Shildon ABC secured three places in GB semi-finals of the schools championship. Davy Watson, winner two years ago, will be representing SABC after beating two times champion John Bowman. Aaron Fletcher, schools finalist, will also be representing Shildon
A STUDENT from the North-East has reached the finals of a national competition. Christophe Tuck, 22, who is studying business finance at the University of Durham, will have his work displayed with 40 other finalists in the Electoral Commission's Votes
DARREN WILLIAMS last night begged Sunderland fans to lay off Michael Gray after the captain was targeted by the Stadium of Light boo boys against Bolton Wanderers. Gray was jeered by supporters angry at his involvement in Bolton's first goal - when Jay
Tyne Tees Girls Youth League - Under-12 Division: St Francis 4 v 2 Norton & Stock. Anc. This was a cracking match between two teams who gave their all before the home side triumphed. The visitors took the lead in the first quarter before Francis '
Richmond Dales ASC: Over the last two weekends, nine Richmond Dales swimmers swam in the Northumberland and Durham County Championships, qualifying to swim in 47 events. Janine Phillips was the only winner, finished second in the heats of the 100m breaststroke
AN inshore lifeboat was called to rescue three men on a pleasure craft after it had engine failure and was blown towards rocks at the weekend. The vessel, the Ebbygum, was stranded near Middleton Pier, Hartlepool, at 1.25pm on Saturday. The Hartlepool
Kindness and consideration shown by soldiers for victims of polio has been repaid with boxes of home-spun treats, already on their way to the Gulf. Men and women from 2 Signals Regiment based at the city's Imphal Barracks have hosted annual visits by
THE Under-13s made a trip to South Shields to play Westoe. Everywhere this Darlington age group travel it is noticeable how much bigger and well developed the opposition are and this was no exception. Westoe's forwards pushed on in the opening minutes
The club are appealing for new players to join their junior section. They currently have over 60 boy and girl members, aged from six to 16 and they train and play each week throughout the season which stretches from early September to the end of April
Former Ripon Tennis Centre coach Brent Parker failed to make a winning return to his old stamping ground. His Tennis World side from Middlesbrough went down 3-1 at the Ripon centre to Sunderland Health and Racquets. Parker, the Ripon club's first coach
EDUCATION Secretary Charles Clarke has pledged to examine figures on school arsons to see if there is a need for extra security after-hours in schools. The Government Minister made the pledge last week as he reopened Hardwick Primary School, in Sedgefield
IT hasn't been a bad few days for Ritchie Humphreys. First he signed a new contract to extend his Hartlepool United stay for a further two years, before netting twice on Saturday to take his goal tally for the season to a healthy 11 - the same League
The bottom three clubs in the Northern League First Division have been thrown a possible lifeline. Newcastle Blue Star, Peterlee, Consett and Prudhoe are all in the thick of the relegation dogfight - with Prudhoe the current favourites out of the quartet
The Under-14s Albion were entertained by Spraire in a classic derby. Very entertaining in all aspects of the game for the spectators present, Albion pressured in the first half with a goal from Andrew Wood. A midfield battle ensued with chances not being
IT IS a popular misconception that relegation battles are all about perspiration rather than inspiration. The teams that fight and scrap themselves to a standstill will stay up, or so the maxim goes. How sad it is for Sunderland that this age-old adage
REGULARS of an Irish pub are gearing up for St Patrick's Day today, when a host of prizes will be on offer. O'Neill's pub in Durham is inviting its customers to dress up as characters from the television series Father Ted. Three of the best dressed characters
A FARMER'S wife who was helped back to health by Macmillan Cancer Relief is holding a fundraising fashion show at her home to say thank you. Dottie Benson became a big fan of Macmillan when she was recovering from breast cancer. "I have the highest admiration
ALAN SHEARER last night confirmed he would not be making a dramatic England return, almost three years after announcing his international retirement. The Newcastle United striker backtracked on comments he made yesterday when he confessed he missed playing
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League IDivision Two, All Stars remain top of the pile thanks to a 6-1 victory over Royal British Legion, courtesy of hat-tricks from Damian Franklin and Darren Kokes. Meanwhile, with second placed Killinghall
Senior Cup first round: Stockton 39 Durham City 18 Intermediate Cup first round: Ryton 26 Hartlepool Rovers 25; West Hpool TDSOB 18 Gateshead 27. Challenge Trophy first round: Seaton Carew 46 Bishop Auckland 10 Senior Cup semi-final draw, to be played
Cleveland League: The best result of the week in Division One was a 5-1 away win recorded by Marske Workies A against Redcar Cons. B. Mark Rookes just managed to win the only frame for the Cons. when beating David Rhodes on the final black 44-38. Rhodes
MORE than 150 people enjoyed fine French cuisine served up by college catering students to raise money for a school trip. The banquet was held in the Oakroom Restaurant, at Darlington College of Technology, to help pay for a ski trip to France for youngsters
PANTOMIME characters have been delivering a warning to children about the dangers of smoking. Fairy Fresh Air, Lily Lungs and Fungus Fag visited children in primary schools in the Durham Dales to mark No Smoking Day. They were joined by fireman Norman
A FREE health topic group programme is available each month at the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe. The next session, on weight management, is on March 25, from 10am to noon and includes a healthy cooking demonstration, free lunch and a health
A FREE health topic group programme is available each month at the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe. The next session, on weight management, is on March 25, from 10am to noon and includes a healthy cooking demonstration, free lunch and a health
INNOVATIVE plans for a £1m community arcade with a grass roof and solar panels have been approved. The scheme, which has involved months of hard work by the New Shildon Residents' Association, was praised by planning officials, who gave it their support
SOCCER chairman George Reynolds turned tour guide yesterday to talk of progress on the new Darlington Football Club stadium. Dozens of residents of the nearby village of Hurworth were given a tour of the 25,000-capacity stadium in Neasham Road. The stadium
THERE could be another twist to the bitter dispute over Barton's allotments, despite the parish council's defeat at a public inquiry. The council was hoping Government intervention would force landowner Edward Hall to sell in order to secure the future
THERE could be another twist to the bitter dispute over Barton's allotments, despite the parish council's defeat at a public inquiry. The council was hoping Government intervention would force landowner Edward Hall to sell in order to secure the future
ANDREW Scott (HAS, Mar 10) says he takes pride in the town he lives in. A very laudable statement and one which most of the people of Darlington would support. He argues several points. Firstly, council tax and the fact that Darlington council tax is
A regeneration programme could secure the future of a railway line which it was feared had closed for good. The Countryside Agency, Yorkshire Forward and local authorities have all contributed to a project designed to help Arriva Trains Northern, Network
Q In the Peter Sarsteadt song Where Do You Go To, My Lovely?, there is a line 'you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire'. Can you tell me who was the dancer? - Ken Orton, Ferryhill Station. AThe line you mention is from the first verse of the song. Peter Sarsteadt
A TEENAGE girl died and a 20-year-old man lost an arm in a black weekend on the region's road. Rear seat passenger Lynsey Richards, who lived near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, had to be cut free from the wreckage of a red Vauxhall Nova which collided
A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to improve a North-East council's services has been unveiled. Sunderland City Council believes that Putting Peoplefirst will help it to build on the rating it achieved in the Government's first league tables of local authorities
A NEW taster course being run by Stockton Borough Council is making use of digital technology. The five-week course, which is being run at the Albany Resource Centre, in Norton, is just one of the spin-off courses from the 123 Digital Media courses that
CHANGES have been made to the rules which govern grants from the Countryside Agency and the National Lottery which mean communities will no longer have to raise half the money themselves. Until now, Local Heritage Initiatives have only been part-funded
AN art exhibition which aims to explore the mysteries of human memory is coming to the region. Called Memory and Forgetting, the exhibition is the result of an innovative meeting of minds. Four artists were paired with four scientists who specialise in
PROTESTORS turned out in force at the weekend to demonstrate over the closure of a sports and social club. About 120 people took to the streets with placards and banners in an effort to show how well used the Middlesbrough Co-operative Club was, and how
A 27-YEAR-OLD man from the North-East has been found dead in the Lake District. The body of Christopher Waterfield, from Marske, east Cleveland, was found at the Patterdale Hotel, near Ullswater. He had just taken a job as general assistant at the nearby
A NEW partnership may be about to make Scarborough a safer place to live and work. The Safer Communities Partnership has agreed to assemble a team to pioneer new initiatives in the resort, working closely with the borough council and the police. The borough
Bishop Auckland chairman Terry Jackson says that the club is still ploughing ahead with plans for a new ground at Tindale Crescent. Bishops called an EGM of their shareholders at the Town Hall last Friday, originally on the basis that Shildon were considering
Despite reported problems at the Elm Tree Community Centre, in Stockton, Councillor Suzanne Fletcher stressed that it is still open for bookings and the usual activities. Officers from Stockton Borough Council are working with Coun Fletcher to find a
THIEVES have left a sub aqua club high and dry after stealing their boats from a locked store. Members of Bishop Auckland Sub Aqua Club, County Durham, had been looking forward to taking their two inflatable dinghies on their first sea trip of the season
COMPANIES in Hartlepool are being urged to back a drive to reduce dependence on the car and prevent traffic congestion in the town. Karen Wilkinson, Hartlepool Borough Council's travel plan co-ordinator, is offering her expertise to employers to help
JEAN Dobson gave up her day job after taking night classes in stained glass - and has not looked back since. A nurse for 20 years, Jean started to make mirrors, tea light holders and other designs, which have caught on with buyers. Mrs Dobson, a mother-of-three
A STUDENT from the North-East has reached the finals of a national competition. Christophe Tuck, 22, who is studying business finance at the University of Durham, will have his work displayed with 40 other finalists in the Electoral Commission's Votes
Tyne and Wear maintained their grip at the top with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Frankland. Goals from Peter Hamill and Richard Biggs, were just enough to see the Fire team through. Ian Gibson scored for Frankland who were left to rue some missed late
BRITAIN'S flower show calendar is due to open with a flourish. Harrogate Spring Show, from April 24 to 27, is the first nationally-recognised horticultural event of the year. Since moving from the town's Valley Gardens to the Great Yorkshire Showground
SHOPPERS were asked to add their support to a campaign for a directly-elected mayor in Stockton borough. Councillor Steve Walmsley, a former Labour councillor, who is standing as an independent in May's election, gathered names for the petition at the
THE steelworks on Teesside is favourite to be axed by Corus as part of a radical revamp of its UK business, it was claimed over the weekend. Newspaper reports said that the Redcar plant, which employs 3,000 people, has been earmarked for closure ahead
HARTLEPOOL UNITED chief Mike Newell admitted he feared a taste of deja vu on Saturday, writes Nick Loughlin. As his team entered injury time with a single goal lead over Southend, he admits thoughts of the previous encounter at Victoria Park were flashing
Division One Leag. Cu. Tot. Lee Ellison Coundon Foresters 25 7 32 Gary Mitchell Nestfield Club 24 3 27 John Shotton N Aycliffe Sports Club 13 8 21 Martin Brown Spraire RA 14 0 14 Tony Stafford Central Club 9 3 12 Chris Airey Shuttle & Loom 7 5 12
A SURVEY of bed and breakfast accommodation is being carried out to help assess a North-East town's homelessness problem. The Homeless Quality Network is working with Darlington Borough Council and charity groups to form a strategy for tackling the issue
Nissan caught Hartlepool HQ Engineering Hornets cold to score a 104-79 victory in their Durham League division one match at Hartlepool. Four baskets from Gary Simpson, a couple from Steve Johnson and a three-pointer by Arran Hope gave Nissan 15-0 burst
CONTROVERSIAL moves to sell off school playing fields, possibly to make way for a sports complex, will be stepped up today. Darlington Borough Council has launched a three-month consultation exercise on proposals to sell off land at Longfield Comprehensive
Worthington Durham County CIU League: Shotton Palms pulled off the shock of the week when they beat the leaders, Spennymoor A by the odd point on their host's own table. This was only the second defeat for the Moors but their lead of four points was not
NEW PLAYERS NEEDED: Blackfyne Under-8s are always on the look out for young players and anyone in School years one, two or three should contact Paul McCance on 506785 for further information. NEW TEAMS: Chester-le-Street Town FC will be running two Under
With first use of the wind and slope at Ashington RFC on Sunday, Northumberland went into an early lead with a penalty by Marcus Rutter (Percy Park) followed by a sweeping move finished off by Simon Barber (Morpeth). A further penalty by Rutter made it
THE Harriers competed in the Gosforth Boro relays held in Gosforth Park coming home in fourth spot out of 31 teams. The club was led off by Mark Ketley who completed the 3.1 mile course in 17.11 to finish 20th position. Steve Horn then pulled back 13
WORK has started on a £1.5m housing development resulting from two years of consultations. The Three Rivers Housing group has spent the period discussing options for housing to regenerate Thornley, east Durham, with councillors and residents. Now, following
YOUNG TALENT: A talent show will be held by students at the North Lodge Annexe of Park View Community School, at 7pm on Wednesday. Tickets are £2 for adults, £1 for children. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Durham Business Club will hold a workshop on customer service
North League: Premier Division: Ben Rhydding 6, City of York 2; Harrogate 3, Oxton 1; Sheffield Hallam 0, Durham Uni 1. Division One: Durham Uni II 3, Leeds 1. Division Two East: Bradford 0, Sunderland 5; City of York II 4, Stockton 2; Gateshead 4, Norton
THE wraps are soon to start coming off a North-East bridge as a refurbishment project nears a conclusion. But motorists have been warned they still face up to two months' more disruption as the restoration of Wearmouth Bridge, in Sunderland, runs over
The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull will bless Durham Cathedral's education and resource centre (Cedric) at 10.30am next Monday. He will be helped by children, one of whom will summon him from the Chapter House, following which they
The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull will bless Durham Cathedral's education and resource centre (Cedric) at 10.30am next Monday. He will be helped by children, one of whom will summon him from the Chapter House, following which they
EUROPEAN football may still be a long shot for Middlesbrough but on this evidence the Teessiders have every chance of reaching the promised land. And in Juninho, manager Steve McClaren has the man who could help propel Boro into sixth spot, which would
Mowden Park 3rds got of to a bad start at home to Gateshead in the semi final of 3rd Team County Cup by giving away a penalty in front of their posts two minutes into the game, which Gateshead's fly-half duly converted. From the restart a ruck developed
The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull will bless Durham Cathedral's education and resource centre (Cedric) at 10.30am next Monday. He will be helped by children, one of whom will summon him from the Chapter House, following which they
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour is now looking for a mid-table finish after they easily beat Eastwood Town 3-0 in their crucial six-pointer at Dean Street on Saturday. Bishops are now 13 points above the relegation places, and in their season's highest
The Stanley Ladies Open Triples event, played over two days, brought a home success when Mary Kirk, Rhona Newton and Pam Murphy finished top of the table in the event, played to a Round Robin basis. Both Stanley and the Hartlepool trio of Margaret Johnson
A new generation of expensive wonder drugs, which are keeping thousands of heart patients alive in Darlington, are pushing the balance sheets into the red, health officials have revealed. Darlington Primary Care Trust is expecting to overspend by £292,000
SINGERS from across the North are joining forces to raise much-needed cash for a church's organ repair fund. Eighty performers, including a group from Durham University, have signed up to sing two works by Faure, at St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, on
It was one of the most audacious cons of the 19th century, and it worked not once, but three times. Nick Morrison reports on the remarkable story of the adventurer who became the Prince of Poyais and made a career out of selling a dream. IT sounded like
Saturday's 2003 River Swale Preservation Society Mike Winney Memorial Trophy staged on the middle reaches proved a strange match as the river rose a foot but remained crystal clear, writes JEFF HERBERT. Nevertheless, catches were outstanding a winning
DISTRIBUTION workers at supermarket firm Asda are threatening strike action over a long-running dispute over pay. The supermarket, which was recently named as one of the top ten best companies to work for in a national newspaper poll, is facing a revolt
THERE is a sigh in the late spring air. Spring is just a sniff away now. The first of the early flowering cherries are announcing their presence, there is a tiny tinge of green in the hawthorne hedges and the daffodils have at last trumpeted their sunny
A member of the FA Amateur Cup winning Crook Town team of 1959 is hoping to be reunited with a copy of the match programme - if only to convince sceptical neighbours that he played in the game. Brian Keating scored in Crook's 3-2 win over Barnet underneath
Brown Shipley National Championship: Former Ripon Tennis Centre coach Brent Parker failed to make a winning return to his old stamping ground. His Tennis World side from Middlesbrough went down 3-1 at the Ripon centre to Sunderland Health and Racquets
RAILWAY enthusiasts are in for a treat at the weekend. Darlington Railway Museum, in the town's North Road, is staging a miniature railway weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Youngsters can enjoy rides on a miniature steam train, and painting activities.
The look on Mick Tait's face said it all on Saturday. Not for the first time this season football's longest serving caretaker boss was left to rue and shake his head at what might have been after seeing his side squander a perfect opportunity to pull
AN art exhibition which aims to explore the mysteries of human memory is coming to the region. Called Memory and Forgetting, the exhibition is the result of an innovative meeting of minds. Four artists were paired with four scientists who specialise in
CHESTER-LE-STREET were beaten 2-1 at home by Walker Central on Saturday in a game important to both sides' Championship hopes. In a game that didn't really live up to expectations, Chester went ahead in the 5th minute when Captain Karl Haggon powered
Durham Victoria Bridge went down 3-0 at home to Shildon Railway. Slack marking in defence allowed Daren Askew to open the scoring. Another easy chance came Kevin Hamilton's way when he was left unmarked to easily push the ball past the keeper. Douglas
Durham County Super League: Horden seemed to be down and out as they looked to be slipping to their first defeat of the season at Crook B. However once again the Horden team, Super League reigning champions, showed their championship qualities when they
Barnard Castle School booked their place in the Final of the Daily Mail Cup with a magnificent victory oven St Peter's, Gloucester, at the weekend. The 27-11 win will be rewarded with a trip to the home of English rugby, Twickenham, to face Oakham of
Ferryhill Athletic are determined to play in the Wearside League next season even though the competition has declared the Dene Bank recreational ground unfit. The club is currently in negotiation with Sunningdale Leisure Centre, Shildon, where they played
West Auckland pulled off a good pool victory against the visiting Cockton Hill but the lone point scored by the visitors was enough to assure them of the title. Chris Kitch, Jimmy Singlewood and John Richardson won for West, but Peter race scored the
Durham City water polo junior men won 13-5 at home to Durham School. In a game that was closer than the scoreline suggests, the School played well against an experienced City team. Durham: Ian Storey, Adam Burton, Mark Jones, Oliver Metcalf, Karl Zammit
EXPANDING health club chain Bannatyne Fitness has been named as the UK's second fastest growing privately-owned company in a research. The 2003 Vantis Hot 100 ranks the Darlington-based business as runner-up to Welsh retailer Sofas UK for sales-turnover
POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a man was stabbed in a town centre attack. The man was one of three men targeted by a ten-strong gang early at 12.15am on Friday in the market place at Bishop Auckland, County Durham. He was taken to the town's
Albion 5 v 0 Newton Aycliffe: Albion maintained their excellent recent form and goals from Gary Mitchell (2), Adrian Weston, Rodney Brown and John Banks saw them home. DSRM SC Reserves 0 v 3 Post Boy The bottom club were never overawed by the current
With most teams still having a third of a season's worth of games still to play, there are still a lot of points to play for. Last weekend's results however could well have been a defining moment with regard to this year's league title with Thornaby Mandale
Billingham Town pushed bottom club Newcastle Blue Star closer to the second division with an eight goal thrashing at the Wheatsheaf - but Town manager Allan Robinson didn't think it was their best performance of the season. Town, who are pushing for a
Thirsk Falcons When Thirsk Falcons Under-10s and Richmond Under-10s met the game got off to a slow, scrappy start with Falcons struggling to put together their normally slick passing game. But as the game progressed Falcons got the breaks and came out
RICHARD GUEST'S superb start to his training career looks all set to continue this afternoon at Wetherby with Vidi Caesar (2.10) in the opening Irish Day Novices Hurdle. Like a few of Guest's inmates, Vidi Caesar is an import from New Zealand. Traditionally
LABOUR peer Lord Mackenzie last night denied claims that he had sex with a prostitute he met in a House of Commons bar. The 59-year-old father-of-two - who is a Home Office advisor and former Chief Superintendent of Durham Police - said he was the victim
Flying in the wake of September 11 and the problem with metal detectors - it's all material for Australian comedian Adam Hills, as Nick Morrison discovers. ADAM Hills is bored and lonely, and it's only half-way through his 20-date tour. It's his first
South Cleveland Garages Teesside League - Division One Mackinlay Park 3 v 0 Stokesley SC A new-look Redcar side took the lead after 22 minutes when Charlie Eeles opened his account for his team. Ray Teasdale gave Park a 2-0 half-time lead and in the second
THE Forestry Commission is inviting nature lovers to go DIY and claim their slice of a forest experience. A novel "rent-a-ranger" initiative has been unveiled at Kielder Castle, allowing people to organise tailor-made ranger-led family or group activities
A British mother and her husband have been murdered by axe killers at their home in Zimbabwe. Hilary and Ken Allanson had been missing from home since January 8, with police baffled by their disappearance. Mrs Allanson's brother Ian Pollard, from Benton
Junior football in South Durham has been dealt a serious blow with the resignation of three clubs from the Auckland and District EBAC Youth League. Ferryhill and Meadowfield are the latest to quit the under-18 League, following last month's resignation
STEVE McCLAREN has tipped Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to overcome his nightmare at Elland Road. Schwarzer was arguably at fault for being slow off his line for Leeds' opener, and then made a complete hash of a weak James Milner shot in the
A worker is lucky to be alive after he was hit by a fire ball in an electrical explosion a court heard. Electrolux Household Appliances Ltd were fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £1,028 costs after directors admitted three charges relating to safety negligence
A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to improve a North-East council's services has been unveiled. Sunderland City Council believes that Putting Peoplefirst will help it to build on the rating it achieved in the Government's first league tables of local authorities
Division One Silksworth CC B 3, Silksworth CC A 7; West CA A 3, Silksworth CC C 7. P W D L F A Pts Seaburn Dene NC 17 17 0 0 139 31 68 Silksworth CC A 18 11 1 6 106 74 47 Silksworth CC C 17 11 3 3 96 74 45 Silksworth CC B 18 9 1 8 85 95 36 Boldon CA 17
THIEVES have left a sub aqua club high and dry after stealing their boats from a locked store. Members of Bishop Auckland Sub Aqua Club, County Durham, had been looking forward to taking their two inflatable dinghies on their first sea trip of the season
A Hoggarth and Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League: Annandale Hotel v Anchor Inn Aentertained Anchor with the strong wind and poor playing surface making passing difficult for both sides. With the wind behind them Anchor went straight into attack forcing
A 27-YEAR-OLD man from the North-East has been found dead in the Lake District. The body of Christopher Waterfield, from Marske, east Cleveland, was found at the Patterdale Hotel, near Ullswater. He had just taken a job as general assistant at the nearby
MANY more Filipino nurses are waiting for the chance to work in the NHS, according to those who have made their homes in the North-East. The nurses say there are many more willing to make the long journey from South-East Asia to the UK. Bosses at the
A YOUNG girl has become the latest victim in a bizarre spate of gangster-style drive-by shootings - with a paintball gun. The ten-year-old was left shaken and covered in luminous paint after she was shot from a moving car in Stanley, County Durham. It
Referees are regularly accused of not using common sense when making decisions during a game. However, on the occasions when they try to use common sense they are then criticised for not enforcing the laws of the game. Confused? The following incident
Over the last two weekends, nine Richmond Dales swimmers swam in the Northumberland and Durham County Championships, qualifying to swim in 47 events. Janine Phillips was the only winner, finished second in the heats of the 100m breaststroke and improving
Worthington Durham County CIU League Shotton Palms pulled off the shock of the week when they beat the leaders, Spennymoor A by the odd point on their host's own table. This was only the second defeat for the Moors but their lead of four points was not
THOUSANDS of anti-war protestors took to the region's streets in what could be the last weekend of peace rallies before conflict breaks out in Iraq. Anti-war protestors in Darlington joined a worldwide candlelit vigil last night in the town's Market Square
Darlington and District League, pairs third round To be played on March 21 at The Grey Horse, Haughton. MC. A. Stainsby: A Stainsby/J Middleton (Cleveland C1ub) v M Milner/C Camilleri (Morgans); J Leach/ Raisbeck (Grey Horse BT) v J Cooper/T Jackson (
Barnard Castle School booked their place in the Final of the Daily Mail Cup with a magnificent victory oven St Peter's, Gloucester, at the weekend. The 27-11 win will be rewarded with a trip to the home of English rugby, Twickenham, to face Oakham of
League leaders Byers Green St Peters returned to winning form with an excellent derby victory over second side Willington WMC. Paul English put St Peters ahead at half before David Savage and Ian Brown made it 3-0. Malcolm McWilliams pulled one back but
Designing the Decades (BBC2); Heartbeat (ITV); The Real John Curry (C4) IT'S hard to remember a time before mini skirts and beanbags and a decade when England could have lifted the World Cup - but that was the 1960s. Designing the Decades is the latest
THE future of one of the North-East's most crucial business developments, which could create up to 1,000 jobs, was secured last night. A development company has been announced to take forward the Morton Palms Business Park, on the outskirts of Darlington
Thousands of anti-war protestors took to the region's streets in what could be the last weekend of peace rallies before conflict breaks out in Iraq. Up to 5,000 people joined a march through York, while an estimated 1,500 gathered in Newcastle to protest
A NEW family has moved into Darlington to encourage people to use their postal votes. Darlington Borough Council has unveiled the cartoon Voters family - Vic, Vince, Vera, Val and Vicky - to promote the all-postal voting system for this year's election
YOUNGSTERS have been getting to know more about the history of a local Army regiment. About 100 students from Eastbourne Comprehensive School, in Darlington, with 17 young visitors from Amiens, in France, visited the Green Howards Regimental Museum in
CENTURY FM presenter Paul Gough has been short-listed for a radio award. The DJ, known as Goffy, who presents the breakfast show on the regional radio station, is in line for North of England presenter of the year in the British Radio Awards. He is up
PANTOMIME characters have been delivering a warning to children about the dangers of smoking. Fairy Fresh Air, Lily Lungs and Fungus Fag visited children in primary schools in the Durham Dales to mark No Smoking Day. They were joined by fireman Norman
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a recycling plant and waste transfer station at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, are likely to be approved. Local people formed an action group to fight the application, arguing that lorries using the site would be a hazard
SOCCER chairman George Reynolds turned tour guide yesterday to talk of progress on the new Darlington Football Club stadium. Dozens of residents of the nearby village of Hurworth were given a tour of the 25,000-capacity stadium in Neasham Road. The stadium
RARE trees have been planted in Darlington as a symbol of revival by three organisations. Two black poplars have been planted in Westbrook Dene as part of a plan for a nature reserve. Local residents hope to attract more wildlife and improve the area.
PUPILS from a Darlington school held a series of events to mark World Book Day. Children in years seven to ten at Hurworth Comprehensive School took part in workshops with songwriters, authors and writers, including local poet Boyd and The Northern Echo
REGULARS of an Irish pub are gearing up for St Patrick's Day today, when a host of prizes will be on offer. O'Neill's pub in Durham is inviting its customers to dress up as characters from the television series Father Ted. Three of the best dressed characters
A YOUNG girl has become the latest victim in a bizarre spate of gangster-style drive-by shootings - with a paintball gun. The ten-year-old was left shaken and covered in luminous paint after she was shot from a moving car in Stanley, County Durham. It
STARS from TV's Byker Grove went to Thirsk at the weekend to help open a youth cafe in the town centre. The project was inspired people who replied to a survey on what they felt the town lacked. Since then, they have won financial backing from the Thirsk
A NORTH Yorkshire bride and groom received an extra present when they chose Harrogate's Sun Pavilion for their wedding at the weekend. Sally Lawrence and Tim Legge were the 100th couple to have their reception in the building and the borough council wanted
THERE may be another twist in a long-running and bitter dispute over the future of a group of allotments - despite the parish council's defeat at a public inquiry. Barton Parish Council was hoping the Government would force landowner Edward Hall to sell
A RADICAL overhaul is needed if Hambleton's tourist information centres are to keep up with the times, a meeting will be told this week. At present, all but one of the district's facilities are run by volunteers. Only Thirsk has a paid member of staff
HISTORY was brought to life at the weekend by a group of American Civil War enthusiasts. The group, from across Britain made the trip to the Eden Camp museum, near Malton, to take part in a re-enactment of the war which saw Union and Confederate soldiers
ONE of the region's oldest theatres finally re-opens this week, after a £700,000 overhaul that has been hit by delays. The Empire Theatre, in Consett, will be back in business on Friday, after a nine-month closure for refurbishment. The venue was due
MAJOR roadworks on a busy Teesside road are nearing completion. The Concorde Way dualling scheme has involved work on 1km of road along Concorde Way to Preston Farm Industrial Estate, Stockton, together with the re-modelling of the junction with Yarm
ABOUT 160 guests had to be evacuated from Scarborough's Royal Hotel twice in two hours early on Sunday morning because of a faulty alarm system. Joan Turner, head of English Rose Hotels which owns the hotel, said the first alarm went off at about 6am
A SCHOOLGIRL from Teesside is competing in an international ice skating event. Cloe Taylor, from Billingham, is to take part in the Mladost Trophy on Thursday, as part of the British team. Cloe, aged 12, is a member of the Junior British Development Squad
PEOPLE in Hartlepool are being urged to help protect a local beauty spot by supporting efforts to crackdown on illegal dumping. Countryside staff are calling on people to be vigilant when visiting Seaton Common Local Nature Reserve (LNR) on the outskirts
POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a man was stabbed in a town centre attack. The man was one of three men targeted by a ten-strong gang early at 12.15am on Friday in the market place at Bishop Auckland, County Durham. He was taken to the town's
HARTLEPOOL United has teamed up with Hartlepool Borough Council in an attempt to improve literacy, numeracy and computer skills amongst pupils in the town. The two organisations are involved in a pilot project at the town's City Learning Centre involving
Hathaway and Cope Stokesley League: With most teams still having a third of a season's worth of games still to play, there are still a lot of points to play for. Last weekend's results however could well have been a defining moment with regard to this
Aycliffe and District League Darts P W F A T C Royal Hotel 28 26 149 47 52 14 Red Lion 28 26 144 52 52 24 Iron Horse 28 22 142 54 44 19 *Horndale A 28 21 125 71 41 13 Southerne 28 18 114 82 36 23 RBL 28 17 108 88 34 10 RAFA 28 15 103 93 30 24 Navy Club
Typical! You play one of your best games in a black-and-white shirt and then your strike partner goes and robs you of all the headlines. But it takes something very special to keep former England skipper Alan Shearer off the back page - especially when
CRAIG Bellamy fears he is becoming a marked man as he faces his latest battle with authority over a football association misconduct charge, writes Adam Murray. The speedy striker could be hit with a two-game ban after the FA confirmed they would act following
THE Forestry Commission is inviting nature lovers to go DIY and claim their slice of a forest experience. A novel "rent-a-ranger" initiative has been unveiled at Kielder Castle, allowing people to organise tailor-made ranger-led family or group activities
THE Northern Echo's CommuniGate scheme, which has helped community groups across the region set up their own websites, has reached a major milestone. The Internet scheme now has 1,500 websites - making it by far the most successful scheme of its kind
A GROUP of girls is celebrating after winning through to the northern finals of a hockey competition. The youngsters, from Red House School, in Norton, played in all the rounds of the tournament for under-11 girls mini hockey at Maiden Castle in the North-East
Men's Over-35 Division One: Durham and Cleveland gained promotion for the first time to the Premier Division by winning the playoff group of the division one north recently in Pontefract. The team defeated Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, and Yorkshire
THE University of Durham is running a four-day residential masterclass from July in an attempt to attract students with no family tradition of higher education. The project is sponsored by educational philanthropists Peter Lampi, of the Sutton Trust,
VANESSA Price has made a present of her wedding to hospital staff who saved her life. Instead of asking for presents, the former cancer patient asked family and friends to put money into front-line hospital services and causes close to her heart. The
Division A P W D L Gm Pts M. Pts Hetton Lyons A 9 7 1 1 32 15 Durham City Abbots 9 6 1 2 26 13 Hartlepool A 9 5 1 3 26 11 Leam Lane Bullets 9 4 2 3 22 10 Darlington A 8 2 1 5 17 5 Durham Univ. A 10 1 2 7 17 4 Durham City Bishops 8 1 2 5 13 4 * Table as
Durham County Super League Horden seemed to be down and out as they looked to be slipping to their first defeat of the season at Crook B. However once again the Horden team, Super League reigning champions, showed their championship qualities when they
WAR AGAINST IRAQ: YOUR editorial (Echo, Mar 13) overlooked the fact that France and Germany had earlier circulated a memorandum criticising the resolution the US and UK had tabled before it was certain that the peaceful way to resolve the issues relating
Wear Valley Ladies League Crook Golden Fleece jumped into second place in the table after they only dropped one point to the visiting Croft Social Club. Crook Royal Sun maintained their top spot with a three points home victory over Byers Green Club but
THE wraps are soon to start coming off a North-East bridge as a refurbishment project nears a conclusion. But motorists have been warned they still face up to two months' more disruption as the restoration of Wearmouth Bridge, in Sunderland, runs over
35 years ago: Skipper Alan Robson leads the Newton Aycliffe rugby team off the pitch after two of his players are sent off, visitors Hartlepool GSOB, who had one player sent off, follow and the match is abandoned seven minutes from time. Alan Wegg, 19
A TEENAGE girl died and a 20-year-old man lost an arm in a black weekend on the region's road. Rear seat passenger Lynsey Richards, who lived near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, had to be cut free from the wreckage of a red Vauxhall Nova which collided
ASPIRING musicians from North Yorkshire were able to show off their skills in front of an audience at York's Barbican at the weekend. The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra comprises about 130 of some of the finest players drawn from all areas north of the border
ALAN SHEARER has made the right decision in declining the opportunity to ride to Sven-Goran Eriksson's rescue. Eriksson is renowned for being a lucky manager - and what could be more fortunate than having Shearer return to the fold in his hour of international
OLD SHILDON and Thorns will meet in the First Division Cup Final at Spennymoor United's Brewery Field in April after beating Lakeside and Brandon respectively. Thorns skipped into the final after goals by Andrew Richardson (2), Mark Russell and Craig
A CHILD contact service has been launched by charity NCH. Contact Matters will help families across County Durham by providing supervised contact between children involved in divorces and separations and members of their family. The NCH believes that
Members of a horticultural group have raised more than £25,000 for charity in the 20 years since it was founded. The latest recipients of donations totalling more than £1,800 from Marske Cricket Club horticultural section were Marske Medical Centre, 1st
A PAINTBALLING initiative run in an area of tight security near judges' lodgings is to expand. Challenge Events has been given planning permission to increase the paintballing games it runs to 75 days a year at woodland near Plawsworth, Chester-le-Street
The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull will bless Durham Cathedral's education and resource centre (Cedric) at 10.30am next Monday. He will be helped by children, one of whom will summon him from the Chapter House, following which they
FOUR youngsters are preparing for a dream trip to the US after winning this year's University of Sunderland science quiz. Monkwearmouth School pupils beat off competition from teams across the region to win the Hostage to Fortune quiz. Ryan Dixon, 15,
CHESTER-LE-STREET'S Riverside stadium is to help unemployed young people get a footing in the workplace. Durham County Cricket Club is supporting The Prince's Trust's Volunteer Programme by offering those on the programme in the Durham area the use of
A MASONIC lodge has come to the help of hospital patients with a £5,000 gift towards new facilities at a children's ward. Members of the Gateshead Masonic Lodge donated the money to help refurbish the parents' room in the children's department of the
AS far as memorable campaigns go, the current one promises riches for the Footballing Family Brown. Son Michael has had his name up in lights all season, firing a host of spectacular goals as Sheffield United reached the last four of the Worthington Cup
RESIDENTS of a village have voiced fears that plans to build retirement flats on a meadow will result in their cottages being flooded. Fifty residents of Kirby Mills, on the outskirts of Kirkbymoorside, are asking Rye-dale District Council to block the
Youngsters are to raise cash to send teenagers from a town in the former Soviet Union on the trip of a lifetime. The YMCA in Consett is sending a group to Prague in August, to take part in the YMCA Europe Youth Festival. The ten youngsters, aged 16 to
Darlington Spraire Lasses: Both Middlesbrough FITC Under-12s and Spraire Lasses Under-12s were in sparkling form but it was the visiting Spraire side who took the three points. Laura Gowling opened the scoring for Spraire after three minutes with a well
A TEENAGER who won the 2002 Choir Girl Of The Year Contest is to sing at the Royal Albert Hall, in London. Lucy Rhodes, 14, will appear with former choirboy turned TV presenter Aled Jones for the concert on March 30. The performance will be shown on the
Pairs knockout finals to be played March 20, 8pm start Premier JUC: S Brooker, S Tunstall v K Pringle, J Drummond; P Gregg, J Mason v K Bainbridge, R Westmorland; K Foster, J Elliott v J Hunter, S Cadman; K Hewton, S Dykes v N Stewart, C Shires. Alliance
Blackbourns Garage League: FNL 0, Harrowgate WMC 4; Barry Barbers 5, Bells Videos 0; Roedar Rejects 1, KTP 6; Skerne Park 5, Fast and Bulbous 0; Blackbourns Garage 5, Turks Head 3; Smith and Allan 4, Bellwoods 0. P W D L D A Pts Harrowgate WMC 23 18 2
Archaeologists are in the process of excavating a cemetery more than 1,000-year-old which was found at a Teesside school. The cemetery at Bishopsmill Special School, Norton, dates from the 8th to 10th centuries and more than 40 burials have been excavated
Police are investigating after a fire broke out at a house in Crossfell Road, Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough, on Saturday night. It is believed youths had pushed paper through the letterbox before setting it alight and running away. Fortunately, no one
In the Premier Division the leaders Killingworth drew 0-0 at home to Steels SC and second placed Owton Manor lost 1-0 away to Usworth. The champions Billingham Wanderers won 3-0 at home to close rivals Ferryhill Greyhound and are in fourth spot. Steels
Rabbits Dinner: Members of the Rabbits section together with their partners attended this annual dinner organised by Rabbits captain Kevin Clinton in the club house on Saturday night. After dinner Kevin looked forward to the golfing year and mentioned
Evelyn Doyle's father made Irish legal history when his wife abandoned the family and his children were taken into care. Now Bond star Pierce Brosnan is bringing her story to the big screen, she tells Steve Pratt. WHEN the voice on the other end of the
THERE is a sigh in the late spring air. Spring is just a sniff away now. The first of the early flowering cherries are announcing their presence, there is a tiny tinge of green in the hawthorne hedges and the daffodils have at last trumpeted their sunny
Rohm and Haas JOC Hetton Youth League: Lumley strengthened their position at the top of the table when they reached double figures defeating Sacriston whilst nearest rivals Jarrow St Bedes went down at Herrington. Despite conceding the lead in the early
Billingham Amateur Swimming Club's youngsters, 12 years and under, participated in the Durham and District Junior League Gala at the weekend, which was held at Tynemouth Pool. It was the first of three rounds and for many swimmers it was their first competitive
The race for the runners-up spot was opened out to two points after Tow Law New Market B only dropped two points to the visiting Crook Belle Vue, whilst Crook Jelly's Bar B dropped three to the visiting Crook Travellers Rest. This leaves the runaway leaders
Sunderland Scorpions have a two-point lead at the top of the women's premier league following an 8-4 victory at Sheffield Shadows. The win also secured a top four finish for Scorpions and a place in the end of season play-offs. Scorpions went ahead with
Chester-le-Street's 6-6 draw at South Durham Royals was certainly in keeping with the old adage 'game of two halves' clich. In this Womens Northern League Division One fixture, the Cestrians took a 4-1 lead at half time with goals from Laura Gibbon (2
Q In the Peter Sarsteadt song Where Do You Go To, My Lovely?, there is a line 'you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire'. Can you tell me who was the dancer? - Ken Orton, Ferryhill Station. AThe line you mention is from the first verse of the song. Peter Sarsteadt
Darlington striker Danny Mellanby is relishing a regular run in the first-team after his two-goal blast helped secure a 2-2 draw with Exeter City at the weekend. The 23-year-old admits he has not had the best of times in his battle to overcome a debilitating
DEFENDING champions Sunderland Harriers suffered a second consecutive defeat in the penultimate Durham Pine North Eastern Harrier League meeting at Consett - but they are still bang on course to claim their 18th title since 1980. For although the Wearsiders
A MAN in his 60s was treated in hospital in the early hours of Saturday after what police suspect was an arson attack on a block of flats. Five other people were evacuated from Queen's Terrace, Scarborough, as a result of the blaze which was started in
TODAY is the "moment of truth" for Saddam Hussein and the United Nations, George Bush and Tony Blair warned last night. Following talks with Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar in the Azores, the Prime Minister and US President gave the UN a final day to
Willington and District League: Willington Cottles A strengthened their chances of landing the league title when they came back at Willington Brewer's Droop A to win in the decider and go three points clear at the top with a match in hand. Steven Britton
JEAN Dobson gave up her day job after taking night classes in stained glass - and has not looked back since. A nurse for 20 years, Jean started to make mirrors, tea light holders and other designs, which have caught on with buyers. Mrs Dobson, a mother-of-three
Harrogate and Bedale are heading for a showdown finale in the race for the First Division title. The two sides are limbering up for a key clash against each other at Bedale on March 20. Harrogate won the first meeting 3-0 this season and both sides gathered
ANOTHER North-East driver is locked in dispute with the London Transport Authority after being fined for breaching the capital's congestion laws - even though he hasn't been there for months. Firefighter Steve Bake, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, read
The battle for the championship goes on unabated with Stokesley SC the new leaders. They edged Boldon CA out of pole position on goal difference when they defeated Whitehaven with an early second-half goal by Craig Johnson and a brace from Nathan Haslam
AT a time of heightened fears over terrorist attacks on this country, a disgraceful breach of security is exposed at the heart of Parliament. A cocaine-dealing prostitute is able to get a job as a barmaid in the House of Commons and then talk her way
Richmond Town: The Under-14s took on North Ormesby in the North Riding Cup quarter final, writes BEN PROSSER. The match was quickly over and was not much of a contest with Richmond winning 13-1, a great victory. N Fisher scored four, J Flannery three,
Stanley and District Sunday League It was a day of cup games and Grange Villa played Stanley FC in the semi final of the Bev Haggett Cup and raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Jon Hayley and Barry Ward - his 100th goal for the club. However, it was
Darlington and District League, Division A Mixed: Tudhoe Grange lost to Larchfield A 3-6, 7-13; Central A beat St Teresas A 6-3, 14-8; Ferryhill lost to Larchfield A 4-5, 8-11; Larchfield A beat Oakleaf A 6-3, 12-9; Richmond A lost to Larchfield A 4-5
