Archive

  • Best of Darlington Awards celebrates town's brightest stars

    DARLINGTON’S brightest stars were celebrated at a glitzy awards ceremony tonight (Friday, May 22). The 2015 Best of Darlington Awards saw unsung heroes from across the borough recognised for their contribution to their community. An inspiring

  • Gale fires Yorkshire to big win

    ANDREW GALE’S half-century ensured Yorkshire maintained the Vikings’ perfect start to the T20 Blast with a six-wicket win over Nottinghamshire.The captain became the first man to surpass 2000 T20 runs for the county as he finished unbeaten on 68 from

  • School wins award for outstanding outdoor play

    A PRIMARY school has won a prestigious national learning award for its outstanding outdoor play area. Esh Winning Primary School in Durham was awarded a Platinum Outdoor Play and Learning (Opal) award after tremendous improvements were made to

  • The weekend's best bets by Charlie McCann

    The feature race of the Haydock card is the Group 2 Temple Stakes over the minimum trip of five furlongs. Sprint King Robert Cowell saddles recent Palace House Stakes winner Goldream and he is a worthy 11/2 favourite at BetVictor, given he looks to be

  • All change, but Richmond and Quakers still impress

    Both Richmondshire and Darlington, who have dominated Premier Division cricket in the last three years, have made positive starts to their campaigns despite losing a number of key players over the close-season.The Dalesmen, champions in 2012 and 2013

  • 'I wish I was a rock star'

    After five decades on screen, Al Pacino has finally cried at one of his own movies. Susan Griffin finds out more LISTENING to Al Pacino talk about director Dan Fogelman casting him as the titular character in Danny Collins, it would seems he's

  • What it's like to have a spray tan...

    The vast array of beauty treatment and therapies available can be daunting so in a series of help guides Siobhan Caffery, of SHINE Hair & Beauty, goes back to basics. This week she explains: What It's Like To Have....a spray tan WITH many

  • EU referendum still on as Cameron pushes for reforms

    PRIME Minister David Cameron says he is confident of securing reforms in Brussels, indicating he remains open to staging a referendum on Britain's EU membership next year. Mr Cameron admitted he was "not met with a wall of love" as he greeted European

  • Detective work

    As the biggest crime-writing festival in the world prepares for its annual opening in Harrogate, North-East crime writer Ann Cleeves and Brenda Belthyn, the actress who plays her detective on television, give Steve Pratt some some clues as to why Vera

  • Pop in for new ideas

    Pop-up shop Maison Royale is offering visitors to Darlington's Cornmill shopping centre a taste of unique North-East design High Streets everywhere are becoming more and more "samey", any individuality squeezed out by the big, bad boys of retail

  • One-day exhibition in Richmond

    A celebration of wildlife, rural traditions and the country way of life is going on show at a Richmond hotel THE Coach House, at Middleton Lodge is to host a unique and compelling collection of photography, art and sculptures by three Northern

  • Rockliffe Hall has big ambitions

    The North-East’s only five red star rated hotel, Rockliffe Hall has big ambitions of being regarded as one of the best in the UK and Ireland – not to mention attracting a Michelin star. Sarah Foster finds out if it is likely to succeedRockcliffe scales

  • Strong North-East involvement in England Under-18 squad

    NEIl Dewsnip has named a healthy North-East contingent in the England Uunder-18s squad that will travel to Moscow for an international double-header against Russia next month. The Young Lions, who defeated Switzerland 1-0 and 6-1 in their last

  • Main men set for a big test

    After a significantly weather affected start to the Durham Cricket League season Mainsforth get the chance to make a statement in the promotion race today when they entertain Durham City in a game that should coincide with the unveiling of their new facilities.Both

  • Martin Gray Academy holding trials

    THE Martin Gray Football Academy is holding trials for new students in Durham. Trials and taster sessions for players currently coming to the end of the Under 16 and 17 season will be held at Meadowfield Sports Centre, Durham from 10am on Tuesday

  • Van driver asked 16-year-old girl to get into van - report

    POLICE are issuing a warning after receiving a report of men asking a 16-year-old girl to get into a van. The alleged incident took place at midday today (Friday, May 22) on Saltwells Road in the Longlands area of Middlesbrough. A Cleveland

  • Steel bosses meet unions to ease strike threat

    STEEL bosses have met with unions in a bid to ease growing tensions over pension changes. Tata Steel says it has spoken to officials over potential amendments to the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS). The move has courted anger from unions

  • Appeal over Botton judicial review abandoned

    AN APPEAL over a dismissed judicial review by learning disabled residents hoping to stop proposed changes to their way of life has been abandoned.Botton residents, Daniel Francis, Lucinda Riis-Johannessen and Tracey Knight, had originally requested a

  • First v second as leaders meet up

    The NEPL premier division title battle steps up a gear when leaders Chester-le-Street entertain second-placed Blaydon.The Cestrians have home advantage and the opportunity to extend their 19-point lead at the top, while the visitors get the chance to

  • Disabled athletes go for gold in national championships

    DOZENS of disabled athletes have taken to a track once graced by gold medal heroes Brendan Foster, Jonathan Edwards and Steve Cram as they tried to win through to the national championships.About 140 young athletes from 22 schools took part in the Typhoo

  • On track with 'dementia friends'

    PEOPLE with dementia are now on track to sample the delights of the region thanks to the willingness of County Durham railway staff ‘to go the extra mile’.The 6,800 residents who have had a dementia diagnosis in the county can be certain their journeys

  • Mayor looks forward to year of anniversaries

    A LONG-SERVING councillor looked forward to a year of anniversaries as he previewed his time as mayor of Darlington.Cllr Tom Nutt was sworn in as mayor at the annual meeting of Darlington Borough Council on Thursday (May 21) evening, replacing Gerald

  • Double success for football club

    A YOUTH football team is celebrating a double victory – after securing two new sponsors and raising funds for a good cause.Blackwell Rangers FC held a raffle for Darlington businesses, which were offered the chance to purchase tickets to become the main

  • A67 finally set to re-open - after three years

    COUNCIL chiefs say long-running works to repair a landslip on a major North-East road are reaching completion. The A67 at Carlbury, between Darlington and Piercebridge, is to be reopened by Tuesday (May 26) at the latest - and possibly earlier

  • Saying farewell - with ceramic poppies

    A RETIRING Army chief has been given a fitting tribute for his work in the community - and the chance to join in with an historic fundraiser.Catterick Garrison commander Colonel Stephen Padgett joined students from Risedale Sports and Community College

  • Roman find declared of "national importance"

    THE remains of a third-century Roman villa, found during excavations for a new bypass, have been declared a monument of national importance by Historic England.A small part of the “high status” site which covers a large area next to the A1 will be lost

  • Barnard Castle festival this weekend

    A FAMILY festival celebrating diverse cultures is being held in Barnard Castle this weekend.The Harambee Pasadia festival at The Hub will feature food, music and dance from Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean from today (Friday, May 22) to Monday,

  • Teesside lake pollution alert - here's what you need to know

    SEWAGE and blue-green algae discovered at separate lakes in the same town have led to warnings being issued over potential water contamination. Notices have been put up at the lake at Stewart Park and Gunnergate Lake at Coulby Newham following

  • Dog found at the top of Scafell Pike

    AN animal welfare charity is trying to trace the owner of a dog found at the top of England's highest mountain by holidaymakers who took him home to Scotland. The couple found the male collie cross at the summit of Scafell Pike in the Lake District

  • Beating diabetes

    A NEW programme aimed at reducing the risk of diabetes is to be launched in County Durham.Durham County Council has been chosen to take part in the first phase of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, launched as a joint initiative between NHS England

  • Villagers invited to share street picnic

    VILLAGERS are being invited to get involved in a special family fun day and street picnic.The Big Lunch event is being organised by housing provider Derwentside Homes, and will be held on Friday, May 29 at the Learning Hive in Harperley Gardens in Catchgate

  • Vaping 'is much healthier' than smoking

    NORTH-EAST health campaigners have expressed alarm about a growing belief that e-cigarettes are as harmful as tobacco smoking.New figures from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) suggest use of electronic cigarettes has grown over the past year with around

  • Boxing champ hands over coach keys to children's charity

    A CHAMPION boxer made a knockout delivery to schoolchildren that will give them the mobility they need to maximise their learning.Stuart Hall officially handed over the keys to a £40,000 Variety Sunshine Coach to principal of Beaumont Hill Academy, Darlington.Students

  • Nursing home's clothing appeal for earthquake victims

    A NURSING home is appealing for residents to donate unwanted clothes to give to victims of the earthquakes in Nepal.Residents and staff at Rosedale Nursing Home, in Catterick Garrison have teamed up with Catterick Christian Community Methodist Church

  • The Romans are coming

    HISTORY will repeat itself this Bank Holiday weekend when the Romans return to their old stomping ground.Reenactment group Roma Antiqua will demonstrate the Roman times at Binchester Roman Fort, just outside Bishop Auckland, on Monday, May 25.At the event

  • Spotlight on human trafficking focused on Teesside

    VICTIMS of human trafficking are suffering in the North-East, a human rights charity has warned at an event hosted by Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner, Barry Coppinger.The training event aimed at frontline workers supporting casualties, featured

  • Man wanted for recall to prison

    POLICE are appealing for help to trace a man wanted to recall for prison. Andrew Peter Love is believed to be in the Northallerton, Doncaster or Birmingham areas - however he may have travelled to other parts of the country. Love was jailed for six years

  • Pensioner refusing to give up his collection without a fight

    A PENSIONER has told of his upset after a council started selling his lifetime’s collection of metal and machinery without telling him. Redcar man John Petch, 67, known locally as Husky, lost a two-year legal battle with Redcar and Cleveland Borough

  • Lift workers threaten strike action

    WORKERS at a lift company will strike for a fortnight unless a dispute is resolved, a union has warned. About 300 engineering staff at Kone, which has a base in Team Valley, Gateshead, are threatening action. The Unite union says workers are

  • Student digs site bought in £5.1m deal

    A STUDENT accommodation site has been bought by a London-based company in a £5.1m deal.Paul Hadaway, Chief Executive of Empiric Student Property plc, said that the company was “very pleased” to have acquired ownership of St Margaret’s Flats in Durham.He

  • Top quality meat on the menu

    A LOCAL family with a strong farming background spanning three generations are set to open a new butchers and farm shop in Yarm.Alan Hutchinson and his son Barry are heading up Hutchinson Hobbs, who describe themselves as a “family run farm shop and butchers

  • Visitors to Darlington urged to visit town centre gallery

    EXHIBITION organisers are urging visitors to Darlington to visit their gallery.The Darlington Building Society hosts an on-going exhibition displaying the works of the town’s creative community.With a regularly changing rota of artists, the intimate gallery

  • Black spider

    THE recent publication of the letters written by Prince Charles to the Government emphasised his concern that the Armed Forces were sadly ill-equipped and run down - a situation that most people in Britain agreed with. However, coming from Prince

  • Liz Kendall

    HOW earth shattering wannabe Labour leader’s comments Liz Kendall will be to many Labour members (Echo, May 22 'Kendal's bleak message to Labour'). While many (including me) will agree with most of her comments, the far left of the Labour Party will

  • UK's waning influence

    I DO not share Philip Draper's anxiety at the loss of the UKs "standing" and "influence" on the world stage (Echo, May 16). After our ill-advised involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, the UK might benefit from keeping a low profile in world affairs

  • Kevin Pietersen

    I READ Scott Wilson's recent article about the Kevin Pietersen situation (Echo, May 16) and agree with him completely. However, I think Pietersen will have to play for England this summer. He is the Nigel Farage of English cricket - it can't

  • Town prepares to celebrate Magna Carta milestone

    A SERIES of events are set to be staged in a market town ahead of celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta.Thirsk-based charity Rural Arts, whose groups have created banners highlighting the historic milestone and modern

  • Children's banner message to urge drivers to cut their speed

    CHILDREN have designed a huge banner urging drivers to slow down outside their school.Pupils from St Cuthbert’s RCVA in Chester-le-Street organised a competition for classmates to design the pictures and slogans to go on their banner.The giant display

  • Amazing medieval hospital find halts York panto plans

    PLANS for Berwick Kaler’s 37th writing and starring role in Christmas pantomime Dick Whittington (and his Meerkat) at York Theatre Royal have had to be abandoned following the important find of a medieval hospital foundations beneath the venue during

  • Siege of Calais, English Touring Opera, Durham Gala Theatre

    Donizetti’s neglected Siege of Calais has found a champion in the English Touring Opera, who were the first to professionally stage it in the UK. James Conway’s revived 2013 production, which rounded off ETO’s visit to Durham’s Gala Theatre, showed

  • Blind pensioner conned by fraudsters for bogus repair work

    POLICE are appealing for help to catch two fraudsters who stole a large amount of money from a blind pensioner by asking to pay for repairs they had not done. The offenders, who were driving a white Ford Transit Van, targeted an 85-year-old man

  • Clooney's in Tomorrowland

    The Graham Norton Show (BBC1, 10.35pm)GRAHAM Norton has a lot on his plate this week – including an awful-looking beard – because he's busy preparing for tomorrow's Eurovision Song Contest in Austria, while finally landing an interview with Hollywood

  • Durham may face World Cup winner

    DURHAM could find themselves up against Australian World Cup winner James Faulkner in tonight's NatWest T20 Blast match against Lancashire at Old Trafford (6.30).The 25-year-old Tasmanian was involved in the Indian Premier League until Wednesday but was

  • Defoe wants Advocaat to lead Sunderland in to bright new era

    JERMAIN DEFOE thinks another of summer of change on Wearside could finally lead to success after securing Sunderland's place in the Premier League next season – particularly if Dick Advocaat remains in charge. Advocaat has landed a personal £1m

  • Missing Middlesbrough man found after police appeal

    A MISSING Middlesbrough man has been found after an urgent police appeal. Anthony Ord, 36, who lives in the Marton Road area, went missing after being last seen in Albert Park, Middlesbrough, on Thursday. Cleveland Police announced on Friday

  • Mary Poppins heads for Newcastle in 2016

    DISNEY and Cameron Mackintosh have announced that the multi award-winning musical Mary Poppins is coming to Newcastle Theatre Royal from Thursday, September 8 to Saturday, October 29, 2016, as part of a tour of the UK and Ireland.Following his recent