Archive

  • Teenage Jack in the box is the hero with Pool's winner

    NEALE Cooper cast an eye across the Victoria Park pitch, admiring the skill on show and weighing up the junior talent on view. He particularly liked the look of the lively little lad who netted the winner. But despite his favouritism for giving the youngsters

  • The final Woodward wanted

    Clive Woodward has realised his dream World Cup final - England versus Australia. ''If someone had said to me six weeks ago what would your dream final be then it would be England versus Australia,'' said head coach Woodward. ''It is a complete one-off

  • Britain falls behind in cancer scans

    Cancer patients' lives are being put at risk because Britain is lagging behind the rest of Europe and the US in providing vital scans, leading charities have warned. The scans by the five Positron Emission Tomography (PET) machines are vital to give cancer

  • Football success beckons for Dad United

    LIKE many an 11-year-old schoolboy, Nathan Rose is football mad. When he told his father he wanted to play in a team, it seemed it would just be a matter of time before he found one. Unfortunately, Nathan's attempts proved disappointing because the youngster

  • 17/11/03

    MEDIA: I AM always reluctant to criticise the media, be it television, radio or newspapers. But I am not very happy with news output from the BBC. We get endless repetition on a day to day basis. Reputedly, the BBC has journalists all over the world,

  • Bus company seeks views of passengers

    BUS operator Go North-East is consulting passengers on proposed changes to its services. It hopes that by seeking opinions and feedback from customers, the long-term result will be a bus network that better meets the demand and needs of all users. Andrew

  • Airline services 'boost to business'

    TWO new airline services linking the North-East with the west of Britain will start next month. Air Wales will today announce two scheduled domestic air services from Newcastle Airport, starting on December 8. Daily direct return services to Liverpool

  • Sandra takes her fight for life to Mexican specialist

    A TERMINALLY ill woman from the North-East will fly to Mexico later this week in a bid to extend her life expectancy. Two years ago, Sandra Richardson, 52, was told she had breast cancer, but fought determinedly against it for the sake of her family.

  • Entertaining look at town's colourful past

    A TOWN will celebrate its heritage entertainment with an exhibition this week. The History of Entertainment in Bishop Auckland will be the last exhibition at the Discovery Centre, in the County Durham town, this year. It will run from Thursday to Saturday

  • Protestors 'lucky to be free' says Bush

    Defiant George Bush yesterday told critics of war in Iraq they were "lucky" to be free to protest when he makes the first full state visit to Britain by a US President. Mr Bush arrives tomorrow with security services on their second highest state of alert

  • Nuit Sombre to light up hectic all-weather programme

    FLAT racing at Wolverhampton offers by far and away the most interesting action today as the National Hunt circuit continues to be thwarted by fast ground at both Folkestone and Leicester. The scarcity of runners must be gnawing away at even the most

  • Dale's rail dream boosted by grant

    PLANS to restore part of the region's railway heritage have been given a boost with a grant of almost £100,000. Workers at the Weardale Railway have received £93,500 towards the re-opening of the Stanhope to Bishop Auckland line, in west Durham. The cash

  • Ukelele fans to get village concert treat

    A NATIONAL orchestra consisting entirely of an unusual stringed instrument is to perform in Mickleton Village Hall, near Barnard Castle. The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain will be giving the concert on Sunday, November 30. The orchestra has performed

  • Jonny has fans singing in the rain

    England rugby fans were last night counting down the days to a showdown with Australia after Jonny Wilkinson kicked his team into Saturday's World Cup final. The Newcastle Falcons wonder scored every one of England's points in yesterday's 24-7 semi-final

  • Deadly Jonny books a date with the Wallabies

    England will play defending champions and host nation Australia in the World Cup final at Telstra Stadium next Saturday after Jonny Wilkinson's mighty left boot struck gold. Wilkinson kicked all England's points - five penalties and three drop goals -

  • Needle bins issued to diabetics

    DIABETES sufferers are being asked to ensure the needles they use are disposed of safely. Craven, Harrogate and the Rural District Primary Care Trust (PCT) is issuing diabetics with rigid plastic bins. The bins are being distributed after reports that

  • Ukelele fans to get village concert treat

    A NATIONAL orchestra consisting entirely of an unusual stringed instrument is to perform in Mickleton Village Hall, near Barnard Castle. The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain will be giving the concert on Sunday, November 30. The orchestra has performed

  • Pub adopts hospice

    A DARLINGTON hospice has been adopted by a village pub. Licensees Kevin and Sue Hannert at the North Briton, in Aycliffe Village, plan to hold a series of fundraising events to support St Teresa's Hospice. The hospice will shortly open a six-bed, twenty-four-hour

  • Roadshow draws young collectors

    A junior version of the popular BBC television programme The Antiques Roadshow visited York yesterday. The show was filmed in the city's National Railway Museum, home to the largest collection of railway artefacts in the world. Regular presenter Michael

  • Campaigners a step nearer winning traffic speed battle

    VILLAGERS campaigning for stronger traffic control measures near their homes are a step closer to winning their battle. Durham County Council has announced that it is looking to implement experimental weight restrictions in Close House, near Bishop Auckland

  • Backpacker's family help safety campaign

    HUNDREDS of balloons were released on Saturday at York City FC's Bootham Crescent ground as part of a campaign to teach young people how to avoid dangerous situations. The balloon release was part of BBC York's Follow the Rainbow Appeal, which was launched

  • Deferral sought on mart decision

    AN application to move an auction mart from its home after almost a century will go before councillors later this week. But it will be recommended that the decision on whether to allow Thirsk auction mart to move to a new 20-acre site should be deferred

  • Improved lifestyles the aim for team

    AN initiative to promote healthy lifestyles is being launched in Stockton. The strategy will see Stockton Borough Council's healthy lifestyle team embark on a five year programme. Staff will work with other health professionals and use physical activity

  • Authors' visit aims to inspire pupils

    CHILDREN'S authors will pass on some of their skills when they come to Hartlepool this week. The writers will visit libraries and schools as part of the Northern Children's Book Festival, which promotes reading and literature among youngsters. There will

  • Tabitha is feline slimmer after crash diet

    FAT cats and podgy pooches are preparing to line-up for a slimming contest. Thirteen portly pets will this week battle it out to be the regional winner of the 2003 Hill's Pet Slimmer of the Year Competition. The animals have all shed several pounds and

  • Arena party plan

    THE Telewest Arena, in Newcastle, is hosting the Biggest Christmas Party Disco on Friday, December 12, at 6.30pm. The event, led by Metro Radio, is being held to raise money for two charities, Just for Kids and the Sunshine Fund.

  • Group aims to highlight dads' rights

    A CAMPAIGN group seeking justice for fathers who are denied access to their children is planning a series of publicity events in the region to highlight their plight. The Angel of the North, the Baltic arts centre and the Tyne and Millennium bridges,

  • Hodgson homecoming brings a change in Quakers' fortunes

    There was a chink of light at the end of the Reynolds Arena tunnel at the weekend. David Hodgson's homecoming was never going to be about bringing back the kind of football which endeared the new Quakers boss to the Feethams faithful last time around.

  • North's independent schools get ranking

    A SCHOOL was named yesterday as the top independent in the region, as the Sunday Times published its league tables. Central Newcastle High School was also ranked 47th nationally. Newcastle's Royal Grammar School was placed 69th, St Peter's School, York

  • Magpies star aiming to go Dutch

    NEWCASTLE UNITED'S Steve Caldwell has set his sights on the European Championships and is in line for a recall to Scotland's starting line-up. Caldwell was on the bench for Berti Vogt's men in their surprise 1-0 win over Holland in the first leg Euro

  • Rugby team tackles play area revamp

    RUGBY players have thrown their weight behind a drive to transform the grounds of a special school. Teenagers from Consett RUFC joined staff and parents at Villa Real School, in Consett, to help overhaul the playgrounds. The school caters for pupils aged

  • Pets killed in break-in at sanctuary

    INTRUDERS killed three sheep and a parrot after breaking into a pet sanctuary. They scaled wire mesh fences before kicking the animals and scattering poisonous rhododendron leaves in the sheep pen. Billy Laybourn, the 53-year-old animal keeper at Pets

  • MPs witness work of court service

    TWO County Durham MPs have visited courts to raise the profile of services for witnesses and victims of crime. North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong met staff at Consett Magistrates' Court. North Durham MP Kevan Jones, visited Chester-le-Street Magistrates

  • Pensioner who beat illiteracy scoops award

    THE achievements of a pensioner who went back to the classroom to learn to read and write will be celebrated tomorrow. Betty Hetherington, 72, from Stanley, was illiterate until ten years ago, when she enrolled on an Adult Basic Education course at Derwentside

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Marching to glory

    IN football, England fans always cast an eye enviously at Germany. The English football team takes its supporters on an emotionally exhausting rollercoaster ride - yesterday's defeat by Denmark being another downwards dip - which inevitably ends in tears

  • Criminals warned as police launch pre-Christmas op

    BURGLARS and car thieves in Langbaurgh are being targeted in an operation designed to disrupt criminal activity in the run-up to Christmas. Operation Focus, backed by a government grant, includes an increase in police patrols after dark, with extra attention

  • Fines imposed on rubbish dumpers

    A BID to crack down on the dumping of rubbish in Stockton has proved successful. Stockton Borough Council's Care For Your Area team carried out the operation as part of work on the local arson reduction panel. They identified a number of areas where people

  • Health team is created to examine vampires

    HALLOWEEN is over for another year, but a series of workshops being held at a North-East university will look into the science of the supernatural this week. Academics at Northumbria University will be working with the NHS to find out why vampires drink

  • Police unit to train new officers

    A SPECIALIST police training unit, which is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, has been established in the North-East. The Cleveland Police Training School aims to ensure probationary officers have the knowledge to deal with any incident when

  • North's independent schools get ranking

    A SCHOOL was named yesterday as the top independent in the region, as the Sunday Times published its league tables. Central Newcastle High School was also ranked 47th nationally. Newcastle's Royal Grammar School was placed 69th, St Peter's School, York

  • It's time for Bush to listen to us

    On the eve of President Bush's visit to Britain, peace campaigners are promising to give him a rough ride. Glen Reynolds asks if it's time the special relationship became a two-way deal. THE war is dead. Long live the war. The visit by George Bush is

  • Archaeologists trace rail line

    AN archaeological dig has taken place during the past week to unearth a piece of history. The event has been taking place at Preston Hall Museum, Eaglescliffe, Teesside, led by Tees Archaeology, to unearth the remains of the former Darlington to Stockton

  • 'I was right' says Quakers chief

    New Darlington manager David Hodgson has defended his decision to relieve Craig Liddle of the club captaincy despite angry letters from fans. Hodgson last night revealed he has received a number of hateful messages after appointing Neil Maddison as the

  • N-East pardons crusader praised

    A RETIRED North-East schoolteacher who campaigns for pardons for British soldiers executed during the First World War has won high praise. Brian Cowen, Irish minister for foreign affairs, commended John Hipkin, from Newcastle, when he announced his support

  • MP speaks out against cafe that promotes cannabis

    A CAF owner has defended his decision to open an Amsterdam-style coffee shop that promotes the use of cannabis. Haschischin has opened above Global Video, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, County Durham. A cannabis leaf is emblazoned on a poster advertising

  • Mowden coach faces one-match ban

    DARLINGTON Mowden Park are expecting Tongan Vaha Faleovalu to arrive this week and he could go straight into the team for player-coach Richard Arnold. A third yellow card in six games for the ex-Newcastle Falcons man will earn him a one-match ban, the

  • Hauliers in driver crisis

    HAULAGE companies in the North-East are having difficulties recruiting drivers, according to figures. A third of companies said the problem was getting worse, figures from the Freight Transport Association revealed. Malcolm Dodds, North-East area manager

  • MP speaks out against cafe that promotes cannabis

    A CAF owner has defended his decision to open an Amsterdam-style coffee shop that promotes the use of cannabis. Haschischin has opened above Global Video, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, County Durham. A cannabis leaf is emblazoned on a poster advertising

  • Fast response firefighter vehicle launched

    A new fast response vehicle was launched today to help firefighters in Teesside deal with incidents which may harm the environment. The new vehicle, which is equipped to deal quickly with calls to hazardous material incidents such as a chemical spill

  • Bed and bawd

    History productions used to be a matter of big sets and even bigger costumes with actors declaiming like they were in Shakespeare. The endless procession of historical documentaries, with reconstructions and computer graphics, has changed all that. Period

  • Protestors 'lucky to be free' says Bush

    Defiant George Bush yesterday told critics of war in Iraq they were "lucky" to be free to protest when he makes the first full state visit to Britain by a US President. Mr Bush arrives tomorrow with security services on their second highest state of alert

  • Landmark exhibition opens

    AN exhibition by textile artist Polly Binns opened on Saturday at Harrogate's Mercer Art Gallery. Called surfacing, it traces the development of Polly Binns' work during a 30-year career. Ms Binns' favourite subject is landscape. She uses a variety of

  • Pit museum faces closure

    A pit museum kept open as a lasting testament to the North East's proud heritage faces closure because bosses cannot find a miner to show people around it. The drift mine at Beamish Museum could close unless a miner can be found to teach future generations

  • It's time for Bush to listen to us

    THE war is dead. Long live the war. The visit by George Bush is now part of a war of words, a constant battle of press briefings and statements countering allegations that all is not well at the Oval Office. It cannot be denied that the Iraqi war is not

  • Teenage Jack in the box is the hero with Pool's winner

    NEALE Cooper cast an eye across the Victoria Park pitch, admiring the skill on show and weighing up the junior talent on view. He particularly liked the look of the lively little lad who netted the winner. But despite his favouritism for giving the youngsters

  • Darlington's plight poses new problems for boss Hodgson

    THE trademark crouch of David Hodgson is back and it is back at Darlington Football Club - some things never change in football. Looking on from low in the manager's infringement area, Hodgson examined and directed his side's play as if he had never been

  • Building society scoops prize

    A NORTH-EAST building society has won an award for services to the community. Darlington Building Society has become the first mortgage lender to win the Mortgage Finance Gazette's community services award, for regional lenders, in successive years. At

  • Lee hat-trick inspires Darlington to go close

    DARLINGTON continued to convince themselves that they can compete in National Three North as they gave third-placed New Brighton a fright on Saturday. Player-coach Craig Lee, again out of position at full back, scored three tries as they fought back from

  • Dismay as more ships get go-ahead

    THE Government was last night accused of "being in a right mess" over the so-called Ghost Ships after it was confirmed that permission has been given for two more to dock in the North-East. Friends of the Earth said it was disappointed that just a week

  • Drama group staging panto

    THE curtain will go up on an ambitious attempt to revive amateur pantomime later this month . The 25-member Music Makers, in Wolsingham, Weardale, are hoping some of the magic they have brought to the stage over the past 12 years will rub off on their

  • Views voiced on town upgrade

    PEOPLE in Ferryhill have told the town council what projects they would like carried out in the town. A total of 243 residents returned questionnaires sent out with the first edition of the council newsletter. The results will be presented to council

  • Bagpackers aid work of air ambulance

    VOLUNTEERS and staff from the Great North Air Ambulance visited Darlington's Marks and Spencer store at the weekend to raise funds. They were in the Northgate store all day on Saturday helping customers with bag packing in return for donations to support

  • Year's worth of talent

    YOUNG artists have produced the designs for their school calendar. Hurworth School Maths and Computing College has produced a calendar every year since 1991. The first effort was black and white, but from 1992, it has been in colour. This year's calendar

  • Preparations under way for winter on the roads

    MORE than 4,000 tonnes of grit have been stockpiled to use throughout the Darlington borough this winter. Darlington Borough Council is also calling on drivers to make their own preparations for the cold months ahead. As temperatures start to tumble and

  • Elderly couple pestered by thieves call for new home

    AN elderly couple whose garden has been persistently targeted by thieves want housing officials to find them a new home. Tom and Freda Smith, both 69, of Firthmoor, Darlington, can no longer get insurance for items in their shed or garden furniture because

  • Mental health service award

    A MENTAL health service in Darlington has received an award. Staff from Earlston House, which provides short-term support for people with mental health problems, received a cheque for £500 at County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust's

  • Churches announce joint plan to cope with disasters

    YORKSHIRE clergy have joined forces to produce a major incident plan to be used in the event of a disaster. United Reformed, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Church of England churches have come together to produce the plan, which is to be launched at Bishopthorpe

  • Dead woman was suspected of burglaries

    A WOMAN who was charged with two house burglaries has been found dead, 80 miles from her home. Lorraine Susan Carter, 29, from Station Road, Redcar, had been on bail to Teesside Crown Court over the break-ins on the same day in Darlington. Her body was

  • College insight

    Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, will hold an open evening tonight, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Next year's school leavers and their parents can talk to staff and students, see departmental displays and find out more about the sixth form college. For

  • Woodland wonders

    A new book by Yorkshire artist, Judith Bromley, depicts a year in the life of a secret woodland in the Yorkshire Dales. She talks to Women's Editor Christen Pears about her art and the landscape which inspires her. IF you watch for long enough, you will

  • Lette's talk about sex

    IRREPRESSIBLE Australian writer Kathy Lette has made a fortune from her deliciously funny novels which always strike a blow for women and blow raspberries at men. She is an energy-ball of humour, spouting off her views on men's weaknesses and women's

  • Vision for city to be 'jewel of the North'

    PLANS to make Durham City the "jewel in the crown of the North" have been published by the ruling group on the city council. The Liberal Democrats have produced a document called A Vision for the City of Durham, which they plan to build their future policies

  • Playgroup staff say former pupils smashed 15 windows

    STAFF at a cash-strapped playgroup targeted by vandals believe the damage was caused by youngsters who once used the facility. Yobs smashed nearly every pane of glass at Tanfield Lea Playgroup and Toddlers, at the Old Junior School, Tanfield Lea, near

  • Doctor issues warning as children resort to steroids

    STEROID abuse has become so serious that North-East teenagers are taking the drug just to look good on their holidays, according to a doctor in the region. Dr Rob Dawson, from Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead, said: "It's not just about body-building any

  • Campaign for town council wins backing from public

    PLANS to set up a town council in Billingham have taken a major step forward after residents voted overwhelmingly in favour. Earlier this year, Stockton Borough Council received a petition, organised by Billingham Town Council Steering Committee and signed

  • Churches' decision will lead to closer working

    METHODIST and Anglican ministers have given the go-ahead for closer unity between their churches. A joint synod in Harrogate on Saturday agreed to radical proposals that would allow Methodist and Anglican ministers in West and North Yorkshire to preach

  • Campaign opposes River Tees footbridge

    A campaign has been launched in a bid to scupper plans to build the world's longest rope footbridge over the River Tees. The 550ft long structure is being planned to span the river at a height of 150ft on the site of a demolished railway viaduct near

  • These studies need a health warning

    I RECENTLY read about a scientific study telling us it was beneficial to eat chocolate for breakfast. I treated it with suspicion, knowing that I would soon enough read about another 'definitive' study that contradicts this science. Sure enough, another

  • Wearside League: Birtley hang on to claim all three points

    There was a close call for leaders Birtley Town who appeared to be coasting to victory when they led by three goals at the halfway stage against Windscale. In the end though, they were grateful for the final whistle after the Cumbrians had fought back

  • Businesses to be offered health advice

    A CONFERENCE for businesses in Stockton takes place this week. Stockton Primary Care Trust (PCT) has organised the Workplace Health Conference on Thursday, at the University of Durham's Queen's Campus, between 9am and 12.30pm. The conference is free to

  • Centenary tribute to pit victims

    A VILLAGE paid tribute yesterday to the men who lost their lives in a mining accident 100 years ago. Hewers John Whittaker and Thomas McCormick died on November 16, 1903, when the Victoria Pit, in Sacriston, near Durham, flooded. A third miner, Robert

  • Homeowners warned of a 'double whammy' tax blow

    COUNCIL tax bills are likely to soar across the North because of a Government "double whammy", householders were warned last night. Three counties are on a short list of local authorities to be hit twice by controversial new funding rules. Householders

  • Delight for Sir Bobby as stolen caps are returned

    SIR Bobby Robson is keeping tightlipped over the surprise return of his stolen England caps. The Newcastle United boss was devastated when burglars took the treasured mementoes from his home in Ipswich, Suffolk, earlier this year. After a nine-month search

  • Taken write back in history

    MUSEUM visitors were given the chance to try their hands at calligraphy over the weekend. The Museum of Hartlepool was giving people the chance to make bookmarks, as part of an event that coincided with them being allowed to handle a copy of one the world's

  • Remaining founder to quit cult magazine Viz

    VIZ editor Simon Donald is quitting the cult comic to launch a comedy writing career. His decision means the comic, famous for its near-the-knuckle humour, will for the first time be run by staff born outside the North-East. Mr Donald leaves Viz on November

  • Woman dies after flat blaze

    A 48-YEAR-OLD woman has died following a fire in her flat. Police are not treating the incident as suspicious and a spokesman said the fire was likely to have started accidentally on a gas cooker hob. The fire happened at about 7.50pm on Saturday at a

  • Landmark exhibition opens

    AN exhibition by textile artist Polly Binns opened on Saturday at Harrogate's Mercer Art Gallery. Called surfacing, it traces the development of Polly Binns' work during a 30-year career. Ms Binns' favourite subject is landscape. She uses a variety of

  • Seventeen make a big impression in a very small car

    IT was a bit of a squeeze, but 17 people managed to set an unofficial record by jamming themselves into one of the world's smallest cars. Staff at Rycroft Mercedes Benz, in Stockton, were not exactly sitting comfortably in the Smart car but their feat