Archive
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Detectives door-knock in hunt for missing vice girl
MARRIED men using the services of prostitutes can expect a visit from police officers searching for clues to the disappearance of a teenage vice girl. Rachel Wilson kept in daily touch with her mother and her grandparents but vanished four weeks
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Inquiry is launched into Dial-a-Ride finances
POLICE and the Charities Commission have confirmed they have launched an official investigation into a high-profile Darlington charity which collapsed amid financial problems earlier this year. The Dial-a-Ride charity - which provided a taxi service for
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Failed Gala bosses face legal action
DURHAM City Council has confirmed the authority will be taking legal action against the directors of the company it appointed to run the £14m Gala Theatre. Chief executive Colin Shearsmith said the action, against directors Michael Power and John Nicholas
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Brave police pair are to receive awards
TWO Durham police officers are to be honoured for their bravery with national awards. PCs Rhoda Malins and Paul Faulkner were involved in a covert car operation in Crook, County Durham, when they discovered a house fire. They forced their way through
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Mum's plea to missing son
THE MOTHER of a teenager who disappeared after going to a nightclub with friends has made an emotional appeal for him to get in touch. Christopher Shaw, was last seen in Stockton High Street at 2am on Sunday morning waiting for a taxi. He had been in
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15 years of danger junk to clear, warns Railtrack
RAILTRACK last night claimed there was a backlog of up to 15 years of potentially lethal junk left by the side of Britain's railway lines. The admission follows an investigation by The Northern Echo highlighting the problem of trackside materials, such
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Students honoured by a cathedral first
UNIVERSITY graduates made history yesterday as they were presented with their degrees at one of the region's most imposing buildings - Durham Cathedral. The Norman cathedral, symbol of the North-East and a World Heritage site, was used for the first time
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Mum At Large: A sad - and grateful - goodbye to the best days of their lives
WELL, that's it. Ten years of Richmond School gone, just like that. It seems only the day before yesterday that Senior Son was starting there, scrubbed and smart with a shiny new geometry set and calculator. And then I must have blinked. Because yesterday
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Set back for spy base
FLOWER power triumphed over military might for veteran peace campaigner Anne Lee today. The future safety of a patch of rare orchids was judged just as important as the security of a top-secret US spy base by magistrates in Harrogate. And the 61-year-old
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School aims for an enterprising future
Deerness Valley School, in Ushaw Moor, Durham, is compiling an application to the government to become as a Business and Enterprise college. If successful, the school could concentrate on literacy, IT and numeracy to meet national skills shortages and
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N-East shipbuilders in the running for £2.9bn Navy contract
THE once-mighty North-East shipbuilding industry could take a significant share of the spoils of a £2.9bn project to build two aircraft carriers. BAE Systems is heading a consortium bidding to be prime contractor in the project, which is likely to create
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Stamps launch
NORTH-EAST paralympian Tanni Gray-Thompson and athlete Colin Jackson were at full stretch today as they unveiled a series of extra-long stamps to commemorate next month's Commonwealth Games. With exactly four weeks to go until the opening ceremony, the
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Sisters' killer back behind bars
A NORTH-EAST criminal was back behind bars last night almost a decade after he killed two schoolgirls and maimed a third while driving a high performance car. Robert Hoe caused outrage when his car ploughed into a group of children as they returned from
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Contractor acts to keep children safer
A DARLINGTON building contractor is working with police to keep children safe near one of his sites, thanks to The Northern Echo. John Richardson is joining forces with Richmond police to dissuade children from playing on building sites during the summer
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Plea for bus stop to be moved
PEOPLE in a Darlington street have appealed to the borough council to move a school bus stop away from their homes. Residents of Hammond Drive say they are fed up with pupils hitting their cars with footballs and causing a nuisance. In a recent incident
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Budgeting windfall bonus for homes
HOUSES on a council estate are to get a new look thanks to a local authority windfall. Residents in Jedburgh Drive, Darlington, will benefit from investment of more than £300,000 in their properties. The windfall comes after Darlington Borough Council
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Armed police in dramatic swoop on cars
ARMED police backed by a helicopter hovering overhead stopped two cars miles apart on a busy road yesterday to arrest a man suspected of conspiracy to murder. Officers from the County Durham and Northumbria forces, several carrying rifles, arrested four
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New Cathedrals firm seeks tenant
THE NEW owners of a pub and restaurant complex in Durham plan to lease it off to a company to run en bloc. Cathedrals, featuring a bistro/caf, two restaurants, a bar and in-house micro-brewery in the city's former police station, was bought earlier this
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Council managers tackle absenteeism
ALARMING sickness levels among council staff - that amount to twice the national target - have prompted managers to review procedures. During the last financial year absence levels at Chester-le-Street District Council amounted to 17 days per employee
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Author's talk
WENDY Robertson will be talking about her latest novel, The Long Journey Home, a story of wartime Singapore, next Thursday, at 7.30pm, in the Hutchinson Gallery at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Entry is free but call (01388) 602610 to reserve a ticket.
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News in brief: Arriva's pledge over strike
A TWO-day strike by station and retail staff will not affect services today, according to Arriva Trains Northern. The strike, which starts today, is being held by RMT and TSSA staff over pay. Arriva has said no services will be affected today and that
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'Keep Jonny in House' condom crusade
BIG Brother housemate Jonny Regan is at the centre of a drive to reduce the number of underage pregnancies in the North-East. As the County Durham firefighter faces a second eviction threat, a Keep a Jonny in the House campaign is being launched to promote
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Job opportunities in the spotlight
BUSINESSES and organisations will be given the chance to speak to the public and potential employees face-to-face, thanks to The Northern Echo. Job Fair 2002, which will be held tomorrow at the Blackwell Grange Hotel, Grange Road, Darlington, is expected
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Crackdown on fakes
TRADING standards officers have issued a warning to people selling counterfeit goods. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's chief trading standards officer, Jeff Bell, said there was a flourishing black market in sham goods which he was determined to
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Ex-boxer urges businesses to fight for his theatrical corner
FORMER world boxing champion Glenn McCrory staged an impassioned plea for businesses to play their part in creating a musical designed to put disabilities and the North-East centre stage. Great things are expected of Carrying David, which Durham's Gala
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Quakers fans given Feethams freebie
Darlington season ticket holders will be able to see the first pre-season friendly at Feethams free of charge when Newcastle United provide the opposition. Quakers say they have sold just under 1000 season tickets so far and anyone with a season ticket
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Village fears over lorries
THE rising number of visitors and the success of local businesses is leading to parking problems on the village green at West Burton in Wensleydale. Parish council chairman Geoff Bell told the annual meeting there could soon be six-wheel articulated lorries
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Town will reveal its hidden delights
AN historic Wensleydale market town will celebrate its heritage with a week-long summer festival. Middleham is renowned for its links with Richard III, who grew up in its castle, which overlooks the confluence of the River Ure and River Cover. The town's
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Former bank's new life big boost for Dales community
WORK is finally under way on a new centre for a Yorkshire Dales community which lost its only bank to cutbacks two years ago. Reeth villagers were furious when it became a victim of Barclays' rationalisation programme, warning it could prove a body blow
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Who pays the price for cheap eggs?
Battery farming could be banned in Britain within five years under Government proposals. Nick Morrison looks at a day in the miserable life of a battery hen. TAKE a look at the front page of this newspaper. Fold it in half. Now fold it in half again.
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Major arts project launched
A PROJECT to install large steel artworks at five major recreation sites was launched by the Great North Forest today. The Greenheart project aims to celebrate the sites' transformation from previously derelict land into new green gateways to the countryside
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Deal struck to protect heather moorlands
A historic agreement has been signed to protect heather moorland and the wildlife it supports. The Moorland Association and English Nature have joined forces to recognise the contribution that management of heather moorland for grouse shooting makes to
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500 Orange jobs end mobile phones gloom
A MOBILE phone company last night confounded long-expected fears of a downturn in the industry by revealing it is to recruit a further 500 staff across the North-East. Orange, which employs 5,000 call centre staff in County Durham and Tyneside, has embarked
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New way to earn a crust
TWO women are to earn their crust at a North-East bread-making factory by staging popular tours. To meet the demand from schools and other groups for a look around the Warburtons bakery in Newburn, Newcastle, two members of staff are being trained as
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News in brief: Youngsters can carry on eating
PUPILS can be sure of a tasty start to the day thanks to a £3,100 grant. The pupils in Lindisfarne Community Primary School's breakfast club in Newcastle will continue to receive free breakfasts afterbeing given the cash from Newcastle Building Society
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Roadshow flags up recovery ideas for job-starved dale
IDEAS for reviving the economy of job-starved Weardale will be presented to local people by a travelling summer roadshow, Government agency One NorthEast revealed yesterday. London consultants GHK have prepared a report for a task force seeking ways of
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Concern over rising rate of infant deaths
INFANT deaths and birth deformities in Britain may have been increased by fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, according to research in the North-East. Clouds of radioactive gases were released into the atmosphere following an explosion
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Celebrations for Ethel
CARS were a rarity and television an absurd notion when Ethel Dunn was born in 1901. The sprightly pensioner celebrated her 101st birthday at St Aidan's Lodge nursing home in Durham. Ethel has lived all her life in the city and only moved to the care
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Community carnival
Tthe community of Toft Hill and Etherley is holding a carnival on Saturday, to mark the Queen's golden jubilee. The event starts with a procession through the village at noon, led by carnival queen Chloe Tait, attendant Louise Wren and prince consort
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Wild Bill show will hit the trail in N-E once again
A ROOTIN-tootin', gun-slinging, bushwhacking, Indian summer is forecast for the North-East next year. Tumbleweed and wagon trains may be absent from its streets, but western fans are expected to hit the trail to Middlesbrough in memory of world famous
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Health council concern over hoax
HEALTH watchdogs are baffled by mystery posters claiming their office has been shut down. The South Durham and Weardale Community Health Council (CHC), which is involved in consultation about proposals by Government expert Professor Ari Darzi to reorganise
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Honour for Auckland
THE AUCKLAND Castle 10K, sponsored by New Balance and Running Fitness and supported by the Northern Echo, has been awarded the annual North v South v Midland v Wales Inter-Area match, writes Frank Johnson. The decision to bring the prestigious fixture
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Firms discover how to 'go for gold'
TECHNOLOGY businesses in the region have been finding out how they "go for gold" in global information technology markets from some of the world's top exporting experts. More than 80 small to medium enterprise (SME) business people in the sector gathered
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Town museum faces cut in opening hours
OPENING hours at Guisborough Museum may have to be reduced because of a shortage of volunteers, but the management committee has said the attraction will not close. However, Councillor Anne Franklin said: "Because there is a shortage of volunteers at
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Primary school pupils vie for athletics honours
Abbey School won the Darlington Primary Schools Athletics Championships yesterday, for the ninth time in ten years. Abbey took the large schools title, while St Bede's Primary School, the 2000 winners of the small schools title, reclaimed it from last
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News in brief:Cash bonus for school sports
DARLINGTON Primary School Sports Association has been awarded a grant of almost £3,500 to help organise tournaments and festivals. The grant will pay for coaching fees, venue hire and equipment for the group of teachers who give support to pupils aged
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Youth club worker to step down
YOUTH worker Joy Winter is to retire from Chilton Community College's youth club after ten years. Mrs Winter has been well known in the club for the past decade for her arts and crafts classes and organising a popular walking club. She started working
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Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe
URGENT APPEAL: Yarm district guides need help in finding a secure, safe and vermin- free place to store camping equipment. Some items have been damaged by mice and, possibly, rats. Anyone who can help should call Karen Crabtree on (01642) 786867 SELL
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News in brief: Writer to give Quay lecture
AUTHOR Gervase Phinn will give a lecture at Hartlepool Historic Quay, on Wednesday, July 17, at 7pm. A former teacher and schools inspector, Mr Phinn is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer as well as a visiting professor of education at the
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Karl ready to tackle the best
A teenager has been carving a name for himself as a cabinet-maker. Karl Smith of Richmond may be only 18 but has won the northern regional finals of the Skillbuild competition in Bradford. Victory against 20 other entrants means he will compete in the
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Duck race beats a fixture clash
A COMMUNITY has found an ingenious way round the clash between its duck race and the football World Cup Final on Sunday lunchtime. One thousand plastic ducks will take to the water at Laverton village to raise funds for a new sports pavilion at neighbouring
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Learning the ropes in aid of charity
CHILDREN in Redcar were jumping for joy when Paralympic gold medallist Tanni Grey-Thompson joined them as they took part in a sponsored skip. Year six pupils at Ings Farm Primary School were raising money for the British Heart Foundation. Teacher Sue
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Event attracts the toughest of the tough
SPORTS competitors from all over the country will be heading for the Yorkshire coast this weekend to take part in a gruelling event. Scarborough Olympic Distance Triathlon is to be held for the seventh time on Sunday, when more than 100 hardened athletes
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Work to start on housing after failure of protest
WORK on a housing development opposed by villagers starts next month. Haslam Homes will build 146 houses on 11 acres of recreation fields at Ushaw Moor in a £6m development. The firm, part of Keepmoat, has formed Durham Villages Regeneration Limited (
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John North: Guys, dolls and a good impressionist
JOHN Wray, a director for more than 30 years of one of the region's top entertainment agencies, attended the funerals - three hours apart last Friday - of two of his favourite performers. Benny Yorke became known as The Man of a Thousand Voices, played
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Car dealer offers reward for capture of house burglars
A CAR dealer has offered a reward for information about burglars who broke into his house while his wife and grand-daughter were asleep. Stephen Billau, of Darlington, has had his home burgled twice in recent weeks. The first raid took place on June 11
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Full steam ahead for Hick as Durham miss boat again
THE toss was won, the sun shone, the pitch was firm, and for 40 minutes the cathedral calm of Worcester was disturbed only by the sound of Durham's Gary Pratt peppering the pickets. The batsmen licked their lips at the prospect of Lord's-like riches,
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Young crime fighter in fear
A 12-year-old boy whose crimefighting efforts earned the praise of Home Secretary David Blunkett may now quit after his home was targeted by thugs. Nikki Blenkinsopp is Britain's youngest Neighbourhood Watch leader and was given a standing ovation at
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A statement from the council
THE Entertainment Team (Durham) Ltd has gone into receivership because of the catastrophic results of a decision it made about the opening event of the Gala. If the company had done as it agreed in pre-contract discussions and financed the event through
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Last night's TV: Magnum PI (C5)
This Magnum is no cause for celebration. TOM Selleck and his moustache, which resembles a small furry rodent clinging to his top lip, have taken over the weekday morning nostalgia spot vacated by cop show T J Hooker. Why did we ever think these US series
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Will the real Becks please stand up?
THE World Cup has been bedevilled by accusations of cheating. South Korea, the hosts, had five legitimate-looking goals scored against them disallowed. The Brazilian Rivaldo was hit on the knee, poor lad, and collapsed in great pain holding his face which
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Brave PC wins award
A POLICE officer who dived into icy water to rescue a suicidal teenager has been honoured for his bravery. Durham PC Peter Tate, 28, is to receive an award from the Royal Humane Society for his fearless attempt to save a 16-year-old girl from the River
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The bell tolls for Hunchback of Notre Dame
GOODNESS knows what Esmeralda would have to say. A touring theatre company - soon to visit the North-East - has decided to change the name of Victor Hugo's classic story to avoid offending disabled people. Oddsocks Productions decided on The Bellringer
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A statement from the council
THE Entertainment Team (Durham) Ltd has gone into receivership because of the catastrophic results of a decision it made about the opening event of the Gala. If the company had done as it agreed in pre-contract discussions and financed the event through
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A sad - and grateful - goodbye to the best days of their lives
WELL, that's it. Ten years of Richmond School gone, just like that. It seems only the day before yesterday that Senior Son was starting there, scrubbed and smart with a shiny new geometry set and calculator. And then I must have blinked. Because yesterday
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Failed Gala bosses face legal action
DURHAM City Council has confirmed the authority will be taking legal action against the directors of the company it appointed to run the £14m Gala Theatre. Chief executive Colin Shearsmith said the action, against directors Michael Power and John Nicholas
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Drink-drive lawyer 'was on mission to save overdose woman'
A barrister who failed a breath test while on a mercy mission to save his suicidal friend was today banned from driving for two years. Former policeman David Robinson-Young, 50, ferried Jane Cooper less than a mile from her home to hospital after a dinner
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Farmers to keep watch on A1 plans
FARMERS, archaeologists and cyclists have vowed to keep a close watch on the Government's plans for new stretches of motorway through the region. The Highways Agency has already emphasised there is a long road ahead before construction work begins on
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Primary school pupils vie for athletics honours
Abbey School won the Darlington Primary Schools Athletics Championships yesterday, for the ninth time in ten years. Abbey took the large schools title, while St Bede's Primary School, the 2000 winners of the small schools title, reclaimed it from last
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News in brief: Cash bonus for school sports
DARLINGTON Primary School Sports Association has been awarded a grant of almost £3,500 to help organise tournaments and festivals. The grant will pay for coaching fees, venue hire and equipment for the group of teachers who give support to pupils aged
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Jobs saved on Teesside
HUNDREDS of steel jobs have been saved on Teesside following a dramatic turn around by Corus. Steel bosses have decided against awarding rail work to an outside contractor, following hard lobbying by unions. A decision by Corus to keep the work in-house
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Scientific institute may give answers to brain problems
THE opening of an £8.3m scientific institute today will put the North-East in the forefront of research into the human brain. It is hoped that the institute will help to develop new treatments for neurological diseases, such as strokes, brain injuries
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Artistic duty ends with regal presentation
A NORTH-EAST airman has landed a dream role in today's historic Armed Forces Day. Sergeant Gary Stannard, from Ferryhill, County Durham, has painted a picture for the Queen. And he been given the ultimate honour of presenting the painting during the Queen's
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Siege man is charged
A MAN arrested after an armed siege appeared before magistrates yesterday on a wounding charge. John Piggins, 32, of Cross Street, Leadgate, County Durham, was also charged with causing an affray on June 25 and two further charges of criminal damage between
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Hear All Sides: WORLD CUP
ONCE again we see referee errors tending to spoil the World Cup (and Premiership) football. Referees are only human and errors occur. Is it asking too much for another referee in any match to use a video, and be in touch with the rest of the field, on
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Two arrested over busker's death mystery
TWO people were arrested yesterday by detectives investigating the mysterious death earlier this month of busker Tony Grayson. A 35-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man were taken in for questioning by detectives in York. In a statement, police confirmed
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Good sports enjoy great day of athletics
MORE than 150 adults with learning disabilities gathered in Chester-le-Street for an annual sports event yesterday. Competitors converged on the Riverside Sports Complex to take part in events including javelin throwing, 100m and 200m sprints, relay and
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Police seek names for 20 riot suspects
Police hunting the gangs who tore a city apart in last summer's race riots believe travelling thugs from the North-East may have been behind the violence. Detectives in Bradford have widened their investigations to Middlesbrough, Darlington and Newcastle
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Learning centre meeting announced
A PUBLIC meeting has been called to discuss plans to build a Community Learning Centre (CLC) on the site of a Hartlepool primary school. The town's £54m New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme is keen to make progress on the Lynnfield School scheme and
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Soldiers honour their comrades
SOLDIERS past and present are to make an emotional return to the beaches of D-Day to keep memories of their comrades alive. A party of 30 Green Howards is heading for Normandy on a five-day pilgrimage during which they will visit the regiment memorial
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Auto-expedition heads into forest
The Forestry Commission is staging an auto-expedition for four-wheel drive vehicles to the highest point of Kielder Forest, in Northumberland, on Saturday. Vehicles must be all-wheel drive and in reasonable condition. A few places are left on the six-hour
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Auto-expedition heads into forest
The Forestry Commission is staging an auto-expedition for four-wheel drive vehicles to the highest point of Kielder Forest, in Northumberland, on Saturday. Vehicles must be all-wheel drive and in reasonable condition. A few places are left on the six-hour
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Book fines removed to encourage more young people to use libraries
YOUNGSTERS on the North Yorkshire coast will be able to use local libraries this summer without having to worry about fines for overdue books. The initiative in the Whitby, Scarborough and Filey areas will run from July 1 to September 30. John Dennis,
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Themed bar will create 50 jobs
A LEISURE chain that received a setback over plans to build a caf and bar in Durham is creating a new branch in Chester-le-Street after being asked by residents. In a reversal of the usual course of events, Luminar Leisure was approached by people in
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Club conversion wins go-ahead on planning appeal
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to turn a Redcar hotel into a nightclub has been given the go-ahead by a Government inspector. Proposals to convert the former Warrenby Hotel into a nightclub were opposed by residents and police, who feared excess noise, and the
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Invitation for firms to check out advice
BUSINESSES found out about the help and support available to them at an open event yesterday. Back Up North, Sunderland Action Team for Jobs and Job Linkage held the one-day Business in Mind event for employers at the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland.
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Manager quits after pub brawl death
A PUB manager who faced a manslaughter charge after a man died in a bar brawl will not be returning to work at the pub where the incident happened. Steven Webb, 35, has decided to leave his job at the Rise Carr Hotel, Whessoe Road, Darlington after the
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Campaign to draw tourists takes to road
A NEW branded car will promote Northumbria's tourist attractions throughout the country. Following Northumbria's recent successes in winning national awards, Northumbria Tourist Board is taking icons of the area on the road by sponsoring the vehicle.
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Meeting puts environment decisions first
PEOPLE were yesterday invited to find out how English Nature makes decisions on environmental issues. An open meeting was held at Redworth Hall Hotel, near Shildon, County Durham, to explain how English Nature's national council works to protect the environment
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New owners unveil plans for future of leisure complex
THE new owners of a pub restaurant complex plan to lease it off to a company. Cathedrals, featuring a bistro/caf, restaurant, bar and in-house micro-brewery in the refurbished former Victorian police station in Durham, has been bought by local property
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Stars of television make a dramatic entrance
A HOST of television stars have taken to the stage in the region this week. Alan Ayckbourn's Living Together opened at Darlington's Civic Theatre last night. It stars Mary Tamm, who has appeared in Dr Who and Brookside, Sabina Franklyn, from Keep it in
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News in brief: More nursery places planned
A NURSERY is to be added to Reeth Primary School as part of proposals by North Yorkshire County Council. The plan would bring 13 half-day places after Easter next year at what would be known as the Two Dales Nursery, for three and four-year-olds living
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Dixons keeps Link to profits
Electrical retailer Dixons shrugged off a sharp downturn in the mobile phone market as it rang up a seven per cent rise in underlying profits. A surge in demand for widescreen televisions and DVDs helped it overcome a fall in sales of mobile handsets.
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Comment: The doubts over recovery
THESE are uncertain times for the world economy. Discovery of a £2.5bn black hole in the accounts of one of America's biggest companies does not instill confidence. The accounting scandal at WorldCom and the fragility of financial markets continue to
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Jobs saved as food business finds a buyer
NEARLY 300 North Yorkshire jobs have been saved after a buyer was found for the chilled food business of collapsed food group Albert Fisher. The UK subsidiary of US food giant Fresh Del Monte Produce has bought the operation from administrative receivers
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Seaward vies for national award
AN electronics firm from the region was last night in the running for a national business award. Seaward Electronic, of Peterlee, County Durham, was shortlisted in the Manufacturing Excellence Awards held by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers at
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Inside view of Euro parliament
A GROUP of A-level business and economics students have just returned from a trip to the European Parliament in Brussels. The year 12 pupils from Egglescliffe Comprehensive School, Eaglescliffe, met Martin Cullian, MEP. They were able to ask him questions
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Constable takes on hospital beat
HEALTH chiefs hope local bobby Alan Kille will prove to be just what the doctor ordered. The 52-year-old constable's beat will now take in Durham City's University Hospital of North Durham, which replaced Dryburn Hospital. Nationally, hospital security
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Minister is lobbied over A64 concerns
CALLS to upgrade the A64 between York and Scarborough to dual carriageway are to be discussed at a high-profile Government meeting. Transport Minister John Spellar has indicated that the future of the road would be considered at a meeting at Westminster
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Group in the spotlight
A GROUP of teenagers are to perform their award-winning pregnancy awareness drama at a national conference in London. Over the past year, the group from King James I Community College, Bishop Auckland, has performed at more than 30 schools and conferences
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Computer aid will help groups to go surfing
GROUPS throughout the region will be able to surf the web after receiving free computers from BT. The company has awarded 41 groups with a computer as part of its Community Connections project. Community initiatives throughout the North-East and North
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Artistic pupils prepare for Royal visitors
A SchooL will be graced by Royal visitors next week. The Earl and Countess of Wessex will be at Monkwearmouth School as part of their visit to Sunderland on Tuesday. They will meet staff and students at the school, a centre of excellence for performing
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Villagers' parade given the go-ahead
A VILLAGE's street parade will go ahead despite being unable to use a main road. Recent changes in regulations mean the organisers of parades have to obtain a road closure order. The organisers of the parade and fun day at Bowburn usually use Durham Road
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Lehmann leads the fightback
Yorkshire battled their way back into their match against Sussex at Arundel yesterday after slumping to 41 for four and looking ripe for another Championship drubbing. A first win of the season for the title holders is still a long way off but their final
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Councillor takes over hot seat
A MIDDLESBROUGH councillor has been appointed chairman of Cleveland Fire Authority. For the next 12 months John Jones will lead an authority of 23 members, made up of councillors from Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland. At a
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NHS 'helmsman' named
A NEW director has been appointed to two health bodies to oversee their financial management. John Anderson is to be director of finance and commissioning for Derwentside Primary Care Trust and Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust. He will
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Mother's special vintage
A DRIVER has beaten her husband and son to become the first female winner of a motoring test for vintage and classic cars. Organisers of the 31st Beamish Safety and Reliability Run have tallied up the points and declared Darlington's Eileen Bruce the
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You write: Mobile mast danger
SIR - Are the children of Newton Hall safe? This week, yet another major study has been published which casts doubt over the safety of mobile telephones. Why then, is the council seemingly content to allow Hutchinson Telecom to place a 20-metre-high mobile
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Minister says region needs an assembly
A GOVERNMENT minister yesterday called on the people of the region to pull together for home rule. David Miliband, Minister for Schools, spoke to some of the region's most powerful council leaders and business figures at the annual meeting of the North
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Magpies linked to Silva
SPANISH sources last night insisted that Newcastle United are weighing up a move for Uruguay's World Cup striker Dario Silva. United boss Bobby Robson, who has lingering worries over the fitness of frontline pair Craig Bellamy and Carl Cort, as well as
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NHS 'helmsman' named
A NEW director has been appointed to two health bodies to oversee their financial management. John Anderson is to be director of finance and commissioning for Derwentside Primary Care Trust and Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust. He will
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Flowers set the scene
THE life of the region's greatest saint and the story of one of Durham City's best known churches were told with flowers at the weekend. A flower festival, titled St Cuthbert - Our Heritage, was held at the St Cuthbert's RC church to mark its 175th anniversary
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Taxi papers cheat escapes prison term
A TAXI operator and leading town figure in Chester-le-Street narrowly escaped a prison sentence for selling bogus insurance to drivers. Peter MacGregor, 64, devised do-it-yourself insurance documents on his home computer and sold them at cheap rates to
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Fanning the flames of success for honest toiler Joe
MODESTY is the hallmark of Joe Fanning, one of the unsung heroes of Mark Johnston's all-conquering Middleham operation. With Kevin Darley grabbing most of the headlines by partnering the majority of the high-profile Johnston winners at the likes of Royal
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Murder fight
A FIGHT is underway to clear the name of a man locked up in a Swiss jail for a murder he did not commit. Majid El Hamri flew back to Teesside only this week after being held in prison without trial for 16 months. Almost as suddenly as he was arrested
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Quinn handed coaching role
PETER REID'S Sunderland revamp gathered pace yesterday as Niall Quinn was elevated to player-coach and Kenny Cunningham and Neil McCann emerged as major transfer targets. Manager Reid, under pressure from disgruntled fans to stop the rot that set in during
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Passenger watchdog condemns region's rail services
The official rail passengers' watchdog for the North-East today condemned the quality of local rail services in the region. It told MPs that a lack of staff, trains and other facilities has made services unreliable and punctuality poor. The regional Rail
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Transfer of council services hailed a success one year on
THE transfer of 1,000 council workers to the payroll of a private company a year ago has been a success, it has been claimed. Twelve months on, one of the bosses of HBS - Middlesbrough Council's private sector partner - said there was plenty to celebrate
