YOUNG people are adding the finishing touches to their performances for a variety show in Shildon.The event, at the Shildon Civic Hall, showcases the talents of 50 youngsters aged from six to 18-years-old.During the two-hour show, audiences will see comedy
THE second 'Festival of Wonderful Stuff' is to be held in a small village in the region after last year's inaugural event was hailed a success.The beer, wine, food and music festival is centred on the Vane Arms village pub in Thorpe Thewles
WALKS of interest on archaeological and ornithological themes are staged as part of this week’s celebration of the Durham Heritage Coast.A one-mile expert-led ramble round Seaham will reveal some of the coastal town’s archaeological secrets.Anyone interested
CLOSE-UP photographs of creepy crawlies are being sought to mark National Insect Week.The North Pennines AONB Partnership is appealing for images which show the beauty of bugs and butterflies as part of its Cold-blooded and Spineless project, to put together
BARONESS Glenys Kinnock today (Weds June 1) urged North-East women to vote to remain in Europe as she met international development and women’s campaigners in the region.The life peer, who served as Minister for Europe as well as Foreign Office Minister
WORK by talented student artists has gone on display in an exhibition which marks the culmination of two years of study and practice.The new sixth form centre at Barnard Castle School was the venue for the exhibition by four Cambridge Pre-U art pupils
A TEMPORARY replacement for an unsafe bridge is due to open on Friday.It has been put up in place of the Deerness Bridge, which closed on April 13 after an inspection found it could no longer withstand the weight of traffic.The council has spent £6,875
POLICE have responded to outrage from a bird preservation charity and the public over pole traps found on a North Yorkshire grouse moor - and concern over letting those responsible off with a caution.The case led to a conviction of a Hawes man who admitted
A YOUNG woman has suffered a fractured cheekbone after being punched in the face at a North-East pub.The 18-year-old victim was in the White Horse, on Market Street, in Ferryhill, County Durham, on Saturday, May 28, and is believed to have been assaulted
A DONATE-A-GATE scheme has been launched to help replace stiles on some rural footpaths.The Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership and the Friends of the North Pennines have teamed up for the initiative, which covers Teesdale and the wider North Pennines
RUNNERS are gearing up to flood a North-East park with pink this weekend as Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life returns to the region.The Darlington run, taking place in South Park on Sunday (June 5) is expected to attract thousands of runners as the Race
WILDLIFE lovers are being given the chance to get a sneak peek behind the scenes of a nature reserve when RSPB Saltholme opens its doors to would-be volunteers.On Wednesday, June 8, the wildlife reserve and discovery park near Stockton, will be running
ROCKLIFFE Hall’s championship golf course will play host to the MASfab North of England Open Foursomes on Wednesday, July 13. Attracting talented golfers from across the North, the 36 hole competition is open to professionals and amateurs, gents
NHS managers have launched a public consultation on the controversial proposed closure of a Hartlepool fertility clinic.Three options on the future of the service will be given three options on what to do about providing the service which helps women
POLICE are looking to recruit 20 young people for their second Volunteer Police Cadet Unit.North Yorkshire Police is opening the new unit in Scarborough following the success of the York unit - the force’s first ever cadet unit - which opened last year.Recruitment
VOLUNTEERS proposing to form an association honouring their town’s military heritage have met up for the first time.A meeting jointly convened by veterans Pete Molloy and Alan Gardner was held in the Knights of the Golden Horn Club, in Whitworth Terrace
A WOMAN was found dead by her partner in a pool of blood and broken glass still clutching her e-cigarette, an inquest heard.Claire Denham, who was 54, suffered from blurred vision and dizzy spells and had drunk a couple of glasses of wine on the night
CLEVELAND Police are appealing for information after a prescription pad was stolen from Bankhouse Surgery in Hartlepool, sometime between Tuesday, May 24 and today (Wednesday, June 1). The serial numbers listed on the prescription pad are 6015990301 to
POLITICALLY-minded pupils received an insight into the parliamentary process when Liberal Democrat Baroness Maddock visited their school to give a talk.More than 150 upper and lower sixth formers from Barnard Castle School listened as she discussed her
THE ARMY will fire three royal salutes in York this month. The first will be tomorrow (Thursday, June 2) to mark the 64th year since the Queen’s Coronation and Brigadier James Carr-Smith, the Deputy Commander of 1st (United Kingdom) Division will host
NEWCASTLE will have to appoint a new assistant manager after Fabio Pecchia was tonight confirmed as the new head coach of Italian side Verona. Pecchia moved to St James’ Park as Rafael Benitez’s right-hand man when the former Liverpool boss was
JEWELLERY from people who have died was stolen during a sneak-in theft at a funeral directors.The thieves stole a safe containing jewellery and other personal possessions from Rowley & Sons in York from people who have died. They also took a projector.The
FOUR prehistoric-looking kookaburras have been born in the region.The fledglings have delighted staff and volunteers at Redcar's Kirkleatham Owl Centre since they were born nearly four weeks ago.Three of the baby birds are blue-winged kookaburras,
ALE enthusiasts are preparing to stage a beer census – and they’re appealing for help to do it.Dozens of volunteers are sought to help visit every pub in York on June 18, noting which beers are on sale, and their prices.The information gathered around
A NEW play area featuring equipment designed by the children who will use it has officially opened.More than 100 people attended a Willie Wonka-themed event to celebrate the opening of the £100,000 play park in the Memorial Grounds, at Trimdon Foundry.Children
ALAN SHEARER has criticised Roy Hodgson’s decision to leave Newcastle United winger Andros Townsend out of his Euro 2016 squad, and accused the England boss of making his decisions on “reputation rather than fitness and form”. Townsend was cut
A CHARITY is appealing for more people to support it, as it celebrates its volunteers.Sue Ryder is hosting events nationwide in recognition of the help given by 11,000 people nationwide to the charity, as well as providing tokens of appreciation to long-serving
A DESIRE to recognise the unsung heroes of Darlington and raise plenty for local charities are just two of the aims of the borough’s new mayor.Cllr Brian Jones recently received the chains of office from outgoing mayor Cllr Tom Nutt and has chosen the
A SANDWICH shop owner has been fined after pleading guilty to five food hygiene charges.Abdul Alasadi, 55, was charged following a trading standards inspection of his Colours Sandwich Shop on Norton Road, Stockton in July 2014.Teesside Magistrates Court
ASYLUM seekers and refugees are to take centre stage during two new art projects exploring the impact displacement has on their lives.The projects, commissioned by the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima), will see local artist Emily Hesse and
THE CHAIRMAN of a leisure charity has embarked on a journey sailing all the way around the coast of the UK – and hopes to raise cash for the trust on the way.Andy White, the chairman of Richmondshire Leisure Trust – which runs Richmond Pool, Liberty Gym
AN alleged rape near the University of York earlier this month did not happen, police have announced.The supposed “victim” has now confirmed to officers that the attack did not take place – and no further action will now be taken on the case.“Police take
A DEDICATED supermarket worker has been handpicked for a once in a lifetime trip.Jade Chalmers has been chosen to represent Asda in Darlington at an upcoming international conference.Ms Chalmers will be flown to Arkansas after being chosen as one of just
A FORMER rugby union international has been elected as the new mayor of Durham.Eddie Bell, a county councillor from Seaham, was installed in a ceremony full of pomp and tradition at Durham Town Hall today (Wednesday, June 1). He said he was honoured and
POLICE investigating a far right protest that took place in York at the weekend have appealed for video footage and information. Detectives want to speak to anyone who was present at last Saturday’s demo and filmed what took place.Officers were monitoring
A CATERING company is doing its bit for charity – with the help of the simple cuppa.Tea Time Yorkshire, based in Thirsk is supporting Marie Curie by holding a “Blooming Great Tea Party” on July 2.The event at Sand Hutton village hall from noon to 4pm
AN exhibition on the theme of bells at Richmond parish church attracted more than 500 people and raised more than £800.The three-day exhibition, Summoned by Bells, featured 60 exhibits, all imaginative and many humorous, from the local community - individuals
TALENTED teenage beauticians brought a touch of Hollywood Glamour and cover girl chic to inter-college competitions.East Durham College duo Heather Patton and Summer Scott scooped top three finishes in recent regional beauty styling contests.The 18-year-old
A HUGE and spectacular piece of eye-catching art is the latest winner for the hugely-successful Tour de Yorkshire.The work, featuring a horse, a ram and a wild boar riding a penny farthing has been crowned the winner of the event’s land art competition
A POLICE force has defended its actions in tackling racism after facing severe criticism during a parliamentary hearing.Janet Hills, president of the National Black Police Association (NBPA), claimed an “ongoing and covert operation against all Asian
AN historic but derelict pub on the North York Moors has sold at auction for more than £100,000 - but its future remains unclear.The Saltersgate Inn, on the road between Pickering and Whitby, had a guide price of £50,000-plus, and sold for £107,500.The
A POPULAR open stables event could be in jeopardy - unless someone comes forward to help coordinate it.Held in September, the annual open day at Malton, North Yorkshire, provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of some of the country’s leading race yards.More
A TEAM of volunteers gave up their bank holiday to spend it on the beach litter picking.The teenagers were taking part in a National Citizen Service (NCS) initiative that enable young people from around the region to clean up Redcar beach.They joined
THREE North Yorkshire charities have been given Royal recognition - with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2016Ryedale Carers Service, Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre and the Ryedale Youth Theatre have each been honoured the highest national
A PLAQUE marking the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) contribution to a town centre revamp has been laid in place.The multi-million pound redevelopment of Stockton High Street resulted in the transformation of the pedestrian area and preservation of some
THE voluntary body supporting the upkeep and preservation of Durham Cathedral comes together for its annual meeting, at the weekend.Members of The Friends of Durham Cathedral will gather for the day-long celebration of their efforts supporting the Dean
ALAN SHEARER will return to the Newcastle United dug-out for the first time in seven years when he helps celebrate 20 years of the 'Entertainers' this October, writes Peter Mann. Shearer, who ended his brief tenure as Newcastle boss in May 2009
DARLINGTON Borough Council has announced the program of Darlington cycle rides 2016.The cycle rides, which have been attracting participants for more than 30 years, have been designed to challenge serious, experienced cyclists.The Round 50 on Sunday,
DALES jazz band the Swale Valley Stompers will be hosting their annual Jazz and Real Ale Train on June 18.They will be taking to the Wensleydale Railway to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.The fun will start on the platform at Leeming Bar at 7pm
A FORMER hotel manager hopes to catch Richard Branson’s eye with his mission to improve hotel stays for disabled guests, after ending up in a wheelchair following amputation.Dad-of-two Arnold Fewell, from Northallerton, had enjoyed a successful career
STEEL chiefs behind a £1 takeover that secured hundreds of North-East jobs say their venture can become a world-leader – despite claims the industry remains at great risk from Government inertia. Greybull Capital says its British Steel endeavour
A JEWELLER has appealed to the Houses of Parliament for better transport links in rural communities like the North York Moors.Carolyn Frank, who owns Libby Butler Jewellers in Helmsley, highlighted the issues around public transport in front of 20 MPs
Congratulations to Andy Richardson, named this afternoon as the new editor of The Northern Echo. Andy came to the Great Daily of the North as a trainee on the sports desk, having given up a much more senior role in public relations. That underlined
PEOPLE are being offered a sneak preview of a new multi-million pound road – if they’re willing to be energetic.Work on the Bedale bypass is ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed sometime in August.But on June 12 Herriot Hospice Homecare is
A LOCOMOTIVE on one of the region’s heritage railways has a new name after a restoration and repainting project.The Class 47 diesel loco was given its new look by volunteers at the Wensleydale Railway and is on loan to the line for use on its regular
GOLFING prospects in North Yorkshire have been boosted thanks to a £70,000 cash injection.The money has been awarded to Bedale Golf Club to construct new facilities - a high-tech indoor swing studio and an outdoor academy course for coaching and junior
VILLAGERS are working on some celebrity scarecrows for their forthcoming summer festival.Appleton Wiske Scarecrow Festival takes place on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3.People are invited to take a tour through the village, near Northallerton, to
A FOUR-WICKET morning has put Yorkshire on the verge of a second Specsavers County Championship win of the season at Headingley. Roses rivals Lancashire began day four on 41-1 chasing 349, but they slipped to 98-5 as the impressive Tim Bresnan
THE UK’s manufacturing sector is like a “moving car with its brakes on” as weaker economic growth and EU referendum jitters suppress expansion, a report has revealed.The industry remained subdued in May, restrained by falling exports and job losses for
BUDDING Bear Grylls and extreme junior adventurers have been getting a chance to put their skills to the test at a bushcraft event.The Coach House at Middleton Lodge, near Richmond, organised the day for seven to 12-year-olds giving them an opportunity
A CAR maker has opened a solar farm to increase its green credentials.Nissan has switched on a 19,000-panel site at its Sunderland plant.The farm will operate alongside ten existing wind turbines and is expected to provide enough electricity to make more
SCHOOLGIRL netball players proved to be on their game after being selected to represent their region. Barnard Castle School students Carla McKnight, 13, of Lartington, and Izzy Burgess, 12, of Barnard Castle, will represent Northumbria in a tri-regional
AYCLIFFE CLUB runners have participated in a 6.5 mile race and a regional track and field league, enjoying success. Club runner Ian Wilks competed in the North East Masters track and field league at Monkton Stadium. He ran 85 seconds for the 400
A MAD Hatters’ picnic and charity walk will be the centrepiece of a charity event staged in the grounds of a country estate.The Alice in Wonderland-themed festivities take place against the backdrop of Biddick Hall, on the Lambton Castle Estate, near
OUR kitchen bin isn’t something that usually attracts much attention. It just sits there, in the corner, gobbling up rubbish. But it has been annoying me for years. Not just this bin, but every bin we’ve ever had. Because, no matter how much money
MIDDLESBROUGH have announced their first pre-season friendly as they continue to prepare for life in the Premier League. Aitor Karanka's side will travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa on Saturday, July 30. Boro have also confirmed their
She has a hectic career schedule and home life, but Abbey Clancy insists she’s nothing special. The model mum talks to Hannah Stephenson about work, date nights and ‘skinny genes’ that help her snap back into shape after pregnancy. MANY new mums
IT has been on our bucket list for several years to visit the Chelsea Flower Show, which we able to do last weekend. It was an amazing show. The displays were outstanding in art and beauty, it must have taken the participants hundreds of hours
I READ with dismay the article “I’m eating my words” (Echo, May 30) where Chris Webber described his attempt to eat 10,000 calories at a sitting in the new Man v Food diner, in Darlington. No doubt some think this is just a bit of fun, and I don
IT was just a matter of time before further crossings of the English Channel were made by alleged migrants. Should we call them migrants – should we call them illegal immigrants, and should we show compassion to anyone trying to circumvent the
I WAS disappointed to see the planes of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at the Durham Tees Valley Airport on Saturday, May 28, were painted with white stripes on their wings and fuselage. As a young boy in London at the time of the Battle
A CRASH on the A167 southbound caused long delays for motorists this morning. Firefighters and police attended the scene of the incident at Pity Me roundabout, County Durham. Four vehicles were reported to have been involved in the collision
STUART Miles’ letter (HAS, May 30) about democracy in the EU is correct in one thing, that very few letters to HAS mention the subject. As for as the rest of it, he is simply wrong. First, the EU commissioners do not “make laws”. All EU “law
VOTERS are crying out for hard facts but the EU referendum debate is being swamped by claims, disputed numbers and downright nonsense. The old adage about lies, damn lies and statistics could hardly be more appropriate. It is nothing new for political
MY VIEWS on the EU are no secret, and as we edge closer to the Referendum, we’re starting to see both sides of the debate become more vocal, writes Mike Matthews, Nifco UK managing director and European operations officer. The Brexit supporters had, for
JUST three weeks to go now, and, since the referendum is the most important vote any of us will ever be offered the chance to cast, the temptation here is to bang the drum, again, for the column’s choice - Brexit. But let’s begin with something
MIDDLESBROUGH are keeping an eye on Alex Pritchard’s situation at Tottenham after securing promotion back to the Premier League. Spurs are ready to offload the talented playmaker this summer and Boro have had him on their transfer shortlist for
Former Northern Echo journalist Beezy Marsh has written a book about London gangster ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser. In the second part, she reveals how Frank wasn’t the only member of his family with a chequered past AS is the case with so many crime families
A GREEDY Dalmatian was left needing emergency vet treatment after gorging on buns, chocolate and 36 dog chews while her owner was out. Mischievous Molly, from Middlesbrough, sniffed a bag of food shopping that owner Kerry Buck had put away safely
INJURIES to Graham Onions and James Weighell left Durham to count the cost of a curtailed fourth day at Trent Bridge. The match was abandoned in mid-afternoon with both sides taking 12 points and keen to get away for this evening's NatWest T20
THE Tees Valley Business Club welcomed more than 90 guests at its most recent event, writes Brewin Dolphin's Gary Welford. Acklam Hall played host to entrepreneurs from Middlesbrough’s Bedford Street, who transported their businesses to the grade
NEWCASTLE UNITED will do what they can to help facilitate Fabricio Coloccini’s move back to Argentina.The 34-year-old has had uncertainty surrounding his future for a couple of years, with an emotional return to his first club, San Lorenzo, his preferred
A POTASH firm forced to cut hundreds of jobs amid dwindling reserves has been hit by a £3m bill from its shock find, The Northern Echo can reveal.Israel Chemicals Limited (ICL), which runs a fertiliser mine at Boulby, east Cleveland, has been rocked by
THE region’s oldest family-owned construction and joinery firm is creating jobs to meet demand for its services.T Manners and Sons, in Bishop Auckland, is strengthening its specialist joinery division.The company, which made wings for First World War
AN ice cream maker has refused to rule out further moves into global markets after its shrewdness yielded record results.R&R Ice Cream says earnings have topped new levels thanks to expansions into Australia and South Africa.The company previously spent
THE Government's flagship northern regeneration policy risks becoming 'just another boys' club', according to a new study.Women are under-represented in leadership jobs in the so-called Northern Powerhouse, where two out of five councillors
PHIL Mustard stayed in tune for Durham's first home NatWest T20 Blast match of the season tonight by thrashing 104 off 57 balls for the second team yesterday.After racing to 43 off 12 balls to launch Durham on the way to victory at Old Trafford last
North East Chamber of Commerce member, Lesley Moody, Managing Director, AES Digital Systems shares her path to business success with Kay Wilson THE education sector in the 1980s may appear to be an unlikely starting point for a groundbreaking digital
WEST HAM United striker Diafra Sakho has featured prominently on Sam Allardyce’s attacking wishlist this summer, but the Sunderland boss is not pinning all of his hopes on one target. Allardyce is keen to bolster his attacking options and his contacts
Versailles (BBC2, 9.30pm)SEX sells... unless you happen to be the latest BBC bonkbuster and then you face questions in the Houses of Parliament about whether the world’s most famous broadcaster should be dropping its standards along with actors’ clothing.Thanks
A PETITION containing almost 7,000 heartfelt pleas to Darlington Borough Council was handed over yesterday (Tuesday, May 31). The Northern Echo’s campaign to save Crown Street Library has garnered support from across the world, with thousands urging
A MOTHER who spent almost a year in hospital fighting a rare illness which has left her partially paralysed spoke last night of her "life-changing" ordeal - and vowed she will not be beaten by the disease. Nicola Maull now needs round the clock
A CLOTHING boss who is accused of gambling away his customers’ cash told a court that he had his first bet aged nine and-a-half.Mike Smallman said the seeds of his addiction were in a successful bet he had on legendary racehorse Red Rum as it gave him
A DEAL has been reached for Greybull Capital to buy Tata Steel's loss making Long Products business, signalling the return of the British Steel name. Following six months of negotiations, the agreement was announced just after 11pm on Tuesday night
A 41-YEAR-OLD suffered a fractured eye socket after a recurring fight in Thornaby. Police are trying to trace the driver of a car who might have seen the scuffle which started in the car park park of the Oddfellows Pub on Thornaby Road before it
TRIBUTES have been paid to a driver who died in a road accident at the weekend. Wayne Seal was killed in a collision on the B6282 Lands Road, Cockfield, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham. Flowers left at scene in tribute to Wayne Seal
AN elderly woman is in critical condition after crashing her car into a road sign. The 94-year-old, from Carrville in Durham city, lost control of her car when she was driving along Dragon Lane, in Gilesgate in Durham, on Saturday, May 28.
A WELL-known butcher’s shop has closed down. The premises of D Pittaway butchers in Borough Road, Darlington, near the Civic Theatre, is now up for sale. The shop was owned by Dirk Pittaway for 27 years. He handed over the reins to his
ELDERLY care home residents are enjoying music that has been tailored especially for them in a bid to trigger happy memories. Wellburn Care Homes, which runs care facilities across the North-East and North Yorkshire, is piloting music streaming
