Archive

  • Rape victims are not on trial

    ACCORDING to a major survey carried out by Mumsnet in 2012, the vast majority of the victims of sexual assaults never come forward. More than 80 per cent of the 1,600 respondents said they did not report their attackers to the police, largely because

  • 'Fairy story' for injured pensioner

    ALLEGED mugging victim Alan Barnes said receiving £330,000 from well-wishers was "like a fairy story" as he officially received the cheque from the beautician who set up the online fund.The 4ft 6in visually-impaired pensioner was guest of honour

  • Deal struck for historic Windlestone Hall

    AN HISTORIC hall could be converted into luxury apartments after a deal was struck with a consortium of North-East businessmen.Windlestone Hall – the former family home of 1950s Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden – was placed up for sale in November last

  • Students stage charity fashion show

    STUDENTS will stage a charity fashion show this weekend (Sunday, February 15).The Van Mildert College fashion show will be held at the Durham University college, on Millhill Lane, Durham City, on Sunday, starting at 8pm.Several hundred students and university

  • Take a virtual cathedral tour, thanks to Google

    AN ANCIENT institution has embraced 21st century technology.Durham Cathedral has welcomed into its hallowed surrounds the cameras and associated technology required to produce Google Street View.The result is a virtual tour inside the 900-year-old treasure

  • Keeping out the cold

    A DISTINCTIVE landmark is keeping out the chilly sea breeze after it wrapped up warm against the cold with a Valentine’s Day scarf.The scarf at the Beacon, which has been knitted by members of Redcar and Cleveland Mind’s weekly Knit and Natter group,

  • Man jailed for ten years over sex offences

    A MAN man has been jailed for ten years for serious sexual offences against a vulnerable girl. Spencer Barella, 21, from Crossways, Sunderland, was found guilty of rape and two counts of sexual assault by a Newcastle Crown Court jury. He was arrested

  • Freemasons present cash to hospices

    FREEMASONS have donated thousands of pounds to help six of the region’s hospices.Last month, senior members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham Freemasons visited St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham to tour the unit and present the six hospices with

  • Winter burglary reminder issued by police

    HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned that insecure properties are being targeted by burglars in the winter months as well as the summer months.Cleveland Police are reminding members of the public that although insecure burglaries are traditionally prominent

  • Appeal after tyres stolen from lorry

    A LARGE haul of tyres has been stolen from a lorry parked overnight in a layby on the A66 near Barnard Castle.Police were alerted to the incident at 6am on Tuesday, February 10, when the driver of the vehicle woke to find his trailer had been targeted.It

  • Welsh man wants to trace his long lost Darlington family

    A WELSH man has tracked down his long-lost family to the Darlington area.Following his father’s death, Spencer Lambert Jnr discovered he had family in the North-East.He is now appealing for help in finding any relatives that may remain in the region.His

  • Drug arrest

    OFFICERS have arrested a second person on suspicion of drugs offences following a report that six people were admitted to hospital on Saturday evening following an event at the Medicine Bar in Middlesbrough. Earlier in the week police arrested and bailed

  • Investigation after man found dead at foot of hospital stairs

    POLICE have launched an investigation into the death of a man whose body was found at the foot of a flight of hospital stairs.Officers were called to York Hospital at 4.54am on Monday following the sudden death of the 75-year-old man.The man was from

  • Bid to reinstate hours of children's services at hospital

    A REDUCTION in the hours of paediatric services offered by a North Yorkshire hospital is being resolved by recruiting more staff, a meeting heard.Last October a short-stay assessment unit was opened at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, as a key

  • Funding boost for Newton Aycliffe sports pitch

    A POPULAR sport facility is set for a major refurbishment thanks to funding from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (Gamp).The 3G pitch at Greenfield Community College opened in 2004 and has over 50,000 visits a year.However, as a result of this

  • Centuries-old pancakes are as fresh as ever

    A CATHEDRAL cafe will make pancakes to a 250-year-old recipe next week (February 17), for Shrove Tuesday.Staff at Durham Cathedral’s Undercroft Restaurant will mark the traditional Christian feast before the beginning of Lent by cooking pancakes to a

  • Village moves into the age of high-speed broadband

    MORE than 3,300 homes and businesses in a former pit village are being promised high-speed fibre broadband.People in Sacriston can now get speeds of up to 80Mbps and a further 1,300 Sacriston premises will benefit shortly.The upgrade is part of the multi-million

  • Dismay at lack of open space on new estate

    FAMILIES on a new housing estate have voiced their anger at being charged for open space and play areas which have not yet been created.Many residents bought homes on the DurhamGate site at Thinford, near Spennymoor, because of the promise they would

  • All aboard the 21. Destination@ Wedded bliss

    A BUS driver and her groom surprised passengers by catching the Number 21 to their post-wedding celebration.Go North East driver Sue Lowes and husband Andrew tied the knot at Gateshead Register Office and hopped on the company’s 21 Angel service to Newcastle

  • Sunderland welcomes future sporting superstars

    THE OPENING ceremony of the finals of a junior tennis event which has launched the careers of some of the world's greatest players was held in Sunderland today (Friday, February 13).Europe's finest young female tennis players (under 12s) are competing

  • Miss Tees Valley dishing out some Valentine's love

    VALENTINE’S shoppers enjoyed a loving welcome when Miss Tees Valley Ailish Shaw gives out heart-shaped balloons and red roses.The 22-year-old will be making her first public engagement since being crowned winner of the pageant.After receiving a prize

  • Big interest at auction of Magpies memorabilia

    NEWCASTLE United memorabilia fetched £25,000 when it went under the hammer in the city. The Anderson and Garland Toys, Books and Collectables auction including Magpies signed shirts, photographs, programmes and two gold medals dating from the 1920s.The

  • Thunderbirds are go! The iconic puppets are coming north

    FAB! The wonderful world of marionette master Gerry Anderson is coming to the region.Original props, scenery, uniforms, puppets and spaceships from some of the most popular TV shows of yesteryear will be taking centre stage at a fast-growing sci-fi convention.Gerry

  • Rotary clubs back heart scanner appeal

    ROTARY Clubs across the region are rallying around a fund-raising appeal to ensure that a North-East hospital has a state-of-the-art specialist heart scanner.Since last May, South Cleveland Heart Fund has been trying to raise up to £1m to enhance heart

  • A touch of 1920s glamour comes to Redcar's Regent Cinema

    A DOSE of 1920s glamour came to an iconic Teesside cinema on Thursday (February 12).Redcar photographer Paul Kitchener decided to organise a period fashion shoot to both raise money for a charity and help promote the newly refurbished Regent which is

  • Schoolgirls lose their locks for charity

    TWO caring youngsters have had their hair cut off for charity.Rhian Warner, 14, had her locks lopped off by ex-Darlington College hairdressing tutors, Suzanne Wilson and Lynne Gallacher at Carmel RC College today.The event was to raise money for The Little

  • Newcastle midfielder's season could be over

    NEWCASTLE UNITED midfielder Cheick Tiote could miss the rest of the season after returning from international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations with a serious knee injury. Tiote is currently being assessed by Newcastle’s medical team at the club

  • Darlington 'well placed' to grow economically in future years

    DARLINGTON is well placed to grow economically in the coming years, so long as local people are given the right education and training to take employment opportunities, a regional expert has said.Rory Sherwood Parkin, economic strategy and intelligence

  • Newcastle Airport moves closer to New York flights

    AIRPORT bosses have welcomed special guests to help count down the start of US services. United Airlines cabin crew James Kelly and Lulu Riedstra visited Newcastle Airport ahead of the firm starting flights in May. The duo were joined by a

  • Newcastle Thunder enjoy comfortable pre-season win

    NEWCASTLE Thunder maintained their perfect start to their pre-season with an emphatic 74-6 home win over Gateshead Storm, writes Joseph Pearson.Sam Bowring’s hat-trick was the highlight as Thunder scored 14 tries and there were braces for Jacob Blades

  • JUNIOR FOOTBALL: A round-up of last weekend's results

    Darlington Spraire Lads and Lasses The Under-7s enjoyed a close game with Billingham Synthonia with both teams scoring on multiple occasions. It was the boys from Billingham who finished the game stronger. The Under-8s entertained Greatham

  • ATHLETICS: Runners enjoy Muddy Boots 10k

    Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers THE Muddy Boots 10k at Ripon lived up to its name in places, but its re-routing this year meant there were fewer holdups, and a fine, glorious morning added to the enjoyment for the 437 finishers.  Rob Lickley was

  • ATHLETICS: Crook celebrate with awards nights

    Bedale and Aiskew Runners The Muddy Boots 10K, based at St Wilfred's RC Primary School in Ripon, goes from strength to strength. There are ever increasing numbers of runners taking part in a race that is truly well established on the calendar

  • Country house opens its doors for Pop-up Restaurant

    A HISTORIC country house in Ryedale is offering food enthusiasts the chance to sample the work of its head chef in a one-off pop-up restaurant event.The Orangery at Settrington, near Malton, is a private house owned by Kenelm and Karen Storey and used

  • University pleads with students to stay safe while drinking

    UNIVERSITY bosses have repeated their plea to students to stay safe following three river deaths. In a joint message sent to all Durham students, acting vice-chancellor Professor Ray Hudson and Dan Slavin, president of Durham Students’ Union (DSU), urged

  • Racing teenagers to maths success

    A DAY at the races proved to be an odds-on favourite for students in an initiative designed to improve mental maths and open up career prospects.Pupils from Risedale Sports and Community College, Hipswell, were invited to Catterick Races by the British

  • Young people add backing to library campaign

    CHILDREN have added their voices to a campaign to retain local authority funding for their library.A delegation objecting to proposals to turn Stokesley Library into a centre run solely by volunteers, handed in a petition to North Yorkshire County Council

  • Top shot putter takes aim at title

    A NORTH Yorkshire athlete will be throwing himself into retaining his spot as the UK’s number one shot putter this weekend.Shot putter Scott Lincoln, from Brompton, Northallerton, is currently ranked number one in the UK after winning the Northern championships

  • Call centre tales of woe

    THE NEWS that BT have taken over EE this week brought back some memories for me.I worked at its Darlington call centre in the summer of 2004 which formed the final leg of my North-East Call Centre Tour 2002-4.It employs 2,000 workers – Darlington’s biggest

  • Students do the business

    MORE than 40 student companies set up by pupils from schools, colleges and universities from across the North-East plied their wares at a young enterprise trade fair.The fair took place at Gateshead’s Metro Centre. Those taking part were able to establish

  • MP urges kids to stay safe online

    AN MP has backed a new campaign to keep children safe online.Roberta Blackman-Woods is supporting the NSPCC’s Share Aware campaign, which aims to get families talking about how to socialise safely on the internet.Earlier this week, Durham Police revealed

  • Fledgling party wins second seat at by-election

    A FLEDGLING political party has won its second council seat in a matter of months.The North East Party, formed just six months ago, last night won its second seat on Peterlee Town Council in two months.Newly-elected councillor Karen Hawley comfortably

  • And they would pedal 2,000 miles...

    A TEAM of accountants are celebrating 25 years in the business by undertaking a gruelling charity bike ride.The nine-strong team from Leathers LLP are taking on the Tour de Force, which follows the exact route of the Tour de France seven days ahead of

  • Train passenger sought over stolen suitcase

    POLICE have released CCTV images of a man who is alleged to have stolen a passenger’s suitcase from a train.The suitcase was taken from a train at Durham on Saturday, January 31.PC Wayne Brown, of British Transport Police, said: “The victim, a 20-year-old

  • Healthy run

    THANK you for publishing the inspirational article by Chris Lines, 'Why I'll Keep Running' (Echo, Feb 13) describing the wonders of running. The article mentions a recent piece of research that suggests running is bad for you. If you unpick

  • Durham welcomes Chinese Year of the Goat

    A CITY will celebrate the Chinese New Year next weekend (Saturday, February 21).Various activities are planned for Durham city centre on Saturday, February 21, to welcome the Chinese Year of the Goat.There will be Chinese lion dancing across the city

  • So much for the city - pupils at troubled school head for Dales

    PUPILS escaped the furore over the future of their closure-threatened free school to enjoy a residential field trip in the Yorkshire Dales.Year Seven children from Durham Free School spent two nights at Grinton Lodge youth hostel, taking part in a talent

  • Spennymoor roadworks planned

    MOTORISTS should allow more time to make their journeys in the Spennymoor area to allow for roadwork delays.Durham County Council will carry out resurfacing work on a stretch of the A688 dual carriageway between Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February

  • Locomotion No 1 goes on "virtual loan" to the British Museum

    ONE of Darlington's greatest heritage assets has been put on "virtual loan" to the British Museum as part of an online teaching resource. In it’s 190th year, Locomotion No 1, based at Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum, in North Road,

  • Falcons winger hoping to secure World Cup recall

    ALESANA TUILAGI is hoping his rich vein of form with Newcastle Falcons will earn him a recall to the Samoa squad for this autumn’s Rugby World Cup. Tuilagi has won 29 Samoan caps over the course of more than a decade, scoring 17 tries, but his

  • Big gap in council bills for neighbouring authorities

    NEIGHBOURING councils are set to freeze council tax for this year – but bills in Richmondshire will be significantly higher than those in Hambleton.Hambleton District Council taxpayers in average Band D homes will be paying £112 less than their Richmondshire

  • Darlington bring in defender from Sunderland

    Darlington have completed the signing of a defender from Sunderland on loan. Right-back Andrew Cartright has joined for a month and is expected to make his Darlington debut in tomorrow’s match at Harrogate RA. He arrives at a time when Quakers

  • Masons build on hospice support

    FREEMASONS have donated a total of £13,000 to six hospices.The Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham Freemasons split the money between St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham City, St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington, Hartlepool and District Hospice, St Clare’s Hospice

  • New cabinet members appointed after council shake-up

    THE new-look cabinet of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has been announced.Councillor Mary Lanigan was elected as the new leader following the resignation of Councillor George Dunning at a meeting of the full council on Thursday (February 12).Members

  • Thirteen arrested in major blitz against rural crime

    THIRTEEN people were arrested during a major blitz to tackle rural and cross-border crime.More than 80 vehicles were stop-checked during a 12-crackdown by the North Yorkshire force as part of their continuing Operation Hawk initiative.Dozens of officers

  • Pancakes by the beach

    PANCAKE fun for all is on offer at a beach side bistro on Shrove Tuesday (February 17).Youngsters visiting the Beach House in Roker, Sunderland, are promised a “flipping frenzy” with a variety of pancake-related activities, on Tuesday (February 17).The

  • Drunk youngsters inspire Durham Police phone safety initiative

    DRUNK youngsters have inspired police to launch a ‘phone safety’ initiative.Durham Police are hoping to work with mobile phone providers in a bid to help students track lost phones.The initiative is being set up following a number of reports from people

  • Wedding competition will raise cash for sick kids

    COUPLES are being given the chance to win the wedding of their dreams in a competition run by TFM Radio’s Cash for Kids which helps sick and underprivileged children.The competition, in partnership with Seneca Homes, will see six local couples competing

  • Verdi's masterpiece coming to Darlington

    VERDI’S masterpiece opera Rigoletto will be brought to life at Darlington Civic Theatre this month with a live orchestra and talented cast.The Russian State Ballet and Opera House will bring the show to the Darlington on February 17 as part of their 2015

  • Classic Gothic tale to be retold in Medieval hall's secret room

    A HIDDEN undercroft in an ancient medieval hall is to form the backdrop to a stage adaptation of a classic Gothic story.The Theatre Mill is preparing to stage a production of Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous tale, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.The

  • High-end perfume thief jailed

    A PROLIFIC shoplifter with more than 130 thefts on his record has been jailed.Wayne Thomas, of Edwin Street, Pallion, Sunderland, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court charged with theft on November 2 and November 11 last year.Vicky Wilson, prosecuting

  • Fundraising ball will raise funds for children with cancer

    A FUNDRAISING ball is being held next month to raise money for a cancer charity.The event will take place at the Hall Garth Hotel, in Coatham Mundeville, near Darlington, on Saturday, March 28 to raise money for Children with Cancer UK.The event has been

  • New gallery showcases Eastern charms

    A NEW gallery is opening at a prestigious museum.Occupying a whole floor of Durham University's Oriental Museum, the gallery is devoted to its Himalayan, Indian and Southeast Asian collections.Now completely refurbished, it features a dazzling array of

  • Valentine's Day with a difference

    A CLOTHING bank is set to open its doors at a new venue as it holds its second event.As well as clothes, the Teesside Socialist Clothing Bank (TSCB) project will also be offering hot food, entertainment while advice and guidance will be available through

  • Dunston UTS aim to become second ENL team in Vase quarters

    Dunston UTS are hoping to become the second ENL team into the quarter finals of the FA Vase when they go to Glossop in their delayed fifth round tie on Saturday. North Shields are already into the last eight, and if Dunston, one of the favourites

  • Hawkins in line for Moors debut

    Spennymoor will give new signing Lewis Hawkins his debut as they hope to climb back into the play off positions with victory over Radcliffe Borough on Saturday. Because of their recent inactivity, Moors have dropped down to seventh in the table

  • Marske defend best away record at Dean Street

    Marske United defend one of the best away records in the league when they go to Shildon, the club with one of the best home records today. Marske are joint third in the table having dropped just seven points away from home this season, while Shildon

  • Union hails pay rise for military vehicle staff

    WORKERS who went on strike at a Ministry of Defence vehicle repair firm over wages say they have succeeded in getting a pay rise. The Unite union says staff at Defence Support Group (DSG), which has a base in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire

  • Youngsters prove they are real stars

    STUDENTS are proving to be star performers after being officially recognised 10,000 times by their teachers.The head boy and girl at Richmond School and Sixth Form College, Angus Bankier, 18, and Isla Teasdale, 17, performed the honours as students picked

  • Egg-cellent project to celebrate school's anniversary

    PUPILS have been inspired by the works of famous jeweller Karl Faberge to add a touch of glamour as their school celebrates its 10th anniversary. Pupils will be encouraged to ‘bling an egg’ as part of a host of activities marking the opening

  • Charity calls for volunteers to create local hub

    A CHARITY that helps fight child poverty is calling for more volunteers to create a fundraising hub in Richmondshire.Save the Children already has a strong legion of supporters in the area but now the charity is encouraging volunteers to come together

  • Older residents invited to help devise strategy

    OLDER residents are being invited to help influence a council strategy that takes their needs into account in Hambleton. Hambleton Over-Fifties Forum and Hambleton District Council are currently updating their strategy for older people. The strategy will

  • Attendances soar at the Forum

    ATTENDANCES at a community-run arts venue in Northallerton are continuing to grow.Latest audience figures show the Forum is a box-office winner with its blend of theatre shows, film releases and local variety productions.Ticket sales for its programme

  • Ukraine flashpoint

    THE media is preoccupied with events in the Middle East, especially the frightening military advances of Isis, but I would suggest that the more serious flashpoint, certainly as regards Europe, is the gathering storm in Ukraine. I’ve followed the

  • Harry's over the hill

    I WAS over the moon to see that ITV were reviving one of my favourite old programs, Stars in their Eyes, but switching over to watch it on Saturday night I was miserably disappointed. I couldn't make out if I was watching a talent show, a slapstick

  • Ukip scaremongering

    THE Labour Party has been scaremongering about Ukip since before the last European election, so Ed Balls' latest attack is hardly news. From false claims that Ukip wishes to privatise the NHS to false suggestions we wish to scrap maternity leave

  • Woman injured boyfriend in drunken row after funeral

    A WOMAN who injured her boyfriend in a drunken row after a funeral has walked free from court after he refused to make a complaint.Roberta Suddick threw crockery around their home in Middlesbrough in October last year and a glass struck her partner on

  • Thirsk earn impressive win against York

    Thirsk Hockey ClubTHE Ladies second team battled against a tough York side, who were defensively very strong.Thirsk created a few chances in the first half via Bev Petty and Gina Garnett but York defended them all. Amailia Watkins drove down the right

  • The Keys nightclub worker sentenced for stealing £1,000

    AN employee working at a Darlington nightclub has admitted stealing £1,000 from his boss that he was supposed to put in the company safe. Kevin Tomlinson, of Chillingham Court, Darlington, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court charged with

  • Wilson out of Six Nations

    England prop David Wilson has been ruled of the remaining four matches of the RBS 6 Nations with a neck injury that requires surgery.Wilson suffered nerve impingement during training two weeks ago and while the initial prognosis on his availability for

  • Darlington striker out for rest of the season

    Darlington’s promotion hopes suffered a blow last night when it was revealed that striker Amar Purewal will be missing for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.Purewal, Quakers’ second highest scorer this season with 13 goals, has undergone

  • BEST DECLARED FIT FOR FRANCE CLASH

    Rory Best has passed concussion testing and will start Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France tomorrow.The Ulster hooker was removed as "a precaution" after a heavy bang to the head in Ireland's 26-3 victory in Italy last weekend, and missed

  • 'Arsenal will know all about us' insists Boro boss Karanka

    AITOR KARANKA believes Middlesbrough will not be an unknown quantity to Arsene Wenger when the Teessiders attempt to shock one of the Premier League’s best teams for the third time this season.Boro’s hopes of leaving Arsenal this weekend with a place

  • Carver is sharpening Newcastle up insists Dutch defender

    DARYL JANMAAT believes Newcastle United’s return to the Etihad Stadium next week could provide the perfect boost after increased concerns among supporters.A failure to make the most of match-winning positions at Crystal Palace on Wednesday night and at

  • Captain Houghton confident of England success

    Steph Houghton has vowed England will rise to the big occasion at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.South Hetton-born Houghton, who captains Manchester City Women and her country, has seen her profile soar since being handed the England armband last

  • Moore praise for Marmite Compton

    SEVEN DAYS ago and Jack Compton was out of the Hartlepool United picture. Then suddenly, after a blast from his boss and team-mates he’s back in the frame and produces a stellar performance.The winger missed the trip to Portsmouth, sat at home and was

  • Low-cost programme 'boosts reading' for year 7 pupils

    A LOW-COST scheme significantly improves the reading ability of year 7 pupils, according to research carried out by Durham University. The internet-based Accelerated Reader programme increased the reading age of pupils by three additional months

  • MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Padiham 1 Darlington 3

    Darlington returned to the top of the table by recovering from going a goal down to win 3-1 at Padiham on Wednesday evening. A series of postponements had been a factor in Quakers losing top spot at the beginning of the year, but they reclaimed

  • Winners revealed at Teesdale Business Awards

    MORE than 70 companies gathered together to celebrate the great and the good of Teesdale’s business community last night (Thursday, February 12). The Teesdale Business Awards recognise achievement in all aspects of business development and social