NO-ONE is to be prosecuted over a road accident that claimed the lives of a motorcycle pillion passenger and her unborn child. Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have confirmed that no action will be taken in relation to the death of
A STEELMAKER has denied it is scaling back North-East productions, but admits facing another tough year at the mercy of a subdued market. Tata Steel says it is committed to driving forward its operations in the region, despite revealing losses
A MOTORIST who made “determined” efforts to evade a speeding conviction was today (Thursday May 23) jailed for four months. Police clocked a Nissan truck travelling at 114-miles per hour on a 70-limit stretch of the A66 at Galley Bank, near Barnard
READERS of The Northern Echo have helped a North-East dairy out of a right pickle after coming up with more than 50 possible names for its latest cheese. Family dairy Parlour Made Artisan Cheese, based at Village Farm, Mordon, near Sedgefield,
A CARE home has held a hair-raising event to raise money for a children’s cancer charity. Organiser and activity co-ordinator for Abbey Care in Scorton, near Richmond, Michele Hodgkinson was inspired to set up the event after the recent cancer-related
THE new Lord Mayor of York has said she aims to play a hands-on role in helping the city’s most vulnerable people. Micklegate councillor Julie Gunnell was sworn in as York’s civic figurehead at City of York Council’s annual meeting and said she
HALL OPEN: Brompton Village Hall will be open on Bank Holiday Monday, May 27, with stalls selling books, bric-a-brac and gifts. There will also be a tombola. Entrance is free.
As the country comes to terms with the terrifying and brutal daylight attack on a serving soldier in London, questions have been raised by leading politicians about whether military personnel should be wearing uniforms outside the safety of their barracks
POLICE searching for missing teenager Jason Fyles have renewed their appeal to speak to a Good Samaritan who helped him on the night he disappeared. Jason Fyles, 19, was last seen at an address on Helmsley Road, Sandyford, Newcastle, at 2.45am
A POST Office has re-opened after being closed for nearly three weeks. Durham Road post office in the Newton area of Stockton was shut on Thursday, May 2 but has now re-opened under a temporary sub-postmaster. The Post Office has declined to
A Police and Community Together (Pact) meeting will be held at the Hazelwell Centre, Haswell, from 6pm to 7pm on Tuesday, May 28. A representative of the neighbourhood policing team will be in attendance. ZUMBA GOLD: Zumba Gold is held at Eastlea
LESS than a year after swapping washing pots to train as an accountant, Roberta Sewell hopes to clean up at an awards ceremony. The 21-year-old from Darlington has earned a nomination for New Accountant of the Year at the North East Accountancy
A SUPERMARKET has started selling local interest books. Sainsbury’s, at the Arnison Centre, in Pity Me, Durham, is selling ten books about Durham. The range includes A Century of Durham, Durham Railways and Durham Photographic Memories.
Does the grotesque killing of a soldier in London mean we are now facing a new type of terror threat? STUART ARNOLD reports. It was shocking in the extreme. A British soldier, named as Drummer Lee Rigby, was going about his normal business before
POLICE are seeking help to identify a man and woman they would like to speak to following a series of thefts across the country. Officers have issued CCTV images following the theft of bedding from the Dunelm Mill store on York’s Clifton Moor store
A NORTH-EAST-BASED Government agency that carries out criminal records checks has introduced an online checking service. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which has an office in Darlington, has introduced the Update service, which will
A NORTH-EAST Euro MP has backed moves to grant protection to victims of stalking all across Europe. Anyone offered protection after suffering stalking, harassment or gender-based violence will be protected throughout the EU, according to new rules
SCHOOL pupils visited a French restaurant to celebrate Europe Day. Year ten children from Belmont Community School, in Belmont, Durham, were taken to the award-winning Bouchon Bistrot, in Hexham, Northumberland. They were challenged to order
DEREK Llambias has backed Alan Pardew to drive Newcastle United forward next season following a productive meeting between the duo and Magpies owner Mike Ashley. The trio met in London on Wednesday amid speculation that Pardew's position was under
AN EXHIBITION by artist Collette Lau will arrive in Darlington next month. The Country Living exhibition will explore country life through a series of vibrant paintings. Scottish artist Ms Lau will be on hand to meet visitors at the exhibition
NORTH-EAST Muslims have condemned the murder of a British soldier by two apparent extremists, saying the crime had tarnished Islam. One of the attackers in Woolwich allegedly told witnesses that the killing of 25-year-old Lee Rigby was in response
ETHICS in business will be discussed at a meeting of charities, churchmen and companies in Newcastle tonight (Thursday, May 23). The Reverend Canon of the City of Newcastle and a senior partner of Muckle LLP law firm will meet in the People’s Kitchen
THE box office record-breaker The Mousetrap is heading to a North-East stage this June. The Mousetrap is internationally famous for being the longest running show in the history of British theatre - with almost 25,000 performances conducted so
TWO North-East brothers have launched an ambitious campaign to raise £10,000 in memory of their mother. Richard and Nick Parker, from Easington Village, County Durham, want to boost Macmillan Cancer Support coffers to coincide with the 30th anniversary
A FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD boy has been identified as Britain’s youngest football hooligan. It has been reported that the schoolboy has been given a three year banning order at Hartlepool Magistrates Court. The child, who can’t be named for legal
Ivan Smith was left paraplegic after a road accident. Speaking during Foster Care Fortnight, he tells Joe Willis how he has not let his disability stop him making a difference to a child's life. A HORRIFIC motorbike accident in 1999 took more than
A planning application to build a stable building and retrospective permission for a caravan, hard standing, tree house and dog kennels for one Gypsy family near Stokesley, has been refused by Hambleton Borough Council. The bid was turned down at today
POLICE are appealing for information about a man who approached a 10-year-old girl and made an inappropriate remark. Cleveland Police carried out a search for the man in and around Ropner Park and Oxbridge Lane in Stockton after 4.45pm on Wednesday
A FUNDING group is looking for projects in the Stokesley area to back in an area of North Yorkshire. The Stokesley and Villages Community Regeneration Group has supported a number of projects over the last 12 months, including the Great Ayton Boxing
ARTISTS will give workshops at a Darlington hotel on Wednesday May 29. The King’s Hotel will host four local artists as they share tips and techniques with the public at a special event. To highlight green issues like recycling, artist Yvonne
A PRIVATE ambulance firm has recruited 20 drivers since September and could create another 40 jobs in the next few years. Medical Services Group North-East is already the largest private ambulance operator in the region but plans to double in size
A SECRET garden opened to the public for the first time today (Thursday, May 23) to raise money for the homeless. Milly Stoney, 68, opened her garden in aid of Darlington’s 700 Club charity in a bid to raise enough money to equip bedrooms at a
THE soldier murdered in Woolwich has been named as drummer Lee Rigby of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. He was 25-years-old and had served in Afghanistan. He was the father of a two-year-old son, Jack. He is remembered as someone
It’s amazing how few people have heard of Languedoc-Roussillon, but equally amazing is how many Britons buy second homes, or retire there. Malcolm Bassett-Smith discovers more AUDE is that part of France north of the Pyrenees and south of Beziers
HARTLEPOOL'S Graeme Storm limited the damage of an up-and-down round with a birdie on the last as he finished the opening day of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth with a one-over-par total of 73. Storm, who was part of the first group that teed off
POLICE say they expect two rival demonstrations to pass off peacefully this weekend as concerns are heightened by the murder of a soldier in London. The North-East branch of the far-right English Defence League is holding a demonstration in Newcastle
DETAILS of a variety of sport and activity sessions in east Durham have been unveiled. Durham County Council has secured Sportivate funding for football sessions for young people aged 14 and older - aimed at introducing new players to the sport
A MEAT company which claims it was effectively put out of business by a European ban on its innovative products has been given new hope. A top judge today (Thursday, May 23) said he would refer the Newby Foods dispute to the European Court of Justice
With Spain tipped to be the cheapest European destination this summer, Tony Looch takes a coach trip through the north and discovers a wealth of history and impressive architecture THE throb of Spanish guitars and the frantic click of castanets
THE Baldy Holly Band play the Market tavern, South Burns, Chester-le-Street, on Saturday (may 25). The gig starts at 9pm and entry is free. Akido club: An Akido club meets at the Chester-le-Street Community Centre, Newcastle Bank, on Tuesdays
A FORMER soldier who drove himself to work despite being banned from driving has appeared in court. Steven Fuller, 29, of Grice Court, Staindrop, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance when he appeared before Darlington
POLICE have been criticised for not alerting the public sooner that a convicted killer had escaped from a secure hospital. Phillip Westwater - dubbed the Black Dog Strangler - was on the loose in Newcastle for 12 hours in January before officers
THERE was further frustration in the afternoon for Durham through two rain breaks and a sixth-wicket stand of 68 between Neil Dexter and John Simpson. The resumption after lunch was delayed then in the third over Ben Stokes hit Tom Smith on the
AN annual music festival is to return to the North-East this summer. Details have been announced of this year’s Brass: Durham International Festival, which opens on Friday, July 5. Over the following two weeks, some of the world’s best brass
POLICE are appealing for information after thousands of pounds worth of lead was stolen from a business in Darlington. Thieves have targeted the Bussey and Armstrong offices, in Brinkburn Road, Darlington, twice over the past few weeks, stripping
THE boyfriend of a teenage mother who died after taking ecstasy has appeared in court charged with supplying the lethal drugs. Nicole Tomlinson, of Darlington, died in February last year after taking three pills allegedly given to her by her boyfriend
A TEMPORARY loss of temper ended up costing a Darlington man more than £600 in court. Simon Spears, 32, of Derwent Street, Darlington, appeared before the town’s Magistrates' Court to admit to kicking his neighbour’s door in anger after they had
SUPPORTERS of a charity which helps community groups are urgently seeking more funding to save the long-standing organisation. A vote to close Durham City District Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) was passed at a special general meeting at
A WOMAN found dead in a house is thought to have fallen down the stairs. Emergency services were called to the property in Moules Close, Newton Aycliffe, on Monday evening (May 20) following reports of a death. A Durham Police spokesperson
POLICE covering Europe's biggest Army base say they are carrying out high-visibility patrols to reassure military families following the murder of a solider in London. North Yorkshire Police is offering extra reassurances to the public in Catterick
A DARLINGTON woman is appealing for help as she organises a large protest in support of the NHS. The protest against the Coalition Government’s changes to the NHS is set to take place in the town on Saturday, July 27. Speakers at the event
ONE of the fast-growing players in the world of retail fashion has arrived in North Yorkshire. A new Esprit store has opened on Northallerton’s High Street, selling a wide range of fashion and accessories for men and women. The town’s new mayor
FOUR golfing pals have set themselves the challenge of their toughest game yet – a 20-hour, 72-hole marathon. Sean Holmes, Mark Terry, Graham Seilly and John Withinshaw plan to complete four rounds of golf in just one day to raise funds for Macmillan
A BOOZED-UP teenage attacker who put his victim in hospital for Christmas walked free from court today (Thursday, May 23). Injured student Dean Akeel missed almost two months' of course work after suffering a double jaw fracture in the assault.
THE next meeting of Darlington Embroiderers' Guild will be held at Elm Ridge Methodist Church, in Carmel Road South, on Saturday, June 1, at 2pm. Peter Winstanley will give a talk. Visitors are welcome for small charge. CREATIVE DRAWING: A creative
A MAN who admitted racially aggravated criminal damage after he jumped up and down on a Romanian taxi driver’s car has been sentenced in court. Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard today (Thursday, May 23) that 29-year-old Mark Simmons got into
THE latest independent retailer to open for business in Middlesbrough’s thriving Emporium start-up unit is a quirky ladies fashion boutique. Dolly Rockers specialises in clothing sourced from overseas, and is the idea of entrepreneur Leigh Gallacher
TEESSIDE Shopping Park has donated £10,000 to help hundreds of local school children discover the joy of reading. This is the second year the National Literacy Trust’s Young Readers programme has been funded by Teesside Park’s owner British Land in
PUPILS have tested their ability to perform tasks without being able to see, as part of a drive to raise awareness of issues disabled people face. Thirsk School’s Year Nine students played games of blind and mute football and performed a sponsored
What's On: Activities at St. Cuthberts Centre, Church Hill, Crook include: Monday Pilates 12-1pm, 7-8pm; Body Conditioning and Weight Loss/Boxercise Classes 6-7pm with Russell. Also on Monday a Craft Group meets at 2pm in the Meeting Centre. St
WHEN it comes to computers and the internet, I tend to rely on my children to guide me through problems. But the time is rapidly approaching when the brood will all have flown and my wife and I will have to fend for ourselves. So, when our internet
QUILT QUIZ: A quilting and patchwork exhibition is being held at Eastgate Village Hall, Weardale, this Saturday and Sunday (May 25 and 26) from 10am to 4pm. First prize in a raffle is a quilt.
THIRTY-FOUR years after they got together, three weeks after he proposed, that extraordinary athlete Arthur Puckrin finally married his partner, Mary, yesterday. That’s the good news. The rather grimmer news is that the decision came after the
TITUS Bramble has confirmed he will leave Sunderland when his contract expires at the end of next month. The centre-half has not been offered a new deal at the Stadium of Light, and provided confirmation of his impending departure on Twitter.
A MOTORCYCLIST who suffered serious injuries after misjudging a corner and crashing into a car has pleaded guilty to careless driving. Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard today (Thursday, May 23) that 60-year-old biker Ian Mafham was airlifted
THERE’S a bit in A Christmas Carol where the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, most frightful of phantoms, inexorably points old Scrooge towards what effectively is his own death bed. None weeps, none cares. Elsewhere, they’re haggling not only over
THE death of Paul Shane (Echo, May 17) has deeply saddened me. As company manager of the Hi-de-Hi stage show, I worked with Paul, and the original team, for a lengthy period at Birmingham, Bournemouth and London. I got to know Paul and his
I’M surprised that John Young thinks I have provided a robust defence of the UK’s immigration policy (HAS, May 17). I think the UK’s policy is chaotic, irrational and inhumane. In his letter (HAS, May 7) about a refugee from the Democratic
A NORTH-East police force is seeking the help of the UK Missing Person’s Bureau to identify two missing people on their records – the oldest dating back to 1970. The Bureau, created in 2008, provides a review of the number of bodies and body parts
I RECENTLY called at the centre for local studies in Darlington’s library to view the map work drawn by the late teacher, cricketer and folk musician Bob Hattersley (Echo, May 18). Being an orienteer I have an interest in maps and do like to view
IT is an old and cheap trick to refuse to apologise for something you haven’t been asked to apologise for. Councillor David Stoker is rightly shocked by a clothing allowance of “almost £13,000” for the chair and vice-chair of the county (HAS, May
A TALENTED musician who has worked with some of the industry’s biggest names is launching an exciting new venture to inspire the pop and rock stars of tomorrow. When it opens next month, Music Junction at Aycliffe Business Park in Newton Aycliffe
THIS month the healthcare charity Sue Ryder is launching a stock generating campaign in the North-East. It is calling on local people, companies and schools to donate any unwanted items, old or new, so they can turn them into incredible care for
THE country already has exceptional road and rail links between London and Birmingham and onwards to Leeds and Manchester. There is also a canal network and at the other end of the scale airline routes. The HS2 high-speed rail network will cut
THE letter by B Jackson about social classes (HAS, May 20) hit the nail on the head in a quite succinct way. History teaches us that as soon as a nation embraces the ethos of “I’m all right Jack” it is on to the slippery slope. We have reached
A woman will appear in court to face a charge of causing the death of a Teesside motorcyclist by careless driving. Nick Robinson was riding his Triumph Tiger motorcycle when he was involved in a collision with a Toyota Rav4 near Settle, North Yorkshire
IF the resignation of one aide is a misfortune and two looks like carelessness, then how do we describe a third walking out? I pose the question because three is the number of North-East MPs who have quit as unpaid parliamentary aides after policy
POLICE are appealing for help to trace the driver of a van that hit a man on Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate. The 30-year-old man suffered minor injuries when he was hit by a small white van at the junction of Carlbury Road and Durham Way North at
THE outgoing chairman of Hambleton District Council has handed over £2,610 to charity. During her year in office Councillor Bridget Fortune raised money for six charities from across the district and each received £435. They included Ministry
AN artist has completed a painting to help his Methodist church mark its 100th birthday. Derek Slater, of Ferryhill Station, spent two months on the artwork to celebrate the centenary of Windlestone Methodist Church, Chilton. The large oil
EXTREME pornography laws should be reformed to criminalise the possession of images of rape, according to experts at Durham Law School who have welcomed a new report on the issue. Professors Clare McGlynn and Erika Rackley, were commenting as a
AN investigation is underway after a bike was stolen from an 11-year-old boy while he was playing in the woods with his friends. The youngster was playing in Bluebell Woods in Newton Aycliffe at around 8pm on Sunday, May 19, when an older male,
THE impressive collection of decorated boxes at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, County Durham, has inspired its latest workshop. From 10.30am to noon or 1pm to 2pm on Friday, May 31, children can make their own treasure box to take away. The cost
A FOOTBALL fan is set to ‘Run for Muamba’ this weekend when he represents Hartlepool United in the BUPA Great Manchester Run. Former Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba will be the honorary starter of Britain’s biggest 10k running event which
A CAR wash firm has been devastated by fire. A blaze tore through K&K Hand Car Wash’s premises, on the A167 near Croxdale, County Durham, late on Thursday night (May 22). The emergency services were alerted to the fire shortly before 11.30pm
TWO brothers and another man have appeared in court charged with drug dealing offences. Robert and Thomas Hall, from Peterlee, aged 40 and 35, and David Thompson, 27, from Hebburn, were arrested yesterday (Wednesday, May 22) during a series of
A NORTH-EAST steelmaker, which has written off £1bn from its balance sheet, says it expects another tough year, despite slight improvements in its UK operations. Tata Steel says deliveries dropped from 14m tonnes to 13m tonnes during the last financial
THE Government is examining whether to ask the EU to extend a scheme offering discounted fuel in rural areas. Economic Secretary to the Treasury Sajid Javid said the scheme, which gives motorists on the Scottish islands and the Isles of Scilly
A MAJOR new exhibition is about to turn the clock back by millennia – and whisk visitors back into Britain’s Stone Age past. Some of the most remarkable and complete finds from the country during the Mesolithic period have been assembled at the
DURHAM compensated for the frustration of losing an hour to rain this morning by taking two wickets to have Middlesex rocking on 31 for four at lunch. Nightwatchman Tom Smith is still there on 17 but Graham Onions had Joe Denly caught at second
A SECOND High Court legal battle has been launched over a £1.4bn waste incinerator scheme. Conservative-run North Yorkshire County Council has condemned two Tory ministers while seeking leave for a judicial review of a Government decision to withdraw
WITNESSES are being sought after a woman pedestrian was struck by a car which failed to stop. The hit-and-run incident happened on Tuesday, May 21, as the 62-year-old victim was crossing Kirby Road in Ripon at about 5.20pm. She was near Calverts
AN inquest has been opened into the death of an 80-year-old grandmother who was found dead in a garden in Darlington. Sybil Sibthorpe died at an end-terrace house in Haughton Road, Darlington, on Wednesday, May 8. The mother-of-two was found
A SPECIALIST Alzheimer’s nursing residential service has been supporting Stockton Dementia Awareness Week. Cleveland Alzheimer’s Residential Centre (Clevearc), which is based in Thornaby, has been visiting a range of venues to inform the public
POLICE in Northallerton are inviting the local community along to a football fest and family fun day this weekend. The fun kicks off at 11am on Sunday, May 26, at Alverton primary school, on Mount Road and the main event is a football competition
A FUNDING group is looking for community initiatives to back in an area of North Yorkshire. The Stokesley and Villages Community Regeneration Group has supported a number of projects over the last 12 months, including the Great Ayton Boxing Club
THE REALITIES of wartime Britain have been brought to life for primary children, whose studies revealed their school took in large numbers of evacuees. While studying the Second World War, staff at Baldersby St James CE Primary School, near Thirsk
COUNCIL wardens have been tackling a range of complaints in the Spennymoor area during April. They investigated six reports of dog fouling and removed six strays and issued a stray dog warning letter/ The anti-social wardens and neighbourhood
AN ARTWORK which began life as a chestnut tree in the grounds of Durham Cathedral before travelling to a Papal college in Rome finally came home today (Thursday, May 23). The 150-year-old tree, which grew in the cathedral’s mason’s yard, was turned
THE annual search to find the finest young musicians in the Ripon area is now underway. Ripon Young Musicians of the Year aims to encourage the talent of young people who live, are at school or have private music lessons within 15 miles of the
MORE than 75 people danced the day away to raise awareness of dance and the classes available in the Hambleton area. Dancers, teachers and would-be dancers took part in the Celebration of Dance at the Hambleton Forum in Northallerton. Funded
FOREIGN students swapped Russia for Darlington to learn more about British culture. A number of year seven students from School 639 – a Unesco school in St Petersburg, Russia - spent ten days attending classes at Carmel College, in Darlington,
FIREFIGHTERS rescued a man from a broken down cherry picker in Darlington this morning (Thursday, May 23). One appliance from Darlington fire station attended a property in Duke Street, in Darlington, at about 9am following reports of a man being
ONE lump or two? Boozed up Lauren has the bottle to bash Lucy as her drinking spirals out of control. Again. Her weapon is a sugar shaker which is a lot more lethal than a sugar lump. Happily, the shaker is thrown through the café window and not
A NEW academic science network for the North-East has been announced by NHS England. The new Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) is made up of NHS hospital trusts, universities and the new GP-led clinical commissioning groups across the region
HEALTH workers from the North-East are in with a chance to scoop a £150,000 prize as part of a new initiative to reform the way people with dementia are cared for. It is thought there are more than 33,000 people with dementia across the North-East
AN event focusing on issues facing the UK science and innovation sector attracted over 100 representatives from Science Parks and Innovation Centres across the UK to the North East. The United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) conference
A MULTIPLE Sclerosis sufferer raised £1,200 for charity with a sip-slide from Tyne Bridge. Mother-of-two Liz Hilland, from Kimblesworth, near Chester-le-Street, made the 85ft descent from the iconic structure in Newcastle, with daughter with her
THE trousers may be a little less tight, the top a little looser around the middle and the voice cant quite scale the heights that it used to, but theres no doubting David Coverdale still has what it takes. The Saltburn rocker brought Whitesnake
A GYPSY pastor has responded to complaints after a busy section of the A66 was closed this morning (Thursday, May 23) to rush-hour traffic because of mud on the road. Debris left by vehicles visiting the huge Christian gathering combined with
The winning numbers for the Great North Air Ambulance weekly draw for May 22, 2013 are: £200 N12379, Stocksfield; £100 N28820, Stockton; £50 N08644, Penrith; £50 N15995, Alnwick; £25 N43910, Darlington; £25 N04109, Bedlington; £25 N39443, Hexham; £25
A POPULAR parish councillor who played a prominent role in a long-running right of way issue has resigned. Jill Russell will be replaced as a member of Hurworth Parish Council at a meeting next month. A public inquiry was held earlier this
A HISTORIC landmark has been put up for sale with the aim of it being restored and brought back into use. The Grade II-listed Friarage Manor House near Marine Crescent on the Headland, Hartlepool, is on the market together with 1.95 acres of adjoining
AN investigation has been launched after a man was found dead in a house in Hartlepool. The 43-year-old was discovered in the early hours and police are treating it as an unexplained death at the moment. A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said:
Ivan Smith was left paraplegic after a road accident. Speaking during Foster Care Fortnight, he tells Joe Willis how he has not let his disability stop him making a difference to a child’s life A HORRIFIC motorbike accident in 1999 took more than
TALENTED young footballers hoping for a career in the game are being offered the chance to sign up for a new course. A two-year course specialising in football coaching and elite sports skills is to get underway in September at Framwellgate School
LONG-delays were experienced by rush-hour drivers this morning after part of the A66 was closed by police. A multi-agency operation involving Durham Constabulary, Darlington Borough Council and the Highways Agency is still being carried out to
From Birds of a Feather, to Emmerdale and Broadchurch, and also founding a successful stage school, actress Pauline Quirke tells Steve Pratt how time has flown PAULINE Quirke had her first taste of acting when she was nine, joining a school drama
A NEIGHBOURHOOD police team has received a £5,000 grant to provide free crime prevention equipment to residents. Shed alarms, warning signs and ultraviolet markers are among the items being distributed to Newton Aycliffe residents thanks to a grant
A summer of rock and pop at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light kicks off with the highly anticipated visit from US legends Bon Jovi on June 13. In an exclusive interview, Matt Westcott speaks to drummer Tico Torres TICO Torres is in Vienna when we speak
Actor Tony Audenshaw, better known to Emmerdale fans as Bob Hope, is lending his support – and soap show colleagues – to York Rocks Against Cancer, as Steve Pratt reports WHEN you play a soap character called Bob Hope the chances are that you’re
JOE ROOT plans to continue ‘‘living my dream’’ by lining up for his first Test appearance on his home ground of Headingley. The 22-year-old established himself in the England side with some exceptionally mature displays on tour in New Zealand and
NEWCASTLE will aim to maintain a 100 per cent winning record against Bedford this season in tonight’s Championship final first leg at Goldington Road. All three previous meetings – two league games and a British and Irish Cup success – went Newcastle
Peter Barron relives childhood memories in Whitby and tries a restaurant celebrating an anniversary IT’S a case of being spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in Whitby – there are more restaurants, cafes and pubs than seagulls hovering
Cellist Pieter Wispelwey and the Flanders Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Seikyo Kim, cast fresh light on neglected romantic cello concertos. Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D minor is a strong work in the German tradition, while Saint-Saen’s second cello
FIVE horses that were grazing illegally on have been removed by bailiffs as part of a major clampdown. Two Shetland ponies were taken from the rear of Bruntoft Avenue on land owned by Hartlepool Borough Council and three were removed from grassland
The two major organ works on these discs show Max Reger at the height of his powers. They are performed by David Goode on the organ at Symphony Hall, Birmingham. As well as the large-scale works, such as Variations and Fugue on an Original Theme, the
The young German cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and pianist Alexei Grynyuk join forces in an enchanting recording of Rachmaninov’s Cello Concerto in G minor and Vocalise. The album is rounded off with Shostakovich’s Violin Sonata, which alludes
I HAD an insight into how others view folk music when I watched an early morning TV feature on a forthcoming Hollywood movie called Inside Llewen Davis. It’s about a struggling folk singer in New York’s Greenwich Village in the early 1960s and included
LEE Ann Womack – The Definitive Collection is the latest compilation from the Humphead record label. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since she emerged on the country scene in 1997, mixing an old-fashioned style with contemporary traits.
ECM have really done drummer, composer and bandleader Paul Motian proud with this 6CD box set in their Old and New Masters Edition. Conception and Tribute feature guitarist Sam Brown extensively with guest slots for Keith Jarrett, Leroy Jenkins
This double CD is a marvellous introduction to trumpeter Charlie Shavers as leader and sideman. On one session he’s the featured player in a potted history of other great trumpeters, capturing their styles and sounds very effectively, on another
The UK's return to growth was underlined today as revised figures confirmed the powerhouse services sector helped the economy expand by 0.3 per cent in the first three months of the year. Services shook off the freezing start to the year, with
POLICE have named a cyclist killed in a collision on the A66 on Tuesday as 61-year-old Sean Ruff from Cleadon village, near Sunderland. Mr Ruff had been married for 31 years and leaves behind a wife and four children. His family said: “Sean
Yorkshire are hoping to make their summer picture perfect. The White Rose county are doing all they can to give their players the best possible chance of succeeding, starting with their England trio at this weekend's Headingley Test match.
HE has already identified a number of reasons behind Middlesbrough's downfall last season, but manager Tony Mowbray has revealed the lack of core players is a major problem that he is desperate to change. Mowbray's search for summer reinforcements
Durham v Middlesex Day One LV County Championship ON a day for laying foundations at the Emirates ICG, Durham built shakily on a firm base until Phil Mustard supplied some steel. While work on a new stand had just started next to the scoreboard
Chris Hunter last night became Darlington's third arrival of the week, the defender joining from Shildon a year after manager Martin Gray first tried to sign him. He follows Paul Robinson and Chris Moore in signing this week, with Gray moving quickly
NEWCASTLE UNITED will turn their attentions to other attacking targets after shelving their interest in Liverpool striker Andy Carroll. Carroll, who spent the season on loan at West Ham United, has been a long-term target of Magpies boss Alan Pardew
HE has labelled members of his squad ignorant and arrogant this week, but Paolo Di Canio insists there are players at Sunderland with the right attitude and has urged everyone to follow the example set by stand-in captain John O'Shea. After almost
JOHANNA JACKSON is determined to put her Olympics disappointment behind her and to focus on success in the next chapter of her race walking career. The 28-year old was disqualified in the 20km race walk at London 2012, an event she only competed
NISSAN cars built in Sunderland are among a mass recall sparked by a steering fault. Around 800,000 vehicles are affected by the recall, including Nissan Micras built between 2002 and 2006. More than 130,000 UK Micras will be examined with
ANTI-terror police were today preparing to question the two men shot and injured after the Woolwich soldier killing as details about their backgrounds began to emerge. Sources said both men, who are being treated in hospital, are believed to be
THE region’s new elected police chiefs will be rapped today (Thursday, May 23) for failing to give voters the information to judge if they are getting “a good deal”. None of the four Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in the North-East and North
Minutes after carrying out a sickening attack on a young man who had just completed a work out at a gym, Dale Pipe quoted a comic book villain who has become a cult anti-hero. Gavin Havery studied his Facebook page, which has since been taken down,
A MINING firm, which hopes to create 1,000 North-East jobs in a £1.5bn potash project, has strongly denied criticism its plans will destroy the environment. Caravan park bosses say Sirius Minerals' proposals to mine polyhalite fertiliser at Sneaton
A PSYCHOTIC bodybuilder obsessed with Batman's arch nemesis the Joker has admitted carrying out a terrifying unprovoked axe attack on a stranger in a public gym. Former chef Dale Pipe asked "Why so serious?" - the phrase uttered by Heath Ledger's
A NORTH-EAST steelmaker is today expected to announce major losses in its full-year results, just days after writing down the value of its European operations by more than £1bn. Tata Steel, which employs 1,500 North-East workers, will reveal its
A NORTH Yorkshire meat company hit by an EU ban on its products has launched legal action against the UK food regulator it accuses of "keeling over" under pressure from Brussels. Newby Foods Ltd, based in Newby Wiske, near Northallerton, says it
SIX fire crews have been called to a large blaze in a commercial unit near the A167 in County Durham. An aerial ladder platform has also been brought in by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service to help tackle the fire in Croxdale
A MASSIVE leisure and retail complex which is predicted to revolutionise the economy of a town is due to open day. Gateshead Council says it expects the £150m Trinity Square development to create more than 1,100 jobs. The first phase of the
COUNCIL officials met with traders in Bishop Auckland today (May 23) to discuss concerns over new controversial parking measures. A call for common sense was made earlier this week, when business owners in Fore Bondgate stressed the plans could
DRINK DRIVER: Lee Gray, 26, of Coniston Road in Ferryhill has been banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £388 in fines and costs after admitting drink driving at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court. He was found to have 65mcg of alcohol
MOTORISTS filling up their cars at a North-East supermarket forecourt got an unexpected special offer, when a mistake led to discounted diesel being sold. Customers at Asda, in Whinbush Way, Darlington, saved 4p per litre for a short time on Tuesday
A WOMAN who went to watch a man she had just met play football in the snow has celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary. Agnes McCormick was at the cinema with friends when she saw future husband Vince. The pair started talking and the next
ORGANISERS have been forced to cancel part of a popular music festival in Bishop Auckland. Proms at the College, which is an annual highlight of the Bishop Auckland Music and Arts Festival, will not take place on Sunday, June 30 as planned.
