Wearside stories you may have missed

Kevin Hill says he is able to go for days now without thinking about his Parkinson's

A potential step forward for Parkinson's treatment, cutbacks at a leading university and a spot named as the possible new home for celebrating glassmaking.

Here are some stories you might have missed on Wearside this week.

Parkinson's patient 'feels cured' with new device

Mr Hill initially had to go to hospital to have the system reprogrammed, but with updates it can now be done automatically

A man fitted with a pioneering, computer-controlled brain implant to tackle his Parkinson's disease says it works so well he is sometimes able to forget he has the condition.

A small computer inserted into Kevin Hill's chest wall 12 months ago is connected to wires running into the brain which can send electrical signals and an update means it can now read his brain activity.

The 65-year-old from Sunderland says it has been so successful he feels like he has "been cured".

Surgeons in Newcastle hope an adapted version of the deep brain stimulation system will have a "huge impact" on the quality of life of patients with the disease.

Union appalled by plans to cut 200 university jobs

Durham University acknowledged the announcement was "concerning for staff"

A union says it is "appalled" by a university's plans to axe 200 jobs as part of cost-cutting measures.

Durham University said it was planning to make £10m cuts during the current academic year and a further £10m during 2025-26.

It said this was needed because the university had reported an "underlying operational deficit" for the first time.

The University and College Union (UCU) said it was initiating formal dispute procedures because the university had "refused to rule out compulsory redundancies".

Proposed new Glassworks site announced

The new Sunderland glassmaking hub could be located to the old Peter Smith antiques warehouse

The proposed site of a new glassmaking hub has been announced.

Glassworks Sunderland will be based in the former Peter Smith antiques warehouse in Borough Road, Sunniside, the city's council said.

The government announced the £5m project earlier this year, as part of a £60m fund for creative industries.

Campaigners previously said a new site would be bittersweet as the city's National Glass Centre is set to close in 2026, leaving some residents feeling "robbed".

Jill Scott says women's football is in 'a better place'

Jill Scott said she cannot remember having flood-lit pitches when she was younger

Former Lioness Jill Scott said she does not think she would be able to "survive nowadays" due to the technical level of girls' football.

She returned to Sunderland alongside former referee Rebecca Welch and said the provision for girls in her hometown was now far better than when she was younger.

The pair attended an Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) session and presented coach Katie Gibson with a Community Captain Award to acknowledge the time she has volunteered, which Scott said "often goes unnoticed".

The former midfielder said she cannot remember playing on flood-lit pitches when she was growing up but, after retiring in 2022, has "left the game in a better place".

Work begins on city centre park

Councillor Kevin Johnston and bosses from Esh Construction broke ground at Sunderland's Riverside Park

Ground has been broken on a new park being developed.

Riverside Park will span both sides of the River Wear and is being built as part of Sunderland City Council's redevelopment of the area.

The 47-acre park will be made up of five areas and work has begun on the Southern Gateway and Kingsley Gardens sections.

Once completed, it will include walking routes, exercise zones, play areas, community spaces and a skate park.