Archive

  • A Goodie time was had by all

    DARLINGTON was the subject of light-hearted banter yesterday as a comedy show was broadcast from the town's theatre. Former Goodies Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor, along with Barry Cryer and Tony Hawkes, recorded their latest edition of Radio 4 show

  • Bench unveiled to remember Stan

    STAFF and residents at a nursing home have placed a bench in its grounds as a tribute to a popular handyman. Stan Newell, a former welder at Shildon wagonworks, became a maintenance man at Bishopgate Lodge, Bishop Auckland, when the home opened in 1991

  • Queen Alana is VIP guest at carnival

    A ROYAL line-up and local jazz band will front a village carnival to be held later this month. Willington Monarchs Jazz Band will lead the Willington Carnival parade through Colliery Road and High Street to the town green, on Saturday June 21, from 10.30am

  • Be on alert for bogus callers

    DETECTIVES are warning pensioners living in Stockton and Billingham to be on the look-out for bogus callers following a spate of distraction burglaries. There were a number of burglaries on Friday. The burglaries involve two men who said they were water

  • A loud welcome for the Pop Idol winners . . .

    MORE than 1,000 fans met their pop idols Girls Aloud when they visited the region. The five-member all-girl band were promoting their latest single, No Good Advice, at the Big W store on Portrack Lane, Stockton on Saturday. Their first single, Sound of

  • Festival celebration of youth creativity

    ORGANISERS of a youth festival in Hartlepool are expecting more than 2,000 people to take part. Music, drama, dancing, films and art will be on offer during the festival, which will run from Saturday, June 21, to Sunday, June 29. Called Word of Mouth,

  • Anger as work begins to fell 350 trees in revamp of park

    FURIOUS residents have condemned council chiefs after plans to fell scores of trees in a popular Darlington park were revealed. The first phase of a £3.9m scheme which aims to restore South Park to its former Victorian glory gets under way today. Preparatory

  • Bowman Anderson Spennymoor Sunday League

    Division One side Beehive won a specially-arranged friendly tournament involving three clubs from two different leagues last week. The competition, organised by Darlington League side Bishop Auckland Cricket Club, also involved fellow Darlington League

  • Call goes out for volunteers to help at bureau

    DARLINGTON'S Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is launching a drive for volunteers as it celebrates Volunteers' Week 2003, which starts today. The bureau is holding a thank-you party for its volunteers on Thursday, while it hopes to recruit more people to

  • Army weekend draws in the crowds

    THE Army helped to draw hundreds of people to a visitor attraction not used to dealing with such numbers. Assistants and volunteers at Seaton Holme, in Easington Village, County Durham, were delighted at the response to their first Army Weekend. The military

  • Regeneration projects aim to build on town's strengths

    MORE than 40 projects have been identified to revive and regenerate Richmond. They include plans to promote sustainable tourism and develop the town's role for shopping and business services. In the longer-term they even include a scheme to harness the

  • Transport project is given a lifeline

    A TRANSPORT scheme to help the elderly get out and about will remain on the road thanks to renewed funding. Easington District Communicare provides transport for older people and those with mobility problems to allow them to attend social activities.

  • Time running out as day of big walk nears

    WALKERS have less than a month to get their entry forms in for this summer's Great North Walk in Weardale. Almost 2,500 people have signed up to take part in the ten-mile trek, on Sunday, July 13, through the countryside around Wolsingham. The route starts

  • Regatta races attract rowers young and old

    THE renaissance of the Tees Regatta continued at the weekend when 237 crews travelled from across the country to take part in its races. Organisers have hailed the return of the regatta as a major success story after races were abandoned on the River

  • Comment: We salute a real sport

    WE have felt the need more than once recently to question the sense and morality of the financial side of modern football. With Premiership players earning obscene amounts of money, and transfer fees bringing clubs to their knees, the national game is

  • Dog's alert over arson

    A FAMILY were grateful to their pet dog after it alerted them to an arson attack on their home. The couple and their two children were watching TV in their flat when their Lakeland terrier, Jess, began barking. When they went to investigate they realised

  • Booking system reduces waiting time to see a GP

    WAITING times to see doctors or nurses have been cut at five GP practices under a new booking system. The project, which has been overseen by Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust, began in September and aimed to improve patient access to health

  • Farmer wins trophy at show in memory of friend

    ANY clouds still hanging over the future of sheep shows in the northern dales vanished amid a record crowd and brilliant sunshine at the 18th annual show held at Eastgate, in Weardale. All thoughts of the 2001 foot-and-and-mouth epidemic were put to rest

  • Sprinklers limit damage

    A SPRINKLER system prevented fire spreading from an industrial oven and possibly gutting a factory unit. Three fire crews spent 90 minutes controlling the blaze, which began in the oven at the premises of Trench UK, in Hebburn, South Tyneside, just before

  • News in brief: Men urged to join the corps

    More than 60 members of the Cleveland Retired Men's association were urged to join an organisation called The Experience Corps at a meeting recently. A founding member of the new group said the idea was to utilise the experience of the over-50s for the

  • £1.5m footballing academy to spearhead town projects

    THE establishment of a £1.5m football academy and the development of sports facilities are to be the main priorities for Ferryhill this year. Executive officer Jamie Corrigan has outlined Ferryhill Town Council's vision for the next 12 months in his annual

  • News in brief: Waste station to be debated

    RESIDENTS of Teesdale can voice their concerns over environmental issues in the area at a meeting to create a new Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) group. The meeting, to be held at 7pm tonight, at Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle, will

  • Booking system reduces waiting time to see a GP

    WAITING times to see doctors or nurses have been cut at five GP practices under a new booking system. The project, which has been overseen by Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust, began in September and aimed to improve patient access to health

  • Gemma makes everyone Proud

    Young trampolinist Gemma Proud sprung a surprise when she bounced into the top ten when in competition against over 50 other athletes at a National event recently, writes CRAIG STODDART. The Stanley 12-year-old took up trampolining less than two years

  • Beauty show's future hangs in the balance

    A TOWN'S long-established beauty queen contest faces the axe unless competitors come forward. In the past three years the number of entries for the Miss Whitby contest has dwindled until last year there was only one, Georgina Peagan, who stepped in at

  • News in brief: Estate to host royal visitor

    THE Duke of Kent will visit Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, on Tuesday next week as part of the Royal Tourism Day. The estate is a United Nations-recognised World Heritage Site, and has been in the hands of the National Trust for 20 years. The duke will

  • Casualty worker tells of her attack horror

    A CASUALTY department worker was in fear of her life when an abusive patient leapt at her over a reception desk. Health bosses revealed details of the ordeal, at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, as they told of the alarming increase in the number

  • Heart-swap teen wins GB selection

    HEART-SWAP teenager Hannah Swift is facing a sporting summer - representing her country in the World Transplant Games. The 16-year-old from Helmsley had to have an emergency heart transplant when she was nine and has also suffered from cancer. This summer

  • GOLF: North Durham Union

    Division One: Whickham 11, Wearside 3; Chester-le-Street 8, South Moor 6; Washington 5, Consett 9; Houghton 8, Beamish 6. Division Two: Boldon 7, South Shields 7; Seaham 8, Heworth 6; Crook 5, Ravensworth 9; Woodham 12, Ramside 2. Division Three: Birtley

  • 'Eye' garden will honour founder

    THE founder of one of the world's leading sight charities, Sir John Wilson, is to be honoured with a rose garden in his home town. Sir John, of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, who was the founder of Sight Savers International, was blinded in the chemistry

  • Angry gulls leave groundsman on a sticky wicket

    GROUNDSMAN Robin Wightman was almost bowled over by a pair of angry seagulls protecting a newly-laid egg on a cricket pitch. He had to duck and beat a hasty retreat as the shrieking birds repeatedly dive-bombed Mr Wightman, 50, who feared the aerial assault

  • 106th birthday party

    A WOMAN believed to be one of the oldest people in the region has celebrated her 106th birthday. Lillian Bell, of Moorlands Care Home, Darlington, celebrated the milestone on Saturday with her children, Barry, 64, Nancy Hutchinson, 72, and John, 76, who

  • Time runs out for mast no one likes

    A TELEVISION mast which was described by the Princess Royal as an eyesore, is due to be moved. The 60ft high structure, on the Abbey Headland in Whitby, North Yorkshire, has been controversial ever since it was erected more than 20 years ago despite strong

  • Weekend TV: Strange by name and nature

    Strange (BBC1) THE first episode of this new series about a demon-hunter carried some salutary lessons about keeping yourself safe. Never walk through a badly-lit underpass after dark. Never believe people who tell you that your small son "is in his room

  • Children are taught dog safety

    PRIMARY schoolchildren in the region are to be taught how to be safe around dogs. ACC Milk has joined with the National Canine Defence League (NCDL) to teach children in the North-East about responsible dog ownership. For ten weeks, starting from today

  • Coxhoe celebrate first title glory in 50 years

    Durham Alliance new boys Coxhoe Athletic have lifted the first league title in the club's history. In 50 years the team had never managed to secure a League championship but 2002-03 season has changed all that. After the Auckland & District League

  • South Durham Royals

    Royals faced Blyth in the final of the President's Cup and it was always going to be a close match with honours even in previous games. Blyth started strongly and scored after 20 minutes before Royals came back into the game with Fiona Cantwell taking

  • Durham stroll it as Yorkshire struggle

    JUBILANT Durham beat Yorkshire for the first time in 11 championship meetings yesterday, dismissing the Tykes for 93 on a Headingley pitch of increasingly variable bounce. The match-winner was skipper Jon Lewis as much for winning the toss as for batting

  • Dolan is favourite to take hot-seat

    TERRY DOLAN has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Mike Newell in the Hartlepool United hot-seat. Dolan was axed as manager of York City on Friday - the same day Newell was told his contract was not going to be renewed - as part of a cost-cutting

  • Oxbridge Darlington and District League

    Middleton St George made it five wins out of five and lead Division A following their seven wickets victory at Haughton. The home side were restricted to 58 for eight as Simon Rodgers returned the splendid bowling analysis of five for 19 runs. Armstrong

  • CLAY PIGEONS: Cleveland and North Yorkshire League

    Urlay Nook ascended to the top of the league this week with a comprehensive home win 177 to 134 over the Leagues basement team, Hardwick Hall. Top gun for Urlay Nook was Gary Hanrahan with a 24. Paul Clapham, Frazer Jemmeson and Michael Brown each high

  • Double act foils Blaydon

    Foster's ECB North-East Regional League Sunderland moved into pole position when two players with the same name were prominent. Much to the consternation and confusion of Blaydon, batsman Simon Brown made a useful score and his namesake dominated the

  • Farmers taking countryside to the city

    YOUNG farmers bring a flavour of the countryside to the heart of a North-East city next weekend. An information day is being staged at Durham's new Clayport Library, by Young Farmers' groups in the region, on Saturday, from 11am to 2pm. They hope it will

  • Absence of stars can't stop tournament

    A MINI football competition scored a hit for the Butterwick Hospice despite the non-attendance of some of the billed stars. Organisers of the charity five-a-side tournament, at Meadowfield Sports Centre, near Durham, decided "the show must go on", when

  • Linda takes to skies in memory of Kyle

    A FORMER cancer sufferer took to the skies to raise money in memory of a friend's baby who died earlier this year. Four-month-old Kyle Brooklyn, a cerebal palsy sufferer, died in his mother's arms at his Darlington home in January. Family friend Linda

  • ATHLETICS: Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers / Quakers RC

    Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers: Fourteen Harriers took part in the Friends of Fountains School ten-mile Road Race last week, which was the first race in the Black Sheep series. The race started in pouring rain but conditions improved after a while to allow

  • Crackdown on speeders

    Police have launched a month-long crackdown on drivers who flout speed limits on County Durham's busiest roads. Over the next four weeks the county's 130 traffic officers will be taking the force's mobile speed camera to speeding blackspots. They will

  • Summer strolls are a family affair

    A SERIES of summer walks across the North will be launched by a national leader of the Ramblers' Association next weekend. Nick Barrett, the association's chief executive, will join a three-mile trek through Beamish Woods, near Stanley County Durham,

  • Mowden Park girls enjoy their big trip out

    On Bank Holiday Monday, Darlington Mowden Park Girls competed in the National 7s Rugby Tournament at Richmond, Surrey. The whole Bank Holiday Weekend saw 7s action from top women's sides and junior squads. As North-East Champions the Mowden girls were

  • Wedding for the couple kept apart by war

    A COUPLE who thought they would have to postpone their wedding plans because of the war in Iraq are preparing for their big day. Mark Schofield and Natalie Wilson-Lee had planned to have their dream wedding in Sri Lanka next month. But the couple, who

  • If we go - UK steel industry is finished

    THE entire British steel industry will collapse and die unless the nation fights to save Corus's Teesside works, a senior union leader declared yesterday. The Anglo-Dutch producer was run by "muppets" employing the "economics of the madhouse" who were

  • Chairman pledges to spread

    THE new figurehead of a county police authority is to spread the good news about the force's performance. Anne Wright has been appointed chairman of Durham Police Authority, swapping places with veteran county councillor Joe Knox. Coun Wright had been

  • Fake champagne sales drive goes flat after protest

    A DEPARTMENT store has cleared its shelves of a champagne-style drink aimed at children, following a complaint from a furious mother. Fenwicks was stocking a fruit drink called Children's Bubbly next to the sweets counter in Newcastle. Although it is

  • Fostering success

    A CAMPAIGN to find foster parents for teenagers in York has had a huge response, according to the city's children's services department. Manager Howard Lovelady said: "We have had as many calls in one week as we have had in the past five months. It has

  • Durham Senior League Under-13s

    Eppleton became the first side to beat Chester-le-Street in almost two years on Saturday when Callum Jefferson (26) and Scott Borthwick (31) helped Eppleton to a score of 101 for four. David Martin took two for nine from four overs and Mark Reed 2 for

  • Rival fans go head-to-head for charity

    Two sets of football fans put their rivalry aside to raise money for financially-troubled York City FC. Fans of Darlington and York met at Quakers' Feethams ground to raise money for the York City Supporters Trust who have been heavily involved saving

  • Dogs have their day

    THE emphasis was firmly on fun when a stately home threw open its gates to man's best friend. Kiplin Hall, at Scorton, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, staged a dog show that was a long way from the formality of Crufts. The event, part of the Herriot Happenings

  • Emergency Services League

    Newcastle took the final cup of the season, whilst Tyne and Wear secured the League title at the first attempt with two wins in a week. Newcastle met Frankland in the League Cup Final and it was the Tynesiders who picked up their first ever trophy with

  • Fred Foster Under-13 Cup

    Silksworth recorded a ten wickets victory at home to Hylton when the sides met in the Durham Coast League Under-13 competition. Michael Agar captured two wickets for three runs in four overs as Hylton were restricted to 67 for six from their 20 overs.

  • 02/06/03

    STEEL-MAKING: AS a retired British Steel employee, I must protest at the remarks of the CBI Director General Digby Jones about how the British Government should not support the Teesside steel industry in the face of international competition (Echo, May

  • News in brief: Men urged to join the corps

    More than 60 members of the Cleveland Retired Men's association were urged to join an organisation called The Experience Corps at a meeting recently. A founding member of the new group said the idea was to utilise the experience of the over-50s for the

  • Strange by name and nature

    Strange (BBC1) THE first episode of this new series about a demon-hunter carried some salutary lessons about keeping yourself safe. Never walk through a badly-lit underpass after dark. Never believe people who tell you that your small son "is in his room

  • Mark's Olympic boost

    FORMER Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist Mark Hudspith began his quest for a place in next year's Olympics with a record-breaking win in yesterday's Low Fell RC Gateshead 10K. Since the birth of his first child, Andrew, six weeks ago, the 34

  • Albany Northern League round-up

    Easington's new boss Graeme Hedley is hoping to put his years in the professional game to good use in his first managerial job, writes RAY SIMPSON. Hedley made his name as a player at Middlesbrough before he moved into the Northern League and appeared

  • This is one tough Mama

    Film writer Steve Pratt talks to Queen Latifah, who with nine pictures in various stages of development, is on her way to becoming movie royalty. WHEN Queen Latifah won an Oscar nomination as warden Mama Morton in the musical Chicago, it was only the

  • TABLE TENNIS: Wilson named Player of the Year

    Sixteen-year-old Carmel schoolgirl Claire Wilson has been chosen as England's Young Player Of The Year by the English Table Tennis Association's Honours Committee. The highest accolade followed her selection for the England team for next months British

  • The giant in my garden

    Chris Lloyd is awestruck by the remarkable Edwardian Rock Garden in Aysgarth, which is now open for public viewing for the first time in its history thanks to huge efforts on the part of its new owners. THERE is a thing on the corner of the road sweeping

  • Royal appointment for dedicated volunteers

    A FERRYHILL couple travel to Buckingham Palace today to be presented with an award for their outstanding community work. David and Rita Foster, of the Ferryhill Town Youth Group, will receive the honour from the Queen and Prince Philip at a presentation

  • Institution honours engineer

    AN engineer from Sedgefield has been made a fellow of the world's leading engineering institution. Paul Elwell has been granted a Fellowship of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Mr Elwell was presented with his certificate by institution president Adrian

  • Show appeal for arts and craft entries

    ORGANISERS of this year's Great Aycliffe Show are appealing for entries for the popular craft competition. Highlights of this year's event, which takes place on June 21 and 22, include motorbike stunts, aeroplane acrobatics, pedigree rabbit and cavy shows

  • News in brief: Waste station to be debated

    RESIDENTS of Teesdale can voice their concerns over environmental issues in the area at a meeting to create a new Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) group. The meeting, to be held at 7pm tonight, at Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle, will

  • Culture tops blueprint for tourism

    DARLINGTON'S cultural attractions could be improved as part of a five-year blueprint to promote the town as a tourist destination. Arts, science, sport and tourism are top of the agenda as Darlington launches a cultural drive for the coming years. The

  • Third award for 'hidden' pub

    A SMALL Darlington pub has been named the town's "champion" pub 2003 by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra). The Quaker Ale and Coffee House, in Mechanics' Yard, off High Row, was presented with the award yesterday. It is the third time in four years that

  • Police search for pensioner

    POLICE are looking for a 70-year-old woman who has been missing since Thursday. Anna Louise Webb, of Lingdale Road, Thornaby, lives alone and has a son who lives in Germany. She has no other family. Detectives have spoken to Mrs Webb's neighbours and

  • Police hunt crash driver

    Police are seeking the driver of a Vauxhall Cavalier which mounted a pavement, struck a pedestrian and then drove off. After the accident, in Bridge Street, Blyth, Northumberland, the car was abandoned behind the nearby Steam Boat pub. The victim, a 19

  • MP gives backing to abuse families

    AN MP will tonight offer his support to a group set up to help people who live with abusers of drugs, alcohol and other substances. Easington MP John Cummings will take part in an open evening about Free the Way, a community group serving Seaham and surrounding

  • Wannabees' long wait to find Fame

    HUNDREDS of hopefuls queued hours for the chance to take a first step to stardom. Would-be singing sensations travelled from far afield to give judges a brief taste of their talents at the North-East auditions for the next series of the BBC's Fame Academy

  • Classic car rally in aid of charity

    MORE than 30 classic cars will converge on east Cleveland later this month for a trip down memory lane. The cars, dating from the 1930s to the 1960s, will meet at the 17th Century Sir William Turner's Almshouses at Kirk-leatham, near Redcar. The vehicles

  • Police hunt crash driver

    Police are seeking the driver of a Vauxhall Cavalier which mounted a pavement, struck a pedestrian and then drove off. After the accident, in Bridge Street, Blyth, Northumberland, the car was abandoned behind the nearby Steam Boat pub. The victim, a 19

  • Honour for councillor's long service

    A STALWART former councillor will this week receive an honorary post from the authority which she served until last month. Ada Naisbitt stood down from Easington District Council prior to the recent local election, after 36 years' consecutive service

  • Art critic Sewell fires another broadside at the North-East

    SNOOTY art critic Brian Sewell has delivered a barbed put down to the North-East on the eve of the announcement of the 2008 Capital of Culture winner. Speaking during a tour of Tyneside for a BBC documentary on the region's culture, the outspoken journalist

  • Parishioners rise to a lofty fundraising challenge

    CHURCHGOERS are closing in on their fundraising target in a campaign to preserve a city landmark. The wraps have gone round the tower at St Cuthbert's Church in North End, Durham, as contractors begin a lengthy restoration of the crumbling 150-year-old

  • N-E city first class for postal deliveries

    POSTMEN and women are delivering a first class service in parts of the North-East and North Yorkshire. Sunderland emerged top in a survey of efficiency of first class mail deliveries by postcode area across the country. People with SR postcodes received

  • Football heroes help return town's park to Victorian age

    MORE than 2,000 people cheered on the players at a football match to commemorate a piece of soccer history yesterday. Former Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland players took part in a re-enactment of the first match played by Middlesbrough at the

  • News in brief: Ex-999 man's art on show

    RETIRED ambulanceman Russell Stoves' lifelong love of painting has been reflected in regular exhibitions of his work across east Durham in recent years. His latest watercolour creations can be viewed at The Discovery Centre, Seaton Holme, Easington Village

  • News in brief: Ex-999 man's art on show

    RETIRED ambulanceman Russell Stoves' lifelong love of painting has been reflected in regular exhibitions of his work across east Durham in recent years. His latest watercolour creations can be viewed at The Discovery Centre, Seaton Holme, Easington Village

  • Classes offer taste of the Med

    Lessons in basic Greek, Spanish and Italian are being staged at Park View Community Association, in Chester-le-Street. Classes will include history and cultural information, and tasting traditional local foods, all designed to appeal to would-be holidaymakers

  • University expansion essential, says study

    PLANS to expand York University must be approved if the institution is to maintain its place at the top, a report says. Research into the city's future shows the university must be allowed to secure land at Heslington east if it is to keep its place as

  • Disco team raises air cash

    A CHARITY disco group has been doing its bit to save lives by raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Members of Night City Promotions, in Northallerton, handed over £500 to the flight crew when the helicopter landed during the Richmond Meet. The

  • Acrobatics on offer at air display

    A MODEL flying club is holding an air display later in the summer. Fields near Redmarshall, Stockton, will be the venue for Teesside Model Flying Club's event on Sunday, July 6. As well as flying displays by dozens of modellers, there will also be a competition

  • Warning of danger as railway opens

    RAIL chiefs are working with transport police on safety lessons for youngsters before a line reopens after almost 50 years. The Wensleydale Railway is to start passenger services on July 4 and works trains have already begun to use the line. Before proper

  • Grass Root Memories by JOHN PHELAN

    40 years ago: Jack Watson changes to bowling round the wicket after lunch and takes three quick wickets to put Durham on top against Staffordshire at Walsall. Newton Aycliffe Boys Club beat Darlington RA 10-2 to win the Darlington and District Junior

  • Angling by Jeff Herbert

    The Darlington BT AA Lartington Charity Match staged between Lane Fox and Willowgarth Ponds, Willowgarth delivered the biggest net but for consistency Lane Fox out-performed Willowgarth with five out of the top six all coming from there. The winner Quaker

  • Hospital chiefs consider police patrols scheme

    POLICE patrols could be used to stop a rise in the number of attacks on hospital staff. The move is being considered after assaults on health workers in the Teesside area more than doubled in the last year. Violent patients have become such a problem

  • Architects reveal designs to transform Gothic town hall

    PLANS to turn what has been described as "probably the finest building in the Tees Valley" into part of a cultural urban quarter have gone on display. The six ideas to transform the Grade II-listed Middlesbrough Town Hall are designed to complement a

  • ATHLETICS: In form Tim is king of the Castle

    Wearside runners made it a double success in Sunday's inaugural Raby Castle 10K multi-terrain race, writes FRANK JOHNSON. Sunderland Harrier Tim Field gave himself an early birthday present with a runaway victory in the men's event, while Houghton and

  • WATER POLO: Durham City ASC / Sedgefield 75

    Durham City ASC: Durham continue to progress in the sport. Alison Mell and Peter Ward have gained places in the national Under-15 squad to train at the ASA summer school at Millfield School in July, and Chris Stephenson has been selected as first reserve

  • Institution honours engineer

    AN engineer from Sedgefield has been made a fellow of the world's leading engineering institution. Paul Elwell has been granted a Fellowship of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Mr Elwell was presented with his certificate by institution president Adrian

  • Art critic Sewell fires another broadside at the North-East

    SNOOTY art critic Brian Sewell has delivered a barbed put down to the North-East on the eve of the announcement of the 2008 Capital of Culture winner. Speaking during a tour of Tyneside for a BBC documentary on the region's culture, the outspoken journalist

  • People needed to speak out for charity

    A CHARITY is calling for volunteer speakers in the North-East to support its work. As part of National Volunteer Week, the Children's Society needs people in the region to raise funds and the profile of the charity. It is hoping to find people to give

  • Bid made for town twinning in Norway

    A NORWEGIAN woman is hoping to encourage people from Darlington to visit her town. Linge Rowlands lives in Kragero, in the south of Norway, with her husband, who is originally from Darlington. The couple have made many trips to the North-East, and last

  • Queen Alana is VIP guest at carnival

    A ROYAL line-up and local jazz band will front a village carnival to be held later this month. Willington Monarchs Jazz Band will lead the Willington Carnival parade through Colliery Road and High Street to the town green, on Saturday June 21, from 10.30am

  • Engineering contest in finals stage

    CHILDREN from the North-East with a flair for engineering are to compete in the finals of a national competition. Students are working hard on their entries for the annual North-East finals of the Young Engineer for Britain competition. The competition

  • US scientist warns of health threat

    A LEADING US scientist claims radiation from radar bases such as Fylingdales could pose a serious threat to health. He made his claims as the controversy continued about the role of the North Yorkshire base in President Bush's new Star Wars defence system

  • Fun and fine ale as walkers head for hills

    KEEN walkers are lookingforward to converging on Wensleydale in North Yorkshire for the annual Boots and Beer Walking Festival later this year. The festival caters for a wide range of fitness and experience levels, ranging from gentle strolls to strenuous

  • ATHLETICS: Richmond and Zetland Harriers / Newton Aycliffe

    Richmond and Zetland Harriers Six athletes from Richmond and Zetland Harriers competed in three locations over the Bank Holiday weekend in track and field and on the roads. Carl Outhwaite and Georgina Zissler travelled to Liverpool to compete in the Northern

  • Bass North Cleveland League

    Loftus maintained their narrow lead over Hinderwell and Ormesby Hall who share second place, when they defeated Dormans by 35 runs. Pearson batted throughout the Loftus innings for an unbeaten 70 and he was assisted by his first wicket partner Sanderson

  • Plunkett joy marred by Pattison injury

    THE highs and lows of Durham cricket were encapsulated on Saturday by Liam Plunkett's five-wicket haul and Ian Pattison's cruel injury. The incredible injury jinx continued when Pattison suffered similar damage to Paul Collingwood, falling down in his

  • Evenwood fail to make their point

    Readers Durham County League That nothing is certain in cricket was in evidence on Saturday when Evenwood crashed to defeat at Ushaw Moor. They have won the six games which they had completed, boasting a 19-point lead at the top but on the day were outplayed

  • The last chance saloon

    NEWCASTLE UNITED chairman Freddy Shepherd has urged bad-boy Lee Bowyer to make the most of possibly his last chance to revive his career at St. James' Park. The Magpies supremo admits that the capture of Bowyer is one of his biggest gambles since he took

  • More success for Wolves

    Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Wolviston are powering ahead at the top of the table as they extended their lead to an impressive 32 points by defeating second-placed Seaton Carew on Saturday. A six-wicket stand of 96 between Mark Mullen

  • Adam records industrial heritage through artworks

    THEY are the evocative scenes which remind the North-East of its rich heritage. Now artist Adam Baldwin is recording the heyday of the region's heavy industry. Six years ago, Mr Baldwin, 56, from Hurworth Place, near Darlington, gave up a career in construction

  • GAMES

    Auckland CIU League: Cockton Hill landed the League Knockout Cup when they completed the victory, which they had set up in the first leg at West Auckland where they won 16-9. This left them going into their home leg needing ten points to take the trophy

  • Tim Wellock's Durham Diary

    DEWALD Pretorius has to meet up with his South African teammates in Dublin on June 16 prior to the opening tour match against Ireland two days later. That means he has only this week's match in Hampshire left for Durham, plus the opening Twenty20 Cup

  • ICE HOCKEY: Junior round-up

    Penalty shoot-outs decided both of Sunderland Scorpions' games in the women's premier league championship play-offs at Hull Ice Arena at the weekend. League winners Cardiff Comets and runners-up Sunderland met in the final and Comets went ahead at 04.12

  • Voices that the bosses would not hear

    A SINGLE voice from the crowd told in a simple, brief sentence the sad tale of the North-East working man. "I used to be a steel worker," the man said, "and I'm an ex-shipyard worker, an ex-oil-rig worker and an ex-construction worker. I'm an ex-everything

  • Banda and Iqbal boost Lanchester

    Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League Lanchester stay out in front following a five-wicket victory against Sacriston, whose total of 153 proved reasonably comfortable to the home side. Stephen Ball made a half century, but generally the Sacriston

  • Hylton cut lead

    Durham Coast League Hylton are hot on the heels of Murton following victory at Easington. It looked as if the Colliers had done enough to earn at least a draw, posting the formidable total of almost 220. But the Wearsiders chased the target from the start

  • TABLE TENNIS: Drinkhall make it a double

    National Junior Championships: It was double delight for the Drinkhall brothers from Loftus as the National Junior Championships in King's Lynn last weekend, for elder Bryn took the Under-18 singles title, and younger Paul collected the Under-15 honours

  • MOTORSPORT: Double victory for schoolboy racer Ryan

    Last Sunday saw Whitby's Edwin Jowsey compete at the Ferrari International Day, held for the first time at Donington Park. This gruelling two race event drew many teams across Europe. A large Italian contingent had travel to the UK, swelling the number

  • David Warner's Yorkshire Diary

    Yorkshire fans were bemused, bewildered and outraged before the start of the Durham match at Headingley on Friday when they learned that their rising star and captain, Anthony McGrath, had been pulled out of the game at England's request. County member

  • Old whale bones are meeting again

    THE original set of whale bones which were a landmark on Whitby's West Cliff for 40 years have found a new home. The bones - replaced recently because of their deteriorating condition - are on display at the town's Archives Heritage Centre. They were

  • A loud welcome for the Pop Idol winners . . .

    MORE than 1,000 fans met their pop idols Girls Aloud when they visited the region. The five-member all-girl band were promoting their latest single, No Good Advice, at the Big W store on Portrack Lane, Stockton on Saturday. Their first single, Sound of

  • Wannabees' long wait to find Fame

    HUNDREDS of hopefuls queued hours for the chance to take a first step to stardom. Would-be singing sensations travelled from far afield to give judges a brief taste of their talents at the North-East auditions for the next series of the BBC's Fame Academy

  • Hopes rise for village wildlife haven plan

    PLANS to create a wildlife haven in a village are expected to move a step closer this week. Bishop Middleham, near Ferryhill in County Durham, was the focus of national attention last summer when a pair of rare bee-eater birds became the first to breed

  • Who's going to be your number 1?

    Q Who was the first female solo singer to have a number one hit? Claims have been made that it was Connie Francis, but I've also heard it was Alma Cogan. - Linda Karlsson, Whitley Bay. A The UK pop charts began in January 1950 and were compiled and broadcast

  • Walker rescued

    A FELL walker from the North-East was rescued from a Cumbrian crag after breaking an ankle yesterday. The 45-year-old man, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was given assistance by Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue team on Brock Crags, at Low

  • Seasiders left stunned by battling Boro's boys

    Saltburn must have thought they were home and dry at the halfway stage of their game at Acklam Park. And who could blame them? Middlesbrough, without a win in seven attempts, had lost more times than any other side and even their captain Martin Ball admitted

  • 'I wanted to be first to climb Everest'

    Fifty years ago today, news reached Britain that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay had climbed Mont Everest. But, as Nick Morrison reports, not everyone was celebrating. IT was the sort of extraordinary timing you never get in real life. As the nation

  • Terror as three ambulances stolen

    A GANG of thieves burst in on an ambulance operator and kept him pinned to a chair while they escaped with three ambulances at the weekend. Peter Smith had called into his office at the Northern Ambulance Service, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on

  • Teenager dies as car leaves road in weekend of crashes

    ACCIDENTS claimed a heavy toll of casualties on the roads of the North-East over the weekend. A teenage motorist was killed when the car he was driving veered off a road and struck two brick gateposts. Lee Hutchinson was at the wheel of a white Vauxhall

  • Police reshuffle will 'beef up' crime fight

    A POLICE force hopes to free up to 100 officers for frontline duties by conducting a sweeping overhaul of the way it operates. Durham Police Authority has given its backing to a blueprint to reshape the face of the force over the coming year. Moves agreed

  • Ancient law may see off Minster charges

    THE Archbishop of York is poised to intervene in a row over the introduction of entrance fees at York Minster, it emerged yesterday. The charges, along with the proposal to close the Minster's library, have been put forward in a bid to reduce the cathedral's

  • Aisbitt's on cue for family double

    Andrew Aisbitt won the Durham County snooker championship last month. Right on cue, his brother Richard took the Durham County golf title last weekend - brothers in lore, undoubtedly. "Andrew was the spur," admits Richard, 29. "I hadn't entered for ten

  • Nosebleed sparks a five-hour police search

    A FIVE-HOUR police operation involving a spotter plane was launched at the weekend - for the sake of a nosebleed. The police aircraft, mounted officers and search units joined CID and uniformed officers after substantial pools of blood were found on a

  • Sea defence repair bill could rise to £47.5m

    THE cost of major sea defence work on the North coast- the biggest scheme of its kind in Europe - is set to soar. The work at Scarborough, North Yorkshire, has already increased from £25.7m to £33.6m and the council has warned that the final bill could

  • Des can be star of show

    Kevin Darley and John Quinn have teamed up successfully with Archie Babe and Fantasy Believer in recent times and the jockey/trainer combination can click again with Des in the Emmerdale Rating Related Maiden over six furlongs at Carlisle this afternoon

  • SWIMMING: Billingham SC

    Billingham competed at the Wear Valley Graded Swimming Gala held at Bishop Auckland at the weekend. All competitors enjoyed the day picking up seven golds, four silvers and one bronze with five competitors just missing out on a medal in fourth place,

  • Region is leading the way in bringing history to life

    HISTORY is being brought alive thanks to research in the North-East. Staff at the University of Teesside's Virtual Reality Centre have been working with museums on projects which recreate everything from Saxon villages to warrior tribesmen. A team from

  • Racist remark that got under the Skin

    ROCK star Skin has revealed how a racist remark by a college tutor spurred her on to musical success. The former Skunk Anansie singer was taking an interior design degree and was on the verge of being thrown out for neglecting her studies at the former

  • Federation Special Durham Senior League

    Under-18s: Chester-le-Street enjoyed a 69 runs victory over Whitburn when the sides met at Ropery Lane. John Coxon maintained his early season form scoring 43 and Andrew Smith added 20 to the Cestrians' total of 120 for three. All three wickets were taken

  • Who's going to be your number 1?

    Q Who was the first female solo singer to have a number one hit? Claims have been made that it was Connie Francis, but I've also heard it was Alma Cogan. - Linda Karlsson, Whitley Bay. AThe UK pop charts began in January 1950 and were compiled and broadcast

  • N-E city first class for postal deliveries

    POSTMEN and women are delivering a first class service in parts of the North-East and North Yorkshire. Sunderland emerged top in a survey of efficiency of first class mail deliveries by postcode area across the country. People with SR postcodes received

  • News in brief: Homes hit by power cut

    MORE than 1,000 homes and businesses suffered a temporary power cut yesterday afternoon after an underground cables fault. A spokesman for electricity suppliers NEDL said power was restored to about 800 premises within minutes of the cut at about 3pm,

  • Pilgrimage upsets locals

    An annual pilgrimage from the North-East to a horse fair in Cumbria has started - and already upset locals. More than 20 travelling families have parked their caravans and started grazing their horses on a large riverside green after breaking through

  • Darlington Spraire Lasses

    Spraire Lasses Under-12s had a successful six-a-side tournament at Wigginton, York. They had wins of 3-0 against Lumley, 5-0 against hosts Wigginton Grasshoppers and 3-0 against Cramlington. The Lasses lost against Leeds City Vixens 3-1, but still qualified

  • Colburn Health and Recreation Centre six-a-side League

    Results: Each Other 6, Leathleys Lads 0; Legionnaires 2, Team Mean Machine 1; Le Maginot 10, FC Spoons 1; Colburn Town A 8, 150 Plop Shots 3; Wathgill Wanderers 2, Colburn Town B 8; Hill Giftware 2, Dynamo Catterick 8; McDees 6, Upex 1.

  • Bishop Auckland

    Dowling Cup (par/bogey): 1st A Hatton 7up, 2nd M Tyrie 5up, 3rd P Proctor 5up

  • A friend for life - and beyond

    A MILLIONAIRE has stunned one of the world's oldest football leagues by revising his will to guarantee it will be financially secure long after he is dead. Officials of The Northern League thought they were dreaming when self-made entrepreneur Brooks