Some say ‘Paul’ the octopus is psychic because he correctly predicted the outcome of world cup matches, others say it was luck, but whatever it was, I had the exact opposite effect! After England’s second game against Algeria I really didn’t fancy
A GOLFER who survived his own battle against cancer is swinging into action to raise funds for a hospice. Bill Allchurch is taking part in the third annual Golf Day for St Cuthbert’s Hospice, which takes place on August 31 at Ramside Hall Golf Club,
PATIENTS and doctors were promised a bigger role in health services today as the Government unveiled plans for the biggest NHS shake-up in decades. GP practices will be obliged to join forces to commission treatment directly under a reform blueprint
MIDDLESBROUGH have released the first pictures of their new home and away kits for the 2010-11 season. With Boro set to start the new season without a shirt sponsor, the white chest band in the centre of the home strip will remain blank.
MORE than 10,000 people in the North-East could be at risk of becoming homeless as a result of plans to cut housing benefit, according to the National Housing Federation. The federation, an umbrella group which represents local housing federations, said
CONCERNED residents living in the shadow of a mobile phone mast are objecting to it being upgraded. Plans have been submitted to Stockton Borough Council to improve the 15m-high O2 mast in Greens Lane, Hartburn, near Ian Ramsey Secondary School. An
OUR VILLAGE MILKMAN Our local milkman’s full of go, Always dashing to and fro. Up and down our drive he’ll nip, His pick-up scrabbling for grip. No sooner has the milk arrived, Than it’s coming past your eyes. Leave some eggs from local hens,
A NORTH-East theme park has celebrated 10 years since its parent company opened its first attraction. Diggerland, in Langley Park, near Durham, stayed open late to host a special birthday party, staged to celebrate a decade since the first Diggerland
FIRE crews are taking part in a week-long safety drive. Crews from Durham Fire Station began visiting homes across Gilesgate, Durham, on Monday, as part of a community safety initiative. A Fire Service spokesman said: "We aim to visit as many homes
A HOSPICE is to host a picnic in the park this weekend. St Cuthbert’s Hospice will welcome visitors into its four-acre grounds at Park House, in Merryoaks, Durham, on Saturday, July 17, from 12pm to 3pm. Flowers, jewellery, gifts and
TEENAGERS have been sharing their new-found business skills with younger children. Seven pupils from year nine at Framwellgate School Durham helped youngsters from neighbouring Framwellgate Primary School to research, design and make healthy snacks to
The extraordinary Victorian traveller and archaeologist who drew up the borders of modern Iraq died 84 years ago this week. And yet Gertrude Bell is in danger of being forgotten in her native North-East, the writer who has organised an exhibition
THE police officer who was shot and injured by Raoul Moat said today: "I bear no malice towards the man who shot me". In a statement issued through the Northumbria force, Pc David Rathband thanked everyone who had helped him and sent him messages of
The Silence (BBC1, Monday-Thursday, 9pm). GENEVIEVE BARR faced an unusual challenge when she took on the lead role in The Silence. The secondary school teacher was chosen to appear in the four-part series despite having no formal acting training
I WOULD like to thank former pupils of Hurworth School, near Darlington, for turning up at the recent reunion at the town’s Bannatyne Hotel. We had a lovely lunch and caught up on our activities. Another reunion is fixed for July 1 next year at
I READ with interest Geoffrey Bulmer’s letter (HAS, July 8) about the positive role the elderly can have in society. I am fast approaching the big 7-0 and had my first children’s book, Scotch Marmalade, published last week. I had to learn new
I AM in favour of Middlesbrough applying for city status in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 (Echo, July 3). City status would benefit the town and its people by raising Middlesbrough’s profile at home and abroad and enhancing the
THE appreciation of any work of art is largely subjective and may vary widely, although a tolerance of the views of others is a sign of a mature and civilised community. It is, therefore, rather sad to read the intemperate comments of some recent
EDUCATION Secretary Michael Gove was clear in saying he was cancelling the approach of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme because it was an expensive, long-winded and inefficient way of building schools. He did not say he was
STANDING at my back door to get a breath of fresh air at about midnight the other night I was fascinated by the aerobatics of a bat swooping and cavorting in the lane outside my back gate. I know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea and like most
CALLS to the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty telephone line have almost doubled within six months and we are asking people in the North-East and North Yorkshire to show patience as it prioritises the workload. Although calls to the 0300-1234-999 helpline
Fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, 60 this week, may work with A-list stars and royalty, but he tells Ruth Campbell how his humble North-East beginnings keep him grounded. BRUCE OLDFIELD is charmingly apologetic. When I rang up to request an
THERE are nights as an editor you never forget – and last Friday night was one of them. After leading the front page for five consecutive days on the hunt for killer Raoul Moat, I’d decided it was time for a change. There was still no sign of Moat
THE first Alpine stage of the 2010 Tour de France witnessed the fall of a legend as Lance Armstrong declared: ‘‘My Tour’s finished’’. Armstrong capitulated on the 189-kilometre eighth stage from Station des Rousses to Morzine-Avoriaz, finishing
WE already know that our region will be among the hardest hit by Government cuts and we share the profound concerns of people working in the public sector and those who depend on the services it provides. George Osborne promised help for our
MICHAEL BELL and owner Mark Hawtin are celebrating another big handicap winner as Wigmore Hall claimed the 51st John Smith’s Cup at York. Three years ago Hawtin’s silks were carried to success by Juniper Girl in the Northumberland Plate under
GREAT BRITAIN Davis Cup captain Leon Smith insists Andy Murray’s attitude to the competition does not risk jeopardising the team’s new-found confidence. The British number one chose to skip the 5-0 win over Turkey, having also missed the defeat
MARK Webber yesterday revealed he would never have re-signed for Red Bull Racing if he knew he would have been treated as shabbily as he has this weekend. It was an eye-opening riposte to team principal Christian Horner in the wake of a thoroughly-deserved
GRAEME STORM cut a frustrated figure on the banks of Loch Lomond last night having been forced to come to terms with an “horrific back nine” that left his hopes of appearing in this week’s Open Championship in tatters. Storm finished tied
LADY ECLAIR can continue the terrific run of the Mark Johnston stable in the O.J. Williams Heating Oil Handicap at Ffos Las. The Middleham handler really can do no wrong at present and as well as his steady stream of winners at the lesser tracks
LEWIS HAMILTON admitted to feeling pride in his performance after hailing the British Grand Prix the best of his time in Formula One. There was no repeat of Hamilton’s sensational 2008 victory but finishing second to runaway Red Bull driver
THE title race is set to become a nine-week thriller with any of six clubs in the frame. Middlesbrough’s defeat, only the second this season, opened up the way for second-placed Guisborough to move within seven points of the top. But third-placed
THE top clash between Boldon and Whitburn in the Durham Senior League finished as a major disappointment, with only 228 runs scored from 93 overs of stalemate cricket. Leaders Boldon began with a 17-point advantage over their opponents and
ANDREW Strauss wants to draw a line under Saturday’s landmark defeat to Bangladesh. The Tigers completed their first victory over England, by just five runs, in a thrilling finish at Bristol to complete a full house of victories over the other
AFTER the curtain has come down at the end of Wimbledon fortnight it is time to reflect on this prestigious event. In the 1950s Peter Wilson would present a TV series called Today on the Centre Court. It would feature American players Tony Trabert
WHY don’t those in charge of our game take a page out of American football? They have a big clock at the end of the stadium – if there is a stoppage the umpire signals to stop the clock; then starts it again when the stoppage has been dealt with
THE apology offered to the FA by the president of FIFA, Mr Sepp Blatter, following the goal that was clearly ‘scored’ by England against Germany but not allowed, leaves me both annoyed and disappointed to say the very least. If ever there was
FOOTBALL is essentially a simple game, kicking a ball about with basic rules that largely ensure fighting does not erupt. Somewhat admirably, FIFA has tried to ensure that the situation remains unchanged but this has meant that the game can be
AS A true England fan from the old school I honestly never expected England to reach the latter stages of the World Cup. While I was hoping to discard my 1966 World Cup cups (two porcelain versions for drinking tea from) for 2010 England replicas
GORDON STRACHAN claims Middlesbrough are an ideal stepping stone for lower-league players hoping to make it to the top-flight. Strachan secured one of the brightest lights in League One last week when former Charlton skipper Nicky Bailey completed
THEY are already being touted as relegation candidates, but Danny Guthrie insists Newcastle’s players will pay no attention to predictions of a season of Premier League strife. Many bookmakers make the Magpies third favourites to drop into the
GREAT Britain international Kate Avery warmed up for this weekend’s World Junior Championships in Canada by winning her third silver medal in the English Schools Championships at Birmingham. The 18-year-old Darlington College student clipped three
The World Cup final took place yesterday, and for the 11th tournament in a row, England were not involved. With the nation seeking an explanation for last month’s humiliating exit in South Africa, Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson met Middlesbrough’s
THE golden girl of British athletics had a mixed afternoon at the Aviva British Grand Prix in her attempts to recapture her sharpness ahead of the European Championships. Jessica Ennis, captain of team GB and NI, heads for a training camp this
TEESSIDE long-jumper Chris Tomlinson might feel he has been in terrific form, but he was left to ponder his reasons for pushing himself too far after a disappointing outing at the Aviva British Grand Prix. Days after gold-winning performances
A COUPLE of hours after the 25th anniversary of Steve Cram’s heroic three world records in the space of 19 days was remembered on the Gateshead International Stadium track, a new kid on the block attempted to take the next step of his route
PIOTR Malachowski reaffirmed his place at the top of the Diamond League table in the men’s discus with a throw that set an allcomer record in Great Britain, writes PAUL FRASER. The Pole, one of the leading contenders to succeed in the European
IF proof was ever needed that there is life in the 100m beyond the extraordinary acceleration of Usain Bolt, Gateshead provided it. Bolt may well be the world record holder, but Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell are two men who should never be overlooked
A GIANT Scalextric captivated aspiring Lewis Hamiltons and Jenson Buttons at an annual fun day. The large toy car race track was one of the highlights at St Cuthbert’s RC School summer fun day, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, on Saturday
THE region will lose a further three MPs under the Government’s plans to slash the number of Westminster seats, an analysis by The Northern Echo suggests. The North-East will be among the biggest victims of controversial proposals to create
THE managing director of a North- East building supplier has raised thousands of pounds for regional charities through her trek to Everest base camp. Anne Ganley, head of Thompson Building Centres, was part of a team to complete the challenge
A NORTH-EAST telemarketing agency has set new sales records. The Darlington branch of Great Guns Marketing, one of four offices of the company founded by the telemarketing guru Liz Jackson, surpassed sales targets after achieving a year-on-year
THICK black smoke filled the skies around Durham City for the second time in less than three months yesterday, after a major fire broke out at a plastics factory. At its peak, the blaze enveloped about 40 tonnes of plastics and 15 tonnes of wooden
TALKS will resume this morning to attempt to avert further strike action at a Weardale manufacturing company. About 200 workers walked out of the Astrum plant on Thursday, in protest over the lack of a pay rise this year, after being subject
A COUPLE who have created hundreds of jobs through building scores of developments across the North are to create hundreds more through an expansion of their eco-friendly care homes. Billy and Karon Morgan are opening a £3m care home in Stockton
A MAN jailed for attacking his former girlfriend who died six months after the beating could face trial for her murder in the new year. The body of Kathryn Cook was discovered by her ten-year-old daughter, Rebecca, on June 25, 2008, at their
A STEAM locomotive that was designed to be an Army vehicle more than a century ago took to the roads at the weekend. The Fowler steam roller engine was designed for the British Army in 1900 for use in the Second Boer War. But when the first
ARMED police swooped on a plane full of holidaymakers to arrest two men on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. The Viking aircraft had started to taxi towards the runway and was seconds from taking off for the Spanish island of Tenerife. But the
AN asthmatic police officer who risked her life to pull a husband and wife to safety from a blazing house has won an award. PC Sarah Lacey, of North Yorkshire Police, was off duty when she came across a house fire in York. She received the North-East
A SEX pest has been jailed for tricking his way into a woman’s home to indecently touch her while carrying out a free massage. Dennis Watts told her that the treatment was a prize for her taking part in a telephone survey for his internet underwear
A VISIT to one of North Yorkshire’s most famous attractions will become a journey back in time this month. For the first time in recent years, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, the World Heritage site near Ripon, is holding an event as part
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, today launches a charity to help the country’s poorest families. Writing in The Northern Echo, he tells how he was inspired to help by a visit to the Corus plant, in Redcar, last year. "WHEN I
A MULTI-cultural festival is expected to attract more than 30,000 revellers. The Middlesbrough Mela, one of the region’s biggest annual attractions, has announced its headline acts for Albert Park in the town at the weekend. After the disappointment
CHILDREN have taken time out from class to help restore a monument to the region’s mining heritage. The pit wheel from Shildon Colliery, in County Durham, was moved to the village of Kibblesworth, near Gateshead, in the late Eighties, but has
THE family of a murdered teenager have welcomed plans by Facebook to install a safety button on its website. The social networking site has launched a new application that will instantly direct users to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection
ANDRES Iniesta grabbed a late winner in extra-time as Spain won the World Cup for the first time. Iniesta struck with four minutes remaining to settle a tetchy encounter which saw English referee Howard Webb brandish a record 12 yellow cards
EDUCATION Secretary Michael Gove was last night facing growing discontent within the coalition parties over his decision to axe Labour’s £55bn school building programme. A number of Tory backbenchers and Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes
YOUNG people are being priced out of living in the countryside because of a shortage of affordable homes, a coalition of farming and housing groups warns today. House prices in rural England have more than doubled in the past decade to average
TENS of thousands of people filled Durham’s historic streets on Saturday for the 126th Miners’ Gala. Heritage mixed with harmonies and high politics as the weather largely stayed fine for what has long been one of the stand-out dates in many
THE brother of Raoul Moat has said he could have persuaded his brother to put down his gun. But Angus Moat has said he was prevented from doing so by police. Instead, he had to watch live on television as his brother shot himself following a
POLICE were searching Rothbury and the surrounding countryside last night, after it emerged that gunman Raoul Moat may have discarded a second weapon in the area. Northumbria Police officers searched the Northumberland village and nearby stately
TRAIN manufacturing could return to the cradle of the railways if the Government gives the go-ahead for a project that will create thousands of jobs, The Northern Echo can reveal. Newton Aycliffe is the preferred site to build a new generation
Cleveland Fire and Rescue were called out to the following incidents on Sunday, July 11. BEDROOM ACCESS: An appliance from Coulby Newham was called to the The Grove at Marton to assist the ambulance service. The crew helped paramedics gain access to
