Archive

Solutions ACROSS 1 Matins. MA(TIN)S 5 Perverse. PER+VERSE (rep rev.) 9 Bitterness. (anag.) 10 Role. (p)ROLE 11 Estrange. E+STRANGE 12 Greats. (anag.) 13 Swoop. SW(O)OP (pows rev.) 15 Entertain. ENTER+T(A)IN 18 Foretaste. (anag

Cryptic Clues ACROSS 1 Vessel held by mothers in service (6) 5 Wayward salesman turns to poetry (8) 9 Doctor tests brine for sharpness (10) 10 Worker loses piano part (4) 11 Alienate European leader? Extraordinary! (8) 12 Reg sat rewritten

The Government may not act on recommendations made during the inquiry into disgraced surgeon Richard Neale until next year, it has emerged. Although the investigation reported almost two months ago, no action has been taken on the recommendations it

THE General Medical Council (GMC) said it would not be in the public interest for disgraced surgeon Richard Neale to be restored to the medical register. The GMC, which monitors UK doctors, was responding to concerns the former North Yorkshire gynaecologist

DETECTIVES have confirmed that the second investigation into disgraced surgeon Richard Neale is continuing as it reaches its first anniversary. The inquiry, involving a six-strong team of detectives and support workers, was started in July last year

It is hard to believe that five years have elapsed since Richard Neale was struck off the British Medical Register; even harder to believe that it is seven years since we formed the Action and Support Group for Medical Victims of Richard Neale back

A member of the General Medical Council (GMC) appeared before one of the group's disciplinary panels yesterday over job references he gave for disgraced surgeon Richard Neale. Professor James Drife, from Leeds Medical School, is accused of painting

DISGRACED surgeon Richard Neale has been arrested after a lengthy police investigation. The former consultant gynaecologist, who was struck off for a catalogue of errors that left some patients in agonising pain and unable to have children, was arrested

A leading surgeon who quashed a patient's complaint against disgraced gynaecologist Richard Neale told a tribunal he felt the General Medical Council (GMC) "did not need to be bothered" with another case. Professor James Drife argued that the extra

A reporter is looking for sponsorship for a 450-mile walk to raise funds for an campaign organised by The Northern Echo. Echo man Chris Webber plans to walk from the site of Britain's oldest mine at Cissbury Ring, near Brighton, to Stanley, County

THE Northern Echo's campaign to mark the graves of the men and boys who died in the region's worst mining disaster has reached the other side of the world. New Zealand woman Frances Simpson's great grandmother lost her husband and two sons in the 1909

NORTHERN Echo reporter Chris Webber has set off on a 450-mile walk in support of a campaign to mark the mass grave of the victims of a pit disaster. Mr Webber will walk from the site of Britain's oldest mine, at Cissbury Ring, near Brighton, to Stanley

THE Northern Echo's campaign to erect a memorial to the forgotten victims of the region's worst mining disaster is nearing its target. Trustees charged with spending the cash raised by the newspaper's readers believe they are months away from unveiling

Dozens of long-forgotten tragic and heroic tales of the region's worst pit disaster have emerged since The Northern Echo launched its campaign to mark the mass burial graves of the 168 victims three years ago. Chris Webber tells of an emotional campaign

AFTER nearly three years, a campaign to raise money to mark the mass graves of the the region's worst pit disaster has reached its target. The £5,600 needed to mark the trenches in Stanley, County Durham, where many of the 168 victims of the West Stanley

FIFTY veterans of a decisive Second World War battle gathered yesterday to remember their fallen comrades. A service was held in York Minster before wreaths were laid at the Kohima Memorial in Minster Gardens. Those that died in the battle were remembered

MARK VIDUKA faces a race to prove his fitness ahead of Middlesbrough's UEFA Cup semi-final tomorrow night after missing training once again. The Australian striker, who sat out the first leg with Steaua Bucharest and Sunday's FA Cup semi-final defeat

CONTRACTORS in the Wembley Stadium fiasco accused each other of dirty tricks as their multi-million pound battle finally reached the High Court yesterday. Darlington construction group Cleveland Bridge is being sued by Multiplex for damages. In return

FORMER miners at the North-East's last deep pit could get back-pay of about £2m after a tribunal found a company had lied to them about why it closed. About 350 people lost their jobs when Ellington Colliery, in Northumberland, closed after flooding.

UK INDEPENDENCE PARTY : UKIP contains former voters from all parties, so why are we supposed to be "extreme right-wing" or racist? Replies welcome. At the heart of all UKIP policies is a belief in people power. Our manifesto suggests a referendum at either

DURHAM skipper Dale Benkenstein will be hoping to erase the only blot on his excellent first season when he leads a revenge mission against Lancashire at Riverside, starting today. Having beaten Essex by an innings in the second of his four championship

Jens Lehmann wrote himself into the Arsenal history books with a last-minute penalty save to the put the Gunners in their first European Cup final. Lehmann saved from Riquelme in the 90th minute after Gael Clichy had been harshly penalised for a push

DEVELOPERS are unveiling plans for housing estates on two sites in south Durham. Banks Developments is submitting outline planning applications for plots of land in Tow Law and West Cornforth. The company wants to build 20 houses and a 40-bed nursing

A VILLAGE maypole has been replaced, renewing a family tradition dating back three generations. The original maypole in Ovington Village, near Barnard Castle, is thought to have been erected about 100 years ago, but was replaced in the 1940s. The replacement

YOUNG people from a north Durham secondary school have been given funds to help them do outdoor activities. Year ten pupils from Blackfyne Community School in Consett were given £500 to buy gear to help them in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Keith

A DANCE school has repeated a successful raid on Yorkshire after sweeping many categories in a recent championship. Members of the Linda Camsell School of Dance returned to County Durham from the 20th East Coast Freestyle Dance Festival with an array

"MORE adventurous ways of fundraising" should be explored to pay for a £5m bridge to ease traffic congestion around a busy level crossing at Northallerton, councillors have been told. Last month, the executive of North Yorkshire County Council agreed

SECURITY guards who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union working for MacLellan in the North Tyneside and Newcastle area went on strike yesterday in a two-day work stoppage over pay. The strike by the 46 security guards, which

WARNINGS were sounded last night about the strain placed on youngsters facing exams after a stressed teenage boy killed himself with a shotgun. Matthew Ibbott, a 17-year-old who was worried about his A-levels, shot himself in the head at his home in Durham

MUSIC from around the world will be performed by Darlington Orchestra at a concert to celebrate their 60th anniversary. Their Around the World in 80 Minutes show is being described by organisers as a good introduction to classical music, and the concert's

A DISUSED railway route is to form the basis of a 12-mile tourism trail. The Barnard Castle to West Auckland railway line opened in 1863 and closed in 1964. The proposed South-West Durham Heritage Corridor project will form an all-weather track suitable

burglar Lee Woodward was slapped in the face by his victim's daughter, a court was told. Magistrates heard how Amy Bell, 20, tackled Woodward about his crime when they met in a local pub. But that led to Bell, of Stockwell View, Knaresborough, facing

AN alcohol free zone is being called for to tackle the problem of anti-social youngsters in Thirsk. Thirsk Town Council said gangs of youngsters were drinking and causing vandalism in the town. The teenagers meet regularly at Mill Gardens and at a picnic

BUSINESSMEN hoping to develop an eco-park on a Teesside housing estate claim they have been sent "threatening and obscene" anonymous e-mails. Paul Nelson and Ian Howlett, who run Nunthorpe Nurseries group, have submitted plans for a six-acre site north

TESCO reinforced its dominance of the retail sector yesterday by reporting annual profits of £2.21bn - a rise of nearly 17 per cent on a year earlier. The latest improvement included a 10.7 per cent rise in total sales at its UK stores, even though the

HOORAH for housework - it could be better than Valium. And I never thought I'd say that. Being one of nature's sluts - our house is not exactly a threat to public health, but we have a lot of happy spiders - housework is not my favourite pastime. Yet

AN animal cruelty investigation was under way last night after the carcasses of 24 cattle and sheep were discovered at a North-East farm. Animal welfare experts are still examining the site near an old quarry off the A689, at Eastgate, in Weardale. Police

MICHAEL DODS' flying start to the Flat season seems all set to continue apace with Toy Top (4.55) at Catterick today. With his team firing on all cylinders, Dods is wasting no time whipping Toy Top out again having finished runner-up on a frustrating

A WOMAN told a court today how her partner made a confession just minutes after starting a blaze which killed a schoolboy. Ashley Lawson, now 20, was having a relationship with Terry Majinusz, 41, when 11-year-old Dean Pike's home was destroyed by fire

A NORTH-East hairdresser has denied murdering a casino boss in a frenzied knife attack. Dean Wood, 28, pleaded not guilty, via video link, at Leeds Crown Court today to the killing of Barry DeLacy, 62, of York Place, Leeds. The court heard the divorced

NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd will hold showdown talks with the Premier League next week after deciding Glenn Roeder is the man he wants as his manager next season. With Martin O'Neill having been removed from the race to succeed Graeme Souness,

SAGA will create 30 jobs in the region with the launch of a commercial radio station for the over-50s. The group, best known for its holidays and financial services, is looking for premises in Newcastle for Saga 97.5FM. Saga was awarded the North-East

Mark Proctor has warned failure to reach the play-offs will come at a cost for some Darlington players who are out of contract this summer. The majority of the squad's deals are up for renewal at the end of the season, and Proctor admits some will be

THE patron saint of journalists and writers is St Francis de Sales, a 17th century Bishop of Geneva who once famously remarked that more flies were attracted to a spoonful of honey than to a barrel full of vinegar. That the circulation department sounds

CAR maker Nissan last night said the construction of a factory in Russia would not affect production levels at its Wearside plant. As Nissan posted record income of £2.62bn, it announced it was building a plant in St Petersburg, producing 50,000 cars

THE man who died after his car hit a brick wall in the early hours of Monday has been named by police. Alan Coxon, 31, from the Park End area of Middlesbrough, was driving east along Ladgate Lane, in the town, when his Mazda 323 left the road and hit

With the NHS job cuts and the cash for peerages row still rumbling, can Tony Blair last much longer as Labour leader? Parliamentary Correspondent Rob Merrick believes so - for now. THE biggest row raging at the moment is whether the troubled NHS is facing

WARNINGS were sounded last night about the strain placed on youngsters facing exams after a stressed teenage boy killed himself with a shotgun. Matthew Ibbott, a 17-year-old who was worried about his A-levels, shot himself in the head at his home in Durham

WITH the Football Association still expected to thrust a contract under Steve McClaren's face in the not-too-distant future, it is easy to forget that is only three months since the Middlesbrough boss was offered some rather less appealing job advice.

BOSSES at a cash-strapped hospital trust have been warned that spending cuts on temporary staff have to be speeded up. The County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is looking to shed 700 jobs over the next three years to adapt to changes

LEICESTER CITY are hoping to conclude negotiations with Danny Tiatto before making a decision on whether or not to sign Sunderland winger Andy Welsh on a permanent basis. Welsh has impressed since joining the Foxes on loan at the beginning of March and

A CONTROVERSIAL trade mission to Dubai has been hailed a success with at least one company chasing the prospect of lucrative contracts. Tanfield Foods, which makes convenience meals in Consett, County Durham, is hoping to seal a deal to supply two new

DURHAM County Council's deposed Labour leader says the controversial proposal to close council-run OAP homes cost him his job. "It all focused on residential care homes,'' said Councillor Ken Manton after losing 26 votes to 23 to former miner Albert Nugent

A HAND-HELD gadget that could speed the diagnosis of patients with liver and kidney disease is being developed in the region. Scientists from Electrochemical Sensor Technology (EST) Limited, based in Castle Eden, County Durham, are initially concentrating

HUNDREDS of police officers will attend a funeral Mass today for a colleague who died as he drove a suspect to the cells. Tributes have poured in for PC Joe Carroll, a much-loved beat officer in rural Northumberland, who died when his car overturned almost

CONTRACTORS in the Wembley Stadium fiasco accused each other of dirty tricks as their multi-million pound battle finally reached the High Court yesterday. Darlington construction group Cleveland Bridge is being sued by Multiplex for damages. In return

THE patron saint of journalists and writers is St Francis de Sales, a 17th century Bishop of Geneva who once famously remarked that more flies were attracted to a spoonful of honey than to a barrel full of vinegar. That the circulation department sounds

SENIOR councillors have hailed an event aimed at getting young people involved in their community as a success. Darlington Borough Council's youth service, Zone Active, Eastbourne Community Partnership and Darlington Football Club hosted the Atom event

PASSENGER figures on buses in Darlington have risen by up to ten per cent since free travel for elderly and disabled people was introduced. On Monday night, the borough's transport forum was told the increase in numbers has been "noticeable," even though

RESIDENTS can make savings on their family holidays - providing they do not go away during school term time. Hartlepool Borough Council has teamed up with Hays Travel to offer ten per cent off holidays taken before August 2007, which could save families

PARENTS angry at the sudden closure of their family centre as part of council spending cuts are to lobby for it to be re-opened. The Esh Winning Family Centre was shut by Durham County Council in November and the move was confirmed by the Labour-run authority's

We're not sure whether housework really is better than sex, but there's no doubt it's a great antidote to stress. HOORAH for housework - it could be better than Valium. And I never thought I'd say that. Being one of nature's sluts - our house is not exactly

TWO recruits have been appointed to key posts on Easington District Council's environmental services team. Ian Hoult has been named environmental enforcement manager and Tony Perrins is the authority's environmental services manager. Mr Hoult was formerly

ROYAL biographer Penny Junor has agreed to travel to Durham next month to help raise funds for the city's St Cuthbert's Hospice. As guest speaker at a fundraising lunch on May 17, Ms Junor will be revealing some fascinating inside stories and predicting

CLEVELAND fire chiefs are celebrating after slashing the number of arsons in the area. They say community safety and education initiatives have been successful in driving down the number of incidents attended by firefighters. With officers tackling a

PIGEON and poultry classes at one of the region's largest farming events have been cancelled because of fears of bird flu. The organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show announced their decision last night. This year's show runs from Tuesday, July 11, to

THE biggest row raging at the moment is whether the troubled NHS is facing a terminal crisis, or has simply caught a cold from which it can quickly recover. It is fair to say that opinion is similarly divided on the condition of Tony Blair, as the ninth

What was supposed to be an engineering triumph has turned into a winner-takes-all showdown in court. Nigel Burton and David Roberts report. IT is a David and Goliath battle between an Australian multinational with huge ambition and a plucky British contractor

NEWCASTLE city centre was brought to a standstill today as hundreds of people paid their last respects to a village bobby who died doing his duty. The funeral of Pc Joe Carroll, took place in Newcastles Roman Catholic Cathedral. His local church in Bellingham

THE patron saint of journalists and writers is St Francis de Sales, a 17th century Bishop of Geneva who once famously remarked that more flies were attracted to a spoonful of honey than to a barrel full of vinegar. That the circulation department sounds

We're not sure whether housework really is better than sex, but there's no doubt it's a great antidote to stress. HOORAH for housework - it could be better than Valium. And I never thought I'd say that. Being one of nature's sluts - our house is not exactly

TESCO reinforced its dominance of the retail sector yesterday by reporting annual profits of £2.21bn - a rise of nearly 17 per cent on a year earlier. The latest improvement included a 10.7 per cent rise in total sales at its UK stores, even though the

DURHAM County Council has a new leader after Labour Party councillors voted Albert Nugent into the post today. Coun Nugent ousted Ken Manton by three votes after he mounted a challenge to his leadership. Coun Manton had issued a back me or sack me ultimatum

IN an increasingly competitive world, the pressure youngsters are under as they prepare for exams should never be underestimated. The death of 17-year-old Matthew Ibbott is a tragic illustration of the dangers brought by that pressure and the difficult

Preparations to finally mark the mass graves of the men and boys who died in the region's worst pit disaster have started. Work is due to start on building the memorial stone by Scott's Memorials in Consett in the coming weeks. The stone, which

Preparations to finally mark the mass graves of the men and boys who died in the region's worst pit disaster have started. Work on a memorial stone is due to start in the coming weeks, with Scott's Memorials, in Consett, County Durham, carrying out

THE names of the men and boys who lie in mass burial trenches in a North-East town were recorded at their graveside yesterday - 96 years after their death. Tomorrow, the memorial to the victims of the 1909 West Stanley Pit explosion, in County Durham

A memorial marking the names of fathers, sons, brothers and friends, all victims of the 1909 Stanley pit disaster who lie in mass graves, was unveiled at their resting place at the weekend. Chris Webber was among those who attended. STANDING in snow

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)

DALES farmers are being urged to diversify to protect traditional crafts and skills and boost the prosperity of a region that was hit badly by the foot and mouth epidemic. Chief executive of the Wear Valley Development Agency Paul Robinson fears for

AN EDUCATION specialist will help adults in the region struggling with basic literacy and maths to combat their fears. Jeanette Trafford has been signed up as a North-East skills for life "learning champion" to lead a campaign to improve standards

A NEW jobs team aims to equip Wear Valley people with a growing number of opportunities for work. The Government-backed Action Team for Jobs project moved into the district three weeks ago and already has 34 people on its books, with the first successful