Willington Boys: Lewis Hope scored a double hat trick - six goals - for the Under-15s in their 7-1 victory at home to Whickham in the first round of the Russell Foster Junior League Cup. Nicholas Elliot was the other scorer for Willington, with Joe Fairish
SHOPPING: I WAS delighted to read (Echo, Sept 30) about the proposed new development for shopping and leisure in Darlington, expanding Queen Street westwards. It sounds like a really well thought out and planned development, accommodating good parking
A TEENAGER and his neighbour have been hailed heroes after saving a young couple from a blazing flat. Seventeen-year-old Robert Stubbs and Allan Caswell, 48, rushed to help a woman in her late teens after Robert's wife, Anne, spotted her screaming for
MULTI-MILLION pound plans to further expand Newcastle's Tyne corridor are about to create up to 450 jobs. A £70m project, supported by European funding, was announced yesterday, aimed at creating accommodation for business and boosting a growing creative
THE cost of extending Northallerton's cemetery looks certain to be far higher than first thought. The sum could be as much as 400pc more than initial estimates of £70,000. This could be a headache for the joint burial committee which runs the cemetery
THE leaves have barely started to turn and already the Premiership is full of beleaguered bosses. Glenn Hoddle has gone, Peter Reid is clinging on, rumours are rife about Sir Bobby Robson and Davy Jones' locker must soon be emptied at Molineux. Since
THE exodus of young people from the Yorkshire Dales caused by the high cost of housing was highlighted at a public meeting in Wensleydale. The meeting, organised by the Association of Rural Communities, looked at the role of the national park and how
French Leave (C4): THE sub-title The Chef, His Wife And His Mother-In-Law gave a big clue to the theme of the third in the series about John Burton Race's move with his family to south west France. John wasn't looking forward to a week-long visit by mother-in-law
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this year, the campaign celebrates its tenth anniversary in Britain. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. THE pink ribbon has become a symbol for breast cancer awareness across the globe, and this month,
SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night insisted there are "no troublemakers'' at Newcastle United. The Magpies' boss faced criticism over the summer signing of Lee Bowyer after luring Jonathan Woodgate to St. James' Park in January. In their time together at Leeds
Wilton 1st celebrated victory in their first league encounter of the season, showing newly promoted Richmond that fist division hockey is tough. The Teessiders surged forward from the whistle and Rob Walker hit the net from their first attack. Wilton
Oak felled after Stars' late burst: MN All Stars continued their impressive start to the league season and remain unbeaten as they ran out comfortable 4-0 victors over Royal Oak, although the scoreline didn't reflect how close a game it was. The first
THERE will be no divided loyalties for Horden chairman John Groves when his team entertain West Hartlepool in North Two East tomorrow. During his ten years in the centre with West, Groves was skipper from 1983-85, a period during which they fielded All
Sir, - I note the commitment from North Yorkshire County Council as highway authority to study traffic problems around the Darlington Road area of Richmond (D&S, Sept 19). While the comments regarding residents' concerns re the proposed bus/car plans
TARGETS set a year ago for reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in a North-East town have been reached. But on the first anniversary of his Raising Hope initiative, Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon warned: "We have to do even more." Former detective
Sir, - On the wildlife agenda it looks as though the poor old magpie is getting a bad Press lately in some readers' letters. They want him classed as vermin and exterminated. Of course he is a predator, a parasite and a scavenger but that's just his nature
CIU League: Cockton Hill's visit to Ferryhill produced two unexpected results in the darts and pool sections. Ferryhill beat the visiting second placed darts team by three points, whilst the visitors' had their revenge on the pool table when they beat
TRANSPORT links across the Dales look likely to be improved under a £1m scheme which will also boost tourism and provide huge economic benefits. The recently opened Wensleydale Railway could see its trains stopping at Bedale Station, in North Yorkshire
ON Sunday, because it's that time of year, we ploughed the fields and scattered and sang the song of harvest home, even us townies with, at best, a vegetable garden. There was also a marrow, of course, there always is a marrow. It's really the marrow's
CLEVELAND police have declared an amnesty in an attempt to retrieve hundreds of missing traffic cones. Sgt Dave Hill, of Thornaby Police, said: "Hundreds of cones have vanished into thin air over the past few years. "We believe people have simply picked
A LOCAL authority is on the verge of concluding a £1m scheme to secure the future of Bedale railway station. Hambleton District Council is set to buy the station in an attempt to help Wensleydale Railway to improve transport links across the area. The
Booking holidays over the Internet rather than through a travel agent may be popular, but does it really save you money, or are you better off with the professionals? PACKAGE holiday or DIY? Now that the Internet gives us direct access to flights and
THE Yorkshire Agricultural Society's new president is Richard Howard-Vyse, who has been involved in shaping the society for more than two decades. Mr Howard-Vyse manages his family's land at Langton, near Malton. He became a steward at the Great Yorkshire
A FAR right party has come last in a council by-election, in which a record number of people voted. A total of 64 per cent of people in the Chester North ward in Chester-le-Street voted in the postal ballot, which was contested by the British National
Before expert summarisers and football in the community officers, before ghosted columns and post-prandial platitudes, professional footballers retired to the pub. Time's called, ways and wages changed. Dickie Ord, new landlord of the Royal George at
It was a day of disaster for some keepers whilst others excelled. Stillington The Royal had Darlington Archdeacon as visitors and their keeper Ted Halstead restricted the homeside to a 4-1 victory. Royal went in at the interval 3-1 to the good with two
A VILLAGE workingmen's club becomes a community surgery for one day, next week. Practice nurses from Sacriston Surgery, and Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) are joining forces to fight flu. More than 550 patients aged 65 and over
Peter Milburn was the first Aycliffe AC runner home at the Ray Harrison memorial road race at Billingham on September 7. Peter had an excellent race to finish 11th in a time of 36.24. Patrick Robson once again had a fine run to finish in 69th place in
AN exhibition of more than 300 photographs, will commemorate the 125th anniversary of St Mary's Church, Hutton Magna, near Barnard Castle, on Sunday. Photographs and other memorabilia will be on display, including pictures of the old church and the present
DISABLED people are to benefit from a £27,000 project to improve access to Darlington town centre. Work has started on the road improvement scheme, near the Arts Centre and Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Vane Terrace. Pavements and junctions along
DARLINGTON'S Liberal Democrat group has a new look, following its annual general meeting. The new chairman is Mike Barker and the secretary Fred Lawton. Continuing in their current positions are president Peter Freitag, treasurer Bill Oliver and membership
A WARTIME romance has led to 60 years of marriage. Thomas and Mary Tunstall, of Middleton-One-Row, near Darlington, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with friends and family yesterday. The couple met while Mr Tunstall, who is from the Lake
WHEN five-year-old Reece Harker started his first day at school he continued a family tradition. It is 83 years since his great-grandmother Mary Staples was taught in the same classrooms at Stanley Crook Primary School, near Crook. His grandmother Beryl
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour believes his side is showing plenty of signs of good form after their 3-0 midweek win at North Ferriby. Two wins in two games have pushed Bishops up the table to seventh and Honour said: "I was very happy with the
MULTI-MILLION pound plans to further expand Newcastle's Tyne corridor are about to create up to 450 jobs. A £70m project, supported by European funding, was announced yesterday, aimed at creating accommodation for business and boosting a growing creative
STUDENTS and staff at St John's RC Comprehensive School, in Bishop Auckland, have celebrated their best exam results with an awards ceremony. Pupils achieved a 97 per cent pass rate with almost 62 per cent of pupils gaining five or more GCSE passes at
A CAMPAIGN to send a Spennymoor woman to Mexico for specialist cancer treatment is nearing its target. A year ago today 46-year-old Pamela Aston, well known in the town as Pam Ellis, was told the breast cancer she thought she had defeated had spread to
LIFE has shifted up a gear for Middlesbrough man Gary Mains. The 42-year-old had to give up his last driving job because of severe stress and anxiety six years ago. But he is now firmly back in the driving seat thanks to help he received at the JobCentre
RESIDENTS have successfully set up the first Neighbourhood Watch scheme in sheltered accommodation in the Hambleton District. The Mayor of Northallerton, Councillor Tony Hall, was on hand this week to launch the new Castle Close scheme in the town. Residents
Goals galore for the Echo: The Second Division provided the highest scorers of the day with The Northern Echo, who had only scored one goal so far this season, they found their form and the back of the net 11 times against Berlins. With the Echo in total
AN award-winning singer and her band are coming to nine Yorkshire villages this month. With a voice likened to Eva Cassidy and Dinah Washington, Sheena Davis will perform a selection of classic jazz and show songs as part of her nationwide tour. With
Division One, New Marske SC 0, Bedale FC 3: New Marske Sports Club remain rooted to the bottom of the First Division following this latest defeat. They had no answer to visitors Bedale man of the match Adam Bramley who scored the first for the visitors
AFTER hitting the right note as a singing duo, Peter and Paula McGowan are hoping to harmonise in business together. The couple, who live in Brandon, on the outskirts of Durham, are seeking to equal their singing reputation with success in the beauty
A TOWN'S new police chief has pledged there will be no let up in the war against crime. Chief Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, Middlesbrough's divisional police commander from Monday, said tackling the menace of drugs was at the top of the agenda. But
Mowden Park: The Under-13s had an excellent 46-10 victory at Billingham, scoring eight tries in total in a very open free flowing game. This was a total team performance with everyone playing for each other, especially in the front row where Mowden were
A UNIVERSITY student from Darlington put his gap year to good use by working on a hospital ship. Ben Tait, 19, who lives in Cleveland Avenue, worked voluntarily on the MV Anastasis from February to March, when it travelled to Togo, West Africa. The ship
Bob Morton, general manager of Newcastle Benfield Saints, has suggested the FA should appoint a fourth official for FA Vase ties. Morton's suggestion comes following the abandonment of the first game between his club and Thornaby, when one of the assistant
ONE of Sunderland's oldest nursery schools could close as the city council looks at reshuffling nursery provision in Wearside. Under proposals to go before Sunderland City Council's cabinet on Wednesday, Cork Street Community Nursery School - the city's
HOSPITALS conducting one of the first major trials to see if cannabis can be used as a painkiller is due to start recruiting North-East patients in the next few months. The hospital hopes to find patients due to undergo major surgery who are willing to
SOLICITOR Derek Winter has taken up the post of coroner serving the Sunderland area. He has taken over from Gateshead and South Tyneside coroner Terence Carney, who had also been undertaking the duties in Sunderland since Mr Winter's predecessor, Martin
OVER the past two decades an east Durham community centre has helped to put the heart back into a former pit village. And to mark its 20th birthday, Horden Youth and Community Centre is staging an exhibition recalling its early days and charting its success
THE North Durham Motor Club ran a good sporting trial at Butsfield Quarry near Castleside last Sunday, writes Wally Richmond. Thanks went to the Consett Motor Club, who allowed them to run the trial on one of the Consett club venues and also assisted
Visitors to one of the county's stately homes have a chance to examine the skill and craftsmanship behind antique and modern quilts. An exhibition, called Tales from the Sewing Room, featuring professional and amateur makers, is being staged at Nunnington
MORE than 250 performing arts students played to sell-out crowds for two nights running. The students, from Stockton Riverside College, have played to 350-strong audiences at the Arc theatre, in the town. Their show, called Stars, was about the desire
A RANGE of childcare services will be administered from Billingham Campus School, the Government has announced. The school has been designated as Stockton's full service extended school along with eight primary schools. That means the school will be funded
Hathaway and Cope Stokesley League, Ennis Square 2 Thornaby Village 4: Ithe league, Thornaby Village produced the upset of the day when they came from behind to beat the league leaders. Ennis man of the match Jonathan Kirk gave the Redcar side an early
PLANS to put Thirsk well and truly on the Christmas events diary may be hampered by a lack of helpers. Only a handful of people turned up to a public meeting to discuss the ambitious three-day winter wonderland which the chamber of trade has suggested
BILLION pound plans to radically overhaul public transport in the North-East over the next 20 years were approved by politicians yesterday. Members of the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority debated Project Orpheus. The scheme, by Nexus, aims
Durham County Council Lomax Enterprises Youth League: Willington won for the second time this season when they hammered Consett 14-2. Andrew Johnson rifled five goals and there were hat-tricks for Christopher Hodgson and Martin Hopps. David Lee and John
FIVE members of staff from Beaumont Hill School and College of Technology, Darlington, dressed up for a five-a-side match at the school's fun day on Saturday. The five, Mick Helmsley, Bridget O'Neill, Martin Tweddle, Glenn Henry and Bev Clarke played
Last weekend Le Mans, France, played host to the next stage in the FORCE 5000 and the BRSCC championship where Edwin Jowsey of Whitby competed. The three day event took place in sweltering heat, with track temperature reaching 90F. Qualifying took place
WALK PLANNED: A 13-mile walk will be led by Michael Jones, starting at 10am, on Wednesday, from the main car park in Blanchland. CURTAIN UP: The M6 Theatre Company is staging Forever, at 10am and 1.30pm on Tuesday, October 14, in the Lamplight Arts Centre
THE schoolgirl diaries of a radio broadcaster jailed a man who had sex with her yesterday. Married David Wheeler had a year-long sex affair with the woman when she was just 14. He confessed everything to her parents after her father found a letter from
AT Bournemouth this week the Prime Minister and his colleagues lifted their spirits by concentrating on domestic issues. But no sooner had they sang The Red Flag and packed their bags, than the thorny issue of Iraq returned to cause them trouble. Confirmation
A TEAM chase is being held at Foxberry Chasers, near Richmond, next weekend to raise funds for the Zetland Hunt. The competition, on Sunday, October 12, will be an annual event and the organisers hope to make it a national qualifier next year. The novice
NORTHERN Rock yesterday announced a radical shake-up in a bid to strengthen its position among the UK's leading mortgage lenders. The Newcastle firm - which revealed lending to home buyers was at record levels - said it was making a £30m investment in
A TEENAGER who died in a cliff fall had been enjoying her first holiday without her parents, her grieving father said last night. It is thought Terri Ellwood may have unwittingly wandered onto a side path in the dark which led straight over the edge of
WENSLEYDALE cheesemakers are celebrating a triumphant year of show successes after winning a clutch of trophies at the British Cheese Awards, held at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. Wensleydale Creamery's flagship traditional Wensleydale was judged the
Nunthorpe's Lynsey Davison has recently re-entered the world ranking list and her position rocket from 1,015 to best ever 834. This places her now in 23rd spot in the British order of merit. Points gained in the Hastings Direct Tour tournament in Sheffield
It was third time lucky for Low Fell Jolly Miller when they avenged two recent defeats against Felling Mulberry to claim maximum points in the league. It was an end to end thriller that saw the lead switch on several occasions with the Fell finding a
ANIMAL carcases and dead chicks were being dumped near the site of a falconry centre, according to a planning councillor. Such environmental concerns were spotlighted by Coun Margaret Skilbeck when considering an application for a bungalow at the centre
The weapons inspector given the task of finding Saddam Hussein's much-vaunted weapons of mass destruction last night declared that he had found none. However, David Kay, head of the 1,000 strong CIA-led Iraq Survey Group, said that he had discovered evidence
THE North Yorkshire Chorus has begun rehearsing for a major concert at the end of November in Ripon Cathedral. The occasion will mark 21 years as chorus director by Christopher Thompson, of Great Ayton, and the programme represents some of his favourite
Belford House beat Birtley Town Reserves 3-0. John Holborn, Michael Agnew and Mark Green scored the three goals for Belford to lift their club to joint top of the league with Coxhoe Athletic. In League Challenge Cup Durham City Reserves made progress
A PRINTING error which cost a US tennis club hundreds of dollars has served a North-East club well. The Bellingham Tennis Club, in Washington DC, had 120 T-shirts printed earlier this year. However, when the shirts were returned it was discovered they
THE two-day Masham Sheep Fair on Saturday and Sunday was the eighteenth in its present form and blessed by wonderful weather. Saturday's record-breaking crowds enjoyed superb classes of sheep and all kinds of other displays around the town. The event
LOCAL people involved in sports and clubs in Darlington borough are being invited to have their say at the first ever meeting of the Darlington Sports Development Network. The meeting takes place on Wednesday at 6pm in Central Hall at the Dolphin Centre
A FORMER YTS trainee, who left school at 16, has become the first female managing director at water cooler and dehumidifer maker Ebac. Pamela Gillespie, from Bishop Auckland, has spent 17 years with company, gaining experience in every department of the
Cleveland League Division One: In week one newly promoted Guisborough Quoit got their season off to a great start with a 5-1 home win against Carlin How A. Butters put Carlin one frame in front when beating Mick Purdy in their first encounter by 43-14
CRIME-BUSTERS in Darlington stepped up their efforts this week by taking to the streets on a fleet of motorbikes. The mobile team of Darlington Borough Council community wardens, each armed with a 640cc KTM Duke 2 machine, is the first rapid response
Durham and Cleveland Junior County Closed Tournament: Almost 80 children aged between eight and 18 from all over Durham and Cleveland entered this year's County Closed squash tournament held at Nunthorpe squash club last weekend. The standard of squash
FEARS of bed-poaching by local authorities were raised during a discussion on Darlington's new residential and nursing homes. Coun Heather Scott told a special meeting of the social services scrutiny committee on Tuesday that members needed to know the
THE North-South divide, said the comedian, is best summed up as the Waitrose in Guildford selling nine different olive oils whereas the Morrisons in Dewsbury offers nine lards. That jibe will be exposed as calumny when, as seems likely following the Competition
AN MP this week welcomed a seven per cent increase in the National minimum wage. Vera Baird, who represents Redcar, is pleased at the rise from £4.20 to £4.50 an hour, but disappointed that there are still employers who try to avoid paying the minimum
The recognition of Sophie Wood's achievements at the 2001 Local Heroes Awards summed up what the awards are all about. Sophie suffers from cystic fibrosis, but her determination and courage saw her enjoy success in artistic gymnastics and this ensured
A ROAD smash on Teesside has claimed its second victim. Motorcyclist James Cooper, 20, of Thames Road, Billingham, died in hospital on October 1, following a collision between his motorbike and a Ford Transit minibus at Sedgefield, last month. Formal
I CANNOT remember when I last saw an otter in the wild. Certainly I was privileged to see several when I was a child, but that was more than 60 years ago and since I became an adult such sightings have become increasingly rare. Those childhood sightings
Tow Law Area League: Esh McKennas had their lead at the top of the table cut to just one point when they went down by the odd point at Tow Law New Market A, whilst Esh Stag's Head won by three points at home to Tow Law New Market B, who slipped four points
JEROME Harforth of the Stanley Grange Stud, near Great Ayton, was delighted to see Pam Sowerby's six-year-old Rotherwood Take A Peep, ridden by Alix Coster, win the 138cm ridden show pony of the year title before taking the overall Charlotte Morgan ridden
THE Indian summer spread its benevolent sheen over Masham for the weekend as the town again attracted the growing band of devotees of Masham Sheep Fair. The foot-and-mouth crisis of two years ago, which could have despatched the event to history, instead
A FRAUD squad detective has earned a commendation from his Chief Constable for cracking a major scam involving work-from-home offers. Detective Constable Tim Lerner led the investigation that resulted in the conviction of a Chester-le-Street couple at
A VILLAGE'S venture on to Gilbert and Sullivan's high seas is something of a family affair. Thirty-five people from Heighington, Darlington and Newton Aycliffe are involved in Heighington Light Opera Group's production of The Pirates of Penzance, playing
THERE will be no divided loyalties for Horden chairman John Groves when his team entertain West Hartlepool in North Two East tomorrow. During his ten years in the centre with West, Groves was skipper from 1983-85, a period during which they fielded All
DARLINGTON will need a much better performance than they produced in Tuesday night's lacklustre goalless draw with Southend United if they are to extend their unbeaten league run to seven games at Mansfield Town tomorrow. The Stags are in fifth place
French Leave (C4): THE sub-title The Chef, His Wife And His Mother-In-Law gave a big clue to the theme of the third in the series about John Burton Race's move with his family to south west France. John wasn't looking forward to a week-long visit by mother-in-law
BANNATYNE Fitness is creating 25 jobs with the opening of its latest health club in the North-East. The firm, founded by Darlington businessman Duncan Bannatyne, which is now the UK's largest independent health club operator, yesterday unveiled its development
VANDALS have caused damage estimated at more than £90,000 to East Witton church this week after heaving rocks through eight windows, including fine examples of Victorian stained glass. "It's wanton vandalism," said the churchwarden, John Brown, and the
A SENIOR councillor is calling for a system to distribute information about potential environmental threats to the region. Durham County councillors fear the "ghost fleet'' of American naval ships destined for a Hartlepool breakers yard pose a pollution
Police are hunting thieves who stole more than 300 chickens from a farm in a raid earlier today. Farmer Keith Errington and wife Joyce believe the thieves stole to order as they are the sole importers of rare Bovans Nera chickens from Holland. The chickens
TWO businesses are negotiating leases for the much-delayed seafront building near Saltburn pier. A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Council said one firm was interested in leasing the caf/restaurant and the other the retail unit. He declined to identify
IF you imagine a baby hospice, you might think of a sad, grey place, where people talk in hushed tones and wear solemn expressions. But the management behind Zoe's Place, who are preparing to open a hospice for poorly babies and youngsters aged up to
A TEESDALE farm has been confirmed as one of three prize- winners in this year's coveted Silver Lapwing award. Now Maurice and Kath Toward are waiting to see if they have won the actual title and £1,000, or the £500 or £250 runners-up prizes. That will
BASIC allowances for councillors in a North-East borough are set to rise by £1,800. An independent pay review panel is recommending standard allowances paid to Darlington Borough Council members should increase from £5,013 to £6,984. The allowance for
DEVELOPERS ended more than two years of speculation last night by revealing the company that has bought a prime shopping site in Darlington. Menswear chain Bertie Quality Clothing has bought the former Dressers shop in High Row for an undisclosed figure
A PRIZE-WINNING herd and flock are getting back on track after being badly hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis. Blonde d'Aquitaine X calves bred at Sleddale Hall, near Shap, thrive on hard land running up to 1,500ft above sea level. Mike Harrison farms the
ENVIRONMENTALISTS could launch a last ditch legal bid this time through the UK courts in a bid to prevent a toxic ghost fleet from being dismantled in the North-East. Four ships from the US National Defense Reverse Fleet are expected to leave this weekend
A splendidly compiled scrapbook shown to me this week records a memorable day enjoyed at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland by four young-at-heart Teesdale friends - Sheila Barkes, Margaret Raw, Anne Kent and Hilda Robinson. More than 70 years ago when
A CABINET decision to charge the full cost of residential care for the elderly with savings of £19,500 was given a second airing in Darlington on Tuesday. Coun Eric Roberts and two Tory colleagues called back the proposal to a special meeting of the council's
NEALE Cooper is sure a midweek rest for Marco Gabbiadini will see him return refreshed. The Hartlepool United striker, with four goals to his name this season, missed the midweek win over Wrexham after suffering a slight thigh strain last weekend. Gabbiadini
TWO teenage runaways who sparked a nationwide search pledged their love for one another yesterday. Paul Baxter, 16, and his 14-year-old girlfriend, Christine Rylance, sparked a five-day hunt after they vanished. They were eventually found on the outskirts
Sir, - I was deeply shocked on Sunday when, en route to Masham Sheep Fair, I passed through Nosterfield and saw that Tarmac had begun further quarrying. The site chosen has desecrated burials containing the cremated bodies of our distant ancestors whose
YOUNGSTERS came face to face with exotic animals and spiders yesterday. Zoolab UK, an interactive animal workshop, visited pupils at Hurworth School, near Darlington, yesterday, with a variety of creatures for them to see, touch and learn about, including
DESPITE the furious debate about foundation hospitals, North-East academics are not impressed by the Government's supposedly radical plans. The Government was given a bloody nose by delegates at the Labour Party conference this week when a motion attacking
A POISONER who tried to wreck a resort's Britain in Bloom entry has failed miserably. People in Saltburn were devastated when a mystery saboteur slipped chemicals into a bowser used to water hanging baskets and tubs. Hundreds of people came out in force
Worthington Durham County CIU Summer League: Spennymoor A completed their first Summer League Championship title success with a three-point home win over Fishburn A, who finished in a possible relegation spot. John Griffin took the only point for the
The North-East has a rare asset in the co-called SCIDS unit at Newcastle General Hospital. As it celebrates its tenth anniversary, Barry Nelson discovers how it saves lives every day. YOU could hear a pin drop when the short presentational video ended
THE son-in-law and sister-in-law of disgraced businesswoman Mary Blair were today cleared of helping her to launder money from a North-East garage. A jury at Teesside Crown Court took less than two hours to return not guilty verdicts for Graham Bartlett
Durham City Ladies: Durham City Ladies missed out on making the first round proper of the FA Cup after suffering an extra time defeat against local rivals Killingworth. City had started the game badly as Killingworth had all the play and eventually the
AN engineer who caught public imagination by making trikes out of components from scrapped Minis is back in business after a fire which he thought would wipe him out. Self-employed David Mitch-ell, who runs Austin Engineering on Leeming Bar industrial
The performance of the week came from Spraire's Under-11s who had an excellent 3-1 win against Stockton Town. Spraire started fast with quick breaks down both wings, forcing several corners. One cross found the head of Wade Gilbert who powered a header
Bears rider Jonathan Bethell was the somewhat surprise winner of the Humber League Riders' Championship at Hull's Craven Park. The 27-year old electrical engineer from Oxenholme, Kendal, was second in his first ride to Scunthorpe's David Speight, who
Darlington Harriers: Harriers travelled to Warrington on Saturday to compete in the NoEAA Road Relay championships and came away with two excellent results. The women's team of Bernadette Taylor, Alison Raw, Jo Short and Susie Rutherford had a superb
In the premier Ferryhill Greyhound are clear top by two points. They won 2-0 away to Penshaw Catholic Club. It was always a tight game with Ferryhill have a slight edge, but with Penshaw always dangerous. Ferryhill took the lead when Cantwell put away
County Super League: In the only match played Durham B lifted themselves above their A team in the table and virtually destroyed the visiting Ferryhill's title chances as they won by four points. The Durham team had two points each from Steve Thompson
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture WHEAT prices started to move up again at the end of last week, following stronger French markets. This was due to another report further reducing the EU cereal crop. We are currently cheaper than French wheat, so will
THE new operators of cross-country rail services between the North-East and the North-West have promised more jobs, new trains and improvements to local stations as they try to attract travellers away from their cars. FirstGroup, a leading British train
FIFTEEN supermarkets in the region could be closed or sold if the proposed takeover by Morrisons of Safeway goes ahead. The stores are on a list of 65 nationwide compiled by the Competition Commission as part of ruling on the takeover bid. The hit-list
VISITORS will come almost face-to-face with the newest and most unusual example of wildlife found in the region. A towering daffodil and gigantic poppy, measuring 5ft and made from willow branches, took shape at the Danby Moors Centre, in the North York
Ferryhill Athletic manager Mark Fanning could not hide his exuberance after seeing his side chalk up a first win of the season at the weekend. Until then, they had gained just three draws and lost eight of their 11 fixtures and Fanning is hoping that
A MOTHER has said she will remove her son from a £22m North-East super school over the wearing of a school tie. Susan Lane's son, Danny, was sent home from the Kings Academy, in Middlesbrough, for breaking the school's disciplinary code. The 15-year-old
PLANS to install traffic calming measures along the length of a busy market town thoroughfare have been scrapped. Road humps and speed cushions had been mooted as a possibility for Victoria Road, Queen Street and Birch Road, which merge into each other
Norton and Stockton Ancients: Norton Under-8s beat Hardwick Youth 2-0. Norton yet again put in a superb performance both defensively and attacking. They scored their first from a Lewis Hopson corner which was put in by Matthew Dixon. Norton's second goal
CAR manufacturer Nissan has announced the transfer of its purchasing operations from Sunderland in a move which will affect 59 jobs. Nissan plans to move vehicle part purchasing to its European technical centre research and development base in Cranfield
ENVIRONMENTAL awareness will be on the agenda for visitors to Darlington next week. Borough council officials will take their anti-litter campaign to Horsemarket on Saturday, October 11, providing information about the latest developments in the crackdown
DRIVERS interested in learning new skills can take part in a free assessment drive run by Darlington Advanced Motorists. The assessment drives will take place at Morrisons, Morton Park, on Sunday, from 10.30am to 2.30pm. A Skill for Life safe driving
SELF-employed, retired and semi-retired business people are being sought for a mentoring service. Darlington Business Venture is appealing for volunteers to help with the programme, which offers advice to people starting or running a small business. Hilary
FEARS have been raised that a recycling scheme in Darlington could result in a rise in the rat population. Lynn Robson, of The Stray, said the area had had rats in the past, and fears the borough council's kerbside recycling scheme will attract more.
DURHAM County Council is considering running its own school bus service instead of using private contractors. A pilot scheme using three American-style yellow buses will be run for pupils at a school in the Durham City area. If it proves successful the
David Sherwood and Daniel Kiernan, the North-East's leading doubles players of Yorkshire and Durham/Cleveland respectively, ranked first and seventh in Britain, will no doubt send warning signals out to the rest of the competitors in the 16-team Northern
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues. Fwd: 120 breeding & store cattle. Char cow & bull calf £860 D Smith. Feeding bulls. - Lim: £515 J Harland; £472, £430 PJ Dixon; £450 WT Robinson & Son. BB: £498, £460 B&J Bainbridge. Char: £452 PJ Dixon. Store bullocks
HURWORTH School Maths and Computing College celebrated its lower school pupils' achievements last night. Pupils from years seven, eight and nine were joined by staff and parents for the celebration. Headteacher Dean Judson, said: "We looked at everything
THE Conservatives have seized control of a North Yorkshire authority after two councillors switched allegiances. The Tories clinched overall control of Harrogate Borough Council on Wednesday night after welcoming former Liberal Democrat supporters and
NORTHERN Rock yesterday announced a radical shake-up in a bid to strengthen its position among the UK's leading mortgage lenders. The Newcastle firm - which revealed lending to home buyers was at record levels - said it was making a £30m investment in
WHEN it comes to attracting recruits, a North-East police force has proved it is one of the best. Figures show that Cleveland Police is one of the top three performing forces in the UK. "This is good news for the force and good news for the people of
PUBLIC art by students working with well-known artists will be unveiled next week. The arena project gives A-level students in Tyne and Wear the chance to work with professional artists, including Angel of the North creator, Antony Gormley. It has won
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - For a very considerable time it has been contemplated by the directors of the North-East Railway Company to make Northallerton one of heir greatest goods collecting and distributing centres, but for various reasons
SECURITY has been stepped up at a Darlington school after vandals tried to set fire to a new learning facility. The attempted arson attack was carried out at Dodmire Infant School and damaged a cottage erected in the grounds to promote awareness of environmental
WHEN it comes to attracting recruits, a North-East police force has proved it is one of the best. Figures show that Cleveland Police is one of the top three performing forces in the UK. "This is good news for the force and good news for the people of
International designer Jasmine Hixon launched her autumn collection in one of the region's art venues yesterday. Jasmine, who has established a worldwide reputation over the past 20 years, sells her work in Europe, the US and Japan. The designer, who
A DARLINGTON supermarket will have to be sold if Morrisons engineers a successful deal to take over the Safeway chain. Morrisons has been given the go-ahead by the Competition Commission to set its cap at rival Safeway, while Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury
RITCHEY Tagg has announced profits of £730,072 and a turnover of £6.85m for the year ending June 30. The Masham-based company is made up of Ritchey, livestock care and management company; Fearing International, ear tag distributor, and Brookwick Ward,
Newfit Services Willington: Sunnybrow Brown Trout, the current league leaders, went down to their second defeat of the season when they visited Willington Club and lost in the deciding team game. The singles were shared with Joe Blakey, Joe Davies and
Eastenders go level at the top: With the County Cup taking priority again on Sunday it left only one game taking place in the First Division, with East End WMC taking on close rivals Nestfield and coming out 3-1 winners to move level on points with leaders
Durham League County Cup: Specsavers Wear Valley Wolverines v Hartlepool CJ Hydraulics Hydraulics started the better of the two teams in the season's opening county cup game, Macklam and Keith combining well. The Wolverines were able to find a way through
Anthony McMahon has blasted his way into the record books after hitting an amazing six sixes in an over - a memorable feat which also sees him crowned The Northern Echo Cricketer of the Year. At the start of the summer, Anthony, of Chester-le-Street,
A charity fair organised by wives of soldiers serving in Iraq attracted hundreds of bargain-hunters. It is the fifth time the event has been held at Catterick Garrison. This time it was in aid of the Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Association and Darlington's
In the River Wear Championships fished around Shincliffe, Prebends and Chester Moor, Team Shimano Captain Peter Close added the 2003 Wear title to his amazing list of successes beating the 55 rods with 21.8.0. Pegged upstream of Shincliffe Bridge below
A TEENAGE North-East girl was left shaken after she was attacked by a man. The 15-year-old was travelling on the Stagecoach Number 18 service, in South Tyneside, at about 9pm on Wednesday, when a man sitting with two other men came over and asked for
HAIR and beauty group Saks is on target to open its 100th salon by the end of the year and has also announced that it is to expand its North-East headquarters. Saks is to set up a customer services department at its HQ, in Darlington, and has also launched
FORMER Pop Idol finalist Zoe Birkett plans to release a record featuring her own self-penned material before the end of the year. In January the Darlington singer reached number 12 with her debut single Treat Me Like a Lady ,but a follow-up single failed
A VILLAGE workingmen's club becomes a community surgery for one day, next week. Practice nurses from Sacriston Surgery, and Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) are joining forces to fight flu. More than 550 patients aged 65 and over
DURHAM County Council is considering running its own school bus service instead of using private contractors. A pilot scheme using three American-style yellow buses will be run for pupils of a school in the Durham City area. If it proves successful the
Darlington manager Mick Tait will this morning asses the fitness of goalkeeper Andy Collett ahead of tomorrow's testing trip to in-form Mansfield. The stopper returned to training for the first time yesterday since suffering a recurrence of a shoulder
The league programme was considerably reduced due to clubs playing in the KJM Embroidery League Cup second round and the Durham County Football Association Sunday Cup. The KJM Cup produced no shocks as the fancied sides all progressed. All games played
RIPON'S links with author Lewis Carroll will be highlighted at two events at the St Wilfrid's Festival. The event, which runs from tomorrow until October 19, features a festival lecture at 3pm, on Sunday, in the city's cathedral by Professor Edward Wakeling
INSURERS have agreed a £5m compensation payout to a man paralysed and brain damaged in a car accident. Richard Harrison's world was shattered when he was knocked off his cycle near his home. A former EnvironmentAgency officer, Mr Harrison, 35, was injured
SIM CITY 4: RUSH HOUR Expansion Pack. Publisher: EA. Format:PC CD. Price: £19.99: GIVEN the plethora of expansion packs and add-ons EA has published for The Sims, it's no surprise to discover a new set of extras for Sim City 4. Customers who pre-ordered
AN out-of-school club has been awarded a grant for new equipment. The club at Woodham Burn Infants School in Newton Aycliffe, was set-up in January to provide extra care for school children aged three-to-11-years. Woodham Burn now provides care for pupils
DGSOB 7, Fox and Hounds 1: Goalkeeper Steve Chandler celebrated his 50th birthday with a relatively quiet afternoon as Jekyl and Hyde team OB thrashed an out of sorts Fox and Hounds for whom Andrew Sams' second half strike was a mere consolation. Old
North-East Premier League: David Sherwood and Daniel Kiernan, the North-East's leading doubles players of Yorkshire and Durham/Cleveland respectively, ranked first and seventh in Britain, will no doubt send warning signals out to the rest of the competitors
MEMBERS of a university's students' union are sporting wacky hair-dos on campus in a bid to attract attention to the symptoms of a deadly illness. The students are hoping the stunt will make people aware of meningitis. People aged between 18 and 24 are
A YOUNG North Yorkshire rider has won a major showing title with her five-year-old pony. Emily Stead, from Hudswell, near Richmond, and Cwmcarrog Barcud won the final of the Kingsford Mountain and Moorland pony of the year at the Ponies UK summer championships
CONKERS: Conkers fans can take part in the George and Dragon Conkers championship 2003. This is the third year the championships have been held at the George and Dragon, High Street, Yarm. The event takes place on Sunday, October 19, at 1pm. All are welcome
LOCAL drivers Steve Petch and Barry Johnson enjoyed an epic tussle as they battled it out to become top driver on last weekend's Trackrod Rally Yorkshire, held in the dry and dusty forests of the Yorkshire moors. After two days of competition covering
Hookers have not always been the most dynamic of players, but in Steve Thompson England coach Clive Woodward has unearthed one of international rugby's star performers, who is certain to shine at the World Cup. The Northampton player was given his England
KEVIN KYLE is accustomed to finding himself in disciplinary trouble - his dad is a referee in Scotland and even he booked the young striker during his formative footballing days. So, when Ipswich Town manager Joe Royle claimed the Sunderland man ought
SIM CITY 4: RUSH HOUR Expansion Pack. Publisher: EA. Format:PC CD. Price: £19.99: GIVEN the plethora of expansion packs and add-ons EA has published for The Sims, it's no surprise to discover a new set of extras for Sim City 4. Customers who pre-ordered
PEOPLE are being urged to support a local charity during October, which has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink label ribbons are recognised as the mark of a supporter of the annual initiative. However, Yorkshire Cancer Research is hoping
THE sister-in-law of a businesswoman who stole more than £m from a North-East garage told yesterday how she was unknowingly "sucked" into the deception. Beverley Grimes, 43, denies assisting her husband Edward's sister Mary Blair to obtain the benefit
Brompton (Northallerton) Juniors: A good first half from Brompton Under-10 B who played some good attacking football, passing the ball around well. Both sides competed in what was an entertaining half although neither side could produce a goal. Oliver
A MAN whose hobby led to the discovery of one of the region's most exciting Roman settlements must wait to find out if he can keep six coins found on the site. Over a period of 12 years amateur metal-detector Alan Luton has unearthed a series of coins
ENVIRONMENT campaigners were last night anxiously waiting for a judge to rule on an emergency application to prevent the first ships in the US "ghost fleet" sailing to the North-East. A court in Washington DC was considering a motion lodged by the campaigners
BORDERWAY. - Last Fri & Sat. Cont store cattle show & sale of suckled calves. Fwd: 1,268 bullocks, 908 hfrs. Judges: Neil Slack, Newby (Fri); Les Bainbridge, Seamer (Sat). Fri champion: Scott, Thirlwall Castle, Greenhead, Lim X bullock, £2,200
All the monthly medal winners over the season competed for the top position in their respective divisions on Sunday and the leading scores were as follows: Division One: Roger Parry (3), 71 Andrew Gatenby (4), 72 Scott Wilson (9). Division Two: 68 Heath
Consett Sunday League:THIRD Division Ball Alley pulled out all of the stops as they became one of four of the five league teams to make it through to the third qualifying round of the Durham Sunday Cup. The Shield Row side edged Bishop Middleham Cross
IT came down to an invidious choice on route 66 where, to borrow and modify a line from the jingle which accompanied an old television series, some people get their kicks from overtaking in the daftest of places. Unwisely, I tried at only three hours'
MIDDLESBROUGH bad boy Franck Queudrue is facing a video trial and possible three-match ban after the FA yesterday confirmed they will study the incident which led to Kevin Phillips' sending-off at Southampton last Saturday. In only his third game back
It was third time lucky for Low Fell Jolly Miller when they avenged two recent defeats against Felling Mulberry to claim maximum points in the league. It was an end to end thriller that saw the lead switch on several occasions with the Fell finding a
A POLICE officer who suffered a stab wound to the neck while attending a domestic incident earlier this week was yesterday back on the beat. PC Paul Jackson, 26, received a puncture wound to the neck during the incident at a house in Beech Road, Sherburn
Sunderland Scorpions' good start to the season is continuing after two victories at the weekend. This gives Scorpions six points out of six and retains their one hundred percent record. Kingston Diamonds were the visitors to Telewest Arena on Saturday
Sir, - In response to the "Maniac bikers" report (D&S, Sept 12), I do not deny that a number of motorcyclists ride irresponsibly on the roads, as do a large number of car drivers. Nor do I deny that a number of fatal accidents have occurred, although
Dale Jordan, representing Cleveland Schools, finished 18th in the English Schools Athletics Association decathlon championships at Sheffield. Although he missed his target of 5,000 points, he set a personal best of 32.54m in the javelin and his pole vault
BOLLIN Eric, Tim Easterby's stable star, may run Sunday in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe before taking up stud duties. The 2002 St Leger winner was declared for the race on Monday and is at ante-post prices from 25-1 to 40-1. Despite the strong field,
CORONATION Street stars will swap Weatherfield's cobbled streets for the hallowed turf of Darlington's Reynolds Arena on Sunday. A charity football match will see television soap stars play against the Royal Military Police, to raise money for families
A MOTHER who is walking the length of Britain in memory of her only son is making a 40-mile detour to pass through his former student city. Susan Skillington's son, James, was two years into a chemistry degree at Newcastle University, when he contracted
Boosbeck Utd v Redcar Mack. Park: A shakey start by Boosbeck led to them being a goal down within nine minutes. A Mackinlay Park throw in saw the ball knocked into the Boosbeck six yard box where Sherwood rose above everyone to head past the helpless
MORE than three-quarters of the area's schools and colleges have backed the Tees Valley Celebration of Learning awards. The awards see young achievers winning up to £1,000 and were launched by Olympic Gold Medallist Sally Gunnell earlier this month. They
A YOUNG Darlington gymnast has high hopes of representing her country at the Junior European Championships. Amy Fossheim, 13, hopes the event will be a springboard to the 2008 Olympic Games. The Hurworth School pupil is a member of the national junior
A North Pennines farm has scooped its second national award this year for commitment to the environment and conservation. Maurice and Kath Toward, of Herdship Farm, Harwood-in-Teesdale, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, are among three prize-winners
DURHAM County Council is considering running its own school bus service instead of using private contractors. A pilot scheme using three American-style yellow buses will be run for pupils of a school in the Durham City area. If it proves successful the
THE number of people in the North-East killed in road accidents has risen, the latest Government figures have revealed. Last year, 126 people died on the region's roads, compared with 102 fatalities the previous year, according to provisional figures
THE Division One title race took another interesting twist when rivals Newton Aycliffe and Thorns drew 1-1. Aycliffe and Thorns have both dropped points, with surprise package Broompark Loves currently top of the league. And Loves' shock championship
I'M sure many people regard the census form that pops through your door every ten years as little more than junk mail. Another demand on an already busy day. In fact, the far-reaching impact of that form makes it just about the most important document
PACKAGE holiday or DIY? Now that the Internet gives us direct access to flights and hotels, many of us are missing out the middleman and acting as our own travel agents. More than a third of foreign holidays now are booked DIY style. Yet another chunk
I'M sure many people regard the census form that pops through your door every ten years as little more than junk mail. Another demand on an already busy day. In fact, the far-reaching impact of that form makes it just about the most important document
In the Thursday 4.30pm men's pairs two really good games finished all square. In a remarkable game Arnold Bryson and Mort Mooney were leading 12-1 at the halfway stage then conceded eight shots overs the next three ends to Ted Scotter and Brian Metcalf
Shincliffe is one of the North East's most charming villages and its proximity to Durham City makes this village and its more recent neighbour at High Shincliffe two of the most sought after places to live. Shincliffe began life as the 'Cliff of Ghosts
A CRICKET team made up of keen teenagers and cricketing granddads brought out of retirement has made history. Darlington-based Rockcliffe Park B received their trophy for winning the Darlington and District Cricket League while playing in Catterick on
A YOUNGSTER whose bicycle was stolen less than a week after his mother died has had it returned following a plea through The Northern Echo. Steven Hobson had been to visit his mother, Susan, at the Chapel of Rest, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, when
TWO-YEAR-OLD races don't come much better than this afternoon's Group 1 Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket. A whole host of top-class colts from the UK, Ireland, and France lock horns in the £170,000 showpiece, which will almost certainly
THE leaves have barely started to turn and already the Premiership is full of beleaguered bosses. Glenn Hoddle has gone, Peter Reid is clinging on, rumours are rife about Sir Bobby Robson and Davy Jones' locker must soon be emptied at Molineux. Since
The Great North weekend "kicked-off" on Friday, September 19 with the Great North Miles, a measured mile for all to run along the Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides. Dan Brooks took the opportunity during his lunch break, along with his girlfriend Anna
Shincliffe is one of the North East's most charming villages and its proximity to Durham City makes this village and its more recent neighbour at High Shincliffe two of the most sought after places to live. Shincliffe began life as the 'Cliff of Ghosts
A 5FT-tall daffodil and poppy are among the works featured in an exhibition that opened at Danby Moors Centre on Tuesday. The two willow structures are just part of the art and craft collection Out There by patients from Newlands community mental health
Boosbeck St Aidens beat Gables Manders 2-1. Within 20 seconds Boosbeck were ahead when Aaron Johnson took advantage of poor defending to knock the ball home. Boosbeck kept up the pressure but it took half an hour to register their second, this time Chris
A BUSY road was closed for three-and-a-half hours today after cars skidded out of control after 100 canisters of sealant spilled on the surface. The sealant had fallen of a wagon on Portrack Lane in Stockton near the Big W store at about 10.45am. After
A CLEVELAND MP has slammed the potential axing of almost the entire direct rail service between Saltburn, Middlesbrough and Newcastle. Dr Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, is angry that the Strategic Rail Authority is considering
