Archive

  • Strike action threatened by firefighters

    FIREFIGHTERS across the Cleveland brigade are threatening strike action because they have been told they must cover for ambulance crews in heart attack cases. For the past two years, Cleveland Fire Brigade has said firefighters must cover for ambulances

  • Comment from the Northern Echo: Forlorn hopes for peace

    DAY by day the violence in the Middle East is growing. As it does, the opportunity for peace looks more and more remote. It is easy to understand the frustration felt by those who marched in protest into Bethlehem. They are frustrated at the Israeli and

  • Stroke victim conned by 'fish sellers'

    AN 85-year-old stroke victim yesterday became the latest target of conmen, who robbed her of £140. The elderly woman, who lives on her own, answered a knock at the door of her bungalow in West Street Cottages, Blackhall, east Durham, between 10.30am and

  • Ambulance safety rate defended

    AMBULANCE chiefs have defended the safety record of US ambulances after the latest in a series of crashes. Paramedic Joel Byers, of the North East Ambulance Service, warned that lives would be lost after he was involved in a third crash in a Chevrolet

  • Help at hand to dig into family past

    PEOPLE delving into their family's past are being offered some expert help. A family history help desk will be set up at the county council library in Scarborough, on Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, May 11, from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Experts from the east

  • Masked thief vaulted over shop counter

    AN armed robber terrified the staff of a small shop when he vaulted the counter and tried to steal the till, a court heard yesterday. Teesside Crown Court heard that just a week before the robbery drug-addict Kevin Kitching had stabbed his friend twice

  • Six years of work pay off

    YEARS of work have paid dividends with the planned official opening of a new fitness centre in North Yorkshire, next Friday at 11.30am. The centre has been built on to the side of the Galtres Community Centre in Easingwold. The project has taken six years

  • Visitors vote new-look centre a hit

    A PROJECT which charts the history of a fishing port through displays of old photographs has declared a move to new premises a great success. Whitby Archive and Heritage Centre said that almost 800 people had passed through the doors of its new site,

  • Handy Van appeal launch for elderly

    AN appeal has been launched a bid to bring a £65,000 scheme to help the elderly of County Durham with odd jobs around the home. The Help The Aged Durham/Wearside fundraising committee has written to town and parish councils as well as Sedgefield Borough

  • West hits out at his players

    HARTLEPOOL United's players have been urged to give 100 per cent between now and the end of the season - or risk losing their place in the squad. Assistant manager Colin West, speaking after yesterday's reserves' 2-1 win at home to Wigan, was disappointed

  • Highways team ready to roll

    HUNDREDS of former council staff in North Yorkshire now have a new employer after the contract to maintain the county's highways was awarded to a private company. Raynesway Construction Southern have now formally started work after a contract signing

  • Tree planting scheme is to branch out

    PLANS are being considered to extend a tree planting scheme in an east Cleveland village. Upleatham Women's Institute carried out a successful scheme to get groups and people to sponsor plants as part of the village's Millennium celebrations. Now, there

  • Anger over Glaxo chief's £6m payout

    UNION bosses representing workers at a job-shedding North-East drugs plant are angry at news that the company's chief executive was awarded a £6m pay package. The news will come as a bitter pill for employees at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), in Barnard Castle

  • HRT hope for heart disease sufferers

    DOCTORS in the region have found more evidence that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help to reduce the risk of heart disease in women. Their study, published in the Journal of Medical Screening could even lead to a new way of identifying women at

  • Blast at lab could have been a tragedy

    WORKERS could have been killed when an explosion from two test tubes ripped through a laboratory, a court heard yesterday. The explosion, at steel tube makers Paralloy, in Billingham, Teesside, turned two metal test tubes into "high velocity missiles"

  • Lack of cash hits mayoral campaign

    AN aid worker hoping to become mayor of Middlesbrough says his election campaign is suffering because of a lack of funds. Independent candidate Rod Jones, whose Convoy Aid charity takes supplies to Romania, cannot afford to pay the £500 needed to feature

  • Grandfather hits jackpot

    A GRANDFATHER has won more than £76,000 playing bingo. The 58-year-old, who does not want to be named, but comes from Stockton, Teesside, was at the town's Mecca Club, Chandlers Wharf, last week when he won £73,230 on the National Bingo Game, plus a regional

  • The photo king and the Queen Mum

    ...AND finally a word on the Queen Mother, once a fairly regular visitor to Teesdale and to the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. She and Bill Oliver. Bill was the Echo's photographer in Bishop Auckland, known many a mile for his tweedy hat, his Steradent

  • Plea for return of rabbits

    THIEVES have left an eight-year-old girl heartbroken after running off with her two pet rabbits. The girl, whose parents asked not to be named, desperately wants the two dwarf lop-eared rabbits returned. The pets were stolen from Middlehope Grove, Bishop

  • Elderly odd job scheme cash bid

    FUNDRAISERS are appealing for cash support for a £65,000 scheme to help the elderly in County Durham with odd jobs around the home. The Help The Aged Durham/Wearside Fundraising Committee has written to town and parish councils, and Sedgefield Borough

  • Youngsters getting ahead with arts project

    YOUNGSTERS used their heads to create an impressive sculpture as part of a youth scheme. The art project took place at Greenfield Community and Arts Centre, Newton Aycliffe, as part of the Splash initiative, organised by the County Durham Youth Offending

  • Cemetery neglect claims refuted

    A MAN has complained that the cemetery where his wife and family are buried is being neglected. James Roy said that East Cemetery, in Darlington, has deteriorated since January. He said there was a full-time member of staff who maintained the cemetery

  • Village traffic slowed

    MOTORISTS travelling through Neasham, near Darlington, are being slowed by traffic-calming measures. Darlington Borough Council is spending £22,000 to stop people driving at high speeds through the village. New traffic gateways will narrow the roads and

  • 'Return dead son's pets' plead parents

    THE FATHER of a North-East stabbing victim made a heartfelt plea yesterday for the return of his dead son's beloved pet dogs. Lance Stoker died last Tuesday after being stabbed near his home in Beech Street, Felling, near Gateshead. He was found bleeding

  • TV review: When Muscles Ruled The World (BBC1)

    IT wasn't a gentlemanly case of pistols at dawn when two of the big-screen's biggest stars, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, clashed over a woman. They didn't even start slugging it out over great Dane Brigitte Nielsen but used other means

  • Danger - men at work

    As a worker at Nissan sues her bosses for sex discrimination, Women's Editor Christen Pears looks at the problems women face in the workplace. AS the only woman working on Nissan's car production line, Beverley Ward might have expected the odd sexist

  • Sex charges trial begins

    THE trial of a man accused of sexually abusing boys began at Teesside Crown Court yesterday. Russel Hall, 44, of East Terrace, Hesleden, east Durham, denies nine charges of indecent assault against a male. The charges relate to three boys. Shaun Dodds

  • Burglar escapes prison sentence

    A BURGLAR who tried to cash foreign money destined for charity escaped a jail sentence yesterday. Lee Winship, 25, of St Paul's Road, Stockton, admitted three charges of burglary, one of handling stolen goods and one of obtaining property by deception

  • Miniature railway on track for summer return

    A seaside tourist attraction which had hoped to reopen by Easter is now hoping to be back in business by the start of the summer. The miniature railway in Valley Gardens, Saltburn, east Cleveland, has been closed for more than a year because of flood

  • Too much homework questioned

    A UNIVERSITY study has found that children are suffering from too much homework. The study by Durham University, featured in this month's edition of Prima Magazine, found that setting children a large amount of homework does not necessarily improve their

  • Police move to new £1m offices

    IN a high-noon operation, east Durham officers swapped an old Victorian police station for a new £1m office yesterday. The move by Seaham police was timed for midday and was organised to provide continuous coverage for the town. The purpose-built office

  • Public school master inquiry

    ONE of Britain's top public schools was plunged into controversy last night as it emerged that a leading member of staff was under investigation. Father Christian Shore, a housemaster at Ampleforth College, in North Yorkshire, was this week placed on

  • Museum displays rare persian jug

    A DURHAM museum has acquired an exotic addition to its collection. Durham University's Oriental Museum was recently given a green nephrite jade wine cup of a type that was produced in Persia, from the 15th Century onwards. The cup, being examined by Karen

  • A passing footnote in history

    On the 20th anniversary of the Task Force's departure for the Falklands, Glen Reynolds argues that the determination to recapture the islands had more to do with politics than freedom. THE Falklands War was about the protection of British interests concerning

  • Hear All Sides: Albert Dryden

    I WOULD like to comment on your articles (Echo, Mar 27 and 28) by Lindsay Jennings in co-operation with ex-Sgt Blackie. I think the only people suffering from paranoia are the aforementioned. Rehashing another exclusive about Albert Dryden is not news

  • Business news in brief: Net visit to the MetroCentre

    THE MetroCentre is to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week - or at least it will be to Internet users. Visitors to the site can take a virtual trip down any mall and browse in every store at the Gateshead complex from the comfort of their own homes.

  • Police defend 'trawling' to discover child abuse victims

    A POLICE chief yesterday said he would use controversial trawling methods again to find victims of child abuse. John Scott, Assistant Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, was defending the methods used by his officers in the face of stinging criticism

  • News in brief: Pensioners' plea on buses

    PEOPLE will be asked next week to sign a petition calling for free bus travel for all pensioners. The Cleveland Pensioners' Convention Forum is backing the National Pensioners' Convention campaign for free bus travel for pensioners, next week. In east

  • Come on, feel the boys' noise

    Senior Son was home for Easter. You may have heard him. Two boys do not make twice as much noise as one. They make about ten times. And then a bit more. As soon as Senior Son crashed through the door, fell against the standard lamp, knocked the papers

  • Sharpastrizam's class to make light of hard going

    For a man who prefers the quiet life, Brandsby trainer Peter Beaumont spends a fair amount of time in the headlines. Jodami catapulted him into the big time in the early Nineties and that momentum has been maintained with the likes of Young Kenny and,

  • Arriva vision of better rail deal unveiled

    TROUBLE-HIT Arriva last night unveiled its £275m vision aimed at restoring passenger confidence in the region's second biggest rail franchise. The transport company delivered final details of its bid to transform the Transpennine Express route, which

  • Squad steps up police drugs battle

    THE battle against drug abuse in North Yorkshire has taken a major step forward since the formation of a specialist squad six months ago. Since last October, the number of arrests for drug trafficking in the county has shot up by about 300 per cent on

  • Yorkshire lined up for pre-season double

    DURHAM are to continue their pre-season preparations next week with a game at Derby on Monday followed by a visit from Yorkshire to the Riverside on Wednesday and Thursday. Following a successful tour to Cape Town, coach Martyn Moxon said: "Hopefully

  • Assurance given to train users

    GNER has played down pros-pects of industrial action as it prepares to enter pay negotiations with its drivers. Reports suggested the train operator could be dragged into a similar dispute over pay as that faced by Arriva Trains Northern. The train drivers

  • Woman shot

    A WOMAN was shot with an air rifle as she walked down a Teesside street on Wednesday afternoon. The incident happened as the 58-year-old woman, who does not want to be identified, walked down Bollington Road at Easterside, Middlesbrough. She said she

  • A treat for Sherlock fans

    AMATEUR sleuths could be in for a treat if they visit Park View Theatre in Chester-le-Street later this month. Cestria Amateur Operatic Society's production of the Revenge of Sherlock Holmes promises to throw up one or two surprises for fans of Arthur

  • Grassroots

    Healthy Yoga: Two eight-week courses on yoga for health and pleasure, costing £24 will start from 6.30pm to 8.30pm next Monday, and between 10.30am and 12.30pm next Tuesday, in Chester-le-Street Community Centre on Newcastle Bank. For more details, ring

  • News in brief: Invitation to take a break

    TIRED drivers are being given the chance to recharge their batteries for free. Innkeeper's Lodge, Great North Road, Chester-le-Street, launched its two-week promotion this week, in support of the Government's new 'Think - Don't Drive Tired' campaign.

  • Solano accepts title is impossible dream

    REALISTIC Nolberto Solano conceded defeat in Newcastle United's race for the championship last night. But the 27-year-old insists the Magpies are not about to give up on securing a Champions' League place this season. Following Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Aston

  • Call for tougher court action

    A PENSIONER is calling for tougher sentences after the burglar he confronted in his garage was fined £125. Lesley Williamson, 68, was terrified when he went outside on a night last February to investigate a noise and disturbed a burglar carrying a claw

  • Regally waving goodbye

    THE Queen Mother was a canny old soul. Photographers who covered her sallies into the North-East were always impressed by the way she managed to look so natural while, in fact, stage-managing everything. Take the Royal wave. A wave is a movement of the

  • Estate's special message to Queen

    THE residents of a small North-East parish have sent a special message of sympathy to Buckingham Palace over the death of the Queen Mother. Studley Royal Estate, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, which includes Fountains Abbey, was home to the Queen Mother

  • Estate's special message to Queen

    THE residents of a small North-East parish have sent a special message of sympathy to Buckingham Palace over the death of the Queen Mother. Studley Royal Estate, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, which includes Fountains Abbey, was home to the Queen Mother

  • Police chaplain

    A PAID force chaplain has been appointed by North Yorkshire Police for the first time in its history. The Rev Stephen Fisher took up his new post today, a role he will perform alongside his other duties as parish vicar of the Otteringtons and the Thorntons

  • Teacher tells of Mid-East horror

    A NORTH-EAST teacher trapped by the crossfire as gun battles rage around the holy town of Bethlehem spoke last night of the horrors she has witnessed. Claire Theret, one of a party of international observers sheltering inside the Aida refugee camp on

  • Mayor candidate who really gives a monkey's

    HARTLEPOOL could be turned into a Banana Republic - if the latest candidate to enter the race to be the town's directly-elected mayor gets his way. Hartlepool United Football Club's mascot, H'Angus the Monkey, will this afternoon announce he is to become

  • Customs officer 'driven to his death'

    A FURIOUS union leader last night demanded an inquiry into a corruption investigation after a suspended customs officer was found hanged at his family home yesterday. Ray Alderson, president of the Public and Commercial Services Union, blames the death

  • Grenade scare at village

    PART of a former pit village was closed off yesterday after an unexploded hand grenade was found on a building site. The grenade, thought to date back to the Second World War, was found by a workman digging on land opposite the Dixon Estate in Shotton

  • Blair leads tributes as princes plan coffin vigil

    Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke yesterday of the Queen Mother's "total and selfless" devotion to duty as preparations intensified for her Lying in State and funeral. Mr Blair made his moving tribute during a special session of the Commons, recalled from

  • Tunnel vision prompts move to estate

    UK LAND Estates has moved on to a key industrial site, near an entry point to the Tyne Tunnel, to begin a redevelopment exercise. The regeneration project will provide a 22,000sq ft high quality factory unit with two-storey open plan offices fronting

  • Strike threat by firefighters

    FIREFIGHTERS across the Cleveland brigade are threatening strike action because they have been told they must cover for ambulance crews in heart attack cases. For the past two years, Cleveland Fire Brigade has said firefighters must cover for ambulances

  • 'Return dead son's pets' plead parents

    THE FATHER of a North-East stabbing victim made a heartfelt plea yesterday for the return of his dead son's beloved pet dogs. Lance Stoker died last Tuesday after being stabbed near his home in Beech Street, Felling, near Gateshead. He was found bleeding

  • Shorthand success for Katie

    A TRAINEE journalist from Darlington College of Technology has won top honours in shorthand. Katie Campling, 19, won the prize from the National Council for the Training of Journalists for best performing student in the country. Katie, who works for the

  • Farmers take up grants to switch production

    GRANTS of almost £877,000 have been made to help farmers in the region go organic. The scheme, run by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, helped 21 farmers to convert almost 13,000 hectares of land to organic production in the past

  • Youth concert

    Nottingham Youth Chamber Choir and Youth String Orchestra will perform at a concert in St Mary's Church, Thirsk, on Sunday, May 4, at 7.30pm, in aid of the church restoration fund.

  • National plan demanded for foot-and-mouth

    CIVIC leaders in a part of the region devastated by the foot-and-mouth epidemic are demanding the Government draws up a single national plan for disease control. As Dr Iain Anderson and his team visit North Yorkshire today as part of their investigation

  • Baird's profits quest

    CLOTHING group William Baird remains in the red, but yesterday said it had taken the action needed to revive its fortunes. The Glasgow firm, which employs staff at a site in Skelton, east Cleveland hopes the recent simplification of its product range

  • Souvenir of chapter in history

    TO help readers commemorate the life of the Queen Mother, The Northern Echo is giving away a royal book. The book called Royal Style looks at the Queen Mother's fashions throughout her long life. It focuses on those outfits displayed in a special centenary

  • News in brief: Man robbed at knifepoint

    A MAN was robbed at knifepoint as he walked along a street in the early hours of yesterday morning. The 22-year-old man was walking in Heslington Road, York, at about 1am when a man jumped out from an alley leading to Regent Street, wielding a four-inch

  • Edward and Sophie thank well-wishers

    The Earl and Countess of Wessex made an emotional visit to Windsor Castle yesterday to thank the public for their support following the death of the Queen Mother. The Wessexes spoke to well-wishers and read messages on the dozens of bunches of flowers

  • Monarchist to camp at abbey

    DEVOTED monarchist Anita Atkinson has vowed to camp outside Westminster Abbey in a bid to catch a final glimpse of her beloved Queen Mother. Mrs Atkinson, from Harperley, Crook, County Durham, is to travel to London on Sunday night. The magistrate hopes

  • Magnet attracts Mayor to open new building

    A NEW support centre for customers of kitchen maker Magnet has opened. The centre, in Allington Way, Darlington, was opened yesterday by the town mayor, Councillor Isobel Hartley. The centre has cost the home fittings company more than £1m to build and

  • News in brief: Buggy plunge victim named

    A MAN who plunged to his death over a cliff edge has been named as 31-year-old Darren Drummond. Mr Drummond, from Southfield Crescent, Norton, Stockton, lost control of a kite buggy he was riding as it gathered speed down a slope above a sheer 150ft drop

  • Youngsters give area a spring clean

    A group of youngsters began a massive spring clean of their area, in Middlesbrough, yesterday. Children from primary schools in North Ormesby donned rubber gloves and helped with a litter pick. The event was organised jointly by Holy Trinity Anti-Crime

  • Centre at heart of town

    A NEW £225,000 tourist information centre has opened in the heart of Herriot Country. The centre in Thirsk Market Place offers more services and has the space to stock a wider range of local products than did the old premises. The manager and a volunteer

  • Council leader gets labour vote in mobile phone mix-up

    AS leader of a busy council, David Walsh is used to being asked to deliver services to his taxpayers, but the latest request took him completely by surprise - being asked to deliver a baby. A midwife from Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, has gone on holiday

  • Sparkling celebration for diamond couple

    A couple who were separated by the Second World War days after they wed celebrated 60 years of marriage this week. Arthur and Kathleen Lea, of Manfield, near Darlington, celebrated with friends and family at Walworth Castle, near Darlington. The couple

  • Mother keeps up MMR fight

    A NORTH-EAST mother is keeping up the pressure on health secretary Alan Milburn over the Government's policy on the MMR vaccine. Michelle McFadden-Jewers, 36, plans to send a second bill to the Darlington MP after opting for individual measles, mumps

  • Pop Idol chooses stage over schooling

    TEENAGE Pop Idol sensation Zoe Birkett has quit her North-East A-level studies and is pinning her hopes on a showbiz career alongside Will Young and Gareth Gates. With a smile as big as the Scotch Corner sign which welcomed her back to the North-East,

  • Workers give blood in memory of Scott

    STAFF at a North-East call centre rolled up their sleeves this week to give blood in memory of a colleague who died through blood loss. Scott Gileroy, who worked at Convergys' call centre, in Newcastle, died in a motorbike accident last year. Staff -

  • 'Empty homes not being kept for asylum seekers'

    HOUSING chiefs in Chester-le-Street have hit out at suggestions they are being forced to keep homes empty for asylum seekers. The Northern Echo has reported that at least 100 North-East council homes are standing empty after the predicted flood of asylum

  • Sports car driver in 'chase' on A1

    WHEN management consultant Christopher Walker saw a car speed away from his TVR sports car on the A1(M), the urge to follow was too strong to resist. But, as he wound up his "pride and joy" to 116mph while travelling south at Boroughbridge, in North Yorkshire

  • Height of theme park ride causes concern

    OWNERS of one of the region's biggest theme parks are facing an anxious wait as a newly-opened attraction is put under further official scrutiny. Flamingo Land, near Malton, North Yorkshire, unveiled its £5m Cliff Hanger ride only a fortnight ago after

  • Come on, feel the boys' noise

    Senior Son was home for Easter. You may have heard him. Two boys do not make twice as much noise as one. They make about ten times. And then a bit more. As soon as Senior Son crashed through the door, fell against the standard lamp, knocked the papers

  • Legal challenge dropped over plans for theme bar

    A BUSINESSMAN has dropped his legal challenge to a council's planning approval of a controversial Durham night spot. Steve Anderson, a director of Caf Rock Limited, was seeking a judicial review of Durham City Council's decision to allow Regent Inns to

  • Mayor's help enlisted to fund Africa trip

    PUPILS at a Darlington school have enlisted the support of the mayor to help them raise enough money for their World Challenge Expedition to Malawi. Hannah Elliott, Rachel Davies and Jessica Pearson, who are all in the upper fifth year at Polam Hall School

  • Imagination runs riot in poster contest

    PUPILS from schools in Newton Aycliffe used their imagination to design cars of the future in a poster contest. The competition was organised by the Aycliffe Learning Town Partnership and hosted by Greenfield Community and Arts College. Stephen Wiper,

  • John North: Something nice in the woodshed

    A pub at the end of the garden is many people's dream but one man has made it ocme true. With beers including one dedicated to this column's author, a better bit of bitter would be hard to find. A NOTE, firstly, for all those who say that this column

  • Angling to keep youngsters occupied

    A SCHEME to give youngsters on a Darlington housing estate a new interest has become a great success, with dozens of children joining up. Firthmoor Community Centre has launched several projects for local youngsters, including a fishing club established

  • Building up confidence in construction sector

    CONFIDENCE among construction firms has reached its highest level for four years despite the prospect of higher interest rates. Monthly findings from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) out yesterday show no prospect of a let-up in

  • Slowly does it for foodie tour outfit

    AN international pressure group set up to warn against the dangers of fast food culture is heading to North Yorkshire. Tour operator Slow Food was first established in Italy to highlight the importance of supporting locally-produced, traditional food.

  • Football fan on the ball for ballet

    THE winner of a theatre and football club's joint competition was presented with his prize yesterday. Sunderland supporter Mike Wilson entered the competition run by the Sunderland Empire Theatre and Sunderland Football Club on the club's website. His

  • Police family widow dies at 100

    A POLICE officer's widow, whose three sons also joined the force, has died aged 100. Mary Elizabeth Hope (nee Sample) died on Monday at Hallgarth Nursing Home, Durham. She gave up working in service to marry County Durham officer Frank Hope in 1928. They

  • Accountancy firms in merger

    HLB Kidsons and Baker Tilly have merged to create the eighth largest accountancy firm in the UK with fees exceeding £150m. The firm will operate under the Baker Tilly brand with more than 30 offices across the country including an office in Newcastle.

  • Focus on new health group

    A NEW health authority ensuring patients' needs are met, held its first public meeting yesterday. The Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Health Authority, established on Monday, will be the local headquarters of the National Health Service, responsible

  • Judging brings drama festival to fitting climax

    HIGH standards made for a difficult task for judges at a North-East drama festival. Nine groups from across the region took part in the annual Saltburn Drama Festival, in east Cleveland. The roll of honour was: Best Production - The Dark Lady of the Sonnets

  • Opportunity to acquire new skills

    PEOPLE will have the chance to learn new skills in a series of activities to mark Adult Learners' Week. Sunderland residents will be able to take part in the activities, ranging from stained glass making to wood turning, at venues across the city from

  • Curtain-up for talented thespians

    AN evening of award-winning theatre will take place in east Cleveland later this month. Saltburn 53 Drama Group is fresh from its success in the town's drama festival, which attracts entries from across the North-East. The group's version of The Dark

  • Old coins can boost charity

    HOLIDAYMAKERS are being urged to leave unwanted foreign currency at an east Cleveland store to help raise funds for charity. Redcar Lifeboat Station celebrates its 200th anniversary later this year and it is also the bicentenary of the Zetland, the oldest

  • Five police officers receive praise for acts of bravery

    A POLICE officer who risked his life facing an armed man and four others who rescued a mother and her child from a house blaze have been praised for their bravery. PC Dave McNeillie has received a commendation for outstanding bravery after an incident

  • Disgust at Queen Mother radio quip

    FURIOUS radio listeners last night threatened to boycott a national chain of fashion shops after the company chairman made a "disgraceful" comment about the Queen Mother. Businessman Dave Charlton, chairman of Sunderland-based retailer Officers Club,

  • Phone-in favourites get right number with fans

    Pop Idol Tour 2002 Telewest Arena, Newcastle This is the night that Pop Idol people came out to play. Mothers are in scrums with the young ones, as 11,000 of the millions who voted during TV's phone-in phenomenon gather at Newcastle's Arena. Judge Nicki

  • Board to debate future of area blighted by vandalism

    PLANS will be set out today to rejuvenate a problem area of land left vacant after homes were demolished. Because of a decline in demand for council houses in Earl Street, Hartlepool, and the need to bring them up to a decent standard if they were to

  • Something nice in the woodshed

    A pub at the end of the garden is many people's dream but one man has made it come true. With beers including one dedicated to this column's author, a better bit of bitter would be hard to find A NOTE, firstly, for all those who say that this column hasn't

  • 72 people back us - quarry company

    A QUARRY firm wishing to expand its sand and gravel workings says it has received 72 letters backing the scheme. But when Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council meets on Tuesday, it is being recommended by planners to object to an

  • Happy to make headlines

    A COUPLE who have read The Northern Echo every day since they were married are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary this week. Ted and Barbara Neave, who were introduced by a mutual friend, married at Darlington Register Office in 1952. Mrs Neave

  • Early rail letters to attract keen bidding

    Letters detailing the early days of the Stockton and Darlington Railway go under the hammer next week. The letters, from the 1830s and 1840s, include one from the founder of the railways, George Stephenson, ordering carriage wheels from a foundry in Bradford

  • Izzet's Boro move still alive

    LEICESTER City boss Dave Bassett has indicated Muzzy Izzet could still be tempted to move to Middlesbrough during the summer. The 27-year-old midfielder turned down a £6m switch to the Riverside in February despite being offered wages believed to be around

  • Jobs go as work is moved overseas

    A MULTI-national electronics company is shedding 300 jobs at a North-East plant as it moves work to Eastern Europe. LG Philips Displays, a joint venture by Dutch company Philips and Korean-based LG, will halt production of deflection yokes, a device fitted