Archive

  • Confetti (15)

    BEST described as Four Weddings meets This Is Spinal Tap - an improvised British comedy centred around that fine tradition of the wedding day viewed as a war zone. The idea of a totally improvised comedy - with director and creator Debbie Isitt having

  • Three (15)

    NOT so much Three as Two as lads' mag pin-up Kelly Brook thrusts her two most famous assets at the camera in an effort to distract us from (a) her acting and (b) the story. If an Oscar was given for outstanding performance by a pair of breasts, she'd

  • Key boys

    Describing themselves as "more hairdresser than barbershop", 4 Poofs And A Piano have worked with many of their idols on Jonathan Ross's Friday night chat show. Now they're supporting another icon, Joan Collins, on her nationwide tour. They talk to

  • Daddy uncool

    MARTIN Fowler's standing in Soapland is under threat. First, he's beaten for the title of tallest man in soap by lanky Carl King in Emmerdale and now they're trying to take away his child in EastEnders (BBC1). This is the daughter that Sonia didn't

  • Daughters of war

    The team behind a new play exploring the issues of war ended up risking their own lives in the name of research, Steve Pratt discovers. THE Wedding Collective's production of a realitybased theatre piece about the Nato bombing of Serbia in 1999 was

  • May 4, 2006

    FOLK music returns to Gateshead's Sage tomorrow with a visit by Kate Rusby, currently the darling of the folk world, and promoting a new album. Another classy gig is coming up at Washington's Davy Lamp on Saturday with Allan Taylor. Allan, too, has

  • Boxer hits home safety message

    BOXER Amir Khan yesterday launched a national campaign that aims to reduce injuries and deaths on railway lines. Last year, three children from the North-East were killed on railway tracks. The death of two Darlington schoolboys at the Five Arches Bridge

  • Are you ever too old to have a baby?

    A 63-year-old woman is to become the oldest mother in Britain following fertility treatment. But how late should you leave motherhood? Lidnsay Jennings reports. JUNE Welch thought her neat 26-inch waist had thickened because of middle-age spread. Aged

  • World record bid will boost hospital

    A SAILOR on County Durham's adopted ship, HMS Bulwark, is rowing 1,000 miles to raise money for a North-East hospital - without ever leaving the deck. The ship's Master at Arms, Dave Harris, hopes to break the Guinness World Record for the longest continual

  • Voters deliver verdict on Prescott, Clarke and NHS

    PRIME Minister Tony Blair was facing a rough ride this morning in the biggest test of public opinion ahead of the next General Election. When the first result to be declared in the local elections came in last night, Labour lost five seats to the Conservatives

  • Voters' verdict on setbacks

    THE Government is assessing the damage caused by a series of high-profile setbacks as millions of voters gave their verdict in local elections. As Tony Blair's tenth year in Downing Street began, more than half of the electorate yesterday had the chance

  • Clinic brings hope for hyperactive children

    A PIONEERING clinic for hyperactive children is to carry out a major experiment involving a North-East school. If it succeeds it could provide new hope for thousands of children who are put on controversial amphatemine-based drugs such as Ritalin. Dr

  • Frustration for Magpies as Roeder request is rejected

    NEWCASTLE'S search for a new manager suffered a major blow last night when the Premier League rejected their attempt to install Glenn Roeder, insisting the current caretaker did not possess the coaching qualifications needed to continue in the post. But

  • Accused 'at home when fire started'

    A CONVICTED arsonist accused of starting a house fire that killed a schoolboy sleeping inside, told a court he was watching television at home when the fire was started. Neil English, who set fire to his former girlfriend's home in 1997, told jurors in

  • Bishop gives castle's first real ale festival a head start

    A BISHOP turned bartender to pull pints in his own back garden. The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Tom Wright, launched a three-day beer festival by pulling the first pint. Appropriately, he chose Auckland Ale from over 40 beers on tap at his official

  • Discipline duo land council's top jobs

    TWO councillors who face a disciplinary hearing next week have been elected to the top posts on a parish council. Chairman John Shuttleworth and vice-chairman Richard Mews were elected unopposed at Stanhope Parish Council's annual meeting in the Town

  • New proposals are approved for playing field

    REVISED plans for a major housing development on the site of a former Darlington sports ground have been given the go-ahead. Developer George Wimpey was given permission in 2004 to build 125 homes on land which used to be playing fields for Cleveland

  • Resource project marks first birthday

    A SCHEME to help blind people continue to live independently at home has marked its first anniversary. The County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially-Sighted, based in Church Lane, Durham City, joined forces with the Home Independence Service run

  • New website puts Ferryhill on the international map

    A COMMUNITY-SPIRITED resident has saved his town a "significant" sum of money by putting it on the world-wide web. Fred Simpson spent several months designing a website for Ferryhill Town Council which would help to keep residents informed about activities

  • Milestone in stop-smoking programme

    MORE than 1,000 people were helped to quit smoking during the past year in Durham and Chester-le-Street. Figures yesterday from the area's primary care trust show that its stop-smoking team helped 1,066 people give up cigarettes during 2005. Over the

  • Six new magistrates sworn in

    SIX new magistrates have been sworn in at a North Yorkshire courthouse. The magistrates have all been appointed to the Northallerton and Richmond Bench, which serves Hambleton and Richmondshire. Chairman of the bench Rita Twiss conducted the swearing

  • Website to give grant advice

    A website has been launched to give community groups in the Dales free professional advice on how to obtain grants. The site contains a forum where groups and individuals can get advice and information on how to access small or large grants. The site

  • Horse riders win all contests

    YOUNG horse riders from an equestrian club won all three sections at a competition. The junior, senior novice and senior open teams from Northallerton Riding Club scooped the awards at a Hunter Trial Qualifier at Northallerton Equestrian Centre. They

  • Woman admits drink driving

    A 25-YEAR-OLD woman who fell asleep in her car after a night out before driving home has been banned from the roads for drink-driving. Katherine Mitchell, of Prospect View, Northallerton, was banned for 20 months at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday

  • Family earns prizes for recycling efforts

    A TEESSIDE mother has been rewarded for her green thinking. Fiona Robinson has won Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Recycling Family of the Month award. Ms Robinson, who involves her three sons, Luke, seven, Adam, four, and baby Mark, in her recycling

  • Dinner with Branson

    A COSMETICS manager said she was over the moon after enjoying a champagne dinner with her boss. Christine Hughff, from Stockton, is a manager with Virgin Cosmetics, and was recently chosen to attend the dinner in London, hosted by company owner, Sir Richard

  • Drive to take over Spanish fleet on course

    VAN hire firm Northgate yesterday said it is to acquire the remaining 51 per cent stake in its Spanish business Record Rent by the end of the month. The Darlington-based plc said that the purchase will be completed after the statutory accounts for 2005

  • Disabled-friendly holiday centre scoops special award

    A FAMILY inspired by their son to develop disabled-friendly holiday cottages have received a special award. For Mellwaters Barn, near Bowes, County Durham, was shortlisted for the finals of the North-East Building of the Year - only to be beaten by the

  • Family day to celebrate park's £3.8m revamp

    THE region's oldest municipal park will open to the public on Sunday after a multi-million pound restoration. The family day held at South Park, Darlington, will herald a new beginning for the park after its £3.8m restoration. Organisers hope people will

  • Leader to fight A1(M) proposal

    A COMMUNITY leader has threatened to lie down in the road to stop motorway traffic being diverted through her village. Richmondshire District Councillor Jill McMullon says she will fight "tooth and nail" to prevent run-off traffic from the new A1 motorway

  • Natasha's ready for a bright idea

    AN 18-YEAR-OLD chef has dyed her hair pink to brighten up a charity event when she will lose her treasured locks. Natasha Williams will be raising money for Cancer Research UK when she shaves her hair. Natasha, from Darlington, will cut her long-flowing

  • Map on show in new home

    A MAP in needlework detailing the area of Thirsk has gone on show . Thirsk Town Council handed over Thirsk Parish Map to go on permanent display in St Mary's Church. The map measures nearly 20ft and is located in the south aisle of the church, in Kirkgate

  • Religious project is awarded £40,000

    A PIONEERING religious project has been awarded £40,000 to work with pupils in the North-East. The Schools Interfaith project was piloted last year in the Middlesborough and Ripon areas. The Home Office-supported scheme looks to promote understanding

  • Councillors' expenses bill tops the half-million mark

    COUNCILLORS in Darlington were paid more than half a million pounds to cover their expenses last year. Each of the borough's councillors was awarded a basic allowance of £7,388 in the year ending in March, new figures have revealed. On top of this minimum

  • Charles has 990-mile charity bike ride in store

    THE boss of a Northallerton department store is preparing for a gruelling charity challenge which will cover almost a thousand miles. Charles Barker, managing director of Barkers, will pedal from Lands End to John O' Groats to raise funds for the Pendragon

  • Parking fees - enough to make you feel sick

    PLANNING a hospital visit? Going by car? Then allow an extra hour, take a pocketful of change and practise your anti-stress techniques. Hospitals in Britain recently came under attack for the amount they charge patients and visitors to park. Newcastle

  • Are you ever too old to have a baby?

    JUNE Welch thought her neat 26-inch waist had thickened because of middle-age spread. Aged 48, it had been two years since her last period. "I actually thought I'm going to have to do some exercises to get rid of some of this weight," laughs June, of

  • Prior grabs initiative from Tykes

    A battling century from Matt Prior seized the initiative from Yorkshire, who then lost two quick wickets on the second day of their Championship match against Sussex at Headingley yesterday. Thanks to Prior, Sussex were able to recover from 115 for five

  • Suiters' strong interest in ICI

    SEVERAL potential buyers have expressed strong interest in buying ICI's Uniqema business, the company said yesterday. ICI said plans to sell Uniqema, which employs 380 people at Wilton, Teesside, were proceeding well with a number of potential buyers

  • Sven offers his total support

    SVEN-Goran Eriksson last night insisted that Steve McClaren was the right man to succeed him as manager of England. The Middlesbrough boss was officially unveiled at Soho Square yesterday despite a succession of polls showing the majority of England fans

  • Future remaining uncertain for returning defender McGurk

    Fresh from a hugely successful loan spell at York City, David McGurk is back in the Darlington line-up this weekend not knowing where his future lies. With skipper Matt Clarke suspended, McGurk will start against Wrexham tomorrow after returning to the

  • Builder makes new base in N-E

    HOUSEBUILDER Shepherd Homes is creating 150 jobs after opening a regional office in Durham. The move comes as the York-based company unveiled plans to penetrate even further into the North-East region - despite having had a presence there for more than

  • Family speak out as inquest rules on 16-year-old's death

    THE family of a teenage girl who was found hanged in a hospital say they hope lessons will be learned from her death. Samantha McCartney, who had a history of severe self-harm, was found hanged in Darlington Memorial Hospital on May 10, 2004. The 16-year-old

  • Barwick: He was first pick

    DESPITE the farcical way Luiz Felipe Scolari pulled out of the running to become the next England manager, the Football Association have insisted Steve McClaren was the first choice. McClaren was unveiled in front of the national media yesterday at Soho

  • Moss car ready to hit track again

    A RACING car made famous by Stirling Moss 58 years ago is ready for a comeback on the track after it was restored. The Cooper JAP Formula 3 model, a lightweight 497cc classic that can reach 125mph, has had its aluminium body rebuilt and fitted at the

  • Cricketing hotbed

    DROPPING in by chance this week at a pub in Hurworth, not far from Middlesbrough's training complex, I heard a couple of rumours about Steve McClaren. Not being one for tittle-tattle, I took no more notice than I did when I heard the story about his affair

  • Rate decision is welcomed

    BUSINESS leaders last night welcomed the Bank of England's decision to leave interest rates on hold for the ninth month in a row. The latest no-change decision by the nine members of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), to keep rates pegged at

  • Shelter for bikes opens at school

    A SCHOOL has opened a secure cycle shelter to encourage its pupils to adopt a healthy lifestyle. It has been built at Framwellgate School, on the outskirts of Durham City, and was opened this week by former Sunderland and England footballer Nick Pickering

  • Growing foods that could save your life

    Eat your heart out Monty Don. North-East plant scientists have developed a way of breeding superplants packed with nutrients. Health Editor Barry Nelson investigates. WHEN scientists announced that they were able to manipulate the genes of plants to make

  • New homes to be built on Parkgate

    OUTLINE plans to turn a former filling station into a residential development in Darlington were approved yesterday. The Co-Operative's Group's application to develop Priory Garages, on Parkgate, were given the go-ahead by Darlington borough Council's

  • Have a laugh at The Forum

    THE latest live Funny Bones comedy night takes place in Darlington on Saturday. Compere for the evening is Jonathon Mayor, who will introduce three comedians at The Forum Music Centre. Comedian Henning When, from Germany, will open the show. He will be

  • Grassroots: Weardale

    PLAY'S THE THING: The Durham Shakespeare Group presents The Taming of the Shrew as part of its Supper with Shakespeare programme, in Upper Weardale Town Hall, St John's Chapel, tomorrow, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5, including supper, and can be obtained

  • Town will rock to sound of ska

    A MUSIC venue in Darlington is to host a summer ska season. The Forum, in Borough Road, will host four British ska gigs. Bands which have been booked are: Bad Manners featuring Buster Bloodvessel (June 30); The Beat featuring founder member Ranking Roger

  • I'll make the bikes quieter, vows motocross operator

    A MOTOCROSS track owner has vowed to reduce bike noise after restarting sessions against the wishes of local residents. Steve Harrison has lodged an appeal after Stockton Borough Council turned down his application for a certificate of lawfulness for

  • Hard-working boss realises his dream

    AS WELL as his love of football, Steve McClaren's interest in music has led to him making a trip to Amsterdam for a U2 concert just a couple of days before a Middlesbrough match. So for the ambitious Yorkshireman, after years of striving to fulfil his

  • Hospice appeals for more helpers

    VOLUNTEERS are urgently needed to help with the work of a hospice. St Cuthbert's Hospice, based in Park House Road, Durham City, is hoping to recruit extra volunteers once it opens its ten-bed in-patient extension. Last year, St Cuthbert's celebrated

  • Retailer comfortably in black

    OUTDOOR wear retailer Blacks Leisure yesterday posted a rise in both turnover and profit for the year despite a sharp slump in sales last summer. Total sales for the group increased 1.1 per cent to £297.2m, from £294m in 2005, but like-for-like sales

  • Charges are dropped in police attack trial

    THE trial of a naked man accused of fighting with police took an unusual turn when the District Judge dismissed three of the four charges laid against him. Stephen Whenary was said to have fought back with superhuman strength when a domestic dispute spiralled

  • Invitation to five-day golf competition

    GOLFERS are invited to submit entries to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's second annual Redcar, Saltburn and Hartlepool Golf Week to be held this summer In partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council, the authority is offering five days of golf,

  • Milestone in £105m upgrade of homes

    A £105m improvement programme being carried out by Erimus Housing has reached a milestone - the 2,000th modernisation has been completed. The work, carried out to a property in Netherfields, Middlesbrough, was completed as part of a five-year project,

  • Ball hails Black Cats goal heroes

    A DELIGHTED Kevin Ball last night hailed his under-fire side and the club's supporters after a first Premier League victory at the Stadium of Light this season. But the triumph also signalled an end to some other woeful unwanted records. The Black Cats

  • Ex-teacher not surprised by McClaren's rise to top

    THE speed of Steve McClaren's rise to the position of England manager has surprised most people, but it has not come as a shock to the man who kick-started his footballing career. Peter Bibby was the head of PE at York's Nunthorpe School when a young

  • Easterby lands 47-1 double

    TIM EASTERBY and his stable jockey David Allan were the combination to follow at Redcar yesterday, knocking in a sparkling 47-1 double via Major Third and Methusaleh. Major Third wasted no time at all in getting the in-form duo on the score-sheet by snapping

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Give McClaren a chance

    WE love to see the North-East promoted around the world, so we are delighted that the manager of one of the region's football clubs has become the manager of England. A few months ago, Steve McClaren's world appeared to be falling apart. During a humiliating

  • An irregular golfer

    Joining the likes of Alan Shearer, Michael Owen and Paul Collingwood in yesterday's pro-am was The Northern Echo's golf writer Paul Fraser. The irregular golfer had Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson carrying his clubs. So how did they shape up at Wynyard

  • Don't write our World Cup hopes off yet

    WITH all the doom and gloom about you could have been forgiven for thinking that England had already been knocked out of the 2006 World Cup. The injury to Wayne Rooney has led to the bookies changing our odds of winning from 7-1 to 10-1, and the harbingers

  • Newton Aycliffe to host major national exhibition

    A NEWTON Aycliffe venue is hosting a major national exhibition on its first trip outside of London. Making It Yours: Ceramics, at Greenfield School Community and Arts College, will act as the catalyst for classroom and community projects based around

  • Racing noise row heads for High Court

    A ROW over noise at a racing circuit will be decided in the High Court. Residents living near Croft Motor Racing Circuit, near Darlington, are complaining their lives are being made a misery by noise from the track. However, motor racing enthusiasts have

  • 05/05/06

    TV LICENCES: WE are continually reminded of the consequences if we operate a TV set without a licence. Now the BBC has decided to make it harder for some of us to get a licence. From August we will not be able to obtain licences from our local post office

  • Jailed sex offender banned from writing to his victims

    THE Prison Service revealed last night that it had taken steps to prevent a serial sex offender contacting his victims from his cell. Lawrence Petch had been accused by two women of sending them lewd letters while serving his sentence at Acklington Prison

  • Toon's a buzz as Sting comes home for award

    GEORDIE rock star Sting was spotted Walking In The Toon yesterday as he returned to receive an honorary doctorate of music from his home town university. The former frontman of The Police will join former police chief Lord John Stevens at an honorary

  • Royal date cuts short election celebrations

    A NEW council chairman had to leave its annual meeting minutes after being elected - because his first official duty was a date with a Royal. Wear Valley District Council's new head, Eddie Murphy, was whisked from the council chamber straight to Auckland

  • Seeking views for greener town

    MIDDLESBROUGH residents are being asked for their views on plans to make the town a greener, healthier place. The town's council has just launched its Green Spaces Strategy, spelling out how it hopes to improve the quality of parks, recreation grounds

  • Tenancy demotion order imposed on mother of unruly teenage son

    AN east Durham mother has been stripped of a number of her council house tenant rights in a bid to persuade her to deal with her unruly son. The teenager, from Blackhall, was issued with an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) banning him from harassing

  • New mayor is champion

    YOUNG people's champion in Pickering, grandmother Julie Hepworth, is to become its mayor. Currently the deputy mayor, Councillor Hepworth of Eastgate, Pickering, was a personnel manager for Tesco in London before moving to the market town. She is trustee

  • From humble beginnings to the summit in 12 years

    Twelve years ago, when he was youth-team coach at Oxford United, Steve McClaren was so far down the pecking order he was forced to clamber off the team bus as it journeyed to an away game and change a punctured tyre. Today, as he adapts to life as England's

  • Builder makes new base in N-E

    HOUSEBUILDER Shepherd Homes is creating 150 jobs after opening a regional office in Durham. The move comes as the York-based company unveiled plans to penetrate even further into the North-East region - despite having had a presence there for more than

  • Fanciers left distraught as pigeons killed in blaze

    MORE than 50 pigeons were killed when a loft on allotments was set on fire in the latest in a series of incidents. The birds, which belonged to fancier John Divine, died of smoke inhalation at the site used by the Highfield Homing Society near Sunderland

  • Blind service anniversary

    A SCHEME to help blind people live independently at home has marked its first anniversary. The County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially-Sighted, based in Church Lane, Durham City, joined forces with the Home Independence Service, run by Durham

  • Acclaim for Jamie's Broadway debut

    A DARLINGTON actor had support from home when a critically-acclaimed play opened on Broadway. The proud parents of Jamie Parker, 26, were in the audience on the opening night of Alan Bennett's The History Boys in New York, the latest stop in the play's

  • Joanne's efforts are rewarded

    A YOUNG childminder has won an award after saving a local playgroup from closure. Joanne Middleton, from Hawes, has received the Yorkshire Dales Society's Ken Willson Award. Miss Middleton, 22, will receive £500 in recognition of her commitment to the

  • Donation is welcome boost for homeless charity's vital lifeline

    A CHARITY has been given a cash boost from a Darlington store, to help it carry out vital work. Stop2Night, which provides help and support for homeless people, has been given more than £1,000 from Marks and Spencer after a series of collections and fundraising

  • Recorded music

    Darlington Recorded Music Society holds its annual meeting, followed by a presentation entitled Oddments - A Musical Miscellany, at Sir ED Walker Homes on Wednesday, at 7pm. Annual subscription is £3, meeting charge £1

  • Decision on later opening put on hold

    A NIGHTCLUB'S plan to stay open until 3am still hang in the balance after councillors deferred their decision. The three members of Stockton Borough Council's licensing sub-committee failed to reach a verdict on the application by The Keys, in Yarm High

  • Man cleared of assaulting PC

    A MAN who was left battered, bloodied and bruised when he was arrested while naked in the shower has walked free from court after being cleared of assaulting a police officer. When the verdict was announced Stephen Whenary was overcome with emotion. The

  • Toy Top can keep Dod's run going

    IMPROVING Toy Top (2.20) could prove a cut above her rivals in the opening Racing UK Handicap at Musselburgh. Trainer Michael Dods is currently enjoying a real purple patch, Toy Top contributing to the stable's winning spree with a runaway victory in

  • Growing foods that could save your life

    WHEN scientists announced that they were able to manipulate the genes of plants to make them resistant to pests or to produce a higher yield, it seemed that the end of world poverty might be in sight. But fears that adding new genes to plants could go

  • At last! Sunderland's long wait for home win is over

    SUNDERLAND last night grabbed their final opportunity to avoid becoming the first team in the history of the Football League to go through a season without a home win. They may have avoided defeat against Fulham but it hardly papers over the cracks of

  • Drivers airlifted to hospital after head on smash

    A SERIOUS head on smash saw injured drivers airlifted to hospital and a road closed for over five hours. Six people were airlifted to James Cook Hospital after the crash on the A170 close to Helmsley. The crash took place at 5.20pm one mile west of Helmsley

  • McClaren vows to end Boro career on a high

    ENGLAND'S manager-in-waiting Steve McClaren last night told of how he is desperate to ensure his five-year reign at Middlesbrough ends on the most glorious of highs. McClaren signed a four-year deal, starting on August 1, as Sven- Goran Eriksson's successor

  • Detectives on the trail of £200k jewel heist raiders

    BURGLARS escaped with an estimated £200,000 haul of jewellery and watches in a lightning-quick late night raid. Market Cross Jewellers was targeted by a gang of thieves who smashed their way to the most expensive and prestigious items in the store at

  • GP salaries 'above average' in region

    FAMILY doctors in the region earn an average of £110,000 a year before tax, according to a new survey. That is way below the figure of £250,000 which was bandied around last month. Accountants have stressed only a small minority of GPs in England earn

  • Clarke loses job in Cabinet reshuffle

    TONY Blair announced sweeping changes to the Government today after a bruising night of local election losses. John Prescott will remain as Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Party deputy leader but under fire Home Secretary Charles Clarke has lost his

  • ShopTalk: Parking fees - enough to make you sick

    The column takes a look at parking charges at hospitals in the area, how they compare and how to stop them stessing you out. PLANNING a hospital visit? Going by car? Then allow an extra hour, take a pocketful of change and practise your anti-stress techniques

  • 'Horrendous' conditions for firefighters at surgery blaze

    FIREFIGHTERS have spoken of the atrocious conditions they faced as they tackled a blaze which left a doctors' surgery severely damaged. A fire service chief said that extinguishing the fire at the refurbished Louisa Surgery, in Stanley, was as difficult

  • Restaurant's smoking ban is popular decision

    A TOWN centre restaurant has introduced a no-smoking policy throughout the building after 73 years of business in Darlington. Crombie's, on Tubwell Row, has removed its smoking section, and does not allow cigarettes in any part of the cafe. The change

  • Taking steps to remember an 'inspiration'

    A WEARDALE dad who launched a charity for local children with disabilities and learning difficulties has walked 100 miles in memory of another inspirational family man. Alistair Howe completed the challenge at Wolsingham School and Community College over

  • Houses for old garage site

    PLANNING permission has been granted to demolish a garage block and replace it with three townhouses in Darlington. The borough council's planning committee yesterday permitted applicants Mr and Mrs C Stroud to demolish six garages and build three, three-storey

  • Pupils' artworks selected for childline calendar

    THE work of artistic youngsters from a Durham school has been included in the 20th anniversary calendar of Childline. The charity, which helps youngsters with problems, particularly bullying, attracted thousands of entries for its drawing competition

  • News in brief

    FUNDRAISING CUPPA: A coffee morning in aid of St Aidan's Church, Boosbeck, east Cleveland, will be held at Sunnyfield House, Guisborough, on Saturday, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. There will be tombola and refreshments. All welcome. GRAB A BARGAIN: A bric-a-brac

  • Disabled-friendly holiday centre scoops special award

    A FAMILY inspired by their son to develop disabled-friendly holiday cottages have received a special award. For Mellwaters Barn, near Bowes, County Durham, was shortlisted for the finals of the North-East Building of the Year - only to be beaten by the

  • Home-bred Falcons make history

    NEWCASTLE Falcons will tomorrow become the first club to field a squad of 22 England-qualified players for a Premiership match. Making his first start since November, Jonny Wilkinson will captain the side for the first time this season in their final

  • 'Honoured' Boro boss takes top job

    STEVE McClaren last night said he was the proudest man in the country after being confirmed as the new England manager. The Middlesbrough boss was finally named at a hastily-arranged Press conference in Soho Square, London, yesterday, ending the Football

  • Jobs under threat as axe falls at Orange

    THE North-East was bracing itself last night after one of the region's largest private employers announced plans to axe up to 2,000 jobs across the UK. Mobile phone operator Orange said an economy drive to reduce costs by 15 per cent would see between

  • Boro boss is 'proudest man in England'

    STEVE McClaren said last night he was the proudest man in the country after being confirmed as England's new manager. The Middlesbrough boss was finally named at a hastily-arranged Press conference in Soho Square, London, yesterday, ending the Football

  • Reviews

    Romano-SclavisTexier/African Flashback (Label Bleu LBLC6679) Three of Europe's finest jazz musicians - Aldo Romano (drums and guitar), Louis Sclavis (clarinets and soprano saxophone) and Henry Texier (bass) in a third recording inspired by the photographs

  • May 4, 2006

    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 1 (DG477 6021) Twenty years after he recorded Brahm's Piano Concerto No 1 with Bernstein, Krystian Zimerman returns to the work; this time with Simon Rattle conducting the Berlin Philharmoniker. The Polish virtuoso says he

  • May 5, 2006

    AS the holiday season heads into full swing and thoughts turn to the sunny trips abroad, give a thought to the holiday entertainment on your own doorstep. If, like many Brits abroad, you head for the Spanish resort of Benidorm, then your evening strolls