Hartburn Juniors secured a tournament win in Blackpool recently in the most dramatic of circumstances. They were 2-0 down with ten minutes to play in the final and pulled the scores level before the game went to a penalty shoot-out and the Under-12s managed
Pop idol finalist Aaron Bayley has left hundreds of adoring schoolchildren devastated after pulling out of a gig just days before the big event. The geordie ex-train driver didn't even take the time out to tell fans himself that he won't be at the concert
Junior seven-a-side football teams are invited to enter one of three competitions being held this summer at Gateshead International Stadium. The first tournament for Under-11s is taking place on Tuesday, August 27, the second for Under-13s is on Thursday
Crook Mill House moved two points clear at the top of the First Division after they restricted their hosts and Crook Coach and Horses A to a single point, scored when John Race won a singles game. The Mill's success came from singles wins by Norman Slack
Next season's League will be reduced to 64 clubs. This is not due to a shortage of teams, but is due to the the huge shortage of referees available on a Sunday morning. The League had 16 applications to join but were only able to allow three new teams
OLDER people from Darlington gathered yesterday for a musical extravaganza. The event in the Market Square marked the end of a month-long Darlington Borough Council promotion called Darlington Active, Independent, Staying Young (Daisy). The programme
Sedgefield squad hosted an Under-19 tournament at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Complex against Hucknall from the Midlands, Carlisle and newly crowned Men's and Youth National Champions Lancaster. Sedgefield defeated Carlisle 11-2, Hucknall 4-2 and lost narrowly
THE Yarm and District Saddle Club novice horse trials team has again been successful in winning the Area 2 qualifying round of the British Riding Clubs horse trials at Hedley West Farm. The team will now go forward to represent the North East of England
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture OLD crop prices have drifted a little as end users seem to be happy with the cover they have. New crop prices have remained in their narrow range. There has been some expectation that prices should have improved as the
HAWES. - Tues. Fwd: 17 calves, 411 sheep. Calves: BBX bulls to £215; hfrs to £120 av £118. Lim X bulls to £240 av £151; hfrs to £118 av £107. Fries bulls to £85 av £63.50. Prime lambs lt to 110p av 110p; std to 113.5p av 110p; med to 110.2p av 106.1p,
A NEW batch of babies is keeping carers on their toes with feeds every four hours. For six new baby owls have been born at Falconry UK, the birds of prey and conservation centre at Sion Hill, Kirby Wiske. One of the baby snowy owls is to be named Dalby
Darlington and District League Saturday A Division Ashley Fiddell 64 for Rockcliffe Park against Barningham John Lowes 100 for Barningham Against Rockcliffe Park Dave Mathias 63 for Aldbrough St John against Cockerton Steve Lethbridge 59 not out for Cockerton
SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid has identified Derby County striker Malcolm Christie as a back-up target if he fails in a last-ditch bid to persuade Robbie Keane to move to the Stadium of Light. The Republic of Ireland's World Cup talisman this week turned
Bishop Auckland Area League : Bishop Auckland Kings Head clinched the league title this week with one game still to play. Playing at home to Bishop Auckland Bay Horse and needing three points to make sure of the title Steven Bainbridge, Andrew Tuesday
DURHAM City Council could seek to split up the Gala Theatre as it bids to map out a future for the troubled £14m venue. The council has indicated that it may hive off the arts venue's various functions to different management companies. These would include
Sir, - One fine Saturday evening recently my dogs alerted me to the front door. A gorgeous little girl of about six stood there. She was too small to reach the door bell. Clean, well spoken, nicely dressed, her long curling hair well brushed, she was
MY better half grew up in Great Ayton, so when Cambridge auctioneers Cheffins announced, on the instructions of the niece of the late Lady Fry, a premises sale at Cleveland Lodge, we just had to go. Plus the sale was packed with old and interesting pots
A FORGOTTEN folk song will be performed this weekend in the North-East village which inspired its author. World-famous opera singer Ian Storey will perform the song during Picnic in the Park, in Hurworth, near Darlington, tomorrow. The Hurworth Fox Chase
SCHOOLS that demand girls wear skirts could be forced to scrap their rules if a landmark sex discrimination case goes ahead. The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has told the Education Secretary it intends to take a school, which it refuses to name
THE ex-wife of bogus paramedic Gerard Slater told of his bizarre Walter Mitty life yesterday. Slater, 42, is facing a prison sentence for molesting woman while posing as an ambulanceman. His estranged wife, Linda, 38, a former British Transport Police
THE skies will be a blaze of colour when kiteflyers from all over the world descend on the North-East this weekend. Dozens of professional kiteflyers will be taking part in the International Festival of Kites, Music and Dance, held at the Northern Area
A HOUSE fire in which a man lost his life was caused by a discarded cigarette, an inquest has heard. Robert Furlong, 48, died during the blaze at his flat in The Manors, Fishburn, County Durham, on September 15, 1999. Despite the efforts of two neighbours
Peter William Harris, 52, appeared before Chester-le-Street magistrates yesterday charged with assaulting a 16-year-old at Park House, a council-run respite home for children with disabilities in Sherburn, near Durham. Mr Harris, from Granville Road,
A father and his three young sons were towed 12 miles to safety by a lifeboat after the engine on their speedboat failed on the south side of the South Gare lighthouse, near the mouth of the River Tees. The boat, named Southern Comfort, put out a distress
FARMERS, landowners and others are being urged to root out a potential killer from the North Yorkshire countryside this summer. Each year the deaths of many horses and ponies are attributed to ragwort poisoning. The plant, easily identifiable at this
A POSITIVE update about the excellent month at the Gala arts venue provided by ourselves was unrecognisable as it appeared in print (Echo, July 3). To reiterate the facts: Gala is doing very well - it is enjoying full houses at theatre productions, good
PRIMARY children had the opportunity to show-off their talents in a sell-out show at the Durham Gala Theatre yesterday evening. The pupils at St Godric's RC Primary School, in Newton Hall, Durham City, had spent weeks preparing for their big night, which
Debt-laden cable operator Telewest has said it plans to meet bondholders and key shareholder Liberty Media over plans to restructure its finances. The move comes after an offer from Liberty to buy 20 per cent of Telewest's bonds, increasing speculation
THE family of an ex-patriot granted his last wish by bringing his ashes back to the region he loved and grew up in as a youngster. Derek Dunn Wilson was brought up by his parents, Arthur and Doris Wilson, in the villages of Etherley and Witton Park, both
LOW cost airline Go has announced an increase in the number of daily flights it will operate from Newcastle Airport to London Stansted from October. Go will fly four times a day on weekdays and three times a day at weekends to Stansted, from just £19
The father of a young North-East soldier shot dead at his barracks has predicted that Ministry of Defence ministers and officials will be embarrassed at an official inquiry by MPs into the death. Private Geoff Gray, who was 17, from Seaham, County Durham
THE Farmway crop variety open day at Croft proved a huge success and was visited by more than 400 farmers. They were able to view hundreds of plots of variety trials staged at Grange Farm, including trials held by the HGCA, ARC and Farmway. Mr Robert
A HEART attack victim lived on for more than two days after a hospital doctor told his wife and daughter he had died. An inquest was told that the mistaken diagnosis came after attempts to revive John Friend seemed to have failed. But the 81-year-old,
CHIEF executive Bob Wiper of Stanley Leisure will be hoping to come up trumps after his group paid a total of £44.3m to buy regional casino group Tower Casino. The deal will add five more provincial sites to the Liverpool bookie's growing casino operation
PEOPLE and businesses in Northallerton are being urged to spruce up their premises. Judges for the summer Yorkshire in Bloom competition will be putting the town under the spotlight next Friday. The local council is encouraging people to do their bit
THE victims of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale are to make a second complaint to the Legal Services Ombudsman in a dispute about "aggressive" defence lawyers. They are furious that the Bar Council has for the second time thrown out their complaint against
IT has been mainly downhill since I reached the summit of Worcestershire Beacon last Saturday. Henmania continues to raise my hackles, football simply won't go away, and now I find myself caught up in Silverstone traffic. I recently declared this column
FUNDING is helping to crack down on crooks in an area of Hartlepool. Door and window alarms are being fitted in 350 homes occupied by older people in the Owton Manor area. It is a joint project between Hartlepool Crime Prevention panel and Hartlepool
A total of 200 students of the Chundokwan Taekwondo achieved promotion to their next belt during two weekends of intensive grading at their Ferryhill headquarters. The overall standard was excellent and Master Steve Robinson, chief instructor, was very
WORK is under way to create a mini-oasis in the centre of Hartlepool. A community garden is being built on what was until recently rough land off the town's Osborne Road. The L-shaped plot is being transformed into a garden with grass, flowers, seating
AN east Durham comprehensive school is celebrating being awarded Special Status in the Performing Arts. Shotton Hall School in Peterlee has granted the new designation, as reported in The Northern Echo yesterday. Headteacher Ian Mowbray was delighted
ROMAN soldiers will march to town as part of an annual festival. Tomorrow, at 1pm, soldiers from Quinta, the fifth cohorts of Gaul, will march from Segedunum Roman Fort, in Wallsend, to the town centre. The event will form part of a weekend of celebrations
WALKERS have signed up for a summer-long challenge to reach a ton in a quest for fitness. The Wear Valley Walking for Health Ton-Up Challenge, launched on Monday, is part of a three-year initiative to cut heart disease and promote healthy living. People
FOUR caring pharmacy staff will complete a sponsored walk to raise funds for the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. The workers will walk 14 miles from Moss Pharmacy, in Spennymoor, to the top of Durham Cathedral tower and back with their dogs on Sunday
CYCLISTS will be taking part in a series of challenging rides as part of Darlington Cycling Festival. The first ride is the 70 miles Tourist Trial, which takes place on Sunday. It will follow a route from Darlington towards the Cleveland Hills and includes
A motorist had to be cut free from his car by firefighters after it crashed into a tree on the A167 at Beaumont Hill, Darlington, at 4.30pm yesterday. The man was taken by ambulance to Darlington Memorial Hospital suffering head and chest injuries. FIRE
A PUBLIC row has broken out between the three leading political figures in north Durham. Derwentside District Council leader Alex Watson hit back at a call by his MP Kevan Jones that the authority should be abolished and was 'about as popular as a dose
A GREYHOUND puppy valued at around £3,000 has been stolen from a compound in Witton-le-Wear, County Durham. The six-month-old bitch, which is black with white feet, has a unique identification mark - DPT7 - tattooed on its right ear.
HIGHWAYS chiefs have been urged to hold back from selling a Dales depot until they can find an alternative site to store salt for road gritting. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is negotiating with North Yorkshire County Council over the future
TWO cats are looking for a new home together. Adam, five, and Rosie, which is three, are not related but have spent most of their lives together. Staff at the National Animal Sanctuary Support League, in Darlington, have been caring for the cats since
Umpire David Shepherd was at the centre of controversy last night after a missile appeared to strike him on the head at The Riverside, writes Steven Baker. Several witnesses claimed a small object hit Shepherd, 61, above the left temple and that he walked
A NEW facility has been opened for young families in Darlington. The Darlington Railway Museum has lent a building in McNay Street to the town's Sure Start project, so it can increase the amount of help it provides for young children and their parents
Paul Collingwood might have gone to sleep on Wednesday night dreaming of dismissing Sachin Tendulkar. Instead, he spent Thursday afternoon watching the little Indian master dismiss his bowling to all parts of the Riverside. And when Collingwood thought
CHILDREN in Redcar were jumping for joy last week when Paralympic gold medallist Tanni Grey-Thompson popped in to see their sponsored skip. Year 6 pupils at Ings Farm Primary School took part in the energetic event to raise money for the British Heart
ROMAN soldiers will march to town as part of an annual festival. Tomorrow, at 1pm, soldiers from Quinta, the fifth cohorts of Gaul, will march from Segedunum Roman Fort, in Wallsend, to the town centre. The event will form part of a weekend of celebrations
A FEAST of fun for all the family takes place in Hartlepool when the Maritime Festival sets sail this weekend. Attractions and entertainment in and around the Historic Quay are based on the theme of Voyages of Discovery. Water-based activities include
WORLD Cup star Michael Owen is lending his support to England's first all-female football tournament, taking place in Durham this weekend. The Liverpool hotshot has autographed an England shirt which organisers plan to raffle during the two-day event,
AN athlete who has been selected to represent Great Britain is appealing for help to get him to the world championships. Ben Oakes has only been competing in triathlons for three years, but his efforts last year were good enough to earn him national selection
THE head of cultural services at Stockton Borough Council was one of a select group invited for a talk with Prime Minister Tony Blair. Andrea Barker, who has worked at the council since 1996, was one of 150 local government frontline workers, managers
A schoolgirl who donated life-saving bone marrow to her younger sister died four years later after accidentally overdosing on tablets in a misguided attempt to grab attention, an inquest heard. Tragic 15-year-old Elaine Swift had endured years of domestic
The ITV digital fiasco looked to have dealt a fatal blow to the Government's hopes that we would all switch over to digital terrestrial broadcasts by 2010. But, as Nigel Burton reports, although digital may be down, it is by no means out. IMAGINE the
A NEW exhibition is taking a detailed look at five centuries of art. The show at the Mercer Gallery in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, highlights portraits from the gallery's permanent collection including paintings, drawings, sketches and sculptures dating
BUSINESSES are being warned to protect their data from the ever-growing number of computer viruses. John Davison, IT consultant at Clive Owen and Company Chartered Accountants, in Darlington, is calling on all firms to make sure their information is protected
PLANS to close another village pub and turn it into a house suffered a last minute setback yesterday. Planning officers at Hambleton development control committee had originally recommended approval for the application from Graham Johnson, landlord of
ANGRY hoteliers have forced a rethink over the night-time dumping of thousands of tons of rocks to protect Scarborough's coastline. They complained that the noise was keeping guests awake and that they were losing business when people cancelled bookings
NEW research reveals that eight out of ten workers in the North of England are stressed out from work. Just under half work longer than the standard 35-hour week and more than a third regularly work unpaid overtime, according to the study commissioned
BUSINESS is hotting up in the East for a company which ensures Russian car seats are just the right temperature. Sales manager Marcus Lux, of North Shields company Elmwood Sensors, is back from Russia - with a £200,000 order for thermostats for seat heaters
HEALTH bosses reckon that more than a million unwanted and potentially dangerous tablets have been handed in after a promotional drive in the region. The campaign was mounted after an incident which led to teenagers being hospitalised after mixing alcohol
On Wednesday June 26 Harriers held their 16th Annual Pie and Peas 10kms Road Race round the village of New Marske. The host club had 31 finishers out of the total of 76. After one lap there was a group of half a dozen then Shaun O'Grady (NMH) pulled away
CYCLISTS will be taking part in a series of challenging rides as part of Darlington Cycling Festival. The first ride is the 70 miles Tourist Trial, which takes place on Sunday. It will follow a route from Darlington towards the Cleveland Hills and includes
- Round Eight - Teesside Steelers claimed their second consecutive North East Division title on Saturday comfortably beating Durham Tigers, the only team with a mathematical chance of catching them. The final score was 56-6, a battling Tigers team finally
IF IT costs four men £1,300 to travel to Bournemouth by train and it costs four men £300 to travel to Bournemouth in two cars, which is the best use of council cash? The answer is obvious, but I pose this riddle in light of the antics of a handful of
MISS Mirasol travelled down from Yorkshire on Saturday to land the Empress Stakes, a Newmarket Listed race and a first win at the course for trainer Kevin Ryan. The trainer had expected the filly to win at Haydock recently and said he'd been upset when
DURHAM'S big day came to a sorry, soggy end last night as rain ruined the one-day international between England and India. After Sachin Tendulkar's first limited-overs hundred against England had taken the visitors to an imposing 285 for four, the weather
MEMBERS of the Bilsdale hunt gathered recently to mark a poignant landmark in their history. They commemorated the 100th anniversary of the death of Bobbie Dawson, for 60 years whipper-in and living legend in the local hunting community. Bobbie hunted
DAVE Purvis loves whittling with wood. Well-known in Ripon for his skills in making clocks, door signs, rocking horses, figures and more, he is not perhaps so well known for his other passion (he has several, as you will learn) - creating coracles. The
SIX teams from a Saltburn health club have signed up to spend the day as squaddies to raise money for charity. The 20 friends, who all train at Healthwise Fitness Club, will scale a 35-foot climbing wall, take part in a steeplechase and be put through
Claire Wilson celebrated her first call up for England Schoolgirls with a gold and silver at the British Schools International Invitation championships held in Cardiff last weekend. At 15 Claire was the youngest member of the England side and teamed up
The eagerly awaited Fish 'O' Mania attracted a 91-strong field to the Tees at Yarm but the early season bream nets were just a memory as competitors scratched for mainly perch on the lower reaches, desperately missing the flow, writes JEFF HERBERT. Armley
MORE long serving parish councillors have been denied the chance to continue serving the community after refusing to sign the Government's new code of conduct. Councillors at Sowerby and Masham have been, or are about to be, declared ineligible after
IF IT costs four men £1,300 to travel to Bournemouth by train and it costs four men £300 to travel to Bournemouth in two cars, which is the best use of council cash? The answer is obvious, but I pose this riddle in light of the antics of a handful of
A FOUR-year-old girl with a chronic eating disorder is being treated in the North-East after all. The family of Annie Jones, who suffers from infantile anorexia, feared they would have to raise up to £80,000 for specialist treatment in an American clinic
CHILDREN'S Laureate Anne Fine will help a school open a new chapter in learning next week when she spends a day on site to open its library. The best-selling children's author will speak to students and sign books during her visit to Moorside Community
REVELLING along Yarm's "party street" won't spill into the early hours if local councillors get their way. Members of the town council were united in opposing a plan for a popular eaterie to stay open until 2am. Hide, in Fairfax Court, wants to extend
Just as the Commonwealth Games kick off in Manchester at the end of this month, so Peterlee will become the centre of its own unique international sporting event. For the first time ever one of the qualifying rounds of the European Cadette Women's Basketball
PLANS for a 61-bed elderly care home to be built on green belt land in Darlington has led to the application being referred to the Secretary of State. St Martins Care has applied to Darlington Borough Council for permission to build a two-storey residential
THE rail industry was hit by a double blow last night after fresh safety revelations about Britain's ageing infrastructure. Bereaved families called for a public inquiry into the Potters Bar crash after a report into the tragedy revealed network-wide
Jonathan Loach was in good all round form when Philadelphia defeated Sunderland by 30 runs at Bunker Hill. The youngster carried his bat for 56 and Brian Telfer added 22 to the Phili total of 125 for five. Loach then claimed three wickets for 15 runs
TO sit beneath a shady tree on a balmy summer evening while enjoying an outdoor feast is indeed a hint of heaven. To enjoy such an experience with the added bonus of a nightingale in full song each evening at about eight o'clock and the sound of purring
VILLAGERS struggling to keep their community centres open have been stunned to hear they are losing vital grants from Darlington Borough Council. The annual payment has helped management committees run their halls and dates back to the days when they
A row has broken out in a North-East village over plans to build a bigger incinerator for burning animal carcasses. Some residents claim the furnace would create excessive noise, smell and traffic in the tiny village of Charltons, near Guisborough. But
POLICE chiefs have defended their decision to call in a public relations firm to help improve the image of a new call-handling centre in North Yorkshire. More modern control rooms and communication systems were introduced by the county constabulary in
A GUESThouse proprietor claims a row over parking is driving him out of business. When Bill Dockery took over Green Grove Guesthouse, Gilesgate, Durham City, two years ago, it already had a history of parking problems. As one of the main thoroughfares
AN act of military heroism has been brought vividly back to life - by the very man who lived through it. A century-and-a-half since the Crimean War first seared itself into the country's consciousness, its blunders and bravery have become the stuff of
Tow Law New Market B moved up to share the top spot with Tow Law Rose and Crown after they won the decider on their visit to Tow Law Dan's Castle B. The visitors got away to a goods start and went two up through Gavin Tennant and Michael bell. However
DON'T be lulled into a feeling of false security by yesterday's rally on the London stockmarket. Few commentators believe the improvement is the start of an upward trend, merely a brief respite in which investors can count their losses and prepare for
At the recent 3M Centenary Fun Run on the June 16, Newton Aycliffe Athletic Club's junior section performed magnificently over the 3k trail course, with many personal bests being set. Chris Kerr in third place in a time of 11.57 led the way for the juniors
A traditional country show in County Durham shares its 50th anniversary with the Queen's Golden Jubilee this year. This weekend's Lanchester Show will carry on the recent mood of celebration witnessed at the culmination of the Jubilee festivities. Following
WEARDALE potters Eddie and Margaret Curtis recently returned from the continent where they won two major prizes. In Gouda, Holland, visitors to one festival selected them for first prize out of 147 potters. Two days later they won first prize at the Keramiek
IT WAS, as Hollywood movie parlance would have it, a tough call for Stockton Borough Council's planning committee last Saturday. It met at the weekend to reach a decision on plans for developing former farmland on the banks of Tees and, after a lengthy
Esh Stag's Head moved one point clear at the top of the table after they beat the visiting Cornsay Royal Oak by five points. The home side took the first four points through B. March, D. Metcalfe, T. March and R. Brown but then the Oak took the last two
PAY and display machines could appear on the streets of Darlington if a new car parking strategy gets the green light. The idea will be aired at the transport forum meeting in the town hall on Monday at 7pm. John Buxton, the council's director of development
THE family of a schoolgirl who died in a swimming pool last year may take a council to court after an inquest yesterday raised more questions about the tragedy. Anne-Marie Readshaw, from Ferryhill, County Durham, died while swimming with friends at Spennymoor
A PUBLIC row has broken out between the three leading political figures in north Durham. Derwentside District Council leader Alex Watson hit back at a call by his MP Kevan Jones that the authority should be abolished and was 'about as popular as a dose
Sir Bobby Robson will swap the Toon Army for the Barmy Army when he retires. The Newcastle manager dreams of sitting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground or the Kensington Oval, Barbados, watching England in Test match action. Robson, who used to play cricket
Hinderwell maintained their challenge for the championship of division one with an eight wickets victory at Skelton Castle who were all out in 30.2 overs for 79 runs which included a top scoring 19 by Karl Pigg who recorded four boundaries. Paul Theaker
MORE farmers are trying to sell up and quit an industry continuing to struggle with declining profits. The gloomy picture of a diminishing farming industry was revealed this week in a survey published by the Institute of Chartered Accountants' farming
A NORTH-EAST engineer has used his inventive skills to win a place in the finals of a national competition - for soup making. Phil Gilhespy, of Medomsley, Consett, is one of four finalists who have been invited to London to cook-up his signature soup
A 12-year-old boy has died while on an organised school activity trip. Police announced today that James Todd, of St Paul's Drive, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, was on a trip to Belford, near Berwick, when the tragedy happened on Thursday evening
A MASSIVE development on green space in Stockton has been given the go-ahead. The £30m Bowesfield Park scheme has cleared its first hurdle - despite being hailed as an "Auf Wiedersehen Pet" vision for the town.' At a special planning committee on Saturday
THE ancient art of Chinese medicine has taken root in Darlington. Dr & Herbs, which opened in the Cornmill Centre almost three weeks ago, has already prescribed a mix of Oriental remedies for well over 500 people. Professing to be good for everything
If you live in Stockton this is your chance to take advantage of the country's biggest and best annual sporting offer - to play tennis for free. Play Tennis 2002 is run by the Lawn Tennis Association and the campaign offers everyone, especially beginners
A COUNTY Durham saddle company has broken into the tough American market with help from Trade Partners UK. The Free'n'Easy saddle company has taken more than £40,000 in orders following a trade mission to the USA, part-financed by the Government organisation
While we smooth on the facial and body moisturiser, our poor old feet are much neglected. So now we're letting them out for summer, it's time they had a treat. OUR poor feet! They spend most of the winter tucked up cosily in thick tights and sensible
Bellwoods 1, D'ton Red Star 4; Skerne Park 0, Barry Barbers 11; FNL 10, Turks Head 1; Smith and Allan 4, Blackbourns Garage 2; Hopetown 9, Coversure 0; Harrowgate WMC 6, Cobybus 2.
THE UniBond League voted to keep the national league system in virtually its current format at its annual meeting, writes RAY SIMPSON. The league has been discussing two suggestions put forward by the Football Association. One was to split the Conference
CALLS for the introduction of electronic identification and electronic data transfer for cattle, sheep, pigs and goats have been welcomed by Defra. The recommendations, put forward by the industry steering group, include developing a central database
Bishop Auckland Rugby Club have started their pre-season training in preparation for another campaign in division three of the Durham and Northumberland League. With former club captain Mark Macnair in charge of coaching, first XV captain Peter Sayer
THE Guisborough Motor Club held the fifth and final round of their club trials championship on Saturday at Skelder Farm, Commondale, where a terrific entry of 107 turned out. After four laps of a ten-section course, Jonathan Frost (Gas Gas) took the win
Durham and District League Murton looked to be racing away with the Third Division title when they visited Chilton with only one defeat in the first half of the season. However Chilton pulled out all the stops and recorded a six points victory in an 85
Division A: Ebberston 108-0 (A Turnbull 57 no, A Winspear 41 no), Flixton 2nds 107 (M Blackborrow 29;S Scott 4-18, S Spavin 3-14). Flixton 215-7 (B Sowden 65, N Zak 43, R Baker 42, K Simpson 30), Cayton 221-5 (S McAlleese 51 no, S Smith 48, D Foreman
Heighington enjoy a six point lead at the top of the table at the halfway stage. They recorded their ninth win in 11 attempts defeating Ingleton by seven wickets when the home side were restricted to 150 for seven which included 37 by Laundy. Howard returned
The Under-14 Lads finished the season winners at Wiggington and runners-up at Rowntrees. Pictured, back row, are S Ashton, B Aisbitt, S Healey, B Smiles. Front row, C Wilson, S Leigh, S Cheesman, A Scott and Player of the Tournament at Wiggington, G Butler
Willington shocked their visitors, the reigning league champions and unbeaten, Old Shildon when they came through to an odd point victory. The home side had wins from Gordon Parkin, Arthur Goldsborough and Tom Parkin, whilst Charlie Blake and Andrew Aisbitt
NATIONAL park rangers climbed into the saddle to learn about issues facing horse riders in the Yorkshire dales. Fourteen rangers joined members of the British Horse Society at the Yorkshire Dales trekking centre, Malham, last Friday to hear comments from
AS Darlington taxi drivers well know, the local council is fairly strict when it comes to applying the rules - and the penalties - so it wasn't surprising that its commercial licensing manager welcomed the prospect of a training school for such drivers
A ROW has broken out over plans to build a bigger incinerator for burning animal carcasses in the tiny village of Charltons, near Guisborough. Some residents say the furnace would cause excessive noise, smell and traffic. But Ted and Jean Noddings, who
A MAJOR arts festival is to be staged in Northallerton later this summer to mark the re-opening of Hambleton Community Centre after its £400,000 refurbishment. Professional dance, theatre and music companies will mix with local talent during the week-long
DARLINGTON'S Mike Trees has become the Japanese National Duathlon Champion for the fourth time. Trees, who recently scooped the British National title, was as impressive as ever in the Championships, which were held at Wakasaji - a small town by the Japan
Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament. Format: PlayStation 2. Publisher: SCEE. Price: £34.99 WHAT better time to release a new tennis game onto the UK market than during Wimbledon? Smash Court Tennis has a long and distinguished history as a top arcade-style
Catterick Dressage. - July 27/28 at Richmond EC. Affiliated and unaffiliated. Schedules sae Mrs Riley, Stable Flat, Clifton Castle, Ripon HG4 4AB. Tel 01765 689632. Cleveland Hunt PC. - Summer camp, final payments are due. Please send to Kath Neely on
Two former pupils who claimed their lives were made a living hell by bullies have failed in their attempt to win damages from their former school. Caroline Newby and Jamie Bright both needed hospital treatment following assaults but claimed that staff
THE one common thread running through the tragedies at Clapham, Southall, Paddington, Hatfield, Selby, and Potters Bar is that they were all avoidable. While it is impossible to create an accident-proof railway network, it is surely possible to reduce
A CEREMONY to commemorate the North-East's links with the US was transformed yesterday from a celebration to a poignant memorial to the victims of the September 11 terror attack. American Independence Day was marked by the planting of a tree at Washington
A NEW multi-million pound development has been earmarked for Sunderland's riverside. Print firm the Edward Thompson Group plans to turn its factory next to Wearmouth Bridge into a luxury development comprising 100 flats, a restaurant, bar and rooftop
A HEADTEACHER has been suspended following allegations that he was involved in the manipulation of exam results. David Horton has been suspended from Kelloe Primary School at Kelloe, near Durham City while the accusation is investigated. The headmaster
A HOUSING department will have to improve if it wants to secure up to £44m in Government funding. Stockton Borough Council's housing service has been conditionally allocated the extra cash under the Government's Arm's Length Housing Management scheme.
A thousand women have signed up in Darlington to help raise money for cancer charities. Cancer Research's Race for Life event will be held in the town on Sunday, July 14. Women of all ages can run, walk or jog a 5km course around South Park. Race organiser
THE Queen's Golden Jubilee baton reaches the region today when it passes through North Yorkshire. Since March 11, the baton has been carried by thousands of people through 24 countries across the Commonwealth. Pulsing with lights to match the runner's
When George Pearson captured shocking scenes of children as young as nine setting fire to a stolen car, all he wanted to do was tell a police officer. The 55-year-old taxi driver heard a commotion outside his home in a crime-hit neighbourhood and went
CRAIG BELLAMY is on course to be fit for the start of Newcastle United's Champions' League campaign. The Wales striker reported for pre-season training yesterday just two months after undergoing knee surgery for tendinitis. Bellamy was advised to rest
Cockton Hill and Crook Belle Vue continue to dominate the darts section with both recording maximum wins. The only 180's of the week came from the same two teams when Jeff Sneath hit two for Belle Vue and Billy Steele one for Cockton Hill. The Hill hold
Rockets were fired into the sky yesterday as part of an initiative at a leading college. More than 700 students took part in Mission Possible, a day of events designed to give pupils from Allertonshire School an early welcome to Northallerton College.
HARTLEPOOL'S new mayor is making a final plea to local people to back a call to reduce the number of councillors. Stuart Drummond wants to save council cash by reducing the number of councillors in Hartlepool from 47 to 32. People have until July 8 to
A CAMPAIGN to help blind and partially-sighted people has been launched by Scarborough Borough Council, which is calling on business to remove obstacles causing obstructions on pavements. Derek Rowell, the authority's director of technical services, said
An A-level student has got the chance to dream up ad campaigns for a top London firm that counts Guinness and the BBC among its clients. Elaine Thomas from Egglescliffe Secondary School, in Stockton, will join four other young people at Claydon Heeley
A COUNCIL chief is set to drive off his chosen charity at a fundraising golf tournament today. Chairman of the District of Easington, Councillor Jeff Gray will host the event at Hartlepool Golf Course to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Research. The
HARROGATE Civic society and 14 residents are objecting to plans to pull down a garage and build seven town houses and two cottages on a site in Ripon. They believe Ripon's housing market is already over-supplied and that the application to build the properties
A SOLDIER has shown his support for a disabled friend by embarking on a mountain climbing challenge for her benefit. David Lucas, 17, an apprentice tradesman in the Army, set off on the Three Peaks challenge to climb Snowdon, Scafell and Ben Nevis, with
A SAILOR was jailed for nine years yesterday after a brave rape victim told of her ordeal after two decades of silence. The woman, now in her thirties, contacted police when she heard that James Purvis, 53, was a grandfather with access to young girls
The 15th Rainton 10k and fun run took place last Sunday, with money raised going towards the upkeep of the village hall. More than 200 runners took part in good conditions and the race was won by Alan Stimpson of New Marske Harriers in 32.19. The ladies
Peter William Harris, 52, appeared before Chester-le-Street magistrates yesterday charged with assaulting a 16-year-old at Park House, a council-run respite home for children with disabilities in Sherburn, near Durham. Mr Harris, from Granville Road,
Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament. Format: PlayStation 2. Publisher: SCEE. Price: £34.99 WHAT better time to release a new tennis game onto the UK market than during Wimbledon? Smash Court Tennis has a long and distinguished history as a top arcade-style
A TEAM of managers from County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust triumphed at the Annual Management Challenge in Birmingham. Teams from trusts around the country had to operate as a board of directors to tackle a series of problems. Their
The retiring Mayor of Ferryhill has presented a cheque for £3,700 to her chosen charity. Dr Simon Bailey accepted the money from Councillor Kath Conroy on behalf of the English Children's Cancer Fund. Coun Conroy raised the money through a series of events
NEARLY 1,000 brightly coloured balloons are proving a grand fundraiser for a Spennymoor school. Red, green, blue and yellow balloons soared high into the sky above St Charles RC Primary School, in Durham Road. The launch should have signalled the start
A full programme of activities is planned at a Newton Aycliffe school during the summer holidays. The activities for young people aged four to 16 are part of the arts development programme at Greenfield Community and Arts Centre. In the first three weeks
THE family of an ex-patriot granted his last wish by bringing his ashes back to the region he loved and grew up in as a youngster. Derek Dunn Wilson was brought up by his parents, Arthur and Doris Wilson, in the villages of Etherley and Witton Park, both
Aycliffe Village Youth Club is looking for a new leader following the resignation of Debbie Weir. The club, which meets in the village hall, ran successfully for six months until Mrs Weir stepped down. Councillor Bill Blenkinsopp said: "We're trying to
Armed men and amateur ops - just a normal day then... THE prognosis is not good as ITV's answer to ER returns for another series. "I wouldn't have any money on this lot," says a paramedic, surveying the carnage as the victims of a major RTA are brought
A SPELL-BINDING book has been created by five children, who can now boast they have had their first novel published before even leaving primary school. The pupils, at Cestria Primary School, Chester-le-Street, who have shown a gift for imaginative writing
HOUSEHOLDERS are to take part in an environmental trial aimed at cutting the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites. More than 5,000 homes in the Thirsk area - many of which are already collecting paper, cans, glass and plastic as part of a kerbside
An investigation was under way last night to discover how two British Airways passenger planes on domestic flights over the UK came close to colliding. A Bristol to Newcastle flight came within about 1,000ft of an aircraft from Glasgow as they flew over
A PRIMARY school sports team has been crowned joint winners of a recent athletics competition. A scoring mistake at the Darlington Primary Schools Athletic Championships last week put Whinfield Junior School in second place behind Abbey Junior School
A series of vicious attacks on a teenager were dismissed by his school as "a bit of teasing", a court heard yesterday. After talking to the bullies, headteacher Peter Clark concluded it was the victim, Jamie Bright, who was to blame, Middlesbrough Crown
THE Tuxedo Princess, a floating nightclub moored at Gateshead quayside, re-opens tonight after a £500,000 facelift, which has provided a new sound and light system, revolving dance floor, laser lights and plasma screens. The celebrations will include
AMBULANCE chiefs in North Yorkshire and Cleveland are marking NHS Week by investing in local child safety. Copies of a fun first-aid handbook for youngsters have been sent to more than 100 schools across the region. The ambulance service's first-aid training
TIME is running out to book places for a talk by a leading author later this month. Gervase Phinn, whose latest book Head Over Heals in the Dales is receiving national acclaim, will be giving a lecture at Hartlepool Historic Quay on Wednesday, July 17
From this newspaper 100 years ago. - Census details were published this week, with details on occupations, industries and social issues of County Durham. Darlington has 44,000 residents and Stockton has 51,000. The county's population has increased by
THIEVES took a trailer from the back of a car while the driver walked to a nearby garage to buy petrol. The vehicle's 55-year-old owner, from Swalwell, near Gateshead, had been travelling from Lanchester, along Ford Road towards Cornsay Colliery, County
A MAN jailed for taking his ex-lover's dog in an attempt to retrieve a £2m silver chalice once owned by Nazi henchman Hermann Goering was freed yesterday. Derek Smith's "manifestly excessive" nine-month sentence was cut at London's Court of Appeal after
ETHNIC minorities in east Durham have been invited to join together to discuss issues which affect their lives. Easington District's community safety partnership has called a meeting at Peterlee Leisure Centre next Wednesday at 7pm and is hoping many
A RESIDENT of Stockton held a one-man protest yesterday claiming the council is riding roughshod over the wishes of people in the town. Chris Bailes staged the protest at the junction of Prince Regent Street and Bishopton Lane in the town where contractors
A FOOTBALL tournament has proved so popular it may become an annual event in the Skelton and Brotton area. After a week of tough matches, the finalists meet at a Golden Jubilee carnival on Saturday. More than 180 young people and 22 teams have been taking
Owner of Durham Computers Steve Martin was recently nominated for the SFEDI Positive Choice award at the National Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative awards ceremony. Mr Martin was recommended for the national event by Chester-le-Street and
CLEVELAND Police were last night attacked for prolonging the agony of detective-turned- mayor Ray Mallon. The Northern Echo reveal-ed exclusively how Mr Mallon is expected to be cleared of criminal wrongdoing following a second review of Operation Lancet
RESIDENTS in a country village are divided over proposals for a new children's playing field. People living in East Heslerton, near Malton, are split over plans put forward by the parish council to site the facility on Carr Lane. Parents in the village
HOWZAT for a great sporting end to the school year? Former first class Pakistani cricketer Umer Rashid is providing coaching for youngsters across Richmondshire until the end of term. His visits include schools and clubs in the area as part of a £4,000
AWARD-winning cheese producer, Shepherd's Purse of Thirsk, was alarmed this week to receive a final ruling banning the company from marketing feta cheese. The European Commission has called a halt to the marketing of feta cheese made anywhere except specific
SURVIVORS of the Selby rail disaster reacted angrily today as the motorist who caused the tragedy began legal proceedings in a bid to clear his name. To the fury of bereaved families, Gary Hart has asked for his case to be heard in the Court of Appeal
THE family of a mother who fed her new-born baby potentially lethal amounts of salt have said they will never forgive her. Marie Graham also said that innocent members of the family had been verbally and physically abused by the public since the case
Sir, - I feel I must write in response to Cynthia Wilcox (D&S letters, June 28). Firstly, I agree with everything she says. Richmond, our beautiful Richmond, is a disgrace. Just look at 33 Frenchgate (council offices), the flower bed at the rear of
SCHOOLCHILDREN proved themselves to be on top form when they showcased their inventions. More than 150 youngsters produced contraptions ranging from a rail safety system and a water pump for use in the Third World, to robots, flood alarms, gadgets to
NELL the sheepdog is off on her travels again. The 12-year-old working dog has just completed her third North York Moors video - three years after the idea was first mooted. With her previous two films selling thousands of copies all over the world, she
STARS of both Moto GP and World Superbikes will be heading for Northallerton over the next few weeks when the North Yorkshire Road Racing Supporters Club hosts a series of chat shows in the town. This Tuesday sees Spanish works Marlboro Yamaha Moto GP
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to tackle the spiralling problem of homelessness on Teesside. Francis Owens, Teesside Homeless Action Group manager says the number of people sleeping rough and asking for the group's help is already in the hundreds and rising
Hamilton Row Black Horse could only share the singles against the visiting Esh McKennas but they did enough in the other categories to stay at the top of the table with a one point advantage over Newhouse Club. The Horse had singles wins from D. Brown
THE River Derwent is to get a major clean-up by order of the Government - paid for by higher water bills. The Government has told Northumbrian Water that sewage must in future receive further treatment before it is poured into the river. Busy sewage works
A CHARITY has lost its good neighbour image in a row over a 50-yard strip of fencing. An application by St John Ambulance to erect an 8ft high fence off Station Close, at Marske, has soured community relations. Worst of all, it threatens closure of Zetland
A TRIO of career-best scores from emerging players helped Durham weather the expected trial by spin as they reached 352 at Northampton yesterday. Gary Pratt made 78, Ian Hunter 65 and Marc Symington 42, with Hunter's stand of 81 with Danny Law halting
BLOOMING former pit sites has provided inspiration for a flower bed competition. Chester-le-Street District Council has submitted an entry to a national flower show for councils. Entitled Sunset on our Mining Past, it is designed to reflect the reclamation
A DISHEARTENED parish council has had to put its plans for a safe route to the next village on the back burner. The saga came to an abrupt halt on Monday evening when Neasham councillors were told the farmer wanted more than £20,000 for his strip of land
NOTED County Durham Charolais breeder, Steve Nesbitt made a highly successful 400-mile round trip to the Royal Show in Warwickshire this week. He claimed top male award and overall reserve breed honours on Monday and two days later his winning entry,
REASSURANCES that the Richardson Hospital has a positive role to play in the future of health care in Teesdale have been backed up by a £4.8m bid for funding. The sum is part of a joint bid by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust and has been supported
AFTER pounding tens of thousands of miles on the beat, one of east Durham's best known bobbies is stepping into a new role. PC Mick Hayton is moving to a post in the newly-established anti-social behaviour unit following more than 16 years looking after
ANGRY parish councillors want to know why they have been left out of plans for moorland cattle grids. Danby Parish Council was amazed to hear of a scheme to put a permanent grid in the area and of public meetings to debate the issue. Members said it was
The club hosted a friendly gala for local independent schools. This was a team competition with teams representing Bow School, the Chorister School, Durham High School for Girls and the Durham City club. In all, 120 swimmers competed in front of a full
AN innovative Great Broughton firm hopes to take prototype wallpaper cutting-equipment into production, with help from a £10,000 business award. Pembroke McIntyre Associates successfully applied for a Government-funded Smart Award, an award designed to
Despite scoring 118 for eight Sacriston lost by nine wickets when they met Burnopfield. The match winners were cousins Lee Stoneman with an unbeaten 36 and Mark Stoneman (36no), this after Craig Burke had top scored with 47 for Sacriston. Andrew Tinnion
LUCY Muir has lived on a farm all her life - but has only recently been able to get around it. For Lucy, a PhD student at Leeds University, has used a wheelchair since she was two. It was when her family was looking at diversifying into holiday cottages
Harlow reign supreme in their bid to regain a championship they last won six years ago, completing a double over Harrogate Racquets, championship winners two seasons ago. Harlow, current Division One leaders, beat their rivals 7-2 away, remaining the
GLASTONBURY may be over but fans from the North-East and North Yorkshire can still enjoy a musical festival modelled on the West Country spectacular this weekend. Rocks in the Quarry is former motor-racing entrepreneur Jimmy Wilson-Petch's first stab
PLANS to open a new care home in Darlington are to be referred to the Secretary of State for the Environment. St Martins Care, which owns homes throughout the North-East, has applied for planning permission to build a care home in the town's Riverside
Sir, - Last week Coun John Harris criticised the fact that one of the options then being considered in the County Council Boundary Review was to link each separate Richmond district council ward with some of the adjacent rural parishes, to create three
Whitley Bay Ice Hockey Club junior development held their annual presentation night at Percy Park Rugby Club. A disco and buffet for around 200 players, officials and parents was enjoyed by everyone in attendance. Whitley Warriors' defenceman James Hutchinson
A WIDOW has bitterly criticised a health trust over the way in which the case of her dying husband was dealt with at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton. Jill Calvert said that instead of being placed in a private room, her 81-year-old husband, Jack,
Darlington yesterday completed their first signing of the summer when defender Matt Clarke put pen to paper on a one-year contract. The 21-year-old has been released by Halifax Town after making 34 appearances last season. The Leeds-born centre-half faced
Langley Park made the top score of the night, 155 for five as Andrew Smith produced a marvellous innings of 92. Visitors Willington replied with 170 for two of which Tinkler scored an unbeaten 62. Esh Winning were not far behind in the scoring stakes
THE finishing touches are being put to the Great Yorkshire Show, which takes place in Harrogate next week. Organisers are delighted to have received almost 8,500 entries in 25 different sections, ranging from pigs to pigeons, cattle to cheese, and honey
EIGHT teenagers from Redcar are hoping to make it to the finish line at one of the world's most gruelling motoring challenges this weekend. The lads, aged between 16 and 18, are taking part in the 24-hour Le Mans karting event, which starts at noon tomorrow
Lanchester had ten wickets and six overs to spare defeating Crookhall, who managed just 56 all out as Greg Halliday took four for nine runs, Stephen McPhail four for 25 and Kevin Dixon two for five. The target proved easy for Lanchester and recent signing
VICTORY for Broadway Score (2.50) will be music to the ears of beleaguered trainer John Hills in the day's most valuable race, the Pentax sponsored £60,000 Showcase Handicap at Sandown. Despite having over 70 horses to go to war with at his Lambourn stables
Stockton Elm Tree came close to forcing a draw from the visiting reigning league champions, Wolviston King's Arms B when they just went down 3-5. The Elm Tree's points came from Peter Ellis and Harry Williams in the singles and then Harry went on to win
MIDDLESBROUGH were last night looking to land Leicester midfielder Muzzy Izzet in a cut-price deal. The Turkey international, who rejected a £6m move to Teesside in March to stick with Leicester in their doomed struggle against relegation, revealed yesterday
IT has been mainly downhill since I reached the summit of Worcestershire Beacon last Saturday. Henmania continues to raise my hackles, football simply won't go away, and now I find myself caught up in Silverstone traffic. I recently declared this column
OLYMPIC champion Ed Clancy helped Stockton Cycling Festival get on the right track when he competed in a race through the cobbles in its town centre. Families as well as elite sports stars will be taking to the streets on two wheels this weekend
