Archive
-
Date
Supporters praised by rescue team
A VOLUNTEER fell rescue team has praised the generosity of residents, who have allowed the group to thrive. The Swaledale Fell Rescue Organisation (SFRO) thanked local people who have already raised £4,300 towards its running costs this year. The team
-
Date
Stylish opening to festival
THE future and the past were themes in stark contrast for the opening night of the week-long Sedgefield Drama Festival of one act plays in the parish hall on Monday. For the 25th anniversary of the festival, the youth section of Sedgefield Players had
-
Date
'Don't take my life away from me'
IN JANE Sinski's home pride of place goes to a striking metal sculpture of a dancer. The tall black figure with outstretched legs and arms was bought while Jane and her husband Alex were living on an Army base in Germany and reminds her of when she was
-
Date
Students hope musical instruments appeal will strike right chord
COLLEGE musicians are appealing for help in adding another string to their bow - or even another bow. Students at Northallerton College are looking for new orchestral and band instruments to build on their success in reaching the national finals of the
-
Date
Wind blow for ancient mill
BLUSTERY conditions knocked the wind out of the sails of engineers hoping to put the finishing touches to restoration of a North-East relic yesterday. Refurbishment of Wearside landmark, Fulwell Mill, with the aim of bringing it back to working order,
-
Date
Park to host study into racial attitudes
ASIAN families are to be taken on a day trip into one of England's most scenic landscapes to see what sort of welcome they get. The initiative is part of a three-year research project to discover why so few people from ethnic minorities venture into national
-
Date
Acid leak emergency at club
A WOMAN was taken to hospital with possible breathing problems after an acid leak at a County Durham club. The fire and rescue crew from Newton Aycliffe was called to Chilton and Windlestone WMC, in Darlington Road, at about 3.15pm yesterday. They were
-
Date
Space problem at cemetery sends burial costs soaring
PRESSURE for space in a major cemetery is sending the cost of dying shooting up. Burials at Northallerton and Romanby cemetery are going up from £240 to £600 for a full interment as part of plans to expand the graveyard. Charges for other services, including
-
Date
Bulldoze plea after factory fire
DEMOLITION workers have moved into a factory badly damaged during an arson attack. Police have asked for the former Hugh Mackay carpet factory in Renny's Lane, Dragonville, near Durham City, to be bulldozed following Monday's blaze, the latest incident
-
Date
Digging in to provide a good food supply for THE butterflies
SCHOOLCHILDREN are helping ensure that a rare butterfly has plenty of food. Youngsters from Cassop School yesterday helped plant Rockroses at Trimdon Grange Nature Reserve. The plant is the only food of the Durham Argus butterfly's caterpillars and more
-
Date
in the market for answers concerning mystery pictures
ANTIQUES enthusiast David Harper got more than he bargained for when he fell in love with a portrait in an art shop. He spotted the picture of a mystery woman - believed to be a self-portrait - as he browsed around a shop in Barnard Castle, County Durham
-
Date
Armed raid on bookmakers
TWO women were left shocked after being threatened by an armed robber at a bookmakers. The incident happened at the Reg Boyle bookmaker's, near Lanehouse Road, Thornaby, on Teesside, at 5.30pm on Tuesday. The man, who is believed to be in his late twenties
-
Date
Probe into £40m state aid package at Nissan factory
THE brakes were slammed on plans for the new Micra to be built at Nissan's North-East plant last night after the European Commission launched a formal inquiry into the Government's proposed £40m state aid package. The Government insists the funding is
-
Date
Schizophrenic drops malicious prosecution claim
A SCHIZOPHRENIC'S bid to sue the police came to an abrupt end yesterday when he withdrew his case. Gerard Kowald had claimed false imprisonment and malicious prosecution against Cleveland Police. He was seeking damages after being arrested and charged
-
Date
Warning over ornaments thefts
POLICE are warning residents to conceal valuable ornaments following a spate of thefts. Crooks have been targeting homes in the Marton area of Middlesbrough in smash-and-grab type thefts. The incidents follow a similar crime spree several months ago,
-
Date
Bistro boss looks to Christmas for opening of ex-police station
AN eating and drinking complex that will create 120 jobs in Durham city centre could be open in time for Christmas. Businessman Richard Lazenby has overcome opposition to his £3m plans for the Old Police Station in Court Lane to win a pub licence. Work
-
Date
Katherine follows in sister's footsteps
A HIGH-FLYING student is following in her sister's footsteps by gaining a place at Oxford University. Katherine Ryder, 18, a student at Carmel Technology College, Darlington, is about to start a masters degree in physics at Somerville College. Her sister
-
Date
Bid for cash to help teenager mothers
A BID for money to provide accommodation for teenage mothers in Darlington is to be made by the council. Darlington Borough Council intends to make a bid to the Housing Corporation as part of its general strategy to support teenage mothers. A social exclusion
-
Date
Literature project turns new chapter
THE second phase of a literature project that is bringing Teesside national acclaim has been secured by a £64,000 grant. Cleveland Arts started the Buzzwords scheme three years ago to encourage reading and writing among local people. With cash from the
-
Date
Comment
ANY survey which asked people to nominate their greatest wishes for the new millennium would surely have featured a cure for cancer among the most common answers. It is a disease which touches everyone in some way, so it is important that news of possible
-
Date
Murder investigation after man shot dead in street
POLICE have mounted a murder investigation after a man was ambushed and shot dead at close range in a suspected gangland execution. Detectives are hunting for the killer of Freddie Knight, who was shot in the face as he and his wife visited relatives
-
Date
Brown's pledge of new deal for elderly
Chancellor Gordon Brown last night promised a new deal for millions of pensioners in a bid to avert growing anger over the way the Government has treated the elderly. On the day official figures showed that the number of pensioners living in poverty increased
-
Date
How prostitute Kellie's dreams ended in tragedy
THE young prostitute strangled on a North-East trading estate had been planning to escape to a new life, it emerged yesterday. Slightly built 20-year-old Kellie Mallinson worked as a prostitute in Middlesbrough to pay for her drug habit. Yesterday, as
-
Date
Merson dig at Boro fans
Paul Merson yesterday warned unhappy Middlesbrough fans to stop complaining and start backing Bryan Robson. The Boro boss has been a target after a disappointing start to the season but Merson, on the eve of his return to the Riverside, claimed the club
-
Date
Williams uncovers proof of Vieira attack
DARREN Williams may need surgery as a result of his clash with Arsenal's Patrick Vieira on the opening day of the season. Arsene Wenger blasted the Sunderland defender for play-acting when Vieira was shown the red card for elbowing the Sunderland defender
-
Date
Pensioner within inches of death
A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER came within feet of death when a car ploughed into her living room. Harriet Thwaites, 86, who is better known as Cissie, was asleep when a Vauxhall Cavalier careered off the road and into her bungalow at Westmorland Road, in Redcar
-
Date
Man's assault charge -shock'
A FORMER taxi driver accused of indecently assaulting a boy he used to drive to school told a court yesterday he was shocked when he heard of the allegations. Charles Coverdale, known as Eric, said there was no truth in the allegations, and he could think
-
Date
Minister to look at Lancet costs
HIGH level talks are to be held to discuss the escalating costs of a long running police anti corruption investigation which is yet to result in a single officer being charged with a criminal offence. Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
-
Date
Conference to highlight gas dangers
A CONFERENCE to highlight the life-threatening dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) will be held in the region next month. The event, organised by the Council of Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring (CoGDEM), will take place at Hall Garth Country House
-
Date
Next-door nuisance could face jail
MAGISTRATES warned a man once dubbed a "neighbour from hell" that he could be facing a jail sentence, when he appeared in court over a fresh dispute yesterday. Stephen Lawson, 41, was convicted of tormenting his neighbours when he lived in Kitchener Street
-
Date
Mobile phone masts -a threat to house values'
SAFETY fears over mobile phone masts could slash the value of nearby homes in the North-East, it is feared. The concern have been sparked by a couple in Bolton, Lancashire, who had to call off a move after the value of their house was slashed by almost
-
Date
Full Monty sequel has the barest of plots
THERE were more men taking their clothes off, more women screaming, but fewer jokes this time. The first Real Monty was a huge hit, being the funniest and best produced in the play-comedy-stripshow genre which has become so popular. This sequel features
-
Date
Restaurant plan 'may be ditched'
A TYCOON has warned that he will scrap controversial high street redevelopment plans if the community does not want them. Plans by Javed Majid's business, Maher Entertainments, to build a three-storey wine bar and 32-seater restaurant, on the site of
-
Date
Feud sisters' car collision led to court
POLICE were called to control a crowd when two warring sisters collided in their cars, a court was told yesterday. The crash broke the 18-months silence between Deborah Quinn, 39, and her sister, Sharon Mount, 42. Deborah was later charged with the dangerous
-
Date
Dressing up to help youngster
SHOPPERS in Durham City on Saturday will be greeted by the sight of two young friends in drag - but it's all for a good cause. Framwellgate Moor School pupils Anthony Price and Chris Harrison, both 14, will don women's clothes and hit the streets with
-
Date
Circus acts that leave you feeling queasy
BIG top acts which even stopped trendy television presenters in their tracks took to a North-East stage this week. The Circus of Horrors, with its stunning array of bizarre performers, opened at Sunderland Empire, where it will run until Saturday. The
-
Date
Court date looms
COUNCIL officials have begun legal action in a bid to recover over £100,000 in unpaid tax. About 140 local people and 17 businesses are facing court action by Richmondshire District Council after failing to pay council tax and business rates bills. The
-
Date
Easy on the toe-tapping, Lonnie
BROKEN toe notwithstanding, skiffle king Lonnie Donegan appears at Trimdon Labour Club on Saturday - though tomorrow's gig at The Arc in Stockton is off. "He might have to sit on a stool. He won't be getting quite as carried away as usual," says John
-
Date
Spotlight on area's heritage
PEOPLE interested in the heritage of the Redcar area are invited to attend a series of talks, which get under way from Monday. The talks are being organised by the Tees Valley Wildlidfe Trust and will cover subjects such as the military, medieval, maritime
-
Date
Town to launch blitz on high street litterbugs
A crackdown on litter will be launched in Redcar High Street on Saturday. The cost of collecting litter every day from the High Street and promenade is becoming a serious cause for concern for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. For the next two Saturdays
-
Date
St John Ambulance rescue hero in resignation rumpus
A ST John Ambulance hero who helped flood victims and found himself at the centre of a row with his bosses has warned his unit could fold after his resignation. Russ Watson, of Redcar, was described as a "Godsend" by people in the east Cleveland village
-
Date
Rocking all over the world
ROCKING horses are magic. For centuries they've been a children's favourite and up in Weardale, Norman Brown is continuing a tradition, making toys tough enough to play on, but beautiful enough to be heirlooms. Norman was a master mariner who spent most
-
Date
Cocaine found on soccer star -just bit of personal'
FORMER Scottish international footballer Frank McAvennie admitted to possessing cocaine after being arrested in connection with a £110,000 drug bust, a court heard yesterday. The unemployed former West Ham and Celtic striker produced a wrap of the drug
-
Date
Stamp of approval to beat bike crime
POLICE in part of Sunderland are hoping to stamp out cycle theft. A total of 41 children have had their bikes stolen in the Southwick area in the past year while out playing. And officers are having trouble reuniting owners with their bikes when they
-
Date
Scientists confident of cancer breakthrough
HOPES are growing that a new drug developed in the North-East could be one of the biggest breakthroughs in cancer treatment for decades. Scientists at the Newcastle Cancer Research Unit said last night that extensive tests have confirmed the new treatment's
-
Date
Academy appeal
FANS are being urged to back Sunderland AFC's planned state-of-the-art academy to hone the club's future football talent. Sunderland won the go-ahead for the £8m floodlit training base, earmarked for 65-acres of farmland at Whitburn Moor, north of the
-
Date
Robson not afraid to issue Dyer warning
NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson is calling on Kieron Dyer to go for goal as the youngster looks to break a six-month scoring drought. The 21-year-old England star last hit the target for the Magpies in the 2-0 win at Everton in March. He missed chances
-
Date
New bridge will be boon to wildlife
A £300,000 bridge will be opened tomorrow, providing a boost for walkers, drivers and the environment. The Ireshopeburn Bridge, on the A689, in Upper Weardale, will be able to take 40 tonne European lorries. It replaces a structure which was built in
-
Date
Russian clue in hunt for father
A MAN trying to trace his natural father believes someone in the region may have information which could help him. Alan Jackson, from Sunderland, says he knows little or nothing about his father, except that he was in the Russian Air Force during the
-
Date
Twinning visitors on tour
A GROUP of German students toured The Northern Echo's head office in Darlington, during an exchange visit. The 11 students were from the Otto-Pankok Schule, in Mulheim, Darlington's twin town. Longfield Comprehensive School has operated an exchange scheme
-
Date
Residents get say in town's revamp
PEOPLE in Wolsingham are being urged to play a part in a £550,00 revamp of the town's market square. The centre of Wolsingham will get a £300,000 facelift over the next three years, backed by Durham county and Wear Valley district councils, in partnership
-
Date
Backing for video about bullying
A NORTH-EAST woman who set up a website to fight bullying has backed the release of a video on the subject. Gill Hetherington, from Stockton, says the video, called Bullying, like a tattoo that you didn't ask for, is a good example of the way bullying
-
Date
Teachers to learn more from discussion
A RANDOM selection of head- teachers and teachers from across the region will be taking part in a discussion later this week. The national week of events, called Learning from Success, was organised by the Department of Education and Employment. Over
-
Date
Folk festival under way
THE first Trimdon Folk Festival opens tomorrow. One of the highlights will be an appearance by local group Skerne, featuring John Burton, agent for Prime Minister Tony Blair. Skerne are appearing at Trimdon Labour Club tomorrow, from 7pm, sharing the
-
Date
Revival of ethnic styles goes on show
TEXTILE students are calling on Indian, Egyptian and Japanese influences as part of an exhibition leading up to the opening celebrations of Durham City's Oriental Museum. The museum, off South Road, is due to re-open next month following a summer of major
-
Date
Cab raider warns: I'll infect you with Aids
A ROBBER who threatened a taxi driver with a syringe he claimed was infected with Aids was jailed for seven years yesterday. Cabbie Christopher Pitcairn was forced to drive to his home in Norton, near Stockton, and hand over £130, while Christopher Currie
-
Date
North's rivers are 28% cleaner - report
THREE of the region's rivers have been hailed by environmental chiefs as being at their cleanest since before the industrial revolution. The Wear, Ouse and Skerne have all come in for praise from the Environment Agency, following its latest survey on
-
Date
Twin passions, football and God
AMAZING how many Roman Catholic priests are football fans - a sign of their faithfulness, no doubt, that when in Darlington on Tuesday night so many forewent the Quakers against Bradford City to attend the launch of the diocese's 150th anniversary history
-
Date
Disabled get chance to try out rowing
A SCHEME has been launched in the North-East giving disabled people the chance to try out rowing. Durham Amateur Rowing Club is holding a series of taster days for the disabled, using six new boats bought with money from Helios Properties and Sportsmatch
-
Date
Howards could be coming home
HUNDREDS of soldiers could be heading back to their native North-East and North Yorkshire under new proposals revealed by military chiefs yesterday. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon's plans for the Army to move its infantry regiments back to their traditional
-
Date
Gunman takes shot at car
A MAN shot at a passing car with an air rifle on a busy North-East road. The driver was left shocked following the attack on Northumberland Way, Washington, Wearside, at noon on Tuesday. A police spokesman said: "A man stepped out of bushes near a slip-road
-
Date
From safe locks to dreadlocks
DARLINGTON FC chairman George Reynolds proved he was game for a laugh when he took part in a radio show. The Quakers owner and former safe cracker was teased about his "comb over" hairstyle when he was interviewed on Paul Gough's Century FM radio show
-
Date
Recreating the 18th century splendour of the Gibside landscape
A PROJECT to recreate one of the country's great 18th Century landscapes is well under way after years of planning. Yesterday, hundreds of people took advantage of free entry to the Gibside Estate at Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, to see what the National
-
Date
We'll retain control, vows council chief
A COUNCIL chief has refuted claims that services are to be privatised, arguing that the authority will retain ultimate control. Earlier this month, Middlesbrough Borough Council announced it planned to become the first in the North-East to engage in a
-
Date
Ray Mallon
Ray Mallon is away this week, preparing his case for his forthcoming disciplinary hearing
-
Date
Hit-and-run car driver is sought
POLICE are seeking a hit-and-run driver who left an elderly motorcyclist badly injured after knocking him off his machine. The collision happened at 12.40pm on Sunday, when the 61-year-old man was riding his 900cc Yamaha from Guisborough, North Yorkshire
-
Date
Barmaid loses sex discrimination tribunal battle
A BARMAID who lost her sex discrimination case against a Darlington working men's club has vowed to return to work today. Catherine Dodsworth claimed her bosses at Darlington Central Men's Club refused to let her have afternoons off, even though she had
-
Date
Call goes out to save boathouse landmark
A CONSERVATION body is urging people to join the fight to save a Durham landmark from demolition. The City of Durham Trust has launched a petition against plans to knock down Brown's Boathouse on the banks of River Wear, next to Elvet Bridge. Leftbank
-
Date
Students tune in for prizes
FOUR North-East students will be the talk of the school yard when they sport some natty silver space-style puffer jackets after winning them in an interactive cable TV competition. Emma Sargeant, Simon Reader, Kirsty McEachin and Wesley MacCabe, all aged
-
Date
University is on the ball
ACADEMICS have devised a tailor-made course for football fanatics in a bid to attract more men back into the classroom. In response to a gender shift in favour of female students at Teesside University, boffins have put on their thinking caps to come
-
Date
Beck to the good old days
BY all accounts, it was a grand do. In their hundreds they came - and not just from the farms and villages of Teesdale, but from "over the tops" in Weardale and what was then Cumberland and Westmorland. But that was nearly 100 years ago, and, like the
-
Date
Dad at Large
IT'S part of a dad's job to keep his wife happy. Sometimes that means doing things you don't want to do. For example, I really, really didn't want to go to Billingham Forum Theatre to see Singalonga Sound of Music. In case you haven't heard, the Julie
-
Date
Tenants chosen to play major role over housing transfer
FIVE tenants have been chosen to play a key role in the future of council housing. The choice of the tenants is the next stage of proposals by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to transfer its housing stock to a new non-profit making independent housing
-
Date
Action call over £550,000 vandals bill
A PLAGUE of vandalism is estimated to be costing Wear Valley council taxpayers £550,000. The total - which includes money spent on security - has led Wear Valley District Council leader Councillor Olive Brown to appeal to the public for help in tackling
-
Date
Regeneration bid backed
A CONTROVERSIAL regeneration project has won approval, thanks to Government funding. The scheme for Seaham's Parkside estate, east Durham, will include 158 low-cost homes and promises a range of training and job opportunities. Easington District Council
-
Date
Taking plunge for charity
ABOUT 40 people have already signed up to take the plunge in a sponsored abseil at the weekend. The volunteers will launch themselves off the roof of Darlington Memorial Hospital on Sunday, starting at 10.30am. Each participant making the 150ft descent
-
Date
Karate black belt claimed benefit cash
A karate instructor who claimed he was crippled with arthritis got his benefits chopped when investigators caught him high-kicking his way through a martial arts class, Black belt Raymond Middleton was rumbled when undercover benefit officers caught him
-
Date
Seven arrested in drug op
SIX men and a woman have been bailed in connection with suspected drugs offences following a raid on a flat. Police swooped on the address in Front Street, Sacriston, County Durham, on Tuesday afternoon and seized drugs, believed to be heroin, drug equipment
-
Date
Soldiers escape bridge crash
TWO soldiers escaped unharmed after their Land Rover crashed into a bridge on a notorious road yesterday. The one-tonne vehicle demolished part of Skeeby Bridge, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, after a trailer it was carrying locked and forced it to jack-knife
