Archive
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Rain hits Yorkshire practice
Yorkshire's preparations for the Twenty-20 Cup were badly hit yesterday when rain prevented any action in the two practice matches which they were due to stage at Stamford Bridge Cricket Club. Director of cricket, David Byas, said the games would be played
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'Abuse in Iraq has deeply damaged West'
The Government signalled yesterday that ministers were prepared to back tough action by Iraq's interim administration against both its former rulers and the insurgents seeking to destabilise the country. Prime Minister Tony Blair told the Commons that
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Comment: Henman serving in last-chance saloon
At the start of each year, Tim Henman is asked the same question. And, in late June or early July, the English number one gives the same answer. "I have never hidden behind the fact that Wimbledon is the one tournament which I would love to win the most
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Drawing on skills for calendar
SCHOOLCHILDREN are celebrating after achieving success in a regional art competition. Pupils from more than 26 primary, secondary and special schools from the borough of Stockton submitted their art for the Northumbria in Bloom children's calendar painting
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Tradesman displays paintings of a different kind
RON SPINDLOE served his time as a painter and decorator and now in retirement he has turned to painting of a different kind. This week, a selection of his beautiful landscapes went on exhibition at the Discovery Centre, in Seaton Holme, Easington Village
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Pressure grows for ban on smoking in public
A GIANT "prescription" calling on the Government to ban smoking in the workplace was signed by doctors yesterday as it emerged Labour was considering making the pledge in its election manifesto. Delegates at the British Medical Association's conference
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Mystery as firm pulls out of Wembley
UNION officials told of their bewilderment last night after it was revealed that North-East engineering firm Cleveland Bridge was stopping work on the new Wembley Stadium. The Darlington-based company was due to work on the stadium until its completion
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Clarke move collapse riles Hodgson
ANGRY Darlington boss David Hodgson last night criticised League Two rivals Notts County following the collapse of Matt Clarke's move to Meadow Lane. Hodgson is unhappy that relegated County have meddled with his first-team plans ahead of the new season
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Regional assembly referendums may be scrapped say Tories
THE regional assembly referendums will be scrapped in September if the government is heading for humiliating defeat, the Tories claimed yesterday. Spokesman Bernard Jenkin predicted Tony Blair would use a report by the Electoral Commission on abuse of
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Arca set to go for gold glory
SUNDERLAND are facing the prospect of being without Julio Arca for the first seven games of the season after confirmation of the fixtures for next month's Olympics football tournament. The versatile left-footer is almost certain to be named in the Argentinian
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Farmer hoping for maze success
FARMER Andrew Cumming wants to make an amazing impact on the rolling countryside at his 400-acre farm. With jigsaw-like precision, he is aiming to create a ten-acre maze in a maize field at his arable and dairy farm between Boroughbridge and Knaresborough
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Recycled rubbish is music to band's ears
A BAND that plays instruments made from recycled rubbish will be one of the attractions at a green fun day. Weapons of Sound, who make their music with gas pipes, shopping trolleys and a kitchen sink, played at the 2002 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony
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Hayley ideal partner for Infidelity
TRAINER Alan Bailey's decision to snap up the services of Hayley Turner to partner his back-to-form three-year-old Infidelity (2.20) is fancied to pay handsome dividends at Haydock today. Infidelity might not be the biggest filly in the world but she
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Museum display portrays success
A SMALL market town in the region is not where priceless works of art from New York, Boston and France would expect to be found. Yet the reputation of the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, is growing both nationally and internationally, and
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Hayley ideal partner for Infidelity
TRAINER Alan Bailey's decision to snap up the services of Hayley Turner to partner his back-to-form three-year-old Infidelity (2.20) is fancied to pay handsome dividends at Haydock today. Infidelity might not be the biggest filly in the world but she
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Funding shake-up 'put jobs at risk'
SCHOOL special needs staff are facing redundancy because of a funding shake-up, a union is warning. Redundancy notices were issued in May to 51 staff working with children with special needs in primary schools across County Durham. The move followed a
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Mental patients 'danger' warning
A NORTH-EAST secure unit for dangerous psychiatric patients is facing closure - prompting fears about the transportation of patients considered a risk to the public. The Northern Echo has learned NHS officials are considering a plan to close the intensive
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TV review
Loose Women (ITV1) Emmerdale (ITV1) WHEN Loose Women began, it was an intelligent look at life in the news through a woman's eyes. A group of famous women got together and had a chat about what was making the headlines and a bit of a giggle over a cup
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RHM denies £1bn flotation plan reports
The company behind Mr Kipling cakes, Paxo stuffing and Hovis bread last night denied it was poised for a £1bn flotation. RHM, which employs more than 20,000 staff at 69 sites in the UK and Europe, was rumoured to be preparing for a public listing next
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Event offers advice for diabetes patients
PEOPLE with diabetes, their families and carers, are being invited to an event offering advice about living with the condition. The Diabetes for Life conference will be held in Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Saturday, July 10, to help people with the condition
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Crowning moment for students
HAIRDRESSING students brought their course to a fitting end with an awards ceremony. The presentation evening at Bishop Auckland College saw student Dawn Evans named Hairdresser of the Year. Miss Evans, from Toft Hill, was presented with a trophy sponsored
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Thief jailed for horse box theft chase
A THIEF who led police on a hair-raising chase while driving a stolen horse box has been jailed for more than two and-a-half years. Teesside Crown Court heard punters at a May Day Bank Holiday race meeting watched as William McClacklan jumped into the
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Charity calls for workers to back appeal
HUNDREDS of people in Darlington will take a pound to work today to help a good cause. Macmillan Cancer Relief has asked workers in the town to donate £1 to pay for local cancer care services in County Durham, Teesside and Northallerton. The charity hopes
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Fundraising nursery finale
A DARLINGTON nursery took part in its final fundraising event yesterday - when the weather permitted. Eastbourne Nursery School, which will close in August, had planned two toddles to raise money for Barnardo's. Rain meant the morning toddle had to be
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Vintage cars go on parade
LOVINGLY restored vintage cars, vans and motorcycles assembled in Bishop Auckland town centre this week for a classic rally. Dozens of motor enthusiasts visited the town's Market Place for Tuesday's event, which aimed to raise the profile of the town
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Education chief makes case for survival of 'best school'
THE chief executive of a pioneering education federation has warned that it would be "insane" to shut down the Darlington borough's best-performing school. Eamonn Farrar, who oversees the partnership between Hurworth School Maths and Computing College
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Boost for nature reserve project
YOUNG people in a north Durham community have helped start a project to transform a new nature reserve on their doorstep - with the aim of encouraging more people to use the countryside. The project at Dipton is being funded with £25,000 from the Heritage
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Pensioners plan town march
UP to 800 North-East pensioners are expected to attend a march and rally next week. The rally, at Coatham Bowl, Redcar, next Thursday, has been organised by the Cleveland Pensioners' Forum. Speakers will include Rodney Bickerstaffe, president of the National
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Mini-cameras give wardens head start in crime fight
PORTABLE closed-circuit television cameras have been issued to community safety wardens which can be fitted to their caps. The tiny lenses will be used to film people involved in anti-social behaviour and it is hoped will result in their prosecution.
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The Turn of the Screw, Darlington Civic Theatre
HENRY James' creepy story about strange goings-on in a large country house makes for an absorbing evening's entertainment. Inexperienced young governess Miss Grey is left in charge of eight-year-old Flora and her older brother Miles, who has been dismissed
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Celebrations as council confirms decision to sell land
SUPPORTERS of a campaign to buy a town's open spaces have been celebrating after a council committee confirmed the decision to sell the land. Members of Richmondshire Landscape Trust had feared their bid to buy Richmond's Westfield, South Bank, Sleegill
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Dinner guests aid the RNLI
A BLACK tie dinner in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) raised £3,200. Organisers Stokesley and Ayton Ladies Lifeboat Guild said they were thrilled with the total. The event was held at Cleveland Lodge, Great Ayton, the home of Andrew
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Toulouse-Lautrec poster show next in line
THE next exhibition to go on display at the Bowes Museum will recreate an exhibition which was last seen 110 years ago and shared a billing with boxing kangaroos. Toulouse-Lautrec and the Art of the French Poster, which opens on September 11 and runs
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Horseracing with US theme
A YANKEE Doodle Day will be held at North-East racecourse on Sunday to celebrate Independence Day in the US. There will be a variety of US-themed promotions and attractions at the family event at Redcar, east Cleveland, including Disney characters, go
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Pupils book place for library awards
YOUNGSTERS are to be given awards for their efforts in improving their school libraries. The Junior and Young Librarian 2004 awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, July 7, in Stockton Central Library. The winners will be announced and presented with
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Developer sets out business park hotel goal
THE developer of a key business park in the region is in talks to establish a hotel complex on the site. City and Northern, which is building office space at the Morton Palms development, in Darlington, hopes to attract a leading light in the leisure
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Boating challenge awaiting students
WOULD-BE engineers will battle it out tomorrow as a school hall is transformed into a mini-watersports arena. Year eight pupils at Tanfield School, near Stanley, are taking part in a challenge to design and build their own boats, and then race them along
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Pupils' lives transformed by poetry
PUPILS at a County Durham special school have had their lives transformed by poetry. Students at Glendene School, in Easington Colliery, once struggled with language, but the writings of John Masefield, William Blake, Robert Frost and William Shakespeare
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Triple-jumper Luke leaps to the front
A TEENAGE athlete has been selected to represent the North-East at triple jump despite never having had any training in the event. Luke Kelly, a Year 9 student at Teesdale Comprehensive School, was selected for the North of England schools team after
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Paula pursues dream job and wins award
A FORMER carer who went back to college has won an award. Paula Rumney, 34, from Harelaw, near Stanley, has won a national Adult Learners Week Award. The married mother-of-two, who cared for her elderly grandfather, was a part-time shop assistant and
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Toy story with serious message about arson
FIRE chiefs are seeking to reduce the number of arson attacks - with the backing of a toy store chain. Dolls and toy fire engines are being used by Cleveland Fire Brigade staff to dampen the fascination that some children have with fires. The brigade's
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Hospitals secure Foundation status
A NORTH-EAST hospital group became the region's first NHS Foundation Trust today. City Hospitals Sunderland was awarded the position after it narrowly missed out in the first group of Foundation Trusts announced earlier this year. Trust chairman David
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Cancer charity fundraiser leaves comfort zone for day behind bars
AN innocent man has been locked up in a cell for the day - but it's all for a good cause. Stephen Clark had never been in a police station in his life, but he found himself behind bars for more than seven hours with nothing more than a cup of tea to keep
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Cycling target
CYCLISTS will travel through the region this weekend on a 180-mile ride. More than 50 people will cycle from Morecambe, Lancashire, to Skipton, North Yorkshire. The Newcastle City Riders aim to raise £12,000 for the Katie Trust, the Prostate Cancer Trust
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Fundraisers' efforts help hospital work
THREE hospitals have been given a cash boost by the former chairman of Richmondshire District Council, Councillor Michael Heseltine. Richmond's Friary Hospital, the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, and Darlington Memorial Hospital shared £1,800. The
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Bank staff get ready to raise cancer charity funds with run
A GROUP of North-East bank employees are teaming up for a sponsored run to raise money. The Co-op Crackers hope to raise £1,200 for Cancer Research UK by taking part in the three-mile Race For Life. Bosses of branches across the region have pledged to
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Nestl Rowntree sells cocoa processing plant to Cargill
Nestl Rowntree has sold its cocoa processing operations in York to US company Cargill Incorporated. The confectionery company said the move would give the site a new lease of life and was likely to provide employment opportunities. The US company will
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Dancing pals two-step their way to stage school
TWO aspiring performers have proved a formidable double act by winning places at a leading stage school. Friends Helen Whitfield and Gemma Edmenson, both 19, will be attending the Urdang Dance Academy, in Covent Garden, London, after beating off competition
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The Derby McQueen Affair, York Theatre Royal Studio
THERE'S a lot to be said for new plays - and not all of it good, as getting it right first time isn't easy. So York Theatre Royal's current season, commendably chock-a-block with fresh work, is riskier than sticking to the tried and tested. The Derby
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Johnson vows to end losing streak
BARRY Johnson is gunning for top spot in this weekend's Jim Clark Reivers Rally after declaring himself 'tired' of finishing second. The Shildon driver heads to Scotland after finishing runner-up to County Saab Scottish Rally Championship leader Raymond
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Morrisons considers putting more stores on the market
SUPERMARKET group Morrisons is considering selling its smaller Safeway stores following strong interest from potential buyers. The Bradford-based chain, which acquired the Safeway business earlier this year, pledged to look more closely at the future
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Businessman at centre of incinerator row found dead
A BUSINESSMAN at the centre of a row over an animal incinerator has been found dead following a shooting incident. Edward Noddings, the owner of a slaughterers firm at Charltons, near Guisborough, east Cleveland, was found dead at his premises. A spokesman
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TV campaign launched to reduce drink-driving
A CAMPAIGN warning of the dangers of drinking and driving the following day has been launched in the North-East. The campaign, which features a television advert in which someone in a pub makes a decision whether or not to have another drink, was launched
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Flagging up some good ideas
WHAT has happened to all those England flags that, just a few weeks ago, had sprouted from more than half of the cars in the country? Apart from the odd one or two still fluttering forlornly (someone should flag those drivers down and tell them we lost
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Approval given for business unit that will create 700 jobs
AN Argos distribution centre that will create 700 jobs in the North-East has secured outline planning approval. Despite concerns over noise and extra traffic that would be generated by the 740,000 sq ft development on the Faverdale East Business Park
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Animal sanctuary closes its doors
AN animal sanctuary that has rescued and re-homed thousands of needy pets over the past decade is to close. Kate Wilson, the manager of Ramshaw Rescue Centre, near Bishop Auckland, has decided to close the refuge because of the increasing financial demands
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Dancing pals two-step their way to stage school
TWO aspiring performers have proved a formidable double act by winning places at a leading stage school. Friends Helen Whitfield and Gemma Edmenson, both 19, will be attending the Urdang Dance Academy, in Covent Garden, London, after beating off competition
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Milner on verge of signing for Magpies
NEWCASTLE will move a giant step nearer their first signing of the summer when James Milner arrives on Tyneside for a medical this afternoon. The 18-year-old is ready to move to St James' Park after the Magpies finally agreed a fee with his current club
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Carnival capers
THE streets of Darlington were taken over by a host of mythical figures for the annual community carnival. Youngsters shrugged off the rain on Saturday to put on a spectacular procession with the theme of Myths and Legends, above. Awards for the best
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Website puts heritage at fingertips
A website has been launched to bring together information about the North-East's heritage, traditions and culture. The site, which has been created by the North-East Museums Libraries and Archives Council (Nemlac), with the British Library, is aimed at
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Top marks for school
A TOP primary school has a fresh reason to celebrate after receiving a glowing report from Government inspectors. Etherley Lane Primary in Bishop Auckland, was hailed by Ofsted inspectors as a 'very effective school' which provides 'very good value for
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Tell me I don't look 30
Last year I was faced with the challenge of becoming Auntie Hayley to a gaggle of gorgeous babies as four of my friends gave birth. This year's challenge is a bit closer to home - no I'm not about to become a Mum - I'm turning 30. I have had a fab time
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Scheme to uncover lost lake will start tomorrow
A LAKE that disappeared almost 150 years ago is about to be revealed as part of a multi-million pound parkland restoration. Excavation work to uncover the lake at Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield, County Durham, is due to start tomorrow. Children from Sedgefield
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New To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (1) Scary Movie 3 2 (-) Lost In Translation 3 (7) The Missing 4 (2) The Haunted Mansion 5 (3) Runaway Jury 6 (5) Something's Gotta Give 7 (6) Big Fish 8 (-) Cheaper By The Dozen 9 (-) Bring It On Again 10 (4) Mystic River Published
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Free web training offered
FREE web training has been given to people who attended a workshop run by The Northern Echo's community web team. The Communigate workshop took place at the Manor West Centre, in Hartlepool. Community web editor Andrew Hutton said: "The successful participants
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Royal appointment
Dame Julie Andrews may have lost her ability to sing but she was delighted to provide the voice for Queen Lillian in the movie Shrek 2, as Steve Pratt discovers. Julie Andrews was able to achieve something as a computer-generated character in Shrek 2
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01/07/04
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: I AM constantly amazed at the naivety of people when it comes to talk of a North-East Regional Assembly. No-one, certainly not our own media, mentions that the North-East has had its assembly for years. Former leader of the Newcastle
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Coot cat Antonio
As a big fan of the original Shrek movie, actor Antonio Banderas jumped at the chance of playing swashbuckling Puss in Boots in the sequel, he tells Steve Pratt Playing a swashbuckling Puss In Boots got actor Antonio Banderas in trouble with 16 women.
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Send in the clones
Making a horror movie on human cloning was a difficult subject for British director Nick Hamm. But, as he tells Steve Pratt, the end justified the means. Making his first US movie, Godsend, proved a never-ending story for British director Nick Hamm. He
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Pensioners plan town march
UP to 800 North-East pensioners are expected to attend a march and rally next week. The rally, at Coatham Bowl, Redcar, next Thursday, has been organised by the Cleveland Pensioners' Forum. Speakers will include Rodney Bickerstaffe, president of the National
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A place in the pecking order
WE'VE gone all ornithological in our house. Which is just as well, now that the dishwasher is broken and I'm spending more time that ever in front of the kitchen sink, peering out of the window. It's much more than a dishwasher. It's a life support system
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Malice and melodrama
Loose Women (ITV1); Emmerdale (ITV1): WHEN Loose Women began, it was an intelligent look at life in the news through a woman's eyes. A group of famous women got together and had a chat about what was making the headlines and a bit of a giggle over a cup
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Shock result for Thompson
SHOCK 20-1 scorer Sovereign State provided Bolam-near-Darlington trainer David Thompson with his first-ever winner on the Flat at Catterick yesterday. "That was absolutely brilliant. I've only had my licence for just under a year and Sovereign State has
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Invention put under the TV spotlight
A YOUNG inventor will have her work shown on national television tonight. Nicole Bell, 11, from Darlington, has reached the last five of the Entreprejunior competition for inventors under the age of 16, launched by Channel 4's Richard and Judy show earlier
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Mill to feature on BBC show
A NORTH mill is one of 12 buildings on the register that will compete in the second series of the BBC programme Restoration. Viewers will get the chance to vote for vital work to be carried out on the 18th Century Gayle Mill, near Hawes, in Upper Wensleydale
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World waits as Saddam and henchmen go into the dock
THE world is today expected to get the first glimpse of Saddam Hussein since his arrest, when he appears in court accused of war atrocities and crimes against humanity with 11 of his top henchmen. Iraq's new authorities yesterday took legal control of
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Viduka key to Boro bids
MIDDLESBROUGH will reassess potential transfer targets once they have completed the capture of Leeds United striker Mark Viduka. Boro boss Steve McClaren has made the arrival of Viduka his first priority and signing a new right-back is also high on the
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Young musicians take stage
FIVE young North-East musicians will perform a concert in Durham City on Sunday. The Jacks Clarinet Quintet will be playing in St Cuthbert's Church, in North Road, at 2pm. The quintet is made up of clarinettist Jonathan Parkin, 19, from Seaham, 19; violinists
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Comment: Facing up to a smoking ban
THE civil liberties question on the issue of smoking is misplaced. Smoking does not merely have a detrimental impact on smokers themselves, and therefore can legitimately be made the subject of legislation. Smoking causes health problems, ranging from
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High rate of teenage pregnancy in North
some of the country's highest rates of teenage mothers are in the North-East, according to a study. The report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, in York, shows that the district of Derwentside, County Durham, has a higher percentage of "gymslip mums"
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Marathon efforts for story garden
YOUNGSTERS who ran a marathon to create their own story garden are now enjoying tales of happily ever after. The children from Ox Close Primary School in Spennymoor, raised £3,645.14 from the marathon challenge and the money has been spent on creating
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Bid for city radio licence submitted
EFFORTS to give Durham City a commercial radio station took a step forward last night, with the submission of the first formal bid for the licence. Durham Local Radio (DLR) lodged its interest in winning the rights to broadcast to people living within
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Golden Browney
After 100 years, Browney's workmen's club is still at the centre of the traditional mining community. BROWNEY'S a little place three or four miles south of Durham, named after the river which ripples restlessly nearby and which had an uncomfortable habit
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Town remembers the golden age of railway
WHEN the axe fell on Shildon Wagon Works 20 years ago this week it devastated the community. When the gates closed for the final time grown men wept and it was the end of a town's love affair with the railways that spanned more than 150 years. Shildon
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Tall ships prime their cannons to stage epic festival sea battle
A SEA battle between two legendary tall ships will open this weekend's Hartlepool Maritime Festival with a bang. The two contenders will be full-size replicas of explorer Captain James Cook's ship, the Endeavour, and Tsar Peter the Great's Russian frigate
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Ghost ships fate still to be decided
A COURT hearing to determine the fate of the nine former US navy ships destined to be scrapped in the North-East been delayed. The hold-up means there is no virtually no chance of the so-called ghost ships being towed across the Atlantic to the Teesside
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No light at end of Durham's tunnel
NEIL Killeen continued to plough a lone furrow in Durham's one-day attack last night as struggling Sussex put his colleagues to the sword. Losing the toss in a floodlit match usually spells gloom and the lights all but went out on Durham's totesport League
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Appeal to reopen public lavatories
A FRESH attempt is being made to reopen public lavatories in Barnard Castle. The Victorian lavatories were closed, along with public conveniences in Woodland and Hamsterley, earlier this year as part of cost-cutting measures by Teesdale District Council
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Widow to stand for council
THE widow of a councillor who died earlier this year is to stand for election to his vacant council seat. Alan Gray was councillor for the Woodham ward on Sedgefield Borough Council until his death in April. The Newton Aycliffe branch of the Labour Party
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Pupils give it plenty of wellie when it comes to African dancing
YOUNGSTERS went to school proudly wearing their Wellington boots as they prepared to take part in an African dance. The Gum Boot Dance was the highlight of a host of activities taking place at Ferryhill Station Primary School. Children joined singing
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Pupils take part in litter-pick
PUPILS from four Darlington schools got their hands dirty during a litter-picking event. More than 100 children from Mount Pleasant and Alderman Leach primary schools, and Whinfield and Abbey junior schools, took part in the clean-up of their school grounds
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£60,000 project to help job seekers
A £60,000 project to help people in deprived areas of Darlington find work has been launched. The Central Into Work scheme, aimed at jobless people in the Central, North Road, Northgate and Bank Top wards, will be a free service run by Darlington Borough
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Chemist's visit proves to be 'coup' for council
A chemist from the Hong Kong government has paid a fact-finding visit to Durham County Council. Cheung Wong, a food and environmental hygiene analyst, visited the council's scientific services laboratory to discuss food testing and analysis. His one-day
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Inquest told of teenager's fatal journey on motorbike
TWO men are to appear in court following the death of a teenager. Motorcycle pillion passenger Ashleigh Reed, 18, was thrown 20ft through the air, sustaining multiple injuries after the bike on which she riding collided with a BMW car. Edward Simms, of
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On track to nurture local music talent
AN initiative to discover and nurture home-grown talent by allowing artists to release their latest compact discs is gathering pace. Twelve bands and artists have been signed to 6K Vision, the country's only county council-run record label. They have
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£14,000 boost brings more instruments into schools
HUNDREDS of musical instruments are being provided for children in an effort to keep the full range of sounds alive for schools. Experts at North Yorkshire County Council fear that without appropriate guidance children will opt for mainstream instruments
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Impact of N-E assembly is debated by officials
THE implications of the North-East having an elected assembly were last night laid out at a meeting on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister. Councillors from Darlington and Hartlepool, union and organisation representatives and the public attended an address
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Lecture hall beckons for Sir Leslie
THE man who helped put Gateshead on the world stage will take his skills into the lecture theatre to inspire the business professionals of the future. Sir Leslie Elton has been appointed visiting professor at Newcastle University's Business School. He
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More help for jobseekers
A £60,000 project to help unemployed people in deprived areas of Darlington to find work has been launched. The Central Into Work scheme, aimed at out-of-work residents in the Central, North Road, Northgate and Bank Top wards, will be a free service run
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Father denies hiring hitman to kill rival
A FATHER-of-seven accused of hiring a hitman to kill a business rival has taken the stand to deny the charge. Newcastle Crown Court heard how William "Billy Dad" Anderson was arrested along with his son and brother after a shooting in Hetton-le-Hole,
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Cricketers caught out by changing rooms thief
Detectives were studying security camera footage last night after a thief stole £1,500 and credit cards from the England cricket team's changing rooms. The thief struck as the players were practising prior to yesterday's defeat by New Zealand at Durham's
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Young drivers to face curbs over car park menace
POLICE are clamping down on young drivers who are turning a shopping complex car park into a trials track. For some weeks, young drivers have been congregating in the Arnison Centre car park, in Durham, to carry out dangerous night-time manoeuvres. After
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Breakfast club to be launched
Volunteers have joined forces with residents in Blackhall Rocks to provide a breakfast club for schoolchildren. Kasko House, Marine Crescent, will be the venue for the club, which will open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The project has got off the
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Hospice appeal boost
SUPERMARKET area manager John Thompson has turned recording star to raise funds for charity. The 57-year-old, of West Cornforth, is based at North-Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op's headquarters in Gateshead. Over the last few years he has been instrumental
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Keecia leads the way in speed sign design
Keecia Bailey proved she was top of the class in a design competition for her school. Pupils at St Mary's CE Primary School, in Bolton-on-Swale, entered a competition to design a road sign for a 20mph zone in Blenheim Close. The contest was organised
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Curtain up on new company
AN arts and theatre company has launched a community enterprise putting items it has collected over more than a decade to good use. Jack in the Box is a new company that, from September, will hire costumes, props and specialist equipment for use in schools
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'Real world' student gains national recognition
STUDENT Katy Standish's achievements at university have won national recognition. Ms Standish, who lives in Belgium, was awarded a degree in environment and development at a Durham University ceremony yesterday, and earned her a place in the 2004 Real
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Laura and Thea prove doggy paddle's the way forward to fitness
A WOMAN has set up a business to help injured and overweight dogs paddle their way back to strength and fitness. Laura Browne, 25, runs Merrylegs Canine Hydrotherapy Centre, on Thirsk Industrial Estate, North Yorkshire. The centre has a 10ft by 16ft pool
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Projects sought for grant awards
A BOWLING club pavilion and a village shop and post office are among 500 schemes to have received community grants from North Yorkshire County Council. The grants, ranging from £50 to £20,000, are from the council's seven area committees, which aim to
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The school that did do better
The announcement that the North-East would pioneer the country's first "education federation", between two schools with radically different fortunes, was made a year ago. Stuart Mackintosh examines how the experiment has fared. TWO years ago, they were
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BT vows to extend broadband provision
NEARLY all of North Yorkshire will be able to access the Internet using broadband by the end of July next year, BT has pledged. Fifty-four exchanges are to be given broadband connections in the latest stage of investment that has already seen more than
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Young choristers hit the right notes for an evening of song
YOUNG choristers are putting the finishing touches to a challenging programme for an annual concert. Sixty choristers from the Chapel and Senior choirs at Queen Mary's School, near Thirsk, will present a mix of classical and contemporary works, at the
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£800,000 contract to revamp flats
MMP Construction has won an £800,000 refurbishment contract. It will renovate 60 apartments at Hall Farm Flats, in Sunderland. The work follows the company, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, sealing a £1.3m deal to renovate Thorngate Mill, in Barnard
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You're Nicked
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Nick (I'm Too Sexy For My Shirt) Tilsley - a pit of quicksand at the bottom of the garden. So I can't help but shed a tear as he departs Coronation Street (ITV1) again. He hasn't been the same since returning from
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Start-up advice instills artist with business confidence
AN artist who takes inspiration from nature has established her own business. Min Lynn, who recently left the University of Sunderland as a fine arts graduate at the age of 49, was helped in her venture by national business start-up organisation InBiz
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Talks on future of cigarette plant site
NEGOTIATIONS were ongoing last night about the future of Rothmans' North-East factory site after the last cigarette rolled off the production line. The mood was solemn as the machines that have been turning in the region's last cigarette factory for almost
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Mental patients 'danger' warning
A NORTH-EAST secure unit for dangerous psychiatric patients is facing closure - prompting fears about the transportation of patients considered a risk to the public. The Northern Echo has learned NHS officials are considering a plan to close the intensive
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Bid for city radio licence submitted
EFFORTS to give Durham City a commercial radio station took a step forward last night, with the submission of the first formal bid for the licence. Durham Local Radio (DLR) lodged its interest in winning the rights to broadcast to people living within
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N-E grans find the secret of staying young
FORGET the idea of granny knitting in her rocking chair or baking cakes. Modern day grans are far more likely to be watching Pop Idol with their grandchildren or surfing the Internet. A 21st Century Gran survey by Yours magazine found that Britain's grans
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Dad At Large: A place in the pecking order
WE'VE gone all ornithological in our house. Which is just as well, now that the dishwasher is broken and I'm spending more time that ever in front of the kitchen sink, peering out of the window. It's much more than a dishwasher. It's a life support system
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Mayor opens park's new playground
YOUNGSTERS are enjoying a new play area at their local park thanks to a £30,000 grant. The new playground, next to the boating lake in West Park, Newton Aycliffe, was unveiled to parents and children last Friday by the mayor, Maud Gray. She said: "This
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Father denies hiring hitman to kill rival
A FATHER-of-seven accused of hiring a hitman to kill a business rival has taken the stand to deny the charge. Newcastle Crown Court heard how William "Billy Dad" Anderson was arrested along with his son and brother after a shooting in Hetton-le-Hole,
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Whitby on casting couch
HOLLYWOOD film producers yesterday promised to bring a host of A-list stars to the region as they sounded out locations for a movie blockbuster. Lisa Marie Butkiewicz and Steve Delaportas, of Fortitude Films, have spent the past two days in and around
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Assembly would plug the divide
CAMPAIGNERS claimed last night that a North-East assembly could help stem the growth of a widening North- South divide. A report released yesterday by Sheffield University, based on analysis of the 2001 census, found people in the South are still likely
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Partners unite in anti-social crime fight
PROGRESS has been made on tackling anti-social behaviour in Darlington, a conference has been told. But the message from the meeting, held to update an action plan on the issue, was that everyone needs to work together to solve the problem. The meeting
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Exclusive car plates are up for auction
AUCTIONEERS are hoping to tempt some of the region's football stars to bid for distinctive registration plates Hundreds of personalised registrations will go under the hammer at a DVLA auction next week. Some of the 1,600 lots at the auction, at Redworth
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Outdoor show
THE National Trust's touring theatre group will visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire, this weekend. They will perform Sapling's Song, an outdoor performance with music and puppets, for people aged four and over. Performances will be
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Buildings in danger on increase across North
EVEN though there is a record number of historic buildings on the list from the North-East, experts insist their efforts to save the important sites are paying off. The publication of English Heritage's 2004 edition of the Buildings at Risk Register shows
