Archive

  • Egyptian beauty from the past returns. . .

    SHE was one of the legendary beauties of the ancient world, rivalled in her fame by only Helen of Troy and Cleopatra. But now modern man can judge for himself - by gazing on the face of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti, whose name meant "the beautiful one has

  • A one-way trip to the other side

    Great ideas of our time, part 397. Windscale, original name of Sellafield nuclear power station, is a donkey ride from the Irish Sea in remotest west Cumbria. Immensely improbably, however impenetrably, Windscale play football in the Wearside League.

  • Schools proud of setting new standards

    STAFF and pupils at Barnard Castle School were celebrating several success stories with scores of students gaining straight A grades. The highest flier was Sally Barker, of Bishopton, who secured a place at Oxford University to study modern languages

  • Delving deep into sea's secrets

    CHILDREN became maritime archaeologists for the day in their search for the remains of Redcar pier. The youngsters worked with their parents and Tees Archaeology on Redcar beach on Tuesday to help to carry out research about the structure, which began

  • Looking Back

    From this newspaper 100 years ago. - A meeting of the Sowerby Parish Council was held to consider a quotation from the Northern Counties Electricity Ltd. The tender received stated that they were prepared to light the street lamps for 1,266 hours and

  • Regional business chief stresses his rural credentials

    THE new chairman of Yorkshire Forward hopes his rural credentials will help allay countryside dwellers' fears of an urban-dominated agenda. Terry Hodgkinson, who takes up the post in December, hails originally from the small market town of Barnoldswick

  • Racing prospects

    TRACK specialist Stallone (4.40) looks good for a third course and distance success of the season at Newcastle this afternoon. Trainer Noel Wilson has done a super job revitalising the career of Stallone, who was thrashed out of sight in the seller on

  • Fearless fundraisers wanted to perform parachute jump

    A NATIONAL charity is turning its attention to County Durham in its search for a band of daredevil volunteers. Sense - the support group for children and adults who are both deaf and blind - is hoping to recruit fearless fundraisers from the area to take

  • Newhouse inflict a sound beating on Stag's Head

    Tow Law Area League: Esh Stag's Head took a hammering at Newhouse Club and had their lead at the top of the table reduced to only two points, whilst Esh McKennas and Billy Row Club moved up to share second place, one point ahead of Tow Law New Market

  • Last Night's TV: Serving up trouble

    Highest Bidder (BBC2): Masters And Servants (C4): Infamous Fives (C4): THE Duke of Windsor had an awful lot of possessions considering he was the man who was supposed to have given up everything for the love of a woman. A massive 40,000 items from his

  • Greeks love our premium Northern lamb

    YORKSHIRE lamb could soon be on sale in Greece thanks to links forged by a livestock farmer. David Hugill, who farms sheep and cattle at Scugdale, near Swainby, identified a potential market for premium lamb while in Athens on a Nuffield scholarship last

  • Darlington Harriers

    The Sherwoods-sponsored Darlington 10km Road Race took place on Sunday will go down in history as an unforgettable experience as it was ran in a torrential downpour. The Harriers Ladies team of Bernadette Taylor, Susie Rutherford and sister Georgina took

  • Cooper pays price for Cup celebrations

    JUBILANT Neale Cooper spent yesterday on the treatment table. The Hartlepool United boss suffered pain during the elation of Wednesday's penalty shoot-out win at Sheffield Wednesday, tearing a hamstring as he raced onto the field to celebrate. Gavin Strachan

  • Entrepreneurs in running for start-up award

    A CONCEPT dreamed up on a rainy day off work has put two entrepreneurs on the brink of business stardom. Ian Chisholm and George Sanderson discovered the roots of a business venture using skills they already had in the television aerial and satellite

  • Richmond and Zetland Harriers

    Dan Brooks picked-up the man-of-the-match award from Richmond and Zetland Harriers for his 46 point total from his maximum six individual events at the fourth and last NML T&F fixture at Jarrow on Saturday 2nd. Dan was one of three Harriers with an

  • Grassroots Memories

    50 years ago: Etherley CC stalwart Gordon Franklin claims the third hat-trick of his career an 15-year-old Arnold Simpson takes four wickets for two runs as Etherley put Wolsingham all out for 22. Stan Smith six wickets for five runs and Jim Taylor four

  • Bus strike set to hit city over holiday

    BUS drivers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in pursuit of a wage claim. In a secret ballot, drivers at York bus company First voted by 205 to ten in favour of the walkout, and now the city faces the prospect of Bank Holiday transport

  • Offices terrorised by wave of bomb hoaxes

    ANTI-TERRORIST detectives were last night investigating a wave of bomb hoaxes that brought panic to town centres across the country. In the North-East and North Yorkshire, bomb disposal experts were called to deal with suspect packages at eight locations

  • Company gives young rider a leg up

    TOPSPEC Equine is to sponsor up and coming Darlington-based rider Lucy Bell and her horses Miss Inca and Snow Tiger as part of its continuing commitment to the eventing world. A student at Leeds University, Lucy has owned 11-year-old Miss Inca for three

  • Woman in care home bed had a broken thigh

    AN inquest has been opened into the death of an elderly Alzheimer's disease sufferer. The inquest, in Middlesbrough, heard how 90-year-old Catherine Lofthouse, a resident at the Willowview Care Home, Norton, Stockton, was taken to hospital after being

  • Milkman jailed for seducing girl of 13

    A MARRIED milkman who seduced a schoolgirl on his milkfloat has been jailed. Eric Peart's fling was exposed when the teenager's mother became suspicious of mobile text messages between the pair. Newcastle Crown Court heard how Peart, 43, fell for the

  • Wright happy to see hatchet buried

    ALAN WRIGHT last night revealed that Juninho has buried the hatchet over the two horror tackles that crocked the Brazilian in his first spell with Middlesbrough. The diminutive pair - Juninho stands an inch taller at 5ft 5 - are now Boro teammates following

  • Reynolds Arena ready to welcome fans - at last

    DARLINGTON Football Club has high hopes that its multi-million pound stadium will herald a new era when it officially opens its doors tomorrow. Although an 11,000 crowd restriction has been slapped on the 27,500-seater Reynolds Arena, that is still a

  • Robson returns to Teesside

    Former Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson made a flying visit to local Brazilian Soccer School at VIDA Teesside for a training session with Head Coach Richie Allan last week. Robson was attracted to the Brazilian Soccer School due to the obvious dedication

  • Roseberry Group North East Durham League

    East Rainton now have the destination of the Division One championship in their own hands after they defeated nearest rivals Newton Aycliffe in the match of the day at the weekend. East Rainton came out on top but only by a margin of 14 runs but they

  • Health review puts transport in spotlight

    PEOPLE will be given an opportunity next week to put forward suggestions for improving transport arrangements for people using health services. The subject of transport is being discussed at a meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council's health and social

  • The Unibond League

    Spennymoor have confirmed they have made a formal application to join the Nationwide Conference North. Ambitious Moors are keen to take advantage of the restructuring of the pyramid system with the introduction of the regionalised Conference second division

  • Darlington Cricket Club Under-11s

    Darlington Cricket Club Under-11s had the benefit of John Camburn's vast experience when he held a coaching clinic for 16 specially selected young cricketers recently. Camburn captained Darlington and was an opening bat for Durham in the 1960s and 70s

  • Rowing

    SUCCESS at the national championships helped a Durham school's rowing squad ensure it became the most prolific medal-winning junior team of the year. At the event in Scotland, the boat club of St Leonard's School, coached by Peter Graham, won medals in

  • Proud day for family as war hero's medals go on display

    SOLDIER David Hammond was one of the many heroes of the First World War. His bravery under fire won him the Military Medal twice in the space of just one year. When war broke out again in 1939, he was among the first to rejoin the colours. Now the chestful

  • Monty suffers disaster at PGA

    Colin Montgomerie crashed to his worst-ever round in America yesterday - a 12-over-par 82 which left him a massive 16 strokes adrift of early US PGA championship leaders Phil Mickelson and Australian Rod Pampling. Returning to the Oak Hill course in Rochester

  • Lie detector tests planned to deter insurance claim fraud

    BRITAIN'S biggest mortgage lender intends to use lie detectors in an attempt to detect fraudulent insurance claims. HBOS says it is the first insurer to use voice stress analysis technology to try to detect if people are lying when lodging claims under

  • Conman set to appeal as juror fell for barrister

    A conman will fight his conviction by claiming a juror fell for the barrister who led the prosecution. Darlington fraudster George Steen has learned the female jury foreman sent lawyer Richard Latham QC a bottle of champagne and a note asking: "What does

  • Addict escapes prison despite attack on dealer

    A DRUG addict was given the chance to make a fresh start yesterday after he was convicted for assaulting a dealer. Brendan Alderson admitted the attack in July, as well as possessing a truncheon and knife. However, magistrates in Richmond, North Yorkshire

  • Former jockey given chance by court

    A FORMER jockey who turned to a life of crime after his career came to an early end was given the chance to make a fresh start yesterday. Roy Walker, of the Norby Estate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, admitted charges of burglary, deception and receiving stolen

  • Praise for North-East's Fame hopefuls

    POP mogul Louis Walsh has compared a North-East pop wannabe to chart toppers Gareth Gates and Blue. Walsh, the man who discovered Westlife and now manages top band Girls Aloud, has been giving his verdict on this year's entrants to BBC's Fame Academy

  • Villager's bid to bring Cliffe back to life is thwarted

    PIERCEBRIDGE will continue to have a foothold on both sides of the River Tees - to the chagrin of purists who want a North Yorkshire road reinstated as part of Cliffe. Brian Jefferson, who lives on the Darlington side, had high hopes that his views would

  • Beach clean-up call

    VOLUNTEERS are needed to help to clean up the coastline and collect vital data. The annual Beachwatch clean-up will take place on the weekend of September 20 and 21 - and so far just one event has been organised in the Saltburn area. The Marine Conservation

  • Youth bus driven forward

    YOUNG people gathered recently to have their say on how to spend £50,000 on a new community bus. A consultation day took place in Belle Vue leisure centre, Consett. There were also free workshops in DJ-ing by Dean and Ashley Johnson of Deerness, lessons

  • Wearside League

    Wolviston, who let a two goal lead slip from their grasp at Birtley Town on Saturday, were in no mood for a repeat performance when they met Annfield Plain at Metcalfe Park on Wednesday night. They again led by two goals at the interval but on this occasion

  • Girl's crucial phone call

    AN eight-year-old girl knew just what to do when her mother collapsed at their Richmond home. Soren Seivers overcame her fear and distress to telephone her grandfather, who lives nearby, and her father, who was working away in Grimsby. Her grandfather

  • Athletics: Trophy named after Michael

    ONE of the trophies to be presented at a cross-country run to be staged later this month will be in memory of a man who developed a deep affection for Weardale. Bill and Una Garraway, who were foster parents to Michael Corner when he lived in the County

  • Hollow victory for speeding policemen

    I wonder how the two North Yorkshire officers who dodged a speeding fine on a legal technicality feel now? I suspect that, given the publicity the case has attracted, they may well wish they could turn back the clock, accept they were in the wrong and

  • Armed raiders rob PO

    ARMED robbers escaped with thousands of pounds in a raid on a Dipton post office, near Stanley, on Tuesday. The two robbers, one brandishing a firearm, burst into the shop shortly before 11am. They got into the post office's secure area and helped themselves

  • Record number of competitors roll up for bowls event

    A NATIONAL bowls tournament that moved to North-West Durham last year is attracting a record number of entrants. The World Bowls Tour and Professional Bowls Association UK National Qualifiers will take place at the Stanley Indoor Bowls Club for the second

  • Chemical cocktail found in bloom tests

    THE results of tests on water samples from the Saltburn in Bloom poisoning a fortnight ago, have revealed a variety of chemicals and contaminants. Pesticides, insecticides, acid-herbicides, lawn weedkiller, a chemical which delays crop ripening, a number

  • Ripon Piscatorials Annual Bradford Cup

    Bream made a welcome appearance on the River Ure during the Ripon Piscatorials Annual Bradford Cup. Staged on the deep section of the river below Barn Island the event attracted 65 rods and Ian Lumb of Turners Tackle won the match in the last two hours

  • Serving up trouble

    Highest Bidder (BBC2): Masters And Servants (C4): Infamous Fives (C4): THE Duke of Windsor had an awful lot of possessions considering he was the man who was supposed to have given up everything for the love of a woman. A massive 40,000 items from his

  • Ram lamb is Skipton champ

    A WELL-BRED trimmed pedigree ram lamb making its debut in the exhibition arena took the supreme championship at the 29th annual show & sale of The Northern Counties of England branch of The Suff Sheep Society at Skipton Auction Mart on Saturday. The

  • Team targets paintball victory

    THE UK's first paintball tournament is being held in County Durham this weekend. Teams representing their home towns and cities will play at Witton Castle tomorrow and on Sunday, attracting sportsmen and women from across the country along with trade

  • Tuning up for a night of music at the Riverside

    THIS weekend's Northern Proms concert looks set to draw an audience of at least 2,000. The event will be held from 6pm on Saturday, at Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street. The line-up features opera stars Graeme Danby, Valerie

  • Amateurs persuade stage veteran to take charge

    A FORMER manager of Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal is returning to directing and a spot of acting. Les Jobson, who managed the eighteenth century theatre from 1987 to 1992, directs the town operatic society's production of The Good Companions which

  • Job creation funds could be lost

    MILLIONS of pounds of European money to boost job creation and economic development in the North-East could be lost because earlier cash handouts have not been spent, it was claimed last night. The region's Liberal Democrats blame "Government bureaucratic

  • Darlington 10k Road Run

    1-100: Martin Scaife (Chester-le-Street) 31.01; Peter Grime (Durham Univ) 32.37; John Hunter (M40) (Loftus AC) 32.53; not known (unatt) 33.04; Mark McDonald (Low Fell RC) 33.05; Steven Potts (Sunderland H) 33.13; Martin Grainger (M40) (Dton H) 33.36;

  • Offices terrorised by wave of bomb hoaxes

    ANTI-TERRORIST detectives were last night investigating a wave of bomb hoaxes that brought panic to town centres across the country. In the North-East and North Yorkshire, bomb disposal experts were called to deal with suspect packages at eight locations

  • Nature at night and day

    NATURE lovers have been invited to watch wide-awake bats at their most active and then drop-in on them as they enjoy a bit of well-earned sleep. Sponsored by the Friends of Chopwell Wood, the Forestry Commission is holding a free evening walk with expert

  • Double success for golfer

    A YOUNG golfer is celebrating success after winning a tournament and getting a hole-in-one. Stuart Bainbridge beat 16 of his work mates from 3M, Newton Aycliffe, in a competition on Friday. The event, which was held at Blackwell Grange Golf Club in Darlington

  • Sunderland Catholic Over-40s League

    The season commences tomorrow with the first round of the Villa Real Cup, comprising of teams from Division two, three and four, the second round August 23 sees the teams from Division One enter and the third round sees the inclusion of the Premier sides

  • Roadblocks set up in bid to find killer

    POLICE set up roadblocks in a North-East town and questioned everyone who was in the area as part of an ongoing murder inquiry late last night. About 50 officers stopped cars and people in the west area of Middlesbrough, between 9.30pm and 1pm. Officers

  • Tynemouth go on top tour

    Tynemouth Under-15 Tour: Tynemouth made their annual tour of the Midlands playing five games in as many days. Firstly, they met Worcester Nomads and lost by three wickets. Ben Norman top scored with 48 when the seasiders declared with 138 for nine on

  • It's tight at the top as Crowtrees move up

    Worthington Durham County CIU Summer League: The promotion race from the Second Division hotted up with Crowtrees moving to the top of the table but only holding a one point advantage over Meadowfield, two points on Spennymoor B and three points on Stanley

  • Transport bosses point the way in signs muddle

    TRANSPORT chiefs moved last night to clear up the confusion surrounding speed camera signs. Motorists have been left baffled about the legality of signs following a successful challenge by two police officers against their speeding tickets. But the Department

  • Huge cost to repair unsafe gravestones

    A MASSIVE £65,000 bill has been totted up for the cost of repairing 1,300 unsafe gravestones in a council's cemeteries. Nationally, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has raised concerns about the safety of the country's graveyards and cemeteries,

  • 15/08/03

    AND there was me thinking these youth coaches were doing it for the love of the game. The only rewards from taking a junior football side were non-tangible - or so I believed. What happened last Friday, then, was something of an eye-opener. As I left

  • Villagers' cheers greet pledge to revive pub

    RESIDENTS of Grewelthorpe were jubilant this week after a successful campaign to save the village pub. Locals have been concerned at regulars leaving the Crown to drink and eat elsewhere since new owner Jennings Brewery took it over last December, and

  • Premier star Cooper goes back to school

    Middlesbrough star Colin Cooper went back in time when a group of old friends met for a football reunion match. Local lads from Co.Durham re-grouped to take part in a game to mark the 20th anniversary since they last played each other. Ferryhill Comprehensive

  • Kinnaird scores for Haslam in Shergar Cup

    OUR trainers supported last Saturday's Shergar Cup event at Ascot well, none more so than Mark Johnston. But it was neighbour Patrick Haslam who took the only winner on the day, Kieren Fallon scoring on impressive juvenile filly Kinnaird. Johnston's Think

  • Water tests prove poison bid

    TESTS on the water used before Saltburn's Britain in Bloom judging have proved the plants were deliberately poisoned. A mixture of weedkiller, insecticide, soil fumigants and solvents, including brake fluid, were found in the water. Thousands of pounds

  • 'Envelopes will cut single farm payments'

    NATIONAL and regional envelope schemes will strip too much off the Single Farm Payment, the National Beef Association has warned. The schemes are aimed at encouraging good farm practice and rural enterprise marketing, and at preventing land abandonment

  • Roadblocks set up in bid to find killer

    POLICE set up roadblocks in a North-East town and questioned everyone who was in the area as part of an ongoing murder inquiry late last night. About 50 officers stopped cars and people in the west area of Middlesbrough, between 9.30pm and 1pm. Officers

  • Chipboard workers win cash at tribunal

    FORMER workers at a North-East chipboard factory have been awarded £250,000 in compensation after they took their employers to court. All 129 staff at Masistar, in Shildon, County Durham, were made redundant when the company went into receivership on

  • Riot training site plan wins backing

    PLANS for a new riot training site have been approved by councillors despite objections from residents. Derwentside District Council's development control committee agreed to the change of use of the former Compass Caravan site, in Langley Park, to a

  • News in brief: Mast plan rejected

    A PLANNING application to install a 15-metre high mobile phone mast in the Chowdene area of Gateshead has been refused. Gateshead Borough Council's development control panel rejected the proposals by the company O2 for the mast on the west side of Durham

  • Storm damage forces furniture retailer to slash prices

    ABOUT 400 shoppers queued for a bargain at a furniture showroom last night. More than 100 pieces of furniture were reduced to half price following Sunday's torrential rain, which wrecked the Middlesbrough showroom of Barker and Stonehouse. The cost of

  • Quality mark for museum

    HARTLEPOOL'S Historic Quay and Museum has been named a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction by the English Tourism Council - the third time the attraction has been given the national hallmark. The quay's replica period buildings and HMS Trincomalee were

  • Award for meeting broadband challenge

    A COUNCIL has scooped the Broadband Britain Challenge Award for the North-East Public Sector. The award was for outstanding innovation in using broadband technologies for its work in the education and community sectors. David Spoors, a systems engineer

  • Rags to riches story from elm leaf gruel to grand designs

    THE original Fountains Abbey wasn't quite the glorious structure whose breathtaking ruins we see today. The first monks sheltered under rocks. Then they built a hut of wattle and turf beneath a spreading elm. As late as the eighteenth century, a rotted

  • Flats decision angers villagers

    VILLAGERS are furious that plans have been approved to build 20 flats on the site of a former bus depot. When proposals were revealed to build executive flats on the site of a former coach repair depot in Kimblesworth, it provoked objections by residents

  • Community centre plan approved

    A VILLAGE is to get a new community centre and sports facilities. The development at Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, will include a two-storey building behind the current community centre, with a hall suitable for indoor bowling, a kitchen, a children's

  • Woman in care home bed had a broken thigh

    AN inquest has been opened into the death of an elderly Alzheimer's disease sufferer. The inquest, in Middlesbrough, heard how 90-year-old Catherine Lofthouse, a resident at the Willowview Care Home, Norton, Stockton, was taken to hospital after being

  • Health review puts transport in spotlight

    PEOPLE will be given an opportunity next week to put forward suggestions for improving transport arrangements for people using health services. The subject of transport is being discussed at a meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council's health and social

  • New visitor figures show city's tourist business is booming

    TOURISM is booming in a North Yorkshire market city according to latest figures. Members of Ripon City Partnership, which aims to spearhead the economic growth of the area, say they are "absolutely delighted" with tourist figures which show a marked upward

  • Rat run road prompts demand for action

    VIRTUALLY every home in a road plagued by "rat-running" vehicles is backing a petition calling for action to deal with the problem. Road humps and a chicane have been installed in Princess Road, Ripon but they have so far failed to curb ever-increasing

  • Pub mourns death of canine companion

    A PUB is mourning the death of one of its regular customers. Keegan the Alsatian was a well-known figure around Chester-le-Street, welcomed in pubs and greeted in the street by strangers. There was always a packet of biscuits behind the bar of The Garden

  • News in brief: Mast plan rejected

    A PLANNING application to install a 15-metre high mobile phone mast in the Chowdene area of Gateshead has been refused. Gateshead Borough Council's development control panel rejected the proposals by the company O2 for the mast on the west side of Durham

  • Award for meeting broadband challenge

    A COUNCIL has scooped the Broadband Britain Challenge Award for the North-East Public Sector. The award was for outstanding innovation in using broadband technologies for its work in the education and community sectors. David Spoors, a systems engineer

  • Staff team up to provide charity boost

    TRAVEL staff have been getting themselves in a bit of a lather - but all for the best possible reasons. A seven-strong team from Travelcare branches in Richmond, Northallerton and Wetherby took part in an It's a Knockout challenge in aid of the Association

  • Letters: Faith school

    Sir, - In making their remarks about the King's Academy, both Diana Williams, of Sowerby, and Roger A Fisken, from Burneston, (D&S letters, Aug 8) are sharing their individual faiths; Diana, a Christian, and Roger, I think, a humanist. I declare my

  • Durham Memories: Ice rink that was built of surplus coffins

    In the second of his two-part history of Durham Ice Rink David Simpson recalls the rise and fall of the Durham Wasps. DURHAM'S first ice rink opened in 1940. It was a major task to keep it running and Icy Smith, the rink's founder, often relied on enthusiastic

  • Brewery assurances over the future of village pub

    RESIDENTS fighting to save the only pub in a small North Yorkshire village say they are upbeat about the future following a meeting with brewery officials this week. Concerned locals crowded into the bar of The Crown Inn, at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon,

  • Prices at the marts

    BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed. Fwd: 1,703 sheep Lambs: lt to 106.4p av 102.3p; std to 116.8p av 111.6p; med to 114.5 av 110.9; heavy to 111p av 106.2p. Cast sheep: Leic to $50; Suff to £42; Cont to £56.50; Mule to £43; Swale to £31.50. DARLINGTON. - Thurs of

  • Tennis club's fortunes improving

    A club is enjoying one of the best year's in its history - less than three years after vandals nearly forced it to close. Bishop Auckland Tennis Club has its strongest membership in more than 50 years and a crop of talented youngsters. Coach Keith Greenwell

  • Warning given to rent dodgers

    COUNCIL house rent dodgers are being warned that they could end up in court or face eviction for failing to pay up on time. Wear Valley District Council has vowed to get tough on tenants who repeatedly fail to pay their rent on time without a genuine

  • Warning given to rent dodgers

    COUNCIL house rent dodgers are being warned that they could end up in court or face eviction for failing to pay up on time. Wear Valley District Council has vowed to get tough on tenants who repeatedly fail to pay their rent on time without a genuine

  • Student wins top law scholarship

    A YOUNG woman has landed a top scholarship to help her pursue a career as a barrister. Shayeena Mamujee from Bishop Auckland will study law at West of England University, in Bristol, from September, having won the David Karmel Scholarship Award from the

  • Fearless fundraisers wanted to perform parachute jump

    A NATIONAL charity is turning its attention to County Durham in its search for a band of daredevil volunteers. Sense - the support group for children and adults who are both deaf and blind - is hoping to recruit fearless fundraisers from the area to take

  • £14,000 grant for nature reserves

    NATURE reserves throughout the borough are to benefit from a £14,000 lottery grant. English Nature's Wildspace grant scheme has awarded Darlington the money to maintain a number of wildlife reserves. The scheme uses National Lottery money from the New

  • Bullet in man's body holds key to gun used in attack

    THE gun used to shoot a man in a rugby club car park cannot be identified because the bullet is still in the victim's body, a firearms expert told a court yesterday. Anthony Walls, 23, was shot in the groin at Guisborough rugby club car park when he was

  • News in brief: Sun flames to be beamed live

    CASTLE Eden Walkway Planetarium, near Thorpe Thewles, is hosting two events this month. Visitors can examine the night skies indoors at 3pm on Sunday. The following Sunday, at the same time, people can look at the flames of the sun in pictures beamed

  • Home help is needed

    A SCHEME to help troubled teenagers has proved so successful it is to be extended throughout County Durham. In April, Durham County Council launched the Supported Lodgings Service to provide homes and help for young people aged over 16 who have been in

  • Claimant cheats to be taken to court

    A CRACKDOWN on benefit fraudsters is continuing in a Teesside town where investigators have established a reputation as being among the best in the country. Brendan Brown, head of revenues and benefits with the Middlesbrough Council partnership HBS Service

  • Teenager bound over to keep peace after a row

    A TEENAGER has been bound over to keep the peace after a charge of breaching an interim anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) was dropped. Teesside Youth Court was told how the 16-year-old, from Thornaby, near Stockton, argued with his mother at their home

  • Staff given assurances on closures

    A COUNCIL leader has written to almost 10,000 staff to reassure them about a multi-million pound education shake-up. Councillor Ken Manton, leader of Durham County Council, said that while the £300m schools review may involve some closures, there are

  • Outrage at armed guard for Toon fans

    MORE than 100 Newcastle United fans, who were held under armed guard in a Belgrade hotel, returned home last night and launched an attack on Serbian officials. Supporter and tour operator Keith Barrett described the situation as a farce and a total over-reaction

  • Police chief to retire

    THE last serving member of the old York City Police is to retire from the North Yorkshire force next week. Chief Superintendent Paul Gregory, who is the head of the force's administration of justice department, joined as a cadet in 1967. His progression

  • Court imposes first behaviour order

    MAGISTRATES have imposed the first Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) in the Gateshead West area on a 21-year-old man. Peter Stevens, of Cartmel Grove, Gateshead, was given a four-year order by the town's magistrates as a result of criminal behaviour

  • War hits house sale agents

    ESTATE agency group Countrywide Assured posted a 39 per cent fall in half-year profits because of the impact of the Iraq war. However, the group said it expected trading to pick up during the rest of the year. The company, which is based in Witham, Essex

  • Study to consider railway revival

    THE wheels are in motion for the possibility of reopening another railway line through North Yorkshire. The Wensleydale Railway reopened in July, restoring regular passenger services between Leeming Bar and Leyburn for the first time in 50 years. The

  • £130m offered for stake in debt-laden Drax plant

    AN investment bank has stepped in to acquire a stake in Britain's biggest power station at a fraction of its value. Goldman Sachs International has offered £130m for a 21 per cent stake in the debt-riddled Drax Power Plant. The proposed deal is half the

  • Mayor could face no confidence vote over stance

    A VOTE of no confidence in the mayor of Colburn is to be discussed by the town council. The matter will go on the agenda for the September 11 meeting, when Coun Peter Wood's stance on controversial proposals for a recycling plant on the town's lorry park

  • Fate of rail station to be discussed

    THE future of Richmond's former railway station is hanging in the balance once again. Only 18 months ago, it seemed Richmondshire District Council was poised to sell the building, with four consortiums in the bidding. However, none of the proposals were

  • Plans for kennels set to be approved

    PLANS to build boarding kennels for 20 dogs are likely to be approved despite objections from residents and a parish council. The development is proposed for an area just outside the village of Westow, about 300 metres from St Mary's Church. Six letters

  • Let's party, say district leaders

    LEISURE chiefs have unveiled a fun package of activities to compensate residents disappointed at the cancellation of a popular family festival. The Allensford Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors, was due back this August Bank Holiday after

  • Ex-boss backs Quakers' move

    Former Darlington manager Brian Little last night backed the club's move to the Reynolds Arena and believes the foundations are now firmly in place for a bright future. Quakers entertain Kidderminster Harriers in the first-ever game at the 27,500 all-seater

  • Tow Law New Market A maintain pole position

    Tow Law Coors: Tow Law New Market A held on to their eight points lead at the top of the table after they beat the visiting fourth placed Billy Row Club by three points. After the two trebles points were shared the home side had singles wins from Dave

  • Traffic congestion signs switched off after blip

    TRANSPORT chiefs have had to switch off their long-awaited congestion-busting system - because of problems with the mobile phone network. York's new variable message signs are designed to help motorists beat traffic congestion. The system uses the mobile

  • Prickly customers along the lane

    THIS morning's daily walk along the lanes near my home was blessed with a wonderful display of wild flowers but prominent among them was a variety of thistles. Many will have been in bloom since July and, hopefully, will continue into September. I spotted

  • Games : Auckland CIU Winter League

    There are vacancies in the winter games league, which will begin in late September. The matches consist of darts, dominoes, whist, 5s & 3s and pool with each team being made up of four players. Evetry point won in any of the games is worth £1 in prize

  • Lucky 13 for Woodham

    It was lucky 13 for Woodham Ladies Open with the heatwave conditions delighting 42 teams of four taking part in the day long event. The day was in stark contrast to last year's tournament when play had to be suspended for a time due to severe thunder

  • Quakers put Bantams to flight after Tigers mauling

    QUAKERS fans will be wondering quite what to expect from their team when the Reynolds Arena finally opens for business tomorrow. Mick Tait's men got off to an inauspicious start when they suffered a 4-1 drubbing at Hull City in their Division Three opener

  • Charges dropped as speed signs illegal

    TENS of thousands of drivers could have their speeding convictions quashed after a landmark legal challenge by two police officers this week. North Yorkshire Police officers David Burlingham and Andrew McFarlane plunged motoring law into chaos after successfully

  • York wins Royal Ascot meeting

    RACING fans and civic leaders were celebrating this week after it was announced that Royal Ascot is coming to the region. The news that York racecourse would be used to host the 2005 event during a £180m development to the Ascot track in Berkshire was

  • Letters: Listen to us

    Sir, - It's happened again! Richmondshire District Council, according to your news report (D&S, Aug 1), has again been ambushed after a decision had been reached. You clearly states that the application was defeated on the chairman's casting vote.

  • Water tests prove poison bid

    TESTS on the water used before Saltburn's Britain in Bloom judging have proved the plants were deliberately poisoned. A mixture of weedkiller, insecticide, soil fumigants and solvents, including brake fluid, were found in the water. Thousands of pounds

  • Boro still in the hunt for Davis

    MIDDLESBROUGH are ready to launch a last-ditch attempt to persuade Sean Davis to snub Everton and move to the Riverside, writes Clive Hetherington. Northern Echo Sport revealed Boro's interest in the Fulham midfielder a month ago, when manager Steve McClaren's

  • Rugby stars aid cancer trust

    North-East rugby heroes Jonny Wilkinson and Rob Andrew are taking part in an unusual project which is helping boost the funds of a cancer charity for young people. England and Newcastle Falcons star Wilkinson and his club manager have decorated a fridge

  • Motorsport: Three-wheel action in the North-East

    Iveston & Satley MXC will stage a round of the British sidecarcross championship at Witton Castle on Sunday where 23 of the top three wheel exponents will race three times around the Tow Law track alongside the A68 trunk road. All the North-East solo

  • Oxbridge Darlington and District League

    Middleton St George maintained their strong challenge for the championship of Division A, defeating Haughton by 36 runs. When they batted first Middleton St George realised 200 for the loss of eight wickets as the runs flowed from Simon Rogers with 34

  • Call centre equipped for future

    CALL centre group CJ Garland has had the latest information technology (IT) infrastructure installed at its Middlesbrough site. The Hartlepool service provider has new computers and other IT equipment put in place for 600 staff, with the capability of

  • Burton's Bytes: Pale imitation iof a classic

    THE GREAT ESCAPE, Publisher: SCi. Platforms: Xbox, PS2, PC. Price: varies: I HAD a bad feeling about this game from the moment it was announced. Re-makes are difficult enough at the best of times, but games that attempt to "re-imagine" something as seminal

  • Crook's Dalton and Formosa in top form

    Crook Town CC under-15 bowlers Lee Formosa and Nick Dalton were in devastating form at Ushaw Moor on Tuesday August 5 bowling out the home side for only seven runs with eight batsmen collecting ducks. Both youngsters bowl medium pace and had identical

  • Athletics: Mighty Morag goes from strength to strength

    Chester-le-Street Harrier Morag MacDonnell finished off her track season with a fine third place in the 5,000 metres at a midweek track meeting at Solihull on August 5. She clocked a time of 16.26 , behind winner Debbie Robinson in 15.47. The race was

  • National title for Vicky

    VICKY Tulloch of Piercebridge has returned from the Trailblazers national show jumping finals at Stoneleigh with a championship under her belt. She and her horse Dutch Melody won the 1.5m class and finished third in the 95cm class. The pair were the only

  • Teenager robbed for holiday money

    A TEENAGER was mugged for his holiday savings yesterday. The 15-year-old had been riding his bike into Peterlee town centre, County Durham, through the North Blunts area, carrying £98 in 20p and 5p pieces, which he planned to change into notes and take

  • Community centre plan approved

    A VILLAGE is to get a new community centre and sports facilities. The development at Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, will include a two-storey building behind the current community centre, with a hall suitable for indoor bowling, a kitchen, a children's

  • £130m offered for stake in debt-laden Drax plant

    AN investment bank has stepped in to acquire a stake in Britain's biggest power station at a fraction of its value. Goldman Sachs International has offered £130m for a 21 per cent stake in the debt-riddled Drax Power Plant. The proposed deal is half the

  • Racing prospects

    TRACK specialist Stallone (4.40) looks good for a third course and distance success of the season at Newcastle this afternoon. Trainer Noel Wilson has done a super job revitalising the career of Stallone, who was thrashed out of sight in the seller on

  • Fans warned of roadworks

    SUPPORTERS of Hartlepool United have been urged to set off in good time for tomorrow's home match against Tranmere, due to roadworks near the ground. Junction improvements are being carried out in Marina Way to create better access to the Morrisons site

  • TV stars bat for charity

    STARS from the television soap Emmerdale have been lined up for a charity match at Bishop Auckland Cricket Club. Favourites such as actor Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard, Patrick Mower, who plays Rodney Blackstock, John Middleton, who plays Ashley

  • Plan to free hospital beds

    A PLAN has been drawn up to end bed blocking in County Durham hospitals. Under new legislation councils will be fined £100 each day if social service clients cannot leave hospital because care at home is not available. Durham County Council and local

  • Staff given assurances on closures

    A COUNCIL leader has written to almost 10,000 staff to reassure them about a multi-million pound education shake-up. Councillor Ken Manton, leader of Durham County Council, said that while the £300m schools review may involve some closures, there are

  • Full throttle for world record 'doughnut' attempt

    A STUNT rider from the region will attempt to break a world record at a bike show this weekend. Dave Coates, of Darlington, is aiming to set a new record by performing 20 doughnuts, complete circles made by a bike with its wheels remaining in contact

  • Letters

    YORKSHIRE I AGREE with Vic Wood's comments (HAS, Aug 12) about Harry Mead's article (Echo, Aug 6) on the folk living on the southern side of the mouth of the River Tees. Yes Middlesbrough is and always has been in Yorkshire. But - and it is a very big

  • Fives and Fifties

    Division A G Newton 60 not out for Barningham against Barton R Mosford 64 for Barningham against Barton S Walker 5 for 43 for Barningham against Barton R Waite 7 for 30 for Heighington against Raby Castle S Dawson 53 not out (off 24 balls - inc 5 sixes

  • Athlectic: Gaffney sets record

    Newton Aycliffe Juniors: The North East harrier track meeting at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow saw Chris Gaffney again shattering the club record at Under-13 level in the boys 800m, with a stunning run for his 2.32 over the 2 lap distance. The race was won

  • Place a bid on auction hotline to help Joshua

    A SIGNED Middlesbrough Football Club shirt and ball are among the items up for auction to help raise money for a toddler with severe disabilities. A special telephone line has been set up to start bids rolling for the lots going under the hammer in aid

  • A Hoggarth and Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League

    Black Swan v Grangetown YCC: Black Swan fielded only three players from last season's Anchor Inn team when they entertained Grangetown in their opening fixture. The early stages of the match were fairly even, with both defences in control. The break-through

  • Promotion chasers suffer costly defeats

    Durham League: Nevilles Cross and Newton Hall, who have been in a promotion spot from the Second Division both slipped up badly and threw their move up into jeopardy when they both lost. Addison Park whitewashed the visiting Wheatley Hill to take advantage

  • Durham Alliance

    Hartlepool Town scraped a deserved 2-1 away win against Durham City Reserves. The game was fast and evenly matched in the first half with few chances created for both teams. A silly foul spoilt the first half when Stephen Wilson stamped on a Hartlepool

  • Car dealer on road to profits success

    A "RETUNING" of its UK dealerships helped car seller Pendragon record a 41 per cent rise in profits. The UK's biggest car dealership group said its domestic business had performed particularly well, while results for its German operation also improved

  • Chester-le-Street Town

    THE Under-18s completed their tough pre-season with a visit to Leeds last weekend which saw them take on Northern Alliance Under-19s League Champions Garforth Town in blistering heat on Saturday evening. The home side set the pace and took an early lead

  • Fun day out for families

    FAMILIES turned out in force to enjoy a fun day at Chester-le-Street. People had the chance to try out a karaoke machine, pelt their friends with sponges and have a go on the bouncy castle during the Chester West Fun Day last Thursday. There was also

  • Flo out to prove he's no misfit

    TORE ANDRE FLO last night vowed to lose his £6.75m misfit tag after his agent revealed there was a "less than one per cent" chance of the striker leaving Sunderland before the transfer deadline. With Kevin Phillips gone to Southampton and Claudio Reyna

  • Students enjoy record results

    THOUSANDS of North-East students celebrated securing their university places last night as A-level pass rates soared to a record high. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) said a record number of pupils had their university places confirmed

  • South Cleveland Garages Teesside League

    JV Madden Trophy: Grangetown BC 4 v 1 Nunthorpe Ath: Grangetown Boys Club started the brightest and took the lead after 21 minutes when 'keeper Chris Mason fumbled a long cross and the ball dropped to Ian McGowan, who fired home. In the second half, Nunthorpe

  • Don't worry, helplines are at hand

    ANY students who have failed to get the grades for their first and second university choices will automatically be sent a clearing entry form by the Universities and College Admissions Service (UCAS). It recommends that if a student has fallen back by

  • Grassroots: Chester-le-Stree, Birtley and District

    LEISURE ACTIVITIES: The district council's leisure department is adding courses in DJ tuition, pony trekking and basketball to its normal activities from Monday to Saturday next week. To take part in events, contact the organisers on 0191-388 2124. CIRCULAR

  • Rhodes is riding high

    Durham Ranking Tournament: Despite going out early in the July Ranking event, Michael Rhodes is still at the top of the new list, published for the event on Sunday, August 31 at Durham Snooker Club Rhodes lost to Dave Harrop of Consett, who gained enough

  • Community arts students shine on stage

    YOUNGSTERS from a community arts project kept crowds entertained on Teesside as part of Redcar High Street fun day. Crowds stood five- deep around a stage as the children from Topline presented popular songs with well-rehearsed dance routines. Topline

  • News in brief: Sun flames to be beamed live

    CASTLE Eden Walkway Planetarium, near Thorpe Thewles, is hosting two events this month. Visitors can examine the night skies indoors at 3pm on Sunday. The following Sunday, at the same time, people can look at the flames of the sun in pictures beamed

  • Speedway: Young guns in action as Bears face hectic period

    MIDDLESBROUGH Bears speedway team have a busy month ahead with a number of youth development and junior challenge fixtures to race. The Bears have been invited to Berwick tomorrow and then compete in matches at Hull (Hull Magic) 20 August, Glasgow (Ashfield

  • Phillips takes pay cut to become Saint Kev

    Kevin Phillips has taken a 50 per cent pay cut to clinch his £3.25m return to Southampton, the club who rejected him as an 18-year-old right-back because they thought he was too small. The former England striker, 30, left relegated Sunderland yesterday

  • Defra urged to used HFA to encourage hill cattle

    THE National Beef Association has asked Defra to use the imminent re-modelling of hill farm allowance (HFA) payments in England to introduce a new, cattle-based incentive which encourages suckled calf breeders to maintain existing cow numbers. "This would

  • Tykes' bid derailed by Batty

    Bradford-born Gareth Batty helped Worcestershire defeat Yorkshire in just two days at Scarborough yesterday by figuring in an unbroken stand of 90 with captain Ben Smith which brought them victory by five wickets. Batty had been drafted into the match

  • Water Polo

    Sedgefield 75: After playing for the Great Britain senior team in the World championships in Barcelona, Carol Mohon and Angela Winstanley Smith (pictured) went straight to Holland for the European Junior championships. This despite being only 17 and the

  • Question of honour

    AS a new era dawns for Darlington Football Club, with the first game due to be played in its new stadium tomorrow, it seems an appropriate moment to reflect on the reign of the club's chairman George Reynolds. On the plus side, we have the club's very

  • Study to consider railway revival

    THE wheels are in motion for the possibility of reopening another railway line through North Yorkshire. The Wensleydale Railway reopened in July, restoring regular passenger services between Leeming Bar and Leyburn for the first time in 50 years. The

  • News in brief: Local history and art exhibit

    Frosterley Village Hall, in Frosterley, Weardale, will host an exhibition of local history, paintings by Weardale Art Group and sugar craft on Saturday, August 30, from 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 31, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Proceeds to go towards the Methodist

  • What goes up...has stayed up

    BAFFLED fundraisers are wondering why their racing balloons have disappeared into thin air. About 140 balloons were released from Lanchester Cricket Club on June 1 in a sponsored race for Willowburn Hospice. Entrants buy a balloon and the one that is

  • News in brief: Mast plan rejected

    A PLANNING application to install a 15-metre high mobile phone mast in the Chowdene area of Gateshead has been refused. Gateshead Borough Council's development control panel rejected the proposals by the company O2 for the mast on the west side of Durham

  • Storm damage forces furniture retailer to slash prices

    ABOUT 400 shoppers queued for a bargain at a furniture showroom last night. More than 100 pieces of furniture were reduced to half price following Sunday's torrential rain, which wrecked the Middlesbrough showroom of Barker and Stonehouse. The cost of

  • News in brief: Harbour youths 'risking lives'

    YOUNGSTERS in Whitby are risking their lives by jumping into the harbour. The harbour master, Captain Bill Estill, said: "They are jumping off the swing bridge and both piers and climbing over the fence around the beacons. There is a ledge underneath

  • Anger after scheme to build 20 flats is granted approval

    VILLAGERS are furious that plans have been approved to build 20 flats on the site of a former bus depot. When proposals were revealed to build executive flats on the site of a former coach repair depot in Kimblesworth, near Chester-le-Street, it provoked

  • Pale imitation iof a classic

    THE GREAT ESCAPE, Publisher: SCi. Platforms: Xbox, PS2, PC. Price: varies: I HAD a bad feeling about this game from the moment it was announced. Re-makes are difficult enough at the best of times, but games that attempt to "re-imagine" something as seminal

  • Summer storm sinks races day

    A FREAK storm swept across the region on Sunday as much of Britain baked in sizzling summer sun. Vessels which had headed out from ports along the coast in the early morning sunshine sent out SOS calls when they got in difficulty just before 11am. They

  • Looking for smiles, showers and shortbread

    FUNNY old job, this one, and one it's safer not to disclose when among strangers. We share with teachers the fate of having everyone know far better how to do our job than we do ourselves, and giving us the benefit of their wisdom. At length. It's best

  • 15/08/03

    YORKSHIRE: I AGREE with Vic Wood's comments (HAS, Aug 12) about Harry Mead's article (Echo, Aug 6) on the folk living on the southern side of the mouth of the River Tees. Yes Middlesbrough is and always has been in Yorkshire. But - and it is a very big

  • Residents fight for their estate

    RESIDENTS who say they are stuck in a living hell on an estate in Guisborough, are calling on the authorities to do more to prevent yobs and louts causing the problems. The police, Redcar and Cleveland Council, Coast and Country Housing Association and

  • Concert boost for student's African visit

    A SUMMER concert is being held this month to raise money for a teenager preparing to work in one of the world's poorest and most underdeveloped countries. Songs for a Summer Evening - a concert of easy listening music - is being staged to help pay for

  • Protest as BNP supporter joins residents' group

    LABOUR politicians in a North-East town are boycotting a community group which has invited a right-wing activist to join its ranks. Trevor Agnew, 32, who stood as a British National Party candidate in Darlington's council elections in May, is acting as

  • Harness Racing: UKSRA

    Runners for Hawes August 17 All open class horses are eligible to run twice for one flat entry fee. Race one (Heat one - 1 miles) 1 Go Joe Moorsley 2 Go Tyson 3 10 Face The Music 4 10 In Command 5 10 Saunders Mark 6 10 Lynns Decision 7 20 Saunders Magnum

  • Guns raise record sums for children's charities

    TOP guns from all over the North of England took part in a special annual shoot in County Durham to raise cash for children's charities. This time the 33 teams raised a record amount of money for the Children's Heart Foundation and Children's Cancer Research

  • Farm unveils virtual grouse shoot

    THE Glorious Twelfth signalled the start of a high tech version of sports shooting at a farm visitor centre in Swaledale. Hazel Brow Farm, at Low Row, used the opening of the grouse season to launch its latest attraction - laser clay pigeon shooting.

  • The Albany Northern League Today

    Northern League new boys Benfield Saints begin their new life with a game at Seaham Red Star tomorrow. Saints, the first club to be promoted to the ANL from the Northern Alliance, have appointed former Whickham boss Keith Sheardown as their new manager

  • To the rescue of a young orphan

    SPECTATOR'S life seems inextricably bound up with hedgehogs these days, as if he has somehow wished the loveable, bumbling creatures upon himself by his recent writings on their behalf. The other night, an hour before darkness began to fall, your unsuspecting

  • Wallace punishes Durham's frailty

    DURHAM'S lightweight attack struggled to capitalise on Nicky Peng's first-day century and they were left in a vulnerable position by Mark Wallace's unbeaten 94. Glamorgan closed the second day on 331 for six, only 24 behind, and if Wallace adds substantially

  • Painting will be a lasting tribute

    ONE of the last wishes of the a historian has been fulfilled - six months after his death. A painting has been hung at Northallerton's Stone Cross civic centre as a lasting memorial to Michael Riordan and a young pilot who was killed in an air crash near

  • Hollow victory for speeding policemen

    I wonder how the two North Yorkshire officers who dodged a speeding fine on a legal technicality feel now? I suspect that, given the publicity the case has attracted, they may well wish they could turn back the clock, accept they were in the wrong and

  • Grain report

    Most of our markets seemed to have settled down until Tuesday when USDA issued its harvest estimates. It reduced world wheat stocks by 12m tonne and EU production by 5m tonne so our prices headed up again. Reports of UK yields are now down compared to

  • Town centre fumes riddle remains

    A STRONG smell of petrol fumes, which caused alarm in Darlington at the weekend, remains a mystery following Sunday's deluge. The Cricketers public house was evacuated when firefighters received a call-out late last Friday evening. The smell of fumes

  • Tennis Boroughbridge go down in history after first title win

    Slazenger Harrogate and District League: Boroughbridge - the small club with a growing reputation - have stormed home to win the Slazenger Harrogate and District Tennis title for the first time. They clinched the title with a 7-2 home win over Harlow,

  • £21m for street schemes

    THE Government has announced more money to continue street warden schemes in run-down areas of the North-East. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said £19m will be made available for the 1,000 wardens operating across the country - 79 of them in the

  • Millions hit by blackout in eastern US and Canada

    The north-eastern US and parts of Canada were in chaos last night after a massive power cut left millions of people without electricity. Parts of New York were left gridlocked as traffic in the city ground to a halt. Buildings were evacuated and many

  • Heatwave means harvest comes in early, fast and dry

    AS TEMPERATURES have soared in recent weeks the North-East has seen one of the earliest and fastest harvests ever. With combines out in force prior to the downpours of Sunday and Monday, many farmers enjoyed the added bonus of reduced drying costs due

  • European geopark status could help our last wilderness

    OFTEN described as England's last great wilderness, the North Pennines area of outstanding natural beauty has become the first area in Britain to be awarded the status of European geopark. Its high, wild landscape covers 2,000 sq km, taking in parts of

  • Scaife takes deluge in his stride to storm to victory

    ENGLAND international Martin Scaife defied monsoon conditions to complete a hat-trick of victories in last Sunday's Darlington 10K. The heavens opened at the start of the event and the 900 runners found themselves in the middle of a spectacular thunderstorm

  • Bass North Cleveland League

    Loftus maintained their healthy lead at the top of division one defeating The Merlin by no fewer than 117 runs. When they batted first Loftus posted 201 for six before declaring as the runs flowed by Barrick with 88 and Pearson who carried his bat for

  • Letters: Tree danger

    Sir, - I refer to your report on the Scots pine tree at Stokesley (D&S, Aug 8). It is a large, mature tree and, in the words of the arboriculturist, is very, very old. It does not stand in the churchyard, but in the churchyard extension more commonly

  • Ice rink that was built of surplus coffins

    In the second of his two-part history of Durham Ice Rink David Simpson recalls the rise and fall of the Durham Wasps. DURHAM'S first ice rink opened in 1940. It was a major task to keep it running and Icy Smith, the rink's founder, often relied on enthusiastic

  • Heat may affect tally of grouse

    AS THE Glorious Twelfth arrived on Tuesday, shooters were warned that they could struggle to find grouse. Though the warm weather has ensured a large number of birds for the shooting season on the hills across the North of England and Scotland, high temperatures

  • Police hunt gang of youths as residents fear for safety

    POLICE are hunting a gang of youths who are terrorising residents close to two Darlington stores. For the past six months, people living near Aldi and Iceland, on Yarm Road, have suffered problems. There have been incidents of teenagers exposing themselves

  • Violet marks her century in joint party

    THERE was a double celebration at a Darlington care home yesterday. Staff at Eden Cottage, in Cobden Street, threw a party to celebrate the 100th birthday of resident Violet Higginbottom. The Mayor and Mayoress of Darlington, Ron and Margaret Lewis, were

  • Motorsport: Swift hoping to go one better

    The Hartlepool Motor Club's National Championship Autotest takes place on Sunday and has attracted an entry of 27 drivers from around Britain. Local hopes rest with Paul Swift from Darlington who is bringing his Mini special to try and improve on last

  • Chipboard workers win cash at tribunal

    FORMER workers at a North-East chipboard factory have been awarded £250,000 in compensation after they took their employers to court. All 129 staff at Masistar, in Shildon, County Durham, were made redundant when the company went into receivership on

  • Boxing squad to build team spirit on first overseas trip

    YOUNG boxers from a south Durham club will get a taste of paradise when they make their first overseas trip next week. A squad of ten boxers from Bishop Auckland Amateur Boxing Club will visit part of central Europe known as the Bohemian Paradise, in

  • Mental health service hotline

    A scheme is being piloted to give older people with mental health problems a say about services they receive. The initiative involves County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust setting up a dedicated phone-line for people who use mental

  • Mental health service hotline

    A scheme is being piloted to give older people with mental health problems a say about services they receive. The initiative involves County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust setting up a dedicated phone-line for people who use mental

  • Mental health phone link for older people

    A SCHEME is being piloted to give older people with mental health problems a say about the services they receive. The initiative involves County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust setting up a dedicated phone-line for people who use mental

  • Tennis: Smith and Jones off to the USA

    Claire Smith from Hutton Rudby and Vicky Jones from Boldon are two more Durham and Cleveland tennis players heading west. They are both 18-years-olds anxious to seek pastures new in the USA to further their tennis skills as well as gain degrees at university

  • Guide will help combat domestic violence

    A GUIDANCE manual for social services and the police, containing advice on helping victims of domestic violence, was launched yesterday. The guide has been issued to agencies in County Durham, where every year more than 7,000 incidents of abuse in the

  • Riot training site plan wins backing

    PLANS for a new riot training site have been approved by councillors despite objections from residents. Derwentside District Council's development control committee agreed to the change of use of the former Compass Caravan site, in Langley Park, to a

  • News in brief: Mast plan rejected

    A PLANNING application to install a 15-metre high mobile phone mast in the Chowdene area of Gateshead has been refused. Gateshead Borough Council's development control panel rejected the proposals by the company O2 for the mast on the west side of Durham

  • Brewery assurances over the future of village pub

    RESIDENTS fighting to save the only pub in a small North Yorkshire village say they are upbeat about the future following a meeting with brewery officials this week. Concerned locals crowded into the bar of The Crown Inn, at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon,

  • News in brief: Man denies weapon charge

    A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with an incident in which North Yorkshire police used plastic bullets for the first time. Stephen Andrew Evers pleaded not guilty to two charges of possessing an offensive weapon and another of affray

  • Confusion for dog walkers

    DOG walkers in Darlington were left confused after a sign telling them to keep their pets on leads was put up in the wrong place. Darlington Borough Council installed the sign on land which is actually a "free roam" area, adjacent to Willow Road, in the

  • Student wins top law scholarship

    A YOUNG woman has landed a top scholarship to help her pursue a career as a barrister. Shayeena Mamujee from Bishop Auckland will study law at West of England University, in Bristol, from September, having won the David Karmel Scholarship Award from the

  • News in brief: Advisor wins top marks

    A trainee business advisor from Darlington has scored among the best marks in the country in his accountancy exams. Kevin Shotton, who works at Clive Owen and Co, gained the second highest result in a national taxation paper in the Institute of Chartered

  • Golfers ready to tee off for tournament

    MAYOR of Sedgefield Borough, Councillor George Gray, has organised a charity golf tournament to help raise money for his chosen causes. The competition will be held on Thursday, September 4, at the Knotty Hill Golf Club in Sedgefield village. The format

  • Boxers build team spirit overseas

    YOUNG boxers from a south Durham club will get a taste of paradise when they make their first overseas trip next week. A squad of ten boxers from Bishop Auckland Amateur Boxing Club will visit part of central Europe known as the Bohemian Paradise, in

  • Fans warned of roadworks

    SUPPORTERS of Hartlepool United have been urged to set off in good time for tomorrow's home match against Tranmere, due to roadworks near the ground. Junction improvements are being carried out in Marina Way to create better access to the Morrisons site

  • Drink sellers face charges

    MORE shopkeepers face picking up a criminal record in the future - for selling alcohol to children. Court action is being considered against several off-licences in East Cleveland. Teenage volunteers have been sent by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

  • TV review

    Highest Bidder (BBC2) Masters And Servants (C4) Infamous Fives (C4) THE Duke of Windsor had an awful lot of possessions considering he was the man who was supposed to have given up everything for the love of a woman. A massive 40,000 items from his home

  • New garden overdue

    VOLUNTEERS have transformed a neglected garden into a colourful public space. Work started on the run-down Saltburn Library garden after the Probation Service enlisted the help of community service volunteers to clear weeds and re-lay dangerous paving

  • Echo team will send reports from Iraq

    THE Northern Echo is sending a reporting team to join British troops serving in the Gulf. Reporter Steve Parsley and photographer Stuart Boulton leave for Iraq today and will be filing daily reports from region around Basra. There are more than 5,000

  • Match-day prize for writers

    YOUNGSTERS in a part of Hartlepool are being urged to put pen to paper in a competition which could win them tickets to a football match. The town's New Deal for Communities (NDC) initiative is running the competition to encourage young people in the

  • 'No more big buses' plea from moors villages

    COUNCILLORS are calling for an end to the big Moorsbuses being used in small villages in the North York Moors National Park. Danby Group Parish Council heard that there were plans to expand the Moorsbus services operated by the North York Moors National

  • Home schemes are unveiled

    TWO new shared-ownership home schemes have been unveiled by the Tees Valley Housing Group. The Imperial Court project in York features 12 two-bedroom apartments, while the group has also handed over the first eight houses of a new 28-home scheme at Villa

  • Shoptalk: Crunch time for ready veg

    Microwave vegetables may be lazy but they could be uust the thing for hassle-free summer meals. Shoptalk discovers which are worth sampling. SOMETIMES, the best discoveries are made by accident. We have been testing microwaveable vegetables. They are

  • Comment: Something of a Royal farce

    IT would be funny were it not so very serious. We live in a world which fully expects another terrorist atrocity at any moment; in which arms dealers living on suburban British estates are caught preparing to sell rocket launchers to fire at Presidential

  • Young are deserting villages to find work

    YOUNG people are quitting one of the most picturesque parts of the region for better paid jobs and cheaper homes. While the population of Ryedale, North Yorkshire, has increased steadily in the past decade, the number of older people has risen while the

  • Garrison Radio wins extension

    THE radio company which broadcasts to soldiers at Catterick Garrison has been awarded a licence for another year. Garrison Radio, which also won the contract for services in Aldershot, Colchester, Tidworth and Bulford, has confirmed its licence has been

  • Council criticised amid match day chaos fears

    A "WEAK-WILLED" council is to blame for problems surrounding a football club's new stadium, a public meeting was told last night. About 70 people living near the Reynolds Arena, in Darlington, which will hold its first match tomorrow, attended the meeting

  • Water firm says -You won't be left high and dry'

    MAJOR work to replace water pipes in and around Danby on the North York Moors has resulted in bottled water being supplied. During the hot weather, residents were finding that the supplies were insufficient. Coun Linda Grout told members of Danby Group

  • Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League

    NEWLY-PROMOTED Browney face league Champions Newton Aycliffe in the opening game of the 2003-04 campaign this Sunday. Browney finished third in Division Two last year to win promotion - and face the toughest test of the weekend with an opening clash against

  • Fewer final salary pension schemes closed

    THE rate at which employers are closing final salary pension schemes has slowed down. A study of 290 final salary schemes found that while half of firms had reviewed their pension provision during the 12 months to the end of June, only a third of these

  • Volunteer shortage puts care service at risk

    A CHRONIC shortage of volunteers has brought a North Yorkshire care service to the brink. Demand is outstripping supply for a visitors scheme for lonely and isolated people. More than 20 people are currently waiting for help. And numbers are rising all

  • Stepy's Coaches Durham Sunday League

    The League kicked off the season at the weekend with a full programme. Last seasons champions Hetton Lyons Cricket Club travelled to Spennymoor Quins, but the very strange weather caused the game to be abandoned before half-time. Torrential rain and lightning

  • Top riders head for Witton

    IVESTON and Satley MXC stage a round of the British sidecarcross championship at Witton Castle on Sunday, when 23 of the top three-wheel exponents will race three times round the Tow Law track alongside the A68 trunk road. All the North-East solo riders

  • British soldier killed in ambulance ambush

    A British officer was killed and two other soldiers wounded in an attack on an Army ambulance in the Iraqi city of Basra yesterday. The two injured men suffered shrapnel wounds which were not thought to be life-threatening. The attack was carried out

  • Langbaurgh League

    Broughton and Kirby still lead the table following their seven wickets victory at Kirby Sigston. Faced with a target of 127 they were indebted to opening batsman Scott who scored 77 before being caught. White, Parkin and Robinson then ensured a comfortable

  • Natural way to painless menopause

    New research shows HRT can put women at increased risk of breast cancer, but what are the alternatives? Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. THE menopause brings misery to millions of women, with hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and aching joints

  • Management feels the heat at showpiece new hospital

    THE husband of an elderly patient has criticised "intolerable" temperatures at a showpiece new North-East hospital Things got so sticky as temperatures soared at the £67m Bishop Auckland General Hospital that nurses had to wrap towels around their necks

  • 'Ineed a donor to give me a fighting chance'

    The Anthony Nolan Trust gave more than 400 Britons the chance of life last year. Health Correspondent Barry Nelson meets North-East leukaemia patient Lindsey Wood, who is hoping to join them LINDSEY Wood is bright, bubbly and full of life. With her short

  • Warning over skills shortfall

    A skills shortage in the North-East is being intensified by A-level students unwilling to carry on to higher education, research shows. Despite the Government estimate that by 2010, 80 per cent of new jobs in the UK economy will require degree-level skills

  • Everyone will get in, vows Reynolds

    GEORGE Reynolds vowed last night to have his new stadium open to thousands more Darlington fans in time for tomorrow's big kick-off. He said: "Nobody will be turned away." Darlington council has given the 27,500 seater Reynolds Arena a temporary safety

  • Fresh plan submitted for controversial Dales home

    A NEW planning application for a house near Hawes, identical to one controversially rejected last year, has been submitted. Public anger erupted when the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority refused permission for conversion of a barn at Cams Houses

  • Kerridge Cup triumph for Saltburn

    Saltburn Cricket Club won the Kerridge Cup 2003 in a convincing victory over Darlington RA in the Darlington Building Society-sponsored competition. The game was played on Sunday, July 27 at Thornaby in front of a sizeable and appreciative crowd. Batting