Archive

GROUPS of people are being invited to visit Guisborough Museum when it reopens in April. The museum has new computer equipment and display cabinets thanks to a £4,000 lottery grant, which has enabled it to improve displays of local artefacts and photographs

The Northern semi final of the Winter League on Leicestershire's River Soar has now been relocated because of the foot-and-mouth crisis, writes JEFF HERBERT. Woodland Lakes at Carlton Miniott will now stage this prestigious event set for Saturday, April

Bishop Auckland League Spennymoor Ashtree came out on top in the local derby when the visiting Hillingdon went down by three points. The home side had two singles points from Stephen Jones and Paul Biddle, while Harry Baillie and Chris Bowran added one

THE following Redcar and Cleveland councillors are holding ward surgeries: Today: Keith Pudney, Guisborough, Chapel Beck Community Centre, 6-7pm. Tomorrow: Brian Hogg, Brotton Library, 10.30-11.30am; Eric Jackson, William Rye, David Walsh, Loftus, Liverton

IT would be interesting to know what David Beckham understands by the word respect. "I respect your bitch," he was told by Ali G on Comic Relief as he cuddled up to Posh for protection. A few days later Beckham heard Sven-Goran Eriksson confirming him

A Hoggarth and Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League After going two goals down, Grosmont came back to lead Lingdale 3-2 before conceding a late penalty which meant both sides shared the points with a 3-3 draw. Lingdale broke away and Steve Welford hit a

A HANDSOME chappie who was looking for love on Valentine's Day has fallen on his paws. The lurcher/saluki cross-breed, named Flynn after Hollywood sex symbol Errol Flynn, was in foster care having been rescued by Saltburn Animal Rescue Association more

THERE was laughter as well as sadness at the funeral at St Cuthbert's church, Darlington, on Monday of Miss Christine Jewsbury, former headmistress of Darlington girls' high school. Her obituary appeared in the D&S Times last week. The vicar

CRIPPLING meat hygiene inspection charges at abattoirs may be cut dramatically. There are plans for small and medium processing plants to pay per head of livestock rather than by the hour as at present. On Wednesday Mr Joe Simpson, of Simpsons of Cockfield

A DARLINGTON municipal golf course is about to undergo a major revamp in an attempt to attract more people. Stressholme Golf Club, which is owned by Darlington Borough Council, is one of the most popular and highly-regarded courses in the region. But

A DOZEN employees at a Newton Aycliffe factory have been losing pounds to gain pounds to help sent a two-year-old girl to the US for surgery. The 12 volunteers from 3M, in Heighington Lane, lost a total of 88lb in weight between them, in just four weeks

A NUMBER of spectacular attractions to make Barnard Castle the place to visit during the festive season were aired at the town council's Christmas lights committee on Monday. New regulations and a lack of assistance had contributed to what some thought

Sir, - I am a small organic beef farmer. In my view Mr Nick Brown and MAFF have failed British agriculture completely. I wish to make it clear the NFU does not speak on my behalf, despite Mr Nick Brown's daily assertions to the contrary. I do not care

Durham City 1 Guisborough Town 1 GUISBOROUGH managed to stop the rot on Tuesday evening when only a last minute goal denied them three points at league leaders Durham City. The first half was quite a drab affair, with both teams creating few chances.

THE search for Tees Valley's best young businesses draws to a close today when the winner of the Shell live wire awards will be announced at the Arc, Stockton. The challenge is open to young people aged 16 to 30 who have started their own business. Stockton

WORK on Guisborough's famous cobbles is due to restart next month. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council re-laid 53,000 cobbles last year as part of a Millennium facelift. The next stage of the scheme will start on Monday, April 2 outside the former Sunwin

YOUNGSTERS from schools and colleges are to meet with police to push forward proposals for a special liaison group. Pupils and students in the Scarborough area want to join forces with officers, by setting up a community and police youth liaison group

A TEAM from the sponsors of the Redcar Half Marathon is starting to feel the heat as race day approaches. Six firefighters from Enron's Asset Protection Team at Wilton International are taking up the challenge of the race and will be raising money for

SPECTATOR recalls the cynical sentiments expressed by Mr Mike Darwin just two months ago. In a letter to this paper, he wondered whether the seven-mile stretch of the A684 between Northallerton and Bedale merited a place in the Guinness Book of Records

A TELEPHONE headset manufacturer says its redundancy programme will be smaller than originally planned. Last November GN Netcom, of Washington, Tyne and Wear, announced that about 109 workers would lose their jobs. The firm, whose products are used in

SENIOR fire chiefs are forging closer links with employers of part-time firefighters as they develop emergency plans to cope with possible repeats of last year's disastrous flooding. More than 300 retained firefighters were called into action in November

THERE was good news on the job front yesterday after councillors in Hartlepool announced a partnership with a major computer firm. Hartlepool Borough Council invited bids from computer companies to provide information technology services for the authority

HUNDREDS of people in North Yorkshire's most rural areas will have computer training on their doorsteps, thanks to national lottery cash. A £76,000 grant will fund three mobile on-line units to tour remote areas of Richmondshire, Hambleton and Ryedale

Wath-upon-Dearne 13 Northallerton 48 NORTHALLERTON travelled to Wath looking to improve their dismal away record in the league. Although they were playing the division's bottom club, they started slowly and found the going tough against a committed home

THE seven staff at an engineering firm in Pickhill, near Thirsk, have been working flat out since it landed a large order for welding equipment from Libya. Pickhill Engineers has made 40 oil cooling welders to be exported to Libya for use in a training

A DOZEN American students spent a week in the area on an exchange, which involved Roseberry Comprehensive, together with two other County Durham Schools. The visitors spent a day in school, visiting lessons and taking part in discussions. English students

Auckland and District Ebac Youth League CROOK Town Juniors defeated Bishop Auckland 1-0 at home in the semi-finals of the South West Durham President's Cup to avenge a 3-2 away league defeat in January. Graham Irvine scored the vital goal in the first

IT is every schoolboy's dream. To take guard at the same crease where Brian Lara once stood. To stand behind the stumps at the very spot where Alec Stewart crouched. To run up to the wicket on the ground where Darren Gough and Andrew Caddick thundered

SOUTH Durham NHS trust has been given the go-ahead for what will be its third new hospital. The £1m redevelopment of Horn Hall hospital in Stanhope is due to start next month and the building should be completed in December. The 20-bed hospital will be

Cornsay Park Albion live again, re-awoken in the Russell Foster Under 14s League after a Rip van Winkle hibernation. Yes, yes says club secretary Colin Todd the Colin Todd from Catchgate but what can we tell him about the old Albion? Next to nothing,

PLANS to extend drink licensing hours in Guisborough have received a setback. On Wednesday, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's licensing committee met to discuss an application by Bakers, of Westgate, to extend its opening hours. The bar bistro wanted

AN EIGHT-year-old girl came to her grandparents' rescue when she calmly phoned the fire brigade while her granddad battled a chip pan fire. Quick-thinking Calley How-ard rang 999 and calmly told the control room operator that there was a chip pan fire

A DARLINGTON public relations firm has landed a major contract to handle the PR for a string of American clients. Recognition marketing and PR has formed a trans-Atlantic alliance with Boston PR firm Schneider and associates, after a business trip to

THE company that will take over the running of 36,500 council houses will have its headquarters on a prestige development. The "not-for-profit" Sunderland Housing Group is taking the last space on the city's award-winning Doxford International Business

ONE of the country's leading national hunt trainers has vowed to carry on racing despite a foot-and-mouth outbreak next to his County Durham stables. Howard Johnson said this week he will continue to exercise his horses on roads around his base near Crook

POLICE are concerned that nobody came to the aid of a 62-year-old Darlington woman who was mugged in broad daylight. The woman was walking in Wordsworth Road, Skerne Park, last Friday at 10am, when she was approached from behind by two young men. She

Darlington Spraire Lads THE Under-9s played all away games at the weekend. The A team figured in a friendly against Seaton Carew U-10s and won 2-1. Scorer: Craig Swainston. Mom: Michael Steel. The C team also played a friendly against Seaton Carew B,

Hambleton Ales North Yorkshire League Homeless Ripon are on their way back to Division One in the league following their 2-1 victory at Leyburn-based Wensleydale and a 3-0 success over Bedale. Relegated last season, Ripon bounced back to the top flight

ATTEMPTS are being made to find a proper area for the growing number of young skateboarders in Bedale. Some youngsters at present use sites at and around schools in the town, but there have been complaints about others following the craze on the auction

A DOZEN employees at a Newton Aycliffe factory have been losing pounds to gain pounds to help sent a two-year-old girl to the US for surgery. The 12 volunteers from 3M, in Heighington Lane, lost a total of 88lb in weight between them, in just four weeks

Three Wolviston officials, Brian Jones, Eddie Poole and Keith Simpson have chalked up a remarkable 121 years service to the club. Treasurer Brian Jones leads the way and he has been involved for 47 years, starting as a player and then becoming manager

FANS of one of the most fascinating fish species, koi carp, are expected to converge on Saltburn next month. The attraction will be the oriental ponds filled with fish from Japan in a venture by Mr Tom Barker, aged 44, who has turned a boyhood hobby into

ALMOST 100 years of campaigning by residents has so far failed to persuade a council to repair a residential street. Residents of Temple Gardens, in Templetown, Consett, have even involved a prime minister in their quest to have the private street adopted

WHY not chance your arm, and take a crack at beating one of the world's oldest sporting records? The Greatest Throw On Earth marks the bid by The Northern Echo and Durham County Cricket Club to beat the record for throwing a cricket ball. The record stands

Businesses and individuals on Tyneside have inundated a scheme aimed at improving the lives of people in Newcastle, with offers of support. The Newcastle Employment Bond has produced a Roll of Honour containing the names of everyone who has contributed

Stuart McCrone's bid to become senior ABA middleweight champion was brought to an unexpected end last Friday. The Spennymoor Boxing Academy fboxer lost a points decision at the quarter-final stage in Liverpool to England's Delroy Robinson. Coach Robbie

MOTHERS and children have been joining forces with their grandmothers and great-grandmothers to create special story sacks at a workshop. A team of pensioners have been hard at work making finger puppets and cuddly toys for the sacks, which were used

FARMERS from the North-East had an hour-long meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, at his home in Trimdon last week to discuss the foot-and-mouth crisis. The PM invited Mr John Rider, who has a pig, cattle and arable farm at Guisborough; Mr

Willington and District League Hunwick Club moved into second place after they only dropped one point at Hunwick Quarry Burn, who had Leanne Cunningham as their only winner. Mike Jardine, Paul Maddison, Ian Richardson and Robert Todd took the points for

A FUN Easter fair for all the family has been organised at Consett YMCA. As well as all the usual fun of the fair including competitions and stalls, there will be a display depicting all the activities on offer for youngsters at the YMCA. The fair will

THE crew of HMS Hurworth did not get the chance to enjoy the blazing sun of the Gulf. They were sealed inside the ship for days on end, protected from the threat of a chemical attack. The Hurworth was playing a deadly game of cat and mouse, crawling through

Yarm School failed in their bid to reach the Twickenham-hosted Daily Mail Under-15 Schools Cup, beaten 17-0 by John Fisher from Purley, at Castlecroft, Wolverhampton, on Saturday. While Yarm competed honestly enough, they were never able to engineer many

Tony Blair last night set himself a ten-day deadline to call a May 3 General Election. Mr Blair revealed his personal timetable when he was caught on camera chatting to EU Commission President Romano Prodi in Stockholm at the start of a two-day summit

Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted today's World Cup qualifier against Finland is the biggest game of his 20-year career as he targeted the victory needed to resurrect England's chances of reaching the 2002 finals. Eriksson's plans have been largely undisturbed

BRITAIN'S farmers faced more grim news last night after an official report predicted more than 4,400 cases of foot-and-mouth disease would be recorded by June. The report came as the number of outbreaks reached 514 and Tony Blair was said to have ordered

POWER Plastics at Thirsk is celebrating after winning two top industry awards from the Made-Up Textiles Association. The awards, set up to recognise innovation and excellence in the UK industrial and technical textiles industry, were presented in Blackpool

THE North-East has underlined its position as the animal cruelty capital of the country following three more acts of brutality. The most disgraceful act came to light yesterday after a cat was found beheaded in Darlington. It was first thought that the

WHAT a gloomy week! There's nothing but carnage in the countryside and Stock Market crashes in the City. War breaks out in the Balkans and teachers go on strike in Britain. Plus Alan Shearer's out for the rest of the season. And it's been cold and damp

SOME may criticise the all-weather, but it is doubtful whether owner Nigel Shields is among them. His Sergeant York landed the Winter Derby at Lingfield on Saturday in superb style, hitting the track from the moment the gates opened and keeping tight

A FRESH jobs blow last night hit a part of the region struggling to recover from repeated knocks. Frozen meals firm Hibernia Foods announced plans to close its factory in Peterlee, County Durham, shedding 200 workers. The Irish firm said this followed

CHANGES are to be made to the way rubbish is collected in Redcar and east Cleveland. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council reckons it will save about £200,000 a year by making the changes to the collection rounds and will improve the efficiency of the

EUROPEANS Hoechst £24 Thyssen Krupp £9 NORTH AMERICAN Black & Decker £26 Du Pont £28 AEROSPACE Alvis 122 +9 Chemring 294 Cobham 1052 -12 Meggitt 226 Rolls Royce 216 +1 Vosper 1105 AUTOMOBILES Avon Rbbr 140 +4 Britax Intl 115 -3 G K N 673 +23 BANKS

MANY riding schools across the region are likely to go out of business because of foot-and-mouth outbreak restrictions. The British Horse Society is flagging up the fact to the Prime Minister through DETR Minister, Mr Michael Meacher. The BHS says the

PEARSONS is continuing to strengthen its marketing communications division after winning an account with CTC Marine Projects. Middlesbrough-based Pearsons was chosen by the Darlington subsea fibre optics company to help celebrate the launch of its new

Bishop Auckland's chances of a top three finish could depend a great deal on how they fare at Lancaster City tonight. The two teams have both played 32 games and Bishops have a one-point advantage. Bishops slipped up at home Runcorn on Wednesday night

KIM Richings not only scored four goals in a 10-0 home win over Tynemouth seconds in the North East League, Division Two, but pinned his name on Darlington's 100th league goal of the season. In a week which saw Darlington win the Durham County Indoor

A DARLINGTON soldier is back home after a six-month tour ensuring that vital comunications systems were kept running in Bosnia. Cpl Lee Haase, aged 19, of 16 Signal Regiment, the Royal Corps of Signals, was based in Banja Luka as part of the British contribution

A SECOND case of foot-and-mouth was confirmed in North Yorkshire at the weekend. Ministry of Agriculture vets identified a case of the disease at Cartriggs Farm, Burtersett, Hawes, which has 345 sheep and 74 cattle. The outbreak was confirmed just over

STUDENTS from a children's home in Newton Aycliffe have battled their way through to the regional final of a science competition. Children from the secure unit in Aycliffe Young People's Centre will be up against five other schools in the Science Race

BOB the Builder is coming to the North-East in a new adventure park by the end of the month. Councillors voted to grant permission for the £2m Diggerland park, which is due to open on Saturday, March 31. The children's park, which will feature fictional

A TEAM of firefighters and policemen pulled a drowning horse to safety early yesterday morning. The horse had fallen into a small, but deep, beck in a field opposite Tanfield Comprehensive School, at Tanfield, near Stanley. Police had been unable to release

ALMOST 100 years of campaigning by residents has so far failed to persuade a council to repair a residential street. Residents of Temple Gardens, in Templetown, Consett, have even involved a prime minister in their quest to have the private street adopted

AT STILLINGTON, between Stockton and Darlington, the NFU demanded an inquiry after Maff failed to send a vet to a reported case for more than two days. The farming community fears the delay could have allowed the disease to spread. Mr Alan Bowes, of West

SUNDERLAND have rejected the chance to qualify for Europe via the Intertoto Cup competition this summer. And ace marksman Kevin Phillips last night urged his team-mates to make sure they open the door to a Continental adventure through their Premiership

MORE than 100 jobs are being created at an automotive parts supplier thanks to a grant of £500,000. The grant will help brake pad manufacturer TMD Friction, in Hartlepool, increase its capacity by more than 50 per cent. The company will add a further

THIEVES responsible for hundreds of forecourt fuel thefts every year are facing a police crackdown, it was announced this week. Police and filling station owners are joining forces against petrol thieves - whom officers suspect are also responsible for

THERE was a dramatic confession to murder at a trial of three housemates yesterday. It came after a break requested by defence lawyers on the third day of the men's trial for the murder of Abdul Ghafoor, 30, who was beaten to death in his Middlesbrough

MUSIC really was the food of love for a couple who have just celebrated their diamond wedding. For Tom and Freda Raine of Craghead, near Stanley, first saw each other while Tom played in a Salvation Army band more than 60 years ago. Mrs Raine, 79, said

Darlington assistant manager Mick Tait is demanding that his team start positively in their crucial home game with in-form Scunthorpe United this afternoon. With Carlisle drawing level on points with the Quakers after a 1-0 win over Torquay last night

A RATE relief scheme to help businesses affected by the outbreak has been derided as a sop to public opinion, in the face of big losses. The Government has unveiled proposals to extend rate relief to businesses which could demonstrate they had lost out

Darlington and District League Archdeacon gained their first point of the season at the 16th attempt. However, the euphoria was tempered with even more misfortune which has dogged the club since the opening game. After 25 minutes of their encounter with

IT is one of the most elusive records in the world of sport. The feat of Robert Percival on the racecourse at Durham Sands on April 18, 1882, was nothing short of amazing. He hurled a 5 ounce cricket ball 140 yards and 2 feet. And in the intervening 119

A MAN accused of rape faces a new trial after the jury in his case failed to reach a verdict. Terence Clark, 41, of Hendon Valley Court, Hendon, Sunderland is accused of raping a woman as she slept in her home on October 11, 1999. The jury at Newcastle

A COUNCIL is joining forces with the fire brigade to prevent the number of rubbish fires in Darlington from getting out of control As part of the new initiative, firefighters will contact the authority when they spot potential fire risks during their

A HOUSING association has tried to allay fears that a planned system of mobile wardens for sheltered accommodation will mean a reduction in the service. Bedale Town Council said last week that it wanted a meeting with Northallerton-based Broadacres association

BEDALE high school raised more than £1,700 for Comic Relief last Friday. As well as taking part in the usual non-uniform day, with an extra charge for those not wearing something red, pupils were able to enter a competition to guess the disguises of some

NORTH and South Cowton Community Primary School lies between Darlington, Northallerton and Richmond. There has been a school in the village since 1878, and the original Victorian building is still there, now accommodating the junior children. The school

FOLLOWING a winter which has been memorable for a variety of reasons, many of which are unpleasant and long-lasting, the season of spring has finally arrived. It provides an excuse for rejoicing and I do know that many country people are praying that

WORK on a new multi-million pound shopping centre in Redcar will start this summer. Contractor Teesland Development will begin with highway work for Regent Walk, a joint venture between Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and regional development agency

A NEW one-hour parking rate is to be introduced at both long and short stay car parks in Redcar. Motorists will pay 60p for a one-hour stay and £1 for two hours' parking in the town's long-stay car parks from next month. Coun Sylvia Szintai, lead councillor

Sir, - How encouraging it is to hear that British exports rose by 12pc last year to a record £187bn - underlining the stability we have achieved by staying outside the Eurozone. Despite the weakness of the euro during 2000, British businesses have performed

THE community needs to forge a strong partnership to win regeneration money for Bedale and the surrounding area, a public meeting has been told. Representatives of the town council, chamber of trade and Bedale Hall management committee gathered to hear

CHESTER-le-Street Citizens' Advice Bureau is taking its services out to even more neighbouring villages. The bureau has secured Coalfields Regeneration Initiative funding to set up new outreach sessions at community centres at Bournmoor, Fence Houses,

MOTHERS and children have been joining forces with their grandmothers and great-grandmothers to create special story sacks at a workshop. A team of pensioners have been hard at work making finger puppets and cuddly toys for the sacks, which were used

A POWER company is backing a competition that challenges the business acumen of teenagers. North Electric and Gas is sponsoring the Northumberland and Sunderland area finals of the Young Enterprise Company Programme. Under the scheme, which leads to national

Harton and Westoe are confident of finishing the season on a high after giving their best performance of the season at the weekend. They completed a treble over neighbours Boldon CA when they ended 5-1 in front but it was the manner of the display which

THE story of four-year-old Amber Pask who, because she suffers from a rare, life-threatening nut allergy, is only allowed to attend school if her mother is constantly by her side, struck a chord with me this week. I have a son who suffers from a similar

THE foot-and-mouth epidemic has claimed a national sporting event due to go ahead in the North-East next month. The All England Whippet Derby was due to take place in Newton Aycliffe over the Easter weekend, April 14 and 15. Organisers who brought the

Albany Northern League, Division 1 March 17: Whitley Bay 1, Guisborough Town 0. The only goal in this mediocre game was a 79th minute penalty from Steve Cuggy. March 20: Durham City 1, Guisborough Town 1. An 81st minute goal from Michael Carter was equalised

A NORTH-EAST nature reserve is to reopen tomorrow, following a Government announcement that parts of the countryside can be made more accessible to the public. Washington's Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre manager Chris Francis said: "Our thoughts are

WORKERS at a North-East call centre are preparing to ring the changes, thanks to a pioneering new health pact. The scheme aimed at promoting a healthier lifestyle at work has been introduced at the Orange Communications Centre, in Peterlee. The project

Ellen Taylor, 16, from Dalehouse Village near Staithes, is hoping to be accepted as part of a Hartlepool-based crew which is taking part in the Cutty Sark tall ships race around Scandinavia this summer. Although Ellen has no experience of sailing she

POLICE are appealing for information after a coach was stoned by teenagers. The incident happened at Sappers Corner on the A689, just outside Hartlepool, on Sunday at about 7.40pm. A girl slowly and deliberately crossed the road in front of the Lumley's

A SHOCK survey has revealed that some unscrupulous coal merchants are making thousands of pounds by short-changing their trusting customers. The conmen coalmen, who keep their own wallets warm by leaving their customers in the cold, are now being targeted

HARROGATE Ladies' College will hold its open show jumping competition on Sunday, September 9, again at the Great Yorkshire Showground. This year, the event will be self-financing and all sponsorship monies will go to the Martin House Children's Hospice

YOUNG people who want to make new friends in the Teesside area are being urged to consider the Rotaract club. The club is affiliated to the Rotary Club and is open to anyone aged between 18 to 30 who is interested in meeting new people, joining in social

OWNERS of old and interesting properties in Darlington and the surrounding area are being sought to sign up to this year's Heritage Open Days event. The event is promoted annually by the Civic Trust and Darlington Borough Council. Its aim is to allow

A CLEVELAND chain of bakery shops is passing on its skills to the next generation of family members. During the half-term holiday, Jane and Faye Morgan, aged 12 and ten, attended a one-day course in food hygiene with a friend, 12-year-old Callum Woods

Durham League With the Durham University term about to finish, the Division Two Cup final was brought forward. Durham Knights defeated Consett Steelers 77-60 in their semi and what a cracker the final turned out to be as Andrew Knox hit a three-point

DARLINGTON made certain of second place in North Division Two East with a 31-13 win at Redcar on Saturday. With three league games left, one of which, against Alnwick, might not be played because of foot-and-mouth, Darlington's biggest concern is to stay

FANS of real ale are in for a treat when a village pub stages a beer festival next month. They will be able to choose from a wide range of beers at The Bird in Hand, Trimdon Village, during Easter week. A representative from Adnams brewery will be on

A SPRING clean revealed a hidden treasure that had been wrapped in a copy of The Northern Echo in a chimney for more than 30 years. Lucie McGuinness, 77, from Warwick Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, was cleaning the unused chimney in an upstairs

DURHAM County Council is offering a cash incentive in an effort to attract top-of-the-class social work graduates. It will pay £1,800 bursaries to ten final-year students doing degrees at North-East universities and colleges. It needs more people for

TELEVISION star Rowan Atkinson saved his family's life by grabbing the controls of a plane at 16,000ft when the pilot passed out, it was revealed last night. The North-East born comic, best-known for his role as the hapless Mr Bean, had chartered a private

A FARMER fears foot-and-mouth could be carried to his herd of wild boar by horseriders. Despite assurances, Ian Fewster, of Lowfield Farm, Dalton Piercy, Hartlepool, near Teesside, is worried the disease may be spread by horseriders using lanes and shared

Junior round-up Billingham Wolves were 5-3 winners over Sunderland Tomahawks in the English Under-19 Northern championship play-offs at the Forum Arena. Wolves, without several players due to Eagles calls, went ahead in the first minute through Stephen

COUNTRYSIDE wardens in an area unaffected by foot-and-mouth have been given the green light to organise a walk. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's decision to close its network of footpaths and bridleways because of the deepening crisis has forced

YARM School's under 15 squad were denied a dream trip to play at Twickenham when they went down 17-0 to the John Fisher school from Purley in last weekend's Daily Mail Cup semi-final. From the start of the game at the RFU's centre of excellence at Castlegate

THERE was great hilarity as pupils and staff at South Kilvington school paid 50p to go to school in their pyjamas on Red Nose Day last Friday. There was an array of colourful pyjamas, cosy dressing gowns and furry slippers in the playground as they arrived

SPECIAL courses have been arranged throughout North Yorkshire to promote working with children. Six free courses, entitled Making Choices, have been set up by North Yorkshire early years development and childcare partnership. The course, run over six

ORGANISERS of the Bedale 750 celebrations, due to start in a few weeks' time, hope they can go ahead more or less as planned, despite the foot-and-mouth crisis. Coun John Weighell, chairman of Bedale 750 and mayor of Bedale, told an open meeting on Tuesday

WHEN I make a mess, I don't do it by halves. I make a MESS, a spectacular, wotsit-to-breakfast-time job. So, when the cooking oil bottle exploded, it was a thoroughgoing clart. It wasn't your average litre of cooking oil but one of those plastic pump-and-spray

A PACKAGE of financial measures designed to help farms and rural businesses was a preliminary move, Mr Michael Meacher, the Environment Minister, stressed this week. The measures include: l increasing the government contribution to rate relief to 95pc

ALMOST 50 year nine pupils were transported back to wartime Holland by a recent performance of The Diary of Anne Frank, at the Civic Theatre, in Darlington. In the summer term we will learn more about the Holocaust from two special days, when survivors

THE arguments for greater protection for the countryside around greater Teesside are growing. The Council for the Protection of Rural England is preparing its case to be put to a public hearing on the matter later this month and it rightly makes the point

MARKET traders in Hartlepool may soon be given new stalls to replace ones which have become targets for vandals. The open market has been operated by Hartlepool Borough Council since 1975 and was originally held every Thursday, but was extended to include

Cornsay Park Albion live again, re-awoken in the Russell Foster Under 14s League after a Rip van Winkle hibernation. Yes, yes says club secretary Colin Todd - the Colin Todd from Catchgate - but what can we tell him about the old Albion? Next to nothing

Barnard Castle 25 West Hartlepool Amateurs 5 BARNARD CASTLE'S season has stuttered, originally because of bad weather and now due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak. They were only able to play their home league fixture against West Hartlepool Amateurs thanks

FOLLOWING the decision to cull healthy animals in Cumbria to create a "firebreak" against the disease, farmers in Weardale and Teesdale have watched with mixed feelings to see if similar decisions would be taken there. Weardale has already had a cluster

AMID the growing concern about the impact of the foot-and-mouth crisis on those parts of the rural economy not directly related to the farming industry, there is a danger that priorities will get confused. While it appears reasonable for the public to

Sedgefield's Matthew Bowden is in the Czech Republic this weekend as a member of the British Under-18 water polo team to face the Polish, Belgian and Czech sides in an international tournament, writes ERIC WILKINSON. He was also selected for the English

A REVAMPED estate's new health centre has won national praise for its work. Pennywell Medical Centre, in Sunderland, is a model of good practice that should be followed elsewhere, according to the New Commitment to Neighbourhood Renewal report. The praise

POLICE who got tough with shoplifters made 23 arrests in the centre of Bishop Auckland. The crackdown on criminals has been welcomed by traders who lose thousands of pounds every year to theft and fraud. Detectives and uniformed officers from Bishop Auckland

PERHAPS the most instantly obvious change in Britain's churches these past 25 years has been the warmth and width of their welcome. Gone are the half-frozen handshake, the brimstone black back row bouncers. In their place, smiling faces like Anne Gilmore's

A COLLECTION of photographs, papers, books and personal items belonging to the real Alice in Wonderland is set to fetch up to £2m at auction. The archive was amassed by Alice Pleasance Liddell and her family over several generations, and sheds new light

Worthington CIU Team K-O Third Division Newhouse B travelled to First Division, Brandon and pulled off a quarter final victory when David Jackson potted the final blue in the last frame against John Middleton. The unbeaten Second Division leaders, Willington

A TEESDALE magistrate yesterday expressed concerns over the proposed closure of Bishop Auckland magistrates' court. Mr Eric Fell believes centralisation plans will also eventually lead to the closure of the courts at Darlington and Newton Aycliffe. He

A MAN was found guilty by a jury yesterday of biting off a piece of an opponent's ear during a late-night street fight. The jury at York Crown Court found Lea Barker not guilty of intending to inflict grievous bodily harm on Stephen Lamb, but guilty of

LONG gone are the days when the likes of Finland arrived on our shores as unknown quantities or lambs to the slaughter. Such is the cosmopolitan nature of our domestic game, and the rapid emergence of nations once regarded as also-rans, that England can

Hartlepool MP and former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson put himself online yesterday to take questions from readers as part of a ground-breaking initiative. The controversial politician launched an Internet feature called The Interview-e at

THE mother of a British Army sportsman kicked to death outside an Austrian disco spoke of her anger last night after members of a Serbian gang accused of his murder were freed. Police had accused five men of murdering Corporal Derek Osborne, who died

The Northern Echo has launched a competition to give youngsters in the region the chance to follow in the footsteps of some of their cricketing heroes. We have teamed up with Durham County Cricket Club to organise a knockout tournament for under-15 teams

BUTCHER John Allison is celebrating after reaching the final of a national sausage competition. Mr Allison, from Ferryhill, County Durham, entered the pork, lamb and beef sections of the 2001 UK National Sausage Competition. There were more than 200 entrants

A YOUNG mother who was caught with 12 wraps of cannabis resin stuffed down her bra has been spared jail. Dawn Peters, 23, was found to have cannabis with a street value of £400 when police raided her home on September 27, last year. The mother-of-one

THE deadline for the owners of the Newcastle Jesters ice hockey club to open talks with union chiefs passed yesterday with continued silence from the team's bosses. Players and staff were last night still waiting for pay cheques due on February 28, and

LAND on a Sedgefield industrial estate should be made available for development, according to councillors. Sedgefield Town Council members say that at least one firm on the Salters Lane estate is unable to expand, because of the lack of land. Councillors

A POPULAR market has closed after more almost 30 years of trading. Consett Women's Institute market, which first opened for trading in 1976, was closed earlier this month because of a decline in the number of producers. But shareholders and producers

THE future of Yorkshire's rural areas still has opportunities ahead, despite the plight being suffered by communities through foot-and-mouth disease, says Ian Strong, director of York's Yorkshire Rural Community Council (YRCC). "The work of the YRCC has

Newcastle's new £2m defender Andy O'Brien plundered a controversial first-half winner which revived the Republic of Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the finals of the European Under-21 Championships with a 1-0 win in Cyprus. But victory left Cyprus fuming

A TEACHER has been cleared of biting a man's nose during an inter-school football match. Calvin Roger, 31, was found not guilty of causing actual bodily harm to Steven Langley, another teacher. Mr Langley claimed his nose was left bleeding and deformed

BUILDERS in the region are being warned that porches need planning permission following a protracted row. After a porch was built at a property in Rydal Avenue, Redcar, it was discovered that planning permission had not been sought, and a retrospective

FOUR weeks of high-speed fundraising by young day centre clients have brought them close to putting a group of disabled Russian people on the road. The Kaleidoscope Group, from Spennymoor Day Centre, who all have a physical disability of sensory impairment

A POLICE officer has admitted perverting the course of justice after asking a relative to lie for him following a car accident. Stuart Morris, 30, asked the person to submit a letter to a civil court containing false information after the crash in September

THE pride of the Russian space programme exploded in the Earth's atmosphere yesterday showering the Pacific Ocean with tonnes of debris. Watched by a motley crew of cardigan-wearing Russian scientists at mission control, it was a miracle the destruction

MURDER hunt detectives seeking the killer of a Cleveland prostitute have issued a blunt warning to lorry drivers: the gloves are off. Police say they are set to call at the homes of truckers who have been linked with the red light area where Miss Vicky

After Red Nose Day, welcome to Red Face Day. The good, the great and the desperate-for-fame put on their glad rags and assemble in Los Angeles for the 73th Academy Awards Ceremony tomorrow. TV coverage of the show will be watched by millions worldwide

A PURPOSE-built rescue centre that will meet demands well into the 21st century has been handed over to its members. The Upper Teesdale and Weardale fell rescue association was formed more than 30 years ago, following a fatal accident. Three Teesdale

Camerons Teesside League CARLIN HOW, after a two-week break, returned to action with a 5-0 thumping against New Marske. Carlin How failed o stamp their authority on the match until the last minute of the first-half when Steve Hampton put Martin Say through

FOUR Cleveland police officers have proved they are the best in Britain - not once, but twice - after making a splash at national life-saving championships. Police teams from across the UK at the event in Nottinghamshire found the Cleveland squad unbeatable

THE funeral of murdered playboy Peter Beaumont-Gowling was held yesterday close to the flat where he was shot dead. The service took place at St George's Church, in Jesmond, Newcastle. His family asked for privacy at a crematorium service, held elsewhere

THERE'S no doubt that Monica Bellucci is perfectly cast in the new movie from the director of the acclaimed Cinema Paradiso. She plays the title character in Malena - a woman who causes men's heads to turn wherever she goes. So surely it was no coincidence

LABOUR has comfortably held on to a Consett ward following a by-election last week. Bill Golightly, with 419 votes, easily won the Consett South election with Independents John Manwaring and Peter Anderson polling 157 and Conservative John Lawson receiving

POPULAR Chester-le-Street rock guitarist Pete Shoulder's new band will be performing at Saints, the pub behind Durham Indoor Market, on Sunday April 1, and at the Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, near Stanley, on Monday, April 9. Both performances start at

WE have been going to East Barnby, a residential centre run by North Yorkshire County Council, near Whitby, for the past four years. All the juniors set off one Friday night, and, on arrival, we meet the man who will be looking after us, and are shown

A CHARITY is offering gardeners the chance to get top tips on creating beautiful hanging baskets. The Durham Appeals Committee of the Children's Society is staging an expert demonstration to help enthusiasts turn baskets and trough into a blaze of colour

A GROUP of teenagers have been looking beyond their classroom walls - and reaching for the stars. Sixty 15-year-olds at Northallerton College have spent six weeks investigating questions about space as part of their science course. They will present their

MORE and more British farmers are diversifying into horses, as returns from traditional livestock and arable farming continue to weaken. According to a new survey from rural business advisors Strutt & Parker, three quarters of farms have set up some

FOUR years ago Mr Tom Rusk was washing cars to make ends meet during his gap year before university. Today he is to spearhead a new venture for one of Yorkshire's biggest car dealerships, which began in a modest way at Aiskew. The 22-year-old has landed

POLICE believe they have recovered the body of a man who jumped into a fast-flowing river to evade a police helicopter he thought was following him. A mountain rescue team using canoes discovered the body, thought to be that of 21-year-old John Fisher

TWO men were being questioned at Darlington police station yesterday about the suspected murder of Mr Paul Simpson. The 34-year-old mature student died 24 hours after being discovered with a fractured skull just yards from the home he shared with his

BURGLARS who smashed two windows and grabbed five porcelain figurines were seen running away. The raid happened at 5am on Wednesday, in Cromarty Close, Darlington, and two youths were seen running into Barmpton Road. The nine-inch figurines were modelled

MATHS was never my strong point. Long division, logarithms and algebra were always a mystery to me. I'm dreading the kids getting older and asking me to help with advanced maths homework. So far I'm OK. I can do addy-ups and takey-aways. I can even do

FORMER star trials rider Rob Edwards has raised almost £3,500 for a hospital unit which helped him overcome serious health problems. The Teessider became ill in his 20s when he was a star of the Spanish Montesa trials team, with 20 national trials under

YOUNGSTERS are to be taught how to look after their environment at a fire station. Land at the operational Coulby Newham fire station, near Middlesbrough, is to be turned into an open-air classroom for schools - with the blessing of Cleveland Fire Brigade

PEOPLE across the North-East are being asked to keep an eye out for two women who have gone missing from their homes. Police in North Yorkshire are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of 50-year-old Mary Van Loo, who may be on Teesside, either

A TUDOR-style dolls' house is to be put up for auction to raise money for a community centre. Mr Steve Lucas built the black-and-white house it as a one-off project and has partly furnished it with items he has made - if the buyer wishes, he will make

Bedlington, the Division One title favourites, suffered a setback when they lost 4-3 at Jarrow Roofing on Monday night. They even had the advantage of being in the lead twice, taking the lead in the opening minute through Brian Rowe. Roofing levelled

THE RSPCA has seized three wild birds together with bird trapping equipment from a house in County Durham. A greenfinch, a siskin and a linnet were discovered after a raid on a house in Byers Green, Spennymoor, on Tuesday, along with five traps and other

THE knock-on effects of the crisis are being felt, even in market towns far from any outbreak. Traders in Guisborough and Thirsk, both well away from restricted areas, are already affected - but in one case it is for the better. In Guisborough the business

POLICE in Barnard Castle are warning that someone will be injured or even killed if a stone-throwing craze is not stopped. Officers are concerned at the number of incidents involving objects being thrown at moving vehicles. Youths are believed to be responsible