Archive
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Burton's Bytes: Zombie stomping Samaurai-style
ONIMUSHA 3: DEMON SIEGE. Publisher: Capcom. Format: PS2. Price: £34.99. On sale now: TAKE the original zombie stomping Omnimusha formula, update the locale from medieval Japan to present-day France, throw in a bit of Ronin-inspired action and you have
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Thousands flock to county show
THOUSANDS of people converged on the Durham County Show at the weekend. Rain and muddy fields resulted in a fall in the attendance at Herrington Country Park, Penshaw, near Sunderland, on Saturday, but the crowd numbers were boosted when the sun came
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Army base death toll revelation
NORTH Yorkshire Police has investigated eight sudden deaths at Europe's biggest Army base over the past five years, it has been revealed. Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said none of the deaths at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire had been referred
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Police renew appeal in pub murder case
Police hunting the killer of a pensioner slain in a pub shooting have renewed their appeal for information. Grandfather Fred Fowler, 72, was murdered in a shooting at the Tap and Barrel pub in Salem Street, Hendon, Sunderland, last Sunday night. A 19-
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Arriva buys Danish bus operator
Transport group Arriva has strengthened its position on the Continent with a £10.3m deal for a Danish bus operator. The Sunderland plc, which operates more than 6,000 buses and two rail franchises in the UK, acquired Wulff Bus A/S. Wulff operates city
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Tim Wellock's World
RAY Parlour's wife won't be having a wager following her husband's pay cut in moving to Middlesbrough, but my gut feeling is that Boro will finish above Newcastle. Having observed that the last campaign was a season too far for Sir Bobby Robson, I believe
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Steam locomotive 'without parallel' is coming home
RAILWAY enthusiasts are waiting with baited breath for one of the industry's greatest treasures to return home. Sans Pareil, which was built by North-East rail pioneer Timothy Hackworth, will next week return to the town where it was created, to take
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Wellock's World: A season too far
RAY Parlour's wife won't be having a wager following her husband's pay cut in moving to Middlesbrough, but my gut feeling is that Boro will finish above Newcastle. Having observed that the last campaign was a season too far for Sir Bobby Robson, I believe
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A return to the Croft glory days could be on the cards
ONCE upon a time the Croft Spa Hotel just south of Darlington on the road to Northallerton was famous, famous for being a traditional coaching inn renowned for its quality food and as a top-notch venue for weddings, dances and other functions. It was
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Sunlight caused death of driver
A CORONER yesterday recorded a verdict of accidental death on a pub manager killed in a car crash on the A1. The inquest at Alnwick heard that Sean Meecham, 30, was travelling north on the A1 at the Highlaws junction, north of Morpeth, Northumberland,
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Lifelong love of painting culminates in exhibition
AN exhibition of stunning watercolours by a retired headteacher has gone on show in Easington Village. It is the fourth exhibition of work by Ken Charlton, who was born in Shotton Colliery and now lives with his wife in Billingham. Displayed in the Long
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Motorist spared ban despite 12-point total
A DRIVER was spared a ban after amassing 12 penalty points on his licence. Magistrates yesterday fined Adrian John Bishop, 35, of Oakwood Drive, Darlington, £100 after he admitted ignoring double-white lines on the A66. His licence was also endorsed with
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Cabbie successful in bid to get back on the road
A TAXI driver who reached speeds of 92mph when making a run to hospital was granted a licence yesterday. Malcolm Penn, of Melsonby Crescent, Darlington, had his Hackney carriage driver licence revoked in April after he decided he did not want to drive
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Fundraisers aid leukaemia research
A CHEQUE for £4,000 has been presented to a leukaemia charity by members of a Darlington ladies' club. Darlington Lioness Club donated the money in aid of the Leukaemia Research Fund to Professor Andy Hall, of Newcastle University, at their annual handover
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Graduate honoured with award
A GRADUATE has won a national award in an examination for taxation professionals. Liz Rees, 24, from Hurworth, was one of nearly 500 people from across the country who entered this year's Association of Taxation Technicians examinations. She was awarded
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Tree cut down to improve security after bat search
THE vision of a village's security camera system blinded by bats after it was put next to a tree with a suspected roost has been restored. Workers yesterday cut the tree down after experts established there were no bats in its branches. Plans to fell
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Greyhound track gets beer award
THE bar at a dog track has become the toast of real ale enthusiasts. Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium, at Birtley, near Gateshead, has been given the club of the year award by the Durham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra). The bar began stocking
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Warning to cemetery vandals
COUNCIL staff have vowed to help police find and prosecute vandals who have launched a second attack on a local cemetery in a week. The second attack on the Stonefall cemetery, in Harrogate, has angered and upset families, councillors and parks staff.
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Young players rewarded at rugby skills camp
BUDDING rugby league players earned Bronze Skills Awards at a three-day training camp in Bishop Auckland this week. The town's rugby club hosted a summer holiday activity scheme organised through a partnership between the Rugby Football League, Durham
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Public meeting called to discuss plans for quarry
A PUBLIC meeting will be held next week to discuss plans to re-open a quarry in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A number of residents of Middleton-in-Teesdale and the surrounding area are worried about plans by Strathmore Estates to re-open Crossthwaite
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Job fears ease as quango scrapped
AN NHS quango that employs more than 3,000 people in the region is to be abolished. The Prescriptions Pricing Authority (PPA), in Newcastle, is to be axed by Health Secretary John Reid as part of reforms designed to save at least £500m. The PPA, which
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Changes to reduce accidents at toll road
SIGNS are being altered at the approach to a toll-road paypoint that claimed its 112th damaged vehicle yesterday. Durham County Council prides itself on pioneering the country's award-winning first toll-road, which has drastically reduced traffic on the
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Students harness power of the sun to help developing countries
STUDENTS celebrated a college technology day by making solar stills to show how to produce clean drinking water for developing countries. The stills, which are powered by the sun, turn polluted water or seawater into clean drinking water for emergency
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Probe into E.coli outbreak completed
HEALTH officials have completed their investigation into the E.coli outbreak that left 11 people ill. They say tests have "strengthened the link" with cold cooked meats sold by a butcher's shop in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, that closed voluntarily
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'RAF plans will not lead to base closure'
THE end of Tornado fighters at RAF Leeming as part of a shake-up to the UK's Armed Forces does not mean the base will close, the station's commander has said. Both RAF Leeming's Tornado F3 squadrons will go by 2008, along with 20,000 jobs across the military
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Wildlife champion brings field of expertise to natural 'treasures'
A WILDLIFE champion has been appointed to preserve and protect vulnerable species in the North-East. Andy Lees has taken up a new post created by the Durham Biodiversity Partnership, which includes local authorities and environmental groups across the
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'One-off' event that started a tradition
The first Sunderland International Airshow was in 1989 as part of the River Wear Festival, a six-week summer programme. Held at Seaburn, the first airshow took place on the Sunday afternoon only. It was meant to be a one-off display, but police estimated
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Macaw is sighted on the loose
SIGHTINGS of an exotic visitor to the Yorkshire Dales have been reported. A large blue, green and red bird, believed to be a macaw, has been spotted on numerous occasions in Wensleydale over the past fortnight. Steven Scott, 26, of Leyburn, saw the bird
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Police warning over sale of security alarms
POLICE and trading standards officers are warning residents to be on their guard against unsolicited calls from companies selling alarms. They say that representatives from the firms claim that the police will not respond to an ordinary alarm, but that
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It's eyes down again after bingo club revamp
COMMUNITY groups and bingo players will be able to enjoy better facilities at a Redcar club after a £67,000 cash boost. Four keen bingo players were guests of honour at the re-opening of the town's 9-0 Club in West Dyke Road this week. The women - Pamela
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Microchip mystery of dog left at shelter
THE Hope animal shelter, which needs to raise funds to expand, is looking for the owner of a microchipped dog. Tarki, believed to be aged about four, was dumped in the yard of the sanctuary at Loftus, near Saltburn, and all attempts by volunteers to find
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Clean-up team target beach front areas
A CHEWING gum clearance squad is targeting a high street this week in an attempt to improve beachfront areas over the summer. A team of six workers - a woman and five men - who cleared up the streets of Saltburn last week, have been starting work at 6am
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Batty event at the seaside
A batty event will be held on Tuesday at Saltburn Woodlands Centre. There will be a craft session from 1pm to 3pm with activities, puzzles and games, all with a bat theme. From 8.30pm to 10pm, there will be a bat workshop where people can meet Dave the
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Learn and take walk on the wild side
DURHAM Wildlife Trust's new season of adult education activities are about to begin at Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre, in Houghton, and Low Barns Centre, in Witton-le-Wear. The Never Too Late project is a series of walks and talks for the over-18s when
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City prepares for dancing and music
TRADITIONAL dancers and musicians will congregate in Durham for the city's annual folk party this weekend. The 15th party features a series of concerts, impromptu pub performances and open-air displays at venues across the city centre from today until
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Gardeners urged to lend support for revived show
GARDENERS are being urged to enter the revived Durham Autumn Horticultural Show in September. The new committee that has stepped in to save the event, also known as the Garden Produce Show, is looking for entries. Schedules will be available in the next
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Bid to create concrete site gets backing
PLANS have been submitted to convert a former pig farm near Lightwater Valley theme park into a concrete manufacturing plant. Lightwater Farms Limited submitted the plans to North Yorkshire County Council for the site at Potgate Farm, North Stainley.
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Rural fund on offer to residents
RURAL communities in the North York Moors National Park are being urged to use a fund that has aided projects in the area by almost £2.4m. The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) was launched by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael in the park in November
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Tag sheep properly or face ID burden
SHEEP producers have been urged to ensure all their stock are correctly identified this season. If they are not, warns the English Beef and Lamb Executive, double-tagging of all breeding sheep in England could become a reality next year. Defra is seeking
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TV review
This World: The Real Bangkok Hilton (BBC2) MICHAEL Connell knows to his cost the dangers of drug smuggling. The 20-year-old Manchester lad was caught at the airport entering Thailand with 3,000 E tablets in his bag. As he sat in the customs office waiting
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Brass band launches a summer of music
A SUMMER of free open-air concerts will start this weekend in Richmondshire. Reeth Brass Band will launch the first of eight events when they play at Catterick Cricket Field from 3pm on Sunday. Event spokeswoman Christel Kibbat said: "These popular concerts
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Ceremony to honour club legend Ron
PLANS for a ceremony to honour former Darlington Football Club player Ron Greener were continuing yesterday. The Quakers are preparing for the event to rename the Neasham Road stadium's Presidential Lounge the Ron Greener Suite. The ceremony, on Tuesday
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Capita shakes off problems to record promising trading
OUTSOURCING specialist Capita Group shook off a number of problems to record healthy half-year profits. The company said difficulties with its flagship London congestion charge contract had failed to take the shine off a promising trading period. Capita
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Upper dales are among the 'most deprived' areas in the land
PARTS of the upper dales are among the most deprived in the country, according to a Government report. Four of the five wards in North Yorkshire's upper dales division are among the 41 most deprived in the UK's 32,000 council wards. The fifth - Hawes
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County shows visitors the best in grassland farming
LIVESTOCK farmers from across Britain visited North Yorkshire last week to see the very best in grassland farming. Organised by the grassland societies operating within the county, together with Whitby Discussion Group, Yorkshire was the venue for this
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Pupils shape up vision of the future
BUDDING architects of the future are presenting their own 3D cityscape visions - in the same week that £500m plans to reshape their own town are unveiled. More than 100 seven to 11-year-olds have been designing their own metropolis. Pupils at Archibald
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Former Quakers' stalwart to be honoured
THE achievements of the only player to make more than 500 appearances for Darlington Football Club will be honoured on Tuesday. Ron Greener, will be guest of honour when the club officially re-names one of its largest conferencing facilities in memory
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Getting to the bottom of that iceberg
Therapist Lesley Broadhead uses a range of unusual techniques to help her clients improve their lives. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. ON the wall of Lesley Broadhead's office is a picture of an iceberg. The tip is visible above the surface but
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Freemasons help people in pain
Durham mayor Mary Hawgood is backing a charity that helps people who have to endure pain throughout their lives. Coun Hawgood accepted £500 from the Freemasons of Durham on Tuesday on behalf of Campain. The money will be used to set up a helpline and
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A season too far
RAY Parlour's wife won't be having a wager following her husband's pay cut in moving to Middlesbrough, but my gut feeling is that Boro will finish above Newcastle. Having observed that the last campaign was a season too far for Sir Bobby Robson, I believe
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Ambulance staff call off strike
Around 450 emergency staff in the North-East today called off industrial action. The workforce at North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust, which includes paramedics and other front-line staff, were in dispute over meal breaks. The industrial action included
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Sex attacker was kicked to death, jury told
AN attacker kicked to death and strangled a paedophile pensioner because he 'deserved it,' a court was told this week. Arnold Hartley, who had served a jail sentence for sex attacks on children, was already a regular target for vigilante attacks when
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The Mona Lisa of Teesside
WHAT would happen if The Louvre agreed to lend Middlesbrough the Mona Lisa? I suspect the area would enjoy a Renaissance to match that of Tuscany 500 years ago. Millions would flock to the Tees Valley, every hotel and restaurant would be booked up and
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Dunlop calls on Quinn to bring home the Goose
LEADING freelance jockey Richard Quinn has been trusted with the job of steering Snow Goose (3.50) to victory in Ascot's one-mile Listed Valiant Stakes. Trainer John Dunlop was forced to change the riding arrangements for his filly at the start of the
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Exploring why one man's town is often another man's village
A RECENT survey has shown that city dwellers, particularly those with high salaries, are moving out of their urban homes to live in the countryside. There is nothing new in this, of course. For many years, people have been living in rural areas and commuting
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Davies hits landmark, then suffers
AS Durham were left more firmly rooted to the bottom of the table yesterday, Mark Davies became the first bowler to take 50 championship wickets in a season for the county for four years. To add to the overall woes, however, he then departed with a side
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Big Live Gig 2004, Jersey Farm, Barnard Castle
THE BIG LIVE GIG, organised by Teesdale Community Resources, went bigger this year by becoming a day-long outdoor event. Now into its fifth year, it showcases bands and acts developed at the TCR music facility in Barnard Castle, entertaining audiences
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Too dangerous, toll victim says
A COMPANY boss whose car suffered £6,500 damage when it was hit by Durham City's toll road bollard has branded the system dangerous. Nichol de Casanove, managing director of a software company in Hertfordshire, fell foul of the bollard that rises from
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Too dangerous, toll victim says
A COMPANY boss whose car suffered £6,500 damage when it was hit by Durham City's toll road bollard has branded the system dangerous. Nichol de Casanove, managing director of a software company in Hertfordshire, fell foul of the bollard that rises from
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End of an era at fire station
MONDAY sees the end of an era when the last Darlington county borough firefighter retires. Jeff Ashton, 55, of Milton Street, Darlington, joined the town's fire brigade in 1973 as a junior officer. He was the last county borough firefighter to join because
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Musical headteacher bows out
A SCHOOL hit the right note with its musical head who is retiring after 25 years in the top job. Roly Metcalf, 59, who is leaving Pittington Primary School, where he was also deputy head for two years, was presented with a Roland keyboard and a watch.
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Don't risk losing out on new payments
FARMERS have been warned they have only days to respond to the latest stage of the new farm subsidy review. If they don't, they risk losing out when the scheme is introduced later in the year, warns Hugh Fell of George F White's specialist agricultural
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Second murder suspect arrested
DETECTIVES investigating the killing of a North-East pensioner, who was shot as he had a drink at his local, yesterday arrested a second man on suspicion of murder. Fred Fowler, 72, was an innocent victim of the shooting, at the Tap and Barrel pub, in
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Barnes heroics put Northallerton back in front
GUISBOROUGH welcome the return of David Towse as they attempt to quickly recover from last Saturday's defeat when they meet Darlington RA at Fountains Garth tomorrow. Towse has been sorely missed recently, but he was back to lead Guisborough to victory
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Hard work, no pay ... and he stayed 26 years
TRIBUTES have been paid to a founding parent of Yarm School and its longest serving chairman of governors who retired at the end of term. Donald Blakeley had been associated with Yarm School as parent, trustee and governor since 1978. One of his last
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Dismay as hearing adjourned
A HEARING to determine whether detectives can permanently hold £500,000 confiscated from George Reynolds' car was adjourned yesterday. The former Quakers chairman attended Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court, in County Durham, with his legal team to contest
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Mayor's attack on 'divorced' Prime Minister
A MAYOR in Tony Blair's County Durham constituency has sparked a political row after branding the Prime Minister out of touch with local problems. Jim Wayman, the independent Mayor of Sedgefield Town Council, accused Mr Blair of ignoring the issues which
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Tykes pummelled by Somerset's Scarborough assault
Yorkshire were subjected to a violent assault from Somerset at Scarborough yesterday - and the damage could have been much worse if they had not hit back to capture the last six wickets for only 46 runs. Somerset's 451 in 96.3 overs still gave them a
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Shock at 'callous' attack on pensioner
Neighbours and friends have spoken of their shock at a "callous" attack on an 83-year-old, for no apparent reason. Lilian McTomney, who is believed to suffer from Alzheimer's disease, is being treated for a broken nose and other facial injuries following
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Shoptalk
SO it's war on the High Street. And in the battle for our knickers, nighties and everyday jumpers, will you be for Marks & Spencer or Bhs? Having failed in his bid to buy Marks & Spencer, business tycoon Philip Green has declared his intention
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Forest festival blossoming
AN acrobatic duo and a stuntman are among the star attractions at a North-East forest festival this year. The Forestry Commission is staging an extravaganza at Kielder Castle, Kielder Forest, Northumberland, on Sunday, August 1. The 155,000-acre beauty
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Don't put urban prejudice between an animal's ears
ARE you old enough to remember the present Leader of the House of Commons when, in his youth, he stood, long-haired and be-duffled, earnestly protecting the rights of a minority group? It is he who is now threatening to introduce the Parliament Act in
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School to shorten lunch break
LUNCH breaks are to be made shorter at Huntcliff Comprehensive School, Saltburn, in a belief it will help students to study better and reduce unruly behaviour. School staff hope a 40-minute break will lead to less boisterous behaviour after the meal and
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Referendum on track despite poll U-turn
MINISTERS last night insisted the campaign for an elected assembly in the North-East had not been dealt a devastating blow by the Government's humiliating decision to shelve referendums in Yorkshire and the North-West. The North-East alone will vote on
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Willey leads East Harlsey to amazing victory
TICKLE Toby CD piled up their highest total for a number of seasons when they entertained East Harlsey. Visiting skipper Mark Wheldon asked Depot to bat first, but he must have regretted his decision when openers Albert Aurelius and Doug Mulholland raced
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Pupils try the fruity option
SCHOOLCHILDREN tucked into free fruit at a tasting session recently. Sixty pupils at Newker Primary School, Waldridge Road, Chester-le-Street, took part in an activity day organised by school catering company, Scolarest and Durham County Council. They
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Robson's Carr move
NEWCASTLE UNITED are ready to make one final attempt to prise Stephen Carr away from Tottenham after losing out to Arsenal in the race to sign Hatem Trabelsi. Manager Sir Bobby Robson has been courting Trabelsi for months but has failed to convince the
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Coach gets the nod to aid teenager's Olympic dream
ONE of Britain's brightest Olympic prospects has received a major boost to her medal hopes. Teenage swimming sensation Joanne Jackson, from Richmond, qualified for Athens in April when she recorded the fastest time in the world this year for the 400m
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Surprise Roman finds cast doubt over Argos plan
REMARKABLE evidence of Roman occupation has cast a shadow of uncertainty over a project destined to create 700 new jobs in Darlington. Council chiefs were alarmed last week that a routine archaeological survey of the proposed Argos distribution centre
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Massive redevelopment for award-winning Beamish
A new theatre, cinema and hotel could be built as part of a £29.7m redevelopment of the award-winning Beamish Museum, it has emerged. Consultants have drawn up an ambitious five year blueprint aimed at boosting visitor numbers to the North-East heritage
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New Act brings civilian 'police' to roads
THE North-East is to get its own small army of trouble-shooting civilian traffic officers, thanks to new Government powers. The uniformed officers, employed by the Highways Agency, will patrol major roads such as the A1(M) and A66 with their key aim to
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Town hall move sparks protest
A POLITICAL row has broken out over the £3.6m cost of a plan to move a council's headquarters. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is proposing to move from Eston to Redcar. A three-storey office block would be built and linked to Redcar Central Library
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Glad to be back - serviceman in Iran ordeal
A SERVICEMAN, captured in Iran, has spoken of his relief at being back home. Corporal Chris Monan, 26, was one of eight British servicemen detained by Iranian forces last month after their three small patrol boats apparently strayed into Iranian territorial
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'All I wanted to do was cry'
As the controversy continues over the treatment of a 14-year-old girl who was sent home from hospital with the baby she had miscarried, Women's Editor Christen Pears looks at how society deals with teenage pregnancy. WHEN Karen became pregnant at the
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Football club set to pay tribute
One of the country's oldest football clubs will travel to the North-East this weekend to pay tribute to a young footballer who was killed in a car accident earlier this year. Notts County are to play Shildon in a pre-season friendly at the town's Dean
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Bmibaby to open base in Birmingham
LOW-FARES airline bmibaby will open a base at Birmingham International Airport. The move will mean the budget carrier flying to 20 new routes, creating more than 150 jobs and expanding operations by 35 per cent. The services, which will start early next
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Disappointment and joy on both sides of debate
Neil Hunter discivers what campaigners think about the latest developments with the assemblies. John Elliott, chairman of North East Says No: "The draft Bill makes it clear to people in the region that the Government is only offering an expensive talking
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Pony dates
British Eventing. - July 25: Regional training day at Helen Bell's, Thirsk, to include show jumping, cross-country training and a talk from BE regional director. Members £50, non-members £75. For more details contact Helen Bell on 01845 587207. BHS County
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So good to be back home
A SERVICEMAN captured in Iran has told of his relief at being back home in Marske. Royal Marine Chris Monan, 26, was one of eight British servicemen detained by Iranian forces in June after their three small patrol boats apparently strayed into Iranian
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Dunlop calls on Quinn to bring home the Goose
LEADING freelance jockey Richard Quinn has been trusted with the job of steering Snow Goose (3.50) to victory in Ascot's one-mile Listed Valiant Stakes. Trainer John Dunlop was forced to change the riding arrangements for his filly at the start of the
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Warning on waste disposal regulations
COMPANIES have been warned to check up on businesses who offer to dispose of waste cheaply. The Environment Agency said it was increasingly investigating businesses for "duty of care" offences, which take place when a company pays someone to take waste
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Creamery flying the flag for northern food producers
WENSLEYDALE Creamery has notched up a red, white and blue hat-trick at shows across the British Isles. The dairy, based in Hawes, North Yorkshire, which produces red, white and blue cheeses, recorded victories in England, Scotland and Wales. The creamery's
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Comment from The Northen Echo: Exposed by cover-up
SOMETIMES you can only marvel at this Government's ingenuity. From out of nowhere, it has managed to rustle up a fig-leaf to hide its embarrassment. Its polling suggested it was going to get beaten in regional assembly referendums in the North West and
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Prices at the Marts
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed. Fwd: 1,398 sheep. Lambs lt to 110p av 106p; std to 115p av 111.4p; med to 117p av 110.8p; heavy to 114p av 111.6p; owt to 93p. Cast sheep: Cont to £46.50; Cont & Rouge to £43; Texel to £42. Lambs std: Texel to £44.50, Suff to
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Hodgson still looking
DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson has no fears about continuing his search for a new striker with the influx of more trialists. Hodgson has used nine forwards - including seven trialists - since Quakers began their pre-season preparations at Whitby last
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A summer job at the palace
A PHOTOGRAPHY graduate is spending her summer among the nation's artistic treasures, working as a steward in the Queen's Gallery. Vicky Simpson, who lives near Brompton, Northallerton, graduated last Friday with an MA Hons in photography from the University
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Another Scottish aquisition revealed by TSG
TECHNOLOGY Services Group (TSG) has expanded its portfolio for the fifth time in less than 12 months. The business venture, set up by Sage co-founder Graham Wylie, has acquired Glasgow IT services company Clydeforth Digital Solutions. It is the second
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Defence cuts bring end to an RAF era
AN MP is to demand an assurance from the Government on the long-term future of RAF Leeming following the latest defence review. Leeming is to lose one of its two squadrons of Tornado air defence fighters next year, remaining operations with the plane
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Decision imminent on Huntsman plant funds
HUNTSMAN is on the brink of finding out if it will be given vital grant aid to develop a new plant on Teesside. The company wants to build a low-density polyethylene production (LDPE) facility, which would create up to 200 jobs on the Wilton International
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The Mona Lisa of Teesside
WHAT would happen if The Louvre agreed to lend Middlesbrough the Mona Lisa? I suspect the area would enjoy a Renaissance to match that of Tuscany 500 years ago. Millions would flock to the Tees Valley, every hotel and restaurant would be booked up and
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Scottish hat-trick sets Pippa up for Hickstead
A TEN-YEAR-OLD rider from Stainsby Grange Equestrian Centre, Thornaby, is enjoying a brilliant season. Pippa Allen competed in the recent Champions of Scotland show jumping festival, winning all three of her sections, including the Scottish 128cm Championship
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High Farndale collapse as Slingsby pick up first win
AFTER six successive defeats, Slingsby must have been delighted to record their first victory of the season at High Farndale. But they could not have imagined the surprising 50-run margin of success nor the drama which ended with High Farndale being dismissed
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Weardale's proud capital makes excellent start point
STANHOPE, a town with a long and proud history, is justifiably called the capital of Weardale. Before we start our walk from the admirably designed Durham Dales Centre, once the pleasure gardens of the nearby castle, have a look at the nearby fossil tree
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Referendum on track despite poll U-turn
MINISTERS last night insisted the campaign for an elected assembly in the North-East had not been dealt a devastating blow by the Government's humiliating decision to shelve referendums in Yorkshire and the North-West. The North-East alone will vote on
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Warning on waste disposal regulations
COMPANIES have been warned to check up on businesses who offer to dispose of waste cheaply. The Environment Agency said it was increasingly investigating businesses for "duty of care" offences, which take place when a company pays someone to take waste
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Agency launched to tackle child prostitution problem
AN agency to stop child prostitution in a North-East town has been launched after research has shown the problem is widespread. Experts from Barnardo's have revealed that at least 19 children and young people in Stockton are known to be used as prostitutes
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Young Ryan hits a high note
A NINE-YEAR-OLD soprano has won an award for his contributions to the community. Ryan Johnson received the Child in the Community award at an end-of-term assembly at Green Gates Primary School, in Redcar. He was chosen by a panel of teachers in recognition
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Film memories live on, if not the rail services
THIS is a story of two railway station clocks many miles apart. Spectator was touched to read in a recent obituary on the late Walter Hartley, a stalwart supporter of the Wensleydale Railway Association, that when he proposed to his future wife under
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E-coli inquiry goes on
FINAL test results are still awaited to confirm the source of an e-coli outbreak in County Durham. But public and environmental health experts continue to suspect the infection is linked to Castle Bank butchers shop in Chester-le-Street. The source of
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Town housing market still buoyant but it's cooling off elsewhere
DARLINGTON and the surrounding villages seem to be bucking the trend by keeping the housing market buoyant. Elsewhere in the North-East, there have been signs that the market is cooling off, thanks to interest rate rises and warnings about the future
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23/07/04
WAR HEROES: I HAVE been reading with interest the articles about the money being raised to erect a statue in memory of the Second World War Canadian airman Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski at Teesside Airport. My brother-in-law Pilot Officer George William
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Man's abductors face years inside
ATTACKERS who abducted their victim at gunpoint, then took him 200 miles so he could be beaten further, are facing years behind bars. Paul Flannigan was kidnapped and beaten by three men wearing balaclavas who burst into his bedroom at Burnhope Lodge,
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Expansion plan after jobs shed
A WORLD-FAMOUS fishing tackle manufacturer is making a comeback after it shed jobs last year. The House of Hardy, based in Alnwick, Northumberland, is on the brink of expanding into new premises. The company was forced to make 26 of 100 workers redundant
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Doing timne at its toughest
This World: The Real Bangkok Hilton (BBC2) : MICHAEL Connell knows to his cost the dangers of drug smuggling. The 20-year-old Manchester lad was caught at the airport entering Thailand with 3,000 E tablets in his bag. As he sat in the customs office waiting
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Sculpture due in cathedral
The first exhibit in an 11-piece wooden sculpture display is due to arrive at Durham Cathedral today. A 15ft figure of The Risen Christ, by Durham artist Fenwick Lawson, is being transferred from storage at Brinkburn Priory, Northumberland, to be erected
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Conditions reconsidered
COUNCILLORS have agreed to amend the terms of planning permission for a development in Darlington. The borough council had given consent for an Argos distribution centre to be created on the Faverdale East Business Park, creating up to 700 jobs. But the
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Cash injection funds school improvements programme
SCHOOLS across Darlington borough are to undergo improvement work after council officials announced a substantial cash injection. Education buildings in the town and surrounding villages are to benefit from the work, which will mainly be carried out during
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Opera hot on heels of piano concert
A PERFORMANCE by opera singers Rachel Dyson and Karl Reiff at Kirleatham's Almshouses tomorrow follows a sell-out concert by pianist Adam Skoumal last weekend. A packed house listened to the prize-winning pianist, from Prague, who played a varied programme
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On their bikes for charity
CYCLING enthusiasts Lee Gowland and Phil Jones have completed a gruelling biking challenge in Europe to boost funds for charity. The pair cycled 827km across the French Pyrenness, from Cerbere, on the Mediterranean coast, to Hendaye, on the Bay of Biscay
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Jerry Lee to appear at event
JERRY LEE and his girlfriend Bee Bop will be two of the fluffy attractions at a summer fair in aid of a rabbit rescue centre. Richmond's Bunny Burrows Small Animal Sanctuary will hold the event in the town's Market Hall from 10am to 5pm on Sunday. As
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Pupils' computer boost
SIXTY teenagers were rewarded for giving up the first week of the school holidays on a scheme aimed at helping them top-up their studies. The year nine pupils from six east Durham comprehensives were presented with new laptop computers when they arrived
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Move to promote higher education in region
A PARTNERSHIP has been set up to improve lifelong learning and tackle several key educational issues in the North-East. The University of Sunderland has joined forces with six of the region's further education colleges to help enhance the region's economic
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Garden contest success
GARDENERS in Weardale have been potting petunias and digging in delphiniums to impress the judges in a parish council's first competition. Judges Mike and Pat Birch, from the Arcadia Garden Centre, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, were impressed by the
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Charter aims to crack down on drink-related violence
BINGE drinking and irresponsible promotions are being targeted in an attempt to stem the rise in drink-fuelled violent crime in Middlesbrough. A charter is being drawn up between the council and the licensing trade to curb the problem that creates trouble
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Car wash cash
RICHMOND firefighters will get wet washing cars for charity this weekend. Money raised from the event, at Tesco, in Catterick Garrison, from 10am on Sunday, will go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Fire Service's National Benevolent Fund.
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Farmer sheds light on stones mystery
THE mystery of the six stoups at Birk Brow, near Guisborough, is a lot clearer. A story in The Northern Echo and The East Cleveland Advertiser returned an immediate response to Guisborough and Great Ayton Rotary Club's appeal for information about the
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Fledgling female football club joins premier league
GIRLS are getting a kick out of football thanks to the quality coaching on offer at a thriving club. Lumley Ladies, catering for players aged eight to adult-level, has earned official recognition from the Football Association. Little more than two years
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Keep it simple is a recipe for survival
THANKS to kind inquirers (as new parents used to say in the birth announcements). The new kitchen is realising my dream. With luck and a following wind, we should be nearly shipshape by now. In the grand sort-out which preceded the chaos, it was clear
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Hospitals' car parks security drive award
TWO once popular targets for crooks have driven out car crime. The turn-around at the university hospitals of Hartlepool and North Tees, Stockton, has earned health chiefs national praise. Both staff and visitors' vehicles left in the hospital car parks
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Bomber stars in stunning airshow
A SECOND World War Lancaster bomber will be one of the attractions at this weekend's 16th Sunderland Airshow. PA474, one of only two still in an airworthy condition, last appeared at the event in 1999 and is expected to be a big draw. It will fly in with
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Alternatives sought as post office closure announced
A RURAL village is to lose its post office and shop. The new owners of Aysgarth Post Office and The Original Wensleydale Cheese and Wine Shop have decided not to continue running the business they have owned for less than a fortnight. Post Office bosses
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Apartment plans narrowly approved at council meeting
COUNCILLORS narrowly voted to approve plans for 40 apartments on the former college of Ripon and York St John site. Four members of a Harrogate Borough Council area planning committee backed the scheme, off College Road, Ripon, but there were two abstentions
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Bomber stars in stunning airshow
A SECOND World War Lancaster bomber will be one of the attractions at this weekend's 16th Sunderland Airshow. PA474, one of only two still in an airworthy condition, last appeared at the event in 1999 and is expected to be a big draw. It will fly in with
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Adult learning project is a model for rest of country
AN adult learners' scheme pioneered in the North-East is being used as an example of best practice across the UK. Since being set up a year ago, Easington's Aim High scheme has encouraged 625 people back into learning. The innovative scheme has been chosen
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Mandelson nominated next European Commissioner
Peter Mandelson has been nominated by Prime Minister Tony Blaire as Britain's next European Commissioner. The announcement was made after Mr Blair spoke to new European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso on Friday morning. It will also trigger
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Early party day
GREAT Ayton Tourist Information Point will celebrate Yorkshire Day a day early on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. There will be free coffee and tea and the opportunity to sample Yorkshire delicacies such as parkin, cheesecake, local pork pies, fat rascals
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Second murder suspect arrested
DETECTIVES investigating the killing of a North-East pensioner, who was shot as he had a drink at his local, yesterday arrested a second man on suspicion of murder. Fred Fowler, 72, was an innocent victim of the shooting, at the Tap and Barrel pub, in
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Homeless pets in search for new owners
Daring rescue of kitten in a well: THE words of children's nursery rhyme Ding dong bell pussy's in the well rang true for a stray kitten. Abandoned by her mother and with only a sibling for company, Dell's days seemed numbered when she fell down a disused
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Homeless pets in search for new owners
Daring rescue of kitten in a well: THE words of children's nursery rhyme Ding dong bell pussy's in the well rang true for a stray kitten. Abandoned by her mother and with only a sibling for company, Dell's days seemed numbered when she fell down a disused
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DJ Daryl fills radio station breakfast slot
A COMMERCIAL radio station has announced the new host of its breakfast show. From next month, Daryl Denham will take over the 5.30am to 9am slot on 100-102 Century FM, vacated by Hartlepool's Paul "Goffy'' Gough in April. Mr Denham was recently the breakfast
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Summer fun at Splash play scheme
THE summer Splash playscheme run by Sedgefield Borough Council will take place in Newton Aycliffe and Aycliffe Village next month. It will be held at Silverdale Community House, Newton Aycliffe, from August 2 until August 27, and at Aycliffe Village Hall
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Summer Swashbuckle on seafront to be accompanied by samba beat
FINISHING touches are being made to Cleveland's biggest outdoor event of the summer - the annual Saltburn Swashbuckle. Sunday's extravaganza on the beach will include sand sculptures, traditional Punch and Judy, stilt walkers, circus skills, tai chi and
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Project de-railed?
By the time these words are read, the great regional government project could be derailed in Yorkshire. Perhaps not permanently but certainly until after the general election. The cracks in the Yorkshire pro-assembly ranks appeared last week with Lord
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Regional assembly postponed
YORKSHIRE'S chance to vote on an elected assembly has been postponed. While the North-East will get its chance to stage a referendum on November 4, it emerged yesterday that Yorkshire and the Humber and the North-West will have to wait. Nick Raynsford
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Fears for education site as job losses bite
UNION officials were last night trying to assess the impact on schools after the first wave of civil service job losses at a North-East site began. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) revealed earlier this year that 100 positions at Mowden
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Zombie stomping Samurai-style
ONIMUSHA 3: DEMON SIEGE. Publisher: Capcom. Format: PS2. Price: £34.99. On sale now: TAKE the original zombie stomping Omnimusha formula, update the locale from medieval Japan to present-day France, throw in a bit of Ronin-inspired action and you have
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Crumbling architecture is offered a vital lifeline
HISTORICAL buildings in the North-East which are falling to wrack and ruin could be saved if residents get involved in a conservation drive. To coincide with the latest BBC2 series of Restoration, two of the UK's conservation bodies are offering advice
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ShopTalk: Showdown for our smalls
With the competition between M&S and Bhs at its height, Shoptalk gives its verdict on who will win. SO it's war on the High Street. And in the battle for our knickers, nighties and everyday jumpers, will you be for Marks & Spencer or Bhs? Having
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Blair attends launch of county's new vision
A masterplan which sets out an ambitious 20-year vision for County Durham was launched today. The document aims to make "dynamic Durham" a great county to live, work, visit and invest by the year 2023. Prime Minister Tony Blair attended the launch, which
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No headpine
by Robin Twizell, RMD Agriculture OLD crop wheat prices have started falling back again after a rise last week. This is mainly because end users are looking at barley in the low £60s delivered, against wheat in the mid £80s. New crop prices have continued
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Force welcomes better news in crime fight
NORTH Yorkshire police's crime detection rate has topped 33pc, making it one of the best in the country. And the force was praised by the Home Office for its progress in cutting crime. Home Office figures released on Wednesday show a fall in burglary,
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Teesdale quarry revival plan viewed with alarm by council
A PROPOSAL to reopen a dormant quarry contained within an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) has resulted in parish councillors calling a special meeting to allow concerns to be aired. Strathmore Estate has applied to Durham County Council to reopen
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Secret world of birds of prey to be unveiled
THE secret world of some of Britain's birds of prey are to be unveiled at a museum. Naturalist Michael Mann will be at Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum in Upper Weardale, County Durham, on Sunday, August 8, from 1pm. He is taking along
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Opera hot on heels of piano concert
A PERFORMANCE by opera singers Rachel Dyson and Karl Reiff at Kirleatham's Almshouses tomorrow follows a sell-out concert by pianist Adam Skoumal last weekend. A packed house listened to the prize-winning pianist, from Prague, who played a varied programme
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Freemasons help people in pain
Durham mayor Mary Hawgood is backing a charity that helps people who have to endure pain throughout their lives. Coun Hawgood accepted £500 from the Freemasons of Durham on Tuesday on behalf of Campain. The money will be used to set up a helpline and
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Euro 2004 tournament bolsters retail figures
FOOTBALL fans tuning into Euro 2004 helped boost retail sales last month, official figures showed. Supporters flocking to buy televisions and replica soccer shirts contributed to a 1.1 per cent increase in sales volumes between May and June, according
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Rollerskater heads for American dream
A TALENTED rollerskater from Redcar has been selected to take part in the World Artistic Rollerskating Championships in California in October. Emma Gaffney, 24, who has skated since she was seven, will also perform at the European Artistic Rollerskating
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New star ratings reveal good performances
SOME of the best ambulance, hospital and primary care trusts in the country are based in the region, following awards for the way they operate. Ratings ranging from zero to three stars have been given by the Healthcare Commission for the way in which
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Charity fundraiser looks forward to date at the palace
A MAN who has combined his hobby with fundraising for charity for the last 25 years had an appointment with the Queen last week. Mike Aslin, 65, of Wainstones Close, Great Ayton, has entertained thousands of children at fetes and shows all over Teesside
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Pioneering addict jailed for possession of drugs
A FORMER heroin addict who pioneered a national programme to stop drug users reoffending was jailed for four months yesterday. Michael James Jacques, 22, of Nickstream Lane, Darlington, pleaded guilty at Darlington Magistrates' Court to possessing amphetamines
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UN backs non-food crops work on Yorks farm
THE United Nations is backing a Yorkshire farm which is growing and developing crops to replace conventional fuels. Clifford Spencer, a Driffield farmer and international expert on non-food crops, has had two days of meetings in New York with the heads
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Fallon on board as Everest hits the Newbury heights
TIPSTER turned owner Henry Rix was delighted at Newbury when Everest won another short-head valuable handicap, following his win at Newmarket's July meeting. None other than the champion jockey Kieren Fallon was in the saddle for Brian Ellison's charge
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Arca vowing to hit back in real style
SUNDERLAND'S Julio Arca has promised to start the season with a bang in order to make up for the disappointment of missing out on his Olympic dream. The versatile left-footer had hoped to be named in Argentina's squad for the Olympic football tournament
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Rural fund on offer to residents
RURAL communities in the North York Moors National Park are being urged to use a fund that has aided projects in the area by almost £2.4m. The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) was launched by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael in the park in November
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Powers of assemblies revealed
In a day of great political drama, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott yesterday postponed regional referendums for Yorkshire and the North-West, but confirmed that the North-East would go ahead with its vote on November 4. Chris Lloyd reports. Lost amid
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Appeal for old stones proves successful
AN APPEAL for stones to be found to held restore an ancient landmark near Guisborough has met an immediate response. After a report in the D&S Times on July 9, Guisborough and Great Ayton Rotary Club received information about two marker stones relating
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Soccer club's bid to boost gate
CHESTER-LE-STREET Town FC is making a start-of-season incentive offer to help boost attendances at forthcoming home games. The Albany Northern League division one club is offering free attendance to adults accompanying children under 14 at its first three
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Mum's plea as murder hunt goes on
THE distraught mother of Britain's most wanted man yesterday pleaded with him to surrender to police as more details emerged of the killings he is wanted in connection with. Choking on her tears, Sandra Hobson begged her fugitive son, Mark, to bring the
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Why we didn't name this child
IS it right for a newspaper to name a 14-year-old girl involved in a shocking ordeal after suffering the trauma of a miscarriage? It is a question which was aired on television and radio yesterday after The Northern Echo's story about a 14-year-old girl
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Traffic and road safety fears expressed
A PLAN for more flats to be built at Eaglescliffe has prompted concern about traffic and the possibility of congestion and accidents. Egglescliffe Parish Council considered an application for a two-storey extension to provide additional flats and six
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Parlour is part of a Boro double header
MIDDLESBROUGH will follow up the arrival of Arsenal's Ray Parlour by completing the capture of Bolo Zenden early next week. Parlour underwent a medical yesterday and is due to put the finishing touches to a three-year contract at Boro today. The 31-year-old
