DARLINGTON can be satisfied with the way their build up to the new season has gone, according to assistant manager Mark Proctor. With just eight days to go before the start of the new League Two season, Quakers make their final friendly appearance at
A Grand National-winning racehorse trainer who was fined over £50,000 for failing to pay VAT has had the charge dramatically cut by a crown court judge. Norman Mason was ordered to pay £54,000 by magistrates in December after accepting three of his companies
DETECTIVES searching for missing teenager Jenny Nicholl yesterday pledged not to give up on the 19-year-old. It is now a month since Miss Nicholl was last seen at her family home in Richmond, North Yorkshire. But police said they would continue the search
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Hurworth School have gained a powerful ally in one of Darlington's biggest employers. Cummins Engines, which employs 1,000 staff at Yarm Road, labelled the borough council's plans to relocate the school next to its site as
THE music, laughter and tears of the Second World War will be recalled in an afternoon of nostalgia, song and costume this weekend. Actress Eileen Glenton, founding director of Newcastle's Tyne Theatre, and musician and actor Olly Burton will present
THE Northern Rock gave the regional economy a £60m shot in the arm yesterday, paving the way for up to 3,500 new jobs. The mortgage lender wants to develop an office complex at Rainton Bridge, Sunderland, as part of its expansion plans. The £60m development
THE parents of a baby delivered stillborn only hours after his mother was jailed are battling to be allowed to attend their son's funeral. Katrina Robinson, 20, is still waiting to hear if she can bury her baby after she gave birth seven weeks prematurely
Yesterday's IRA statement that it has ordered an end to its armed campaign has been hailed as an historic step towards peace in Northern Ireland. Nick Morrison asks if this really means the end of the Troubles, and what drove the IRA to this position.
TUNNELBY Patience, a December 1999-born fourth calver, by Ronick Hawk out of Yorkwold Ruby, with her heifer calf at foot by Haltcliffe Olympus, made the top price of 10,500gns to Procters Farm, Slaidburn, Clitheroe, at Borderway mart's sale from four
EUROPE'S biggest free airshow will go ahead tomorrow in Sunderland despite mist and drizzle forcing the cancellation of a preview event yesterday. The 17th Sunderland Airshow, centred on the seafront at Seaburn, will take place between 10am and 6pm tomorrow
IT WAS a good weekend for two of the region's competitors in the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship. Despite suffering mixed fortunes on the Swansea Bay Rally, both Barry Johnson from Shildon and Castleton's Ryan Champion came away with the lead in
THE views of residents are being sought to help solve the chaotic parking problems caused on event days at Preston Park in Eaglescliffe. For a number of years, nearby residents have complained about vehicles parking outside their homes. The issue reached
AS we head for the end of July, there is a noticeable change in the countryside coupled with a lengthening and darkening of shadows cast by the sun. The vibrant colours and freshness of spring and early summer are now distinctly subdued as our gardens
BY MALCOLM PRATT IT'S all change at Darlington for their game against Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division championship hopefuls Guisborough at Feethams on Saturday. A big blow to the home side is the unavailability of Steve
A STOCKTON rambling group has become a victim of its own success. And much of it is due to regular slots in the D&S Times' What's On guide. Since Stockton Rambling Club began putting details of walks in the paper, so many people have turned up some
A PART-TIME firefighter from Goathland has been given a special award after becoming what is believed to be the nation's longest-serving volunteer. Mick Atkinson, 70, who still farms at Goathland House Farm, was one of the original volunteers when the
Hair loss for a woman is a devastating blow at any age and now a new survey has revealed that is is affecting women as young as teenagers. Health Editor Barry Nelson considers the cause and impact of losing your hair, and what treatments are available
NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd last night drew a line under summer speculation regarding the future of Lee Bowyer by insisting the controversial midfielder would not be leaving St James' Park. Bowyer's importance to the Magpies was underlined on Wednesday
STEWART Downing might be 21 years of age but, despite falling outside the age limit, the Middlesbrough midfielder could still play a pivotal role in this evening's UEFA European Under-19 Championship final. He will not be appearing on the pitch as England
X-RAY technology specialist Bede is shedding a tenth of its workforce following disappointing first-half orders. Bede, which employs about 100 at its headquarters on the Belmont Industrial Estate, near Durham City, is in the process of shedding 11 jobs
X-RAY technology specialist Bede is shedding a tenth of its workforce following disappointing first-half orders. Bede, which employs about 100 at its headquarters on the Belmont Industrial Estate, near Durham City, is in the process of shedding 11 jobs
The tetrathlon season culminated in the Area 2 qualifier for the Championships at Foxberry Chasers UK in Caldwell, courtesy of Mr & Mrs P Metcalfe. The Open and Novice individuals and teams were competing for championship places at Moreton Morrell
A CREWLESS Ghost Ship sailed into the River Tyne yesterday after its maiden voyage from the Shetlands. The spectral ship is an art project by US artist Chris Burden, who had the idea in 1991, when he was going to sail three small Ghost Ships from South
Britain 2005: On the day the IRA gives up its weapons, armed police go on patrol at North-East railway stations in the fight against the new generation of terrorists. The IRA last night began preparations to get rid of all weapons and explosives as the
THE steady erosion of the services provided by the Royal Mail and the Post Office in rural areas continues inexorably. Pilot schemes proposed for Leeming Bar, Crakehall and North Stainley - under which opening hours are slashed - look like becoming the
GUY Wilks has hailed as stunning Suzuki's all-new Swift Super 1600 rally car, ahead of its debut in round five of the Junior World Rally Championship in Finland next month. The brand new Swift has recently received type approval from the FIA, which governs
SO THERE'S going to be an on-the-spot fine for those caught feeding feral pigeons in Darlington town centre, not only because of the damage the birds do, but also because they can spread disease. Pity the borough council isn't so concerned about the same
A COUNCILLOR has challenged ambulance bosses to guarantee lives will not be put at risk by station closure plans. Three weeks ago, the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) outlined controversial proposals to replace traditional rural ambulance stations
A NEW national headquarters in Thirsk has been handed over to one of the UK's leading cycle clothing and outdoor accessory distributors. The £1.4m purpose-designed base on the industrial park has been officially handed over to Zyro after being completed
A COUNTY Durham leisure centre has achieved a nationally recognised award at its first attempt. Teesdale Sports Centre has gained Quest accreditation, which is the country's leading award for excellence in service quality within the sports and leisure
Ever since I was young I have been fascinated by Rome, an interest no doubt fuelled by its exciting portrayal in numerous films. As a child, if I was ever asked where I was going, I used to answer "Rome". "Rome?" would come the inevitable retort from
EXTRA tickets have gone on sale for an evening of Shakespeare at a County Durham castle. Due to popular demand Raby Castle, near Staindrop, is selling more tickets for the Chapterhouse Theatre Company's performance of Macbeth tomorrow. The tickets will
MONTHS of misery for drivers in Darlington town centre were virtually at an end this week. Workmen have been putting the finishing touches to extensive roadworks along St Cuthbert's Way. The council says the benefits of the £400,000 scheme are already
GARETH Breese continued his love affair with Taunton yesterday, taking five for 83 before a day of interesting tactics ended with Durham declining to enforce the follow-on against Somerset. After the hosts lost their last four wickets on 303 they trailed
IT is one of those places where there always seems to be a lot of cars parked outside. That in itself is a good advert for any pub. For to attract people in, it's handy to look busy and popular from the word go. And The Fox Covert at High Leven, just
Is it furniture? Or is it sculpture? Whatever it is, Peter Cummings' work is both beautiful and comfortable. PETER Cummings makes furniture that defies categorising: beautiful to look at, wonderful to sit on, incredibly practical. And, of course, expensive
NORTH American bison have found they are as much at home on the range in Yorkshire as on the prairies. A business venture to produce heart-friendly meat has led to the introduction of the animals on ancient parkland at Hornby Castle, near Bedale. Owners
QUARRY firm Tarmac is offering to give to the nation 60 acres of land around the controversial Thornborough Henges site in North Yorkshire. The surprise move could mean some of the ancient earthworks would be visible for the first time in living memory
VISITORS to an arboretum will get the chance to see six different species of bat tomorrow. Thorpe Perrow Arboretum, near Bedale, is holding a batwatching event, from 7.30pm. John Drewett, who is a member of the Bat Conservation Trust, will lead a two-and-a-half
The Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond, is to give candlelit tours to help visitors imagine how the venue looked in the late 18th Century. Laura Hannaway, theatre spokeswoman, said: "The theatre is stripping back to its essentials to an age when candlelight
EXTRA tickets have gone on sale for an evening of Shakespeare at a County Durham castle. Due to popular demand Raby Castle, near Staindrop, is selling more tickets for the Chapterhouse Theatre Company's performance of Macbeth tomorrow. The tickets will
SIXTY years ago, Hilda and Wilf Davies were married at St John's Church in Meadowfield, near East Durham. They had booked a photographer, but as the wedding party waited at the church door, he disappointingly failed to turn up. But, six decades on, the
YOUNG people with a range of learning and physical disabilities have been attending a textiles summer school in Darlington. Two artists have been working with the youngsters to make a traditional Nomad tent - known as a yurt - by creating the basic wooden
Big Boy Bloater and his South Side Stompers will perform at Darlington Arts Centre next Friday. The six-piece band will play in the Garden Bar from 8pm. Tickets are £8.50 from the box office on (01325) 486555.
A BUS company has been criticised for changes to services it is introducing next week. The moves by Sunderland-based Arriva will see the withdrawal of the 235 bus between Durham and Middlesbrough from Monday. Alternative services will be provided by services
TWO teams were bowled over by the success of an annual bowls match in Spennymoor. The Rotary Clubs of Crook and Durham Bede competed in the traditional bowls match, which the latter won. Afterwards, the two sides retired to the Crook Rotary Club base,
RESIDENTS are being asked to report young people acting suspiciously on school property over the summer holidays. Darlington's Community Safety Partnership, led by the borough council and the police, is asking anyone to report youths who are acting suspiciously
A GROUP of youngsters from a nuclear-stricken area of the Ukraine were guests at a football game last night. Children and their leaders from Chernobyl were invited to Willington AFC's friendly against Murton, where they were given the VIP treatment. They
A PROJECT which has been more than five years in the making is finally to be unveiled in Northallerton. The Millennium Fountain and Memorial Garden in the Applegarth will be officially opened on Saturday, September 3, at 11.30. The ceremony will be open
A FATHER-of-two who attacked his partner's sister in front of her and their children escaped a jail sentence yesterday. Scott Milner pleaded guilty at Harrogate Magistrates' Court to assault on Janina Kozyra, the sister of his partner, Carie Burndred,
YOUNG anglers were yesterday rewarded for their efforts in a national crimefighting competition. Teenagers from the Knaresborough Road estate, in Harrogate, have set up the Mapplebeck Anglers' Association. The group has been such a success that it won
A YOUNG local driver will be putting his foot down in search of top honours when a major motor racing event is held near Bedale next weekend, writes Brian Redhead. About 5,000 spectators are expected to converge on the national autograss championships
A RUNDOWN allotment has been given a makeover by members of a local daycare centre. Six people who attend the Havelock Day Centre in Hartlepool have been working together to spruce up the allotment at Burn Valley. It now boasts a greenhouse and shed,
A DISC jockey hopes revellers will dance the night away in memory of his sadly-missed aunt. Scott McKinley wants fans of funky house, pumping electro-funk and party-techno to lift the roof of Hartlepool's Borough Hall on Saturday, August 6 - and help
A WOMAN was arrested after a suspected £200 worth of heroin was recovered from a house yesterday. Officers from Stockton Police's drugs unit raided the address in Cornforth Close, in the Hardwick area of town. Heroin and cash was recovered from the property
A FINAL call has gone out to residents in a Teesside town to back a local forum or see it wound up. Thornaby Community Forum (TCF) was set up about five years ago to give residents a platform to voice their concerns. In recent months, however, the numbers
DROPPING cigarette butts in a town centre is burning a hole in smokers' pockets - and will continue to do so. Smokers caught flinging away dog-ends in the streets of central Middlesbrough are being issued with £50 on-the-spot fines, with the threat of
TWO men were stabbed a total of five times with a knife during a fight on a Metro train. The victims, aged 22 and 23 and from the Seaburn area, boarded the last train for Sunderland at Newcastle Central Station at 11.20pm, on July 16, following a night
LEISURE centres have lined up a programme of events to keep youngsters busy throughout the summer holidays. Hambleton District Council runs its Hyper Holidays scheme during each school break. Last summer, it played host to more than 2,000 children. This
A SECURE unit for troubled teenagers in Derwentside is to house a new centre especially for 17-year-old female offenders - if it is approved by planners. The modern 16-bed building will be at Hassockfield Secure Training Centre in Corbridge Road, Consett
PLANNERS in Richmondshire say changes are needed to the proposed upgrade of the A1 to motorway standard to improve road safety and ensure villages do not see increased congestion. While generally welcoming the scheme from Dishforth to Barton, officers
A PART-TIME firefighter from Goathland has been given a special award after becoming what is believed to be the nation's longest-serving volunteer. Mick Atkinson, 70, who still farms at Goathland House Farm, was one of the original volunteers when the
SHOOTING estates in the region are predicting a poor grouse season this year as an infestation of worms threatens much of the country's population. The resurgence of the strongyle worm has meant many shoots across northern England and Scotland will be
A PIECE of the North-East's railway heritage has been sold to raise money towards renovating a coach house that provided one of the first passenger services in the world. A farmhouse attached to The Daniel Adamson Coach House, in Shildon, County Durham
BACK in 1993, when a young artist named Antony Gormley was suggesting building a rusty iron statue next to the A1 at Gateshead, 20 metres high, with a wing span the size of a jumbo jet, there was uproar. Furious locals complained about the waste of money
GLORIOUS Goodwood and three of our northern raiders - David Nicholls, David Barker and Mark Johnston - have already hit the mark on the Sussex Downs. Nicholls has always defended his two-year-old Strike Up The Band, who broke slowly in two hot races earlier
LOGISTICS group Exel reported a 42 per cent rise in UK trading profits, despite problems facing key customers in the beer and retail sectors. Exel, which is based in Bracknell and employs more than 100 staff on Teesside, said new business with retailers
BRITISH American Tobacco (BAT) reported an eight per cent rise in half-year profits yesterday only two weeks after announcing the closure of a cigarette factory in the UK. Profits of £1.21bn before exceptional items were boosted by a six per cent rise
AN 18-year-old has been ordered to pay compensation after stealing hundreds of pounds from Darlington Football Club. Andrew Brigham, from Barnes Road, Darlington, used to work in the ticket office at the club's Williamson Motors Stadium. The teenager
THE Northern Rock gave the regional economy a £60m shot in the arm yesterday, paving the way for up to 3,500 new jobs. The mortgage lender wants to develop an office complex at Rainton Bridge, Sunderland, as part of its expansion plans. The £60m development
YORKSHIRE farmers joined 6,000 farmers from Holland, France, Germany, Poland and Norway as well as the UK at a major rally in Brussels to save the UK sugar industry. Last week's demonstration, organised by CIBE, the European sugar producers' organisation
SUNDERLAND'S defensive problems worsened last night when Danny Collins revealed he had suffered a recurrence of his Achilles injury in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Hull. With the start of the Premiership season now little more than a fortnight away, both
HALF of North-East smokers who pledge to quit the habit fail within four weeks, new figures have revealed. Only 53 per cent joining NHS Stop Smoking schemes in County Durham and Tees Valley followed through on their pledges. It meant 11,159 of the 36,846
Health Editor Barry Nelson talks to Shaun Hockey, who spotted a gap in the pharmacy market and decided to fill it. THOUSANDS of people visit a pharmacy in the North-East every day. We all take it for granted that we can nip down to Boots, Superdrug or
AN £11m project aims to make the Tees Valley a world leader in digital technology and computer animation. The Institute of Digital Innovation, to be built by the Teesside University and One NorthEast, is expected to create almost 300 jobs and 130 new
STAFF and haulage drivers at Tarmac's Nosterfield Quarry have collected a petition with more than 300 signatures in support of their jobs. It calls on North Yorkshire County Council to consider the value of employment provided by the quarry when considering
A 100-STRONG fleet of schooners, clippers and square-riggers sailed out of the Tyne on the last leg of the Tall Ships Race yesterday - leaving an economic and tourism bonanza for North-East in their wake. An estimated 1.5 million people visited the Newcastle
TWO local authorities met this week to discuss the possibility that RAF Leeming could become the home of a new aircraft. The base has been shortlisted as one of five possible bases for the Joint Combat Aircraft, expected to enter service in 2010 as a
BY the time we arrived at Monk Park Farm, owner Mark Hebdon was pretty cheesed off. He'd already had to chase an escaped llama and was fielding calls from the Press about the possibility of having to get rid of his wallabies and fallow deer if he refused
TWO people were arrested yesterday in connection with the death of a schoolboy after a house fire. Dean Pike died following the late-night blaze at his home Mordey Close, Deerness Park, Sunderland, on June 24. A 19-year-old woman has been arrested on
THERE is a clear irony in the timing of the IRA's announcement that it is giving up its arms. As Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams was describing the move as "a defining point in the search for a lasting peace", police carrying guns were on patrol at railway
AN experienced Army mountaineer died in a tragic accident when he lost his footing and fell during a military exercise, an inquest heard yesterday. Major David Knight, 53, was walking on Ben Cruacahan at Taynuilt, near Oban, when he slipped and fell down
STEWART Downing might be 21 years of age but, despite falling outside the age limit, the Middlesbrough midfielder could still play a pivotal role in this evening's UEFA European Under-19 Championship final. He will not be appearing on the pitch as England
THE newest museum in Cleveland takes a bow on Yorkshire Day. Redcar and Cleveland Council is proudly opening Winkies Castle, a tiny cottage in Marske High Street on Monday. The ceremony will complete more than two years' work in restoring the home of
THE restoration of flower-rich meadows will be a key aim of Defra's soon-to-be-launched Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. It is expected to lead to rising demand for local seed from identifiable locations, but only a limited amount is available. Defra,
COUNCIL tenants in Teesdale have voted overwhelmingly to transfer their council houses to a new housing association. In the highest voter turn-out in the region for such a ballot, nearly 90pc of residents voted in favour of the transfer. The move was
A DISABLED woman who dreamed for two decades of scaling a landmark has finally reached the peak, thanks to the kindness of a rescue team. Although Rosemary Berks has conquered many things in her life, she never managed to climb Roseberry Topping, near
NEARLY a year after a North-East airport changed its name, road signs across the region still bear its former title. Although Teesside Airport became Durham Tees Valley Airport in September last year, 60 road signs on some of the North-East's major roads
TORRENTIAL rain partially flooded the Pembrey circuit in South Wales last weekend but it couldn't prevent Dave Bellerby from Northallerton recording his second straight K&N Filters SuperModified win coupled with a great drive into third place in the
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed of last week. Fwd: 1,647 sheep. Lt lambs to 106p av 98.8p; std to 107p av 103.7p; med to 113p av 105.8p; heavy to 107p av 102.8p. Cast sheep: Cont £42; Mule £39; Suff £36; Swale £29.50; Blackface £30. DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last
SEARCH and rescue operations in the Yorkshire Dales have been helped by the Gannett Foundation. The charitable trust of the Darlington & Stockton Times' parent company has given £3,500 to Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team. The money has been used to
ARTWORK that comes in small boxes from a vending machine is the latest novel way to acquire pictures. The project, originally developed in London, has been running for ten years but is comparatively new to this region. Only 14 machines are located at
FROM this newspaper 150 years ago. - The Bill for amalgamating the York Newcastle and Berwick, York and North Midland, and Leeds Northern Railways was read a third time on Monday and passed in the House of Lords. The amalgamated lines will henceforth
Musician Geoff Phillips will be back in the spotlight when his vintage bass guitar comes up for auction on the BBC TV show Flog It! Mr Phillips, 59, of Durham City, is parting with his 500/3 Hofner, which he played in the pop band Jerome when he was a
A WOODEN sculpture carved by Wensleydale schoolchildren to mark the millennium has been wrecked by vandals. The 8ft revolving structure on the roadside between Bainbridge and Hawes was targeted on Saturday night or early Sunday, when carved animals were
THE Northern Rock gave the regional economy a £60m shot in the arm yesterday, paving the way for up to 3,500 new jobs. The mortgage lender wants to develop an office complex at Rainton Bridge, Sunderland, as part of its expansion plans. The £60m development
Wentworth Park WI: The July meeting was held in Ouston Community Centre. President Audrey Stephenson asked members to observe a two minute silence in memory of the people suffering as a result of the recent London bomb attacks. Audrey also welcomed two
MARK JOHNSTON'S motto 'Always Trying' has never been more evident than today when the Middleham trainer lines up five horses in an attempt to scoop Glorious Goodwood's £150,000 totesport Mile. Johnston has made no secret of the fact that prize-money is
Bedale & West of Yore PC. - Aug 21: junior ODE, 12 years & under, at Catterick Saddle Club. Schedules M Slinger, 21 Stuart Avenue, Richmond DL10 4PG, tel (office hours) 01748 872661. Cleveland Hunt PC. - Dressage practice at Upsall Grange every
NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd last night drew a line under summer speculation regarding the future of Lee Bowyer by insisting the controversial midfielder would not be leaving St James' Park. Bowyer's importance to the Magpies was underlined on Wednesday
DURHAM'S medieval manor is opening its gardens to art lovers as it hosts its sixth annual summer exhibition. Art In The Garden will be held at Crook Hall, Sidegate, every day in August, apart from Fridays, and will feature the work of 18 Northern arts
A 21-year-old classroom assistant died when her car hit a street light after a collision involving another vehicle. Anna Claire Young, of Consett, County Durham, died after losing control of her Ford Fiesta after it was involved in an accident with a
TRIBUTES have been paid to a North Yorkshire road policing officer who died in a motorbike accident on Wednesday. PC Glenn Robinson, 46, was riding his own motorcycle home to Harrogate when he was involved in an accident with a car on the A59, seven miles
A MAN who was accused of entering a woman's home and raping her as she slept was cleared by a jury yesterday. Steven George Mason, 28, was found not guilty of raping the 34-year-old woman at Teesside Crown Court. A formal not guilty verdict was entered
FARMERS and landowners are being offered cash to grow trees in the Yorkshire Dales. The incentive is part of a drive by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to increase the amount of woodland in the area. "New woods provide shelter for wildlife
THOUSANDS of visitors attended the Teesdale Food and Craft Festival at Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, at the weekend. They were treated to some of the region's best farm-fresh food, pickles and preserves, cheeses and curry and organic produce. Market stalls
The Chaos Clinic (five): 'I HATE clutter and clutter hates me," declared Meg Connell, who runs a clinic for the chronically disorganised. I hate copycat programmes like this which clutter the schedules on every channel. The show's chief merit is that,
A police officer who resigned after pleading guilty to making and possessing child pornography has been jailed. Family man David Bright, 41, a former police constable in Northumbria Police, had pleaded guilty to 43 child pornography charges. Bright, from
CONGESTION hot spots in Darlington are not being addressed in a new transport scheme, councillors have been told. At a full council meeting on Thursday of last week, critics said the town was "stagnant" and that more traffic snarl-ups were on the way
NEWCASTLE United's latest signing Emre and Scott Parker could get make their first appearances for their new club tonight. The pair are in line to face Hartlepool United as the Magpies send an XI to Victoria Park. With the Intertoto Cup campaign well
THE summer's gone. As I sit here at Taunton with the Quantocks barely discernible through the thick drizzle, a glance at even the more reputable national newspapers confirms that the football season is upon us. We are 1-0 down in the Ashes, so badly beaten
ENGLISH lecturer Mike Harrison has cooked up his life story in what is proving to be a best-selling book of recipes. Formerly of Durham City, Mr Harrison left home more than two decades ago to travel the world and has now put down his roots in Dubai.
TWINS Laura and Helen Taylor have proved they are anything but double trouble after netting identical degrees from university. The inseparable pair collected first class honours degrees in Human Resource Management from Northumbria University. Laura and
BY BRIAN THOIMPSON PAUL DRINKHALL from Loftus produced a "five star" performance to become the European cadet boys singles champion last Sunday in Prague. He also took the gold medal in the cadet team event for England; and collected a silver in the individual
A TEAM of council staff has earned a gold medal at the annual Royal Horticultural Society's Flower Show. The show took place at Tatton Park, in Cheshire, and the team, from Chester-le-Street District Council's environmental services, will be able to stand
PLANS to create a war memorial garden in Egglescliffe have taken a step closer to fruition. Egglescliffe Parish Council considered a sketch plan drawn up by Sarah Edwards, an environmental development officer at Stockton Borough Council, for the village's
PEOPLE in County Durham are being reminded of the non-emergency police telephone number. Cards are being sent to 300,000 homes with the number - 0845 606 0365 - which was introduced for routine calls in April as part of a shake-up in the force's communications
A COUPLE'S struggle to take care of their two disabled children in cramped conditions has finally ended. Helen Blackburn and Alistair Howe, from Frosterley, made an impassioned plea to Wear Valley District Council to find them suitable accommodation for
CHILDREN braved driving rain yesterday to take part in a drumming workshop at a Darlington nature reserve. The event, at the Brinkburn reserve, off Brinkburn Road, was organised by Darlington Borough Council. As the children enjoyed the session, staged
AN American punk band has been lined up for the next gig at a recently re-established Durham venue. The Misfits, who formed in 1977 and are known for their horror movie imagery, will be playing Dunelm House, the 700-capacity Durham Student Union building
A man accused of killing a pensioner and wounding a teenager when he and an accomplice sprayed a bar with bullets told a court yesterday he had nothing to do with the shootings. Robert Chapman is accused of bursting into the Tap and Barrel pub in Hendon
THE ruling Liberal Democrats of Durham City Council are promising residents "even better services'' in future, thanks to what they say is the city council's sound financial footing. But their Labour opponents say there is concern about the sell-off of
CONCERNS have been raised about features of the proposed A1 upgrade in North Yorkshire. Council planners said the £320m scheme to make the dual carriageway between Dishforth and Barton into a three-lane motorway could increase traffic on minor roads and
A DRINK-DRIVER from Darlington has been banned from the roads for two years. Stephen Rowley was also fined £300 for driving after consuming an excessive amount of alcohol and a further £100 after pleading guilty to having no insurance. The 41-year-old
A HEARTBROKEN family has made a fresh appeal to trace their pet dog, who was lost during floods. Dewi, an 11-year-old border collie, disappeared after floods tore through Rye Boarding Kennels at Hawnby, northern Ryedale, on June 19. Owner Julie Eccleston
STREET theatre, music, an arts trail and an Elvis Presley celebration will form part of Knaresborough's Festival of Entertainment and Visual Arts (Feva) next month. The event is launched in the Market Place on August 12 at noon by street entertainers
THE English beef market is expected to remain robust, despite higher than expected production during the first half of the year. The loss of headage payments and an indifferent spring saw producers take advantage of their new-found marketing flexibility
THERE is only one Yorkshire - but four different ways of saying it! The Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity, the oath of fealty sworn by true Yorkshiremen and women on Yorkshire Day will be read out in four languages across east Cleveland on Monday. They
A SCHEME to tackle anti-social behaviour over the summer holidays has been launched by police in South Bank. Bobbies Hobbies, which has been running for several years, was set up to demonstrate to local youngsters that getting involved in the project
UNIVERSITIES are becoming increasingly dependent on academics from abroad, a survey has revealed. The result of the investigation by the Times Higher Education Supplement has prompted fears that the number of British students considering academic careers
MIDDLEHAM Key Centre must become more commercial to ensure its future, residents and managers have agreed. Centre manager Judith Brickwood told an open meeting that charges for community activities must rise or volunteers be found to run sessions. As
FIRE brigade bosses in Teesside said they were disappointed after being rated only 'fair' in a Government inspection. The assessment by a team from the Audit Commission was based on how well they felt Cleveland Fire Authority was being run. The fire authority
THE number of people complaining about hospitals run by the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust has doubled in the past year. Marian Pearson, executive director of nursing, told the trust board meeting that the increases were in complaints
TWO young tennis players are hoping to go far in their chosen sport after serving, volleying and smashing their way to the attention of selectors. Fifteen-year-old Northallerton College students David Foster, of Knayton, and Nick Gledhill, of Romanby,
A PLANNING chairman's casting vote has given the go-ahead to controversial plans to re-site a large building for use by landscape contractors in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Councillors on an area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to two separate road accidents in the Crook area. On Wednesday, at 7.30am, a motorcyclist on a Suzuki 1400cc tried to overtake a tractor and trailer at Billy Row Bank on the B6298, close to a junction off North Lane.
A COUNCIL says that more people are obeying a rule not to over-fill their wheelie bins. Chester-le-Street District Council ordered its dustmen not to empty wheelie bins, which are so full that the lids cannot be closed, because council officers say it
A BUS company has been criticised for changes to services it is introducing next week. The moves by Sunderland-based Arriva will see the withdrawal of the 235 bus between Durham and Middlesbrough from Monday. Alternative services will be provided by buses
A DARLINGTON man avoided being sent to prison after admitting a vicious and unprovoked attack. Ross Ainslie, 26, of Lowson Street, is today starting an 18-month community punishment and rehabilitation order and has been ordered to pay £1,500 compensation
A TEESDALE village is gearing up for its annual carnival next week. The Middleton-in-Teesdale carnival celebrations run from Wednesday until Sunday. Events include a car treasure hunt, cycle and fell races, a show night and the traditional procession
THIS year's celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar will have special meaning for one County Durham village. For a hero of that mighty conflict was a son of Heighington - William Pryce Cumby. The bravery and sacrifice of many
STORYTELLERS and actors will weave yarns of mystery and magic next month with the return of the annual storytelling festival - Tales from the Tees. It celebrates the age-old link between woodland and storytelling and performers will appear at a number
TOWN councillors have demanded proof that they are getting value for money after investing nearly £50,000 in a regeneration body. A breakdown of work done by the Richmond Swale Valley Community Initiative and a detailed plan of action for future years
RESIDENTS are preparing for a second battle against a housing development with coach and car parking in upper Teesdale Villagers plan to object to proposals for 27 terrace houses with parking for 48 cars and four coaches in Bridge Street, Middleton in
WHEN Sir William Turner's Almshouses at Kirkleatham offered to provide a speaker to visit local groups, the trustees had no idea of the popularity of the idea. Peter Sotheran, chairman of the trustees, has just given three illustrated talks to groups
KILLER 7. Publisher: Capcom. Formats: PS2, GameCube. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? Not at all. VIDEO GAMES have always courted controversy. Only last week Hillary Clinton was telling the US Congress how interactive gaming was a disgrace and something
YOUNG dressage riders from North Yorkshire were placed sixth in the national finals of a competition. The four members of Bedale Riding for the Disabled entered a video of their musical ride to the charity's annual competition. After getting through the
HISTORIANS are retracing an epic journey taken by a prince during the English Civil War. Seven riders are following in the footsteps of Royalist Prince Rupert, who led an army over the Pennines from Liverpool to lift the siege of York in 1644. The attempt
THE battle over some of Britain's most important prehistoric remains has taken a new turn - with workers threatened by the row making a plea for their jobs. Staff and haulage drivers at Nosterfield Quarry, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, fear their future
