Archive
-
Date
Whistle Down The Wind, York Grand Opera House
BEST to forget the delightful 1960s film starring Hayley Mills as this Andrew Lloyd Webber/Jim Steinman musical, moves the action from the English North to the American South. The story remains the same: three children mistake a killer on the run hiding
-
Date
Penny wins writing competition after hundreds of entries
THE winners of The Short Story Competition launched in the North-East at the start of the year have been revealed. Organised by Darlington-based Inscribe Media Limited and backed by The Northern Echo, Orange and Darlington Arts Centre, The Short Story
-
Date
Meg boixes clever
Meg Ryan continues to fight against being labelled as America's Sweetheart, so one challenging choice was to play a boxer's manager. Steve Pratt reports. MEG Ryan continues her quest to live down her image as America's sweetheart by climbing into the
-
Date
Pupils' art on display
ART produced throughout the year by pupils at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College is on display in the school foyer. Hurworth School Maths and Computing College has displayed its Year 11 GCSE artwork since 1990. This year there are also examples
-
Date
Northern Grit goes on display
AN exhibition of photographs and poetry evoking the spirit of Northern landscapes has gone on show this week. Northern Grit, at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery, features the work of photographer Pat Maycroft and her fellow poets
-
Date
Workers flee as fire breaks out
SCORES of workers fled a factory last night when a printing machine burst into flames. The machine's fire suppression system, designed to release carbon dioxide to starve the blaze of oxygen, failed to activate properly and the fire spread quickly throughout
-
Date
Able UK will not face court over ships
THE company that brought the Ghost Ships to the North-East will not be prosecuted, despite failing to scrap them within 180 days, as required. The Environment Agency announced yesterday that it would not take enforcement action against Able UK because
-
Date
Schools merger vote imminent
THE decision on a controversial schools merger plan is to be made by Darlington borough councillors next week. The proposed merger of Whinfield infant and junior schools prompted protests among parents, but council officials say the number of objections
-
Date
Machinery on show as farming couple stage open evening
A FARM couple played open house to customers, suppliers and other guests prior to a busy summer season working across the region. Martin and Judith Dryden run a largely arable holding at Murton Moor Farm, in east Durham, but are better known for the free
-
Date
Hairdressing salon comes top in contest
A SMALL hairdressing salon has proved it can compete with the best by sweeping the board in a regional contest. Hair Haus, in Bishop Auckland, landed nine awards in the North-East final of the National Hairdressers' Federation competition, to secure a
-
Date
Overwhelming support for conversion of Methodist chapel
COUNCILLORS have given overwhelming backing to a community's plea to convert a disused Methodist chapel into a home. Eight members of a Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council voted for the conversion with one abstention - rejecting
-
Date
Youth workers' revolting challenges
YOUTH workers rose to the challenge and completed stomach churning sponsored events to raise money for two good causes. Families from Woodhouse Close Estate, in Bishop Auckland, turned out on Tuesday to cheer on the brave volunteers at Auckland Youth
-
Date
City celebrates top place in fitness league
ONE of the region's cities has topped the fitness league when it comes to people walking or cycling to work. The research, conducted by Durham University using the 2001 census, showed that almost a third of people living in York walked or cycled to work
-
Date
Council selects new chairwoman
FRESH faces have taken over the reins at Wear Valley District Council after an annual meeting yesterday. The new chairwoman, Councillor Margaret Jones, has succeeded Councillor Margaret Douthwaite, with Councillor Alex Clements as deputy. Tributes were
-
Date
Library re-opens after makeover
The Archbishop of York, the Right Reverend Dr David Hope was joined by eager youngsters when he re-opened a library. Dr Hope was joined by children from the local primary school at the library at Dunnington, near York. It has undergone a £20,000 makeover
-
Date
Jellyfish help Pete to world Scrabble record
A MASTER wordsmith has crafted his way into the record books for the greatest number of games of Scrabble played simultaneously. The attempt took place on Tuesday night at the Middlesbrough Gamers Club when Pete Finley faced 19 opponents at the same time
-
Date
Pair in court charged with murder
TWO men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a father-of-two who died as he made his way home after a night out. The body of Robin Chard, 47, was found a quarter of a mile from his home on wasteland at Low Heworth Lane, Felling, near Gateshead
-
Date
Selectors look North for British gym team
YOUNG acro gymnasts from a North-East club will form half of the Great Britain team at the world championships later this month. Fifty per cent of the British team train at the Deerness Gymnastics and Leisure Centre, in Ushaw Moor, County Durham. Men's
-
Date
Netball teams celebrating
GIRLS from Red House School, Norton, are celebrating after they won this year's Stockton District League and Stockton District Tournament at netball. Nine teams from the school were entered. Eight of them - U16A, U16B, U14A, U14B, U13A, U13B, U12A and
-
Date
Cast prepares for Shakespeare-based musical
STUDENTS are taking to the stage with musical Kiss Me Kate, based on Shakespeare's The Taming of The Shrew. The Redcar and College Theatre Company will perform Cole Porter's musical from Wednesday, May 26, to Friday, May 28, at the college's main site
-
Date
Motty: always the man of the match
He's a national treasure held in great affection by armchair anoraks and season ticket-holders alike, but is John Motson really obsessed with football? Nick Morrison tries to find out. IT'S somewhat surprising when John Motson says he's looking forward
-
Date
Vandals hurl brick though lorry screen
A LORRY driver has narrowly escaped serious injury, after thugs hurled a brick through his windscreen. The missile, dropped from a dual carriageway bridge, smashed through the passenger side of the vehicle's windscreen, showering driver Bill Watson with
-
Date
Aldi plegdes to find occupier for site
SUPERMARKET chain Aldi, which pulled out of redeveloping a Teesside shopping precinct, has promised to find an alternative occupier for the premises. Shop-owners, who have endured vandalism, arson attacks and break-ins, have waited more than four years
-
Date
Officials call for return of equipment
AN appeal has been issued to people in Hartlepool to return health and safety equipment when it is no longer needed. Hundreds of appliances that increase the safety and independence of disabled and older people are delivered to homes in the town every
-
Date
2,500 call for scrapping of council tax
HUNDREDS of people in the Durham area have signed a petition calling for the scrapping of council tax. The Liberal Democrats, who control the city council, are running a national campaign, against the tax, which helps fund local services. The party says
-
Date
Gas supplies won't fund campaign
Gas suppliers are refusing to fund a multi-million pound TV advertising campaign to cut deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning, the Echo can reveal. The firms will reject a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) study that concluded up to £25 million must be
-
Date
Point of no return
James Fox will sing Britain's Eurovision entry on Saturday night safe in the knowledge he can't do any worse than last year. Wise-cracking Terry Wogan thinks that the UK entry could even win... if the rest of Europe didn't take it so seriously. Steve
-
Date
'Britain's laziest woman' loses benefits cash plea
A WOMAN branded "Britain's laziest" has lost her appeal to have her benefits reinstated. Susan Moore, 34, was given the title after 14 years cashing benefits cheques without getting a job. Her unemployment benefits were stopped last year after she failed
-
Date
Bank's latest prediction may be a bluff, say analysts
THE Bank of England has forecast a sharp slowdown in the housing market during the next two years. However, experts had mixed feelings about the warning, suggesting it may be a new attempt to slow down runaway house prices. To date, a series of small,
-
Date
Workers flee as fire breaks out
SCORES of workers fled a factory last night when a printing machine burst into flames. The machine's fire suppression system, designed to release carbon dioxide to starve the blaze of oxygen, failed to activate properly and the fire spread quickly throughout
-
Date
Writers will not face the block
A WRITERS' group which was facing closure less than two years ago is back on its feet. Wordweavers, based in South Moor, Stanley, was almost disbanded at the end of 2002, due to dwindling interest. But an appeal for members, through The Northern Echo,
-
Date
Top marks for school
A SCHOOL'S determined efforts to improve standards have paid off as inspectors awarded it a glowing report. BlackfyneCommunity School in Consett, has been recognised in an Ofsted report as an effective school that offers a good quality of education to
-
Date
When your journey goes off the rails
THE 9.30 train from King's Cross was humming with the sounds of business people setting out for a day's work. Laptop keyboards clicked like crickets in summer, mobiles played their persistent repetitive tunes, to be answered with brisk, interrupted monologues
-
Date
City bids to host cultural summit
THE North-East is in the running to host a world summit for senior cultural leaders. The Arts Council England North East is behind the high-profile attempt to bring the World Summit on Arts and Culture to Newcastle and Gateshead in 2006. Officials from
-
Date
Children to walk across top of bridge in aid of charity
PUPILS and teachers are set to walk across the top of Teesside's Transporter Bridge for charity. Thirty children, aged between 12 and 16, and teachers from Huntcliffe Secondary School, Mill Lane, Saltburn, have signed up to take part in the Hospices over
-
Date
Bank's latest prediction may be a bluff, say analysts
THE Bank of England has forecast a sharp slowdown in the housing market during the next two years. However, experts had mixed feelings about the warning, suggesting it may be a new attempt to slow down runaway house prices. To date, a series of small,
-
Date
Union dismay over job losses
A DOWNTURN in chemical production on Teesside coupled with manufacturing work moving abroad has been blamed for up to 30 job losses at PD Logistics (PDL). The road transport company, part of PD Ports, Logistics and Shipping, which owns Tees Port, has
-
Date
Champions League dream is shattered
NEWCASTLE United's slim Champions League hopes were finally extinguished at St Mary's last night when they failed to secure the three points that would have kept their dream alive for one final hurrah. Not even dynamic midfielder Kieron Dyer's return
-
Date
Students' textiles on show at museum
ART students from the region have been working on a textiles exhibition at a North-East museum. The second-year students from the Textile and Surface Design BA (hons) course at Cleveland College of Art and Design, in Hartlepool, have created the Designing
-
Date
Cut-price deal to tackle crime
MOTORISTS are being urged to take up a cut-price deal offering added security against thieves this week. Residents of Darlington will be able to buy steering wheel locks for £40, instead of the usual price of £80, at Morrison at Morton Park today and
-
Date
BNP sets its sights on the Labour vote
THE British National Party will field a record number of candidates in next month's local and European elections as it bids to win its first seat in the North-East. A total of 57 candidates from the far-right party are due to contest local council seats
-
Date
Award joy for donors as Denise beats fear of needles
A WOMAN who is petrified of needles has helped her colleagues win a loyalty award for services to the blood donor service. Denise Corrigan, a corporate procurement officer for Durham County Council, has always had a fear of needles - but that has not
-
Date
Ashlea's looking for glory in 'stars' final
Jim Mawdsley of Generator has linked up with From Teesside with Love to create three days of music advice at Stockton's Arc. Viv Hardwich reports. FOR over a decade now Generator, the North's popular music development agency, have been pushing the talent
-
Date
Family speaks of balcony fall heartache
THE family of a 24-year-old man who died after falling from a balcony have told of their grief. Anthony Holdsworth, a recovering drug addict, fell 35ft from a balcony at his home in Thornaby, near Stockton. He died a week later on Saturday, May 1, and
-
Date
Ex-PoW laid to rest at camp
A FORMER German prisoner chose the North-East prisoner of war camp where he was held nearly 60 years ago as his final resting place. Appropriately, Rudi Lux's ashes are buried under a Peacekeeper rose at Harperley PoW camp, near Crook, where he arrived
-
Date
Shops fight parking fee
TRADERS will today warn councillors that their businesses could collapse if on-street car parking charges are introduced in Darlington town centre. Shopkeepers from Grange Road, Northumberland Street and Duke Street claim the planned introduction of a
-
Date
About Alice, Darlington Civic Theatre
With a cast as well-respected as this one, you know you can settle back for a first-rate evening's entertainment, and About Alice doesn't disappoint. I won't go into the convoluted plot twists; the play is about Alice Hogan, a strong, colourful personality
-
Date
Candidates list revealed for EU poll
THE European elections in the Yorkshire and Humber region will see candidates from nine parties and one independent contesting six seats. The region's voters will take part in an all-postal ballot next month to decide which of the 53 candidates will represent
-
Date
Jellyfish help Pete to world Scrabble record
A MASTER wordsmith has crafted his way into the record books for the greatest number of games of Scrabble played simultaneously. The attempt took place on Tuesday night at the Middlesbrough Gamers Club when Pete Finley faced 19 opponents at the same time
-
Date
Kyle plans the perfect ending
THIS season might already be the most successful of Kevin Kyle's life - but the Sunderland striker is hoping to have even more cause for celebration before it ends. Tomorrow night's play-off semi-final opener with Crystal Palace will be Kyle's 52nd domestic
-
Date
Yorkshire pay price for lapses
Dropped catches cost Yorkshire dear at Headingley yesterday where Hampshire, the Championship's Second Division leaders, reached 322 all out on a pitch which offered plenty of assistance to the fast bowlers. Five chances of varying degrees of difficulty
-
Date
Survey highlights danger to students
A survey has highlighted the risk to university students from unsafe gas appliances in private accommodation. A poll among students found more than half (53 per cent) with a private landlord had never been shown an up-to-date safety certificate for items
-
Date
On TV last night...
School Day (BBC1) IT'S a good few years since many of us were at school, so this day in the life of the nation's education system was an eye-opening experience. I bet a few parents were surprised by what goes on too. There was some "Stop chewing and put
-
Date
You Charlies
EVERYONE'S getting hot under the collar in the Rovers Return - and Betty's hotpot isn't to blame. The overheating is caused by lust, unquenched by pints of Newton and Ridley's best bitter. It hardly seems two minutes in Coronation Street (ITV1) since
-
Date
Drama group given cash boost
A DRAMA group has been given a cash boost to help them out with one of their future productions. Generous customers and staff at Margot's Hair Salon in Church Street, Shildon, held raffles and other events to raise money for Centre Stage. Salon staff
-
Date
Army recruits 'were forced to parade naked at Catterick'
DEFENCE Secretary Geoff Hoon has promised a full investigation into claims that soldiers were forced to parade naked at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. A 17-year-old soldier says he and comrades were humiliated when they were forced to strip. When
-
Date
Show will give support for agency
POET and comedian John Hegley is preparing for a show to help Arts in Richmondshire. He will appear at Richmond Town Hall on Thursday, May 27, at 7.30pm, to help the arts development agency identify and encourage people who share a love of writing and
-
Date
Changes to law needed to combat pressure sales tactics
URGENT changes to the law are needed to combat the psychological tactics used by many doorstep salesmen, according to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). People who buy from someone knocking on their door have seven days in which to cancel any contract
-
Date
Wagg 'ready for growth'
A PET food company that sued Nestl is to make further investments in its business following an out-of-court settlement. Wagg Foods, of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has recently extended its operations in a £1m investment, which was the final stage of a £3m
-
Date
Ceremony marks leadership first and 50 years of service
TWO landmark events were marked yesterday when a council recognised the 50-year contribution of its longest- serving councillors, followed by the investiture of its first Asian chairman. Father-of-four Javed Ismail took over the robes of office from departing
-
Date
Community celebration
LIVE music, competitions and a circus skills workshop are part of the fun and games lined up to celebrate the achievements and activities of community groups in Weardale. The Stanhope Market Towns Initiative is holding an open day from 1pm to 4pm, in
-
Date
John North: In need if a king's ransom
BACK to the classroom, the dear old alma mater, the former King James I Grammar in Bishop Auckland to which the column and many more are forever old school tied. Nowadays it's King James I Community College; this time next year it could be King James
-
Date
Desperate hunt for last two survivors
RESCUERS were last night battling against the clock to save two men believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of a Glasgow factory. Four women and three men died in the explosion at Stockline Plastics in the Maryhill area of the city. But Strathclyde
-
Date
13/05/04
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: HOW can Sedgefield Borough Council continue to support the Local Choice - Local Voice campaign for the creation of three unitary councils in County Durham, when the results of an independent Mori survey show it is the least popular option
-
Date
Ashlea's looking for glory in 'stars' final
A TEENAGE singing sensation is hoping the region will back her when she competes in the final of a televised talent show. Ashlea Pearson, 13, of Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, won her heat of Stars In Their Eyes Kids shown on ITV last weekend. Her performance
-
Date
Shanty Star to keep spoils on home soil
SHANTY STAR (2.30) bids to keep the silverware on home territory by lifting this afternoon's Yorkshire Cup at the Knavesmire. The Middleham-trained grey colt cemented his position among the top UK stayers with a hard-fought victory in the two-mile Queen's
-
Date
Renewed interest in writers' group
A WRITERS' group that was facing closure less than two years ago is back on its feet. Wordweavers, based in South Moor, Stanley, was almost disbanded at the end of 2002, due to lack of interest. An appeal for new members has led to renewed enthusiasm,
-
Date
A snapshot of our schools
School Day (BBC1): IT'S a good few years since many of us were at school, so this day in the life of the nation's education system was an eye-opening experience. I bet a few parents were surprised by what goes on too. There was some "Stop chewing and
-
Date
50-plus enter pageant
A BEAUTY contest has proved so popular that organisers have extended the deadline for entries. More than 50 entries have so far been received for the Miss Durham competition, the final of which will be held at Sedgefield Racecourse during its Ladies Night
-
Date
Success just a blur to Boyd
ADAM Boyd admits it's hard to comprehend what has happened at Hartlepool United in the last three months. Home-grown talent Boyd has helped shoot Pool into the play-offs, with a place in Division One at stake. A run of 12 goals in ten games, including
-
Date
Alice's dying wish: 'Look after my bear'
HE'S old now and a little frayed around the edges - but during his lifetime he has known true love. For more than 80 years, the simply-named Teddy Bear was the treasured companion of Alice Doherty. He was given to Alice when she was a girl by her father
-
Date
Young star asks for your support
A TEENAGE singing sensation is hoping the region will back her when she competes in the final of a televised talent show. Ashlea Pearson, 13, of Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, won her heat of Stars In Their Eyes Kids shown on ITV last weekend. Her performance
-
Date
Comment from The Northern Echo: Seek justice, not revenge
THE beheading of Nick Berg was an evil act of barbarism. Video footage of his execution will be one of the most haunting and lasting images of the conflict in Iraq. US authorities have every right to pursue his murderers and bring them to justice. However
-
Date
Parkinson's group has branch status
MEMBERS of a support group helping hundreds of people cope with Parkinson's disease yesterday celebrated becoming an official branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society. The Darlington support group, which offers help to sufferers in south Durham, marked
-
Date
Rotarian wins Citizen of the Year accolade
A ROTARIAN was yesterday honoured for his tireless work in the community by being named Darlington's Citizen of the Year. Alan Charlton, an active member of the Rotary Club in Darlington, was awarded the accolade for his extensive voluntary work throughout
-
Date
Protests over phone mast
VILLAGERS and parish councillors have joined forces to condemn plans for a 25-metre telecommunications mast. Vodafone has submitted plans to Darlington Borough Council for the development at Middlesbrough Football Club's Rockcliffe Park training complex
-
Date
Heart clinic gets national award
STAFF at a heart clinic have received national recognition. The County Durham One-Stop Heart Failure Clinic, in Bishop Auckland General Hospital, was given a national award at the recent Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative Conference, in London, for
-
Date
Third term for town's mayor
SEDGEFIELD Town Council has appointed Councillor Jim Wayman as mayor, almost 20 years after he last held the office. Coun Wayman, who is the longest serving council member, with 32 years of service, was mayor from 1983 to 1985. He has been a school governor
-
Date
Carers in short supply
AN appeal for long-term foster carers has been launched by social workers in Darlington. The borough council currently needs long-term homes for eight children, aged eight to 13 years old, but that figure is constantly changing. Hilary Tillotson, a social
-
Date
Authority poised to agree £1.2m cheaper homes move
A £1.2m scheme to build affordable housing may be agreed by councillors next week. The scheme is part of a housing strategy being developed by Hambleton District Council. Officers have put forward proposals to build 35 homes in the area - 14 houses and
-
Date
Village pub 'will have to close anyway'
THERE will be no reprieve for a village pub following permission for it to be converted into housing. For the second time, councillors defied planning officers' advice and voted in favour of the conversion of the Cross Keys Inn, North Stainley, near Ripon
-
Date
Commission praises brigade's progress
NORTH Yorkshire's fire and rescue service has been praised by the Audit Commission and is stepping up action to reduce the number of deaths caused by fire. In a report to tomorrow's meeting of the authority at Easingwold, the chairman, county councillor
-
Date
Tribute paid to family doctor
A family doctor and leading community figure has died at the age of 75. Dr David Williamson, of Kirkbymoorside, died in hospital. He had lived in the town for 45 years and practised there until his retirement 12 years ago. Born in Edinburgh, Dr Williamson
-
Date
Boys death "tragic mistake"
An 11-year-old boy died in a "tragic mistake" after falling over on a busy road, an inquest was told. Ashley Orley was struck by a Jaguar car, driven by Ian Sherwood, as he made his way across the A179 Hart Lane in Hartlepool on Monday evening. The youngster
-
Date
Call to lower speed limit
VILLAGERS divided by a busy dual carriageway are asking Durham County Council to lower the speed limit to improve road safety. Chester Moor residents want to see vehicles restricted to 50mph on the A167 instead of allowing them to travel at 70mph. They
-
Date
Owen braves the turbulence to deliver hospice's message
SWAMPED with teddy bears, badges, mugs and other mementoes of his big day, one brings the biggest smile of all. "You've earned these young man," says our pilot Craig McLeod as he hands five-year-old Owen Swift his wings. The look of wonder on young Owen's
-
Date
Sure Start centre's VIP visitor
ONE of the region's Euro MPs will visit north Durham to see how EU cash is helping its youngsters get the best start in life. Stephen Hughes will visit the £1m Sure Start centre in Clifford Road, Stanley, tomorrow. Sure Start is a Government-funded scheme
-
Date
Headteacher does the honours for sports pitch
A HEADTEACHER dug deep to help start a top class sports surface project. Neil Kern, headteacher at Durham School, carried out the first preparatory earthworks for a multi-purpose artificial sports pitch. The facility will help improve the range of sports
-
Date
Hodgson close to Windass deal
DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson is on the verge of bringing former Middlesbrough striker Dean Windass back to the North-East. Bradford City boss Bryan Robson has been told to cull his squad following their relegation from the First Division, three months
-
Date
Football stars' big signing
CARLING Cup final hero Joseph Desire Job is being joined by Boro captain Gareth Southgate in an autograph signing session today. They are signing copies of the new Middlesbrough FC DVD and video, 128 Years Later, at the club's shop in the Captain Cook
-
Date
School earns top marks
PUPILS and teachers are celebrating after their school was described as 'excellent' by Government inspectors. Ofsted inspectors visited Ouston Infant School, near Chester-le-Street, to observe staff and children in December 2003. They found the quality
-
Date
Councillor claims he was blocked in secret deal
A FORMER council leader has alleged that a "secret society" has barred his appointment to some committees. Phil Hughes, a non-aligned member of Teesdale District Council, said he believed seven other non-aligned members conspired to ensure he was not
-
Date
Tenants asked to decide on landlord
THOUSANDS of council tenants will be consulted on a proposed housing shake-up designed to improve the quality of their homes. Wear Valley District Council needs to change the way its housing stock is managed because it cannot afford the work to bring
-
Date
Carr's secret identity stolen
Documents detailing Maxine Carr's new secret identity for her release from prison have been stolen from a car, it was revealed last night. Sky News reported that the confidential details were taken in a raid on a Ford Fiesta near Hampstead, north London
-
Date
Stinging reaction provoked by pest control fees decision
DURHAM City Council has been criticised for introducing charges for some pest control services. The Liberal Democrat-controlled authority is having to make savings of £900,000 because, it says, the Government did not give it enough money in grants. Now
-
Date
Mills will weigh up options
DANNY MILLS' agent has confirmed that Middlesbrough's on-loan defender is keeping his options open as he eyes a move from relegated Leeds. Newcastle have been linked with a £6.5m double swoop on Elland Road for Mills and long-term strike target Alan Smith
-
Date
Will's legacy
Was Will Stones a hero or a coward? The Crook soldier was one of hundreds executed during World War One and inspired Northern writer Peter Drake's debut play, The Prisoner's Friend. Viv Hardwick looks at a remarkable project. WHEN Northumberland chemistry
-
Date
Hodgson close to Windass deal
DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson is on the verge of bringing former Middlesbrough striker Dean Windass back to the North-East. Bradford City boss Bryan Robson has been told to cull his squad following their relegation from the First Division, three months
-
Date
A Brucie bonus
Brucie is back on the Beeb after looking like his TV days were over when he fell out with ITV bosses over Play Your Cards Right. The multi-talented Forsyth is to host a new-look Come Dancing at the age of 76, but he's likely to be the most light-footed
-
Date
Former Dr who gets carried away in new role
FILMING has been taking place in the North-East for an ITV series starring former Doctor Who Peter Davison. The 53-year-old actor has swapped the cricket whites he made famous as the Dalek-destroying Doctor for a pair of designer shoes to play Bill Shore
-
Date
Bands strike a joint chord
SCHOOL musicians will join forces with one of the country's top bands for their biggest concert of the year. The band at Tudhoe Grange School, near Spennymoor, County Durham, is rehearsing for a joint concert with the Reg Vardy Band. The groups have performed
-
Date
Inquest opens 51 years after death
A FRESH inquest has opened into the death of an airman killed in a military experiment with deadly nerve agent. Ronald Maddison, from Consett, was exposed nerve agent Sarin at the Ministry of Defence's Porton Down research facility in Wiltshire in 1953
-
Date
Council tax protest
MORE than 2,000 people in the Durham area have signed a petition calling for the scrapping of the council tax. The Liberal Democrats, who control the city council, are running a national campaign, against the tax, which helps fund local services. The
-
Date
Cast prepares for Shakespeare-based musical
STUDENTS are taking to the stage with musical Kiss Me Kate, based on Shakespeare's The Taming of The Shrew. The Redcar and College Theatre Company will perform Cole Porter's musical from Wednesday, May 26, to Friday, May 28, at the college's main site
-
Date
We'll bounce back, says Robson
SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night insisted Newcastle United will be able to bounce back from the heartbreak of missing out on Champions League football next season writes Paul Fraser. The Magpies boss, whose side now must face up to the strong prospect of even
-
Date
Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe
GROUP MEETS: Yarm and District group of the National Women's Register (NWR) meets on alternate Tuesdays. The next meeting is at 7.45pm on Tuesday. Frank Dunne, of the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen's Family Association will speak. NWR is a group for women
-
Date
Jobless total at its lowest for 20 years
FIGURES showed yesterday that unemployment had reached a new low, with more people in work than at any time in the past 20 years. But jobs in manufacturing continued to fall, down to 3.4 million, the lowest number since records began in 1978. A total
-
Date
Demand for lower prices puts pressure on textile company
MORE than 200 jobs at a clothing factory were under threat last night as bosses reported a slump in orders. Management and the GMB union have started talks about the future of the 200 workers at the Dewhirst factory, at Hendon, in Sunderland. The slump
-
Date
Photographer's flair pays off
A PHOTOGRAPHER with a flair for doing makeovers has opened her own studio. Vanessa Gray, of Dipton, set up her studio above the Bute Pub in the village, with the help of a grant from Derwentside District Council. She said: "I have done a number of photographic
-
Date
Allotments project hit by pollution
GARDENERS in Spennymoor have been rocked by the temporary closure of town centre allotments. Nearly 60 gardeners who rent plots at Timothy Terrace have been forced to down tools for two months after a small section of land was found to be contaminated
-
Date
Light set for tilt at the Derby
Kieren Fallon's season may be about to take a turn for the better after North Light stamped himself a live Vodafone Derby contender with an impressive performance to win the totesport Dante Stakes at York yesterday. The champion jockey, still to face
-
Date
Shanty Star to keep spoils on home soil
SHANTY STAR (2.30) bids to keep the silverware on home territory by lifting this afternoon's Yorkshire Cup at the Knavesmire. The Middleham-trained grey colt cemented his position among the top UK stayers with a hard-fought victory in the two-mile Queen's
-
Date
Five youngsters arrested to raise school behaviour
FIVE youngsters have been arrested in an initiative to curb disruptive behaviour in schools. The arrests, all for violent, threatening or abusive behaviour, were made by a team of three police officers, an educational social worker and a youth development
-
Date
Hanging out the washing battle lines
IT has all the key ingredients of a Hollywood blockbuster - conflict, passion and a fierce battle played out in the back alleyways of a Northern terraced street. The women of Skipton are fighting for their right to hang their washing out, as they always
-
Date
Officer 'was not a victim of racial discrimination'
AN Asian policeman who alleged he was subjected to racial abuse by a fellow officer has lost a claim of racial discrimination, it was announced yesterday. An employment tribunal ruled that PC Jeffrey Sidhu's four complaints against Northumbria Police
-
Date
Overseas nurses 'fix' is short-term
THE dependence of the NHS on nurses from overseas to boost staff numbers is only a short-term "fix", nursing leaders have warned. A report for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said that 45 per cent of entrants to the nursing register come from abroad
-
Date
'I want our Paul to haunt him for the rest of his life'
THE mother of a teenager stabbed to death at his 18th birthday party said she hopes her son's killer will be haunted for the rest of his life. Mary Best's son, Paul, bled to death after David Mitchell, 19, plunged a kitchen knife into his back on February
-
Date
Darlington - Mini Le Mans boosts charity
BEAVERS, cubs, scouts and adventure scouts recreated a miniature version of the Le Mans 24-hour race. The 9th Darlington Scout Group set up around 100ft of Scalextric track at Harrowgate Hill Methodist Church and raced cars for 24 hours to raise money
-
Date
Bob begins walking tour of britain in aid of cancer charity
A RETIRED draughtsman steps out today on a 1,500-mile trek across Britain in aid of a cancer charity. Bob Tucker, 59, of Consett, County Durham, is taking part in a coast-to-coast walk in Scotland before undertaking a solo hike the length of England.
-
Date
Teams under one roof
HEALTH and social services will be available under the same roof under a shake-up across the Durham Dales area. Four teams covering Bishop Auckland, Willington and Crook, Weardale and Teesdale will be made up of health professionals and workers from other
-
Date
Meg boxes clever
Meg Ryan continues to fight against being labelled as America's Sweetheart, so one challenging choice was to play a boxer's manager. Steve Pratt reports. MEG Ryan continues her quest to live down her image as America's sweetheart by climbing into the
-
Date
Ministers' question time
SCHOOLS Minister David Miliband MP fielded questions on the state of education in Derwentside this week. Mr Miliband visited Derwentside College in Consett, along with North West Durham MP and Government Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong last Thursday. The
-
Date
Gran At Large!
THE 9.30 train from King's Cross was humming with the sounds of business people setting out for a day's work. Laptop keyboards clicked like crickets in summer, mobiles played their persistent repetitive tunes, to be answered with brisk, interrupted monologues
-
Date
Heart of Glass
Steve Pratt talks to Hayden Christensen about the respect he formed for journalists after making a film about a member of the profession who became famous for making up all his stories. STAR Wars actor Hayden Christensen has greater respect for journalists
-
Date
MoD urged to investigate near misses
Air accident investigators today urged the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to review procedures after a series of near misses in the skies over the North-East between fast military planes and passenger aircraft. The most recent incident, described as a ''serious
-
Date
Match abuse couple barred
A COUPLE appeared in court yesterday after a steward was abused at a football match. William Elliott, 43, and his wife June, 41, pleaded guilty to being drunk at a designated sporting event and were each given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered
-
Date
Hildreth erases nightmare memory
UNDER "worst moment in cricket" in the Cricketers' Who's Who, James Hildreth offered "being bowled first ball by Shoaib Akhtar. Yesterday the 19-year-old Somerset all-rounder took impressive revenge as he fearlessly attacked Shoaib and the rest of the
-
Date
Refugee cleared in one HIV case
A REFUGEE has been cleared of causing grievous bodily harm to one of the four women he was accused of deliberately infecting with HIV. The jury in the trial of African asylum-seeker Feston Konzani, 28, was yesterday directed by the judge to return a formal
-
Date
20 years of hard work by museum helpers ends in dedication service
IN the dark days of the Second World War, it was the redoubtable Halifax bomber that helped turn the tide and took the blitz to Germany. Thousands were built and thousands of the airmen who crewed them sacrificed their lives before the victory. Now only
-
Date
Navy seeks sponsors for Trafalgar anniversary
The Royal Navy has unveiled plans for a spectacular programme of events to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, but then admitted a substantial amount of sponsorship money would be needed to help fund it. On the day the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan
-
Date
European cash helps firms
HUNDREDS more young people in the region will be helped to set up businesses thanks to £1.2m of European funding. The Prince's Trust Youth Enterprise Business support, and Support for Grants projects in the North-East have been awarded the money from
-
Date
Council seeks tenants views
THOUSANDS of local authority tenants will this week be consulted on a proposed housing shake-up designed to improve the quality of their homes. Residents living in Wear Valley District Council houses will be asked how they want their homes to be managed
-
Date
Comedy duo line up date
ONLY Fools and Horses duo Boycie and Marlene are performing in the North-East in the hit comedy London Suite. John Challis and Sue Holderness head a star cast in the collection of four playlets set in the same suite of an old, fashionable London hotel
-
Date
Gospels go on show at library
INTEREST is mounting after a replica of a symbol of Chester-le-Street's history went on public display. The Lindisfarne Gospels spent 110-years at Chester-le-Street Parish Church before being carried with the remains of St Cuthbert, by monks fleeing the
-
Date
Gran At Large: When your journey goes off the rails
THE 9.30 train from King's Cross was humming with the sounds of business people setting out for a day's work. Laptop keyboards clicked like crickets in summer, mobiles played their persistent repetitive tunes, to be answered with brisk, interrupted monologues
-
Date
Gumball ace stopped for speeding at 156mph
A rally ace looked doomed when he was pulled over by cops tearing along a motorway at 156mph. But Gary Pudney was saved by pointing out that he was a Newcastle United fanatic and bringing up the name of veteran boss Bobby Robson. Gary, 32, of Consett,
-
Date
Waiting game is tough for England's new star
WHILE his county colleagues dismissed Somerset for 375 at Taunton yesterday, Steve Harmison was left counting the cost of his dream winter tour to the Caribbean. The England paceman was rewarded for his 23 wickets in the Caribbean with a central contract
-
Date
'If there are people alive we will get them out'
Wherever they looked, bricks and masonry were piled up around them. Members of the emergency services faced the daunting task of rescuing any survivors buried beneath the rubble of what had been a factory 24 hours earlier. A group of onlookers stood and
-
Date
Anniversary celebration
A BOOK celebrating the 50th anniversary of a national park was launched yesterday by actor Brian Blessed, right. The book, The Yorkshire Dales - A 50th Anniversary of the National Park contains photographs, paintings and poems about the Dales. Written
