A POLICE force left humiliated after its top officer admitted gross misconduct two years ago is embarking on a new chapter. NORTH Yorkshire Police's newly appointed chief constable, Dave Jones, has pledged a fresh approach to leading the force.
QUALIFIER Robert Milkins produced a stunning upset on Thursday as former champion Neil Robertson became the latest big name to tumble out in the first round of the World Snooker Championships. Robertson joins John Higgins, Stephen Maguire and Mark Allen
Darlington now need one win from two games to clinch the Northern League title after Spennymoor were held to a 0-0 draw by Ashington at the Brewery Field last night. The reason why they didn’t, was because of an inspired display by Ashington keeper
A CHEMICAL company issued reassurances tonight (THUR) after thick black smoke drifted across an area of Teesside. A representative from SABIC's plant, at Wilton, near Redcar, apologised for the incident which was accompanied by a huge stack flare
TALK about stop press … an articulated lorry from our Newcastle-based rivals, The Chronicle and Journal, broke down on Darlington’s ring road this evening causing a lengthy traffic jam. Motorists waited patiently as police moved
A MULTI-BILLION pound project to build the next generation of high-speed intercity trains in the North-East has moved a step closer, The Northern Echo can reveal. A team of archaeologists will next week start digging on the site of the Hitachi
A MAN who attacked his ex-girlfriend in a bar was today (Thursday, April 25) jailed for 15 months as a judge spoke of his "dark side in drink". Jake Randall, 22, produced a raft of impressive references which told of a hard-working community volunteer
A COWARD is facing jail after blaming her mother for a horrific pub glassing which could have blinded her victim. The woman suffered a serious cut to her face - just above her eye - when she was attacked by Melissa Cormack. Cormack denied inflicting
THE family of murder victim Pamela Turner has described her death as a “living nightmare”. Her daughter, Janine Wilby, who took to the stand during the trial, said she knew Joseph Turner was to blame as soon as she heard her mother was dead.
IT IS great news that the Mowden Hall jobs have been saved and are to move to a new-build block beside Darlington Town Hall and alongside the multiplex development which is about to take wings. There is, though, a spectre that haunts this work. It
YOUNG entrepreneurs who strive to change their world for the better will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in Bishop Auckland next week. Live Unltd, an organisation that helps young people launch projects aimed at making a positive difference
A MAN has appeared in court accused of starting a fire which badly damaged a town centre pub. But, no charge was put to defendant Peter William French during the short hearing at Durham Crown Court. It is alleged that Mr French, at the time
DURHAM County Council will offer a period of grace to first-time offenders who park illegally when it takes over responsibility for enforcement in former district areas of the county. The change in Teesdale, Wear Valley and Sedgefield, will bring
A PRIVATE school headmaster and army veteran showed his softer side when he went back to nursery today (Thursday, April 25). Durham School headmaster Martin George spent the day with young children at Bow, Durham School, after temporarily swapping
A MAN appeared in court today (Thursday April 25) accused of starting a fire which badly damaged a town centre pub. But, no charge was put to defendant Peter William French during the short hearing at Durham Crown Court. It is alleged that
A VOLUNTEER at a community centre which is helping to turn round a deprived housing estate has been honoured at the House of Lords. Tracey Finney, who helps at the Pelaw View Community Centre, on Sherburn Road Estate, Durham City, was invited to
A FUEL firm has been refused permission to extend its storage depot because residents fear another Buncefield. People at Woodstone Village, Fence Houses, near Chester-le-Street, objected in droves to Par Peteroleum's proposals. The long-established
A "JEALOUS" man who stabbed his former partner five times has been found guilty of her murder and jailed for life. Joseph Turner was described by Recorder Simon Bourne-Arton as “an entirely selfish individual” who could not deal with the fact that
DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses to a robbery during which a teenage boy was threatened with a weapon. The 19-year-old was approached by two young men as he walked through an area known as ‘the battery’ behind Neville Close, in Spennymoor
A PATIENT who stabbed a nurse at a psychiatric hospital has been detained indefinitely. Mark Williamson twice plunged a blade into the arm of staff nurse Graham Neary in an attack at Cherry Knowle in Sunderland last April. Newcastle Crown Court
Police are appealing for information after a spate of incidents took place in a small area of a town involving the same two suspects. All took place after a moped was stolen from outside the Black Bull pub, in Peterlee, between 9 and 11pm last
POLICE are appealing for information after a holdall containing an army uniform and an iPad device were stolen from a car in Ramsey Drive, Ferryhill, between midnight and 8am on Sunday, April 21. Anyone with information is asked to call Ferryhill police
PARENTS have been urged to sign-up their under-fives for an annual charity event. The Barnardo’s Big Toddle will be held throughout County Durham this summer to raise money for the charity’s work with young children. This year’s theme is fairy
PAMPER NIGHT: Catterick Garrison Women's Institute will hold a pamper night at 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 1 at the Evergreen Room, Hipswell Habitat, Catterick Garrison. Taster treatments will be available for a maximum of £5, including hand and foot
A CHARITY bonanza night is being held at the Rolling Mills Club on Longfield Road next Thursday, May 2. The event is being organised by the Darlington fundraising group for Macmillan Cancer Support and will include games, live music, plus pie and
WOULD-be clergy from four church denominations studying at theological colleges across the country will get Durham University degrees under an historic agreement signed today (Thursday, April 25). Durham University Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris
A BID to establish a new rail link for Northallerton has taken a leap forward, as permission has been granted for a temporary platform. Wensleydale Railway has been hoping to run a passenger service to Northallerton for some time. Today (Thursday
ALICE, the Cheshire Cat, Queen of Cards and her army of playing cards joined care home residents for a Mad Hatter’s tea party. Lothian House, in Spennymoor, which is owned by HC-One, held a party based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Staff
A NORTH Yorkshire GP who asked women out for a drink after seeing them as patients has been suspended from the medical register for five months. A Fitness to Practice Panel found that Dr Stefan Klein abused his professional opinion to make social
A CATHEDRAL is extending its music outreach programme to include sessions for younger children. The Cathedral already runs a Young Singers (DCYS) choir for children aged eight to 13 and DCYS Vox for youngsters aged 13 to 16. Now a group will
A GARDEN made of recycled materials is among the attractions at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show. The Waste Not, Want Not garden includes a water feature made of wine bottles, a log seat people and insects can both enjoy and a metal sculpture made
The press has recently reported on local councils being forced to create thousands of additional primary school places this year because of a desperate squeeze on reception classes as identified by the official admissions watchdog. Independent
As part of the Government’s Olympic Legacy planning, £150 million of funding will be available to Primary schools. This is great news for sport in schools. This additional funding should allow for coaches to be employed by primary schools and run
A BUSY dual carriageway was closed for several hours after a lorry shed its load of steel pipes just before midday today (Thursday). The A66 through Middlesbrough was closed in both directions near the Riverside Stadium while the pipes were safely
POLICE say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of a woman whose body was found in woods. The body was founded in a wooded area near the Stonebridge Inn, on the outskirts of Neville’s Cross, Durham City, on Wednesday evening
YOUNGSTERS from north Durham have been learning about the valuable work of guide dogs. Pupils from Shotley Bridge Junior School, near Consett, had a visit from Lee Gourley, who is blind, and his dog Terry. Mr Gourley’s two sons, George and
Play is due to start at 4.10 with 38 overs to be bowled when Yorkshire resume on 57 for three, 180 behind. Durham seconds lost their match against a joint Kent and Essex line-up by 115 runs at Billericay. No batsman was able to press his claims
A WOMAN who has raised £10,500 for cancer research since being diagnosed with leukaemia four years ago would like to thank everyone who supported her latest charity event. Today (Thursday, April 25), Allison White, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham
WITTON Gilbert Women’s Institute is holding a coffee morning on Saturday, May 11, from 10am to noon at Cooper Hall community centre, Witton Gilbert. Visitors can learn more about the WI. ACCESS TALKS: Durham City Access for All group will hold
AN award-winning dairy is appealing to the public for help naming its latest cheese. Parlour Made Artisan Cheese, located at Village Farm Dairy in Mordon, near Sedgefield, uses traditional methods and fresh milk from its own herd to produce handmade
A DARLINGTON mother-of-three who took part in a skydive for charity is already planning to take the plunge again. Nicola Laycock, who works as a laundry assistant at Willow Green Care Home, took the plunge to raise money for Huntington’s disease
A JUROR rapped by a judge for sleeping in and delaying a trial has been fined for contempt of court. The man claimed to have woken up at 2.50pm - more than five hours after he should have been in court. Abid Rehman's laziness was described
A FREE gig by girl group Stooshe was performed at a North-East shopping centre last night. (Thursday, April 25) The trio treated shoppers at the Metrocentre in Gateshead to their hits including Love Me and Black Heart, as well as their new single
A PANEL set up to scrutinise policing and crime in North Yorkshire has formally endorsed a new chief constable – but has said it is unhappy with the process surrounding his appointment. The county's Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan
JUDGES from a prestigious flower show braved the April showers to see what two north Durham communities have to offer today (Thursday, April 25). A team of assessors from Northumbria in Bloom visited the Botanic Gardens, in Durham City, and Chester-le-Street
A FOOTBALLER as good with feet off the pitch as he is on it has emerged as the single bright spark in a Wembley-bound team described by their own chairman as dim. Podiatrist Stephen Capper, a defender with FA Vase finalists Spennymoor Town, agrees
UNION chiefs say civil servants can’t stop smiling following the announcement that hundreds of jobs are to stay in a North-East town. It was announced on Wednesday (April 24) that 480 Department for Education (DfE) jobs, based at the crumbling
LOCAL villagers know exactly what the word on their street is – because they helped to name them. The residents of Rigby Terrace at Aiskew, near Bedale, are being relocated to brand-new two and three-bedroom homes close by, as part of a partnership
THE first mass sleep-out on the streets of North Yorkshire’s county town raised more than £2,500 for the homelessness charity Sash. Some 35 people of all ages took part in the Northallerton event and all were sponsored to sleep rough to raise awareness
Barry Nelson tackles the journey to The Carlbury Arms, at Piercebridge, and comes away enriched BUSINESS is tough enough for restaurants and dining pubs these days, without extreme weather events and what used to be known as “acts of God”.
THE new solo offering by Andy Cato – one half of chill-out pioneers Groove Armada – is bound like a hardback book, containing extensive sleeve notes and artwork. The real reward, though, is in the listening – 60 minutes of Balearic down-tempo bliss
ZOE’s Place Baby Hospice is fighting to survive during the recession which has seen donations plummet to a record low. The ‘home from home’ for babies and children under six who have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions costs £1m a year
A FACTORY, which made tanks for both world wars but closed last year axing more than 300 North-East jobs, has been bought by an engineering firm. Defence and subsea company Reece Group has paid an undisclosed sum for the BAE Systems factory, in
AS spring finally arrives, residents are being reminded to Nip Garden Crime in the Bud and protect their outdoor goods. Cleveland Police has launched its spring and summer campaign to drive down thefts from sheds, gardens and garages. Historically
AXING and reshuffling senior positions within Darlington Council could save the authority more than £3m. A report to be presented before the next full council meeting on May 2 details how job restructuring, amalgamations and axing senior positions
A MAN has today been found guilty of murdering Darlington grandmother Pamela Turner and jailed for life. Joseph Turner, of Sanderson Street, Darlington, had admitted killing Ms Turner at her flat in the Spring Hill area of the town on October 19
STREETDANCE star Ashley Banjo will lead dancing in the streets of a North-East town for a new Sky1 series. Stockton High Street will be transformed into an open air stage for one day only this summer for a performance featuring thousands of local
SOLDIERS were today honoured with medals and a flypast at a parade to mark their homecoming from Afghanistan in Catterick Garrison. More than 100 troops from 3 Medical Regiment (3 Med Regt) have been presented with Afghanistan medals after a difficult
A HEROIN addict fitted with a special implant to beat his addiction has pleaded guilty to possessing Class C drugs. Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard today (Thursday, April 25) that James Mangle, 30, of Harris Street has a long history of drug
MEMBERS of a youth council were last week able to flex their political muscle in a meeting with Foreign Secretary William Hague MP. Richmondshire District Youth Council members were able to raise questions on issues ranging from education and transport
POLICE have released another 20 images of suspects they want to question over the trouble which flared after the Tyne-Wear derby. Officers arrested 29 people on derby day itself and have since released two sets of CCTV images of people involved
MYSTERY surrounds the future of an historic landmark city centre hotel, after it apparently stopped taking bookings. The Three Tuns Hotel, in Durham, can trace its roots back to the 16th century and occupies a key location on New Elvet. However
A RESTRAINING order has been placed on a man who harassed his ex-girlfriend after their five-year relationship ended. John Coglan, 24, of Jedburgh Drive, Darlington, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence when he appeared before the town
A GREAT-GRANDAD famous for his appearance on TV show Blind Date has died. George Simpson, from Redcar, appeared on the show in 1997, when he was aged 73. Mr Simpson served as a rear gunner in the RAF during the Second World War, and once had
A CHEERLEADING squad from Richmond School has back-flipped its way to glory at a national schools competition. The squad won gold for its overall group performance at the National School Cheerleading competition in Telford earlier this month, as
BOUNDARY changes have given Chester-le-Street’s most affluent area its own electoral division. North Lodge, a leafy suburb with several large houses, has been part of Pelton division during the lifetime of the unitary county council. By contrast
FAULTY lights and driving without a seatbelt have cost a Darlington woman £86. Amanda Binks, 48, of Melsonby Crescent, Darlington, was pulled over on March 3 by officers on Yarm Road who noticed she was not wearing a seatbelt. An examination
A TRAINEE lorry driver escaped injury when his lorry jack-knifed on a greasy road surface, uprooting a telegraph pole. The incident happened in Carmel Road South, in Darlington, at about 1pm, on Thursday (April 25). No one was injured in the
POLICE have renewed their appeal for help in solving a break-in at the stadium of the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club. Thousands of pounds-worth of computer equipment was stolen from the English Rugby Championship leaders’ Kingston Park ground in
A CANCER survivor who had part of a leg amputated is on the mend after a minor health setback and looking forward to his latest gymnastics competition. Kieran Maxwell, from Heighington, near Darlington, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare
No play before lunch and rain is still falling. But the groundstaff seem confident that it will stop shortly as they have started mopping up. Meanwhile, it looks like Durham will not have to face their regular nemesis, Andre Adams, at Trent Bridge
DRIVERS caught using their vehicles without insurance in Darlington have been fined by the courts. Carla North, 23, of Lady Kathryn Grove, Darlington, was fined £230 plus a £20 victim surcharge and had six points added to her licence by the town
A SCHOOL teacher from North Yorkshire has been jailed after admitting to filming children while they got changed for swimming and sharing indecent images on the internet. Simon Mark Knowles, 52, formerly of Harrogate but now living in Bridlington
TEENAGERS are on the crest of a wave after winning funding for a Tall Ships sea voyage. Seaham Sea Cadets have been awarded £3,250 towards a week-long voyage for 12 young people on the Tall Ship TS Royalist, based in Portsmouth. The grant has
DURHAM Tees Valley Airport has announced a new summer service to Ibiza starting in 2014. Tickets for the weekly Thomson service went on sale yesterday (THURS, APRIL 25). Airport director Steve Gill said: “We are very pleased that Thomson
AN award-winning writer is to have her first book published about a time-travelling teacher. Jan Hunter, from Stokesley, experienced her own form of time travel by undergoing past-life regression therapy as part of her research. My Two Lives
A PENSIONER was left extremely shaken after burglars struck at his home. The man, in his 70s, was knocked to the ground in his hallway by two thieves who stole a sum of money from his house, in The Links, Belmont, Durham City. The crime took
STOKESLEY’s county councillor has said she will not stand for re-election after representing the ward for 24 years. Caroline Seymour has said she will not stand for election to North Yorkshire County Council in May. Hambleton District Councillor
FLOWER PLANTING: The Friends of the Lily Park in Redcar are appealing for volunteers to come along and help them with weeding and planting sessions to help them improve the park. Sessions take place on Fridays from 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm as well
ARTISTS from Hambleton are displaying their work in a garden for a charity. Art in the Shed will be run in Osmotherley over the bank holiday weekend, May 25 to May 27. The work has been produced by artists from the North Yorkshire village and
A DARLINGTON solicitor has raised £1,400 for a national charity after completing the London marathon. Gillian Ibbotson, who works in the private client department at Latimer Hinks solicitors, in Priestgate, chose to raise funds for Support Dogs
FORMER Slade frontman Noddy Holder will look back over his career in discussion with broadcaster Mark Radcliffe at a North-East theatre next month (Saturday, May 11). Holder, dubbed the godfather of glam for his colourful attire during Slade’s
AN organic bakery and cafe which helps disadvantaged young people into work has proved a hit with customers after opening a high street outlet. Managers of Clervaux Artisan Bakery and Café said its opening weeks of trading in Northallerton had
THE Easter holidays proved to be an expensive time for Cleveland Fire Brigade who was forced to spend more than £500,000 tackling arson. Between March 28 and April 14, firefighters attended 279 deliberate small fires across the Cleveland area,
POLICE are asking the public for help in tracking down a man wanted in connection with a burglary. Stuart Mawer, 36, from Harrogate, is wanted in connection with a break-in at a house in Bishop Monkton, near Boroughbridge, in November last year
SECOND World War accommodation built to house North-East Bevin Boys is to be saved for posterity. The Fells, the hostel for the homeless next to the A167 at Plawsworth, near Chester-le-Street, was originally used for housing conscript miners who
YOUNGSTERS with stars in their eyes are being sought to take leading roles in a hugely popular musical. Northallerton Musical Theatre Company are presenting the Lionel Bart show Oliver at the Forum in Northallerton from October 21 to 26. And
THIS was one for old-time acoustic music followers as Seattle-based act Cahalen Morrison and Eli West ran through a bunch of songs from their two albums and then some more. They may only be only two voices and players – performing on banjo, mandolin
DENNIS POTTER’S snapshot of wartime childhood appears, on the surface, to be innocent nostalgia. Seven silly sevenyear- olds romp and roll, teasing and tormenting each other on a 1943 afternoon in the playing fields of war torn Britain. The boys
DARLINGTON swimmers will be making a splash for charity this weekend as they get ready to complete Swimathon 2013. Swimmers will be helping to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care through Swimathon’s Individual and Team Distance Challenges.
A CHARITY duck race which raises thousands of pounds for good causes will take place this weekend (Saturday, April 27). The race, organised by Durham University Charities Kommittee (Duck), will see 10,000 plastic ducks tipped into the River Wear
THE A66 is closed in both directions after a lorry shed two 40ft steel pipes. The incident took place close to the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough shortly before 11.30am. The road was closed for several hours and reopened in both directions
The Politician’s Husband (BBC2, 9pm) Secret Eaters (C4, 8pm) Abby & Brittany: Joined for Life (BBC3, 9pm) Trauma Doctors (Channel 5, 9pm) THERE’S no escaping David Tennant. Even without the Tardis, this former Doctor Who is getting around
FOURTEEN years ago, I wrote a column about getting a phone call from a primary school headteacher, saying: “I’m really sorry, but Jack’s going to have to go to hospital.” My blood froze as he explained that Jack, aged six, had been in the playground
THEY still sing of Edgar Kail at Dulwich Hamlet, though he last played for them in 1933 and died in 1976. The column a couple of weeks back wondered if anyone longer dead still featured in a football song. Oh aye, says Eric Smallwood in Acklam,
A WOMAN who spent her working life caring for others has celebrated her 104th birthday. Retired nurse Frances Raine was joined by friends and family for the milestone at Ventress Hall care home, in Darlington. Miss Raine, who was born in Coundon
A WORLD champion will join some of the elite of British cycling for a gruelling road race this weekend. Simon Yates who took a shock gold at the World Track Championships held in Minsk in February is to take part in the annual race around the Derwent
BARRY PARNABY, who it had seemed would just run and run, has died after a long illness. He was 80, though once it had appeared that he wouldn’t even reach the halfway mark. He was an East Durham pitman, came up for air after 20 years, was told
I WOULD like to congratulate Sharon Griffiths for her very heartfelt and sincere reply to the critics of Margaret Thatcher (Echo, Apr 12). She put into words what I felt and, I am sure, many other people did about the behaviour shown for one of
PETER BARRON’S column about the Northern Echo’s front page marking the death of Margaret Thatcher (Echo, Apr 15) was terrific. It was a good front-page with the paper getting the balance just right. The front page later appeared on the ITV national
BEING a life-long Sunderland supporter it disgusted me to see the riots in Newcastle after the derby match. (Echo, Apr 15). These Newcastle morons are not true fans. If they were they would have bowed down gracefully. To punch a police horse
IN the recent Masters golf championship in America, Tiger Woods was penalised two shots for breaking the rules of golf. The incident reminded me of the legendary American golfer Bobby Jones. Robert Tyrie Jones junior, to give him his full title
BUSINESS students have been given a taste of managing their finances as they learn important lessons from an era of austerity. The Btec Level 3 students from Darlington College were joined by the town’s MP Jenny Chapman and a banker as they got
ENOUGH is enough. It is time the people of this country stopped believing the propaganda being served up by Iain Duncan Smith, George Osborne and David Cameron. The press and media should join with me and ask big questions about what is being trotted
I HAVE just spent a week in Sunderland Royal Hospital and I would like to thank all the staff, from the tea lady to the doctors, for the help and kindness that was given to me. My care made me wonder where would we be without the NHS? I was
A new Baby Café has been launched at Wheatley Hill Children’s Centre to encourage mothers to breastfeed. Weekly drop-in sessions take place from 9.30am to 11am every Thursday to offer a place where mothers and mothers-to-be can share experiences in
A LATIN street dance festival, featuring Cuban and Latin dance, will be held outside Voodoo Café, in Skinnergate, from noon to 2pm, on Sunday (April 28). Admission is free. The event is part of the fifth annual Teesside Latin Dance Festival. Visit
I HEAR that some charities may have to close through lack of donations. I find this hard to believe when Children in Need and Comic Relief raised £100m between them and we still have Sport Relief to come, along with the millions raised last week
A HUMAN tornado tore into Westminster this week – cracking filthy jokes, hurling abuse at fellow politicians and demanding extra booze from the bar. Yes, the austere press gallery restaurant has never experienced anyone quite like Nigel Farage,
BUILDERS are being warned to lock their vans while working after two thefts in one day. Thieves struck on Tuesday, April 16 in St Aidans Place, Blackhill when a Dewalt heavy duty bag along with Dewalt drills was taken from a van as builders worked
Viv Hardwick chats to Nathan James about his clash with Andrew Lloyd Webber which saw the singer landing big rock contracts THE Mercury is definitely rising for 26-year-old Nathan James, who emerged with a “loser” tag from two reality TV shows
In 1956/57 Louis Armstrong produced one of his finest latter-day recordings with a 4LP “musical autobiography”, where he introduced and then played new versions of his most famous records. Performed mainly by his augmented All Stars, with Trummy Young
THE FTSE 100 Index added to Tuesday’s two per cent rally with another 25.6 point gain to 6431.8. Attention also turned to the publication of keenly-awaited estimates for first quarter gross domestic product in the UK today and US tomorrow.
Despite the fact that it blends folk, jazz and classical elements, this is one of the most unified of recitals. Singer June Tabor, pianist Huw Warren and saxophonist Iain Ballamy, who all perform at their absolute best, both individually and collectively
AS ever, there’s plenty to choose from for folk fans at local venues this week. Tonight we can pick between Scots songstress Isla St Clair, at South Shields Customs House, and The Fureys with Davey Arthur, at The Empire in Consett. Both of these
SHEIKH MOHAMMED will lock down the stables of Mahmood Al Zarooni with immediate effect after saying he was ‘‘appalled and angered’’ in the wake of the trainer being charged by the British Horseracing Authority following tests on 11 of his horses showing
IN the main, this is a melancholy offering with Jackson weaving his way through Christian classics from Amazing Grace and Love Lifted Me to the dying strains of Wherever He Leads I’ll Go. There are a couple of up-tempo songs along the way with
Pierre Boulez, conducting the Wiener Philharmoniker, presents Mahler’s Das klagende Lied and Alban Berg’s Lulu Suite. Featuring stellar soloists, this recording comes highly recommended.
The young Icelandic composer Olafur Arnalds expands on his previous more minimalist work to involve a full orchestra and vocalist (Agent Fresco lead singer Arnor Dan) on selected tracks. Atmospheric and beguiling music.
Ukranian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa, who is one of the most-viewed pianists on YouTube, has recorded all four Rachmaninov piano concertos along with the Paganini Rhapsody. Performing with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Michael
The Tenebrae, directed by Nigel Short, perform Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories for Easter Week.The album is rounded off with a set of Lamentations by Tomas Luis de Victoria, a contemporary of Gesualdo.
Day One Durham v Yorkshire LV County Championship ON a day when the other three opening batsmen mustered eight runs between them, Joe Root showed the class which has propelled him into the England team. The elegant right-hander demonstrated
AUDLEY HARRISON is convinced he can still win a world title as he prepares to step into the ring once again. The 41-year-old heavyweight was widely written off after suffering the latest setback in a frustrating career with defeat to David Price
Viv Hardwick talks to Live Theatre artistic director Max Roberts about how his tiny venue has achieved international stardom thanks to Billy Elliot and The Pitmen Painters WHY is it that Newcastle’s Live Theatre survives in such good health creatively
SHARON will stoop to anything – which isn’t easy when you’re wearing stilettos the height she wears them – to feed her drug habit. She’s hooked on prescription pills and, after having a particularly bad few weeks, is desperate for a fix in EastEnders
HAROON KHAN is convinced he can emulate his famous brother Amir and claim his own world titles. The 21-year-old younger Khan, after 66 wins as an amateur, makes his professional debut on his brother’s undercard in Sheffield on Saturday. He
A LIVERPOOL without Luis Suarez should provide Newcastle United with the perfect tonic to edge closer to Premier League safety at St James' Park this weekend, according to former Magpies full-back John Beresford. The Football Association heard
DANNY ROSE will save any talk about his future on Wearside until Sunderland are safe from relegation. The full-back, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, has indicated in the past that he would like to stay a Sunderland player beyond his temporary spell
THIS has already been a tough year for Tony Mowbray, but if there is one thing he learned from his chats with Sir Bobby Robson a few years ago it was to head home from the training ground thinking of ways to improve. A dreadful run of form since
A NORTH-EAST expert has warned that the future of malaria control is uncertain. Professor Steve Lindsay, from the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Durham University, was speaking ahead of World Malaria Day today (April 25). "
The announcement that civil service jobs are to stay in Darlington will ultimately bring hundreds of extra people into the town centre each day. Andy Walker examines the possible economic impact. HUNDREDS of permanent jobs could be created by the
SWEET SUCCESS: Chocolate retailer Thorntons has revealed profits will be substantially ahead of expectations after a successful Easter. The firm said its Easter market share grew to nearly five per cent compared to four per cent last year, helping
NORTH-EAST scientists are working on a smartphone-like device which will help combat the growing threat of drug resistance by analysing the DNA of malaria in just 15 minutes. Today (April 25) is World Malaria Day and the World Health Organisation
UNIVERSITY researchers have found conclusive proof that big cats have prowled the British countryside since Edwardian times. For years, sightings of big cats such as the Durham Puma have been dismissed as modern myths, but evidence has now been
RESEARCHERS from the North-East have made a significant step forward in combating antibiotic resistance. A team, lead by scientists from Durham University, believe their work will allow a "renaissance" in the use of antibiotics, eventually giving
A NORTH-EAST firm, which will become the first UK-based washing machine manufacturer for six years, has been backed for further success. Ebac, based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, says it could produce up to 100,000 washing machines at its
NORTH-EAST businesses battling against the tough economic climate could receive fresh impetus after the extension of a flagship lending scheme. The Government and the Bank of England yesterday revealed its funding for lending programme would continue
THE continuing measles outbreak in the North-East and other parts of the country has prompted a national vaccination drive which will target unprotected children and teenagers. Today's (Thursday, April 25) announcement follows the publication of
The humble £1 coin is celebrating its 30th anniversary having entered circulation in April 1983. To celebrate, Stuart Arnold takes a look down memory lane and presents a few facts about this most durable of coins WE take it for granted now, that
FOUR medical practices are to start offering sessions promoting volunteering to people living with long term conditions. Crook-based 2D Voluntary and Community Support is working in partnership with the Auckland Medical Group, Barnard Castle, Weardale
A SEARCH is underway to find the first winner of the Pendlebury award which celebrates an individual’s contribution to the conservation and culture of the North Pennines. As reported in last week’s Northern Echo, the award has been created by the
ORGANISERS of a march in memory of people who have died at work have been warned they will be liable if anything goes wrong at the event. County Durham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) has confirmed it does not support the Worker’s Memorial Day march
HOUSES APPROVED: Durham County Council has approved plans to build three new homes on a field next to the Old Vicarage on South View in Sunnybrow. Three letters of objection were sent by residents but planning officers said their complaints could be
A FORMER school is to become a hub for jazz with a programme of prominent performers set to visit. St Cuthbert’s Centre in Crook will launch its season of jazz concerts with a performance by the Saxophonics tomorrow night (April 26). The Victorian-built
PLANS are being drawn up for a major new cycling road race through the streets of Bishop Auckland next year. Durham County Council is working with Guisborough-based company Velo29 to put on the summer event, which is hoped will attract thousands
A COMPANY that wanted to turn a family home into a facility for vulnerable children has withdrawn an application seeking to make the change without needing planning permission. Empowering Youth to Enable Success (Eyes UK) had applied to Durham
WALKERS and cyclists can find 120 trails around the dales thanks to a new guide. The pamphlet has been launched at the Durham Dales Centre in Stanhope and aims to encourage visitors and residents to explore Weardale and Teesdale by bike or in boots
ORGANISERS of a popular music festival are promising to put on a good show despite being forced to move it indoors because of the weather. Bishop Auckland Music Festival attracts thousands of people every year when it takes place at Bishop Auckland
