Archive

  • Wright pleads with Darlington fans to stay behind their team

    A POOR run of results has seen Darlington plummet down the table leading to understandable disillusionment among supporters, but now is the time that the players needs the fans’ support. That is the belief of manager Tommy Wright, who says that

  • Police appeal to find man missing from Peterlee

    POLICE are concerned about a man who has been reported as missing from home. Michael Coleman has been reported as missing from Peterlee. The 40-year-old is described as 6ft 1ins, with short and greying hair. He is wearing a dark brown waterproof

  • Pet dog punched by burglars

    A MAN and woman were threatened by burglars who punched their dog. Two men entered a house on Ellesmere Road, in Benwell, Newcastle, at about 5.30am yesterday, threatened the occupants and then hit the pet. Two mobile phones and cash were stolen

  • FOUR Newcastle United games rearranged for TV

    FOUR of Newcastle United’s matches in December and January have been selected for live television coverage. The Magpies’ home game against Wolves has been put back 24 hours and will now take place on Sunday, December 9 (4pm). Sky Sports have

  • New breast cancer drug hailed as breakthrough

    A RECENTLY-APPROVED breast cancer drug could be used to target and treat a life-threatening leukaemia, new research has revealed. Experts at Newcastle University have identified that the drug, palbociclib, used for advanced breast cancer, can work

  • First year students freshen up beach

    FIRST year students from Durham University visited Blast Beach on the Heritage Coast to learn more about the area and its unique geology - and carried out a major beach clean. The 240 freshers, all from the geography department, met with representatives

  • MPs push case for 17,500-job free port in Teesport

    TWO North-East MPs have joined a cross party parliamentary group to stress the importance of free ports, which could bring thousands of jobs to the region. Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and east Cleveland, and Labour MP Anna

  • Council stages national energy efficiency event

    A NATIONAL event on energy efficiency has been staged in County Durham. Durham County Council organised a conference to give interested parties from across the country the opportunity to discuss ways of supporting small businesses to make the transition

  • Knives, catapults and metal bars: Fire crews under attack

    FIREFIGHTERS tackling a blaze were attacked by a group of young thugs recently. As crews were responding to a rubbish fire in Middlesbrough, the gang of youngsters threw missiles and damaged equipment as their friends attempted to start another

  • Councillors given advice to deal with online trolls

    ADVICE on tackling online trolls will be given to councillors across County Durham as part of a new social media drive. Durham County Council will circulate guidelines to parish, town and county councillors about their use of social media including

  • Heart valve patient is star of photography competition

    A PHOTOGRAPHER has reached the final stage of a national competition after being inspired by a 91-year-old heart valve patient. Laura Curl teamed up with Bishop Auckland resident, Raymond Stickles, of Bishop Auckland, to take part in the Patient

  • Exhibition shines a light on dwarfism

    AN exhibition is shining a light on a little-known and misunderstood section of society – people who are living with dwarfism. The display, You’re Just Little, is at the Spectrum Cultural Hub, Lighhouse View, Dawdon, in Seaham until Sunday, and

  • Rock of Ages: A night of laughs, big hair and jazz hands

    NICK WINSTON brought his production of the much-loved show Rock of Ages to the Darlington Hippodrome for the first time. Following the story of Drew and Sherrie, two youngsters trying to make it in the big city, the production is not only a love

  • Mowden to tread new ground against Sale

    DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK will tread new ground tomorrow as they take on Sale FC for the first time as part of a double-header that will also see the female Sharks team host Richmond. Mowden’s men’s side host Sale FC (3pm) following their opponents

  • Falcons ring the changes for their European return

    FRENCH prop Sami Mavinga will feel at home on Sunday as Newcastle Falcons take on Toulon in the opening round of the European Champions Cup. Mavinga joins a freshened-up front row as Falcons play their first Champions Cup game for 14 seasons, joining

  • Drivers warned to be on guard after spate of vehicle crimes

    DRIVERS are being warned to be on guard after a spate of vehicles crimes in the Bowburn area, near Durham, over the last few days. Around half a dozen cars have been targeted during the hours of darkness, mainly in the Grange Way and Harle Oval

  • Disability charity objects to new pavement cafe in Darlington

    A DISABILITY charity has hit out at plans to open a new pavement cafe in a town centre. The owners of Hatch Luncheonette on Blackwellgate have submitted an application to Darlington Borough Council to extend their cafe and offer an outdoor eating

  • Woman drank wine and drove erratically after marriage split

    A WOMAN who had just split from her husband drank wine before driving through Durham city centre, narrowly missing other cars as she swerved along the road, a court heard. Leann Sinclair, 32, was caught after police received reports of a Nissan

  • Shildon boss Moore: We must make home advantage count

    Shildon manager Danny Moore says that they must make home advantage count when Glasshoughton visit in the first round of the Buildbase FA Vase on Saturday. The Railwaymen have been inconsistent in recent weeks and have slipped to fifth place in

  • Ainsley hopes that enforced break hasn't affected Moors

    Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley wants another good month as they prepare for Saturday’s home game with Ashton United. Moors had a great September in which they picked up ten points and climbed to fourth in the table, just three points behind second

  • Councillors give go-ahead to 50 new affordable homes

    Proposals for 50 new affordable homes to be built in Murton have been approved by planners. An empty site in the north of Murton is set to be transformed into a major new development of affordable homes by one of the region’s largest housing associations

  • Duo turn relaxing pastime into hospice fundraiser

    TWO artistic hospice patients have found a way to raise money while relaxing. Tony Thompson and Elaine Peacock are both patients of Butterwick Hospice, in Bishop Auckland. A couple of months back they started to draw on small plastic pebbles

  • Hearn ready to deliver Ritson a St James' Park spectacular

    EDDIE HEARN is ready to deliver Lewis Ritson a World title fight at St James’ Park in 2019, provided the Geordie fighter continues his meteoric rise through the ranks. Ritson returns to the ring in Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena tomorrow, taking

  • Super slimmer inspires others to get running

    A SUPER slimmer who credits a new love of running as the driving force behind her success is helping others to get the bug to get fit and lose weight. Dionne Torkington-Craven, 44, from Bedale, was told by her doctor 18 months ago that she was

  • Probe into fire that destroyed flat in Hetton-le-Hole

    Video: North East Live Traffic AN investigation will be held to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a flat in Hetton-le-Hole. Four appliances and an aerial ladder platform were called to the property on Richard Street at around 6am

  • Letters: Jodie Whittaker was just what the 'Doctor' ordered

    THERE’S been a lot of hype about the new Doctor Who being a female for the very first time. I decided to watch Jodie Whittaker make her debut on Sunday night, and I must admit I wasn’t disappointed. I felt thoroughly entertained – let’s face

  • Letters: 'Julia Breen, aka the prophet of doom'

    NICE to see Julia Breen, aka the prophet of doom, has taken time from her job carrying a sandwich board bearing the slogan “the end of the world is nigh” to write her column headlined “Forget the dancing and do the deal” (Echo, Oct 4). Do what deal

  • Letters: 'Let us look at the bigger Brexit picture'

    IN reply to R Tomlinson regarding Brexit (HAS, Oct 8), let us look at the bigger picture. Look at manufacturing industry, particularly the motor industry where the leaders are fearful of a hard or a no-deal Brexit with its cross channel implications

  • Anyone for badminton?

    A BADMINTON club has launched a new era with a change of name after operating for 30 years. Up to now, the Dolphin Premier Badminton Club has been for juniors only but it has now re-launched as an inclusive club, with all ages welcome. Head coach

  • Letters: 'Theresa has been leading us all on a merry dance'

    “BRING on the Clowns”, and Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees Mogg and company duly obliged, giving us a preview to the main event, which was “The Dancing Queen”. As our Prime Minister pranced onto the stage at the Tory party conference, I was reminded more

  • Darlington: News In Brief

    Birthday party THE Darlington branch of Soroptimists International celebrated their 70th anniversary at Blackwell Grange Hotel at the weekend. The proceedings were led by President Dorothy Thompson and past Presidents Alma Bailey who welcomed guests

  • Warning over 'inadequate' college teaching hours

    A COLLEGE principal has warned that English students are receiving almost half the teaching hours given to their European counterparts. Darren Hankey, principal at Hartlepool College of Further Education, has thrown his weight behind Colleges Week

  • Girl pupils learn self-defence moves from police expert

    GIRLS at a Darlington school have been given tips in how to protect themselves by a police self-defence expert. PC Neil Walton, from the Darlington neighbourhood policing team, visited Longfield Academy to show female pupils a series of moves to

  • Laing on his way out of Hartlepool United

    LOUIS Laing’s time at Hartlepool United appears to be coming to an end, with the club in talks to pay up the remainder of his contract. The centre-half is not part of Matthew Bates’ plans and was left out of a reserve / youth squad which played

  • Students get a better deal in Durham

    SPONSORED CONTENT STUDYING in Durham just got better for students, and their families, with the InDurham Loyalty Card.  Signing up for the card will mean that your money goes further and you can indulge in a few treats. Take advantage of

  • Volunteers sought as town launches 2018 Poppy Appeal

    A TOWN’S annual Poppy Appeal will get underway later this month. Each year the people of Barnard Castle and the surrounding villages freely give their support to The Royal British Legion during the annual Poppy Appeal. The Appeal is a reminder

  • Grant for charity at heart of community

    A CENTRE at the heart of its community has been given a major donation to help it provide training and support. The Old Co Op Building in Loftus, east Cleveland, acts as a community hub and social meeting place for all members of the community.

  • Police train for emergencies on donated bus

    BUS company Go North East has donated a bus to Cleveland and Durham Police so they can mock-up real life emergency situations. The double deck will be a key training facility for more than 100 firearms officers and commanders across both forces,

  • Fans can help install new seats at stadium

    FANS are being urged to lend a hand and help out in the third phase of a football club’s mass seat change. As part of Sunderland AFC’s bid to meet supporters’ requests to replace faded seats at the Stadium of Light, the club is recruiting volunteers

  • 'Erratic' driving on A167 led to driver ban

    A DRINK-driver reported to police after driving in an 'erratic manner' and swerving all over the road has been handed a 20-month ban. Wayne Harmer, 39, of Bates Avenue, Newton Aycliffe, pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared before magistrates

  • Cross-party calls to up special needs funding

    COUNCILLORS from across the political divide have agreed to join forces to press the Government for extra funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A meeting of Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet heard the authority

  • Comment: Footing the Royal Wedding bill

    AT 11am this morning, Princess Eugenie will marry Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle. We hope the happy couple enjoy their wedding day, and wish them all the best for the future. We also applaud their decision

  • Electrics manufacturer reports profits up

    ELECTRICAL goods manufacturer Ebac has announced positive results for last year. Ebac, which has a factory on Aycliffe Business Park, County Durham, recorded a profit of £362,216 in the year ending December, 31, 2017– up from £327,663 the previous

  • Man dressed as a giant poppy aims to set unusual world record

    A NORTH Yorkshire man is hoping to smash his own world record this weekend – for the fastest marathon dressed as a three-dimensional plant. Owen Willis, 50, will be in York on Sunday for the Yorkshire Marathon, in aid of the Royal British Legion

  • Anger as childcare firms offered business rates relief

    HEADLINE-grabbing Government pledges which it fails to properly fund are being propped up by a Conservative-led council, it has been claimed. Leaders of Richmondshire District Council have been told their decision to offer private childcare operators

  • £10k grants fund shared by 40 groups across the region

    A £10,000 grants fund will be shared by 40 groups from across the region. Global chemical company Venator has announced the first ever recipients of its Together Fund, following an online public vote. More than 60,000 people voted for 109 shortlisted

  • £6,000 to be spent on public art on industrial estate

    PUBLIC art funding that has remained in council coffers for ten years may now be used to brighten up an industrial estate. Chester-le-Street District Council allocated £6,000 for Drum Industrial Estate and North Lodge in 2008, but the money was

  • Ask Fiona: Caught in middle of friend's affair

    Columnist and trained counsellor Fiona Caine offers advice on a tricky love triangle, walking away from a loveless marriage and tackling insomnia FOR the past three years, my friend's husband has been having an affair. She has no idea that he is

  • Competition success for teenager golfer

    A YOUNG golfer from Chester-le-Street is teeing up for a bright future after winning a major North-East golfing tournament. James Lusk, 14, was the overall winner at this year’s Under 21 Mizuno Race 2 Rockcliffe tournament. The teenager, who

  • Programme to save Durham Cathedral's rare books launched

    A PROGRAMME aided at restoring rare books has been re-launched for another year. Durham Cathedral’s adopt a book programme, which is now in its third year, gives people the opportunity to restore a book of their choosing from its extensive early

  • Dampness leads to temporary gallery closure

    HUMIDITY problems have led to the temporary closure of an art gallery at one of the region’s oldest museums. But curators hope to have the “unforeseen circumstances”, which have beset the gallery at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, resolved

  • Warning about 'cutting corners' in AI research

    A TEAM of academics are urging caution amongst pioneers in artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent potentially catastrophic consequences if companies do not put safety first. Dr The Anh Han, senior lecturer in computer science at Teesside University

  • Work to start on 73-home development in Sacriston

    WORK is due to start on a £10m development which will see 73 homes built in a village. Cheviot Holdings Ltd was given planning permission for the scheme in Lingey House Farm, near Fulworth Way, Sacriston in 2017. The company has now signed an

  • Move to tackle 'lazy' parking near Hartlepool school

    YELLOW lines will be painted on a road leading up to a school to prevent ‘lazy’ parking causing safety concerns. Hartlepool Borough Council’s neighbourhood services committee approved plans for double yellow lines along Westwood Way, between Thornbury

  • Darlington Hippodrome - a strong start and a promising future

    AS the curtain went up on a new era of theatre in Darlington last November, the refurbished Hippodrome was described as the "best thing ever to happen" to the town by then council leader Bill Dixon. Given the town's railway heritage, it was a bold

  • Sunderland AFC chairman becomes Foundation of Light trustee

    A FOOTBALL chairman is taking on a new role at his club. Sunderland AFC chairman, Stewart Donald, is joining the board of trustees at the club’s official charity, the foundation of Light. Mr Donald will work alongside board members including

  • School picks up award for mental health work

    A SCHOOL has won recognition for its work supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. Middlesbrough's Ayresome Primary School has received a HeadStart Gold Award for demonstrating its commitment to helping children develop resilience and learn

  • Reduced opening times at three police stations

    OPENING times for three of the area's police stations are being reduced as part of a money-saving initiative. North Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan is to accept recommendations from the Chief Constable Lisa Winward to close

  • Richmond teenager is named British youth cycling champion

    A TEENAGER has been crowned British Cycling Youth Circuit Series Champion. Ben Partridge, a 14-year-old student at Richmond School, has completed a season of cycling at the top of his game, to become the U14 British champion. Over the last seven

  • DARLO DIARY: This game has Leamington written all over it

    SOMETIMES it’s nice to have a break. It allows you to recharge the batteries. It allows you some breathing space to review what has gone on. Most importantly it gives you some time to prepare for your next challenge. Hopefully, Tommy Wright and

  • Council hears of 'explosion' in complaints about councillors

    AN 'explosion' of complaints against councillors across County Durham has been reported, with figures more than tripling over a four-month period. On October 5, Durham County Council’s Standards Committee heard an update on code of conduct complaints

  • Nuclear apprentices power on with their career

    THE latest batch of apprentices at a nuclear power plant have taken up their new roles. The four were appointed after an extensive recruitment process and they will be the first to head to National College for Nuclear in Cannington, Somerset, for

  • It happened on this day...

    OCTOBER 12 1492: Christopher Columbus sighted his first land in discovering the New World, calling it San Salvador. 1537: Edward VI, son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, was born. He succeeded his father when he was nine, but died at 15. 1609