Final Score: Aston Villa 6 Sunderland 1 SO much for achieving safety with three games to go then. It wasn't quite a collapse of Newcastle United proportions, but it was exceptionally close, and Sunderland's heaviest defeat of the season means
Billingham Town are safe from relegation from the ENL First division after they won 3-1 at Shildon last night. After a poor first half, Town took the lead when Christian Selby played a 1-2 with Harrison Davies and fired into the top corner, but
HE FELT invincible in sealing his fourth world title 12 months ago but defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan insists he will need to improve if he is to make it five. The 37-year-old entered the draw as the defending champion and top seed despite having
A major fire has destroyed a former library building in Thorntree, Middlesbrough, tonight. Police and firefighters were called to the building on Beresford Crescent at 8.40pm. Six crews, the special incident unit and the hydraulic ladder attended
BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable today (Monday, April 29) savaged Lord Heseltine’s plan to hand the region multi-million pound ‘spending pots’, saying: “That’s not going to happen.” Ahead of a crucial decision, Mr Cable said ‘local enterprise partnerships
Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar opened the home side's account in the 31 minute - only for Danny Rose to reply within a minute for Sunderland. However, in the 38th minute Villa retook the lead courtesy of Andreas Weimann. Sunderland had the ball in
A COUPLE had to be rescued by lifeboats this evening (Monday, April 29) after becoming cut off by the incoming tide beneath cliffs at Saltburn, east Cleveland. A member of the public raised the alarm just before 4.45pm after spotting the pair,
THE mastermind of a large-scale benefit fraud is facing a lengthy prison sentence after today (Monday, April 29) pleading guilty to orchestrating the conspiracy. Sam Smith recruited a string of people to make bogus claims for crisis loans - claiming
PHIL Bardsley and Craig Gardner return to Sunderland's starting line-up for this evening's Premier League game at Aston Villa. Bardsley has recovered from a muscular injury to replace Jack Colback at right-back as the Black Cats look for the win
A NORTH-EAST singer-songwriter is celebrating after two of her recordings were chosen to appear in feature films. Hayley McKay, from Hurworth, near Darlington, has been a performer for a young age. An a-capella version of Amazing Grace, performed
A JOCKEY from the region was arrested at a racecourse on Monday. Graham Gibbons was questioned by police at Wolverhampton racecourse shortly after winning two races. Mr Gibbons lives in Wetwang, between York and Bridlington, and has ridden
A NEW guide has been produced which aims to promote North-East eateries who look to put more local produce on the menu. The Love Food group has created the North Pennine Dales Food Supplier Directory. It provides information on the use of locally
MINING EXHIBITION: Artist Derek Slater is to show off his paintings depicting scenes from the mining industry at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon. The former mine worker’s art will be on show until May 20 at the museum’s Collection
PHOTO EXHIBITION: A new exhibition of photographs of the most beautiful locations in the North York Moors national park has gone on display in the Park Centre at Danby. Landscape photographer Ian Burton says he was inspired by the light and life of
A COWARD who bound and gagged a pensioner and ransacked her home was last night starting a nine-year prison sentence - for the sake of just £40. Anthony Wahab was branded "evil" by his traumatised victim, "despicable" by police, and a danger to
Printer dies: Well-known former York printer and publisher Bill Sessions has died peacefully at his home in Clifton, aged 97. A lifelong Quaker who was educated at Bootham School, he leaves a widow Eva and three children, Sallie, Mark and Michael.
MORE than 400 soldiers marked their homecoming today (Monday, April 29) with a march through a North Yorkshire market town. Troops based at Catterick Garrison had their return from a six-month tour of Afghanistan honoured with a march to Richmond
A REWARD has been offered for the safe return of a missing dog after a possible sighting in Darlington. Three-year-old Husky/German Shepherd crossbreed Nanook went missing from Catterick, North Yorkshire, in March. A dog matching its description was
THE Liberal Democrat group on Newcastle City Council has chosen Anita Lower to succeed David Faulkner as its leader. Councillor Lower is the first woman to lead the group. She has been a councillor for nearly 20 years and served on the executive for
A SPECIAL anniversary production of the Rocky Horror Show is heading to a North-East theatre this summer. The brand new production celebrates the iconic show’s 40th anniversary and will take to the Darlington Civic Theatre stage from July 22 to
THE oldest working theatre in the UK is launching a fundraising appeal to secure its future as it marks its triple anniversary. The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, North Yorkshire, is desperately seeking funding to help it stay as a performance
CHARITY MEETING: The St Teresa’s Hospice Richmond Support Group recently held their Annual General Meeting. Chairman Mary Lovell MBE spoke about recent achievements and fundraising support from local companies and individuals. She also gave thanks
IT is becoming increasingly difficult to know which way to turn on the Government's plans for how money is spent in the regions. Last October, Lord Heseltine - in a study requested by David Cameron - called for local enterprise partnerships (LEPS
SHOPPERS were reassured everything was ‘fine’ after they spotted a car covered in parking tickets. The stunt was to launch a car park loyalty scheme at the Prince Bishops shopping centre, in Durham. A Mini Cooper parked in the Bishops Quarter
DR Cable defended the decision to swipe huge sums of vital EU-aid from the North-East – but insisted the loss would be less than the £100m predicted. The Northern Echo revealed so-called structural funds - to win investment and jobs – had been
A SERIES of public talks exploring the history of the railways begins later this week (Wednesday, May 1). In the first talk, Eric Colling will discuss the achievements of Bishop Auckland-born Joseph Firbank, about who he has written a book. The
A SENIOR councillor has pledged to take action over a field that has become a dumping ground for fly-tippers. Darlington resident Eric Elgie, whose Eastbourne Road home backs onto the field, says he first complained to Darlington Borough Council
PARENTS concerned about the standard of care in UK child heart units have met with NHS bosses in Leeds. After the meeting, the 15-strong group issued a statement welcoming assurances from NHS England that "they are continuing to review and analyse
A NORTH-East student has won a national pollution challenge. Durham University scholar Edward McEwan devised a scheme to remove mine-water induced iron loading from the River Gaunless, in County Durham. It won him the Environment Agency’s Pollution
POLICE are appealing for information to identify a van, which failed to stop following a collision. The incident happened at 5.50pm last Friday, April 26, on Knaresborough Road, Starbeck, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and involved a red Rover,
A £5.8M scheme to bring empty homes across Hartlepool back into use is also helping to create jobs. So far, five building posts have been created by Hartlepool Borough Council which is working in partnership with Housing Hartlepool and the Homes
SPECIAL units set up across the Durham Constabulary force area to work with offenders causing the most harm to local communities are celebrating record results in reducing re-offending. Welcoming the latest statistics, Durham Tees Valley Probation
DOG owners are reminded that the seasonal ban excluding pets from some Hartlepool beaches comes into force this week. The ban covers a stretch of Seaton Carew beach between the Norton Hotel and the coach park, and the Fish Sands and the Block Sands
HUNDREDS of people donned their finest attire for a glamorous night of chart-topping music and spectacular seafood in aid of a North-East autism charity. The inaugural Lobster Charity Ball at Hardwick Hall, near Sedgefield, County Durham, has been
North Yorkshire police are hunting a suspected drugs smuggler from the region who failed to appear for a trial at Plymouth Crown Court. Robert John Steele, 28, whose last known address was in Tang Hall, York, was charged with illegally importing cocaine
The Government has indicated the A64 between York and the East coast may be in line for upgrade cash in the next round of funding. Roads minister Stephen Hammond MP has said that he is “convinced” the A64 will succeed the next time road improvement
ANGELA Jobson will talk about Bomber Command at Middleton St George, near Darlington, at the next meeting of Aycliffe Village Local History Society at Aycliffe Village Hall at 7pm on Wednesday, May 8. Tickets are available on the door priced at £1
SPENNYMOOR Town fans can show their support for the team with a special souvenir FA Carlsberg Vase car sticker from The Northern Echo. Paul Ketley, newspaper sales and audience manager, said: “We’re getting behind Spennymoor Town and it’s to show
A SPUR of the moment purchase paid off handsomely for Carl and Amanda Ruddock – after it netted them a cool £1m. The married couple from York have become instant millionaires after scooping the massive win on a lottery scratchcard – at eye-watering
AN RSPCA inspector has appealed for information about three youths thought to be involved with the death of a cat. The black and white cat, called Luna, was attacked by three dogs in Eden Close, in Hurworth, near Darlington, at about 8am this morning
A TAXI driver has had his collection of homing pigeons stolen from the shed in his back garden. Around 30 ‘Indian Tippler’ pigeons were stolen from Tariq Hussain’s breeding shed in Acklam, Middlesbrough, last Monday night (April 22). Mr Hussain
A MAPLE tree will serve as a lasting tribute to members of the Canadian Royal Air Force who died when their plane crash landed in Sedgefield. This week, resident Betty Amlin, 88, planted the tree on land close to Wyke Close, which members of the
A RUGBY tournament held in memory of a three-year-old who died after a battle with leukaemia has won the support of a local business. The Henry Valks Memorial Cup Rugby Tournament is held each year to raise funds for Children with Cancer UK following
Several North East-based rural enterprise companies are celebrating this week after the Cross Lanes Organic Farm Shop at Barnard Castle, Co Durham, part-designed and built by S and A Fabrications, also of Barnard Castle, was named ‘Building of the
A FUNDRAISER hoping to complete a gruelling 170-mile charity cycle has had his bike stolen. Arthur Bullock, of Grangetown, left the bike outside a friend’s house in Clynes Road, Middlesbrough at about 4pm on Wednesday (APRIL 24) when someone knocked
RUN DATE: The Yorkshire 10k and 2k fun run at Newby hall in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust has been moved from its May date to September 22 to allow more people to enter. For more details visit cysticfibrosis.org.uk/y10k2k
PLANT FAIR: The Royal Horticultural Society will be holding a plant fair at its most northerly garden – Harlow Carr in Harrogate – on May 5 from 10am to 4pm. Visitors will also be able to take advantage of the RHS advisory team, who will be at the
THE average price of a North-East home has fallen below £100,000. Figures from the Land Registry show average house prices for the region dropped by 5.5 per cent during the year to March. The fall was the biggest for any region in England and
THE Government’s “energy policy crisis” is putting at risk a massive opportunity for the North-East to lead a renewable energy revolution, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls warned today (Monday, April 29). The Labour heavyweight said it was “really frustrating
MOTORISTS are being warned to be careful after debris from trees has been deliberately left on a road in Middlesbrough. Over the weekend police have removed debris from the road twice, once at around midnight on Saturday into Sunday and once at
A VAN was stolen during the Marathon of The North in Sunderland over the weekend. Thieves stole a set of van keys from inside a marquee in the garden area at Sunderland Museum and Art Gallery at around 2.50pm on Saturday, The white VW Crafter van
BEN Stokes was made to pay for his second drop of the day at third slip with former Lancashire player Steven Mullaney on six. Mullaney continued to go for his shots and got away with it in scoring 80 out of a stand of 111 with James Taylor. He
THREE downhill cyclists from North Yorkshire have their sights set on taking part in the British championships next year. The dramatic sport of downhill racing involves negotiating drops, jumps, rocks, steep climbs and fast descents in the fastest
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a Nigerian graduate died in a North-East prison. Boniface Umale was found unresponsive in his cell in Durham prison at about 5am on Sunday, March 24, a Prison Service spokeswoman said. Prison staff attempted
A PROJECT to preserve the living memories of the Consett steel industry has been unveiled. The Made of Steel creative heritage project, which began collecting memories in November from former workers and their families, offers a showcase of stories
A COURSE is on offer to help youngsters in Darlington lead healthier lifestyles. The ten-week MEND programme (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it!) was developed by experts at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Institute of Child Health
A BOISTEROUS puppy bit off more than he could chew when he swallowed a 26-inch long metal chain dog least. Buster, a nine-month-old puppy from Middlesbrough, had to have an emergency operation to remove the lead after an x-ray showed it in the
THE Liberal Democrats, Labour, the Conservatives and an Independent candidate will go head-to-head in Sherburn in Thursday’s Durham County Council elections. The Lib Dems have held both seats in the division until this week’s elections, with former
A CONTROVERSIAL UKIP councillor has died aged 30 just weeks after accepting his life was at risk due to chronic alcoholism which saw him drinking up to 70 units a day. Councillor David Potts passed away at his home in West Boldon, South Tyneside
A ROSE-TINTED collective memory of the 'Blitz Spirit' ignores the prevalence of juvenile delinquency at the time, according to a North-East researcher. Margot Scott, a research student in creative writing at Northumbria University, argues that
EVENING WALK: The Darlington Ramblers will take part in a four and a half mile walk at Shackleton Beacon on Wednesday, May 1. Walkers should meet at Heighington village green at 6.40pm. For more details call 01325-314442. WARD SURGERY: The councillors
AN underground gas leak resulted in elderly hospital patients being transferred while the problem was resolved. The 18 patients from Guisborough Primary Care Hospital at the weekend after workmen detected the problem. The leak was capped off
Middleton and Teesdale Silver Band's recruitment day has been hailed as a great success. Around 40 visitors arrived at one point yesterday afternoon at Middleton in Teesdale Primary School. The band played a variety of pieces during the afternoon
REFUSE and recycling collections will be one day late across Hambleton and Richmondshire districts next week because of the Bank Holiday on Monday, May 6. In Hambleton it is a green bin collection week and in Richmondshire there are collections
A STIRRING programme of military music will raise the roof as two bands join forces for a charity concert. Northallerton College Concert Band will be joined by musicians from Darlington Community Wind Band for a 90-minute performance at the Forum
COULD I just add my congratulations to all involved in saving the 480 civil servants jobs at Mowden Hall, in Darlington (Echo, Apr 25). I have been following the campaign in The Northern Echo run in conjunction with my colleague Darlington Borough
WITH regard to the article about the Milbank Arms, in Barningham (Echo, Apr 24), in the 1970s, when I was living in Barnard Castle I visited one evening for a drink. We noticed a sign in the bar area advertising egg and chips. Feeling a little
VANESSA REDGRAVE’S recent dramatic monologue on the state of the country’s care homes does little to help anyone – least of all those receiving care. To make the claim that the lives of people in care homes is abominable shows a clear lack of knowledge
IS it really going to take 400 years to eliminate the nation’s debt? We knew the chancellor George Osborne and his bunch of Tory chuggers were slow, but this takes lethargic to a new dimension. Borrowing last year was down from £120.9bn to
I HAVE run a building firm for 37 years employing six tradesmen and two apprentices at any one time as well as subcontractors. The introduction of VAT on materials and labour nearly ruined my business. I found all the private work dried up and
MARGARET KING (HAS, Apr 24) took time to reply to my comments about the Miners’ Strike and I thank her for that. Due to a combination of my own failings and judicious editing I failed to be more specific over some comments I made. More pits
DOZENS of vintage and classic cars will come to Darlington during the bank holiday weekend for a show remembering a bygone era. Organised by the Northern Bygones Society, the event will take place in the Horsemarket on Saturday, May 4 and Bank
Delighted Darlington manager Martin Gray described delivering a title in his first season in charge as his proudest day, after Quakers clinched promotion from the Northern League. A year on from a traumatic period for the club, when it was battling
A STEELMAKER, which employs more than 1,500 North-East workers, has denied it is looking to sell a research centre in the region. Tata Steel, with sites in Hartlepool, Redcar, Darlington, Middlesbrough and Skinningrove, in east Cleveland, was responding
Marcus Wareing is one of many celebrity chefs who’ve teamed up to encourage children into the kitchen. Here is one of his receipes for your children to try. Serves six Ingredients: 500g lean minced beef 1 medium onion, peeled and diced
LIFE in the editor’s chair has its ups and downs, but there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a campaign which comes to fruition. From the moment the Department for Education declared that it was reviewing the future of its Mowden Hall base
FAMILY APPEAL: The Coroner is seeking relatives of 75-year-old Malcolm Tweddle who died at his home in Orwell Walk, Hartlepool, on Sunday, April 28. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. Relatives can contact The Coroner’s Office
A HIGH-FLYING graduate wept today (Monday, April 29) as he was jailed for fracturing the skull of a would-be Army engineer in a nightclub attack - described as "12 seconds of madness". Eden Uttley, 21, has had to put his career in the forces on
THIS driver had a lucky escape after the caravan he was towing was turned over by the wind on the A1. North Yorkshire Road Policing Group tweeted this picture of the scene near Scotch Corner. No one was injured.
IT was mixed emotions for east Cleveland residents when planning inspectors ruled on two challenges for planning applications for windfarms in the area. The planning inspectorate dismissed an appeal from Empirica Investments Ltd to erect a 67m
POLICE are appealing for a vital witness to come forward after a motorist drove off without paying for his fuel. The incident occurred at the Scotch Corner Pavilion, Middleton Tyas, some six weeks ago but details have only just been released by
CONGRATULATIONS to Darlington 1883 on winning promotion from the Northern League at the first attempt. It has not been all plain sailing off the pitch, but the team hasn’t put a foot wrong on it and we salute the achievement of manager Martin Gray
A SEMINAR focusing on rural deprivation and inequalities will take place at Teesside University’s Darlington Campus on May 21. The event is part of the Rural Services Network seminar programme and will feature speakers from Durham and Teesside
AN expanding North-East company - set up with the aid of a Teesside University fellowship - is now helping to save the lives of hospital patients on the other side of the Atlantic. Gospelware has grown rapidly since being founded in 2010 after
THE number of state schools in the North-East offering the elite IGCSE qualification has jumped from 14 to 54 in the last year. It means the region now has more state schools offering the International General Certificate of Secondary Education
COMEDIAN Patrick Monahan swapped the stage for the classroom last week as part of a campaign to inspire young people. Patrick taught English to a class of students at Darlington School of Maths and Science as part of Teach Firsts campaign Every
BEAUTY therapy students have won high praise from industry judges in an inter-college contest designed to test their skills. Make-up artists and hair stylist Kate Pymm, who works in TV and film and Kerry Lewis, who runs a mobile My Little Beauty
YORK St John University has moved into the top 10 of the Times Higher Education's annual Student Experience Survey. The results show an impressive rise to 9th place for York St John University who were placed 58th in 2012. This is the first
NORTHUMBRIA University has announced the 10 finalists for the inaugural Woon Foundation Painting and Sculpture Art Prize 2012-13. The major new arts prize - worth an annual total of 40,000 - offers the winner a 20,000 bursary and a Fellowship at
EMPLOYERS and colleges in the North-East are being urged to nominate outstanding students who have gained a vocational qualification in the last 12 months for the national VQ Learner of the Year award. For the first time, businesses of all sizes
THE winner of a prestigious national prize has urged other North-East geology students to enter this year's competition. Durham University MSci geology student Adam Pacey received a prize of 2,000 for him and his University department when he won
SANDHUTTON Young fun: A children’s disco is being held at the village hall on May 3 for under-eights between 6pm and 7.30pm, and over-eights between 7.30 pm and 9pm. Admission is £3 on the door and includes a hotdog and drink. A family BBQ is bing
POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a burglary at an isolated North Yorkshire farm. An Ifor Williams trailer, registration number K900 MRB, was stolen along with a steam cleaner and a selection of power tools, from a workshop at a farm
A MURDER probe has been launched after a woman was found dead at a house today (Monday, April 29). A police spokesman said officers went to the property in Gosforth, Northumberland, shortly after 11am, after getting a report from a caller who had
FOOTBALL fans backing Spennymoor Town’s quest for FA Carlsberg Vase glory have put up a huge banner in an attempt to persuade more people to make the long trip to this Saturday's (May 4) Wembley final. Staff at DurhamGate, near Spennymoor, proudly
DOG MICROCHIPPING: Dog owners can have their pets micro-chipped at a free event being run by Durham County Council and the Stray Aid charity. The event is in the car park outside livin Sheltered Accommodation, Harrison Close, Shildon, on Saturday (
THE chief constable of Durham Police has paid a visit to Darlington to meet officers and carry out a beat patrol. Mike Barton, who took over the top job in February, is visiting each of the towns in the force area and was in Darlington town centre
Durham Ramblers are staging a nine-mile walk following old railway routes in Alston and South Tynedale in the north Pennines, on Sunday (MAY 5). All those interested in taking part should meet at the Alston Railway Station at 10.30am for the first
EARLY birds are being invited to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Darlington’s Dawn Chorus walks on Saturday, May 4. Darlington Council’s countryside team are organising the five-mile walk which will leave from the Broken Scar picnic area at
DURHAM’S bowlers would have appreciated another day’s rest, but after a full day in the field on Saturday they are in line for another one after Paul Collingwood lost the toss at Trent Bridge. On a bright morning with a cold wind blowing there
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a car crash which left a woman in her eighties needing hospital treatment. The incident happened at 5.15pm on Friday, April 26 on Good Street near the junction with New Front Street, in Tanfield lea, near Stanley
A COUPLE escaped a fire on their houseboat in the early hours of this morning. Fire crews were called out to Hartlepool Marina just after 3.30am today (MONDAY) and spent an hour putting the blaze out. A man in his 40s suffered smoke inhalation
Jeremy Gates finds out what is causing the boom in coaching holidays COACH holidays are back in fashion as cost-conscious passengers seek out packages free of hidden extras. More than seven million are booked each year – about four times the
CROWDS of mourners gathered at All Saints Church in Blackwell, Darlington, for the funeral of a popular and well-respected crime scene investigator. David Johnson, from the town, died just days after his 56th birthday following treatment for health
Our money is going a lot further this year, despite sterling taking a pounding from the euro, says Jeremy Gates BRITISH visitors to Europe may find their money goes further than they expected. According to the Post Office Holiday Costs barometer
Veteran thespians Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi were the ideal candidates for ITV’s new sitcom, even if they didn’t fancy being Vicious Old Queens. Steve Pratt reports THE new ITV1 sitcom Vicious was originally called Vicious Old Queens. Somewhere
IF Gordon Ramsay ever visited Walford in search of a decent restaurant he would throw up his arms in despair and scream “Effing hell, what the eff is effing well going effing on in this effing awful place?”. For Walford boasts no Michelinstarred
Paul Raymond was the man who porned the future as we know it. The man known as The King Of Soho has been brought to the big screen by Steve Coogan. Steve Pratt reports STEVE COOGAN and the press have had a love-hate, mostly hate, relationship in
So many people want to see Derren Brown on Wearside that he’s booked for a week at the Sunderland Empire. Steve Pratt finds out why SO, WHAT exactly would you call Derren Brown? “Master of psychological illusion” is how he’s billed ahead of next week
Marcus Wareing is one of many celebrity chefs who’ve teamed up to encourage children into the kitchen. Here is one of his receipes for your children to try. Serves eight Ingredients: 260g risotto rice 2 litres of chicken stock 1
SPENDING on one of the region’s most improved schools is set to top the £3m mark as the transformation of its fortunes continues. Close to £1m has just been secured which will be spent on renewing roofs and fire barriers at Darlington School of
Ruth Campbell meets the no-nonsense fashion consultants who are urging women to try something new. But whatever you do, don’t compare Belinda and Gail to Trinny and Susannah. That’s not their style BELINDA Alexander and Gail Little are rapidly
INVESTIGATIONS have begun into how an inflatable slide blew away in high winds, injuring children and bystanders at a car boot sale. The dramatic accident happened at Ripley Cricket Club near Harrogate at about 10am on Sunday. Screams could
A NORTH Yorkshire village hall is preparing to welcome a top international band, shortly after appearing on one of America’s most viewed television shows. The Dunwells have received much attention in the music industry and recently performed on
Facebook has a new Home on mobile. It’s as good as building a phone of its own... almost, says Giles Turnbull THE technology industry loves its rumours, and in recent months they were whispering the same thing over and over again: Facebook is building
Marcus Wareing is one of many celebrity chefs who’ve teamed up to encourage children into the kitchen. Here is one of his receipes for your children to try. Serves ten Ingredients: Bacon filling: 8 bacon rashers 1 medium onion,
Reflexology can be as effective as painkillers in some cases, according to a new study. Lisa Salmon reports FANS of reflexology have long since sung the praises of its benefits. Based on ancient Chinese practices, it involves carefully applying
School administrator Hayley Bradley tells how losing weight has helped her to relieve her asthma symptoms Hayley, 37, who lives in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, with husband Mark and children Heidi, 16, Sebastian, 14, and Gabriel, 12, lost 9st
JIM Cokill, director of Durham Wildlife Trust, will give a talk titled The Future of Durham’s Wildlife in room 141 of Durham University’s Elvet Riverside 1 building, on New Elvet, Durham, on Wednesday, May 8, at 8pm. The illustrated talk has been organised
ON AN opening day that saw title favourites South North and Chester-le-Street secure expected victories, and Blaydon slump to a shock defeat, Stockton began their campaign in convincing fashion as they won with seven wickets to spare at Benwell Hill
WORK to create a community facility that will house two scout groups is taking place in north Durham. The £315,000 project on Constance Street in Consett is expected to be completed by July and will be ready for youngsters to start using by September
As the new tax year gets under way, it’s time to stow away your tax-free ISAs WITH the start of the new tax year (party poppers at my house), you now have a brand new tax-free savings ISA allowance. The slate’s wiped clean, everyone has a bigger
In the NTSL, three clubs have 100 per cent records after two games, but much-fancied Shotley Bridge suffered an unexpected defeat by newcomers Ponteland. The former second division side, who were elevated at the last minute and lost by one wicket
With the stylish blue and white of Wedgwood chic so in vogue for this summer, Lisa Haynes reveals the best in china-inspired prints WITH each fashion season there are mainstream looks, and then there are niche trends. The latter start off small
FOUR champions made an impressive start to life in the new Durham Cricket League. Brought together primarily by the amalgamation of the former Senior, County and Coast leagues, which were all disbanded, Burnmoor, Esh Winning and Murton were joined
A RETIREMENT village has donated its winnings from an awards ceremony to help community groups look after wildlife sites. Middleton Hall Retirement Village, near Darlington, has donated the £500 cheque to Durham Wildlife Trust after being commended
AN energy company has apologised to Darlington residents affected by a power cut in the early hours of Monday (April 29) morning. About 180 properties in the Neasham Road area of the town were affected by the power cut at 12.30am. A spokesman
A SECOND week of sunshine and surprises brought the sweet taste of revenge for Darlington, a magnificent career best eight wicket haul for Sedgefield’s Steve Naylor, and a batting collapse which turned a likely victory into a crushing defeat for Stokesley
NEWCASTLE FALCONS will be at home to Leinster in the British and Irish Cup final on Friday, May 17 following their 18-15 win in Saturday’s semifinal at Bedford. The Falcons led 18-3 with six minutes to go, but Bedford scored two late tries to bring
JOE ROOT’S 182 against Durham on Saturday was definitely one of the best innings I have ever seen. It is always difficult to post a score like that, and even more so in the fourth innings when the pressure is really on. To do what he did was absolutely
Every Monday throughout the cricket season, Durham batsman Dale Benkenstein and Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance pen exclusive weekly columns for The Northern Echo ON the bus again, travelling down the M1 on our only day of rest between four tough
CHURCH leaders will discuss the impact of welfare cuts at a summit tomorrow (Tuesday, April 30). The event, titled Am I My Brother’s Keeper?, will focus on recent benefits changes introduced by the Government. Organised by the Faith In Our
AFTER 13 years in the North-East, Julio Arca is to bid farewell to Middlesbrough, but the popular Argentine insists his career is not over and hinted that he could be back playing in England next season. Arca has had his contract at the Riverside terminated
Day Four Durham v Yorkshire LV County Championship PAUL COLLINGWOOD admitted he still can’t be sure how Chester-le-Street pitches will behave after the outstanding Joe Root made a nonsense of the Durham captain’s declaration on Saturday
A PLAY by a 12-year-old schoolgirl warning about the potential dangers of social networking is touring schools across the region. 'Michaela's Mistake' written by Chelsey Cleminson - a pupil from Newcastle's Excelsior Academy - tells the story of
A TOP TV historian is in the North-East this week to tell the story of Great Britain. Michael Wood will give a free public lecture at Sunderland University on Thursday, May 2, covering Alexander the Great to the Conquistadors and from Afghanistan
WITH the pressure on his shoulders mounting, Alan Pardew has vowed to lead Newcastle United to Premier League safety - provided he is backed by the boardroom. The Magpies suffered their worst home defeat since 1925 when they lost 6-0 to Liverpool
FORMER Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson was happy to give his old team-mates at the Stadium of Light a timely boost by helping hit Newcastle United for six. Henderson scored a goal in each half and created another for Daniel Sturridge to
CHILDREN are being urged to take more responsibility for their own safety as part of an initiative launched by Cleveland Police and a housing association. Tristar Homes and the force have teamed up for ‘Staying Safe’ scheme which saw pupils from
AFTER a week in which Liverpool had to deal with the infantile behaviour of their leading goalscorer, it was the turn of the players wearing Newcastle United shirts to show childish tendencies. Without the individual disgrace of resorting to biting
Final Score: Newcastle United 0 Liverpool 6 AFTER a week in which Liverpool had to deal with the infantile behaviour of their leading goalscorer, it was the turn of the players wearing Newcastle United shirts to show childish tendencies. Without
SPENNYMOOR manager Jason Ainsley graciously handed the title over to Darlington after his team’s 3-2 win over Durham City at the Brewery Field on Saturday. Moors have won the title for the past three seasons, and with their current points tally
Looking at this photo, of children sitting on the wall. I try to spot my siblings, and see if I am there at all. The photo it was taken, in 1949. Life was full of laughter, as we played to pass the time. The photo tells a story of rescue
Saint or sinner, you may decide Whatever the truth, the lady has died. Divisive in death as she was in life Some saw deliverance, others just strife. Leadership’s tough, and she kept a strong hold Never deviating from the beliefs that she
From a Durham boy born and bred We looked up to the pitman’s banner Now we hear of men so proud Are acting in a satanic manner. Not the brave pitmen of the past, These men are children of the dark They can take pride in their
(Bloomsbury, £18.99, ebook £13.67) A LOVINGLY-crafted tribute to the victorious 1967 Grand National winner, David Owen’s book is about much more than the world-famous steeplechase. The background, development and undistinguished race record
A CANCER survivor who spent more than a year in a wheelchair through leukaemia has raised more than £1,600 for charity by running a marathon. Liam Johnson, 24, of Shildon, in County Durham, ran the Greater Manchester Marathon in aid of Cancer Research
(Profile Books, £20, ebook £9.49) FORMED by brothers James and Cyrus in 1828 and managed since by seven generations of a strongly Quaker family, Clarks was booming on all cylinders as the 1960s dawned, with 11 factories throughout south-west England
(Souvenir Press, £20, ebook £11.52) IT is a classic self-tuition course that promises to bring out the artist in of all of us – and now, Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain has been revamped for a new generation of would-be Picassos. In
OUP £25 IN defining and describing how China has turned itself into an economic super power second only to America, Linda Yueh has some timely warnings for the US and its allies who might expect it to stumble and fall. China made it on its own
(Headline, priced £13.99, ebook £6.99) CLAIRE McGOWAN’S debut novel, The Fall, was received with high praise, and it is expected that this second novel, the first in a series introducing forensic psychologist Paula Maguire, will go on to do the
Match Report: Darlington 3 Team Northumberland 1 A YEAR ago, Darlington supporters were living a nightmare. Their club wasn’t just in the doldrums, it was six feet under, but now they’re savouring glorious moments that will last a lifetime.
EBOOKS 1 Little Girl Lost, Brian McGilloway 2 The Magpies: A Psychological Thriller, Mark Edwards 3 The French House, Nick Alexander 4 The Perfect Retreat, Kate Forster 5 Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn 6 Finding Emma, Steena Holmes
(Headline, £14.99, ebook £7.49) SINCE winning the Telegraph’s First Thousand Words Of A Novel competition with her debut in 2007, Darlington-raised and London-based Imogen Robertson has built a name for herself as a writer of atmospheric historical
(Bloomsbury Circus, £12.99, ebook £8.51) SHORTLISTED for the Costa First Novel Award for her 2011 debut Pao, Kerry Young returns with Gloria, which is based in 1960s Jamaica and begins with a rape. After escaping from the countryside where she
SLIMMERS have helped an animal charity by raising money while shedding pounds. Coxhoe Slimming World group, which has around 65 members, staged a six-week sponsored weight loss drive, raising £40 for Stray Aid, which is based near the County Durham
THE 9pm slot vacated by Broadchurch is filled not with another crime drama but a double helping of new comedy – quite a bold move by ITV. Theatrical knights Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi team up for Vicious, about a couple who have been together
VICIOUS is followed by The Job Lot, which is set in a West Midlands Jobcentre. The first episode introduces us to manager Trish (Miranda’s Sarah Hadland), whose role has just got that little bit harder with the return of her most difficult member
RUBBISH and recycling collection dates across the Darlington will change from Monday (April 29). The changes are being made in preparation for the introduction of the wheelie bin service which starts in June. Information leaflets advising resident
TWO decades ago, Dave Allen made his final TV series, an ITV postwatershed strand which offended some, but delighted millions – a description which summed up most of his working life. The ex-Skegness redcoat, newspaper dogsbody and strip show comedian
IN the penultimate episode of The Hoarder Next Door, we meet 42-yearold Tina, who is desperate to tackle the hoard of family memorabilia that has gathered over the decades. Having lived in the house since she was a child, it is full of cuddly toys
A PLAY with songs based on writer and performer Caroline Horton’s own experiences of anorexia nervosa comes to The Arc, in Stockton, on Thursday. Mess is a three-hander about obsession, despair and finally about letting go that “offers an authentic
Final Score: Crawley Town 2 Hartlepool United 2 AMID a great deal of uncertainty and hilarity, Hartlepool United ended the most unflattering of seasons. Pools bowed out of League One on the back of a fourgame unbeaten run. That those final
GREGGS has issued its first profits warning for five years as the North-East baker admitted the recession has finally started to bite. After remaining relatively impervious to the high street downturn the Newcastle-based pie and pasty maker admitted
Final Score : Arsenal 1 Manchester United 1 ARSENE WENGER warned his players they cannot drop any more points in their quest for Champions League qualification after Robin van Persie returned to the Emirates stadium to break Arsenal hearts amid
NORTH-EAST bakery chain Greggs was counting the cost of the bleak winter today as it warned that annual profits will be short of City hopes. The Newcastle-based company, which has 1,681 shops, said the adverse weather in January and March was a
THE North-East was transported back in time when the spectacular Walking With Dinosaurs tour arrived in Newcastle. The £10m show played to a packed Metro Radio Arena over a five-day pre-historic extravaganza, which brought dinosaurs to life with
STEPHANE Sessegnon has assured Sunderland supporters he has no intention of leaving the club this summer, and confirmed his previous personal problems are now firmly behind him. Sessegnon came close to leaving the Stadium of Light last summer as
Final Score: Middlesbrough 2 Charlton Athletic 2 FOR a brief period in the build up to Saturday's game, Middlesbrough supporters were able to revel in the glories of the past. It was the seventh anniversary of the club's unforgettable UEFA
PAOLO Di Canio has repeated his assertion that a win at Villa Park tonight will effectively guarantee Sunderland a place in next season's Premier League. Wigan's failure to beat Tottenham at the weekend means the Black Cats head to the Midlands
SCOTT McDonald has urged his Middlesbrough team-mates to “take a long, hard look at themselves” in order to ensure they return to pre-season training determined to atone for the disappointments of the current campaign. Boro concluded their home
AT least 112,000 sun-starved North-Easterners say they are more likely to risk scorching themselves in strong sun to get a tan this summer following last year's dismal weather, results of a new survey reveal today (Monday, April 29). The shocking
MANY more workers will die and be injured after the Government scrapped key safety laws from the Victorian era, a North-East MP has warned. Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough, condemned legislation that will make staff, rather than employers
THE Quakers’ promotion from the Northern League comes almost a year after the club was taken over by the fans during one of the most turbulent periods in its history. Denis Pinnegar, the man who led the purchase, said he remembers vividly the afternoon
AS the number of under-24s out of work in the region reaches a 17-year high, a scheme helping young people to become their own boss is needed now more than ever, charity bosses say. The Prince’s Trust is marking the 30th anniversary of its Enterprise
A LABOUR candidate in this week’s council elections has been suspended by the party after a derby day bust-up outside a pub in the town he hopes to represent. Craig Patterson, of Ferryhill, County Durham, was one of two men cautioned by police
Darlington FC’s biggest home attendance of the season watched in nervous anticipation as their team set about clinching the Northern League title at the first time of asking. Andy Walker joined the crowd. DARLINGTON fans have met with triumph and
TRADERS are pinning their colours to the mast ahead of an historic Wembley fixture for their town football club. Support for FA Carlsberg Vase finalists, Spennymoor Town FC, is evident throughout the County Durham town where decorated windows can
A RANGE of events has been planned to mark the history and achievements of a Darlington college, which celebrates its 450th anniversary this year. What exists today as Queen Elizabeth (QE) Sixth Form College, in Vane Terrace, was granted the Royal
THE so-called “bedroom tax” has left thousands of North-East social housing tenants wanting to downsize - but unable to move because of the region’s chronic shortage of small homes. An investigation by The Northern Echo has found a surge in demand
CLEVELAND’S Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger has shelved plans to hire an external company to deal with media inquiries, The Northern Echo has learnt. Cleveland Police put out to tender a two year contract for media communications
A POLICE investigation was under way last night after five people, including several children, were rushed to hospital when high winds blew an inflatable slide 160ft across a packed car boot sale. Onlookers watched in horror as the children's attraction
DURHAM says it is pleased to have held on to fifth place in a new universities league table. The North-East’s leading university maintained its 2013 ranking in the 2014 Complete University Guide table, published today (Monday, April 29). Durham
TOOL THEFTS: Tools worth more than £2,000 have been stolen from two works vans in the Vedra Close area of Wearhead between 1am and 6am on Tuesday, April 23. There have been a number of similar offences in recent weeks in the Crook and Weardale areas
COMEDY legend Phil Cool said farewell to fans in the region at the weekend. The funnyman is retiring after 40 years in the business and brought his Final Curtain Tour to Barnard Castle's Funny Way To Be comedy club for a sell-out show. The
TWO brothers were arrested after arguing with police following a derby day drinking session, a court has heard. Rikki Lee Copping, 27, and his brother Thomas Howard Copping, 25, had been out drinking in Bishop Auckland on April 14 to see Newcastle
A SOLDIER who accidentally shot a pigeon while testing his air rifle’s sights has been given a conditional discharge after a court heard he would have received a police caution had he not gone on duty in Afghanistan. Police had originally intended
A RETIRED project manager is hitting the road for a marathon charity cycling challenge. Bob Murdoch will set off from his Barnard Castle home on May 11 and plans to cycle to all four corners of the UK, covering some 2,500 miles. He will first
MEMORIES from miners who worked in a once-flourishing North Pennine industry are being captured for posterity as part of a new heritage project. At its height, fluorspar mining was one of the main employers in Weardale, Allendale and the Rookhope
A GROUP of youths are believed to have broken washing pegs and a broom at the rear of a property on River Walk, West Auckland, shortly after 8.30pm, on Sunday, April 28. The suspects are described as 14 to 15-years-old and one was wearing a hoodie
RESIDENTS and business owners are being urged to keep their gas and electricity meters locked away after thieves stole a gas meter from the outside wall of a building on the Furnace Pit Industrial Estate, Shildon. The incident happened sometime
A MAN who shouted abuse at his step-mother before updating his Facebook status to say he wanted to kill lots of people must complete 80 hours unpaid work. Mark Anthony Connelly, originally from Barnard Castle but now living in Middlesbrough, appeared
A BISHOP Auckland school will officially open its new rugby academy in September. The centre to promote elite rugby performance is designed to work alongside academic studies at St John’s School and Sixth Form, on Woodhouse Lane. It will offer
A FAMILY has moved away from a village after a feud with neighbours culminated in an attack outside a cricket club toilet, a court has heard. In a statement read to Newton Aycliffe Magistrates, the family said they had been forced to leave the
AN appeal has been launched to help a farming family in rural County Durham who lost everything when their home was destroyed by a blaze yesterday. Stuart and Susan Rigg, and their two young sons, escaped uninjured when fire tore through their
SHED DAMAGE: Raiders attempted to break into a garden shed in Ashcroft Gardens, Bishop Auckland, between noon and 4pm on Sunday. Nothing was stolen but the shed door was damaged. Anyone with information should contact Bishop Auckland Police on 101.
