Archive - Thursday, 20 July 2000

Hi-tech centre praised by MP
A TRAINING centre set up in Chester-le-Street has been praised by the town's MP for helping people log on to the world of computers.
Paradise is just a small step away
SIX weeks ago, when it was impossible to walk 15 yards without a stick and a stop for breath, a holy grail arose amid the small print on page 17.
Inquiry as crash takes second life
A HORRIFIC North-East car crash has claimed a second victim as experts attempt to work out what led to the accident.
Chance to explore industrial heritage
A GUIDED walk through the birthplace of the industrial revolution promises to take the public on the journey of a lifetime this weekend.
Fraud squad team seizes suspect CDs
POLICE who raided a house in Billingham have seized hundreds of what are thought to be counterfeit computer games and music CDs.
Drifter jailed five years for killing widow
AN alcoholic drifter who killed the widow who befriended him in hospital was yesterday jailed for five years.
North-East is handed major role
The North-East was yesterday established as the heart of basketball development in Britain when Newcastle Eagles unveiled new boss Tony Garbelotto and announced a ground-breaking coaching partnership with the sport's National Academy in Durham.
Go-Ahead rejects French offer
BUS and rail giants Go-Ahead yesterday saw its shares jump by around 20 per cent after revealing it had rejected a possible takeover approach from a French consortium.
'Superbug' killed patient
A MAN who went into hospital for a routine operation died after contracting an antibiotic resistant 'superbug.'
Museum's free - if your name fits
ANYONE with the surname I'Anson is invited to visit the Richmondshire museum free next weekend to see a display about the fabled Lass of Richmond Hill, who bore the same name.
Protest fails to stop road changes
PLANS to demolish a former railway bridge in Station Road, Stanley, to make way for new access roads have been approved by councillors, despite residents' protests.
Clergymen clown around at carnival
juggling vicars and clowning clergymen added to the fun for church-goers from all over the area who gathered in Durham City at the weekend.
Cash help for new business
GRANTS of £20,000 have been awarded to help people in South Stanley to start up businesses.
Man back from Africa to face allegation
A BUSINESSMAN has returned to the North-East from Africa to answer an allegation he took part in a £51,000 fraud involving stolen telephone payment cheques.
Dad At Large
BACK to the rabbits...It was the week of the village fete. We go every year, but this time it was special. There were stalls, bouncy castles, miniature train rides and a line dancing display among the attractions.
Security device to send thieves reeling
AN initiative to beat the burglar will send thieves reeling - and leave them with a big headache.
He may be Bite-sized, but he's got three teeth
IF there is something baby Reece Gales won't be needing for Christmas, it's his two front teeth.
Children's court now in session
PUPILS whose school was wrecked by vandals were given the opportunity to see what it would be like to put the culprits on trial.
Author Terry is honoured by his home city
BEST-SELLING children's author Terry Deary took centre stage as he received a special accolade in his home city.
£19m price tag on abandoned railway scheme
PROPOSALS to reinstate a railway line which closed in 1965 would cost millions, acc-ording to a report.
Fire safety lesson for Mandy
EVEN when smoke filled her burning bedroom, teenager Mandy Walker remembered the fire safety lesson she had been taught at school.
Buses have answer to moors traffic jams
AN expanded bus service is aiming to reduce congestion in one of England's most scenic landscapes.
Fun lined up for youngsters
A SIX-week programme of fun has been lined up for youngsters on a Durham estate during the school holidays.
All part of the job
AN intrepid Consett Phd student is finding out about education on the other side of the world - as a teacher in a rural village school in Central America.
Neighbours condemn electric supplier over dead man's bill
WORKMEN from Northern Electric forced entry into a pensioner's house over an unpaid bill for £100 only to find he had been dead for more than a year.
Relief as JP_told to return to Bench
A magistrate spoke last night of her relief as her suspension from court duty was lifted.
School is praised
A SCHOOL that teaches blind and partially sighted youngsters alongside sighted pupils has won praise from inspectors.
Samaritans appeal for more volunteers
THE Samaritans in Durham hope to recruit more volunteers to help with their work.
Clergymen clown around at carnival
juggling vicars and clowning clergymen added to the fun for church-goers from all over the area who gathered in Durham City at the weekend.
Stephenson slips into gear for Pitstop victory
CROFT motor racing circuit was the unusual setting for the first Pitstop 10k road race organised by Darlington Harriers.
Blue Circle cements Internet venture with Just2Clicks
A BUSINESS to business (B2B) Internet service launched by Blue Circle and Just2Clicks has cemented its future after agreeing an investment deal with an Italian firm.
Peace keepers on march duty
TWO young soldiers from Stanley were part of the Army's task force helping to keep the peace in Northern Ireland during the recent Orangemen's parades.
Flying back with message of goodwill
AN EX-Luftwaffe pilot has come to the North-East with a message of reconciliation.
Clothing firm shuts with loss of 33 jobs
THE crisis in the North-East's clothing industry has grown deeper with another 33 jobs lost in the face of cheaper overseas producers.
Streakers will not face charges
TWO streakers who dashed on to the pitch during the England cricket match at Chester-le-Street will not be charged.
Paying a high price for heroin
THE number of drug dealers convicted in Darlington has more than doubled in just five years, latest figures have revealed.
Tribute paid to former policeman
A LONG-SERVING policeman has died aged 83.
Police on look out for public-spirited 'yobs'
FANS of police drama The Bill who fancy themselves as a bit of an actor have the chance to test their talent.
Petrol price rises may hit hospital drivers
VOLUNTARY schemes which transport patients to and from hospitals may have to be reduced if petrol prices continue to spiral, an ambulance service manager has warned.
Quakers' club delivers the goods
THE Darlington-based Quakers Running Club, awarded a Lottery grant of £3,705 for the purchase of specialist athletics gear, has had the last piece of equipment delivered to its taining base.
Woman's search for her father continues
A WOMAN is searching for the father she has not seen since she was a child.
New plan to halt school
POLICE in Derwentside are appealing to the public to help them clamp down on youngsters vandalising schools in the summer holidays.
Jobless total falls in Hartlepool
UNEMPLOYMENT in Hartlepool has fallen.
Second attack on child's grave
A CHILD'S grave has been vandalised for the second time, just weeks after the second anniversary of her death.
Roof collapses as blaze sweeps garage
FIRE ripped through a garage on a County Durham industrial estate yesterday afternoon.
Northern Rock is committed to its North-East customers
NORTHERN Rock declared its commitment to the region yesterday after reporting record lending for mortgages and loans in the last six months.
In the heart of darkness
Under the constant threat and stomach-churning drone of provocative military aircraft swooping overhead, we played football with laughing, joyous children from a displaced river-side community in the heart of the Colombian jungle.
Relay double for Consett girls
THE Consett ASC girls' nine year relay team of Beth McPherson, Lisa Maughan, Sarah Hilditch and Emily Byrne were double winners at the Richmond Dales Open Graded Meet, held in Darlington's Dolphin Centre Pool.
Award for company that cares
Just two months after clinching a Queen's Award for Enterprise, staff at TNT's Durham depot are celebrating the company's most recent success - winning the 2000 Motor Transport Award for Customer Care.
Is the honeymoon over for George?
George Reynolds was feted as a hero when he saved Darlington Football Club from the brink of bankruptcy just over a year ago.
Village celebrates Millennium
VILLAGERS in Ebchester, near Consett, celebrated more than 2,000 years of history last weekend.
top class kids win award
YOUNGSTERS at a school on Teesside are in a class of their own.
VIPS need an official head for heights
Dignatories from opposite banks of the river will meet on top of the Tyne Bridge span today - for the first time since the two halves of the structure were joined during its construction in 1928.
Dawn wins women's fell race
THE third race in the Durham Fell Challenge Series, the four-mile Chapelfell fell race at St. John's Chapel, Weardale, organised by the Darlington-based Quakers Running Club, saw Michael Mallon, of Crook, lead the 39 finishers home recording a time for…
Private landlords come under fire
WORRIED residents say anti-social behaviour has increased in their former mining village because so-called absentee landlords are indiscriminate about who they allow in their homes.
Volunteers wanted to help blind
A CHARITY is seeking volunteers to help blind and partially-sighted people in the Durham area.
Daniel puts on sporting display for youngsters
AN England international table tennis player is visiting Delves Lane Village hall, near Consett, to show off his talents in an exhibition match next week.
Jumping for joy
COMPETITORS from day centres across County Durham vied for honours on the sports field in what has become an annual fixture.
Brother's pain after sister dies from blast
A BROTHER has told of the family's heartache after his sister's death from a gas blast on the housing estate she loved.
Curtain comes down on icon from gangster movie
THE car park made famous by cult gangster film Get Carter is being consigned to cinematic history.
Dealer handled stolen car parts
A MOTOR parts dealer began supplying spares from vehicles stolen across the North-East, a court heard.
Weak spin attack fails to weave a magic spell
DURHAM could be in the market for one of Lancashire's spinners next winter after their own lack of quality in that department was exposed at Old Trafford yesterday.
Speeding drivers tragedy warning
RESIDENTS are appealing for council action to force drivers to slow down as they speed through a village.
Villagers' anger over chicken farm stench
ANGRY residents vented years of frustration last night over a chicken farm they say is blighting their picturesque village.
Fall in crime bucks trend
CRIME across County Dur-ham has fallen 3.2 per cent in the face of a national increase in offences, according to Government figures.
Security device to send thieves reeling
AN initiative to beat the burglar will send thieves reeling - and leave them with a big headache.
Worker takes advice project further afield
A CASE worker has been appointed to help Richmondshire citizens' advice bureau take its services out to people in remote areas of the Yorkshire dales.
Closure plan condemned
UNION leaders have described plans to close five Darlington residential homes for the elderly as 'premature.'
Taylor-made victory
ANDREW Taylor cruised to victory in Crook's President's Day with 45 points.
Great day for hats
THE pre-rally supper held at the home of Consett Inner Wheel Club president Colleen James' home was a very friendly, happy night with a beautiful meal prepared by the district chairman's daughter who is a trainee chef.
He may be Bite-sized, but he's got three teeth
IF there is something baby Reece Gales won't be needing for Christmas, it's his two front teeth.
Summit on infertility care
CHILDLESS couples across the world could benefit from a summit to be held in the North-East.
Cash aid shores up crumbling historic buildings
CRUMBLING historic buildings throughout North Yorkshire have been given £2.2m in grants towards their restoration, but more needs to be done, say experts.
Boro chase for Juninho hots up
Bryan Robson yesterday stepped up his efforts to end Juninho's nightmare at Atletico Madrid.
Ugo first as the auction begins
Sunderland manager Peter Reid will have to become involved in a multi-million pound auction if he wants to land Aston Villa's Ugo Ehiogu, writes JACK LESLIE.
Band has a uniform approach
SACRISTON Colliery Band now has a uniform approach to its music. For, thanks to a £500 award from the North-Eastern Co-op's community dividend fund, the young members of the band have been kitted out with new uniforms. There are eight youngsters in the…
Reunion on Invincible
THE arrival of a famous warship in the North-East will also result in a family reunion.
Name that beer and win a can full
A CONSETT beer brewer and pub landlord reckons he has blended the finest ingredients in just the right way to make the perfect pint - but he can't think of a name for it.
Robson happy to cut losses on Maric
Newcastle United were celebrating last night despite throwing away more than £1.5m.
Man jailed for partner stabbing
A UNIVERSITY counsellor made a frenzied knife attack on his former partner in a pub during a row over custody of their child, a court heard.
Businessman guilty of £116,000 scam
A Tyneside businessman faces jail after he conned a bank manager into giving his company a £100,000 overdraft - then spent the money himself.
Teams do battle for hospice
A team of insurance brokers from BIB (Darlington) are hoping that they won't have to fall back on their own policy at a charity event.
Nuisance caller stays in prison
A PERSISTENT drinker who has made scores of nuisance 999 ambulance calls while under the influence, is to remain behind bars for at least another fortnight.
Shopping centre evacuated
SHOPPERS were evacuated from a shopping centre yesterday morning.
Fun day organised for two merging schools
TWO Darlington schools are celebrating their last week of independence with a day of fun.
Weekend party for folk music fans
FOLK fans are gearing up for a weekend of song and dance in Durham City.
New role for former nursery
ADULTS with learning difficulties could soon benefit from a new day service in Chester-le-Street.
MP seeks lottery support for Castle
DURHAM'S MP is urging English Heritage to release cash to fund the upkeep of an ageing city landmark, to prevent 'vandalism by inaction.'
Mum criticises NHS
A SINGLE mother claims NHS confusion prevented her daughter from receiving medical treatment for more than an hour.
Complaints over spotter plane
VILLAGERS have raised concerns about a police spotter plane flying low over their homes.
Building for the future
WORK to expand an industrial park by almost 50 per cent to meet demand for new business space got under way recently.
Major expansion for family firm
outdoor leisure business, Robsons of Wolsingham, has announced major expansion plans for the 2000 season.
Town cashes in on cricket
CHESTER-le-Street could be up to £4m better off after last weekend's cricket internationals.
Store to call time on parking
A SUPERMARKET has introduced a charge for motorists who park at the store for more than three hours.
Takings fall after show is moved
DURHAM County Show has been counting the cost of relocating to Washington as takings were significantly down on recent years.
Clive's perfect birthday gift
NEWCASTLE United fan and keen golfer Clive Oliphant enjoyed a 'perfect birthday,' thanks to his wife Christine.
Vets take the plunge for pets
A TEAM of six swimmers calling themselves the Stanhope Park Sharks have raised more than £200 for animals in need.
Fall in crime bucks trend
CRIME across County Dur-ham has fallen 3.2 per cent in the face of a national increase in offences, according to Government figures.
Pupil's art is pick of the bunch
pupils from Hardwick Primary School, Sedgefield, did well in the Northumbria in Bloom schools' painting competition, which attracted well over 7000 entries.
Throw Caution to wind and back Roberta
Bollin Roberta, who is shaped as though coming to hand of late and hails from the in-form stable of Tim Easterby, looks the one to be on in the Countrywide Freight Handicap over a mile at Pontefract this evening.
Justice for Neale's victims
THERE was never any doubt that Richard Neale would be found guilty of being an incompetent surgeon whose arrogance, deceit and sheer ineptitude left a trail of misery and pain.
Letters
AGEISM
Coins research establishes status of ancient settlement
NEARLY 2,000 years ago they were jangling in the purses of the movers and shakers of northern Britain.
Fall in crime bucks trend
CRIME across County Dur-ham has fallen 3.2 per cent in the face of a national increase in offences, according to Government figures.
Okon wants to bring glory to Boro
Aussie Paul Okon reported for training at Middlesbrough yesterday and revealed he wants to be part of the club's first major triumph.
Life-save bid to be honoured
TWO quick-thinking police officers are being honoured for their attempts to save an 81-year-old man.
Surgery is staying put, doctors tell patients
Patients who feared the Ferryhill and Chilton Medical Practice, in Durham Road, Chilton, was to move have been told the surgery is staying put for now.
Ex-soldier locked up for ear bite revenge attack
A YOUNG man was locked up yesterday after he bit the ear of a man who had attacked him 36 hours earlier.
Author Terry is honoured by his home city
BEST-SELLING children's author Terry Deary took centre stage as he received a special accolade in his home city.
Protest at BT mast plan near daffodils
EVERY year, tens of thousands of pilgrims make the annual trek to see one of the wonders of the natural world.
Primary school youngsters bid a fond farewell to sister joan
A PRIMARY school held an afternoon of fun yesterday to say goodbye to the nun who has been headteacher for 12 years.

19th July 2000

21st July 2000

Archive - Thursday, 20 July 2000

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Hi-tech centre praised by MP

Paradise is just a small step away

Inquiry as crash takes second life

Chance to explore industrial heritage

Fraud squad team seizes suspect CDs

Drifter jailed five years for killing widow

North-East is handed major role

Go-Ahead rejects French offer

'Superbug' killed patient

Museum's free - if your name fits

Protest fails to stop road changes

Clergymen clown around at carnival

Cash help for new business

Man back from Africa to face allegation

Dad At Large

Security device to send thieves reeling

He may be Bite-sized, but he's got three teeth

Children's court now in session

Author Terry is honoured by his home city

£19m price tag on abandoned railway scheme

Fire safety lesson for Mandy

Buses have answer to moors traffic jams

Fun lined up for youngsters

All part of the job

Neighbours condemn electric supplier over dead man's bill

Relief as JP_told to return to Bench

School is praised

Samaritans appeal for more volunteers

Clergymen clown around at carnival

Stephenson slips into gear for Pitstop victory

Blue Circle cements Internet venture with Just2Clicks

Peace keepers on march duty

Flying back with message of goodwill

Clothing firm shuts with loss of 33 jobs

Streakers will not face charges

Paying a high price for heroin

Tribute paid to former policeman

Police on look out for public-spirited 'yobs'

Petrol price rises may hit hospital drivers

Quakers' club delivers the goods

Woman's search for her father continues

New plan to halt school

Jobless total falls in Hartlepool

Second attack on child's grave

Roof collapses as blaze sweeps garage

Northern Rock is committed to its North-East customers

In the heart of darkness

Relay double for Consett girls

Award for company that cares

Is the honeymoon over for George?

Village celebrates Millennium

top class kids win award

VIPS need an official head for heights

Dawn wins women's fell race

Private landlords come under fire

Volunteers wanted to help blind

Daniel puts on sporting display for youngsters

Jumping for joy

Brother's pain after sister dies from blast

Curtain comes down on icon from gangster movie

Dealer handled stolen car parts

Weak spin attack fails to weave a magic spell

Speeding drivers tragedy warning

Villagers' anger over chicken farm stench

Fall in crime bucks trend

Security device to send thieves reeling

Worker takes advice project further afield

Closure plan condemned

Taylor-made victory

Great day for hats

He may be Bite-sized, but he's got three teeth

Summit on infertility care

Cash aid shores up crumbling historic buildings

Boro chase for Juninho hots up

Ugo first as the auction begins

Band has a uniform approach

Reunion on Invincible

Name that beer and win a can full