Archive

  • Le Mans joy for Wearsider Hughes

    WARREN Hughes celebrated his return to Le Mans with a class win after 24 hours of blood, sweat and gears. Hughes, from Sunderland, last raced at the prestigious event three years ago. He was signed up by British sportscar RML in May to race their MG/Lola

  • Nine GCSE's, but Julia still can't get a job

    Down's Syndrome children used to sit on the sidelines of society. Now many are highly educated and ready to take jobs that would previously have been beyond them. Sharon Griffiths speaks to Julia Smith, who would love to be given the chance to work full

  • From popular star to popular saint

    Live Aid: Against All Odds (BBC2); Out of Africa: The Many Faces of the Black Icon (BBC2); Doctor Who (BBC1): BOB Geldof was a fading star. A mediocre singer on the verge of being dropped by his record company, he was better known as Mr Paula Yates at

  • Double-decker takes to the road to round up volunteers

    LOCAL volunteer numbers have been increased, thanks to a two-day roadshow in the Thirsk area. The Thirsk and Sowerby Volunteer Bureau celebrated the Year of the Volunteer by hiring a specially-adapted double-decker bus to get out into the district to

  • Ferret is dog's unlikely hero

    A DOG that got stuck in a rabbit warren 4ft underground has been rescued with the help of a ferret. Ferrets and terriers usually do not get on and people who own both are advised not to leave them alone together because they are prone to fight. But when

  • Defence chiefs oppose turbines

    MILITARY chiefs are concerned the lives of their servicemen will be put at risk if plans for a controversial wind farm are given the go-ahead. A planning application has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council outlining proposals to erect five wind

  • Flooding mayhem as storms sweep in

    FLASH floods brought mayhem to the region last night as the weekend heatwave broke in spectacular fashion. Torrential rain cut off several villages, a number of people were taken to hospital, some major roads become impassable and cars were trapped in

  • Lead at the top extended

    THE pitch was the winner at Northampton on Saturday, but ten points from a draw saw Durham extend their lead at the top of division two to 21 points. That was because second-placed Worcestershire surprisingly lost at Leicester, further underlining that

  • Council launches action to tackle stress in workplace

    A COUNCIL is taking steps to claw back thousands of hours lost each year to staff sickness caused by stress. Hartlepool Borough Council is introducing a policy for managing stress at work among its employees. Although there has been a stress policy in

  • Village bypass now open

    A 65-YEAR wait for a bypass around a North-East village comes to an end today. A new £9.1m route for the A167 around Chilton, County Durham, will be used by traffic for the first time. The 2.3km stretch of single carriageway leaves the roundabout junction

  • Aiston deal flounders but two still talking

    DARLINGTON have failed to agree terms with winger Sam Aiston, but have entered into talks with two other transfer targets. Aiston, who had been released by Shrewsbury Town, was all set to sign for the club - subject to a medical - in the near future after

  • After the sun...the floods

    FLASH floods brought mayhem to the region last night as the weekend heatwave broke in spectacular fashion. Torrential rain resulted in villages being cut off, several people suffering injuries and even major roads becoming impassable. In Newton Aycliffe

  • County road toll up again as rider dies

    ROADS in North Yorkshire claimed the life of another motorcyclist at the weekend. The man, who has yet to be named, was riding a red Honda CBR 600 which was in collision with a silver BMW at about 4pm on Saturday. The crash happened in the south of the

  • School Closure Debate: Letters

    We fight together: AS a parent of two small children at Hurworth Primary School I feel compelled to add my voice to the many others that condem the closure of Hurworth and Eastbourne schools. Common sense tells us that these plans will not help the problems

  • Runners brave heatwave for charity

    HUNDREDS of runners braved yesterday's heatwave to take part in an annual ten kilometre road run. More than 350 people of all ages took part in the Aycliffe 10k Road Race, in the County Durham town, many of them raising money for charity. The race, sponsored

  • Anti-piracy team rewarded

    TRADING standards officials have won a national award for the groundbreaking prosecution of a car boot sale promoter. Nearly 200 companies nationally backed a citation for Howard Turton, principal trading standards officer with Redcar and Cleveland Borough

  • Readers Durham County League

    The weather ended all six matches prematurely yesterday and not one side managed a win. Brandon were unlucky not to win against Crook Town, who were 97 for nine when rain came. Andy Burgess was unbeaten on 49 for Crook, while Jim Allenby and Michael Tinkler

  • Soldier's courage forever enshrined in collection

    THE astonishing courage of a First World War soldier has been remembered through the medals he was awarded. The honours won by Green Howard James Hall, from Murton Colliery, in County Durham, have been presented by his family to the regimental museum

  • Sunderland end six year jinx

    Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League: Sunderland defeated Blaydon for the first time in six seasons and celebrated by consolidating pole position. The Tynesiders have been Simon Old's bogey team and when he was dismissed without scoring, he

  • 18/06/05

    RECREATION GROUND: DENE Valley Parish Council is seeking to re-establish the former recreation ground at Auckland Park which was set up and run by a miners\rquote welfare trust, now lapsed. We now know the names of the original trustees when the land

  • Golf title challenge set to boost tourism in borough

    A SPORTING challenge looks set to help tourism in a seaside borough. The invitation has been issued by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, which wants to find its own open golf champion. Entries for a tournament to find a champion have been received

  • Scott will do his homework to keep Westwood at Pool

    NEWLY-INSTALLED Hartlepool United manager Martin Scott heads for Warwick University today - with a degree of determination to keep his prize student. Scott has been invited to take part in the prestigious week-long UEFA Pro-Licence Course. And while he

  • Only two games survive the bad weather

    Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One: Leaders Marton could have stolen a march on their rivals for the championship after being one of only two sides to be without a fixture yesterday when rain played havoc with the programme.

  • On TV last night

    Live Aid: Against All Odds (BBC2) Out of Africa: The Many Faces of the Black Icon (BBC2) Doctor Who (BBC1) BOB Geldof was a fading star. A mediocre singer on the verge of being dropped by his record company, he was better known as Mr Paula Yates at The

  • Elderly couple rescued from flood waters

    An elderly couple were rescued from rising flood waters which engulfed their car, a witness recalled today. Drinkers from the Railway Inn at Walkergate, Newcastle upon Tyne, spotted the stranded couple and waded out into the flooded road to pull the man

  • Murton have the Upper-ton hand over Houghton

    Durham Coast League: Murton consolidated pole position with victory over bottom-of-the-table Houghton. An unbeaten 131 by Andy Upperton and 41 not out from Jonathan Vout, propelled the leaders past the 200 mark for the loss of four wickets. Calvin Stephenson

  • Lyons send Whitburn crashing to their first defeat

    Foster's Durham Senior League: Hetton Lyons won the game of the day sending Whitburn to their first defeat of the season, writes Bob Gidney. With Eppleton drawing at Felling, the Lyons have now moved within seven points of the leaders. Eppleton batsman

  • Grieving family to press for law review

    RELATIVES of a man mown down by a car want the law changed to prevent people avoiding prosecution by blaming someone else. Jimmy Mulligan, 73, was killed after a car carrying drug addicts Christopher Eade and Robert Webber hit him at a Gateshead bus stop

  • Ford reward for race ace Gaffney

    DURHAM racing driver Sean Gaffney has been rewarded for his first ever podium finish in the the Avon Tyres Formula Ford 1800 Championship by being given a drive in the full UK Formula Ford Championship for the rest of the season. Gaffney, 18, secured

  • The horrendous childhood of Martine's mum

    In a powerful autobiography, Jenny Tomlin, the mother of actress Martine McCutcheon, describes a childhood marred by her father's horrific abuse. She tells Sarah Foster how this has only made her stronger. "MY first memories are of waking to the dull

  • No bargains at Blues

    BIRMINGHAM CITY will not allow Clinton Morrison to go to Sunderland on the cheap - despite the striker's frustrations at St Andrew's, writes PAUL FRASER. The 26-year-old has long been a target for Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy. Morrison has told Blues

  • Increase in stamp duty stirs outburst

    HOMEBUYERS in the North-East paid £740 more in stamp duty last year than when Labour came to power - a 231 per cent increase in six years. The tax on the average house purchase in the region was £1,060 in 2003/4, compared to £320 in 1997/8, according

  • Warning over new licensing rules

    PUBS, clubs, off-licences and restaurants across the region could be forced to close by the end of the year unless they comply with new licensing laws. The warning comes as the industry faces up to regulations which apply to all venues serving or selling

  • Councils take on Whitehall - short-changed by £100m

    A FUNDING formula which has short-changed the North-East by more than £100m is to be challenged by the region's local authorities today. A delegation of senior financial experts from the Association of North-East Councils is to visit Whitehall in an attempt

  • Young thug locked up for order breach

    A REDCAR man has been sentenced to three months in a young offenders' institution for twice breaching his anti-social behaviour order. Scott David Wood, of Canterbury Road, received three months for each of the breaches, which he admitted. He was reported

  • 'Learn lesson from our grief'

    THE heartbroken parents of a young man who died of hypothermia on his birthday, have appealed to other young people to learn lessons from his death. An inquest on Teesside heard this week how father-of-two Danny McCloud fled into a wood after a van he

  • Top ranks at Aycliffe

    THREE members of a Newton Aycliffe martial arts club have mastered the ancient skills of ju jitsu to black belt level. Avril Spence, 14, of Elm Tree, Amy Phillips, 13, of Roseworth, both Stockton, and Tracy Gore, 32, of Billingham, were awarded the blacks

  • An award for development

    A FARMER is to sponsor an award at a school after working with youngsters on his land. Pupils from Wolsingham School and Community College have worked so hard at Bradley Hall Farm, Wolsingham, that Chris Stephenson will sponsor a prize for best course

  • Shine a light, I'm stuck

    A BOY was stuck to a lamppost for two hours after accepting a dare to climb it without realising it was covered in glue. Pranksters who dared Patrick Fairley, 13, ran off and passers-by ignored his plight. As both hands were stuck, he was unable to reach

  • Talent put on display

    YOUNG soccer stars from across the North-East were able to showcase their sporting talents at a competition held in Darlington. More than 220 youngsters took part in the SoccerSix Tournament, which took place at Longfield School on Saturday. The competition

  • Carers learning to balance their lives

    CARERS have been given an insight into how to get the right balance in their lives. Health and social care professionals in Darlington staged a conference designed to help carers cope with their lives while looking after loved ones. Called Work, Rest

  • Drugs found in bedroom

    DRUGS worth £70,000 were seized after police discovered a cannabis factory in a North-East bedroom. Officers found the illicit plants after following a suspected drug dealer to his house in Sunderland. They spotted three men acting suspiciously in Pallion

  • Time to hurry along to Great North Walk

    THIS year's Great North Walk is only weeks away and time has almost run out to register. The eight-mile scenic walk will take place in Weardale on Sunday, July 3, but people must register by close of play today to take part. The route will take walkers

  • Care trust's success with flu jabs praised by Government

    HEALTH chiefs were celebrating yesterday after their trust was named as one of the best in the country for flu vaccination rates. The uptake figures for last winter have placed the Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust in the top three nationally

  • Lives of DLI soldiers in Normandy trenches are brought to life

    THE lives of soldiers from Durham Light Infantry was faithfully recreated over the weekend. Members of Monty's Men, a group of Second World War historians from around the UK, patrolled the grounds of the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery

  • Student designs gearing system

    A STUDENT has designed a unique gearing system for bicycle. The system, which is enclosed in a box to protect it from impact and the elements, was developed by Northumbria University student Andrew Finkill as part of his BSc (Hons) in product design technology

  • Picnic had the bear-necessities

    NURSERY children brought their prized teddies into school for a charity toddle and picnic. The children, all aged three or four, are pupils at Bow Badgers Nursery, in Durham City. After a quarter-mile toddle around the school grounds, the children enjoyed

  • Risks of shopping on prams

    THE dangers of overloading pushchairs will be highlighted at a series of events to mark Child Safety Week. Trading standards officials will be visiting SureStart baby clinics in Hartlepool this week to offer advice to parents and carers. Michael Welsh

  • Golf clubs in united effort

    TWO Teesside golf clubs will be staging tournaments next month. Hartlepool and Seaton Carew golf clubs have teamed up with Hartlepool Borough Council to stage events on July 14 and 15. The tournaments are part of the Tees Valley Coast initiative, which

  • Funding improves estate life

    RESIDENTS on a trouble-hit estate are to have their quality of life improved as part of a £160,000 regeneration project. The lower end of Carisbrooke Avenue, in Thorntree, was identified as a risk area by Middlesbrough Council after suffering repeated

  • Council launches action to tackle stress in workplace

    A COUNCIL is taking steps to claw back thousands of hours lost each year to staff sickness caused by stress. Hartlepool Borough Council is introducing a policy for managing stress at work among its employees. Although there has been a stress policy in

  • Media move by town councillors

    TOWN councillors could be forbidden from speaking to the Press. Barnard Castle Town Council's modernisation committee is to discuss implementing the protocol, which allow only the clerk and certain councillors to act as spokesmen rather than individual

  • Shepherd paves the way for Bellamy to return to Magpies

    THE chances of Craig Bellamy pulling on a Newcastle United shirt next season increased when chairman Freddy Shepherd paved the way for a reconciliatory return. But Shepherd put the onus firmly on Graeme Souness by insisting it will be the manager who

  • Arsonists target empty flats

    FIREFIGHTERS forced their way into flats in Darlington last night after arsonists started a blaze. The fire happened early evening in Copley House, Fenby Avenue. Fire service watch manager Kevin Thompson said he believed the blaze was started by youths

  • Town fair proves hot hit

    YOUNG people took the opportunity to set up their own websites at the weekend when The Northern Echo's CommuniGate bus went out and about in the region. The bus, fully equipped with computers and experienced staff on hand, was at Guisborough Town Fair

  • Ferret is dog's unlikely hero

    A DOG that got stuck in a rabbit warren 4ft underground has been rescued with the help of a ferret. Ferrets and terriers usually do not get on and people who own both are advised not to leave them alone together because they are prone to fight. But when

  • College facing cuts is praised

    A DARLINGTON college facing staff redundancies and cuts in courses was praise in a report by Government inspectors published today. Teachers, managers and governors at Darlington College of Technology have been congratulated for providing thousands of

  • Matrix awarded for guidance

    A HIGH street learning centre has entered the matrix after providing adults with the best possible advice and guidance. The Northallerton College facility has been awarded a national Matrix quality standard for the way it informs, advises and guides its

  • Volunteers recognised for their achievements in sport

    SPORTS volunteers from across Wear Valley were honoured at a special ceremony in Bishop Auckland. This year is Year of the Volunteer and people who give up their free time to help a variety of leisure activities were given Volunteers in Sport Awards at

  • Council website facelift

    A NORTH Yorkshire council will launch its new website next month. Councillors from Richmondshire District Council say their new site, at www.richmondshire.gov.uk will be more user-friendly. "Our current website dates from the late 1990s," said Councillor

  • Helping hand makes caring childs play

    NEW childminders in County Durham are to get a helping hand during the first year of their career. SureStart County Durham has developed a Link Childminder scheme, which gives new childminders the chance to receive help and support from a more experienced

  • Nothing tame about players' production

    A BARNARD Castle theatre group is to perform one of Shakespeare's best-known plays next month. The Castle Players are currently rehearsing their interpretation of The Taming of the Shrew, which will be performed in the grounds of Bowes Museum. The group

  • Police to rescue of strolling ducklings

    A SENIOR police officer came to the rescue of eight lost ducklings waddling by the roadside. Acting Inspector Bridget Orton, of Durham Police, was driving in a marked police car through Chester-le-Street, County Durham, last week when she spotted the

  • Heat causes problems for Swing Bridge

    A NORTH-EAST bridge became stuck after its beams expanded during the mini-heatwave over the weekend. The Swing Bridge, in Newcastle, which dates back to 1876, opened at 8pm on Saturday to let a leisure cruiser of revellers pass up the River Tyne. But

  • Charities supply lifesaving device

    LIFESAVING equipment has been installed in a leisure centre after two local charities joined forces with the British Heart Foundation. Bedale Leisure Centre has taken delivery of a £2,000 defibrillator. Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton, and

  • Aiston deal flounders but two still talking

    DARLINGTON have failed to agree terms with winger Sam Aiston, but have entered into talks with two other transfer targets. Aiston, who had been released by Shrewsbury Town, was all set to sign for the club - subject to a medical - in the near future after

  • MEP to visit proposed site of opencast

    NORTH-EAST MEP Fiona Hall is to visit the site of a controversial opencast mine proposal in the region. Hall Construction, of Durham, wants to mine half-a- million tonnes of coal from a site next to the historic Gibside Estate, near Burnopfield, on the

  • Durham Diary

    GREETINGS from glorious Arundel, the cricketing arboretum. Travel writers love to emphasise contrasts. Well they should try visiting Northampton's urban cricket ground one day and the Duke of Norfolk's leafy setting the next. Durham yesterday paid their

  • Fantastic festival ends with Yorkshire double

    FIVE-DAYS of fantastic action, which brought over 224,0000 race-goers through the gates of Royal Ascot at York last week, came to a gloriously sunny end on Saturday with two more locally-trained winners, Titus Alone and Bandari. But it wasn't only a triumph

  • Man, 60, dies after breaking up fight

    A 60-YEAR-OLD man collapsed and died minutes after intervening to defuse a street brawl. The man, who has not yet been named by police, stepped in to break up the fight between three youths in St Helen Auckland, County Durham. He calmed matters down and

  • Fizzy's feat needs a few extra . . . well feet

    A FLEET-FOOTED pet who raced her way into the Guinness Book of Records through 50 pairs of legs is to entertain television audiences on the other side of the world. Border collie cross Fizzy's remarkable feat in completing the dash in just 2.1 seconds

  • Runs bonanza ends all square between top two

    Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: The match of the day between leaders Saltburn and second-top Guisborough predictably ended in a draw but there was still an abundance of runs. The Seasiders set their rivals a target of

  • Summertime and the rockin' is easy at Middlesbrough

    THOUSANDS of people were rocking in the sweltering heat yesterday when one of the country's greatest free music festivals returned to the region. Crowds flocked to the centre of Teesside for Middlesbrough Music Live, which saw 80 bands perform throughout

  • £100m is pledged to spark new life into the North

    PLANS for a £100m fund to kick-start the economic rebirth of the North-East have been revealed by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. The Northern Way Business Plan aims to close the North-South divide by attracting investment and encouraging more people

  • Aussies reel under Harmison attack

    AS Britain baked in the sun yesterday, Durham bowler Steve Harmison turned up the heat to help England to victory over Australia. Harmison took five wickets for the first time in a one-day international - including three in four balls - to help England

  • McClaren agrees new deal

    ALL of Middlesbrough's powers of persuasion are to be channelled towards the transfer market after manager Steve McClaren agreed a new four-year contract at the Riverside Stadium. McClaren has been in negotiations with the club for a number of months

  • In-form Wilson is one to watch

    It's always worth noting the trainers that have just returned to form after a quiet spell and one that falls firmly into that category is Noel Wilson, who has recently been on the mark with Acomb (twice) and Locombe Hill. And, at a decent price, his Santiburi

  • Fierce opposition greets new plan for caravan park

    A COMPANY that wants to build a caravan site near a north Durham village is a facing protest from local community groups and conservationists. Holmside Leisure wants to create a site for 22 static caravans near Ornsby Hill, Lanchester, with car parking

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Land of hope ...and glory?

    HERE we go again. A memorable Royal Ascot at York is over, making way for Wimbledon fortnight and the annual torment over Tim Henman's progress begins. Reigning champion Roger Federer, who is aiming for a third successive men's title, insists Henman could

  • Birthday win for Wall over Wilson

    BIRTHDAY boy Terry Wall made it a double hat-trick of road race victories in the space of five days with a runaway win in yesterday's Newton Aycliffe 10K. And the 35-year-old Sunderland Harrier admitted afterwards he thought he was destined for second

  • Swalwell roll over the Bridge

    Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Swalwell held on to their narrow lead at the top with victory over Shotley Bridge at the Spa. The leaders won by three wickets and their match-winner was Stuart Pattison (75 no), as David Jackson (4-

  • I saw the future - and fled

    A Muslim friend of mine asked me to go to an "introductions dinner" with her. It turned out to be a kind of speed dating for single Muslim professionals. It sounded naff, but maybe I'd find my perfect match and never have to go through the pain of mixed

  • Bride's anguish as thief steals camera

    THE granddaughter of football legend Wilf Mannion has been left devastated after a thief stole the photographer's camera during the wedding service. The thief entered Sacred Heart Church, Middlesbrough, on Saturday, and took the digital camera while Philippa

  • Nothing tame about players' production

    A BARNARD Castle theatre group is to perform one of Shakespeare's best-known plays next month. The Castle Players are currently rehearsing their interpretation of The Taming of the Shrew, which will be performed in the grounds of Bowes Museum. The group

  • Risks of shopping placed on pushcahirs

    THE dangers of overloading pushchairs will be highlighted at a series of events to mark Child Safety Week. Trading standards officials will be visiting SureStart baby clinics in Hartlepool this week to offer advice to parents and carers. Michael Welsh

  • Federer - the number one sportsman in the world

    ROGER Federer has played 71 matches since he lost to Czech outsider Thomas Berdych in last August's Olympic Games - he has won 68 of them. Bare statistics can never be the sole measure of sporting greatness but, with a record like that, the Swiss can

  • Open entries invited

    REDCAR and Cleveland Council is looking for the Borough's own Open Golf champion as its Golf Week event swings back into action next month. The winner will receive a speciallycommissioned trophy at Cleveland Golf Club, Redcar on Thursday, July 14 at the

  • Castle is no home for Durham

    DURHAM would have been more at home at Blackhall Colliery Welfare than they were in the grounds of Arundel Castle yesterday. They are still top of the totesport League second division, but hosts Sussex cut the gap to two points with two games hand by

  • In-form Wilson is one to watch

    It's always worth noting the trainers that have just returned to form after a quiet spell and one that falls firmly into that category is Noel Wilson, who has recently been on the mark with Acomb (twice) and Locombe Hill. And, at a decent price, his Santiburi

  • Pink tribute at funeral of businesswoman

    BRAVE grandmother Sandy Richardson has called on mourners to be in the pink when they attend her funeral this week. Before the 53-year-old businesswoman lost her battle with cancer last week, she requested that women wear elaborate Ascot-style hats to

  • Peggy is bloomin' lovely as 85-year-old carnival queen

    AN annual North-East gala had a carnival queen with a difference this weekend - she was 85 years old. Normally the honour of leading the procession through a village's streets is handed to a local schoolgirl. But in Cotherstone, Teesdale, County Durham

  • Ascot is hailed a royal success

    POLICE and traffic bosses were ecstatic yesterday after the two key concerns over the staging of Royal Ascot at York were all but overcome. Security and transport had been among the biggest fears for the five-day meeting as it was switched to the Knavesmire

  • Town fair proves hot hit

    YOUNG people took the opportunity to set up their own websites at the weekend when The Northern Echo's CommuniGate bus went out and about in the region. The bus, fully equipped with computers and experienced staff on hand, was at Guisborough Town Fair

  • Charity in a spin as classic cars help cash roll in

    CROWDS turning out to enjoy the family fun at a village gala yesterday were also helping a worthy cause. As well as the usual entertainment, including live music, fairground rides and stalls at Hurworth Gala, near Darlington, there was also a display

  • University to work on skin damage

    A BUSINESS specialising in pioneering skin cancer treatment and sun-damaged skin testing is to establish a base in the North-East. Canada-based Genesis Genomics (GGUK), a biotech research corporation, is developing an early warning system to aid the effective

  • Pallister pleased with fourth in Isle of Man

    DECORATOR Lenny Pallister brushed off all but the top drivers to claim a fourth place finish at one of the most arduous motor racing events in the world. Pallister, and team-mate Ian Marriner, both of Darlington, just missed out on a podium finish in

  • Prep school wins praise from school inspectors

    STAFF at a Teesdale school have been praised by education inspectors. The Independent Schools Inspectorate spent five days at Barnard Castle Preparatory School in March. Seventy-one lessons were observed, 30 members of staff interviewed and 80 parent

  • Making safety at work

    DARLINGTON Borough Council will sign an agreement with the Health and Safety Executive today to show its commitment to ensuring safe and healthy workplaces. The agreement, which is being signed by councils around the country, will build on the links between

  • Continental flavours

    Spennymoor town centre will next month welcome market traders selling produce from countries including France, Belgium, Austria and Spain. Leather goods and fashions from Paris will be available, as well as Belgian chocolate and Dutch cheeses. British

  • Designers move into the world of cardboard

    STUDENTS got a taste of modern art when they took part in a project to make structures from cardboard. Talented artists at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College, near Darlington, have been working with creative artist and architectural designer

  • Toddle for trust

    MORE than 150 people turned out in the rain for a sponsored toddle and raised almost £2,000 for a charity which provides a home from home for families of sick children. Youngsters and their parents took part in a Toddle Waddle, at Hamsterley Forest, and

  • Town urged to help improve envirnoment

    THE countryside team from Darlington Borough Council has organised two events for this weekend. On Saturday, local historian George Flynn will be leading a tour of Eastbourne Park and the historic freeholders estate. Walkers can meet at St John's church

  • Windfall for green transport to schools

    SIX Darlington schools will receive thousands of pounds to implement green travel plans. The plans will detail ways to reduce car travel, improve the environment for walkers and cyclists and encourage car sharing. The schools to get funding for travel

  • Rich mix of cultures poured into community blender

    HUNDREDS of people reached out to their fellow men at the weekend at a Celebration of Culture day designed to break down ethnic barriers. An eclectic mix of foods, music, fashions and entertainment adorned Preston Park in Stockton on Saturday as part

  • Blooming win

    THE horticultural department of Askham Bryan College near York has won the regional round of a national landscaping competition. It now goes forward to the national finals of the UK Landscape Skills competition in September. If successful, it will then

  • Cars in a vintage class of their own

    VINTAGE vehicles took to the roads of the North-East yesterday to take part in the Beamish Rally. More than 130 classic cars took part in the 35th safety and reliability run, in which all vehicles must be over 50 years old. They set off from Chester-le-Street

  • Author backs home learning

    children's author Terry Deary had an inspiring message for students during his visit to a Derwentside school - work hard, believe in yourself and you too can be whatever you want to be. The Sunderland-born writer went to Stanley School of Technology to

  • Morris dancers honour folklore

    A MORRIS dancing display was given in a north Durham village as part of a festival celebrating traditional music. It coincided with the 303rd meeting of the country's Morris Ring and was staged at the Daleside Arms, in Croxdale, on Saturday. The festival

  • Sunderland end six year jinx

    Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League: Sunderland defeated Blaydon for the first time in six seasons and celebrated by consolidating pole position. The Tynesiders have been Simon Old's bogey team and when he was dismissed without scoring, he

  • Bus route views sought

    A COUNCIL is keen to find out if plans to upgrade a bus route are just the ticket with commuters. New bus shelters, better lighting and improved information are planned for the 44-stop Number 48 and 49 route. But Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council wants

  • Children co-star in night at the opera

    TWO of the country's top classical singers are to team up with east Durham children to present a night of Opera in the Park. Graeme Danby, principal bass with English National Opera and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and Valerie Reid, a mezzo soprano

  • Warning after fake notes are offered for pet

    POLICE in Derwentside are urging the public to be alert after the recovery of a quantity of counterfeit cash. Six £20 notes were given to a dog breeder in Consett by a couple who were buying a seven-week-old Jack Russell puppy. The couple handed over

  • Fierce opposition greets new plan for caravan park

    A COMPANY that wants to build a caravan site near a north Durham village is a facing protest from local community groups and conservationists. Holmside Leisure wants to create a site for 22 static caravans near Ornsby Hill, Lanchester, with car parking

  • Childcare fair

    People interested are invited to the Sure Start employment fair at the TAD Centre on Ormesby Road, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday. A team of advisors, including JobCentre Plus staff, will offer advice and guidance from 10am to 6pm.

  • Pub reopens

    A pub has reopened its doors to the public following a £310,000 investment from pub company Punch Taverns. The Eaglescliffe, in Yarm Road, Stockton, has undergone a refurbishment in the hands of father-son partnership Ian Parker and Donald Stephens. The

  • MP gets breathless for healthy cause

    A TEESSIDE MP got breathless to support the British Lung Foundation's 20th birthday campaign. Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar got in a sweat on the exercise bike at the House of Commons during a lung health awareness day. The Get

  • Recycling drive is taken to doorsteps

    A TEAM of doorsteppers will take to Teesside streets to ensure residents are fully aware of a major recycling drive. Nearly 7,000 homes in Hartlepool have been chosen to take part in a six-month pilot scheme, designed to boost the number of people who

  • Information sharing to improve service

    AN information sharing day was held by the Darlington and District Talking Newspaper at the weekend, to look at ways to make the service more efficient. The group invited talking newspapers from Cleveland, Richmond, Barnard Castle and Hartlepool, to the

  • Double-decker takes to the road to round up volunteers

    LOCAL volunteer numbers have been increased, thanks to a two-day roadshow in the Thirsk area. The Thirsk and Sowerby Volunteer Bureau celebrated the Year of the Volunteer by hiring a specially-adapted double-decker bus to get out into the district to

  • Fire strikes restaurant

    A RESTAURANT was left severely damaged after a blaze early yesterday afternoon. The alarm was raised at Brio's Restaurant, on Commercial Street, Harrogate, shortly after 12.14pm and when the first fire unit arrived, the blaze was burning strongly. The

  • Free sample of salsa dancing

    WOULD-BE dancers are being invited to sample the delights of salsa. Thirsk-based Rural Arts will be hosting a free evening of the dance in the town on June 28. The session will be led by the York-based Encuentro Latino. It will kick off with a salsa lesson

  • Media move by town council

    TOWN councillors could be forbidden from speaking to the Press under a new media protocol. Barnard Castle Town Council's modernisation committee is to discuss implementing the protocol, which allow only the clerk and certain councillors to act as spokesmen

  • Pupils go head to head in technology challenge

    PUPILS from 20 schools across Durham rose to a technology challenge at the county's new education development centre. Staff from Durham's Information Technology service, which operates from the centre in Enterprise Way, Spennymoor, organised the three-day

  • 20/06/05

    EU REBATE: HOW politically inept of Tony Blair for falling hook, line and sinker for Mr Chirac's argument over the future of Great Britain's European rebate. This conveniently lets Mr Chirac off the hook in the face of France's historic rejection of the

  • Motorcyclists rev up for global charity challenge

    A TRIO of motorcyclists are setting off from Newcastle, England, to Newcastle, Australia, to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Engineers Nigel Martin and Jonathan Turner ,from Corbridge, Northumberland, with friend and Sunderland University student