Many people though that Brandon would be trounced in the League Cup tonight against unbeaten Newcastle Benfield, but they were proved wrong. Brandon, at the bottom of the Second Division, held the First Division title contenders until midway through
A GARDENING club which will host its annual show this weekend is appealing for new members. The Travellers Rest, in Crook, will hold its leek show on Saturday and Sunday, open to the public from 5pm both days and with an auction of produce at 9pm on
A PUB is seeking permission to extend its weekend opening hours. Camerons Brewery has applied to Durham County Council to vary the premises licence for The Manor House, on Market Street, Ferryhill. It wants the pub to be able to serve alcohol for an
The Redcar Bears take on the Sheffield Tigers this Friday evening at the South Tees Motorsport Park, off South Bank Road Middlesbrough, in what is described as a 'Northern Grudge Challenge' with tapes up at 7.45pm. The Tigers have beaten
POLICE are declaring war on those who persecute birds of prey after another rare bird was shot and injured in North Yorkshire. The county suffers one of the highest levels of bird persecution in the country and the county’s police have joined forces
Crook have clinched the signature of keeper Paul Bennett in time to play in their FA Vase second qualifying round tie at Scarborough on Saturday. Manager Brian Maitland moved quickly to clinch Bennett's signing once he learned that first choice Ian Myers
A PENSIONER has been left in intensive care after a two-car crash. The 82-year-old was one of four people taken to hospital after the crash on Wednesday night in Front Street, Dipton, near Stanley. Shortly after 7pm, a Vauxhall Zafira travelling through
AN afternoon of entertainment takes place in Eldon this weekend to mark the completion of a new entrance feature. The Eldon Community Partnership and Groundwork North-East are hosting the event on Saturday as a culmination to the Gateway project, which
SHILDON Methodist Church is inviting people to its Harvest weekend. Services take place at 10.30am and 6pm on Sunday, and there will be a Harvest bag beetle event on Monday, at 7pm. Participants are asked to bring four items worth 50p each in a bag
AS Durham looked like holding out for a draw the possibility emerged that Nottinghamshire could deny Somerset the title by collecting six bonus points on the final day at Old Trafford. Their headlong pursuit of the five batting points looked like leaving
ANDREW Flintoff has retired from cricket after being told his body would not be able to cope with his planned comeback. The all-rounder has not played since the final Ashes Test last summer and has seen a number of return dates come and go in his fight
A BUSINESSMAN who sold sex near York Minster has been ordered to repay more than £260,000 of his ill-gotten gains. Barry Abrahams ran a brothel behind the front of a legitimate tanning salon in Little Stonegate, charging thousands of men £55 a time for
THE scrumpy is ready to be quaffed, with Yorkshire’s collapse this morning bringing Somerset closer to their first title. The Cidermen took only three wickets in the first session against Durham, finally removing Michael Di Venuto just before lunch for
Shildon’s thrilling extra time win over Tadcaster Albion on Wednesday night means that there are seven Northern League clubs through to the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, with five of them facing Evostik League clubs. Thackley are in the Northern
Howard Jones is another iconic keyboard player on tour. Viv Hardwick finds out about his role at the frontier of music on the web and discovers how he’s coped with being called HoJo. SO is he making sure that the music industry has to keep
VISITORS to the historic town of Richmond can now take guided walks of the with the aid of specially-recorded handsets. The audio guides to the town can be hired from the town’s tourist information centre and take in 16 sites of interest.
superstar Rick Wakeman talks to Viv Hardwick about enjoying success as one of TV’s grumpy old men and why he feels he’s never going to run short of things to tell his audience. IS WORLD famous rock keyboardist, composer, author, radio presenter
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Kevin Breznahan, Dale Dickey, Garret Dillahunt, Sheryl Lee, Lauren Sweetser, Tate Taylor. ★★★★ 100 mins AWINNER at the 2010 Sundance festival and much admired at this year’s Edinburgh International Film
Steve Pratt talks to Jennifer Lawrence about being a ‘hot property’ movie star and why she doesn’t want the experience to change who she it. MEETING Jennifer Lawrence is a shock. If only her photoshoot for Esquire magazine had been published
FORMER Manchester United and England defender Gary Pallister has been appointed Darlington's new operations director. Pallister has agreed to take on an informal position for the Blue Square Bet Premier club and will aim to raise the club's profile.
Tyneside-set Joe Maddison’s War has turned into a tribute to playwright Alan Plater. Steve Pratt talks to actress Melanie Hill about the TV film. FILMING Alan Plater’s Newcastleset TV film Joe Maddison’s War really did feel like coming home for
RAY LaMontagne has the kind of vocal delivery that could melt even the hardest woman’s exterior. Hear his voice once and it will live with you for a lifetime. Moody, melancholic and drawn out, words blend seamlessly into each other and allied to
WHAT started as a jam session, has developed into a full-blown album. Dave Gilmour, better known as the frontman from Pink Floyd, has joined forces with ambient masters, The Orb, to produce a record that is massive in its sound, complex in its
FROM the opening strains of Hard Times, the first track on John Legend’s latest album, I don’t think my foot stopped tapping. It was like stepping back in time, but in a good way. If I’d been walking down the street, I swear I would have found
A QUITE simply mediocre effort from the Coventry four-piece. It does not stand out as either a rip-roaring success or an incessantly bad creation. Rather it lingers in a sort of musical limbo, which is largely down to the annoyingly repetitive
DUTCH jazz singer Caro Emerald broke Michael Jackson’s record for the most weeks at No1 in her homeland with this album. I doubt there was much competition from her compatriots, but nevertheless it’s a notable achievement for the performer
THIS is full of infectious pop-rock tunes that had me tapping away under my desk. There’s a degree of inventiveness, but in the main it’s good old-fashioned songs all the way. I felt a hint of Wonderstuff at times, which is no bad thing.
THIS latest release from London DJ, Example, is an ear-splitting cacophony laced with monotonous verses, an almost catchy chorus and some highly irritating synth chords posing as an intro. Last Ones Standing does not live up to previous single Won
THE first English-language song by this Icelandic artist is a delightfully ethereal treat. Produced by fellow Icelander, Kjartan Sveinsson of popular post-rock band, Sigur Ros, Crazy Car is a charming and relaxing track in which the chanteuse pleads
AS the grandson of a cockney I grew up with Wotcha, which is the corresponding greeting meant by Wotcheor from the North-East. Combining “What cheer?” and “How are you?”, it was adopted by the BBC as the title of a Forties radio show, Wot Cheor
THE singer’s love of the Forties is evident in this upbeat and funky track, with flavours of late-night jazz and smooth Martini cocktails. The debut single from Dutch-born Emerald oozes style and sass and presents a truly original sound, which
THE sensational Ting Tings first launched themselves into the world with their DIY pop in 2008 to massive acclaim thanks to releases such as That’s Not My Name, Great DJ and Shut Up And Let Me Go. Hands sends out the message to everyone who’s
ALTHOUGH she’s only visited once, briefly, aged 18, New York City throbs and glistens through Karen Anne’s music. Her band, Ramona, is creating tunes inspired by Debbie Harry’s love of the Manhattan trash. It is an insanely catchy track
TONIGHT, The Cutty Wren Folk Club celebrates its 45th anniversary at the Duke William in Skelton, and who better to have as special guest on such an auspicious occasion, than Vin Garbutt. I remember once seeing a list of the Cutty Wren’
WHAT’S ON: Richmond Jazz Festival features Liane Carroll tomorrow, Polar Bear Saturday and Richmond Jam Sunday, all at the Georgian Theatre Royal. Tickets 01748 825252; richmond-jazz-festival.co.uk. CD REVIEWS: Ken Peplowski/Noir Blue (Capri Records
REVIEWS: Marc-Andre Hamelin: Etudes (Hyperion CDA67789) This album gives the listener a glimpse into the fertile musical mind of one of the greatest piano virtuosos of today. Marc-Andre Hamelin’s 12 Etudes, written over a period of nearly 25 years
AROUND 2005 Nashville introduced us to a new artist by the name of Jamey Johnson. It took three years and a new record label to produce hit singles High Cost Of Living and In Colour – both from his That Lonesome Song album. Johnson’s latest album
John Nettles talks to Susan Griffin about bowing out from Midsomer Murders after 15 years. AFTER 15 years of playing DCI Tom Barnaby in ITV’s murder-strewn Midsomer Murders, John Nettles is preparing to say adieu next year. Relaxing in a village
Robin Hood (Extended Director’s Cut) (12) 134 mins Universal, DVD £19.99/DVD Double Pack With Gladiator £25.99/Blu-ray £24.99/Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray £29.99/Blu-ray Double Pack With Gladiator £39.99) Stars: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett
‘WHY are you crying, mum?” asked eight-year-old Albert as I emerged from the cinema dabbing my eyes. It had been a busy week and it was raining, so I had taken the younger boys to see Toy Story 3 with one of their friends, hoping I could doze off
THERE’S a right old Kat flap in Albert Square when a strangely familiar but not immediately recognisable figure arrives in EastEnders (BBC1). The face beneath the blonde wig certainly looks like someone Walford’s seen before although the bulky
IN WEDNESDAY'S Memories, I looked back on a couple of soldiers' homecoming parades in Darlington over the years. I was inspired, if you like, by the great turn-out last week of townspeople to welcome home the 3 Rifles and award them Freedom of the Borough
A fund-raising calendar for Shildon Railway Cricket Club gets off on a winning streak while a Newcastle student makes the poker finals in Mayfair. HE was Durham’s first cricket streaker, a barefaced cheeky beggar who stumped England wicket-keeper
The Road To Coronation Street (BBC4, 9pm). DECEMBER 9, 1960, 6.55pm. Minutes before the live transmission of the first episode of Coronation Street and the cat from the opening shot has gone walkabout. So has the creator and writer of the series
I’M surprised that the Government is proposing to let local authorities organise referendums so that voters can choose either an above-inflation Council Tax increase or cuts in services. It is a false choice because it ignores the “third option
BIG Fred returned to his home in South Bank after a ten-pint drinking session to be met by his nine year old son, Tommy. Tommy said: “Father I have been listening to Ray Mallon and I feel I must express my concern about your alcohol consumption
I LISTENED to the speeches at the TUC Conference and agreed with what most of the speakers had to say about the expected spending cuts. I can not emphasise too strongly that trade unionists must be aware that the opinions expressed at the Conference
NICK CLEGG has made a deal with the Tories that puts the interests of his Party and the ambitions of his MPs ahead of the principles he stood for in the General Election. He has backed a hard-line Tory agenda, gambling with economic recovery and
FROM 1996 until October 2009, Liberal Democrat party policy was that university education should be free. Suddenly, just days after his party’s conference ended in October 2009, Nick Clegg announced the country couldn’t afford free university
I FIND it hard to take in that the authorities have allowed three Pakistan cricket players, accused of match fixing, to return to their homeland (Echo, Sept 11). Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer are all being investigated along with
NICK CLEGG is certain to receive a hero’s welcome at the Liberal Democrat conference at the weekend – but the cheers may ring hollow before the week is over. Whatever the agonies ahead for Lib Dems – and there are so many, there isn’t space to
WHY is it always the little man that gets hit hardest? Yesterday, the Governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, bravely went into the lions’ den of the TUC and made some pertinent points about the need to cut the deficit that were not especially
A book launched today about James Herriot tells the story of the vet whose novels made him and the Dales famous. His son, Jim Wight, and author Bill Mitchell tell Steve Pratt why it’s as much about Yorkshire as the man himself. THE two men,
THE police officer blinded by gunman Raoul Moat has revealed he is fighting the Government after being awarded £18.95-a-week mobility allowance. Pc David Rathband said it was "somehow not fair" that he had been awarded the lowest band for his disability
RED Cadeaux has plenty in his favour when he lines up for the Seajacks – She’s Got Legs Handicap at Yarmouth. The Barry Hills-trained four-yearold was eighth in the Chester Cup off a mark of 95 a few runs ago, although that only tells half the
RITCHIE HUMPHREYS is joining the handful of Hartlepool United players to be awarded a testimonial year at the club. The club captain moved to Victoria Park in 2001 and, while this season marks his tenth in a blue and white shirt, next year
YORKSHIRE’S Adam Lyth says this season “could not have gone much better for him” after winning the county’s player of the year award. The left-hander, who became the first player to reach 1,000 County Championship runs this season, picked up
LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson plans to make changes for the opening Europa League group match at home to Steaua Bucharest this evening. The Reds boss will have one eye on Sunday’s Premier League trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford
WHILE there is talk of a conspiracy at Old Trafford today, which may yet give Nottinghamshire the chance to become undeserving champions, Durham will not be handing over the title to Somerset without a fight. It’s likely that the visitors
KENT captain Rob Key has handed out a warning to Yorkshire ahead of the final day of the LV County Championship season. It comes as the two teams are locked in a tight battle at Headingley – with the Tykes needing to win to keep alive hopes
SIMON Mignolet is confident his strong start to the season will not be forgotten when Craig Gordon steps up his comeback from a broken arm later this month. Gordon has taken part in a series of handling drills this week, and while he was not
SOL CAMPBELL will take a further step nearer to a first team debut for Newcastle United tonight, but Mike Williamson is in no rush to move aside for the former England defender. After playing in each of the reserves’ matches with Sunderland
MSK Zilina 1 Chelsea 4 CHELSEA coach Carlo Ancelotti was satisfied with his team’s 4-1 victory over Group F minnows MSK Zilina as the English champions began their Champions League campaign in comfort. Michael Essien put the Blues in
Arsenal 6 Braga 0. ARSENE Wenger feels Cesc Fabregas has taken his game to a new dimension after the Arsenal captain scored twice as the Gunners swept aside Champions League newcomers Braga 6-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal had chalked up
TARMO KINK is aware of the potential significance of Tuesday’s dramatic late double, and is hoping history repeats itself after claiming a similarly breathless brace last season. With Middlesbrough losing 1-0 at home to Burnley on Tuesday night
A TODDLER’S distraught parents woke to find their son had died overnight while sleeping in their bed, an inquest heard. Eighteen-month-old Ewan Carr died from natural causes after apparently suffering Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the
AN aboriginal storyteller has been educating youngsters as part of a project to celebrate the 2012 Olympics. Students from Redcar Community College visited the Dorman Museum in Middlesbrough to learn about international cultures. They
THE chief executive of a housing company has quit his job after he was cleared of bullying. Ian Broughton, chief executive of Cestria Community Housing, based in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, had been the subject of an investigation commissioned
THREE people were jailed yesterday after what at first appeared to be a single instance of housing benefit fraud turned out to be a £1.25m scam. A three-year investigation revealed that the fraud in Whitby, was only the tip of the iceberg and
As the North-East positions itself as a hub for electric vehicle research and development business correspondent Andy Richardson reports from the Cenex National Low-Carbon Vehicle event in Bedfordshire, a major showcase for the sector. THE Northern
A CUSTOMER support scheme for electric vehicle users has been launched in the North-East. It comes as the region positions itself as a hub for electric vehicle development and is intended to make it as easy as possible for drivers to change
THE North-East’s reputation as a centre of excellence for developing low-carbon vehicles has put it in line to spearhead the next generation of green transport. The leading car manufacturers are looking at a number of locations to use as test
GOATS, geese, Guides and Gordon Highlanders are some of the attractions at a museum’s agricultural show today. Beamish Agricultural Society Annual Show recreates a country show from the early 1900s with a few contemporary twists at its property
A FATHER-OF-TWO who had suffered back pain for ten years died from an accidental overdose of painkillers. Tony Patterson, of Ellingstring, near Masham, North Yorkshire, was found dead at his home on March 11. The 39-year-old, who had undergone
THE adaptability of the North-East workforce was a key factor behind one of the UK’s largest construction firms bringing an initial 200 jobs to the region, with scope to expand further. Balfour Beatty said its new service centre, at Quorum
THE bones of a North-East bakery were picked over yesterday as its fixtures were auctioned off, only ten months after it was saved from administration. Despite the high hopes of staff at Tees Valley Bakery Limited, in Middlesbrough, it ceased
THE governors of a small primary school have told their local education authority they want to start consultations on closing the school. St Peter and St Paul, a Catholic voluntary aided primary school in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, has 19 pupils
BANK of England governor Mervyn King yesterday described the huge banking bailout as “unfair” and appeared to sympathise with calls for multibillionpound tax evasion to be tackled when he spoke to union activists. Mr King told the TUC Congress
A HEALTH minister has acknowledged the private sector will probably play little part in providing future NHS services in the North-East. Lord Howe was in Newcastle yesterday to hear NHS staff give their opinions and ideas on the Government’s
THIEVES have left a football club with just one ball between 260 players after breaking in and stealing £1,000 worth of equipment. About 200 footballs and two goals were taken overnight on Tuesday from Middleton Rangers’ lock-up at Middleton
SENTENCING on a man who has admitted charges relating to the widespread distribution of child pornography has been delayed until next month. Paul Hagan, 47, previously admitted 15 counts of making indecent photographs of children, possession
THE most meatballs eaten in a minute and the heaviest leek ever grown are just two of the region’s wacky world records. One of the prestigious entries in the Guinness World Records 2011 is sprightly pensioner Reg Alexander, of Darlington.
A FORMER pupil at an approved school has denied making up abuse allegations against his housemaster to secure compensation because he is unfit to work. Roderick Ryall’s barrister also accused the alleged victim – now in his 50s and using a
NORTHUMBRIAN Water has become the latest North-East organisation to put its weight behind the Back on Track campaign. The utility company joins a growing number of groups hoping for Hitachi to be awarded the Intercity Express Programme. The
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed the remains of a girl they say was murdered. But the investigation may prove too much for even the best detectives, because the murder took place 1,800 years ago. The remains of the child, thought to be aged about
A REVIEW of Hitachi’s £7.5bn plans to bring train building back to the region has found a “significant cost saving”, in a boost to the project. Rail Minister Theresa Villiers immediately said the work strengthens the case for building a factory
A PRIEST has appeared in court charged with possessing child pornography. Father John Shannon was a lecturer at the 200-year-old St Cuthbert’s Seminary, also known as Ushaw College – the Roman Catholic training centre for priests in the North
AN apartment block providing affordable accommodation for elderly people would form part of a development at a former school site. However, residents in Cockerton have launched a petition objecting to the three-storey apartment block at the site
