Archive

  • Grate news

    Sir, - Further to my somewhat gloomy letter about the non-availability of Zebrite grate polish I have some good news to report. My old schoolteacher, a Ken Milburn of Richmond National School, was very fond of using phrases which stayed in the memory

  • Kelly turns heads at station

    SCREEN beauty Kelly Brook was on the right track yesterday as she filmed her movie breakthrough. Kelly plays Italian seductress Sophia Rossalini in the new Brit flick School for Seduction. She drew admiring glances as she walked through Newcastle Central

  • Scouts set highest standards

    SIX venture scouts are to be given the scouting movement's highest awards. All successfully completed a series of projects ranging from expedition training to community involvement to qualify for the Queen's Scout award. The six are David Himsworth and

  • Common land campaigners celebrate Glaisdale victory

    CAMPAIGNERS for pre-school space in a moorland village were this week devastated when their plans were thrown out. But the Open Spaces Society was celebrating the decision of the Environment Secretary to refuse an application by the Glaisdale Playgroup

  • Muslims to open school

    THE North-East Muslim community has raised more than £500,000 to open the region's first Islamic school. Muslim leaders are hoping to turn former NHS buildings on the corner of Western Avenue and Grainger Park Road, in Fenham, Newcastle, into an independent

  • Family's 111-year service reward

    FOUR members of the same family have been awarded The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for services to Redcar Lifeboat. The members of the Cocks family were among 20 of Redcar's crew and officials to receive the medal on Sunday. The family has contributed

  • All talk, no action yet for McCarthy

    MICK McCARTHY revealed his fears last night that he will receive an avalanche of offers for Kevin Phillips next month. Although McCarthy insisted that no-one had yet enquired about Phillips, the Sunderland manager claimed his Premiership counterparts

  • Publisher laughing again as comic magazine halts slump

    THE publishers of adult comic Viz have arrested its sales slump by increasing the number of issues from six to ten per year. The cartoon magazine, founded in Newcastle, briefly peaked above a million copies sold per edition in its heyday in the late 1980s

  • Half-price ticket

    Rail travellers visiting York up until Wednesday can take advantage of half-price admission to attractions such as the Jorvik Viking Centre and the Castle Museum. For more details, collect a leaflet from any Arriva Trains staffed station in the region

  • Memorial event to remember workers

    A NORTH-East town is to host a memorial day in honour of the hundreds of workers who die doing their jobs every year. The International Workers' Memorial, in Church Square, Hartlepool, will be the venue for the Workers' Memorial Remembrance Service, to

  • Unfussy beauties have been loved for 9,000 years

    FOUR single genus plant books have caught my eye. Iris by Theodore James junior, sprouts the claim that these plants are second only in popularity to the rose (Abrams £12.95). I like them and would agree that they are not fussy, bloom if "benignly neglected

  • Injured man rescued

    A CREWMAN had to be evacuated from a tanker after he suffered horrific injuries to his groin. Teesmouth All Weather Lifeboat took a doctor to the ship three miles north of Redcar where 34-year-old Koushik Battacharjee was given emergency treatment. The

  • Poll cards error forces reprint

    THOUSANDS of polling cards for Thursday's council elections will have to be reprinted because of a blunder. Durham City Council has received scores of calls from residents worried because the cards they received have the wrong ward names. The mistake

  • National ban on water ball toys is welcomed

    TRADING standards officers in the North-East have welcomed the news that a controversial toy which can cause strangulation has been banned. Officers in the region have warned parents of the dangers of Yo-Balls - fluid-filled coloured plastic balls on

  • Drink-driver jailed after police chase

    A DRINK-DRIVER who led police on a dangerous chase was yesterday jailed for six months. Michael Danby, a mechanic, of Beechwood Terrace, Houghton-le-Spring, was spotted by two police officers speeding through Hetton-le-Hole in his Ford Fiesta at 2.30am

  • Election to fill mayor's post is set

    AN election date has been set after the resignation of a mayor involved in a child pornography investigation. Chris Morgan, North Tyneside's first directly elected mayor, stepped down from the role last Friday. The decision followed his arrest by police

  • Tanni gives message for businesses

    ATHLETE Tanni Grey-Thompson OBE delivered an inspiring message of hope to business leaders last night. The world record-breaking paralympic athlete told a 300-strong audience at Hartlepool College of Further Education that people have to seize the day

  • On the campaign trail with the BNP

    Once dismissed as racist thugs, they have now gained a respectable veneer and are aiming for credibility through the ballot box, with the North-East their main target. Nick Morrison goes canvassing with the BNP. "KILL the Paki bastards," came the yell

  • New riding club up and running

    A NEW riding club is welcoming members to its base at Northallerton Equestrian Centre, Yafforth. Darrowby and District Riding Club has just been recommended for affiliation to the British Horse Society. Initially, club nights are fortnightly on a Wednesday

  • Security tightened by police ahead of derby

    POLICE are mounting a high-security operation to stem potential disorder among rival fans at tomorrow's Tyne and Wear derby match. Northumbria Police hope the last Sunderland and Newcastle clash for at least a year, due to the Black Cats' impending relegation

  • Children kept at home due to Sars fears

    Children from two preparatory schools were being kept at home today amid fears about the Sars virus. But teachers at Terrington Hall and Woodleigh School, both in the Malton area of North Yorkshire, played down the significance of the move, saying only

  • Farmers' market on the move after council U-turn

    SENIOR councillors have done a U-turn over controversial farmers' markets in Northallerton. Members of Hambleton District Council cabinet yesterday agreed a package of dramatic changes to the site and schedule of the monthly markets. A report from a review

  • Sergeant guilty of sex with girl, 13

    AN Army sergeant is facing prison after being found guilty of sex sessions with a girl of 13 at his camp. Twice-wed Michael Baker, 40, was found guilty of six charges of underage sex with the girl, now aged 15. The offences came to light after her family

  • The secret of the system is with your neighbour

    LOVE your neighbour - it's in your own interest as well as making for a peaceful life. Rubbish? Absolutely. Since starting kerbside rubbish collections, iron has entered the soul of those in charge of the Darlington system. Rubbish must not be put out

  • Twitchers needed to aid house sparrow

    THE Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) is asking bird lovers in the North-East and North Yorkshire to help them find out more about the region's population of house sparrows, in an attempt to explain why the once thriving species is declining

  • Story of bridge to be told next month

    THE story behind the Gateshead Millennium Bridge will be told as part of a series of events offering insights into the history of Tyneside. Dozens of activities and events are on offer as part of National History Month, which starts next Thursday, and

  • Dairy sales regain strength post-FMD

    WITH dairy cattle sales becoming an increasingly familiar fixture at Skipton mart, an important sale last week saw the dairy shippon virtually full for the first time since pre-foot-and-mouth days. The fortnightly sale of dairy cattle included a dispersal

  • 25/04/03

    WAR AGAINST IRAQ: THE United Nations should take charge of restoring Iraq. It should not give retrospective authorisation to the invasion. The involvement of our forces in an illegal war should make those responsible for authorising it answerable to a

  • Cycling campaign group to meet

    THE Guisborough Cycling Initiative, set up a year ago to promote cycling for short journeys within the town as an alternative to the car, has its first annual meeting in the Priory Room at Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough on Tuesday, May 13, at 6pm

  • Hard bargaining settles wages

    THREE days of tough agricultural wages negotiations have resulted in a settlement which the NFU has described as fair for all parties. The NFU secured a 15-month package, starting in July, which includes the abolition of the starter rate and a new harvest

  • Oppose Corus pay deal, says TUC

    THE Trades Union Congress (TUC) is to urge shareholders of steel company Corus to oppose the company's report on executive pay. The union organisation said it believed the steelmaker should take a more sensitive approach to executive pay at a "difficult

  • Building society warns of difficult times ahead

    NEWCASTLE Building Society chairman Chris Hilton said the economic climate has set challenges for his company for the coming year. War in Iraq, deflated equities and low interest rates all provided their own set of problems for a society which has to

  • Residents voice concerns about hostel changes

    RESIDENTS concerned about plans to change the use of three terraced homes into one property for homeless men have been reassured that it will be properly managed. Stockton Borough Council has received a 48-name petition and two letters of objection following

  • Pensioner and budgie saved

    FIREFIGHTERS rescued a pensioner and his budgerigar from a burning house yesterday. The brigade was called to the house in Byland Close, on the Lakes Estate, Redcar, east Cleveland, shortly before noon, after reports that a man was trapped. Using breathing

  • Councillors to discuss aircraft hangers plan

    A PROPOSAL for 18 aircraft hangars on an airfield near Bishop Middleham will be discussed by councillors today. The airfield, at West House Farm, was given permanent planning permission in 1994. It is subject to tight flight restrictions relating to how

  • Police move to quash reorganisation fears

    POLICE chiefs have denied that an emergency call centre based in Bishop Auckland will disadvantage people living in the Darlington area. Darlington will be the first police division in the south of County Durham to join up to the communications network

  • Greetings from not very sunny Taunton

    THIS column comes to you from Taunton, where - surprise, surprise - the start of the cricket season has signalled the end of the drought. Durham's temporary overseas man, Javagal Srinath, has gone back to the hotel to try and get warm, leaving the usual

  • Crime-free car park named among Britain's best

    A CITY centre car park has again been honoured for being a crime-free zone. The 400-space multi-storey in the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre opened in 1998 and, to date, not a single vehicle has been stolen from it - nor has there been a single recorded

  • Neighbourly assistance for haulage firm

    HAULAGE business Scott Bros is driving its expansion with computer technology - thanks to the firm next door. The company, in Thornaby, Teesside, needed a computer system that would embrace all aspects of the business, from accounts preparation to daily

  • Choirs join forces for concert

    The Marsh Ladies Choir, from Huddersfield, will perform with Felling Male Voice Choir at the Gala Theatre, Durham, tomorrow. The visitors will be taken on a tour of Gateshead Quays on Sunday, ending in the tilting of the Millennium Bridge at 12.05pm.

  • Teenagers under the spotlights in musical comedy revival

    More than four decades after a cult film shocked cinemagoers, a school's pupils are staging their version for a young audience. Pupils at Wolsingham School and Community College will perform in the comedy The Little Shop of Horrors next week. The offbeat

  • Teenagers under the spotlights in musical comedy revival

    More than four decades after a cult film shocked cinemagoers, a school's pupils are staging their version for a young audience. Pupils at Wolsingham School and Community College will perform in the comedy The Little Shop of Horrors next week. The offbeat

  • Conference to look at sports teaching

    A CONFERENCE to investigate the future of school sports gets under way next month. Stockton Borough Council's first sports conference, on May 21, will look at the future of PE and school and community sport. Organised with the help of Northfield School

  • Cash-strapped library gains funds lifeline

    A THREATENED learning project has been thrown a lifeline in the form of a £5,000 grant. The Learning Library, a registered charity loaning toys and equipment to people with special needs, set up a pilot scheme last year to work in east Durham. Established

  • News in brief: Firefighters aid injured worker

    A CONTRACTOR working at the 3M factory in Newton Aycliffe was taken to hospital yesterday after tearing a muscle in his back. He was lifting equipment on to the roof when he suffered the injury. Firefighters brought the man down from the roof on a hydraulic

  • England chief Platt has eyes on Boro boy Davies

    Middlesbrough's FA Youth Cup final skipper is on the verge of being fast-tracked through to the England under-21 set-up. Highly-rated Andrew Davies, who leads his side into the second leg of the final at Old Trafford this evening, has already made his

  • Echo awards night to celebrate best of our young people

    YOUNG people in County Durham are to be honoured for their achievements in a new awards scheme launched by The Northern Echo. Over the past two years, the paper has established an annual awards event for young people in Darlington where their positive

  • Pay £1 to start losing pounds

    Curves for Women gym, in Peterlee, is running a Get Fit for £1 event to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. On Saturday, May 17 visitors can have a free consultation, free figure analysis and 30-minute supervised workout for £1, which will be donated

  • New head in call for improved teamwork

    EXPERIENCED health care professional Wendy Baker has taken up a role modernising NHS services in east Durham. Ms Baker, a qualified physiotherapist, has been appointed director of service integration for Easington Primary Care Trust (PCT). She joined

  • Durham Coast League: Ryhope seeking a return to glory days

    New-look Ryhope are confident they can give Hylton a run for the championship which they last won in 1996. The Wearsiders enjoyed their most successful era in the 80s, clinching the title six times in seven years. "We have lost some players but brought

  • Tait given the choice

    Chairman George Reynolds insists the future of Darlington's out-of-contract stars rests with caretaker boss Mick Tait. The Quakers chief revealed he will distance himself from any key decisions, maintaining Tait will be the best judge as to who goes and

  • MP calls for study of throat cancer among steelworkers

    AN MP has queried Government figures on the number of steelworkers who die from lung diseases and has called for a study to clarify the situation. Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said the figure of 12 new cases a year was "

  • Secrets of the salon revealed

    A SEDGEFIELD hair and beauty salon is to feature in a fly-on-the-wall documentary series. What hairdressers really say and do when the scissors are down will be revealed in the Tyne Tees Television series Hairdo. The programme follows four salons in the

  • Ronnie Ronalde in whistle-stop show

    LEGENDARY 1950s singer and bird impressionist Ronnie Ronalde will visit the North-East on his national tour. He will be playing the Customs House, South Shields, South Tyneside, next Wednesday. Ronnie, one of the world's top variety entertainers, is returning

  • Young people's award scheme to be extended

    YOUNG people in County Durham are to be honoured for their achievements in an awards scheme launched by The Northern Echo. For the past two years, the paper has held an awards event for young people in Darlington. Now, the idea is to be extended across

  • Quit smoking

    SESSIONS aimed at helping people to stop smoking have proved a great success. The Newton Aycliffe Smoking Cessation Group has supported 95 people to give up the habit this year. The group meets in the Pioneering Care Centre, in the town's Cobblers Hall

  • Sub post office is facing closure to safeguard others

    A SMALL sub post office looks set to close in a move to safeguard the future of nearby urban branches. Post Office Ltd announced last night that, following discussion with the local subpostmaster, the North End sub post office, in Durham, should close

  • Banned driver gave false name

    A MAN was caught driving only a fortnight after he had been banned, a court heard yesterday. Christopher Hollowed, 37, was spotted driving a Vauxhall Cavalier by a police patrol in Bower Road, Harrogate, and identified as a disqualified driver, Sarah

  • Man abandoned car following collision

    A DRIVER who left the scene of an accident in which he lost control of his car while driving on ice appeared in court yesterday. Jason Chamberlain's Ford Escort collided with the back of a parked Vauxhall Cavalier on Reeth Road, in Richmond, in January

  • Drama group seeks regional finals place

    SEDGEFIELD is to host a drama festival featuring three award-winning plays. Sedgefield Players will be competing against two theatre groups at the North-Eastern divisional final of the All England Theatre Festival of One Act Plays. The players will perform

  • Call to support small parishes in battle over audit fees

    NORTH Yorkshire councillors will be urged next week to give more support to small parishes in their fight against sometimes crippling audit fees. Two weeks ago, the D&S Times highlighted the plight of Arkengarthdale Parish Council, which manages on

  • Be inspired by forest scenes

    ARTISTS and photographers are invited to focus on the scenery at Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland, next month. Award-winning freelance photographer Jeff Teasdale, from Chester-le-Street, will offer amateur snappers tips on composition and lighting

  • Smith takes the helm at Bedale

    BEDALE CC begin their season at home to Great Ayton tomorrow under a new captain. Wicketkeeper/batsman Andrew Smith takes over from Mark Ellis, who stands down after leading the side for the last ten years. Smith will lead a side missing Guy Darwin, who

  • Village pilot scheme ready to expand

    A SUCCESSFUL composting initiative, which has taken off in a Teesdale village, has now been extended to parts of Barnard Castle. Rotters, piloted in Bowes, is a subsidiary of Teesdale Conservation Volunteers and was set up as part of a community composting

  • Attention to be focused on district's teenagers

    FACILITIES for young people in Hambleton will be discussed at a council meeting next week. Ways of expanding leisure facilities for young people and engaging them in community initiatives will be discussed by the district council's cultural and social

  • No escape from the pulling power of history

    FOR the past few weeks, I've been going to bed with a tall, dark and handsome military man, which could be misconstrued, Sir being of middling height, fair and a civilian. Fortunately - or maybe unfortunately for the pockets of the legal profession -

  • Council working fast to clear up ballot paper errors

    ELECTION officials are working flat out to ensure 600 first time voters wiped off computer records are still able to vote. A computer error at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council means voters whose 18th birthday falls between November 30, 2002 and polling

  • Richmond side confirm superiority in style

    RICHMOND Mavericks clinched the title in style on Monday with a 7-0 rout of fellow medals competition finalists Carperby. Mark Fleetwood fired them ahead and Craig Vincent lashed home a stunning 20-yard volley to set them on their way before the break

  • Road closure

    THE A1 was closed late yesterday afternoon after a two-vehicle crash in the Ripon area of North Yorkshire. Traffic was diverted as emergency services attended the scene and wreckage was cleared from the carriageways. The road was re-opened by early evening

  • Grant puts Esk Valley rail scheme on track

    A RAILWAY company hoping to expand Esk Valley services between Cleveland and Whitby is receiving £120,000 to help it work out detailed business costs and an operating plan. The Esk Valley Railway Development Company is working on the scheme with rail

  • Why husband's sweet taste of revenge will turn sour

    THEY say that revenge is a dish best served cold and for spurned husband John Mains, he served the frostiest meal of all. Sending explicit photographs of his wife to a pornographic magazine, his aim was to hurt and humiliate her after he discovered she

  • Is Celador guilty of greed as well?

    ONE definition I have heard of columnists is that they hide in the hills until the battle is over and then emerge to bayonet the wounded. So, in returning to the subject of the downfall of the "Millionaire" trio I shall start by acknowledging that, prior

  • The pressure is on Rushden, Barron

    HARTLEPOOL United are hoping their promoted players can finally start to celebrate promotion tomorrow. Pool entertain Shrewsbury in their final home game in Division Three after securing promotion last week. But their achievement has yet to be marked

  • Search for girl band members launched

    THE search is on to find talented girls with attitude for a new North-East band. Genius Entertainment, in Stanley, County Durham, is looking for feisty female singers, drummers, guitarists and keyboard players for an all-girl group in the style of Canadian

  • Wellock's World: Greetings from not very sunny Taunton

    THIS column comes to you from Taunton, where - surprise, surprise - the start of the cricket season has signalled the end of the drought. Durham's temporary overseas man, Javagal Srinath, has gone back to the hotel to try and get warm, leaving the usual

  • Youth forum looks at town's problem with empty shops

    YOUNG people in Richmond have carried out a study into how empty shops in the town could be brought back into use. Members of Richmond Youth Focus, a youth council set up by the YMCA, canvassed the opinions of shoppers and residents about how vacant units

  • A bizarre and macabre custom

    YESTERDAY was the Eve of St Mark and in times past, particularly in the North Riding of Yorkshire, it was known as Church Watching Eve. This somewhat bizarre and rather terrifying custom was practiced in several parts of the county, but I have no information

  • Business group sets out vision for prosperity

    SMALL businesses have set out their vision for a more prosperous North-East in a manifesto which will go to politicians. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) North-East called for upgraded major roads, a second Tyne Tunnel, long term contracts on

  • Is Celador guilty of greed as well?

    ONE definition I have heard of columnists is that they hide in the hills until the battle is over and then emerge to bayonet the wounded. So, in returning to the subject of the downfall of the "Millionaire" trio I shall start by acknowledging that, prior

  • Not big - but beautiful

    Dozens of exhibitors queued up to be part of a North flower show but organisers have resisted the temptation to expand, pledging quality before quantity. Harrogate Spring Flower Show, at the Great Yorkshire Showground until Sunday, has seen 25,000 advance

  • The Readers Durham County League: Big three striving for glory

    Evenwood won the championship by a whisker last season with Kimblesworth and Esh Winning hanging onto their tails and it promises to be another exciting race, with the trio again among the front-runners. Evenwood squeezed home by three points from Kimblesworth

  • Record-breaking bench gets new look

    YOUNG offenders have been put to work painting the longest railway station bench in the world. The bench, at Scarborough station, North Yorkshire, is 139 metres long and sprucing it up is a major task. But now it has been given a smart new look along

  • Pupils serve up exam success with Dinnerladies

    THE first public performance by this year's Lower Sixth Drama Group at Stokesley School was so popular that an extra showing had to be arranged. The full houses on three evenings thoroughly enjoyed a lively and funny production of year 12's examination

  • Man dies following alleged assault

    A MAN has died in hospital after suffering serious head wounds in an alleged assault outside a city centre pub. William George Smith, 62, was hurt in the incident in York late last Friday night and died in Leeds General Infirmary on Tuesday. Yesterday

  • Pensioner and budgie saved

    FIREFIGHTERS rescued a pensioner and his budgerigar from a burning house yesterday. The brigade was called to the house in Byland Close, on the Lakes Estate, Redcar, east Cleveland, shortly before noon, after reports that a man was trapped. Using breathing

  • Low cost fertility treatment available

    Cut-price infertility treatment is to be offered to up to 120 North-East couples. The new Cromwell IVF and Fertility Centre in Darlington is due to open on Monday April 28. Once it gets up to speed, doctors expect to offer heavily discounted test tube

  • Stars are ready to rock in the wild

    THE countdown has begun for a pair of truly green performances by two superstar acts. Dalby Forest, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, will echo to the sounds of Jools Holland and Status Quo at two outdoor concerts in June. The region's wildlife is due

  • Seven up for Northallerton as Boyle hits hat-trick

    Easington Colliery 3 Northallerton Town 7 POOR finishing has cost Peter Mulcaster's side dearly this season, but it was lethal last Saturday as they turned on the style to trounce Easington Colliery. Northallerton made the best possible start to the game

  • Brave mother's painful setback

    A mother-of-four has suffered her first setback as doctors battle to save her leg. Ann Teasdale, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is receiving revolutionary treatment in the US. The 42-year-old has already had to have one leg amputated after contracting

  • Water chiefs told growing village's sewers can't cope

    NORTHUMBRIAN Water is being taken to task by a village which says its sewers are unable to cope with an influx of new homes. Darlington Borough Council has been alerted to the problems in Middleton St George, which has almost doubled in size during the

  • Past, present and future will be linked at town's heritage day

    GUISBOROUGH Heritage Day is tomorrow, with events at venues throughout the town centre. Visitors can explore the heritage of the market town, which is the ancient capital of old Cleveland. Proposals for future developments in the town will also be displayed

  • Hopes are high for complex to lead an economic revival

    RETAILERS are already lining up to move into a Darlington shopping mall, according to developer St Martins. Company representatives are in the final stages of negotiations to bring a major department store, possibly Debenhams, to anchor the £45m development

  • Breakfast is time to learn about sheep exports

    SHEEP producers will have an opportunity to learn about export opportunities at a breakfast seminar at North Sheep 03. The National Sheep Association's Northern region biennial event is to be staged at Walburn Hall Farm, Downholme, near Richmond, on June

  • No charge over blast

    THE Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced it will not prosecute power firm Enron over an explosion that killed three men. The families of the men who died at the power station at Wilton in August 2001, were told the news on Wednesday. An HSE

  • Retirement means more time for vintage tractors

    NOW he has retired, stockman Albert Edmondson will have time to tinker with his vintage tractors. Well-known throughout the farming community, Mr Edmondson has worked at Manor Farm, Kirby Knowle, all his working life. He followed in his father Frank's

  • Beckham will be a Real coup for Perez

    AS if Wednesday's festival of football at Old Trafford was not entertaining enough, the match contained the most fascinating of postscripts. When David Beckham swapped shirts with Zinedine Zidane, so the story goes, the Frenchman asked why his opponent

  • Planning chiefs urged to protect West End land

    RESIDENTS in the West End of Darlington have urged council planners to stick to their guns over plans to build four houses on open space in Edinburgh Drive. The land, which is next to Hummersknott School, was sold at auction by Durham County Council in

  • Just let us know that you're safe

    THE husband of a missing mother-of-five last night made an emotional plea for her to come home. John Swift has scoured the streets of Hartlepool and maintained a vigil beside the telephone since his wife, Jacqueline, disappeared on Monday. She popped

  • Pensioner hurt in cycle incident

    POLICE are seeking a cyclist who knocked down an elderly man after an incident involving his bike in Great Ayton. The visitor was left bruised and shocked by the accident on April 8. Trouble arose as a woman in a wheelchair was being pushed by her partner

  • Allan's letter from Antarctica

    A LETTER has been sent to The Advertiser's sister paper, The Northern Echo, from a Redcar man currently working at Antarctica. Allan Thomas, 31, left his job as a creamery freezerman in January to work at the British Antarctic Survey's Halley Research

  • Horror as family cat is killed by illegal snare

    A FAMILY pet suffered a horrific slow death after becoming trapped in an illegal snare at a North-East beauty spot. The RSPCA was called in after the body of a cat was discovered caught in the snare on the Carterway Heads side of the Derwent Reservoir

  • Town weighs up pros and cons of £10m bypass

    A NEW road designed to bring traffic relief to three communities in and around Bedale was described yesterday as a big gamble and a development which could have a drastic effect on commercial life in the town. The estimated cost of a bypass for Bedale

  • Burton's Bytes: Much more than just a Lara-lite

    PRIMAL, Publisher: SCEE, Platform: PS2, Price: £40 UNTIL now, female games characters haven't enjoyed a decent adventure on next generation platforms. All that is about to change. Eidos is putting the final touches to Lara Croft's PS2 debut adventure

  • Farm worker admits offence

    A FARM worker was fined £200 and ordered to pay costs of £45 yesterday after admitting driving without a licence and insurance. George Hunter, 31, of Vicarage Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, was stopped on his way to a nearby pub by Ministry

  • Shop Talk: Fishy way to make a living

    THE Fortune family have been curing herrings for kippers in Whitby for 130 years and five generations. Current owners Barry and Derek Brown are nephews of Bill Fortune, who retired some years ago. Finding the shop is easy. Go to the bottom of the 199

  • Prices at the Marts

    BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues of last week. Fwd: 168 store cattle. Feeding bulls. - Lim: £572, £525, £515, £500, £495, £490 F Johnson; £548, £510, £500 D Coggins & Son; £480, £420 RA Hutchinson. Simm: £515 J Richmond. BA: £500 J Richmond. Store steers. -

  • It's enough to make Cryer weep

    The Bill (ITV1); The Streets Of San Francisco (five); WHEN Sergeant Bob Cryer walked back through the doors of Sun Hill police station last night, he must have thought he'd gone to the wrong series. The place is awash with drug addicts, psychopaths, seducers

  • Council to consider youngsters' cinema plea

    THE third and final meeting to draw up a list of ideas aimed at giving young people in Hambleton a better deal is being held next week. Members of the council's cultural and social overview and scrutiny committee meet on Monday to finalise recommendations

  • £45m shopping revolution

    DEVELOPERS yesterday unveiled details of plans for a £45m shopping complex in the North-East. As revealed in The Northern Echo yesterday, the centre is to be built in Darlington, incorporating the town's existing Queen Street arcade. It is expected to

  • Opticians' fundraising a success

    SPECSAVERS Opticians in Darlington has raised almost £200 for the Darlington and District branch of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. Staff at the store in High Row raised the money by selling cakes and buns to colleagues, and also asked customers

  • Stylish figures attract bidders in auction sale

    THREE ivory and bronze figures were sold for £19,500 at a recent auction in Darlington. A collector from the town bought two of the figures, called The Chain Dancer and The Hoop Girl, by the sculptor Demetre H Chiparus. The figures, which were on sale

  • News in brief: Cash raised for autistic boy

    THE parents of an autistic five-year-old boy, Conor Hardy, of Esh Winning, Durham, would like to thank the staff and customers who participated in a bag pack at Asda, The Galleries, in Washington. The event raised £521.41 towards Conor's education programme

  • Traders against proposed market

    VILLAGE shopkeepers are to continue their fight to keep out a weekly market they say will hit their trade. Wear Valley District Council plans to start the market in Stanhope in the next few weeks as part of a drive to attract visitors to the area. But

  • Marathon aid for lung charity

    A DOCTOR who had asthma as a child has completed the London Marathon in aid of the British Lung Foundation. Dr Gareth Williams, who works at Darlington Memorial Hospital, completed the race in five hours and 20 minutes, crossing the line in 20,347th place

  • Security tightened by police ahead of derby

    POLICE are mounting a high-security operation to stem potential disorder among rival fans at tomorrow's Tyne and Wear derby match. Northumbria Police hope the last Sunderland and Newcastle clash for at least a year, due to the Black Cats' impending relegation

  • Chemicals firm eyes expansion

    CHEMICALS firm Huntsman is looking to expand its operations on Teesside in a move that would create hundreds of jobs for the region. The US-owned company wants to build a specialist polyethylene plant on the Wilton International site, near Redcar. It

  • Bag stolen by hooded thief

    POLICE are hunting a thief who stole a woman's handbag in Middlesbrough. The man struck at about 7.30pm on Wednesday as the 53-year-old victim walked towards the junction of Linthorpe Road and Devonshire Road. He grabbed her handbag and ran off, getting

  • Catterick double rounds off good week for Johnston

    MIDDLEHAM'S great success on Good Friday with the annual open day was also reflected on course, as the town's trainers had a sparkling holiday week. Mark Johnston, who has had - for him - a quietish time of late, sent Desert Deer to Newmarket for the

  • Voters go missing in election run-up

    ELECTION workers are searching for 200 missing voters in east Cleveland. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is trying to make sure that all of its 105,000 potential electors receive their ballot papers. This year, the poll at the marginal council will

  • Crossing the River Tees the hard way

    A SUPPORT group made up of children crossed the Tees the hard way when they climbed to the top of the Transporter Bridge, in Middlesbrough, and then walked across it. The Children Who Foster Group is made up of the biological offspring of foster carers

  • Consultant takes on community care role

    A NEW consultant has started work in Sedgefield borough and the Durham Dales in a role created to care for patients in the community. Dr Jenny Skinner, who specialises in palliative medicine, will work with GPs and district nurses to help with the care

  • Allison shares her know-how with pupils

    YOUNGSTERS were given sporting tips yesterday by an Olympic athletes. Olympic Runner Allison Curbishley visited Brierton Community Sports Centre, at Brierton Community School, in Hartlepool. She met pupils and presented trophies to winners of sporting

  • Kelly turns heads at station

    SCREEN beauty Kelly Brook was on the right track yesterday as she filmed her movie breakthrough. Kelly plays Italian seductress Sophia Rossalini in the new Brit flick School for Seduction. She drew admiring glances as she walked through Newcastle Central

  • Still in the running to aid lung charity

    A DOCTOR from Darlington Memorial Hospital has used his enthusiasm for running marathons to raise money for charity. Dr Gareth Williams took part in the London Marathon, earlier this month, finishing in five hours 20 minutes to take 20,347th place. Dr

  • Policeman wins praise for bravery

    A POLICE officer has received two commendations for his actions while on duty. PC Stuart Ross, who is stationed at Newton Aycliffe, gained the awards for his actions while he was an officer serving with the Metropolitan Police, based in London's Lewisham

  • News in brief: Gun amnesty is a success

    POLICE say they are pleased by the number of firearms surrendered by the public during the current amnesty, which runs until the end of the month. Across North Yorkshire, four revolvers, a single-shot pistol, 18 shotguns, four rifles, six air rifles and

  • More fire crews to get car cutters

    THE number of fire engines in the county fitted with emergency life-saving equipment is expected to increase within the year. Proposals to fit 14 fire appliances with specialist cutting equipment to enable them to attend road traffic accidents are being

  • Housing plan for village garage site

    A PLANNING application has been submitted for new housing in the heart of Hurworth conservation area. Church View Garage, one of the last remaining businesses in the village, could be demolished to make way for six flats. The proposed site is opposite

  • Aspiring artists to take to the great outdoors

    BUDDING artists will have the chance to work al fresco at a series of workshops being staged under expert tuition starting next month. Artist and illustrator Linda Birch will oversee a programme of art classes for adults at the Durham Art Gallery, within

  • Turning on the style for cancer charity

    A FASHION show is expected to have raised more than £3,000 for the Macmillan County Durham Appeal. About 100 guests attended the event held at Shotley Hall, Shotley Bridge, yesterday. So many people were interested in attending the £36-a-head show - opened

  • Detective's screen secret is out as ref is rumbled

    POLICEMAN Peter Clifford has been surprising everyone with his role in a hit British movie. Unsuspecting friends and colleagues are reacting with shock and surprise when they settle down to watch Bend It Like Beckham, the story of a London girl whose

  • First time for holiday collections

    WASTE collections in Hartlepool are to take place on a Bank holiday for the first-time next month. The move, which follows talks between Hartlepool Borough Council and its main contractors, Cheshire Recycling, affects the fortnightly blue box service

  • News in brief: Road closed for a week

    MOTORISTS are being warned of traffic diversions ahead of major works that will result in the closure of Wooler Road, in Hartlepool, for one week from Tuesday, May 6, for sewerage work. Diversions will take traffic travelling from the north via Hart Lane

  • Great Britain place for Charlotte

    AYSGARTH teenager Charlotte Hanson was catching up on her sleep on Wednesday after winning a place in the Great Britain ladies youth water polo team which will take part in the European championships this summer. The 17-year-old has been a member of the

  • Bernard aims to rise above hate

    OLIVIER BERNARD has vowed Newcastle United will rise above the "hatred" engulfing tomorrow's Wear-Tyne derby to revive their Champions League hopes. With the Magpies needing to win their final three fixtures to guarantee their place at European football's

  • Cancer charity makes river walk appeal

    WALKERS are needed to put their best foot forward for charity. The Derwent Walk takes place on Sunday, May 11. The ten-mile event starts in Blackhill, Consett at 11am and takes participants along the Derwent Valley to Blaydon, on Tyneside. The Stanley

  • Sex photos revenge of a jilted husband

    A JILTED husband wreaked revenge on his former wife by sending pornographic photographs of her to a top-shelf magazine. John Mains had taken the pictures of his wife, Sharon, while they were married for their own enjoyment. But he was so aggrieved after

  • Three-year campaign over radio show reaches fruition

    PATIENCE is a virtue every gardener grows to understand. Attention to detail at every stage is needed if you are to succeed. So Teresa Crow was uniquely prepared for her three-year battle to bring one of Britain's most popular gardening programmes to

  • Drinks firm absorbs blow

    DRINKS firm Allied Domecq welcomed strong trading in three of its core regions, which helped absorb the impact of a triple blow to profits. The Bristol company warned in February that its results would be affected by higher pension costs, unhelpful currency

  • Officer's bravery recognised

    A POLICE officer has received two commendations for his actions while on duty. PC Stuart Ross, who is stationed at Newton Aycliffe, gained the awards for actions while he was an officer serving with the Metropolitan Police, based in London's Lewisham

  • Secrets of the salon revealed

    A SEDGEFIELD hair and beauty salon is to feature in a fly-on-the-wall documentary series. What hairdressers really say and do when the scissors are down will be revealed in the Tyne Tees Television series Hairdo. The programme follows four salons in the

  • Website will be voice of youth

    A website for County Durham youngsters has been launched. The site - to be found at www.youthaloud.net - was developed by a team of six teenagers with support from Durham County Council and is designed to give a voice to the county's young people. The

  • Teesside has its first -silk'

    BARRISTER Timothy Roberts has become the first Teesside-based practitioner to be appointed Queen's Counsel. Mr Roberts, 47, is head of Fountain Chambers in Middlesbrough, where he has been based since 1981. He will "take silk" at a ceremony held at the

  • News in brief: Cash raised for autistic boy

    THE parents of an autistic five-year-old boy, Conor Hardy, of Esh Winning, Durham, would like to thank the staff and customers who participated in a bag pack at Asda, The Galleries, in Washington. The event raised £521.41 towards Conor's education programme

  • Quit smoking

    SESSIONS aimed at helping people to stop smoking have proved a great success. The Newton Aycliffe Smoking Cessation Group has supported 95 people to give up the habit this year. The group meets in the Pioneering Care Centre, in the town's Cobblers Hall

  • Book now while space lasts at cemetery, families told

    COUNCIL officials are urging those who wish to be buried in the same Teesdale cemetery as relatives to book a plot before space runs out. Capacity at the current burial ground in central Barnard Castle will be exhausted within six-to-nine years, members

  • How to reduce the height of your home

    BUILDERS were forced to take the roof off a house and reduce the height of the building after complaints from neighbours. Once the roof was off, the height of the building was reduced by 70cm before it was replaced. The work had to be done after planners

  • Art exhibition to celebrate painter

    AN exhibition celebrating the centenary of the birth of one of Britain's outstanding painters opens next week. John Piper, who died in 1992 aged 89, was multi-talented and regarded as a successor to Turner. He designed sets for operas and ballets, stained-glass

  • Drama group seeks regional finals place

    SEDGEFIELD is to host a drama festival featuring three award-winning plays. Sedgefield Players will be competing against two theatre groups at the North-Eastern divisional final of the All England Theatre Festival of One Act Plays. The players will perform

  • Be inspired by forest scenes

    ARTISTS and photographers are invited to focus on the scenery at Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland, next month. Award-winning freelance photographer Jeff Teasdale, from Chester-le-Street, will offer amateur snappers tips on composition and lighting

  • Family's 111-year service reward

    FOUR members of the same family have been awarded The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for services to Redcar Lifeboat. The members of the Cocks family were among 20 of Redcar's crew and officials to receive the medal on Sunday. The family has contributed

  • News in brief: Cash raised for autistic boy

    THE parents of an autistic five-year-old boy, Conor Hardy, of Esh Winning, Durham, would like to thank the staff and customers who participated in a bag pack at Asda, The Galleries, in Washington. The event raised £521.41 towards Conor's education programme

  • Mayor invites public to town hall ceremony

    FOR the first time the public is being invited to attend an exclusive civic ceremony. Most authorities have a guest list for the annual mayor-making ceremony, with the council inviting business and community leaders to witness the event. Richmond Town

  • Passports to success for visitor centres

    A DOZEN Herriot County attractions across Hambleton have joined forces with the Vikings to offer tourists even more for their money. A passport scheme has been devised jointly by the Herriot Country Attractions Group and Jorvik, in York. The three-month

  • Security tightened by police ahead of derby

    POLICE are mounting a high-security operation to stem potential disorder among rival fans at tomorrow's Tyne and Wear derby match. Northumbria Police hope the last Sunderland and Newcastle clash for at least a year, due to the Black Cats' impending relegation

  • News in brief: Road closed for a week

    MOTORISTS are being warned of traffic diversions ahead of major works that will result in the closure of Wooler Road, in Hartlepool, for one week from Tuesday, May 6, for sewerage work. Diversions will take traffic travelling from the north via Hart Lane

  • Darlington taste reality of life at higher level

    DARLINGTON Mowden Park should keep the Durham Cup in the town for a sixth successive season when they play Blaydon/Westoe in Sunday's final at Durham City. Following Mowden's hat-trick, Darlington have won it for the last two years, but were overpowered

  • New classes for Hambleton Show

    THE Burley Winergy young event horse classes have come to this year's Hambleton District Show, held by kind permission of Mr A Knowles at The Barugh, Carlton Husthwaite, Thirsk, on May 25. The classes for four and five-year-olds are the first qualifiers

  • Pump repairers seal deal

    PUMP maintenance specialist MF Sealing Systems has bought Allen Gwynnes, the process pump repair division of the Marske Machine Company. The deal will see the company move its Flowserve Maintenance Repair operation into the premises of Allen Gwynnes,

  • Darlington Building Society NYSD League: Ken's summer farewell

    President Ken Gardner believes Guisborough will be pressed all the way for this year's championship. "Last season, they retained the title by the skin of their teeth. Their margin over Marske was three points and Darlington were in with a shout until

  • N-E casting off the cloth caps image

    THE North-East has finally nailed the myth about cloth caps and whippets, according to a new survey. British tourists no longer believe it is quite so grim up North. In fact, they are more likely to see the region as vibrant and go-ahead. The survey will

  • Comment: Be warned: it could happen here

    AS we said yesterday, the British National Party poses a dilemma for newspapers - and it is a dilemma which warrants further consideration today. A respected Labour politician telephoned yesterday to express outrage at The Northern Echo for giving front

  • Much more than just a Lara-lite

    PRIMAL, Publisher: SCEE, Platform: PS2, Price: £40 UNTIL now, female games characters haven't enjoyed a decent adventure on next generation platforms. All that is about to change. Eidos is putting the final touches to Lara Croft's PS2 debut adventure

  • Sprinter Rectangle in good shape to take honours

    DAVID NICHOLLS has unearthed yet another potentially useful sprinter in the shape of Rectangle (4.40), who heads for the £20,000 Premier Lodge Handicap at Sandown today. Nicholls has made an uncustomary fast start to the new turf season; his horses far

  • Democratic test

    OUR system of local democracy is approaching an important test in the form of next week's parish and district council elections. We will be able to gauge two crucial measures of the health of that democracy - participation by candidates and the electorate

  • Project to help long-term ill cope better

    A SCHEME for people living with long-term medical conditions is up and running in the North-East. The Expert Patient Programme offers courses to help people cope with long-term illnesses and conditions such as arthritis, asthma, back pain, diabetes, heart

  • Cup win means double delight for Bedale

    NEWCOMERS Bedale secured a notable double in the Kall Kwik Harrogate Squash League when they captured the third division cup with a 4-1 win over Ripon in the recent final at Harrogate Squash Club. Bedale had already clinched promotion from division three

  • Tragic girl who missed dead pal

    A TEENAGER killed herself by taking a massive overdose of anti-depressants in a cemetery so she could be closer to a childhood friend who stood up to bullies for her, an inquest heard yesterday. Caroline Brown, 16, was severely depressed and regularly

  • Locals to re-live village floods at exhibition

    A RENOWNED photographer who moved to Skinningrove to record how villagers coped with flooding is to exhibit his work in the area. Arthur Foster, who has had his work published in major magazines and newspapers, moved to the village for a month during

  • Computers are stolen

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses after £20,000 of computer equipment was stolen from a primary school. Burglars broke into the Whinney Banks Infant School, in Fakenham Avenue, Middlesbrough, and took computers, printers and film projectors. Police believe

  • Diamond couple look back on colourful life

    AFTER a life on the open road travelling between funfairs, not to mention 60 years of marriage, you may think Arthur and Kathy Newsome were due some time off. Yet it only takes a trip to Russell's fish shop and cafe, in Redcar, to find the former travellers

  • When the result's a killer

    As the number of football bosses collapsing under pressure increases, Health Correspondent Barry Nelson asks if there's any way they can do the job but give stress the boot. WITH their mega-buck salaries and celebrity status, Premiership football managers

  • New carcase service fees are good value

    TWO LOCAL farming leaders have urged producers to sign up to the new carcase collection service. The National Beef Association and the National Pig Association both say the subscription charges for the service represent good value. Robert Robinson, a

  • Safer-style ambulances introduced in N-E

    A NEW type of safer, more crash-resistant ambulance has been launched on the region's roads. Two ambulances, based on the Mercedes Sprinter, are the first of 59 vehicles which will be delivered to the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) over three years

  • Pharlindo makes all to take Cleveland victory

    GRANIA Furness' Pharlindo (Hurworth) returned to the winners enclosure when taking the ladies open at the Cleveland point-to-point held at Stainton Vale last Saturday. The 12-year-old made every yard of the running under Annabelle Armitage to win by two

  • Villagers give their views on pit land

    VILLAGERS are asked to give their views on environmental improvements proposed for a former colliery community. Regeneration officers, part of Durham City Council's SRB6 Team, have been formulating plans for Sherburn Hill for the past two years. Villagers

  • Delight as steel boss bows out

    CORUS boss Sir Brian Moffat has sparked widespread delight by announcing he is to step down as chairman and interim chief executive. His departure was no great surprise - he had indicated he would retire when a replacement could be found - but the timing

  • Saintly name conjuring comfort for sick and lame

    St Giles is an obscure saint who lived near Arles in France sometime before the ninth Century. He was a very popular saint in the Middle Ages and in Britain, where many churches are dedicated to him, he was regarded as the patron saint of cripples and

  • Appointments to watchdog

    A GROUP which advises a North-East environmental watchdog has appointed seven members. The appointees will be taking up their three-year terms on the Regional Environment Protection Advisory Committee (Repac) for the North-East region. The new members

  • Lewis boosts Durham bid

    A SECOND 50 of the match by skipper Jon Lewis gave Durham a scent of victory against Somerset at Taunton yesterday. Again providing a lesson in application to impatient younger teammates, Lewis took 100 balls to reach his half-century, but then perished

  • Healthy entry boosts Witton Castle event

    AN entry of more than 600 horses ensured the Witton Castle charity horse trials held at the end of last month was another successful event. The course, featuring several new fences, rode well in exceptionally kind weather. Last year, the event raised