Archive

  • Saltburn close in

    Saltburn reduced Guisborough's lead at the top to 13 points when they won at Wolviston and their rivals were involved in a huge scoring draw with Hartlepool. Runs, though, were not nearly so plentiful for either the Wolviston or Saltburn batsmen. When

  • Region's landmarks at risk

    More historic buildings and landmarks showing signs of the ravages of time are highlighted on a new ''at risk'' list published by English Heritage today. Hundreds of ruins, monuments and follies and even buildings still in use across the north-east are

  • Massive investment in region's stations

    Rail operator GNER signalled the start of a multi-million pound investment in upgrading the region's train stations today. The company has joined forces with construction giant Shepherds of York, as well as Australian design agency Humphrey & Edwards

  • Twists and turns in race for the championship

    THE see-saw battle for supremacy at the top of the league goes on and on and Esh Winning's victory over Kimblesworth and Evenwood's defeat by Crook Town has given a new twist to the championship chase. Neil Arrowsmith came up trumps in the Esh attack

  • Farmer's wife held after stabbing

    THE wife of a young farmer was being questioned by detectives last night after her husband was found dead with stab wounds. Police launched a murder inquiry after discovering the body of 34-year-old John Lovegreen in a cottage at Baal Hill Farm, Thistlewood

  • Al Qaida suspect in the North

    A suspected al Qaida leader and his family are living in a safe house in northern England where they are being looked after by British intelligence, it was claimed today. Muslim cleric Abu Qatada, said to be Osama bin Laden's ambassador in Europe, was

  • Boys, girls... and a band of Brothers

    Once they had to hide away, but now the country's leading Catholic public school and largest monastery is celebrating its 200th birthday. Nick Morrison discovers a community no longer under siege - but still largely out of sight. ALTHOUGH it still looks

  • News in brief: Club sticks by path pledge

    SUNDERLAND AFC plans to fulfil its obligation to build a footpath linking the Stadium of Light to one of the two nearby stations on the newly-extended Metro rail network. Planning permission granted for the North Stand expansion in June 1999 required

  • West Indies make light work of Yorkshire

    Yorkshire's inexperienced side were no match for West Indies A at Headingley yesterday and they lost the coloured clothing contest by eight wickets after being hit by a Gayle-force blast. The players' lunches were not ready when Yorkshire were skittled

  • Appeal for £45m to boost economy

    UNION leaders are calling for an extra £45m in Government cash to close the productivity gap and boost the region's economy. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) makes its appeal in its report on regional development agencies (RDAs), which is published today

  • Football star taken to court over TV bill

    A businessman took £10.5m Newcastle star Lauren Robert to court after the French winger failed to pay a £223 satellite TV bill. The 28-year-old, who earns £30,000 per week, called in Tyneside expert Stephen Langdown to install Sky TV and a second dish

  • Alterations to prime shop site in pipeline

    LONG-awaited improvements to a prime Darlington town centre shop unit could soon be under way. Developers will this week be given permission to extend the former Dressers site in Darlington. The business left the High Row shop early last year and it has

  • Cyclists gear up for festival rides finale

    CYCLISTS are setting their sights on the final two events of an annual festival. The sixth event of the Darlington Cycling Festival took place yesterday, when riders lined up for a 70-mile tourist trial around the Cleveland Hills. The festival has also

  • Village cottages scheme opposed

    PLANS to build two semi-detached cottages in a village near Darlington are being recommended for approval despite objections from villagers and parish councillors. The planning application for land adjacent to 3 The Green, Bishopton, is to be considered

  • Victim Support in swim appeal

    DARLINGTON branch of Victim Support is appealing for swimmers to take part in a 12-hour swimathon later this month, with proceeds helping the service's new scheme to aid witnesses. The event takes place on Friday, July 19, at the Dolphin Centre. Clare

  • Pupils battle for maths honours

    YOUNGSTERS from across Darlington have taken part in mathematics challenge events at the town's Carmel RC Technology College. Pupils from five primary schools spent a morning at the college solving problems using computers. The competition was won by

  • Sunshine brings the crowds out for gala

    GLORIOUS sunshine and a host of attractions kept the crowds happy at a summer gala in the region. Thousands of visitors flocked to Redcar Rugby Club, in east Cleveland, for the Corus Teesside gala yesterday. The event featured a free-fall parachute team

  • Workers' generosity benefits good causes

    FOUR North-East charities have received a cash windfall thanks to a car plant's staff. A total of £13,000 was raised at the Nissan plant in Sunderland during its 2001 employee car draw. Representatives from North of England Children's Cancer Care (NECCR

  • Bird drops in at school fete

    A FEATHERED fugitive was an extra attraction at a school fete at the weekend. The lone cockatiel was spotted by teachers at Whitworth School, near Spennymoor, when they arrived to set up their summer fundraising fete. It sheltered in trees in the school

  • Shutting out the thieves

    POLICE are warning people to keep their doors and windows locked after a spate of sneak-in thefts. PC Steve Drabik, crime prevention officer with Langbaurgh police, in east Cleveland, said thefts were regularly occurring while people were in their back

  • Village cottages scheme opposed

    PLANS to build two semi-detached cottages in a village near Darlington are being recommended for approval despite objections from villagers and parish councillors. The planning application for land adjacent to 3 The Green, Bishopton, is to be considered

  • Pen auction flops at hospital fete

    A PEN used by the Queen during a visit to the region is expected to go up for auction for a third time. The Cross silver fountain pen was initially put up for auction shortly after the Queen's golden jubilee tour stopped in Darlington Market Square, where

  • Take the Ridewell test

    CYCLISTS who fancy pitting their skills against others are invited to take part in Cleveland Police's Ridewell 2002. The event, at Preston Park, Stockton, on Sunday, July 21, gives cyclists the chance to win a cash prize if their biking abilities impress

  • Carnival success makes it a permanent fixture

    A CARNIVAL revived last year after a 20-year absence has earned a permanent place in Crook's summer calendar. Organisers are confident they can build on the success of Saturday's event, which was opened by Government Chief Whip and North West Durham MP

  • Jobs hope at former Enron centre

    A TEESSIDE call centre is to create more than 60 jobs in the next year. The OC5 contact centre, formerly the Enron Teesside Operations Limited contact centre, at the Wilton International site, now has 127 employees, compared with 50 when it was launched

  • Artworks go on display

    CERAMICS, sculpture and paintings go on show in a North-East town this week. The exhibition, in the Castle Gallery, Barnard Castle, County Durham, will feature ceramics by Eddie and Margaret Curtis, metal sculptures by Peter Sales, mixed-media paintings

  • Pen auction flops at hospital fete

    A PEN used by the Queen during a visit to the region is expected to go up for auction for a third time. The Cross silver fountain pen was initially put up for auction shortly after the Queen's golden jubilee tour stopped in Darlington Market Square, where

  • Cyclists gear up for festival rides finale

    CYCLISTS are setting their sights on the final two events of an annual festival. The sixth event of the Darlington Cycling Festival took place yesterday, when riders lined up for a 70-mile tourist trial around the Cleveland Hills. The festival has also

  • Visitors take a walk to a watery end at maritime festival

    THOUSANDS of people went on a voyage of discovery at the weekend at one of the region's biggest summer events - Hartlepool's Maritime Festival. The two-day event started in style on Saturday with a procession of stilt walkers and drummers along Maritime

  • Gemma family fears are eased

    A young woman whose family raised concern over her whereabouts was located at the weekend. Police said Gemma Louise Patterson, of Bede Road, Sherburn Road Estate, Durham, was found safe and well in the Middlesbrough area, on Saturday. Her family expressed

  • 'Arthritis' patient's six heart attacks

    A MAN suffered six heart attacks just hours after doctors told him he was probably suffering from arthritis. James Shepherd was told he "did not have a heart problem" and was sent home to take paracetamol for the pain. Now his furious wife Lorna says

  • Boy devastated by theft of machine

    AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy has been left devastated by the theft of his motorcycle, which was bought with his savings. His family are now offering a reward for the motorcycle stolen from the garage next to their home in Queen's Road, Shotley Bridge, County

  • Memorial fund 'still making an impact'

    YOUNG deaf people have benefited by £33,000 thanks to a charity launched in Richmond 11 years ago. The Robert Dent Memorial Fund for Deaf Children was founded by Ella Devlin, a town councillor who was preparing to be installed as mayor when she heard

  • Gala gets festival into the swing

    SOWERBY Gala helped to launch the week-long Thirsk Festival at the weekend. People gathered in sunshine to watch a fire-eater and magician at Manor Farm, enjoy a marching band and children's sports, admire local gardeners' triumphs in the produce marquee

  • News in brief: Climber hurt in hillside fall

    A CLIMBER from the North-East was treated in hospital over the weekend following a 50ft fall on a Scottish hillside. 26-year-old Newcastle woman, who has asked not to be identified, was airlifted by RAF helicopter to Belford Hospital, Fort William, after

  • Boddington's Durham Coast League

    Seaham Park felt the full might of Calvin Stephenson and failed to halt Murton's title challenge. Stephenson, formerly with Crook Town, hit 11 sixes and 12 boundaries in a whirlwind unbeaten innings of 126. He shared an unbroken second-wicket partnership

  • Spotlight on environment

    GREEN experts and farming specialists from the North-East were guest speakers at a conference to discuss world environmental issues. The Soroptimists International Region of Northern England conference, held in Darlington, was on the theme of Our Environment

  • Sounds good as city prepares for miners' gala

    SAMBA music, rapper swords and stilt-walking birds will be among the attractions at a forthcoming annual gala. As part of this year's Durham Miners' Gala, on Saturday, Durham County Council's cultural services department is putting together a programme

  • Lintz heading for title

    Lintz are firmly on course to clinch their first championship in two decades after they defeated close challengers Lanchester with ease. They quickly completed their first task in reducing the visitors to only 114 and despite losing four wickets for 32

  • Funds for childcare centre provided

    A NEW centre offering childcare and education services is to be built in west Middlesbrough, thanks to a Government grant of almost £400,000. The funding is the first of its kind to be given in the Tees Valley and will be used to create an Early Excellence

  • Still time to enter famous dog show

    DOG owners have little more than three weeks to submit entries to the region's biggest canine show. A total of 2,039 individual classes are open to entries for the Darlington Championship Dog Show, which takes place from Friday to Sunday, September 13

  • Youngsters find learning can be fun

    PUZZLES, games and challenges were on the menu for children who visited a maths and literacy fair in Stockton at the weekend. The Trails and Tales Fun Day, at the University of Durham, Queen's Campus, gave children the chance to explore the worlds of

  • News in brief: Club sticks by path pledge

    SUNDERLAND AFC plans to fulfil its obligation to build a footpath linking the Stadium of Light to one of the two nearby stations on the newly-extended Metro rail network. Planning permission granted for the North Stand expansion in June 1999 required

  • Spy TV proposed for churchyard

    THE installation of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) security camera in a Darlington churchyard frequented by drinkers and drug-users is being considered. Darlington Borough Council has received complaints about people congregating in St Cuthbert's

  • Minister to be ordained after training

    A NEW minister will be ordained on Teesside next weekend. Colin Offor, who has recently completed his clergy training, will be inducted as a minister in the Teesdale Group of United Reformed Churches on Saturday. The ordination and induction service will

  • Feasting on musical delights

    MUSIC of the highest calibre came to a North-East village at the weekend. The second Musical Picnic In The Park, at Hurworth, near Darlington, was another huge success, with about 1,000 flag-waving people enjoying a night of entertainment and patriotism

  • Expert patients wanted

    A PROGRAMME has been launched to help patients with long-term illnesses cope with their condition. Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust starts its first Expert Patient Programme on Friday. Under the scheme, people can sign up to courses to

  • Sponsors offer help for flower beds

    A DETERMINED stand by the town council could be enough to save Richmond's roundabouts from being grassed over. Richmondshire District Council announced recently it could no longer afford to pay the £2,500 bill to maintian flower beds decorating the traffic

  • Women attacked by youths

    TWO women needed hospital treatment after they were the victims of a "violent and unprovoked" attack by a group of drunken young people. Police last night appealed for information into the daytime assault, which happened on a street corner in Horden,

  • New season's entertainment unveiled

    A MUSICAL, a pantomime, a comedy and an American classic are all part of the new season unveiled by Harrogate Theatre. Up on the Roof is the first show of the autumn and winter programme after the summer break, running from Friday, September 13 until

  • News in brief: Moorland walk for a fitter life

    SCARBOROUGH Healthy Walking Project is launched tomorrow. The project, organised by the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale primary care trust and backed by a £10,000 grant from the Walking the Way to Health group, is encouraging people to leave the sofa

  • Youngsters prepare to tread boards

    SOME of the region's most talented youngsters will perform in a production of the hit musical, Oliver. Following recent auditions throughout the North-East, the Dionysis Theatre Company has cast young people aged eight to 25 in the show, featuring the

  • Industrial unit blaze

    ARSONISTS broke into a small industrial unit in Darlington and set fire to the compound, damaging several cars. At the height of the blaze, on the town's Albert Hill Industrial Estate, early on Saturday, four fire engines were in action trying to control

  • Comment: Tennis hopes falter at nets

    ANOTHER Wimbledon has come and gone and still there is no British men's champion to prevent us from having to hark back to 1936 and the year of Fred Perry. In a year in which the seeds were buried, Australian Lleyton Hewitt came through as a player who

  • End-of-month deadline for events listings

    ANYONE organising an event to take place in the autumn or winter has until the end of the month to submit details for free inclusion on two websites and in a leaflet by Richmondshire's tourism team. The Northern Dales Events leaflet includes events planned

  • Playgroup is on the move

    A POPULAR playgroup will mark the end of an era this month as it prepares to move out of its home. Romanby pre-school had been based at St James's Church Hall, in the village near Northallerton, for 35 years, but had to leave when the proposed sale of

  • News in brief: Club sticks by path pledge

    SUNDERLAND AFC plans to fulfil its obligation to build a footpath linking the Stadium of Light to one of the two nearby stations on the newly-extended Metro rail network. Planning permission granted for the North Stand expansion in June 1999 required

  • Quarry festival will be back next year - organiser

    A QUARRY near the A1 in North Yorkshire did not exactly rock when it hosted a music festival at the weekend. Organisers had hoped up to 1,000 people would turn up for the 12-hour festival, showcasing the best musical talent the area had to offer, but

  • Alterations to prime shop site in pipeline

    LONG-awaited improvements to a prime Darlington town centre shop unit could soon be under way. Developers will this week be given permission to extend the former Dressers site in Darlington. The business left the High Row shop early last year and it has

  • Abbey echoes to sixties' beat

    THE tranquil surroundings of an idyllic country estate are to be livened up in style this month - as the Swinging Sixties come back to life. The Music by Moonlight concert at Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, has traditionally celebrated the

  • Healthy method of helping hospice

    FITNESS fanatics took part in a 100-mile challenge to raise funds for a hospice which provides day care for patients. Ten enthusiastic walkers, runners and rowers completed the full distance. Other clocked up 25 or 50 miles on the treadmills and rowing

  • News in brief: Recognition for credit union

    SOUTH West Durham Credit Union has been registered by the Financial Services Authority after two years of hard work by volunteers. The organisation will soon open offices in Church Street, Shildon, providing loans and saving opportunities for people in

  • Northants' last men stand to defeat deflated Durham

    IT was like Derby in reverse as Northants began to squander their winning position on Saturday, just as Durham had done against Derbyshire at the start of the season. But whereas Stephen Harmison was out first ball to give Derbyshire a two-run win, Northants

  • Claims over cracked pavements are costing the region millions

    CRACKED pavements are costing the region's tax payers tens of millions of pounds in compensation. With every council facing hundreds of claims every year - costing an average of almost £2,200 per claim - the region's poorly maintained pavements are taking

  • What's my line in royal succession?

    Q If Edward VIII had not abdicated and remained King until his death, but had still died childless, would Queen Elizabeth II still have been our present monarch? - Yvonne Scullion, North Yorkshire. A Edward VIII (born 1895) was the eldest son of George

  • A1 motorists get circles under their eyes

    A CROP circle which mysteriously appeared overnight next to the A1 in North Yorkshire had thousands of drivers rubbing their eyes. There are many theories as to the origin of crop circles - alien artwork, a plasma vortex, secret military experiments or

  • Schools to give lessons on crime

    SCHOOLS in County Durham are joining forces with police to add crimefighting lessons to the curriculum. Soon subjects like vandalism, drugs, car crime and offensive weapons will be on the timetable of every school in the county as well as Darlington.

  • Party as Queen's baton arrives

    A HUGE street party welcomed the arrival of the Queen's Jubilee Baton to the region at the weekend. Crowds lined the streets of Middlesbrough on Saturday to watch the baton - which carries a special message from the Queen to be read out at the opening

  • Former war prisoners help bring camp to life

    Decades after they were sent home from a North-East camp, prisoners of war are helping piece together the site's history so it can be opened as a visitors' attraction. Owners James and Lisa McLeod bought Harperley Camp, in Weardale, County Durham, last

  • Target 'increased my wait for op'

    A HEART bypass patient who has faced an agonising ten-month wait for treatment last night won an apology from hospital chiefs. Frank Wright, 68, claims he has been a victim of the Government drive to slash waiting times. He was placed on the urgent list

  • Burning Questions: What's my line in royal succession?

    Q If Edward VIII had not abdicated and remained King until his death, but had still died childless, would Queen Elizabeth II still have been our present monarch? - Yvonne Scullion, North Yorkshire. A Edward VIII (born 1895) was the eldest son of George

  • Naturist group opens its doors

    A naturist group is inviting curious members of the public to see for themselves what goes on behind closed doors. The Greenacres Naturist Club, near Durham, is holding open days this weekend July 12 and 13 and next Saturday July 19 and Sunday July 20

  • The importance of creature comforts

    Loss of habitat is sending many already threatened species in the region spiralling towards extinction. John Dean examines the crisis facing The Endangered North. AS so often in Nature, it was the butterflies, those great barometers of the health of the

  • Stockton are defeated in double quick time

    STOCKTON crashed to 67 all out in 23 overs and are now only 11 points better off than Norton at the bottom of the table. It was the combination of West Indian Franklyn Rose and Adam Applegarth which brought about Stockton's unseemly demise. Rose claimed

  • Entertainment: It started with a kiss...

    Fiona Wass and Nicholas Lane have played married couples before, but never for real. Until now, she tells Steve Pratt. FIONA Wass and Nicholas Lane were last seen on stage at York Theatre Royal as a married couple in the comedy Dead Funny. Next month

  • McClaren to stay as Tel gets Leeds job

    BORO boss Steve McClaren last night ruled himself out of taking the manager's job at Leeds United. "For the sake of the club's supporters, I want to make it clear that I have absolutely no intention of leaving Middlesbrough for any other club," he said

  • Hamilton still unable to bowl

    Yorkshire all-rounder Gavin Hamilton has still not regained sufficient self-confidence to bowl for his county after his nightmare performance against Sussex at Headingley on June 12 when he withdrew from the attack after sending down five wides and a

  • Phones mast extension bid sparks residents' outcry

    A CAMPAIGN to prevent mobile phone dishes being installed near three schools has been launched shortly after parents lost their battle over a similar development. Plans to extend an existing mobile phone mast in the midst of a Durham City housing estate

  • News in brief: Drugs seized in police swoop

    POLICE seized drugs with a street value of more than £1,000 after a raid on a house in Grangetown. Twenty officers, including an armed response unit, carried out the raid at the property, in Eastcroft Road, at 8am on Friday. Three people were arrested

  • Relief for Boro as El Tel heads to Leeds

    TERRY VENABLES is set to take charge of Leeds United today - ending Steve McClaren's chances of landing the Elland Road job. Sources close to Leeds last night indicated that Venables' appointment was imminent. Middlesbrough had been bracing themselves

  • Schools to give lessons on crime

    DARLINGTON schools are joining forces with police to add crimefighting lessons to the curriculum. Soon subjects like vandalism, drugs, car crime and offensive weapons will be on the timetable of every school in the borough and around County Durham. The

  • Striker banned from driving

    Sunderland striker Lilian Laslandes was banned from driving for two years today after finally appearing before a court on drink driving charges. Laslandes, who said he was too busy to appear on a previous five occasions because he had been searching for

  • Community welcomes flag home from World Cup duties

    IT was back home where it belongs. The flag that unfurled before a TV audience of millions during the World Cup in Japan and Korea was finally flown with pride in its native Weardale. After following the fortunes - and misfortunes - of England in the

  • Tournament puts the football girls through their paces

    SOCCER stars of the future fought it out over two days of football action at the weekend. But all the competitors in the tournaments at Durham Police headquarters, at Aykley Heads, Durham, were female. Backed by the Football Association, it was a rare

  • Industrial unit blaze

    ARSONISTS broke into a small industrial unit in Darlington and set fire to the compound, damaging several cars. At the height of the blaze, on the town's Albert Hill Industrial Estate, early on Saturday, four fire engines were in action trying to control

  • Alterations to prime shop site in pipeline

    LONG-awaited improvements to a prime Darlington town centre shop unit could soon be under way. Developers will this week be given permission to extend the former Dressers site in Darlington. The business left the High Row shop early last year and it has

  • Bird drops in at school fete

    A FEATHERED fugitive was an extra attraction at a school fete at the weekend. The lone cockatiel was spotted by teachers at Whitworth School, near Spennymoor, when they arrived to set up their summer fundraising fete. It sheltered in trees in the school

  • Carnival success makes it a permanent fixture

    A CARNIVAL revived last year after a 20-year absence has earned a permanent place in Crook's summer calendar. Organisers are confident they can build on the success of Saturday's event, which was opened by Government Chief Whip and North West Durham MP

  • Spy TV proposed for churchyard

    THE installation of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) security camera in a Darlington churchyard frequented by drinkers and drug-users is being considered. Darlington Borough Council has received complaints about people congregating in St Cuthbert's

  • Old bank to bring change in village

    SENIOR staff members of a bank which closed its branch in a village two years ago have handed the building's keys to new owners. A community resource centre will replace the Barclays branch in Reeth, North Yorkshire, and although it will not include banking

  • Oar-some ten ready to row up cash boost

    ROWERS aim to stroke their way to a target 100 kilometres on a charity challenge - without leaving a leisure centre fitness room. Each of the ten-strong team plans to row the equivalent distance of 10km on a static ergo-rowing machine in the Sport Relief

  • Flying a kite is not such a breeze after all

    CHANGEABLE wind conditions had kite-fliers on their toes at the weekend. The 17th International Festival of Kites, Music and Dance saw about 30,000 visitors flock to the Northern Area Playing Fields in Washington. They were attracted by an array of oddly-shaped

  • Waters flow again at restored spa

    A VICTORIAN spa has been restored to its former glory after vandals wrecked the 150-year-old relic. Villagers are hoping to have signs put in place to attract more people to the site and make it a tourist draw. Gainford's riverside spa was the focal point

  • Grants shake-up may aid North-East

    THE region could benefit by hundreds of millions of pounds through a shake-up in the system of Government grants. The Government will today set out a series of options on how nearly £40bn of future spending will be distributed to English councils. Ministers

  • Public to have say over ward boundaries

    MEMBERS of the public are to have their say over proposed changes to a city's council wards. Electoral boundaries in Sunderland are to be redrawn to even up voter numbers in each area. It will affect all 25 wards, which since formation in 1974 take in

  • Organisers pleased as show makes comeback

    A FARMING community successfully revived an annual show curtailed by the foot-and-mouth epidemic last year. Lanchester Show was among many events cancelled last year due to the outbreak of the disease. But after round-the-clock work by the 14-strong organising

  • Berry is hopeful of course success

    JOHN Berry has a tremendous record when he sends his horses north of the border and his Hakam looks a likely sort in the McEwan's 70/- Handicap over a mile and one furlong at Musselburgh this afternoon. The three-year-old has been brought along steadily

  • Striking Spanish gold

    FOUR amigos from the Richmond area will be able to chat with the locals if they ever take a holiday in Spain. Harriett Arnott, Grace Howard, Jack Harrild and Lucy Dunn may all be under nine - but were all awarded gold certificates for their fluency in

  • Music and fun help to celebrate town's history

    EVENTS to mark a town's history literally ended with a bang at the weekend. Day-long festivities were staged to celebrate the heritage and development of Chester-le-Street. By day, there was a street parade and performances by brass bands and characters

  • Bishops step up bid for top-flight return

    Bishop Auckland powered their way to another emphatic victory as they attempt to return to the Premier Division at the first attempt. Phil Timmens struck eight sixes and seven boundaries scoring 97 which, together with 46 from Paul Jenkin and 54 by Keith

  • Firm supports first aid training

    PRIMARY school pupils in Stockton have been given the chance to learn about first aid thanks to a local company. Pupils at St Bede's School will benefit from a promotional first aid package which includes teaching aids such as videos, books and pamphlets

  • Euro grant provides boost for jobs and environment

    A COMMUNITY has been awarded more than £150,000 to revamp neglected wasteland and boost the job prospects of unemployed residents. The Five Lamps Organisation, Thornaby, has received £140,107 from the European Regional Development Fund to support the

  • Survivors furious over Selby crash driver's new appeal

    SURVIVORS of the Selby rail disaster have reacted angrily after 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

  • Badger toll leads to snare ban call

    A LEADING wildlife campaigner has called for an end to the persecution of badgers in the region. Dr Elaine King, executive officer of the National Federation of Badger Groups, told a meeting at Houghton-le-Spring, on Wearside, that snares and illegal

  • Victim Support in swim appeal

    DARLINGTON branch of Victim Support is appealing for swimmers to take part in a 12-hour swimathon later this month, with proceeds helping the service's new scheme to aid witnesses. The event takes place on Friday, July 19, at the Dolphin Centre. Clare

  • Former hotel destroyed by fire

    MORE than 40 firefighters spent six hours tackling a blaze which destroyed a disused hotel. The fire, at the former Old Stork Hotel, in Bowesfield Lane, Thornaby, Teesside, is believed to have been started deliberately shortly before 1am yesterday. Eight

  • Worst of delays over in days, council hopes

    CITY leaders are trying to reassure motorists about the extent of the traffic disruption that is likely to be caused during a £585,000 scheme to replace a gas main. Transco has announced that work lasting six months will be carried out around York District

  • News in brief: Drugs seized in police swoop

    POLICE seized drugs with a street value of more than £1,000 after a raid on a house in Grangetown. Twenty officers, including an armed response unit, carried out the raid at the property, in Eastcroft Road, at 8am on Friday. Three people were arrested

  • Visitors flood to city's summer festival of dance and music

    SHOPPERS mingled with tourists to make Durham a bustling city during its summer festival weekend. Yesterday's warm weather helped to boost the numbers visiting the city, taking in an array of entertainment, music and historical spectacle. A falconer with

  • Concerts will urge children to fight crime

    THOUSANDS of youngsters will enjoy the annual Say No and Phone (Snap) concerts in Newcastle and Sunderland this week. Northumbria Police are once again backing the concerts for children aged ten and 11, at Newcastle's Telewest Arena from 10.15am to noon

  • Volunteer's reward to help church

    A VOLUNTEER has landed £1,000 for the church where she helps out. Christine Hill was given the award at the WH Smith Chief Executive's Community Awards in London for her voluntary work at St Cuthbert's Church, Redcar. Ms Hill's efforts include running

  • New direction for agony aunt Denise

    TELEVISION agony aunt Denise Robertson is aiming to solve a few problems by making people laugh with her first musical, Fine! Fine! Fine! The show premieres at the Customs House, South Shields, on Thursday, August 1, and runs until Saturday, August 17

  • Tim Wellock's Durham Diary

    NORTHANTS are not the most hospitable of counties, although it would be unfair to suggest they resent Durham's first-class status. They had a long history of pillaging the North-East for players like Colin Milburn, Peter Willey, George Sharp, Geoff Cook

  • Hear All Sides: GALA THEATRE

    DURHAM City Council describes the city's Gala Theatre as a spectacular regional source. Nobody is denying that. It seems to me that the city council wants to move on from the turmoil of recent months. Moving on means burying the past. In a statement from

  • Problem estate to get new look

    SCARBOROUGH'S Edgehill housing estate, one of the most run-down in North Yorkshire, is to get a multi-million pound new look with the building of 166 homes. About 245 homes on the estate have been demolished, and a further 31 are due to be razed shortly

  • Big show hopes of support network

    A NETWORK set up to combat a hidden crisis in the countryside will be hoping for feedback at North Yorkshire's biggest agricultural show this week. The Yorkshire Rural Initiative was launched a few years ago when farmers were struggling with the fall-out

  • Weekend TV: Big Brother... but with guns

    The Frontier House (C4); London's Burning (ITV); Dan Dare: Pilot Of The Future (C5) THE bitching on Big Brother is going to look like a vicar's tea party compared to The Frontier House, the US version of Channel 4's hit series The 1940s/Edwardian Country

  • Region's children reach impressionist final

    A group of talented youngsters are hoping to make a good impression as they follow in the footsteps of Alistair McGowen. The children have reached the semi-final of a national young impressionist competition. Eight young mimics have been chosen to compete

  • Death probe 'could embarrass Army'

    THE father of a North-East soldier found shot dead at his barracks predicts an official inquiry by MPs could embarrass Army top brass. Private Geoff Gray, 17, was one of four recruits to have died in mysterious circumstances at the Royal Logistics Corps

  • Leukaemia patient receives transplant

    A man suffering from leukaemia has become the first adult in Britain to undergo a life-saving bone marrow transplant using blood from a baby's umbilical cord, it emerged today. Male nurse Stephen Knox, 31, underwent the treatment - which has previously