Archive
-
Date
Bogus callers still bringing Christmas misery to elderly
SCORES of elderly and vulnerable people have been targeted by bogus callers in the region in the run-up to Christmas. The spate of distraction burglaries revealed in new police figures highlights the urgency of The Northern Echo's Doorstoppers campaign
-
Date
Judge hits out over sailings
A HIGH Court judge has condemned the way four redundant US navy ships were allowed to cross the Atlantic Ocean to be broken up in the North-East on the basis of legally flawed decisions. Mr Justice Sullivan called for an "urgent and thorough" investigation
-
Date
Darlington Church and Friendly League
Darlington Skerne Park gave one of their best displays of the season when going down to the odd goal in seven to Darlington Travellers Rest, the winner came with only two minutes remaining. Chris Marksby grabbed a pair for Travellers with one each going
-
Date
South Cleveland Garages Teesside League
Division One, Thornaby YC 0, Carlin How 1: Both sides pressed and had a number of near misses, Martin Say had the best chance for the visitors in the 70th minute but had his shot well saved by Shane Hine in the Youth Club goal . The match was always going
-
Date
Burton's Bytes: Reliving train driver dreams
RAILROAD TYCOON 3/TRAINZ RAILWAY SIMULATOR 2004. Published by: PopTop Software/Just Trains. Price: shop around.: WHEN I was a kid, games consoles and computers didn't exist. Heck, even a pocket calculator was a novelty in those days. It was also the size
-
Date
European glory for Richmond swimmer
RICHMOND teenager Joanne Jackson won her first ever senior title at the European Short Course Championships in Dublin last weekend. The 17-year-old Durham Aquatics swimmer, relatively new to both the senior fold and the 400m freestyle event, led from
-
Date
Generosity for children
A CHARITY has estimated that £70,000 worth of toys have been donated to make sure that 4,000 underprivileged children have presents this Christmas. Staff at Travelcare, in Redcar, handed over their contribution of two large suitcases full of gifts from
-
Date
Showcase event planned for local food
YORKSHIRE Food is the focus of a showcase event in Harrogate in February, aimed at helping Yorkshire fall in love with local food. "This is not a co-operative event; more a glorified farmers' market with suppliers from across the region," said Peter Brant
-
Date
Hunt for PO gun robber
THREE passers-by could hold vital clues in the hunt for a gunman who tried to hold up a County Durham post office. The attempted armed robbery took place at about 2pm on Tuesday, when the man burst into the post office in Quebec Street, Langley Park,
-
Date
Work to transform building begins
WORK has started on a £2m project to turn an infants' school into a community centre. The former Newton Infants' School, Durham Road, Stockton, will reopen in September as the Newtown Community Resource Centre. Refurbishment work on the building, which
-
Date
Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League
It was the first round of the five Divisional Cups last Saturday and as usual there were a number of unexpected results too, but it was a Division Three game which surprised everyone. Crook Town of whom so much was expected at the start of the season
-
Date
Appeal after fatal crash
A TEENAGER has died in a road accident. Police accident investigators are appealing for witnesses following the fatal crash in Chester-le-Street in which Ben Ellison, 17, died. Mr Ellison, an apprentice motor mechanic, from Plantaganet Avenue, Chester-le-Street
-
Date
Lord Dormand dies
Lord Dormand of Easington, a former chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party and staunch fighter on behalf of the mining community, died in hospital last night aged 84, his colleague Lord Graham of Edmonton confirmed today. Jack Dormand represented
-
Date
Wellock's World: BBC Sports Personality awards
NEVER can such an array of sporting talent have been assembled under one roof as at the BBC Sports Personality awards. How marvellous to see people like the 1960 Olympic showjumping gold medallist David Broome, even if it was a huge disappoinment that
-
Date
Police welcome records review
POLICE chiefs in the North-East and North Yorkshire have welcomed a review of the way records are kept following damning revelations about the past of Soham murderer Ian Huntley. Home Office Minister Hazel Blears told MPs many forces had to do "a lot
-
Date
Woman dies in saw accident
HEALTH and safety experts began a detailed investigation on Wednesday into an accident which claimed the life of a 20-year-old woman. Kelly Pattinson died as she was helping her mother and step-father cut wood at the family farm in Forest-in-Teesdale
-
Date
Badminton
On Sunday the Durham under-21 team took the long drive to the return leg of their match with Worcestershire. Due to unavailability and illness Durham could only put out a small team that included two 15-year-olds in Scott Carnell and Ruth Mackenzie, both
-
Date
Leaders Cottles suffer rae defeat
Newfit Services Willington: League leaders, Willington Cottles crashed to their second defeat of the season after ten consecutive victories, when they only collected two points from their home match against Willington Lion and Unicorn. The only singles
-
Date
Allstars on song to record a fine victory
Darlington 21st Allstars: The Under-15s, sponsored by Cummins, were host to Hartlepool in the league and pulled off their best performance this season. The whole squad worked hard with moves starting from the defence and being turned into goals by Wilson
-
Date
Pledges top £400,000 for new parish centre
A CHURCH has launched ambitious plans for a new parish centre. Already, worshippers at All Saints', Eaglescliffe, have pledged more than £400,000 towards the cost of the project. The response marks the culmination of a year of celebrations to commemorate
-
Date
Newhouse win
Tow Law and District League: Tow Law FC lost their sole right to the top spot in the table when the visiting Newhouse Club, who moved up share the leadership, beat them in the decider. Ian Dinsdale put the visitors ahead but then the footballers had wins
-
Date
Teesside - not really worth mentioning to passengers
LOW-cost airline bmibaby is being taken to task for highlighting the attractions of Newcastle and Gateshead as reasons for flying to Teesside Airport in its December in-flight magazine. As controversy continues to rage over the proposed airport name change
-
Date
Oil platform contract will bring jobs and investment
HUNDREDS of jobs and thousands of pounds of investment are on their way to the region. The news follows fabrication expert Heerema Hartlepool Limited's contract win to build the biggest oil platform deck in its history. It will build the 9,500-ton Buzzard
-
Date
Longhorn Hardware Darlington and District League
DGSOB 2, Newton Aycliffe 1: All the goals came in the second half. Kevin Wilkinson notched for Aycliffe, but goals from Peter Grey and Chris Scott gave Old Boys their second league win of the season. Greyhound 3, Hole in the Wall 1 Greyhound led after
-
Date
Upgrade for moors centre to attract more visitors
THE NORTH York Moors National Park's Danby Lodge Centre is in line for a £620,000 new look. The former seventeenth century shooting lodge has been leased by the park authority for the past 30 years and is a popular tourist attraction. But, says the park's
-
Date
Vin speaks up for Eston, Cleveland, Teesside
WHILE the Euro-heads tried to bring about some sort of unity last week, Teesside folk singer Vin Garbutt underlined the strength of the regional, never mind national, sense of identity. "Darlo, you've got an identity," he told his audience of 200 at Darlington
-
Date
Dingle bells, Dingle bells, Dingle all the way
PANTO stars spread a little festive cheer yesterday when they visited sick children facing Christmas in hospital. Lisa Riley, who found fame as Emmerdale Farm's Mandy Dingle, joined fellow performers from Darlington Civic Theatre's show, Goldilocks and
-
Date
Flintoff averts crisis for himself and England
Andrew Flintoff blasted England out of trouble on the opening day of the final Test to halt a mini-crisis of his own. The Lancashire all-rounder struck ten fours and four huge sixes in his 77, compiled in two hours, after the tourists slumped to 139 for
-
Date
New image for hotel
THE building once vaunted as the region's biggest club for swingers has opened its doors as a conventional hotel. Plans to turn the derelict Kings Head Hotel in Stanley, into The Love Shack, a club for wife-swappers and group sex enthusiasts, were withdrawn
-
Date
Shearer and Co bring Christmas cheer to children's ward
ALAN Shearer brought some of his team-mates on a hospital visit to cheer up sick youngsters yesterday. The Newcastle United captain and several of the Magpies squad, including Nobby Solano and Jonathan Woodgate, spent more than an hour with patients on
-
Date
Gold mine ad condemned
AN ADVERTISING watchdog has backed a complaint from a local authority over a business offering shares in a Transylvanian gold mine. The company also wants children's clothes for Romania but the Advertising Standards Authority said the leaflets it is circulating
-
Date
Think green this season
KERBSIDE recycling has saved more than 5,000 tonnes of rubbish from going into landfill sites. And people are being urged to continue thinking green during the festive season. The Kerb-it scheme, which operates in Chester-le-Street and Durham, has already
-
Date
Shearer is 'better than ever' - Bobby
NEWCASTLE boss Sir Bobby Robson last night insisted that Alan Shearer's predatory instinct is "better than ever'' - and backed him to beat Ruud van Nistelrooy and Thierry Henry to this season's Premiership Golden Boot. Shearer, 33, is one goal short of
-
Date
Darlington Mowden Park
Mowden Park Under-15s win over Hartlepool Rovers saw action from the start, with the first try coming from Andy Robinson just a couple of minutes into the match after Chris Hossell broke through the Rovers defence and ran almost to the try line before
-
Date
Petch and Procter forced out of Malton event
THE inaugural running of the MEM Rolltek Malton Forest Rally last Sunday proved to be a great success, although a pair of the fancied crews from the region failed to see the finish. Scorton driver Steve Petch and co-driver John Richardson from Northallerton
-
Date
Mulberry cuts losses
LUXURY goods group Mulberry said it was on track for a return to the black after a fall in losses. The company, which generates about 70 per cent of its business from the sale of accessories, benefited from a cost-cutting drive which saw overheads reduced
-
Date
Fears mount for missing teenage girl
FEARS are growing for the safety of a missing teenager who has struck up friendships with asylum seekers. Police and social services officials said they were seriously concerned for Emma Phillips, 14, who went missing from her foster home in Gateshead
-
Date
Cross-country: Scaife pushes Wilkinson all the way
NEW RECRUIT Neil Wilkinson led Morpeth Harriers to team success with a debut senior men's victory in the 98th North-East Cross Country Championships at Darlington. And the 35-year-old former Salford Harrier, who has moved to the area to work as a hospital
-
Date
Reviving Death Valley
HAMBLETON councillors came up with what is potentially Thirsk's best Christmas present - a commitment to put some cash into long-standing plans to revive one of the most depressing streets in the district. Long Street has been deteriorating for years,
-
Date
Base decision is criticised
DEFENCE Secretary Geoff Hoon was accused last night of sneaking through a deal to prepare RAF Fylingdales for the "son of Star Wars" project as MPs packed up for Christmas. The Tories leapt on the announcement, as Westminster began its recess, that a
-
Date
Wearside League
Wilf Keilty and Paul Hogg have established personal records with North Shields. The former recently made his 250th appearance and last week Hogg played his 100th game for the Robins. Keilty's involvement at Ralph Gardner Park began in October 1986 when
-
Date
Family's second drowning torment
A COUPLE were in shock last night after losing their 13-year-old son in a swimming pool tragedy - two years after their daughter died in identical circumstances. Daniel Readshaw was the same age as his elder sister, Anne-Marie, when she drowned in a council-run
-
Date
A year in the life of Backtrack
Backtrack has adorned The Northern Echo sports pages for 18 full seasons. 2003 had been another year of highs, lows, far too many sad events and yet more miles on the clock for the award winning column. Mike Amos, as ever, takes stock of the last 12 months
-
Date
Festive market attracts thousands
THOUSANDS of shoppers packed out a town's specialist festive market last weekend. There was a party atmosphere at three markets in Guisborough last Saturday. Punch and Judy, the Old Glory Band, a hog roast and street performers provided entertainment
-
Date
Woodland farmer helps lead sheep association
THE National Sheep Association's Northern region held its annual meeting at The George Hotel, Piercebridge. Malcolm Corbett of Dyke Head, Rochester, near Otterburn, was elected chairman. He produces lamb and beef on his farm, which is between 800 to 1,200
-
Date
North left kicking heels after referee fails to show
NORTHALLERTON are hoping their Powergen Junior Vase fourth round tie at home to Sheffield Tigers will be played on December 27 following last week's postponement. The Referees' Society had apparently told the appointed official that Northallerton's scheduled
-
Date
Veterans take part in charity run
SOLDIERS will join Second World War veterans on a charity run next month to raise money for blind ex-servicemen. The Morpeth to Newcastle Road Race celebrates its centenary on January 11 and St Dunstan's charity for blind people has been chosen as one
-
Date
New hope after ten years
A MOTHER'S emotional appeal for help in catching her son's killers has helped police to make a possible breakthrough. Earlier this month detectives arrested and questioned two people over the decade-old killing of takeaway delivery man Paul Logan, of
-
Date
House prices to rise faster in North
THE North is predicted to lead the country's housing market with double-digit growth next year, according to Nationwide. While the average cost of a property is expected to increase by nine per cent next year, the North, Yorkshire and Humberside are all
-
Date
Oak Leaf hosts champs
The Oak Leaf Sports Complex in Newton Aycliffe was the host to this year's Northern Area Squash Championships in this yearly event, which featured the cream of junior squash players from Cumbria, Northumbria as well as Durham & Cleveland. The County
-
Date
Animal welfare award for ragwort MP
JOHN Greenway, the North Yorkshire MP who was responsible for successfully steering the British Horse Society-initiated Ragwort Control Bill through Parliament, has won the inaugural ePolitix Charity Champion Award for Animal Welfare. The awards ceremony
-
Date
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday League - Division One
The unavailability of referees again cut short the fixture list last weekend but the games that did go ahead in division one saw AFC Brinkburn gain a fine win over Killinghall Arms. Although James Raper found the back of the net for the Killy, it was
-
Date
Search for missing man is revived
MORE than a year after a former miner went missing, police divers this week scoured a pond, in an attempt to find his body. On March 25, last year, 53-year-old Edward Donnelly, from Fynway, Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, went missing from the home
-
Date
Fiddling claims 'tosh' - Milburn
THE Government last night defended Alan Milburn after allegations that he fiddled hospital league tables. A memo leaked to the Health Service Journal shows that the former Health Secretary intervened last year after his local trust looked like losing
-
Date
Sedgefield picks up top award
SEDGEFIELD racecourse has been voted best small racecourse in the North East and Scotland by the Racegoers Club. The award, ahead of many fine racecourses such as Hexham, Kelso, Musselburgh, Redcar and holders Perth, comes just before the County Durham
-
Date
Fishburn inflict rare Durhan loss
Worthington CIU Winter League: New Durham went down to their first defeat of the season when the visiting Fishburn B won in the decider. This only leaves the top two teams in the First Division, Wheatley Hill A and Spennymoor A with unblemished records
-
Date
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday League - Division Two
Cleveland Bridge, moved level on points with Pepper Draughting Services at the top of the league but with a game in hand and the only 100 per cent record in all three divisions. They are now looking in a strong position for the top spot and it was the
-
Date
Spotlight on Laura as she aims to be next Keegan superstar
HER soccer legend father was a famous pop flop - but Laura Keegan hopes to score a hit with her first record. The daughter of Manchester City boss and former Magpies favourite Kevin Keegan has launched her pop career with a string of club dates and a
-
Date
Second mast approved despite health fears
ELM Ridge is to get a second mobile phone mast despite fears about the effect of radiation on young and old. Darlington Borough Council planning committee voted by four votes to three to grant Hutchinson 3G UK permission to erect a 12.5m-high pole and
-
Date
Village plans pit-head memorial to disaster victims
RESIDENTS are planning to erect a memorial to the miners who died in one of the region's worst pit disasters. Stanley Hall Community Partnership is asking Derwentside District Council for planning permission to erect a stone cairn on the shaft head of
-
Date
Tributes to woman who died in horror accident
TRIBUTES have been paid to the 20 year-old woman who was killed in a horrific accident at her parents' farm this week. Kelly Pattinson died on Tuesday afternoon while helping her mother and stepfather cut wood on a bench-saw at Forest-in-Teesdale, County
-
Date
Hathaway and Cope Stokesley League
Thornaby Mand. FC 1 Woodmans Ar. 4: Woodmans Arms followed up their win over Ennis Square last weekend with another fine performance. Both sides created good openings in the first half but the only goal came when Matthew Bailley scored from close range
-
Date
'Better use is being made of technology'
BUSINESSES in the region are making better use of information and communications technology (ICT) than at any other time, a survey has found. The International Benchmarking Survey has been used in the past by the Department for Trade and Industry to assess
-
Date
Sheep men back board's methods
SHEEP producers have given the British Wool Marketing Board their full support for the way it operates and its future strategy. The backing came in a recent survey of all 315 producers who produce more than 5000kg of wool and a one-in-ten selection of
-
Date
Meals earn healthy food accolade
PUPILS at a health-conscious school tucked into a festive treat yesterday as they celebrated winning an award. Eastbourne School, in Darlington, has become the first comprehensive school in the town to win Darlington Borough Council's School Heart Wise
-
Date
Drivers face drink and drugs tests in police crackdown
COUNTY Durham's traffic police are carrying out spot-checks in an effort to catch drink-drivers. For the first time the force will also be screening drivers stopped at late-night and early morning checkpoints for drugs as well as drink. The campaign,
-
Date
Dropping in for anniversary celebration
A COMMUNITY yesterday celebrated the first anniversary of a scheme that is helping to improve problem neighbourhoods. The Wear Valley Street Wardens scheme was launched a year ago to clean up three parts of the district and make them safer for residents
-
Date
An Ugly Sister rings the changes
ACTOR Aidan Bell has the distinction of appearing in pantomime and in a blockbuster film - at the same time in the same North-East venue. Aidan, 39, is spending Christmas hamming it up on stage as one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, at Durham City's
-
Date
Generous pupils create hampers full of treats
CHILDREN from a Darlington school have contributed hampers to a Christmas appeal. Pupils at Branksome Comprehensive School, put together hampers for the town's Giving Tree Appeal. The appeal asked Christmas shoppers to buy an extra gift for needy families
-
Date
Trust backs plan for new health centre
AN ageing health centre is to be rebuilt thanks to a £1.25m investment in primary care. The new Park Place Health Centre, in Darlington, will be built in the car park next to the present building to minimise disruption to patients. At its board meeting
-
Date
Concern for lost patient
Police were last night hunting for a patient who disappeared from hospital. Kathleen Langton, 39, left South Tyneside Hospital just after 1pm yesterday. She was last seen in nearby Harton Lane, South Shields. Officers said she is on medication that makes
-
Date
Residents celebrate victory after three-year campaign
A THREE-YEAR wrangle was resolved in time for Christmas yesterday when a group of children opened a restored bridge. The crossing over Kex Beck, on the edge of Kirkby Malzeard, was severely damaged by flooding in 2000. Repairs provided an opportunity
-
Date
Wrapping up for Christmas
VISUALLY impaired students at a college have been wrapping Christmas presents for the Operation Christmas Child appeal. Henshaws College, in Harrogate, has joined the appeal which gives children and families the opportunity to send gifts to youngsters
-
Date
Students help bereaved family raise funds for charity
SIXTH-Form runners have helped take a bereaved family's fundraising efforts up to the £50,000 mark. Levon Morland, 22, of West Rainton, near Durham City, died in January of last year of the rare heart condition Wolfe Parkinson White syndrome. Since then
-
Date
Staff drop in with festive lunches
Asda staff have been serving Christmas lunch to homeless people. On Wednesday, Chris Stott, Jan Hall, Michelle Milling and Eileen Reay, of the supermarket chain's regional food distribution depot in Washington, served a meal to 41 people at the Lazarus
-
Date
Students' noticeboard design inspired by the past
A noticeboard designed by students has been unveiled in Consett town centre. The sign, designed and made by staff and students at Derwentside College, was unveiled in Middle Street by representatives of Consett North Partnership, Derwentside District
-
Date
Town's park wins Green Flag award
THE Riverside park in Chester-le-Street has been awarded a Green Flag - the first area of green space in County Durham to receive the honour this year. The area, which is popular with families and anglers, received the award from The Civic Trust. In its
-
Date
The King and I - how one woman is dispelling myths about maligned ruler
MARGARET Watson admits there are those who might think her "a bit dotty" for hosting a birthday party, complete with professionally iced cake, for an alleged murderer who died over five centuries ago. But within minutes of meeting her, that myth is dispelled
-
Date
Recycling stations set up in villages
CHRISTMAS tree recycling will be easier than ever in the New Year. Ten villages across the Hambleton district have signed up for tree recycling stations. Residents will also be able to take them to household waste recycling sites, as well as placing them
-
Date
Santa and his elves take up residence among the library shelves
FATHER Christmas can be found nestled between the bookshelves of a library this week. Clayport Library, in Durham, has given Father Christmas and his elves a prime spot for his grotto, where he will be until Christmas Eve. Children can visit him between
-
Date
Revamp of town centre is planned
MULTI-MILLION pound plans to transform a large section of a Teesside town centre have been unveiled. Stockton planners want to redevelop the area near the River Tees at Church Road and Bishop Street, near the baptist tabernacle. The plan is to demolish
-
Date
Drugs squad officers celebrate successes
DRUGS squad police officers in east Cleveland have had a successful week after a raid and two successful prosecutions. The raid at a house in Loftus, near Saltburn, on Wednesday, led to the seizure of a large amount of ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis, along
-
Date
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
OLD Shildon emerged as the clear favourites for the league title after beating one of their closest rivals, Thorns, last week. Thorns are currently top, but Old Shildon have three games in hand, and they boosted their championship bandwagon no end with
-
Date
Councillor fights plans for 'pay rise'
A LABOUR councillor suspended for criticising an inflation-busting allowance increase is fighting plans for another rise. Paul Trippett was barred from Durham County Council's Labour group for six months in July for attacking a £1,000 or 13.8 per cent
-
Date
Appeal is under way with Bishop's blessing
THE Tree Of Life, the annual Christmas appeal run by Teesside Hospice, has received its official church blessing. Every year, the hospice invites people to take part in the Tree of Life appeal by remembering loved ones and friends who may not be with
-
Date
80 and still accounting
A CHARTERED accountant has marked half a century in business - and is still going strong. Jonathan Nicholson Straughan, known as Jack, has celebrated 50 years as a practising chartered accountant in Chester-le-Street, Durham, Consett, Stanley and Washington
-
Date
Darlington double delight for Quaker bowlers
The men and ladies Quaker bowlers secured a winning double while beating Gateshead in the Durham County Inter-Club fixtures all in their quest for league championship titles. With 12 points at stake in the mens' chase for honours, Darlington fielded an
-
Date
Coxhoe Boys
A spirited second half fightback earned Coxhoe Under-15s victory when they took on Chester-le-Street Waldridge Park at Spennymoor United's Brewery Field on Wednesday. During the first half Coxhoe were as poor as they have been for a long time and despite
-
Date
More information may not be the answer
THE Chief Constable of Humberside, David Westwood, will have won few friends with his performance in the light of the Soham verdicts. His delivery was cold and monotonous. It was as if he was reading out a shopping list, not reflecting on a chain of events
-
Date
Colligan strike caps Marton's 20-goal win
In the North Riding Cup Marton Under-14s travelled to Bedale for a North Riding Cup game and came away with an emphatic 20-0 victory against a spirited but depleted home side. Bedale started brightly and had the advantage of a strong wind behind them,
-
Date
New bridge will have path and cycle track
A SUBSTANDARD railway bridge is to be replaced as part of an ongoing project. Ten weeks after the Selby rail disaster, when motorist Gary Hart careered off the road and into the path of a train, highways chiefs across the country announced that hundreds
-
Date
Darlington boss has players pressing for recalls
Darlington manager David Hodgson is finally getting some much-needed strength in numbers back to his squad. Second-bottom Quakers face a festive schedule of three games in eight days, beginning with tomorrow's visit of fellow strugglers Macclesfield.
-
Date
Hope grows of buyer for hospital
A BUYER for the St John of God Hospital at Scorton could be waiting in the wings. A meeting between patients' and staff representatives and the Hospitaller Order of St John, the monks who run the unit, was held on Monday. While the order gave no details
-
Date
New bridge will have path and cycle track
A SUBSTANDARD railway bridge is to be replaced as part of an ongoing project. Ten weeks after the Selby rail disaster, when motorist Gary Hart careered off the road and into the path of a train, highways chiefs across the country announced that hundreds
-
Date
Basketball
Durham League County Cup, Norton v East Durham and Houghall Comm. College: A weakened Norton side were able to capture the lead, even without the play of Paul Jenkins and Ian Nicholson, as they led their First Division opponents through some excellent
-
Date
University launches attack on top-up fees proposal
A NORTH-EAST university last night condemned Government plans to potentially triple the cost of tuition fees. The University of Teesside, which prides itself on attracting people from poorer backgrounds, said it was opposed to the concept of variable
-
Date
Young footballers get a chance to beat the bobbies
BEAT bobbies' are to pit their ball skills against a team of teenagers. Police officers in Chester-le-Street are to put their own team forward in a football tournament for young people from the town and surrounding villages. The seven-a-side contest,
-
Date
Boston deny making offer as Pool loan star stays
BOSTON United officials last night denied making an offer to sign Adam Boyd on a permanent basis. The Hartlepool United striker has just extended his loan at York Street after impressing in his first month. Pool boss Neale Cooper said the club had received
-
Date
McClaren's sights fixed on ending the wait
STEVE McCLAREN believes history is beckoning Middlesbrough towards their first major honour. McClaren, who led Boro to an agonising FA Cup semi-final defeat by Arsenal in his first year in management two seasons ago, is aiming to go one better when the
-
Date
Recycling initiative aids charities
PUPILS have been getting into the festive spirit by collecting household goods for charity. Children from Town End Primary School, in Sunderland, have been learning about reusing and recycling household goods rather than throwing them away as part of
-
Date
Smoker died in bed after fire started
AN 82-year-old woman died when her bedroom caught fire after she dropped a cigarette, an inquest heard. Annie Wardle died from smoke inhalation at St Bede's Close, Crossgate Moor, Durham, in January. The inquest heard how her grandson, David Soulsby,
-
Date
Hopes rise of cash to revitalise town's eyesore gateway
CASH could be made available for work to revitalise a Thirsk street which "only lacks tumbleweed". Hambleton district councillors have agreed in principle to inject £50,000 into a scheme to revamp Long Street, one of the main gateways into the market
-
Date
It's for the birds, with the help of farmers
A CONSERVATION project in which farmers and birdwatchers work together to help Yorkshire's countryside birds has celebrated its third year of success. The RSPB Volunteer and Farmer Alliance, which runs in North and East Yorkshire, provides local farmers
-
Date
Light of peace spreads across the world
CHILDREN from a hospital day nursery yesterday welcomed the arrival of a peace light from Bethlehem. The flame, which was lit in the cave beneath the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus, was delivered to the Chapel of the Good Samaritan at
-
Date
Mike Gough Sports Hartlepool Sunday League
Premier Division, Belle Vue Old Boys 0 Rovers 3: Rovers extended their lead at the top of the table with a comfortable victory over an under strength Belle Vue. Andy McKenna put the visitors ahead from the spot after Ashton had been fouled. David Hoey's
-
Date
Police put soccer skills to the test
BEAT bobbies are to pit their ball skills against a team of teenagers. Police officers in Chester-le-Street are planning to enter a team in a football tournament for young people from the town and surrounding villages. The seven-a-side contest for 13
-
Date
Fire setback for bakery
A FIRE at a bakery forced the closure for two days of a Durham family firm's shops across the region. City-based Peter's Cathedral Bakers' 70 shops were closed on Monday after the despatch area of the company's bakery at Dragonville was gutted on Sunday
-
Date
'Light a candle in memory of Sara'
THE father of a murdered North-East student yesterday called on people to light a candle on Christmas Eve in memory of his daughter. Roy Cameron's appeal came as police released enhanced video footage of two men they want to trace as part of their investigation
-
Date
Darlington out for revenge
DARLINGTON are hoping to avenge their Powergen Cup defeat in the opening game of the season at Blaydon when they entertain the Tynesiders in National Three North tomorrow. "That was a disappointing performance - we never got out of the traps," said coach
-
Date
The UniBond League
Ill health has forced Spennymoor secretary Brian Boughen is step down. Boughen, who has been at the Brewery Field for six years, will quit at the end of the season, regardless of whether Moors win promotion or not. "I've decided to resign because of health
-
Date
BBC Sports Personality awards
NEVER can such an array of sporting talent have been assembled under one roof as at the BBC Sports Personality awards. How marvellous to see people like the 1960 Olympic showjumping gold medallist David Broome, even if it was a huge disappoinment that
-
Date
Charity cheats locked up
A CHARITY boss who cheated a fund set up to help sick and dying children out of about £100,000 has been jailed for five years. Joseph Mulcahy, of Chester-le-Street, was described as a 'liar, a hypocrite and a thief' by the judge. His partner, Maureen
-
Date
Round-up
Bedale: Winter Stableford: A winter stableford played on a cold Sunday with the course holding up well in spite of the time of year, 37 points proving a popular score requiring countbacks to determined the placings. Leading scores: division one - 37 points
-
Date
Castle of Shafto's lovelorn follower
We discovered in last week's Durham Memories that Brancepeth Castle was forfeited to the Crown following the rising of the northern earls in 1569. It had been the great stronghold of the Nevilles who lived there for 400 years up until their involvement
-
Date
Oyez, oyez
DURHAM'S decibel-breaking bid to stage the national town crier championship has been successful. City chiefs are shouting from the rooftops after the Loyal Company of Town Criers picked the city to host next year's contest. Angela Colbridge, of the Durham
-
Date
Ice hockey - Junior round-up
Sunderland Scorpions' 100 per cent record in the women's premier league remain in tact after a 3-1 victory at Sheffield Shadows on Sunday. Scorpions were caught out in the very first minute when Sheffield went ahead through Stephanie Turner. Scorpions
-
Date
Shop Talk: Princely pickles to tart up turkey
The thought of leftover turkey may leave you cold but with the right accompaniment, it can be transformed into a right royal feast. I KNOW, I know, you haven't even cooked your turkey yet, and we're already thinking of the leftovers. Time to get yourself
-
Date
Swimming pool dream dies as lottery bid fails
HOPES of building a swimming pool in the upper dales have been dashed after a bid for lottery funding was rejected. Leaders of the campaign for a pool at Hawes said the news on Monday signalled the end of a ten-year dream. They said the decision by Sport
-
Date
Jakari can make it four out of five
Jakari, a young chaser very much on the upgrade, makes plenty of appeal in the Derek Hankinson Showcase Handicap Chase over 2 miles at Ascot today. Henry Daly's six-year-old notched his third win from his last four starts over fences when beating Lincoln
-
Date
School hopes hedge will keep intruders out
A STEEL fence is being built round part of Huntcliff School, Saltburn, to keep intruders, including dogs, away from the school playing field. Staff admit that the fence, which is more than 6ft high, is unsightly, but promise that it will be screened by
-
Date
TV review
Judges In The Dock (C4) Who wouldn't want a six-figure salary and a job for life? What's more, no one can tell you off if you keep getting things wrong. All that can be yours if you sit as a judge. And it's likely to stay that way because, despite Government
-
Date
Continuing a generous tradition even older than Christmas itself
IT is difficult to know precisely when the custom of giving Christmas presents actually began. One of the many theories about this predates Christ's birth by some 500 years, so we cannot claim that that particular custom was associated with our Christmas
-
Date
Raid reward offer
THE owner of a power tool firm angered at being a repeated victim of crime has put up a £1,000 reward following yet another raid on his business. Bob Nicks made the offer for information leading to the conviction of three masked raiders who were caught
-
Date
Reliving train driver dreams
RAILROAD TYCOON 3/TRAINZ RAILWAY SIMULATOR 2004. Published by: PopTop Software/Just Trains. Price: shop around.: WHEN I was a kid, games consoles and computers didn't exist. Heck, even a pocket calculator was a novelty in those days. It was also the size
-
Date
Century-old tractor helps hospices
CATTLE breeder and vintage tractor collector John Moffitt's centenary Ivel tractor drive from Bedfordshire to the Royal Show has raised £120,142 for the hospice movement in the UK. The cheque was presented to David Burland, Help the Hospices' director
-
Date
Issues need addressing at site, regional and national level
A SIX-year study into England's sites of special scientific interest has revealed that much work needs to be done. The survey by English Nature, England's best wildlife and geological sites - the condition of SSSIs in England in 2003, found that while
-
Date
Norton into quarter final
Norton and Stockton Ancients: Norton Under-12s started with a changed team, after losing their captain to a rival team. Fred Woodhouse came from the back four to play in the vacant spot and did a great job. Also it gave a first starting opportunity to
-
Date
Special sales
BARNARD CASTLE. Wed of last week. Christmas show & sale of 1,681 sheep. Champion lambs: T Denham £60 to Cleveland Meat Co. Prizes. - Suff lambs: 1 JK Thompson £42.50; 2 K&RE Robson £41.80. Cont lambs, 1 champion; 2 TM Bellas & Son £46; 3 Maj
-
Date
Queudrue presents the prizes
Middlesbrough star Franck Queudrue presented trophies to the winners of the Community Cup, Middlesbrough Football Community Centre's football competition for primary schools. Seventy-six teams from all over Teesside took part in this year's competition
-
Date
You Write
Hospital bouquet: Sir - I had the unfortunate news that I had bowel cancer earlier this year. I am 70 and an ex-miner and factory worker without resources for private health care. However, I was under the care of an excellent team of doctors at University
-
Date
Darlington Spraire Lasses
Darlington Spraire Lasses Under-16s held their nerve to defeat a determined Consett. With Darlington playing against the wind in the first half and the majority of play in the middle of the pitch there were few chances coming to either team. Then after
-
Date
Police seek robbery hero
POLICE are trying to a find a man who prevented a robbery, then chased and held a suspect. The man was one of a number of people who responded to cries for help from a 57-year-old woman who was being robbed in the street in Redcar. Minutes earlier, a
-
Date
Comment from the Northern Echo: The utter cruelty of fate
THERE are times when we all feel that life deals us an unfair hand. But those feelings have been put into perspective today by the unimaginably cruel hand which has been dealt to the family of Daniel Readshaw. The loss of Daniel's sister Anne-Marie two
-
Date
Bethlehem's light shines in Cleveland
A SYMBOLIC light of peace all the way from Bethlehem arrived in Cleveland this week. The candle was delivered to the Chapel of the Good Samaritan at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday, before continuing on to Laurieston residential
-
Date
Bridge idea
Sir, - It is unique in the history of the River Tees that two new bridges are proposed to span it at the same time, both pedestrian and both highly controversial. The lower Tees bridge at Stockton, with its snake-like profile, has become an issue because
-
Date
Authority puts case for single council
THE latest figures produced by North Yorkshire County Council say creating a single unitary authority covering the county would save council tax payers at least £10m. County councillors believe that having a single county-wide authority would cost between
-
Date
Charitable trust could manage ancient pasture
RESIDENTS campaigning to protect ancient pasture land with links to Richmond's medieval history have won the support of councillors. Last week, about 80 residents descended on a Richmondshire District Council resources committee meeting to raise fears
-
Date
TUC attacks 'Scrooge' bosses
HUNDREDS of thousands of people will work on Christmas Day with no guarantee of extra pay, while 35,000 will work for nothing, research has shown. The survey, by the TUC, also found that about three million workers will not receive holiday pay for December
-
Date
Lambert prepares for battle with the elite
A LOCAL sidecar racer will be taking on the might of the world's best when he contests the revived British Sidecar Championship next season. Greg Lambert from Scotton will team up with Midlander Jamie Sirrell aboard the 1000cc LCR Yamaha outfit to contest
-
Date
SRA derails transport group's bid for new franchise
THE Arriva transport group has seen its bid to run a rail franchise turned down. The organisation, based in Sunderland, failed even to make the shortlist for the Northern Rail contract. Instead, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) chose Serc/Ned Railways
-
Date
Neil takes first national title
A young Darlington boxer enjoyed the biggest win of his career so far after beating an England international to clinch a national title. Darlington ABC's Neil Hepper became a National Association of Young People champion when he defeated Luke Gray of
-
Date
'Extravagant' language criticised - and tyre depot will go
THE Campaign to Protect Rural England has been criticised by Darlington planning committee for its "extravagant" language over a town centre scheme. The demolition of a tyre depot at the corner of Coniscliffe Road, West Street and Northumberland Street
-
Date
Passenger numbers boosted
THE ARRIVAL of award-winning airline bmibaby has boosted passenger figures at Teesside International Airport. Demand for budget flights meant 8.5 per cent more people passed through the airport, last month compared to the corresponding month a year ago
-
Date
Appleby keen on promotions
Durham Football Association official Mike Appleby believes that Northern League clubs should be moving up the pyramid regularly. In an interview in the Northern League's magazine Northern Ventures Northern Gains, Appleby discusses the proposed restructuring
-
Date
Games
CIU League: The Annual Presentation Evening for the League was held in Crook Belle Vue with Colin Armstrong the Durham County Branch President and Mick McGlasham, the Durham County Branch Secretary making the presentations. A very special award was made
-
Date
Forces radio goes online
SOLDIERS serving abroad will be able to access news and messages from home online thanks to a new service launched by their own radio station. The Garrison Radio network, which has its headquarters at the British Army's largest base at Catterick, North
-
Date
Ash Tree wrestle title from Crook
Bishop Auckland and District League: Spennymoor Ash Tree clinched the League Championship after a play-off with Crook Olde Horse Shoe, who have held the title for the last few years. The Spennymoor team won home advantage on the toss of a coin and played
-
Date
Fish Tales
Angling Clubs celebrated the festive season with a series of Fur & Feather Christmas matches and in the Yarm AA bash extra water encouraged the Tees elusive bream shoals to feed on the lower reaches. The match was decided on adjoining pegs just upstream
-
Date
Billingham SC
Billingham Swimming Club enjoyed a family outing hosting their annual swimming gala at the Forum, members taking part from three year old to adults. All swimmers enjoyed taking part and did themselves justice swimming to the best of their ability. The
-
Date
Overstrand in the running for fifth victory in a row
OVERSTRAND bids for a five-timer tomorrow in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot and holds every chance. Mary Reveley has handed the ride to top jockey Barry Geraghty, replacing last time's winner Ruby Walsh and earlier pilot, amateur Owyn Nelmes. Overstrand
-
Date
More information may not be the answer
THE Chief Constable of Humberside, David Westwood, will have won few friends with his performance in the light of the Soham verdicts. His delivery was cold and monotonous. It was as if he was reading out a shopping list, not reflecting on a chain of events
-
Date
Radio rallying call from the chairman
Durham Local Radio (DLR), bidding for the forthcoming Durham local radio licence, has announced well-known business leader David Bowles as its chairman. Mr Bowles is chairman of Service Challenge and chief executive of Northern Defence Industries Ltd.
-
Date
A Hoggarth and Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League
Gt Ayton v Redcar Mackinlay Park: Half way into the season Gt Ayton have used ten goalkeepers and once again a regular outfield player took the keepers gloves. This weeks stand-in Jamie Scott was soon in action and collected a cross to show he was capable
-
Date
Darlington Harriers
Harriers hosted the North-Eastern AA cross country championships at Branksome School on Saturday. With some of the region's top athletes taking part there was some excellent racing and close finishers. The senior women's team of Susie Rutherford, Bernadette
-
Date
Airport rise could outstrip White Paper predictions
BUSINESS at Teesside Airport could triple by 2015, rather than double by 2030, it was announced this week. The forecast was made by Hugh Lang, managing director, who said the Government's plans for the future of air transport, unveiled in a White Paper
-
Date
Talent for endurance earns Amy top prizes
A TEENAGER is celebrating after receiving a string of national and regional awards for horse riding. Amy Boston, 14, of Church Lane, Middleton St George, has been recognised as one of the top novice endurance riders in the country following repeated success
-
Date
Prices at the Marts
DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 331 cattle, 1,286 sheep. Steers med to 150.5p a kg or £827.75 each av 117.3p; hvy to 115.5p or £802.90 av 104.8p; hfrs lt to 115.5p or £456.23; med to 136.5p or £641.55 av 108.9p; hvy to 130.5p or £743.78 av 107.3p
-
Date
Darlington Railway Athletic Football Club
Darlington RA's last chance of cup glory will be at Whitehaven tomorrow when they play in the second round of the Wearside League Cup. And although beaten last Saturday for the first time in a number of weeks, manager Dave Woodcock is confident of a winning
-
Date
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday League - Division Three
MN All Stars played hosts to Drinkfield United and it was the All Stars who took the lead when Darren Thompson scored after Steve Howden's effort came back off the crossbar. Lee Harding added two more goals to make it 3-0 at the break. When the second
-
Date
Cold turkey at Christmas?
Power cuts may have brought New York to a halt earlier this year, but one thing was certain - it couldn't happen here. But an energy expert and government advisor says there's a good chance our lights will go out over Christmas. Nick Morrison reports.
-
Date
Murder accused in court
A MAN appeared in court on Wednesday accused of murdering paedophile Arnold Hartley. Adrian Leslie Brown, 41, of High Street, Redcar, was remanded in custody by Guisborough magistrates. He will make his next appearance at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday
-
Date
Snow to sweep in - but no white Christmas
Heavy snow is heading for the region this weekend - but a white Christmas has been ruled out by weather experts. Icy conditions, strong winds and snow are due to sweep across the North on Sunday afternoon and evening. But the cold snap is due to end on
-
Date
Nurse gives her side of story
A NURSE accused of failing to get help as a terminally ill patient fell into a critical state said yesterday he had seemed comfortable. Gillian Simpson, 40, did not get assistance when the 68-year-old man began passing low levels of urine after an operation
-
Date
House prices to rise faster in North
THE North is predicted to lead the country's housing market with double-digit growth next year, according to Nationwide. While the average cost of a property is expected to increase by nine per cent next year, the North, Yorkshire and Humberside are all
-
Date
How to party without paying the price
MORE than 300,000 people in the North-East could be putting their job prospects on the line by drinking too much at this year's Christmas work do, according to a new survey. But it's not just the office party which causes problems - more than half of
-
Date
Jakari can make it four out of five
Jakari, a young chaser very much on the upgrade, makes plenty of appeal in the Derek Hankinson Showcase Handicap Chase over 2 miles at Ascot today. Henry Daly's six-year-old notched his third win from his last four starts over fences when beating Lincoln
-
Date
Grundy Steels a hat-trick in comfortable win
Consett Sunday League: DARREN Grundy was the star of the show as the Steel Club claimed maximum points in Division Two at home to Annfield Plain Demi. Grundy notched a hat-trick and there was another for Andy McBride in the 4-1 win that saw Lee Curry
-
Date
The real thing for a cosy festive glow
FOUR of us walked into a mansion-turned-museum last weekend and headed straight for a feature which wasn't in the guide book at all - the huge fire burning in the entrance hall. The mansion's original family had been coal-owners - not surprising, given
-
Date
Durham Alliance
Hebburn Reyrolle went out of the Durham County Trophy losing 4-0 away to Coxhoe Athletic. The Reyrolle forward line were unable to trouble Coxhoe's defence who have only conceded four goals in open play this season. Coxhoe were in front after five minutes
-
Date
19/12/03
CALENDAR: CORRESPONDENT Mr Raper (HAS, Dec 12) reckons that we will lose one day's pay a year if the 52 weeks it takes the earth to travel around the sun were divided into 13 months of 28 days. What are his thoughts about the extra day every four years
-
Date
£1.5m to be invested in green energy
A total of £1.5m is to be invested in developing renewable energy. Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is putting the money into the Future Energy Company (FEC), over the next three years. FEC will work with the region's energy producers, manufacturing
-
Date
Town gears up for New Year bash
A TOWN is gearing up to enjoy what has become a New Year tradition. When eight men from Chester-le-Street decided to take to the stage with their imitations of rock stars on January 1, 25 years ago, nobody guessed the event would become one of the town's
-
Date
£1.5m to be invested in green energy
A total of £1.5m is to be invested in developing renewable energy. Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is putting the money into the Future Energy Company (FEC), over the next three years. FEC will work with the region's energy producers, manufacturing
-
Date
Church opens after revamp
A CHURCH that has undergone a major refurbishment this year is about to re-open to parishioners. Building work has been taking place over the past three months at St Andrew's Church, in Haughton, Darlington. An inspection by building experts in 2000 concluded
-
Date
Wardens scheme celebrates first year
A COMMUNITY yesterday celebrated the first anniversary of a scheme that is helping to improve problem neighbourhoods. The Wear Valley Street Wardens scheme was launched to clean up three parts of the district and make them safer for residents. Six uniformed
-
Date
Drivers face drink and drugs tests in police crackdown
COUNTY Durham's traffic police are carrying out spot-checks in an effort to catch drink-drivers. For the first time the force will also be screening drivers stopped at late-night and early morning checkpoints for drugs as well as drink. The campaign,
-
Date
School helps bring Christmas cheer
PUPILS and staff spared a thought for others this Christmas by packing more than 50 hampers. Wolsingham School and Community College made up 55 boxes of festive treats to be distribute to needy people in the district. Students and staff gave items for
-
Date
Museum paintings to aid landscaping
LANDSCAPE designers are drawing their inspiration from watercolour paintings hanging in a North-East museum to help recreate one of the England's most important 18th Century forest gardens. The Forestry Commission and The National Trust have joined forces
-
Date
Longer fair would wreck worship,
A CHURCH leader has hit out at plans to extend the hours of Northallerton May Fair. The Rev John Parker says allowing the event to go on until 8pm on the Sunday, instead of 5pm, would wreck evening worship. He says there have already been problems with
-
Date
Group discusses leisure options for youngsters
YOUTHS in Darlington are hanging around street corners possibly because they are not being told what services are available to them, a meeting heard yesterday. The Working Together group, set up to identify gaps in the facilities on offer for young people
-
Date
Traders offered free tapes to aid fight against crime
SHOPS and small businesses are being given free security camera tapes to help in the fight against fraud. Durham Police's cheque and plastic card team is offering replacement tapes when officers take closed-circuit television tapes to use in their investigation
-
Date
Museum paintings to aid landscaping
LANDSCAPE designers are drawing their inspiration from watercolour paintings hanging in a North-East museum to help recreate one of the England's most important 18th Century forest gardens. The Forestry Commission and The National Trust have joined forces
-
Date
A law unto themselves
Judges In The Dock (C4): Who wouldn't want a six-figure salary and a job for life? What's more, no one can tell you off if you keep getting things wrong. All that can be yours if you sit as a judge. And it's likely to stay that way because, despite Government
-
Date
Drivers face roadside drug tests over Christmas period
COUNTY Durham's traffic police have started festive season spot-checks in a bid to catch drink drivers. And for the first time, the force will screen drivers stopped at the late-night and early morning checkpoints for drugs as well as drink. The campaign
-
Date
Enthusiast steps down after 20 years
A SOCCER enthusiast who decided to help a junior league on a temporary basis is stepping down at the end of the season - after more than 20 years in the job. To hundreds of soccer players and team managers in the Harrogate and District Junior League,
-
Date
The crime rate is falling but we can do better, say police
CRIME in Richmondshire has fallen slightly during the past eight months. Figures for the period from April this year to mid-December show an overall reduction of 0.22 per cent, with the greatest success in car crime, which fell by 14 per cent. House burglaries
-
Date
Malcolm back at the helm after surgery
THE chairman of a heart patient support group has been welcomed back after undergoing a major operation. Guisborough town councillor Malcolm Griffiths, the chairman of the Take Heart Support Group, was admitted to hospital for a triple heart bypass and
-
Date
Castle of Shafto's lovelorn follower
We discovered in last week's Durham Memories that Brancepeth Castle was forfeited to the Crown following the rising of the northern earls in 1569. It had been the great stronghold of the Nevilles who lived there for 400 years up until their involvement
-
Date
Systems that should save our children
THE Chief Constable of Humberside Police has apologised for "system failings" which meant nothing had been kept on the force's computer that pointed to killer Ian Huntley's past as a sexual predator. And following the Soham murder trial, Home Office Minister
-
Date
Ambulance station will open in April
A £500,000 purpose-built ambulance station is to open in Middlesbrough in April. The station, which is being built at the Fulcrum Centre, Acklam Road, will replace the former one, about half-a-mile away in Ayresome Green Lane. As a part of the Middlesbrough
-
Date
Town's blueprint for greener future unveiled
A VISION of how communities can work together to create a sustainable future for Middlesbrough has been unveiled. Action 2020 has been created by Middlesbrough Environment City (MEC) and Middlesbrough Council to detail the work taking place in the town
