A SEASON that started with disappointing results culminated in the highest league position for years and several trophies for Billingham Stars U14'sJunior Ice Hockey Club. After starting with three defeats, the u14's lost only two of their next 15
9 LOCAL cyclists from Newton Aycliffe took part in the Coast to Coast bike ride on the 4th July. Members of the VC167 Cycle Club battled with rain and sun-shine, and over 8,000 feet of climbing, most of which was in the first half. The journey from Morcambe
A RETIRED road builder found on the site of the ongoing A1 improvements has learnt how the current generation construct motorways. Former materials engineer John Parkinson, from Northallerton, was spotted by traffic officers taking photographs
SHERLOCK Holmes and Jack the Ripper will tread the boards together this week.The infamous murderer and history’s greatest fictional detective will cross paths in a production being staged at Darlington Civic Theatre.Sherlock Holmes and the Ripper Mystery
CHILDREN across east Durham celebrated the close partnership between their schools with a day of activities and song. The Peterlee Partnership was forged several years ago to work together for pupils in the district. Today (Tuesday, July 7) 18 schools
A SCHOOL for girls celebrated its end of term today (Tuesday, July 7) with a concert by a boy band – raising hundreds of pounds for charity at the same time. The Waiters, made up of Adam Tait, Dan Johnson, Martin King and Jack Errington, made an appearance
SUNDERLAND have made their second signing of the mid-season break, drafting in Norwegian goalkeeper Hilde Gunn Olsen.The 23-year-old U23 international joins the Lady Black Cats from Arna Biørnar and goes straight into the squad for Sunday's Women's Super
THOUSANDS of people in the North-East are being encouraged to spend a night in nature’s home next month by taking part in the RSPB’s Big Wild Sleepout. Running from August 7 to 9, the event – which is now in its third year - encourages families
POLICE have left a cheeky note for drug producers in a shrubbery beside a railway line after discovering large cannabis plants growing there. North Yorkshire Police said it believes the 18 plants which were spotted growing wild by a dog walker in Poppleton
STUDENTS had a supersonic experience when they met a team hoping to break the world land speed record.Youngsters from schools across the region descended on Croft Circuit, near Darlington, to take part in the North-East heat of the school motorsport competition
AITOR KARANKA believes his Middlesbrough squad can learn from defeat in the play-offs at Wembley and become stronger as a result. The Spaniard returned to Rockliffe Park with his squad on Monday, six weeks on from the 2-0 loss against Norwich City
LANDLORDS in County Durham and Darlington are being urged to act now to ensure they are ready for new safety laws aimed at saving dozens of lives a year. The regulations make it compulsory for all landlords to fit smoke alarms in rented homes and
TELEVISION news anchor Pam Royle has received an honorary fellowship from a North-East university The University of Sunderland gave her the honour in recognition of her contribution to news and current affairs broadcasting in the region. Ms Royle, best
THE Pub Landlord, Al Murray, is helping to take one of the North-East’s biggest events on tour for the very first time. The popular comedian, who has fronted several TV shows and sell out tours across the UK, will be appearing at the North-East
COUNCIL chiefs have agreed a raft of money-saving changes to the way North Yorkshire's libraries are run, with volunteers set to take over a majority of services. Months of consultation and emotional debate accompanied North Yorkshire County Council
BUILDING work on an ambitious £10 million centre of engineering excellence will start within months after the development was granted planning permission. Construction of the new South Durham University Technical College, which will provide high
THOUSANDS of people will be heading to the North-East this weekend for the biggest event on the socialist calendar. The 131st Durham Miners’ Gala will attract former pitmen and their families as well as left-wingers of all generations for the traditional
COUNCILS chiefs have unveiled plans to move out of their headquarters overlooking Durham City – claiming it could trigger the prospect of thousands of new private sector jobs on the site. Durham County Council’s cabinet will be asked to endorse
LAST SEASON Hartlepool United completed the Great Escape. Boss Ronnie Moore then said he wanted his side to progress to the Dirty Dozen this coming season. So where better than four days at Catterick Garrison for Pools pre-season build up?
WITH less than a year to go until microchipping becomes compulsory, the majority of North-East vets estimate that at least a quarter of dogs are still not chipped. Figures released by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) show that there is
A POSTER campaign to prevent deaths caused by a single punch has received a boost from a County Durham School this morning (Tuesday). Maxine Thompson, the mother of Kristian Thompson, who died after being hit once at a Consett nightclub in 2010
FORMER coke oven workers are celebrating after a High Court date was set for group litigation involving more than 350 coal men suffering illnesses caused by their work. The British Coal workers’ application for group litigation is due to be heard
THE average North-East family income is now £17,000 below that of families in London, a new study reveals.IPPR North, which compiled the report, says average household income in the region is £24,000, compared to £41,000 in the capital.The think tank's
EVERYTHING’S coming up roses as the region's newest visitor attraction prepares to open to the public. With just one month until Wynyard Hall Hotel, near Billingham, unveils its £1.6 million Walled Garden development, the very last rose has now
SAMMY AMEOBI has signed a new contract at Newcastle United, and will play next season on loan at Cardiff City. Newcastle offered the 23-year-old a new deal at the end of the season which the winger has accepted, and will immediately join the Sky
On the road: The SEAT X-Perience features permanent four-wheel drive and comes well equipped for all-road adventures. Outwardly at least it’s an ST on steroids. But under the skin there’s plenty of gizmos and gadgetry to ensure it’s capable of
AN ARTIST who has used her passion to overcome serious problems with her back has had her work accepted into an exhibition at a Harrogate gallery.Caroline Hamilton, from Richmond, has a decorated clay bowl on show at the Mercer Art Gallery in its Harrogate
A COMMUNITY centre will soon be given a free makeover as dozens of DIY professionals prepare to lend a helping hand. Trimdon Grange Community Centre is the lucky winner of a region wide competition that gave community groups and charities the chance
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a collision which left a pensioner in hospital. The crash happened at 10am on Monday, July 6 outside the Kings Head pub in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, and involved a red Volvo S40 and a blue Toyota Auris
ELITE cyclists will compete in a race around Stockton town centre on Friday.JULY10This year’s Stockton Cycling Festival will kick off with an evening of racing in the Town Centre with Olympic cyclists taking part in the race which is part of the British
AVID readers from across the North-East are being urged to join in a world record attempt.This summer, a nationwide challenge will see bookworms from across the country pledge to use their local libraries more.Pledges from passionate readers will be gathered
TIMES of adversity bring out the best in people and the Government's prolonged austerity strategy has been met with great community spirit across the North-East. Of course, there have been protests at the way the North-East has had to cope with
IN THE week the club celebrated its 20th anniversary, appropriately enough there was also the sight of a Quaker crossing the line first in a race. That occurred at Hamsterley Forest, where Michael Joyeux finished first in the 11 mile trail race in
A STUDENT village planned for the site of a commercial laundry has been granted outline planning permission, despite residents’ fears they were being swamped by the development.Edinburgh-based County Properties (Northern) Group was today (Tuesday) granted
MAGNET LEAGUE - AGM The AGM will be held at 7.30pm on Wed. 22nd July at the Central Club (Arden Street). The league is open to male only teams from any Pubs and Clubs within the Darlington & District area. 5’s & 3’s are played on Mondays, and
THIRTY schemes which will make a difference to communities across Hambleton District are sharing £125,000 through a special project.Each market town area was earmarked £25,000 to spend on schemes that would be of benefit to residents by the district council.The
A FOLK-SINGER will be performing at a South Durham venue.Critically acclaimed musician, Dan Webster will appear at the Witham on Horsemarket, Barnard Castle on July 14.The popular Yorkshire-based artist will perform as part of his current UK tour to promote
A FORMER postman with a passion for prose has raised almost £2,000 for a North-East hospital by selling a book of his poems.Vince Elsbury wrote a book of verse affectionately recalling his years growing up in Chilton, County Durham, in the 1950s.The book
HUNDREDS of land-lubbers took up an invite to step aboard a sail training vessel during a four-day visit to a North-East port. The Stavros S Niarchos left the River Wear following the successful extended weekend stop-over in Sunderland, having
TWO young girls are practising their curtseys after being tasked with greeting Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at England’s premier agricultural show.Four-year-old Jessica Fox, of Thirsk, and five-year-old Kate Donnelly, of Harrogate, have
A YOUNG fox had a brush with death after his head became stuck between two wooden fence panels. A neighbour spotted the fox stuck in the fencing and called the RSPCA to help on Sunday. RSPCA Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Bryan Moffitt attended
A SCHOOLGIRL has won her dream bike after entering a competition to design it.Evie Sands, seven, entered the competition held by house builder David Wilson Homes, who asked pupils to design their perfect bike to support National Bike Week last month.Evie
A WELL-KNOWN farming sales rep is retiring after nearly 50 years of service.Mole Country Stores is set to bid a fond farewell to Tom Anderson following his decision to retire after decades serving farmers around the county.The 66-year-old started as an
THOUSANDS of pounds are up for grabs for projects that celebrate the River Tees.The River Tees Rediscovered Landscape Partnership aims to reconnect communities, organisations and visitors to the river and is offering grants of £1,000 for groups and projects
A seagull has caused panic after walking into a cinema in search of doughnuts and then flying round in anger at not being able to have any. The flap was caused in Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen when the seagull wandered in through the automatic
A DISABLED pensioner was brutally beaten, repeatedly stabbed and left for dead by an intruder who ransacked his home and stole his car, a court heard. In rarely-experienced courtroom scenes, the man on trial clapped his hands and whooped "I told
THE jury in the trial of two teenage girls charged with murdering a 39-year-old woman in Hartlepool has been discharged. All parties agreed to the proceedings at Teesside Crown Court following the death of Angela Wrightson being halted. Mr
ONE of the oldest athletics clubs in the region is preparing to celebrate its 125th anniversary.Darlington Harriers launched in 1891 and has since produced two Olympic athletes - George Butterfield, who competed in London in 1908, and Joy Grieveson, who
AN investigation into how a detective handled allegations of historic child abuse by Jimmy Savile has found the officer should have filed a report about the TV presenter nine years before his death. The Independent Police Complaints Commission
A NEW project that aims to help people who have dementia by keeping them active through sport is proving to be a smash hit. Alzheimer’s Society staff launched the Games for the Brain initiative at Spennymoor Leisure Centre in a bid to get people
A FAMILY-RUN transport firm is taking on ex-servicemen to combat a driver shortage.Stiller Warehousing and Distribution, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has worked with the Resettlement Centre, at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, to help ex-forces
A NEW project to support small organisations in Teesdale is being launched. Teesdale Action Partnership’s (TAP) Supporting Community Organisations Small Grants Fund will officially get underway this month. The fund has been set up to support
A TELECOMS firm’s distribution centre is moving everything, including the kitchen sink, after securing a deal to help a US retailer target Europe.BT says its site in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, will manage orders for Wayfair.The company is the US’
A TRIMDON and Thornley county councillor has raised more than £4,000 for charity after leading a non-stop bike ride from his home to London. County councillor Peter Brookes was one of five volunteers to take on the 270-mile run from Trimdon to
A CAR MAKER has hit an electric vehicle milestone. Nissan says UK sales of its all-electric Leaf hatchback have passed the 10,000 mark. The Sunderland-based company said it sold 2,964 sales in the first half of the year, a 68.4 per cent increase
POLICE hunting a man who attempted to rape a 43-year-old dog walker on the banks of the River Tees have appealed to a woman walking an Alsatian to come forward. The victim was near the river, in the area known to locals as ‘Black Bobbies Field’
BACK in the dear gone days of Timothy Hackworth Junior Mixed and Infants, universally abridged to Tin Tacks, a bright young thing called Margaret Wanless was almost always top of the class. The class embraced precisely 50 of us; things were oft-overcrowded
RONNIE MOORE is hoping that a four-day boot camp in North Yorkshire will give his Hartlepool United players a winning team ethic. Moore and the Pools squad are in Catterick from today, training with the Army and taking part in assault course-style
Seaham Red Star manager Mark Collingwood has lost some of the players who helped the club win the Second Division title last season, but he feels that he has managed to replace them. The Star have lost midfielder Lewis Wing, defender Chris Scott
TWO men were rescued from the base of Huntcliff, Saltburn, by RNLI lifeboats on Monday after they got cut-off by the tide during an evening walk - but only after a friend searched the internet for the telephone number for the emergency services.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular teenage boy who tragically drowned in the River Wear on Sunday. COMMENT: So sad, but accidents happen Cameron Gosling, of Crook, was socialising with friends on the river bank at Witton Park, near Bishop
YORKSHIRE'S new ball pair Ryan Sidebottom and Jack Brooks stunned Warwickshire during a spectacular afternoon’s bowling on day two at Edgbaston yesterday as the champions took charge of their latest LV= County Championship match. Sidebottom and
ANDREW Gale says developing a tighter technique during the winter has paid dividends for Ashes contender Jonny Bairstow. The 25-year-old Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batsman has vaulted himself into contention for the biggest Test series of them all
A PERVERT who tried to arrange a meeting with a 14-year-old girl for sex was last night starting a prison sentence of more than four years. Philip Smart, 25, was told by a judge at Teesside Crown Court that his sentence would have been even longer
POLICE in Darlington say an 89-year-old man missing from home has been found safe and well. Eric Spencer was reported missing tonight from the Blackwell area of Darlington on Monday.
HUNDREDS have signed a petition calling for an 'eyesore' cattle market to be moved from its town centre site to a more appropriate location. Calls for Darlington Auction Mart to be relocated from its Clifton Road headquarters have surfaced periodically
A BUSINESSMAN at the centre of a row over ownership of one of the North-East's most important historic buildings is facing bankruptcy proceedings over a previous business deal, The Northern Echo can reveal. A bankruptcy petition has been issued
AN engineering business has secured new work as it celebrates a major production milestone.GT Emissions Systems, part of GT Group, says it has made 2.5 million emission control systems in the region.The company, based at Peterlee, County Durham, is also
AITOR KARANKA completed his first signing of the summer last night, but the wait goes on to hear if Middlesbrough old boy Stewart Downing will be the next to arrive at the Riverside Stadium. Downing is waiting for the go-ahead from West Ham to
GIORGINIO WIJNALDUM insists that he is not on the brink of signing for Newcastle United despite ongoing discussions between the two clubs aimed at striking a deal for the £15m-rated talent. The Magpies are in a position to pay transfer fees up
Imagine: Beware of Mr Baker (BBC1, 10.35pm)GINGER Baker has been described as the most talented drummer there ever was, a legendary jazz percussionist and an occasional hell-raiser. Best-known as the drummer in Cream, he first took to the stage as London-born
THE funding formula for police forces is “unfair”, the Home Office has admitted – after protests that part of the North-East is penalised. Ministers announced a quickfire review of the rules ahead of announcing grant allocations for the next financial
I’VE been diagnosed with a nasty form of cancer and there does appear to be a real possibility that I may have to retire hurt. I’m not religious but I do have a belief that this cannot be our only innings; otherwise it really does not seem to make sense
POLICE are investigating after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed in Newton Aycliffe on Monday night. The incident took place in the Woodham Burn area of Newton Aycliffe at 8.45pm. Police said the boy received a stab wound on a grassed track just
SOME years ago the so-called pedestrian heart of Darlington was opened with great fanfare. I have lost count of the number of other towns that I have been to, both in this country and abroad, and I must say that Darlington’s pedestrian centre is
PEOPLE using anabolic steroids to improve muscle growth and sporting performance are far more likely to experience memory problems, according to new research from Northumbria University. In some specialist gym user groups – such as bodybuilders
LAST month I walked along the river at Broken Scar, near Darlington. I love this walk. It is quiet, peaceful and beautiful. Then I met a group of nine teenagers, clearly bent on having a good time on the river bank, in high spirits, and carrying
REGARDING VJ Connor’s letter Sad state for nations most poverty-stricken (HAS, June1). VJ Connor seems to be seeking atonement for his sins now he has retired. As the bible states: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than
I WILL shortly travel from Ireland to again attend the Miners’ Gala. Clearly, Mike Cunningham (HAS, June 24) would prefer not to have the inconvenience of visitors like me spending money in Durham, filling the hotel rooms, packing out the restaurants
TONY KELLY accuses the BBC of sycophancy to the Muslims and it leaves me wondering what advantage it might gain from its approach to that religion. It does employ commentators whose descriptions of royalty should earn them an honour but I fail
I HAVE to agree with the sentiments expressed by Ralph Musgrave (HAS, June 18) and Tony Kelly (HAS, July 2) about communism. Not wishing to add to Geoff Bulmer’s discomfort but perhaps he should have a conversation with two lovely gentlemen who
