Archive
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Comment from The Northern Echo: No pride in fees victory
THE Government can take no comfort from last night's vote by MPs on the Higher Education Bill. It has achieved the support of the House of Commons not by the weight of its argument, but by the sheer size of its parliamentary majority. Some of the reforms
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£900,000 revamp for moors centre
AN ancient castle and a national park visitor's centre are in line for a £900,000 revamp. The Moors Centre, at Danby, a one-time shooting lodge and part of the Dawnay Estate, is to get a riverside trail and themed play area for children with interactive
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Fathers to protest over child access
ESTRANGED fathers are to hold a fresh demonstration in the North-East in their campaign to highlight problems over access to children. The pressure group Fathers 4 Justice said it would target an as yet unnamed office of the Children and Family Court
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SOS medics start work
A NEW out-of-hours medical service in Darlington and the Tees Valley goes live today. Tens of thousands of people have been sent letters outlining the new system, which changes the way urgent medical cover is provided when doctors surgeries are closed
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NHS backs off closing hospital
Health managers have suspended plans to shut a community hospital after it emerged that they might not own the building. County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is considering closing down South Moor Community Hospital near Stanley, and
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Ombudsman asked to look into row over sports centre
THE Local Government Ombudsman is to be asked to investigate the latest twist in a row over Richmond's sports centre. The building is to close on Saturday, April 17, as Richmondshire District Council tightens its belt to avoid a hefty increase in the
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Bingo hall evacuated
A COMMUNITY hall had to be evacuated and two women taken to hospital after a carbon monoxide leak. The women collapsed as a bingo caller called time on a game at Neville Community Centre in Newton Aycliffe, on Friday night. Bingo caller Peter Beaty, and
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Kesa posts profits in maiden year
COMET owner Kesa Electricals posted maiden full-year profits of £202.7m, but warned of continuing uncertainty in its core markets. The company, which demerged from B&Q owner Kingfisher in July last year, said retail profits fell 2.7 per cent during
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Bingo 'stud' Maurice calls it a day
THE man dubbed the "Barry White of bingo" has disappointed an army of female fans by announcing his official retirement. Maurice Hume has become quite a celebrity at clubs across the country over the years, thanks to his rich, deep voice. The 65-year-old
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Bellamy out to up strike rate
NEWCASTLE United's Craig Bellamy has confessed he must improve his strike rate if he is to be recognised as a great goal-poacher like skipper Alan Shearer. Bellamy is in a rich vein of form, having scored six goals in his last nine appearances. The Wales
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Blair's relief as fees rebellion outgunned
PLANS for universities to charge fees of up to £3,000 a year cleared their biggest hurdle last night after a rebellion by Labour MPs fizzled out. Tony Blair's 161 majority was cut to 28 as 55 backbenchers voted against variable fees, but they failed to
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EMI announces restructuring plan
MUSIC group EMI is to shed 1,500 jobs as part of a shake-up of its manufacturing operations. The group, which has its UK head office in Hammersmith, west London, said it would reduce staff numbers by about 900 in Holland and the US as it moves to contract
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Rail museum ticket deal
FAMILIES are being encouraged to take advantage of a cut-price offer at a leading tourist attraction. Darlington Railway Museum has launched a new family ticket, giving two adults and up to three children entry for £7.50. To celebrate the introduction
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Awards win for Northern Echo staff
AN investigation into allegations of brutality at Europe's biggest army base has earned a national award for Northern Echo journalist Liz Lamb. Liz was named Reporter of the Year at the Newsquest Editorial, Newspaper Sales and Distribution Awards. She
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European job ends in upset for builder
A construction worker says he was treated like an illegal immigrant after returning home sick from a job abroad. Patrick Docherty, 58, who came back after less than a month away, was asked to prove he was a British citizen before claiming state help.
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Cadet officer's proudest day
A LORRY driver who worked his way up through the ranks to become an army cadet officer has become the proud recipient of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. Lieutenant Thomas Palmer's achievement comes hot on the heels of his appointment as company training
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Teenager is a crack shot
A TEENAGER from Chester-le-Street is one of only three army cadets chosen to represent the country in an open target rifle shooting competition. Staff Sergeant Richard Stebbings, 17, will shoot for the Great Britain team at a contest to be held in the
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Theatre offering students' deal
A THEATRE is appealing for youngsters to join the audiences with a buy-one-get-one-free offer. The four-play summer session at Darlington's Civic Theatre, by Ian Dickens Productions, starts on June 15. Up to 100 students can buy a ticket for £5 and receive
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Tourism chiefs promote river locations flowing with passion
IT might not have the same ambience as the Seine, the Loire or the Danube, but tourism bosses are hoping the River Tees could soon become a symbol of romance. A cruise is just one of the initiatives being offered as part of a romantic break which will
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New hope for derelict centre
A REDUNDANT building that has cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds could be brought back into use. The Tommy Armstrong Centre in Stanley, has stood vacant since 2001. Derwentside District Council took out a 30-year lease on the property in 1978
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The tragic reminders of death on our roads
NINE times out of ten, whenever I see fresh flowers lain by the roadside I slow down and take more care. We don't need to see the words on these touching tributes. We all know why they are there. Marking the spot of a recent tragic accident, they have
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Author is given cash for sleuth novels
AUTHOR Rebecca Jenkins has been awarded £2,000 to help her write books, including two novels about a detective working in the North-East in the early 1800s. The money will enable Miss Jenkins, daughter of the former Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend
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Telecoms boss will step down early
SOL TRUJILLO has announced he is to step down as chief executive of mobile phone group Orange after less than 15 months in the job. Orange said he would be replaced by its chief operating officer, Sanjiv Ahuja. The news came the day after The Northern
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Bishops still in hunt after narrow defeat
Bishop Auckland still have it all to play for in the final of the Under-15s English Schools Trophy despite going down 1-0 in the home leg at Durham City's Archibald Stadium last night. A 63rd-minute goal by Pompey captain Tom Roberts proved the difference
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Residents' fresh plea over noise at circuit
CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the local authority to listen to their concerns about the region's biggest motor-racing venue. Noise from Croft Circuit, near Darlington, has been an issue ever since the track was revamped in the mid-1990s. People with homes
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Soccer hooligans given three-year match ban
TWO football hooligans who tried to fly to Sweden ahead of last night's England friendly were yesterday banned from attending any matches for three years. On Tuesday night, police at Newcastle Airport stopped a group of Bradford City supporters they suspected
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Plan for A1 upgrade is unveiled
PLANS to improve the A1 in the North were unveiled yesterday. The Highways Agency's ten-year route management strategy sets out how the road is to be operated, maintained and improved between Blyth in Nottinghamshire and Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. It aims
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Parents of missing boy uncover CCTV footage
The family of a missing teenager turned detectives and uncovered CCTV footage of their son being chased over a bridge. When police failed to find any trace of John Chipp two weeks after his mysterious disappearance his desperate parents launched their
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Cooper's anxious wait
THE IRONY isn't lost on Colin Cooper when it is suggested he could end the season with the peculiar distinction of possessing two cup winners' medals without having appeared in either final. Cooper confesses it was a kick in the proverbials when Middlesbrough
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Back to black
Menswear retailer Moss Bros celebrated its first annual profits in four years and said sales this year remained healthy. The group said its recovery strategy - adopted after it slipped into the red in 2001 - had delivered a higher share of the suit market
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Is gay marriage the next step?
Gay and lesbian couples are finally to be given similar legal rights to married couples. Nick Morrison asks if this is long overdue recognition, or a step towards undermining marriage. WHEN the actor Sir Nigel Hawthorne - well-loved for his role in Yes
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John North: Another fine mess...
Officer's mess man Wyvell Dunn served the young pilots who flew off to fight the Nazis in the 1940s. Sadly, many of them never came back for more. MORE from the war correspondent: last week's column told the story of the heroic Cyril Barton VC, remembered
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Hospital volunteers stand down
TWO women have retired from the Women's Royal Volunteer Service after clocking up more than 50 years' service between them. Eden Maughan, of Chester-le-Street, is a volunteer with 40 years' experience and Joyce Heel, of Birtley, has been with the organisation
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Man hid drugs in chocolate eggs
A MINIBUS driver who hid cocaine in Kinder chocolate eggs was caught when he was stopped by police at the wheel of his vehicle, a court heard. Officers found the class A drug in bags inside the eggs above the minibus windscreen when they stopped it in
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Way open for new jobs
YALE has unlocked 50 jobs on Derwentside following a move from the Midlands. Yale Door and Window Solutions, part of global lock group ASSA ABLOY, has refurbished its premises on Castleside Industrial Estate, in Consett, which were formerly leased to
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Council and housing group guilty of maladministration
HOUSING officers, who failed to repair a woman's home have been found guilty of maladministration. The Local Government Ombudsman has ordered Stockton Borough Council to pay the woman £500 and make the repairs. The ombudsman's report was the culmination
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Building community bridges
CHILDREN have made life easier for walkers by building a bridge to link a coastal path to a mining monument. A team of eight pupils, aged 14 and 15, from at Easington Community School, carried out the project, on the site of the town's former colliery
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Residents urged to recycle
RESIDENTS are being urged to take part in a household rubbish recycling scheme. Boxes are being distributed to all homes in the Easington district for the collection of paper, cans and glass. The district authority has joined forces with Durham County
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Promoter bids for musicians to take abroad
AN international music promoter is returning to his native North-East to search for local talent and promote it overseas. Phil Patterson, music industry export promoter for UK Trade and Investment, arrives in the region today. Originally from Newcastle
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Hands-on history for children
THE hunt is on for odds and ends gathering dust in people's attics that could help bring history to life for youngsters. Hambleton and Richmondshire councils' museums department is hoping to collect enough memorabilia from the 1930s and 1940s to put in
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Region to lose another 92 jobs
A UNION leader has spoken of a "horrendous" week for the North-East manufacturing sector, during which 700 jobs were lost in three days. Yesterday, LG Philips Displays, on Belmont Industrial Estate, just outside Durham City, became the latest company
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Ombudsman asked to look into row over sports centre
THE Local Government Ombudsman is to be asked to investigate the latest twist in a row over Richmond's sports centre. The building is to close on Saturday, April 17, as Richmondshire District Council tightens its belt to avoid a hefty increase in the
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'£461 is insult to my father'
THE sons of a miner are rejecting a posthumous compensation payout because they feel it is an insult to their father's lengthy career. Thomas Waite worked in the Durham coalfield for nearly 35 years as a face worker and pump attendant. He suffered from
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Drug crime project is extended
A PROGRAMME designed to get drug-addict offenders into treatment was yesterday extended to parts of the North-East. Hartlepool, Stockton, Sunderland and Newcastle central are among 36 new areas running the Government scheme, which aims to crack drug crime
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13,000 free school meals going unclaimed
AS many as 13,000 poorer youngsters in the North-East and North Yorkshire are not claiming free school meals, according to figures. The Liberal Democrats have claimed that many children are opting out because of the poor quality of food on offer in school
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Falconer's business milestone
A TEENAGE falconer, who began his career training owls for the Harry Potter films, has started the 700th business in County Durham to be helped by The Prince's Trust. Michael Taylor, of Kirk Merrington, near Spennymoor, accepted an award from the Lord
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Community forum to lift town's image
TRADERS are looking to create a community forum to help promote Shildon's image as it prepares for the opening of its National Railway Museum. Businesses believe the £10m museum, which has been named Locomotion, could be the key to putting Shildon on
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Festival to aid church organ fund
A FLOWER festival is being planned to help an appeal for a new church organ. The organ in St Cuthbert's Church was installed in 1879 and officials have launched a fundraising drive to meet the £350,000 cost of a new one. Church treasurer Brian Johnson
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Children enhance variety of skills
A GROUP of pupils were put through their paces with a variety of challenges at the offices of an energy company. Children from Cotsford Junior School in Horden, east Durham, visited EDF Energy, in Sunderland, in an event organised by Peterlee Education
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School faces bulldozer - despite protests
A FORMER school is to be demolished and a complex of 24 flats built on the site - despite objections from neighbours. The Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough has applied to Scarborough Council to carry out the scheme at St John's School, in Albion Place
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Care staff honoured
CARE home workers have been honoured for their dedication to the profession. Employees of Supreme Care Homes, which runs the Ventress Hall and Stanton Hall sites in Darlington, have received long-service awards. They were praised for achieving more than
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Offer the gift of sight to others
RESIDENTS in Stockton are being urged to donate old and unwanted glasses to the town's Environment Centre. The centre is supporting Vision Aid Overseas, a national charity which launches about 15 projects each year in Africa, the Indian sub-continent
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'School move will disrupt children'
PARENTS have expressed concern about plans to move pupils while building on a new school takes place. Freebrough Community College is split into three sites at Skelton, Loftus and Brotton. A decision was made in July to create a single site at Brotton
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Pickets protest at college job cuts
COLLEGE lecturers manned a picket line yesterday in protest over proposed job cuts at Middlesbrough College. The two-hour strike at the Marton Campus was called in response a to plan to cut between 100 and 120 jobs. The college's branch secretary of lecturers
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School plan to be approved
PLANS for a secondary school are expected to be approved next week. Sunderland City Council's cabinet will be asked to agree construction of a secondary school for Washington. Cabinet members will also be asked to allow its freehold interest in part of
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Children's group praised for its work
A CHILDREN'S charity has been praised for its work improving the health of young people in the region. Margaret Fay, chairwoman of One NorthEast, told the annual meeting of The Children's Foundation that its work was vital and tied in with the regional
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'Marriage' for gays prediction too high
THE number of homosexual couples who will take part in new "marriages" will be fewer than previously thought, it emerged yesterday. Officials overestimated how many gay and lesbian people would enter into the controversial civil partnerships by up to
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Abseil success
An abseil from Sunderland's Stadium of Light last month raised more than £28,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Linda McDonough, community fundraising manager, said: "The weather conditions on the dates of the abseil were appalling, but despite the gale
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God smiles on Barron's 50-1 outsider
Nathan Brittles was an appropriate, if shock, winner of the Gods Solution Handicap at Catterick yesterday. The four-year-old gelding was produced at the furlong marker by Philip Makin and the 50-1 shot battled on well to score by half-a length from Sarraaf
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Sorry chaps, it's our turn now
If... It Was A Woman's World (BBC2): EXCUSE me while I go into the "bitch box". Others call it a sharing space. It looks like a cross between the Tardis and one of those electronic public toilets. You go inside and rant at a screen to let off steam. Personally
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Traders plan town forum
TRADERS are looking to create a community forum to help boost a town's image as it prepares for the opening of a new National Railway Museum. Businesses in Shildon believe that the new £10m museum, that has been named Locomotion, could be the key to putting
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TV review
Sorry chaps, it's our turn now If... It Was A Woman's World (BBC2) EXCUSE me while I go into the "bitch box". Others call it a sharing space. It looks like a cross between the Tardis and one of those electronic public toilets. You go inside and rant at
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Heart-throb Jason comes to town
AUSTRALIAN actor and singer Jason Donovan is swapping the West End for a Chester-le-Street pub. Jason, who shot to fame as Scott Robinson in Neighbours during the Eighties, will be at the recently opened Chicago Rock Caf, in Front Street, on Wednesday
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Railway vandals targeted over Easter
YOUNG vandals are to be targeted over the Easter holidays in a bid to crack down on railway crime in some of the North-East's worst blackspots. The body responsible for the running of Britain's railways, Network Rail, says action aimed at preventing vandals
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Rush of claims from pitmen
SOLICITORS last night warned that more staff could be needed to process a flood of last-minute lung compensation claims submitted by miners and their families. The national compensation scheme backed by the Government closed to claimants at midnight last
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Administrators battle to gain vital breathing space
BELEAGUERED Darlington Football Club entered another critical phase last night as administrators battled to secure a compromise deal to keep the Quakers afloat to the end of the season. Insolvency practitioners Wilson Field spent much of yesterday in
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Cooper's anxious wait
THE IRONY isn't lost on Colin Cooper when it is suggested he could end the season with the peculiar distinction of possessing two cup winners' medals without having appeared in either final. Cooper confesses it was a kick in the proverbials when Middlesbrough
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New To Rent
Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World (Cert 12, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, DVD £24.99/VHS £14.99). Stars: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, James D'Arcy, Lee Ingleby, Robert Pugh, David Threlfall, Billy Boyd DIRECTOR Peter Weir bravely
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It burps, it smells, it's gross . . . and children find it hilarious
A NEW exhibition at the Life Science Centre in Newcastle is introducing visitors to the less savoury side of life. Opening on Monday, Grossology, the (Impolite) Science of the Human Body, is a close-up look at bodily functions. Based on the best-selling
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Standard prepares to give up its mutual status
INSURER Standard Life is poised to give up its mutual status in a move that would end 80 years of service to stakeholders. The move is likely to be part of an overhaul that may lead to 1,000 job losses. Standard wants to reduce costs by about 20 per cent
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Court orders end to name-dropping
THE rebranding of construction group Alfred McAlpine has been blocked by a High Court judge. Last October, the company announced it was dropping the name Alfred from its title and would be known as McAlpine. This brought protests from Sir Robert McAlpine
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Hats off to Dr Seuss
Steve Pratt discovers a Thing One or Two from the young US star of The Cat In The Hat, Spencer Breslin, who has discovered the importance of being presented with a Blue Peter badge. SPENCER Breslin wears his Blue Peter badge with pride. Not that the young
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Defiant prostitute fights for her freedom
A WOMAN barred from working as a prostitute from every street in Britain is launching a fight to stay out of jail. Amanda Jane Riley, 23, spent Wednesday night in custody after being arrested by Cleveland Police for loitering for the purpose of prostitution
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Best of quest
Britain's favourite comedy actor David Jason moves to the other side of the camera to direct a second episode of The Quest. Steve Pratt reports on his latest project where Jason is reunited with his love of motorcycling. FILMING his latest TV movie on
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Farmers may be hit hard by changes to subsidy system
MANY farmers across the region will be hit hard when their subsidy system changes, with payments to some in danger of dropping from £16,000 to £4,000 a year. A plea has been made to the Government on behalf of farmers in Teesdale, County Durham, to have
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Sex abuse claim 'not made up'
A WOMAN who claims she was one of two friends sexually abused when they were schoolgirls has been accused of making up the allegations to win compensation. Defence barrister Nigel Edwards made the suggestion on the second day of the trial of Peter Large
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Talks on new stadium
SPORTS enthusiasts forging ahead with plans to build a new community stadium have a crucial meeting next week. Land between St Helen Auckland and West Auckland has been earmarked for the new Prince Bishop Community Stadium, which could provide a track
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Didn't anyone see what happened to Lee?
POLICE are baffled over what happened to a student who was last night still fighting for his life in hospital. Lee Walker, 22, is on a life support machine after collapsing at home with head injuries following what is believed to be a brutal beating in
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Crime issues raised in film
THE VIEWS of young people on crime and how to make amends will go to the leading players in County Durham. Local politicians will join representatives from the police, health and arts professionals to see the culmination of a ground-breaking collaboration
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Ebay success for Emma
A YOUNG mother has started an international children's clothing business and still finds time to care for her young family. Emma Collinson, 24, sold her three children's outgrown clothes and toys to fund her first Internet sales. The £50 she raised was
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20/03/04
UNEMPLOYMENT HOW gallant of our PM to raise the age of school leavers to 19 years. He must think we are all in need of further education, education, education, that we cannot see through his strategy of buying more votes. The level of unemployment in
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And now for the final chapter
THERE was a late rush of entries on the last day of a short story competition launched in the North-East. Organised by Darlington's Inscribe Media Ltd and backed by The Northern Echo, Orange and Darlington Arts Centre, The Short Story Competition has
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Running for England
A TEENAGE cross country runner has been chosen to represent England in Saturday's British schools' championship. Andrew Coffer, 15, of Waldridge Park, Chester-le-Street, will compete in Ayr, Scotland, against teams from Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The
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Tanni tells of secret mission
PARALYMPIAN Tanni Grey-Thompson yesterday backed a government campaign to warn businesses to make their premises accessible to disabled people. Tanni spoke to Redcar shoppers about her days as a mystery shopper, volunteering to go on to the high street
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Family condemns murderer who tried to cheat justice
A MAN who killed his next-door neighbour in a row about noisy DIY work was last night condemned by the victim's family for trying to cheat justice. Christopher Hoyland was yesterday found guilty of murdering electrician George Evans on the doorstep of
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Airman whose sacrifice averted village disaster
VILLAGERS and former-servicemen turned out in force to pay tribute to a Second World War bomber pilot who sacrificed his life averting a disaster. Cyril Barton, 22, died of his injuries after he crash-landed his stricken Halifax, avoiding houses and a
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Battle to keep pool open fails
CAMPAIGNERS have failed to keep a tiny dales swimming baths open for community use. An eleventh-hour meeting on Monday night failed to persuade Wear Valley District Council to pull out of a sharing scheme yesterday at Wolsingham School Pool, which is
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Murder investigation into death of Darlington student
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of Darlington student Lee Walker. The 22-year-old had been in a critical condition since his admission to hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning. He had been found lying unconscious
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Students raise cash in memory of friend
STUDENTS have launched a fundraising campaign in memory of a classmate who died after her body rejected a heart transplant. Pathways student at Darlington College of Technology Rachel Wakeford had to have a heart transplant in 2001 after contracting a
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Watts all this?
AS they say down the East End, "The family that slays together, stays together." So the Watts clan should be very happy indeed - once the cupboards have been cleared of skeletons. Dirty Den is unhappy in EastEnders (BBC1) at the love match between son
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John North writes...
LAST week's column not only recalled the bombing and strafing of RAF Skipton-on-Swale, near Thirsk, but added that even the parish pump was chained down to stop Canadian air crew taking it home as a souvenir. Ethel Myers, then a 14-year-old working at
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King Revo has class to retain unbeaten crown
KING REVO is fancied to maintain his 100 per cent unbeaten record and take the honours on the first day of Aintree's Grand National meeting. Trainer Patrick Haslam deliberately gave the Cheltenham Festival a miss in favour of waiting for today's £110,000
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Bypass gets go-ahead
A 65-year wait for a bypass is over after approval was given by the Government. Work on a £9m Chilton bypass, which was first suggested in 1939, will start in May. Transport secretary Alastair Darling made the announcement during his first North-East
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30,000 fish killed as vandals wreak havoc at aquarium
THOUSANDS of fish were cruelly left to die on the floor of an aquarium store after it was broken into and vandalised. About 30,000 tropical, marine and cold-water fish were killed when burglars targeted The Aquarium, in Low Willington, near Bishop Auckland
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Easy on eye in presence of Royalty
IT'S the fifth time she has visited, but for the town and the crew the excitement has never waned. She may be a replica of the original, but when HM Bark Endeavour returns to her spiritual home of Whitby it's as if the clock has gone back two centuries
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Direct success
Steve Pratt talks to actor-turned director Christopher Luscombe who has three projects which will be seen shortly by North-East and North Yorkshire audiences. CHRISTOPHER Luscombe is back at Harrogate Theatre, but in a very different guise than the last
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Losing pounds to raise cash
STAFF and parents have launched a fit club to shed pounds and raise much-needed school funds. Eight women have signed up to the sponsored weight loss in aid of Consett Junior School, including headteacher Lyn Blacklock and two of her staff. The event
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World's languages reflect influence of immigration
GREAT British dialects such as Geordie and Yorkshire are being replaced with a greater variety of speech because of immigration, it is claimed today. The world's dialects are multiplying faster than ever, a conference in the North-East will be told, quashing
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Pupils gripped by jungle fever
YOUNG singers and dancers have been gripped with jungle fever over the past few weeks as they rehearsed their latest show at Wolsingham School and Community College. More than 80 pupils are on stage for Junglemania, a review of popular songs, sketches
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Charities given a share in funding
CHARITIES in the North-East are celebrating after they received grants totalling £300,000 for community projects. The Lloyds-TSB Foundation has donated money to 45 organisations in the region. The money is used to support some of the most disadvantaged
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Bishops still in hunt after narrow defeat
Bishop Auckland still have it all to play for in the final of the Under-15s English Schools Trophy despite going down 1-0 in the home leg at Durham City's Archibald Stadium last night. A 63rd-minute goal by Pompey captain Tom Roberts proved the difference
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Couples take to the floor for last dance
THE last Waltz has been played and the dance floor is now empty as a community centre closes its doors for the final time. The Elite Hall in Crook, near Bishop Auckland, has been at the heart of the small town for almost 100 years. Built by the Royal
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Easter school holiday delay is defended
EDUCATION chiefs in Darlington have defended their decision to begin the Easter holidays a week later than neighbouring authorities. A teaching union is understood to have received complaints from teachers who live in Durham, North Yorkshire, or Teesside
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Confusion over who owns closure-threatened hospital
RED-FACED health bosses have suspended plans to shut a community hospital after it emerged that they might not own the building. County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is considering closing South Moor Community Hospital, near Stanley,
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Cash incentives offer for further education
A Government initiative is offering thousands of young people in County Durham up to £120 a month to continue in further education. The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is designed to encourage more young people to remain in learning when they leave
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Thomas scoops gold award
A LORRY driver, who worked his way up through the ranks to become an Army cadet officer, has been presented with the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. Lieutenant Thomas Palmer's achievement comes hot on the heels of his appointment as company training officer
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Surgery can be built despite objections
A COUNCILLOR has warned that a historic area of Hartlepool would become an amusement park without development. Councillor Steve Allison's concerns were raised at yesterday's meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council's planning committee when members discussed
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Music contest is a hit with youngsters
A music competition for primary schools has been hailed a success. The Inter-Schools Primary Music Challenge was devised by Edward Jackson, director of performing arts at Pelton Community Primary School, to encourage pupils to sing and play an instrument
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Telecoms boss will step down early
SOL TRUJILLO has announced he is to step down as chief executive of mobile phone group Orange after less than 15 months in the job. Orange said he would be replaced by its chief operating officer, Sanjiv Ahuja. The news came the day after The Northern
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Hodgson wants Graham to extend his stay
DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson last night confirmed his interest in keeping Middlesbrough striker Danny Graham until the end of the season. Graham has yet to start a competitive game for Quakers, making two substitute appearances since joining the club
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Kiosks that put city's people first
Kiosks offering a host of useful information are appearing on streets in the region. Sunderland City Council's Peoplefirst information kiosks are the latest development in its drive to make public services more user-friendly and easy to access. The first
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Man accused of murder bid
A MAN was charged with attempted murder last night following a stabbing incident in a busy street. Wayne Armstrong, 29, of Grange Road, Darlington, will appear before Sedgefield magistrates sitting at Newton Aycliffe today. Jeffrey Brown, 31 was stabbed
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Chefs on a £6 budget impress audience
CHEFS have entertained students from the North-East with a Ready, Steady Cook-style show. Winner Marjan Lesnik, a former Harrods chef, impressed the audience with his culinary creation after going head-to-head with David Hunt, executive chef for Sodexho
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New High Sheriff sworn in
AN ACCOUNTANT has stepped into an historic post that now mostly entails welcoming and assisting visiting members of the judiciary and royalty. Richard Coad was sworn in on Monday as High Sheriff for County Durham. He took the traditional declaration pledging
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National title for karate girl Laura
A TEENAGE martial arts fighter has brought a national title back home to County Durham. Laura Gibbon, 15, from Shildon, won her second girls under-16 title when she competed in the English Karate Championships, held in Birmingham. She followed up her
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Conferencing idea to promote village halls
AN innovative scheme to market rural village halls as conference facilities was launched this week. The Conference in Teesdale project is being organised by the Teesdale Village Halls Consortium, to make businesses aware of the facilities available in
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Cash incentives offer for further education
A Government initiative is offering thousands of young people in County Durham up to £120 a month to continue in further education. The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is designed to encourage more young people to remain in learning when they leave
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Garage danger demolition call
A MOTHER is calling for the council to demolish a dangerously unstable garage. Joanne Szymanski says the derelict garage at the bottom of her council house garden in Aldbrough Walk, on the Lascelles estate, in Darlington, could fall down at any time.
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Pupils carve out tourism career
YOUNGSTERS are exploring careers in the tourism and leisure industries. Students from several secondary schools in Hartlepool are studying for a vocational GCSE in leisure and tourism. In a pilot project to help them with their research, some of those
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Drug crime project is extended
PLANS to improve the A1 in the North were unveiled yesterday. The Highways Agency's ten-year route management strategy sets out how the road is to be operated, maintained and improved between Blyth in Nottinghamshire and Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. It aims
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£100,000 safety upgrade for car park pays off
A £100,000 investment in security at an east Cleveland car park has helped it win an award. The car park in Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, has had perimeter fencing and lighting installed as well as closed-circuit television cameras. Cleveland Police Chief
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01/04/04
PASSION OF CHRIST: AFTER reading Peter Mullen's article (Echo, Mar 24) and previous articles by other writers on The Passion of the Christ, I wonder how many people will spend thousands of pounds to sit for two hours watching tomato sauce trickling slowly
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Time off for good behaviour
A LONG-SERVING court official called her last suspect to the dock yesterday. Sandra Seddon has worked for South Durham Magistrates' Court, in Darlington, as an usher and administrator for 19 years, but yesterday she hung up her gown and took early retirement
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Drug crime project is extended
A PROGRAMME designed to get drug-addict offenders into treatment was yesterday extended to parts of the North-East. Hartlepool, Stockton, Sunderland and Newcastle central are among 36 new areas running the Government scheme, which aims to crack drug crime
