Archive

  • Simao interested in Magpies switch

    PORTUGUESE star Simao Sabrosa has given Newcastle United the green light to make a summer move for his services. Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson is a big fan of the youngster's talents and has already revealed his interest in the flying winger. And it is

  • Competition victory elevates colliery band

    A LONG-established band has stolen a march on its rivals to win a competition. The BHK (UK) Ltd Horden Colliery Band triumphed in the first section of the North of England Regional Band Championships, at Darlington's Dolphin Centre. Competition adjudicator

  • Flag revives memories of rescue

    FORMER lifeboatman Dave Phillipson has been reunited with a souvenir of a shipwreck, evoking memories of a dramatic rescue 30 years ago. He helped to salvage the national flag of the Netherlands from the Dutch Coaster Hendrika on May 4, 1973, with local

  • Minster's library to close in cash crisis

    Part of a cathedral library is to be closed despite it being extended five years ago with the help of £1m National Lottery grant. The staff of four at York Minster's library were told at the weekend there would be three redundancies, and that much of

  • Job Search: Vacancies

    Tutor, Annfield Plain. 34hrs pw, 9am to 4pm, Mon-Fri. Required to help and support 16 to 18-year-olds in numeracy and literacy. Must hold relevant teaching qualification (Cert Ed or equivalent) and be experienced. Ref: STG 15799. Motor vehicle instructor

  • The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League

    Sunday's main attraction was the final of the Division Three Cup, which pitted champions Pepper Draughting Services against runners-up Hope Inn. With the Hope coming off the back of a good victory over Spraire RA in the League Cup they were hoping to

  • Schools rewarded for their focus on health

    TWO primary schools are celebrating success after receiving a Healthy Schools Award. St Andrew's Primary School, Henknowle, and St Joseph's RC Primary School, Coundon, were presented with their certificates during end-of-term ceremonies on Friday. Bishop

  • News in brief: CVS awareness days planned

    Darlington Community Volunteers Service is holding a series of awareness days, starting with a deaf awareness day on Friday, June 27, from 9.30am to 12.30pm, at the CVS office in Church Row. Telephone (01642) 266888 for details. WEB SESSIONS: People interested

  • News in brief: CVS awareness days planned

    Darlington Community Volunteers Service is holding a series of awareness days, starting with a deaf awareness day on Friday, June 27, from 9.30am to 12.30pm, at the CVS office in Church Row. Telephone (01642) 266888 for details. WEB SESSIONS: People interested

  • Appeal launch in aid of ward

    A £140,000 appeal has been launched to upgrade a hospital's children's ward. The money is to be spent on building an extension to accommodate a soft-play area, a classroom and dining area at Scarborough General Hospital. The appeal has been launched by

  • A story told

    An exhibition of the work of one of children's literature's most popular picture book creators, Pat Hutchins, called Over the Hills and Far Away, is on at Gateshead's Shipley Art Gallery, until June 8. It features the unpublished story which led to the

  • Cathedral friends' birthday

    To celebrate its 70th birthday, the Friends of Durham Cathedral hold an evening of music and readings at the cathedral on Friday, June 6, at 7.30pm. Those appearing include opera singer Sir Thomas Allen and agony aunt Denise Robertson. Tickets are £12.50

  • Carnival winners show small is beautiful

    FIVE schoolgirls made up the youngest and smallest team in a big carnival procession yesterday - and collected the championship trophy plus £200. Megan Johnson, Caitlin Jones, Hannah Jones, Jessica Hesp and Megan Walker dressed as flowers for a country

  • Specialist team to share mental health expertise

    A SPECIALIST service which won national acclaim for its work with children is to pass on its expertise to help young people with mental health problems. Darlington Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), which was awarded Beacon Status earlier

  • Electronic payment system puts post office in jeopardy

    A VILLAGE postmaster has warned that his business will definitely be forced to close because of the Government's new electronic pension payments system. Arthur Sanders, who is the 67-year-old sub-postmaster at Sadberge, near Darlington, says his business

  • Elderly health care watchdog

    A GROUP has been set up to prevent any health care discrimination against elderly people. Members of the County Durham Age Discrimination Scrutiny Group want people to contact them with any examples of unfair or discriminatory practices. Composed of health

  • Parents' chance to have their say

    A new project will use parents' views about a range of issues to help tackle problems among young people. Adults will be asked to give their views about a number of issues, including drugs and alcohol abuse, family relationships, communicating with children

  • N-E animal charity workers praised

    THE region's branches of the RSPCA have been named the most hard-working in the country. More than 13,500 unwanted animals were found homes by the charity in the past year. Figures just published reveal that, on average, 37 abandoned or ill-treated animals

  • Hall visitors join in the fun

    CHILDREN'S favourites Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten and Spot the Dog joined in the bank holiday fun at Ormesby Hall, in Middlesbrough, yesterday. They helped with activities organised for children, which included garden trails, a colouring competition, an

  • Tributes to councillor

    ONE of North Yorkshire's longest-serving councillors has died at the age of 73. Gordon Horner, of Huby, served councils across the Hambleton district during his life in the parish. Mr Horner, a farmer, served on Hambleton District Council from its creation

  • Balloons float off to unknown destination

    A LUCKY shopper could be £500 richer if their balloon travels the furthest after being released from a shopping centre yesterday. The Hill Street Centre, in Middlesbrough, hosted the balloon race, in which people put their names and addresses on a ticket

  • WATER POLO

    City of Newcastle ASC ran out worthy winners of the A de Lande Long Cup in the Northumberland and Durham Counties senior men's water polo championship in the Durham City Pool. Newcastle showing their class throughout, as expected from a team which competes

  • Liberal Democrats attacked over cash crisis at council

    CONSERVATIVES who took control of a North Yorkshire authority in this month's local elections say they have inherited a cash crisis from their political rivals. The Liberal Democrats held sway in the Harrogate Borough Council chamber for 13 years and

  • ICE HOCKEY: Junior round-up

    Sunderland Arrows completed their English Under-16 North promotion/relegation play-offs with a 3-2 victory away at Blackburn Eagles. Having already secured promotion last week, Arrows required only a point to take top slot. A close opening period brought

  • On the trail of Roman recipes

    AN enterprising guest house owner is serving up authentic Roman recipes to complement a newly-opened trail. Pauline Staff, who runs Holmhead Guest House, at Greenhead, Northumberland, is offering visitors to Hadrian's Wall National Trail authentic Roman

  • Contraband cigarettes are seized

    BOOTLEG cigarettes worth £500,000 have been found hidden at the premises of a North-East business. Customs officers found the stash of 2.3 million contraband cigarettes inside more than 200 spools of cable at a firm in Middlesbrough. It is the latest

  • Nine taken to hospital after head-on collision

    NINE people including three young children were taken to hospital after two cars were in a head-on crash. The accident between the Renault and the Vauxhall happened at 10.45am yesterday on Dixons Bank, at the junction with Brass Castle Lane, in Marton

  • Centre's exotic beginning

    A CENTRE for exotic creatures opened its doors to the public for the first time yesterday. The Exotic Animal Welfare Trust was set up at Boundary Farm, at Tow Law, County Durham, as an eventual replacement for the Reptile Trust at Burnopfield. The £5m

  • Raider threatens staff

    A man threatened staff with a knife and demanded money in an early morning raid on a shop in Middlesbrough. The man went into Bells Stores in Bankfield Road, Eston, at 6.05am yesterday. He waived a knife at terrified staff and jumped over the counter,

  • Student plans to switch from learning to teaching

    AN Open University student was so impressed with her course that she plans to become a lecturer. Barbara Passmore, who works in the resettlement division of Durham area probation service, embarked on an MBA with the Open University business school to

  • Cash boost for old buildings

    HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds are to be spent bringing crumbling, historic streets back to life. Rundown areas of the North-East, including East Cleveland, are to receive a £691,000 Government cash injection. This will concentrate on regenerating high

  • Experience life on board explorer's ship

    LIFE on the high seas in the 18th Century may have been exciting but there was a darker side to a sailor's life above and below decks. An exhibition that opened at the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Marton, Middlesbrough, on Saturday, reveals some

  • £26,000 bingo bonus

    A GRANDMOTHER is planning to share more than £26,000 with her family after winning at bingo. The 59-year-old, who has asked not to be named, has been playing for 40 years and visits the Mecca club in Chandler's Wharf, Stockton, twice a week. On Saturday

  • News in brief: Concert tonic for hospital

    Rising star Steffi Gold is one of the performers at a Midsummer Music Evening, being held at Danby Wiske on Friday, June 20. The singer will be appearing alongside the Mowbray String Quartet and the Swale Valley Stompers. The event will be held in a marquee

  • Angling by Jeff Herbert

    Small carp dominated the first ever match on the new Laybourne Lakes at Hessay in the York and District AA Open as the venue's silver fish population were few and far between on the day. Staged on Marley Pond, 53 hopefuls decided to try their luck in

  • Shops put £1,000 up for grabs

    A shopper scooped £1,000 yesterday after taking part in a challenge to Grab a Grand. Hairdresser Kelly Waters beat others to the cash after catching the largest handful of pretend notes in a specially-constructed cubicle at Darlington's Cornmill Centre

  • A weekend for action

    THE longest day will be full of action for walkers and cyclists. A total of 10,000 leaflets have been distributed promoting the Nevisport Walking and Cycling Festival on Saturday, June 21. There will also be events across the district on Friday, June

  • Get close to nature with new courses

    A NORTH Yorkshire agricultural college has linked up with the UK's first field centre on military land to offer wildlife enthusiasts a new range of educational courses. Run in association with Askham Bryan College, the sessions at the Foxglove Covert

  • Albany Northern League round-up

    Northern League chairman Mike Amos believes the league is on the point of further isolation. Amos has been watching the recent events regarding the proposed expansion of the Conference and the reorganisation of the national system with concern, and now

  • Medical chief's task is to rebuild Iraq

    THE region's most senior public health doctor is starting a new job in Iraq this week. North-East director of public health Dr Bill Kirkup is in Iraq to advise the Anglo-American authorities on how to get the war-torn country back on its feet. The doctor

  • News in brief: Police probe arson attack

    NEIGHBOURS fought flames after a house was the target of an arson attack. Police said the fire appeared to have been caused when burning paper was pushed through the letterbox. The property was empty at the time of the attack, just after midnight yesterday

  • Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League

    Wynyard Vets are runners-up and also promoted are third place Billingham Town. In division four Oddies are champions and newcomers Houghton Swifts runners-up. Hedworthfield Deneside in third place are also promoted, quite an achievement for both clubs

  • 27/05/03

    POST OFFICE: I WOULD like to respond to the misleading statement made by one of your correspondents (HAS, May 19). It is completely untrue to say that post offices are closing due to the changes in the way benefits, pensions etc, are paid - where is the

  • Schools celebrate sports awards

    PUPILS from 27 primary schools were invited to a cricket workshop to celebrate them achieving sports awards. The youngsters watched a training session at Chester-le-Street Riverside ground, home of Durham County Cricket Club, to mark their schools winning

  • Redcar maintain form

    Darlington Building Society NYSD League Review. Redcar still lead the Premier Division and yesterday's victory over twice champions Guisborough will have done their confidence a power of good. It was a close call though and just 11 runs separated the

  • All the town centre's a stage at free festival

    THOUSANDS of music fans from across the North-East were treated a free festival when a town centre became a stage yesterday. More than 40,000 revellers were estimated to be at Middlesbrough Music Live to see big-name artists such as seventies glam star

  • Family fun at military museum

    VISITORS to a military museum in were admitted free yesterday as part of a family fun day. The DLI Association, in conjunction with Durham County Council, held the event in the grounds of the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery. There

  • Brabazon win takes Lupton to top spot

    MIDDLESBROUGH'S Jon Lupton has risen to the top of the PING/EGU Order of Merit following his win in the Brabazon Trophy at Hunstanton. The 24-year-old from Yarm carded a closing 74 for 287, one under par, to finish two strokes ahead of Scotland's Jack

  • Eating Owt: Food that hits the spot

    It's a little rough round the edges, but the grub at the Spotted Dog is worth wolfing down. WHIRLING around the Internet just now are a series of jocund scripts aimed, they say, at those born before 1940. They are the folk who believe a Big Mac to be

  • Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League Division Two

    Of four games were scheduled to take place because Stockton's ground was being used by Durham County. The games at Chester-le-Street where Newcastle were visitors and at Philadelphia for their game with Tynemouth, were both cancelled without a ball being

  • Councils elect new leaders

    A NEW face has taken over as the chairman of North Yorkshire County Council. Coun Clifford Wilson was been elected to the post taking over from Coun David Ashton. Coun Wilson, of Boroughbridge, has been a member of the authority since 1985 and has served

  • Cathedral friends' birthday

    To celebrate its 70th birthday, the Friends of Durham Cathedral hold an evening of music and readings at the cathedral on Friday, June 6, at 7.30pm. Those appearing include opera singer Sir Thomas Allen and agony aunt Denise Robertson. Tickets are £12.50

  • Grass Root Memories by JOHN PHELAN

    40 years ago: Barry Storey (2), Jimmy Goodfellow and Ken Bowron score the goals which give Crook Town their 4-1 win over Bishop Auckland and assures them of the Northern League championship for the third time since the war. Tow Law bring the curtain down

  • Search launched for life-savers

    A SEARCH is under way for brave North-East men and women who have saved someone's life. The Life Savers Awards, which recognise the people behind Britain's most inspiring rescue stories, are presented by Vodafone in recognition of the vital role mobile

  • Judges to choose top ten

    THE deadline has passed but the excitement begins in this year's Big Chance competition. The Northern Echo music contest, in partnership with radio station tfm, seeks to find the region's top rock or pop act. The winner will receive the prize of time

  • TRIATHLON: Billingham Swimming Club

    At the weekend six triathletes competed at the British Triathlon Championships at Wolverhampton consisting of a run, swim, the length depending on age and a shoot of ten shots. The top six places receiving medals. All competitors gained personal bests

  • ATHLETICS: Quakers

    Quakers: On Sunday, May 11, Alasdair Tatham had an excellent run at Leeds Half Marathon finishing eighth out of 1994 competitors, completing the course in 1:15:05. Ian and Mike Scott also took to the roads to compete in the Beverley 10K. Ian was pipped

  • Fenerbahce join race to land Geremi

    FENERBAHCE have emerged as unlikely rivals to Middlesbrough in the race for Cameroon star Geremi. The move comes as Boro continue to hit a brick wall in negotiations with Real Madrid over a fee for the player. The Spanish giants are asking £9.6m for Geremi

  • Daredevil vicar's quest for charities

    A VICAR has volunteered to abseil down his church to raise money for charity. It is not the first time Father Raymond Cuthbertson has scaled the walls of St John's Church, in Shildon, County Durham. Both he and Shildon councillor Mike Hardy tackle the

  • Centre's exotic beginning

    A CENTRE for exotic creatures opened its doors to the public for the first time yesterday. The Exotic Animal Welfare Trust was set up at Boundary Farm, at Tow Law, County Durham, as an eventual replacement for the Reptile Trust at Burnopfield. The £5m

  • Sharon Griffiths Meets... Soo's petticoat army

    IT'S a woman's life in the English Civil War armies. Well, OK, it wasn't in real life, but it is now - just ask Soo Todd. She's the Recruiting Officer for Sir Thomas Glemham's Regiment of Foote - part of the Sealed Knot - and also for the Northern Re-enactment

  • Rugby Union: Oliphant retires

    DARLINGTON Mowden Park's Kevan Oliphant is hoping to find a coaching role after admitting defeat in his battle to play again. The 36-year-old fly half wanted to enjoy one final season purely as a player after five years as a player-coach with Mowden.

  • South Durham off to impressive start

    New boxing club South Durham Amateur Boxing Club have enjoyed an exceptional first season in the ring. And their success on the circuit was well beyond the dreams of owner Jeff Saunders, who revamped the old scout hut in Fishburn, County Durham. Saunders

  • A flower in name alone

    The Forsyte Saga (ITV1) The Royal (ITV1) FROM the moment you see her, there's no doubt that Fleur Forsyte is going to be trouble. "I'm not your daughter for nothing - if I want something I generally get it," the forward little hussy told besotted father

  • 'They're just like any other kids'

    Fostering is rarely easy, but some children in particular bring with them daunting problems. Nick Morrion talks to a foster parent willing to take on children who are sexual abusers. AT first glance it may seem that Dave is taking cautious parenting too

  • Sir Liam to speak at Neale inquiry

    THE Government's chief medical officer is to give evidence at the Richard Neale inquiry. Lawyers representing the inquiry panel have asked Professor Sir Liam Donaldson to attend the inquiry in York. Sir Liam, who held a senior hea*th authority post in

  • Pair's burning ambition

    ARCHAEOLOGISTS travelled back in time to recreate the ancient skill of charcoal making. Tom Gledhill and Roz Nichol began their challenge on Saturday at Killhope Lead Mining Museum, in Weardale, and spent the bank holiday weekend producing charcoal. The

  • Top weight won't stop Cyclonic Storm

    TOP-WEIGHT should be not hinder Cyclonic Storm (2.45), who is fancied to blow her rivals away in the Levy Handicap at Redcar today. Richard Fahey's filly made a pleasing comeback at Hamilton recently, when she failed only by a half-length to catch the

  • Cash boost for female players

    Female footballers in North Yorkshire were celebrating following the announcement of £50,000 boost for the game from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports chairty. The cash boost to the North Yorkshire Sports Parternship, in conjunction with

  • Festival entertainers rise to the occasion

    HUNDREDS of people travelled to the Yorkshire Dales over the bank holiday as a festival got under way. Jugglers, pirates on stilts, buskers and unicyclists performed on Reeth Green yesterday, entertaining families who lined the streets for the Swaledale

  • Book will enshrine legend of The Fighting Bradfords

    THE story of a heroic family - including the First World War's only Victoria Cross-winning brothers - will be remembered forever thanks to a new book. Author and retired headteacher Harry Moses will launch his biography of the Bradford brothers, The Fighting

  • Plan to help home buyers

    DALES families could be asked to contribute to a central pot which would be used to help home-buyers. People who live in the Yorkshire Dales National Park often find themselves priced out of the market when it comes to buying a house. The situation has

  • Schools rewarded for their focus on health

    TWO primary schools are celebrating success after receiving a Healthy Schools Award. St Andrew's Primary School, Henknowle, and St Joseph's RC Primary School, Coundon, were presented with their certificates during end-of-term ceremonies on Friday. Bishop

  • New efforts aim to widen Dales appeal

    NATIONAL park chiefs are hoping the organisation's 50th anniversary next year will prove to be the catalyst that ensures its future survival. Research indicates that the majority of people who make regular trips to the Yorkshire Dales are white, able-bodied

  • Vandal damage puts future of shop units in jeopardy

    A COMMUNITY could lose its shops because vandals have severely damaged the buildings. Members of Wear Valley District Council's housing services committee will decide next week whether to demolish the shop units and flats in Davis Avenue, St Helen Auckland

  • Alice pens a prizewinner

    A SCHOOLGIRL from Darlington has won an international essay writing prize. Alice Kent, a year eight pupil at Carmel RC Technology College, caught the judges' attention with a story called Mosaic Mayhem, set during the 2nd Century Roman occupation of Britain

  • Carnival winners show small is beautiful

    FIVE schoolgirls made up the youngest and smallest team in a big carnival procession yesterday - and collected the championship trophy plus £200. Megan Johnson, Caitlin Jones, Hannah Jones, Jessica Hesp and Megan Walker dressed as flowers for a country

  • Specialist team to share mental health expertise

    A SPECIALIST service which won national acclaim for its work with children is to pass on its expertise to help young people with mental health problems. Darlington Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), which was awarded Beacon Status earlier

  • New face joins revamped TV show line-up

    TELEVISION viewers are in for a treat this evening as one of the region's news programmes will have a new look when it goes on air. The set for Yorkshire Television's Calendar has been revamped and television presenter Duncan Wood, a GMTV presenter, will

  • Elderly health care watchdog

    A GROUP has been set up to prevent any health care discrimination against elderly people. Members of the County Durham Age Discrimination Scrutiny Group want people to contact them with any examples of unfair or discriminatory practices. Composed of health

  • Chance to see the decision makers

    PEOPLE are being encouraged to attend a full council meeting to see how important decisions are made. Gateshead Council is asking local residents to attend its full meeting on Friday, at 2pm, at Gateshead Civic Centre. They will be able to watch the proceedings

  • Raising dough for charity

    BAKERS will swap their mixing bowls for bikes to embark on a fundraising marathon. Staff at Warburtons bakery, in Newburn, Newcastle, celebrate National Bread Week, from today to June 1 by cycling 600 miles on exercise bikes. The distance is the equivalent

  • Fire crew helps to get message across

    BEAUTY consultants delivered a charity message by taking part in a nationwide relay event. The Message in a Bottle challenge, involving self-employed Body Shop at Home party plan consultants, began at the organisation's headquarters, in Littlehampton,

  • Have our cricketers lost all their principles?

    If I were asked to state my religion, I'd be tempted to answer "Cricket". My spirits always rise in English Maytime in the knowledge that there are whole months ahead when this most glorious and unpredictable of all games will be played throughout the

  • Annual meet brings colourful characters on to the streets

    THOUSANDS of people lined the streets as colourful floats paraded through the centre of Richmond yesterday. To the sound of cheers and jazz music, the brightly-decorated floats and fancy dress contenders passed through the town, with themes ranging from

  • Robot-making project planned

    A STOCKTON school has been chosen for a pilot project where people can make small robots. Abbey Hill School Technology College in Ketton Road has been chosen to host the National BBC Family Robot Days. Experts will be helping participants build mini-robots

  • Castle takes visitors back to the past

    VIKING marauders entertained visitors to a charity fundraising event at a North-East castle yesterday. The Midgard Marauders, from Redcar, east Cleveland, were one of the attractions at Walworth Castle, near Darlington, during a family fun day in aid

  • Composter scheme aims to cut waste

    PEOPLE living in Ryedale are being offered the chance to trial a home composter to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites. After 60 days, if householders are satisfied with their composter, they will be able to keep it for £14.95. The scheme

  • Sanaz to join music college

    Sanaz Lavasani may only be 16 but she is celebrating after getting a step closer to her dream of a singing career. Sanaz, from Kirklevington, near Yarm, recently won a place at the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School in Manchester. The student

  • Activities scheme aims to cut youth crime statistics

    PLANS to cut youth offending in two deprived former mining communities will be unveiled tomorrow. The scheme, organised by workers from the Youth Inclusion Programme, will list 50 youngsters aged between ten and 15 who are most at risk of offending in

  • Artists make glass auction a clear winner

    THE work of eight local glass artists went up for auction yesterday. The artists, whose work ranges from decorative engraved pieces to contemporary stained glass panels, submitted items for an exhibition at the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland, which

  • Cricket round-up: Stockton's stay on top short-lived

    Stockton, who went to the top of the Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League on Saturday, quickly conceded pole position when they lost their first game of the season. Blaydon tasted their initial success dismissing Stockton in 52.1 overs for

  • Soccer captain match-fit again

    THIS time last year football-mad Danielle Gibson thought she was going to be on the treatment table for life when she underwent a serious spine operation. But the captain of Stockton Sixth Form College's women's football team's grit and determination

  • Learn skills with Bite Size training class

    WORKERS across the Tees Valley area are being urged to take up the Bite Size Challenge, giving them the chance to learn something new at no charge. Training company ClickHere has thrown down the challenge as part of Bite Size Intros 2003, a national campaign

  • Spend more to protect land from floods, pleads couple

    A COUPLE are refusing to accept £2,000 compensation from British Waterways because they feel the authority should be spending £50,000 to stop their land flooding. Every time there is heavy rainfall, the level of the River Leven rises and water swamps

  • News in brief: Police probe arson attack

    NEIGHBOURS fought flames after a house was the target of an arson attack. Police said the fire appeared to have been caused when burning paper was pushed through the letterbox. The property was empty at the time of the attack, just after midnight yesterday

  • Fire crew helps to get message across

    BEAUTY consultants delivered a charity message by taking part in a nationwide relay event. The Message in a Bottle challenge, involving self-employed Body Shop at Home party plan consultants, began at the organisation's headquarters, in Littlehampton,

  • Youngsters join fight to save old mill

    YOUNGSTERS have joined conservationists in a race against time to save the last surviving remnant of what was once a thriving industry. Years ago, linen-making was a major employer in the Northallerton area, with a number of mills producing high quality

  • Teenage biker runs over Crufts dog on bridle path

    A PEDIGREE dog was in a critical condition last night after being run over on a bridle path by an off-road motorbike. Flame, a five-year-old Irish red setter bitch which has appeared at Crufts, was hit near Green Lane, Whinfield, Darlington, yesterday

  • Housing boss fears eviction of families

    FAMILIES could be turfed out on to the street under anti-social behaviour reforms, a North-East housing boss has warned. Carl Doolan, housing services manager with the Tees Valley Housing Group, says the situation could happen if housing benefit payments

  • Third brass festival nears

    MUSIC lovers from throughout the region are expected to descend on Durham City for its third brass festival. Running throughout June and July, the festival features concerts with brass musicians from a variety of traditions. It includes rising jazz superstar

  • Consett Sunday League

    Stanley Towneley Arms have re-written the history books by clinching the First Division title in their amazing rise through the divisional ranks. Three years ago they ended, as Division Three runners-up at the first attempt, never dropped a point last

  • TENNIS: Slazenger Harrogate and District League

    A club which has never won a league's top tennis title has made a promising start to the new season against tough opposition. Spa maintained its undefeated start by toppling big guns Harrogate Academy 6-3. The win put Spa among champions Harlow and Boroughbridge

  • GRIDIRON: Tees Valley Cougars and Gateshead Senators

    Former North Division One side Gateshead Senators were unbeaten when they took on the Tees Valley Cougars last weekend and that is how it stayed. Despite the final score of Cougars 0 Senators 30, the home team took a great deal from the game as the Cougars

  • Ryan to miss cup clash

    Ryan Sidebottom has been pulled out of Yorkshire's team for their vital Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy clash with Worcestershire at New Road tomorrow because of a tight hamstring. The left-arm seamer was taken off during his first over in Phoenix's

  • Speeding football star had passed driving test

    NEWCASTLE United's England star Jermaine Jenas will not be prosecuted for driving without a proper licence. The up-and-coming star of British football was fined and given penalty points when he was caught speeding. But it emerged last night that the £5m

  • Hunters Estate Agent York and District Senior League

    Rain affected the league programme for the fourth successive week, this time on a major scale when widespread rain caused the bulk of games to be abandoned or not started because of adverse ground conditions. Division One leaders Sheriff Hutton Bridge

  • Soldier dies in docks tragedy

    AN investigation is under way into an accident at Teesport in which a soldier died as his regiment prepared for deployment to the Gulf. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Kings Regiment were unloading military hardware from Catterick Garrison on to the

  • Breaking point

    Marriage break-ups are nothing new in Soapland, where they're as common as Kat Slater. Once policewoman Emma Watts told lies in the witness box in Coronation Street (ITV1), her already-shaky marriage was destined to become even more fragile. She may be

  • Job Search: Vacancies

    PCV driver, Darlington, £5.35ph, 45hrs pw shifts over seven days, aged 19-plus, to drive minibus. Full training given. Maximum six points on licence. Ref: DAE 34842. Cleaners, Darlington, £4.50ph, 5.15pm to 6.45pm, required for retail outlet, buffing

  • MP defends juries as Government Bill proposes changes

    REDCAR'S MP has spoken out against Government law reform plans. Vera Baird voted against Home Secretary David Blunkett's proposals to allow judges to sit without juries in complex fraud cases. Mrs Baird, a QC, is one of 50 Labour backbenchers who have

  • We knew in our hearts of killings

    FAMILIES of soldiers who died at Deepcut Barracks renewed their calls for a public inquiry last night, after a report claimed their loved ones were victims of murder or manslaughter. An independent investigation into the deaths, including that of Private

  • Darlington and District League

    Four of the seven fixtures in Division A failed to start and in the other three games there were victories for Middleton St George and Haughton. Middleton St George hosted Aldbrough St John who they pegged to 78 for four in just 25 overs which was the

  • SIX-A-SIDE FOOTBALL

    Colburn Health and Recreation Centre League: Teams of the week Wathgill and FC Spoons, who played out of their skins for their wins and Wathgill's first points of the season. There are no more easy games as teams are now finding out. May 13: Colburn Town

  • Spike steps in to walk to school

    THOUSANDS of children have been getting into step for national Walk to School Week. Every child in reception and Year One classes across East Cleveland was given high-visibility Walk to School tabards to wear for this week's event. Promotional posters

  • Hole-in-one golfers' fame at last

    DOUBLE golfing hole-in-one couple John and Jenny Dixon have made the record books - seven years after their amazing feat. Officials at their golf club decided their achievement - which was only separated by minutes - was worthy of the Guinness Book of

  • Queens Head fill trophy cabinet

    An amateur football team have made a healthy beginning to life by collecting four trophies in only their second season. And now the Queens Head of West Auckland plan on strengthening their all-conquering squad. The Queens Head only formed two years ago

  • Using botox injections to keep cool

    THE celebrity's answer to ageing is being used to combat body odour. North-East doctor Alan Patterson is using tiny injections of botox into the skin of the armpit to prevent people from sweating. Already popular among celebrities as an anti-ageing treatment

  • Festival plans to raise laughs

    A CITY'S shoppers could get a surprise next month with the arrival of Bath's Natural Theatre Company. The company will be coming north to be part of the York Comedy Festival and will perform throughout the festival. This is the first time the festival

  • Surgeon case abandoned by Canadians

    CANADIAN justice officials have abandoned efforts to prosecute disgraced North Yorkshire surgeon Richard Neale. The decision follows a legal opinion from senior Justice Ministry lawyers that there was little prospect of Mr Neale being convicted. It means

  • Celebrities back sanctuary bid

    AN animal lover has won celebrity backing for the building of a sanctuary for strays. Prime Minister Tony Blair has sent a signed pen for an auction to raise funds for Saltburn Animal Rescue Association's £300,000 appeal to build a shelter. Actress Joan

  • Kepier grace Anfield in national finals

    Houghton Kepier School Under-13s from Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland finished joint third in the Coca-Cola U13s National Schools Cup Final at Liverpool's Anfield home. Houghton claimed their place in the third/fourth playoffs of the country's biggest

  • Minister receives a warnm welcome

    AN UNEMPLOYED man's house was taken over by a Government minister, TV crews and reporters. Energy Minister Brian Wilson called in to Derek Smithies' Redcar home last Friday to find out about a scheme to end fuel poverty in East Cleveland. Earlier, the

  • England junior performance camp

    Sixteen-year-old rugby player Abby Blackburn has had a fantastic season. As well as captaining her Club U16 Girls' Team at Darlington Mowden Park, she has been captain of Durham County and has had the privilege of being captain of the North East of England

  • Wearside League

    Darlington RA made it third time lucky when they won the Wearside League Cup defeating Birtley Town 3-1 in the final following extra time. Michael Pitt gave Birtley a half-time lead before Gary Barnes took the tie into additional time during which John

  • How Cleopatra carried on

    The Vice (ITV1); Cleopatra (C4) SHE knew how to make an entrance, did Cleopatra. Wanting an audience with Julius Caesar at a palace in Alexandria, she gained admission as the filling in a rolled-up carpet. The floor covering was unfurled in the Roman

  • Pennine Way walker's tribute to brothers

    A MAN whose two brothers died suddenly last year is paying tribute to them this week by tackling the Pennine Way. Mick Kirkbride set off on a 120-mile trek from Hawes, North Yorkshire, on Saturday, to raise money for Cancer Research and Meningitis Research

  • The wide world on our doorstep

    NATURE lovers wanting a taste of the safari may be surprised to find the global equivalent of the Marai Mara, in Kenya, is not far from their doorstep. And those who fancy a flutter in Las Vegas or a spot of karting in Monaco do not actually need to pay

  • Norton clean-up

    Norton squash club had a magnificent night at the recent Durham & Cleveland Squash Presentation night at their home club. The Norton juniors won the County Leagues at under 11, 13 and under 15 age groups showing a strength in depth the other clubs

  • Family home with a very grand difference opens its doors

    VISITORS taking a drive through the region's countryside will now be able to stop off at a treasured stately home - until now kept secret to most behind locked gates. Sporting England's oldest private cricket ground and a vaulted tapestry hall, Hovingham

  • Food that hits the spot

    It's a little rough round the edges, but the grub at the Spotted Dog is worth wolfing down. WHIRLING around the Internet just now are a series of jocund scripts aimed, they say, at those born before 1940. They are the folk who believe a Big Mac to be

  • Moroccan loan signing sent packing

    TALAL EL-KARKOURI'S worst fears were realised last night when he was told he would not be on Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy's retained list. The Moroccan defender arrived on loan from Paris St Germain in January and he has recently revealed he would

  • Superstate alarms boost calls for poll

    DEMANDS for a referendum on Britain's place in Europe intensified last night amid claims that the UK was being steamrollered into a European superstate. The calls came as plans for an EU constitution were unveiled in Brussels yesterday, including a president

  • Prison sentences praised

    DRUGS squad police officers praised a judge for jailing two drugs dealers caught during a covert operation. The two men were found guilty of supplying cocaine in the Guisborough area during March last year. Police said the pair were convicted at Teesside

  • Now it's your turn for chance of fame

    SINGING hopefuls from the North-East are being offered the chance to launch their careers through a hit television show. Auditions for the second Fame Academy are being held at the Old Assembly Rooms, Fenkle Street, Newcastle, on Saturday. Hopefuls will

  • Job Search: Vacancies

    MORE details about the jobs below are available from Jobseeker Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Mill worker, Melmerby, Ripon. £350-£400 per week, 6am-6pm and 6pm-6am rotating, Mon-Fri, inc nights and evenings. Involves manually lifting sacks up to 25 kgs, operating

  • GAMES: No 11 CIU League

    No 11 CIU League: Ferryhill became the early leaders in the darts section after they whitewashed their hosts at Chilton. This pushed them one point ahead of Byers Green, who dropped their first point of the season at Newfield, who had Davey Chicken with

  • Barmy Army bowls Anna over

    For someone to whom a cricket ball was probably a dance for orthopterous insects, Anna Ridley's honeymoon plans may have seemed rather less than romantic. She and husband Mike, captain of Sedgefield's first team in the Durham County League, spent a fortnight

  • Comment: The need for a clearer picture

    EUROPE tends to bring out the worst in our politicians. There are eurosceptics, who treat everything coming out of Brussels with deep suspicion and enmity. Then there are the europhiles, who have little or no fear about the future role our continental

  • Appeal after fatal collision

    A TEENAGER was killed when his car was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle. The 19-year-old, who has not been identified, was driving a black Ford Escort from the Biggin crossroads on the B1222, near Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire

  • Keegan lends a hand on his Newcastle return

    Crowd chanting, autograph arm aching, Kevin Keegan was back in Newcastle - the Gosforth Park Hotel, anyway - last Thursday evening. A few miles away at St James's Park, thousands queued for the midnight release of the Magpies' new strip, but might better

  • Weekend TV: How Cleopatra carried on

    The Vice (ITV1); Cleopatra (C4) SHE knew how to make an entrance, did Cleopatra. Wanting an audience with Julius Caesar at a palace in Alexandria, she gained admission as the filling in a rolled-up carpet. The floor covering was unfurled in the Roman

  • Burglars get stuck on roof

    TWO bungling burglars were arrested when they got stuck - breaking into the wrong building. The pair had to be helped from the roof by firefighters before they were handed over to police waiting on the ground. A resident in Whitby, North Yorkshire, alerted

  • Castle takes visitors back to the past

    VIKING marauders entertained visitors to a charity fundraising event at a North-East castle yesterday. The Midgard Marauders, from Redcar, east Cleveland, were one of the attractions at Walworth Castle, near Darlington, during a family fun day in aid

  • Patients helped by food theory

    SCIENTISTS have shown that a controversial theory concerning types of food helps patients with bowel problems. It means thousands of people who suffer the effects of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be helped if they cut out certain foods. In what Yorktest

  • Federation Special Durham Senior League

    Federation Special Durham Senior League Under-18s: Durham City only just failed in a bold attempt to overtake the Boldon total of 185 for one ending with 174 for four on the board. Maddox was their top performer with the bat scoring 45 and for Boldon

  • Bid for licence

    An application has been made for a public musical entertainment licence for future events at Middleton St George Community Centre. Darlington Borough Council will decide tomorrow whether to grant the licence.

  • Classic event for lovers of motorcycles

    MOTORCYCLE enthusiasts will descend on the region next month as owners of classic machines from around the country meet at the former home of Bobby Shafto. Organisers of the Durham Dales Classic Motorcycle Run are expecting to attract about 80 pre-1968

  • TENNIS: National Division One Men's North Group

    Tennis World Middlesbrough travelled to North Wales but found in-form Wrexham too good and went down by 4-2. This was their fourth defeat. If relegation from this eight team group is to be avoided then the Teessiders, bottom at present, would need to

  • Wear Valley in need of a backer

    A YOUTH football side are hoping to be saved from going to the wall by finding funding for next season. Wear Valley Under-17s have just finished a disappointing campaign in the New Durham County League where they finished bottom. But the young guns are

  • Craig is an early entry for Echo accolade

    CRAIG Usher is the first nominee in The Northern Echo Cricketer of the Year competition. Last week we began the hunt for the region's finest and Usher's early season achievement makes him an early contender for the May award, the winner of which will

  • North East Christian Fellowship League

    North East Christian Fellowship League: Othe last Saturday of league matches there were no real suprises, Jesmond Parish Church finished the season with a 9-0 thrashing of Stakeford Methodist Church. Andy Widdring and Tim Hawe notching a hat-trick with

  • You write: Owners need training

    Sir - I would like to reply to C Taylor about dogs, especially rottweillers. My son has had two, one is still with him, sadly the other died. Neither of them have harmed children. It is the owners who need training not the dogs. They don't know how to

  • Herriot's animal capers

    A GOAT called Endeavour will line up with some of her four-legged friends at Thirsk racecourse. She will be among the star turns at a special evening meeting at the racecourse on Monday, June 2. The meeting is being staged as part of Herriot Happenings

  • Harmison and Anderson head to head

    England have made all 11 of their contracted players available to their counties to take part in the fourth round of the C&G Trophy tomorrow. But contracted players will be rested from the next round of Frizzell County Championship matches due to

  • Talk of Corus sale 'just speculation'

    CORUS this week dismissed reports that it is thinking about selling its Teesside plant to foreign steelmakers. Managers at the troubled Redcar plant were said to be considering offers from LNM, a group run by Indian businessman Lakshmi Mittal and CSN,

  • Bishop Auckland

    Results - May Medal (strokeplay), Division One: 1 P Graham gross 75, nett 70; 2 S Blakey 75, 70; 3 A Graham 79, 71. Division Two: 1 A Roberts 86, 69; 2 S Ridley 87, 71; 3 A Dell 82, 71. Division Three: 1 N Tremewan 94, 70; 2 B Coleman 91, 72; 3 M Oliver

  • New chippie nets award

    RICHMOND may have been well known for its friars in the Middle Ages - but a twenty-first century version has been making a mark in the town. Bev Partridge, who runs Castle Fisheries, has scooped a national award within eight weeks of opening the newest

  • Mystery of parachutist seen falling into sea

    POLICE are seeking help to solve the mystery of a "disappearing" parachutist. Two people called the emergency services after spotting something fall into the sea near Crimdon, north of Hartlepool. But a search by the coastguard, lifeboats and a police

  • Shops put £1,000 up for grabs

    A shopper scooped £1,000 yesterday after taking part in a challenge to Grab a Grand. Hairdresser Kelly Waters beat others to the cash after catching the largest handful of pretend notes in a specially-constructed cubicle at Darlington's Cornmill Centre