Archive

  • How to beat the crooks

    PEOPLE in Middlesbrough have been able to pick up crime prevention tips along with their shopping. A Crime Prevention Shop stocked with discount shed alarms and steering-wheel locks was set up in The Mall shopping centre, where specialists were on hand

  • Homes sought in pet crisis

    AN abandoned greyhound is adding to overcrowding problems at the Ramshaw Rescue Centre, near Bishop Auckland. With boarding kennels filling up for the holiday season, owner Kate Wilson was ready to put up the no vacancies sign when the starving brindle

  • Teesdale Talk: To Russia without an interpreter

    THREE volunteers who have been hosts to Chernobyl children for holidays in Teesdale are visiting the nuclear disaster victims at their homes in Russia. Music teacher John Lowles, of Mickleton, who is chairman of the dale vacation project, flew to Lithuania

  • Pupils tops in safety quiz

    CHILDREN from St Alban's Roman Catholic Primary School have scored a hat-trick in the pursuit of road safety knowledge. The school can now keep Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Road Safety Quiz trophy after it won the annual competition - for the

  • School Closure Debate: Letters

    SHOW SOME RESPECT!: AFTER having read the reaction of Hurworth parents to the joining of two schools, do these people not realise we are talking about children? My son did well in his Sats and is doing well at Eastbourne in spite of the obstacles put

  • Artistic children to promote reserves

    YOUNGSTERS are using their artistic skills to help celebrate local nature reserves. Separate creative writing and photography competitions for seven to 12-year-olds have been organised by Hartlepool Council as part of Local Nature Reserves (LNR) Week,

  • The dedicated army

    THREE days a week, for the past 13 years, Mary Adair has carried bags, served on the counter and sifted through bric-a-brac donated by well-wishers. There isn't much glamour in working at a charity shop. The 75-year-old, from Meadowfield, volunteers to

  • Roman version of M62 is found

    ENGINEERS carrying out flood repair work have uncovered what archaeologists believe was the Roman version of the M62. An Environment Agency team preparing the flood defences at Corbridge, in Northumberland, have discovered part of a ramp leading to a

  • For Your Benefit: What help are we entitled to?

    Q We both work full-time, but are having our first baby in August and my husband will be starting a year's teacher training in September. Then I will only have Statutory Maternity Pay and he will only have a bursary. Can we claim anything? A Once you

  • £375,000 fund to provide university scholarships

    YOUNG people living in Richmondshire are being urged to put themselves forward for a higher education scholarship. Students who might find it difficult to afford a university education are being offered the scholarships by the Skipton Building Society

  • Tenants to get to vote on the future of their homes

    THOUSANDS of council house tenants across Sedgefield borough will get to vote on the future of their homes. Sedgefield Borough Council yesterday decided to put a proposed shake-up of the ownership and management of its 9,200 homes to a public ballot.

  • Soup company branches out to farmers market

    A DALES couple will set up stall at a North Yorkshire market for the first time this weekend. Christine and Richard Peart, from Bishop Auckland, who run Weardale Organic Soup, will be at Richmond Farmers Market on Saturday. The company offer recipes such

  • Festival line-up

    THE line-up for this year's music festival at the Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge, has been announced. The annual event on the North York Moors takes place on July 28 and will feature 11 bands. Among the performers will be Leeds-based five-piece Four Day Hombre

  • Thieves burn allotment shed

    THIEVES sent a year's worth of gardening up in smoke after setting alight an allotment shed. The culprits entered the allotment in Wilton Lane, Guisborough, at about 1am yesterday morning. After forcing their way into a shed, they stole garden equipment

  • Nature walk

    A WALK around Brinkburn Local Nature Reserve and Brinkburn Dene will take place on Wednesday at 1pm. The free walk will include a stop at a caf in Cockerton. The walk will take just over an hour and will be on footpaths suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs

  • Concern for missing man

    CONCERN is growing for the safety of a 30-year-old former doorman who has not been seen since May 14. Graham Stephenson left his home in Dale Street, New Marske, east Cleveland, which he shared with his partner, to go to Yarm, near Stockton, to buy a

  • Thousands of private houses to be examined

    THE condition of thousands of private houses across Middlesbrough are to be investigated. More than 7,400 randomly-chosen homes will be surveyed, with 1,400 being inspected inside and out. Middlesbrough Council says the survey is not connected to plans

  • Union accused of refusing to negotiate over strike

    STRIKE action is still looming at a troubled city academy after union bosses were accused of refusing to negotiate through independent arbitration. Members of the NASUWT at Unity City Academy, in Middlesbrough, voted for walkouts over proposed job losses

  • 'A shining beacon of today's youth'

    TWO schoolgirls are to get awards for their outstanding achievements after raising £2,500 for cancer care. Jenna Rose and Hannah St Julian, both 15, of Chester-le-Street, are the brains behind the Park View Community School Talent Show. They started it

  • Stars aplenty but the top prize goes to Shamardal

    Since Tuesday the racing world has fixed its gaze on the region. Peter Barron looks back at a spectacular week of sport, glamour and glitz on the Knavesmire STAR OF THE WEEK IT was a week full of stars: AZAMOUR showing tremendous courage to come home

  • 'Children are being killed by lack of in-car restraints'

    FIREFIGHTERS and road safety officers have joined forces to highlight the potentially-fatal consequences of not restraining children in vehicles. Using a dummy and an old car, firefighters from Richmond yesterday simulated the possible outcome of a crash

  • Saltburn looking to put one over the champions

    Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: IT IS the battle of the giants when leaders Saltburn meet four times champions Guisborough this afternoon. The Seasiders enjoy a narrow lead over their arch rivals and today's result is

  • City hails arrival of a big berther

    THE biggest ship in the Royal Navy will be displaying its firepower to the public on the North-East coast tomorrow. HMS Ocean, which is affiliated with Sunderland, is transforming its enormous hangar and vehicle deck into the ultimate adventure playground

  • 'Greed fuels binge drinking'

    "OBSCENE" economic greed is preventing action to tackle the dangers of binge drinking, says a North-East academic. Criminology Professor Dick Hobbs, from Durham University, believes a hypocritical attitude to alcohol seems to exist. Despite the problems

  • £40,000 raised to help save railway

    RAIL enthusiasts have donated £40,000 in two weeks to help safeguard the future of a heritage railway. Members of the Wensleydale Railway Association gave the money after managers of the line launched an appeal to raise £100,000 by the end of July. The

  • Johnston breaks county duck

    MARK JOHNSTON became the inaugural trainer to keep first place prize-money on home county soil when Middleham's Melrose Avenue struck a blow for the locals in yesterday's Queen's Vase. Prior to the £60,000 two-miler, Yorkshire-based horses had drawn a

  • It's open house

    THIN, scruffy, unpleasant, limping... and American. Hardly a good description of British comic Hugh Laurie as he growls his way through the darkly medical mirth of House (five, Thursday). "But he's so rude," said my wife as medical programme examiner,

  • Missing mum 'left children with me'

    A YOUNG man left in charge of three young children when their mother jetted off on holiday last night insisted they had been well cared for. Dan Lowe, 20, and his 15-year-old sister, Kayleigh, also spoke of the "horrible" moment when social services took

  • Rowing For The Record: Crew are sleepless in sea battle

    THE crew behind the North Atlantic rowing attempt are having problems sleeping. Nigel Morris and George Rock, of Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, along with fellow crew members Steve Dawson and Rob Munslow, are finding tiredness is slowing their reactions

  • Cripsey's got the knowledge

    LOCAL knowledge counts for plenty at Redcar, so it has to be a hint in itself that Cripsey Brook (3.40) represents one of only two previous course and distance winners in the line-up for the £20,000 totesport.com Handicap. Following the recent death of

  • Classics that can be relied upon to impress

    EVERGREEN vehicles are being revved up for their annual test of endurance on an undulating course around rural roads in the North-East. The 35th safety and reliability trial, now simply known as the Beamish Run, takes place on Sunday. It has attracted

  • Brass, and all that jazz

    MUSIC fans will have a double celebration at a concert tonight as part of a regional brass festival. Norwegian jazz singer Karin Krog will star at a concert at Elvet Methodist Church in Durham City, joined by Northern Brass who will launch their double

  • Soldier jailed over road death

    A PROMISING soldier who killed a friend in a road crash was jailed for three years yesterday. Royal Engineers sapper, Stephen Park, 24, got behind the wheel of his hire-car after a night out drinking and crashed on his way home. Dale Coggan, 19, died

  • Burglar led police on car chase

    A BURGLAR who led police on a dangerous car chase has been locked up for more than three years. Stephen Ford, 27, had stolen £1,800-worth of jewellery during a break-in at a house in Stockton. Hours later, when police recognised his car, he refused to

  • Governors propose new plan for school

    GOVERNORS debating plans to relocate a school ranked among the best in the country last night urged council bosses to consider a new proposal. Darlington Borough Council sparked controversy earlier this month by revealing its hopes to close high-flying

  • Seminar to help men find employment in childcare

    MEN interested in working in childcare have a chance to find out more at an event being held today. A number of projects aimed at recruiting and supporting more men into childcare will come under the spotlight at the Riverside Cricket Ground, in Chester-le-Street

  • The man who walks with the people

    IT'S a fair bet that the hallowed cloisters of York Minster will soon be reverberating to the sound of the African drum. John Sentamu has a particular fondness for the music of his childhood, and likes to include it in services at every opportunity. As

  • Magpies keen on McCarthy

    HUGO VIANA'S wish of a permanent move to Portugal could come true as Newcastle United consider a swap deal for striker Benni McCarthy. Magpies' boss Graeme Souness is actively seeking a new forward before the start of the campaign with Craig Bellamy up

  • Asda depot staff to walk out in pay row

    SUPERMARKET depot workers facing redundancy will strike next week over pay. GMB union members at Asda's non-fresh foods warehouse in Washington, Wearside, will hold a 24-hour strike from 11pm on Thursday. More than 500 workers out of the 737 at the depot

  • Boy questioned after tablets put three pupils in hospital

    A BOY was questioned by police after three of his school mates were taken to hospital suffering from the suspected effects of drugs. The pupil, from Staindrop Comprehensive School, Teesdale, was arrested after three boys, the youngest 11, were taken to

  • County set sights on Round

    MIDDLESBROUGH could be looking for a new coach this summer after Derby County enlisted Steve Round as a possible candidate to become their new boss, writes Paul Fraser. After top target Billy Davies turned down the chance to take over at Pride Park by

  • Airport staff set to strike over pay

    AIR passengers could have their holidays delayed by a strike that will cripple a North-East airport. More than 15,000 people a day pass through Newcastle International Airport but unions are threatening to bring it to a standstill in a row over pay. Air

  • Race ace McCormick puts retirement on hold

    A NORTH-EAST athlete who was close to giving up the sport two years ago has emerged as one of the UK's most exciting middle distance runners. Morpeth Harrier Nick McCormick shot to the top of the current British 1500m rankings when he clocked 3 mins 37.66

  • Bus unions expect a 'bitter dispute'

    UNIONS last night launched an attack on management at bus firm Stagecoach amid fears that a "nasty and bitter" pay dispute could cripple local services. The Transport and General Workers Union said it had made no progress in its efforts to resolve a row

  • She's hot property

    Durham University student Josephine Kime was hoping maybe to help a camera crew when she applied for work experience at Tyne Tees TV. Instead, she found herself presenting a series on the region's top hotels. When Durham University student Josephine Kime

  • Man who admitted stabbing dog walks free from court

    A KNIFEMAN who almost stabbed a police dog to death during a fight in the street has walked free from court. Zoltan the German shepherd suffered horrendous injuries and needed emergency surgery after tackling the drunken man. But John McKenna, 39, was

  • Office appeals for funding

    A NORTH Yorkshire market's town's modern but cash-strapped community office has been given a glimmer of hope - and a Royal honour. Ryedale District Council agreed to ask for a business plan from the office's board to consider providing funds after chairman

  • Football-crazy youngsters kick ball for charity

    YOUNGSTERS at a Shildon school were so eager to raise money for charity that they put their shirts on it. Pupils at St John's C of E Primary School collected funds for the Butterwick Hospice by holding a football day. The children and staff wore football

  • Free support to kick the weed habit

    SMOKERS are being offered help to quit through free courses in offices and factories across Sedgefield. Specialist health worker Annie Pluse, an ex-smoker employed by Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, will also reach people through community groups and classes

  • Vandal-hit school appeals to public to find culprits

    A SPECIAL school is appealing to the public to help catch vandals who have smashed nearly 60 windows in just two weeks - causing £10,000 worth of damage. Kilton Thorpe Special School's sixth form building, at Marshall Drive, Brotton, east Cleveland, has

  • A bloomin' fine gesture

    A GREEN-FINGERED couple are to open up their own private garden to the public tomorrow to raise money for St Cuthbert's Hospice in Durham City. As part of the hospice's summer season of open gardens, the owners of The Byers, at High Wooley, Stanley Crook

  • Campaign highlights recycling benefits

    A high-profile campaign to encourage more people to recycle household waste is to be launched next week. And for one Easington District household which proves it is green-minded there will be a trip to Amsterdam. The Big Recycle project will hit the road

  • Facing endurance chanllenge

    A SOLDIER is preparing to be pushed to the limits of physical and mental endurance. Captain Louise Brown will spend the weekend competing against nine other female hopefuls towards earning a place in next year's Fulda Challenge, an annual Arctic survival

  • Young hopefuls flock to audition for Oliver

    YOUNGSTERS keen to make their mark on stage gave a casting committee a major headache when they queued up for parts in the musical Oliver. Seventy-one hopefuls stepped forward in a bid to secure roles in the production by Harrogate Operatic Players at

  • Display shows class in glass

    AN exhibition that showcases home-grown talent is to go on display in the North-East. Edge features work from 17 artists from the region and will be at the National Glass Centre, Sunderland, from July 5 to October 2. It will be curated by Peter Davies

  • Sculptor's workshop approved

    A SCULPTOR is to convert derelict farm buildings in a moorland pasture into a workshop. The North York Moors National Park authority's planning committee was told that there is unanimous support for the venture from the people of Lastingham. Jennifer

  • Open garden

    AS part of the summer season of open gardens in aid of St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham City, the owners of The Byers, at High Wooley, Stanley Crook, will open their garden between 2pm and 5pm. Admission is by donation.

  • Furniture scheme gets cash windfall

    A scheme which provides second-hand furniture for needy families in Sedgefield has been given a £2,000 boost. ACTS Furniture Scheme has been awarded the money by the North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op. The project, which is based in Villiers Street, Spennymoor

  • 1,000 attend funeral of musician

    MORE than 1,000 people attended the funeral of much-loved folk musician Joe Scurfield, who was killed with jazz composer Keith Morris in a hit-and-run accident. The service took place at the old bandstand in Nuns Moor Park, Fenham, prior to a burial in

  • Phone used to aid lost walker

    A LOST walker was found by a North-East rescue team with the help of his mobile phone. Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue team found the 21-year-old man from Surrey on Wednesday. He had been walking on the Pennine Way from Dufton to Alston when he

  • Further plans to tackle the town's anti-social behaviour

    COMMUNITY leaders are set to reveal a four-pronged approach to tackling anti-social behaviour in Darlington. Fresh plans have been drawn up to deal with key issues such as crime, drugs and alcohol misuse. Darlington Partnership - made up of council chiefs

  • Estate reunion

    A REUNION is being organised for the original residents of a housing estate. Anyone who lived on Eastfield Avenue, I'Anson Road, Frances Road and Tudor Road, in Richmond, in 1946 to 1947, are invited to a reunion at Richmond Cricket Club, on September

  • Romania appeal

    THE annual aid appeal for Romania by the New Life Baptist Church, in Northallerton, is under way. The collection and packing will again be based in Thornton-le-Moor, starting on September 19. The aim is to repeat the success of last year's appeal, which

  • As bold as brass

    Ray Farr found himself at the centre of controversy when around 100 people walked out of a brass band concert, shouting 'rubbish' at his choice of music. But, he tells Nick Morrison, that won't stop him trying to puch back the boundaries. THINK of a brass

  • Security pledge by police chairman

    THE newly-appointed chairman of Cleveland Police authority has promised to make people feel safe in their homes. Councillor Dave McLuckie has taken up the post after the force experienced a difficult year, facing up to a £7.3m financial black hole and

  • Author books role at degree ceremony

    BEST-SELLING author Bill Bryson can expect a different kind of writer's cramp later this month - when he shakes hands with almost 3,500 students over four days. The writer, best known for his book Notes From A Small Island, will make his first official

  • Physicist's new role

    AN internationally-renowned physicist has been appointed to a leading position at a North-East university. Professor James Stirling will take up his position as the new pro-vice-chancellor of Durham University on August 1. Prof Stirling is director of

  • Luv-a-duck, Jodie's just quackers about her pet

    WHILE other children dream of having puppies and ponies as pets, a little North-East girl is just quackers about her own feathered friend - a nine-week old orphaned duckling. Jodie Lea Holdsworth, from Sunnyside Terrace Trimdon Grange, County Durham,

  • A regal twist to a Real mystery

    A WEEK of many wonderments. For instance, I learn that the dot over the top of an i is called a tittle - therefore tiny, inconsequential small talk is tattle that is tittle. I learn that because so many people now dine al-desko, the average desktop contains

  • Captain's curse is lifted as Benkenstein seizes control

    THE curse of the Durham captaincy has turned into a blessing. Where Mike Hussey left off, Dale Benkenstein has taken over, and yesterday, his golden arm earned three wickets in six balls to put his side in command at Northampton. The hosts were progressing

  • Lyons chasing top spot

    Durham Senior League: For the second week in succession Hetton Lyons will be involved in the day's top fixture, writes Bob Gidney. League leaders Whitburn, now 23 points ahead of Lyons, are the visitors. A decent result is paramount for Hetton Lyons if

  • Magpies keen on McCarthy

    HUGO VIANA'S wish of a permanent move to Portugal could come true as Newcastle United consider a swap deal for striker Benni McCarthy. Magpies' boss Graeme Souness is actively seeking a new forward before the start of the campaign with Craig Bellamy up

  • It's a big family affair

    She's one of eight, playing a mother of nine on stage, so Linda Nolan knows all about the sibling rivalry that makes stage musical Blood Brothers so compelling. She talks to Viv Hardwick about touring for two weeks to Sunderland's Empire. THEATRE impresario

  • Evenwood confident of challenging for title

    Readers Durham County League: Despite their poor start Evenwood are confident they can make an impression in the race for the championship now that they have Damodar Daesrath on board. The West Indian has hardly put a foot wrong since he made his debut

  • 1,000 attend funeral of musician

    MORE than 1,000 people attended the funeral of much-loved folk musician Joe Scurfield, who was killed with jazz composer Keith Morris in a hit-and-run accident. The service took place at the old bandstand in Nuns Moor Park, Fenham, prior to a burial in

  • Lintz wary of threat posed by rivals Consett

    Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Although Lintz boast a 100 per cent record they will take nothing for granted when they meet second placed Consett in the Division A2 match of the day this afternoon. "I remember only a couple of seasons

  • Youngsters set out on long road to soccer stardom

    STOOD before a room full of proud parents, eight budding youngsters take their first steps on the long road to football stardom. Gathered at the Williamson Motors Stadium on Monday, seven school leavers - Adam Wright, Andrew McIntosh, Michael Lawson,

  • Washington happy with progress

    Durham Coast League: Despite winning only twice in nine attempts Washington are more than happy with the progress they have made since transferring from the Roseberry Group North East Durham League. "It was quite a step to take and our aim this season

  • Smart's speedy Titus can stand Alone in the winners' enclosure

    TITUS ALONE (2.30) takes the eye to strike an early blow for the North on the final day of Royal Ascot at York. The Bryan Smart-trained speedball wrecked a few budding reputations when putting his rivals to the sword with a six-length demolition at Redcar

  • 'Greed fuels binge drinking'

    "OBSCENE" economic greed is preventing action to tackle the dangers of binge drinking, says a North-East academic. Criminology Professor Dick Hobbs, from Durham University, believes a hypocritical attitude to alcohol seems to exist. Despite the problems

  • Star's jailed brother may miss her wedding day

    Girls Aloud star Cheryl Tweedy's brother could miss her forthcoming wedding after being sentenced to four years behind bars for a vicious street robbery. Andrew Tweedy, 25, and his 18-year-old accomplice pushed their teenage victim to the ground and used

  • Black cleric to take over at Minster

    BRITAIN'S first black archbishop last night wasted no time in living up to his controversial reputation. Dr John Sentamu was appointed Archbishop of York yesterday - and immediately criticised the takeover of Manchester United by US tycoon Malcolm Glazer

  • It's a big family affair

    She's one of eight, playing a mother of nine on stage, so Linda Nolan knows all about the sibling rivalry that makes stage musical Blood Brothers so compelling. She talks to Viv Hardwick about touring for two weeks to Sunderland's Empire. THEATRE impresario

  • Johnston breaks county duck

    MARK JOHNSTON became the inaugural trainer to keep first place prize-money on home county soil when Middleham's Melrose Avenue struck a blow for the locals in yesterday's Queen's Vase. Prior to the £60,000 two-miler, Yorkshire-based horses had drawn a

  • Cats may miss out on Helguson

    WATFORD are bracing themselves for the departure of Heidar Helguson with Sunderland close to losing out on acquiring the striker's signature. The Black Cats and Sheffield United both had £1m bids turned down for the Icelandic international earlier this

  • The man who walks with the people

    With his appointment as Archbishop of York, John Sentamu becomes the first black Anglican archbishop. Nick Morrison profiles the man who survived sickness, famine and persecution to become the second most senior cleric in the Church of England. IT'S a

  • Norton's form taking off

    Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: A fortnight ago Norton were bottom of the table without a win but all of a sudden their form has taken off. Following an initial victory over Philadelphia, they defeated high-flying Chester-le-Street last

  • Airport staff set to strike over pay

    AIR passengers could have their holidays delayed by a strike that will cripple a North-East airport. More than 15,000 people a day pass through Newcastle International Airport but unions are threatening to bring it to a standstill in a row over pay. Air

  • Royal Ascot may return to North next year

    THE success of Royal Ascot at York could have the ultimate knock-on effect - returning to the Knavesmire next year. The redevelopment of the meeting's traditional Berkshire home has fallen behind schedule, leading to rumours that it could be on the move

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Challenging the Church

    THE Rt Rev John Sentamu is clearly under no illusions about the challenges he faces when he becomes the Church of England's first black archbishop. The current Bishop of Birmingham has said that the Church contains institutional racism, as a room full

  • Ascot ladies turn on the style and do the region proud

    They came in for harsh criticism from some quarters, but overall the ladies at Royal Ascot this year proved they were just as stylish as their southern counterparts. Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings reports. THEY arrived everyday in all their colourful

  • Scott appointed Pool boss

    MARTIN SCOTT has finally been given the manager's job at Hartlepool United on a full-time basis. After returning from a two-week break with his family, Scott held lengthy negotiations with chairman Ken Hodcroft at Victoria Park yesterday. And The the

  • A gruelling task to raise charity cash

    A DARLINGTON woman is preparing for a gruelling physical challenge. Catherine Coleman, of Turnpike Close, wants to raise at least £200 by completing a triathlon in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign for Cancer Research UK. The 38-year-old is being sponsored

  • Schoolboy in court over knife threat

    A SCHOOLBOY threatened to stab another pupil with a knife after they were involved in a playground fight, a court heard yesterday. A teacher was forced to wrestle the 13-year-old boy to the ground when he came into the school playground wielding a craft

  • An attack of songs

    Weapons of Sound, a band which uses dustbins and a kitchen sink as instruments, will headline a free event on Saturday. The band has performed at Glastonbury Festival, and joins a steel band, a magician, a BMX bike show and a karate display atWhitworth

  • Best feet forward

    SCHOOL nurses gave pupils from Wolsingham Primary and their parents a lesson in keeping Feet for Life. Nurses passed on information and answered questions on foot care while children coloured drawings of their feet. Louise Nelson, foot health advisor