Archive
-
Date
Health chiefs come under fire for 'out of control' superbugs
Health service chiefs are accused today of sitting on their hands while superbugs ran out of control in hospitals. A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) blames poor working practices in hospitals and a continuing lack of cleanliness and hygiene
-
Date
After the shops, here comes the wildlife and environmental therapy
THE second phase of an ambitious retail and leisure venture was opened yesterday. Fifteen months after Dalton Park opened its shopping malls on land reclaimed from the disused Murton Colliery site, regeneration work has created a parkland of woodlands
-
Date
Girl at centre of test case against epilepsy drug maker
A NORTH-EAST girl is at the centre of a legal test case brought against the manufacturer of a drug treatment for epilepsy. About 140 sufferers who were prescribed Vigabatrim are suing the manufacturer for more than £100,000 each, after claiming the drug
-
Date
6,000 jobs pledged as airport announces major expansion
MAJOR development plans for Teesside International Airport were announced yesterday and are expected to create 6,000 jobs in the region. The multi-million pound transformation will see the airport's terminal more than double in size, passenger numbers
-
Date
Gadfly: Fighting a peculiar prejudice
SHOTTON Colliery parish church celebrated its 150th anniversary last weekend, a lovely occasion which will echo at least as far as Saturday's At Your Service column. The hymns were happily familiar, too - more familiar yet had we not left the order of
-
Date
Handiwork with a message
A SCULPTOR reflecting the decline of heavy industry in the region has been unveiled. Two 6ft stainless steel hands represent those of skilled workers that are no longer required. Ray Lonsdale, of South Hetton, east Durham, has called the piece Lament,
-
Date
Invitation to join Indian trade mission
Businesses are being encouraged to join a trade mission to India. The UK Trade and Investment mission, in October, is looking for ten companies to take part in the trip which will boost exports to one of the world's fastest-growing economies. Trade Missions
-
Date
Mum sobs as she describes alleged rape attack
A MOTHER-OF-THREE broke down in tears yesterday as she told a court a soldier had dragged her off the street and raped her after a night out. The woman, from Darlington, who was five months pregnant at the time of the alleged attack, told Teesside Crown
-
Date
World cinema venture finds an audience
CLASSIC cinema from around the world is helping to pull in film buffs at a city library. Clayport Film Club, based at Durham's new library of the same name, shows quality British and world cinema every fortnight using a high quality digital projector.
-
Date
Inflation reaches 18-month high
GROWTH in the prices of computer games and foreign holidays helped push inflation to an 18-month high, figures showed yesterday. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose to 1.6 per cent last month from 1.5 per cent during May, according to data from the Office
-
Date
Home truths about home rule
FOR the last several years my wife and I have spent our summer holidays in Cornwall. This year we made the same journey but ended up in Kernow. True, this ancient Celtic name for Cornwall didn't greet us on an official sign at the county's border. But
-
Date
Music competition seeks young starts
Top Spot 2004, the singing competition for 11 - 18 year olds is one of the highlights of the summer campaign at the Cleveland Shopping Centre with prizes that money can't buy. The lucky winner will get time in a recording studio, a tour of BBC Radio Cleveland
-
Date
Breast cancer alarm over faulty scanners
MORE than 2,000 women in the North-East and North Yorkshire have been caught up in a breast cancer scare after faulty scanning equipment was withdrawn. Most of the women are being told to book another scan, using different equipment, because of fears
-
Date
Fleming's eyeing up Quakers
FORMER Middlesbrough defender Curtis Fleming last night admitted a permanent move to Darlington would appeal. The 35-year-old is training with Quakers after turning down a one-year deal to remain with Premiership newcomers Crystal Palace as a player-coach
-
Date
Porto to offer Viana escape route
EUROPEAN champions Porto are ready to end Hugo Viana's Newcastle misery by offering the out of favour midfielder a return to his native Portugal. Portuguese sources have confirmed that Porto president Pinto da Costa has held preliminary discussions with
-
Date
Durham in no fit state for Twenty20 glory push
DEPLETED Durham confirmed last night that they are in no condition for the rigours of Twenty20 combat as they again failed to muster a competitive total and lost by four wickets to Derbyshire at Riverside. After three defeats in four games Durham go into
-
Date
Gadfly
SHOTTON Colliery parish church celebrated its 150th anniversary last weekend, a lovely occasion which will echo at least as far as Saturday's At Your Service column. The hymns were happily familiar, too - more familiar yet had we not left the order of
-
Date
Comment from the Northern Echo: Location, location
WE have always taken the view that Durham City is the only feasible option as the home of a North-East regional assembly. Just as York would be the best option for a Yorkshire assembly, Durham has the necessary combination of gravitas, history and strategic
-
Date
How the modern age failed the test
IT is a touch ironic that hospitals in the forefront of modern medical scanning have had to recall patients for old-fashioned x-ray scans. Bosses at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, in County Durham, The Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire
-
Date
Grease, Newcastle Theatre Royal
THE UK's most popular hormone-enhanced musical remains a theatre boss's dream as every seat is snapped up and small children rub shoulders with great grannies to shooby-dooby do-wop to their hearts' content. An ageing beefcake-sized male cast makes us
-
Date
Course promotes healthy living
RESIDENTS of a Darlington estate are getting healthy as part of a four-week community centre course. Maidendale House, which houses the town's only Healthy Living Centre, is running lifestyle sessions to encourage people living on Firthmoor to look after
-
Date
Call to young entrepreneurs
THE Prince's Trust is calling for young entrepreneurs in County Durham to step forward with their business ideas. The organisation's business support programme is helping people aged 18 to 30 by offering low-interest loans and grants to would-be traders
-
Date
Wembley workers jobs are rescued
CLEVELAND Bridge workers facing the axe at Wembley Stadium were celebrating last night after being told their jobs were saved. The stadium's main contractor Multiplex confirmed that a deal had been struck between the North-East engineering firm and the
-
Date
Bus operator must pay damages
A BUS operator was ordered to pay compensation to a woman for damaging her door and window. Paul Thomas Laing, 25, of Brankin Drive, Darlington, appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe, yesterday. Graham Ablett, for Laing, told the court that the
-
Date
Crafts and sports for days of summer holiday fun
CHILDREN can enjoy a wide range of activities during the school summer holidays. Craft sessions are being run at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, and Margrove Heritage Centre, in Boosbeck, near Guisborough. The sessions are free and children must be accompanied
-
Date
Man was 'unwitting helper of burglars'
A MAN who thought he was helping people move house told a court yesterday how he was unwittingly caught up in a burglary. Scott Christopher Hammond, 22, admitted a charge of handling stolen goods when he appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe.
-
Date
Underwear designs help students raise money fir cancer charity
A GROUP of sixth-form students has come up with a new way of raising money for charity. Students from Park View Community Way Sixth Form, in Chester-le-Street, have sold customised underwear to family and friends. The project, for Enterprise Week, has
-
Date
Salon named best in the North
A hair and beauty parlour is flying the flag for Bishop Auckland after being named as the region's best salon. Elite Hair and Beauty won top spot for the Northern region in the Kerastase Signature de Service award. A mystery client visited salons across
-
Date
£250,000 technology suite opens
A PRIMARY school is looking forward to a bright future after a £250,000 transformation that included the creation of a community technology suite. Our Lady and St Thomas RC Primary School, in Willington, has been rededicated and blessed by the Roman Catholic
-
Date
Award for lifeboat rescue helmsman
A LIFEBOATMAN is to receive a national award for the daring rescue of a lifeguard off Saltburn pier. Mark Reeves, 33, who has already earned the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum, one of the highest RNLI awards, for his part in the rescue of lifeguard
-
Date
Cleaner stole from pensioner employer
A CLEANER stole thousands of pounds from a pensioner to pay off debts and support her family. Carol Fowler, 46, was spared jail by a judge who heard that the shame of being identified in newspapers would be a "terrible" punishment for her. Mother-of-three
-
Date
Supermarket shuts for renovation
A supermarket in Stockton is to be renovated and transformed. Sainsbury's recently bought the Whitehouse Farm Safeway in Bishopton Road West. Work will start on refurbishing and rebranding the store today and it is due to reopen on Wednesday, September
-
Date
Groups link up to stamp out crime
TWO groups dedicated to stopping crime and troublemakers in Scarborough town centre are now on the same wavelength. The town's Anti-Theft Group and Pub Watch have integrated their radio systems so members can talk to each other. PC Mark Roberts, community
-
Date
World cinema venture finds an audience
CLASSIC cinema from around the world is helping to pull in film buffs at a city library. Clayport Film Club, based at Durham's new library of the same name, shows quality British and world cinema every fortnight using a high quality digital projector.
-
Date
Exhibitions aim to show science is fun
SCIENTIFIC summer fun is on offer in conjunction with two touring exhibitions at a North-East gallery. One of the displays, Medieval Machines, allows visitors to the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery to explore the operation of inventions and technologies
-
Date
Tenants urged to act over arrears
TENANTS in east Durham who are facing rent arrears are being encouraged to seek help from two agencies. People who have fallen behind with their payments are being invited to seek help from staff at East Durham Homes, which now manages Easington District
-
Date
Legal move in 'duty free' row
THE High Court looks set to decide the fate of an offshore off-licence after customs officers detained thousands of pounds worth of stock. Lawyers acting for marine engineer Phil Berriman are preparing to apply for an interim court injunction forcing
-
Date
MP Vera pitches in to raise cash for research
REDCAR MP Vera Baird swapped the Commons benches for the football pitch yesterday - and scored. The Labour MP also proved her prowess by setting up two other goals in a five-a-side charity match against the England Women's Football Team. With sponsorship
-
Date
Paddling pools shut to follow new rules
THREE paddling pools have been closed while the authority that operates them tries to arrange staff to work at them. Harrogate Borough Council said the closure of the pools in the Valley Gardens, Harrogate, Bebra Gardens, Knaresborough, and Borage Green
-
Date
Cycle track upgrade could attract top riders
High-profile national cycling competitions may be attracted to the region after the completion of £30,000-worth of improvements to a cycle track. The improved 4X, or mountain bike-style, cycle course was opened at the Summerhill activity centre in Hartlepool
-
Date
Plea for new bypass route to be altered
A BUSY bypass will blight the lives of a couple whose dream home is yards from the carriageway, a public inquiry heard yesterday. Andrew and Vera Wilson knew nothing of Durham County Council's plans for the route around West Auckland when they moved to
-
Date
Grateful chef responds with a feast
A YOUNG chef has celebrated a second bite at life by cooking up a treat for the firm that helped him realise his dreams. Jason Lax served up a feast for Benny Higgins, chief executive retail banking of the Royal Bank of Scotland, to thank the firm for
-
Date
Controversial plans available for scrutiny
THE public will be able to inspect £25m plans to regenerate a Teesside estate which could include the demolition of 370 homes. There have already been protests and objections to draft proposals to demolish the homes at an area of the Hardwick estate in
-
Date
Bus-users get TV timetable
A digital television service dedicated to North-East bus timetables is launched today. The scheme will give Sky satellite and Telewest and ntl cable viewers access to a range of public transport information at the press of a remote control button. Tyne
-
Date
Praise from new chief
CLEVELAND Fire Authority's new chief has praised work being done to modernise the service. Councillor Robbie Payne, chairman and executive member for strategic management, said: "I have seen how much work has been done, and know how much is still being
-
Date
Effort to halt cruelty
YOUNGSTERS took part in a event yesterday to raise money to help stop child cruelty. About 30 children, aged up to four, pushed or rode wheeled toys around a circuit at the Sure Start South Centre, in Hartlepool, in a sponsored event to raise funds for
-
Date
Town's £5.7m swimming pool to open in less than a month
THE doors of a swimming pool that has been dogged by delays will finally open this summer. The £5.7m pool at the Louisa Centre, in Front Street, Stanley, will open to the public on Monday, August 9. The facility was to open in spring last year, but suffered
-
Date
Flats scheme for college site
PLANNING officers are recommending that a scheme to build 40 apartments on a former college site in Ripon should be given the go-ahead. The green space site is in the grounds of the former college of Ripon and York St John, off College Road. The planning
-
Date
Was Cook's death really so honourable?
HIS death was the stuff of legend: stabbed in the back as he valiantly tried to stop his men from firing on the islanders of Hawaii. But for 225 years, it seems our perceptions of the glorious demise of Teesside-born Captain James Cook may owe more to
-
Date
Residents fear village urbanisation
CONSERVATIONISTS have warned that the moorland village of Rosedale will be urbanised if a 30mph speed limit is imposed. But they failed to persuade members of North Yorkshire County Council's Ryedale area committee. Anthony Davies told the members, meeting
-
Date
Stadium thrill for Puttnam
UNIVERSITY of Sunderland chancellor and football fan, Lord Puttnam, savoured the atmosphere at the city's football club before carrying out his duties during the institution's academic awards ceremonies. Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light is the venue
-
Date
Crafts and sports for days of summer holiday fun
CHILDREN can enjoy a wide range of activities during the school summer holidays. Craft sessions are being run at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, and Margrove Heritage Centre, in Boosbeck, near Guisborough. The sessions are free and children must be accompanied
-
Date
Exhibitions aim to show science is fun
SCIENTIFIC summer fun is on offer in conjunction with two touring exhibitions at a North-East gallery. One of the displays, Medieval Machines, allows visitors to the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery to explore the operation of inventions and technologies
-
Date
Celtic's Juninho option
MIDDLESBROUGH'S Juninho is only one of a number of names on Celtic's summer hit-list as the Scottish champions seek a creative spark for the new season. Bhoys boss Martin O'Neill has already been thwarted in his attempts to sign three players capable
-
Date
Manufacturing jobs at lowest level ever
The jobless total has risen slightly and manufacturing jobs are at the lowest level since records began, figures from the Office for National Statistics showed yesterday. Jobs in manufacturing continue to fall and are down by 106,000 in the last three
-
Date
Calls for M&S to open its books
Tycoon Philip Green has raised the stakes ahead of Marks & Spencer's annual meeting today by revealing more shareholder support for his bid to gain access to the company's accounts. Mr Green said in a statement to the Stock Exchange yesterday that
-
Date
Government urged to help new farmers
The 146th Great Yorkshire Show opened yesterday and the crowds gathered to enjoy a day in the sun on the sprawling showground at Harrogate. With nearly 1,000 competitive entries, the event is set to be one of the most successful yet, and about 125,000
-
Date
Drivers get car crime message
A STRONG message is being sent out in the hope of clamping down on car crime in hot spots surrounding Darlington town centre. Bright yellow signs are being put up in about 20 streets this week warning motorists not to leave valuables on display for opportunist
-
Date
Con artists try to catch out holidaymakers
A team of Continental con-men have been making life a misery for holidaymakers - after they return from their break in the sun. Coming home to a waiting mountain of mail, they have discovered some unwanted surprises lurking among the letters. For the
-
Date
The nature of power and greed
Youngsters from Harrogate Youth Theatre are performing The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, by Bertolt Brecht, at the town's theatre. The play is a parable of Hitler's rise to power, taking a dark, witty and sometimes savage look at the nature of power,
-
Date
Cash boost for museum makeover
PLANS to transform a railway museum into one of the region's leading attractions took a step forward last night. Council chiefs are preparing a bid for a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant that would revitalise Darlington Railway Centre and Museum. It
-
Date
A bumpkin's guide to the city
The new countryside code may be all very well but what about a guide to the urban jungle? SO now we have a countryside code, so that townies know how to behave now they've got the right to roam. Jolly good. Shut gates, pick up litter, don't disturb the
-
Date
New laws expected to tackle rip-off merchants
NEW powers to outlaw doorstep conmen are expected to be announced by the Government today - seven months after the launch of a major campaign by The Northern Echo. The Doostoppers campaign demanded a ban on cold calling by rip-off merchants offering to
-
Date
More flights announced by low-cost airline
LOW-cost airline easyJet last night announced new routes to Eastern Europe, including daily flights between Newcastle and the Hungarian capital, Budapest. A total of six routes are being added to the easyJet network in Eastern Europe, including flights
-
Date
Breast cancer alarm over faulty scanners
MORE than 2,000 women in the North-East and North Yorkshire have been caught up in a breast cancer scare after faulty scanning equipment was withdrawn. Most of the women have been told to book another scan using different equipment because of fears that
-
Date
Yorkshire fear Flintoff in must-win war of the Roses
Yorkshire Phoenix will today work on plans to curb Andy Flintoff's spectacular hitting ahead of this evening's Twenty20 Roses clash at Headingley which Yorkshire must win to stand a chance of making the quarter-final draw. As well as Lancashire Lightning
-
Date
The Lifeblood Appeal
As part of The Northern Echo's Lifeblood campaign to encourage more people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions: Tomorrow King James I College, South Church Road, Bishop Auckland 2.45pm-7pm Brunswick Methodist Church, Brunswick
-
Date
Myhre in talks
SUNDERLAND goalkeeper Thomas Myhre is negotiating a move away from the Stadium of Light while his current team-mates prepare to open their pre-season campaign in North Carolina tonight. The Norwegian international was not part of the Black Cats squad
-
Date
Career switch puts icing on the cake for sugarcraft expert
A MOTHER changed her job with Durham Constabulary for something more creative and has not looked back since. Three months ago Christine Robinson, from Westerton Close, Binchester Moor, Spennymoor, launched a small business making and decorating cakes
-
Date
Bird sculpture is unveiled
A sculpture inspired by birds in flight was installed in a Stockton park yesterday. The artist William Pym created the sculpture entitled Three Way, which can be seen at Tilery Park, near Norton School and Albany Bridge. The sculpture, which is made out
-
Date
No more lazy summers for students
ACCORDING to a report, students no longer spend the summer holidays lazing around and sunning themselves. Supermarket Tesco said it employed 29,000 students, a 55 per cent increase on four years ago, mainly in their home town stores. When study and revision
-
Date
North-East recruits fewer graduates
THE region is generating only 2.6 per cent of graduate jobs, compared with 40 per cent in London, a survey of blue-chip companies showed last night. The figure means the region is recruiting the lowest number of graduates in England. London and the South-East
-
Date
Raising a glass to pioneer of temperance
A COUPLE of centuries ago, the North-East was awash with drink. Bairns were pumped full of booze at social events; doctors freely prescribed alcoholic liquors to patients suffering headaches and stomach upsets, and society regarded attaining the condition
-
Date
Flying filly to run rivals ragged
WENDY'S GIRL has the speed to run her rivals ragged in the five-furlong Richmond Suite Handicap at Catterick. Trainer Bobby Elliot has his flying filly in peak form at present, drubbing the opposition on her latest visit to the track seven days ago when
-
Date
Bus-users get TV timetable
A digital television service dedicated to North-East bus timetables is launched today. The scheme will give Sky satellite and Telewest and ntl cable viewers access to a range of public transport information at the press of a remote control button. Tyne
-
Date
Venue backs the Vipers
THE top ice hockey team in the region has signed a sponsorship deal with The Gate, in Newcastle. For the second successive season, the leisure and entertainment venue will sponsor the Newcastle Vipers, who will wear The Gate's logo on their helmets. The
-
Date
Police apply to confiscate Reynold's money
Detectives investigating George Reynolds have applied to court to permanently confiscate £1/2m which they seized from his car last month. Magistrates sitting in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, were due to hear the application this afternoon but the case
-
Date
Plea over missing teenager
POLICE have issued a fresh appeal to trace a missing teenager. Sabrina Dean went missing from her home in Wallsend, North Tyneside, on Tuesday, June 29. There have been a number of unconfirmed sightings of the 15-year-old in Sunderland. She is described
-
Date
Echo Memories: Raising a glass to pioneer of temperance
A COUPLE of centuries ago, the North-East was awash with drink. Bairns were pumped full of booze at social events; doctors freely prescribed alcoholic liquors to patients suffering headaches and stomach upsets, and society regarded attaining the condition
-
Date
New railway 'a link to jobs, tourism, learning and fun'
BUSINESS leaders and regeneration experts are backing the country's newest tourist railway which could create jobs and put millions into a rural economy. Consultants estimate the Weardale Railway, which opens in County Durham at the weekend, could attract
-
Date
Fire brigade faces budget cuts next year
COUNTY Durham's fire brigade could face budget cuts next year after falling foul of the Government over its council tax increase. The County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service will not be capped this year for breaking the Government's order
-
Date
Thief who targeted rail passengers spared jail
A THIEF who stole luggage from passengers waiting at Darlington station has been spared a custodial sentence. Magistrates at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court sentenced David Christopher Boyes, to 200 hours community service yesterday after he pleaded
-
Date
Darlington Borough Council
The following items were discussed by Darlington Borough Council's Cabinet last night: SITE REFURBISHMENT: Members agreed to release £312,210 of funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for improvements to the Honeypot Lane caravan site. The
-
Date
Handiwork with a message
A SCULPTOR reflecting the decline of heavy industry in the region has been unveiled. Two 6ft stainless steel hands represent those of skilled workers that are no longer required. Ray Lonsdale, of South Hetton, east Durham, has called the piece Lament,
-
Date
Man was 'unwitting helper of burglars'
A MAN who thought he was helping people move house told a court yesterday how he was unwittingly caught up in a burglary. Scott Christopher Hammond, 22, admitted a charge of handling stolen goods when he appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe.
-
Date
Schools mark last days
TWO schools in Darlington close this week and staff, parents and children have chosen their own way to mark the end of an era. Eastbourne Nursery School, in Belgrave Street, shuts today after 58 years. From September, many of the children and some staff
-
Date
Licence decision deferred
AN application for an operator's licence for a waste transfer station has been deferred. The Environment Agency had to make a decision by the end of last week about whether to issue a licence for the transfer station at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle
-
Date
Action pledge to stop carnival disturbances
POLICE have said they will work with organisers of a village carnival to prevent disturbances breaking out at next year's event. At Staindrop carnival on Saturday, police were called to a small disturbance outside one of the village's pubs at about 5pm
-
Date
Help for threatened species
Schemes to protect some of the region's most threatened species and habitats are under way. The Durham Biodiversity Partnership has appointed Andy Lees as its project officer for County Durham, Darlington, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland. He
-
Date
Entertainer is cleared of rape
An entertainer accused of raping a teenager was cleared of the charge yesterday. Tony Kelly, 37, was accused of raping the girl, who is under 16, at the seafront in Seaburn, near Sunderland, on February 28, this year. After a not guilty plea was entered
-
Date
Entries sought for gardens contest
BARNARD Castle Town Council is inviting entries for its sixth annual garden competition. This year the council has added a fourth category - Hanging Baskets, Tubs and Window Boxes, which is open to householders and businesses. The other categories are
-
Date
Tomlinson not ready to give up on dream
CHRIS Tomlinson is confident he will be on the plane to Athens this summer despite being left in limbo following the announcement of the preliminary athletics squad for this summer's Olympic Games. The Stockton-based long jumper has been given one more
-
Date
£500 donation for fall detectors
A HOUSING association has been given £500 to buy fall detectors for its elderly residents. Northallerton Lady Lionesses made the donation to Broadacres Housing Association after hearing of Hambleton Lifeline's plans to introduce the detectors for customers
-
Date
Man had stash of amphetamine
A MAN caught with £4,000 of amphetamine walked free from court yesterday. Mark Townsley, 30, ran from his home in Aldbrough Street, South Shields, South Tyneside, as police forced their way in and was seen throwing a package into a nearby garden. At Newcastle
-
Date
Cash boost to preserve grasslands
A PROJECT to conserve one of the most rare habitats in the world has received a £5,000 boost. East Durham has about 70 per cent of the world's remaining magnesian limestone deposits. The soil supported by the limestone provides a unique habitat for species
-
Date
Diving back Down Under after 27 years
SWIMMING coach Dave Smith has returned to his native Australia - 27 years after coming to Britain for a 12-month working holiday. He has left Thirsk Swimming Club to return to his Australian roots and family - and the country he swam for in the 1956 Olympic
-
Date
Awards honour young achievers
OLYMPIC gold medallist Tessa Sanderson was the guest yesterday at the launch of awards recognising learning achievements. The Tees Valley Celebration of Learning Awards 2004, which honour the achievements of some of Tees Valley's most outstanding youngsters
-
Date
Flagship project expected to run £56,000 over budget
WORK on a flagship business development has gone over budget by more than £56,000 after encountering a series of problems. Officers at Hambleton District Council are predicting that another £18,000 will be needed before the project, at Stokesley Industrial
-
Date
A bumpkin's guide to the city
The new countryside code may be all very well but what about a guide to the urban jungle? SO now we have a countryside code, so that townies know how to behave now they've got the right to roam. Jolly good. Shut gates, pick up litter, don't disturb the
-
Date
Fighting a peculiar prejudice
SHOTTON Colliery parish church celebrated its 150th anniversary last weekend, a lovely occasion which will echo at least as far as Saturday's At Your Service column. The hymns were happily familiar, too - more familiar yet had we not left the order of
-
Date
Lisa takes sales straight to public
WHEN Lisa Green had trouble setting up a shop, she decided to take her stock straight to customers. Mrs Green, 37, had planned to open a fashion outlet in Consett, County Durham, but finding the right building at the right price proved impossible. As
-
Date
Full of praise for German placement
A STUDENT with cerebral palsy has successfully completed work experience in Germany during her first trip away without her parents. Emma Briggs, from Prior Pursglove Sixth Form College, in Guisborough, recently returned from Troisforf, near Bonn, and
-
Date
Downing Street date for gymnasts
TWO boys who came second in the acrobatic gymnastics world championships are to meet the Prime Minister. Luke Rooney and Richard Hurst, from County Durham, flew the Union Flag at the recent under-17 event in Lievan, France, where they competed in the
-
Date
Help for threatened species
Schemes to protect some of the region's most threatened species and habitats are under way. The Durham Biodiversity Partnership has appointed Andy Lees as its project officer for County Durham, Darlington, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland. He
-
Date
Industry needs to focus on quality
YORKSHIRE and the North-East are about to experience the worst and the best effects of the revolutions facing farming, an industry leader said yesterday. Common Agricultural Policy reforms, which come into force in January, lie at the heart of the challenges
-
Date
Church on amenity awards shortlist
A METHODIST church has been shortlisted for a national award to be presented in London in October. Marske-by-the-Sea Methodist Church, in Marske, near Redcar, has fought off stiff competition to get through to the final round of Biffaward Awards 2004
-
Date
Clouds and silver linings spring to mind...
On a fine July evening in Tow Law - perishing cold, black as your hat but not exactly raining until the final whistle went - football folk gathered on Friday evening in affectionate memory of John Noddings. Precisely a year earlier, John - a Northern
-
Date
Barron back in business
MICKY Barron is over his injury problems and should be back in action tonight, as Hartlepool United's pre-season programme gets underway. Barron suffered as the season was in its final stages, missing games with a hernia problem which required surgery
-
Date
Gulf war veteran's big effort wins many young friends
AN Army sergeant went back to school yesterday to hand over the proceeds of a gruelling fundraising marathon. Pete Fyfe, a staff sergeant at the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate, ran 41 miles in six hours to raise money for the town's New Park Primary
-
Date
Career goes full circle
TEACHER Anne Webb saw a familiar face from the past as she prepared to retire after 34 years at a Darlington school. Mrs Webb taught Garry Inglis when she first started at Heathfield Primary School - and her career is ending with his eight-year-son Bradley
-
Date
Region to get share of regeneration millions
A MULTI-million pound government scheme to bulldoze and rebuild homes no-one wants to buy is heading for the Tees Valley, as part of a £1.3bn spending spree. The flagship Pathfinder project is already pumping £69m into Newcastle and Gateshead, one of
-
Date
Animal sanctuary saved
A VETERINARY nurse has won the fight to save her home and animal sanctuary. Wendy Lacy had twice been refused retrospective permission to keep her caravan home and animal sanctuary. But a Government inspector has ruled against Stockton Borough Council
-
Date
More flights announced by low-cost airline
LOW-cost airline easyJet last night announced new routes to Eastern Europe, including daily flights between Newcastle and the Hungarian capital, Budapest. A total of six routes are being added to the easyJet network in Eastern Europe, including flights
-
Date
Mother accused of cruelty to baby
A WOMAN appeared in court yesterday charged with cruelty to her newborn baby who is fighting for his life. Lynsey Margaret Mandry's three-week-old son, Joshua Cool, remained heavily sedated in hospital yesterday. Ms Mandry, 20, appeared at Hartlepool
-
Date
TV review
Rudest Home Videos (ITV1) Get A New Life (BBC2) AT the start of Rudest Home Videos, a statement warned of rude pictures and crude language. We should also have been alerted that this was as low as a programme can go. If you thought that You've Been Framed
-
Date
Warne equals Muttiah's Test record
Dogged Sri Lankan resistance and bad light denied Shane Warne the chance to become the leading wicket-taker in Test history as Australia completed a 1-0 series win amid dramatic scenes in Cairns yesterday. Warne drew level with Muttiah Muralitharan's
-
Date
Nurse's success earns £15,000 for hospital
A nurse has earned £15,000 for the hospital where she works after winning a top NHS award. Clare Westwood, 32, of Sedgefield, was named Nurse of the Year in the outstanding achievement category of the NHS Health and Social Care Awards. The prize of £15,000
-
Date
Was Cook's death really so honourable?
HIS death was the stuff of legend: stabbed in the back as he valiantly tried to stop his men from firing on the islanders of Hawaii. But for 225 years, it seems our perceptions of the glorious demise of Teesside-born Captain James Cook may owe more to
-
Date
Sharon Griffiths writes...
SO now we have a countryside code, so that townies know how to behave now they've got the right to roam. Jolly good. Shut gates, pick up litter, don't disturb the animals, all that sort of thing. But what about when the country comes to town? Maybe we
-
Date
Father vows to fight on after care trust demo
A GRIEF-STRICKEN father vowed to continue his fight against a North-East care facility last night after staging a protest outside its gates. Ken Doyle, 63, blames the Camphill Village Trust, which runs the Larchfield Community, in Middlesbrough, for the
-
Date
Cash boost to preserve grasslands
A PROJECT to conserve one of the most rare habitats in the world has received a £5,000 boost. East Durham has about 70 per cent of the world's remaining magnesian limestone deposits. The soil supported by the limestone provides a unique habitat for species
-
Date
Olympic gold still on cards for Lewis
UK Athletics supremo Max Jones last night backed Denise Lewis to overcome her latest injury setback and defend her Olympic heptathlon crown in Athens next month. Lewis aggravated a long-standing foot problem in the long jump at the British trials in Manchester
-
Date
Small plans' big boost
WORK is under way on a programme to breathe new life into even the smallest of communities in County Durham. The County Durham Urban and Rural Renaissance Initiative was launched last year to pump around £20m into improving the physical environment of
-
Date
14/07/04
FATHERS 4 JUSTICE: I REALLY must write in protest against your attack on the Fathers 4 Justice demonstration at Teesside Crown Court (Echo, July 10). As a paternal grandparent, I have seen over the last four years the family court system in action with
-
Date
Cabbies celebrate landmark ruling over driving test
TAXI drivers were celebrating last night when a cabbie won a landmark court hearing after a long-running battle with a council over the introduction of a controversial test. Malcolm Kaye won an appeal against Darlington Borough Council's decision not
-
Date
A dishonourable practice?
Knighthoods should be scrapped and the Order of the British Empire renamed, according to a report published yesterday. Nick Morrison looks at claims that the honours system is outdated and needs a radical overhaul. WHAT do Trevor Brooking, Jilly Cooper
-
Date
Car thief kidnapped mum and daughter
A THIEF who stole a car with a mother and daughter sitting inside was jailed for four years yesterday. Michael Carter, 22, jumped into the parked Ford Escort where Clare Henderson and her 12-year-old daughter, Carly, were waiting outside a shop. Ms Henderson
-
Date
Reforming addict is spared jail
A REFORMING drug addict avoided jail after a judge heard he was helping others cope with their addictions. Lee Winship, 27, was told he had come perilously close to prison after attacking a woman in a health centre. He attacked the woman as she attended
-
Date
Schoolgirl wins TV contest
AN 11-year-old inventor has won a national television competition for a device she designed to pick up dog dirt. Nicole Bell, of Darlington, was so embarrassed to carry around bags containing dirt from Yorkshire terriers Rosie and Mitzy that she invented
-
Date
Durham City backed for regional assembly home
COUNCIL chiefs from across the North-East last night joined forces to overwhelmingly back Durham City as the best home for a new regional assembly. Leaders of local authorities identified Durham as their preferred choice at a meeting held by Yes campaigners
-
Date
Flying filly to run rivals ragged
WENDY'S GIRL has the speed to run her rivals ragged in the five-furlong Richmond Suite Handicap at Catterick. Trainer Bobby Elliot has his flying filly in peak form at present, drubbing the opposition on her latest visit to the track seven days ago when
-
Date
Not so much rude as rubbish
Rudest Home Videos (ITV1); Get A New Life (BBC2): AT the start of Rudest Home Videos, a statement warned of rude pictures and crude language. We should also have been alerted that this was as low as a programme can go. If you thought that You've Been
