Archive

  • All is not rosy in Dynamos garden after 20-run defeat

    THE lack of collective confidence among Durham's batsmen saw them sink to another depressing defeat yesterday. Chasing Glamorgan's modest total of 161 for eight at Sophia Gardens, Durham lost the National League division one match by 20 runs. A contest

  • Biking's fatal attraction

    An increase in motorcycles has led to a remorseless rise in death and destruction on North Yorkshire roads. But who is to blame? Steve Parsley discovers that it depends on who you speak to. A SUNNY day in summer is bound to bring out the bikers - but

  • Deadly detritus on the tracks

    IN the aftermath of the Hatfield tragedy, Railtrack has rightly spent millions of pounds in replacing or repairing damaged track which may cause another derailment. Gauge corner cracking, the cause of the Hatfield derailment, was found to be endemic throughout

  • Terriers' open door

    Territorial Army centres across the North-East and North Yorkshire opened their doors to the public on Saturday to show people what life in the TA is all about. Members of the TA also manned stalls in town centres throughout the region.

  • Theatre boss who played 'Dr Dale' dies

    CHARLES Simon, the actor who founded the Darlington Repertory Theatre, has died aged 93. Mr Simon set up the company in 1936 before going on to make his name as Dr Dale in the Radio Four show The Dales - formerly called Mrs Dale's Diary. In later years

  • Willow is the green solution for lake

    AN environmentally-friendly solution has been found to the problems posed by unsightly algae in a popular park lake in Hartlepool. Officials from Hartlepool Borough Council have submerged bunches of rotting willow in the lake at Ward Jackson Park in a

  • Hand bounces back to take victory in Gateshead 10K

    DURHAM City doctor Rob Hand bounced back from the disappointment of his Flora London Marathon debut with a sprint-finish victory in yesterday's annual Gateshead 10K road race, writes Frank Johnson. And the 40-year-old had the satisfaction of beating London

  • Outcry as woman avoids drink-drive conviction

    A WOMAN who avoided being prosecuted for drink-driving because police took too long to find her has been criticised by a North campaign group. Janette Binns, 40, gave a false name and details when she was arrested in February 2000 for driving with excess

  • Show is the one that they want

    STUDENTS from Redcar and Cleveland College perform their own version of the hit musical Grease this week. The production is by Btec national and first diploma students who have put their hallmark on the show with a different script and their interpretations

  • Plan for massive boost to region's economy

    A blueprint to transform the North-East economy will be announced by the Government today. Regional development agency One NorthEast has been given the seal of approval by bosses at the Department of Trade and Industry for a multi-million pound three-year

  • Water filters out to spa

    Mineral water from Harrogate's own bottling plant is now being provided to hotels and restaurants in the town. The new factory will be supplying other outlets in London later this year, with interest also expressed by a number of supermarket chains. The

  • Now Abby tries for England

    A SCHOOLGIRL rugby player has been selected to attend a trial to play for England. Abby Blackburn, 15, is a member of Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club's U16 Girls' Team. She will be travelling to Loughborough University at the end of July to take part

  • A hand in the fate of mighty miniatures

    HUNDREDS of model and wargames enthusiasts took part in one of the biggest exhibitions of its kind in the North-East on Saturday. Fans of military models recreated miniature battles from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, at a special show in Stockton. About

  • Time to make life prickly for burglars

    Cleveland Police has launched a new leaflet to counteract a surge in thefts from garden sheds and garages. The leaflet details the "burglaris disembowelis" list of thorny plants, compiled by force crime prevention officer Gerry McBride to make it as difficult

  • Soldiers cycle C2C to fund African trip

    SOLDIERS will today embark on a cycling trip to raise cash for an African assignment. The soldiers, who are all in the 101 regiment Royal Artillery, in Gateshead, will cycle the 139 miles coast-to-coast (C2C) from Whitehaven to Tynemouth in a final bid

  • Joyce learns some winning ways with computers

    A WOMAN who suffered brain damage during a routine hysterectomy operation more than 20 years ago, has received an award for her learning achievements. Joyce Atkinson, 63, of Skinningrove, east Cleveland, was one of five people singled out for a special

  • Tulip time at hall is a rare treat

    A country house is to become home to a display of rare flowers, not seen in public in Britain for the past 100 years. The English Florists Tulip can still be found in back gardens and allotments, planted by members of the Wakefield and North of England

  • Mayor steps down after leaving gift

    AN outgoing mayor has marked his departure by donating more than £1,600 to his chosen charities. Like every mayor, Councillor Ken Murray, mayor of Sunderland, was asked on his appointment to select two causes to benefit from fundraising during his year

  • TV hit creator in 'ugly' town row

    THE creator of TV hit Auf Wiedersehen Pet has sparked a row - after calling his hometown "ugly". Millions of fans have tuned in to see the latest escapades of Geordie brickies Oz, Dennis and Neville over the past three weeks. Much of the filming took

  • Police back call for bus appeal

    WORRIED councillors and parents campaigning for school transport for 20 children in a North Yorkshire village, are pressing for the issue to go before the county council's scrutiny committee. The move follows strong support from the police, with criticism

  • Entries sought for writing competition

    AUTHORS have been invited to take A Novel Approach to their work through a creative writing competition. The competition has attracted high quality entries from all over the region since it was started by Wear Valley Writers in memory of one of their

  • Bishop hails jubilee as a time to embrace change

    A bishop has said the Queen's Golden Jubilee is a chance to share the monarch's theme of embracing change rather than resisting it. In his Golden Jubilee message, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Right Reverend John Packer, said it was a time for ensuring

  • Sour end to twin town tradition

    A 40-year tradition of friendship between Bishop Auckland and its twin French town has ended on a sour note. It was not that the people of Ivry-sur-Seine, near Paris, said 'Non' to any more visits - they just did not reply to any invitations or write

  • Ice cream vendor denies cigs sales

    AN ice cream van driver has reacted angrily to suggestions that he is selling cigarettes. As reported in Saturday's Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council is investigating reports that ice cream sellers in the town are also selling cigarettes. Although

  • Nursery scheme legal threat

    RESIDENTS are preparing to serve an injunction on a couple who want to open a children's nursery near their homes. People living in Gatehouse Close, Darlington, are angry that Maurice and Mary Boulton are trying to turn a former residential home in their

  • Dale's Co-op in merger discussion

    JOB-STARVED Weardale has welcomed the news that its struggling co-operative society is in merger talks with one of the country's most successful independent groups. Bosses of Penrith Co-operative Society, in Cumbria, have confirmed they want to link with

  • News in brief: Carers' role highlighted

    THE Princess Royal Trust Sedgefield Locality Carers Centre has organised events for National Carers Week, from June 10 to 16. There will be a tombola stall in Newton Aycliffe town centre on Tuesday, June 11, from 10am. A social evening will be held at

  • Church stages jubilee festival

    A VILLAGE church is joining with schools to celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee. All Saints Church, in Hurworth, near Darlington, and Hurworth Flower Club have worked with pupils to stage a flower festival and art show. Work by pupils from Hurworth Junior

  • Chemical 'not a health threat'

    An emission from a County Durham chemical works, which caused irritation to passing motorists and residents, was the result of "a normal manufacturing process". An Environment Agency spokesman said that the substance detected around the Thomas Swan premises

  • Witnesses to fatal accident sought

    AN appeal was renewed last night for information about a fatal crash involving a single vehicle. The driver of a Volkswagen Golf Gti car, who was thrown from the vehicle, was certified dead at the scene of the accident on a cross-boundary road, between

  • Witnesses to fatal accident sought

    AN appeal was renewed last night for information about a fatal crash involving a single vehicle. The driver of a Volkswagen Golf Gti car, who was thrown from the vehicle, was certified dead at the scene of the accident on a cross-boundary road, between

  • Pipe fault blamed for blaze on ferry

    A FAULTY hydraulic pipe was the most likely cause of a fire on a North Sea passenger ferry, it was revealed last night. A major rescue operation was launched on Friday after Aberdeen coastguards received a distress signal sent by the Princess of Scandinavia

  • School pennies are a blessing

    CHILDREN from a North Yorkshire school have been coining it in - but all for a good cause. Youngsters from Sowerby Primary were asked to bring pennies to school to donate to the Red Cross - and the coins were then added to a huge cross marked out on the

  • News in brief: Pledge on council tax

    Council tax in Ryedale should not go up by more than four per cent next year, civic leaders have agreed. Members of the district council's policy and resources committee have set themselves the target, following a nine per cent increase this year and

  • Historic ruins come under attack from teenage vandals

    THE owners of Richmond Castle are appealing to the public to help them repel teenage "invaders" who are breaching the stronghold's defences and vandalising the ruin. It is not a new problem and English Heritage staff admit trespass in the grounds has

  • Port gets ready to tackle car chaos

    Traffic congestion problems in Whitby caused by the town's growing popularity as a tourist centre, are to be tackled in a scheme to provide more parking and improve vehicle management. With the arrival of the replica of Captain James Cook's ship, Endeavour

  • Domane can tame his rivals

    The horses-for-courses theory was devised with places like Musselburgh in mind and there are a couple of track specialists worth bearing in mind at the Scottish venue this evening. Lion's Domane certainly falls into that category as a dual 7f scorer at

  • Young footballers win all games to record perfect season

    YOUNG footballers achieved a perfect record in their first year together as a team at senior school level. Houghton Kepier School's year seven boys' squad is yet to taste defeat, completing the season with a 100 per cent winning run in league and cup

  • Youngsters have first taste of democracy

    CHILDREN in Derwentside have been setting the wheels of democracy in motion by taking part in a scheme. Youngsters aged from five to 14 have formed their own mini local authority in a project designed to spark their interest in local politics. Representatives

  • Welcome boost for town's buses

    A NEW bus interchange brought welcome relief for a town's public transport passengers at the weekend. Three months after apparent completion the interchange finally came into use in Peterlee town centre yesterday. An estimated 37,000 people will pass

  • Lead mining country aid for walkers

    TWO new leaflets will help walkers trace the rich lead mining heritage of part of the North-East. Both walks are in Teesdale, County Durham, where lead mining dates back to at least the 15th Century, and possibly to pre-Roman times. One focuses on a four-mile

  • Romans prepare to join the party

    THE Romans are muscling in on the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations weekend. Mounted cavalry, armoured legionaries and gladiators will show off their skills as part of an action-packed Roman Festival on Sunday and Monday, June 2 and 3. Corbridge Roman

  • Hear all sides: REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

    THOSE who see the proposed regional assembly simply as an additional level of local government appear not to have understood what is on offer. What is on offer is that which exists in Cleveland today. In this county there are only four unitary authorities

  • Never mind the danger - feel the experience

    An invitation to visit the country described as the most hostile place on the planet would give most people cause for alarm. Nick Morrison describes his impressions of Afghanistan. WHEN you're heading for a country known as the most hostile place on Earth

  • Hospital bosses deny accident link

    A SERIOUS accident which injured two workmen and forced health bosses to postpone the opening of a new hospital was not the first, it emerged last night. Plans to open the new £67m Bishop Auckland General Hospital ahead of schedule were derailed after

  • Kyle to be given debut

    Sunderland centre-forward Kevin Kyle could make his full international debut for Scotland in today's friendly against South Africa in Hong Kong. The 20-year-old, who had the distinction of winning his first cap before making a senior start for his club

  • Justice for Julie battle to be featured on TV

    A MOTHER'S fight for justice for her murdered daughter is the subject of national television programme tomorrow. The story of Ann and Charlie Ming's attempt to get the man who killed their daughter jailed will be told on ITV's Real Crime at 9pm. Mr and

  • Burning Questions - Putting the saints in their place

    Q Can you give me information on the Scottish saints Mungo, Ninian and Columba? Can you also explain why St Andrew is patron saint of Scotland? - Bill Hutchinson Chester-le-Street. A St Andrew came from Galilee and probably never visited Scotland. But

  • Scandal of danger sites on main line

    THE state of Britain's rail infrastructure is to be raised at a meeting with the Railway Inspectorate this week, following a investigation by The Northern Echo. Following concern over the amount of junk left by engineers working on the East Coast main

  • Durham can only look on as Saggers hits top form

    HOW galling it must be for Durham to see how Martin Saggers, the man they plucked from Norfolk obscurity, keeps on taking wickets for Kent. While he bagged another five-wicket haul on Saturday in the win against Yorkshire, Durham's seamers - Mark Davies

  • Morris squeezes home

    TYNESIDE schoolgirl Emma Morris won the North of England and North-East Under-17 Heptathlon Championships by the narrowest of margins at Wentworth Park, Hexham, yesterday. At the end of two days of competition in the combined events meeting the 16-year-old

  • Dales beer now available in Cannes

    CHAMPAGNE and cocktails have been replaced by the best Yorkshire bitter at the world's most glamourous movie festival. Stars such as Cameron Diaz and Sharon Stone are being offered a pint of Black Sheep from the Masham brewery as they mingle with the

  • Hunt for callous robbers who beat former soldier, 82

    CALLOUS thugs who beat and robbed an 82-year-old man at his rural home are being hunted by police. Detectives believe the duo may have previously called at the house, in a County Durham village, on a reconnaisance exercise prior to the Saturday morning

  • Safety survey of headstones

    ABOUT £130,000 is to be spent by Scarborough Borough Council on a survey to assess the state of hundreds of old gravestones in its cemeteries, and to carry out repairs. It follows the death of a toddler who was crushed when a gravestone fell on him in

  • Rape victim feared for her life

    A WOMAN who saw her rapist jailed for seven years appealed last night for other possible victims to come forward. The 36-year-old, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, believed her attacker, John Ellison, could have killed her during the assault at her

  • Chorus of approval greets weekend of classical music

    SCORES of classical music fans enjoyed two rousing concerts at the weekend. A Promenade for Youth and A Last Night of the Proms, in Darlington, attracted performers and audiences from throughout the region. Youngsters including The Darlington Youth Band

  • Garrison tribute to royal milestone

    THE biggest British Army base in Europe was among the first to formally celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee at the weekend. Most celebrations are planned for a fortnight's time, but on Saturday a ceremony was held to re-dedicate Catterick Garrison's

  • Mayor sets out safety message

    THE new Mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, will meet fire officials today to tell them safety is a key target on his agenda. He will visit Cleveland Fire Brigade Headquarters, in Hartlepool, for talks with chief fire officer John Doyle, executive director

  • Inside sheltered homes

    RESIDENTS in Hartlepool are being given the opportunity to find out more about the benefits of sheltered housing this week. Today, there will be an open day at the Richard Court sheltered housing complex near Lister Street, from 10am to 1.30pm. There

  • Music on the agenda at forum night

    RESIDENTS living in Hartlepool's New Deal for Communities area are invited to attend a community forum meeting tonight, when they will be given a project update. Regular community forum meetings are being held to make sure the 10,000 people who live in

  • Strongman is setting his sights on European glory

    STRONGman Paul Bell is hoping to muscle in on European success after missing out on glory closer to home. The veteran bodybuilder was looking forward to competing at the recent annual Mr and Miss Durham City event. But a mix up over entry deadlines meant

  • Regeneration plan 'another jewel in crown' on river front

    PLANS to redevelop a derelict strip of land along the River Tees have taken a major step forward after councillors agreed to grant outline planning permission for the North Bank Scheme. English Partnerships had lodged the application with Stockton Borough

  • Healthy start to education project

    A PROGRAMME working to encourage young people across Stockton borough to live healthy lives has been given a national seal of approval. The Stockton Healthy School Programme, which is offered to all Stockton schools, has been formally accredited to the

  • News in brief: Witness appeal follows assault

    A 47-year-old man from Normanby suffered severe facial injuries and bruising after he was assaulted by a gang of four youths in Normanby High Street, on Saturday, at 10.50pm. One of the males is described as white, 18 years old and 6ft. He wore a long-sleeved

  • MP reassures parents over school choice

    Parents who are unhappy at not getting their children into their school of choice, put their concerns to their MP at the weekend. Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton south, and Betty Johns, Stockton Borough Council's assistant education officer, met parents

  • You've got to hand it to Echo

    JOURNALISTS working for The Northern Echo have won a string of honours at the North-East Press Awards. The paper scooped the highest number of individual accolades at the Tom Cordner Awards at Newcastle Civic centre on Saturday night, earning praise for

  • News in brief: Police probe glassing attack

    TWO men needed hospital treatment for cuts after an alleged glassing incident in a pub in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Friday. One, who is in his late twenties, needed 17 stitches to an eye wound, and the other had cuts to the hand, police said.

  • Sensory garden in castle grounds

    A SENSORY garden in the grounds of Barnard Castle has been opened by Viscount Eccles. The garden was developed by the Rotary Club of Barnard Castle with help from English Heritage, and was partly funded with European Union grants and funds raised by volunteers

  • Tickets for free concert available

    TICKETS are now available for The Big Chance concert, which will help find the region's top rock and pop acts. Music fans can get to see the three shortlisted acts in each genre battle it out for votes on the night, which will go towards the final judging

  • Rain fails to dampen spirits at medieval fair

    VILLAGERS and visitors braved downpours to travel back in time at Sedgefield's Medieval Fair at the weekend. After 32 years, modern attractions have updated the fair but organisers have maintained its historic theme. Saturday's rain failed to dampen the

  • Gun raid terror for fish shop workers

    FISH and chip shop staff were threatened with a handgun in a terrifying late night raid on Friday. The three women were confronted by two masked men brandishing a handgun and a baseball bat in Beedle's Chippy, Oaklea Terrace, Bishop Auckland, as the shop

  • International test for rollerskaters

    A GROUP of young rollerskaters are to represent Great Britain at an international competition. The Durham and District Rollerskating Club meets for training at the Sunnydale Leisure Centre, Shildon. Five girls from the club have been selected to take

  • Playscheme volunteers wanted

    VOLUNTEERS are needed to help at summer playschemes for disabled children. Darlington Association on Disability runs schemes for disabled youngsters and integrated schemes for able-bodied and disabled children. This year DAD hopes to provides sessions

  • Dance examinations successes

    Results of International Dance Teachers' Association dancing examinations held at the Pam Tallentire Studio of Dance, in the All Saints Millennium Centre, Darlington, on May 11 were: (Key: 65 per cent - pass; 75 per cent - commended; 85 per cent - highly

  • Pupils plan marathon bike ride

    CHILDREN from a Darlington special school are preparing to take part in a coast-to-coast bike ride to raise money for a local hospice. Pupils with learning difficulties from Beaumont Hill School will be undertaking the gruelling ride between June 23 and

  • Skateboard danger fears

    DAREDEVIL youngsters who have turned a church roof into a skateboard park could be killed, officials fear. Council chiefs say they have had complaints from residents who fear the teenagers may slip and call through the roof. Now they are facing calls

  • Restored Anglia's just perfect for top trophies

    THE star vehicle out of nearly 500 gleaming classic models on display at the weekend was not the oldest, speediest or most expensive, but it was perfect in every way. The modest bright red 1961 Ford Anglia, restored by John Merrington in his Washington

  • Popstars 'losers' storm the charts

    Popstars runners-up Liberty X - which include North-East star Michelle Heaton - were "over the moon" yesterday after their latest single went to the top of the charts. And while the five losers of the TV talent show watch their careers take off with their

  • Appeal after pub assault

    Revellers who witnessed an assault in a North-East pub which left a man seriously injured have been urged to come forward by police. The 26-year-old victim remained in hospital last night with serious head injuries after the incident outside Harley's

  • Memories brought to book

    THE happy memories of elderly people throughout the region have been compiled in a book to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. People living in the 27 Abbeyfield nursing homes in the North-East were asked to recall their favourite thoughts from the past

  • Two face court over break-ins at science site

    TWO men will appear in court today accused of break-ins which targeted university computer equipment. The pair, from London, were arrested by Durham detectives working with Metropolitan Police in the capital on Friday. They were brought North over the

  • Easterby aims for Newbury jackpot

    Tim Easterby is aiming to hit the jackpot again this summer after seeing another cheaply-bought two-year-old filly set out on the big-race trail with a win at Thirsk on Saturday. He has won Newbury's £125,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint with Flanders and

  • Step out to celebrate milestone

    TWO walks have been arranged in the Yorkshire Dales as part of a national initiative to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Richmond Ramblers and the town's Rotary Club have linked up to mirror a partnership at national level to organise walks for people

  • Shock as private hospital to close

    A HUNDRED staff at Scarborough's BUPA Belvedere Hospital face redundancy after the shock news at the weekend that it is to close in ten days. Hopes were high earlier this month that the hospital, which has operated for more than 60 years, would be taken

  • Coaches step in to help charity

    AEROBICS coaches showed off their skills to promote a forthcoming charity aerobathon. Five coaches donned uniforms and performed a spectacular routine to promote the aerobathon taking place at Sherburn Leisure Centre on Saturday, May 25, from 10.30am

  • Class with glass awarded new status

    IT is the region's newest official tourist attraction and it is bringing a little bit of culture to Consett. The Glass and Art Gallery at Consett has been awarded Tourist Attraction Status by the English Tourism Council. Road signs promoting the gallery

  • Gabby and Shearer back concert fixture

    FOOTBALL star Alan Shearer and TV sports presenter Gabby Logan have sung the praises of a charity music event to be staged in the North-East next month. The Prince's Trust, the country's leading youth charity, will benefit from proceeds of the Galaxy

  • CAB to launch new stand against racism

    CITIZENS' Advice Bureaux (CAB) throughout the North-East are joining the fight against racism. The National Association of CAB in the North is holding a seminar in Darlington tomorrow to launch its new anti-racist policy. Among the topics to be discussed

  • Construction company's new faces

    THREE new senior members of staff have been recruited to oversee key contracts on behalf of one of the North-East's leading construction companies. Bowey Construction has taken on 43-year-old Colin Pearson as a contracts manager, particularly overseeing

  • Gangster jailed for 12 years

    A GANGSTER who was cleared 15 years ago of murdering a North-east policeman was yesterday sent to prison for the kidnap and torture of two men. Mark Lambie, 30, was jailed for 12 years after being convicted of bundling two men at gunpoint into a car and

  • Cloned faster than speed of light sabre

    IT may have only been on release for a couple of days - but Star Wars II has already fallen victim to an attack of the North-East clones. Illegal pirate copies of the eagerly awaited science fiction blockbuster film have appeared on sale at car boot sales

  • And then there were two

    FOR more than 25 years they have largely been hidden from the world in a remote farmhouse. Now they are looking for new recruits. Nick Morrison is allowed a rare visit to a Greek Orthodox monastery. AS SHE comes forward to greet me, the huge grin creasing

  • Regeneration plan 'another jewel in crown' on river front

    PLANS to redevelop a derelict strip of land along the River Tees have taken a major step forward after councillors agreed to grant outline planning permission for the North Bank Scheme. English Partnerships had lodged the application with Stockton Borough

  • A generation who've known only war

    In the last of his reports from Kabul, Nick Morrison finds out how Afghans, many of whom have never known peace, view the future of their country. 'WE have been accustomed to war in Afghanistan - it is not a new thing. Something will look strange if it

  • Skipper Lehmann leads Phoenix to Kent victory

    Darren Lehmann curbed his naturally aggressive instincts to guide Yorkshire Phoenix to a hard-earned five-wicket win over Norwich Union League champions Kent Spitfires at Canterbury yesterday. Chasing a 181 target on a seaming pitch, which made positive

  • College lecturers 'quitting' over pay

    COLLEGE lecturers are quitting their jobs in droves for better pay and working hours in the region's schools, it has been revealed. Union leaders say scores of fed-up staff are defecting after years of watching their sal-aries being eroded, teaching hours

  • Gang members named and shamed

    Two teenage members of a gang who left taxpayers with a £100,000 bill were yesterday named and shamed and banned from the areas they terrorised. Police and civic leaders joined forces to apply for anti-social behaviour orders against the two 16-year-olds

  • Guisborough remain in top spot

    David Towes and Graham Shaw combined to keep Guisborough in pole position in the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League as they spearheaded their side's victory against Northallerton. Towes, renowned for his economy, was at his most accurate,

  • Weekend TV: Dickens (BBC2), Soap Stars Up A Mountain (C5)

    Why the Dickens are they climbing that? TALK about being catty - that William Makepeace Thackeray was a real bitch. Consider his observation of rival novelist Charles Dickens and his wife on a night out: "How splendid Mrs Dickens was in pink satin and

  • Burning Questions - Putting the saints in their place

    Q Can you give me information on the Scottish saints Mungo, Ninian and Columba? Can you also explain why St Andrew is patron saint of Scotland? - Bill Hutchinson Chester-le-Street. A St Andrew came from Galilee and probably never visited Scotland. But

  • Yorkshire denied great win

    With Kent at one stage tottering on 95 for six it seemed as if Yorkshire were about to pull off one of the most remarkable Championship victories in their recent history after being down and almost out earlier in the game. But then Matthew Walker was

  • Grim discovery off North-East coast

    FISHERMEN off the North-East coast have made a grim discovery after a suspected human skull was caught up in their nets. At around noon yesterday, the suspected human remains were discovered in a busy shipping lane off the coast of North Shields. Lothian