Archive
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Curtain up on new era as arts centre puts cash troubles in past
A NORTH-EAST arts centre which made headlines more for the debts it ran up than the productions it staged has begun a new era. With a clean slate and a fresh bill of health, the once-troubled Arc, in Stockton, officially reopened on Saturday. The Dovecot
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Weekend TV: When Tony met Gordon
The Deal (C4) Byron (BBC2): Monarch Of The Glen (BBC1): The Deal might well have been subtitled When Tony Met Gordon. Instead of a simulated orgasm in a deli, there was a verbal showdown in a restaurant. And Tony and Gordon didn't live happily together
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Pottery expert Eric delights collectors
COLLECTORS of Moorcroft pottery gathered at a stately home at the weekend. BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Eric Knowles was among the guests at Castle Howard, in North Yorkshire, for a three-day exhibition of highly sought-after and collectable examples,
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Dixon double clinches dull derby for Mowden
GEORGE Reynolds can rest easy. Word will not be spreading like wildfire round Darlington that rugby is the game to watch after the first national league derby. It was far preferable to a car boot sale, of course, but for any first-timers prepared to be
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Switching allegiances all red and white to Smith
SWITCHING allegiances is going to be easy for Sunderland new-boy Tommy Smith. The 23-year-old striker used to be a fan of the Black Cats' fierce rivals Newcastle United. Well not any longer. After agreeing terms to join Mick McCarthy's men last week,
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Build success with grants at breakfast
BUILDING firms are being urged to attend a series of breakfast seminars to find out about grants for businesses improvement. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is encouraging construction companies to achieve the Investors in People standard
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Witness at Porton Down breaks silence
A KEY witness in the death of a North-East airman deliberately exposed to nerve agents has broken his 50-year silence. Ronald Maddison, of Consett, County Durham, died at the Government's top secret chemical weapons laboratory in Porton Down, Wiltshire
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Cathedral may become venue for fundraising dinners
A black-tie dinner in Ripon Cathedral was such a success it could lead to the building being used for more corporate functions. The event raised £10,000 towards the cathedral's £500,000 roof appeal, attracting 275 guests. The cathedral administrator,
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'Nowt wrong with accents' despite survey
BUSINESSMEN have been urged to ditch their broad accents if they want to be successful. The warning came in a survey of top directors by a communication consultancy, and has angered some leading entrepreneurs. Geordie accents were seen as a major disadvantage
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Gospels for sale outrage
THE British Library last night denied misleading campaigners fighting for the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels after it emerged hundreds of copies were for sale on the Internet. Now local historians are to relaunch the campaign to have the 7th Century
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'Gospels for sale' outrage
THE British Library last night denied misleading campaigners fighting for the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels after it emerged hundreds of copies were for sale on the Internet. Now local historians are to relaunch the campaign to have the 7th Century
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It'll be not party at seaside for PM
PRIME Minister Tony Blair was facing potentially his toughest week in politics last night as Labour's popularity slumped to its lowest under his leadership. As delegates gathered in Bournemouth for the party's annual conference, the opinion polls made
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New stamps take off with help from N-E Meccano enthusiast
FAVOURITES from the golden age of British toy production feature on the latest set of stamps from Royal Mail. The Transports of Delight stamps celebrate different vehicles that went on to be replicated as toys by well-known manufacturers such as Meccano
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MP wins inquiry fight
AN MP has won his bid for an investigation into the plans of steel maker Corus. Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, has long battled to have a House of Commons inquiry into plans by Corus to axe steelworkers and plant capacity
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Stadium traffic plan a success
A PARKING scheme for people living near Darlington Football Club's stadium has been hailed a success. The council-run scheme, which stops fans parking outside people's homes during matches, came into force on Saturday for the Quakers' game against Boston
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Youngsters launch petition campaign for town cinema
YOUNGSTERS have made an impassioned plea to traders to back their campaign to build a cinema. Kate Vickers and Jaime Flinn, both 12, have put together a petition to gain support for their scheme to get a cinema in Bishop Auckland. The two students from
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Community park provides safe play for children
VILLAGE children have been given a safe place to play in a £250,000 community park they helped to design. Two years ago, on the same site in Coundon Grange, near Bishop Auckland, a six-year-old girl was injured when she was dragged along the ground after
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Hospital revamp plans go on view
A series of exhibitions to explain how health chiefs plan to spend £18m on a new-look Friarage Hospital, at Northallerton, starts this week. The South Tees Hospital Trust has secured the money for the project and has drawn up a two-phase redevelopment
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Opening of £5.7m leisure centre is delayed by a year
A LEISURE centre due to open this year is facing a 12- month delay, following a string of problems at the site. And when it opens its doors, the town's other pool could have to close for £1.5million repairs. The £5.7m swimming pool and gym at the Louisa
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Comic writes life story
ONE of the region's best-loved comics is lifting the lid on his 50-year career, in a new book. Bobby Knoxall, who was born in Sunderland, launches his autobiography, Stand Up!, next week. The 69-year-old has shared a stage with celebrities including film
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Primary school earns a 'good progress' report
A PRIMARY school in Billingham has been found to be making good progress following an Ofsted report. Priors Mill Church of England Primary School was inspected in May and was described by inspectors as being a good and rapidly improving school. Headteacher
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Support sought for wildlife haven
PEOPLE in Hartlepool are being urged to demonstrate their commitment to the environment by supporting efforts to promote and protect a local wildlife haven. A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, and it is hoped there will be enough interest shown
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Prize win steers Susan towards getting behind the wheel
A TRANSPORT worker, who gets free travel to work, has vowed to learn to drive after winning an £8,000 car. Susan Phipps, of Lemington Rise, Newcastle, won the Daewoo Matiz in a prize draw at the Gateshead MetroCentre. Ms Phipps - in the driving seat,
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When Tony met Gordon
The Deal (C4) Byron (BBC2): Monarch Of The Glen (BBC1): The Deal might well have been subtitled When Tony Met Gordon. Instead of a simulated orgasm in a deli, there was a verbal showdown in a restaurant. And Tony and Gordon didn't live happily together
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Review of policy on pool photos
A COUNCIL is reviewing its policy on photography at its swimming pools, in light of new mobile phone technology. Hambleton District Council is in the process of reviewing its policy under the Child Protection Act, to prevent photographs of youngsters
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All creatures have their day in church
A SPECIAL church service was held yesterday for animals from around east Cleveland. St Hilda's Church, Redcar held its third annual pets blessing service, which was led by the Reverend Chris Greenwell, with curates Linda Shipp and Marian Gardner, to mark
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School science grants offered
A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE has pledged to fund up to two sixth form science scholarships a year at a North-East school. Dr Peter Ogden, the chairman of Computasoft and Omnia Asset Management, and director of Computacenter, a company he co-founded, will fund
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Man dies and another hurt as car collides with bus stop
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a bus stop accident left a pensioner dead and another man injured. Norman Hope died on Friday night, after he was struck by a car while waiting for a bus. The accident happened at about 7pm, in Tyne Avenue, in
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Knights of old enthral visitors with tales from medieval times
YOUNG Nerhys Clayphan heard Jason Shipman, of the Anmod Dracan Medieval Re-enactment Society, tells her a story at Margrove Heritage Centre yesterday. The five-year-old was among visitors who took the chance to find out more about the medieval age. As
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Crime advice hailed a success
A NEW way of offering crime prevention advice and support to people has been hailed a success. Shoppers at Bells Store, in Murray Street, Hartlepool, were able to receive advice on protecting themselves and their homes on Thursday. Colin Hopkins, formerly
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Motivator will encourage students to aim high
A MOTIVATIONAL expert is to work with students to encourage them to aim higher. Nearly 1,500 young people from across Wearside will meet Michael Heppell at the Seaburn Centre, in Sunderland, tomorrow. He will speak about the advice and training he has
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Sport for girls
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is offering a basketball course for girls, aged 12 to 14, with qualified coaching at Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, every Wednesday, from 5pm to 6pm, until November 26. The cost is £1 per session. For further
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Freud is destroyed in name of art
WORK by Freud has been torn to shreds, thrown out of a car travelling at 90mph while words describing the performance have been scattered on the floor of an old North Yorkshire factory - all in the name of art. The Royal Road to Unconsciousness is the
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Bird creations help to launch arts project
YOUNG artists have produced two feathered friends to brighten up their school. The year five and six pupils at Moorside Primary School, near Consett, spent two days with artist Keith Alexander, creating two giant birds sculptures. They built wood and
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Student rewarded for local initiatives
A NEWTON Aycliffe student who has won a national award said he hopes to use it to further his community work. Alan Strickland, 19, of Silkin Way, has been awarded a 2003 Young Leader Award by the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures
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Special needs course brings step up for nursery worker
A NURSERY worker has been commended after completing a customised training course for special needs education. Julie Gowland, of the Pixley Dell Day Nursery, Spennymoor, has been promoted to assistant principal. She has also been appointed as the nursery's
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Demolition demand over redundant cement plant
VILLAGERS living in the shadow of a redundant cement works are calling it for it to be demolished. People in Eastgate, in Weardale, County Durham, are pressing Lafarge Cement to start clearing the 400-acre site where 147 people lost their jobs last year
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Mystery of decline at seal colony
MYSTERY surrounds a drop in the number of seals at a North colony. It is the first time in 14 years, since recording began, the number of seals on the Seal Sands mudflats at Teesmouth has declined. The colony made history when, in the 1960s, it became
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Courts will decide fate of ghost fleet
A US court will decide this week if controversial plans to dispose of condemned US warships in a North-East yard can go ahead. Officials in the US have agreed to put plans to export ageing US Navy ships on hold until the dispute is resolved on Wednesday
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Billy really grows his onions
THE World Onion Growing championships has been won by Billy Lamb - for the sixth year running. Retired pitman Mr Lamb put his latest success down to luck. Mr Lamb's winning onion weighed in at 14lbs 10oz - almost 7kg - at the Northern Social Club, Ashington
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Iraq vote decision is boost for Blair
A BELEAGUERED Tony Blair received a boost last night when he escaped a bloody nose in Bournemouth from delegates angry over the war in Iraq. To the fury of left-wing activists, constituency parties and trade unions rejected the chance to vote on the Iraq
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Going . . . Going . . . Gone as scouts turn to more extreme sports
TRADITIONAL Scout camps consisted of sing-songs and frying sausages on the campfire. But the modern boy scout is much more likely to be indulging in extreme sports or enjoying a concert. More than 600 young people gathered at Moor House activity centre
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Is there more to life than cats in pretty bonnets?
IT was a bad week to be a woman last week. Just when we thought it was safe to accept a drink from a gentleman stranger, it turns out that drug rape is on the increase in our pubs and clubs. For those of us who want to avoid such dangers by being in a
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Judge convicted
Deputy District Judge David Messenger, 49, was today convicted by Selby magistrates of being drunk and disorderly in a kebab shop in Scarborough.
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Dalrymple helps Blaydon hit heights
TWO resounding wins have put Blaydon top of National Three North with Tynedale in second place. Both relied on three penalties to edge them in front on Saturday before romping past 40 points with exhilarating second half displays. Blaydon led 9-6 at home
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A very happy anniversary for Pool's IOR relationship
IN SEPTEMBER 1997 Hartlepool United were trundling along in the slow lane. Then along came a company called Increased Oil Recovery, a chairman by the name of Ken Hodcroft, and Pool have never looked back. Pool fans had their fingers burned years before
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Tait close to netting top award
NOT even Mick Tait could have contemplated four weeks ago that he would be one of the leading contenders for the Manager of the Month award. But after the debacle which was August, when Quakers amassed a measly three points in the opening weeks of the
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Big Brother star gets kit off for good cause
Big Brother star Jonny Regan went back to see his old workmates - and also to get his kit off. Jonny, who was a firefighter until finding fame and fortune after the TV series, joined 11 of his former colleagues in the latest craze, posing for a calendar
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Comment from The Nothern Echo: Being strong is a weakness
TONY Blair embarks on a crucial conference week with criticism over his handling of the war in Iraq ringing in his ears and suggestions from perilously close to home that his Government has lost its way. When someone as loyal as former Health Secretary
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Schumacher closes in on another title
Michael Schumacher is on the verge of a record-breaking sixth World Championship after triumphing in a wet-and-wild United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis last night. The German needs just one point from the season finale in Japan in two weeks time
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Call to end reign of terror
RESIDENTS who are being terrorised by gangs on a Guisborough estate are appealing for action to stop their lives from being made a misery. Youngsters aged from ten upwards, have been caught in large gangs drinking alcohol, taking drugs and riding off-road
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Church targeted by thief
A THIEF has been targeting wedding guests at a Guisborough church. A woman's handbag was stolen from inside St Nicholas Church after a wedding ceremony, while purses and bags were taken from members of the congregation in the priory grounds, a popular
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Clark proving his worth to Quakers
Darlington manager Mick Tait last night heaped praise on Ian Clark after the winger made the most of his recent first-team opportunities. With Neil Wainwright ruled out for at least a fortnight with an ankle injury, Clark has been handed the chance to
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Mother calls for flats to be demolished
A MOTHER is campaigning for the flats where her 17-year-old son died of stab wounds to be pulled down. Theresa Cave collected 480 signatures in one night for a petition demanding the flats in Burnmoor Close, Redcar, be demolished. She hopes a tree or
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Glass firm is on the move
AN entrepreneur invited the man who inspired him to succeed to open his latest venture. Michael Ramsay set up Ramsay Studio Glass, in Consett, seven years ago, with the help of the Prince's Trust. The business has moved to bigger premises in the Rear
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'If I hadn't come here, I would have been dead'
We lock more children up than any other country in Europe, but what good does it do them? In the last of a series of special reports, Nick Morrison looks at how life in a secure unit affects young people's attitudes to crime. "I DON'T like being bad.
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Oster repaying McCarthy's faith
MORE than four years after arriving from Everton, John Oster is finally starting to repay some of the £1m Sunderland splashed out for his services. Despite joining in August 1999, the Welsh winger has only made 13 League appearances for the Black Cats
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Incinerator given licence to burn animals
A COUNCIL has given permission for an incinerator to burn large animal carcasses. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council granted Ted Noddings a licence on Wednesday to burn farm animals at Charltons. North Yorkshire Moors National Parks Authority granted
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Tykes on sticky wicket
WIth the new regime, which had saved the club from bankruptcy, firmly installed, big things were expected of Yorkshire in 2003. But the long, hot summer produced a damp squib rather than a firecracker as far as results and performances were concerned.
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Curtain up on new era as arts centre puts cash troubles in past
A NORTH-EAST arts centre which made headlines more for the debts it ran up than the productions it staged has begun a new era. With a clean slate and a fresh bill of health, the once-troubled Arc, in Stockton, officially reopened on Saturday. The Dovecot
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Little Waster's son is branded drunken nuisance
THE son of North-East comedy legend Bobby Thompson has been branded a drunken pest. Robert Thompson has been given an Anti-social Behaviour Order (Asbo) after magistrates heard of a catalogue of booze-related crimes. He now joins the Asbo hall of shame
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Students show their creative skills
STUDENTS from Darlington College of Technology have won prizes in an art and photography competition. The youngsters entered the second Lingfield Point art competition, which offered two students on national diploma programmes the chance to win £250.
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News in brief: Chipboard factory fire
FIRE destroyed a metal silo at a chipboard factory in Shildon yesterday. The silo, containing about ten tons of sawdust, collapsed as fire crews from Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe brought the blaze under control. The plant was owned by George Reynolds
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News in brief: Chipboard factory fire
FIRE destroyed a metal silo at a chipboard factory in Shildon yesterday. The silo, containing about ten tons of sawdust, collapsed as fire crews from Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe brought the blaze under control. The plant was owned by George Reynolds
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29/09/03
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: IT is interesting, not to say ominous, that the site of a proposed regional government is being discussed without there being a convincing case put for its institution, or indeed a vote for it as yet. All the arguments for a change
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Greece crash girl flown back home
A 13-year-old girl who was badly injured in a holiday moped accident on the Greek isle of Kos has been flown back home. Ashleigh Stephens, from Brinsley Court, Coundon, County Durham, will spend three weeks in Darlington Memorial Hospital, where she was
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Awards for shops that help disabled
SHOPS and businesses committed to making their premises accessible to disabled people could be in line for an award. The Access for All award is being launched by Darlington Association on Disability (Dad) and Darlington Borough Council today, to mark
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Footballer has college goal
A YOUNG footballer will travel to the US next month to take up a university sports scholarship, thanks to local businesses. Paul Holloway, 19, from Darlington, appealed for help to pay tuition fees at Heidelberg College, Ohio, and local companies raised
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Nursery aids return to learning
CHILDCARE in Darlington is poised to receive a big boost with the opening of a 41-place nursery. The neighbourhood nursery, on a heritage site near the town's railway centre and museum, opens next month as part of a £1m development in the North Road area
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Festive craft fair planned
GIFTS galore will be on sale at a charity Christmas craft fair in Darlington next month. The town's Lioness Club is holding its annual fair, at the Blackwell Grange Hotel, from 10am to 4pm, on Sunday, October 26. There will be thirty stalls, featuring
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Student repeats sister's success
A DARLINGTON student has followed in the footsteps of his older sister by winning a trophy for the best GCSE grades in his year. The Lloyds Bank Trophy is awarded every year by Hurworth School Computing and Maths College. Three years ago, it was won by
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Draw and jockey give Kozando every chance
COUNT on Kozando (3.15) to land the £20,000 Famous Grouse Nursery at Hamilton Park today. The Geraldine Rees-trained two-year-old has done little wrong over the past four weeks, demonstrating a liking for the venue by scoring over track and trip as well
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Police in estate patrols pledge
PEOPLE on a Darlington estate have been reassured that a specialist police unit will be deployed to help them tackle the problem of anti-social youths. People in Lascelles Park were confused after being told that the new unit would monitor the estate
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Champion growers vie for top honours
CHAMPION leek growers were rewarded for their efforts at an annual show in Darlington yesterday. Scores of leeks were scrutinised by judges at the town's Inter-Club Champion of Champions Leek Show, at Harrowgate Hill Working Men's Club, in Salters Lane
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Upbeat sheep show celebrates best in livestock and brewing
THE Masham Sheep Fair consigned the dark days of the foot-and-mouth crisis to history over the weekend with a successful two-day event blessed with warm sunshine. Hundreds of people made the trip to the traditional Yorkshire Dales market town for the
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Cooper set to appeal
NEALE Cooper has lodged an appeal against Chris Westwood's dismissal in last week's Carling Cup game with West Brom. The central defender was red carded by referee Phil Prosser an hour into the game after colliding with striker Scott Dobie on the edge
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Enjoy 520-miles of the great outdoors
WALKERS are being helped to get out into the County Durham countryside over the next few months. Durham County Council has put together a programme of nearly 70 guided walks, covering a total of more than 520 miles, between October and December. It starts
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Agricultural society president looks forward to running the show
A MAN who has helped shape the Yorkshire Agricultural Society over the past 20 years has been appointed its president. Richard Howard-Vyse will now take a prominent role planning next year's Great Yorkshire Show as well as in the day-to-day affairs of
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Countryside festival makes its debut
THE first ever countryside festival in Hartlepool was held yesterday. The event, a partnership between Hartlepool Borough Council and the Tees Forest, took place at the Summerhill countryside park. Visitors were given the chance to make bird boxes and
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Seven staff join team at school
seven new recruits have been getting used to life at a Dales school since the new academic year got under way - and that's only among the staff. The 100-pupil Aysgarth School welcomed its new intake of teachers as term began and now has a pupil-to-teacher
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Biker death toll continues to mount
ANOTHER biker died and two more were injured as accidents involving motorcyclists continued on North Yorkshire's roads over the weekend. More than 50 riders have lost their lives in the county in the past two years, despite efforts by the police and road
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North rooting for Fame wannabe Alistair
A HUSH fell over a small Northvillage shortly after 10pm on Saturday. But this was no tribute or vigil - this was real tension, as 250 homes in Castleton, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, held their breath waiting for the results of the voting on BBC's Fame
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Grassroots: Chester-le-Street, Birtley and District
FIELD WALK: A 3.5 mile walk, skirting Waldridge Fell, will leave the Plawsworth and Kibblesworth Community Centre at 11am, on Sunday. MUSIC HALL: Jean Bird will relate the Lives and Times of Marie Lloyd to Sacriston and District Everyman's Club, at 7.30pm
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Call for new regulations in attempt to save lives rejected
THE Government has rejected calls for stringent new regulations on carbon monoxide checks in a bid to avoid more fatalities this winter. Thousands of North-East students have already received leaflets warning them about the dangers of the deadly gas,
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Fish is dish of the day for pupils competing in cookery contest
SOMETHING fishy is going on in the kitchens of a North Yorkshire school - and budding chefs and a well-known charity both stand to benefit. The head chef at St Aidan's School, Harrogate, Trevor Whitehead, has linked up with the town's Ramus Seafoods,
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Women urged to attend health event
A WOMEN'S health awareness day will take place next week. As many women as possible are being urged to visit a roadshow when it rolls into the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, on Tuesday, October 7. Organised by the Health Promotion Network
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Ferryhill hit five in first three-point haul
Ferryhill Athletic celebrated winning their first game of the season and did so with some style when they put five goals past Barnard Castle Glaxo who managed just a couple in reply. Although Glaxo twice fought back to reduce the deficit, Ferryhill ended
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Rescue team seeking cadets
THE search is on for teenagers to join the ranks of a lifesaving group. Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team, which is one of the few mountain rescue teams to run a cadet scheme, is looking for more 16 to 18-year-olds to join the group. Cadets
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Bereaved boy suffers fresh blow
THIEVES who stole a ten-year-old's bicycle less than a week after his mother died are being urged to return it. Steven Hobson was heartbroken when the silver BMX Ennelle bike he bought two months ago was stolen last Tuesday night. The bike, which was
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Community joins in charity effort
VISITORS to a community drop-in centre were happy to sit down with a coffee to do their bit towards the World's Biggest Coffee Morning. About 25 visitors enjoyed a brew with staff at the Willington Community Resource Centre, in Willington, on Friday,
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Priest in court charged with assault
A 75-YEAR-OLD priest appeared in court today charged with four counts of indecent assault on boys. Patrick Fitzpatrick, of Holycross Home, Ettrick Grove, Sunderland, dressed in a blue jacket and walking with the aid of a stick, spoke only to confirm his
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The man who snapped the stars
Amerigo de Santis was a member of the paparazzi when it was fairly honourable trade in the 1950s and 1960s. Now settled in the North-East, he tells Steve Pratt about his close encounters with some very famous faces. La Dolce Vita star Anita Ekberg was
