STOCKTON got into the festive spirit tonight for a spectacular launch of the town's Stockton Sparkles Winter Festival. The event included a range of seasonal activities, including performances from street ensemble Orkestra del Sol, a light show
AN ARMY mother has made an emotional journey across the country to take a military flag to an internationally renowned military pub.Julie Francis explained that photographs of both her soldier father and son, who is still serving, as well as her great
If you are looking for a readable stocking-filler this Christmas, history could prove that your search ended on these pages. Haunted Darlington by Robert Woodhouse (The History Press, £9.99) EVEN if ghosts don’t exist, this is still an entertaining
WHEN Matthew Robson first met his wife-to-be at a cousin’s office party more than 60 years ago he was determined not to let her get away. Having been told by Joan hat she frequented a dance hall, he made a point of going there to engineer a second meeting
COUNCILLORS have deferred a decision over controversial plans to build new houses on a grassed area in a housing estate - to allow talks with the developer in a bid to resolve issues over access to neighbouring allotments.Gleeson Homes wants to build
AFTER five years of campaigning, a statute of Stan Hollis, the only man to win a Victoria Cross on D-Day, has been unveiled in his home town of Middlesbrough. Chris Webber witnessed the pride and passion. "HE saved my life, Stanley Hollis, more
A CARE home provider has been fined £4,000 for failing to have a suitably registered manager in post.The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said Four Seasons Health Care failed to meet its legal duty by not having a registered manager in place at Manor Park
A MOTORCYCLIST who was left with severe injuries after an accident has welcomed a road safety campaign as part of Road Safety Week (November 23 to 29). Adrian Watson was struck by a van while at a riding near a junction along the B1284 in Chilton
A GLOBE trotting opera star gave a rare UK performance when he was in the North-East to visit his old school today. (Thursday, November 26)Tenor Ian Storey is famous around the world for performing in six languages at the finest opera houses and many
CCTV images of a missing man – taken minutes after he was last seen - have been positively identified as Rory Johnson by his family. Mr Johnson, 29, from Skipton, has been missing since Friday (November 20). The last reported sighting of him
TWO men are being hunted by police following an allegation they chased a young girl who was walking to school.The nine-year-old was approached by two men in a car at about 8.30am this morning (Thursday, November 26) on the junction of Rosslare Road and
PRIMARY school pupils had a royally good time as they swapped their daily bus or car trip for a history-themed walk to school.Students from St Augustine’s RC Primary School in Darlington had two royal themed walks to school led by John de Lacy, Lord of
AN American physician will join cannabis campaigners at a major event tomorrow (Friday, November 27).Newcastle University will play host to the inaugural Cannabis Talks conference, organised by the Teesside Cannabis Club.The event will see physician David
A LITTLE girl who has undergone extensive treatment for a brain tumour has had her bravery recognised by a North-East charity.Six-year-old Lily Hartley, from West Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the
A 21-year-old woman was robbed whilst walking with her two female friends as they left Thornaby train station yesterday (Wednesday, November 25).She was targeted as the three of them headed over the footbridge towards Mandale Road at around 4.35pm when
FARMERS hoping a wind turbine would help them remain in business for the foreseeable future have been dealt a blow after planning officers recommended the scheme be refused. Michael McClurg and his son Andrew hope to put up a 45 metre wind turbine on
A TEENAGE politician got her voice heard when she represented the North-East in the annual National Youth Parliament debate.Jess Hugill, who represents Stockton, spoke in Westminster to highlight the major issues facing young people in the region.A record
A STORE is to reopen following a £420,000 revamp - with the creation of three new jobs and a community pioneer.The Co-op in Stokesley has been closed for two weeks while it has undergone an extensive refurbishment.The expansion, which has cost nearly
CHILDREN and parents have been getting into the Christmas spirit with a visit from Santa, a reindeer and the White Witch. Hunwick Primary School, in County Durham, held its annual Christmas fair and fundraiser on Wednesday, November 25.This year’s event
A WOMAN who smashed her face on the pavement after being punched in the head during an attempted robbery could require surgery for her injuries.The 46-year-old was attacked on Westmoreland Road in Redcar near to the Lakes Social Club at about 1.15am on
THE first ever Christmas grotto for pets has been opened - complete with a canine Father Christmas. Animals can be taken along to the cave at the indoor ski slope Chill Factore and receive a Christmas treat from a big friendly pooch in full Santa
A COUNCILLOR has voiced concerns over the provision of hospital care for patients who want to be closer to their home in the Yorkshire Dales.North Yorkshire County Councillor John Blackie raised his concerns at a recent Richmondshire Area committee meeting
IT was a united show of commitment where the handling was almost as important as the haul. Yes, the five police forces involved in searching traveller sites across the north of England this morning were interested in what they could find; be it
A MAJOR rescue operation was launched tonight after an angler who appears to have been fishing on a maintenance ramp, fell into the North Sea. The Coastguard Agency said it is not clear whether the man slipped, or was washed in by a wave at the
A SPRINKLING of light was brought to an otherwise dark and wintry night as an installation created by talented volunteers was unveiled.Greenfield Arts, in Newton Aycliffe, played host to the Winter Wonderland event which saw the launch of a light sculpture
ONE of Britain’s biggest bands loved a North-East student’s bootleg ‘mash-up’ of their music so much that they have included it in their latest album.Bob Jackson, a first year University of Sunderland digital film production student, was contacted by
A SCIENTIFIC genius who helped invent the world's first computer touchscreens caused a unique High Court tug of war over his £2.1m fortune - with a schoolboy geography error.Brilliant physicist Michael Crowley-Milling played key roles in developing particle
WE’RE only in our early fifties and generally in robust health, but ageing is already proving to be a challenging process. I find myself feeling the chill and having to wear a woolly hat because of the loss of natural insulation up top. Why is
CAN I ask why Simon Henig, the Leader of Durham County Council, signed the Northern devolution document, then a few days later said he would have a public referendum next year, which will have no powers to stop the devolution plan? Why waste public
RESIDENTS are being asked to be the eyes and ears of a town's Christmas lights after problems with vandalism in previous years.Richmond's Christmas lights in Friary Gardens are to be switched on on Friday (November 27) and this year a Friary Fairy Light
WHEN I read Mike Sinclair’s allegorical letter (HAS, Nov 23) where he likened the typical avaricious behaviour of the rich and powerful in this “age of greed” as “all drinking from the same trough”. I thought a more apt description would be “them
THE wife of a firearms officer who was victimised by some colleagues at Cleveland Police because he was Asian said today that taking the force to a tribunal had "taken its toll".Kim Saddique, wife of Nadeem Saddique, whose complaints of racial
WE all agree that the killing of one human being by another is a crime against all mankind. However, Peter Mullen’s recent column about Muslims (Echo, Nov 23) was biased. There was not one mention of any other sect or religion being involved
A RECENTLY retired churchman has spoken out against the “unlovely and unedifying” nature of Black Friday. The Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, who retired as Dean of Durham in September, said the annual “festival of retail”, which falls tomorrow
I’D like to draw attention to the presence of hackney taxi drivers who ‘tout’ for business in Durham City Market Place and on the bridge between Claypath and the Market Place. One such incident occurred on Saturday night, November 21. My nephew
MONDAY saw the release of the new Defence Review which seems to have been trailed for some time by the PM, Chancellor and, finally, the Defence Secretary. However, when they are pressed all they can provide are sound bites hoping to catch the headlines
WHEN Darlington kick off at Barwell on Saturday, it will have been 35 days since we last played in the league. With a couple of postponements and a seeming lack of interest in cup competition, it almost feels like we’ve had a mid-season break.
AS MUSICIAN Frank Turner raised his fist, the spotlight picked out his red, white and blue wristband. Pushed up against the stage barriers on Thursday night, my thoughts turned to The Bataclan. I couldn’t begin to put into words the scale of
A MAN had to jump for his life after a thief stole a car during a test drive and drove it at him during his getaway. Kieran Reed was trying to sell a black VW Golf R32 for his stepson when the conman jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off
A SMALL housing development has been granted permission despite planning officer recommendation for refusal following impassioned plea to breathe new life into an east Cleveland village.Plans for the 46 home development on a greenfield site on the outskirts
What should have been a modern fairytale romance ended up with US woman Michaela Parry living in a women’s refuge thousands of miles from home. As the annual White Ribbon campaign against domestic abuse gets under way, the 30-year-old shares her story
AN INSPIRED duo have applied their magic modernising touch to a traditional Darlington pub.New owners Colin Chapman and Carley Woods have revamped The Crown Inn, an 18th century pub set in the quiet village of Manfield. They took over from Peter and Karen
A WORK club that was lost when eVOLution in Darlington closed has been re opened at one of the town's churches.Northgate Work Club, which is being held at Northgate United Reformed Church in Darlington, has been set up to give unemployed people in the
SANTA will be steaming into Darlington to meet youngsters at a series of special events at the Head of Steam museum next month.The railway museum will host to a magical grotto where Santa will be rewarding ‘good’ boys and girls with a Christmas present.The
ENGINEERS have completed the £3.4m refurbishment of an important County Durham coastal defence.Seaham Harbour’s North Pier, next to North Dock, has undergone a 15-month refurbishment so it can continue to protect about 100 of the town’s homes, 30 businesses
A FARMER is appealing for information after brazen thieves stole thousands of pounds of stone from his land in three separate attacks.The crooks took 100-year-old stone from Carr House Farm, near Staindrop, in Teesdale, on November 16 and 18 and returned
ART by the late Norman Cornish is expected to attract strong interest from collectors when it goes under the hammer next week.Three pieces from the pitman painter’s later career are among the highlights of a fine arts sale at Newcastle auctioneers Anderson
PUPILS at one County Durham School pulled out all the stops to celebrate Diwali last week.As part of the Year 2 Curriculum, pupils at Barnard Castle Preparatory School were taught all about the Hindu Festival of Light.The pupils came to school wearing
A DISABLED man who died days after being assaulted has been honoured posthumously for donating his organs.Scott Hall, 28, died in September 2014, 11 days after being attacked by two 15-year-old boys.The teenagers admitting assaulting Mr Hall, of Newton
DARLINGTON has won a gold medal at this year’s UK bus awards.Darlington Borough Council won the ‘local authority bus project of the year award’ for its work with Arriva North East in delivering better bus services in the town.The council won recognition
A HISTORIC bath removed from a Consett sports centre is to be preserved for posterity.The Aeratone Bath was carefully removed from Belle Vue Leisure Centre’s as part of the current demolition work. It has now been transferred to be preserved at the Victoria
A GRANDFATHER who has been counting and recording butterflies for more than 40 years has been recognised by a national wildlife charity.Ian Findlay, of Barnard Castle, was awarded an Outstanding Volunteer Award from Butterfly Conservation (BC) earlier
AITOR KARANKA has revealed that there will be no further arrivals at Middlesbrough before today’s deadline for emergency loans. The Boro head coach, who is expecting striker Bradley Fewster to head for York City ahead of the 5pm cut off point,
THE highest ceremonial honour a council can bestow has been given to former councillor Bob Gibson.The spacial accolade was presented to him at Stockton Borough Council's full council meeting on Wednesday night and recognises his 34-year service.Mr Cook
SUNDERLAND should be able to call on matchwinner Jermain Defoe for Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Stoke City – but Sam Allardyce is considering tweaking the 3-5-2 formation that helped the Black Cats to victory at Crystal Palace on Monday
A MAN was attacked and robbed while he was walking along a footpath in a wood near Stockton.The 22-year-old was walking in Stainsby Wood, parallel with the A19 in Stockton, on Sunday (22 nov) between midday and 1pm when he was approached by two males.They
ROGER Cook, the celebrated journalist and broadcaster is bringing tales of his award-winning investigative journalism to the region. The Cook Report ran for sixteen series over 12 years and featured the intrepid journalist on undercover investigations
A CENTURIES old parish church in County Durham could be transformed into a local history museum and gallery space.Heritage enthusiasts investigating ways to conserve the building and make it more accessible to the wider community have put forward the
A “HEARTBROKEN” woman was over twice the legal drink drive limit when she went to meet her ex-partner after drinking at a birthday party.Sarah Hunter, 34, from Eaglescliffe near Stockton-on-Tees, was stopped by police while driving on the A167 near Chilton
USUALLY, tennis only holds the British attention for a couple of weeks a year when Wimbledon is on, and even then our interest in lobs and second serves is so shallow that we are easily distracted by the sight of Andy Murray's wife, Kim Sears, particularly
A MAN has been ordered to pay compensation after stealing almost £400 from a phone box.Scott Ormston, who appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court via a video link from prison, admitted to stealing the cash from a phone box in Consett in County
A FREE Christmas carol concert is to be staged in North Yorkshire to raise money for a charity which supports one of the emergency services. Northallerton Retired Fire Fighters and Northallerton Fire Station will be hosting the performance at The Forum
AN inquest into the death of a pensioner who died after being hit by a bus on the outskirts of Durham last week has been opened.Walter Heighley, 81, of Durham, was confirmed dead at the scene of the accident on the B6532, near the Trouts Lane junction
A MAN who set fire to his partner’s house as a drunken reprisal, as she would not add his name to the deeds, was yesterday (Wednesday, November 25) jailed for two years and eight months. Stephen Lloyd set three seats to the blaze, using barbecue
COMMUNITY groups in Crook are hosting a festive event this Sunday (November 29). Santa arrives in Hope Street at noon and a winter wonderland parade down Hope Street begins at 4.30pm while the Christmas lights will be switched on in North Terrace at 5pm
Stockton and Newcastle youth theatre auditionsYMT (Youth Music Theatre) are holding auditions for performers at Stockton and Newcastle during January and February. The national organisation is looking for youngsters keen to kick-start your career in the
A LEGAL team proved it has what it takes to win after taking on an Army-style assault course to raise money for children with Down Syndrome.Partners, solicitors, representatives and support staff from Hewitts took part in Armageddon III, a challenging
CRICKETING legend Sir Ian Botham is going into bat for a charity which provides home-based hospice care.He will be the guest of honour at a sportsman’s dinner for Herriot Hospice Homecare, after approaching the charity to offer his services. Money raised
A HOUSING association has employed a novel approach to selecting new apprentices by putting potential recruits through a series of unusual tasks.Broadacres, based in Northallerton, recently held events designed to discover more about the 38 young people
COUNCIL tax in North Yorkshire could rise in the wake of the Government’s comprehensive spending review.County council chiefs say the review has squeezed their tight budget even further, presenting tough challenges they must meet.They point out that more
A PUBLIC park has been closed until further notice for safety reasons.The closure of Castle Garden in Malton comes after a large branch came down from one of the older trees causing damage to fencing and a potential health and safety hazard for visitors
Mike Sanchez at Mickleton THIS month sees two fantastic acts returning to Mickleton RnB Club for Christmas. On Saturday, December 12, British singer, pianist and guitarist Mike Sanchez arrives with his six-piece band for more exciting and charismatic
DRIVERS travelling northbound and southbound on the A19 this morning faced major delays after a crash and a broken down vehicle. On the northbound carriageway one lane was closed due to an accident involving two vehicles between the A1231 Wessington
QUORN is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month as it looks back on its past achievements and to future plans enabling the business to continue on its journey of success. To celebrate, the Stokesley-based business is holding events across
It's a record for Jools Holland at NewcastleJUST after appearing at Newcastle City Hall tomorrow (Weds, Dec 2) and Thursday (Dec 3) boogie-woogie master Jools Holland and UK’s queen of soul Ruby Turner will be releasing the album Jools & Ruby.It will
SUNDERLAND have allowed Liam Bridcutt to join Leeds United on loan. The 26-year old heads to Elland Road where he could make his debut in the Championship fixture against Queens Park Rangers this weekend. Bridcutt arrived on Wearside in January
Christmas single from Emmie Beckitt and Rick WakemanWELCOME A Star is the first single from 15-year-old Scarborough choir soprano Emmie Beckitt, in collaboration with classically trained pianist, composer and TV presenter, Rick Wakeman. Rick first met
Soul legends come to TeessideTHERE are two chances to see one of the best-loved soul bands The Real Thing at the Dormans Club in Middlesbrough this festive season. The group that scored hits in the 1970s with You To Me Are Everything, Can't Get By Without
A MUCH-LOVED family dog that survived a violent close encounter with a lorry is now in the running for a national honour. Penny the pointer, from Leeming Bar near Bedale, has been selected as a finalist in the PDSA Pet Survivor Awards, which recognise
EXPLETIVES, tantrums and usurpers – complete anarchy struck on day eleven of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. The night before Tony Hadley and Jorgie Porter had refused to be bellhop and chambermaid for Lady C, Kieron Dyer and Chris Eubank’
WAREHOUSING and logistics business InBond has launched a hi-tech service for blue-chip clients taking its investment in the last 12 months to £150,000.The company, which has been established on Teesside for more than 20 years, moved to Malleable Way,
A SUCCESSFUL construction company in the North-East has marked the loyalty of key members of staff .Wharton Construction, based on Yarm Road Business Park, has several staff who have clocked up more than 25 years service and managing director Peter Wharton
A SUCCESSFUL construction company in the North-East has marked the loyalty of key members of staff .Wharton Construction, based on Yarm Road Business Park, has several staff who have clocked up more than 25 years service and managing director Peter Wharton
AHEAD of today’s transfer deadline, Ronnie Moore is confident of adding another new signing to the Hartlepool United squad. Pools take on Oxford United at Victoria Park on Saturday, and while Moore already has a number of loan signings in his squad
A £120m business support fund will be invested exclusively into scores of North-East companies after the North East LEP voted to keep it under local control. The Treasury has backed the LEP board’s decision to keep the new Jeremie 2 fund in the
Malcolm Warne goes in search of the luxury life at Rockliffe Hall’s The Clubhouse restaurant I’VE never been entirely sure about Rockliffe Hall’s credentials as a dining venue. Middlesbrough Football Club chairman Steve Gibson’s five-star “resort
Certificate: 15 Running Time: 119 mins Star Rating: 4/5 LOVE tears good people apart in Todd Haynes' masterful period drama based on the novel The Price Of Salt by Patricia Highsmith. Elegantly adapted by Phyllis Nagy, Carol charts an unlikely
Martin Hutchinson talks to Duran Duran bassist John Taylor as the band prepares to play Newcastle EIGHTIES band Duran Duran are back, not just touring the UK, but also with a new album. The recently-released Paper Gods soared into the charts and
STACEY fears Shabnam is playing dirty in her bid to get custody of Jade in EastEnders (BBC1), and ends up confiding in Linda that her friend took the youngster on an outing without permission. Unfortunately, the conversation is overheard by Mick
Peter Mann follows Glenn McCrory on a journey from king of the ring to West End star HAVING ruled the world as the cruiserweight king in the 1980s; County Durham boxer, Glenn McCrory, could not envisage how the future would look, let alone that
THE North-East is a good reflection of just how much great folk music there is across the country at the moment. I’m currently on a tour with Steve Tilston, guitarist extraordinaire, that is taking us the length and breadth of the UK, and giving me
David Almond is to create his first full-length play with Live Theatre next summer NEXT summer Newcastle's Live Theatre has announced an exciting collaboration with Carnegie Medal-winning author, David Almond (of Skellig fame),to present The Savage
Snow Child: The Witham, Barnard CastleBASED on a Russian folk tale, Snow Child is lovingly re-worked and adapted for the stage by Emma Reeves and produced by Tutti Frutti for York Theatre Royal. The set by designer Kate Bunce evokes a beautifully simple
FIREFIGHTERS are offering drivers a car wash and free winter checks today in Thornaby. The two-minute drive-thru at Thornaby Fire Station checks tyres, lights, wipers and fluid levels. Motorists will be offered a free screenwash top up and ice-scrapers
THE stars of North-East business have been rewarded with honours.The EEF/Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards highlighted companies, bosses and workers in the region.Among the winners was Mike Matthews, managing director and European operations manager
TALKS to secure the future of a steel firm employing hundreds of North-East workers are continuing, as bosses strive to avoid further job losses, it was last night claimed.Tata Steel remains locked in discussions to navigate its European Long Products
NORTH Sea oil and gas firms are at rock bottom and fear further job losses, a report has warned.New research says companies’ confidence is at an all-time low, with businesses bracing themselves for a tough 2016.The offshore sector has faced difficulties
TODAY (Thursday, November 26) marks 30 years since a short letter caught Darlington’s imagination – could the town have its own hospice. It started with a letter. On November 26 1985, a handwritten request by Yvonne Rowe headlined “Can WE have
Alex Polizzi's Italian Islands (Channel 5, 8PM) THE Hotel Inspector who was never afraid to get her hands dirty, or offer some unpalatable home truths to hoteliers, is about to re-join ITV's Gino D'Acampo, of Italian Escapes fame, in highlighting the
THE Government was last night accused of delivering “another kicking for Teesside” after it reneged on manifesto pledges to support clean air schemes.A £1 billion competition to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology has been axed. The shock
ORDINARILY it would sound fanciful to hear a young sporting talent, who only left school a few months ago, claim they intend to be a future world number one.Taken in the right context and listening to what Jack Ainscough has to say, however, and you quickly
DARLINGTON’S Alan White is facing the prospect of having played the final game for his hometown club after being appointed as a coach – just one game short of his 200th Quakers appearance. The veteran defender’s 199th game almost a fortnight ago
JERMAIN DEFOE is winning his battle to be fit for Sunderland’s home game with Stoke City at the weekend, with Sam Allardyce expecting to the striker to take part in a full training session later today. Defoe damaged his ankle in the latter stages
NEWCASTLE UNITED face a battle to hold on to Ayoze Perez in January, with Tottenham Hotspur set to rekindle their interest in the Spanish striker. Having made a series of inquiries about Perez in the summer, only to eventually turn elsewhere, Spurs
THE region’s hospital trusts face a continuing battle to bring down budget deficits amid fears that the NHS is facing a “financial meltdown”. Recent figures showed trusts across England and Wales will end the year £2.2bn in debt. Chancellor
POLICE last night announced they had made a breakthrough in their investigation into a Gipsy feud after four men were arrested and charged in connection with the ongoing dispute. The feud among the travelling community in the North-East and South
A DRIVER had a lucky escape on Wednesday night after her broken down car was hit from behind by a lorry on the A19. She had got out of the vehicle and climbed over the crash barrier before her car was struck by the lorry on the southbound carriageway
MORE than 60 reports of crimes against birds of prey were reported in the North-East and North Yorkshire last year, leading the RSPB to call for more rigorous enforcement of wildlife laws. Today's Birdcrime 2014 report has found that illegal persecution
