A disgraced solicitor has been accused of selling out thousands of ailing miners. Russel Young is being sued by the ex-pitmen who claim he was negligent in advising them to accept paltry pay-outs for the crippling industrial disease vibration white finger
A NEW programme of spending to aid business initiatives and community development in the Yorkshire Dales is to be launched next month. To free up more money for projects and keep administrative costs to a minimum, the £125,000 fund for sustainable development
A BUSKER who has spent nearly two decades working the streets is to perform in a Grade I building usually reserved for fine classical music. Norman Evans, who was awarded the MBE for raising more than £250,000 for charity by busking on the streets of
THE enduring appeal of Ian Fleming's suave superspy James Bond was evident yesterday when first editions of the books went under the hammer. A 1955 copy of Moonraker was sold for £1,800 at the autumn book sale of Tennants of Leyburn. That price was £400
A BUNGALOW was left badly damaged after fire broke out yesterday. Three fire engines were called to the detached home in Wentworth Drive, Unsworth, Washington at about 12.30pm. The blaze destroyed a utility room and loft area and about a third of the
STEPS are being taken to encourage parents to leave their cars at home and walk to school with their children. It is hoped that almost 10,000 Middlesbrough schoolchildren will take part in their year's Walk to School Week, next week, with more than 30
A FERRYHILL man performed a hair-raising stunt to raise money for a local hospital. Henry Grimes agreed to have his head shaved to raise money for the special care baby unit at Bishop Auckland General Hospital. He bravely had the chop while sitting in
A NORTH-EAST paedophile exposed himself to a terrified young girl just days after he was freed by the court of appeal. Michael Croney had his four-year jail term cut to a three-year community rehabilitation order, despite warnings that he posed a high
A HEROIN addict burgled an old couple's home at 7.30am, a court was told yesterday. Kimberley Ward, 22, was confronted in the living room stealing cigarettes and a lighter, and the man, aged 67, who suffers from cancer, received bruises on both arms as
The Duchess of Northumberland has won permission to build a £3m tree-top haven behind Alnwick Castle. Dubbed TreeTopia, it is a wooden tree house complex as big as two Olympic-size swimming pools that will be built near her husband's ancestral home. The
A TEENAGER accused of a series of street sex attacks on young women appeared in court yesterday. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court with four counts of indecently assaulting girls in Hartlepool
The annual Darlington Inter-Club Leek Show, which attracts hundreds of entrants, takes place this weekend. The event is open to all members of workingmens' clubs in Darlington and the district. On Saturday, a series of leek shows will take place around
A PUB is urging people to get behind a childrens' charity after donating more than £50,000 worth of play equipment. The Tawny Owl, in Neasham Road, Darlington, has teamed up with Stockton charity Daisy Chain, an organisation which provides care facilities
TWO sheltered accommodation sites in Shepherdson Court, Grangetown, Teesside, are the latest recruits to join 250 residents who have signed up to neighbourhood watch schemes in the area. Co-ordinator Joyce Oakden said: "There has been a big uptake from
EMPLOYERS across the region had the chance to put a Government minister on the spot yesterday. Ivan Lewis, minister for adult learning and skills, was at the North-East Skills Summit at the Samsung Centre, near Billingham, to hear from bosses on how to
A CONTROVERSIAL piece of public art in the North-East has earned its creators an accolade from a specialist trade guild. The team responsible for Newcastle's Blue Carpet received honours from the Worshipful Company of Paviors in a ceremony in London last
A BUNGALOW was left badly damaged after fire broke out yesterday. Three fire engines were called to the detached home in Wentworth Drive, Unsworth, Washington at about 12.30pm. The blaze destroyed a utility room and loft area and about a third of the
PUPILS at an east Durham school have won national recognition for their sports leadership skills. More than 25 youngsters at the Seaham School of Technology are one of just three groups in the country to win a Top Link Award from the Youth Sport Trust
SCIENTISTS in the region have founded a company to develop pioneering treatments for brain and nervous system disorders. ReInnervate Limited is the latest in a line of research-based companies to "spin out" from Durham University. Dr Stefan Przyborski
ENTERPRISING employees at a Birtley manufacturing plant have won recognition for their problem-solving skills. For the last nine months groups of employees at excavator manufacturer Komatsu UK have been working together to identify areas within the manufacturing
A CONFIDENTIAL free telephone hotline is being opened in a bid to combat firework misuse. People will be able to use the 24-hour service to report illegal sales of fireworks, firework nuisance - and even illegal bonfires. The hotline number 0800 389 7223
FOUR men appeared in court yesterday charged with conspiracy to steal from a factory. They were arrested when security guards stopped a lorry leaving the Electrolux factory in Spennymoor, County Durham. The men, who were bailed by Teesside Crown Court
A WORKSHOP designed to help groups bid for money has been set up in Stockton. Sports groups are being offered the chance to go along to the workshop to discover how they can make applications for funding from Sport England. Grants available range from
THE classic film Turn of the Tide, which was the first full-length cinema film to be made by J Arthur Rank, and which was set in Robin Hood's Bay, is to be screened at Whitby Community College on Saturday night as part of a weekend of celebrations of
ENTHUSIASTS are to get weaving with a story about a working cemetery. Classes are being organised to give volunteers coaching before work starts on a tapestry depicting the cultural history and the green setting of Linthorpe Cemetery, Middlesbrough. The
A MAN has told of his shock after being robbed in broad daylight outside a bank. Neville Roberts, 63, was picking up wages for the paper boys and girls of our sister paper, The East Cleveland Advertiser, when he was mugged. He was outside Barclays in
MORE than 1,000 visitors and over 100 different classes of exhibits helped make this year's Hartlepool Horticultural Show one of the most successful ever. People of all ages visited the free two-day event in the Borough Hall, on Hartlepool's Headland.
LOCAL people are being urged to play key roles in a three-year campaign to regenerate their market town. The Thirsk Regeneration Initiative is asking local people to consider playing their part by joining the committee Initiative chairman Lindsay Ross
BUTTERWICK Hospice in Stockton is inviting people to take part in a Saltburn to Whitby walk to help it raise money. The walk will take place on Sunday, October 6. Also, anyone interested in taking part in this year's Great North Run who is looking for
THE owner of Durham's only cinema says it will have to close, regardless of plans to turn it into an Australian theme pub. City-based property company Troveworth bought the building that houses the Robins Cinema, and neighbouring properties, in North
A WOMAN sacked by her internationally-renowned artist boss claimed yesterday that his special edition prints were a con. Angela Davis, 43, made the allegation at an employment tribunal in Newcastle. North-East artist Mackenzie Thorpe and his wife, Susan
THOUSANDS of North-East firefighters will today take the next step towards industrial action. Ballot papers are being sent to fire service staff throughout the region asking them whether they want to take part in strike action as part of their dispute
OLDER people in the Hambleton and Richmondshire areas are being given the chance to express their opinions on a range of issues at an event at Bedale Hall, on November 1, from 10am and 4pm. The event is free, lunch is provided, and transport can be arranged
COUNCIL chiefs are opening up the decision-making process by creating an interactive discussion forum on the Internet. Hambleton District Council has become one of the first authority's in the country to launch such an initiative. It will allow people
PEOPLE in Ryedale looking for advice on how to apply for planning permission will benefit from a new service to be launched next week. Every Wednesday from October 2, between 5pm and 7pm, residents will be able to book 15-minute sessions with planning
SHILDON rally driver Barry Johnson clinched the New Pig Scottish Rally Championship after a thrilling last round head-to-head battle with Scotsman Gary Adam at the Park System Stages Rally last weekend. Johnson and Adam lined up at the start of the Newton
PROSECUTION lawyers are deciding what action to take over an alleged confrontation involving a former mayor of Middlesbrough, Councillor Pat Walker, and a resident, Joan McTigue, in the town's Thorntree Cemetery, last month. The encounter followed Mrs
Sergeant Nigel Miller, the police officer who controversially stood as an official at a Premiership match while on sick leave, will be an assistant referee at Third Division clash between Hartlepool United and Rushden and Diamonds tomorrow. The officer
BUTTERWICK Hospice in Stockton is inviting people to take part in a Saltburn to Whitby walk to help it raise money. The walk will take place on Sunday, October 6. Also, anyone interested in taking part in this year's Great North Run who is looking for
JEAN Shaw was 44-years-old when she had her first driving lesson. Now, six years and 15 driving tests later, she can finally tear up her L-plates. In what must be one of the country's most determined efforts to pass a driving test ever, Jean sat her driving
A machine which will give Jehovah's Witnesses an alternative to blood transfusions was delivered to a North-East hospital yesterday. The Cell Saver 5 machine recycles a patient's own blood during surgery - making it an acceptable option for Jehovah's
PUPILS at neighbouring village schools have added an artistic touch as a reminder of parish jubilee celebrations. A 2003 calendar produced by Esh Parish Council features the art work of youngsters at three local primary schools. Each month on the calendar
A SOLITARY meadow has proved to be a blessing in disguise for a dales community battling to keep an historic sheep show alive. For although there are thousands of sheep on the moors and fields around the hamlet of Langdon Beck in Forest-in-Teesdale, none
ADULTS can gain new skills with a programme launched by Harrogate Museums and Arts. The Primetime programme will give the opportunity to explore a wide range of historical, archaeological and arts topics during a series of workshops, talks and walks.
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to raise £5m to build a children's hospice on Wearside. Grace House Sunderland will provide respite care and support for hundreds of children and families from across the region, which has the lowest level of children's hospice
AUDITIONS are being held to find a young actor to take to the West End stage in a revealing production. The producers of the Full Monty musical have enlisted the help of the Stagecoach Theatre Arts, in Darlington, to find a boy to play Nathan - the son
TRADITIONAL countryside skills will be on show as workers go head-to-head in a competition to promote the rural landscape. Drystone wallers and hedge layers will be demonstrating their skills to the public at the showcase competition, which takes place
A PUB is having to be demolished after being damaged in a mystery fire - the second Teesside public house to be engulfed in flames in three days. The Netherfield public house, in Middlesbrough, was gutted in what Cleveland Police describe as a "suspicious
KING JOHN and Edward I used it for sumptuous banquets before it was raised to the ground by Oliver Cromwell and his marauding Roundheads - but to the people of Stockton, the town's medieval castle still remains a mystery. Now a local historian aims to
The final Fell Race of the season, the Guisborough Grunt, saw seven Harriers taking part. There should have been nine but two, Stewart and Neil Mechie, were late getting there, having been held up by a tractor - a bike overtaking them at one point. The
Gayle Cup THIS year's winner of the Gayle Mule Cup is N Iveson, whose Mule gimmer lambs sold for £86 at the NEMSA show and sale at Hawes, reported last week. Mr Iveson has won the cup on three previous occasions, 1993, 1995 and 1997. The cup is awarded
THE grieving parents of a soldier shot dead in Bosnia seven years ago are demanding a new inquiry into his death, amid fears that he may have been unlawfully killed. Private Dale Little, 19, a member of the Royal Logistic Corps, based at Tomislavgard
LIKE their mushrooms, the quality and production of Greyfriars, Wath, is growing. Greyfriars, the marketing arm of Northern Mushrooms, officially opened its new grading and distribution premises at Wath, near Ripon on Tuesday, with a ceremony performed
A DARLINGTON pub offering cheap drinks to students has been criticised by colleges in the town. Duke's, on the corner of Duke Street and Skinnergate, started offering beer and lager at discount prices for students on Monday. Formerly known as Muse, Bertie's
Sunnybrow Brown Trout produced the first maximum victory of the season when they whitewashed the visiting Willington Club and it took them to the top of the table by one point. The Trout's points scorers in the singles were Rachel Welsh, Michael Fox,
Five Quakers competed in The Great Cumbrian Half Marathon in Carlisle on 15 September. Alistair Tatham, in usual fashion, was first Quaker home finishing fourth out of 546 competitors in a time of 1:13:52. Others: Ian Scott was sixth in 1:15:35 and won
Greenfield Community and Arts Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, is starting a course called Get Crafty with your Kids, which will provide an opportunity for parents or carers to work on creative projects with their children. The ten-week course will take place
THE threads of familiarity are all too apparent. Tales of ambitious soldiers, with a love of Army life, being found dead after allegedly committing suicide, are stories that no longer surprise Geoff Gray. Mr Gray, the father of Private Geoff Gray, of
PEOPLE in County Durham and Darlington interested in working for their local mental health trust are being invited to a special jobs fair. The Job Shop scheme is part of a national NHS recruitment drive and County Durham and Darlington Priority Services
A centre to help people find their feet in the world of computers is being launched. St Andrew's Family Resource Centre in Stanley is opening its new IT suite at its premises in High Street, Stanley, today. The facility, to be opened by North Durham MP
A killer virus threatens to wipe out a northern seal colony. Hartlepool Council "strongly suspects'' that a sick seal found on a beach at Seaton Carew was a victim of phocine distemper virus (PDV). Results of laboratory tests are still awaited, but the
ASCOT'S Watership Down Stud Sales Race has not surprisingly attracted a near maximum field of 27 runners on account of the colossal £250,000 worth of prize money up for grabs. The entry conditions of the immensely valuable six-furlong contest tend to
By Paul Pearson DARLINGTON manager Tommy Taylor will need to sign more than a new striker to re-ignite his team judging by Tuesday's dismal performance at home to Wrexham. The Robins won 1-0 with a goal by Andy Morrell nine minutes before half-time as
Two local under-9 football teams have new shirt sponsors for the new soccer season. Following the withdrawal of sponsorship from Mill Garages-BMW and the Abbey National Building Society, John Bowman, the chairman of Grindon Rangers and Grindon Rovers
BUILTH WELLS Ram sales on Monday yielded a strong trade for Suffolk rams, with prices up on average £73, from £208 to £281, compared with the last sale in 2000. The top Suffolk price of 1,300gns went to Geoff Biddulph's Pexhill flock, of Macclesfield,
A BLUEPRINT for the future vitality of Richmond town centre has been unveiled. The action plan centres on attracting new and more diverse retailers to the town, boosting tourism promotion, developing the evening economy and environmental improvements.
ARTHUR Abbott was captured by German soldiers during the Second World War while he was looking for injured soldiers in a small Dutch town. As a medical sergeant, Mr Abbott went with his doctor to Venray, Holland, to look for casualties of the fighting
UNFORTUNATELY, the editor of The Northern Echo does not give me a gold card credit account to research this page. Shame. But that means I have a pretty fixed rule of not buying things when I go round all these shops, otherwise I would be broke, my house
The U12s gave a brilliant performance in their Cup match against Gateshead Redheugh Boys, pulling off a 5-2 victory. Allstars controlled the second half playing some excellent attacking football and were rewarded by some outstanding goals. The goalscorers
THE Countryside Alliance's ten-point agenda endorses the Government's policies and priorities, Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said on Monday. The Minister responded following Sunday's march, calling on the Countryside Alliance to work with ministers
A PROPOSAL to open an amusement arcade on a road serving five schools has attracted objections and a petition. The application is for 30 gaming machines at 8-10 Cockerton Green, Darlington, premises used until recently as a caf. The application has been
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues. Fwd: 776 sheep. Prime lambs: lt to 95.23p; std to 100p; med to 107.3p; heavy to 104.7. Cast ewes: Mule to £24; Leics to £25.80; Cont to £40; horned to £19. DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 32 cattle, 716 sheep. Heavy steers
WORK on the £240m power line being constructed across farmland was brought to a halt on Tuesday by a determined one-woman protest. Defiant widow, Rosalind Craven, supported by a handful of campaigners stood at the gate to her land at Home Farm, Huby,
A NUNTHORPE biochemistry student has been awarded an Oxford University prize for coming top in her first year of study. Sarah Graham, 19, attended Nunthorpe School and Prior Pursglove College's South Park campus, before going to Exeter College, Oxford
SUNDAY League side Lakeside FC received their brand new strips following the signing of a lucrative shirt sponsor deal. Leading printing firm Hillprint Ltd - based in Newton Aycliffe - signed a unique shirt sponsorship deal with Lakeisde in the summer
In the Premier champions Billingham Wanderers are favourites to retain the title easily disposing of present leaders Owton Manor by 6-0 at home. Billingham's attacking forced Manor into making errors, misplaced passes, losing possession in midfield and
Sir, - It was with a certain incredulity that I read your last week's front page article on Yarm School. The statement that "at a stroke this would solve the chronic parking problem" defies logic as this would merely move the problem and create more traffic
A SCHOOL in North Yorkshire has hit a twins peak. Romanby Primary has no fewer than four sets of twins in its reception class. Jack and Oliver Kilding and Katie and Sophie Coton, who are identical, joined Molly-Ann and Kristopher Wymer and Emily and Jack
INDEPENDENT curator and writer, Simon Morrissey, has been selected to complete a year-long fellowship at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. The fellowship, funded by Northern Arts, will lead to the development of an exhibition of contemporary art in
The Strategic Rail Authority today effectively ruled out riding to the rescue of troubled Arriva Trains Northern. And it cast doubt over whether the company will be able to hang on to its Trans-Pennine franchise - the region's second biggest. The authority
DARLINGTON Building Society has launched an innovative scheme offering talented students the chance to develop a career with the society. The Youth Development Scheme is designed for successful A-level students who want to work rather than go to university
THE most important thing to remember about history is that it repeats itself so, with the benefit of hindsight, we can learn from the triumphs and disasters of others. We are currently teetering on the brink of war. Tony Blair has produced the evidence
A BUDDING Michael Schumacher is taking the motor racing world by storm. Edwin Jowsey, a driver in the Classic Racing Cars Formula Two championship, has recently returned from a successful stint in Belgium - his first competitve race outside Britain. The
Coundon Foresters pulled off the result of the weekend in as they maintained their 100 per cent record at the expense of Newton Aycliffe Sports Club. The two sides started the day as the only unbeaten sides in the top division, but Coundon produced an
THIRD time lucky or third time shrewd? David "Dandy" Nicholls made his annual border raid in reverse, scooping the Ayr Gold Cup for the third year in a row. This year's cup hero was Funfair Wane, partnered by son Adrian Nicholls in the lad's second success
LAST weekend's march through London by 400,000-plus folk was a magnificent achievement. It was also a wake-up call for the Government. This Labour Government in particular likes to be popular and it must now be in no uncertain terms aware of the extent
YARM have won through to the last 16 of the national Peugeot Inter-Club Challenge following their North-East area play-off success over Shotley and Benfieldside on Sunday at the David Lloyd Teesside Centre. Linda Hicks, Charles Hingley, Ian Spears and
Sunderland Commanches hosted Kingston Aeros in the English U14 North A League at the Telewest Arena in a very close encounter which ended 2-1 in Commanches favour. Both defences were on top during the opening period which brought no goals. The deadlock
Nearly a decade since the Swale habitat improvement started, the riverbanks vastly changed, yet sadly anglers stay away, writes Jeff Herbert. Saturday's rearranged RSPS Mike Winney Memorial slumped to a mere 30 rods but for those who did turn up to support
A YOUNG woman who grew up near Chop Gate and now designs web sites on the country's aristocrats has graduated with an MBA. Nina Hugill, 25, works on various computer-related tasks for the famous Burke's Peerage and Gentry series. And she does it all from
Saturday evening saw the final meet of the 2002 North Yorkshire League campaign were Northallerton came up against Rydale, Thirsk and Derwent at the latter club's venue. NASC with a club record 136 points were involved in one of the closest fought contests
THE most important thing to remember about history is that it repeats itself so, with the benefit of hindsight, we can learn from the triumphs and disasters of others. We are currently teetering on the brink of war. Tony Blair has produced the evidence
DALES roads are likely to remain unsalted this winter as the county council looks for £400,000-worth of savings from its winter maintenance budget. The message was heard with dismay by members of Teesdale District Council policy committee on Wednesday
Blackfyne The Under 8s beat Ryton 4-0 with goals from Jonathan Telford (2), Phil McConnell, & Calvin Hillary. Keiran Martin was MoM. The Under 9 Greens beat Swalwell 3 - 0 with goals from David Edwards, Mark Shaw and Andrew Turnbull who was also MoM
Darlington CB 1 Grangetown BC 9 Another Second Division side Darlington Cleveland Bridge were entertaining League Champions Grangetown Boys Club in the MacMillan Bowl and were matching their visitors for the first twenty minutes of the match but in the
AFTER all the controversy and contrition, rancour and reconciliation, Europe's three days of destiny have arrived. Sam Torrance may talk of fresh starts, of putting the disgraceful events at Brookline in 1999 to one side. But there is a burning desire
VETERAN runner Jim Caddy has come home to Kirkleatham after competing in a 10,000m race in Italy, which was part of an international athletics competition for the over-forties. The 78-year-old former ICI and bakery worker competes across the world. At
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is due to be asked for his opinion on a planned controversial housing development near Darlington. His office will be sent details of the Co-operative group's plans to build houses on land at Merrybent Drive between
North Shields, with just four wins out of ten in the Wearside League and thumped out of the FA Vase at Bridlington Town on Saturday, believe they are suffering after failing in their attempt to join the Albany Northern League. "We have made a poor start
AN UNGRAZED meadow behind the local hotel has proved a blessing in disguise for farmers battling to keep an historic sheep show alive. The Langdon Beck show takes place tomorrow in the field behind the Langdon Beck Hotel. For while thousands of sheep
A Spanish playboy is facing jail for his part in a luxury stolen car racket. Bodybuilder Leon Bardavid Amar, 28, came to Britain after romancing a girl on holiday and he settled into the nightclub and keep-fit circuit. But detectives became suspicious
Westoe went ahead five minutes from half-time with their prop diving over the line from a set move five metres out after DMP gave away a penalty. After the break DMP won the ball against the head through young hooker Kershaw and scrum half Radcliffe chipped
MARKS & Spencer may open a store in Northallerton. The company is believed to be interested in two units in the town. This week, Paul McAteer, a director of property investment company Cad Properties, said he felt sure M&S would open a shop, possibly
Tow Law New Market A convincingly won the top of the table clash at Newhouse Club by seven points to go one ahead of their hosts at the top of the table with a match in hand. The Market started in a fine style by taking both the trebles points and then
FOR the next three days I will temporarily question my sanity in remaining a member of the Great Undished. Not being able to watch the Ryder Cup live on Sky will be sheer purgatory, but I will console myself with the knowledge that the BBC's screening
FOR the first time a special collection of the powerfully evocative sky and landscapes by award winning artist, Lawrence Coulson, will be on show outside of a large city. The chosen venue is the Wensleydale Framing and Fine Art Gallery in Leyburn. This
UNIVERSITY places could be thrown into chaos today if the head of an independent inquiry recommends a total re-grading of A-level papers. As the row over the deliberate manipulation of exam results escalates, Mike Tomlinson, former Chief Inspector of
A TEAM from the Darlington Riding Club enjoyed a successful weekend and gained plenty of valuable experience at the national riding clubs championships at Lincoln. The team finished in a creditable eighth place in a large field of experienced horse and
A North Yorkshire police inspector's dash from duty helped to produce victory for a Harrogate squash side. Tony Nowakowski took to the court with his Harrogate Squash Club side level at 1-1 all in the home clash against Nomads in the Kall Kwik Harrogate
Sunday Invitation Ladies League: Northallerton 0 Huntsman Tioxide 3. In their second game of the season league newcomers Huntsman Tioxide were looking to make amends for the previous week's very close game that ended in a draw. The first half was well
YARM School's relocation to Green Lane could solve some problems but create others, the town council warned this week. Major questions remained as to whether a move could lessen the area's notorious traffic congestion. Councillors asked how many homes
PRINCE Charles, who has given his personal support to the regeneration of Ripon, is to be made a freeman of the city at a ceremony in the cathedral on October 24. The Prince's decision to accept the honour is seen as a major coup for Ripon. He has been
FOR the next three days I will temporarily question my sanity in remaining a member of the Great Undished. Not being able to watch the Ryder Cup live on Sky will be sheer purgatory, but I will console myself with the knowledge that the BBC's screening
MIDDLETON St George is being urged to promote a land exchange with housing developers to get a large, new school. Ward councillor Doris Jones floated the idea at a meeting of the Vital Villages parish plan committee, which aims to improve facilities.
RETURNING from a trip to London with a group of County Durham men which included a retired police officer, carpet fitter, motor mechanic, two gas fitters, a gardener and an electrician, it might have been a weekend jaunt. But having a slaughterman on
An Army team is moving in to challenge rivals in the Hambleton Ales North Yorkshire Squash League. Catterick Garrison have been accepted as a late entry into Division Three. First matches in the new season are just just getting under way. League secretary
THE bus seems to be straining every muscle and sinew in its ageing but resilient red body. A seven-litre diesel engine, made by the Gardner company long before Cummins and other high technology manufacturers grabbed a big slice of the market, rumbles
Crook Olde Horse Shoe completed the league and Cup doubles when they came through the Knock Out Final in style against Tow Law Station, winning 7-1. The results were (Olde Horse Shoe names first) Gerald Parkin beat Lee Cullinan 2-0; Steve Hunter beat
SUPPORT from many nations regarding Sunday's Liberty and Livelihood march obviously went to one national newspaper reporter's head. Keen to interview anyone from abroad, the young chap, believed to be from the Independent, asked marchers from the Bishop
Durham Victoria Bridge went down 5-2 at home to Seaham The Duke. Scott Burn destroyed them with a hat-trick in the first half. Ian Bell got the other to give The Duke a 4-0 lead. Steve Graham and Darren Burnham reduced the arrears after the break before
Sedgefield squad took on the Scottish champions Warrender (Edinburgh) for a friendly match and in a very competitive game, Sedgefield, despite being 10-8 behind in the third period, stormed back in the last period to win 17-11 and keep their unbeaten
ALEN Boksic is set to return for Middlesbrough tomorrow with the full backing from manager Steve McClaren. The Croatian striker is likely to make his first start since the draw with Blackburn in August, as fellow frontman Szilard Nemeth continues to struggle
Still no nearer the Deep Throat truth. That Linda Lovelace became "the new sex goddess of the 70s" due to an ability to perform a special kind of oral sex was remarkable enough. Even more mind-boggling were events that followed and form the core of Mark
Champions Kirby Sigston signed off an extremely successful season with an eight wickets victory at Crathorne. Despite a half-century by Marshall and scores of 25 by Mooney and 22 from Pattison, Crathorne made only 128 for seven as Kendrew returned four
CLEVELAND police this week learned its bid for 40 community support officers had been successful. The new officers are to target areas with anti-social problems. However, they will not be able to detain offenders, unlike some of their counterparts elsewhere
YOUTH and experience combined to give a pairing from Yarm and District Saddle Club a fine third place in the recent British Horse Society pairs cross-country championships. Michelle Clough on Vestalka and Colin Saint, riding Clint, teamed up for the national
A SECOND report outlining what steps Richmond needs to take to revitalise its economy has been published. The Town Centre Management Forum had already commissioned Glasgow-based Edaw to examine policies which could help rejuvenate the town centre. Two
The initial report into the A-level scandal could today recommend that thousands of candidates have their papers re-graded. Education Correspondent Linsay Jennings looks at what may lie ahead for a generation of students. JUST over a week ago, Education
An art gallery owner is lining up a controversial exhibition charting the changing face of feminism - women must pay to see it although it is free to men. Artist George Harrison, 58, said he will face any controversy the exhibition causes if it opens
THE wife of a clown who has been missing since she ran away from the circus was found safe and well yesterday. Martho Martinez, 26, and her son Ashley, three, left Uncle Sam's American Circus last week during its stay in Stanley, County Durham. Her clown
A derelict farm in a small, Romanian town is to benefit from the efforts of a university team of runners. Four staff and two students from Newcastle University's School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development will be running in the Bupa Great North
A FERRYHILL man performed a hair-raising stunt to raise money for a local hospital. Henry Grimes agreed to have his head shaved to raise money for the special care baby unit at Bishop Auckland General Hospital. He bravely had the chop while sitting in
People living near a proposed gipsy site are being asked for their opinion on the development. Jim Mounsey wants to change the use of his land on Blackwell Moor Farm, in Snipe Lane, near Stressholme Golf Course, to house six caravans. Darlington Borough
DRIVERS are being told to expect delays while a £725,000 scheme is carried out on a busy Wear Valley road. Work starts on Monday on a stretch of the A689 between Binchester Lane Ends and the Coundon Gate roundabout, leading from Spennymoor to Bishop Auckland
PENSIONERS who have been neighbours for more than 20 years are pleading with the council to keep them together when their housing complex closes. Dellside sheltered accommodation in Willington, near Crook, will be closed and demolished as the building
POLICE in Newton Aycliffe have been confiscating alcohol from youngsters in operations to combat underage drinking. The initiative is a direct response to the growing problem of teenagers hanging on street corners and congregating in parks in the town
A BUNGALOW was left badly damaged after fire broke out yesterday. Three fire engines were called to the detached home in Wentworth Drive, Unsworth, Washington at about 12.30pm. The blaze destroyed a utility room and loft area and about a third of the
A BOMBER'S drunken prank ended in court yesterday when he was ordered to do 200 hours community work. Michael Titchmarsh, 21, detonated a home-made explosive device in a wheelie-bin after drinking with friends. But an Army bomb disposal expert brought
LOCAL residents can buy their own Victorian street lights as the council replaces them for a better model. Many of the cast iron street lights in Harrogate's conservation area are being replaced due to electrical safety concerns, corrosion and the high
HUNDREDS of schoolchildren enjoyed an action-packed afternoon as part of a Government-funded project. In the latest of a series of fun days organised by the Easington On Track Partnership, pupils at Peterlee's Dene House Primary School took part in sporting
POLICE have issued an e-fit of the thief they believe is responsible for a callous attack on a pensioner. The man called at the house of an elderly lady in Edmund Street, Darlington, at 2.40pm on Monday, posing as a council worker who was fixing the plumbing
MILLIONS of pounds of investment in transport have been announced to boost Newcastle and Gateshead's chances of becoming major conference destinations. Around £400m investment in air, sea and rail travel was announced at the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative
A CALL centre jobs fair is being held today at Sunderland's Stadium of Light. Job seekers will be able to get on-the-spot interviews for more than 400 vacancies at the event being held from noon to 6pm. Major employers including T-Mobile, Royal Sun Alliance
A DRUG addict who preyed on Darlington's pensioners to feed her heroin habit was jailed for two years yesterday. Josie Currie, 21, told a 75-year-old neighbour that she was a social worker, when she forced her way into his home around midnight and stole
THE stance that the American administration is determined to take over Iraq is making it very difficult for its allies in Nato and the United Nations to support. Senior figures in the administration, when pushed, are still not prepared to deny that they
A TOWN'S 100-year-old theatre may be forced to close as a local authority struggles to cope with a cash crisis. The closure of Hartlepool's Town Hall Theatre is expected to save the struggling local authority around £1.75m next year. A failure to attract
The Durham County Basketball League celebrates its 30th birthday with the start of this season's fixtures. Middlesbrough Mavericks were lumbered with the 'always the bridesmaid and never the bride' tag last season after finishing as runners-up to Middlesbrough
PARISH and town councils in North Yorkshire are spearheading a campaign which could revolutionise the voting system by allowing 18-year-olds to stand for election. At present they can vote, but cannot stand for election to a local authority until they
NEIGHBOURS of a pub have scored a victory in their attempt to prevent its opening into the early hours. Redcar's Hydro Hotel had applied to stay open until 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, and until 12.30am on Sundays. But at a licensing committee
A BUTCHER has decided to join the e-shopping revolution by launching Internet deliveries. Newcastle firm Temple the Butchers, founded in 1872, offers meat through its site www.meat-at-your-door.com, with free local delivery within 48 hours and overnight
A CRANE lowered two steel towers into place as one of Swaledale's best-loved landmarks began to take shape again this week. Work began on Monday to install the main structure of the Reeth swing bridge following completion of concrete abutments on each
A death crash driver was facing jail last night for a dangerous overtaking move which left a two-year-old boy dead. Stephen Robinson, 45, a self-employed plumber, was told by a judge that the only matter to be decided was how long he will serve behind
A COMPANY which employed two North-East men who were killed on the A1 was yesterday ordered to pay a total of £18,000 for breaches of health and safety legislation. John Corkin and Kevin Barker died in August 2000 when an Asda lorry ploughed into the
FIREFIGHTERS have admitted their largest engine does not use a new road layout designed to cut response times. But crews at Darlington have stressed the air ladder platform (ALP) is not needed on all call-outs and does not need the immediate response
THE cabbage was braised rather than over-boiled and bramble coulis took the place of lumpy custard at the regional finals of the school cook of the year. Putting paid to many people's painful memories of school dinners, the competition featured dishes
THE leaders of the BTRDA raceandrally.com 1400cc championship by 22 points going into the penultimate round, Richmond brothers Mark and Andrew Constantine kept their championship hopes on course with another sterling performance in their WA Browne Maxsport
A NORTH-EAST ice sculptor has been declared a smash hit at the York Festival of Food and Drink. Andy Moscop sculpted a 5ft block of crystal ice, specially delivered from London's Covent Garden, in front of nearly 1,000 spectators in the festival's main
ONE of the region's Euro MPs says he intends to step up pressure for Europe-wide action to halt what he describes as "the ever-growing catalogue of incidents involving the misuse of air weapons by young people". Yorkshire and Humber MEP David Bowe was
Prince Charles, who has given his personal support to the regeneration of Ripon, is to be made a freeman of the North Yorkshire city at a ceremony in the cathedral on October 24. The decision by the Prince of Wales to accept the honour in what has been
MORE than a dozen police officers from Chester-le-Street and Durham took on the challenge of completing a decathlon in a day to raise money for charity. The ten-discipline event at Chester-le-Street's Riverside complex yesterday was to raise money for
FORGIVE us if we're not exactly celebrating the news that a £757m new Wembley will soon be rising from the rubble of the old. The designs do look marvellous, but you don't have to be a mathematician to work out that £757m is an enormous amount of money
JAPANESE technology is helping businesses to get an insight into more efficient motoring. The Honda Insight looks conventional enough, but it is capable of travelling almost 100 miles on a gallon of petrol. Dealer De Vries, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire
A PLASTICS firm that went into administration during the summer has been sold to a southern company. Clearex Plastics, an injection moulding specialist, based at Fence Houses, near Sunderland, has been acquired by Formould, of Twyford, Berkshire. The
DAVID BECKHAM, the Queen and pop idol Will Young are all to share a new home at a North Yorkshire castle. All three have a place in the hearts and minds of youngsters from Richmond and have been chosen as icons of 2002 who deserve a place in an English
Shocks of the day were at City Church Sunderland and Lanchester Chapel. At City Church Derek O'Moore opened the scoring with Daniel Vuong equalising for Stakeford Methodist Church. Philip Baxter and Steve Walker each scored a pair each to put City Church
An off-duty firefighter has described how he volunteered to be suspended over the side of the Tyne Bridge to rescue a suicidal woman. A policeman clamped his arms around Ian Black's legs as he dangled over an 80ft drop during the dramatic night-time rescue
One of the country's best-loved stores is considering opening new branches in North Yorkshire. High street giant Marks & Spencer has confirmed that it is considering a number of locations nationwide for new stores and both Ripon and Northallerton
A BUNGALOW was left badly damaged after fire broke out yesterday. Three fire engines were called to the detached home in Wentworth Drive, Unsworth, Washington at about 12.30pm. The blaze destroyed a utility room and loft area and about a third of the
HARRY Singh, a long-standing member of Darlington Harriers, completed his 100th marathon in Nottingham on the Robin Hood Marathon last weekend. Harry has been running marathons for a very long time. The 26.2 mile event was just a warm up for the Ultra
Though the gentleman is 59, hands gnarled like knotty ash, reports of Dave Morrison's retirement from cricket may have been somewhat exaggerated. "I'm retiring from keeping wicket in order to improve my batting technique," he says, and even the end of
The Princess Royal crowned six years of hard work for a group of Bishop Auckland volunteers when she officially opened their community resource centre. Town centre shoppers lined the entrance to the Four Clocks Project, in Newgate Street where Princess
ADAM RUNDLE returns to training at Darlington today after his loan move to Carlisle United collapsed. Carlisle boss Roddy Collins wanted the 18-year-old to sign on a temporary basis for the remainder of the season. However, as Rundle is yet to sign a
THE Friends of the Friarage eighth annual golf tournament was held at Romanby Golf Club on September 10. Results. - Men: 1 William Hill's team 89 points; 2 B Clayton's team 88; 3 Bill Burton's team (Maxwells) 86. Ladies: 1 E Paramore's team 72. Longest
Sir, - Had anyone chosen to ask, they would have found that Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall was long since booked for the Revolt anti-pylon agm tonight, presumably months before the Joan Maynard lecture organisers thought of asking. It really is a hoot -
CHRIS Turner last night issued a show of support for the forgotten men of his Hartlepool United squad. Turner handed James Sharp a rare place on the substitutes bench at Bury last Saturday - the big defender's first inclusion of the season - and gave
THIS season's crop of Group 2 wheat has the right baking quality for Mediterranean blended flour markets, according to the first feedback on initial 2002 harvest samples from key overseas buyers. A total of the seven different varieties of Group 1, 2
A NORTH Yorkshire teenager has finished her summer showjumping season with a string of fine performances. Holly Stevenson, of West Rounton, and her more experienced pony Mr Shorty claimed two third places and then a first place rosette at the long-established
Tow Law New Market B opened out a four points lead at the top of the table after they beat the visiting Stanley Earl Derby by three points. John Clarke took the first singles point for the Derby but then the hosts took over with wins from Tom Dowson,
Cockton Hill pulled off a very good home win over Ferryhill in the quarter finals of the League Knock Out Cup when they reached the eight points target with two matches to go. The Hill edged through to take the darts by the odd point but took the pool
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - On Wednesday evening Mr Robert Waites, of Bede-terrace, Barnard Castle, was the recipient of a case of pipes, a tobacco pouch, and a purse of gold, whilst to Mrs Waites a gold brooch was presented. The presentation
THE coming weekend marks one of the great festivals of both the Church and the countryside because Sunday is Michaelmas Day. It is the feast day of St Michael the Archangel, who is unusual among other saints because he was not human. He is a spirit and
NATIONAL Parks are at the heart of the Government's strategy for sustainable development, a Government Minister said this week. Alun Michael, Rural Affairs Minister, was addressing the National Park Authorities' conference in Hexham on Wednesday and said
A competition played in a Stableford format with ladies, gentlemen or mixed pairings, the Forbes Trophy was presented by the late David Forbes to commemorate his wife Joan's year of captaincy in 1977. Leading scores as follows: 46 points Tim Waters and
A County Durham man who lured police on a high-speed car chase in which he smashed through traffic cones and drove at up to 100mph yesterday won a cut in sentence at London's Appeal Court. Gary Jones, 24, of Matthews Road, Seaham, broke into a car soon
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture CEREAL prices have fallen back on the back of generally weaker world markets. Last week Europe granted only a small tonnage of wheat export licences and it seems that their view is that we can export whatever we like,
A LEADING North-East technology company is confident it can ride out the current market slump that has wiped billions off the value of tech stocks worldwide. Bede, based in Durham, is a leading manufacturer of x-ray instruments widely used in the semi-conductor
Chester-le-Street Town Under 18s face West Yorkshire based side Thackley in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the F.A. Youth Cup on Thursday 3rd October 2002 at Moor Park, 7.45pm kick off. The Cestrians, who returned to the competition last year after a three
Lingdale YCC have made a good start to this season and have nine points from five games. They beat Priestfields by the odd goal in five. James Donnelly put Priestfield ahead then Lingdale levelled through Martin Marsh. Morgan Close got Lingdale's second
Spennymoor manager Tony Lee is delighted with his two latest signings, Tony Woodhouse and Ben Ryan, writes Ray Simpson. Both have arrived from Northern League clubs - Woodhouse from Ashington and Ryan from South Shields - but unfortunately are cup-tied
There are three surprise leaders at the top of the league after the third week of fixtures were completed this week. The league has been reduced to 12 teams after the resignation of CLS and Durham after playing only one match. The loss is all the more
LINKS forged over almost half-a-century with a county's continental cousins has brought a leading European accolade to the North-East. Durham County Council was one of only six winners of this year's Council of Europe Plaque of Honour, announced in Denmark
Northern League clubs are hoping for a financial bonanza tomorrow in the FA Cup. Big prize money of £7.500 is at stake, enough to secure a club's immediate financial future, team strengthening or ground improvements. But most of them will have to do it
A SMALL street, which has transformed itself against difficult odds, has won The Northern Echo's competition for community environmental schemes. Members of Brougham Area Residents' Association (Bara) in Hartlepool, became concerned just over a year ago
Old Shildon look to have tied up another Championship after they only dropped one point at one of their rivals, Shotton Palms. The Palms took the first point when Jimmy Evans won but then the Shildon team took over with wins from Michael Pratt, Andrew
Grangetown 4 Grosmont 0: After last week's hat-trick Graham Robinson scored again for Grangetown to see them extending their lead at the top of the table. The Grosmont keeper made several excellent saves in the first half limiting Grangetown to a 2-0
A NORTH Yorkshire woman has reaped the rewards of finally taking her skewbald horse to a national championship. Earlier this month, Linda Steel of Newby Wiske and 15hh Wally Stag were placed overall reserve in the small ridden horse at the Coloured Horse
The Shildon club competed at the first Cross Country event of the season at the Sunderland Harriers Open XC Races held at Farringdon on Saturday. The club started on the right foot with an excellent display of front-running from the gun from Abby Suffield
A NEW milk supply contract agreed between Express Milk Partnership and Express Dairies is to be offered to the 1,200 producer members. Speaking at the Dairy Event, Jonathan Ovens, EMP chairman, confirmed that the new contract included a minimum price
POLICE chiefs facing a financial crisis are set to give the go-ahead to a multi-million pound headquarters. The futuristic building is part of a £20m Private Finance Initiative (PFI) which members of Cleveland Police Authority are expected to approve
Ferryhill under-18 juniors made it three wins out of three in group two of the Auckland and District EBAC Youth League Cup with Saturday's 3-1 victory away to Newton Aycliffe. Chris Dixon (2) and Chris Hodgson scored for Ferryhill, Richard Walters replying
PETER Reid ordered his players to show pride in the Sunderland shirt last night as he prepared for his biggest game in more than seven years on Wearside. On his first day back at training after a brief break, Reid drew a line under the St James' Park
Sir, - I expect it was a disappointment to certain letter and comment writers, that the Liberty and Livelihood March was entirely peaceful and well represented the view of farming's desperate plight as well as people's determination to preserve their
A DARLINGTON GP is setting off on a 2,000-mile journey to raise money for St Teresa's Hospice. Classic car enthusiast Dr Richard Harker, of Whinfield Surgery, is one of scores of drivers taking part in the Club Triumph Reliability Run next weekend to
NEWCASTLE UNITED’S players are desperate to bring a trophy to St James’ Park, even if a cup competition is not ranked as a priority inside the boardroom. The Magpies sealed a last-16 tie with Manchester City in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday
