LEADERS Kirby Sigston won for the 17th time in 21 outings last Saturday, defeating Stafford Place by 20 runs. Kirby Sigston were all out for just 124, which included 43 by Thompson, as Smith claimed 6-50 for the visitors. Stafford Place were then given
MARCUS Stewart last night revealed his belief that Sunderland's new £10m striker partnership can prove to be a big hit with the Stadium of Light faithful. Stewart, a £1.8m buy from Ipswich, and Tore Andre Flo, signed for £8.2m from Rangers, fired a blank
THERE are strong parallels between Durham County Cricket Club and Newcastle Falcons in the way they are concentrating on developing top-class facilities for producing home-grown talent. This North-East production line philosophy is perfectly laudable
Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League: In the Premier League Billingham Wanderers drew 2-2 at home with the leaders Killingworth Arms. The first half ended goal less but after the re-start Billingham gained control and led 2-0 courtesy of goals from
Chester-le-Street court is to be closed early next year after more than a year of deliberation. County Durham Magistrates' Court Committee has decided to close the court and disperse cases between the three remaining courts in the north of the county
DAFFODILS are among the easiest plants to grow. Just dig a hole, make sure the bulbs are the right way up, and cover with a couple of inches of soil. Nature will do the rest with spectacular results. That may seem like an over-simplification but it isn't
The family of a chemical worker who died after becoming overcome by toxic fumes said today they did not believe he had flouted safety regulations. An inquest into the death of father-of-three Derek Tuck, 41, heard how co-workers found him collapsed next
An engineer kidnapped his former girlfriend by hiding in the boot and bursting through the back seat with a gun, a court was told today. Glen Thwaites, 31, who had been suffering from paranoia and severe depression, held the gun to the head of of Emma
'I ALWAYS wanted to live in the Esk Valley. My principal aspiration was to live where there were real trees. On my old council estate, trees were thrown on bonfires. Now, when I look out my window, I see oaks, sycamores and ashes.' Ian MacDonald grew
The summer holidays have been a busy times for Teesside's young swimmers. A total of 60 8-10 year olds have taken part in a number of Active Sports Swimming Events across the Boroughs of Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland. All of which were a success and
A UNIQUE piece of Victorian engineering has been closed for repairs this week. Saltburn's Cliff Lift broke down last weekend and has been closed while repairs were carried out to the electric motor that drives its water pumps. It was hoped that the work
I HAD the pleasure of witnessing Middlesbrough's triumph over Sunderland on Tuesday night from the comfort of a hospitality box. My third age as a football follower and confirmation of the remarkable transition the game has undergone over the past 40
A LIFE-saving air ambulance has had its trial period extended for another month after completing more than 80 missions. The helicopter has been based at Teesside Airport since July 8, and the Great North Air Ambulance charity is hoping to make it a permanent
AUGUST recovered somewhat after its disastrous start to be quite a reasonable month. It was warm, particularly at night, though disappointingly cloudy, as in the other summer months this year. If the first day of the month could be ignored, then rainfall
TOURISM in the region is gradually recovering from the combined effects of foot-and-mouth and September 11, a survey revealed yesterday. But the latest figures published by the English Tourism Council also described the industry as remaining in a fragile
Resident Evil. Publisher: Capcom. Format: Nintendo GameCube. REMAKES are rarely as good as the original. Remember Dino de Laurentiis' rehash of King Kong, Sylvester Stallone in Get Carter or the load of old tosh that was The Avengers? It's been six years
FEARS have been raised for the future of rowing and wildlife at a stretch of river following a drop in the water level. Several years ago a dam was created in the River Wear adjacent to the Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology, below Durham Cathedral
SUNDERLAND boss Peter Reid has told Kevin Kilbane his future is on Wearside. The Republic of Ireland World Cup winger has been taken out of the firing line by Reid since he gestured to fans who barracked him during the pre-season tour of Belgium. Kilbane
A LANDFILL tip near Scorton, which villagers say threatens to unleash a "cocktail of pollution" into the River Swale, has been given planning permission on the casting vote of North Yorkshire County Council planning committee chairman. Following nearly
AFTER successive heartbreaks over a long list of goldfish and rabbits, I vowed never to have another pet in the house. But then came Bella, the irresistible border collie. We'd gone to London to visit my mate Ted, father of my godson Christopher and his
A FLOCK of sheep for North York Moors villages should be established in an attempt to sustain traditional sheep farming, heather moorland and tourism. But some concerns have been raised about a new flock's financial viability, which would be supported
RESIDENTS have vowed to fight plans for new housing that they say will spell the end for their village. People in Lanchester, are set to flood Derwentside District Council with letters of objection to the proposal, which would see a former garage showroom
Monday was a pivotal day for Sarah Borwell of Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, as the highly-rated player officially began her professional tennis career. Sarah, 23, has just graduated with a degree in sports administration and marketing from Houston University
OTHER people's shopping is a great source of interest - what else is there to do in the checkout queue but watch what's going on to the moving belt from the trolley in front? Why there are a dozen cans of beans sailing down towards the scanner, but nothing
WAR on bad health and poverty has been declared following the allocation of £865,665 of Lottery cash. Among the first to benefit will be disabled people who will be able to sail every day of the week thanks to £25,540 worth of improvements at Scaling
BLOCKED drains and gullies in Hurworth which villagers claim to be the root of flooding problems, could soon be sorted out. Whenever heavy rain is forecast, residents know they will see water flowing down the roads, deep puddles outside their homes and
GOVERNMENT backing for the Darzi Plan means some people will lose their district general hospital, it was claimed last night. Health bosses in County Durham are pleased Health Minister Jacqui Smith has backed the merger and has given an extra £3.5m to
Heighington still lead the table by just two points from Rockliffe Park and the championship will be decided on the final day of the season. Heighington were due to play at Rockliffe Park at the weekend but the game was the only one to be cancelled because
A RIVAL developer has poured scorn on the collapse of plans to bring a multi-screen cinema to Darlington. Earlier this week, developers Terrace Hill revealed it had dropped plans to build the multi-million pound complex with cafs and tree-lined boulevard
UNION leaders are seeking urgent talks with an electronics firm after it emerged that it was considering axing thousands of jobs, including 1,000 in Durham. In a leaked document, LG Philips reveals that it is considering closing four factories in Durham
TOP event horses and riders from across the country will be joined by local competitors for this weekend's Allerton Park horse trials. The event has received a record number of entries and will include an international one-day event class for the first
CLOWNS, acrobats and daredevil motorcyclists will be on display when the circus rolls into town next week. Uncle Sam's American Circus pitches its marquee at Berry Edge, Stanley, on Monday. The show, which does not feature animal acts, features three
FIVE teenagers were rewarded last night for their 100 per cent school attendance records. The 16-year-olds, from four schools across County Durham, were invited with their families for a VIP tour of Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light. They were then presented
Show stretched to breaking point New British drama is a rarity on C5 so you wonder why they are devoting three hours, and presumably a big chunk of their budget, to a wafer-thin thriller like Menace. The writer is Anthony Horowitz, whose Murder In Mind
A NEW addition to the North-east skyline has been made red-hot favourite to become one of Europe's elite architectural structures. The £17.7m Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the bookies' favourite to clinch the Royal Institute of British Architects prestigious
President Bush last night threw down the gauntlet to the United Nations: either it curbs Saddam Hussein or the US will destroy him. In a hard-hitting speech to the General Assembly in New York, the president said Saddam had to be stripped of his weapons
A MOTORIST has been driven round the bend by her local council after it finally offered her a parking space - five miles away from her home. Mary Watkin has been on the waiting list for a garage in Morpeth, Northumberland, for 27 years, and is furious
A RUG thought to depict a famous cup win by a North-East football club was one of the hidden treasures unearthed at a sporting memorabilia valuation yesterday. The Axminster rug, featuring Sunderland AFC, is thought to have been commissioned to commemorate
The Salvation Army at Sacriston is about to celebrate its centenary. To celebrate, it is joining in with approximately 7,300 churches of all denominations across the country in hosting an Alpha course, which begins on Tuesday. The Alpha course is a practical
IT is clear, from his address to the United Nations yesterday, that President Bush is itching to go into war against Iraq. To justify his stance, he is to present a dossier of evidence alleging that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction, and
A LIMESTONE quarry near Scotch Corner is to be reworked after lying dormant for decades. North Yorkshire County Council has given the go-ahead to expand Melsonby quarry, just off the A1 near Barton, despite objections from Richmondshire District Council
ORGANISERS of a football tournament in Ferryhill are looking for sponsors to support next year's event. The tournament held during the town's gala day last month was followed by a six-a-side competition at Mainsforth Sports Complex, in which more than
STUDENTS have come to the rescue after one of the props from an annual safety campaign went missing. Hambleton District Council Safety Officers put out the SOS to the art department at Northallerton College, to reproduce a vital stage prop needed for
THERE are strong parallels between Durham County Cricket Club and Newcastle Falcons in the way they are concentrating on developing top-class facilities for producing home-grown talent. This North-East production line philosophy is perfectly laudable
PUPILS had the chance to give a politician a grilling when he took a North-East school assembly yesterday. North Durham MP Kevan Jones took the morning assembly, at Greenland Junior School in South Moor, Stanley. He told the pupils about his job and the
A FORMER soldier was spared jail yesterday, despite taking part in a savage hammer attack on his mother's violent lover yesterday - on condition that he re-enlists. Father-of-two Andrew Carr, 23, was among a gang of four who left Keith Cullin battered
THE first group of North Yorkshire firefighters to train at the county's new training facility will graduate today. Nineteen trainees have come through the programme at the Easingwold centre and will attend a formal ceremony before being sent to fire
Neil Maddison's first experience of playing in a derby at Hartlepool lasted just 15 minutes when he was forced to limp out the action at Victoria Park just over a year ago. But the midfielder doesn't need to play in a Pool-Darlington game to appreciate
NOT only will the proposed war with Iraq be bloody but it will also be the most cowardly fought in history. Anxious to avoid the humiliations of Vietnam, Lebanon and Somalia, where the limitations of the American army were clearly exposed, the Blair/Bush
NEXT, the UK's third largest clothing retailer, has reported a 24 per cent rise in profits over the past half-year after sales benefited from "better products in bigger stores". The group said pre-tax profits for the six months to the end of July rose
DISCUSSIONS on how to remember a popular community worker are continuing after mourners responded generously to his memory. Donations to Hurworth Community Association were made in lieu of flowers at the funeral of Ian Fletcher on Wednesday. It has already
PLANS for the regeneration of Stanley suffered a major blow on Monday when Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott pulled the plug on a multi-million pound housing development. It marks an end to a six-year row between developers and residents over proposals
A SCHEME set up to provide mental health patients with on-the-spot advice is being extended across Teesside and parts of Yorkshire. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals) has been piloted across Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool for the past
Pupils of Harlequin Stage School, in Yarm, have had a busy summer. A recent concert by youngsters from the school raised £650 for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Five of the senior students, Donna Nicholls, Jodie Hall,
SHOCKED residents have vowed to fight plans to build executive homes on part of their mining heritage that they say is Common Land. Householders in Blackfyne, Consett, are opposing an application - made by Derwentside College on behalf of a development
Boldon CA go into tomorow's game against Redcar Town within striking distance of leaders Wolviston after nine games - and manager Norman Hunter is delighted with the progress the side has made since he took over last November. Less than a year ago, Boldon
A FASHION entrepreneur is hoping to rival Harvey Nichols with his latest venture in the North-East. Steve Cochrane, the man behind fashion store Psyche, is planning to open a four-storey upmarket department store - complete with a champagne and oyster
DOGS of all description will be on show in the Flatts Lane Country Park Dog Show, at Flatts Lane park south of Normanby, will be held on Sunday, from 1pm to 4pm. Categories include scruffiest dog, dog with the waggiest tale and dog with the shiniest coat
New start: A New Start course for women in Yarm and Eaglescliffe begins at Yarm Methodist Church, Chapel Wynd, on Tuesday, from 1pm to 2.30pm, and at Egglescliffe Community Centre, Durham Lane on Wednesday, from 1pm to 2.30pm. The course, open to all
DEPARTMENT store group John Lewis has reported a £10m fall in half-year profits after figures were hit by higher pension costs and increased spending on its stores. The group, which also owns the Waitrose supermarket chain, said profits fell to £34m for
MORE people are turning to hypnosis as an alternative therapy for everything from giving up smoking to headaches and skin disorders. Christen Pears reports. THE watch swings on its chain slowly and rhythmically. The patient follows its movement, eyelids
ORGANISERS of the 161st Stanhope Show hope to attract thousands of visitors to the event this weekend. Most of the livestock, flower and vegetable and homecraft competitions will be judged on Saturday, with a parade of winners at 2.15pm. The Kennel Club
AN energetic dog is looking for a new owner. Four-year-old Jamie is being cared for by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League in Darlington. The springer spaniel was given to the league when his owners started working full-time and could no longer
AN art show with a difference opens on Teesside this weekend. The exhibition, which includes the work of 50 very different artists, has been put together by Paul Derrez, the director of Gallery Ra, Amsterdam. He is accompanying his exhibition, Maskerade
A TOWN'S MP has sent a message to young people disappointed by their GCSE results. Vera Baird QC, MP for Redcar said youngsters should not despair and can get back on track at Redcar and Cleveland College. She said: "My brother left school with no qualifications
DOGS of all description will be on show in the Flatts Lane Country Park Dog Show, at Flatts Lane park south of Normanby, will be held on Sunday, from 1pm to 4pm. Categories include scruffiest dog, dog with the waggiest tale and dog with the shiniest coat
A COUPLE who have dedicated their lives to athletics in Darlington have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Bert Goodwin, 81, and his wife, Gwen, 82, met in 1939. They were married in 1942 at St John's Church, Darlington, and spent their honeymoon
A DARLINGTON supermarket has raised hundreds of pounds for charity thanks to a big hairy monster. The Asda store in Whinbush Way was visited by Sulley, star of the hit film Monsters Inc. The blue, furry beast was in the store to promote the release of
THE OFFICIAL opening of the new Darlington Ambulance Station will be performed today. Darlington Mayor Councillor Doris Jones, will open the station at the Fire and Rescue Service premises in St Cuthbert's Way. The North East Ambulance Service project
A MOTHER whose young daughter was abducted and tortured by two teenage girls has condemned their sentence as disgusting. The six-year-old was snatched just yards from her home and subjected to a terrifying hour-long attack. The callous pair threatened
LACK of public support for Barnard Castle Meet, could force organisers to reduce it to a one-day event. The annual May Bank Holiday weekend carnival was in danger of being scrapped when the last open forum to discuss its future attracted only 18 people
THE latest phase of a project to provide childcare for the under-fours could be based in school grounds. Sure Start is a Government initiative ensuring youngsters in deprived areas get the best start in life. The latest area of Darlington to receive a
NATIONAL park officials are investigating a road, built across moorland, which conservationists say threatens peregrine falcons nesting in the area. The Yorkshire Dales Upland Birds Study Group complained about the vehicle track, which members say appeared
A WOMAN yesterday admitted mugging a pensioner in a North-East street for her handbag. Margaret Marshall, 37, of Royal Chambers, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to robbing 74-year-old Ivy Hind in the town on July 3. Marshall was remanded
AN exhibition celebrating all things woollen has gone on display at a museum in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. A co-operative of farming women and craftspeople, who exhibit under the name of The Wool Clip, is showing its work at the Dales Countryside
A PUB and coffee house with connections to author Charles Dickens could become part of a care home. The 300-year-old Charles Dickens bar and coffee shop, which make up the ground floor of the former King's Head Hotel in Barnard Castle, will shut on September
THE changing face of manufacturing in the North-East demands a well-trained and flexible workforce, the chief secretary to the Treasury said yesterday. Paul Boateng spoke as he visited the region to see how the Government's spending review is being delivered
A SEARCH has been launched to find volunteers to 'police' custody conditions in police stations. Men and women of all ages, over the age of 18, are being recruited to make unannounced visits to local police stations on Teesside and report on what they
MORE than 50 years after he was bowled over on his first meeting with his future bride, Jim Dixon could not be happier with Edna, his "champion" wife. Mr Dixon was knocked to the ground in his 1950 encounter with his future wife in an Aycliffe factory
Unique designer jewellery is within reach of everyone, thanks to the work of a Durham jeweller. And each piece carries a little reminder of the North-East with it wherever it goes. GAVIN Shelley sits at his workbench in the corner of his tiny shop up
Division A: Mark Poole 69 for Raby Castle against Barningham Graham Newton 54 for Barningham against Raby Castle Nick Kavanagh 6 for 48 for Raby Castle against Barningham David Lee 99 not out for Cockerton against Middleton St George Amjit Hussain 111
TWO of the UK's best-known fashion brands - Jaeger and Viyella - have been put up for sale by threads and clothing group Coats. Chief executive Martin Flower said the group's efforts to revive both chains had fallen flat despite the consumer boom. "Their
SAXOPHONE player Julia Stead is making music pay after setting up in business with the help of the Tyneside Economic Development Company (Tedco). Ms Stead, 30, from Jarrow, in South Tyneside, has been playing in bands since she was a teenager, but recently
THE ruins of a medieval home built entirely of stone plundered from Hadrian's Wall opened yesterday to the public for the first time in its 600-year history. Thirlwall Castle, a unique 14th Century hall house, underwent a three-year conservation programme
THIRTY hospital patients and staff have fallen victim to an outbreak of sickness and diarrhoea which has left four wards closed to new admissions. The stomach bug which led to the closure of a ward at the James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough, to new admissions
Bishop firsts won 15-8 away to Richmondshire RFU in their opening game in the Durham and Northumberland third division, a more emphatic victory than the scoreline would suggest. Newly-promoted Richmondshire opened with a determined series of attacks,
POLICE have launched a major operation in East Cleveland and aim to jail 200 thieves by Christmas. Operation Trident swung into action at the weekend with a hand-picked team of 40 police officers and already four people have been charged in connection
Leaders Kirby Sigston won for the 17th time in 21 outings defeating Stafford Place by 20 runs. Batting first, Kirby Sigston were all out for just 124 which included 43 by Thompson while for Stafford Place Smith was on splendid form with the ball and he
Bishop Auckland Bridge Club Results for Thursday, Septemeber 5 1 A Darnell/M Pitt 71.83%; 2 T Mawston/A Race 63.49; 3 J Little/B Myers 62.70; 4 J Burnett/A Bainbridge 58.33; 5 O & M Brown 57.94; 6 G & A Young 54.37.
CLOWNS, acrobats and daredevil motorcyclists will be on display when the circus rolls into town next week. Uncle Sam's American Circus pitches its marquee at Berry Edge, Stanley, on Monday. The show, which does not feature animal acts, features three
HIDDEN treasures are to be unveiled to the public for the first time in years. Curios including a two-headed sheep, historic photographs and important artefacts - all locked away in a seventeenth century Grade II listed house named Winkies Castle - will
PARENTS have accused a supermarket chain of putting profits before people after it confirmed plans to close the crche at its Darlington store. Safeway has been reviewing how best to use the space in its 60,000 sq ft store in Victoria Road. The company
THE fate of more than 1,000 North-East workers could be sealed today following crunch talks between an electronics firm and union negotiators. Representatives of staff at LG Philips plants in Durham and nearby Washington are flying to Holland to discuss
LACK of NHS dentistry in Wensleydale is to be highlighted to a group set up to improve mouth health in Richmondshire and Hambleton. Following concerns that, unless they paid for private treatment, residents had to travel to Darlington or Northallerton
HIGHWAY engineers are looking at ways of speeding up delivery of a £225m project to build a three-lane A1 motorway between Dishforth and Barton, it was announced this week. News that plans shelved by the Conservative government almost six years ago were
A MUSCLEMAN has overcome an arm injury to set one of the toughest world records there is. Kevin Jefferson, 39, of Eastfields, Stanley, has smashed the record for the number of press-ups completed on the back of his hands in one minute. The previous record
A RETIRED housekeeper has left £500,000 to benefit the sick. Generous Ethel Moverley left the money to be shared between Scarborough General Hospital and St Catherine's Hospice. The news comes just days after The Northern Echo revealed a million-pound
ROBERT Ord has dabbled in his favourite hobby since he was just a boy and this week the fruits of his artistic talent have gone on display in east Durham. Now retired, Mr Ord, who was born in Thornley, is a self-taught painter and a collection of his
A PUBLIC inquiry into whether to allow opencast quarrying for coal and brick material near Chester-le-Street has begun. Planning permission for an opencast site at Wheatley Head was refused by Durham County Council last year and this week the appeal against
A new drug could bring hope to thousands of retired miners in the region whose lungs have been wrecked by life underground. Spiriva, or Tiotropium, is a once-a-day inhaled powder which can significantly reduce the distressing symptoms of lung conditions
UNION leaders are seeking urgent talks with an electronics firm after it emerged that it was considering axing thousands of jobs, including 1,000 in Durham. In a leaked document, LG Philips reveals that it is considering closing four factories in Durham
PROTESTORS have spoken out against proposals to convert Richmond's former station into a music venue and restaurant, claiming the scheme is a "screen for a night club." The Richmond Station Group, which set itself up to promote "suitable" development
Worthington CIU Summer Team Knock Out: Durham City pulled off a great victory in the quarter final on their visit to Stanley Central when they saw captain, Barry Stoddart sink the final black. The home side had 34-point start and Walter Cornell's victory
Durham Ranking Tournament : Michael Rhodes came through to maintain his position at the top of the ranking List when he beat his close friend, Dave Lowery 5-1 in the final. However it was not plain sailing for Michael as he almost went out in the quarter
TOWNS and villages in the area are again celebrating success in the annual Northumbria in Bloom competition. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held at the Oakwood Centre in Eaglescliffe on Monday. More than 30 awards were presented by Colin
CONVICTED teenage tearaways are to make reparation to communities where they have wreaked havoc. "It's pay back time and we think it's a great idea," said Coun Dave McLuckie, lead member for community safety with Redcar and Cleveland Council, announcing
Quakers RC: A total of 13 Quakers competed in the club championship New Marske Autumn Coast Road 5km. Nick Millar was first home for the club in a time of 17:51, followed by Gordon Richards in 18:37. Other Quakers: Graham Park 18:46, Dawn Richardson 19
Sir, - Last week the chairman of Richmondshire District Council's environment committee attacked my criticism of the council as being "factually incorrect" (D&S letters, Sep 6). Far be it from me to suggest that the chairman is being economical with
A BARNARD Castle pub that has been slaking thirsts for over 300 years is to close at the end of the month. The Charles Dickens bar and adjacent coffee shop, which together make up the ground floor of the former King's Head Hotel, will shut on September
TIM EASTERBY'S domination of the two-year-old sprint races at Doncaster's St Leger meeting looks all set to continue this afternoon via Roman Mistress (3.55). Being drawn low on the straight course this week has been like the kiss of death; a fate which
A load of cement may seem an unlikely object of sentiment. But builders' yard boss Ian Wallace has shed a tear over his latest, historic delivery. The 11 tons of cement which Mr Wallace picked up was the very last of the millions of tons to be manufactured
A PRIMARY school was forced to delay its first day of term last week because obligatory criminal record checks had not been completed by the Government. Children at Bullion Lane Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, had to stay at home on Wednesday for
BELEAGUERED Titus Bramble was facing the axe last night after Sir Bobby Robson decided to take the defender out of the firing line. Bramble will be replaced by Nikos Dabizas at Chelsea tomorrow if the Greek recovers in time from the calf injury that forced
FARMERS have been urged to be more vigilant after rising sheep prices prompted more livestock thefts. Sgt Mick Rookes, of North Yorkshire police, said Swaledale and Wensleydale had been targeted by thieves recently, along with the borders of Teesdale
Durham City Ladies: Durham progressed through to the next stage of the FA Cup with a good win against Yorkshire team Osset Albion. City started superbly and were all over the visitors, after 20 minutes it seemed as if it would be a walk over as Durham
A mother has been jailed after clubbing her neighbour with a rolling pin while allowing her dog to attack her. Michelle Stonehouse, 26, had been involved in a long-running dispute with her upstairs neighbours before the feud erupted in violence in the
Saturday: Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League Division Two: Norton 110 (L Dalby 31, G Kean 33, C Metcalfe 6-14); Chester-le-Street 72-1. Gateshead Fell 147-8 (N Brown 55, S Williamson 3-35) v Benwell Hill - match abandoned, rain. South Northumberland
THE decision to go-ahead with a new tip at Scorton, near Richmond, was not unexpected. After all, the company seeking permission for the tip, Yorwaste, is largely owned by the local authority, North Yorkshire County Council, which made the decision. Local
Sunderland are looking for ambitious new players from the region to join it's Girls Centre of Excellence. The Black Cats want to strengthen the Under-12s, 14s and 16s teams at their Centre of Excellence ahead of the new campaign and are looking for talented
A LOCAL cricket side is celebrating after clinching a superb double, writes Paul Fraser. Chester-le-Street Under-13s, who had already won the League Cup in May, were crowned champions of the Federation Special Durham Senior League last Saturday. And the
Stepy's Coaches Durham Sunday League: A lot of the clubs were taking part in the Durham County Sunday Cup but Meadowfield Brancepeth Castle entertained Sherburn Lambton Arms in the only Premiership game. Meadowfield, who now play their home games at Brandon
B&H Kings Head 4 v 2 North Skelton Kings Head maintained their 100 per cent record to keep in touch with Thornaby Mandale at the top of the League. Ian Wagner headed Kings Head into a first half lead and although North Skelton drew level shortly after
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League This week saw the final group games in the first round of the First and Second Division Cups and also saw many teams take part in the Durham County Cup, thus leading to a much-reduced fixture list
AN active community member and his wife have celebrated their diamond wedding. Thomas and Eva Nairn were married at Station Road Chapel, in Chester-le-Street, on September 5, 1942. After spending their first years living in Chester-le-Street, where Mrs
AFTER successive heartbreaks over a long list of goldfish and rabbits, I vowed never to have another pet in the house. But then came Bella, the irresistible border collie. We'd gone to London to visit my mate Ted, father of my godson Christopher and his
THE glitz and glamour surrounding America's prestigious Emmy awards is beckoning for one young North-East woman. But Ruth Atkinson will not be phased by the number of Hollywood stars she rubs shoulders with in Los Angeles tomorrow - at only 21, she is
It was a tremendous accolade for the area that the National Water Industry Coarse Fishing Championships, now in its 25th year, was held on the Lower reaches of the Tees at Bowesfield, writes Jeff Herbert. Since the introduction of the Barrage in 1994
Tow Law Bass League: Tow Law New Market A visited Esh Stag's Head with both teams fighting to get back among the leaders. The trebles were shared but then the visitors moved ahead after the singles when Kenneth Atkinson, Darren Yeoman, David Dixon and
A DOCTOR has been found guilty of serious professional misconduct for failing to send a woman with cancer for urgent tests. Dr Nabil Naroz, from Hett Hill, Chester-le-Street, had been accused by the General Medical Council (GMC) of failing to act in the
Consett Sunday League: Any hopes that Blackhill Comrades may have of winning the championship for the third successive season are already lying in tatters. The Comrades have now only won two of their first six games and suffered their biggest defeat for
A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to bring sporting facilities to a thriving community has taken another step forward. Council chiefs have confirmed their commitment to the Ministry of Defence's proposals for an £11m sports and leisure complex at Catterick
ANGLO-Dutch steelmaker Corus has reported wider losses for the past half-year and said the timing of a recovery in its markets remained uncertain. The former British Steel group, which employs about 4,200 staff on Teesside, reported pre-tax losses of
ANTIQUE furniture worth several thousands of pounds has been stolen from a village church near Northallerton. Burglars believed to have known what they were looking for kicked in the front door of the parish church at Danby Wiske - one of the few in the
HOSPITAL patients have been showing off their creative skills at a craft fair. Work completed by patients attending the skills centre at the County Hospital, in Durham, were showcased at the fair last Thursday. The patients are all receiving treatment
Hungry Jacks Hungry Jacks of Northallerton have been in pre-season action. The team had a good display in the Marton 11-a-side tournament, qualifying from a group that included Kader, Marton, Riverside boys and Hartburn, only to lose in the semi finals
Durham and District League: Jason Taylor of Leeholme repeated his Singles Championship victory for the R J Hall Trophy of two seasons ago when he beat Jason Moore of Belmont by 21 shots to 17 in the final played at Vane Tempest Bowling Green in Durham
JUNE 5 next year is a date for the people of Chester-le-Street and North-East cricket fans to pencil in their diaries. That is the day when the Riverside ground will stage its first session of Test match cricket. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced
JUNINHO last night promised he will come back "better than ever'' from reconstructive knee surgery. The Brazilian star underwent an operation over a fortnight ago to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and is hoping for a New Year return to action
Spennymoor manager Tony Lee has told his players they must give striker Andrew Shaw more support. Shaw scored for the third successive league game when Moors drew 1-1 at Farsley in midweek, and Lee said: "Andrew was outstanding again, but the players
A YOUNG man who armed himself with a broom shank before breaking into a family home was jailed for three-and-a-half years yesterday. Tony Jones, 19, targeted a property in Gray's Terrace, Nevilles Cross, Durham, on November 13 last year, where a two-year-old
POLICE are appealing for information after two elderly women were mugged in separate incidents in neighbouring former mining villages within 24 hours of each other. The first attack took place at about 4pm on Monday in Barnes Road, Murton, east Durham
ZANY comedian Freddie Starr kicked off four days of live music and real ale by drinking the first pint at an annual festival. The comic got the festival under way ahead of a sell-out show at Darlington Civic Theatre, last night. Starr, one of the biggest
A UNIQUE freight aircraft arrives at its new base at Teesside International Airport today. The Conroy Guppy specialises in outsize cargo and is the only one of its type in the world. It has the ability to haul single items of freight up to 80ft in length
ONE of the oldest swingers in town and the latest addition to a river skyline will move in harmony for the first time next week. Newcastle's Swing Bridge and Gateshead's Millennium Bridge will open and tilt together to boost Tyneside's bid to become European
ONE of the oldest swingers in town and the latest addition to a river skyline will move in harmony for the first time next week. Newcastle's Swing Bridge and Gateshead's Millennium Bridge will open and tilt together to boost Tyneside's bid to become European
A MAN who battered his elderly neighbour with a hammer was told by a judge yesterday that he will probably spend the rest of his life in a secure psychiatric unit. Kenneth Brannan returned to court to be sentenced for the attack on 79-year-old neighbour
AN up-and-coming singer died under the wheels of a Ministry of Defence police car. The vehicle ran over Kenny Campbell as it patrolled the roads around the Menwith Hill US spy base, a Harrogate inquest heard yesterday. Mr Campbell's mother, Eileen, restaurant
A GUNDOG breeder yesterday denied launching a bizarre hate campaign against a family which purchased a fish farm he wanted to buy. Robert Walker, 50, is accused of targeting Margaret and Sidney Boulter, who bought Oakbank Fisheries in Longtown, Cumbria
A COUNCILLOR has paid tribute to the dedication of villagers in beating the odds to scoop a prize in an annual floral competition. Aycliffe Village's hopes of claiming a third successive victory in the Northumbria in Bloom competition were dealt a blow
A MEMORIAL to psychiatric patients who were buried in unmarked graves is being tidied up following a complaint from a former hospital employee. The Northern Echo led a successful public appeal for a memorial to former patients of Winterton Hospital five
DECORATED American veteran Bruce Betcher has made a highly emotional return to the region - decades after his daring wartime exploits. The 90-year-old Bomber Command hero flew 33 operations in eight months during the Second World War from the most northerly
AN exhibition at a North-East museum promises to shed some light on the history of one of the region's noted pottery workshops. New research findings by retired teacher Allen Grace will be unveiled as part of a display on the former Canney Hill Pottery
THE Northern Echo's longest serving employee is celebrating 40 years with the newspaper. Systems manager Geoff Elvish, 55, began work as an apprentice compositor on September 10, 1962. He said: "When I started it was the old hot metal days and since then
JENNY the Jack Russell-Yorkshire Terrier-cross has won the hearts of dog lovers in Weardale as she takes on her new role as an animal sanctuary mascot. The six-month old puppy became a star attraction at Weardale Animal Sanctuary, in Stanhope, after she
AN OPEN verdict was recorded at an inquest into the death of a retired council worker yesterday. John Walter Lowther died at his home in Maple Grove, West Cornforth, on November 29 last year. Consultant pathologist Dr Clive Bloxom told the inquest that
WORK by art students with learning difficulties has gone on show at Richmond library. The students took dancing around the world as their theme last term. For details, call (01748) 850171 or 830508.
A DISAGREEMENT between two politicians which could have lost people in Redcar and east Cleveland the chance to question a police chief, has been resolved. As reported in yesterday's edition of The Northern Echo, the squabble erupted over a series of letters
POLICE have warned off-road bikers and boy racers to steer clear of an industrial estate. Chester-le-Street police have stepped up patrols near the town's Drum Industrial Estate following complaints from residents in the nearby Low Flatts Road area. PC
A PROPERTY company has asked councillors to help it combat vandals. Valued Properties Ltd applied to Wear Valley District Council for planning permission to build a security fence at the back of shops in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland. But members of
A SINGER fighting cancer has penned some verses to help other women suffering from the disease. Joyce Shaw, of Consett, County Durham, is well known in the area as a soprano and has used her voice to raise thousands of pounds for breast cancer charities
A WINDOW into space will be opened on Wearside when the area's first pubic observatory is unveiled. The observatory at Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, on Wearside, will house a professional 12in diameter telescope bought from Durham University's
TEENAGERS who won a South African holiday by helping their community found inspiration for a new campaign among impoverished township youngsters. The group from Wolsingham School and Community College were so moved by the hours they spent among the homes
AEROSPACE and defence company BAE Systems pledged to continue building up its US presence despite a failed attempt to snap up rival TRW. BAE emerged as a contender for the US group in June, when it was holding talks about buying TRW's defence business
Crop circles have baffled sceptics and believers for 20 years, and now feature in a Hollywood blockbuster. Nick Morrison looks at a phenomenon still resisting attempts at explanation. THEY appear overnight, without warning and seemingly leaving no trace
A TEESDALE travel group has set its sights on attracting Norwegian visitors to the region with the help of Trade Partners UK. Teesdale Marketing will be urging Norwegian group travel organisers to discover Teesdale during a Trade Partners UK Export Explorer
ORIGINAL maps and records from an ill-fated wartime campaign will go on show at a museum this month. The collection, from The King's Own Royal Border Regiment Museum, will go on display at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery on Saturday
A WEALTH of finds dating back to medieval times have been unearthed in a North Yorkshire town. The remains of a 15th Century town house or friary have been found in Springfield, one of the oldest parts of Scarborough. Archaeologists have been working
A COUNCILLOR has vowed to keep pressure on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to take action after a series of unexploded bombs were found off the east Cleveland coast. David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said the council was monitoring
A BED maker is still in negotiations with one of its rivals amid speculation that part of the firm could be taken over. Dunlopillo, which employs 320 workers at its Pannal site in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is involved in the talks with Slumberland,
A NEW anti-theft initiative is in the bag - a crime prevention team hopes. About 600 bright orange drawstring bags are to be distributed to motorists who are in the habit of leaving cars parked on their drives overnight, as a reminder to take all their
The League's clubs were in Durham County Sunday Cup action at the weeekend and Pelton Fell enjoyed an odd goal in five win at Wardley Legion with goals from in-form striker Daniel Bankhead, Andrew Cuthbertson and Derek Willis. Newcomers Chester Garden
A SCHOOL is hosting a jazz evening to raise money for its jubilee year appeal. The Wild Cats of Kilkenny, from the Tees Valley, will perform at Polam Hall School, Darlington, on Saturday, September 21, from 7pm. During its appeal to provide more facilities
A SCOOTER rider is in hospital being treated for broken bones after a road accident at traffic lights. Cleveland Police said the rider of the Yamaha may have jumped a red light in Hartlepool town centre, before colliding with a car. Efforts are being
THE final exhibition has gone on display at Darlington's art gallery yesterday. The work on show is by three Hartlepool artists, Tom Furness, Margery Shotton and Bob Watson, and includes views of the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Durham City. The
A DARLINGTON hospice is appealing for help from businesses across the border in North Yorkshire. St Teresa's Hospice has launched a major appeal to open and run a six-bed, 24-hour unit to provide respite, palliative and terminal care. Although based in
A liaison officer who has been at the side of the family of tragic schoolgirl Jessica Chapman throughout their ordeal was arrested yesterday over allegations involving indecent pictures of children. Detective Constable Brian Stevens was held as part of
A SPECIAL nurse is about to start work on a Darlington housing estate thanks to a grant from the National Lottery. The Firthmoor to Health project has been awarded more than £500,000 and will use the money to set up a one-stop health shop where the public
A PUBLIC meeting is to take place next week to call for improvements to a town centre. The Richmond Pride campaign, launched earlier this year by the town council, was set up to tackle problems facing the town. Monday's meeting, at 7pm, in the town hall
A NURSE avoided a jail sentence yesterday despite being found slumped over the wheel of her car more than five times over the drink-drive limit. Harrogate magistrates ordered Alison Paines to carry out 180 hours of unpaid community work and pay £70 costs
AN elderly man lost control of his car in a busy hospital car park and careered into nine vehicles. The man, who is helping police with their inquiries, was driving an automatic car in the grounds of Harrogate District Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
A BINGO caller with more than a few tricks up his sleeve is hoping his patter could win him a dream trip to Las Vegas - and the chance to marry his long-term girlfriend. Magician Andy Tate, 28, has been a huge hit with punters at Testo's bingo club in
ONE of Britain's greatest living artists, painter Alan Davie, has unveiled his latest exhibition. Fifteen large-scale paintings, forming part of the Magic Symbolism exhibition, will go on display at Harrogate's Mercer Art Gallery tomorrow. Born in Scotland
A POLICE administrator from the North-East, who is recovering from breast cancer, is to have her own police escort when she embarks on a fund-raising walk. Lesley Hartley, 44, will take part in the sponsored walk for Cancer Research UK accompanied by
A touch of Frost in mid-September froze out Yorkshire at Edgbaston yesterday and had the County Champions skating on even thinner ice in their bid to avoid the drop into the Second Division. Needing at least 11 points to keep their survival hopes alive
GREEN Goddess fire engines are to be sent to Catterick Garrison to provide emergency cover in the event of a strike by firefighters. About 250 of the 50-year-old vehicles are believed to be destined for the Army base, which would then deploy some to other
Consett suffered a 4-3 defeat when they met New Hartley. Daniel Grey, Chris Huggin and Andy Green were on target for the Steelmen, while for New Hartley Daniel Reece and Daniel Hope both scored twice. The goals flowed when Walker Central entertained Cleveland
Work on a stretch of road dubbed Death Mile could begin within the next year. There were 35 serious smashes on the A66 outside the village of Long Newton, near Stockton, between 1987 and 1992. In 1985, seven people were killed in just seven months on
THE Under-13s opened the season in the Russell Foster junior league with two wins, 5-3 at home to Hilda Park and 2-1 away to Birtley Town. Michael Johnson, Glen Newton (2), Richard Elmes and Martin Trow scored against Hilda Park, the goals against Birtley
Kall Kwik Harrogate and District League . Bedale have joined the League after being shunned years ago. Their belated arrival follows a chance meeting at a local cricket match between Harrogate League fixture secretary Dave Cockle and John Abbottson, organiser
A teenager downed a cocktail of drink and drugs before launching one of the worst "kicking assaults" ever seen by a judge. David Johnstone, 19, had been out of a young offender's intitution for just one day when he launched the savage attack on Gary Abbott
AN unbeaten 73 from Brian Leckenby propelled High Farndale to a seven-wicket victory over Harome in the Feversham League top four trophy final. The game was played on a glorious Sunday morning at Harome's ground, which was in immaculate condition. Harome
Taxi drivers in Darlington are threatening to strike if the council introduces a new driving test for cabbies. Members of Darlington's cabinet will meet next week to discuss proposals to introduce the Driving Standards Agency taxi driver test. Officers
CREW members from a city's adopted ship pedalled their way to a warm reception after completing a gruelling cycle ride. Six sailors from Sunderland's adopted ship, HMS Ocean, completed a 387-mile cycle trip from Portsmouth to the city to raise money for
HELP CENTRE: Washington Age Concern can offer information and advice on day clubs, home security, home visiting, learning and leisure facilities, insurance and telephone services, either by calling at the Galleries Health Centre, on level three, or by
ARTIFICIAL hearts could be implanted into North-East patients as early as next year, a leading surgeon believes. Professor John Dark, head of the heart transplant team at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, said patients could receive new man-made hearts by
Iceland just pipped Redcar Glazing by the odd goal in five. Unable to convert their chances, Iceland looked jaded and Redcar Glazing looked to be in with a chance of at least taking a point. Darren Turley put Iceland ahead only for Craig Carey to put
Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers. The Club Summer Handicap, run around a cross-country course, was won by Nigel Morgan with Nicola Thorpe second, Judith Seaton third and Pamela Sherlock in fourth place. Prize giving followed, with prizes for all participants
CIU League: Byers Green won the play-off match against Middlestone Moor for the runners-up spot in the dominoes section but the result hung in the balance to the final leg. Billy Carrick put the Moor ahead but Trevor Kerr levelled only to see Dougie Gray
Scott Bryson,16, from Sunderland, the current British Junior Ski Champion has scored two major successes in the past week. On Thursday he secured his first sponsorship deal when he signed up with Blizzard skis and the Ski Warehouse from Longtown in Cumbria
DERWENT WALK: Voluntary Countryside Ranger Mackle Jones will lead a 13-mile walk along the upper reaches of the River Derwent from 10.30am on Wednesday next week, starting from the main car park in Blanchland. PEARL SHOW: John Steinbeck's The Pearl is
AN appeal to buy equipment for two hospitals has received an £8,000 boost. Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) volunteers and staff who work at the shop at Darlington Memorial Hospital handed the money over to hospital representatives on Monday. The
A COMMUNITY was in mourning yesterday at news that one of its most popular residents was killed in a car accident. Jean Glass, of Woodhouse Close Estate, Bishop Auckland, died on Wednesday after the collision near Spennymoor. Friends from the estate have
Tow Law Area League: Tow Law Dan's Castle produced their best result since rejoining the league when they visited Newhouse Club and almost completed a whitewash. The home side's only point came when Olive Jones beat the Castle's stand-in captain, Rachel
DARLINGTON'S seven-wicket victory at Northallerton last Saturday has set up a mouth-watering derby clash with neighbours Darlington RA in the last round of fixtures tomorrow. The match at Feethams holds the key to the destiny of the league title. A win
Results: Anchor Inn 0 Lingdale Utd 2; Annandale Hotel 0 Hinderell 3; Goldsborough 1 Staithes 1; Redcar Mackinlay Park 2 Grangetown YCC 0; Whitby Fishermans 2 Grosmont 0. Saturday, September 7: Annandale Hotel 0 Lingdale Tavern 3; Boosbeck Utd 0 Whitby
Resident Evil. Publisher: Capcom. Format: Nintendo GameCube. REMAKES are rarely as good as the original. Remember Dino de Laurentiis' rehash of King Kong, Sylvester Stallone in Get Carter or the load of old tosh that was The Avengers? It's been six years
CLOWNS, acrobats and daredevil motorcyclists will be on display when the circus rolls into town next week. Uncle Sam's American Circus pitches its marquee at Berry Edge, Stanley, on Monday. The show, which does not feature animal acts, features three
A MUSCLEMAN has overcome an arm injury to set one of the toughest world records there is. Kevin Jefferson, 39, of Eastfields, Stanley, has smashed the record for the number of press-ups completed on the back of his hands in one minute. The previous record
Coventry Bears are the new Rugby League Conference Champions and holders of the Harry Jepson Trophy. The Bears, beaten in the final last year by Teesside Steelers, went one better this season by beating Hemel Stags 31-18 on Sunday at Cheltenham's Prince
JUNE 5 next year is a date for the people of Chester-le-Street and North-East cricket fans to pencil in their diaries. That is the day when the Riverside ground will stage its first session of Test match cricket. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced
STOKESLEY residents generally supported plans for a £2.5m library and elderly people's housing development at a public meeting this week. Most concerns related to traffic in North Road. There were also calls for young people's affordable housing and extra
DURING this morning's daily walk, I heard the sound of wood being tapped and my first reaction was that a woodpecker was busy. Almost immediately, however, I realised it was not the rhythmic battering or drilling type of sound one associates with those
Readers of this week's Business News (page 14) may vaguely recognise a name featured in our report about the Yorkshire Independent Grocers' Association. A certain Peter Brant is the organisation's new secretary but many readers in Reeth will remember
THE richest race in Europe for two-year-olds was won by Tim Easterby's charge Somnus on a remarkable first day of Doncaster's Leger meeting for the Great Habton trainer. Easterby took the first two races, with Somnus - once described by Tim's father Peter
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Chester are looking for a major sponsor to help them redevelop after the breakaway of their junior section. The Cestrains will be developing Under-11s to play in the Russell Foster league and all girls over the age of 11 will play in
HOME owners who face losing thousands of pounds when their defective council-built properties are demolished say they will refuse to move unless they receive compensation. Wear Valley District Council could face a lengthy legal battle with 30 owner-occupiers
A VARIETY of vegetables and flowers grown in allotments were on show at Beamish Museum to give visitors an insight into an old pit village tradition. The Shield Row Allotments Association staged their exhibition at the museum, near Stanley. Association
ON the day when the first lbw decision was given by a third official in the ICC Trophy in Sri Lanka, the umpires at Durham's Riverside ground remained stuck in a time warp. There is a general observation of umpires in county cricket that they are quick
FIFA's new rules on signing foreign players has started to hit non-league football. Under the new rules, clubs are only allowed to sign foreign players in transfer windows before the start of the season and in mid-January, and already one UniBond League
The last major Open Competition has now been completed. Starting with Ladies on Friday, Men on Saturday and finishing with Mixed on Sunday. A busy weekend with large numbers of competitors from all over the North of England enjoying not only good weather
Macmillan Bowl preliminary round Darlington RA Res 0 v 4 Richmond Tn Second division side Railway Athletic matched their first division opponents Richmond, but the visitors were denied twice in the opening half hour when poor finishing and good goal keeping
PARENTS are being offered lessons in kerb drill - to save their youngsters from death and serious injury. Back-to-basics sessions are being held across east Cleveland by a concerned Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Mike Hall, the council's road safety
Train operator GNER has signed a £30m contract to completely transform more than 300 of its electric coaches. The contract, believed to be the biggest of its kind in the UK, will see a re-design and re-fit aimed at boosting comfort for the passenger.
GNER was last night warned it has still some way to go to improve its train punctuality record. The company has made recent strides towards running more trains on time despite having to contend with a catalogue of problems on the East Coast Main Line.
