A WOMAN suffered the effects of smoke inhalation after a kitchen fire in County Durham. The blaze broke out at the property in Edward Street, Gilesgate, Durham around 10.50pm on Wednesday night. Two crews attended what was said to be a small
Guisborough reached the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in 21 years and a home tie with Workington when they came from behind to beat Jarrow Roofing at the King George last night. Roofing took the lead on 23 minutes when
Final Score: Darlington 7 Ossett Albion 0 DARLINGTON can’t wait to return to their home town, but maybe Heritage Park isn’t such a bad temporary home. Twenty-four hours after announcing plans to return home next year, Quakers went top of the
PETULA Clark has been recording songs for more than 50 years and has more than 1,000 to her name. Her most memorable hit is ‘Downtown’ which was composed by Tony Hatch and recorded in 1964, reaching No.2 in the UK charts. She was awarded the CBE in
EMERGENCY services on Teesside were called to a liquid spill near a tanker at Teesport at tonight (Wednesday). The incident happened around 7pm. A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "The liquid was identified as water and it had not come
LEADING universities in cities such as Newcastle and Manchester are at risk of losing their reputations as being among the best in the world to study for a degree, research suggests. The golden triangle of Oxford, Cambridge and London is fast becoming
A RETIRED firefighter today (Wednesday) recalled a bygone era as he celebrated his 100th birthday – and was reunited with one of the first appliances he had driven. Joe Dixon’s eyes lit up when he recognised the 1937 Leyland Cub fire engine and
Darlington make one change for this evening’s game with Ossett Albion. After missing Saturday’s win at Salford with an injury, Amar Purewal returns ahead of Paul Robinson, who drops to the bench. Robinson takes the place of Adam Cocks, who made
A CANCER patient who was burgled while having chemotherapy has handed over double the amount she originally raised to the charity which has helped her stay positive. When Christine Humphreys-Middleton’s hair started to fall out, a side effect of
THE world’s most famous detective and the world’s most notorious villain are set for a desperate battle of wills in a gripping new play at Hartlepool’s Town Hall Theatre. Based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic story The Final Problem and produced
TRIBUTES have been paid to Tom Clancy, who hit the big-time with Cold War thrillers such as The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games, after he died in the US aged 66. His publisher, Penguin Group, said he died on Tuesday in Baltimore. The statement
Tables can be booked for groups planning to attend Sunderland Mayor, councillor Bob Heron’s annual civic charity ball, at Rainton Meadows Arena, at Rainton Bridge, Houghton-le-Spring, on Friday November 15, at 7pm. Proceeds go to this year’s Mayoral
A SERIES of apple-themed events are taking place in a North-East market town. The Love Food project inviting visitors to celebrate the fruit in Barnard Castle on Saturday. Although National Apple Day takes place later this month, the events
AN investigation into the death of a 50-year-old man, whose body was found in the River Ouse, in York, on Monday, is continuing. Anyone with information, or who saw a man close to the river in the Fulford Ings area on Monday morning or Sunday evening
A COUNCIL is supporting the growing number of people who are turning to food banks to feed themselves and their families. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is collecting non-perishable foods at all 13 of its libraries and is encouraging residents
The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular, featuring the music of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr, is on at Newcastle City Hall on Friday (October 4) at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £17, £19 and £21 from the box office, 0191-277-8939. PORT VISIT: Primary
THE clock really is ticking for a lottery winner in the Middlesbrough area who has just days left to claim an amazing EuroMillions prize worth £245,044.80. The search is still on to find the owner of the winning ticket, who matched the five main
A DARLINGTON car dealership has swapped selling cars for washing them after pledging to help raise more than £250,000 for a national cancer charity. Staff at the Evans Halshaw Ford dealership, in Darlington, are taking part in the group’s national
THE demolition of a former asylum inspired one man to paint a picture which forms part of a ground-breaking exhibition designed to break down stigmas surrounding mental health. For the first time, a public gallery is showing the artwork of people
A PROLIFIC thief threatened a store security guard with the jagged end of a broken bottle when cornered after stealing a bottle of wine. Paul Lewis McGill, 34, was spotted leaving Tesco, in the Market Place, Durham, having paid for four cans of
A LONG-SERVING charity volunteer has been chosen to attend the Pride of Britain awards. During 34 years of service with The Samaritans, Beryl Winter, from Durham, has clocked up more than 5,000 hours listening to callers. Her dedication earned
MANAGERS at one of the region's leading theatres are hoping for yet another year of record breaking audiences. This year Sleeping Beauty, with stars from the BBC’s classic comedy Allo Allo Kim Hartman and Vicki Michelle, will be staged at Middlesbrough
A motorcyclist who died in a collision on the A170 near Sutton Bank at the weekend has been named by police. Chris Walker, 55, from Beverley, East Yorkshire died following an accident on the A170 at Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe on Sunday evening.
A STAGGERING simulation of the sun 100 million times smaller than the real thing suspended in the sky will be one of the key attractions in a winter festival of light in the North-East. Other new installations featured at Lumiere, in Durham City
FIVE men were arrested following an investigation into the suspected illegal importation of seven million cigarettes. The men, from the Tyneside area, were arrested at an industrial unit in Darlington on Wednesday (October 1), after customs officials
A TALE of passion and drama in the unlikely setting of a small library was told by dancers today, Wednesday, October 2. About 60 people watched the free preview of Shhh!, a show by dance theatre company C-12, at Stockton Central Library. The
RARE pieces of furniture dating back 500 years will go on sale later this month. The National Centre for Early Furniture and Art (NCEFA) is to hold its inaugural sale of early English oak furniture at the Swinton Park Estate near Masham. It
A REPRESENTATIVE from the recently launched Good Friends scheme in Darlington will be speaking at the next meeting of Cockerton East Community Partnership. Lynn Walton, from Age UK Darlington, will be speaking about the scheme which urges people
A POLICE and Crime Commissioner from the North-East is playing a key role a regional award ceremony honouring those who 'make a difference'. Vera Baird, the elected commissioner for the Northumbria area, will be the main speaker at the North-East
A DESCENDENT of a former Captain of the HMS Trincomalee has taken over as president of the Trust that looks after the former warship. Colonel Euan Houston takes over from Captain David Smith, who died in March, with a brief of developing the international
A TEAM of Darlington veterinary staff made a 25-mile charity trek across some of England’s highest peaks to raise money for a national guide dog charity. The group of veterinary surgeons, nurses and receptionist from Vets4Pets, in Grange Road,
MEMBERS of a North-East fitness class took part in an outdoor aerobics session – despite persistent rain – to raise funds for a national charity. A total of 19 members of the Penthouse gym, in Darlington, took part in the ‘tone-tastic’ class, on
A MAN has been arrested after a burglary at an elderly woman's home in Newcastle. At noon yesterday (Tuesday October 1) police were told that a man had approached a woman aged in her 80s at the doorstep of her house off Monkchester Road in Byker
It was good to meet Lord David Hunt, chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, for lunch at The Northern Echo offices in Darlington today. I have long argued that those working towards replacing the PCC with a more effective industry watchdog
A RAMPAGING cow is believed to be responsible for damaging a memorial plaque to a murder victim. The plaque was dedicated to the memory of Middlesbrough pensioner, Colin Dunford, who was 81 when he was murdered. His was one of five plaques
EXTRA public swimming sessions have been added to a leisure centre's pool timetable. The changes at Durham County Council-run Spennymoor Leisure Centre aim to give people have more opportunities to exercise indoors over winter. As well as more
A COUNSELLING group is seeking to expand its services with the creation of a foodbank to serve the residents of Shildon. The South Durham Counselling Service provides advice and support from its base in the Shildon People’s Centre. The Main
A FUNERAL for a healthcare expert who was shot dead at her Turkish holiday home will be held on Saturday. The family of Anne Bury, of Swainby, North Yorkshire, will hold a private service in Middlesbrough, following the alleged attack by her gardener
A PARISH council has overturned its decision to enable local residents to be buried in a graveyard near their homes in land set aside for non-Christians. Sowerby Parish Council announced last year that it would give community land to the Church
A TALKATIVE grey African parrot has been stolen by thieves. Police are appealing for information after the exotic bird named Oscar was swiped when its aviary was broken into at Saltwell Park in Gateshead. The burglary happened between 3.15pm
A PRIMARY school is set to become a base for providing extra help to pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD). Following a consultation process which ended on September 20, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive has
A WOMAN who has lost almost five stones in a year after challenging herself to exercise in a gym has backed a drive to improve health. Martha Dollery, 25, said she had feared entering Stokesley Leisure Centre’s gym before attending an open weekend
USERS of Durham’s park-and-ride may find themselves pulling up alongside one of three illuminated Reliant Robin cars during Lumiere. The three-wheeled motors, complete with stained glass windows, will be parked up in the Sniperley, Howlands and
A NEW academy and a refurbished primary school have been officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester during a visit to Stockton. The royal visitor began his journey at The Glebe Primary School before moving on to the new North Share Academy.
A LUXURY boutique hotel has won a prestigious international award. The Wensleydale Heifer, which describes itself as a five-star restaurant with rooms, has been awarded the International Hotel Awards five star accolade for best small hotel 2013
A SENIOR police officer who this week hangs up her hat has spoken of her sadness at being unable to find murdered teenage Jenny Nicholl. North Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Sue Cross was the senior investigating officer when 19-year-old
RESEARCH into attitudes towards life insurance found that three quarters of people in the North-East do not have a will. The survey carried out by Legal & General Life Insurance found that a third of North-East respondents had no financial
GOVERNMENT plans to privatise the Probation Service represent a risk to people in the North-East, a Darlington politician has warned. Changes to the service – which supervises offenders in the community – mean it has been opened up to competitive
A COUNCIL has spent £3.6m on designs for an iconic road bridge that were too expensive to implement. Labour-run Sunderland City Council wants to tackle congestion and improve access to the city centre with a new River Wear crossing between Pallion
A RETIRED teacher whose previous theatrical experience extends to directing a school pantomime has taken on the challenge of producing Shakespeare in a former quarry. Liz Gill has been appointed as director of The Tempest, which will be produced
A RAPIDLY growing coatings firm is closing in on a breakthrough export deal, after hosting a delegation from the US oil and gas industry. Ecco Finishing Supplies is in talks to supply passive fire protection machines to Texas-based contractors
A YOUNGSTER was badly injured and left needing hospital treatment after he was attacked by a dog in a play area. The 13-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was attacked in Cockton Hill Recreation Ground, Bishop Auckland, County
DAVID Cameron unveiled a surprise threat to strip dole money from jobless under-25s that refuse training, as he urged voters to let him “finish the job we started”. A future Conservative government would expect young people to be “earning or learning
A WOMAN bit the hand of one police officer and then spat in the face of another as they tried to arrest her after she drunkenly abused them. Diane Wilson, 44, of St Helen Auckland, County Durham, called Durham Police on September 13 to complain
THE Police and Crime Commissioner of Durham is being investigated over employee benefits paid while he was a deputy chief constable. Ron Hogg, who was elected as a Labour candidate in November, is alleged to have knowingly accepted benefits he
A NEW website has been launched to celebrate the best theatre shows for youngsters across the region. It complements the upcoming TakeOff Festival of Theatre for Children and Young People which will see a variety of shows performed in and around
AN Army Reserves unit is taking part in a training exercise in moors and woods above Catterick Garrison, using a specialist rocket launch system. 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery – the only tracked armoured Army Reserve artillery unit
AN exhibition by Bedale Museum of historic artefacts and information was so successful volunteers are planning another event next year. The one day exhibition was held in Bedale Hall ballroom and covered life in the town and the historic hall from
A PRIVATE cattery that provides emergency shelter for abandoned or stray cats and kittens has appealed for people to consider rehoming an animal. Sadberge Boarding Kennels and Cattery, on Middleton Road, near Darlington, is not a rehoming centre
A TEAM of thieves stripped boarded-up homes of radiators and boilers to sell for scrap, a court heard yesterday (Tuesday, October 1). Police were called to Willow Walk, in Loftus, east Cleveland, when neighbours saw the break-ins on April 1.
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered a broken leg when he was struck by a car. The 19-year-old was crossing Church Street in Shildon, County Durham, when he was hit by a grey Audi A3 which was travelling east at about 6.40pm
LATEST scientific thinking over the possibility of intelligent life existing elsewhere in the universe will be examined in an annual lecture. The twelfth Borderlands Lecture, hosted by St John’s College, Durham, will be presented by a familiar
A SERIES of lunchtime concerts have been organised at Redcar’s new Tuned In centre. The concerts feature young musicians from Europe and the Far East, playing popular classical music. Centre manager Frances Golightly said: “We have an established
MILKY GOODNESS: Darlington MP Jenny Chapman is playing milk monitor at Cockerton Playgroup on Friday. The MP is supporting World School Milk Day, an initiative driven by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation to highlight the health benefits
TEESDALE Heritage Group is inviting people to a presentation by a First World War historian. John Davison, who wrote Durham Men in the Great War, is speaking at the Masonic Hall, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, on Wednesday, October 9,
A COUPLE are celebrating after winning a five-year battle with the Government to stay together. Retired racehorse trainer Pat Barker, from Hunton, near Leyburn, met Brazilian-born Giovani Dos Santos in 2006 at the Dubai Racing Carnival. Despite
COFFEE MORNING: Northallerton, Dales and Thirsk branch of the RSPCA is holding a coffee morning at Northallerton Town Hall on Saturday, October 19 from 9.15am onwards. To donate tombola prizes or anything to sell contact June Levey on 01609-776652
WORK by 19th Century artist Samuel Tuke Richardson will be on display to the public this month. The artist and diarist was born in Sunderland in 1846 but spent his adult life in the Darlington area. A selection of his watercolours, prints and
POLICE are appealing for information following a spate of cable thefts in the Bankfields, Eston and Normanby areas, near Middlesbrough. The thefts have taken place over the last three months and in some areas have left vulnerable and elderly residents
CHORAL CONCERT: Billingham Choral Society will appear in concert at St Paul’s Newtown Church, Bishopton Road, Stockton, on Friday, (October 4) at 7.30pm. Tickets costing £5 each will be available on the door. STEWART PARK: Improvements to Stewart
CHURCH leaders and congregations intend to pull out all the stops to show off their buildings during the Tour de France Grand Depart next summer. During a 100-day cultural festival starting in March 2014, it is hoped church bells on the tour route
A WOMEN’S INSTITUTE group is looking for new members who may want to learn skills in baking or crafts or pass on their existing expertise. With programmes such as the Great British Bake Off proving ever popular, and Kirsty Allsop encouraging the
PIONEERING North-East researchers have come up with a programme to close the gap in health inequality. Their recommendations include recruiting more community health trainers, prescribing social activities for some forms of mental illness rather
THE much-heralded and controversial switch of emergency medical care hospital services from Hartlepool to North Tees will take place next week. The move - which centralises all emergency medical and critical care services at the University Hospital
PROUDLY clad in their gowns, thousands of students formally marked the start of their life at university. Durham University held matriculation ceremonies for around 4,000 undergraduates and 3,000 postgraduates, who formally became members of the
THE Memphis Building for the Student Loans Company on Lingfield Point in Darlington has been named as one of the best workplaces in the country. The development won the Test of Time category at the British Council for Offices' (BCO) National Awards
THE Police and Crime Commissioner of Durham is being investigated over employee benefits paid to him while he was a deputy chief constable. Ron Hogg, who was elected as a Labour candidate in November last year, is alleged to have knowingly accepted
A HUGE red button has been installed in a city centre to encourage people to quit smoking during Stoptober. A ‘stop’ button has been situated in Millennium Place, Durham, to remind people of the national no-smoking campaign. Thousands of people
Durham Shakespeare Group will meet at The Old Church, Sacriston, on Mondays at 7.30pm from October 7. Its current production is Much Ado about Nothing. New members are welcome. Refreshments are available in the cafe from 6.30pm. Call 0191- 3831547
A CHILDREN’S story will be brought to life this weekend as a national tour visits the North-East. Emil and the Detectives, produced by Red Earth Theatre, will be performed at the Gala Theatre in Durham on Saturday (October 5) at 2.30pm. Just
A YOUTH worker has told how he warned his mother about the dangers of internet dating before she was killed by a man she met online. Andrew Jackson said he did not trust Adrian Muir when he started coming to the home of Pamela Jackson in Chester-le-Street
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a young woman was sexually assaulted near Darlington railway station. The 22-year-old was walking along Parkgate next to the station on September 8 at about 7.15pm when she was approached by two youths on
THE new season of an initiative to get children to walk, cycle or scoot to school has been launched with a time travelling theme. Mega Motion works with schools across Darlington to encourage children and parents to leave the car at home once a
CONSULTATION is underway to move a Post Office in north Durham. If the plan goes ahead South Moor Post Office will move from its current location to create a open plan branch with significantly longer opening hours. The proposed new location
THE fight-back to save County Durham’s oldest Young Farmers’ Club has begun. Stockton Young Farmers, formed in 1929 and thought to be oldest in the old Durham county borders, has only eight members left and a crisis meeting was held on Monday,
A MAN suffered a fractured jaw and lost consciousness after an assault in a Darlington bar. Witnesses are being sought to the assault which took place at about 2am on Saturday, September 21 in the men’s toilets at Harvey’s Bar, in Houndgate, Darlington
A STOCKTON sailor has qualified as a Royal Navy diver. Able seaman Scott Hulme, 24, has just completed specialist clearance diver training at the Defence Diving School (DDS) in Portsmouth. The proud sailor received his certificate and diving
CHARITY CUT: A charity night and sponsored head shave is taking place at Crooners Champagne Bar, Houndgate Mews, on October 30. Tim Inness, who is part of a fundraising team taking on charity challenges for Macmillan, is having his long hair chopped
JOINT CONCERT: GT Group band Peterlee and Durham Constabulary Male Voice Choir will share the stage at a concert on Friday (Oct 4) in Elvet Methodist Church, in Durham City. The concert, staged by Durham Hospital Radio, starts at 7.30pm. Admission
TESCO'S half-year profits tumbled by almost a quarter today after underlying sales declines in the UK and every one of its overseas markets. Once the driving force behind the group, its European and Asian businesses were hit by steep profit falls
AN award-winning children’s writer has let some of her young fans into the tips of her trade. Scottish author Debi Gilori has written and illustrated several books for young readers including the Mr Bear series of stories , The Trouble With Dragons
AN ancient almshouses charity has appointed a new chaplain. Sherburn Hospital, which was founded in 1181 and still stands on its original site on the outskirts of Durham City, has appointed the Reverend Eileen Tarren as its new resident priest
JOBS FAIR: A Job fair is being held at Richmond Town Hall on Tuesday, October 8 from 10am to 2pm. The fair is being organised by JobCentre Plus.
PLAY READING: A reading and discussion of Shakespeare’s As You Like It will take place at St Joseph’s Church Hall on Tanton Road, Stokesley on Saturday, October 19, from 9am until 1pm. People can reserve a place in advance. Anyone without a copy of
ARTIST and tutor Genia Wheddon is running a watercolour course at The Laurel’s Café, in Gainford. Classes will run on October 18 and 25, and November 1 and 8, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. The theme is autumn colours and the subjects are harvest home
A MAJOR theatrical festival will begin in a North-East town tomorrow (Thursday October 3). The Jabberwocky Market will transform venues around Darlington into hubs of creative activity when it takes over the town for the weekend. The four-day
JCB STOLEN: Police are appealing for information after a JCB VMT 160-80 Vibromax Roller was stolen from Darlington Borough Council’s Vicarage Road site, in Darlington, between 3.30pm on Friday, September 27, and 7.30am on Monday, September 30 A three
THE Registration Service is moving into Durham County Council’s Customer Access Point on Front Street in Stanley. The whole basement area has been refurbished with a waiting area and an office for the registrar. A spokesman for Durham County
LAW students from Darlington met Britain’s most senior female judge. The group from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College travelled to Yarm School to meet Lady Hale, deputy president of the Supreme Court and the only woman to have been appointed to
AS Britain basked in unusually hot weather over the summer, the temperature also turned up in the housing market. Strong growth in demand from would-be buyers has prompted a sharp rise in house prices in some regions, leading some experts to fear
As a gateway to the North-East, Tees Dock has been a crucial cog in the wheel of the region’s industrial environment for 50 years. Deputy Business Editor Steven Hugill learns about its history, its colourful workforce and why they had Carlsberg and
DURHAM City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods is acting as ‘milk monitor’ for the day for children in her constituency. She is today (Wednesday, October 2) visiting Brandon Community Primary School in celebration of World School Milk Day. To mark the
SCORES of teachers from across the North-East joined industrialists in a drive to increase their understanding of engineering careers. It is hoped that the teachers – from more than 80 secondary schools in the region – will be better placed to
SHAREHOLDERS of a plumbing supplies firm, which employs hundreds of workers in the region, are set to benefit from a multi-million pound payout. Wolseley is to hand investors a £300m special dividend after reporting a jump in profits as markets
THE collapse of a famous North-East gift and furniture chain has claimed 150 jobs and left customers in limbo. Collectables, which grew from a barrow in the Metro- Centre, Gateshead, selling Geordie-themed novelties into a chain of 14 shops, last
IN Saturday’s Accumulator quiz (Echo Weekend, Sept 28), Question 5 asked: “‘Which land mammal has the longest pregnancy?” Of the four possible multiple choice answers, one was the Blue Whale. Is the Blue Whale really a land mammal? If so
I read with interest Vickie Henderson’s article headlined “Wheelie bin woe leads to tip runs” (Echo, Sept 28). Staff at the recycling centre say the number of people bringing black bin bags for disposal has increased since wheelie bins were introduced
AFTER being on a history walk to Staindrop recently, we called in a cafe called Laurels. Even though it was nearly closing time, the staff managed to serve all 20 of us with excellent food and good old fashioned service. Well done. GO Wright
FREE wellbeing checks for dogs are taking place in Darlington from October 15 when the PDSA’s PetCheck vehicle rolls into town. In partnership with Darlington Borough Council, the veterinary charity’s annual UK-wide PetCheck tour will stop off
WHENEVER my son and I are chatting, the subject always turns to football. I have been a supporter for many years of Leyton Orient who, for the moment, are doing very well with a 100 per cent record. My son has been a supporter of Darlington
IT was interesting to read the comments about Middlesbrough voting to keep its directly elected mayor (Echo, Sept 28). There even appeared to be cross-party concerns. The main fear was too much power being wielded by one person under the elected
IT was pleasing to read Andy Richardson’s interview with Professor David Miles of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, highlighting the positivity of the bank and the Treasury with regards the economy (Echo, Sept 30). The bank has issued
It seemed like any other morning. As usual, I got a call from BBC Tees to go on air for the Headline Challenge, which involves the radio listeners trying to come up with a better headline than one published with a funny story in that day's paper.
PROPERTY programmes are not a rarity, so it takes something special to stand out from the crowd. Thankfully, as regular viewers are already aware, Grand Designs is something special. Although the homes tend to be out of the financial reach of most
I READ the report about Durham County Council’s Master Plan which included the redevelopment of the Barnfield Road area currently occupied by Spennymoor Tyre Centre (Echo, Sept 12). Unfortunately, no one had told the owner of the centre (Echo,
THE nights are drawing in and there’s a crisp autumnal chill in the air, which can mean only one thing for the Beeb – it’s time to start dishing out the seasonal wildlife documentaries. In what must be a first, Chris Packham is nowhere to be seen
I READ about the couple who had bought cars with cash that they had saved by quitting smoking (Echo, Sept 25). I have had one drag of a cigarette in my 70 years on this planet and that was one too many. I was the only member of my family that
YOU can imagine Steve Pemberton and the other writers of Whitechapel have a fine time coming up with scenarios to scare people silly. For example: what could be more unnerving than being in the dentist’s chair when a serial killer turns up to perform
I WEARILY listen to the party conference speeches and note both main parties emphasising their plans for the “hard working families”. I am left bobbing in the wake of such plans for my wife and I are not included any longer – we are retired and
OH, for a courtroom drama, made for theatre and performed in one. It makes me almost weep for when plays were the breadand- butter of our palaces of live entertainment. This one is written (by Terence Frisby) and played (by Tom Conti as defendant
I REALLY enjoy being by the coast in Kent, Cornwall and the North-East. I really love the sense of well-being, of being close to the ocean while on the land, and the spectacular views. We were promised a continuous path along England’s coast but
THEATRICAL students are treading the boards in preparation for a musical masterpiece. A 56-strong cast at Teesdale School, in Barnard Castle, has started rehearsing for West Side Story, which they will perform on three consecutive nights from February
DARLINGTON RFC said it was excited about creating a community sporting hub that would provide a permanent home for the town's football club. Michael Wilkinson, chairman of the rugby club, told more than 100 football club supporters that his club
A new book tells the true stories of four women who married American GIs stationed in Britain during the Second World War and recalls the hardships and humiliations which they and thousands like them endured in the name of love WHEN the first GIs
HE made the promise a week yesterday. Instantly, hell broke out, and it rages still. Labour leader Ed Miliband truly set a startling cat among unruffled pigeons when he committed Labour to freezing household energy bills for 20 months if it
THE Vintage Cockerton Brass Band is recruiting new members. The group of amateur musicians meet every Tuesday between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at the Cockerton Band and Musical Institute in Darlington. People of all ages and abilities are invited to join
From helping to give the Lindisfarne Gospels the musical send-off they deserve, to delighting friends and family at regular concerts, Durham Cathedral Young Singers have never sounded so good. Lizzie Anderson reports IT is Saturday morning and
WITH an ageing population, the question of how we care for the elderly is one of the most challenging issues facing society. Some elderly people are lucky enough to have regular family contact or support from neighbours, but far too many face desperate
THE firm behind a proposed new wind farm on the outskirts of a market town has responded to claims by campaigners opposed to the scheme. Banks Renewables held a second public exhibition about its proposed Bank Field scheme, on agricultural land
AS the fellow critic sitting next to me said surveying the audience on their feet and their ecstatic prolonged applause: “It always works.” And she’s right. Willy Russell’s musical has been around for 28 years, but its theatrical and emotional
A MERE four years after the first players teed off, Rockliffe Hall is playing host to some of golf’s most experienced professionals as the English Senior Open makes its comeback to the European Tour this weekend. Former Ryder Cup captain Mark James
Darlington’s talismanic playmaker Stephen Thompson has the capacity to improve even further and play at a higher level of football if only he would listen, believes manager Martin Gray. Thompson joined from Durham City a year and ago and has often
A CLOTHING business which has left a trail of creditors in its wake has ceased trading. The Northern Echo previously reported that APM Clothing Developments – run by self-proclaimed ‘serial entrepreneur’ and convicted fraudster Mike Smallman –
After a month or so of silence from Mike Smallman, STUART ARNOLD caught up with him following a visit to his North Yorkshire home. For a man who describes himself as a serial entrepreneur and who once was at the helm of what he claimed was the
THE Government’s Funding for Lending and Help to Buy have both improved the availability of mortgages and when combined with a historically low cost of credit, the affects of these support measures are beginning to feed their way through into the figures
TONY MOWBRAY is reluctant to bring a defender in on loan while Ben Gibson has made such a fine start to his Middlesbrough career. After making his full league debut on Saturday, 20-year-old centre half Gibson started for the first time at the Riverside
A TECHNOLOGY company, which is working on products which could provide cancer treatments, has created 70 North-East jobs in a new plant. Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, based in Billingham, near Stockton, has unveiled a specialist biotechnology
A FUGITIVE thief who was on the run for two years appeared on television and in a magazine while police from two North-East forces hunted him. It has emerged since this week's court case involving kayak man Paul Redford that he was featured in
VURNON ANITA wants supporters to blame the players just as much as Alan Pardew after back-to-back Premier League defeats which have placed greater importance on this Saturday’s tricky trip to Cardiff City. Angry Magpies fans sang for their money
PAOLO DI CANIO would like to manage in England again despite his time as Sunderland manager ending in dismissal. The Italian was sacked by Sunderland ten days ago after his side crashed to a 3-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion, with Kevin Ball coming
A CHARITY in the North-East could be facing an investigation after a complaint was made about a trustee and the financial management of its funds. Saltburn Community and Arts Association has been contacted by the Charity Commission following the
PARTY conference season can be a terrific test of stamina, writes James Ramsbotham of the NECC. I dare say even our greatest Olympians would find it a challenge to keep up with the rapid-fire speeches, snatched interviews, passionate round table
AN accountancy firm has welcomed 18 graduates to help expand its services. PwC, in Newcastle, says the new workers will play a key role in its tax, assurance, consulting, actuarial and advisory practices. Bosses have also taken on three school
As a gateway to the North-East, Tees Dock has been a crucial cog in the wheel of the region's industrial environment. The dock is now 50 years-old and Deputy Business Editor Steven Hugill learns about its history, its colourful workforce and just why
DESIGNERS have turned to North-East intellectual property specialists to help protect their businesses from copycats. Greeting card and gift designer Caroline Gardner and two other designers called on McDaniel & Co in a bid to protect their
A PARTNER at Latimer Hinks Solicitors, one of County Durham’s longest established firms of solicitors, has become a Dementia Friends Champion – one of the very first in our region. Natalie Palmer, in the private client department is a fully-fledged
A 110-YEAR-OLD engineering company has secured a major contract with a North-East energy firm to strengthen its international presence. Francis Brown Limited, in Stockton, makes winches for remote operated vehicles (ROV), which are used to lay
A DELIVERY firm, whose Teesside depot supports a number of key North-East industries, says it wants to continue its growth after investing £500,000 in new vehicles. Clugston Distribution, a division of the Clugston Group, has a base on the Cowpen
FROM helping to give the Lindisfarne Gospels the musical send off they deserve, to delighting friends and family at regular concerts, Durham Cathedral Young Singers have never sounded so good. Lizzie Anderson reports. It is Saturday morning and
A PIONEERING North-East firm is continuing to expand its specialist work after securing £250,000 funding to push forward x-ray technology. Ibex Innovations says the cash will support a £557,000 project on prototype x-ray detection for medical radiography
A YOUNG North-East worker is aiming to be crowned the UK's top apprentice. Nicola Harker, from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in Middlesbrough, has been nominated for the apprenticeship champion of the year award. Earlier this month
BUILDING bosses have warned a Government energy scheme will fail unless it makes a concerted effort to increase consumer demand. The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says the Government must make people more aware of energy efficiency to lift
A NORTH-EAST firm whose specialist tools clean offshore energy pipes wants to create new jobs after expanding to the Middle-East. Ik-Pei, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, makes pigs, which are forced through oil and gas pipes to remove debris
DAVID Cameron will today pledge to “build a land of opportunity”, in an attempt to lift the mood of voters after years of grim cuts. In his close-of-conference speech, the prime minister will set out how his Government has an optimistic purpose
A DIGITAL firm says it wants to expand and take on an apprentice after completing a contract to help a leading North-East care provider. Dot UK, based in Yarm, near Stockton, worked with Heritage Healthcare to improve management systems for customers
THE boss of a North-East accountancy practice has announced he is stepping down to pursue other challenges after more than 25 years with the firm. Paul Woolston, PwC's Newcastle office senior partner and UK leader for public services assurance
STOWE Family Law has been shortlisted for two major industry awards. The North Yorkshire law firm has been shortlisted for the inaugural Excellence in Pro Bono title at the Law Society Excellence Awards. Meanwhile the Harrogate firm's senior
DAVID Cameron seems so unsure of his business policies he is drafting in celebrities to give them more clout. Karren Brady, vice-chairwoman of West Ham United and star of The Apprentice, was unveiled at this week's Tory Party Conference as the
THOUSANDS of children will be taught how to safely ride their bikes as this year’s Bikeability programme begins once again. As the new school year gets underway, Durham County Council’s Road Safety Team is offering Bikeability cycle training to
A COUNTY Durham museum has suffered its worst year in terms of visitor numbers since Foot and Mouth disease hampered travel in 2001. The Weardale Museum in Ireshopeburn, which is the smallest museum in the county, has seen a big drop in the number
THREE pubs in the same County Durham street should have their licenses reviewed after failing police tests, officers have said. The premises – Hardy’s Bar, the Lion and Unicorn and the New Inn – are all in Commercial Street, Willington. All
A CELEBRATION of the region’s wool will be held in County Durham next week. The North Pennines Wool Group will be holding its fourth Wool Event on Friday, October 11, at several venues in St John's Chapel in Weardale. The event will take place
FORMER England batsman Allan Lamb believes it will be a while before Scott Borthwick earns a Test call with the flavour of the month still a pace bowling all-rounder not a spinning one. Borthwick saw Durham teammate Ben Stokes get the call as England's
POLICE are hoping to reunite a haul of ornaments with their owners after they were stolen from graves in a North-East cemetery. Officers recovered the items from a property in School Aycliffe earlier today (Wednesday, October 2) as part of an investigation
