Archive

  • Riverside flats due for sale

    A TOTAL of 35 luxury apartments being built on the banks of the River Wear, in Durham City, go on sale from July 2. Construction work has started on the £6.8m Freeman's Quay, part of the total £30mWalkergate shopping and leisure developmentbeing created

  • The Lifeblood Appeal

    As part of The Northern Echo's Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region: Monday, June 13 * Social Club, Dean Terrace, Main Road, Ryton, Sunderland, 3pm-7pm * Community

  • Reward offered for parrot's safe return

    Kris Bell's house has been silent since his chatty African Grey parrot Lulu flew out of the window. In the days following, Kris and his partner Rosie scoured the area. Devastated by Lulu's disappearance, Mr Bell is hoping residents of the Oakerside area

  • The hitman and her

    Brad Pitt is fully aware of the irony of playing one half of a couple at war, he tells Steve Pratt. Especially when the other of the couple in Mr and Mrs Smith is Angelina Jolie, the actress who fuelled rumours about the reasons for the breakdown of his

  • The trouble with children today...

    When I was young I always swore I'd never, ever start a sentence with "In my young days...". I couldn't imagine myself ever becoming the sort of person who would think like that. Well, I was wrong. There's a London bus that goes all the way from just

  • Law ladies join the Race for Life

    A GROUP of legal eagles will put on their running shoes for charity this weekend. Women staff at Hewitts Solicitors in Bishop Auckland will take part in the Race for Life in South Park, Darlington, on Sunday. And it won't be a case of no win, no fee,

  • Jesus Christ Superstar, Sunderland Empire

    THIS Bill Kenwright production is the latest of the big, lavish shows to arrive at the venue since its recent expansion. The set is striking, with a centrepiece of a huge suspended crown of thorns, and provides a fitting backdrop for the dramatic tale

  • He's a pinball duffer

    Entertainer Jonathan Wilkes, star of the musical Tommy, may be a wizard on the football pitch, but as he tells Viv Hardwick, he's a bit flipping useless on a pinball machine. SO it's official, Newcastle footballing legend and musical star Jonathan Wilkes

  • Why there's No Messin' over the safety of youngsters

    Three-and-a-half months have passed since the tragedy that claimed the lives of Darlington friends Stuart Adams and Lee Mullis. The flowers that were laid beneath the town's Five Arches Bridge where they died have long since turned brown. Cards stained

  • On TV

    Being Pamela (C4) The Secretary Who Stole £4 Million (BBC2) BEING Pamela is the documentary they tried to ban. "They" being the official receiver, who represents the interests of those who cannot represent themselves, and St Helen's Council, which provides

  • Family affairs

    Oh Danny boy, what are you playing at? It's all very well keeping it in the family but sleeping with your son's girlfriend is overstepping the mark. Leanne - that's spelt S-L-A-P-P-E-R - is the young lady caught in the middle of father and son Baldwin

  • Police history society marks 10th anniversary

    The North Eastern Police History Society celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Dedicated to preserving the history of policing from the Tees to the Tweed, the society enjoys a close working relationship with the region's forces. GAVIN HAVERY reports

  • Traders group saved

    A TRADER'S association which looked set to fold was saved this week following a successful crisis meeting. Bishop Auckland Business and Traders' Association held a special general meeting on Monday after warning that it would fold if more members were

  • Henry Hall can keep Tinkler's run going

    Seven of Nigel Tinkler's eight wins this year have been in the last month and the North Yorkshire trainer is fancied to be on the mark again with Henry Hall in the Newby Handicap at Ripon this afternoon. Although the sprinter hasn't won since October

  • Killer may appeal against life term

    CONVICTED killer Mark Hobson may launch an appeal against his "life-means-life" prison sentence. The shaven-headed murderer, who killed four people in his crazed attacks, was given a sentence that meant he will die behind bars. But his legal team has

  • Wind farm wins council approval

    A WIND farm has won planning permission despite opposition from residents and countryside enthusiasts. Derwentside District Council has approved the construction of four wind turbines at Long Edge, Burnhope, near Stanley. The energy generators will be

  • Mild-mannered Milo proves to be too much for failed dognappers

    DOGNAPPERS bit off more than they could chew when they tried to snatch a dog called Milo. Two hooded men attempted to steal the eurasier, a rare breed pedigree, after attacking his owner, David Todner, in Murton, County Durham, on Tuesday. But Milo, who

  • Tragic tourist's family hope for Whitehall aid

    THE family of a young man who died in a Greek hospital are hoping the Government will help them in their quest for justice. North Durham MP Kevan Jones is this evening due to speak in an adjournment debate in the House of Commons about the tragedy of

  • Teachers visit from Russia

    A GROUP of teachers from Russia will arrive in the region on Saturday for a week-long visit. The seven teachers will travel from County Durham's twin city of Kostroma, and will visit seven primary schools, teaching children about their lifestyle and traditions

  • Dancers show their moves ahead of hip hop performance

    BREAKDANCERS will take to the floor in Darlington this evening for a one-night only show. The Verse and Verses urban dance event is choreographed by top hip hop artist Robert Hylton, and involves a team of up-and-coming performers. Producers say the show

  • Ten out of ten for charity effort

    A YOUTH group leader has raised almost £900 to help children who have been orphaned by Aids. Peter Lown recently took part in Lanchester Youth Fellowship's Ten in Ten event, in aid of World Vision. The 44-year-old, from Lanchester, was sponsored to take

  • You write

    Traffic problems: Once again our transport department has shown no thought for the traffic problems in our city. In their wisdom they discuss the possibilities of a toll to ease the congestion, which was widely publicised. Then to everyone's surprise

  • 40km of water mains improved

    A project is under way to improve more than 40km of water mains in and around Whitby. The £2m scheme, which should finish in March next year, should see work taking place in Castle Park, Sandsend, Fishburn Park, Sleights, Briggswath and Ruswarp. Underground

  • Pre-fabs 'an option for home shortage'

    PRE-FABRICATED homes or caravans could be considered to help Ryedale's shortage of affordable homes. The district council's community services committee chairman, Councillor Elizabeth Shields, said there were now so many people needing homes that a number

  • Tributes to man who dedicated his life to Scouting

    A POPULAR scout leader who fulfilled many public duties within his community has been remembered. John Frederick Thompson, of High Etherley, near Bishop Auckland, died aged 73, last Friday. Mr Thompson held a number of roles including assistant scout

  • Cyclists enjoy dales tradition

    GLORIOUS sunshine shone on about 200 pub landlords, regulars and staff who took part in a charity bike ride yesterday. Several riders wore fancy dress for the North Riding Dales Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) event in Wensleydale. The cyclists

  • 09/06/05

    EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE: LAST weekend I attended the unveiling of the statue to Andrew Mynarski at Durham Tees Valley Airport, which was in his time Middleton St George, or Goosepool aerodrome. Although not an official guest, I felt privileged to be there

  • Fun Day £2,300 raised for MS

    A FAMILY fun day raised thousands of pounds for multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers. It was held in Elmridge Methodist Church Hall, Darlington, and included a football memorabilia auction and a disco. Children were entertained by a bouncy castle and a martial

  • Concert band return from successful trip to French twin town

    A GROUP of young musicians have returned home from a tour of Paris. The concert band from the Allertonshire School, in Northallerton, gave three concerts during their time in France, two of them in Ormesson sur Marne, Northallerton's twin town. The first

  • Cathedral sunflowers help raise awareness of hospice charity

    A QUIET corner of Durham Cathedral has been transformed into an oasis of colour for a traditional charity event. Brightly-coloured sunflowers - all handmade by local schoolchildren - were being hung on trees in the cathedral yesterday. The sunflower event

  • £2.5m overhaul of harbour to boost tourism in town

    PLANS have been unveiled for a £2.5m overhaul of a harbour to boost trade and tourism. The proposals for Whitby Harbour have been drawn up by a working group of local stakeholders and councillors. They want to see better berthing for yachts, with the

  • Fresh plan to extend bungalow

    AN amended application has been submitted for a controversial extension to a bungalow in a Teesdale village. Last year, an application by Digby Harris to extend his bungalow at Cherry Trees, Lartington, was refused by Teesdale District Council's planning

  • New chapter for school as students get their own book club

    STUDENTS at a Teesside school are following in the footsteps of celebrity TV couple Richard and Judy by establishing their own book club. Two reading groups are to be set up at Teesside High School - but teachers would also like to create one for adults

  • Extension to good behaviour reward scheme

    A SCHEME to reward school- children for good behaviour is to be extended in Derwentside. Youngsters get points added to their own personal smartcard for good behaviour, doing their homework and eating healthily. They can then redeem points for gift vouchers

  • A sadly splintered sense of self

    Being Pamela (C4); The Secretary Who Stole £4 Million (BBC2): BEING Pamela is the documentary they tried to ban . "They" being the official receiver, who represents the interests of those who cannot represent themselves, and St Helen's Council, which

  • Armed men in garden

    POLICE are appealing for information after a father-of-three was confronted by two armed masked men in his Durham City garden just before 5.30am on Monday. The incident happened in Musgrave Gardens, Gilesgate, as the 34-year-old man was about to get into

  • Africans to cash in

    AFRICAN athletes chasing a £1,000 first prize are again expected to dominate tonight's 25th Nike Blaydon Race, even though five-times winner Julius Kimtai is an absentee. The event - immortalised in the Geordie folk song - has attracted 4,000 runners

  • First-class debut for Turner

    FORMER England Under-19 paceman Mark Turner will make his first-class debut for Durham in the championship match against Essex, starting at Riverside today. An all-round sportsman, the 20-year-old Wearsider has also played football for Manchester United

  • Drunk gets toughest Asbo

    A PERISTENT drunk was yesterday made the subject of the North-East's toughest Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo). Charles Rush, 49, of no fixed address, from the Seaham area, was placed on a ten-year Asbo, restricting his behaviour in the whole of England

  • Tracey celebrates with dozens of adult learners

    ADULT learner Tracey Taylor, of Newton Aycliffe, is celebrating her decision to get back into education. She was one of 87 learners and their tutors recognised at Sedgefield Borough Adult Learners' Awards ceremony in Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre. The

  • All White on the night for Webster

    New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert is confident Adrian Webster can make the step up to international football - despite admitting he has never seen the Darlington midfielder in competitive action. Webster is expected to play at least some part in the All

  • Raft teams battle it out on river

    A HOST of strange home-made craft fought it out on the River Wear in a rowing competition with a difference at the weekend. The Durham Raft Race was a popular attraction several years ago but had not been held for a long time until it was revived last

  • City housing plans opposed

    A MULTI-MILLION pound city centre housing development has run into opposition - before a formal planning application has even been lodged - over claims it will harm one of the region's few World Heritage Sites. English Heritage is objecting to a planned

  • Region spends less than anyone else

    HOUSEHOLDERS in the region have the lowest weekly expenditure in the country, research shows. Figures released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics showed spending in the North-East was 17 per cent lower than the national average between 2000

  • Asbo for teenager arrested 73 times

    AN anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) has been imposed on a teenager after 73 arrests. It was granted by Sunderland magistrates against 19-year-old Thomas David Allen, from Hartside Road, in Sunderland. He was convicted of being drunk and disorderly and

  • Youngsters dress up for fun day

    A fancy dress competition was one of the highlights of a fun day in Sedgefield as part of the town's recent VE celebrations. The event took place in the grounds of Ceddesfeld Hall, organised by the council in association with Sedgefield Round Table and

  • Shirley muscles into final

    A BODYbuilder is celebrating after winning a place in the final of a national championships. Shirley Kirkup, 47, from Northallerton, was first in the Yorkshire Natural Physique Association (NPA) Championship, held in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, on Sunday

  • Retail park plan set for approval

    AMBITIOUS plans for a multi-million pound leisure and retail park on the edge of Bishop Auckland look set to be given the go ahead today. The plans to build an eight- screen cinema, restaurants, shops and bingo hall with 1,000 parking spaces will be discussed

  • School warns of kidnap attempts

    PARENTS and children have been warned to be on their guard after two suspected abduction attempts in two days. Two children - a boy aged 11 and a girl aged 13 - were approached by a man driving a white van when they were walking near Haughton Road, Darlington

  • Young volunteers start digging

    YOUNGSTERS in Bishop Auckland are sowing the seeds for a bright future as they renovate a community allotment. Volunteers from the Prince's Trust started work on Monday at Henknowle Allotments on South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, to improve the land

  • Yorkshire suffer at hands of Tyke Sutcliffe

    A Yorkshireman yesterday celebrated the 50th Roses Championship match to be played at Headingley by scoring a century - batting for Lancashire! Leeds born left-hander Iain Sutcliffe made Yorkshire pay dearly for dropping him on 37 by moving painstakingly

  • Village's rich seam of mining memories

    AN exhibition of mining memories takes place in a former pit village next week. Residents of Langley Park have joined forces with Silksworth Mining Society to create the exhibition of photographs and memorabilia of mining and Langley Park Colliery in

  • Bagged - teeth a thief threw away

    POLICE have got a mystery they can really get their teeth into after a villager made an unusual discovery. Police in Barnard Castle, County Durham, are trying to trace the owner of a black handbag found in a garden in the village of Cockfield. But the

  • The Lifeblood Appeal

    As part of The Northern Echo's Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region: Monday, June 13 * Social Club, Dean Terrace, Main Road, Ryton, Sunderland, 3pm-7pm * Community

  • Market town has region's highest air pollution

    A market town has the region's highest levels of dangerous car-related air pollutants, according to a survey. Air pollution checks at four sites in the region, carried out on behalf of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSoP), showed that Yarm, near

  • Plans for free bulky waste collection

    PROBLEMS with fly-tipping could become a thing of the past with plans to introduce a free bulky waste service in a Teesside town. Hartlepool Borough Council is hoping that by expanding its collection service, and making it free of charge, thoughtless

  • Yorkshire suffer at hands of Tyke Sutcliffe

    A Yorkshireman yesterday celebrated the 50th Roses Championship match to be played at Headingley by scoring a century - batting for Lancashire! Leeds born left-hander Iain Sutcliffe made Yorkshire pay dearly for dropping him on 37 by moving painstakingly

  • Ordeal for boy pinned down by runaway car

    A SCHOOLBOY is recovering after he was pinned to a wall by a runaway car. Karl Dixon, 12, of Bracken Close, Stanley, was trapped when the vehicle, a Volvo, rolled down a bank. He was playing with two friends, James and Daniel Hadley, when the accident

  • Keep watch, pupils urged

    CHILDREN in Darlington are being asked to keep an eye on their schools over the summer holidays to help to prevent vandalism and theft. In the coming weeks representatives from the council and the police will go into every school in the borough to talk

  • Shepherds is on to a winner at Ascot

    DINERS at one of the world's most famous horse race meetings will be able to tuck into cheese made in the region. Shepherds Purse Cheeses, based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has won a £3,000 order for its Yorkshire Blue at Royal Ascot at York. About a

  • Real ale lover starts brewing

    A REAL ale lover who has run pubs throughout north Durham is launching a micro brewery, after taking over two historic inns. Publican and brewer John Taylor has teamed up with businessmen Jeff Hind and John Walters to launch Bull Lane Brewery at The Clarendon

  • New era dawns on edge of town

    A significant phase of a £60m development on the edge of Darlington will be completed this month. The first parkland to be created in the town in more than a century is to be unveiled at West Park, near Faverdale. The 35-acre piece of land is an integral

  • Another dose of 'uplifting misery'

    Following his award-winning documentary about Jonny Kennedy, in The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off, Newcastle film maker Patrick Collerton has focussed on another sensitive subject, this time much closer to home. He tells Steve Pratt about his work. Film maker

  • Grot spot clean-up in full swing

    A CAMPAIGN to clean up Darlington's dirtiest and littered areas has got off to an impressive start. Since the borough council's '100-day grot spot' initiative was launched last Wednesday, three-and-a-half tonnes of rubbish have been cleared from streets

  • Arrests made after two die in hit and run

    TWO middle-aged men have died in a hit and run incident on a North-East street. The men, aged 52 and 46, were hit by a white BMW at around 10pm last night as they stood outside a bookmaker's office in Newcastle's West Road. One of the men died shortly

  • Mum At Large: When your baby becomes a stranger

    THE two-year-old and I were just passing through the fruit and vegetable section, playing a game of tickles as we shopped, when I noticed a thoughtful looking middle-aged woman staring at us intently. Albert, still giggling, reached up from his seat on

  • Radiographer faces jail after lying about qualifications

    A STUDENT who failed her exams got a job as a radiographer despite not having the correct qualifications, a court heard yesterday. Martha Kirkwood-Rhinds, 27, was employed by South Tees NHS Trust after she claimed to have passed the first two years of

  • Flying flag for women's soccer

    TEENAGE football talent Carly Telford has been snapped up by an American university. Goalkeeper Carly, of Stanley, has won a four-year, all-expenses scholarship to Fayetteville University in Arkansas, where she will study athletics and play for the university's

  • Tsunami-hit universities offered aid

    A UNIVERSITY in the North-East is one of 13 in the country that have united to help rebuild the academic strengths of two universities devastated by the tsunami. The Indonesian universities lost almost one in ten of their staff and students, and suffered

  • Creating sea creatures

    Mermaids and seahorses will welcome the Tall Ships' crews when they sail into the North-East next month. School children are creating sea creatures to mark the launch of Leviathan - a Gateshead Council programme of more than 30 community events. The Tall

  • Oo-la-la, what a great idea

    NORTH-EAST students are taking to the French airwaves to keep British ex-pats and holidaymakers up to date with the news and weather. Sunderland University media students will provide an English service on Radio 4, in Lot-et-Garonne, South-West France

  • Children take field trip to farm

    CHILDREN from a newly-opened nursery enjoyed their first day out together when they took a trip to a County Durham farm. Topoli Joe Nursery, in Northgate, Darlington, opened in September and the day trip to Hall Hill Farm in Lanchester was the children's

  • Shock as school forced to close

    A PRE-SCHOOL that has served a village for more than 30 years will be forced to close later this year, to the dismay of parents and staff. Middleton St George Pre-School will close on July 22, dashing hopes of being included in the new £3.2m Middleton

  • Community pride project success

    A PROJECT to promote community pride among young people has been hailed a success. Pride in Consett North is coming to an end and an event has been organised to celebrate the project's achievements. It aimed to increase awareness of local environmental

  • Headteacher wins praise in report

    A SCHOOL in Darlington has been praised by Ofsted inspectors for helping pupils achieve high standards in English and maths. The report says Heathfield Primary School, in The Broadway, off Yarm Road, is a good school. It praises headteacher Dave Hayllar

  • High note for pub as licence for entertainment is granted

    A PUB has won a public entertainment licence despite complaints by residents over noise from the premises on music nights. But new owners of The Jug, in Durham City, have pledged to do everything possible to prevent noise escaping through the doors, windows

  • Children help raise awareness of appeal

    A corner of an ancient cathedral has been transformed into an oasis of colour for a traditional charity event. Brightly-coloured sunflowers - each handmade by local schoolchildren - were being hung on trees in Durham Cathedral yesterday. The sunflower

  • CD system replaces church organists

    THE compact disc has made its debut as a temporary substitute for organists at a North Yorkshire church. Recorded choral music has been played to replace the regular organist, who is unwell, and a stand-in player, who has been on holiday, at St James's

  • Air rifle victim 'lucky not to lose an eye'

    POLICE say a man hit on the forehead with an air rifle pellet was lucky not to lose an eye. The 41-year-old workman was struck about an inch-and-a-half above his right eye while he and colleagues were renovating a house in Station Road, West Rainton,

  • Charges brought over man's death

    A MAN was last night charged with the murder of a married father-of-three after an alleged attack at a city centre bar. Hassan El-Khuweldi, 46, of Waterloo Street, Newcastle, was remanded in custody and will appear before magistrates in the city today

  • Praise for warm and welcoming pre-school

    STAFF and pupils at a church-led nursery are celebrating a double success. The CLC Pre-school, in Woodham, Newton Aycliffe, has received a glowing report from education watchdog Ofsted. The pre-school, part of the Christian Life Centre, opened in 1994

  • People told to get on their bikes

    PEOPLE of all ages are being encouraged to get in the saddle to mark National Bike Week. Darlington Borough Council is holding free events next week to encourage more people to take up cycling. They start on Monday, June 13 with a doctor bike session

  • Housing shake-up deadline looming

    THOUSANDS of council tenants are being urged to share their views on the proposed transfer of homes to a new housing group. People living in the 9,200 local authority homes across Sedgefield have until Saturday to make formal comments about the suggested

  • Emmerdale star opens care home

    TELEVISION pensioner Jarvis Skelton took a break from his Emmerdale duties to formally open a £3.5m housing scheme for the elderly. Actor Richard Moore travelled to Knaresborough to do the honours at the Hill View Manor. In the popular Yorkshire TV soap

  • Last day to nominate volunteers for award

    TODAY is the last chance for people in County Durham to say thank-you to local volunteers. Nominations for a Thank You From County Durham Award, an initiative by Durham County Council to reward volunteers in the area, close tomorrow. Awards will be presented

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Building hope from tragedy

    IN launching a campaign today in response to the deaths of two boys on a North-East railway line, it is not our intention to seek to apportion blame. The No Messin' campaign, in partnership with Network Rail, has two main objectives: to highlight the

  • Drunken man threw brick at window

    A DRUNKEN man who broke a window at his girlfriend's house by hurling a brick at it, was arrested by police after he told her: "I'll be back later to break the rest of them." Gary Leak turned up at his partner's house in the early hours and became abusive

  • Coffee morning

    A coffee morning will be held at Delves Lane Village Hall on Wednesday, July 6, at 10.30am, when Christine Deponia will give a talk about her work at a holistic care centre for cancer sufferers. Tickets cost £1.50 and are available from the hall. Proceeds

  • Rowing For The Record: Rowers quake at porridge disaster

    The crew behind the North Atlantic rowing attempt have suffered a culinary disaster. But morale remains high amongst the four-man crew, which includes Nigel Morris and George Rock of Ingleby Barwick, as they attempt to row the 2,100 miles between Canada

  • Henry Hall can keep Tinkler's run going

    Seven of Nigel Tinkler's eight wins this year have been in the last month and the North Yorkshire trainer is fancied to be on the mark again with Henry Hall in the Newby Handicap at Ripon this afternoon. Although the sprinter hasn't won since October

  • Rail tragedy parents back safety campaign

    THE parents of two schoolboys killed while trespassing on railway tracks yesterday backed a campaign to help prevent a repeat of the tragedy. The No Messin' campaign - a partnership between The Northern Echo and Network Rail - aims to highlight the dangers

  • The Unexpected Man, Darlington Civic Theatre

    THE play is the title of a new book as its famous writer and his number one female fan happen to be sitting in the same compartment on a trip from Paris to Frankfurt. Thoughts from the two explode into emotional monologue shared with the audience but

  • Secret diary sheds light on life of Great War PoWs

    RARE and intriguing mementoes from a forgotten aspect of the First World War are to helping shed new light on the life of prisoners-of-war. A secret diary and a piece of artificial soap from a German PoW camp are among the latest artefacts to go on show

  • Royal Ascot At York: Getting the racegoers on track

    HIGHWAY bosses have moved to allay fears of major congestion as York prepares to welcome 290,000 racegoers to Royal Ascot. Concerns had been raised that the city's narrow streets would fail to cope with the traffic during the five-day meeting. But City

  • Clean-up complete at horror stables

    THE ten-day clean-up operation at a stables where nearly 40 animals were found dead was wound down yesterday. Council bosses will have to foot the huge bill, but will try to reclaim the cost from whoever is found to be responsible for what happened to

  • Stars sign up for golf charity event

    BUSINESSES in the region are being asked to take part in a charity golf competition to help sick and underprivileged children. Radio station 96.6tfm is staging the event next month and is looking for companies and organisations to enter teams. Money raised

  • Bowyer to challenge brawl prosecution bid

    FOOTBALLER Lee Bowyer plans to challenge moves to prosecute him over his on-field scuffle with Newcastle United team-mate Kieron Dyer. Northumbria Police yesterday announced that, after considering advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, it was decided

  • Dearer water pumps up profit

    NORTHUMBRIAN Water yesterday announced it made £108.8m in pre-tax profits last year. Higher water prices and debt restructuring have helped to drive up the profits. Shares in the company hit an all-time high yesterday on the news of positive plans for

  • Mum At Large: When your baby becomes a stranger

    THE two-year-old and I were just passing through the fruit and vegetable section, playing a game of tickles as we shopped, when I noticed a thoughtful looking middle-aged woman staring at us intently. Albert, still giggling, reached up from his seat on

  • Job Search: Vacancies

    Receptionist, £12,500pa, 40hpw 5 days over 7 between 8am and 11pm, includes weekends and evenings. Must have excellent telephone manner and good communication skills. Previous experience not essential as training given. Meeting guests and handling cash

  • Bus lane approved despite jam fears

    A BUS-ONLY lane considered a key element of Durham's planned park and ride scheme has won approval despite fears it will increase congestion. One lane of the A690 dual carriageway approaching the city from the A1(M) junction at Carrville will be reserved

  • Call me, says inspector

    CONSETT has a new community inspector. Insp Andy McConnell takes over from Insp Cath Boyd, who has moved to the complaints department at Durham Constabulary headquarters. Following in the footsteps of his father, Insp McConnell has been a policemen for

  • Museum in for Euro title

    A NEW national museum is strengthening its place on the global tourism map by being nominated for an international award. Locomotion: the National Railway Museum at Shildon is now in the running for the European Museum of the Year Award. The award scheme

  • Plea to former pupils over school's rebuilding project

    FORMER pupils are being asked to re-shape the future of their old school by donating cash to its new building fund. St Clare's Roman Catholic Primary School in Acklam, Middlesbrough, is being totally rebuilt, but parents and teachers must find ten per

  • Top Ten To Rent

    UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL : 1 (-) Closer 2 (3) Ocean's 12 3 (1) Meet The Fockers 4 (-) Creep 5 (4) Team America - World Police 6 (-) Ladder 49 7 (-) Ray 8 (9) Elektra 9 (8) Lemony Snicket's 10 (10) Son Of The Mask Published: 09/06/2005

  • Drunk is given toughest Asbo yet

    A PERSISTENT drunk was yesterday made the subject of the North-East's toughest Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo). Charles Rush, 49, of no fixed address, from the Seaham area, was placed on a ten-year Asbo, restricting his behaviour in the whole of England

  • John North: Calling on deaf ears

    DON Read, profoundly deaf and profoundly wise, this weekend celebrates 50 years' Christian ministry among the deaf community of the North-East. "I believe that people have the right to hear the Gospel in their own language," he says. "For deaf people,

  • Project will bloom again

    A PILOT project to brighten up former east Durham pit villages proved so successful last year that it is to be repeated this weekend. The Bloomin' Marvellous venture saw thousands of volunteers join together in Horden and Easington Colliery to give the

  • Relief as toilets open for summer

    A TOILET block closed for three days a week last month should be fully re-opened in time for the summer holidays. The men's facilities at Millgate in Thirsk were closed in May amid reports of vandalism and that homosexuals were using them as a meeting

  • Senior council appointments

    A COUNCIL has named two senior directors appointed as part of a corporate restructure. Adrienne Simcock has been made the director of children's services at Hartlepool Borough Council while Ian Parker has been appointed director of neighbourhood services

  • News in brief: Over-60s in show spotlight

    THE Middlesbrough Theatre is hosting the North-East area finals of a talent contest for the over-60s for the fourth successive year today. A dozen contestants from across the North-East will be competing for a place in the national final in Southport

  • Major tax rise fears premature - finance chiefs

    SPECULATION that council tax bills could rise by almost 50 per cent after homes are revalued was last night dismissed as premature by finance bosses in the North-East. Research by the Society of County Treasurers for the County Councils Network (CCN)

  • Boys to be sentenced for child's abduction

    TWO boys aged 11 and 13 are to be sentenced after a jury decided yesterday they had abducted a child at knifepoint, forced him to strip naked, and beat him. The youngsters, who cannot be named for legal reasons, kidnapped the eight-year-old boy from a

  • Zoe's back to be the belle of the show

    STARS have visited the North-East to promote a pantomime. Darlington pop idol Zoe Birkett will be returning to her home town when she stars in Beauty and the Beast at Darlington Civic Theatre later this year. She will starring alongside comedy legends

  • Job Search: Vacancies

    Seamstress, £4.85ph, 14hpw between 9am and 5.30pm Mon-Fri, tailoring or seamstress experience preferred but not essential as training provided. Ref: DUR 39208. Chef, £5.50ph dep on exp, 30hpw between 4pm and 11pm Tues-Sat. Experience an advantage although

  • Viduka can show fans he's back in business

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