CONSUMER services officers are going undercover to root out illegal sales of fireworks. Retailers are being warned that officers will be using child volunteers to make sure fireworks are not sold to under 18s. Philip Holman, the county council's head
FOR generations, the steep escarpment of Sutton Bank has been a renowned beauty spot, with its breath-taking views across miles of the Vale of York. But new research using the most up-to-date technology has revealed its importance pre-dates the tourist
A POLICE officer yesterday described finding the body of a 19-year-old bride who had been stabbed to death. PC James White, of Loftus police, told Teesside Crown Court that he had been called to the house in the town's High Row on May 8 and found Claire
PATIENTS at a doctors surgery in Hartlepool are being assured they will be properly cared for after the practice made the decision to reduce patient numbers. From November 6, Doctors Stoney, Downs, Smith and Heggs, based at the Health Centre in the town's
SLIMMING champion and cook Marion Hoyle has combined her two passions without any fear of contradiction. She has opened a low-calorie bistro next to a gym. Her latest venture, Unique Lite Bite Bistro, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, is a dream come
It looks like some of the big clubs are going to miss out on Washington Nissan striker Gavin Cogden. The teenager has been a big hit since he broke into the side and scored an average of two goals per game, and his scoring feats have attracted the interest
VOTERS in two areas will be going to the polls on Thursday, November 22, for parish council by-elections. The vacant seat in Skelton and Brotton parish council's New Skelton and Hollybush ward follows the resignation of Coun Wendy McWilliams. It will
AFTER a six-month delay caused by the foot-and-mouth crisis, the new head of a North Yorkshire outdoor pursuit centre will finally be officially commissioned at a service on Sunday. Mr Jim Gleave, aged 36, was appointed head of centre at Marrick Priory
A "CARING and considerate" young man who fell to his death off a notorious suicide spot had taken the class-A drug Ecstasy that night, an inquest heard yesterday. Jason Tate, 20, died from multiple injuries after he fell from the Hownsgill Viaduct, at
THE government is turning its sights on the reduction of ammonia emissions, which largely arise from livestock farming. Mrs Margaret Beckett, secretary of state at Defra, last week said a consultation paper would be published next spring, seeking the
T & M Disco Crook and District League The top two met and Earl of Warwick lost their unbeaten record against new leaders Howden Australian. After Howden led 1-0, Anthony Bailes equalised and it was 1-1 at half time. The second half belonged to Howden
THE opening of a £900,000 centre in Loftus will offer new opportunities. The Centre of Opportunity and Partnership, in the former Co-Op building on the High Street, officially opened on Wednesday. Tees Valley Training and Enterprise Council, the Rural
A NORTH-EAST cartoon creation is hoping to reach the top spot at Christmas with its debut single. Hit BBC cartoon series The Lampies is releasing a double a-side featuring Light Up The World For Christmas and the Lampies' Theme Tune, in a bid to get to
Teacher Tom Baker celebrated 35 years in the profession with a trip to Buckingham Palace. Prince Charles presented him with the MBE for services to education in County Durham. Mr Baker, who has been deputy head at Red Rose Primary School, Chester-le-Street
THE high point of three years work by a North-East dance company faced disaster when principal dancer Michelle Silby snapped a cruciate ligament on while on stage. The York performer with Tees Dance Initiative now faces a long recovery period from injury
From this newspaper 100 years ago. - On Monday, as Mr Green, farmer, was travelling from Barnard Castle by the noon train to Piercebridge, he mistook the slowing down of the train at Forcett Junction for the stoppage at Piercebridge and stepped out, falling
PLANS to build another superstore on Britain's biggest Army garrison is facing mounting opposition. The Lidl chain is hoping to persuade Richmondshire District Council's planning committee to give its blessing to a 1,200 sq metre discount food store off
Darlington 21st Allstars With only two wins from the 11-a-side teams and with the balance only being re-addressed by the 40+ goals scored by the two youngest teams at the club, this week wasn't the best for the club. At 11-a-side level, the Under-13s
PARENT power and two big cash donations have resulted in the installation of a new climbing frame at a Darlington nursery school. The 130 part-time pupils at Borough Road Nursery saw the frame unveiled by Darlington Mayor, Councillor Isobel Hartley, on
THE racing season comes to an end at Redcar on Monday. To celebrate, all the catering outlets at Redcar Racecourse, including the award-winning Crow's Nest Restaurant, are offering food at half the usual price. The feature race is The Tote Credit Club
If Grammar School Old Boys were successful in their first round Auckland Charity Cup tie they faced a trip to Cockfield in the next round. Clearly not relishing this prospect they succumbed to Black and Decker by 10-0. There was better news of the league's
FATHER and son soldiers Mervyn and Matthew Balcombe shared a double celebration during their annual regimental camp. Despite the age gap between the two - Mervyn is 47 and a sergeant, while Matthew is 18 - they serve side by side at Newton Aycliffe with
Baird CLOTHING, based on the Skelton Industrial Estate, announced on Monday that 70 jobs were to be cut as part of restructuring plans. The news comes as a huge blow to the area, which suffers from one of the highest rural unemployment rates in the region
A SICK toddler is flying to the United States for vital treatment - largely thanks to generous readers of The Clarion's sister paper, The Northern Echo. Sophia Carter suffers continuous, round-the-clock, unexplained epileptic seizures. Michigan-based
HUNDREDS of people are expected to join a peace march and rally through the streets of Newcastle tomorrow. The organiser, Tyneside Stop the War Coalition, is calling for a halt to the bombing in Afghanistan in a bid to avert a humanitarian crisis. The
NEW Darlington boss Tommy Taylor has ordered his team to tighten up and cut out the mistakes. Taylor has been shocked after watching his side leak four goals in the last two games - all of which originated from individual errors. Hull City's winner last
Sir, - We note (D&S, Oct 26) a new planning application has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council for the demolition of Chesterfield in Stanhope Road South. The site is within the Stanhope Road/Grange Road Conservation Area, defined as "an
British Airways workers have agreed to forgo an extra week's bonus payment this month in a move aimed at saving the airline £15m. In a separate move, 3,500 middle managers are being asked to accept a five per cent pay cut and receive no bonuses next year
COUNCIL housing in Darlington could be modernised to encourage people to take on unpopular accommodation. The borough council has decided to change the way it allocates housing to increase demand for its properties. Some work has already been done to
A CHARITY operating a taxi service for the elderly and disabled has warned it might have to cease operating if additional funding is not found. Dial-a-Ride, in Darlington, was established 11 years ago, but spiralling petrol and insurance costs have meant
FINAL preparations are under way to ensure Darlington's annual bonfire and fireworks display goes with a bang. The fun starts tomorrow, at 6pm, when the Century FM roadshow rolls into town with disc jockey Paul 'Goffy' Gough. At 7pm, the bonfire will
FILM fans in the region are going Harry Potter potty in their efforts to be among the first to see the year's hottest movie. With the young wizard weaving his spell across the country, cinemas have already sold thousands of tickets for preview showings
NEWBORN Jack Corrigan arrived in the world a week early after his father gave his mother acupuncture. When Julie Corrigan, 39, started having pains, her husband John, 45, gave her so much acupuncture to relax her that she ended up giving birth on the
CHILD killer Shaun Armstrong could soon be back in court in the town where he murdered toddler Rosie Palmer, The Northern Echo can reveal. Armstrong is using public money to sue author Bernard O'Mahoney for £15,000 damages over a series of letters the
Californians were told last night there was credible evidence that terrorists were targeting four of their bridges, including the Golden Gate Bridge. Californian Governor Gray Davis - citing information he said came from several law enforcement agencies
IT has been four years and four Energy Ministers since the High Court found that British Coal had failed to take adequate precautions to prevent miners inhaling dust. Unequivocally, the judges ruled that the nationalised industry had failed in its duty
DURHAM dairy goat society was host recently to the British Goat Society autumn conference at Durham county hall. The event marked the 80th anniversary of the society and proceedings began with the president, Doreen Hutchinson, from Ryton, cutting a cake
Tony Blair yesterday received another harsh lesson in Middle East politics on the latest leg of his exhausting diplomatic mission. Israeli forces killed two more Palestinian militants just as he arrived in the country in his attempt to breathe new life
MORE than £521,000-worth of unclaimed state benefits have been taken up by elderly people living in east Cleveland, thanks to a pioneering project by the local authority. The scheme was launched by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council in 1998 with the
THE demolition of houses in South Bank and Grangetown is the way forward for regeneration, according to a study. It suggests that up to 1,200 houses should be knocked down to make way for modern housing developments which would improve the environment
HUNDREDS of people have backed moves to improve housing in Hartlepool's New Deal for Communities (NDC) area. Work is under way to develop a community housing plan, and more than 500 people recently attended an event in the town's Middleton Grange Shopping
THE region's allotment holders have been invited to a seminar to hear views and advice on a range of gardening topics. The Gardening Afternoon, organised by the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners, is free and takes place in Stockton later
THE high street sales boom is beginning to fade, with sales volume growth at its slowest this year, a survey has revealed. The CBI's monthly survey showed 45 per cent of retailers reporting sales growth in October compared with a year ago, while 26 per
A KILLER'S 999 call was ignored by police for an hour-and-a-half because an emergency operator mistakenly dismissed him as a drunken crank, a jury was told. Teesside Crown Court was told on Monday that schoolteacher Lesley Grant was stabbed to death by
THE delights of one of the great British favourites were being extolled yesterday - as the humble cuppa came under the spotlight. The country drinks an astonishing 165 million cups of tea a day, but experts reckon even that figure would shoot up if people
A SHOP owner has replied to a councillor's criticism of his plans to open an 'alternative' shop. Mark Davis plans to open his shop, Dominion, on Tuesday in Redcar's Station Road to sell gothic and fetish clothing and accessories - including sex aids.
REPRESENTATIVES from the specially-formed policy commission were in Teesdale on Friday to gather information at first hand on the future of farming and food production in England. Headed by the chairman, Sir Donald Curry, who has farmed near Hexham for
RAIL users in east Cleveland have been grilling representatives from Arriva Trains following the company's decision to reduce services in the area. Meetings took place last night at Redcar Station Business Centre and on Tuesday night at the Victoria pub
AN author is hoping to jump on the Popstars bandwagon and recruit the services of a London television company to help cast his film. Stephen Richards, author of a series of books on North-East hardman Viv Graham, is hoping to use the publicity created
MOST, if not all, footpaths in the Yorkshire Dales national park should be open by the end of November, the government revealed this week. Dr Nafees Meah, regional operations director for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at Leeds,
RESEARCHERS are investigating 150 suicides in a bid to discover what drives people to take their own lives. About one in five suicide victims are known to local mental health services. But little is known about the great majority of those who take their
A FAMILY suffered a double tragedy when a 79-year-old great-grandmother died on the same day as her son. Nancy Brown, of The Square, St Helen Auckland, suffered a fatal heart attack at Darlington Memorial Hospital on Monday, three days after being involved
IT'S not so long ago cancer was the C-word - the disease not spoken about in polite circles. We've developed a rather more sensible attitude to cancer in recent years. The incidence, impact and the search for a cure are all discussed, debated and reported
NURSERY staff were thrilled when four-year-old Lewis Harland took his first steps. Doctors had said that Lewis, who has complex physical and learning difficulties, would not walk until he was at least five. But the determined youngster surprised everyone
THE Home Secretary kept a pre-election promise when he returned to a market town yesterday. While attending a BBC event earlier this year, David Blunkett told local bobby, Malcolm Young, he would be happy to join him on patrol in Bedale, North Yorkshire
A second death crash on a North Yorkshire road in just over two months has led a county councillor - whose son died in a road crash four years ago - to call for detailed reports into the circumstances surrounding both fatalities. In the latest accident
SIXTH form students have been taking part in a conference discussing moral issues of the day. The Medical Ethics Conference, organised by the charity Life, took place at Redcar Leisure Centre yesterday, and among the topics for discussion were human cloning
HOSPITAL SERVICES HAVING read much adverse publicity recently about the new University Hospital of North Durham, which replaced the old Dryburn Hospital in Durham, I would like to place on record my thanks to the staff of this hospital after my husband
FOUR youth work schemes are battling it out to win a County Durham award. Durham County Council's Youth Work That Works Awards ceremony will take place next Tuesday and are the culmination of National Youth Work Week. Sixty-eight groups throughout the
Chester-le-Street Town THE Under-16s progressed to the third round of the League Cup with a comfortable away victory at Redhouse & Downhill. Harry Cattell's side, lying third in the league, were leading 2-1 at the interval and finally ran out 4-1
THAT old chestnut, the search for consistency, keeps raising its predictable head. It's a theme preached by managers in all sports, and now the football men are continually begging for referees to find this elusive quality. Perhaps they feel the advent
FEW things are more likely to galvanise public opinion about art than the threat of some work being permanently lost to the area. The scorn which inevitably greets any new piece of public sculpture, Claes Oldenburg's Bottle of Notes in Middlesbrough,
DARLINGTON Rugby Club's mini section have congratulated 'old boy' Joe Osleton on his promotion to regular first team player by sponsoring his kit for the 2001/2002 season. The 22-year-old prop forward joined the Blackwell Meadows set-up as a nine-year-old
A SURVEY has revealed that as many as one in ten vehicles on North Yorkshire's roads have at least one tyre in a dangerous condition. The Tyre Industry Council checked a total of 695 vehicles and found that just over ten per cent had a tyre with the tread
Sir, - I refer to the coverage regarding the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS trust's proposals to create a centre of excellence for hip and knee replacements at the university hospital of Hartlepool. I can understand people are concerned about changing
THE euro will be in use in the North-East by early next year, two senior European politicians predicted yesterday on a visit to the region. Lode Willems, the Belgian ambassador, and Geoffrey Martin, the head of the European Commission's UK offices, were
A HORSE racing trophy is expected to be sold for more than £300,000 at Christie's, in London, later this month. The Richmond Cup, also known as Her Majesty's Gold Cup or the York Gold Cup, was cast in the reign of Queen Anne, in the early 1700s. Echoing
Junior round-up Billingham Falcons won for the first time this season in the English Pee-Wee (Under-14) North 'A' League. They defeated rivals Whitley Bay Mohawks 5-0 at the Forum ice arena on Saturday. It was the first match played at the Forum since
POLICE are objecting to two applications to extend drinking hours in Darlington town centre pubs. Humphries, in Blackwellgate, and Flares, in Skinnergate, will apply for licence extensions at a Darlington Borough Council licensing committee meeting next
FOR cornet player Jimmy Hayes, a brass band concert next week will be a family affair. When Jimmy found out his 18-month-old nephew, Charlie, had been diagnosed with an auto-immune illness, he thought he would use his musical skills to raise funds. Charlie
IT was just a shimmer at first; a gleam on the horizon but enough to attract attention. Drawing closer it was clear it was water, standing water, and in the Wiske flood plain. True enough, when Spectator made the journey on Saturday through Northallerton
A huge dog, weighing in at 10 stones, was rescued by a dog warden after knocking a woman to the ground. The massive Newfoundland Landfeer was found wandering the streets near Birtree Lane in Darlington on Tuesday morning. He jumped up at a resident, knocking
A SHOCK announcement that an 80-year-old branch of the Women's Institute might be threatened with closure has been played down by a member of the county office. President Mrs Barbara Burt caused a stir at the annual meeting of Gainford WI when she stated
A DELIGHTED community has celebrated success in The Northern Echo's environmental competition. North-East environmentalist Professor David Bellamy presented the Making A Difference first prize to volunteers who have transformed allotments in Willington
POLICE in Langbaurgh are praising a local man who handed over a sawn-off rifle unearthed by his dog. The man was exercising his labrador in Kirkleatham Woods, near the Kirkleatham showground at Redcar, when the dog found the gun buried in the undergrowth
Anyone meeting five-year-old Alex Brown for the first time would never believe the youngster was recovering from major heart surgery. Like any other little boy his age Alex, from Hall Lane Estate, Willington, is running around playing with his toys without
EMERGENCY talks are being held to ease the hospital bed blocking crisis in North Yorkshire, with winter pressures on the horizon. Social services, health, and managers of private sector homes are discussing the most effective way to use a one-off payment
Premier Division Ben Rhydding 2, Harrogate 1; Bowdon 4, Sheffield UnvBnkrs 2; Hull 1, Sheffield Hallam 2; Timperley 1, Wigan 2; Warrington 2, Southport 2. Division Two Alderley Edge 0, City Of York 0; Doncaster II 5, Chester 4; Leeds 2, Rotherham 1; Lytham
A BAND of St Trinian's schoolgirls took over the running of a Guisborough charity shop last Thursday as part of a day of events aimed at encouraging more volunteers. Staff at the Help the Aged shop in the town's Market Place dressed up as schoolgirls
MOCK Victorian street lanterns would create light pollution and turn Hutton Rudby into a tasteless theme park, some residents claim. They say proposed gas-style lanterns are too high for the village green and fear light will shine into nearby bedrooms
THE struggling business community in Barnard Castle is looking to the future with renewed hope after it emerged that a £15m superstore will be built following two years of negotiations. Traders are hoping for a resurgence in visitor numbers once Safeway
A REDCAR man is recovering after he was attacked outside the town's post office on Wednesday. The 42-year-old man was leaving the Post Office, on Cleveland Street, just after 9am when he was pushed into an alleyway by two men. The man was jostled to the
ZETLAND Hunt pony club has booked three interesting local speakers for its forthcoming annual meeting. The first is Mr Neville Turner, a Barnard Castle vet, author and photographer who has just had his photographs of Dales life published in a new book
TWENTY years ago, membership at the Royal Air Force Association's Darlington branch stood at an impressive 800. However, as its members grew older and many died, that figure has now halved. Attendance at the club, which the branch owns in Duke Street
DARLINGTON Mowden Park have two new signings in their squad for tomorrow's Senior Knockout Cup fourth round tie at home to Manchester. Durham University's highly-rated open side flanker Tom Long has every chance of making the starting line-up, while former
BARTON makes his long-awaited debut over fences at Wetherby this afternoon, but Tim Easterby's stable star might not have it all his own way against another up-and-coming chase recruit, Historg. The high-class pair clash in the two-mile Betfair Novices
IN the final big race of the year - the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday - three of the field of six were entered by the Irish supremo, Aidan O'Brien. And it was on two of our own area's jockeys that our eyes were fixed. Veteran pilot George
NEW Quakers manager Tommy Taylor will know just how much work he has to do after his reign got off to a bad start on Tuesday night. Darlington crumbled in the second half of their LDV Vans Trophy second round tie at Scunthorpe United, going down 3-0 to
A CYCLIST who died in a collision with a lorry earlier this week was a well-known campaigner for cyclists' safety and rights, it emerged yesterday. Karl Briggs, 65, from Helmsley, North Yorkshire, died on Wednesday in the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton
A CHARITY bus service for the disabled has warned it might be forced to make cut backs owing to financial difficulties. Darlington Dial-A-Ride runs five buses for the disabled in the town, and last year more than 6,600 residents used the service. Running
Thousands of extra patients are benefiting from the Government's war on heart disease, according to Health Secretary Alan Milburn. Two years after the Darlington MP made heart disease his number one ministerial priority progress is now being made, he
AN exhibition about the military heroes of the past has seen a museum's visitor numbers shoot up. Attendances at the Green Howards Museum in Richmond have gone up by 15 per cent since the Victoria Cross exhibition opened earlier this year. The show has
Worthington CIU Winter League Shotton Palms held onto their top spot in the First Division with an odd point victory at Newton Aycliffe. The visitors ensured their win when Barry Hall, Dave Swindle and John Armstrong took the first three points, but Newton
Bishop Auckland League Ithe only match played last week Spennymoor Ashtree kept alive their rather remote hopes of landing the runners-up spot in the table after they beat their second placed hosts, Bishop Auckland Derby by the odd point. With just one
THE closest Valerie Everson came to royalty was when the Queen swept past in her chauffered car on a visit to Newcastle in the Seventies. But the mother-of-three, who was born on the day when Her Majesty took the throne on February 6, 1952, will get a
Tow Law and District League Tow Law New Market A did their B team a favour when they won at Tow Law Station by the odd point. This reversal for the Station has moved them six points behind the New Market B, who are three ahead of the second-placed, Tow
A RAIL company already facing a £2m fine after driver shortages forced it to axe services, has been accused of attempting to poach operators from a rival. Arriva Trains Northern has been threatened with the penalty by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA
TELEVISION food guru Loyd Grossman had more on his plate than he expected when he visited a North-East museum yesterday. But he had no problems with performing the task of reopening the Anglo Saxon farm at Bede's World in Jarrow, closed since the out-break
A CONSTRUCTION company started by a man who learned the trade as a builder's office junior celebrates its 25th anniversary tomorrow. Randall Orchard Construction, on Richmond's Gallowfields trading estate, now employs 90 people and last year saw a turnover
A TOUCH of glamour has been added to a market town's festive parade after a bunch of young people were approached to create this spectacular vehicle. The teenagers, who enjoy the facilities at Teesdale community resources centre in Barnard Castle, came
A GRIEVING father spoke yesterday of his pride for his 15-year-old daughter, who battled with cancer shortly after giving birth to twins. Suzanne Watson gave birth 12 weeks prematurely in July, but 11 days later her second-born son, Robert, died. Then
THE public have a month to lodge objections and other views over the proposed introduction of a toll for vehicles using congested streets in a city centre. A traffic order allowing for a £2 charge for users of the narrow roads on Durham's central peninsula
A fogbound autumn walk along part of the Cleveland Way took us to the cliffs which circle Cornelian bay to the south of Scarborough. In spite of the reduced visibility, our short trip was enhanced by three interesting observations. The first was a small
THE third production to pump cash into one of the region's theatrical treasures opens tonight. The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has already benefited from evenings of jazz and opera. Tonight, at 7.30pm, it is the turn of comedy
ENGLISH Heritage archaeologists using global positioning technology and old-fashioned leg work have found one of the country's largest hill forts in North Yorkshire. The spectacular 40-acre site, located at Sutton Bank on the western boundary of the North
A NORTH YORKSHIRE golfer made a big impression while competing at one of the world's most famous golf courses recently. Big-hitting Ian Smith, from Ainderby Steeple, near Bedale, won the longest drive award in the Chrysler Golf Challenge on the Ailsa
YOUNG carers have been awarded £42,000. The Northern Rock Foundation awarded the cash to Derwentside Young Carers, which is based in Stanley. The group offers support and advice to youngsters who are caring for sick and disabled relatives. Derwentside
A JUNIOR football club based in North Yorkshire has been singled out as a shining example of grass roots excellence by the Football Association. Northallerton Juniors FC, which caters for 350 youngsters aged between five and 16, has been voted the English
A POTENTIAL £100m development which community leaders hoped would herald the 'rebirth' of Stanley looks to have come to nothing. Leader of Derwentside District Council Alex Watson said the council had decided to 'take a step back' from the King's Head
A £2m penalty that the Strategic Rail Authority plans to impose on Arriva Trains North should be spend on supporting railways in the North-East. Phil Willis, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, says that the £2m penalty should not go
IT goes almost unnoticed as nettles envelop its lower walls and saplings take root amid crumbling stonework almost 250 years old. Time is rapidly running out for The Ruin, once the largest and most striking of the buildings in the landscaped gardens laid
WHEN Allison Corbett says she can't stand crisps, it is with the conviction of someone who spent nearly eight years working in a crisp factory. The 35-year-old from Hartlepool needed the money and made some good friends, but she knew there had to be more
THE North York Moors may not be the Black Hills of Dakota but at the moment they do have something in common. For Red Indian-style totem poles have started sprouting forth at Lady Lumley's School, in Pickering. Year Seven pupils have been researching
A GLIMMER of hope returned to the farming community in Wensleydale this week when a victim of the foot-and-mouth crisis began to restock his holding. Mr Adrian Harrison took delivery of 25 in-calf pedigree Jersey heifers on Monday and began to look forward
ON April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King sent the title of his forthcoming sermon to his church: "Why America may go to hell". He never read the sermon - that afternoon he was shot dead. That sermon followed a speech made shortly before, in which he questioned
Bishop Auckland manager Tony Lee has given midfielder David Bayles a huge vote of confidence. The long-serving midfielder has told Bishops that he wants to retire, although he will still be on standby should Bishops need him in the future. "David has
Durham City City's home league game against second-placed Billingham was the two sides' first competitive meeting since 1968. Within two minutes of the kick-off foll, Gardiner was able to cross the line for a try converted by Bland to give City an early
MEMBERS of the public are being recruited to work with young offenders and their families in a new scheme aimed at tackling youth crime. Darlington Youth Offending and Community Safety is looking for people to join youth offender panels, which are due
AN old sycamore tree, which was cut down because villagers feared it would collapse, has brought a protest from a councillor. The rotting tree, in Hutton Magna, near Barnard Castle, was badly damaged in recent storms. The parish council appealed to Teesdale
THERE was mixed news on the jobs front in the North-East yesterday. School blazer manufacturer Beau Brummel, in Seaham, County Durham, announced plans to axe 35 jobs, more than a third of its workforce, but electronics firm Europa Magnetics Corporation
YOUNGSTERS in South Bank are leading the way in a campaign to clean up the streets. Calvin Foley, community safety warden with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, went back to his old school, Cromwell Road Primary, to recruit the children. Mr Foley
IMAGES of life in rural North Yorkshire over the past 60 years go on sale this week. North Yorkshire County Council libraries service photographer Mr Richard Jemmison has recreated some of the best-known works by dales photographer Mr Bertram Unn. Mr
SCOTTISH international Andrew Caine ran the fastest time in last weekend's opening North-East Harrier League fixture at Blaydon and immediately served notice that he wants the region's cross country championship, writes FRANK JOHNSON. The 24-year-old
TOWN traders have sent a message to their community - use your town or lose it. Stanley Chamber of Trade has issued the warning just days after Derwentside District Council publicly said it was 'taking a step back' from plans for a £100m leisure and entertainment
A NEW restaurant aimed at older members of the community opened this week. Food is already being served to residents in the Anchor Trust extra care development and attached day care centre at St Germain's Grange in Marske. But now supervisor Debbie Hutchinson
AN Indian village school is benefiting from clean water thanks to fundraisers in Darlington and their international colleagues. A three-year effort between Darlington Rotary Club and its twin club in Mulheim, Germany, has proved fruitful for the Tribal
PROBLEMS threatening community spirit have been highlighted by a teenager, and today he is discussing the issues with the parish council, and suggesting solutions. Eaglescliffe is being blighted by theft, litter, vandalism and drug-taking, says the teenager
The Tees, clear with a slight flow, fished reasonably well for the Third round f the North East Winter League staged on the Yarm and Bowesfield lengths, writes JEFF HERBERT. The anticipated big bream failed to put in an appearance and chublets and skimmers
THE hunt is under way for thousands of people across North Yorkshire who would be willing to play a part in new methods for dealing with young offenders. Youth Offender Panels are an initiative by the Government, aimed at encouraging tearaways to recognise
POLICE are trying to track down hundreds of lorry movements, in a bid to shed light on the death of a man on Teesside. Bachelor Edward Anderson's death on the A172 Stokesley Road, on the outskirts of Middlesbrough, in August, was initially treated as
A catalogue of troubles inside the £97m University Hospital of North Durham emerged as MPs investigated the use of private finance in the health service. Staff representatives cited a long list of problems when they gave evidence to House of Commons Select
A GROUP of youngsters won the chance to stage and promote their own under-16s club night. The pupils from Abbey Hill Technology College, Norton, Teesside, won the competition after The Education Action Zone teamed up with Galaxy 105-106 to offer the prize
STUDENTS will be encouraged to make a drama out of their future careers next week. Theatre company Cragrats is appearing at a careers fair on Thursday night to present a 40-minute play to students of Sunnydale School, Shildon, about opportunities open
Your Chester-le-Street reporter is to hold a surgery in the town centre next week. Adrian Worsley will be available to meet you face to face at the Volunteer Centre, Clarence Terrace, on Tuesday afternoon. If you've got a problem that you can't tackle
THE Government was last night attacked for jumping the gun after hailing an "important breakthrough" in settling compensation payments to thousands of sick former miners. Energy Minister Brian Wilson told the House of Commons agreement had been reached
BUS services are likely to be severely disrupted in Darlington on Monday after last-ditch talks yesterday failed to avert a one-day strike. Stagecoach North East drivers have been negotiating improvements in pay and conditions for almost six months. But
PAUL Smith yesterday extended his stay at Hartlepool United as he signed non-contract forms at Victoria Park. The former Burnley midfielder has been on trial at Pool and scored in the reserves' 5-0 win at Chesterfield on Wednesday. And after an impressive
A NEIGHBOURHOOD nursery and community office can be created in Colburn, near Catterick Garrison. Richmondshire councillors have backed plans to convert the doctors' surgery to the new use when the practice moves at the end of the year. Plans for the council-owned
A GRAFFITI covered pedestrian subway in a North Yorkshire town is to be brightened up by youngsters. Pupils from Northallerton College are designing a large mural to decorate, in the hope of deterring future vandalism. About 15 youngsters have signed
A MAN accused of killing Julie Smailes, who was found strangled, stabbed and burned in her home five years ago, has appeared at Newcastle Crown Court. Darren Willis, 30, spoke only to confirm his name at the short hearing yesterday. Miss Smailes' body
AN active 23-year-old has died days after being struck down by a rare flesh-eating bug. Electronics technician Michelle Bateman went to her GP complaining of a pain coming from a small spot on her lower leg and was given painkillers. When her condition
A £2m scheme to improve schools attendance is proving a success, according to a major report on its progress. A Durham County Council investigation concluded that the scheme - set-up partly in response to criticisms in an Ofsted report on the authority's
Bedale Hunt. - Nov 12: Showjumping at Richmond EC, open to all, details 01677 450229. Braes of Derwent (South) PC. - Nov 10: Team showjumping at Holmeside Park. Novice & open classes. Sae for schedule, Sue Forster, Derwent Dene House, East Law, Ebchester
North Eastern Christian Fellowship League Whitley Bay Churches lost their 100 per cent record when they went down at Airport Church, Newcastle. Andy Barrie opened the scoring for Airport Church with Andrew Nordenfedlt following it up to make it 2-0. Geoff
CHEMICALS and paints manufacturer ICI is to cut 275 jobs in the UK as part of a restructuring plan that will see about 1,300 posts cut worldwide. But more than 1,000 staff at its Teesside operations, including Uniqema at Wilton and Synetix in Billingham
ENGINEERING and construction group Kvaerner, has appointed a new president and chief executive. The Anglo-Norwegian firm, which employs 1,500 staff on Teesside, has appointed Kristian Siem, 51, to replace Kjell Almskog who resigned on Wednesday, the day
THE skies will be lit up tomorrow night as East Cleveland's biggest fireworks event gets under starters orders at Redcar Racecourse. More than 4,000 people are expected to flock to the massive event organised by The Clarion, Redcar Business Association
A MAN accused of murdering the girlfriend he loved "more than anything else in the world" met her through a dating agency, a court heard yesterday. Simon Keogh denies the murder of 43-year-old Lesley Grant, a teacher at Whinney Banks Junior School, in
A CYCLIST marked the start of this year's Poppy Appeal by cycling 35 miles around all the war memorials in East Cleveland on Saturday. Eric Howden, 57, standard bearer of Redcar's Royal British Legion, toured the 12 memorials to celebrate the 80th anniversary
JOHN Deighton admits he knows more about concrete than catwalks, but the builders' merchant is defying convention and starting a new, albeit temporary, life as a male model. When the footlights go up and the audience starts applauding at the annual Celebration
ONE OF the world's leading re-tread tyre specialists has gone into receivership with the loss of 112 jobs. Union leaders are demanding urgent talks with management after receivers were called in to Colway Tyres on Wednesday. Bosses at the County Durham
A DEAF and blind man has been named the North-East regional winner of this year's Library Association and learndirect E-Learning Community Prize. The prize recognises and rewards learners aged 16 or over who have used computers to learn new skills at
In the Premier League, Billingham Wanderers travelled to to play Seaton Delaval and with a strong wing against them had a lot of possession without troubling the home keeper with man of the match Charlie Bell prominent in midfield. In the second half
John Hall of Crowtrees entertained Norman Kirkley of Bishop Auckland and never really got into the game. Kirkley steadily built up a lead by scoring on almost every visit to the table and eventually killed off the game with a decisive 20 break to go out
FORMER geography teacher Jenny Lewis has been selected to become the new director of education for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Mrs Lewis, currently senior assistant director for education with Stockton Borough Council, was chosen from a seven-strong
TEACHING unions say the Government needs to face up to the "haemorrhaging" of staff from the profession. The Government announced yesterday that applications for teacher training had hit a seven-year high. But figures released on the same day by the National
FOOD manufacturer Bake Best is turning up the heat on its training and development programme aided by Training Development Resource (TDR). Bake Best, Gateshead-based manufacturers of biscuits and cereal bars for supermarkets, contacted TDR about its workforce
I HAVE never found flying, even in normal circumstances, particularly easy. On every flight, I have always fleetingly - just for a few seconds - been rather pathetically gripped by the fear that this could be it, this could be the end. But taking to the
SORRY, we're going to have to mention the dreaded Ch_______s word. But it's all in a good cause, well lots of good causes actually. We've been leafing through an avalanche of charity catalogues and, as far as present buying is concerned, you needn't go
THE film-makers were looking for a boy who could sing, dance and had the self-assurance to take on a starring role. Enter Jamie Bell, a 13-year-old from Billingham, who told them on his audition tape: "The thing I'm most looking forward to in the future
A CITY'S festive lights will be spectacularly colourful this year - but the theme will be distinctly green. For York is to be the first in the country to have its Christmas illuminations powered entirely by renewable energy. The environmentally-friendly
A POSTMAN has set his sights on becoming the next world champion in ice speedway when he jets of to America later this year. On Christmas Day, Will Beveridge, from Manor Road, St Helen Auckland, will be battling against competitors from America, Canada
A BRASS band has been voted the best in the country in a top competition. Langbaurgh Brass, which is based in North Skelton, east Cleveland, beat 19 other bands to scoop the first prize in the Pontins sponsored Brass Band Championships, held at the Prestatyn
THE latest teenage recruit to the Green Howards has more power behind him than most. For 17-year-old Graham Winter is the under-23 Power Lifting European Champion, and already holds two world records. Pte Winter, from Darlington, has just completed a
After a 15 year absence from the Senior English County Championships, Durham bounced back in amazing style by taking the second Division title. Durham's had decided to enter a senior team to give the growing number of talented youngsters the chance to
A Man has been remanded in custody for a further seven days over allegations of sending threatening mail in the post. Ian Julian Walker, 45, of Sherwood Road, Thornaby, did not speak but nodded his head when the clerk at Teesside Magistrates Court, Middlesbrough
A soldier from Hartlepool has won a top Army accolade after graduating from his training course top of the class. Private Brian Pearce was awarded the prize of Best Recruit in Basic Training, after completing his initial training at Winchester, Hampshire
A LONG-running dispute between a supermarket chain and a local authority has finally drawn to a conclusion with the words: "The money changed hands and was received by the council this morning". Mr Charles Anderson, chief executive of Teesdale District
THE funeral of murder victim Kevin Pharoah will take place today. Mr Pharoah, a father-of-three from Gateshead, died last month of injuries he sustained more than 20 months previously, when he was attacked in a pub. Police have opened a murder inquiry
Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy is gearing up for it's biggest ever event when they hold and England versus Thailand kick-boxing show later this month. After five months of preparations the event, taking place on November 11 at the town's Dolphin
YOUNG TOMO could be heading for the valuable Becher Chase at Aintree this month following his victory in the long distance Hartburn Handicap Chase at Sedgefield yesterday. "He jumps for England and will come alive when he sees those big fences at Liverpool
LOCAL farmers who crowded into an open meeting left Farmers For Action chairman, Mr David Handley, in no doubt of their despair for the farming industry. The meeting, held in Carlton Husthwaite village hall, was to explore the possibility of launching
North-East folk of riper years will know that when a patient is termed "only moderate" it means not so much that he is at death's door but haggling with the devil over the cover charge. Northern Echo, the reluctant racehorse, was rated "moderate" in yesterday's
THE Home Secretary, Mr David Blunkett, was given a taste of life on the beat of a rural bobby in Bedale yesterday. The visit was arranged by Bedale police officer, PC Malcolm Young. "I met him in May when he was doing the BBC's Any Questions programme
A VET has called on rabbit owners to protect their pets against two diseases after a spate of deaths in the region. Sandy Edwards, from Kensington Veterinary Care, in Darlington and Bishop Auckland, believes all owners should have their rabbits vaccinated
A FORMER workshop and office site in Guisborough is to be turned into a funeral home. Councillors have agreed that the development is likely to improve the area around Park Lane and Venables Road. Conditions on the scheme will protect residents' interests
PLANS to build 22 houses at a Aiskew chicken farm have been refused by councillors. The proposals were for a mix of house sizes and styles, and for two office units. The applicants, Mr and Mrs R Stead, said new, modern, chicken sheds would have to be
THE story of a family split by rows over their inheritance is the next production by the Richmond Amateur Operatic Society. A run of The Curious Savage, by John Patrick, starts at the town's Georgian Theatre Royal next Thursday with performances every
RISING stars from Stockton Sixth Form's rugby team will be scrummaging in style at home and away matches, thanks to the generosity of a Tees Valley firm. The players have been presented with a black and white kit by sponsors, car dealers SG Petch, and
Sir, - We in the dales and throughout Richmondshire are well served by dedicated, skilled, ambulance crews. Those at Bainbridge ambulance station, for example, regularly risk their lives in harsh winters on dangerous roads on life-saving missions. However
A teenager from the region is preparing for the performance of her life on live television tomorrow evening. Zoe Birkett from Welbeck Avenue in Darlington has made it to the last 50 in the Pop Idol national search for a star. Zoe was chosen from more
SIX new street wardens will soon be helping to stamp out neighbourhood nuisances in east Durham villages, thanks to a £241,000 government grant. Under its Crime Reduction Programme, the Home Office has awarded the money following a joint request from
DRIVING in scorching temperatures under the desert sun of Oman is all in a day's work for a Chester-le-Street soldier taking part in a huge military exercise in the Middle East. Christopher Elton of the Royal Logistic Corp is one of 22,000 British troops
MIDDLESBROUGH youngster Paul Veazey rounded off a successful 2001 season with a resounding performance in the final round of the Aprilia RS125 Challenge at Brands Hatch last weekend. The 15-year-old was already guaranteed second place in the series and
KAYLEIGH Bennison, from Yarm, will make her debut at next year's Blue Chip finals at Solihull after winning the Krailburg Coral novice qualifier at Richmond equestrian centre. She took the 26-starter class on Falconbridge Fair Lady in a ten-pony jump
THE Peterhouse Group Charlie Hall Chase, which now boasts record prize money of £50,000, heads a quality seven-race programme at Wetherby tomorrow - the second leg of a two-day meeting at the course. Acknowledged as one of the most prestigious early-season
WAR has been declared on bogus callers who are targeting elderly and vulnerable peeople in Wear Valley. This week a Government campaign called Stop, Chain, Check has pledged to protect the victims of callous callers who target elderly people with an average
A SCHEME to improve the environment and encourage rare ground-nesting birds is gaining momentum. Newcastle City Council, with the help of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme run by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has created
YOUNGSTERS received an early grounding in the traditions of Halloween. Sandcastles Soft Play, in Chester-le-Street, staged a Halloween costume party for 16 of its regular clients. The Front Street premises is aimed at the under-sixes, filling a void in
LOCAL pensioners are joining a nationwide action day and protest in London on Tuesday. The event, organised by the National Pensioners Convention, aims to highlight issues that affect the care of older people. Mike Findley, secretary of the Cleveland
THE free market is both unattainable and undesirable for agriculture. That uncompromising message was given by the Tenant Farmers' Association to the government appointed policy commission on food and farming on Tuesday. Mr George Dunn, TFA chief executive
A POPULAR priest died from an industrial disease - a legacy of his previous working life. Father Des White, priest at St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, in Dipton, near Stanley, died at Willowburn Hospice, near Lanchester, in August, aged 74. The Sunderland-born
COUNCIL housing in Darlington could be modernised to encourage people to take on unpopular accommodation. The borough council has decided to change the way it allocates housing to increase demand for its properties. Some work has already been done to
THE young people of Derwentside have been challenged to come up with solutions to some of the most difficult engineering problems of our time. More than 150 people turned up at Derwentside College for the launch of the Derwentside Engineering Forum Schools
Crook League Market are the new leaders of division one as Belle Vue had a bye and the Willington side took advantage by beating Fleece A. 180s: Barry Nicholson (Travellers Rest); Stephen Murphy (White Swan); Heidi Boam (White Swan); Jeff Hodgson (Old
FAMILY farms in the North York Moors national park must continue to be viable or they will disappear and without them the landscape will suffer. This is the opinion put forward to the park planning committee by the National Farmers' Union in support of
THE Tees Forest project celebrated its tenth anniversary yesterday with a planting ceremony at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park. The blueprint of the community forest was set out in the early 1990s by the Forestry Commission and the Countryside Agency, which
City of Durham THE Under-9s Mosquitos were unable to hold on to a one-goal lead courtesy of Liam Robson when East Durham Houghall scored an equaliser in the last minute to share the points. In their next game Mosquito's were always struggling against
A NORTON man had a brush with success when he decided to crack down on lunchtime litter dropped by children. Inspired by a council Tidy Schools scheme, which involved the strategic placing of wheeled bins in the area, Mr Fred York put carrier bags outside
Durham League; Half-term - often a quiet week in terms of games played. Even so the handful which were played did provide excitement and also a broken record which has lasted for 25 years. Middlesbrough Mavericks notched their first Division One win of
FOOTBALL talk-in organisers have announced a late change in the line-up for a charity event next month. Chester-le-Street and District branch of the Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association is holding a question and answer session with former club favourites
