Wearside stories you might have missed

A village flower competition helped a woman's cancer recovery

High street transformation, the scrapping of a proposed outdoor gym and how the success of a flower competition helped a woman's cancer recovery - here are some Wearside stories you might have missed this week.

Tower blocks to be demolished

Gentoo opted to demolish the buildings after a consultation

Three tower blocks in Sunderland's East End will be demolished in the next five years, housing association Gentoo has confirmed.

It said surveys at Lambton, Londonderry and Lumley Towers showed the buildings were safe to live in.

However, fire safety work and structural strengthening were needed and the repair costs were "significant".

The buildings have 214 flats and it is expected that residents will be rehomed by May 2027.

• Read more about the plans here

Floral success 'helped my cancer recovery'

Joan Atkinson and her partner Ron both volunteer for Washington Village in Bloom

A Washington woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer said helping her village become "best in the country" in a floral competition gave her the motivation to continue her treatment.

Joan Atkinson faced four months of chemotherapy and 20 sessions of radiotherapy after being diagnosed in May 2023.

She remained as the leader of a volunteer group which steered the community to scoop the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom best village gold award last year.

Ms Atkinson said she was driven by the hope of seeing flowers she had planted bloom later on in the year, as well as the pride of potentially bringing the award home.

• Read more about Joan and her community here

High street transformation

There are several projects ongoing as part of the Sunderland Riverside Masterplan

Sunderland City Council is planning a transformation for High Street West.

The plans for a mix of shops, business spaces and flats were submitted on Tuesday.

The proposals form part of Riverside Sunderland Masterplan, which includes the new Wear footbridge.

Sunderland City Council councillor Kevin Johnston said the developments would "renew" the street by "restoring and retaining some valuable heritage features, and bringing new life and vibrancy".

• There is more on the council's plans here

Outdoor gym plans scrapped

The gym equipment proposals had caused anger last month

Campaigners say they are relieved and "ecstatic" after plans for an outdoor gym at a former bowling green were scrapped.

Durham County Council said it would not install the equipment at the site in Elvet, which has since been turned into a community garden, after a consultation had "inconclusive" results.

Simpa Carter, from the Hemp Garden Community Association, which has been renovating the area near the city centre since 2017, said he was "elated".

The Reform UK-led authority said it would make new plans for the area but added a popular idea for a play facility could not go ahead due to its proximity to the River Wear.

• You can read more about the campaign here

Glass centre row councillor loses Labour whip

Denny Wilson said his involvement in a motion was not meant to be political

A Labour councillor says he is "disappointed" after he was suspended by the local party due to his involvement in a motion to save the National Glass Centre.

Denny Wilson, who sits on Sunderland City Council, had the whip removed for three months in July. He continues to represent the Castle ward as an independent.

Wilson said the suspension happened over his part in a motion, which had questioned the accuracy of the estimated bill to fix the site, which is due to close next year.

A Sunderland Labour Group spokesperson said they would not comment on individual cases or disciplinary matters.

• You can read more about the ongoing row here