FOR a manager often described as cold and controlling by some of the players he has had under his wing, Rafael Benitez has had no problem warming up St James’ Park. At the current rate, the temperature will have reached boiling point by the end of the
SINCE the start of the year, and ignoring goalless draws, Sunderland have picked up points in ten matches. Jermain Defoe has scored in seven of them. His goals since the start of January have been directly responsible for the Black Cats claiming
STRIKER Graeme Armstrong has played his final game for Darlington after telling the club he is to leave this summer. His contract expires this summer, but he has turned down the offer of a new deal, news which will disappoint most supporters of
MORE than two million spectators turned out for this year’s Tour De Yorkshire with the county being hailed as the “true winner”. The third stage of the cycle race, from Middlesbrough to Scarborough, was won by Frenchman Thomas Voeckler who clinched
A BIG number was up for a North-East bingo hall today (Sunday, May 1) when it marked its golden anniversary.Celebrations at The Hippodrome Bingo Club in Bishop Auckland, which is as homely as it is historic, included serving up fish and chips for 15p-
WHAT a refreshing change to see Middlesbrough mentioned in a positive light in the media. I, of course, refer to the start of Stage Three of the Tour de Yorkshire from the town. We could have been blessed with better weather, but there was no doubt
I WENT to see a friend's grave in North Road Cemetery, Darlington, recently. The first thing you see when going through gate is a old abandoned car, the two houses in the grounds have just been left to fall in disrepair as has the once-lovely chapel
BOTH Labour and Conservative supporters of the remain in Europe campaign state that workers rights will be lost if the country votes to leave the EU. For any rights to be removed our Parliament must first vote to abolish them. So does anyone
I AM not a police apologist. I acknowledge that the policing of the Hillsborough disaster was very poor indeed and those families who suffered have every right to feel desperately let down. However, having served for almost 30 years in the police
I WAS bought up in music loving family with absolutely no natural talent whatsoever. My father could, however, play the comb and toilet paper and my mother yodelled and whistled, sometimes simultaneously. Our musical evening just flew by. My father
MANDY BOYLETT as part of Ukip, whose leader generalises Muslims and refugees on a regular basis, is in no position to criticise Ken Livingstone for his comments about Zionism. Mr Livingstone is a proven anti-racist, that's it. I am against
BRITAIN’S Adam Yates put a difficult week behind him as he finished fourth overall, while Frenchman Thomas Voeckler was rewarded for his efforts at the Tour de Yorkshire with the win. Voeckler, of Direct Energie, beat Team Sky’s Nicolas Roche in
THE best friend and comrade of a North-East soldier who lost his life in Afghanistan has spoken of his pride after Eddie Stobart agreed to name a truck in his memory. The haulage company has named one of its famous Scania lorries Deana Sarah as
To coincide with Darlington revealing their kits for the 2016-17 season, sponsored by Virgin Trains, here are the club's home kits since 1990 - how many do you remember? PHOTO GALLERY: Darlington away kits down the years
FAMILIES, cycling supporters and what seemed like most of Northallerton streamed into the town centre for the Tour De Yorkshire as it ploughed through the middle of the town’s annual May Fair. As the peleton swept through the surreal scenes of
MUSICIANS across the region are coming together to learn and share their skills as part of a new initiative.The Darlington Music Forum (DMF) was launched to create a dedicated meeting space for musicians and performers to communicate and collaborate.A
A LECTURER, photographer, student and casino inspector are among the latest recruits to join the ranks of North Yorkshire’s part time bobbies.Twenty six new Special Constables were welcomed to the force at an attestation ceremony held at police headquarters
THE RSPCA is appealing for information after an elderly dog was found suffering and alone in a park on Wearside.The female Jack Russell terrier type dog, thought to be around 15-years-old, was emaciated, with long overgrown nails and teeth so bad she
A DISABLED father will take on two sporting challenges to raise funds for the hospital that saved his son and daughter’s lives after a car crash which almost claimed their lives. Army veteran Darren Handyside was badly injured when his car collided head-on
A WOMAN paralysed in a horse riding accident in Egypt is to arrive home tomorrow (Monday, May 2) night after her family and the region's public raised more than £32,000. Olivia Fairclough, 31, of Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, did not have valid
A RECORD number of runners took to the streets for the sixth Run Sunderland Festival today (Sunday, May 1).Despite chilly and damp conditions, thousands of club and fun runners tackled the Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10K, which for the first
STUDENTS will be rifling through the reference books as they prepare to head-off to Eton for the debate of their lives.Teenagers Sam Maunder, Rosalind Monaghan and Imogen Hayden have clinched a place in the final of the prestigious PixL ‘Up for Debate
FLYING high after seeing their team win promotion to the Premier Division of the Evo-Stik League, Spennymoor Town fans pulled on their own football boots.A day after celebrating the Moors' promotion, following a 2-0 win over Northwich Victoria on Saturday
A SURVEY of hundreds of villagers shows overwhelming opposition to a proposed housing development in Hurworth, near Darlington.The Banks Group plan to extend the boundary of the village by building around 90 houses on land off Roundhill Road.In response
STAND-FIRST: 'Le Tour' coming to Middlesbrough reminded the world that 'the Boro' remains part of the traditional 'Yorkshire Nation.' Chris Webber was there to witness the pride and passion in the morning rain. To see a gallery of photographs click
Goals: 0-1: Naismith (54, neat backheel at the near post from six yards after being picked out from a low Evans pass) 0-2: Chaplin (84, low, drilled shot across goal from the edge of the area) Bookings: D Jones (23, foul); Freeman (36,
A MAJOR investigation is underway after two men died when their light aircraft hurtled into the ground in North Yorkshire at the weekend. The bright yellow plane came down in a ploughed field near Castle Howard, slamming down on its belly not far
AN UPPER Dales surgery has been left frustrated with the slow pace of its ability to get connected to high speed broadband.The Central Dales Practice, at the Aysgarth Surgery, remains the only practice within the Hambleton Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical
DURHAM were totally out of luck in the afternoon sun at the Oval until Chris Rushworth struck twice just before tea. He removed both the left-handed duo of Arun Harinath and Steve Davies after they had taken their stand to 135 and Surrey were 242
Goals: 1-0: Townsend (59, powered a brilliant curling free-kick inside the far post from 22 yards) Bookings: Mbemba (7, foul); Colback (66, foul) Referee: Mike Dean (The Wirral) – had to give the penalty for Sissoko’s handball and otherwise
WHAT A week it’s been weather-wise, Witton Castle Lakes, along with the rest of the country, dipped back into some serious wintery conditions. Freezing temperatures, snow, rain and hail all conspired to make the weeks fishing very uncomfortable for visiting
SUNDERLAND crashed back into the Premier League relegation zone as they drew 1-1 at Stoke City yesterday. Jermain Defoe's stoppage-time penalty salvaged a point, but the result at the Britannia Stadium means the Black Cats are back in the bottom
A MENINGITIS victim, who lost both legs and an arm as a baby, has set a new British record - in the swimming pool. Lyndon Longhorne, 20, from Crook, County Durham, is back home after competing in the British International Paralympic Swimming Championships
A ROW has erupted over access as a council plans to sell off one its historic buildings.Last year, development guidelines were approved for the sale of Nunthorpe Hall Farm and Blacksmith’s Yard, but residents and local councillors claim the guidance is
BEN GIBSON will not be watching promotion rivals Burnley and Brighton in action tomorrow afternoon – because he does not want to waste any energy worrying about things he cannot influence. Brighton entertain Derby County in tomorrow’s early afternoon
A BELOVED 100-year-old celebrated her birthday surrounded by friends and family yesterday (Saturday, April 30).Darlington woman Renee Dougan marked her centenary with a visit from the town’s mayor, Cllr Tom Nutt, and a day of celebrations.Mrs Dougan’s
TWO people have been arrested on suspicion of attempting to rob a cash machine.Police were called to Knaresborough High Street at 6.10pm on Friday following reports of suspicious activity at the HSBC bank.Officers said a white BMW car drove off from the
A CHARITY fundraiser known as Run Geordie Run today (Sunday, May 1) begins the next stage of his bid to run around the world.Software developer Mark Allison has set himself the challenge of running 20,000 miles and has already conquered the USA and Australia.Today
DARLINGTON councillors are to discuss a controversial land sale. On the agenda of a cabinet meeting taking place on Tuesday, May 3 is the disposal of surplus land at Bates Avenue and Hartington Way, Cockerton. The sites are targeted in council
TWO people had to be treated for smoke inhalation after a fire thought to have been caused by a discarded cigarette.The incident, shortly after 3am today, Sunday, took place in the living room of a home on Hawthorne Avenue in Scotton, near Richmond.Fire
A THEATRE group that supports young people through the arts is looking for new members.Natural High welcomes seven-year-olds to young adults, including those with learning difficulties, and some members have had difficult childhoods or suffered bullying.All
WORK to repair a church’s roof is finally underway after it was awarded more than £45,000 in grant money.Scaffolding at St Mary’s Parish Church, Barnard Castle, went up last week and workmen are on site at the 12th Century building.Church treasurer, Robert
GRAEME STORM carded four solid rounds of golf in the Far East to finish in the money.The Hartlepool pro followed up an opening day 73 with three rounds of 68, 70 and 72 at the Volvo China Open which had disruption because of the weather.That five-under
STOKE (4-2-3-1): Haugaard 6; Bardsley 6, Cameron 5, Shawcross 7, Pieters 6; Whelan 6, Imbula 5; Shaqiri 6 (Diouf 77), Adam 7 (Muniesa 85), Arnautovic 6 (Walters 56, 5); CROUCH 8. Subs (not used): Bachmann (gk), Wollscheid, Bojan, Joselu.
JACKIE McNAMARA has signalled an intention to ‘prove people wrong’ after sections of York City fans called for him to be sacked.The Minstermen, already relegated, dropped to the foot of League Two after losing 4-1 to promotion chasing Bristol Rovers at
TRAVELLERS are being advised not to travel by train to or from Whitby today due to emergency engineering work. There is currently no train service between Sleights and Whitby and operator Northern is unable to provide replacement transport due
DURHAM'S new paceman, Brydon Carse, claimed the notable scalp of Kumar Sangakkara on an otherwise testing morning at the Oval. The Sri Lankan master looked in his usual imperious form in making 26 as an unbeaten 53 by Arun Harinath took Surrey
THE body of a woman has been found on a railway line, police have said. Officers were called to Moor Lane in Copmanthorpe, near York, at 9.25am on Sunday. North Yorkshire Police said the line was closed while officers, including British Transport
A NEW forum is being launched to allow wheelchair users across North Yorkshire to share their experiences.It follows a Healthwatch York report in 2015 looking into the issue and is aimed at keeping real people’s experiences at the heart of the services
LINSEY Robinson is pulling on her running shoes for the IVF team at The James Cook University Hospital because without them her son Harvey would not be here.The 31-year-old from Redcar will tackle the Edinburgh Marathon on May 29 to help support others
AN MP has criticised the Post Office for not listening to residents over plans to move its town centre location.Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Tom Blenkinsop claims bosses have a "wilful neglect of public opinion" over the consultation
THIS selection of largely Edwardian postcards of Darlington and the surrounding area is taken from the latest book compiled by local deltiologist, Araf Chohan. Araf comes from Middlesbrough, and has been collecting postcards - deltiology - for many years
Shildon are still on for a league and league cup double when they beat North Shields on penalties in the semi final on Saturday. The Railwaymen will play Marske in the final at a venue and date to be decided, and manager Gary Forrest was pleased with
Spennymoor 2 Northwich Victoria 0. Veteran Spennymoor striker Gavin Cogdon inspired Moors to their second promotion in three seasons when they beat Northwich Victoria in the First Division North play off final. Cogdon has scored some crucial goals
POSTPONEMENTS and promotion is the story of Darlington’s thrilling season, which culminated in winning the Northern Premier League title with over 100 points. They finished on 104, pushed all the way by Blyth Spartans, who ended on 99 and for a
IT was ten degrees warmer in London yesterday than at chilly Chester-le-Street last week, but warming to the task on a flat Oval track was a tough ordeal for the Durham bowlers.Despite the bonus of the great Kumar Sangakkara donating his wicket to young
PUB industry leaders have expressed disbelief after a licensee with an exemplary record was prosecuted by a cash-strapped council for serving a pint which was six teaspoons of beer short of a guideline minimum. Former president of the Federation
