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COMMONWEALTH Games fever came to town as a North Yorkshire community celebrated Jack Laughers triple gold achievement in the 2018 games.

Jack completed his Commonwealth gold medal hat-trick on Friday, April 13, 2018 after triumphing in the mens synchronised 3m springboard with Chris Mears in Australias Gold Coast.

Back in his Ripon hometown, his parents Jackie and Dave were watching the action from the comfort of their living room before being whisked away to a surprise celebration party at the Ripon Spa Hotel.

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Mr and Mrs Laugher were escorted to the bash by one of the most successful British swimmers of all time, Mark Foster, and were greeted by rapturous applause and a sea of England flags and Jack Laugher masks as they entered the hotel.

Clearly moved by the occasion and their sons incredible achievement, Mrs Laugher said they would never get used to seeing Jack winning gold medals.

She said: We were very nervous for him, he was so wanting the hat-trick of golds and we went through every emotion with him.

Ken Loach has always worn his heart on his sleeve, his cannon of provocative films carrying at its centre the socialist spirit that has driven him throughout a career that has lasted more than half a century.

That unflinching spirit was evident to all who gathered at The Forum to hear the award-winning director share his thoughts on issues ranging from the NHS to Jeremy Corbyn, media manipulation and the political climate in the North-East, on April 11, 2018.

The director of Kes, The Wind that Shakes the Barley and I, Daniel Blake travelled to Darlington to introduce his documentary, Spirit of 45, and to support an evening organised by activist Louise Graham and Darlington Film Club in opposition to growing privatisation of the NHS.

A piece of history was uncovered as a major programme of refurbishment was carried out on the Saltburn Cliff Tramway, in April 2018.

Original features were being restored and Victorian designs followed as much as possible as part of the overhaul of the 1884-built cliff lift.

Work had been carried out to strip the mechanical workings of the lift back into component pieces.

Numerous items had to be repaired or replaced following detailed investigation due to the age of the lift.

Components from the time Britains oldest water balanced tramway was first built had to be found and restored whenever possible, including original cast iron fittings.

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Damaged parts particularly a number of cast iron fittings such as wedges, rollers, baseplates and axle boxes were melted down and recast in the original style.

Councillor Carl Quartermain, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Councils cabinet member for tourism, culture and communications, said: The tramway is simply iconic and a wonderful part of our tourism offer. Its fantastic to see this refurbishment coming together so well so it can be enjoyed for many generations to come.

Contractors, Rapid Consulting Engineers, focused on using local specialist companies with the restoration works, including William Lane Foundry in Middlesbrough.

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When socialism was on fire as Ken Loach visited Darlington - The Northern Echo