won't be chased off by social media trolls.

MP says 'I won't be chased off' by social media trolls

Participants in this year's annual Beacon of Peace Walk in Hartlepool's Ward Jackson Park on Sunday.

Promoting peace was a walk in the park

An artist's impression of how the expanded Northern Studios would look.

Multi-million-pound screen industry plan moves step closer
Multi-million-pound proposals to expand Hartlepool’s growing screen production industry have moved a vital step forward.
Gavin Ledwith

Steve Wallace has resigned as a Hartlepool borough councillor.

Voters face second by-election in months as councillor resigns

Hartlepool Male Voice Choir and Hartlepool Ladies’ Choir will be in fine voice at the Borough Hall on Friday, May 9.

What to expect at 'choral spectacular'

Flashback to the last Hartlepool Male Voice Choir and Hartlepool Ladies’ Choir joint concert in 2017.

Choirs perform together for first time in eight years

The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, Councillor Carole Thompson, and her Consort, Councillor Phil Holbrook, are hosting an ‘at home’ event for members of the public on Wednesday, April 30.

Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool hosts ‘at home’ public event

From left, Stuart Monk Jomast Managing Director, Hartlepool Borough Council Leader Cllr Brenda Harrison, and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen at one of the development sites in Hartlepool.

Spades in the ground on £120m development

Local transport authorities would contract bus operators such as Stagecoach to provide services under a franchise model.

Bus franchise calls swiftly rejected

National Covid-19 Day Reflection

National Covid-19 Day of Reflection

The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool is inviting people to attend her Civic and Community Celebration Service at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, in Hutton Avenue, on Sunday, February 16.

Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool hosts civic and community celebration service

The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, Councillor Carole Thompson, and her consort, Phil Holbrook, met members of the team at mental health charity Let’s Connect, in Tees Street, Hartlepool, on Thursday, January 16. Pictured from left is Shauna Whelan from Lets Connect and the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Carole Thompson as they speak to a service user.

Let’s Connect welcomes special guest

Shoppers in Middleton Grange on Boxing Day. Picture by FRANK REID

Middleton Grange ends 2024 with 'record-breaking footfall'

The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool is inviting people to celebrate Christmas with her at a carol service on Tuesday, December 17, at 6pm at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, in Hutton Avenue, Hartlepool.

Civic carol service returns for 2024
The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool is inviting people to celebrate Christmas with her at a carol service.
Madeleine Raine

Phil Gilbraith and Jonathan Graham from Optimisation Solutions.

New business support service launches in Hartlepool

Watch as War Horse memorial gets purple poppy coat to remember fallen service animals

Watch as War Horse statue gets draped in beautiful purple poppy coat

Councillor Brenda Loynes’ husband, Dennis, and their family pictured beside the portrait following its unveiling.

Portrait unveiled as lasting tribute to former mayor

Councillor Shane Moore (right) presents a cheque of £6,542 to Petty Officer Jane Fox and Able Cadet Olivia Fox from Hartlepool Sea Cadets. This comes as part of the former Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool's charity fundraising during his time in office, from 2023 until 2024.

Councillor Shane Moore presents cheques to Hartlepool charities

Pictured are a number of summer reading champions following their presentation by the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, Councillor Carole Thompson, and the Mayor’s consort, Councillor Phil Holbrook.

Summer reading challenge champions receive awards

The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Carole Thompson along with her Consort Councillor Phil Holbrook (left) and Luff Rehman (right) cutting the ribbon before the start of the Charity Walk for Peace in Ward Jackson Park. Picture by FRANK REID

Park walk promotes message of peace and unity

The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, Councillor Carole Thompson (left) and the Deputy Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Melanie Morley pose for a photo at the Civic Centre.

New Ceremonial Mayor formally appointed

Barratt Homes volunteers give Souter Lighthouse a refresh to help raise money for Billy's Lifeline

Local volunteers give the iconic Souter Lighthouse a refresh during fundraising ...

Carnival Prince and Princess finalists presented with their certificates by the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Carole Thompson in The Cosmopolitan. Picture by BERNADETTE MALCOLMSON

Carnival Prince and Princess are crowned

Visitors enjoying the opening day of Hartlepool Carnival on Thursday.

In pictures: Hartlepool Carnival get underway as fair opens

Passengers waiting to board a Northern service on the completed Platform 3 at Hartlepool station after an absence of more than 30 years.

Passenger boost after new platform opens

The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Cllr Carole Thompson with Consort Cllr Phil Holbrook (right) meet members of Nasir Mosque at the Eid Milan party.

Mosque party strengthens bonds

New Hartlepool Borough Council leader Brenda Harrison after the local election count at The Mill House Leisure Centre. Picture by FRANK REID

Council leader joins regeneration body

The Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, Carole Thompson, and her Consort, Phil Holbrook, attend the official opening of the pdsa charity shop, in Catcote Road, on Thursday, June 20. Store manager Stephanie Pell, front centre, and members of staff and volunteers look forward to working there.

New charity shop opens in Hartlepool

Mayor is presented with a card from the children at the baby hospice

Middlesbrough baby hospice gets Mayor's support during Children's Hospice Week

Stuart Drummond, right, ignores the offer of a banana from a man in a monkey suit while speaking to the media after he was voted Mayor of Hartlepool in 2002.

Former mayor reveals who he is supporting in MP battle

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen at the wheel of a bus. Photo via Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Mayor announces £1 bus fares for young passengers

Conservative party candidate Lord Ben Houchen with his wife Rachel Houchen and baby Hannah during a count of votes for the Tees Valley Mayoral election in the Thornaby Pavilion.

Lord Ben Houchen is re-elected as Tees Valley Mayor

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen (left ) with Toker Ozcan CEO of Liberty Steel (centre) and Jeffrey Kabel Chief Transformation Officer. Picture by FRANK REID

Hartlepool pipe mill’s rich potential to lead UK green energy revolution

Conservatives on the campaign trail ahead of the upcoming May elections, including Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer, fifth from right. Pic via Hartlepool Conservatives.

Tories aim to give town 'the better future it deserves'

Voters go the polls for three separate elections in Hartlepool on May 2.

How to make sure you can vote this May

The Green Party's candidate to become Tees Valley Mayor, Sally Bunce.

Green Party candidate aims to be new mayor

A 2022 artistic impression of how Hartlepool's Middleton Grange Shopping Centre could look after its transformation.

Seven-figure cost of repairing shopping centre revealed

Councillor Shane Moore and Ceremonial Mayor presents the Mayor's Award to three members of the public.

First Mayor’s awards given

Improvements to the ramp at Middleton Grange are due to be carried out. Picture by FRANK REID

Shopping centre improvements set to start 'immediately'

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen unveiling the Tees Trams project at Middlesbrough Railway Station.

£20m town centre trams plan wins backing

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen in front of a proposed new rail map including a direct link between Hartlepool and Darlington.

£40m plan for direct Hartlepool rail link to Darlington

Hartlepool Ceremonial Mayor Cllr Shane Moore.

Proposal to decide ceremonial mayor role defeated

News you can trust since 1877

© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Terms and Conditions Privacy notice