IMPROVED security at a church which has seen a man die in its grounds may depend on how public sector cuts affect Darlington, councillors have been warned. Councillors Jim Ruck and Alan Coultas told Darlington Borough Council on Thursday that church-goers
A MAN who shone a powerful lamp at a police helicopter and dazzled the pilot has walked free from court. Michael Renney, 25, was told he would have been locked up had the dangerous light been from a laser pen. A judge told the company boss that he was
ROCHDALE boss Keith Hill has warned Middlesbrough they face missing out on the signature of Craig Dawson unless they meet the asking price for the highly-rated defender. Dawson, 20, has had two transfer requests rejected by Dale and Hill insists
TIME now to give you the answer about why some church clockfaces are blue. We’ve been puzzling this on behalf of Aubrey Clethero, of Shildon, for several weeks. The answer is that there is no answer. Churches dedicated to St Mary are no more
FRED HODGSON emails in a picture of the Salmon Tin Dribblers of Hurworth. It’s definitely Hurworth, as the boys are standing on the village green with the castellated Dovercourt house behind them (Echo Memories last visited Dovercourt in 2001 –
A CROWN Court judge will appear at court next week accused of failing to keep her dog under proper control. Judge Beatrice Bolton has been summoned by police to appear at Alnwick Magistrates Court on July 28. The 56-year-old, from Rothbury, Northumberland
SCIENTISTS have yet to reach a conclusion on how gun killer Raoul Moat died, his family said today. A pathologist is continuing his examination of the former doorman's body today after beginning a second post-mortem on Tuesday. Further
A Redcar business that has been hard hit by the closure of the Corus Teesside Cast Products plant, has enlisted the support of Business Link to help target new markets. Alpine House Guest House was set up by Jacqui Dunn in 2009 after she spotted a
Business Link is committed to providing specialist support to key sectors in the region including Tourism and Hospitality. This sector makes a significant contribution to the regional economy and Business Link is dedicated to helping even more
AFTER a devastating accident left successful businesswoman Veronica Harnett unable to return to work, she decided to turn her hobby of cake making and passion for fairly traded products into a thriving business after getting the right mix of training
A Stockton business is gearing up for further expansion after getting in the driving seat with Business Link to target new markets. Despite the economic downturn, Exceed Driver Training, which operates throughout Tees Valley, has continued to grow
PEOPLE will be encouraged to embrace the great outdoors by taking part in a new award scheme. Durham County Council and conservation charity, the John Muir Trust, have teamed up to develop the John Muir Award in the North East. The nationally recognised
A SPECIAL summer time rail service has been established to take south Durham families to the seaside. Northern Rail will operate the direct service between Bishop Auckland and Whitby every Sunday until September 12. The service has been
A firm providing event management for the Tall Ships in Hartlepool next month, as well as the Great North Run, went into administration today, but was immediately bought. Touchline Event Management Ltd have been acquired by contract cleaning
ARGENTINIAN full-back Marcos Angeleri was today on his way to join up with the Sunderland squad as he closed in on his move to English football. Angeleri has been training with the Black Cats for some time, but has been unable to formally sign because
SOME of Britain's top motorcycling stars are to honour a prestigious event at Croft Circuit, near Darlington, this weekend. The Ken Redfern Trophy Meeting takes place on Saturday and Sunday with a capacity field set to take to the track. Redfern was
TWO schoolchildren have won book tokens in a drawing competition during a family visit to a record office. Around 20 children enjoyed a visit to Durham County Records Office where they saw ancient illuminated manuscripts, then tried their hand at designing
DURHAM were 20 runs short of the follow-on target with three wickets standing when Phil Mustard, on 39, was dropped by Paul Horton at first slip off Glen Chapple. Although the Lancashire captain, again bowling superbly, made a mess of Callum Thorp’s
DURHAM Constabulary has issued 90-day redundancy notices to civilian staff including community support officers today. Durham Police has written to 1,160 staff, with the union believing more than 100 jobs will be lost after consultation is
TEUNIS SCHUURMAN, a Second World War researcher, is trying to trace next of kin of an RAF airman. He was Leslie Seton Dewar Swanston, a navigator, who was aged 20 when he died on February 15, 1944, while on a mission to Berlin. His Lancaster bomber crashed
BREAKFAST events aimed at finding positions for apprentices facing redundancy with companies in the region start on Monday. As part of the £60m Tees Valley Industrial Programme (TVIP), more than £2.1m is being offered to local employers who
IT was not quite the Angel of the North. Nor was it the White Horse of Kilburn. But whenever travellers saw Richardson’s Thermometer, they knew they’d reached Darlington. But 50 years ago this month, the thermometer became stuck on a sweltering
A MOUNTAIN bike worth more than £4,000 has been stolen from the locked rack of a car. The white and blue Giant Ancham Advance bicycle was fastened to the rack of a silver-coloured Volkswagen Caravelle. The car was parked near the Binns store in High
TITUS Bramble today completed his move from Wigan to Sunderland. The 28-year-old central defender has signed a three-year deal and could make his debut for the Black Cats in tomorrow evening's friendly clash with Hull in Portugal. Bramble
From fashion design in London to a charming cafe in the North-East, Carli McNaught is hoping her business idea will be just our cup of tea. She talks to Lucy Richardson. AFASHION designer has returned home from London to open the trendiest
A TOURING theatre company are to stage a production of Pride and Prejudice. Chapterhouse Theatre Company, which usually specialises in outdoor performances of the classics, is to perform the show at the Gala Theatre, in Durham on Wednesday, August 11
INVESTIGATIONS are under way today into a flat fire that claimed the life of a man in the early hours. Three fire crews were sent to the home in Forest View, Brandon, County Durham, shortly after midnight. Firefighters forced their way
I MUST admit my heart sank when I saw more than 100 names listed for these performances by youngsters from Stagecoach Yarm and Darlington... particularly when the small arts centre stage was bulging bigger than a city banker’s bonus with 66
DEREK Parker’s barber shop memories letter, headlined “Harry’s Haircuts” (HAS, July 14), was an absolute gem – a joy to read. What a refreshing change among these columns. Dave Cook, Sacriston, Co Durham.
Would I Lie To You? (BBC1, 10.35pm); RHS Tatton Flower Show (BBC2, 8pm); Medium (Living, 9pm). IT’S odd some of the things that Would I Lie To You? has made public. Like the fact that Russell Howard used to put underpants on his head to try to cure
The sheep are becoming even more adventurous as long as the shepherd isn't around to keep an eye on them. At least, that's how they are depicted in Malcolm Dormer's third exhibition. "While The Shepherd's Still Away" is the title of Malcolm's latest
THE Lockerbie bomber and train robber Ronnie Biggs were both released because, according to expert medical opinion, they were within weeks of death. Since both are still, months later, alive, perhaps we should question the competence, or the integrity
I, TOO, was feeling so sorry for the loss of life of our troops in Afghanistan. Day by day the numbers increase. Then, I wondered what other countries had lost. My son printed out the information and I was astounded how many countries were in this
YOUR article, “Teachers in protest over schools moves” (Echo, July 20), makes interesting reading. We in Spennymoor were promised one of these “academies” under the previous government. We feel let down by the decision to cut back on this and other
CATS are going missing in the Honeypot Road area of Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond. I myself have lost four in the past two years. My first cat to go missing was Opal, a tortoiseshell, who disappeared on February 1, 2008. Next was Willow, a
IT would seem North West Durham Labour MP Pat Glass (HAS, July 19) is reverting to type by ignoring the previous Labour government’s failings. Just as Labour would have us believe that history began in 1979 under Margaret Thatcher, it would seem
RE Robert Meggs’ criticism (HAS, July 20) of columnist Peter Mullen’s European Union comments (Echo, July 13). It is Mr Meggs himself who appears to know little of our entry into what is now the EU. In 1972, Edward Heath said: “There is no question
ENTHUSIASTS who have followed the Tornado story from dream to reality would have been dismayed when a few weeks ago it was revealed that the great locomotive had been taken out of service during the peak summer revenue-earning season due to problems
Two North-East brothers are among the international team who this week made an unexpected discovery at Stonehenge. Steve Pratt hears how childhood visits to Hadrian’s Wall stimulated their interest in archaeology. WHEN I phone, Professor Vince
ALSACE Lorraine ran an excellent race in defeat at the Royal meeting and can gain compensation back at Ascot today. James Fanshawe has lowered her sights in tackling the Woodcote Stud EBF Valiant Stakes after her fourth in the Group Two Windsor
THE greatest spin bowler of all time, or a cheat who achieved his success through chucking? Either way, Muttiah Muralitharan has been the most talkedabout figure in world cricket for the best part of 20 years. Yesterday, with a global audience
YORKSHIRE face an uphill struggle not to lose only their second County Championship fixture of the season after a difficult day against Essex. It began with the bat for the Tykes, before a serene partnership of 199 between Alastair Cook and
AUSTRALIA are threatening to inflict another heartbreaking defeat on Pakistan having fought back valiantly on the second day of the second Test at Headingley. Pakistan, without a Test win over Australia in 15 years, had looked in pole position
THE revival of Durham’s title hat-trick bid slipped into reverse yesterday, when they fell further behind Nottinghamshire. The luck involved in who is available to play against whom was underlined as Stuart Broad took full advantage of playing
A GIPSY who was prevented from living in a caravan on his own land has won his appeal against the decision. Robert Smith moved into a static caravan on land in Snipe Lane, Darlington, last year even though councillors had rejected his planning
CHRIS Lumsdon will tonight watch two of his former teams meet at The Northern Echo Arena. Formerly of Sunderland, Lumsdon will watch Carlisle and Darlington meet in a preseason friendly, days after announcing his retirement after a back injury
THE season does not kick-off for three more weeks but already Darlington are struggling with injuries that will affect their line-up for this evening’s game with Carlisle United. Manager Mark Cooper, who is hoping to sign a defender, will again
STEVE Bruce has urged Sunderland supporters to be patient with former Newcastle United flop Titus Bramble who will today complete a move from Wigan worth an initial £1m. Bruce has also been linked with a move for Bramble’s Latics team-mate
NEWCASTLE and Sunderland are poised to benefit after Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed his determination to send Manchester United starlets Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley on loan to Premier League clubs in the upcoming season. After loaning both
AS Gary McAllister put the final cone down on the surface at the Carlisle Grounds Stadium on Wednesday night, he walked towards a few of the injured Middlesbrough players in the empty stand. “I’ve played here for Liverpool Vets,” he said. “There
ABERDEEN have pulled out of the running to sign Evan Horwood, leaving the route clear for the left-back to sign for Hartlepool United. Horwood has been on trial at Victoria Park and is expected to play in tomorrow’s home friendly with Leeds
AFTER signing free agent Dan Gosling on a four-year contract Newcastle manager Chris Hughton revealed he is scouring the transfer market to unearth more bargain deals. The 20-year-old was entitled to leave Everton on a free transfer after the
A BUSINESS networking and training company which will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year has rebranded. Durham Business Group brings together established networking organisation Durham Business Club, alongside Durham Training, which provides
A RECENTLY-LAUNCHED cheese from a North Yorkshire creamery has won its second major deal in only a few weeks. The Jervaulx Blue cheese, made by the Wensleydale Creamery, will now be sampled by British Airways’ first and business class passengers
A NORTH-EAST CCTV specialist has won a contract to design and supply a surveillance system for the new Tyne Tunnel. 2020 Vision Systems has won a deal, worth more than £350,000, to design, supply and install the integrated CCTV network ahead
AN animal feed company has devised a revolutionary biodegradable box which is attracting attention from overseas. Owens Nutrition has developed the product as a way of keeping the countryside free from left-over containers, and has created a
GARY O’NEIL has sat down with Gordon Strachan and informed him he is more than happy to lead Middlesbrough’s charge for automatic promotion in the Championship next season. O’Neil, with a year remaining on his contract, is likely to be sold
FOREIGN Secretary and Richmond MP William Hague paid a visit to an ice cream factory to mark the company’s 25th anniversary. Mr Hague was shown around the R&R Ice Cream factory, in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, which has a production capacity
A COMPANY providing internet access to schools and councils has been recognised at an award ceremony. Northern Grid has won the Getting People Online category at the 2010 Nominet Internet Awards. It provides a regional network that exceeds
A £10M development is to be created to help regenerate part of Sunderland in a move that would bring 150 jobs to the city. Plans to transform a rundown and derelict site in the city’s North Hylton Road were unveiled yesterday in a scheme that
A JUDGE has overturned a tribunal’s finding that a member of a “dysfunctional” council disrespected its clerk. Earlier this year, driving instructor and magistrate Colin Clark, 50, was suspended for three months from West Rainton and Leamside
Smiles mixed with sadness yesterday as a great-great-grandmother celebrated her 104th birthday – after councillors ordered her care home must close. CASH-STRAPPED Durham County Council’s decision to close Glendale House, in Blackhall, has met
AN MP is calling for the Tees Valley to go it alone with its own enterprise partnership. The Government is poised to replace regional development agencies, including One North East and Yorkshire Forward from 2012, with local enterprise partnerships
A NORTH-EAST woman who was too embarrassed to walk down the aisle has tied the knot after losing half her body weight. Sheila McInnes, of Stockton, refused to marry her partner Brian because of her 24 stone frame. However, the 32-year-old
GOVERNMENT offices in the North-East and Yorkshire are to be abolished, it was announced yesterday. Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said the “arbitrary” division of the country into regions was not “efficient, effective
A CROOKED financial advisor who plundered the pensions and savings plans of his North-East clients was yesterday locked up for three years. Adrian Bancroft was told by judge, Recorder Neil Davey: “Your victims are not just names on a piece of paper
COUNCILS left out-of-pocket following the scrapping of the Building Schools for the Future Programme (BSF) could consider legal action to recover their multi-million pound costs. A total of 79 school re-building projects in the region were
IN the countdown to the General Election, David Cameron highlighted the need for the North-East economy to be balanced by greater private sector investment. With our region being hit hardest by Government cuts due to its heavy reliance on the
THE president of Japanese manufacturer Hitachi has personally joined the campaign to bring train-building back to the Birthplace of the Railways, it was revealed yesterday. Hiroaki Nakanishi has lobbied Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond to
DAVID CAMERON’S use of crime statistics is a propaganda effort Joseph Goebbels would have been proud of, a former North-East police chief said yesterday. Labour’s Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, a former Durham Police superintendent and ex-president
THE families of four British servicemen killed in Afghanistan wept yesterday as their loved ones’ bodies were returned to Britain. Hearses carrying the flag-draped coffins of Staff Sergeant Brett Linley, 29, of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal
A DRINKER accused of attacking a woman after following her into the ladies’ toilets of a packed pub has been cleared by a jury. Michael Eddy was yesterday unanimously acquitted of a charge of sexual assault at the end of a four-day trial at
A FINAL farewell has been given to an 111-year-old from the North-East who was the oldest woman in the country. Eunice Bowman, from Gateshead, died peacefully last Thursday, a little over a month before her 112th birthday. About 130
ARMED police surrounded a North-East home yesterday in a three-hour stand-off with a man brandishing a samurai sword and baseball bat. The drama unfolded in Bishop Auckland at about 11.30pm on Wednesday after police responded to reports that
HUNDREDS of people visited a new store in the region on its opening day. Next has renovated the former Woolworth’s store, in Darlington town centre, and opened it to shoppers yesterday. It was formerly based in a unit opposite. Manager Michael
THE North-East’s biggest police force and its smaller neighbour are to investigate a potential merger. The police authorities that oversee the Durham and Northumbria forces agreed earlier this week, during behind closed doors sessions, to order
A GIRL awaiting a double organ transplant was one of a number of students taking part in a sponsored walk yesterday. Mica Newcomb, 11, and classmates from Staindrop School Business and Enterprise College, in Staindrop, County Durham, helped
TWO men appeared in court yesterday accused of helping gunman Raoul Moat during his seven days on the run. Karl Ness, 26, and Qhuram Awan, 23, appeared before Newcastle Crown Court yesterday charged with conspiracy to commit murder and possessing
A MAN has been spared jail despite taking part in a street attack after a judge heard he would be bullied behind bars because of his lack of stature. Andrew Watson was part of a gang that carried out what they believed to be a punishment beating
A NORTH-EAST hotel that failed to pay back the cost of a wedding cancelled after the bride-to-be died apologised last night and pledged to refund her grieving family. Judges Country House Hotel, in Kirklevington, near Yarm, has returned £2,000
HUNDREDS of parents trying to get their children into one of the region’s best comprehensive schools have been left frustrated after an independent watchdog ruled against them. Parents have clashed with education chiefs and each other over admissions
