Archive

  • Fundraisers double their target

    CHARITY champions were over the moon when they counted the funds raised for two special causes and realised they had more than doubled their target. Billy Row Green Inn fundraising committee donated almost £5,000 to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary

  • Frank links up with top Russians

    A DURHAM environmentalist is to travel to Russia to work with leading scientists. Frank Jude will carry out research with environmental charity Earthwatch after winning an Earthwatch Millennium Award. He will be involved in a project at Lake Baikal, which

  • Summer gala stage is set

    KIRK Merrington's summer gala will be held on Sunday, July 21, from 1.30pm to 5pm, on the recreation ground. The event, organised by the village's youth club, won Durham County Council's Youth Work that Works award for 2001. The award was given because

  • Tow Law Bass League

    Tow Law New Market A moved into third place after they only dropped three points on their visit to Esh McKennas. The home side made a good start by taking one of the two trebles but then they dropped all six singles as Kenneth Atkinson, David Dixon, Darren

  • Letters: Beyond belief

    Sir, - "Company appeals for a fair hearing: Tempers fray as angry Picton villagers challenge National Grid." (D&S, July 5) It is time to get the facts straight, although this letter could be costing me £1m per word! These are some of the facts:- The

  • Feethams farewell gets going

    The Farewell To Feethams exhibition which is dedicated to the home of Darlington begins its run today at the town's Arts Centre. It is open until August 24 and will display black and white photographs taken during last season at Feethams in anticipation

  • Leaflet causes confusion and alarm over bins

    A NEW scheme for the collection of refuse across Darlington borough is already causing chaos - despite not having officially started. Some residents in Hurworth found their rubbish was not collected last week while others were told it would not be collected

  • Loftus see off Dormans challenge to stay top

    Bass North Cleveland League Loftus are still out in front of division one following their six wicket victory at home to third from top Dormans. When they batted first Dormans made a useful 160 all out which included 64 by Dale and 40 from Taylor while

  • Pony dates

    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. - July 15: Junior and intermediate show jumping practice at the Mill

  • The jubilee was a high, but it has been lows ever since

    AS far as temperatures go, recent Junes have been notably "average", being within a degree Celsius (2F) of the long-term mean. This year's was at the top end of this range, making it the mildest for ten years here at Carlton in Cleveland, near Stokesley

  • Durham left wondering if Peng's done enough

    NICKY Peng's first half-century since making 108 at Derby in April consolidated Durham's position on a truncated second day at Darlington. They reached 169 for six in their second innings, to lead Derbyshire by 264 runs, and even with more showers forecast

  • Looking Back

    From this newspaper 100 years ago. - Mr Arthur Barningham, the son of Mr J Barningham, of Bowdon, and nephew of Mr Thos Barningham, formerly of Darlington Steelworks, performed a courageous act recently. Mr Barningham is a third engineer on the ss Austrian

  • Models on the march

    LIFESIZE models are on the march from youth clubs across County Durham. Young crafts people have devised an array of original figures, several based loosely on some of the characters seen in films such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. But, under

  • Expanding Tallent launches recruitment drive

    A MAJOR recruitment drive at a North-East engineering firm is continuing to gather pace. The recent success at TKA Tallent Chassis has been described as an "oasis in the desert" of manufacturing industry in the region. The Newton Aycliffe-based company

  • Historians still stumped by the Auckland stopper

    Though cricket researchers are as stubbornly persistent as Warne on a sticky wicket, Isaac Wales always stumped them. "Details not yet ratified," said the history books, and said it time and time again. Now, however, the mystery of Ikey Wales has at last

  • A healthy start to working day

    COUNCIL staff in Guisborough are getting on their bikes ... but the authority couldn't be more pleased. For it's all part of a scheme to encourage workers to leave their cars at home and cycle to the office. To start the initiative, the Mayor of Redcar

  • Co-operative launches funds bid

    THE newly-formed co-operative, Dairy Farmers of Britain, this week announced the launch of a major membership capitalisation programme to raise substantial funds for future investment. Following the decisive vote in favour of the merger of The Milk Group

  • Jubilee spirit will live for ever in Hurworth

    A VILLAGE on the outskirts of Darlington has taken patriotism to its heart since the jubilee celebrations. A temporary flagpole was erected on the village green at Hurworth to fly the Union Flag during the Queen's golden jubilee bank holiday weekend.

  • Black & Decker workers' alarm at reports of pull-out over euro

    Black & Decker last night moved to defuse fears that it will move its North-East operation abroad unless Britain signs up to the euro. The company, one of the biggest employers in County Durham, came under fire following comments by the firm's European

  • Community shows it's more than just a street

    EVENTS marking Chester-le-Street's colourful history ended with a bang at the weekend. Day-long festivities were staged to celebrate the heritage and on-going development of the town, with roots extending back to pre-Roman times. By day there was a colourful

  • Falcons thriving after 50 years of football

    THIRSK Falcons FC will celebrate 50 years of league football as they start the 2002-03 season. Established in 1949, the club played friendly matches before joining the Thirsk and District League in 1952, competing against sides such as Thirsk United,

  • Building begins on new sports hall

    PREPARATION work has started on a £181,000 sports hall for the young people of Stanley. The development at Oxhill Youth Club, at Oxhill, Stanley, comes less than three years since the clubhouse was destroyed by fire. Lottery agents Sport England gave

  • Kick-boxing: Jamie and Gavin are world class champs

    THEY are the champions of the world and have put their native North-West Durham on the map as the UK's centre of junior kick-boxing. At just 12-years-old Jamie Bates of Lanchester has become the world's youngest kick-boxing champion after beating Hungarian

  • Briefs

    COMPETITION: Trimdon United Juniors are holding their annual seven-a-side tournament on Sunday. The Rohm Haas Hetton Youth League side will be welcoming 30 teams from across the North-East to Trimdon Community College and they are hoping for a big turn

  • 'This is the Devil's work' as 'priest' is thwarted

    An attempt to bring back mass to a long-disused chapel took a bizarre twist last night when it was revealed that the man behind the move is a member of an obscure sect. Council landlords have withdrawn permission for a religious service to be held in

  • Cleveland Bays become stars for a day at Beamish

    SPLENDID Cleveland Bay horses will be the focus of a special day at Beamish Museum on Sunday. At intervals during the morning, the museum's magnificent stallion, Traquair Jason, will be paraded as a travelling stallion with his handler dressed in period

  • Letters: Just a PR stunt

    Sir, - On June 18 and 19, North Yorkshire County Council held two health and well-being days. Obviously, the council, eager to blow its own trumpet about how good it is to staff, sought publicity for this event and subsequently articles were published

  • League gives clubs boost

    The League has handed their clubs a welcome cash boost by paying Durham FA affiliation fees for the forthcoming 2002-2003 season. After another successful season, the League has handed its clubs the bonus for the second year running - a gesture which

  • Last Night's TV: Born Freak (C4)

    A modern day freak show. MAT Fraser went looking for answers but didn't find them. Throughout history, disabled people have worked as entertainers but always been known as freaks, not actors. Fraser, who is an actor, was born with phocomelia. He has seal-like

  • Contract secures 400 jobs

    A £60m-plus contract will give job security to 400 Darlington workers. Bridge builder Cleveland Bridge has won the contract to carry out work on the M1 over a three-year period. Not only will there be security for the staff at Darlington but at least

  • Mussels and spiders are proving good friends

    MUSSELS, spiders and plants that eat TNT are all being investigated by geneticists at York University. The incredibly strong glue that mussels use to stick themselves to objects underwater has huge potential - if it could be produced in large quantities

  • New Final Fantasy's a real dream of a game

    Final Fantasy X. Publisher: SCEE. Format: PS2. OH how pleased with itself Sony must be feeling about this game. Just when it seemed Nintendo and Microsoft might be making some headway against the might of PS2, along comes Square's epic role playing game

  • Cash for all-weather pitch

    PLANS for a £610,000 all-weather pitch on land at Bedale High School have taken a major step forward. Hambleton councillors have approved a further grant of £30,000 which, with £30,000 already allocated, will help bring £485,000 of national lottery money

  • Bench is dedicated to a warm friend and hard worker

    THE dedication and commitment of a former chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, who died aged 56 earlier this year, was marked by the presentation of a bench on the showground. Society president Peter Smith officially handed the wooden

  • Bishop to host The Trotters

    Bishop Auckland have announced that Premiership side Bolton Wanderers will be playing them in a friendly next month, writes RAY SIMPSON. Trotters' boss Sam Allardyce has kept a promise he made by sending a team to play Bishops on Wednesday August 7, kick

  • Fives and Fifties

    Darlington and District League: Saturday A Division R Wilson 5 for 49 for Aldbrough St John against Spennymoor M Lockey 65 for Barton against Cockerton J Bainbridge 75 for Middleton St George against Ingleton G West 75 for Raby Castle against Eryholme

  • Burton's Bytes: New Final Fantasy's a real dream of a game

    Final Fantasy X. Publisher: SCEE. Format: PS2. OH how pleased with itself Sony must be feeling about this game. Just when it seemed Nintendo and Microsoft might be making some headway against the might of PS2, along comes Square's epic role playing game

  • Water Polo

    Durham City THE Under-15 mixed boys and girls took revenge for a home defeat by Sunderland last month with a hard-fought 9-8 away win. Anna Richardson was outstanding, scoring goals and getting involved in all aspects of the match. Richardson was well

  • Double jumping win makes Vicky's day

    STOCKTON rider Vicky Roberts enjoyed a double win in the show jumping at the annual Cleveland Hunt Supporters Club gymkhana at Nunthorpe last Sunday, taking both the intermediate and open pony jumping with Bart. Judge Gill Swales, of Whitby, did a splendid

  • Ice Hockey: Sunderland under way

    Junior round up Sunderland Cherokees were in North Wales at the weekend participating in the first Flintshire Under-12 tournament. They were one of ten teams taking part and finished in sixth place. Two groups of five played in a mini league format with

  • Goal surge pushes Bellamy into number ten

    NEWCASTLE United striker Craig Bellamy has moved into No 10. The Welsh international's worth was underlined yesterday when United revealed he will wear the number next season. Bellamy, who grabbed 15 goals in his first season on Tyneside following his

  • Too wild for life in just a garden

    THROUGHOUT the summer, parts of our countryside will be decorated with tall and stunning plants bearing bright pink flowers which are remarkably like lilac. They seem to have a strong preference for growing in the most unlikely places, such as cliff faces

  • Worst fears realised as vandals strike

    VANDALS and drug-users have taken an early swipe at a bid to boost public toilet opening hours in Yarm. During a week-long experiment with continuous opening, the lavatories in the town hall were damaged and used syringes left lying around. The toilets

  • Billingham Swimming Club

    THE club competed in the Northern England Championships, Long Course Event at Ponds Forge, Sheffield at the weekend. Two 11-year-olds both competing in the 200m back swam superbly. Bradley Dixon coming 16th and Christopher Wilkinson 24th. Thirteen-year-old

  • Oliver's a big hit

    PUPILS, teachers, dinner ladies and a policeman joined in a dramatic production of Oliver! at West Redcar School. The show was the first to be directed by the school's English teacher Janet Walker. "The school has a tradition of putting on shows," she

  • Stretch of river may be mecca for water sports

    PLANS to unlock the full potential of the once run-down and derelict banks of the River Tees were unveiled in a new strategy yesterday. And if they become a reality the scheme could make Stockton one of the most exciting water sports destinations in the

  • Letters: Wide implications

    Sir, - If not made the subject of a public inquiry, one borough council's recent planning decision could have far wider implications. Stockton Borough Council is minded to approve a planning application contrary to the local plan, to build on all Bowesfield

  • Ambulance chiefs in helicopter bust-up

    AN extraordinary row has broken out between North-East ambulance chiefs over a five-vehicle pile-up that left a young mother fighting for her life. Grahame Pickering, chief executive of the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA) charity, launched a blistering

  • Prices at the markets

    BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed. Fwd: 487 prime sheep. Std lambs to 98.8p av 97p; med to 102.3p av 97.2p; heavy to 96p av 94.1p. Cast ewes: Suff to £33; Mule to £31; Swale to £20. DARLINGTON. - Mon. Fwd: 24 calves and stirks, 41 store cattle. BB calves £180 Carrbridge

  • Conservation bid for town

    CHESTER-LE-STREET'S historical centre may be preserved for posterity if an application for special status is successful. The town's place in the history books has long been overlooked, but now the district council is proposing to designate the town centre

  • Gardeners oppose fence

    A GROUP of allotment holders are objecting to plans by St John Ambulance Brigade to build a fence around their headquarters. Gardeners at Marske claim that plans for the security fence will cut off all vehicular access to their vegetable plots and gardening

  • Hospital shake-up 'money driven'

    PLANS for a shake-up of hospital services have met with formal opposition from an influential health watchdog. South West Durham and Weardale Community Health Council said it cannot support plans for reorganising County Durham's three main hospitals.

  • Trees races to fourth duathlon title in Japan

    MIKE Trees, a 39-year-old athlete from Darlington, has followed up his success in the British national duathlon championships by winning the Japanese national title for the fourth time. Trees, whose parents live in Hurworth, is working in the Far East

  • Bishop Auckland Bridge Club

    Results for Thursday, July 4 Latner Trophy: 1st P Lisle & R Carpenter 66.67%; 2nd I Gordon & J Dobson 63.33%; 3rd G Spence & D Howe 61.39%.

  • County has new policy on rights of way costs

    NORTH Yorkshire County Council has launched a new policy to improve the rights of way network across the county. It follows extensive consultation with organisations, including the Ramblers' Association and bridleway groups. The policy will mean that

  • Town to lose out on adult learning

    A UNIVERSITY is pulling out of adult education in a Teesside town. The Adult Education Centre in Harrow Road, Middlesbrough, run by the University of Leeds, is to be closed in a cost-cutting drive. The decision comes only ten months after the University

  • Star backs campaign against bullying

    AN anti-bullying service has won praise from children's rights campaigner and ChildLine leader Esther Rantzen. The Durham County Council-run service, which is pre-paring for its third annual Happier in School week, from Monday to Friday, has received

  • Models on the march

    LIFESIZE models are on the march from youth clubs across County Durham. Young crafts people have devised an array of original figures, several based loosely on some of the characters seen in films such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. But, under

  • Big Meeting is welcomed

    DURHAM comes to a standstill on Saturday as former colliery communities across the county congregate in the city to hark back to their coal mining roots. The Durham Miners' Gala is a reminder of the county's past a decade after the closure of the last

  • Site visit called for as cattle burner plan is considered

    CONTROVERSIAL plans for a huge cattle burner in an East Cleveland village were in the spotlight yesterday. Members of the North York Moors National Park planning committee were considering the bid to put the round-the-clock incinerator at Charltons, near

  • Scarborough Beckett League

    Division A Brompton 112-9 (B Medd 42 no; H Mudd 5-28, C Humphries 3-33), Kirkbymoorside 126 (R Clark 50, C Humphries 28; M Wilshan 5-46, C Denton 4-16). Ebberston 107 (M Horsley 42; P Bowes 5-41), Foords Hotel 164 (S Gormley 47, M Jenkinson 32; N Simpson

  • Village cricket still alive and well in rural setting

    THE enthusiasm and dedication shown by members of High Farndale Cricket Club in restoring village cricket to this far-flung outpost is to be greatly applauded. Without any cricket in 2001 because of the threat of foot-and-mouth, the future for the club

  • Grain prices

    by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture OLD crop prices have remained unchanged although there are signs that things may firm up a little for the remaining grain on farm as a weather market develops. New crop prices have also remained unchanged, despite improvement

  • Masked pair in violent robbery

    MASKED raiders escaped with more than £300 and a woman's car after a violent petrol station robbery. The two men burst into the Burn Moor petrol station in Chester-le-Street at 8.30pm on Monday evening. While one jumped over the counter and threatened

  • Post-Neale move to protect patients

    A TOP-level meeting with the head of the Health and Safety Executive has been secured by a man campaigning for a review in the law which, he says, allowed disgraced Northallerton surgeon Richard Neale to escape criminal prosecution. John Bacon, a former

  • Grandfather becomes region's oldest PhD

    A grandfather who has held a senior position in the World Bank and travelled the globe will today crown his lifetime's achievements by becoming a North-East university's oldest PhD graduate. The event at Newcastle University will also mark a homecoming

  • Somerset leave Tykes with uphill struggle

    A marathon batting exhibition from Somerset at Scarborough yesterday left Yorkshire with a lot of hard work to do over the next couple of days if they are to avoid their sixth Championship defeat of the season. Somerset occupied the crease for 165.1 overs

  • Watchdog says hospital shake-up 'money driven'

    PLANS for a shake-up of hospital services have met with formal opposition from an influential health watchdog. South West Durham and Weardale Community Health Council said it cannot support plans for reorganising County Durham's three main hospitals.

  • News in brief: New charity launched

    A NEW charity called Friends of Senior Citizens has been launched in Newton Aycliffe. A hotline number for inquiries has been set up on (01325) 313924. DAY TRIPS: The Jubilee Fields Community Centre, Shildon, has organised two day trips. The first is

  • Extra medicinal aid available for elderly

    A PHARMACIST is being recruited in Darlington to offer help to elderly patients. The new recruit will support local doctors' practices by reviewing medication for patients aged 75 and over. The post has been created to ensure elderly patients are taking

  • Students parade their many talents

    A total of 33 talented students competed in Hurworth Comprehensive School's annual talent show. There were 19 different performances from the pupils, aged between 11 and 15, with the winners chosen by the audience of 150 fellow pupils and parents on Tuesday

  • Young designers show much promise

    TEENAGERS from three comprehensive schools have shown they have the talent to become the planners and builders of the future. The students were set the challenge of establishing their own construction company in a bid to redevelop Bishop Auckland Football

  • School Watch network to be extended

    A SCHEME which aims to deter vandalism and anti-social behaviour in schools is to be extended to the whole of Sedgefield borough. The School Watch scheme, funded by the Sedgefield Partnership Assisting in the Reduction of Crime (Sparc), encourages staff

  • £50,000 boost for schools scheme

    ACTIVITIES to stop young people getting involved in crime over the school summer holidays have received a £50,000 boost. The money from the Home Office Community Cohesion Fund will be used for a wide range of activities, including community football tournaments

  • David Cassidy answers call from N-E fans

    SEVENTIES singing star David Cassidy is to appear in a concert following calls from North-East fans. Cassidy will appear at Newcastle City Hall tonight after what was supposed to be a one-off appearance at Liverpool's Summer Pops concert. He arranged

  • Marilyn's huggin' and a-kissin' for charity

    A ROTARY Club official has raised £600 for charity with a sponsored kissathon. Marilyn Potts came up with the fundraising idea after becoming the North-East district governor for Rotary last year - the first woman to hold the title. Many of her male colleagues

  • Animal centre seeks home for furry five

    FIVE kittens are in need of a new home after being taken to Ramshaw Rescue Centre, near Bishop Auckland, because their owners are no longer able to care for them properly. Kate Wilson, from the centre, said: "They are so cute. They look like they have

  • Scenic art on show

    Watercolour scenes from Bishop Auckland and the surrounding area will feature in an exhibition by artist Eric Thompson, from Spennymoor, which will be open in the Central Methodist's Church Hall, Cockton Hill, Bishop Auckland, today, from 7pm to 9pm,

  • Appeal as hunt continues for Caroline killer

    THE family of a British backpacker murdered in Australia yesterday appealed for anyone with information about the case to come forward. Caroline Stuttle's body was found in Bundaberg, Queensland, on April 10. Police believe the 19-year-old, from York,

  • Drought study has not dried up

    A STUDY into the effects of the 1995 drought has resumed in the region. For the next four weeks, teams from the Environment Agency's fisheries department will be carrying out surveys at 50 sites along the Ouse, Ure and Wharfe, in North Yorkshire. Each

  • Tourist attraction may be given support

    A DECISION will be made later this month whether to bail out a leading North-East tourist attraction. Sunderland City Council is to decide whether to provide £125,000 which would guarantee the future of Sunderland Glass Centre. Officers are recommending

  • Landmark victory for sex change campaign

    CAMPAIGNERS demanding equal rights for transsexuals claimed a landmark victory yesterday when two women who were born male won their case in the European Court of Human Rights. Former bus driver Christine Goodwin and a 47-year-old woman who has not been

  • Deputy headteacher takes to the road

    DEPUTY headteacher Mervyn Armstrong will be packing away his geography books at the end of term when he retires from Sedgefield Community College. After spending almost all of his 38-year career at the college, he plans to tour some of the places he has

  • Sharon may be first woman to win race

    A GUISBOROUGH woman is being tipped to become the first female runner to win a cross-country event. More than 60 dedicated runners will gather at the starting line in Osmotherley, near Northallerton tomorrow, for the Lyke Wake Race, sponsored by the Darlington

  • Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water

    THE world's most venomous fish has found a new home in the North-East - but it will be kept well protected. The giant stonefish was treated with kid gloves when it arrived at Tynemouth's Blue Reef Aquarium yesterday. The stonefish, which is also known

  • Villagers delighted at homes scheme refusal

    VILLAGERS are celebrating the rejection of plans to build 14 houses in a conservation area in Witton-le-Wear, near Bishop Auckland. Residents were concerned that the scheme, for The Paddock, would ruin views and have a detrimental impact on nearby Witton

  • World Cup celebration led to assault

    A 12-PINT celebration of England's World Cup win over Argentina ended with a window fitter committing assault and affray, a court heard yesterday. Magistrates at Harrogate heard how Michael Brett watched the game in a Ripon pub and then visited several

  • News in brief: Choc horror on roundabout

    More than 20 tonnes of chocolate was spread across a roundabout when a lorry overturned and shed its load on the A64 at Hopgrove, York. Nobody was hurt but the lorry also ripped out wires and caused a number of street lights to go out. Global challenge

  • Scheme for hotel sparks objections

    PLANS to convert a large Scarborough hotel into student accommodation seem likely to fail because planners say it will damage the resort's stock of holiday accommodation stock. Nightclub and disco owner Alf Arton wants to convert the struggling 55-bedroom

  • Cheese-making's rich return

    THE art of cheese-making in Wensleydale was perfected by the Cistercian monks who settled in the area in the 12th Century. And the centuries-old tradition has lived on in style at the Great Yorkshire Show, where a Cheese Show was staged for the first

  • Cultivating young minds

    THE younger generation were getting to grips with rural issues yesterday as show organisers put the emphasis on learning. The Great Yorkshire Showground's education area played host to a variety of events aimed at children of all ages - from animal identification

  • Help served up for tennis fans

    HOPEFUL Henmans and aspiring Agassis in North Yorkshire have been given a helping hand to reach the top in tennis. The Harrogate and District Community Tennis Partnership (CTP) is celebrating a £4,000 grant from the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme

  • Marathon time for skateboarders

    A SKATE marathon will take place in Northallerton this weekend to help raise cash towards a proposed £100,000 skate park. More than 50 youngsters will take to their skateboards for the sponsored marathon which takes place on Sunday, from 10am, on a course

  • Water quality tops national average

    DRINKING water in Yorkshire is the best it has ever been, according to national experts. The 12th annual report of tghe Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) showed the county's water scored 99.91 per cent and was easily in compliance with tough regulatory

  • Recruitment drive

    FARMERS aiming to rebuild their lives after the misery of foot-and-mouth have been offered a new source of income - as lorry drivers. Driver Hire Nationwide, a franchise organisation supplying staff to the transport and distribution industries, made its

  • Plea after sex attack on woman in club

    A woman was subjected to a serious sexual assault as she enjoyed a night out with friends in a busy North-East nightclub. The 23-year-old was attacked during a night out in Stockton, Teesside. At about 1.30am last Saturday the woman was chatting to a

  • Traffic limits could wreck vision of gateway town

    DARLINGTON'S vision of becoming a vibrant gateway to the Tees Valley could be thwarted by a Highways Agency edict aimed at keeping down traffic on the A66. The matter has become urgent now the agency has specified a limit to any future development at

  • News in brief: Vandals facing clampdown

    A CLAMPDOWN on vandalism and anti-social behaviour at garage sites in Hartlepool is to be extended. Hartlepool Borough Council is to spend £1,700 on a set of 1.8m high security gates and perimeter fencing to prevent unauthorised access to garages in Spearman

  • £50,000 boost for sport and play areas

    ALMOST £50,000 has been set aside for the development of a sports field and play area near a new housing estate. The money has been provided by developers of a 233- home estate on the former Aycliffe Hospital site, in School Aycliffe, as part of the agreement

  • News in brief: New charity launched

    A new charity called Friends of Senior Citizens has been launched in Newton Aycliffe. A hotline number for inquiries has been set up on (01325) 313924. DAY TRIPS: The Jubilee Fields Community Centre, Shildon, has organised two day trips. The first is

  • Call for clarity in the euro debate

    BUSINESS and economic experts were last night reluctant to comment on Black & Decker's failure to suppress rumours that it will quit the North-East unless the UK signs up to the euro. But they all called for more information and discussion over the

  • Girls honoured for contributions to community

    TWO youngsters have been honoured for contributions to community life. Nicci Gardener, of Shiney Row, and Laura Derby, of South Hylton, were awarded the Lions Award for their work through the Young Volunteers Project, in Pennywell, Sunderland. The 15-

  • Young footballers travel to far ends of Europe

    JETTING out to the far corners of Europe to play an international is all in a day's work for the young footballers of north-west Durham. The young players of Sandhole Juniors, from the Stanley area, will fly to Petrozavodsk, in the republic of Karelia

  • Reeth's silver lining

    TO say that the cloud of Barclays Bank closing its branch in Reeth has had its silver lining may be a little trite, but there can be no denying that the outcome has been better than anybody might have thought. Two years ago the dale had a bank, a valuable

  • Robert is content to miss christmas and birthday for trip

    IT has to be good if a teenager is prepared to miss his 18th birthday party and Christmas with his family - but Scout Robert Curry has a good excuse. He is heading to the 20th International World Jamboree in Thailand, which for a scout is the holiday

  • Big thank you

    Staff at the Asda store in Hartlepool would like o thank the customers who helped to raise funds for charities in the past few weeks. About £340 was raised for the Butterwick Hospice, £181 for the Alzheimers Day Centre in Hartlepool and £311 for research

  • Ancient oak end looms

    AN ancient oak tree is to be chopped down after being struck by a large vehicle. The tree, at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Queen Parade, Harrogate, is thought to once have been part of the great Royal Forest of Knaresborough. The local council's

  • A beacon for art in the region

    A GIANT beam of light will pierce the skies at one minute past midnight tonight heralding a new cultural dawn for the North-East. Accompanied by a three-hour fanfare of music, members of the public will be able to get their first glimpse inside the £46m

  • Family's Jubilee baton honour

    CARRYING the Queen's Golden Jubilee baton on the latest leg of its countrywide tour was a real family affair yesterday. Romanby residents Jeff and Rosemary Kidd and their teenage daughters, Caroline and Fiona, all did their stint for the Commonwealth

  • Baltic states its intentions

    It has taken eight years and £46m, but a former flour mill has been turned into one of the most exciting new arts projects in Britain. As the Baltic open its doors tonight , Viv Harwick has a sneak preview. AT one minute past midnight on the morning of

  • Bomb alert

    People in two York streets were evacuated from their homes when a man discovered an unexploded wartime shell in his back garden. Nigel Travis was gardening at his home in Fountayne Street when he found the device, possibly from the First World War. A

  • Parish looks for help to ease school traffic fears

    FEARS that speeding traffic close to a rural school could kill a child has led a parish council to turn to nearby communities for help. Members of Croft-on-Tees Parish Council have written to Dalton, Eryholme, Cowton, and Hurworth parish councils as well

  • Church flower festival is hit by theft of displays

    A THIEF has been branded despicable after wrecking two floral displays at a church flower festival by stealing from exhibits. From one stand several Dinky toys were stolen and at a second the thief walked out of St Andrew's Church at Kirkby Malzeard,

  • Drinking spree puts driver in prison

    A DRINK-DRIVER who fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into another car was jailed for 18 months yesterday. Malcolm Bullock, 48, was under a ten-year driving ban when he drank almost a bottle of vodka and cans of lager before driving home through Redcar

  • Hear All Sides: REGIONAL ECONOMY

    ONE NorthEast figures show that 57,300 students went to North-East universities during 1992-3. In the year 1999-2000, this rose to 79,200, an increase of 21,900 or 38 per cent. If student tuition fees were abolished, we could increase further the numbers

  • Bowran beats Brockway

    Durham Ranking Tournament In the sixth Ranking Tournament of the year, held in Durham Snooker Club, Chris Bowran came through to take the £40 winners prize after beating Paul Brockway in the final, where Paul collected £20. The beaten semi-finalists,

  • Pay strike pickets hope to close council buildings

    PICKETS hope to shut down council buildings and schools across County Durham and Darlington on Wednesday. The first national pay strike by local government unions Unison, GMB and the TGWU, since 1989 is in support of a 6pc pay claim. The unions have rejected

  • Pool reserves' turn to smash in 12

    HARTLEPOOL United's second-string last night emulated their teammates by thumping 12 unanswered goals past Dutch opposition. Just 24 hours after Pool opened their pre-season tour of Holland with a 12-0 win over Theole, Chris Turner's side followed suit

  • Bowls: Shotton are climbing high

    Durham and District League Shotton moved up to their highest position ever when they took over the second spot in the First Division following their six points home win over Nevilles Cross by 88 shots to 57. Rink scores (Shotton names first): B. McGinn

  • Why I shan't be suing for damages

    The decision of the Crown Prosecution Service to clear me for a second time of any wrongdoing posed an interesting dilemma. In recent years, Britain has seen a growth in the compensation culture, in which someone has to be blamed for anything that goes

  • Reid maintains his powers of persuasion

    SUNDERLAND new-boy Phil Babb insists manager Peter Reid can still attract the big-name players to Wearside. Irishman Babb, who signed on a free transfer from Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon this summer, has joined fellow countrymen Niall Quinn, Kevin

  • Boy stabbed with needle at disco

    A TEENAGER was repeatedly stabbed with a hypodermic needle at a youth disco. Tom Gaunt, 14, from Skelton, east Cleveland, suffered five puncture wounds to his arms and back in an attack by a youths attending the Sweet Night disco at the Tall Trees in

  • Tennis: Slazenger Harrogate and District League

    Harlow's hopes of winning the First Division title were given a major boost when they defeated nearest rivals Thirsk to open a five-point lead at the top. Harlow had to battle hard for a 5-4 verdict against Thirsk. But the four-pointer win makes the league

  • The air ambulance row that is spiralling out of control

    SINCE the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA) launched its first mission from Blyth, in Northumberland, eight years ago, it has rescued more than 3,500 people. The charity was launched in 1991 by the Northumbria Ambulance Service, and immediately began the

  • CAP changes will hit typical British farm

    TYPICAL medium sized British family farms will be hard hit by proposed changes to the Common Agricultural Policy. Their annual EU subsidy would be cut by up to 20pc over six or seven years. And the estimated 600 British farms of more than 2,000 acres

  • Plans for wider ring on six-figure grant

    LOCAL farmers will be able to spread more than manure thanks to a Thirsk-based organisation. The Ridings Machinery Ring, which enables farmers to spread their costs by sharing skills, equipment and time, is to expand its membership, thanks to a £122,000

  • Lord Mayor becomes the Queen

    A statue of a former Lord Mayor of London has been transformed into the Queen for a jubilee-themed gala taking place today. Gala organisers in Grangetown, Teesside, have chiselled away at the 6ft tall paper mache figure, so it now resembles Her Majesty

  • Rocky course holds no fears for expert Phillipson

    SUNDAY saw the Seaton Delaval Motor Club hold their North East Centre Northumbria Gulf Trophy Trial at Ridsdale in Northumberland. An entry of 56 riders rode three separate courses - experts, clubmen and easy - all of four laps with ten sections. Mike

  • Gold medal glory for talented young riders

    TWO young riders from the region helped England's junior 128cm team win the gold medal at the Cavan Home Pony International in Ireland last weekend. Eight-year-old Pippa Allen, from Stainsby Grange, Thornaby, and 12-year-old Daniel Neilson, from Lingdale

  • Children in limelight

    PRIMARY school children had the opportunity to show off their talents in a sell-out show at the Durham Gala Theatre last week. The pupils at St Godric's RC Primary School, in Newton Hall, had spent weeks preparing for their big night on Thursday, which

  • Wellock's World: Put the fun back into sport.

    WITH boring baseliners dominating Wimbledon and Teutonic efficiency carrying Germany to the World Cup final, there is a growing clamour to put the fun back into sport. You'll get a taste of it if you tune into the Sport Relief programme on BBC1 tomorrow

  • Arboretum wins right to expand parking space

    A TOURIST attraction near Bedale has won conditional planning consent for more than 100 much needed parking spaces, despite concerns about the effect on the surrounding area. Thorp Perrow Arboretum, a collection of more than 1,000 species founded 70 years

  • Pupils discover science

    SCIENCE was promoted to 3,000 Cleveland and Darlington school pupils this week with the help of some spectacular and unusual exhibits. Youngsters from more than 60 schools visited the Science is Great show at Ormesby Sports Complex. Included in the show

  • Back to normality at Harrogate

    IT WAS almost back to normal in the world of agricultural shows this week with a good turnout at the Great Yorks - along with some dodgy weather and a Royal visit. But the shadow of foot-and-mouth was still present, if not quite as threatening as the

  • Shop Talk: Glass in a class of its own

    IT'S unexpected and it's wonderful. On the edge of Consett - a town noted, perhaps unfairly, more for crisps than culture - a brown tourist sign points the way to The Glass Gallery and leads in unlikely fashion to a terraced house in Medomsley Road. What

  • Transplant leads to special bond

    A CONSETT couple who lost their daughter in a road crash have formed a remarkable bond with the man whose life she saved with a heart transplant. Nicola Pearson's parents Ray and Elaine were distraught when she was killed at the age of 17. They were consoled

  • Pylons stride across the vale - but the fight goers on

    THE pylons may be going up across the Vale of York, but protesters are refusing to back down. Work is well under way erecting the controversial overhead power line from Lackenby in Teesside to Shipton, near York. The metal towers are the first physical

  • Rape promises bumper crops

    AFTER two disappointing years, oilseed rape crops - particularly hybrids - look well set to give high yields this season, according to NIAB oilseeds specialist, Simon Kightley. Although there was vigorous early crop growth in 2000, he believes lack of

  • Dismay at complaints over lighting scheme

    HUTTON Rudby councillors have rejected anonymous suggestions that they ignored residents' opinions about a street lighting scheme. After a series of meetings, modern-style lights were erected around the village this spring. The lights are now positioned

  • Games: Willington Summer League

    With only two matches left in the league stages of the cup, the competition for places in the knock out stages is still very tight. The teams are not only fighting for a place but also to top their league so that they will receive a home tie in the first

  • Juninho still a poor second to McClaren

    MIDDLESBROUGH last night won support from an influential fans' spokesman over the collapse of World Cup winner Juninho's proposed return to the Riverside Stadium. Only four days after the Boro faithful feared they might lose manager Steve McClaren to

  • Amnesty offer after attacks

    A WEAPONS amnesty is being held after an alarming spate of airgun attacks. In recent years, there have been numerous incidents when gangs of youths have taken pot shots at passers-by in Loftus and its surrounding area. Until next Friday, July 19, people

  • Press officer retires

    THE man who has been press officer for the Country Land and Business Association for 15 years has retired. Gerry Passman who has covered the northern region including Yorkshire, Durham, Cleveland and Northumberland is pictured (above, right) receiving

  • Tees regeneration strategy: -it's not pie in the sky'

    A BOLD blueprint to reclaim the River Tees for Stockton was launched yesterday. The first part of a multi-million pound strategy will include regeneration of Stockton town centre, a futuristic "gatehouse" spanning the river and a firm bid to make Teesside

  • Briefly...

    Kids' club: An out-of-school club catering for 24 children has been opened at Chaloner Hall Day Nursery in Guisborough. The £28,000 facility - paid for by the Government's New Opportunities Fund - includes a computer suite, play area and mini-kitchen.

  • Lifetime lifesaver is honoured

    A FISHBURN woman who has devoted more than 50 years of her life to training lifeguards will finally hang up her swimming costume this month - to travel the world. Olive Atkinson, 76, has been teaching life support skills to professional lifeguard students

  • Why I shan't be suing for damages

    The decision of the Crown Prosecution Service to clear me for a second time of any wrongdoing posed an interesting dilemma. In recent years, Britain has seen a growth in the compensation culture, in which someone has to be blamed for anything that goes

  • Worthington Durham County CIU Summer League

    Title favourites in all three divisions went down to defeat last week. Shotton Palms came through to win the decider at First Division champions, Old Shildon when Barry Hall beat Steven Bennett in the decider. Earlier Michael Pratt with breaks of 40 and

  • Junior Football Tournament

    A tournament for youngsters aged between six and 13 with over 500 children from 70 teams taking part was held at the weekend. Organised by Darlington Spraire Lads and Lasses, teams from as far a field as Tyneside, Co. Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire

  • Pupils' teamwork wins netball title

    Youngsters at Riverdale Primary School have just been declared netball champions of East Cleveland. The school team, coached by teacher Sarah Metcalfe and governor Graeme Wright, represented Redcar and Cleveland at the Youth Trust Games 2002 on Teesside

  • Cummins announces layoffs

    Engine maker Cummins has announced that more than 50 jobs are to go at its Darlington plant. The US owned firm, which is one of the town's biggest employers, is axing a number of temporary staff in the latest of a series of cost cutting measures. Thirty

  • Newcastle and Interbrew Pro-Am Invitation Competition

    At Richardson and Westgarth Sports and Social Club last week, Ian McCulloch, fresh from his best ever season qualifying for six of the eight match tournaments in 2001-2002 in which he beat Steve Davis and Anthony Hamilton, was in superb form. He beat

  • It's double tops fior kleader East Rainton

    Roseberry Group North East Durham League East Rainton lead both Division One and Division Two. In their first division game at Coundon, East Rainton had 45 runs to spare after totalling 160 for six. Gordon Steel hit four boundaries in 38, Colin Henderson

  • Farming bounces back - in style

    A LANDMARK chapter in the glorious history of the Great Yorkshire Show - and British farming as a whole - was written yesterday. Despite intensive bio-security precautions across the showground and ever-changing weather, the 144th annual spectacular was

  • Advantage favouring Tommy

    FRONT-RUNNERS appear to have a massive advantage at York nowadays pointing very strongly to the chances of the habitual trail-blazer, Tommy Smith (1.55). John Wainwright's speedster has not seen another rival on either of his last two winning starts at

  • Kirby Sigston on th march

    Langbaurgh League Kirby Sigston lead the table and they recorded their 11th victory in 12 outings defeating Crathorne by five wickets. The game was a personal triumph for Kevin Clarkson, who in 13.1 overs including eight maidens, returned the magnificent

  • Midfield work for Boro boss

    SO, we know Middlesbrough's back four are sound. And Massimo Maccarone, all £8.15m of him, will bring a cutting edge to their strikeforce. Now, if only Steve McClaren could sign an entire midfield, Boro could approach the new season with confidence...

  • Thirsk tests Royal Mail's planned changes

    HOUSEHOLDERS in Thirsk can expect a later post delivery than usual next month. But the move is designed to create a better delivery service, not worse. Local businesses though, will get their mail before 9am each day. There will be no second delivery

  • Warning sounded following spate of bogus caller thefts

    POLICE are appealing for help to catch criminals who have been targeting vulnerable residents across Richmondshire and Hambleton. Despite repeated warnings urging the public not to let strangers into their homes, the crimes have proved quite lucrative

  • Airman's family visits French grave

    THE family of an airman who lost his life in the Second World War has paid an emotional visit to the French village that still honours his bravery. Nearly sixty years after Sgt Robert Hudson was killed with six other men when his Lancaster bomber was

  • World champions celebrate

    THEY are the champions of the world and have put their native North-West Durham on the map as the UK's centre of junior kick-boxing . At just 12 years old Jamie Bates of Lanchester has become the world's youngest kick-boxing champion. He beat Hungarian

  • Castle Proms venue ventures into pop

    SIR THOMAS Ingilby, owner of the twelfth century Ripley Castle, near Harrogate, opens the beautiful grounds of his home for the first time this summer for a pop concert. Party in the Park takes place on Saturday, July 27, with a star line-up including

  • Lomax motors to line in pole position

    On Wednesday, July 3 the club competed at the Croft Circuit, better known for motor racing than athletics, in the Darlington Pit Stop 10k and 2k Fun run which was organised by Darlington Harriers. First to the starting grid were the 2k fun runners, Matthew

  • GM oilseed rape trials site named

    A SITE at Oakenshaw in County Durham is to be part of the Government's autumn trials of genetically modified oilseed rape. The site is one of 18 chosen for the latest round and is expected to be sown after August 19. This is the last year of the three-year

  • Old grandstand could be next to come off the risk list

    ENGLISH Heritage has published its fifth register of historic buildings and landmarks at risk from ruin and decay. The list, published on Tuesday, reveals a total of 131 important buildings and monuments suffering the ravages of time throughout the North-East

  • County show moves to its new country park venue

    A NEW North-East landmark will be christened in style at the weekend as it provides the latest stage for the Durham County Show. Herrington Country Park, on more than 400-acres of restored colliery land in the shadow of Penshaw Monument, will be the new

  • Mallon's five-year ordeal is over

    A FIVE-year nightmare is over for Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon. No action is to be taken against the ex-detective superintendent who was "required to resign" from the police service in February, after admitting 14 disciplinary charges at an internal

  • People's history is told

    THE OLDEN and not-so-olden days of Annfield Plain are revealed in photographs in a new book. Local amateur historian Jack Hair has compiled the book called The People's History, Annfield Plain and District, which marks the history of the area from coal

  • Town waits in fear as firm decides its future

    A BLACK cloud was hanging over a community last night as speculation mounted that its biggest employer was about to move out. Fears were growing that the town of Spennymoor was on the verge of a crippling economic blow if the rumours that Black &

  • Farm sales

    CRAKEHALL (Bedale). - Thurs of last week. Farm machinery sale at Burtree House Farm, conducted by Robin Jessop in conjunction with Leyburn Auction Mart on behalf of Andrew J Shield. Ford 4WD 7840 (K-reg) tractor £9,000; Triffot 10-ton corn trailer £3,700

  • Athletics: Boro youngsters set personal records

    Middlesbrough AC The club's talented teenage athletes were in fine form in the premiership of the national junior league at Scunthorpe. Peter Vickers clocked a personal best of 10.73 over 100m and repeated the feat in the 200m with 22.10 and with a shot

  • Thrills in store as Croft welcomes top drivers

    THE Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship series makes its sole visit to Croft for rounds 11 and 12 this weekend and, with just one point separating current championship leader Matt Neal in his Egg Sport Vauxhall Astra Coup from popular Yorkshireman

  • Hospice cash lift

    ST TERESA'S Hospice in Darlington is to receive an extra £50,000-a year from local health chiefs. Last year, Darlington Primary Care Group agreed to support the hospice with an additional one-off £50,000 payment in recognition of an increase in use of

  • School celebrates a year of achievements

    DARLINGTON'S Eastbourne Comprehensive School held its annual awards evening to recognise pupils' achievements over the year in the school's Alderman Jim Skinner Hall. Guests at Wednesday's event included Durham Constabulary's Chief Constable George Hedges

  • Youngsters enjoy jubilee celebration

    EDUCATION staff from Darlington held a tea party to mark the Queen's golden jubilee. The event, attended by about 400 people, was held at the Darlington headquarters of the Department for Education and Skills. Pupils from Mowden Infant and Junior schools

  • Farm scheme wins support

    FARMERS will be able to share more of their equipment, skills and time after an investment boost in a non-profit-making co-operative. A rural enterprise grant of £122,000 has been made to the 250-strong Ridings Machinery Ring, which operates throughout

  • Enterprise agency celebrates its new lease of life

    A DEVELOPMENT agency for co-operatives in the North-East has re-opened six years after it was forced to close. Cleveland Co-operative Development Agency closed down in 1996 following the abolition of Cleveland County Council, but was re-launched on Monday

  • Wynndebagge to air sounds of yesteryear

    THERE'LL be a right royal song-and-dance next week with a light-hearted look at how the kings and queens of old used to rock and roll. Period musician and entertainer Wynndebagge will be reviving the sounds of Tudor times at Kirkham Priory, near Malton

  • Head hands his school to sons

    A HEADTEACHER who loved his school so much that he bought it has cut his ties with the establishment that he first joined 53 years ago. Jeff Johnson joined the private Argyle House School, in Sunderland, as a pupil in 1949 and spent his career teaching

  • Search for star firms

    THE CBI is calling on all successful small and medium-sized companies to enter its 2002 Growing Business Awards. The awards, organised with Real Business magazine, recognise entrepreneurial talent in the UK in firms with less than 500 employees. Microsoft's

  • Big welcome for hospital creche

    UP to 80 children aged from six weeks old to school age can enjoy a staff creche which has opened inside a hospital. Six extra staff have been recruited to work in the day nursery which is based at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, and

  • Drop your price, pleads Boateng

    MIDDLESBROUGH target George Boateng last night laid into Aston Villa for pricing him out of a move to the Riverside, writes Paul Fraser. The tough-tackling midfielder is being tracked by Boro boss Steve McClaren, who values the player at £4m. But the

  • Drug raid gambler 'called for a coffee'

    A GAMBLER who was arrested during a drugs raid claimed he had called at the house for a cup of coffee. Colin Noble, 29, said he had been in the building less than a minute when there was banging on the door and everybody panicked. He said that somebody

  • Project provides key to IT benefits

    A MAJOR project to bring new information technology (IT) skills to people in isolated rural areas was launched at the show. Three mobile IT units, operated by North Yorkshire County Council, are being used to bring fresh opportunities to adults who otherwise

  • Lanchester Show returns with style

    TUG o' War is to be an annual feature of the Lanchester Show after it proved a popular addition to the itinerary at the weekend. The revived show, back after its cancellation due to foot-and-mouth last year, was successfully restored to the country show

  • World premiere of church music piece

    RIPON Cathedral was the setting for the world premiere of Eucharistia, a major work for double chorus and full orchestra by Fr Peter Dodson, of Ripon. Performed as the major celebration in the patronal festival of the cathedral's co-patron St Peter, it

  • Abattoir plans alarm villagers

    PLANS for an abattoir and 24 hour meat-processing factory on the outskirts of a quiet village are causing alarm among residents. People in Marton cum Grafton, near Knaresborough, are aghast at plans for a former North Yorkshire County Council smallholding

  • Wellock's World: Put the fun back into sport

    WITH boring baseliners dominating Wimbledon and Teutonic efficiency carrying Germany to the World Cup final, there is a growing clamour to put the fun back into sport. You'll get a taste of it if you tune into the Sport Relief programme on BBC1 tomorrow

  • Grassroots: Hurworth Parish Council

    RACING BIKES: Councillor Chris Pratt has urged police to monitor Croft Road from Blands Corner to Croft Bridge. Motorbikes are regularly seen reaching speeds of more than 90mph along the road. BUS SERVICES: Timetables for the number 74 and 77 Arriva buses

  • Grassroots: Middleton St George Parish Council

    RENOVATION BILL: The parish council's boardroom needs a minimum of £8,000 of repairs. Councillor Doris Jones said she wanted to defer a decision until the village discovers whether it qualifies for a grant through the parish plan. But Councillor Mike

  • Comment: Is this rivalry risking lives?

    IT is a dispute which is both extraordinary and highly disturbing. The chief executive of a newly-launched air ambulance operation in our region has effectively accused a neighbouring ambulance service of playing politics with the lives of accident victims

  • Stag's Head have the edge on Tow Law New Market B

    Tow Law Area League The top of the table clash at Tow Law New Market B produced the expected tight match with Esh Stag's Head just edging through by the odd point. The visitors moved ahead in the singles with wins from Roy Brown, Tom March, John Hodgson

  • £16,000 Dracula edition

    A FIRST edition copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula, inscribed by the author to the Bishop of Ripon, the Right Reverend William Boyd Carpenter, on publication in 1897, fetched £16,730 at Sotheby's in London yesterday. Dublin-born Stoker took seven years to

  • Critics slam 'low' figures for violence

    CRITICS last night criticised the latest crime statistics for claiming that violent crime in the North-East was among the lowest in the country. The Government figures - unveiled today - were criticised by victim support campaigners who claim that the

  • Can Northern Echo make it two in a row?

    NORTHERN Echo the racing pigeon is preparing for her final race of the year this weekend. But the feisty hen will be hurrying home without the incentive to which breeder Peter Matthews attributed her recent winning form. Earlier this month Northern Echo

  • Firefighters give up meat - for a worthy cause

    FIREFIGHTERS have volunteered for a tough new duty - giving up meat for a week to raise cash for charity. A four-strong team from Northallerton station is to join the national Dalepak Firefighters Challenge, part of National Vegetarian Week. The three

  • Bus users get say on touring surgeries

    BUSES are being used as surgeries for travellers to air their views on local services. Durham County Council and the National Federation of Bus Users (NFBU) have organised a series of surgeries where passengers can talk to their bus operators' representatives

  • Heighington stay top with quality win

    Darlington and District League Heighington are still out in front of Division A as they saw off the challenge from Barningham by several wickets. Batting first the visitors realised 131 for seven which included a top scoring 45 by Kyle and for Heighington

  • Nicholls duo fight it out for the Newmarket spoils

    NEWMARKET'S July meeting is one at which trainers from all over want to succeed - but only David "Dandy" Nicholls did so for the DST area this week. He sent out the one-two in a competitive spring handicap on Wednesday, when Michael Hills partnered Brave

  • School offers chance to test university life

    THREE students from the Stockton area have been taking part in a summer school organised by University College London (UCL) and the British Library. Neil McIntyre from Bede College in Billingham and Jenny Chambers and Sean Cooney from Stockton Sixth Form

  • Football chief must pay £61,000 to sacked employee

    FLAMBOYANT football boss George Reynolds has been ordered to pay an industrial tribunal award far larger than originally believed, it has been revealed. The multi-millionaire chairman of Darlington FC must hand over more than £61,000 to a former employee

  • Fish fryers aim to batter opposition

    NORTH-East fish friers are turning up the heat as they prepare to do batter for a title. The fish and chip shop of the year competition, which has been running since 1988, has never had a winner from the region. One chippie of nearly 30 con tenders from

  • Old show gets used to prime new location

    A huge expanse of reclaimed land provides the latest stage for Durham County Show. Herrington Country Park, on more than 400-acres of restored colliery land in the shadow of Penshaw Monument, is the new venue for the traditional country show, dating back