Archive

  • Huge blaze in city centre

    A MASSIVE blaze broke out at the site of a £100-million university development last night. At its height, more than 60 firefighters were needed to deal with the incident on the former Warner Bros cinema site in Falconer Street, off New Bridge Street,

  • Wartime ordnance discovered on beach

    EMERGENCY services have thrown a cordon around a North-East beach after an unexploded ordnance was spotted in the sea. A police spokesman said officers had been called to the South Promenade, in South Shields, at 3.15pm today. He said: "Police and coastguards

  • Teenager rescued after attempting river crossing

    A TEENAGER sparked a major rescue operation after going missing while trying to swim across one of the North-East most dangerous rivers. A lifeboat, coastguard and police, fire and ambulance officers were called to the River Wear, near Sunderland FCs

  • Pools as good as promoted to League One

    HARTLEPOOL United have all but secured League One football next season, after victory number 25 of the season. A win over Accringotn Stanley, coupled with MK Dons defeat to Shrewsbury, puts Pools 12 points clear of the fourth placed side with just 12

  • Beevers denies Darlington

    Darlington 1 - 1 Lincoln City LEE Beevers' strike 14 minutes from time denied Darlington a valuable win at the 96.TFM Arena. The Lincoln City defender dealt Darlington's play-off hopes a massive blow after Julian Joachim had given Quakers a first half

  • Ferryhill Town Youth

    Ferryhill under 10's sponsored by Joes Diner played away to Darlington TSC. The first half saw a very even game with neither team having any chances at scoring through some excellent defending by both teams. The second half saw a good run by Rhys Todd

  • Blair’s successsor

    THE Labour Party seems to be in a bit of a quandary as to who will take Tony Blair's place. It could do a lot worse than put Dr Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and Cleveland East, in Number 10. He always seems to be fighting some cause or being

  • Gurkha pensions

    I TOTALLY agree with Kev McStravick's views on the Gurkha pensions (HAS, Apr 4). My father fought alongside the Gurkhas during the Second World War in Burma, and he always said that they are the best fighting soldiers in the world. It is an absolute

  • Unitary councils

    YOUR story, "Council plans are undemocratic'" (Echo, Apr 2), made it clear that the consultation to take place by the Government over the setting up of one large unit of local government, and the scrapping of ones we now know well, will not extend

  • Phone penalties

    RE your story about people who drive while using their mobile phones (Echo, Mar 28). I spotted one of these idiots doing just that in a line of slow-moving vehicles. On pointing out the error of his ways all I got in reply was a two-fingered gesture

  • Iran

    REGARDING Hugh Pender's letter (HAS, Apr 2). He constantly allows his own prejudice to get in the way of reality. For anyone to suggest that proliferation of nuclear weapons would make the world safer is lunacy. It is tantamount to giving everyone

  • Religion

    CORRESPONDENT Frank Hickey (HAS, Apr 3) wants to know if I can name a humanist who "by his beliefs, has given any good of lasting benefit". Well, how about Bob Geldof? In fact, there are countless hundreds of millions of people who have done good

  • Thornaby Spitfire

    I WAS disappointed that your report on the Thornaby Spitfire dedication service (Echo, Apr 2) gave no mention to the many wartime veterans, some in wheelchairs, who took part in the parade; no mention of the air cadets who travelled from all over

  • Pensions scandal

    GORDON Brown has for years enjoyed a reputation as a brilliant Chancellor. That bubble has now been abruptly burst. He was told in advance, and in detail, his tax plans would devastate Britain's private pensions, then the envy of Europe. Specifically

  • Manager hails Moors' travelling supporters

    Spennymoor assistant manager Jason Ainsley has highlighted the club's army of supporters as a major factor after clinching the second division title with a 1-0 win at Penrith on Saturday. Over 150 fans made the journey across the Pennines, where a late

  • Birtley edging closer to title win

    Birtley Town overcame a potentially difficult game at Guisborough Black Swan to enhance their chances of clinching the championship and promotion to the Arngrove Northern League. David Campbell gave the home side the lead right on the interval before

  • Viduka future unclear

    IT'S been the longest running off-field story at Boro for years and there appears little sign of a swift conclusion to Mark Viduka's contract situation. The 31-year-old becomes a free agent next month and despite on-going talks between the club and the

  • Relegation no longer an issue at Riverside

    Middlesbrough 4, Watford 1. AFTER 44 minutes at the Riverside on Saturday an announcement over the public address system launched Exercise Echo One at which point around 100 police officers and stewards tore around the perimeter of the pitch and stood

  • Pools promotion party put on temporary hold

    Barnet 2, Hartlepool United 1. LAST week Danny Wilson returned to Barnsley for a celebration reunion dinner to mark the tenth anniversary of the club reaching the Premier League under his control. Celebrations at Hartlepool United to mark promotion this

  • Bad day at office, Ritchie

    RITCHIE Humphreys and Hartlepool United suffered a rare feeling on Saturday - that of a defeat. But, with five games to go, the defender is determined to make sure it's a one-off. Victory over Accrington Stanley at Victoria Park today should be enough

  • The criticism hurt, confesses Magpies skipper

    THE walking-wounded figure of Scott Parker insisted that Newcastle United remains after he hobbled out of the club's victory over Sheffield United. Seven days after being subjected to heavy criticism from sections of the natives on Tyneside, Parker delivered

  • Under fire Parker shows his worth in United fightback

    Sheffield United 1, Newcastle United 2. FOR nearly three-quarters of an hour after the full-time whistle, Glenn Roeder trudged disconsolately around the Bramall Lane turf. The Newcastle manager could have been surveying the wreckage of another Premiership

  • Was McCarthy's legacy a bad one?

    Sunderland 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. THERE is a commonly-held perception that when Mick McCarthy exited the Stadium of Light last March, the only legacy he left behind was an ingrained stain of failure. To chairman Niall Quinn, McCarthy's legacy was

  • Unsung hero Carvalho not forgotten by Jose

    Chelsea 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0. Ricardo Carvalho stepped out of the shadows to score one of the most important goals of Chelsea's season as the champions cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership to just three points. The former

  • Wenger admits Gunners feeling the pressure

    Arsenal 0, West Ham United 1. Arsene Wenger admits the need for Arsenal to get their bid for a top-four finish in the Premiership has now become ''urgent''. The Gunners suffered a third straight league defeat when relegation battlers West Ham became the

  • Cup is crucial to Europe, Hughes

    Blackburn manager Mark Hughes accepts that his side's only hope of securing a place in Europe is through the FA Cup and not their league position. Blackburn go into the showpiece game on the back of three successive defeats after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa

  • Pressure taking its toll as United lead cut to three points

    Portsmouth 2, Manchester United 1. The strained look on the faces of Manchester United's embarrassed superstars spoke more eloquently than words could ever do as they made their silent exit from a self-inflicted beating at Fratton Park. Merely being a

  • Talking Point: UEFA must act to curb thuggery in Europe

    WHEN 3,500 Italians arrive in Manchester this week ahead of the return leg of Roma's Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford, they will have to be on their guard for retaliatory attacks. But, unlike the United fans who were hospitalised after having

  • Washing down the pints with

    GREGGS the bakers has plans to open until the early hours - taking on other fast food favourites. The North-East firm hopes to tempt people coming out of pubs and clubs with its traditional range of savoury snacks, along with a selection of baked goods

  • First occupant for development

    A REGENERATION scheme has been boosted with the first arrival on the site. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is to relocate its offices to a site on the Middlehaven development in Middlesbrough. The new CPS building covers more than 16,000sq ft at Hudson

  • Region's economic future in spotlight

    A PUBLIC debate on the economic future of the North-East is to take place next month. Jobs or Bust: Is the North East economy running out of steam? will be held in Central Square, Newcastle, on Tuesday, May 8, at 7pm, the first of four public debates

  • Design excellence celebrated in awards scheme shortlist

    BUILDING projects throughout the region have made it to the final of an award scheme run by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Eight projects from County Durham and Darlington are among 26 from across the region that will compete at the institution's

  • High Row granite setts are installed

    PEOPLE can now walk the full length of High Row after work to install granite setts was completed. Workers will now focus on completing the paving outside High Row's shops. The area between West Row and Blackwellgate is being paved, which will mean the

  • Can you offer young people a home?

    A CHARITY is appealing for people to help house youngsters who are coming out of care. Barnardo's Housing Project finds homes for 18 to 21-year-olds who have just come out of care and need stability. The charity is asking for help from single people,

  • Pupils to tick off town litterbugs

    schoolchildren in Darlington will soon be able to reprimand their elders in public. A "respect" poster competition will be held across the borough's schools - with the first prize a stint in the town's new talking CCTV control room. Last week, it was

  • Jewellery thief strikes twice

    A MAN reached behind a jewellery shop counter to steal items - then returned five minutes later and repeated the theft. The jewellery taken from the Goldmart store, in Houndgate, Darlington, on Friday, February 23, at 12.05pm, was worth £1,200. The man

  • Opportunity knocks for two-day youth festival

    AN outdoor ice skating rink, climbing wall, and BMX demonstration will form part of two-day youth festival in Darlington on Thursday and Friday. The Yo-Yo event - which stands for Your Offer, Your Opportunities - will see the Market Place transformed.

  • Saints

    Newcastle battled clear of the Guinness Premiership relegation dogfight with their win over Northampton, leaving Saints and Worcester scrapping it out, writes JACK LESLIE Newcastle, with home games left against Gloucester and Bath, could finish seventh

  • Why we won't let this drop

    FIXED to the wall in my office is something known as "the follow-up board". It is a simple cork board to which we attach cuttings of "running stories" - significant issues and events which need to be followed up so that readers are kept up to date with

  • Falcons clinch safety with battling victory

    Newcastle Falcons 16, Northampton Saints 7. Newcastle Falcons banished any lingering fears of relegation with a hard-fought 16-7 victory over Northampton Saints at Kingston Park yesterday. But for Heineken Cup semi-finalists Northampton the spectre of

  • Pietersen's efforts in vain as Aussies canter to victory

    Michael Vaughan admitted he and the rest of the England team had let century-maker Kevin Pietersen down as a defeat to Australia in Antigua left England needing three wins out of three to avoid a World Cup exit at the Super Eight stage. Australia triumphed

  • England need three from three to progress

    England moved closer to World Cup elimination as Australia brushed them aside in their relentless pursuit of a third successive title. Boosted by their spirited fightback in Wednesday's two-run defeat by Sri Lanka, England were hopeful of giving the world

  • Mowden enjoy final romp

    Darlington Mowden Park 56, Blaydon 15. WHILE there was fun in the sun for Mowden Park and their fans in Saturday's Durham Cup final at Blackwell Meadows, the lack of a contest continued to leave a cloud over the competition. County officials have questioned

  • School delighted with labs -worthy of 21st Century'

    THE first phase of a multi-million pound building project has been completed at a north Durham school. Two science laboratories have been unveiled at St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, in Lanchester. They will be used by students when they

  • LibDems aim to retain hold on council

    LIBERAL Democrats in Durham have launched their campaign for next month's city council and parish council elections with promises to keep the city clean and provide affordable housing. The party will field candidates in all 50 seats on the city council

  • Civic Heart now in need of transfusion of ideas

    RESIDENTS and community groups have been invited to help pump life into a townâ EURO [TM]s Civic Heart scheme. Chester-le-Street District council chiefs are urging young and old alike to come forward with suggestions of activities and types of entertainment

  • German twins visit for club's 30th anniversary

    A TOWN twinning friendship club has welcomed a dozen German visitors as part of its 30th anniversary. The visitors from Werdohl were treated to a civic reception in Derwentside's civic centre, in Consett, on Friday night. Earlier in the day, they had

  • Thieves prise up pavement artwork

    AN unusual piece of pavement artwork on a busy high street has been prised out and stolen by thieves. Two bronze discs were taken from the pavement in Church Street, Seaham. The value of the two plaques, about two-and-a-half feet in diameter, is not known

  • Johnson wins the Masters

    Zach Johnson, without a single top 10 finish in 11 previous majors and with nothing better than ninth place in a tournament all year, produced the round of his life to win an extraordinary US Masters. The 31-year-old triumphed after Tiger Woods, seeking

  • The time Augusta showed its teeth

    Remember the week when Tiger Woods set a record for the Masters at 18 under par? Or the day when Jack Nicklaus came home in a dazzling 30 for his 18th major? Or the ones when Gary Player won with a closing 64 and Nick Faldo with a 65? They all seemed

  • Lloyd's plea fails to delay Greg's retirement decision

    John Lloyd has revealed he had tried, but failed, to persuade Greg Rusedski to postpone his retirement. Rusedski announced his decision after partnering Jamie Murray to victory against Holland, giving Great Britain an unassailable 3-0 lead in their Euro

  • May 3rd Elections

    Candidates for Wear Valley District in the May 3 local government elections are: BISHOP AUCKLAND TOWN (2 seats): Frederick Anderson (Lab); Colin Firby (Con); Hazel Lodge (Con); Sharon Ord (Lib Dem); Bill Wade (Lab); Samuel Zair (Lib Dem). COCKTON HILL

  • Where there are bucks, there's brass

    A TEESDALE brass band has been given the rare opportunity of performing in Norway, thanks to a company's donation. In May, Barnard Castle Band will spend four days playing at venues in Oslo. The group's Norwegian sister band, the Lillestrom Byorkester

  • Cycle group has pedal power for charity

    AN adventurous group of cyclists will set off on a 140-mile coast-to-coast trip on Friday to raise money for charity. A group of seven teenagers and four adults from Teesdale will pedal from Whitehaven, in Cumbria, finishing in Sunderland four days later

  • Row over Tories dividing anti-Labour vote in polls

    THE May 3 poll in the Wear Valley District could be a close call, with both Labour and Liberal Democrats scenting victory. Whatever happens, there will be familiar faces missing on both sides, including two old adversaries - ex-group leaders Olive Brown

  • Clean-up is no drama for acting enthusiasts

    A YOUTH drama group will be undertaking a different kind of performance when it carries out the first of several litter picks around its estate. Members of the Woodhouse Acting Silly Harrys (Wash), which is based at Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre

  • £6,000 fence to keep area safe for playing children

    YOUNGSTERS have returned to the once-popular play area following security improvements. Children have flocked back to Ward Jackson Park, in Hartlepool, which has in recent years been plagued by anti-social behaviour and roaming dogs. A black galvanised

  • Phoenix rising to be community centre

    A DISUSED neighbourhood centre will once again become the heart of a community, aftera refurbishment. The Phoenix Centre has been dormant for several years, but before its demise it was the hub for facilities in Hartlepool's Central estate. Housing Hartlepool

  • The Tempest, West Yorkshire Playhouse

    Actor, director and composer Conrad Nelson has good reason to remember his appearance in the Wars Of The Roses trilogy last year. He spent ten days in hospital after badly gashing his knee during rehearsals. That didn't stop him playing Richard III or

  • Muscle love

    Hidden Lives: Muscle Power (five, 9pm), New Tricks (BBC1, 9pm), Diamond Geezer (ITV1, 9pm). WE are in a London hotel bedroom where a 39-year-old bus driver from Bristol is lying on the bed. A very muscular woman in a bikini has wrapped her legs around

  • Town centre company wraps up with film

    A TOWN'S multi-million pound rejuvenation took to the big screen as a farewell celebration. Middlesbrough Town Centre Company's seven-year life span has come to an end. A private screening of the company's achievements was made possible by local film-maker

  • Pupils to experience variety of cultures

    FRENCH markets and euro currency will be subjects for pupils during their International Week. Teesside Prep School's programme will take place from April 23 to 27, helping pupils to learn about cultures around the world. For the first week, pupils will

  • Move over, Ms Frost - as town gets supernanny

    STEP aside TV star Jo Frost - a Government "supernanny" has begun work in Darlington.In November, Tony Blair announced 77 areas with high levels of anti-social behaviour were to receive funding to hire parenting support workers.He said parents in those

  • Working men's club celebrates 100 years

    A THRIVING working men's club in Darlington celebrates its 100th anniversary this week.Harrowgate WMC, on Salters Lane North, first opened on April 11, 1907.One hundred years on, it has 1,638 members - and the cheapest beer in town, they reckon.It even

  • Workers cheer hospice with Easter eggs

    KIND-HEARTED workers have taken time out to donate chocolates to a children's hospice.Virgin Media call centre employees in Stockton spent weeks collecting the Easter eggs to give to Zoe's Place baby hospice, in Normanby, Middlesbrough.Sian McGregor,

  • May the bets man win

    With the advent of online sites and a shift towards more casinos, poker's image is changing. Reporter Mike Chipchase is invited to join the high-rollers for one fo the biggest tournaments ever in the region.IT'S the moment every poker player fantasizes

  • Youngest hero who perished at the Somme

    Medals and letters of teenage soldier donated to war museum.PRIVATE Joseph Nicholls was one of the youngest soldiers to die in the Battle of Somme. His body has no known grave.But for a year after he was reported missing, the distraught mother of the

  • Horrible Histories'author gets in the swing

    CHILDREN'S author Terry Deary yesterday helped a community launch its new play park, created after four years fundraising and other work.The author of Horrible Histories was joined by Tom Hall, four, to perform the honours at the multi-purpose play area

  • Families pitch in to celebrate opening

    FAMILIES living near Prime Minister Tony Blair were set a sporting challenge at the launch of a £200,000 games pitch and play area on Saturday.A mini-Olympics opened a summer programme of events at the centre, which is yards from Mr Blair's constituency

  • Proving martial arts are alive and kicking

    WOLSINGHAM Taekwondo club was the most successful organisation in a Darlington martial arts event. Twelve youngsters, who train twice a week at Wolsingham Club in the Market Place, achieved high marks and were promoted to higher grades. Instructor Katey

  • Pupils' return promotes training

    FORMER students returned to their old school to show the benefits of an apprenticeship.The TTE Technical Training Group visited Nunthorpe School, in Middlesbrough, with the help of Stuart Redman and Andrew Cunion.The boys, both 17, visited their former

  • Wobbly Goblin aiming to be cafe culture trailblazer

    PUB owners are hoping to tempt a different class of customer through their doors with a planned al fresco-style cafe.The Wobbly Goblin is an unsightly, heavy bricked bar in Stockton town centre. But proprietor Dino Paleschi and his wife, Caroline, are

  • Arts and crafts on the bill for Easter celebrations

    MORE than 100 youngsters attended All Saints and Salutation Church in Darlington yesterday for the culmination of a week's Easter activities.On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the youngsters, aged four to 18, took part in arts and crafts, dancing, and

  • The Monday Page: The blog of our slog

    Every year, tens of thousands of people walk 190 miles from the Cumbrian coast to Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire, regarded as one of the best long-distance trails in the world. The Coast to Coast, devised by Alfred Wainwright in the mid-Seventies

  • Charities calling for answers over smoking budgets

    HEALTH charities are urging councillors to investigate whether health services have cut more than £440,000 from stop-smoking services at a time when demand is expected to soar.The charities, which include the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Quit and The

  • Lifeblood Appeal

    As part of The Northern Echo lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region:TODAYLeisure Centre, High Street, Marske, Redcar. 10am-4pmRichmond School (Upper Hall), The Crescent

  • Rare chance to see crypt at Castle Howard

    VISITORS to Castle Howard are being given the chance to see a part of the building which is normally closed to the public. A guided tour of the mausoleum monument is being held this month. Behind its impressive exterior is a chapel with a crypt

  • May 3 Elections

    CANDIDATES for the local government elections in Ryedale on May 3 are: AMOTHERBY (1 seat): Pamela Anderson (Con); Jane Wilford (Lib Dem) AMPLEFORTH (1): Jim Bailey (Con) CROPTON (1): John Samuel Clark (Liberal Party); Linda Margaret Clarke (

  • BNP fields largest number of candidates in elections

    THE British National Party (BNP) is to target voters across North Yorkshire at the forthcoming local elections. The far right party is hoping to grab seats by fielding its largest number of candidates ever - and will contest seats in Richmondshire

  • Here’s the news – and views – about waterside walks

    VISITORS to three reservoirs can now take a stroll accompanied by celebrities thanks to a Yorkshire Water initiative. The company has launched a campaign called Only Available In Yorkshire, in which would-be visitors can download celebrity podcasts

  • Interest needed for workshops

    A SERIES of workshops may be set up in the region if there is sufficient interest. Rural Arts is hoping to run free Photoshop, web design and digital photography classes. The courses would have six lessons and be three hours long, for up to ten

  • Police appeal after man killed on road

    THE police are appealing for information after a man was killed as he walked along a roadside. The man, in his 40s, from Harrogate, was walking along the A658 near Riffa business park, close to Huby, last Thursday. He was hit by a silver Volkswagen

  • Music festival tickets are selling fast

    TICKETS are selling fast for the popular Swaledale Music Festival next month. The festival runs between May 26 and June 10 in a number of venues, including local churches. Amongst the chapels to be used are those at Arkengarthdale, Wensleydale

  • Artistic events for creative children

    YOUNGSTERS in Thirsk are being invited to join in a series of specially-designed art events. Rural Arts, in Thirsk, has drawn up a series of childfriendly events at its Westgate base. These include an afterschool arts group and puppet theatre

  • Tributes to wildlife expert who battled to save falcons

    A WILDLIFE enthusiast who battled to save peregrine falcons in the Yorkshire Dales has died. David Urwin worked for more than 20 years to protect the birds and encourage them to breed. The respected wildlife expert, from Hawes, died from cancer

  • Man in court over knife incident

    A 26-YEAR-OLD man has this morning appeared before magistrates charged with affray, following a stabbing in a busy city street. Michael Derek Langley, of no fixed abode, was not asked to plead to affray in Durham City on Thursday, when he appeared in

  • Aussies are once again too strong for woeful England

    ENGLAND suffered another World Cup defeat last night, going down to a seven-wicket defeat to Australia. An unbeaten 55 by Michael Clarke, on the back of Ricky Ponting's 86, meant the Aussies were hardly troubled in their persuit of England's 247. Kevin

  • A sorry and sordid deal

    CHEQUEBOOK journalism is a shallow and sleazy business. Even those known to complain about Press intrusion frequently give in to temptation and sign up to a national tabloid or Hello magazine when the time comes to cash in on their fame. But while it

  • Car driver 'lucky to survive' A19 crash

    EMERGENCY service crews rescued a driver who was trapped in his badly damaged vehicle for nearly an hour.Medical attention was given to the injured 51-year-old after he became pinned to his seat by the front of his crushed car.The Great North Air Ambulance

  • Birds decapitated by gang of youths on killing spree

    A HORRIFIC attack on pigeons has once again highlighted the North-East's reputation as the animal cruelty capital of the country.Dozens of birds were decapitated and others were fatally wounded by Middlesbrough yobs using garden tools as weapons.One nesting

  • Thieves rip safe from shop wall and walk out

    A GANG of thieves brazenly walked into a corner shop and ripped the safe from a wall, then dragged it outside to their getaway car.The gang, thought to be Eastern European, included five women and two men.The wall-mounted safe, which was locked, contained

  • Father hits out over hostages cashing in

    THE father of a North-East soldier killed in Iraq joined a growing protest last night over the Ministry of Defence's decision to allow 15 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines taken hostage by Iran to sell their stories.The MoD decision had sparked controversy

  • Rogue motorbikers face heavy penalties in police crackdown

    SPEEDING motorcyclists face a tough police crackdown in one of the region's popular biking spots.Thousands of bikers head to North Yorkshire every summer, attracted by some the country's best roads, twisting their way through stunning scenery.But every

  • Delays fear for new rail link to London

    FURTHER delays could force a new rail link to London off the tracks if engine parts are not delivered soon, it was claimed last night.Grand Central Railways (GCR) was aiming to give the North-East route to the capital the go-ahead on May 20, but parts

  • Ex-drug dealer leads first knife crime workshop

    A CONVICTED drug dealer is to run the North-East's first knife crime workshops later this week. Gifford Sutherland, 33, from London, will lead the two sessions, which are mandatory for youngsters who have committed a knife-related crime. But a councillor

  • 'My gift can be a curse'

    Psychic Diane Lazarus often helps her lawyer husband and police with murder trials. She tells Hannah Stephenson about speaking to the late Jill Dando and why she's not entirely sure Barry George was her killer. Diane Lazarus loves sceptics. As a leading