This evening I have been to a school awards evening. The guest speaker was a person who had survived adversity and in so doing, and with the help of family and friends, had striven to take on new and more demanding challenges. His advice to students will
POLICE firearms officers shot dead an escaped bull that was causing chaos at a North-East factory today. Durham police officers were called to Flymo, in Preston Road, Newton Aycliffe Business Park, County Durham, at about 11.30am. Initial reports were
As Middlesbrough Lions prepare for the big visit of Holyhead Celts this Sunday, the club have announced a major new signing in the most successful basketball player on Teesside with 13 National Championships. Steve Butler will now don the Lions
A SEMINAR on the role of Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) has heard reassurances about their future under local government reorganisation. Citizens Advice currently operates seven branches across County Durham, where a single unitary authority
A CANDLELIT prayer vigil in memory of those killed and injured in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai is to be held at the weekend. The hour-long vigil is to take place in Millennium Place, in Durham City, at 4pm on Saturday to remember the hundreds
THE jury in the murder trial of babysitter Suzanne Holdsworth was sent home tonight after they failed to reach a verdict. They will resume deliberating at Teesside Crown Court tomorrow morning over whether or not the 38-year mother caused fatal head
TWO railway museums have teamed up to create a remembrance project to honour former rail and munitions workers. The National Railway Museum at Shildon, County Durham, and Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum are hosting the year-long Railways at
TWO premiership footballers have been banned from every pub in a borough for repeated yobbish behaviour. Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates and former midfielder Lee Cattermole, now of Wigan, have been banned from pubs and clubs across Stockton borough
It's been a day for broadcasting... First it was the radio panto earlier in the day, and tonight I had the pleasant task of recording my Christmas message for the Darlington and District Talking Newspaper. We are very proud to share
A CHURCH held a magical festive performance of Scrooge last weekend to start the season with a swing. The Xcel Church’s Christmas spectacular at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, last Sunday was enjoyed by more than 750 people. The church is based
A CHURCH held a magical festive performance of Scrooge last weekend to start the season with a swing. The Xcel Church’s Christmas spectacular at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, last Sunday was enjoyed by more than 750 people. The church is based
PHARMACIES and NHS services are joining forces to promote a safe sex message over the Christmas period. Public Health County Durham and Darlington is working with 100 pharmacies to promote the campaign to reduce unwanted pregnancies and cases of sexually
GROUNDWORK West Durham is inviting families to a Nativity themed walk in Coundon on Saturday. People should meet at Coundon Children’s Centre at 10am, where craft activities and refreshments are on offer after the walk. Children must
LITTLE voices sang out in Christmas song as nursery children performed their first traditional Yuletide concert. More than 30 toddlers, from Darlington College Childcare Centre at Catterick dressed as carol singers, snowmen and in nativity costumes to
A COUNCIL’S environment officer is inviting people on a five-mile walk to escape the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Steve Cooper, Great Aycliffe Town Council’s environmental officer, will lead the walk along the Great Aycliffe Way. Created in 1998
DOCTORS across the country have reacted with relief after “potentially catastrophic” White Paper reforms were rejected by the Government. Under the proposals, which were put forward for consultation this spring, rural practices would have seen their
HOUSEHOLDERS across Hartlepool are being urged to recycle as much of their Christmas waste as possible. Council officials are calling on them to make full use of weekly kerbside collections to dispose of items such as bottles and cans and cardboard packaging
STAFF at a Stockton dentists are all smiles after it was named the best practice in the UK. The Dental Healthcare Centre was triumphant at the Dentistry Awards 2008 held on Friday. After being crowned Best Practice in the North-East
A CANDLE has been flown from Bethlehem to a Middlesbrough hospital where it will burn over the festive period as a symbol of peace. Patients, staff and wellwishers can visit the Chapel of the Good Samaritan at The James Cook University where the light
PUPILS have taken inspiration from the famous landmarks on their doorstep to decorate their unique festive baubles. Children from Normanby Primary School in on the outskirts of Middlesbrough turned their school Christmas tree into a celebration of Teesside
DISADVANTAGED young adults who aspire to a career working with children and teenagers will be among the first to benefit from a new full-time volunteering programme. Stockton Borough Council is one of only 34 local authorities nationwide to win £285,000
THE heart of a community has been saved from ruin after scooping more than £265,000 which will transform it back into the hub of village life. The Wilson Centre has served Long Newton near Stockton since 1887 but a building survey revealed than unless
OH by the way, it's now 2-2 in the Headline Game. This morning's story was about Newcastle-born Abbisit Vejjajiva becoming the new Prime Minister of Thailand. Our headline was "Whey Thai man". It should have been a winner but it wasn't. Graham Mack
He needs our help! Can we think of some ways that Freddie can become a healthy Cougar?
FIFTY on-board catering jobs are to be lost at National Express East Coast (NXEC) as part of a cost cutting exercise which will see 750 posts axed by its parent company. The train firm said the move was aimed at ensuring it met the changing needs of
BUILDING society staff braved wintery weather to spread festive spirit by dressing as Santas for a fun run. The eight-strong team from Darlington Building Society took part in the Santa Run, held at Hardwick Hall, near Sedgefield, to raise funds for
A MASTERPLAN to preserve and develop Darlington’s playing fields and sport facilities is being created. Residents are being asked their views on the future provision of leisure facilities in the town to help Darlington Borough Council come up with a
TEENAGE students are combining part of their media course with contributions to a youth service website. Pupils at Hummersknott School are using the rE-view website as part of their regular media lessons. The project encourages youngsters to upload
SCORES of music lovers were entertained by performers and singers from a local school. Youngsters from the Allertonshire School in Northallerton gave a festive concert to the town’s Probus Club in the Methodist church, as part of what has
ALL Woolworths stores will shut by January 5, administrators confirmed today. Deloitte said around 200 of the company's 807 stores would close by December 27, followed by a second batch of 200 on December 30, 200 on January 2 and the final closures on
YOUNGSTERS delighted their parents and grandparents when they staged their own special Christmas show. The nursery and reception classes at Thirsk Community Primary School put on the show The Little Red Robins. Headteacher Richard Wild said: "It surpassed
A GROUP of regular visitors to the North York Moors have said thank-you in a special way. Members of the Horizon Group, part of Middlesbrough social services’ Community Inclusion Service, have created a tactile collage which has gone on display
VILLAGERS will be asked for their ideas how to spend a £2,500 national prize. Sadberge won the North of England award in the Calor Village of the Year competition earning the village £2,500. The parish council, which coordinated the application, will
The new outstanding single from New Rhodes The Joys Of Finding and Losing That Girl, it’s a wonderful dance floor filling track, with a wonderful catchy chorus and emotive lyrics. Before the single, I hadn’t heard of New Rhodes before but I was completely
Well, it's in the can, as we say in showbusiness. I've just finished recording my debut role in panto - and it all seems to have gone well. OK, so it's not a proper panto, but we've all got to start somewhere. The Krankies didn't get
Football, rugby, cricket, dancing, gymnastics- the usual sports… You’re unlikely to shock anyone saying you do those sports. But skydiving is another matter! Review caught up with Sammie Weller after completing her first ever skydive and here’s
Think England are bad in penalty shoot-outs? Well Darlington's record is not much better as Tuesday's loss at Rotherham United was their fourth consecutive defeat on spot kicks. In total Quakers have now won only two of the seven penalty shoot-outs
. ALL the fun of the big top will come to east Durham this evening when youngsters will be clowning around for Christmas. Members of the Cheeky Monkey circus skills group are preparing to turn out in style to give a performance at Wheatley
A 91-YEAR-old war veteran who claims he is owed tens of thousands of pounds in compensation from the military took his campaign to Parliament today. Decorated former soldier Major Richard Perkins, who was mentioned in dispatches during the
TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a vicious assault which left a man with serious head injuries. The 27-year-old victim, who has not been named, was attacked in Beresford Crescent in the Thorntree area of Middlesbrough
. CRAFTY kids are going green this Christmas to help spread some festive cheer across east Durham communities. Members of the Easington District Youth Forum have been busy making their own gift bags out of recycled wrapping paper which will be handed
ADMINSTRATORS refused today to confirm reports that they are set to announce the closure of all British Woolworths stores by January 4. A spokesman for Deloitte declined to comment, but confirmed there would be a press briefing this afternoon about the
. A CAMPAIGN to curb incidents of domestic violence during the festive season has been launched by the north force area of Durham Constabulary. During the three-week blitz any report of domestic abuse will be dealt with by officers instructed to
A JURY retired today to consider its verdict on a babysitter accused of murdering a toddler. Suzanne Holdsworth, 38, is on trial for the second time charged with killing two-year-old Kyle Fisher in her home in Hartlepool in July 2004. The prosecution
THE first thing that strikes you is how popular this annual event by a troupe of the North-East’s top clubland comedians has become. The theatre was full of children and older people up for a good time from the off. Despite being in the shadow
Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen (BBC2, 8.30pm); Desperate Housewives (C4, 10pm) WATCHING Nigella Lawson is a guilty pleasure. Like scoffing an entire box of Quality Street washed down with a bottle of sherry. I don’t watch her for her recipes. Much
We know what to expect from a pantomime at York Grand Opera House and this doesn’t disappoint. Unfortunately. Last year’s Cinderella appears to have been a glitch because this Jack is back in the old routine of poor script, lacklustre sets
This week, Memories casts an eye over two books published by the Weardale Society. ARE history and geology boring? Two books published by the Weardale Society bring the past and the rocks to such vivid life that you will want to get
I think I've finally made it! After years of trying to break into showbusiness, I got the call this morning that could change my life. I've been asked to star in panto! OK, so it's only a radio panto, but it's a start.
SIX of the regions theatres have been chosen to give away 618,000 free tickets for shows to under-26-year-olds as part of a national 2.5m Arts Council pilot scheme over the next two years. The regions biggest venue, the Sunderland Empire, will be given
University researchers reckon romantic comedies raise unrealistic expectations of relationships, but surely nobody is that naïve. ROMANTIC comedies ruin your life. Well, that’s university researchers say. A team at Heriot-Watt University watched
He built a shipping empire that was said to be second only to the Royal Navy, yet Robert Ropner remains relatively unknown. The column delves into his life story. CHRISTMAS highlights in this family have for many years included lunch – “pantomime
I WORKED for the NHS for a number of years and was always extremely proud of the care and dedication of my colleagues on the wards. Then in August this year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and so became the patient. I was treated in the breast
IS columnist Peter Mullen not being paid under false pretences? He seems able to repeat the same material week after week. How many times have we been told that climate change is a great deceit or a monstrous lie (Echo, Dec 9). Is he not merely
I WAS very sad to hear of the death of Oliver Postgate (Echo, Dec 10). Despite feelings of sadness, I also felt gratitude to the man who had illuminated my childhood with his wonderful story-telling. After all, he had let me into his imaginary
A BIG thank you and a merry Christmas to Brian Unwin, the weekly Birdwatch columnist in your 7Days supplement. Following his column of December 4, and after decades of searching the nation’s reedbeds, I saw my first bittern at Cresswell, Northumberland
THE European Union has shown its sheer contempt for democracy by bullying Ireland into holding another referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Gordon Brown has shown his sheer contempt for democracy by denying the British people a referendum on the treaty
I WAS so pleased to read about the achievement of Edward Common, the 13-year-old Duchenne muscular dystrophy sufferer from Hexham, Northumberland, who has represented England at four-aside wheelchair football and who was presented with a Women
SEVERE winters represent a season for some countries, but weather conditions in Britain generally do not require the level of resources needed in Canada, the US and parts of Eastern Europe. Recent weeks, however, seemed to have caught some of
MANY people in Britain believe we should restore the death penalty. Many others, including this column, disagree, but it’s a perfectly valid view to hold. However, EU law forbids the restoration of capital punishment. It goes further. It bans its
THE trial which led to the killer of Rhys Jones being jailed for life has shone a spotlight on a most depressing and terrifying part of society. It has given us an insight into a world of lawless teenage gangs ruling estates with guns and with a
YET one more cornerstone of quintessential British life we seem about to lose – the traditional pub, and why there isn’t a national outcry is beyond me. After all, there’s nothing more truly British than a nice, oldfashioned local – a place you
Pigeon racing, despite its old-fashioned image, still thrives in the North-East. Owen Amos joins Coxhoe Homing Society to learn its secrets – and hears how pigeons are flying into the 21st Century. HE’S late. He should be home now. You try not to
PICTURE THIS is an interesting runner on his debut for Paul Nicholls in the EBF ‘‘National Hunt’’ Novices Hurdle at Newbury. Seventh on his debut – a race that worked out well – when trained in Ireland by Michael Cullen, he stepped up on that
ATHLETICS and cycling have emerged with the biggest funding increases from Sport England’s pot of £480m announced yesterday. The £480m is being split among 46 sports over the next four years, including all Olympic and Paralympic sports. Sport
TIGER Woods’ former coach Butch Harmon has called comments made about Phil Mickelson by the world number one’s caddie Steve Williams ‘‘deplorable’’. New Zealander Williams made disparaging remarks about Mickelson in a newspaper interview at a
GIDAM GIDAM has a National date at Market Rasen on Boxing Day after his victory at Catterick. John Mackie’s decision to head for the North Yorkshire venue rather than go to Bangor today paid off as his sixyear- old drew away to score by 11 lengths
PETER Moores believes England must be patient with the development of premier spinner Monty Panesar following his failure to make more of an impact on the final day of the opening Test against India. Northamptonshire left-arm spinner Panesar was
ARSENE WENGER rejects claims the Premier League title is beyond Arsenal this season. Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand reckons the Gunners have left themselves with too much work to do after falling eight points behind leaders Liverpool
Rotherham 1 Darlington 1 (After 90mins. Rotherham win 4-2 on penalties). DARLINGTON crashed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last night after losing on penalties at Rotherham United – and it was a former player who did the damage Seven months
Blyth Spartans 1 Bournemouth 0 THIRTY years after having their dream of an FA Cup date with Arsenal shattered, the world renowned giant-killing name of Blyth Spartans emerged from the shadows to secure an historic date with Premier League Blackburn
CHRIS Turner may be in the driving seat in the race to become the next manager of Hartlepool United, but it hasn’t stopped other parties expressing their interest. Turner, the club’s director of sport, will be in temporary command for Friday’s
ROSS TURNBULL has outlined a desire to commit his long-term future to Middlesbrough, but admitted the two parties are still some way short of agreeing a new contract. Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, revealed over the weekend that
NICKY Butt is set to commit himself to Newcastle for at least another season after yesterday’s contract talks with Joe Kinnear progressed without any significant hitches. With only a couple of minor clauses to be ironed out, Kinnear is confident
BLACKBURN chairman John Williams hopes to have Paul Ince’s successor in place by Saturday, but confirmed Archie Knox, Ray Mathias and Karl Robinson have been put in temporary charge of team affairs. Ince, in his first top-flight job, was yesterday
MIDDLESBROUGH last night reacted with bewilderment to the news that Adam Johnson sees interest from Real Madrid as “a great honour”. The left winger is reportedly a target for new Bernabeau boss Juande Ramos, who was a keen admirer of his talents
FORMER Labour Party leader Lord Neil Kinnock was in the region yesterday to open a restaurant. The 66-year-old was at Gateshead Civic Centre to officially launch Bewicks restaurant, coffee shop and bat. It has been named in honour of
ENERGY suppliers and the industry watchdog are still not doing enough to cut tariffs paid by the poorest members of society, according to campaigners in the region. Energy regulator Ofgem said yesterday that firms were on track to cut more than
SUNDERLAND may be forced to act quickly if they are to prevent Blackburn Rovers from stealing a top managerial target from under their noses. Yesterday’s sacking of Paul Ince has pitted the clubs against one another in the quest for a new manager
UPILS have been showing off their creative sides with a musical production of Mary Poppins. More than 130 youngsters from Polam Hall Junior School, Darlington, took part in the show, which was performed three times for parents and invited guests
A SAUSAGE company that started life as a kitchen business has signed a deal to include a world famous drink in its products. Debbie & Andrew’s, based on a 800-acre family farm in Bedale, North Yorkshire, is teaming up with Guinness, part of the
SKIPTON Building Society said yesterday that savers with its merger partner Scarborough Building Society would benefit from new higher levels of depositor protection. The mutual said it planned to take advantage of new rules under which building
PLANS have been unveiled for a £13m centre to drive growth in the £600m North-East design sector. A design network would occupy one wing of the proposed Design Centre North, with the remaining space allocated for offices. The network will allow
THE Government was accused last night of “opening the floodgates” to privatisation of the Royal Mail after backing the idea of foreign investment for the postal business. Dutch postal firm TNT expressed an interest in exploring a “strategic partnership
A SPECIALIST maintenance company is marking its tenth year in business by investing £600,000 to triple the size of its premises. Stone Technical Services has recently seen annual turnover soar to £2.5m from £1.5m a year earlier thanks to a number
SUCCESSFUL entrepreneurs in the North-East have the chance to encourage aspiring business owners of the future through an online matchmaking service. The scheme is the latest strategy from the If We Can You Can campaign, which aims to match the
A NORTH Yorkshire organisational development consultancy is continuing its international expansion after being commissioned by global shipping company Interorient. Primeast, from Harrogate, is delivering a leadership development programme, including
A TEENAGE boy has told how he feared he would die after having his throat slit by a close friend during a drinking binge. The 16-year-old boy, who has not been named for legal reasons, gave evidence via video link at Teesside Crown Court yesterday
A NATIONAL award has been delivered to a team of midwives. Staff from the Marton Suite, at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, won team of the year at the British Journal of Midwifery Practice Awards. The event was held at
THE number of homes being built across the region has plunged by 80 per cent in only one year – raising fears of mass job losses in the building trades. Work started on 433 new properties in the third quarter of the year, down from 2,140 starts
POLICE have been accused of carrying out a “selective and flawed investigation” into the death of a two-year-old. Andrew Thomas, defending murderaccused Suzanne Holdsworth, told the Teesside Crown Court jury yesterday that the Crown Prosecution
PLANS to transform a cluttered town square into a thriving pedestrian area have moved a step closer. Changes to land in front of the town hall, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, would extend the existing paved area. Project leaders hope the
A LIBRARY that was built using an £8,000 donation from a rail magnate celebrated its 100th birthday yesterday. Annfield Plain library, in North Road, Catchgate, County Durham, opened on December 16, 1908. It was built thanks to Scottish-American
THE father of Rhys Jones said yesterday: “Finally, justice has been done for Rhys.” Following the conviction of gang member Sean Mercer for the killing, Stephen Jones said his family could begin rebuilding their lives. Mr Jones, accompanied by
AN MP has been barred from one of his constituency pubs – because he voted in favour of the smoking ban. Landlord Robin Watson has even put up posters telling York Labour MP Hugh Bayley he is not welcome inside. Mr Watson, who runs the Shoulder
EDUCATION chiefs in the region have called for a testing system that schools can have confidence in, after a damning report into the summer Sats fiasco. Problems with Key Stage 2 and 3 exams meant tens of thousands of exam papers were not returned
A BAND will round off a successful year with two Christmas concerts this week. Cockerton Prize Silver Band will perform tonight, at the Cockerton Club, in Darlington. Doors open at 8pm and admission costs £3. The second performance is an informal
Jailing Rhys Jones’ killer for life, a judge issues a searing condemnation. A JUDGE has condemned the “stupid, brutal gang conflict” which led to the murder of 11- year-old Rhys Jones. Jailing Sean Mercer for a minimum of 22 years for the innocent
MORE people in the region are seeking advice about redundancy and applying for jobs, according to new figures released today. Citizen Advice Bureaux's (CAB) figures show how the continuing effects of the economic downturn is affecting the job market
The Raby Moor pub at Burnthouses, (sadly closed now) was one of those drinking holes that was almost exclusively for the lads. In its heyday it was run by Trevor and Elsie Parnaby, then, by their son David and his wife Annette. The lads would take
PLANS for a multi-million pound cattle mart and agricultural centre are expected to be lodged with a council tomorrow (Wednesday). The £16m centre, which could create up to 300 jobs, is proposed to replace Darlington's existing auction town centre market
