Archive

  • COMPANY cleared over death of handyman

    A FAMILY firm that employed a handyman who was electrocuted after carrying out a job at the home of one of his bosses has been cleared of breaching health and safety rules.Francis Brown Ltd was charged under the Electricity at Work Regulations following

  • A sporting role model

    DIVING, play-acting, and the harassment of referees have become commonplace at football matches, and there has been justified criticism of the behaviour of some of the world's highest-paid footballers in the Chelsea versus Paris St-Germain Champions

  • Private provider selected for health contract

    A PRIVATE provider has been selected for a £6m contract to provide out-of-hours health services in the Whitby area.Virgin Care has been chosen as the preferred bidder to run community and out-of-hours services in Whitby and the surrounding area.The procurement

  • Patrols stepped up to catch illegal anglers

    PATROLS are being stepped up again in the North-East to catch anglers fishing illegally during a three month period designed to protect breeding fish.Fishing for coarse fish in rivers is off limits between Sunday March 15 and Monday June 15.Anyone caught

  • Man denies inciting girl to commit sex acts in web "chats"

    A MAN has denied allegations that he groomed and incited an underage girl to undress and commit a sex act in social media chats.Robert George Kyle, 25, is charged over the alleged sexually explicit nature of web correspondence with the 13-year-old girl

  • Patchwork quilt made for hospice

    A CRAFT club has created a patchwork quilt for charity to help a North-East hospice.Ten members of The Craft and Chat Club at Leadgate Community Centre, near Consett, in County Durham, have spent up to five months working on it.The double bed sized piece

  • Couple take on year-long fitness challenge for MS

    A NORTH Yorkshire couple have taken on an intense year of fitness challenges to raise £5,000 for charity, after witnessing the impact of Multiple Sclerosis.Chris Pooley and Ali Roy, from Harrogate, are to compete in 17 gruelling challenges over the next

  • New insurance firm launched for military personnel and veterans

    A NEW financial services firm is aiming to meet the specialist needs of military personnel and veterans.The Military Mutual will launch on April 29 and is led by ex-military personnel from all three services, with experts in financial mutuals.As a mutual

  • Veterans recall their fighting past

    MORE than 100 former soldiers have been interviewed about their front line experiences for an oral history project.The two-year scheme to develop an audio archive in York was funded by a £36,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and run by The Royal

  • Chocolate and veggies at heart of new initiative

    ONE of the country’s best-known monasteries is teaming up with a charity to give new hope to people with complex disabilities – by putting chocolate on the menu.Autism Plus has announced a new partnership with Ampleforth Abbey, near Helmsley in North

  • Can you give homeless dog Yogi a new start?

    TWO dogs rescued after living rough on the streets 1,500 miles apart are now in the safety of North-East homes waiting to be adopted. Lurcher Ruby and puppy Yogi Bear made very different journeys to the region but now find themselves in the care

  • Teenager flying high after landing falconry apprenticeship

    A TEENAGER whose career adviser laughed when he said he wanted to work with birds of prey has landed an apprenticeship to become a falconer. David Horseman, 17, of Northallerton, said he was thrilled after securing the two-year position at the

  • Steward denies stealing missing cash from club safe

    THE former steward of a workingmen’s club is to contest an allegation that he stole a large sum of money from the premises.Gary Powell is accused of taking about £3,500, which is said to have gone missing from the safe at the now closed Relton Terrace

  • Sporty schoolgirls get competitive for Comic Relief

    STUDENTS at Teesdale School were getting sporty today (March 12) ahead of Comic Relief tomorrow.A team of 41 girls, aged between 11 and 14, took on the challenge of competing in 12 different sporting activities in 12 hours.Starting at 8am, they took part

  • Fundraiser for two north Durham hospices

    A CHARITY night to raise money for two hospices in memory of two men from the same village is being held tomorrow. (Friday, March 13)Chip shop worker Sarah Sexton, 30, is having her head shaved at Langley Park WMC to raise funds as part of an evening

  • A verbal punch-up over Strop Gear

    WHEN does the Strop Gear fracas become an altercation? Could the Bop Gear quarrel have been a scuffle or a mêlee? And will it end in Stop Gear, with the sacking of one of TV’s most colourful, and therefore controversial, of characters? A wide variety

  • Positive start for Graeme Storm in Pretoria

    GRAEME STORM has made a promising start to the Tshwane Open in South Africa.The Hartlepool golfer had looked in trouble after following up a birdie at the third in Pretoria with a double bogey at the next. From there, though, everything went to plan and

  • Tudhoe school extension plan

    PLANS have been drawn up to extend a primary school to meet growing demand for places and to improve sports facilities.Durham County Council hopes to build two new classrooms at Tudhoe Colliery Primary School, on Front Street, Tudhoe, in time for the

  • Veterans charity hits important milestone

    A CHARITY helping North-East veterans has reached an important milestone.Veterans at Ease has helped more than 100 people cope with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since it started in 2011.The Durham-based charity helps veterans and their families

  • Voluntary smoking ban in popular play park

    SMOKERS are being asked to stub it out when they visit a popular outdoor children’s play park.Visitors to Riverside Park in Chester-le-Street, which attracts thousands of families each year, are being asked not to smoke in or around the children’s play

  • Searches after teenage girl disappears from home

    FEARS are rising for the safety of a teenage girl who disappeared from her home earlier this week.Zara Surrayah Dunbar, 16, was last seen in the Falsgrave Road area of her hometown of Scarborough at about 7.30pm on Monday, March 9.Police fear she could

  • Slashing children's centres to save £1m

    COUNCILLORS are poised to offload nearly two-thirds of a county’s children’s centres, in a bid to save £1m.Critics says Durham County Council’s 43 specialist children’s centres, which cost more than £30m, have failed the poorest families and most vulnerable

  • Quorn reveals £40m investment plans

    A FOOD company has announced £40m investment plans.Quorn Foods, which makes meat-free products, unveiled the proposals as it bids to become a $1bn dollar business.Kevin Brennan, chief executive, said the move would help elevate the company’s international

  • Details of popular Darlington 10k run released

    DETAILS of a popular North-East 10km run have been released.This year’s Darlington 10km will take place on Sunday, August 9, starting and finishing in the centre of the town.In addition to the 10km, there will be a Family Fun Run starting at 9am which

  • Clarkson is Clarkson

    I HAVE never witnessed such a frenzy over a minuscule fracas. Jeremy Clarkson courts controversy and we, the gullible public and media, fall for it like lemmings. Even if the BBC sacked this loudmouthed uncouth genius, there would be others waiting to

  • Bag packing badminton players raise more than £1,000

    BADMINTON players turned their hands to bag packing to help boost Comic Relief funds by more than £1,000.Past and present members of Hummersknott Badminton Club set aside three evenings over the last two weeks to pack customers’ shopping at the Sainsbury

  • Booking fee is an own goal

    LATER this month England U21 footballers play an international game against Germany U21 at the Boro's Riverside stadium. It would be an exciting match to take my grandson, Jack, to see. Jack lives in Northumberland and is a fanatical Magpies fan ("

  • Concern over missing woman

    POLICE are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a missing woman who is believed to be somewhere in North Yorkshire.Melanie John, 42, was last seen on 17 March 17 at about 2.30pm in her home town of Beckenham, south-east London .And officers

  • Youngsters impress with debating skills

    YOUNGSTERS have taken part in a competition designed to hone their communication skills and boost confidence.North Yorkshire County Councillor Cliff Trotter said he had been organising a debating competition for the region’s primary schools for the last

  • Clarkson will be let off

    AFTER reading about the Jeremy Clarkson row, I challenge anyone to deny that there is one law for the rich and one for the poor (Echo, Mar 12). The backing he has received from his high profile friends makes one cringe with embarrassment. This is not

  • Tech firm chooses North-East over London

    A TECHNOLOGY firm has shunned London to make the North-East its European stronghold. Saggezza is moving to Sunderland as it ramps up bold expansion plans. The firm, which has headquarters in the US, is switching to the city’s Software Centre

  • Conservatives are here

    I READ in The Northern Echo comments from Labour and, more recently, from Ukip that the Conservatives do not seem bothered about the Parliamentary Constituency of Sedgefield (Echo, Mar 7). I’m afraid I must correct both parties and tell you that I am

  • Suspicious of Steptoe

    THE front page was a sorry sight (Echo, Mar 10) with huge amounts of household furniture and rubbish dumped in a country lane by a firm called Steptoe & Son from Newton Aycliffe. People who do things like this should have their vehicles confiscated and

  • Borough Market-style food hall coming to the 'Boro'

    A TRENDY food hall inspired by the renowned Borough Market in London is destined for Middlesbrough as part of a major revamp of a derelict town centre street.Following the success of transforming Baker Street into an eclectic mix of independent retailers

  • First Hitachi train arrives in UK

    THE first of the new inter city express trains that will soon be made in the North-East has been unloaded at the port of Southampton, watched by guests including Transport Minister Claire Perry and Sedgefield Labour MP Phil Wilson. The Class 800

  • Police seize car during driver gathering

    POLICE have arrested one driver and warned several others after 250 car enthusiasts gathered at a retail park.Officers were called to the Team Valley retail park in Gateshead on Sunday (March 8) evening after a large number of drivers congregated in the

  • St Helen Auckland roundabout landscape project completed

    A PROJECT to landscape three large roundabouts in St Helen Auckland has been completed.County councillors Rob Yorke and Christine Wilson met with workmen to see the finished roundabouts at the Bishop Auckland Retail Park, after Durham County Council funded

  • Darlington Civic Theatre restoration campaign gathers pace

    WORK on the campaign to restore the Darlington Civic Theatre to its original glory is progressing well. A Civic Theatre Foundation fund has now been created and a new director of fundraising and development has been appointed to drive the campaign forward.In

  • Lunchtime robbery leaves elderly Yarm couple traumatised

    AN elderly couple have been left traumatised after a burglar forced his way into their home.An 83-year-old woman who was with her husband, 85, suffered bruising after being knocked to the ground when the suspect burst into their property on Levendale

  • 'I've won the race but the medal ceremony is temporarily on hold'

    THE good news, indeed the absolutely tremendous news, is that Paul McGeary’s leukaemia is in remission – exactly 13 weeks after diagnosis – though needs must there are two further chemotherapy cycles.“In short it means that I’ve won the race but the medal

  • Transport company offers helping hand to hospice nurses

    A TRANSPORT company is to sponsor a team of hospice nurses for the next 12 months.Delves Lane-based Elddis Transport is to donate £750 per month for the coming year to sponsor nursing care at Willow Burn Hospice, near Lanchester.One of the company’s fleet

  • Opticians' vision for Comic Relief

    CUSTOMERS at an opticians are being offered the chance to win a £200 prize as part of efforts to raise money for Comic Relief.The Specsavers store in Front Street, Chester-le-Street is asking customers to submit a selfie of them pulling a funny face while

  • Political pals or dirty tricks?

    AS warning against the prospect of a Labour/Scottish National Party coalition,the Tories latest election campaign poster shows a miniature Ed Miliband tucked away in Alex Salmond’s pocket.The Tories know only to well about the charade they call a coalition.Nick

  • Aboard the Clarkson bandwagon

    I WAS sitting thinking last night, which in itself is a dangerous thing, that the world is going to hell in a handcart and all we have seen over the last two days on TV and in the press is Jeremy Clarkson. Even the Prime Minister has jumped on the bandwagon

  • Care home's good report

    I HAVE heard so many bad reports about care homes but one I can vouch for is Craigarran at Trimdon Colliery. The staff are brilliant, the home is spotless and the care residents are given is the best. I cannot fault the home. They've looked after my aunt

  • No such thing as "compo culture"

    RE your story headlined "'Compo culture' puts brakes on bus service" about the forthcoming closure of Leven Valley Coaches (Echo, Mar 11), people who make a claim for compensation should not be held responsible for the cost of insurance premiums

  • Realism and defence of the realm

    THERE has been barely a peep of protest from Conservative MPs since the axe was swung on Government spending almost five years ago – until now. Local councils warning of disintegrating services have been urged to cut waste and streamline, while

  • Schools lock horns in battle of the books

    THE written word took centre stage as literary students competed in an annual battle of the books.Ripon Grammar School hosted the Harrogate and District School Librarians' quiz after winning the contest last year. And this year they were gracious runners-up

  • Mini festival sets the scene for main event

    A new mini festival promoting up and coming musicians is to be held in Bedale. Run by the organisers of the annual music event BAMfest the Mad March Weekend will be held over two days from March 20. The aim is to make it a warm up for the three day festival

  • Battling back against the rural housing crisis

    A MAJOR cash injection has been agreed to try and fight back against the rural housing crisis in the Yorkshire Dales.The sum of £250,000 has been earmarked for the project by Richmondshire District Council.Members have agreed to allocate cash from their

  • Youngsters dance their socks off for Comic Relief

    YOUNGSTERS pulled on their dancing shoes and busted their best moves as they took part in the first ever Comic Relief Danceathon.More than 200 girls from the Girlguiding Darlington Locomotion Division took part in the event on Sunday (March 8).Rainbows

  • Call for contributions to Darlington Easter egg trail

    BUSINESSES, schools and community groups in Darlington are being urged to get cracking and creative this Easter.This year, BID company Distinct Darlington is calling on organisations and school pupils in the area to take part in its annual Easter Egg

  • Ice cream maker targets South Africa

    EUROPE’S largest private label ice cream maker has increased its international status again after securing an African deal. R&R Ice Cream, in Leeming Bar, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, has taken on Nestlé South Africa. Bosses say the move

  • Book showcases North-East apprentice greats

    THE North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) has published a book to inspire young people and employers to consider apprenticeships. Apprentice Greats features 200 North-East leaders who began their career as apprentices. It features Nissan's

  • Film Review: Suite Francaise

    Film: Suite Francaise Certificate: 15 Running Time: 107 mins Certificate: 3/5 HEARTBREAKING truth is more compelling than fiction in Suite Francaise, Saul Dibb's faithful adaptation of the novella Dolce by Irene Nemirovsky. Penned

  • Spall does the maths

    Rafe Spall explains why he went back to school to play a troubled maths teacher in his latest film - and Jeanne Craig discover why it all added up RAFE SPALL'S dishevelled, scruffy-bearded character in new film X+Y wasn't intended to be a figure

  • Stockton girl ready for the Big Apple

    Helen Brown reports on rising star Samantha Durnan's gigs today at Teesside University and Northumbria University JUST when you thought the only way to make it in the popular music industry was an appearance on The Voice or X Factor; up pops 22

  • Catfish are catch of the day

    Catfish And The Bottlemen are a four-piece band from Llandudno in North Wales. They released their debut album The Balcony last year and saw it chart at No 10 in September. They won the BBC Introducing Award at the first BBC Music Awards in December

  • Kiss-off time for Andy

    THERE'LL be tears before bedtime when grieving Handy Andy spots a photograph of himself and his late wife Katie at their old school in Emmerdale (ITV1). He's not been handling Katie's death well. He's been moody, sullen and making a move on anything

  • Why Shires are high-fliers

    Ben Earle and Chrissie Rhodes, AKA The Shires, hail from the Home Counties, but have signed to a major US label, Universal Music Group Nashville THEIR songs have been gaining major radio airplay and there's a tour to Sage Gateshead next month to

  • 'My insight into a madder world'

    Lucy Rose released her debut album Like I Used To in 2012. She will follow it up later this year, but before then, tours to Tyneside this month. She chats about writing, touring, and loving far-flung placesWhere are you up to with your second album?Well

  • Split Festival to end due to costs, say organisers

    SPLIT Festival, staged in Sunderland since 2009, will not take place again. Making the announcement through social media, organisers say they have decided to call it a day due to financial constraints. Split's Rob Deverson said: “We are so

  • Pristine Mini goes under the hammer

    VIRTUALLY unused for 47 years, a ‘time warp’ 1968 Austin Mini Van is set to be auctioned.The car will go under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions’ Practical Classics Restoration Show Sale on March 28, at the NEC in Birmingham.The car, estimated at between

  • Applications open for apprenticeships at Nissan Sunderland

    NISSAN is recruiting more than 25 new apprentices to bolster the workforce at its Sunderland plant. The company’s five year maintenance technician scheme is widely recognised as one of the best in the industry. Once apprentices have completed their

  • Match Analysis: Darlington 3 Lancaster City 0

    Full-time: Darlington 3 Lancaster City 0 HAVING enduring misery on the road recently, Darlington returned to the sanctuary of Heritage Park and marked the occasion by returning to the top of the table. A comfortable 3-0 win over Lancaster City

  • Macbeth, Northern Stage Newcastle

    Macbeth, Northern Stage NewcastleTHIS is a version of the dark tragedy of Macbeth that you won’t have seen before.Filter Theatre Company’s Macbeth is a tale that follows strongly the original Shakespeare story with an unusual twist of custom-made electronic

  • Newcastle consider transfer options amid Ayew and Schar talk

    NEWCASTLE UNITED are pressing ahead with summer recruitment plans despite the uncertainty surrounding who will be in charge of first team affairs next season. John Carver still hopes to be given the role of head coach beyond this campaign and is

  • The Prying Scotsman

    A toy company is steaming up traditional train sets by introducing trackside nudists. The Buffers Model Railway company, of Axminster, in Devon, is manufacturing the little naked figures, together with a peeping tom getting an eyeful through a

  • Busy bees prepare for the final

    The Great British Sewing Bee (BBC2, 8pm)WE'RE being promised the most complex, and trickiest challenges ever seen in the Sewing Room for the final three competitors left. During this contest we've seen some surprising creations - especially during the

  • Hitachi secures lucrative Scottish work

    A NORTH-EAST train builder is advancing north of the border after confirming a deal to supply Scottish rolling stock. Hitachi Rail Europe has signed a contract to make 70 engines for operator Abellio. The 100mph next generation commuter trains

  • Friends in need?

    AS warning against the prospect of a Labour/Scottish National Party coalition,the Tories latest election campaign poster shows a miniature Ed Miliband tucked away in Alex Salmond’s pocket. The Tories know only to well about the charade they call

  • England disgrace

    WHAT a disgrace the England cricket team turned out to be, and what is more they actually get paid for being such "high profile" failures. What else could be have expected when the manager/chief coach (or whatever you want to call him) failed the

  • Historic offences continuing to be a factor in recorded rape rise

    RECORDED rapes continue to rise in each of the region’s four police force areas.A series of reports by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) for the national Rape Monitoring Group reveal the “raw data” behind the crime and how forces responded

  • Astronomers find 'storm in a teacup'

    NEW evidence that the largest black holes can have a catastrophic effect on their surrounding galaxies has been discovered by a team of astronomers led by Durham University.Using a combination of 27 radio telescopes in New Mexico, they found surprisingly

  • Design a Home of your dreams at Eve Lane

    HOUSEHUNTERS looking for the opportunity to put their own stamp on their new home should make sure not to miss the launch of Eve Lane – Design a Home. Located just six miles south of Durham City, this development represents the next exciting phase