Archive

  • Rob could be switched

    DARLINGTON can take a huge step towards National Three North safety by winning at home to Liverpool St Helens tomorrow. The Merseysiders currently occupy the third relegation spot and victory would put Darlington five points ahead of them. Flanker Andy

  • Mendieta has high hopes

    GAIZKA MENDIETA has had enough of playing for European giants - now he wants to help Middlesbrough make their mark on the football map. The skilful Spaniard played for Valencia, Lazio and Barcelona before eventually moving to Teesside in the summer and

  • Eggleston Cup

    Draw: Round One (to be played by May 31): 1 Ingleton v Cockerton; 2 Barningham v Middleton St George; 3 Sedgefield II v Aldbrough St John; 4 Coundon v Heighington; 5 Barton v Lands; 6 Raby Castle v Cliffe; 7 Rockliffe Park v Tudhoe II; 8 Haughton v Catterick

  • Ryanair roughed up

    A FREQUENT topic at the dinner party or in the pub in recent times has been low-cost air fare. "Guess how much I have paid to fly to...." has been the oft-repeated question. The answer (usually a pittance) is followed by the exclamation "How do they do

  • Hodgson confident of offloading Bossy

    After a fresh round of talks with the Professional Footballers Association David Hodgson was last night confident of off-loading French midfielder Fabien Bossy 2 which would allow him to bring in striker Neil Teggart. Hodgson has spent a fortnight negotiating

  • Hughes strike gives Quakers fans a lift

    AFTER being on the receiving end of so many 1-0 scorelines recently, last Saturday's single-goal victory over Rochdale made a very refreshing change for Darlington fans. It looked like another battling performance by the Quakers, watched by an encouraging

  • Jazz legend in the spotlight

    ONE of the UK's most famous jazz trumpeters Humphrey Lyttelton and his band are to play in the region. The traditional jazz band will visit the Arc theatre, in Stockton. Lyttelton, 83, who is a Radio 4 and Radio 2 broadcaster, has been a band leader for

  • 'Why didn't they listen to us' say flooded villagers

    A PARISH council wants to know why its warnings were ignored after a village street was flooded at the weekend. Coun Brian Biddiscombe told members at Gainford and Langton Parish Council that his property at Eden Lane had fallen victim to the rising water

  • Rejected Rachel ready for Northern Ireland bow

    A Chester-le-Street teenager is to make her international debut for Northern Ireland after being denied the chance to prove to herself for England. Fifteen-year-old Rachel Furness has impressed at weekly coaching sessions in Belfast which will culminate

  • Regulars plan buy-out to save only pub in village

    REGULARS hope to save their village pub with a community buy-out. The Countryman Inn, the only pub at Hunton, is due to close unless a buyer can be found. The landlord has allowed a two-month, limited hours, extension in the hope that locals can come

  • Fears for service after post office's sudden closure

    THE sudden closure of Middleham post office has left the community concerned about the future of the service in the town. The Market Place premises shut without warning last Friday and the Official Receiver's office confirmed the former proprietor, Lyn

  • Cuts in dale services and a 10pc increase in tax

    HOUSEHOLDERS in Teesdale face a 9.9pc increase in the amount of council tax they pay to the district council when the authority's budget is determined later this month. Those attending a public meeting on Tuesday were told that this would mean the occupiers

  • Programme lifts supplier's turnover

    AN export programme has helped a travel industry supplier to increase its turnover by 40 per cent. Holiday CD, of Consett, County Durham, developed the Travel Industry Guarantee scheme to provide tour operators with information on hotels around the world

  • Snow row provokes a political storm

    SNOW clearing has been held up as an example of why a county council should be abolished. Durham County Council has come under fire for its ability to keep roads open during winter from six of the county's district and borough councils. The criticism

  • Hockey

    Wilton 1st brought Durham University's 3rd team to Southlands for what was always going to be a testing tie. The students started brightest, pressuring until their centre forward turned the Wilton defence at top circle and cracked home an excellent back

  • Tennis

    National Premier League, North-East Region: Tennis World Middlesbrough and Ripon who took the bottom two qualifying places in the Northern Division recently will need to be on top form in their away contests against the leading pair of the Southern Division

  • Loco coming home

    ONE of the world's greatest steam treasures is being brought back to its original home as the star exhibit in the £10m Shildon Railway Village, opening in September. The 175-year-old locomotive Sans Pareil will go on show close to where it was built by

  • Firm told requirements for dry dock approval

    COUNCIL bosses have spelt out what they will expect from Able UK as it bids to win fresh planning permission to scrap a toxic fleet of US Navy ships. Hartlepool Borough Council has sent the firm a framework for carrying out a study into the environmental

  • Sedgefield rider pockets national side saddle award

    SEDGEFIELD side saddle rider Jane Forster is the side saddle association's adult national performance rider of the year for 2003. The veterinary nurse rode side saddle against astride riders in working hunter, showing, show jumping, dressage and one-day

  • Promotion for County

    The Oak Leaf Sports Complex in Newton Aycliffe again played host to top class squash at the weekend. The Durham & Cleveland County under-19 boys took on teams from Warickshire, Lancashire and Buckinghamshire in Stage 2 of the Inter-County Championships

  • Hannah looks to the future

    THREE years after a North-East toddler had to go to the US to get advanced laser surgery, UK surgeons are finally providing the service she needs. It means the future is a lot brighter for British youngsters like Hannah Maxwell-Jones with disfiguring

  • A spicy and good value Night out

    CURRY is consistently among the nation's favourite dishes, with North-East diners being no exception. With so many Indian restaurants on offer, it's easy for diners to settle for convenience over quality, never venturing further than the closest and cheapest

  • Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League

    Once again the atrocious weather conditions played havoc with the Overs-40s Cup and league fixtures with only one game being played out of 28 matches. Division Four leaders Thornley Celtic won 1-0 at home to second from bottom club Wynyard Old Boys. The

  • Nurse who kneed man, 73, spared jail

    A HOSPITAL nurse who assaulted a vulnerable, elderly patient avoided being sent to jail yesterday. Auxiliary nurse Barbara Carty, was found guilty of assaulting a frail 73-year-old schizophrenic patient last month. Magistrates heard how the 46-year-old

  • Residents assured their defences are adequate

    CONCERNS have been raised about the safety of flood defences after sandbags were brought overnight to a bridge in Neasham. The bags were placed on Kent Bridge late on Saturday night by the Environment Agency, after heavy rains caused the River Tees to

  • Young boss helps to pick -islanders'

    ONE of Teesdale's youngest entrepreneurs is encouraging other young people to become their own boss through a competitive business start-up challenge, the Enterprise Island. Marcia Norton, 20, has run her own successful beauty therapy salon in Galgate

  • Plan to bill residents for care services

    ELDERLY people in council-run sheltered housing schemes in Darlington are likely to have to pay more for services this year. The borough council is proposing to charge people living in warden-controlled properties directly for some services, rather than

  • Watchdog critical of council

    TEESDALE District Council has been found guilty of maladministration after businesses were forced to make way for housing. The Local Government Ombudsman was asked to examine the council's decision to approve a controversial scheme to replace businesses

  • Voices united in choral work

    Alexander Ord's composition of Requiem Magnificat: nunc dimittis and other choral works will be performed at St Edmund's Church, Sedgefield, on Wednesday, March 3 at 7.30pm. The choirs of St Peter's, Stockton, Darlington's Richardson Singers and St Edmund's

  • Room with a colourful view

    A STAINED glass window that was lost for years has been given pride of place in a North-East art gallery. The window was a main feature of the Laing Art Gallery, in Newcastle, when it opened in 1904. But at some point, it was taken out, put into storage

  • Men quizzed over sex attack

    Three men have been arrested in connection with the rape of a 14-year-old girl at the weekend. The girl was attacked as she walked in the Burns area of South Shields, South Tyneside at 9pm on Saturday. The suspects were last night helping police with

  • Spotlight on screen history

    A CITY'S secret cinema history has been chronicled in a new book. Cinema in a Cathedral City has been put together by David Williams, former head of the Department of Film and Television at Bede College, Durham University. The book looks at the history

  • Jonny to see specialist

    Jonny Wilkinson will see a specialist today as he continues his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury which has dogged his season since he kicked England to World Cup glory. The fly-half has played 58 minutes of rugby since returning from Australia and

  • Park blighted by vandalism and fly-tipping

    A PARK that underwent a major refurbishment programme is being blighted by vandalism and fly-tipping. Blackhill and Consett Park, which is owned by Derwentside District Council, was restored in a £1.4m scheme in 2002. But park officers were horrified

  • Gearing up for driving lessons in car simulator

    SMORE than 300 teenage drivers will be experiencing the thrill of getting behind the wheel next week without moving an inch. Driving instructors BSM are taking their £500,000 simulator into schools around the region to offer free lessons to pupils. The

  • Diversifying helps lift farm incomes

    FARMERS' incomes are at their highest level since 1997, following the third annual increase in a row, according to Government figures. Statistics released by Defra show the total UK income from farming rose by 32pc last year to £3.2bn, compared with £2.49bn

  • Report raises concerns over legal aid 'postcode lottery'

    PEOPLE living in the North-East and North Yorkshire are facing a postcode lottery when trying to get help from solicitors for employment, housing or family law cases, it is claimed today. Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) warns that one of the Government's

  • Procter storms away to claim Riponian victory

    AFTER a number of years of trying, Leeming rally driver Kevin Procter finally added a victory on his local event to his growing list of successes by claiming an easy win on the Ripon Land Rover-sponsored Riponian Rally last Sunday. After a day of high

  • Electricity form rapped for doorstep sales tactics

    AN energy company was last night strongly criticised for "shocking and unethical" sales tactics after dozens of complaints from North-East customers. Representatives working for Southern Electric are alleged to have tricked their way into homes by claiming

  • Football coaching workshop

    A football coaching workshop is being held at half-term. Les Shaw, director of Coerver Coaching, is running advanced training sessions for under-eights to under-13s at the Riverside Stadium in Chester-le-Street. The course, from Monday, February 16, to

  • Burton's Bytes: Driving a stake through the opposition

    CASTLEVANIA. Format:PS2. Publisher: Konami. Price: £39.99: COULD there be a more apt date for the arrival of a hotly awaited Castlevania game than Friday the 13th? Konami's vampire hunting saga is one of gaming's greatest franchises. Despite this, for

  • Inquiry on deaths in Iraq not ruled out

    DEFENCE Secretary Geoff Hoon has not ruled out the possibility of a public inquiry into the deaths of six Royal Military Police (RMP) officers killed by a mob in Iraq, the brother of one of the victims said last night. However, the parents of one of the

  • The Albany Northern League: Willington stand firm in fine row

    Willington are refusing to pay an £85 compensation payment imposed by the League after the abandoned of their game at Newcastle Benfield Saints four months ago. Referee Ian Kavanagh abandoned the game after Willington manager Alan Shoulder refused to

  • Games: Willington Club move clear at the top

    Willington Ladies League: Willington Club B moved ten points clear at the top of the darts section when they only dropped one point on their visit to Willington Cottles A. Willington Club A are in second place ten points clear of Willington Black Horse

  • Free courses offered to mental health sufferers

    A NEW learning project is offering education and employment training to people with mental health problems in two isolated Durham dales. The Workers' Educational Association is promoting a series of free ten-week courses in the Wear Valley and Teesdale

  • Billingham SC

    Billingham Swimming Club competed in Middlesbrough at the weekend gathering an abundance of medals with three gold, eight silver, three bronze, five 4th place, six 5th place and six 6th place being achieved. Out of 92 swims 69 personal bests were claimed

  • Stalker jailed for sex attack at station

    A SEX attacker who stalked his victim from a Metro train has been jailed for six years. Richard Hazell pounced after he spotted the woman on a train travelling from St James towards North Tyneside. Newcastle Crown Court was told how the 23-year-old told

  • Desert trek for priest

    A DESERT trek of nearly 50 miles is awaiting an adventurous Anglican priest. The Reverend Dr Julie Watson, science programme coordinator of the University of Teesside, will walk across the Sinai Desert, between Africa and Asia. Dr Watson, 43, from Redcar

  • 06/02/04

    POLITICS: SENTIMENT is a lovely quality which should ooze out of people like oil oozes out of a well. With sentiment, in my opinion, one of the most under-rated but finest human virtues, comes compassionate feelings and a romantic view of life. Romance

  • Darlington Spraire Lads

    Spraire Lads Under-15 B maintained their unbeaten league record with a 1-0 win against Stokesley. It was a very keenly contested game with scoring chances very much at a premium. Stokesley's strength in the tackle and their deployment of a sweeper made

  • Bar cannot extend opening hours after police warning

    A DARLINGTON bar will not be permitted extend its opening hours, following objections by the police. On Wednesday, Darlington licensing committee members unanimously refused an application from Stadia, in Duke Street, to extend its closing times on Fridays

  • Little chatterboxes rise to the charity challenge

    LITTLE chatterboxes have sung songs and told tales for charity. Youngsters aged three to five from Stockton have taken part in the Chatterbox Challenge to raise money for children with speech and language difficulties. The children, from the Just Learning

  • Grants provide play for children

    FOUR community and voluntary organisations providing play opportunities for youngsters in Hartlepool are in line for a boost. Members of Hartlepool Borough Council's grants committee have approved grant aid totalling £13,825 from the Play Opportunities

  • This football club will come through smiling

    I spoke with the administrator earlier this week and he painted a very clear of how the club's situation lies. The administrators have been fantastic, they've been very open with me and although I don't normally make comments unless they have some foundation

  • No fun in the sun for Club Reps

    Club Reps (ITV1); Inventions That Changed The World (BBC2): THE only question that Club Reps left you asking - apart from the obvious "why did I waste my time watching this?" - was why anyone wants to become a Club 18-30 rep? But there's no shortage of

  • Council's threat to bad debtors

    A COUNCIL is cracking down on its bad debtors with a threat to make them bankrupt if they fail to pay. Householders and businesses will be targeted in the move, which is aimed at people who owe more than £750 in council tax or non-domestic rates. Members

  • The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League

    With the weather conditions taking its toll, just the one game survived the weather. Shuttle and Loom visited the only playable pitch in the area, that of East End at Croft. With the home side taking a first half lead through Neil Jackson, the first 45

  • Old station signs fetch £5,700

    TWO old railway signs from Saltburn station made £5,700 when they were sold by Teesside auction house Vectis at the weekend. Railway enthusiasts from all over the country travelled to the railway memorabilia and toy auction in Rugby, Warwickshire. The

  • Youth training scheme reaps rewards

    NURTURING the skills of young people is paying dividends for an accountants. Ken Sharkey has seen his firm grow after taking on staff through the Modern Apprenticeship scheme. Providing training opportunities has won him an Investor in People award. He

  • Whist: CIU Singles Championship

    Quarter final draw: P. Collins (Middlestone Moor) v V. Chapman (Fishburn); A. Buist (Fishburn) v J. Bayles (Grange Villa); M. Perry (Fishburn) v S. Bowen (Grange Villa); C. Smith (Grange Villa) v R. J. Mulroy (Middlestone Moor). Matches to be played on

  • Farmers pursue test case over open gate liability

    AN ACCIDENT triggered by a rambler who failed to close a farm gate has led to an Appeal Court test case. The walker, who was not identified, left the gate at Cam House Farm, Chop Gate, open on October 26, 2000. A herd of cattle got into a neighbouring

  • Norton and Stockton Ancients

    Norton Under-10 As took on Darlington 21st Allstars and this cup game proved to be a highly entertaining contest between two evenly matched sides - second placed Norton and unbeaten league leaders 21st Allstars. Allstars were unlucky not to take the lead

  • 'No more rate rises for now, thanks'

    BUSINESS leaders last night urged the Bank of England's rate-setting committee not to make a habit of raising interest rates, after it announced the second increase in three months. The monetary policy committee was widely tipped to push rates up from

  • College boosts fundraising

    STUDENTS are springing to the support of a cancer care charity's seasonal fund raising drive in County Durham. New College Durham has pledged its backing to Marie Curie Cancer Care's Daffodil Campaign, which runs through next month. Linda McDonough, the

  • Basketball

    Durham League Division Two; 'HQ Engineering' Hornets v Old Houghtonians: The Hornets struggled to turnout a capable side whilst still pushing the leagues division two leaders down to the bitter end. With a number of starters out of the line up the pressure

  • Much a-doodle-do about cockerels

    NEWCOMERS to a North Yorkshire village have ruffled feathers by complaining about cockerels crowing. People living on a housing estate at Scorton have their early morning slumbers interrupted by a rooster on a neighbouring property. The sleep-deprived

  • Bedale

    Bedale have appointed new captains for 2004 in Tony Howard and Dorothy Hill. Tony is a Yorkshireman born and bred. Originally from a farming background, he has moved into the food industry and is currently managing director of specialist grocer, Lewis

  • Tax re-banding

    Sir, - Your report about the "council tax timebomb" arising from re-banding (D&S, Jan 30) is no doubt the first of many. On this occasion it was Anne McIntosh publicising a Tory report, but there will be others if and when the Government progresses

  • There's always someone you can call

    FORGIVE me for being morbid, but if I were to ask you what is the biggest killer of young men in this country today I wonder if you would know? You may be surprised to learn the answer isn't road accidents, not is it homicide or drug or alcohol abuse.

  • Swimming: College aim to make a splash

    Two teams from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, will compete in the English Schools' Swimming Championships tomorrow. The girls' team of Natasha Crawley, Rachael Piggett, Lynsey Carveth, Hannah Fay and Carol Mohan, will swim in the medley

  • Amnesty on scrap cars continues

    AN AMNESTY geared at drivers whose cars have reached the end of the road has proved such a success it is being continued for another month. Derwentside Community Safety Partnership launched a campaign last month to rid the district of unwanted vehicles

  • Ash Tree are crowned league winners at awards evening

    Bishop Auckland League: The League held their annual presentation evening in Bishop Auckland RAFA Club where Spennymoor Ash Tree took the trophies for being the overall league winners and the singles league winners. The players presented were Paul Biddle

  • Survey reveals skills shortage

    MORE than a quarter of businesses in Teesside and Darlington believe there is a skills shortage, a Learning and Skills Council (LSC) survey has revealed. A national survey of 71,000 businesses - more than 800 of which are in the Tees Valley - was published

  • Looking over the gate at the rural community

    WHEN I was at school Geography masters always told us Britain's biggest industry was farming.At that time, here in the North, it was just ahead of steel, coal, shipbuilding and fishing in economic importance. How things have changed. Steel is only a shadow

  • Guest's star stirs fond memories of Red Marauder

    REMEMBER Red Marauder slogging through the mud under Richard Guest in Norman Mason's colours to land the Grand National in 2001? We may have found another! Tyneandthyneagain, trained by the former jockey (who is taking out his riding licence again), landed

  • Lacrosse back on the Barnard Castle timetable

    A NATIVE American sport which is catching the attention of youngsters has been reintroduced into a North-East school after an absence of 120 years. Girls at Barnard Castle School have taken up the challenge and are now playing lacrosse. The sport was

  • Durham County Men's Inter-club League Championship

    In the Durham County Men's Inter-club League Championship Darlington proved more than a match for Stanley at the Morrisons Centre with outstanding performances. Eric Ramsdale, Neil Hodgson, Ian Prentice and skip Ken Lamb represented the Quakers team in

  • Hemmings fuels S&N takeover talk

    TAKEOVER speculation surrounding Scottish and Newcastle has intensified after entrepreneur Trevor Hemmings increased his share in the company. S&N's share price has rocketed during the past month from just above 350p to nearly 425p on the back of

  • Steelmaker testing market for aluminium operation

    STEELMAKER Corus is to make another attempt to sell its aluminium operations. The company, which announced a £307m rights issue in November to help launch its restructuring drive, said it was entering the early stages of a process to consider the options

  • Snow clobbers roads budget

    FOUR days of winter weather has made a £500,000 hole in Durham County Council's yearly road maintenance budget. The council's highway engineers said that dealing with last week's arctic snap had cost them almost a quarter of the £2.1m annual maintenance

  • Advice given to workforce

    A JOB shop has opened at Samsung's base at Wynyard, on Tyneside, to help hundreds of workers who are facing redundancy. The facility is part of a co-ordinated response by the Samsung Project Group. The group is a collective of public sector agencies pooling

  • Raise a glass to Blenkinsopp

    Tommy Blenkinsopp, a footballer from an entirely different age but remembered with enduring affection by this one, has died, aged 83. He will be buried this morning in his native Witton Park. Tommy, by every account, was one hell of a right half, starred

  • Working groups to look at ways to set up home equity scheme

    A SCHEME to help young people in the Yorkshire Dales set foot on the property ladder has been welcomed by a range of organisations. Working groups will now look into details of setting up a home equity fund and assess what investors and buyers would want

  • Stag's Head strengthen their grip on top spot

    Tow Law Area League: The top of the table clash strengthened Esh Stag's Head top spot and pushed the visiting Billy Row Club down to third place as Tow Law New Market A moved up to second spot. The Stag's Head established a good lead after the singles

  • Freight station opens

    UK freight forwarding and logistics company AJ Edge has opened a warehousing facility. The shipping division of the company has launched Container Freight Station (UK). The company will operate from a 73,000sq ft warehouse at the Viking Industrial Park

  • William Hague hears of problems caused by MTR delays

    NORTH Yorkshire MP William Hague has pledged to do all he can to end farmers' anxiety over CAP reforms. Mr Hague met a delegation from the area at the NFU offices in Northallerton last Friday and heard first-hand how lack of information about the future

  • Children swap classroom for lesson on oriental crafts

    SCHOOL pupils and community groups are being given the chance to try their hand at Indian artwork. Four artists are holding workshops for primary and secondary schools and South Asian community groups at the Oriental Museum in Durham. The workshops are

  • Lenders are quick off the mark

    BANKS and building societies were quick to pass on the cost of interest rate rises to home-owners yesterday but did not do the same for borrowers. Northern Rock announced it would be increasing its standard variable rate by 0.25 per cent to 5.99 per cent

  • Looking Back

    FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Last week a pony belonging to Mr Reay, Ripon, wandered from its stable accompanied by a collie dog named Tiger. The pair roamed the surrounding district for a week, and visited several farms, the pony always selecting

  • Kelvin's kites are flying high

    A HIGH-FLYING exhibition of home-made kites has taken off at Kirkleatham Museum. Kelvin Woods, from Brotton, a Corus technologist, made the 36 kites, which range from 500 millimetres square to 5m by 2.5m. This is the first time Mr Woods has held an exhibition

  • Artists to be drawn into competition

    ARTISTS of all ages can help promote an annual drive to make Hartlepool a more attractive place. Officers from the borough council have teamed up with the civic society for a competition to design posters advertising their Spring Clean Hartlepool initiative

  • Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League

    OLD Shildon were the first team to qualify for a cup final last week when they beat Lakeside in the Division One Cup. Both sides struggled to play any football on a quagmire Lakeside pitch, but it was the home side who were quick out the traps, taking

  • Shoptalk: The handbags and the gladrags

    Judith Healy is using her late mother's 1950s fashion designs as inspiration for a range of handbags. She tells the column of her delight in making use of the legacy. SIMPLY Dorrie handbags are the result of a mother/daughter partnership with a difference

  • Company with Samsung links lays off 68 workers

    A firm at the centre of allegations about employing illegal Chinese immigrants has announced it is to cease trading next month, making 68 workers redundant. The news is a further blow to Hartlepool after The Northern Echo revealed yesterday that another

  • Warm welcome for Norwegians

    EFFORTS to attract Norwegian technology firms to the region have achieved their first success. Software company Fronter, of Oslo, is the first company to move into the Norwegian Collaboration Centre, an incubator unit in the Fabriam Centre, in North Tyneside

  • John was 'scared of turning into Des O'Connor'

    JOHN Lydon quit I'm A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! after announcing: "I don't want to turn into Des O'Connor." The former Sex Pistol claimed last night that leaving the camp would break his heart but told Jennie Bond he had never wanted to be crowned

  • Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers

    Pete Wilkin has had an outstanding season in the North East Cyclo Cross League, and won the event at Mowden, Darlington, beating the ex-NE Champion, Alan Nixon, by two minutes. In the O45 National Championships at Sutton Park, Birmingham, Pete collected

  • Motorsport

    DRIVERS who toughed it out to win races in the demanding world of autograss racing have been rewarded by their local club. The Yorkshire Dales Autograss Club annual presentation night was held at the Hall Garth Golf and Country Club, Darlington, where

  • Plea made to rid village of misused bus shelter

    A VILLAGE wants to get rid of a bus shelter which has become a magnet for disruptive teen- agers. The issue came up at a stormy community-police partnership meeting in Middleton St George last week. About 80 residents turned up to vent their anger at

  • Posterior and mental relief required at cinema

    WHATEVER happened to intermissions, those welcome breaks that used to help both the bottom and the circulation during an extraordinarily long film? The thought occurred to Spectator on Sunday after seeing Lord of the Rings - Return of the King, arguably

  • Tiny tots receive toys galore

    CHILDREN at a mother and toddler group have received a belated Christmas present - £1,000-worth of toys. Officials from the Government's SureStart programme, which aims to give preschool children the best start in life, donated the money after an appeal

  • Head-to-head at the pub

    ROWING rivals competed head-to-head for 24-hours, without leaving a popular student watering hole. Boat club members from neighbouring Durham University colleges took part in the 24-hour sponsored static rowing challenge, using ergo machines which monitor

  • WRVS appeals for volunteer visitors

    THE Women's Royal Voluntary Service is looking for volunteers to visit Sherburn House Residential Home in Durham. The organisation runs a trolley service on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and said - as well as keeping some volunteers fit - the service

  • HRT: are the risks too great?

    Another hormone replacement trial has been halted over fears of increased breast cancer risks. Women's Editor Christen Pears looks at the pros and cons of HRT. A FEW years ago it was hailed as a wonder drug, an end to hot flushes and night sweats, a first

  • Rethink urged on bus fare rise

    AN MP is urging a council to think again about plans to increase the cost of concessionary bus fares. Pensioners are angry at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council proposals for council tax rises of seven per cent and increases in bus passes. More than

  • Probe as children injured on school bus

    POLICE and education officials are investigating an accident in which pupils were injured while travelling on a school bus yesterday morning. At least three children were treated at hospital after the incident shortly before 9am at Staindrop Comprehensive

  • Dr Bell sorts out rural planning issues for The Archers

    A NORTH-EAST planning expert has taken on a complex planning role with a difference in the famous fictional town of Ambridge. Dr Malcolm Bell, head of rural planning at law firm Ward Hadaway, in Newcastle, was invited by the script writers of The Archers

  • Petition over parking fees

    SHOPPERS are urging a council to think again about proposals for car parking charges in a Bishop Auckland. More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to ask Wear Valley District Council not to implement car parking charges in the town. Sarah Osborne

  • Appeal to steer future of herd

    A £2M appeal is being launched to protect a unique herd of wild cattle. The Chillingham herd is believed to be related to prehistoric oxen which once grazed across Northern Europe. The white long horns have remained isolated and untouched next to Chillingham

  • Workers urged to follow the road to fitness

    WORKERS are being urged to get fit by stepping out every lunch break to complete a series of town centre walks. Five easy routes around Bishop Auckland have been drawn up to encourage more people to join the Wear Walking for Health initiative. A thousand

  • Tenants vote on future

    TENANTS are being urged to attend a meeting that will help to decide the future of 8,000 council homes. As part of a review ordered by the Government, Derwentside District Council is looking at options for the management of its housing stock. Project

  • Why does it always rain on me?

    While the link between the weather and some common ailments is well known, it may be that our health is more reliant on the climate than we think. Nick Morrison finds out why we feel under the weather. ACCORDING to Pat Thomas, at least one in three of

  • Snow clobbers roads budget

    FOUR days of winter weather has made a £500,000 hole in Durham County Council's yearly road maintenance budget. The council's highway engineers said that dealing with last week's arctic snap had cost them almost a quarter of the £2.1m annual maintenance

  • Budget 'will not close pool'

    THE 3,500 people who signed a petition against the closure Guisborough swimming pool have been promised that it will not close as a result of council budgeting. The pool was earmarked for closure under proposals by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

  • Anger over sentence for drink-drive mum

    CAMPAIGNERS reacted angrily yesterday after a mother who was caught drink-driving on the school run on successive days was spared prison. The Campaign for Drink Driving described the three-year driving ban and 18-month community rehabilitation order imposed

  • The loveliest of men

    BOB Stokoe was only ten years older than Sir Alex Ferguson, yet they are clearly from different generations. Stokoe started his career with Newcastle on £3 a week and was eternally grateful for every morsel he extracted from the game he loved. Ferguson

  • Attempts failed to save puppy

    Fire officers failed in their efforts today to save a 12-week-old puppy which had fallen down a 40ft hole. Sasha, a Staffordshire bull terrier, plunged down a natural fissure on farmland at Cassop, near Spennymoor, County Durham at 2pm yesterday. A mechanical

  • £7m black hole in police budget

    CALLS were made today for the resignation of a police chief after a near-£7m black hole was discovered in a force's budget. Cleveland Police Authority announced it is having to "urgently reconsider" its financial plans for the coming year after uncovering

  • Go-ahead farm is saving time, too

    JACK Yeoman had reared calves by hand for more than 20 years but, since August, a computerised feeder has cut the daily two-hour chore of looking after up to 20 calves to just 15 minutes. Mr Yeoman and his son, Peter, installed a Volac U20 system on their

  • Tragic student's legacy to save others

    A TALENTED young student who died on his way to a lecture from an undetected brain condition saved the lives of others by insisting his organs be transplanted. Grade-A student James Knotts was always adamant he wanted to help others in the event of his

  • Rob could be switched

    DARLINGTON can take a huge step towards National Three North safety by winning at home to Liverpool St Helens tomorrow. The Merseysiders currently occupy the third relegation spot and victory would put Darlington five points ahead of them. Flanker Andy

  • Attempt at humour is plainly offensive

    SORROWS, said the bard, come not single spies, but in battalions, and the same could be said of any kind of trouble; trouble is like that first domino which, falling, sets off all the rest. Cut-price airline Ryanair is probably saying: "Yeah," resignedly

  • South Cleveland Garages Teesside League

    Burness Plate group three: Dormans 4, Whinney Banks 1; The only game to beat the weather was a second division group three Burness Plate match. Dormans found their pitch unplayable and swapped grounds to Acklam Sports Centre where they entertained Whinney

  • Rural idyll image questioned by county report

    THE IDYLLIC image of North Yorkshire has been dealt a blow in a new report on the future of its population and hundreds of villages and market towns. The report, produced by North Yorkshire County Council, outlines a social inclusion strategy for the

  • Badminton

    Durham Under-21 Restricted Tournament: On Saturday the Durham Under-21 Restricted Tournament took place at Gateshead stadium and the men's singles was won by Richard Comras (Durham University) who beat James Knox (Sunderland) 15 -3, 15-7 in the final.

  • Stanley Sunday League

    Felling Mulberry took on Pelton Fell WMC at home in what can only be described as appalling conditions. The Fell took control at the start and went into a two-goal lead before the Mulberry pulled back a goal just before the break. Pelton Fell restored

  • Wearside League: Unlike old times for Plain

    They are certainly hardy souls in North West Durham and none more so than at Annfield Plain, where a fair number of matches have been cancelled in recent years because of inclement weather. But in bygone days matches went ahead sometimes with several

  • Evenwood Road Runners

    Evenwood Road Runners were at the Century Morpeth to Newcastle half-marathon. Neil Douthwaite took the club honours in 1:33.40 for 217th. In 294th Kimberly Crowther was pleased with 1:37.04 while Ron Pounder came in for 368th in 1:39.46 and Darren Million

  • Voices united in choral work

    Alexander Ord's composition of Requiem Magnificat: nunc dimittis and other choral works will be performed at St Edmund's Church, Sedgefield, on Wednesday, March 3 at 7.30pm. The choirs of St Peter's, Stockton, Darlington's Richardson Singers and St Edmund's

  • Crook & District AC

    A mini revival by the club in the Division One overall standings of the North-East Harrier League took a nose-dive, literally. A limited turn-out of members competed in the atrocious rain soaked conditions at Chester-le-Street riverside meant only ninth

  • Richmond Town Juniors

    Richmond Under-12s travelled to Thirsk to play Falcons in the League Cup and Richmond started brightly, taking the lead when Thirsk's goalkeeper parried a Josh Slinger shot and Graeme Love was on hand to finish. Richmond had plenty of opportunities but

  • Mowden's super seven in North-East squad

    SEVEN Darlington Mowden Park players have won places in the North East of England under-16 regional girls' squad. All have played for Durham county and, as a result, were invited to regional trials at Bullocksteads, Newcastle. The trials were gruelling

  • Fish Tales

    The inevitable thaw after the 'big freeze' took its toll on the weekend's fixtures resulting in practically every river match in the area being cancelled. For the Thornaby AA Ernie Reynolds Memorial this will now take place this coming Sunday on the Tees

  • Five generations gather for birthday celebrations

    FIVE generations of a family helped 100th birthday celebrations to go with a swing. Relatives from as far afield as Nottinghamshire and Coventry made a bee-line for Stoneleigh Nursing Home in Annfield Plain, for Julia Proud's big day. The great-great

  • Farmer ploughs new furrow with livery yard

    AN ability to change with the times has set a former butcher turned farmer on the road to yet another venture - the launch of a livery stable with a cross-country course. William Snaith, of Old Hall Farm, High Coniscliffe, has been given financial support

  • Centre is needed

    Sir, - I am disappointed in the way Richmondshire District Council has treated the users of Richmond Sports Centre, which it proposes to close in April. The report regarding closure was not available to the public until four days before the council had

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Stop raking over old ground

    THE apparent difference of opinion between the Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary over the 45-minute claim in the Iraq weapons dossier does not show the Government in a favourable light. It reflects badly on Mr Blair's grasp of important matters

  • Boy thanks blizzard heroes

    A LITTLE boy who never stopped smiling as he was saved from a snowstorm was reunited with his rescuers this week. Even though he will never be able to talk, five-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Mason Arundell, of Stanhope, broke out into his broadest

  • Poetry workshops put road safety first

    CHILDREN learned about crossing the road safely during a series of poetry workshops yesterday. Pupils at Harrowgate Hill Junior School were paid a visit by poet Bernard Young and a road safety officer from Darlington Borough Council. The day began with

  • Crackdown on gangs promised

    POLICE have promised to step up a crackdown on gangs of teenagers causing mayhem in the west end of Darlington, as a civic leader admitted the council spent "pitifully little" on youngsters. Residents who attended a public meeting at Hummersknott School

  • Cycle forum meets

    THE next meeting of Darlington Cycle Forum will take place in the town hall next week. The forum offers local people the chance to have their say on facilities for cyclists in the town. Representatives from transport charity Sustrans, the Tees Forest

  • Gearing up for driving lessons in car simulator

    MORE than 300 teenage drivers will be experiencing the thrill of getting behind the wheel next week without moving an inch. Driving instructors BSM are taking their £500,000 simulator into schools around the region to offer free lessons to pupils. The

  • Driving a stake through the opposition

    CASTLEVANIA. Format:PS2. Publisher: Konami. Price: £39.99: COULD there be a more apt date for the arrival of a hotly awaited Castlevania game than Friday the 13th? Konami's vampire hunting saga is one of gaming's greatest franchises. Despite this, for

  • Beauty clinic draws in men

    A BEAUTY business is going from strength to strength, thanks to a growing number of male clients. Men in the former steel town of Consett are increasingly turning to Finishing Touch Health and Beauty Clinic in Medomsley Road, for health and beauty treatments

  • Woman arrested after man dies from stabbing

    A 46-year-old woman has been arrested, following the fatal stabbing of a lorry driver. Christopher Remm, 39, was discovered by police in the kitchen of his home in Witton Gilbert, near Durham, with a single stab wound to his stomach. Officers were called

  • Drug dealer told he faces jail

    A DRUG dealer was warned yesterday that he faces jail over his hidden stash of heroin worth nearly £1,000. Police found the drugs hidden about Jason Plunkett's body and his underpants during a strip search at his home and claimed it was for his own use

  • Bishop bounce back with a win-double

    After starting the New Year with two defeats in the Durham and Northumberland League Division Three, Bishop Auckland Rugby Club bounced back to form with a couple of emphatic victories and have moved into a comfortable mid-table position. Two weeks ago

  • How hospice grew from letter to The Echo

    YVONNE Rowe was moved to write to The Northern Echo, as she nursed her dying friend, Mary Hester. She had read about a hospice in Leeds and was so impressed by what it could offer cancer sufferers, such as Mary, and other terminally ill people, she wanted

  • How hospice grew from letter to The Echo

    YVONNE Rowe was moved to write to The Northern Echo, as she nursed her dying friend, Mary Hester. She had read about a hospice in Leeds and was so impressed by what it could offer cancer sufferers, such as Mary, and other terminally ill people, she wanted

  • Strategy unveiled to spruce up rundown seaside resort

    A PLAN has been unveiled to regenerate a seaside resort described as "rundown" by a council officer. The five-year Seaton Carew Tourism Strategy was published by Hartlepool Borough Council yesterday after extensive public consultations. However no money

  • Lord Coe promotingOlympic bid in N-E

    ATHLETICS legend Lord Sebastian Coe will visit the region next week to promote Tyneside's bid to host part of the 2012 Olympics. The double Olympic gold medal winner will join North-East triple jumper Jonathan Edwards at Gateshead International Stadium

  • New owner of country hotel

    ONE of the region's most popular country house hotels has been sold to the owner of a well-known establishment. David Ratcliff, who has the Blue Bell, in Belford, Northumberland, has bought Helme Park Hall Hotel, on the A68, between Tow Law and Fir Tree

  • Buy a brick to help primary school pupils refurbish extension

    PAST pupils and friends have been urged to help a school make the most of its extension. Builders have arrived at Barton Primary School, which is to benefit from a new hall, classroom, kitchen, staff room and office thanks to investment from North Yorkshire

  • Quest for musicians

    AN annual search to find talented, young musicians has been launched. The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street and the James Etherington Music Trust are looking for promising young musicians or singers living in Chester-le-Street and Durham areas. Finalists

  • Universities scrum down for charity

    RIVAL North-East university rugby teams are to scrum down as part of a student charity drive. Durham University will play Northumbria University. The rivals will meet at Durham City RUFC's Hollow Drift ground on Wednesday, and are hoping to attract a

  • Cathedral city hosts Chef of the Year

    COUNCIL chefs will battle it out in the region to see who is the best in Britain. The Association of Civic Hosts conference, at County Hall, Durham City, next month will include the 2004 Chef of the Year competition being run in association with British

  • Steelmaker testing market for aluminium operation

    STEELMAKER Corus is to make another attempt to sell its aluminium operations. The company, which announced a £307m rights issue in November to help launch its restructuring drive, said it was entering the early stages of a process to consider the options

  • Mayor is urged to resign over -monkeys' comment

    THE Mayor of Northallerton was this week urged to resign for comments he made on radio in an ongoing row about burial fees. Coun Tony Hall was asked to apologise and quit as tempers frayed at a meeting to thrash out claims of concern about plans for the

  • Memorial service to honour champion of the dale

    A MEMORIAL service is being held today for a woman who was at the heart of the cultural and musical life of Weardale. Ann Harrison died after a long battle against cancer earlier this week. She was 64. Tributes have been pouring into her home at Stanhope

  • Officers praised for pulling man from blazing bedroom

    TWO policemen saved a man from almost certain death when they pulled him from his blazing home. PCs Andy Grant and Mick Place were on a routine late-night patrol in Markington, near Ripon, when they spotted an ominous orange glow in a bungalow. They contacted

  • Not a month likely to delight any shepherds

    JANUARY was warm, despite the cold snap during the final week, very wet and windy, but reasonably sunny. Generally in the region, there was around one and a half times the average rainfall. In 2003, January was the only month to be appreciably wetter

  • Safety fears after historic clock attacked

    FIREFIGHTERS had to be called in to make an historic clock safe after it was attacked by vandals. The cast-iron timepiece in the centre of York, at St Martin-le-Grand Church, in Coney Street, is a well-known landmark. Vandals smashed the glass face of

  • Outcry as owners to rename pub

    A PUB immortalised in the Geordie anthem Blaydon Races is to change its name. Balmbra's pub, in Newcastle's Cloth Market, is to be converted into a 1980s theme bar called Reflex. The pub's new owner, Mitchell and Butler, of Birmingham, runs the Reflex

  • Hospital homes plan sparks concern from neighbours

    PLANS to develop the site of a former hospital in Chester-le-Street has come up against opposition from residents. Miller Homes North East wants to build 26 detached homes and 78 apartments on the site of the former Highfield Hospital, off Newcastle Road

  • Stalker jailed for sex attack at station

    A SEX attacker who stalked his victim from a Metro train has been jailed for six years. Richard Hazell pounced after he spotted the woman on a train travelling from St James towards North Tyneside. Newcastle Crown Court was told how the 23-year-old told

  • BBC workers stage protests in wake of Hutton report

    HUNDREDS of BBC workers staged a nationwide protest yesterday against "attacks" on the corporation in the wake of the Hutton Report. About 200 staff took to the streets outside Television Centre, in London, while further demonstrations took place in Newcastle

  • Performing for the dance teachers

    Dancers from Yarm are to perform this weekend - for the International Dance Teachers Association. The group from Harlequin Stage School have been invited to take part in the association's Gala of Dance at the Newcastle Opera House on Sunday. They will

  • Moor facts

    Sir, - I refer to the letter "Roaming Rights" by Nicky Warden (D&S, Jan 23). As is so often the case with single issue campaigners, Mr/Ms Warden has either completely missed the point or is being deliberately disingenuous. The legislation does indeed

  • Objections over plan for industrial units

    HUNDREDS of people are protesting at plans to build industrial units at a North Yorkshire village. More than 100 have written letters objecting and almost 190 have signed a protest petition over the scheme at Scotton, near Knaresborough. Scotton Parish

  • 'Pensioners hardest hit by increase in police precept'

    CONSULTATION on a proposed increase in public funding for the police has revealed a widespread fear that pensioners will be the hardest hit by rising bills. North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Della Cannings has toured the county to justify a possible

  • Learn how to work on the web

    BUSINESS people who have a business idea which could be promoted on the Internet are being encouraged to join a course in east Cleveland. The foundation degree at Redcar and Cleveland College, in Redcar, helps participants to promote their business locally

  • Lynsey wins award for kindness

    A COMPETITION to find good neighbours has been flooded with nominations for people young and old. It was organised by Broadacres Housing Association, in Northallerton, to mark the end of its tenth year. The association offered tenants living in the 4,500

  • TV review

    Club Reps (ITV1) Inventions That Changed The World (BBC2) THE only question that Club Reps left you asking - apart from the obvious "why did I waste my time watching this?" - was why anyone wants to become a Club 18-30 rep? But there's no shortage of

  • Coffee morning

    Newcomen Methodist Church, in Redcar, is holding a coffee morning on Saturday, February 14, from 10am to 11.30am. There will be home-made cakes and pastries. Admission,is 50p.

  • More than a name change

    A CHARITY has decided to freshen up its image with a change of name. The Cleveland Community Foundation is now known as the Tees Valley Community Foundation. The name change was announced at a reception held at the Dorman Museum, in Middlesbrough. Dr

  • Spotlight on screen history

    A CITY'S secret cinema history has been chronicled in a new book. Cinema in a Cathedral City has been put together by David Williams, former head of the Department of Film and Television at Bede College, Durham University. The book looks at the history

  • There's always someone you can call

    FORGIVE me for being morbid, but if I were to ask you what is the biggest killer of young men in this country today I wonder if you would know? You may be surprised to learn the answer isn't road accidents, not is it homicide or drug or alcohol abuse.

  • Trailer thefts prompt calls for vigilance

    POLICE are warning owners of expensive trailers to keep watch following another theft in County Durham. Mandy and George Mitchell of Deanbank - who run equine grass sickness fundraising events in the North-East - had their Ifor Williams trailer stolen

  • City dwellers may face tax rise of 9pc

    PEOPLE in Durham could be paying nine per cent more for city council services from April. The Liberal Democrat-controlled authority may have to couple the increase with a £900,000 reduction in its spending. Cabinet member for finance, Carol Woods, said

  • Don't forget about me, says Chopra

    RISING Newcastle United starlet Michael Chopra completed a month's loan to Nottingham Forest last night and then urged Sir Bobby Robson: 'Don't forget about me'. Robson drafted in Leeds striker Michael Bridges on a three-month deal on Monday to provide

  • Pervert priest's 40-year secret

    AN elderly Catholic priest who sexually abused girls and boys in the 1960s and drove one youngster to attempted suicide was warned yesterday that he will almost certainly go to jail. Patrick Fitzpatrick, 75, who used to teach at St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic

  • Fans banned from stadium

    SEVEN football fans who escaped a match-day ban despite being convicted of racist chanting have now been barred by their club. Magistrates sparked anger last week when they refused a police request to stop the men attending Hartlepool United games at

  • Grain report

    by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture FEED wheat prices have fallen, following lower US markets and plenty of supply on the international market with what seems to be few buyers. The avian flu situation is also forcing prices, down with some concern that it

  • Good Faith is best

    SOME professional punters believe betting in selling races is one of the fastest routes to the poor house. But it isn't always one-way traffic in favour of the bookies in such contests, a theory about to be put to the test by In Good Faith at Catterick

  • Pair facing prison over death of moped rider

    TWO factory workers who were responsible for the death of a moped rider during a 100mph road race have been warned they are facing jail. Father-of-four Derek Miller, 59, died after he was hit by Steven Hoggett's Citroen Saxo as the teenager tried to keep

  • Echo ink to keep chopper airborne

    THE North-East's life saving air ambulance charity was given a helping hand yesterday by The Northern Echo. Old and broken mobile phones, bags of ink and toner cartridges and other recyclable materials from the paper's head office in Darlington were handed

  • Girls' footy league to kick off again

    A GIRLS' Saturday football league that amazed everyone with its success is to kick off again this summer. Last October Durham County Council and Durham Football Association set up the county's first girls' and women's mini football leagues on a Saturday

  • Tourists just edge out brave Yarm boys

    YARM School played host last week to a visiting side from South America, where they will be going on tour later this year. St Andrew's Scots School, from Argentina, are on a tour of the British Isles and arrived in Yarm after playing their first match

  • Mart prices

    DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 243 cattle, 1,110 sheep. Steers med to 111.5p a kg or £568.65 each av 96.23p; heavy to 115.5p or £808.38 av 104.75p; hfrs lt to 101.5p or £497.25 av 99.32p; med to 135.5p or £636.85 av 107.64p; heavy to 144.5p or

  • MPs' case for saving rail services will go to the top

    TRANSPORT Minister Dr Kim Howells has promised to investigate controversial plans to axe train services between Cleveland and Tyneside. The Strategic Rail Authority has put forward proposals to radically cut direct services between Saltburn, Middlesbrough

  • Whist: CIU Singles Championship

    First round draw: R. J. Mulroy (Middlestone Moor) v J. Lockey (Fishburn); K. Stainsby (Darlington East End) v J. P. Dodsworth (Fishburn); S. Smith (Darlington) v D. Gibson (Glendale); J. Hancock (Belmont) v T. Dodd (Grange Villa); J. Smith (Chilton &

  • Mendieta's mission to get Boro noticed

    GAIZKA MENDIETA has had enough of playing for European giants - now he wants to help Middlesbrough make their mark on the football map. The skilful Spaniard played for Valencia, Lazio and Barcelona before eventually moving to Teesside in the summer and

  • Longhorn Hardware Darlington and District League

    The cancellation of last weekends' fixtures gives the opportunity to review the season thus far. On the league front Greyhound would appear to have an unassailable lead but their recent defeat gives the chasing pack some hope with perhaps ex-champs Grey

  • Old soldier becomes a Chelsea Pensioner

    ON SUNDAY, one of Guisborough's most colourful and smartly-dressed characters left the town to join the country's best known old folks' brigade, the Chelsea Pensioners. Bob Hoggarth, 72, first came to Guisborough as a police cadet in 1946, and after two

  • Parking fees on cobbles plan causes trade fears

    A PROPOSAL to introduce parking charges on Guisborough's cobbled high street has provoked an angry reaction from residents.. Motorists can park free for two hours on the cobbles in Westgate, which is a disc parking zone. But that could change if proposals

  • Fair trade wins town recognition

    GUISBOROUGH is the first town in the North-East to be recognised for its work to promote fair trade in developing countries. The market town is following in the footsteps of Newcastle, which was the first metropolitan authority to win Fairtrade city status

  • Here's how your help has changed Hannah

    Hannah Maxwell-Jones, the little girl with a facial disfigurement helped by readers of The Northern Echo, is to be part of a television appeal on Sunday on behalf of other people in the same situation. Health Correspondent Barry Nelson talks to Hannah's

  • Richmond SC

    Six members went to Sheffield to compete in the Gateshead and Whickham open meet. This was in a 50 metre pool which is very different from the local 25m ones. All six swam well with 12 personal best times being recorded. Janine Phillips, 13-years-age

  • Supt Dee takes charge

    A WOMAN is to run the police service in East Cleveland for the next six months. Supt Dee Collins, 38, the first woman officer in Cleveland Police to carry a gun, is temporarily taking over the hot seat from divisional police commander Supt Adrian Roberts

  • Athletes to represent the North

    SUPERFIT youngsters are to represent the North in a national biathlon race. The 13 pupils from Ian Ramsey CE Comprehensive School in Stockton won the right to represent the North of England at a biathlon race in Penrith, Cumbria, last November. Now the

  • Ice hockey: Junior round-up

    Billingham Wolves and Sheffield Steelhawks shared the spoils from a 4-4 draw in their English Under-19 North A League at the Forum Ice Arena. Wolves had the better of the first period, but only had a single goal for their efforts which came from Robert

  • Railway collection exceeds estimates

    A COLLECTION of newspaper cuttings - including some from the D&S Times - and ephemera relating to the Stockton and Darlington railway outstripped all estimates at auction. The five-volume collection concerning the railway and the industrial history

  • Land scarce as farmers wait for outcome of MTR

    STRONG demand from non-farmers has pushed land prices to a record high. They snapped up more than half the farm land sold, according to the latest survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, but it is unclear whether farmers are being squeezed

  • Making a musical offer

    ACCORDIONIST Charles Young is still squeezing out tunes at the age of 81, and he is looking for new audiences. The Darlington musician has played at homes for the elderly and sheltered accommodation across the region. Mr Young's musical career began at

  • Discovery of coal on moors leads to development of village

    USHAW Moor is a former mining village on the north side of the River Deerness, half way between Durham and Esh Winning. Centrally located among the mining communities of the Deerness and Browney, roads from neighbouring places converge upon a crossroads

  • Banks Salver

    The draw for the Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League Banks Salver resulted as follows: Round One: A Philadelphia v Stockton; B South Northumberland v Norton; C Benwell Hill v Newcastle; D Gateshead Fell v Chester-le-Street. Round Two: E C

  • Crook and District League

    League leaders Willington WMC turned in a first class performance against West Auckland Queens Head. After scoring five in his previous game, Stephen Bradwell grabbed a hat-trick in Willington's 5-2 win. Lee Genner and Richard Breen were also on target

  • The UniBond League: Robinson wanted at Brewery

    Spennymoor are hoping to sign full back Mark Robinson on loan for a third month. He isn't in the first team picture at Hartlepool and has been on loan at the Brewery Field for the last two months. But now the second month has ended and Spennymoor are

  • Richmond and Zetland Harriers

    Seventeen athletes from Richmond and Zetland Harriers, many with their coaches and families, made the journey to St Helens on Saturday, January 24 for the Northern Counties X-C Championships. They were amongst two thousand starters from more than 200

  • Football manager calls for united effort to save club

    DAVID HODGSON last night called for the people of Darlington to unite behind its troubled football club. The Darlington manager called a Press conference with the Darlington Supporters' Trust and the Supporters' Club to send out the message that they

  • Government fury as Howard demands Blair's resignation

    Ministers last night angrily dismissed a call from Tory leader Michael Howard for Tony Blair to resign over the Government's Iraq weapons dossier. His call for the Prime Minister to consider his position followed Mr Blair's admission that he did not know

  • Boy thanks blizzard heroes

    A LITTLE boy who never stopped smiling as he was saved from a snowstorm was reunited with his rescuers this week. Even though he will never be able to talk, five-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Mason Arundell, of Stanhope, broke out into his broadest

  • Proctor to depart in Sunderland swop

    SUNDERLAND have lined up Rotherham United's Darren Byfield in a straight swap deal for Michael Proctor. Local product Proctor has struggled to make an impact at the Stadium of Light and was withdrawn from the reserves team for the game with Leeds on Wednesday

  • Super Shildon shock Wheatley

    Worthington CIU League: Old Shildon caused a major shock when they defeated the visiting joint First Division leaders, Wheatley Hill A in a week where the programme was cut to less than half by the weather. Wheatley Hill A found themselves trailing by

  • Thirsk Falcons

    Thirsk Falcons Under-12s were at home again last Sunday hosting a league cup match against Richmond. This match was football at its best it was a hard and physical game the tension was incredible. Richmond were first to attack but their first three shots

  • Puppy recue underway

    A WALK in the country ended in a full scale rescue operation when a three-month old puppy plunged 50ft down a narrow crevice. On only her third outing since she was born, Sasha the tiny Staffordshire bull terrier was enjoying a romp through the County

  • Wellock's World: The loveliest of men

    BOB Stokoe was only ten years older than Sir Alex Ferguson, yet they are clearly from different generations. Stokoe started his career with Newcastle on £3 a week and was eternally grateful for every morsel he extracted from the game he loved. Ferguson

  • Room with a colourful view

    A STAINED glass window that was lost for years has been given pride of place in a North-East art gallery. The window was a main feature of the Laing Art Gallery, in Newcastle, when it opened in 1904. But at some point, it was taken out, put into storage

  • Investors may help first-time buyers

    PLANS are being discussed to use private investment to help locals buy properties in an area where holiday-makers are pushing up prices. With average prices for starter homes in the Yorkshire Dales now more than £100,000, young people from rural communities

  • New Inn edge past Hunwick

    Newfit Services Willington: Willington New Inn just managed to edge to victory by the odd point in their re-arranged match against the visiting Hunwick Quarry. The Singles were shared when Paul Cater, Lenny Glasper and Jean Swain won for the home side

  • Insurance division closure costs jobs

    UP to 50 staff in the North-East and North Yorkshire are to lose their jobs in the wake of a decision by Norwich Union to close its Hill House Hammond division. The insurance intermediary's parent company, Norwich Union, announced yesterday that demand

  • Uniqema profits fall to 'unsatisfactory' level

    THE Teesside division of chemicals group ICI put in an "unsatisfactory" profit performance last year. Uniqema, which makes ingredients for toothpaste and soap, saw profits fall 67 per cent. The division employs 400 staff on Teesside. It did not stand