LAST week, I read that Sacha Baron Cohen's fiancee, Isla Fisher, is converting to Judaism before her wedding to the Ali G creator because she respects his Jewish roots. The story made me coo, how sweet and romantic, I thought, and a stark contrast to
THE crocuses are carpeting the council's green spaces, the first of the cherries are clothed in delicate pale pink petals, the sunshine yellow trumpets are beginning to herald the arrival of the daffodils and the fresh green spears of the wild garlic
A first-half penalty at Washington moved Dunston to within two points of the top of the table, as some of their title rivals faltered on Saturday. Dunston pushed third-bottom Washington closer to the second division with a Ben Thompson penalty in the
GARDENING and food have always been inextricably entwined. At one point nature provided mankind with his entire nutritional supplies, so man moved and made his home near the most productive sources. In certain parts of the world, whole communities still
TROPHY Rapist Antoni Imiela has written to his sister begging for forgiveness. Imiela, who is beginning a life sentence after being found guilty of a string of vicious rapes, begged his sister, Jadwiga, to keep in touch. But Jadwiga, who lives in Newton
FEMALE pensioners in the North-East are living on less than 60 per cent of the average income of men the same age, according to a new study. The research, by the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), shows that female pensioners in the region have
THE leader of the Conservatives, Michael Howard, took time out from the party's spring conference at the weekend to meet farmers from North Yorkshire. Ten representatives from the arable, poultry, beef, pig and dairy industries were at the hour-long meeting
TROPHY Rapist Antoni Imiela has written to his sister begging for forgiveness. Imiela, who is beginning a life sentence after being found guilty of a string of vicious rapes, begged his sister, Jadwiga, to keep in touch. But Jadwiga, who lives in Newton
Supermarket chain Morrisons ushered in a new era today as its £3 billion acquisition Safeway finally became part of the group. Sir Ken Morrison, executive chairman of the enlarged group, hailed the completion of the deal as ''an exciting beginning for
NORTH-EAST women are today launching a manifesto demanding a fairer deal. The Manifesto, titled 20-20 Vision and published by the North-East Women's Forum (NEWF), makes it clear to Government that if new elected assemblies are to deliver for women, big
A 36-year-old woman was left with a fractured skull after she was struck by a car on Cargo Fleet Lane in Middlesbrough. The incident happened at around 9.50pm on Sunday as the woman was crossing the carriageway about 100 yards north of College Road, when
A NORTH-EAST council has strengthened its opposition to plans for a towering sculpture after members dubbed it a monstrosity. Durham County Council is promoting the 60ft steel and coloured glass waymarker as its answer to the Angel of the North. The tower
If something's worth doing, then it's worth doing well, so they say. That phrase probably best suits Barry Conlon's role as Darlington's talisman and striker supreme. Aside from being a target man Conlon may not offer much else, but he fulfills that role
CHAMPION jockey Kieren Fallon is to be interviewed by Jockey Club investigators over race-fixing allegations which have rocked the sport. The claims surround a race in which his horse failed to win at Lingfield last Tuesday despite having a huge lead.
CRAIG RUSSELL is intent on relaunching his career with Darlington after earning a contract until the end of the season. The 30-year-old's time in the game has been tormented by injury since leaving Sunderland for Manchester City in a £1m deal - a switch
Bishop Auckland were proud in defeat after they went out of the League Cup by the odd goal in five in their semi-final at Droylsden on Saturday. Bishops lost 3-2 after matching their opponents for most of the game, but sloppy defending let them down.
MORE than 100 North-East men have been cautioned or charged as a crackdown on Internet child pornography draws to a close. Northumbria Police carried out a string of raids across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland as part of Operation Ore, after being alerted
A SCHEME that helps sheep farmers to protect wildlife will continue after landing a £3m windfall. The Sheep and Wildlife Enhancement Scheme (SWES), launched last year by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and English Nature, provides
FOOTBALL hardman Danny Mills has told how the death of his unborn son inspired him to help other stricken parents. The Middlesbrough and England star's family was left devastated in 2002 after his wife, Lisa, lost the baby - who they named Archie - five
SUNDERLAND invoked the spirit of '73 to secure their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on an emotional afternoon at the Stadium of Light. Tommy Smith, two-goal hero of the Black Cats' fifth-round replay triumph over Birmingham City at St. Andrews
North-East football has been starved of success since Sunderland's FA Cup victory in 1973. But the long wait for silverware was well worth it judging by yesterday's overwhelming response from fans to Middlesbrough's joyful home-coming with the Carling
TIME is running out to enter a short story competition supported by The Northern Echo. The national competition was launched in the region in January to champion the genre at a time when it is more difficult than ever for short story writers to have their
Two goals early in the second half ended Darlington RA's interest in the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup at Boldon CA on Saturday. Kevin Lloyd gave the home side a 12th-minute lead but RA hit back and their hopes were raised when Paul Freary levelled on the
A CHARITY is hoping a song recorded by opera singer Susannah Clarke will boost its funds. The Teesside singer has sung Flying High, written by Guy Stoker, a Northumberland music teacher, for Coping with Cancer North-East, which provides services that
The Australian Grand Prix was little more than a 58-lap victory parade for Michael Schumacher and Ferrari as the most successful driver in Formula One history got his bid for a seventh world title underway in commanding fashion. Schumacher led his Brazilian
A headteacher is back behind his desk after suffering a heart attack while fell-walking before Christmas. During his sick leave from Shotton Hall School, Peterlee, County Durham, Ian Mowbray spent his time rebuilding his fitness. He said: "I was devastated
DESPITE a record of just one defeat in their last eight games, David Hodgson is still not quite ready to declare that Third Division football will be played at the Reynolds Arena next season. And quite rightly so. The Darlington boss remains pragmatic
AN animal charity needs to find homes for three cats and a dog. The animals are being cared for by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League, in Whitton, near Darlington. Asta, four, is a good natured German shepherd bitch, accustomed to being around
A POLICE operation to reduce anti-social behaviour has been hailed a success. Operation Jedi ran for four weeks in Ferryhill and Chilton, involving more than 300 hours of high-visibility policing and 180 hours of mobile patrols. Sergeant Kelvin Vincent
AN animal charity needs to find homes for three cats and a dog. The animals are being cared for by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League, in Whitton, near Darlington. Asta, four, is a good natured German shepherd bitch, accustomed to being around
THE Friends of Hillside Cemetery, a group campaigning for the refurbishment of a historic burial ground in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, held a tidy-up at the weekend. The group aims soon to start work on the restoration of the cemetery, on rocky high
BUDDING writers are being urged to let computing skills free their creative talents. Durham County Council's Clayport Library is running a free course to help people who feel held back by their writing. Called Learn Computing and Get Better at Writing
STUDENTS have learned about the meaning of fair trade from three pupils from their college. Erin Fahey, Tom Porter and Graham Bookers, who are supporters of fair trade with developing countries, organised a presentation at Prior Prusglove College. A similar
A church praised for the way it encouraged wildlife to flourish in its churchyard is hosting an event to encourage others to do the same. St Mary's Church, Masham, near Ripon, will host a seminar on managing churchyards that are sympathetic to wildlife
FOR anyone on a diet, the smell of a couple of traditional British bangers sizzling in the frying pan can be sheer torture. But, while the rest of the country may have to abstain, in the quest for a narrower waistline, members of a Thirsk slimmers' club
FIREFIGHTERS have responded to a spate of medical emergencies in east Cleveland in a pilot scheme set up to help save lives. Four people suffering potentially life-threatening conditions have benefited from the Co-responder Scheme, which began in the
THE first full patient survey of people living in North Yorkshire and Teesside will be sent to 850 randomly selected patients from today. It is hoped that the survey, sent out by Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust, will give the public a say in how
PARENTS are being urged to return to school in an initiative that will see them learning under the same roof as their children. Dodmire Junior School, in Darlington, is working with Darlington College of Technology to provide a range of adult courses
CHILDREN at a Darlington school were given an unusual view of the night sky in a project designed to teach them about the solar system. Starlab proved popular with year eight students at Hurworth School Computing and Maths College. The Starlab is a large
A musician has been banging the drum to help promote International Women's Day. Robert Maseko took his African drum to Redcar, east Cleveland, at the weekend to join organisers giving out balloons and leaflets, advertising events to mark the day. Events
A PHYSIOTHERAPIST who ran the New York marathon in memory of her husband has raised £7,000 for research into the disease that claimed his life. Melanie Albrighton took part in her first marathon at the end of last year after her husband, Ken, died of
AN east Cleveland man has received a medal for his service to his country, 52 years later. Gordon Tindale, 74, of Millholm Close, Brotton, has only just received the RAF Canal Zone Campaign medal for his work between 1950 and 1952 in Egypt, shortly before
AN annual awards event for youngsters in Stockton borough is to take place this week to commemorate their many achievements over the past year. Scores of youngsters aged up to 19 were nominated for this year's Stockton Mayor's Achievement Recognition
Tag Team, a progressive sprinter who is unbeaten on Polytrack, is the strong fancy in the betdirect.co.uk Handicap over five furlongs at Lingfield. Andrew Balding's three-year-old turned in a fair performance over this course and distance on his all-weather
A WOMAN who has run a community prize bingo for 23 years is one of 15 individuals and groups in east Cleveland to receive Community Achievement Awards. Joan Dales, of New Marske, has run the prize bingo for 23 years, and in the past three years has donated
A TELEPHONE hotline to report faulty street lights has been launched as part of a multi-million pound scheme to replace thousands of street lamps. The £163m contract to replace and improve street lighting in Sunderland and the surrounding area is well
THE centenary of a university college with strong links to the church was marked with the release of 300 balloons - one for each term of its existence. St Chads College, in the shadow of Durham Cathedral, moved to the city from a site near Doncaster in
A GROUP of basketball players shot their way into the record books during a charity scoring marathon at the weekend. Players from Durham University held the event at the Tesco store, at Dragonville, on the outskirts of the city, scoring 16,391 baskets
STOCKTON ended their relegation worries in North Two East when an 18-16 win at Redcar took them above their hosts into sixth place. Neither club was impressed by the fact that Middlesbrough had been allowed to delay rearranging their match against Northern
He's been around the world and back again, but artist Matt Forster finds himself increasingly drawn to painting the landscape of the North-East, where he grew up. He talks to Steve Pratt. MATT Forster came to realise that he was going to be an artist
THEY stood on roofs, bus shelters, advertising hoardings and even cars. If it was in Middlesbrough town centre and not moving, then someone was standing on it. Boro's Carling Cup heroes were given a rapturous reception as an estimated 150,000 fans packed
SHAY GIVEN has admitted that Newcastle must recapture their old form to have any hope of winning the UEFA Cup. Manager Sir Bobby Robson warned after the 3-1 third-round second-leg victory over Valerenga last week that his side's performance had fallen
BOXING chiefs have ordered an urgent inquiry after rioting fans brought shame to a North-East title fight. About 40 fans traded blows and threw chairs, tables and glasses at each other when trouble erupted as boxers Francis Jones and Danny Moir looked
IT would have been easy to believe that it was Jason McAteer who had just helped Sunderland take a step closer to an FA Cup semi-final. The Irishman turned away, just like any typical goalscorer would, ran alone into one corner of the Stadium of Light
CHRIS Shuker's future is uncertain, but it is unlikely to be at Hartlepool United. The tricky winger completed a three-month loan spell from Manchester City after Saturday's win at Colchester. His final game was cut short by injury, after he took a kick
Fire chiefs and firefighters have joined forces to attack government plans to create a single control room for all brigades in the North East. The Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association (CACFOA) warned the move "would not make a significant
PEOPLE in Teesside will soon be able to learn new skills by switching on their televisions. The Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley is launching its own television series to help people develop vital skills. The Tees Valley Television (TVTV) series
THE firm that scrapped one of the region's biggest sporting developments - with the potential for 400 jobs - has revealed its hopes of reviving a deal. High Point Estates had chosen an industrial site on the outskirts of Darlington for a £6m JJB Sports
CONSERVATIVE threats to ignore the result of this autumn's referendum on regional assemblies have been denounced by pro-devolution groups. Professor John Tomaney, lead-er of the campaign for a North-East assembly, said Tory party leader Michael Howard
PLANS for the North-East's first environmentally friendly housing estate have been thrown out because of its "monotonous and unimaginitive" design. The decision to refuse permission for the 112-house estate, initially dubbed an "eco-village", has been
CARLING CUP winner Frank Queudrue last night promised to keep Middlesbrough's celebrations going well into the middle of this week. Queudrue was part of the Boro squad that paraded their silverware in front of around 150,000 frenzied fans yesterday. The
SUNDERLAND will face Millwall or Tranmere in the semi-final of the FA Cup. The Wearsiders avoided Premiership big guns Manchester United and Arsenal in Monday's draw, who will contest the other semi. Sunderland beat Sheffield United at the Stadium of
A musician has been banging the drum to help promote International Women's Day. Robert Maseko took his African drum to Redcar, east Cleveland, at the weekend to join organisers giving out balloons and leaflets, advertising events to mark the day. Events
COLLEGE staff have shown their support for the Darlington Football Club by wearing soccer strips. Staff at Darlington College of Technology donated £1 to the supporters' trust when they went to work in the club colours of black and white, or any football
'The con is on' boasts the adverts for BBC1 drama, The Hustle and since mid-January the same phrase could be used to describe a development at the Reynolds Arena - but it's nothing to do with any Greece-based businessmen declaring an interest in buying
He's been around the world and back again, but artist Matt Forster finds himself increasingly drawn to painting the landscape of the North-East, where he grew up. He talks to Steve Pratt. MATT Forster came to realise that he was going to be an artist
WORKERS at a troubled district council in the region have made allegations of bullying and harassment. Terry Scarr, a regional organiser for union GMB, confirmed that a number of staff at Chester-le-Street District Council had come forward to make the
BUSINESSES are being urged to keep an eye out for money sprayed with purple dye after a gang used either a 4x4 vehicle or a digger to break into a filling station cash machine. The raid at the Jet service station on the A64 between Tadcaster and York
GOAL-HERO Tommy Smith, perhaps more than most, is determined to retain his place for Sunderland's FA Cup semi-final. Smith was part of the Watford squad that faced Southampton in the last four of the competition last season. But, after his goals dumped
STOCKTON ended their relegation worries in North Two East when an 18-16 win at Redcar took them above their hosts into sixth place. Neither club was impressed by the fact that Middlesbrough had been allowed to delay rearranging their match against Northern
WORKERS at a troubled district council in the region have made allegations of bullying and harassment. Terry Scarr, a regional organiser for union GMB, confirmed that a number of staff at Chester-le-Street District Council had come forward to make the
THEATRE-goers who wear fancy dress to a musical will pay less for their tickets. Boy George's musical Taboo, starring former Neighbours actor and comedian Mark Little, is at Darlington Civic Theatre from today to Saturday. Those wearing 1980s-style clothing
MORE than 100 North-East men have been cautioned or charged as a crackdown on Internet child pornography draws to a close. Northumbria Police carried out a string of raids across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland as part of Operation Ore, after being alerted
WHAT a day for North-East football! There were unprecedented scenes in Middlesbrough yesterday as more than 100,000 people thronged the streets to pay tribute to their Carling Cup heroes. And 30 miles further north, tens of thousands of Sunderland fans
THE firm that scrapped one of the region's biggest sporting developments - with the potential for 400 jobs - has revealed its hopes of reviving a deal. High Point Estates had chosen an industrial site on the outskirts of Darlington for a £6m JJB Sports
A YOUNG grandmother raised more than £2,500 for charity by completing a trek in Vietnam. Teacher Lesley Mullen, from Newton Aycliffe, had an eventful start to the year. As well as finishing her Vietnam adventure, the 44-year-old became a grandmother when
Further evidence that the housing market picked up during January emerged today with the publication of Government figures showing an increase in price growth during the month. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said annual house price inflation
FOX hunt supporters set off on the last event of the season at the weekend, hoping it would not be their last. Membership of the South Durham Hunt, based in Prime Minister Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency, has doubled in the past year, making it bigger
AN innovative service for people suffering chronic back pain has proved a success. In the three years the service has been established in the Sedgefield Primary Care Trust area, back pain has been reduced by an average 40 per cent among people completing
A DISUSED factory unit could be transformed into a children's play centre. The former Susie Radin plant, in Crook, has been empty since the clothing factory shut about four years ago, with a loss of 108 jobs. But a local couple hope to lease the unit
SPECTACULAR displays of orchids were on display at the weekend as members of Darlington and District Orchid Society staged their third annual show. The event featured many species of orchid, including the popular phalaemotsif, or moth orchid, and the
MORE than 100,000 football fans thronged the streets of Middlesbrough to pay tribute to their Carling Cup heroes yesterday. The victory parade by the team in an open-top bus marked the end of a 128-year wait for Boro supporters for a major trophy. Fans
Boys who attended Annfield Plain Secondary Modern School from 1947 to 1952 are holding their first reunion. A number of the class have been contacted and will be attending the event at Annfield Plain Cricket Club, at 7.30pm on April 14. Former pupils
PEOPLE in Teesside will soon be able to learn new skills by switching on their televisions. The Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley is launching its own television series to help people develop vital skills. The Tees Valley Television (TVTV) series
ELDERLY people and students in east Cleveland are fighting for a bus route to be resumed. More than 200 people have signed a petition for the number 22 bus, which runs from New Marske to Middlesbrough, to be routed back along Laburnum Road and Winchester
A PHYSIOTHERAPIST who ran the New York marathon in memory of her husband has helped to raise £7,000 for research into the disease that claimed his life. Melanie Albrighton took part in her first marathon at the end of last year after her husband, Ken,
A NORTH-EAST charity that recycles old electrical equipment is being extended nationally. Renew North-East, in Gateshead, largely funds itself by repairing and selling washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, fridges, freezers and cookers. It works
A TIBETAN student who journeyed for 1,000 miles to reach his dream school has been saying a huge thank-you to the North Yorkshire couple who sponsored his education. Dawa Dsering, 20, set off from his home in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa at the age of
CELEBRATIONS to mark the 50th anniversary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park could be marred by a reduction in the number of buses travelling to and from the region, according to a passengers organisation. The Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users
PLANS for a betting shop are expected to be approved despite objections. Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises has applied for permission to build the facility next to the Falcon Pub, in Hilda Park, South Pelaw. Chester-le-Street district councillors
A strategy outlining a vision for the future of a north Durham market town has been unveiled. Chester-le-Street District Council's Community Strategy outlines plans to achieve the economic, social and environmental regeneration of the district. Council
A TRIAL change is to be made to the circuit pattern flown by aircraft from an RAF base. Details of the change are being finalised by RAF Linton-on-Ouse, near York, Hambleton District Council and Harrogate Borough Council, but it is anticipated that the
TRADING standards officers have warned the public about mock auction sales taking place in part of the region. Stockton Borough Council trading officers issued the warning after what are believed to be mock auctions were held in former charity shops in
BOXING chiefs have ordered an urgent inquiry after rioting fans brought shame to a North-East title fight. About 40 fans traded blows and threw chairs, tables and glasses at each other when trouble erupted as boxers Francis Jones and Danny Moir looked
DARLINGTON MP Alan Milburn met Foyer residents to learn more about their experiences of living in supported housing. The town's Foyer, run by the YMCA at Middleton Court, offers a temporary safe haven for 16 to 25-year-olds who find themselves homeless
A PENSIONER who has difficulty climbing stairs says he has waited for a council bungalow for six years. Harry Day first asked to be moved from his semi-detached council house in Gilsland Crescent, Darlington, after a series of heart attacks. The 70-year-old
SOMETIMES the ugliest of games can be the most important and effective - the most beautiful in fact. Match video in hand, Neale Cooper billed Hartlepool United's win at Colchester as a "video nasty"; it's one the censors might want to take a look at before
ONE of Britain's leading conservationists has dismissed calls to return the Lindisfarne Gospels to the North-East. Simon Watney, conservation cases recorder for the Church Monuments Society, in London, wrote in Saturday's Times that the Gospels should
CONSERVATIVE threats to ignore the result of this autumn's referendum on regional assemblies have been denounced by pro-devolution groups. Professor John Tomaney, lead-er of the campaign for a North-East assembly, said Tory party leader Michael Howard
REAL ale enthusiasts raised their glasses to mark the tenth anniversary of a family-run brewery at the weekend. A mini-beer festival at the Woodman Inn, Gilesgate, Durham, attracted a full house as revellers savoured the products of Durham Brewery. The
For ten years, the Fairtrade movement has been trying to win a better deal for farmers and producers all too easily exploited by multinational companies. Bruce Whitehead looks at how a more equal relationship has helped Rwanda recover from a bloody civil
SUNDERLAND'S FA Cup heroics have come at a cost after learning that fans' favourite Julio Arca will be out of action for at least two weeks. Arca was part of the Black Cats side who overcame Division One rivals Sheffield United yesterday to book a place
EUROPE: MR Blenkinsop's letter (HAS March 3) is either an example of total delusion or deliberate misrepresentation. Far from there being no EU dimension to the 'regionalisation' debate, it is entirely EU driven. The evidence showing the true nature and
MUSCLES flexed, stretched and strained as some of the region's strongest men put their bodies to the ultimate test at the weekend. Hundreds of spectators cheered the men on as they began their challenge towards the title of Britain's Strongest Man. The
A musician has been banging the drum to help promote International Women's Day. Robert Maseko took his African drum to Redcar, east Cleveland, at the weekend to join organisers giving out balloons and leaflets, advertising events to mark the day. Events
William And Mary (ITV1); The O.C. (C4): No matter how good the script and production values, any series loses out if the leading actors don't have chemistry. No one can predict when it's going to happen, but when it does, as in William and Mary, the results
