Archive
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Comment from The Northern Echo - Poor reward for GNER's efforts
OUR railway network is a shambles. Many trains are decrepit, overcrowded and don't run on time. As the tragedies at Paddington and Hatfield have demonstrated, the lines and signaling systems have been poorly maintained. We need bold and decisive action
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More troubled waters for bridge opening
A COMMUNITY'S five-year struggle to build a footbridge over the River Tees has run into further problems. Residents of Mickleton, in Teesdale, County Durham, spent years raising more than £200,000 to build a footbridge close to the village, which would
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Railways 'fudge' is blow to the region
THE Government delivered a devastating blow last night to billion-pound plans for a new era in North-East rail travel. Transport Secretary Stephen Byers rejected a 20-year franchise plan for the East Coast Main Line in favour of a short-term deal with
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Meet saved
THE future of a historic annual North-East market town event has been saved at a crisis meeting. The century-old Barnard Castle Meet was on the verge of folding because of a lack of volunteer committee members. But a last ditch meeting to safeguard the
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New era for landmark
A LANDMARK coastal pub is set for a new lease of life as a bar and restaurant. Marsden Grotto, overlooking Marsden Rock, between South Shields and Sunderland, has been empty for a year and has been targeted by vandals. It has been bought by Tavistock
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Private on Ireland beat
A TEESDALE soldier has been in Northern Ireland helping the police during this year's marching season. Private Simon 'Jonnie' Walker, 32, has been providing military support to the Royal Ulster Constabulary as part of the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment
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Accolades for youngsters
THE achievements of young people who took part in an alternative education scheme have been celebrated. Students with low attendance rates at school or who risk being excluded can take part in the Impact scheme, which is designed to help them get work
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Incentive to regenerate community
COMMUNITY leaders in County Durham's former coalfields have until the end of this month to apply for a grant. The Coalfields Community Spirit Millennium Award is funded by the Millennium Commission and will give recognition and training to up to 140 people
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'You could make a movie out of my life'
SHE was Kenneth Noye's personal prison officer, co-owned a high-profile Darlington restaurant which went dramatically bankrupt, endured six distressing months after a long-term lesbian relationship ended in tears. "I've never believed in suicide, never
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Weights row grocer convicted of PC assault
THE fruit and veg seller dubbed the Metric Martyr was yesterday convicted of assaulting a police officer called to a pub brawl. Steven Thoburn, 37, who is at the forefront of a campaign to protect traditional British measures, grabbed PC Stephen Tempest
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eforyou.com closes shop
CONTROVERSIAL Internet firm eforyou.com has been wound up by the High Court following a petition from Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt. And investors of the failed Darlington company have called for its directors, including founder Chris Douglas
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New planning rules should help avoid flood disasters
STRICT planning rules have been introduced by the Government to help prevent another flood disaster in the region. The tough guidance issued to local authorities aims to keep developers from building in high flood risk areas. But if they do build on high
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'You could make a movie out of my life'
SHE was Kenneth Noye's personal prison officer, co-owned a high-profile Darlington restaurant which went dramatically bankrupt, endured six distressing months after a long-term lesbian relationship ended in tears. "I've never believed in suicide, never
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Crime fall 'shows police are on track'
THE number of crimes recorded in the region has fallen during the past year - but robbery and vehicle theft in one police force area is on the rise. Figures released by the Home Office today show that the number of offences in the County Durham, Cleveland
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Foot-and-mouth farmer in court
THE pig farmer at the centre of the foot-and-mouth outbreak appeared in court yesterday to answer charges about his actions. Pig farmer Bobby Waugh was accused of 16 breaches of animal health at Tynedale Magistrates' Court, in Hexham, Northumberland.
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Police targeting car crime
Police in Wear Valley and Teesdale are targeting parked cars where mobile phones, handbags or valuables are left on view. They will send the vehicle's owner a letter advising them to take more care. Sergeant Keith Mitchell said: "They shouldn't leave
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Buses and taxis may be barred from town
A town centre could become a no-go area for buses and taxis under new plans. The proposals for Darlington, drawn up by borough council consultants, aim to revitlise the town, by making it an attractive place to visit. They include turning a large part
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Young Sportswinner title for boxer
A YOUNG boxer who has exceeded his coaches' expectations has been named as the Darlington Young Sportswinner for July. Stuart Leonard, 16, is only in his third competitive season with Darlington Amateur Boxing Club but already has two major gold medals
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Samurai sword attack allegation
A MAN was slashed with a samurai sword as he made his way home after a row in a pub, a court heard. John Barkas was left with wounds to his head and hand, and needed ten staples in two separate gashes. Newcastle Crown Court heard how a tendon in his hand
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Incentive to regenerate community
COMMUNITY leaders in County Durham's former coalfields have until the end of this month to apply for a grant. The Coalfields Community Spirit Millennium Award is funded by the Millennium Commission and will give recognition and training to up to 140 people
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Workers and shareholders voice anger
MARCONI shareholders and workers gathered to voice anger at the group's job cuts and slumping share price at its annual meeting, yesterday. Workers from Marconi's factory in Poole, Dorset, who are facing redundancy, called for the board to take responsibility
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No legal argument over this title as Rachel skates to championship
A TRAINEE solicitor got her skates on at the weekend to become a British champion. Rachel Masters, 23, from Darlington, works for Gateshead Council as a trainee solicitor. She has been skating for years with the Durham District Roller Skating Club, coached
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Time to sort it out, says MP
A NORTH-EAST MP is calling for heads to be banged together to resolve continuing delays in compensating sick and dying ex-miners. John Cummings, MP for Easington, says Government, unions, lawyers and doctors are each blaming another. He is asking for
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City likes the smell of Sainsbury's-Boots tie up
SHOPPERS at supermarket group Sainsbury's will soon be able to pick up Boots' toiletries and cosmetics along with their groceries under a trial deal between the companies. Under the plan, Sainsbury's will sell Boots' toiletries and cosmetics in six of
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Boy lucky to be alive after attack by rock-throwing gang
AN east Cleveland teenager is lucky to be alive after he was hit by a rock, which left him with serious head injuries. Ryan Brown, 14, from Willow Walk, Loftus, was playing with his friends in a stream between Loftus and Liverton Mines, known as The Culvert
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Rail chaos
Furious passengers today blasted rail bosses after their train arrived at its destination more than four hours late. The train, which left London's Kings Cross station at 8pm last night bound for Newcastle, finally arrived at 3.45am today. Those travelling
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Wordsworth's wedding day remembered
RESIDENTS of a North Yorkshire village are preparing ambitious plans to celebrate the 200th wedding anniversary of poet William Wordsworth at their parish church. Wordsworth, who was living in the Lake District village of Grasmere, married Mary Hutchinson
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Town must be tourist friendly to succeed
A MARKET town will have to become more tourist-friendly if it is to be one of the most successful in the country, councillors were told yesterday. A survey carried out through the English Tourist Board found Barnard Castle, in County Durham, to have fared
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If the baby's a girl, will it be Prudence?
CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown is to become a father with his wife, Sarah, expected to give birth next year, it emerged yesterday. In an announcement which reinforced New Labour's record for bringing the sound of tiny feet to the heights of government, a spokesman
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Body in field case man remanded
A MAN accused of murdering 23-year-old Mark Corley, whose body was found dumped in a North-East field, appeared in court yesterday. Robert Sutherland, of Birnie Hill Road, Bathgate, West Lothian, is alleged to have murdered Mr Corley between July 7 and
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Samurai sword attack allegation
A MAN was slashed with a samurai sword as he made his way home after a row in a pub, a court heard. John Barkas was left with wounds to his head and hand, and needed ten staples in two separate gashes. Newcastle Crown Court heard how a tendon in his hand
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Blair backs high-level role for Mandelson
Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has been appointed chairman of a high-level group promoting closer ties between Britain and Japan. The MP for Hartlepool will take over from the Tory former Foreign Office minister, Lord Howell, as the
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Nazi chalice blackmail allegation
A 50-year-old man has appeared in court to face a blackmail charge relating to a Nazi wartime heirloom. Derick Clifford Smith, of Tuscan Road, Sunderland, appeared briefly at Newcastle Crown Court for pre-trial review involving an alleged attempt to blackmail
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Support flows in for sewage dump protest
ANOTHER parish council has joined the row over Yorkshire Water's plan to dump sewage into the River Ure at Masham, near Ripon. Azerley Parish Council has decided to try and halt the move by objecting to an application from Yorkshire Water to the Environment
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Factory hit by second wave of job losses
ELECTRONICS components firm SMK has announced a second round of redundancies at its Newton Aycliffe plant. The company announced in May that it was shedding 58 jobs, blaming a fall in orders for mobile phones. Only 39 jobs were actually lost, mostly through
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Late bid by Boro to hijack Miller deal
MIDDLESBROUGH made a late bid to keep new Ipswich Town midfielder Tommy Miller in the North-East. The former Hartlepool United star was contacted by the Riverside outfit shortly after completing his dream £800,000 switch to the Premiership on Monday afternoon
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Grieving family lodges fresh complaint against GP
A DOCTOR who once treated Prime Minister Tony Blair is facing a new medical negligence complaint from the family of a cancer victim. Health bosses have confirmed that they have received a complaint from the family of the late Norman North, 48, from Trimdon
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New garden brings calming effect to schoolchildren
A NEW garden developed by primary school pupils is helping to create a calm atmosphere in the playground. The garden at Skerne Park Primary School, Darlington, was the idea of the children, who wanted to make a quiet area as part of the playground development
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New degree 'answer to skills shortage'
NEW work-based qualifications, launched today, could hold the key to tackling the region's growing skills crisis. Skills shortages in key sectors such as information and communications technology are threatening the future growth of businesses in the
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Inspired by the bravery of one girl
CAROLINE Jeffels died on Saturday. She was only 26. My wife, Carole, works with Caroline's mother, Jackie, and so, although I did not know her personally, I have followed closely her brave battle against leukaemia. Caroline, though, disputed whether her
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Livestock 'at risk' as walkers use routes with missing signs
A FRESH controversy has blown up over access to the countryside around a North Yorkshire village. Richard Hodgson owns property in Oran Lane, Catterick Village - and has already taken the parish council to task once, claiming signs banishing walkers from
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Cooking up £10m tribute to great seafarer
THE ambitious scheme to create a £10m tribute to one of Britain's greatest seafarers has won the backing of local councillors. After weeks of deliberation, Whitby Town Council has now given its unanimous backing to the building of a heritage centre. Cook's
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Man carried knife into court
A man who had been drinking heavily was arrested when he turned up to court with a lock knife in his jacket. Mark Lockey, 31, was searched by security staff when he arrived at Teesside Crown Court and the knife was discovered. Lockey, who had been drinking
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Concern grows for missing man
CONCERN is growing for a man who vanished after a row with his girlfriend. A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said David Lee Mellor, 24, may have suicidal tendencies and officers are anxious for him to contact them. She said: "Mr Mellor left his home in a
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Police targeting car crime
Police in Wear Valley and Teesdale are targeting parked cars where mobile phones, handbags or valuables are left on view. They will send the vehicle's owner a letter advising them to take more care. Sergeant Keith Mitchell said: "They shouldn't leave
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New Lancet inquiry call is rejected
THE Home Office continues to rule out an official inquiry into Operation Lancet, despite increased pressure in Parliament. Minister John Denham admitted that the cost - between £3.5m and £7m - of the controversial investigation of alleged corruption by
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Vets in crisis as disease hits farm work
VETS across the region are facing months of uncertainty as the foot-and-mouth epidemic wipes out thousands of farm animals. Some practices in Cumbria have lost up to 60 cent of their farming business to the disease, while others in the North-East have
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Anthea enjoys fruits of her labour as she grows with success
ANTHEA WALSH only decided she would enter Richmond's annual garden competition in the hope she would be able to share the fruits of her labour with others who appreciate the work involved. So she was a little surprised to discover, not only had her terraced
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Replacement treat for pop fans
ABOUT 50,000 music lovers are expected to attend a major music event announced yesterday. Pop acts A1, Feeder and The Honeyz have been confirmed for the 20-strong bill at the Feel The Noise Live event at Newcastle Racecourse on Sunday, August 26. The
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More than a Scout group for adults
THE thud of a grenade and the crackle of automatic rifle fire wakes us from a fitful sleep among the ruined buildings of a town in the North country. Noryorlan society has collapsed - or so the brief would have it - and the British Army has been called
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Drink drive conviction sparks inquiry
AN investigation has been launched at a controversial children's home after a drink-drive incident involving two members of staff. Peter Harll, 40, and a female employee of Aycliffe Young People's Centre in County Durham, have been suspended following
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Degrees awarded for tragic students
TWO students who were killed in separate incidents before they completed their degrees were recognised by a North-East university yesterday. The families of Paul Simpson and Sara Cameron visited the University of Northumbria, in Newcastle, as thousands
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School put on special measures
A SCHOOL has been placed on special measures following a critical Ofsted report. Inspectors found significant problems with the leadership and management at St Cuthbert's RC Primary School, Grindon Lane, Sunderland. They particularly highlighted the poor
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Quality counts in Echo double-header
THE two races sponsored by The Northern Echo at Sedgefield this evening have both attracted cracking fields, especially the Handicap Chase at 7.35, which has the added bonus of being covered by the popular Winning Post programme on Sky TV. Watching on
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Night raiders make off with fuller-figure lingerie
THE owner of a lingerie business has been left distraught by thieves who stole nearly £12,000 worth of stock. Sally Robinson, whose Ample Bosom firm caters for women of a fuller figure, said the burglary at her warehouse at Old Byland, on the North York
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Vice girl bit man, murder trial told
A MAN accused of murdering a prostitute admitted he had been bitten by her during an altercation just moments before her death. Shaun Tuley said Kellie Mallinson became aggressive after they had sex. Mr Tuley, giving evidence yesterday during his trial
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Geordie Paul to headline festival
GEORDIE harmonica wizard Paul Lamb will headline the region's biggest free blues event next month. Blyth-born Lamb and his band The King Snakes will be the top act at the Stanley Blues Festival in Stanley, County Durham, on Saturday, August 4. The band's
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Meet saved
THE future of a historic annual North-East market town event has been saved at a crisis meeting. The century-old Barnard Castle Meet was on the verge of folding because of a lack of volunteer committee members. But a last ditch meeting to safeguard the
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Begetube warms to undersoil heating challenge
THE contract to supply high-tech undersoil heating at Darlington's new football stadium has been awarded to Cumbrian firm Begetube Northern. The Carlisle business beat stiff competition from across the UK for the undersoil system that will ensure play
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Learners' art on show
ADULT learners will get the chance to show off their artistic achievements at an exhibition opening today. Artists who have completed courses at Bishop Auckland College have submitted work for the show at the town's Discovery Centre, in the Market Place
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Inspired by the bravery of one girl
CAROLINE Jeffels died on Saturday. She was only 26. My wife, Carole, works with Caroline's mother, Jackie, and so, although I did not know her personally, I have followed closely her brave battle against leukaemia. Caroline, though, disputed whether her
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Villagers do not have to pay for clean water
HOUSEHOLDERS in a village near Thirsk do not have to pay water rates. When the Ravensthorpe estate built a reservoir for the village of Boltby, it was decreed that its people should never have to pay for clean water. This is just one of the interesting
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Solid rock
Northern Rock bank today reported a 14% jump in profits during the first six months of the year. Pre-tax profits increased to £139.6 million compared to £122.4m in the same period last year. The results were at the top end of analysts' expectations. Updated
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eforyou.com closes shop
CONTROVERSIAL Internet firm eforyou.com has been wound up by the High Court following a petition from Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt. And investors of the failed Darlington company have called for its directors, including founder Chris Douglas
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Bus ban for town centre proposed
DARLINGTON town centre could be transformed into a no-go area for buses and taxis under new plans. The proposals, which have been drawn up by specialist consultants for Darlington Borough Council, are aimed at revitalising the town by making it an attractive
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Batty babe
Last of the Summer Wine's wrinkled stockings babe Nora Batty is bidding to become the Internet's most downloaded lady. The character - played by actress Kathy Staff - is being promoted by BBC Radio 5 Live. The station's pitting Nora against busty Australian
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Talks on reopening miners' centre
PEOPLE in Willington have called in business experts to try to reopen a centre that stands as a memorial to the town's mining heritage. Brancepeth Miners' Welfare Hall was erected for the men of the former Brancepeth Colliery and their families, and maintained
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Cleveland lagging as crime falls in region
THE number of crimes recorded in the region has fallen during the past year - but robbery and vehicle theft in Cleveland is on the rise. Figures released by the Home Office today show that the number of offences in the County Durham, Cleveland and Northumbria
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Foot-and-mouth farmer in court
THE pig farmer at the centre of the foot-and-mouth outbreak appeared in court yesterday to answer charges about his actions. Pig farmer Bobby Waugh was accused of 16 breaches of animal health at Tynedale Magistrates' Court, in Hexham, Northumberland.
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Priest, 71, beaten up by teen thugs
A RESPECTED Bangladeshi priest has been attacked outside a Sunderland mosque. The 71-year-old priest, Maulaulana Hussain Ahmed, and community leader Syed Khaled Miah, 44, were beaten up outside the Chester Road mosque by four teenage thugs. The pair were
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Sex charge music man found dead
A tutor known to his pupils as Mr Music has been found at the foot of a 100ft cliff after being charged with sex offences. Clifford Barratt, 71, the former music coordinator with Gateshead Borough Council, was arrested in connection with abuse allegations
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Bogus officials dupe elderly
BOGUS officials have duped an elderly couple and a 91-year-old woman out of their belongings. Police have issued a warning to householders in the Derwentside area to beware unidentified callers following the thefts. In both cases, the first in Dipton
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Council praised for planning service speed
A COUNCIL has won praise for its speedy handling of planning applications. In a national survey, Middlesbrough Borough Council is shown to have decided on 85.5 per cent of applications during the past year within eight weeks, placing it tenth in the country
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Police street crime unit puts the brakes on car crooks
AN elite unit set up in east Cleveland is putting the brakes on car crime. The five-strong street crime unit started its covert operation throughout Langbaurgh three months ago, thanks to Government funding, with a mission to tackle auto crime in the
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Ill health put Fred on road to new career
A LORRY driver who had to change direction after a heart attack is celebrating after winning a college award. Fred Grant, 53, of Billingham, was awarded the Principal's Prize at an award ceremony at Durham's Finchale Training College for the disabled.
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BT defends plan to split up business
BRITISH Telecom has defended plans to break the company into two and spin off its mobile phone division, BT Wireless, telling shareholders it was the right decision to make. Speaking at its annual meeting in Nottingham, Sir Christopher Bland told about
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Coffin is cast in dramatic role ...
THE day he was presented with a second-hand coffin proved a hair-raising experience for barber Bernard Lally. But the macabre gift could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the amateur dramatic group, of which Bernard is a producer. The rare stage-prop
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Concert tribute to retiring headteacher
YOUNGSTERS at an east Cleveland infants' school made books for their headteacher, who is retiring. Viv Bowman has been the headteacher of Harry Dack Infants School, in Loftus, for almost 17 years and yesterday she enjoyed a retirement concert put together
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Boy lucky to be alive after attack by rock-throwing gang
AN east Cleveland teenager is lucky to be alive after he was hit by a rock, which left him with serious head injuries. Ryan Brown, 14, from Willow Walk, Loftus, was playing with his friends in a stream between Loftus and Liverton Mines, known as The Culvert
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Monty makes the most of Durham's bad luck
MONOTONY and Montgomery seemed to go hand-in-hand as Sussex amassed 338 for four against Durham at the Riverside yesterday. The monotony for Durham is that they keep losing the toss, while for Richard Montgomerie it's much more pleasant as he can't stop
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Buy-in boost for insulation staff
INDUSTRIAL insulation products business Anglitemp has been acquired by a management buy-in (MBI) team. Gordon Lough, formerly manufacturing director with the Cape Group, led the team which acquired the Newcastle firm, with the help of financial advisors
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Hear All Sides
Letters from The Northern Echo BOBBY THOMPSON MANY of us remember comedian Bobby Thomson with affection. After a hard day's work down the pit, many of us would relax in the workmen's club, drinking a pint and listening to Bobby. One sure laugh would be
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Quakers deflated by Ayr
DARLINGTON got their pre-season programme off to a losing start when they went down 3-2 against Ayr United. Playing at Blyth Spartans' Croft Park as part of a three-team tournament - Quakers revisit Northumberland to play against Blyth again tomorrow
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Firms favour new Tees crossing
A MAJOR study is to be carried out into the feasibility of a new road or rail crossing over the River Tees. The study follows the publication of the results of a consultation exercise, which showed that 85 per cent of businesses in the Tees Valley are
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Safety fear puts fairs in jeopardy
ROAD safety fears could spell the end for traditional funfairs which attract thousands of people to two dales villages every autumn. For centuries, visitors have flocked to Weardale to enjoy stalls and rides set up in the streets of Wolsingham and Stanhope
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Vets in crisis as disease hits farm work
VETS across the region are facing months of uncertainty as the foot-and-mouth epidemic wipes out thousands of farm animals. Some practices in Cumbria have lost up to 60 cent of their farming business to the disease, while others in the North-East have
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Damsels who found the river of life
IT was the reappearance of the otters which made people realise how much the River Wear had changed. Photogenic and much loved, the creatures inevitably grabbed all the headlines as the ultimate symbol of the waterway's welcome return to health after
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Museum plans deadly games
HALLOWEEN will be coming early to a North-East museum during the summer holidays. The dli museum and Durham Art Gallery will host a collection of Deadly Durham Games, giving visitors the chance to brick in a monk, pin the tail on a werewolf and try a
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Children look forward to using library with lot more than books
AN East Cleveland school has plenty to read now following the opening of its new library. Kilton Thorpe School caters for youngsters aged between two and 19 who have special needs and has just revealed the new library to pupils. The room has cost £46,000
