A BROTTON schoolgirl will see again, despite having glue mistakenly put into her eye. Karen Skidmore's right eye lid was glued shut after mum, Michelle, accidentally treated her daughter's conjunctivitis with drops of glue used for sticking on false nails
PRICES for concessionary bus passes and fares in Redcar and Cleveland are set to increase by 25pc and 33pc respectively. The cost of an annual council pass will rise from £12 to £15, while the concessionary fare rate rises from 30p to 40p. Pensioners
EU AGRICULTURE Commissioner Dr Franz Fischler held a successful farm summit at the House of Commons last Friday. He was there at the invitation of Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh, who had arranged for a group of local farmers to be present. Miss McIntosh
Kicking against the wind Crook opened the scoring against Blyth Spartans on two minutes with a goal from Kelly Rushworth after a great cross from a Nicky Duckling. It was really heavy going with the wind causing havoc with high balls, but Crook got number
'Newfit Services Willington: Willington Club produced one of their best performances of the season when they went to Sunnybrow Brown Trout and won by five points. The Trout had singles wins from Nigel Barker and Stephen Longhorn with Michael Pickles and
WHENEVER the 13th day of a month arrives on a Friday, as it does today, concern is expressed about the bad luck which may lurk in unexpected places. This is even more pronounced when Friday 13 arrives in May because Friday is an unlucky day, 13 is an
MIDDLETON in TEESDALE. - Tues. Fwd: 403 store bullocks, hfrs, feeding bulls & breeding cattle for annual show & sale. Judge: Mr Owen, Colwyn Bay. Champion: JC&J White, Rigg Farm, hfr £1,400 to S Hough; res: JC & J White Lim bullock (green
WHEN I first agreed to write this column I never for one moment imagined I would have so many topics to discuss. But in the short time since I've dusted down my typewriter we've been able to share the highs and lows of Darlington Football Club. While
IHAD done stakeouts before but this one looked like it was gonna be a tough egg to crack. The word on the street was that someone had been getting a little outta hand. We all know boys will be boys, but when the racket going down disturbs the neighbourhood
COMPANIES are lining up to take space in the business park on the site of Samsung's doomed microwave factory, the new owner said last night. North-East businessman Chris Musgrave has lost no time in marketing his latest acquisition. The Northern Echo
Sir, - A few days ago we heard about the A6108 Reeth Road, Richmond, Traffic Calming Scheme and obtained copies of the proposals. Amongst other things, these included a "no waiting at any time" restriction outside the West End Post Office/shop. This is
OPERA North's winter season production of La traviata sees Yorkshire-born tenor Peter Auty in the role of Alfredo. Auty, 34, who made his professional debut with Opera North in 1998, was born in Richmond, and though his family moved to Berkshire while
Durham City were away to Wardley and it was a fast-paced and event filled encounter, with Wardley finding themselves 2-0 to the good at the break. Durham City had squandered a penalty in the first minute, but had continued to create chances throughout
FEARS that Yarm could be at risk from flooding caused by a build-up of debris under its bridges were raised this week. Rob Sunley, of West Street, accused the Environment Agency of penny-pinching and ignoring the problem, which he claims has been exacerbated
Consett are considering an appeal to Durham FA over the dismissal of midfielder Peter Kirkham at South Shields on Saturday. Kirkham, the former Darlington midfielder, was red-carded for allegedly swearing at the referee's assistant in the second half
Jane Austin may have painted a romantic picture of life in Regency England, but it wasn't all bursting breeches and heaving bosoms. Steve Pratt reports on how an experiment on l,iving in the 1800s turned into a story of smashed plates and class divides
YOUNG Northern riders Holly Stevenson and Adam Valks are both through to the finals of a national show jumping championship after excellent performances at Moorhouse Equestrian Centre near Doncaster. Both were among the entrants in the Kitt Junior Coral
A MOBILE youth club is taking activities to youngsters in villages in the Swaledale and Richmond areas. The Fun Function van is bound for Gunnerside, Low Row, Melsonby, Brompton on Swale and parts of Richmond. It is hoped the number of venues can be expanded
PREMIER MANAGER 2003/2004, Publisher: Zoo Digital; Format: PS2. Price: £39.99. Out now: RELEASING a football management simulation just as the transfer window opens is asking for trouble. Unless you happen to be a supporter of Leeds United, the first
PUPILS will get their first taste of stardom at a pop school this month. Over the half-term holiday week, students will learn everything about the music industry, including image-building and business know-how to composing and recording songs. The Pop
PERHAPS money is like life - the more you have of it, the quicker it goes. Some people, of course, can make it disappear much more quickly than others. It was interesting to hear David O'Leary, after welcoming his financially embarrassed former club,
THE finance director of Cleveland Police is being investigated following revelations that the force is facing a deficit of up to £8m. Steve Prevell was formally notified he had been suspended from his job until further notice on Wednesday following a
Holders Chapel Allerton stormed into the semi-finals with a 5-0 whitewash of Collingham. Fielding a strong side led by Yorkshire Northern Counties' League skipper Ian Cawthorne Chapel's supremacy was never in any doubt. They did not drop a single game
IT is often said that you never own a cat, it owns you. But five-year-old Sparky is a purrfect pet with a difference, in that she owns many of the residents - both business and private - on either side of The Bank in Barnard Castle. Sparky originally
In the premier league Ferryhill Greyhound drew 0-0 at home against Penshaw, the blustery winds preventing both sides from playing cultured football. Maay Pearson had an excellent game and work tirelessly both in defence and attack. Norton-Stockton turned
Darlington Gymnastics Club enjoyed success at a recent regional championships - winning two team awards. They returned from the Saltburn Novice and Sport for All Championships having won gold in the under-10 boys and silver in the under-10 girls while
HOUSE prices in Darlington are being pushed up by investment buyers - making it harder for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder. The average cost of buying a home in Darlington has shown the second highest increase in the country over the past
Worthington CIU League: Newton Aycliffe, who are in equal second to bottom place in the First Division, took two valuable points at leaders, Spennymoor A and cut their hosts lead at the top to four points. The Aycliffe stars were John Briddick, who became
WITH only five weeks to go, Thirsk School is racing against time to find a £7,000 shortfall in its £50,000 bid to achieve specialist school status. So far £43,000 has been raised and, if the bid is successful, the Department of Education and Skills will
This week's funeral of Squadron Leader George Bennions ended one of the last living links with the day the full wrath of the Luftwaffe turned on the North-East. Chris Lloyd reports. THE Luftwaffe's tactics for August 15, 1940, were quite logical, but
FEARS that a friendly football league has been scrapped over a lack of staffing have been allayed by Hambleton District Council. The league is run from the floodlit pitch at Thirsk School on a "pay and play" basis whereby youngsters turn up, pay £1 and
A dramatic Second World War dogfight in the skies over Teesdale was recalled this week following the funeral of 90-year-old Squadron Leader George Bennions, a craggy Battle of Britain hero. He was at the controls of a Spitfire when he bravely chased a
PHOTOGRAPHY students at a Darlington school have got their own darkroom after years of using facilities elsewhere in the town. Eastbourne Comprehensive School has received funding for the darkroom from the Department for Education and Skills because of
DIAMOND couple Bobby and Isabel Barron started their wedding anniversary celebrations with a special mass in the church where they were married. The couple, from Osbourne Terrace, Leeholme, near Bishop Auckland, said "I do" at St Joseph's Church, Coundon
A rogue cockerel, facing charges of disturbing the peace in the sleepy village of Scorton, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, has so far managed to dodge attempts to track him down. Steve Parsley turned detective to hunt the elusive bird responsible for
POLICE are continuing to break arrest records in their blitz on crime in North Yorkshire. In a special day of action as part of Operation Delivery, a total of 121 arrests were made, taking the total of arrests made since the launch late last year to 4,555
COUNCIL leaders were taken to task yesterday over proposals to increase council tax by 8.4 per cent in Darlington. Tory councillors quizzed members of the borough council's cabinet at a resources scrutiny meeting at the town hall. Councillor Charles Johnson
AN angry Darlington resident has complained that the litter problem in the town is worse than ever, despite the council's efforts to solve the problem. Peter Ford, who lives in Faverdale, has made numerous complaints to Darlington Borough Council about
A MAN who beat his abusive, alcoholic father, leaving him with blood pouring from his face, was spared a prison sentence yesterday. Nils Jack Jolliffe, 27, admitted grievous bodily harm against his father, Glen, on December 11. Darlington magistrates
CHILDREN at a Darlington school have received a road safety lesson in the form of a drama workshop. The StopWatch Theatre Company visited Hurworth School Maths and Computing College yesterday to give a performance of their play, Why Did the Chicken Cross
VICARS and vergers tormented by loutish behaviour turned to an ancient ecclesiastical law yesterday to ban the troublemakers from the grounds of churches. The 1861 Ecclesiastical Causes Act was invoked by Sunderland City Magistrates yesterday to punish
NEWKER Primary School, Chester-le-Street, is one of three to be presented with a Healthy School Award on March 17. Newker Primary, Bullion Lane Primary and the Hermitage schools joined forces to ensure the schools all obtained the awards for promoting
A dramatic Second World War dogfight in the skies over Teesdale was recalled this week following the funeral of 90-year-old Squadron Leader George Bennions, a craggy Battle of Britain hero. He was at the controls of a Spitfire when he bravely chased a
COLOURFUL creations made during an arts week have been installed at a library. In the summer, Lord Lawson of Beamish School, in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, held a creative arts week for more than 4,000 pupils and 300 staff from primary schools across
TOMORROW is a red letter day for Maria Kenny and husband Sean - although they are not going to have much time for hearts and flowers. The couple will be spending the night behind the bar at the new-look Tudor Hotel in Brompton-on-Swale, which has re-opened
THE annual Brian Hall Golf Classic for Bedale Athletic and Sports Association members was held at Bedale Golf Club recently. Almost 30 members braved freezing conditions, with local electrician Jonny Mason the winner in the Stableford competition with
Auckland Area CIU League: West Auckland remain 16 points clear of Cockton Hill at the top of the darts section after they only dropped one point to their hosts at Horndale, whose lone point came from Sean Musgrave. West's points came from singles from
DETECTIVES have released the last pictures taken of murder victim Scott Pritchard, in a bid to find his killers. Mr Pritchard, 19, was bludgeoned to death yards from his Sunderland home. The images, taken from security TV footage, show that he had a foot
SCHOOLCHILDREN in the region are finding out about Holy Island thanks to a learning pack about the Lindisfarne Gospels. Pupils of St Joseph's School, in Gateshead, were among the first to sample an education pack from the British Library, which contains
AS a regular visitor to the Sunderland Empire, Birmingham Royal Ballet is always assured of a warm reception, and this is certainly the case with Beauty and the Beast, now performing to packed audiences. A new ballet, which was premiered last December
NORTH Yorkshire has been dubbed a "breeding ground for innovation" after small to medium-sized businesses across the county received more than £4m in awards. Advice and guidance from Business Link York and North Yorkshire has helped companies obtain financial
IT'S the stuff of legend -- a butcher's son from the Yorkshire Dales becomes a wartime hero and is killed at the climax of one of the RAF's most daring exploits. The story is stirring, moving and true -- and for decades the people Alan Broadley helped
A RANGE of activities and events have been organised to keep children occupied during next week's half-term holiday. The programme of events will take place at Hartlepool Art Gallery, the Historic Quay and the town hall theatre. Activities at the art
COLLEGE students are to have their achievements recognised at an annual ceremony. Hartlepool College of Further Education holds its awards ceremony today, when certificates and awards will be presented to about 45 students. The ceremony will end with
INTERNATIONAL pianist Mami Shikimori will play at Sir William Turner's Alms-houses, at Kirkleatham, near Redcar, on Tuesday. The musician was born in Japan and won a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music, in London. She has since performed
PENSIONERS have lost their fight against an increase in concessionary bus fares. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet is to increase the price of concessionary bus fares and the rate for journeys, despite a protest petition signed by more than
DURHAM University's plans to provide more accommodation for students have been welcomed by the city's Labour MP. Gerry Steinberg, who retires at the next election, is concerned that the city's growing student population is putting pressure on the housing
THE Princess Royal visited the region yesterday to mark a milestone for a North-East charity. Princess Anne travelled to the Baltic arts centre in Gateshead, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Victim Support schemes in Tyne and Wear. The seven local
SUPERMARKET chain Safeway is considering setting up a major non-food store in Northallerton. The firm wants to create 40,000sq ft in retail warehouse units with parking and servicing facilities at Willowbeck Road. Two other firms are also interested in
Ushaw Moor's original colliery village overlooked the colliery three-quarters of a mile west of the present village and was the scene of a troublesome strike in the 1880s. The colliery owner, Henry Chaytor of Witton Castle, was an uncompromising master
ABOUT 160 students from five secondary schools spent yesterday learning new skills at a science and engineering fair. Youngsters from the schools in Hambleton and Richmondshire were at the Key Stage Three Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Fair
I USUALLY tell people to take statistics and scare stories with a pinch of salt. But some findings this week from three top medical bodies need to be heeded, or as a nation, we are heading for grave problems. I am talking about the swelling numbers of
COUNCIL house tenants have voted in favour of transferring their homes to a new landlord as part of scheme bringing massive investment to a Teesside town. Residents agreed Erimus Housing should take over from Middlesbrough Council after it promised to
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues of last week. Fwd: 203 store. BB hfrs & calf £900; Lim hfr & calf £640. Bulls: Lim to £600; Simm to £590; BA to £595; Char to £545; Fries to £390. Bullocks: Char to £748; Lim to £770; BA to £690; Saler to £610; BB to £685
A POPULAR winter pastime for local birdwatchers is to scan the gull roosts as they are often the best chance of finding a rare or scarce bird. But with roosts of up to 20,000 birds, trying to find the odd unusual individual in failing light and with a
Two local under-15 sides face each other at Spennymoor United this evening with all proceeds going to the Moors who are raising money to replace their clubhouse which was destroyed by fire at Christmas. Coxhoe Boys take on Spennymoor Boys and both sides
SAMSUNG finally concluded the deal to sell its redundant North-East factory yesterday in a move that could redevelop the 207-acre site as a world-class business park. The Korean group entered negotiations for the sale of its site at Wynyard, near Billingham
Northallerton: Saturday saw the opening Moors League of the season fixture at Stokesley where the hosts welcomed Guisborough, Saltburn and Marske, and Northallerton as they prepared to defend the trophy. In what proved to be an afternoon of exciting and
DARLINGTON gave their hopes of Division Three survival a massive boost with an unexpected 2-0 win at promotion-chasing Huddersfield Town last Saturday. Neil Maddison's goal, which gave Quakers a two-goal cushion early in the second half, may have had
TRIBUTES have been paid to one of region's most dedicated workers for the British Red Cross. Marion Staddon, who died aged 74, spent almost half a century supporting the charity and promoting its aims and ideals. Mrs Staddon, who lived in Shincliffe,
CHILDREN with diabetes are reaping the benefits of a doctor's remarkable fundraising campaign to provide them with the best treatment available. Dr Bill Lamb says he will continue to raise money until all the children in his care who need an insulin pump
THE Government has been accused of neglecting the needs of 13 million people who live and work in the countryside - with the Yorkshire Dales held up as a worrying example of the crisis. The Country Land and Business Association launched its Housing the
CHARGING people for making non-emergency calls to the police was yesterday dismissed as a non-starter - for the time being. The possibility of introducing a single, premium rate number for such calls in North Yorkshire in the near future was thrown out
A POLICE inspector described ethnic minorities as "fuzzy wuzzies" and remarked about a "darkie" at a training session on racial awareness, it was claimed at a tribunal yesterday. The incident at Gateshead police station was described by training officer
THE first formal offer to take over cash-strapped Darlington Football Club was under consideration last night, but rival bidders are seeking more time to draw up rescue packages. Businessman Ted Forster faxed an offer to the Quakers' administrators yesterday
Annandale Hotel v Highland Laddie: A secured a long overdue victory in an open game against Highland Laddie. Annandale went straight into attack but found Bennett in the visitors goal in fine form, keeping out efforts from Dewing Booth and Leighton. The
NORTH Yorkshire police's long-running financial problems have now resulted in the most extraordinary idea - a premium rate phone line for the public to contact the force in non-emergency situations. Chief constable Della Cannings deserves credit for having
Consett Charity Cup: STATESIDE are into the semi-finals though they had to endure an epic battle before they eventually saw off First Division rivals Blackhall Mill in an eight-goal thriller. Extra-time was eventually required after the sides had been
Ushaw Moor's original colliery village overlooked the colliery three-quarters of a mile west of the present village and was the scene of a troublesome strike in the 1880s. The colliery owner, Henry Chaytor of Witton Castle, was an uncompromising master
Durham League Division Two; Consett v Middlesbrough College: Middlesbrough College have proved themselves as one of the big guns in Division Two this year and would have come to Consett expecting to take the win. Although they did, it was probably not
JOCKEYS Nicky Tinkler and Niall Saville both rode doubles as the Yorkshire season got under way with the Old Raby meeting, held at a very cold Witton Castle last Sunday. Tinkler got off the mark in the members' Maiden on the Chris Dennis-trained Magic
NINE national awards have been picked up by advertising staff from the company which publishes the D&S Times. Staff from Newsquest North-East were presented with the honours at the Newsquest Sales Awards ceremony, held recently in Birmingham. The
AS deadline day dawns for Darlington Football Club, it remains impossible to predict with confidence what kind of future the Quakers have. It is encouraging that there is at least one "workable" proposal being lined up, with other bidders awaiting their
Durham County: Durham went down in the men's A team match against the visiting North Yorkshire in the Region One Inter-Counties Championship but came out on top in the men's B team and Ladies matches. The men's A team put up a tough fight before being
DARLINGTON Building Society this week reported that its mortgage lending has risen by a record 30pc to £138m. There was more good news in the year ending December 31, 2003, when pre-tax profits rose by 31pc to £3m. After tax, more than £2m was added to
THE first formal offer to take over cash-strapped Darlington Football Club was under consideration last night - but rival bidders are seeking more time to draw up rescue packages. Mystery businessman Ted Forster faxed an offer to the Quakers' administrators
In the Seaham Local derby, it was Seaham Town who came out on top with a 2-1 home win against Seaham Mallard. The Town were in front after five minutes when John Dobinson rounded the keeper before slipping the ball in from an acute angle. A cracking shot
SATURDAY'S RESULTS: Hawes United v Hawes B postponed; Richmond Mavericks A 3, Spennithorne 1; Colburn Town 3, Richmond Buck 0; Redmire United 1, Bowes 5; Leyburn United 3, Middleham Town 4; Reeith 3, Askrigg United 1. North Riding Saturday Challenge Cup
THE public are being warned not to approach a man who has gone missing from a psychiatric hospital. Gabrielle Moses, 30, disappeared from a medium-security hospital near York at 4.30pm on Wednesday. He is Afro-Caribbean, 5ft 7in, with short black hair
DARLINGTON Mowden Park will be hoping for an inspired performance from player-coach Richard Arnold tomorrow after his wife gave birth to a daughter in midweek. The ex-Newcastle Falcons flanker missed last week's trip to Longton because of the imminent
POLICE are concerned for the safety of a 21-year-old man who has not been seen since Monday afternoon. Tim Gemmell, from Overton, near York, has never gone missing before, but has been depressed lately. He left home on Monday morning and has not been
Alex Best: My Life With George (C4): Trouble At The Top (BBC2): My life was a total soap opera at that point," confessed Alex Best as the saga dubbed BestEnders by the tabloids rumbled on. Although one of the quieter jungle residents in I'm A Celebrity
Division One, Fishburn Park 4, Bedale FC 0: Fishburn Park without a win in seven matches, bounced back to winning ways in this replayed match against Bedale. Their first attempt was abandoned with Bedale winning 2-1, when Dean Price of Fishburn broke
Shildon had six athletes representing County Durham Schools in the Schools Inter Counties Cross Country Championship at Guisborough on Saturday. Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria and Cleveland were the four counties competing. Teams consisted of the top
JOURNALISTS have passed a vote of no confidence in the editor of the Yorkshire Post. Members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the newspaper, based in Leeds, agreed the move after a long-serving member of staff was told her job no longer existed
Rohm and Hass JOC Hetton Youth League: Jarrow St. Beads will play Ryhope in the final of the League Cup. They defeated Sacriston 5-0 in the second leg of the semi-final and go through on aggregate 8-0. In the return match, only one goal separated the
I USUALLY tell people to take statistics and scare stories with a pinch of salt. But some findings this week from three top medical bodies need to be heeded, or as a nation, we are heading for grave problems. I am talking about the swelling numbers of
Kings Head FC 10 South Bank Utd 2: King's Head went back to the top of the League albeit on goal difference following their win over South Bank United. Brian Crawley opened the scoring on 20 minutes making no mistake from the penalty spot and by half
NEWTON Aycliffe made it to the quarter-finals of the Division One Cup Final with a win over Green Tree. And Voltigeur also progressed to the final of the Division Two final with a Manchester City-style comeback win over Middlestone Moor! Aycliffe did
PRODUCTION workers at a North-East factory manned a picket line last night for the first strike in the company's history. The strike, at Schott Industrial Glass, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, began as the 10pm shift was due to clock on. About 200
RESIDENTS in Ingleby Barwick will enjoy a double celebration today, with the official opening of the community library and Myton Park Primary School. The library will be opened by the Mayor of Stockton, Coun Ann Cains, while the leader of Stockton Council
SPORTS minister Dick Caborn has pledged to ask Sport England to re-examine the case for funding a new swimming pool for Guisborough. More than 3,500 people signed a petition against Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's proposal to close the pool earlier
Singles finals, Nottingham: Thornaby youngster Paul Mosley won the U25 singles title at Nottingham at the weekend in a competition played to a three sets format that called for a three-end play-off if scores were level. Paul was 0-8 9-3 7-2 first round
Wilton 1st claimed top spot in North East division one from Northumbria St Georges with a stunning top of the table clash away at Coach Lane. Wilton started brightest and pressured the students from the off, creating a multitude of scoring opportunities
BARCLAYS delivered the first slice of £25bn in profits expected to be announced by the UK's biggest banks during the next month. The group, whose chief executive Matt Barrett recently admitted that credit cards were too expensive, announced a 20 per cent
Detectives swooped in a dawn raid to arrest a man over the murder of a North-East student. Finnish-born Sara Cameron was found dead in a field close to her home in Earsdon, North Tyneside, on the morning of Good Friday, April 21, 2000. She had been stripped
THE North-East will be one of three areas to test the electronic identification of thousands of sheep. ADAS will carry out trials of EID and electronic data transfer for the English sheep industry, assessing how easy the equipment is to use and looking
Grey Horse 2, East End WMC 3; A very close encounter saw Aaron Radstock put the Clubmen ahead but Darren Tate equalised. East End regained the lead after the interval through Neil Topping but Tate again levelled matters. Horse then proceeded to spurn
HUGH Robertson's English football education will continue tomorrow - on one of the nation's grander stages. The new Hartlepool United defender will be part of the back line at Sheffield Wednesday, as Neale Cooper's side look to maintain their impressive
NEW signs and a new partnership are pointing the way ahead for tourism in Saltburn. The brown signs, funded by Tees Valley Partnership, will direct visitors around the town's attractions, including the pier, the cliff lift, Valley Gardens and the Smugglers
SCHOOLCHILDREN who persist in racial attacks on asylum seekers risk losing their parents the family home - as well as landing themselves in court. Cleveland Police are to apply for anti-social behaviour orders for youngsters as young as 13, while housing
POLICE officers and members of the public have been awarded for their bravery and hard work, at a Cleveland Police ceremony. Four police officers received Chief Constable's Commendations for outstanding work and commitment to duty work during the England
SO are you ready for tomorrow then? Eyes sparkling, heart a flutter, lips puckered up for all those kisses? What with Valentine's Day tomorrow and a leap year day in a fortnight -when we can forget our maidenly inhibitions (ha!) and propose to the man
VILLAGERS in North Yorkshire were this week in uproar over plans to close a dangerous gap on a major trunk road. Officials from the Highways Agency got a rough ride at a packed meeting in Appleton Wiske on Monday night which spotlighted a scheme to block
CLEVELAND police's finance director has been suspended and is under investigation following revelations that the force's budget deficit has grown to an estimated £8m. Steve Prevell was formally notified that he had been suspended until further notice
MIDDLESBROUGH midfielder Doriva's clash with Manchester United's Paul Scholes could be the subject of an FA probe. The governing body yesterday confirmed they are awaiting referee Paul Durkin's report before deciding whether to take any action over the
FINAL rehearsals are under way for a pantomime production of Dick Whittington. The Leadgate Salvation Army Music and Drama group will be staging the pantomime in their building in Green Street, Leadgate, at 7.30pm, from Wednesday, February 18, to Saturday
Willington WMC and West Auckland Queens Head met for the second week in succession and Queens gained revenge for last week's defeat with a win in the Auckland Charity Cup. Richard Breen put Willington ahead but the visitors came back to lead 2-1. Breen
The latest Fell Race, Race 9 in the Northern Runner Winter Series, took place at Danby, on a very cold and windy morning, with conditions far from conducive for running. Even so, 73 runners completed the event, which was won by Kenyan David Gitau in 63.54
THE Princess Royal visited the region yesterday to mark a milestone for a North-East charity. Princess Anne travelled to the Baltic arts centre in Gateshead, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Victim Support schemes in Tyne and Wear. The seven local
Darlington 21st Allstars: The Under-10s, sponsored by Davey O'Neill Roofing, continued their unbeaten run with 12 games played and 12 wins. This week they were at home to Stockton Town and played well in terrible conditions. The wind played a big part
ON Sunday, Aysgarth church celebrates a centenary of Cambridge chimes and the gift of precise timekeeping. A special evensong will be held at 2.55 to celebrate the 100th birthday of the church clock. This will be followed by a bring and share supper and
Axa and Falchion served up a seven-goal thriller in difficult conditions. Both sides tried to play football despite the high winds, but it was the Falchion who played the better during the first half, despite being against the conditions. They took the
HEALTH bosses in the region are looking into whether so-called "fat camps" can be set up in the North-East. Inspired by the example of the UK's first camp for overweight children in Leeds, NHS officials in Teesside want to take a closer look. Nutritional
AT THE time the young sapper probably had misgivings about the trade he had just agreed with his comrade in the trenches. For chocolate was a rare luxury in the Great War and swapping a whole bar for a set of cards given away free with the cigarette ration
High-flying Cleveland Bridge took advantage of the conditions in the first half against Smurfit and goals from the in-form strike partnership of Stu Hardy and Wayne Buckley put the home side into a 5-0 interval lead, Hardy claiming a hat-trick and Buckley
A clash of three Tees matches hit attendances and the NYSD Federation Thompson Memorial on the Over Dinsdale stretch attracted the most, 52 competitors. The venue was still 2ft up with floodwater and coupled with a drop in temperature it was a very gruelling
CELLOMAN provided a rich and intense aural experience on Wednesday evening. The man on the electric cello is Ivan Hussey, accompanied by percussion, electric violin, bass guitar and drums. Hussey is one of a small but growing number of musicians who is
TWO teenagers from the region have been recognised for their outstanding work as part of the Millennium Volunteers (MV) scheme. Paul Dodsworth, 17, of Darlington, and Sarah Minnis, 18, of Northallerton, will travel to London next month for the finals
TRADE for Aberdeen Angus bulls at Perth was decsribed as "phenomenal" with a top price of 28,000gns for the supreme champion, and an average of £4177.50 - £519 up on last year - for 147 bulls sold. Showing at Perth for the first time, Yorkshire breeder
CANAL HOLIDAYS: YOUR article (Echo, Feb 7) describing a canal holiday was accompanied by a photograph showing a very dangerous practice. The caption described the boat as progressing up the River Severn and the picture showed two young people on the roof
David Hodgson has tipped two of his dependable Darlington defenders to play at a higher level as the Quakers' back line continues to bolster the relegation fight. Scoring goals may have been a problem for Hodgson's men but they've proved to be far better
BARCLAYS delivered the first slice of £25bn in profits expected to be announced by the UK's biggest banks during the next month. The group, whose chief executive Matt Barrett recently admitted that credit cards were too expensive, announced a 20 per cent
PLANS to introduce controversial all-posting voting in North Yorkshire were thrown into doubt yesterday by a threatened rebellion in the House of Lords. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott wants the European Parliament elections on June 10 to take place
Oscar Hall has vowed to get back on the winning track after spectacularly losing his unbeaten tag in his hometown last year. The Darlington light welterweight suffered a second round knockout to Gary Reid of Stoke at the Dolphin Centre and there were
FARMERS in North Yorkshire and the North-East are ideally placed to jump into the biodiesel market - and last week they were advised not to look at their oilseed rape fields as a break crop but as an "onshore oil field". About 200 farmers attended a biodiesel
PREMIER MANAGER 2003/2004, Publisher: Zoo Digital; Format: PS2. Price: £39.99. Out now: RELEASING a football management simulation just as the transfer window opens is asking for trouble. Unless you happen to be a supporter of Leeds United, the first
CELTIC MILL has carried the flag for David Barker's small stable with distinction over the past 12 months, winning no less than seven races. Barker trains within a stone's throw of Catterick racecourse, but as there is no flat racing on turf at this time
A MAJOR £1.7m investment has been announced at FeedCo's animal feed manufacturing plant at Piercebridge. The work, spread over two years, involves a complete re-modelling of the mill and total refurbishment, which will increase throughput and double production
Youngsters are being asked to play the game and treat asylum seekers as human beings. In a bid to stem growing racism and replace it with understanding, secondary school pupils are being introduced to a board game. Through it, teenagers are learning about
Catching-up with Richmond and Zetland Harriers results is as difficult as catching the athletes! Saturday January 10, having placed sixth in the Yorkshire X-C Championships the previous weekend and been selected for the Inter-Counties at Wollaton Park
Champions Bedale look set to take the First Division title for the second successive season as their purple patch continues as leaders. Bedale have not lost a match since the beginning of December. Their latest victims Northallerton were beaten 3-0, giving
DARLINGTON Mowden Park will be hoping for an inspired performance from player-coach Richard Arnold tomorrow after his wife gave birth to a daughter in midweek. The ex-Newcastle Falcons flanker missed last week's trip to Longton because of the imminent
CROFT Circuit, near Darlington, hosts the penultimate round of the Maxxis British Winter Supermoto Championship tomorrow and, with all classes still evenly poised, there is bound to be no love lost between the leading competitors on St Valentine's Day
At the inter counties schools cross country championships held at Lawrence Jackson School, Guisborough on Saturday Newton Aycliffe AC had four athletes representing Durham. Chris Gaffney, running in his first county vest for Durham in the minor boys 2k
Annual general meeting: A full clubhouse of members for a meeting dominated by the consideration of the clubhouse extension presented by the club chairman Ian Smith following a successful financial report given by the treasurer John Webster. After a detailed
Darlington Ladies A Team proved to be too good over six rinks for Durham City Indoor Bowls Club, the current county inter-club championships. Barbara Watson, Vi Johnson, Marueen Whitton and skip Ann Simpson stormed into a 17-0 lead at five ends after
TEMPORARY playground equipment is to be installed in Hurworth in April to replace the items removed last year for safety reasons. At a meeting of Hurworth Parish Council on Tuesday, Terry Collins, assistant director of environmental services for Darlington
Singles: J Pearce (Shildon) 11, A Ward (Hpool) 21; G Skipp (Thornaby) 21, A Kirtland (Dton) 9. Pairs: Joyce/Bousfield (Dton) 21, Hudson/O'Neill (Thornaby) 18; Mansfield/Wells (Hpool) 26, Mosley/Mosley (Thornaby) 16. Triples: K Tinkler (Dton) 15, S Burton
KEVIN KYLE wants to help Sunderland maintain their promotion push in a bid to force his way into Scotland's plans on a regular basis. The towering former Irish ferries baggage handler was recalled by national team boss Berti Vogts yesterday after almost
Sir, - Since 1988, volunteers have been recording war memorials in the North-East as part of the national inventory set up by the Imperial War Museum. More than 3,300 memorials have been recorded in the area between the rivers Tweed and Tees. They cover
A good attendance of club members was welcomed at The Wheatsheaf Inn, Staindrop. Thanks are due to Maurice and Trudy for their support of the club throughout the year. All of the club officers were re-elected. The team captains gave a positive report
OLIVIER BERNARD insists a fully fit Craig Bellamy is needed if Newcastle United are going to secure a place in the Champions League. Fresh doubts over Bellamy's knee problems surfaced when he strained the medial ligaments during Wednesday night's draw
There were gold medals for the North-East Veteran Cycling team and bronze for the juniors at the Inter-Area Cyclco-Cross Championships at Queens Park, Bolton in Lancashire. Cold and muddy conditions made for difficult and demanding racing. Well beaten
Strong winds and heavy underfoot conditions didn't help for fancy football. The youngsters of Darlington GSOB fought back after going behind to a first half goal from Alex Middleton for visitors Chilton Comminity College, John Shields struck twice after
Alex Best: My Life With George (C4) Trouble At The Top (BBC2) My life was a total soap opera at that point," confessed Alex Best as the saga dubbed BestEnders by the tabloids rumbled on. Although one of the quieter jungle residents in I'm A Celebrity,
IAN Austermuhle has won the national Colonial Trial near his home in Rosedale Abbey for the second year in succession. The Lancashire University student took last weekend's event from his JLI Beta team colleague Michael Phillipson, from Crook, and Sheffield's
A LACK of funding is threatening wreck the dreams of four North-East Thai boxers selected to represent their country in the world championships. The athletes, all members of the same County Durham club, have been selected for England in the high-profile
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture WHEAT prices have been under pressure over the last week as the fall in the dollar has meant European prices have had to fall to remain competitive in the export market. The UK still has about 600,000 tonnes to sell to
On Saturday three junior Quakers were competing at Guisborough to represent their county at the forthcoming English Schools Cross Country Championships. On a cold, windy day with the odd hailstone shower Julia Orr had yet another win and stormed to take
THE intriguing tale of the murder of a policeman in nineteenth century Butterknowle has been put together in book form to provide a chronological and fascinating account of the event. The story has been compiled by Len Teasdale, who lives in the village
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - At a meeting of Richmond Rural Council on Saturday Mr Wetherell said he had to report a pollution of the River Swale at a farm on Scorton Road. A beast died at the farm and it was reported to be a case of anthrax.
PASSENGER groups have given a mixed reaction to a new report calling for high-speed trains connecting the North-East to London in less than two hours. Ministers were due to consider the report by the Commission for Integrated Transport this week. It urges
PERHAPS money is like life - the more you have of it, the quicker it goes. Some people, of course, can make it disappear much more quickly than others. It was interesting to hear David O'Leary, after welcoming his financially embarrassed former club,
Wolsingham 15, 77; Westgate 15, 46; Howden-le-Wear 14, 41; Frosterley 13, 40; Hamsterley 13, 39; Wolsingham Wanderers 14, 38; Escomb 13, 28; Sunniside 15, 27.
A year after a pioneering clinic for hyperactive children re-opened in the North-East, there are fears that its days are numbered due to funding problems, Barry Nelson investigates. WHEN the Selby rail disaster claimed the life of Professor Steve Baldwin
A TEESDALE farmer has installed a "green" heating system which uses woodchips to warm a group of holiday cottages. John Boyes, who runs a beef and arable farm at Strathmore House, Cleatlam, near Staindrop, converted disused farm buildings into four self-catering
Forty years ago next month, the unforgettable evening of Wednesday March 4 1964, the most fearful crowd scenes occurred In and outside Roker Park. Sunderland, second division leaders, played Manchester United in an FA Cup sixth round replay, four days
Durham County Under-20s kicked off their County Championship campaign against Cheshire in the gale force winds at Birkenhead Park RFC and despite outscoring their rivals two tries to one they lost 16-10. Durham produced a highly commendable performance
Yet another excellent performance by one of the league's most consistant sides, Nestfield, who beat Brinkburn Wanderers 6-0. Nestfield played some first class football with a superb display of one-touch passing and should have been well out sight by half
Sunderland Tomahawks remain in the English Under-19 North Relegation play-offs area after a 5-2 defeat in a North League encounter. Billingham Wolves were their opponents at Newcastle Arena and they had the better of a one-sided opening period. Liam Telfer
Tow Law Area League: Tow Law Dan's Castle became the first team to complete a whitewash victory this season when they never dropped a point on their visit to Tow Law Rose and Crown. The Castle had wins from Angela Suddes, Anthony Hird, Rachel Hepple,
CELTIC MILL has carried the flag for David Barker's small stable with distinction over the past 12 months, winning no less than seven races. Barker trains within a stone's throw of Catterick racecourse, but as there is no flat racing on turf at this time
The bad weather of the last four weeks causing the postponement of most fixtures but last Sunday only five games were off. Premiership leaders Brandon United were comfortable home winners over Houghton Glendale Social, two each for John Harrison and Andy
A CUT in opening hours at a Middleton in Teesdale bank - due to be implemented next month - prompted users to seek reassurances that it is not a precursor to closure. At a public meeting on Tuesday chaired by Diane Spark, project manager of Upper Teesdale
WHEN the aspect of a restaurant that most enthuses one is the quality of the pepper mill, what does that say for the overall eating experience? Not a lot, I guess. But don't underestimate this reviewer's obsession with pepper and the appropriate dispenser
Friday the 13th is hardly an auspicious day to set a deadline for bids to save a stuggling football club, but administrators remained confident yesterday that a white knight will arrive in time to save Darlington FC. Nigel Burton and Stuart Mackintosh
TENNIS World Middlesbrough went down to Sheffield by three rubbers to one in a tempestuous tussle last Saturday in the opening round of the National Premier League North-East region inter-division play-off. The Teesside club had selection problems before
Five first half goals meant the Cestrians kept their title bid on track with a 5-0 win over Darlington RA. Rachel Furness drew first blood scoring straight from a corner despite a desperate attempted clearance from the Darlington defence. The wind caused
A GYM assistant praised two men who saved her life after she was swept out to sea while surfing with a friend. Donna Ford, 24, a members' assistant at the David Lloyd gym at the Tees Barrage, was swept out to sea at Saltburn by a strong current on Friday
Any North-East clubs who progress into the new Conference North could be facing some mammoth trips next season. The UniBond League has circulated its clubs with details of the proposed league, and assuming the allocations stay the same, then travel costs
Ever since the day they were involved in a 21-penalty shoot-out with New Marske, North Shields have been wary of deciding cup ties by this method! And last Saturday's Sunderland Shipowners' Cup tie with Wolviston was no exception. Three times the Robins
MOTHERLY Sue Lax has brought up 55 children - and not one of them her own. The super foster mum's devotion has been recognised with the presentation of an Outstanding Practice award from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's social services department
Jane Austin may have painted a romantic picture of life in Regency England, but it wasn't all bursting breeches and heaving bosoms. Steve Pratt reports on how an experiment on l,iving in the 1800s turned into a story of smashed plates and class divides
A GRANDMOTHER-of-two is hoping to inspire other adults throughout the region to boost their reading, writing and maths skills. Andrea McCulloch, 45, is backing the Get On North-East campaign after achieving a maths qualification. The campaign is aiming
A NORTH-EAST Euro MP is visiting a redundant cement works site today to check out plans for bringing it back into use. Dr Gordon Adam, who is Labour spokesman on Rural Affairs at the European Parliament, wants to see how European grants could improve
SO are you ready for tomorrow then? Eyes sparkling, heart a flutter, lips puckered up for all those kisses? What with Valentine's Day tomorrow and a leap year day in a fortnight -when we can forget our maidenly inhibitions (ha!) and propose to the man
DIAMOND couple Bobby and Isabel Barron started their wedding anniversary celebrations with a special mass in the church where they were married. The couple, from Osbourne Terrace, Leeholme, near Bishop Auckland, said "I do" at St Joseph's Church, Coundon
FOOD producers will get to showcase their businesses at an event in the grounds of a castle this Easter. Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland will open its doors to thousands of visitors on Saturday, April 10, when it hosts the Wear Valley Food Festival
Division One: Pittington pld 15, pts 67; Croxdale 14, 56; Tudhoe 14, 55; Bowburn 12, 37' Spennymoor 12, 36; Hamsteels 13, 31; Esh Winning 12, 25; Ludworth 16, 17. Division Two: Shincliffe 11, 49; Lansdowne 12, 44; Trimdon CC 12, 39; Sedgefield A 10, 38
DRUGS group GlaxoSmithKline has warned the City it faces a challenging year as cheaper versions of its drugs continue to hit the market. Glaxo said copycat launches caused sales of Paxil to fall 40 per cent in the final quarter of last year, while demand
BURGLARY and car crime have fallen in Washington. Police carried out a crime prevention scheme in partnership with Sunderland Housing Group and the Galleries shopping centre. During the operation, which took place in December and last month, house burglaries
A CHEEKY thief who walked out of a busy supermarket with a TV and DVD player was given a chance by a judge yesterday. George Jones was spotted by security guards as he tried to leave the Kwik Save store in Roker, Sunderland, on November 15, last year.
MARRIED in wartime Britain, Mary and Jack Lund yesterday celebrated 60 happy years together. Dozens of family and friends visited their home in New Brancepeth to celebrate. Mary, 80, and Jack, 78, were married in St Edmunds Church, Bearpark, in 1944,
YOUNGSTERS from far-flung Dales communities can expect more in the way of entertainment, help and advice with the launch of a new service. A youth van is now available to travel to Swaledale communities, as well as venues in Richmond. The vehicle is in
ROLLS-ROYCE saw profits rise 12 per cent this year and said it expected a further increase in 2004. The jet engine maker, which has an aerospace equipment manufacturing and repair plant in Sunderland, as well as sites in Bristol, Coventry and Derby, said
THE new owner of North Yorkshire motor dealership CD Bramall has seen its profits rise by nearly a quarter. Pendragon, which last month announced the £230m deal for CD Bramall, said continuing strong demand for new and used cars helped it boost annual
AT 25-1 Through The Rye's Wetherby win last Saturday gave backers of our 15 to Follow a tremendous victory, and booked him a possible chance at tomorrow's Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury. Alan Swinbank's stable star was partnered by Jim Crowley and, with
INTERNATIONAL pianist Mami Shikimori will play at Sir William Turner's Alms-houses, at Kirkleatham, near Redcar, on Tuesday. The musician was born in Japan and won a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music, in London. She has since performed
NURSERY children have been working with a musician as part of a project designed to let them explore new sounds. The children from the day nursery at the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, worked with Dr Brendon Renwick, of Music-For-Schools
SOME schools in the North will receive a share of £2.2bn in the first part of a scheme to refurbish or rebuild every secondary school in England. A bid by Newcastle, and a joint bid by Gateshead and South Tyneside, will see £100m to £200m invested in
THE chairman of Cleveland Police Authority last night pledged to resign if an inquiry into the troubled force's finances blames him for its £8m budget deficit. Councillor Ken Walker was speaking at a special meeting of Stockton Borough Council, which
A REGIMENTAL Sergeant Major has been rewarded for almost 50 years of service in an Army cadet force. RSM Dennis Rowland MBE, of Durham Army Cadet Force, has been awarded a Certificate of Good Service by the Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sir Paul Nicholson
PARKING charges and road safety are top of the agenda at a county council committee meeting being held next week. People living in the Harrogate area are being urged to attend the meeting to have their say on a range of issues. They will also be able
VISITORS should soon have no trouble in finding their way around a seaside town. Brown signs are being installed to point the way to Saltburn's attractions, including the Victorian pier, the cliff lift, the Valley Gardens and the Smugglers Centre. The
Durham: On Sunday Durham Under-11s took part in the North Midway League tournament at Rotherham. The preliminary rounds best of seven games saw Durham take on Yorkshire 2nd and beat them 7-0 conceding only 18 points. They then met fancied Lancs and beat
POLICE found a copy of a magazine detailing customs officers' fight against tobacco smuggling in the North-East home of a man accused of a fraud in which 2.6m cigarettes were illegally shipped into the UK, it was alleged yesterday. The magazine was found
PREMIER MANAGER 2003/2004 Publisher: Zoo Digital Format: PS2. Price: £39.99. Out: now. RELEASING a football management simulation just as the transfer window opens is asking for trouble. Unless you happen to be a supporter of Leeds United, the first thing
Sir, - John Prescott's visit to the North-East (D&S, Jan 30) confirmed that the Government is on the back foot in its campaign to establish an assembly for our region. Suddenly all sorts of vague promises are coming forward to try to convince people
IT doesn't do much for the perception of public relations when North Yorkshire police authority holds its annual precept fixing meeting at a venue almost in another county. The choice of South Milford, between Leeds and Selby, didn't appear to be universally
INSPIRED by the landscape around their Weardale home, a retired couple turned their photography hobby into a full-time business. Valerie and Colin Ward take photographs of Weardale beauty spots and turn them into calendars and postcards to sell to visitors
New County North Durham Youth League: Leam Rangers continue to lead the Under-16 Division despite losing by an only goal to Blaydon whose hero was Liam Bell. Blaydon are now joint-second with Cleveland Hall who went down 2-0 at Redheugh when Daniel Igo
Croft hosts Supermoto: Croft Circuit hosts the penultimate round of the Maxxis British Winter Supermoto Championship tomorrow and with all classes still evenly poised, there is bound to be no love lost between all the leading competitors on Valentine's
WARNINGS were ignored that should have prevented £7.5m of Lottery cash being wasted on Stockton's ill-fated Arc theatre, MPs said last night. The powerful Commons public accounts heavily criticised the Arts Council's decision to fund the project, despite
FOR the last few weeks I've been watching an ill-assorted bunch of people try to cope with each other and an alien environment. No, I've never been tempted to switch on for even a split second of I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. Viewing figures for
Sir, - In your page one report on February 6 you state that an accident in Bilsdale was "triggered by a rambler who failed to close a farm gate". However, it was admitted that the walker "was not identified". In that case there is no evidence that a rambler
