Archive
-
Date
Widow of crushed soldier may take Army to court
THE family of a soldier crushed to death between two armoured troop carriers have not ruled out taking the Army to court. An inquest jury recorded a verdict of misadventure for the death of North Yorkshire-based Corporal Eirion Rees, yesterday. The 32
-
Date
Warning as it's all change on the buses
BUS operators are urging North-East passengers to check journey details before they travel because a number of timetable changes come into effect today. Operator Go North East says the revision of existing services in Derwentside, County Durham, will
-
Date
Flood despair - with more rain on its way
Flood warnings remained in place across the region last night as forecasters predicted a brief respite to the rain this weekend before the heavy downpours return. News that rain is expected to fall again on Sunday night and continue for much of next week
-
Date
Lights, camera... you're sacked
The news that the original director of a football movie set in the North-East has been replaced makes it just the lastest in a series of films to have suffered problems at the helm. Steve Pratt reports. When the £55m football movie Goal! was launched
-
Date
Property prices in university cities more than double
THE price of property in two univeristy cities has more than doubled in the past five years as parents look for places for their children to live, according to a report. Following research by Halifax Estate Agents, figures have revealed that house prices
-
Date
Accused council leader defiant
A COUNCIL leader last night said she was confident she would be cleared by an investigation into her alleged misconduct. Government watchdog the Standards Board is looking into complaints against Linda Ebbatson, leader of Chester-le-Street District Council
-
Date
Injury worries pile up for McClaren
MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren will go into tomorrow's clash at Highbury with his first choice back four all on the injury list. The Boro boss will definitely be without skipper Gareth Southgate (knee) and Michael Reiziger (shoulder), with Ugo Ehiogu
-
Date
Mind games help Boro before big Arsenal test
UGO EHIOGU believes there is a myth surrounding Arsenal's invincibility - and Middlesbrough can be the side to explode it. The Teessiders head to Highbury tomorrow looking to end the Gunners unprecendented Premiership record of 41 games unbeaten. If Arsene
-
Date
Timely visit by Army
AN Army recruitment team will be touring part of the North-East next week to coincide with the release of GCSE results. It is part of a campaign to tell local young people about different career opportunities with the Army. Representatives of the 4th
-
Date
21/08/04
POST OFFICES: I AM writing in response to your article: Post Office closures are expected (Echo, Aug 19). I notice in your feature there is no mention of Postwatch, the independent consumer watchdog for the postal services. Postwatch acts as the voice
-
Date
Bevington swims with the sharks around Soho
The recent shenanigans at the Football Association have seen two men lose thier jobs and the game's governing body lose its sense of credibility. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson met the North-Easterner who has been left to pick up the pieces. STATISTICALLY
-
Date
Errors over stamp duty a warning for homeowners
THOUSANDS of homeowners in the North-East could be unnecessarily paying stamp duty because of their postcode. People who have bought houses in areas designated as disadvantaged since 2001 are exempt from the tax on property transactions. One in four wards
-
Date
New-boy Betsy already causing ripples at Pool
KEVIN Betsy last night heaped praise on his new team-mates after getting his Hartlepool United career off to a scoring start. Betsy signed a loan deal from Barnsley two weeks ago, and scored his first goal on his first start for Pool in last Monday's
-
Date
All change for Mandy
A FORMER office worker has set up her own beauty business in a popular hair salon. Mandy Williamson, from Darlington, decided to swap her role as personal assistant at an engineering company to begin spray tanning and perfecting customers' nails at Saks
-
Date
Worker 'devastated' by warehouse closure
UP to 30 workers face an uncertain future after the new owners of a supermarket chain decided to close a distribution centre. United Co-operative has confirmed it will be closing Quality Fare's Catterick warehouse after announcing a multi-million pound
-
Date
Viking activities event is a hit with youngsters
THE spirit of the Vikings returned to Teesside yesterday at the latest in a series of children's summer holiday activity events. More than 40 children aged from two to 13 made Viking cardboard sledges at Margrove Heritage Centre, near Boosbeck, east Cleveland
-
Date
The future's bright for cuddly Jaffa
NO one could call Jaffa the pony a dumb animal - for when it comes to personality he has plenty. In fact the little chestnut has so much character that he has been named northern finalist in the national Cuddly Pony of the Year competition. Jaffa, who
-
Date
Hedges need trees, says conservation group
TREES are to be tagged by a conservation group trying to make sure they remain a feature of countryside hedges. Thirsk Community Woodlands Group is taking part in the Future for Hedge Trees campaign being run by the Tree Council. Members will be tagging
-
Date
Nursing home blaze hours before fire chief's funeral
FIREFIGHTERS called to a blaze at a nursing home feared they would be unable to attend the funeral of a former fire chief. But after helping evacuate 42 pensioners - two of whom had to be taken to hospital - and spending several hours damping down the
-
Date
Family fitness fun at centre
MOTHERS and daughters are being encouraged to get healthy together with a six-week course. The Healthy Lifestyles course, organised by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, runs at Redcar adult education centre in Corporation Road between Monday, September
-
Date
Trams ruled out - for at least decade
TRAMS are unlikely to return to a North-East city's streets for at least another decade. Project Orpheus is a 20-year blueprint for network improvements planned for Newcastle by public transport operator Nexus. The group is recommending that funds for
-
Date
Syringe used to rob bus passenger
A WOMAN was left in shock after a man threatened her with a syringe as she travelled on a bus. The incident happened on the X4 bus as it travelled from Middlesbrough to Redcar, in east Cleveland, at about 5.50pm on Thursday. The man demanded money. He
-
Date
Council move can go ahead thanks to referendum delay
THE postponement of a referendum on a regional assembly has allowed a council to move. Richmondshire District Council had put its proposed move of offices from Richmond to Colburn on hold, until after any local government reorganisation following the
-
Date
Opening of new village police office is welcomed
A NEW police office that is putting the beat bobby back at the heart of a village community will open next month. Officers have spent the past few weeks moving into a new sub-station in Blackhill, Consett. The move from nearby Shotley Bridge into a former
-
Date
A chance to relive health-promoting walk event
TELEVISION viewers will be able to watch one of the region's biggest summer events this weekend. The Traidcraft Great North Walk, which attracted thousands of ramblers to County Durham last month, is the subject of a programme to be broadcast tomorrow
-
Date
MP meets chief constable to debate worries about crime
AN East Durham MP has met Durham's Chief Constable to ensure that crime and anti-social behaviour are being tackled in his constituency. John Cummings, who represents Easington, held talks with Paul Garvin to assess the effectiveness of new powers of
-
Date
Work with teenagers puts graffiti artist in business
A GRAFFITI artist is turning his work with teenagers into a business. Graham Cleland, 24, has spent the past few months creating a piece of spray paint art with young people through the Include programme, based in the Burnside Resource Centre, Mendip
-
Date
Three fight for place
A BY-ELECTON to fill a council vacancy in a ward split between two villages will be a three-way fight between the main political parties. Next month's ballot will be the first staged in the previously uncontested Edmondsley and Waldridge ward of Chester-le-Street
-
Date
Fundraising evening is full of promise
An all-expenses-paid trip to London is one of the lots on offer in an auction of promises next month. The trip, which includes first-class travel and a tour of the Houses of Parliament, has been donated by Prime Minister Tony Blair. The auction of promises
-
Date
Street theatre show
YOUNGSTERS created a street theatre show yesterday as preparations were made for the final day of the Darlington Festival. The children joined local artists' group Bravura to co-ordinate the show, from characters and costumes to the performance routine
-
Date
Parties argue over by-election success
LOCAL politicians were at odds yesterday over which party suffered the worst embarrassment in a Darlington Borough Council by-election. Liberal Democrat Fred Lawton won the authority's vacant North Road ward seat in Thursday's vote. He polled 789 votes
-
Date
Angry residents to disrupt visit in demolition protest
ANGRY residents plan to protest against the loss of their homes during a visit to Teesside of a high-powered foreign financier. Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon will welcome Dubai economics minister Mohamed Ali Alabbar to the town next month. Mr Alabbar
-
Date
Site visit to view terraced homes scheme
COUNCILLORS are to take a closer look at the site of an application for three terraced houses in Sedgefield village. The proposal was discussed at a meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee yesterday. Officers had recommended
-
Date
Fence ruling angers pensioner
A PENSIONER is in dispute with the council over a fenced area in front of her home. Dorothy Owers, 70, built the enclosure at her house in Eskdale Place, Newton Aycliffe, after seeing a number of others in the neighbourhood. She is carer for David Peacock
-
Date
Man jailed for hitting partner
A MAN struck his partner in front of her young child, a court heard yesterday. Roy Levy threw a cup and hit the woman before bringing her daughter into the room and raining further blows on her in front of the child. Durham Crown Court was told that Levy
-
Date
Tributes paid after death of former postmistress
THE son of a former Darlington postmistress has paid tribute to his mother, who has died from cancer. Rosemary Parker, 53, of Coniscliffe Road, died on Wednesday, only days after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. Her youngest son Phillip, also from
-
Date
Learning football skills to the samba beat
CHILDREN from schools in Darlington helped bring together football, Brazilian samba rhythms and musical youth at Middlesbrough Football Club's Cellnet Riverside Stadium. One of the football club's stars, Doriva, was among the audience yesterday as youngsters
-
Date
Clash over sports field grant bid
A ROW has erupted between villagers and councillors over plans to apply for a grant to build a sports field and pavilion. Members of Heighington Parish Council were accused of having a second agenda in their bid to transform the village's playing fields
-
Date
Memorial area approved
THE creation of a conservation area in memory of two Scout leaders has been approved by councillors. A wetland site on playing fields in Heighington, near Darlington, has been chosen for a memorial park. The area, which will be planted with trees and
-
Date
Intensive care units achieve quality mark
INTENSIVE therapy units (ITU) at two south Durham hospitals have been awarded a Charter Mark in recognition of their efforts to improve services. The award was made to the ITU at Darlington Memorial and the critical care unit on Ward One at Bishop Auckland
-
Date
VI engagement for youngsters
NURSERY school children became VIPs for the day to open a supermarket. Three-year-old Samuel Abbott and classmates from Kidzone nursery, in Crook, are pictured above with store manager Janine Lauder. They were guests of honour at North Eastern and Cumbrian
-
Date
School wrangle may go to inquiry
PLANS for a £3m village school hung in the balance last night after it emerged that council officials could not overcome a major stumbling block. The Church of England has drawn up proposals for the school in Middleton St George, near Darlington. The
-
Date
Youngsters given chance to cheer on soccer heroes
DOZENS of Hartlepool youngsters cheered England's football team back to winning ways at St James's Park. Young people from across the town were invited to the international match in Newcastle to see the 3-0 victory against Ukraine on Wednesday night.
-
Date
Rethink call over site for phone mast
PROPOSALS to install a 10m mobile phone mast have received a setback. Vodaphone wants to build a mast with three antennas in a residential area opposite The Pied Piper pub, in Orchard Way, Ormesby. The company said it wanted to expand its 3G digital mobile
-
Date
Children taught football skills to the samba beat
FOOTBALL, Brazilian samba rhythms and Teesside's musical youth came together at Middlesbrough FC's Riverside stadium yesterday. Middlesbrough's Brazilian footballer Doriva watched a dance, music and football show performed by 120 young people from schools
-
Date
Lewis' celebrations are short-lived
JON Lewis's century, chiselled out with iron resolve, proved in vain for Durham yesterday as the nightmare continued for new bowling spearhead Shaun Tait. After his 21 no-balls on debut against Somerset, the Australian over-stepped with his fourth ball
-
Date
Nursery bosses get Downing Street call
TWO nursery managers have received a surprise invite to meet Tony Blair and his wife at 10 Downing Street. Julie Hall and Carolyn Greaves, from Hartlepool, will join 198 other childcare workers from around the country at the meeting with the Prime Minister
-
Date
Auckland winner catches the eye
TEENAGE star Ernest Kimeli, runaway winner of the Auckland Castle 10K, could become one of Kenya's youngest full internationals. The 18-year-old World Cross Country Championships junior bronze medallist, who only left his home near Nairobi four months
-
Date
Cylinders drama
FIRE crews were called to a hospital after cylinders began to overheat and threatened to leak potentially deadly chlorine gas. Crews were called to Newcastle's Freeman Hospital when it was discovered a storeroom containing eight cylinders full of a sodium
-
Date
Manufacturers are losing influence on the economy
Further evidence of the diminishing influence of manufacturing emerged last night after figures were released showing a widening gulf between the contribution made to the economy by manufacturers and financial companies. The Office for National Statistics
-
Date
Newcastle had to say yes to Real
SIR Bobby Robson last night claimed that Newcastle United had not become a selling club, despite admitting that the Magpies were powerless to prevent Jonathan Woodgate joining Real Madrid. Woodgate put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Spanish
-
Date
Residents to have a say on crime
RESIDENTS are being urged to voice their concerns about crime and disorder. A survey by the Safer Communities North Yorkshire Moors and Coast partnership is being carried out in Scarborough and Whitby. Drew Fussey, the scheme's crime reduction and anti-social
-
Date
Kit cars pull in the crowds
THE crowds turned out in force to see one of the biggest gatherings of replica and kit cars ever assembled in the North. More than 800 lovingly-built vehicles lined up for the second Great Northern Kit and Car Builder Show at the Yorkshire Event Centre
-
Date
'Cheapest bus ride in the UK'
FIERCE competition in the budget bus market last night led to Stagecoach announcing a 575-mile trip for less than the price of a cup of coffee and a newspaper. Stagecoach launched "Brit-ain's cheapest bus ride" - from Inverness, in the Highlands, to London
-
Date
Motorists warned to expect £4 a gallon
Motorists were last night warned to expect petrol prices to rise above £4 a gallon after the cost of oil moved close to $50 a barrel. Attacks in Iraq overnight sent the price of a barrel of oil to a record high of $48.98. The average cost of a gallon
-
Date
Appeal as vandals put lives at risk
VANDALS are putting people's lives in danger through a spate of park thefts. In the past 18 months, a dozen water safety buoys have been stolen from the boating and fishing lakes in Herrington Country Park, which lies halfway between Sunderland and Chester-le-Street
-
Date
Battalion paid visit by VIPs
SOLDIERS from the region who are serving in Afghanistan played host to two important military visitors. The 1st Battalion of The Green Howards has been deployed since last spring and is due to return to this country in the autumn. Members held a regimental
-
Date
TV show gives mum hope of finding son
A MOTHER has been given new hope of finding her son, who disappeared 12 years ago, following a television programme and a proposed article in a national magazine. Steven Clark went missing while walking with his family, just after Christmas 1992. His
-
Date
Five go mad for comedy
In an attempt to change its image, five is adding another f-word to its vocabulary by screening two US comedy shows in its New Year schedules. Joey Tribbiani will be making new friends when his comedy series debuts in this country next year. He's deserting
-
Date
Tractor driver's £500 fine for causing deaths
A FARM worker who caused the deaths of two men was fined £500 yesterday after their car crashed into the back of his trailer as he crossed a busy road. Paul Humpherson and Peter Gates died when their car hit the trailer towed by Andrew Breckon's tractor
-
Date
Nursing home blaze hours before fire chief's funeral
FIREFIGHTERS called to a blaze at a nursing home feared they would be unable to attend the funeral of a former fire chief. But after helping evacuate 42 pensioners - two of whom had to be taken to hospital - and spending several hours damping down the
-
Date
End of 150-year post office reign
A family is to end its 150-year history of running a village post office. The Medds first began running Castleton post office, near Middlesbrough, when Queen Victoria was on the throne. Five generations have run the post office at various sites in the
-
Date
River defences pass test
A PART-COMPLETED flood defence looks like it may have passed its first major test after 400 homes were saved from flooding yesterday. People living in South Church, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, were bracing themselves for another disaster after
-
Date
Thieving gang kept scam in the family
FOUR men working for a parcel delivery company stole thousands of pounds of electrical equipment, a court heard. Father-and-son James Waters and Peter Waters along with Leslie Main and Alan Main, also father-and-son, were working for the Business Group
-
Date
And not a goose feather in sight
BADMINTON is the new curling. At the 2002 Winter Olympics, the nation unaccountably became gripped by the icy antics of skip Rhona Martin and her gold medal winning team of curlers. Six million of us stayed up past midnight to watch them sweep to victory
-
Date
Fingers crossed for Towse
Guisborough are keeping their fingers crossed that professional David Towse can play in today's crucial game at Marske. The inspirational captain and strike bowler delivered just seven balls in last Sunday's game with Hartlepool before suffering a muscle
-
Date
Wembley turmoil as jobs go again
THE £750m Wembley Stadium project was thrown into fresh turmoil last night as 200 steel workers lost their jobs - only weeks after seeing them saved. The former Cleveland Bridge workers were laid off last month as the Darlington firm pulled out of the
-
Date
The eternal flame
IN our house the TV coverage comes under the all-purpose heading of Lympics and judging by our competitors' efforts to win a gold medal it may end up as Limp-ics. My wife, who is going for gold in grumbling, lasted precisely four days before demanding
-
Date
At Your Service: Small but perfectly formed
TO the great festivals of the Christian church - Easter, Christmas, harvest when the farmer can be fussed - may be added a more occasional and more moveable feast, the visit of the At Your Service column. At the lovely, Frosterley marbled church of St
-
Date
Mary's milestone marked again
CENTENARIAN Mary Clark is making the most of what seems like a month-long celebration to mark her 100th birthday. Having enjoyed a family party, and other celebrations at day centres she attends in the Sedgefield area, the sprightly great, great grandmother
-
Date
A chance to relive health-promoting walk event
TELEVISION viewers will be able to watch one of the region's biggest summer events this weekend. The Traidcraft Great North Walk, which attracted thousands of ramblers to County Durham last month, is the subject of a programme to be broadcast tomorrow
-
Date
Mind games help Boro before big Arsenal test
UGO EHIOGU believes there is a myth surrounding Arsenal's invincibility - and Middlesbrough can be the side to explode it. The Teessiders head to Highbury tomorrow looking to end the Gunners unprecendented Premiership record of 41 games unbeaten. If Arsene
-
Date
Police surveillance leads to prison for drugs courier
A DRUGS courier caught with heroin worth £150,000 in his hired car was yesterday jailed for seven years. Shazad Ali, 26, was shadowed by Stockton drugs squad detectives after he picked up the Renault Laguna at Teesside Airport. He returned three hours
-
Date
Wembley turmoil as jobs go again
THE £750m Wembley Stadium project was thrown into fresh turmoil last night as 200 steel workers lost their jobs - only weeks after seeing them saved. The former Cleveland Bridge workers were laid off last month as the Darlington firm pulled out of the
-
Date
Big Kyle carrying his weight
KEVIN KYLE'S never been one for shirking his responsibilities. Carrying suitcases was the order of the day during his time as an Irish Ferries baggage handler before becoming a professional footballer at Sunderland. But it is Kyle's refreshing commitment
-
Date
Football club sets date for freedom
BOSSES at Darlington Football Club last night revealed the date they are hoping to come out of administration. The Quakers want to be free from the supervision of the courts by Tuesday, Septem-ber 7. Darlington collapsed into administration on December
-
Date
Players have to prove themselves, Hodgson
David Hodgson has thrown down the gauntlet to the small number of players at his disposal and challenged his squad to prove themselves worthy of a place in the Darlington first-team. Although just three games into the season, Hodgson has demanded an improvement
-
Date
Man found dead was in sex inquiry
A MAN found dead in his fume-filled van had been interviewed by police over allegations he had sexually abused a young girl. The body of gipsy Lawrence Wood - cleared of killing his lover in a notorious North-East murder trial - was discovered on Monday
-
Date
Supermarket targets N-E in store war
BATTLELINES were last night being drawn in the region as a convenience store war hotted up between two of Britain's biggest supermarkets. After Sainsbury's gained a major foothold in the North-East convenience market with the purchase of Bells Stores
-
Date
Stage set for teenage rave at centre
A RAVE for teenagers is to be held at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington. The Next Generation Music Gig is back for its summer session with special guest disc jockey Smurf, on Friday, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. He is back by popular demand and will be master
-
Date
Arriva loses to rival
TRANSPORT group Arriva lost out on the Scottish rail network franchise to rival FirstGroup yesterday. FirstGroup, which had been named preferred bidder for the franchise, was confirmed as the new operator of Scotrail in a £1.9bn deal. The deal makes the
-
Date
Company complains over its portrayal in film festival
A COUNCIL-RUN film festival dealing with environmental issues has run into controversy after a complaint was received from one of the companyies featured. Scarborough Borough Council will not reveal which company has contacted the authority to complain
-
Date
Call for action to keep sewage out of river
A COMMUNITY leader is calling for action to stop sewage being pumped into a river near to where children play. The sewage is being discharged into the River Skell, in Ripon. Stretches of river between Bondgate Green Bridge and the by-pass bridge are close
-
Date
Call to keep fair in town centre
A FORMER councillor is vowing to fight moves to evict Ripon's twice a year fairground from its traditional home on the Market Square. The funfair was temporarily banned following a £2m revamp of the Market Square area because of fears that heavy equipment
-
Date
Michelle visit
BIG Brother contestant Michelle Bass visited the Gateshead MetroCentre yesterday. Michelle, who was heckled and branded a bunny boiler on a recent shopping trip in Newcastle, was carrying out promotional work for the Carphone Warehouse, signing autographs
-
Date
Newcastle had to say yes to Real
SIR Bobby Robson last night claimed that Newcastle United had not become a selling club, despite admitting that the Magpies were powerless to prevent Jonathan Woodgate joining Real Madrid. Woodgate put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Spanish
-
Date
Victims of head-on crash are named
TWO drivers killed in a road crash have been named. Gwyn Price, 29, of Half Moon Street, Stakeford, Northumberland, and 22-year-old Andrew Moore, of Melmerby Close, Newcastle, died instantly following a head-on collision on the Great North Road, in Newcastle
-
Date
Action group to fight arson and hoax calls
FIREFIGHTERS have formed an action group to combat hoax calls and arson. Mick Brighton, manager of the arson task force with the county's fire and rescue service said: "We aim to increase awareness by the public of the causes and dangers." The fire service
-
Date
Chance to view heritage
PEOPLE will be able to see behind the scenes of some of Darlington's civic buildings in the sixth annual Heritage Opens Days Festival from September 10 to 13. There will be tours of the town hall, including the Mayor's Parlour and the council chamber,
-
Date
Centre plans
Darlington Borough Council has received two applications for changes to West Lodge day centre for disabled people, in West Crescent, Darlington. They are for alterations to a disabled ramp and listed building consent for a tea room and interview room
-
Date
Housing estate wins councillors' backing
AN application for a housing estate in Newton Aycliffe was approved by planning officials yesterday. The site, in the Cobblers Hall area of town, was previously the subject of plans for the region's first eco-village. Residents strongly opposed the plan
-
Date
Venues to host free events
HARTLEPOOL is to host two events as part of a storytelling festival being held at venues across the Tees Valley. Organised by the Tees Forest, the festival aims to celebrate the ancient link between storytelling and the natural world. The week-long festival
-
Date
Small but perfectly formed
TO the great festivals of the Christian church - Easter, Christmas, harvest when the farmer can be fussed - may be added a more occasional and more moveable feast, the visit of the At Your Service column. At the lovely, Frosterley marbled church of St
-
Date
Youngsters have designs on BMX track
CHILDREN have designed a BMX track they would like to see installed in their village. The Evenwood youth group Skint But Skilful (SBS) has been working on the design of the track, which they would like to see installed behind the recreation area in Evenwood
-
Date
Youth given say in projects
YOUNG people are to be asked to play a bigger part in developing facilities in Sedgefield village. Sedgefield Youth Forum is investigating the possibility of developing two projects and wants more people to be involved. One of the initiatives is a battle
-
Date
Homes plan for industrial estate refused
A PROPOSAL for a major housing development on part of an industrial estate has been turned down for a second time. Sedgefield Borough Council received an application for a 181-house estate on the edge of the Green Lane Industrial Estate, in Spennymoor
-
Date
Rector to step down from post
The Reverend Martin King, rector of Sedgefield, is to retire at the end of the month. He has served in Sedgefield for 12 years, and during his four decades as a priest he also worked in South Shields, Newton Aycliffe, Chilton and Middleton St George,
-
Date
Grassroots: Weardale
DALE FESTIVAL: The first Weardale Festival begins on Monday and runs until the following Sunday. Events include a children's show by Jack Drum Arts, in the Dale Centre, Stanhope, on Tuesday, at 2.30pm, a 19th Century English tea party at Horsley Hall,
-
Date
Five go mad for comedy
Joey Tribbiani will be making new friends when his comedy series debuts in this country next year. He's deserting his faithful followers on Channel 4 in search of a fresh audience on five. As aspiring actor Joey leaves his Friends pals in New York to
-
Date
Michelle aiming for a career in music
A TEENAGER is hoping to make a big noise in the music industry with the release of her first single. Michelle Deery, 17, has taken advantage of Learning and Skills Council County Durham's Entry to Employment (E2E) programme to compose and release her
-
Date
Taxi driver imprisoned passenger in bid to settle debt
A TAXI driver falsely imprisoned a woman in his cab in an attempt to persuade her to settle a debt, a court heard. Abdul Aziz, 51, picked up Donna Storey when she contacted Stockton Cars to ask for a taxi. However, she soon realised he was driving the
-
Date
Life for man who murdered girlfriend's son
A MAN was jailed for life yesterday for the murder of his girlfriend's baby son. Kevin Raw, 40, of Elm View, Pickering, North Yorkshire, was convicted of murdering 13-month-old Kieron Brown at Leeds Crown Court and sentenced to life in prison. Kieron
-
Date
Honour comes out fighting after Bishops tipped for the drop
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour is adamant his team won't struggle in the UniBond Premier Division this season. Bishops make the long journey to Leek Town today and, according to some bookmakers, are favourites for the drop. But Honour said: "People
-
Date
Tractor driver's £500 fine for causing deaths
A FARM worker who caused the deaths of two men was fined £500 yesterday after their car crashed into the back of his trailer as he crossed a busy road. Paul Humpherson and Peter Gates died when their car hit the trailer towed by Andrew Breckon's tractor
-
Date
Warning as it's all change on the buses
BUS operators are urging North-East passengers to check journey details before they travel because a number of timetable changes come into effect today. Operator Go North East says the revision of existing services in Derwentside, County Durham, will
-
Date
Students plan fundraising events to aid Peruvian adventure
A GROUP of sixth form students need a helping hand to send them on an Andean adventure of a lifetime. The dozen-strong party from County Durham is planning a Peruvian pilgrimage to mark the end of their A-level studies next summer. While fellow students
-
Date
Flood despair - with more rain on its way
flood warnings remained in place across the region last night as forecasters predicted a brief respite to the rain this weekend before the heavy downpours return. News that rain is expected to fall again on Sunday night and continue for much of next week
-
Date
Centre throws open its doors
A SERIES of courses and events have been organised by Newton Hall Community Association, in Durham City. The centre will stage an open day on Saturday, September 18, between 10am and 2pm. Two courses begin on Wednesday, September 15. Enrolment for a ten-week
-
Date
Sentence reduced for boy who killed friend
A TEENAGER who set fire to a skip, burning a friend alive, had his sentence reduced by 12 months yesterday. The Court of Appeal heard how Michael Temperley, 15, died from shock, burns and breathing in smoke after he was shut in the skip, which was then
-
Date
Organic caf wins official approval
A caf has received an organic seal of approval. Hazel Brow Farm Caf, in Low Row, Swaledale, has been accredited by the Organic Farmers and Growers organisation. Owner Catherine Calvert said: "The caf has always sourced ingredients and produce locally,
-
Date
Schools to benefit from cash windfall
A windfall from the National Lottery will benefit more than 700 primary school pupils. The youngsters will be taking part in study days and field trips to learn about the environment and heritage in the Howardian Hills. The Discovery Project, which is
-
Date
Lewis' celebrations are short-lived
JON Lewis's century, chiselled out with iron resolve, proved in vain for Durham yesterday as the nightmare continued for new bowling spearhead Shaun Tait. After his 21 no-balls on debut against Somerset, the Australian over-stepped with his fourth ball
-
Date
Fashionable fit for Newman Scott
A SHOPFITTING company in the region has won contracts worth £2m to fit out two of fashion retailer Zara's shops. The Spanish fashion chain, which is opening a shop at the MetroCentre, Gateshead, chose Teesside company Newman Scott to carry out refurbishments
-
Date
Supermarket targets N-E in store war
BATTLELINES were last night being drawn in the region as a convenience store war hotted up between two of Britain's biggest supermarkets. After Sainsbury's gained a major foothold in the North-East convenience market with the purchase of Bells Stores
-
Date
For Your Benefit: Is there anything I can claim?
Q I am a widow of 79 with a State Pension of £103.93 and my late husband's works pension of £202.46 a month. My savings are £14,000 and I pay council tax of £640. Am I eligible for any rebate or Pension Credit? >A A single person cannot usually get
-
Date
Animal attraction to take college lecturer anna around the world
AN animal management lecturer is to embark on a round-the-world trip that will see her studying in New Zealand, Nepal, Ecuador and the Galapagos. Anna Evely will also visit Thailand and China as part of her research for a masters degree in biodiversity
-
Date
Comment from the Northern Echo: Reasons to be cheerful
FOR a decade Matthew Pinsent rowed in the shadow of Sir Steve Redgrave. But three gold medals in successive Games make him one of Great Britain's greatest Olympians. And at breakfast time today millions of us will be cheering him to glory and to a remarkable
-
Date
O'Brien backs Woodgate in Madrid move
ANDY O'Brien last night insisted that Jonathan Woodgate was right to leave Newcastle, despite describing his partnership with the centre-half as one of the highlights of his career. Woodgate spent yesterday in the Spanish capital undergoing a four-hour
-
Date
McGrath helps high-flying Phoenix' promotion bid
Anthony McGrath has been given special dispensation by England to play in Yorkshire Phoenix's crucial totesport League game with Derbyshire Scorpions at Derby a week tomorrow. It is Yorkshire's penultimate game of the season in the competition and nothing
-
Date
Hartlepool by-election 2004: Respect target Labour votes in hunt for upset
RESPECT are targeting traditional Labour voters as they hope to cause an upset in the Hartlepool by-election. New Labour came in for considerable criticism when candidate John Bloom was joined by rebel MP George Galloway for a Respect rally in the town
-
Date
Anger at bishop's donation request
CATHEDRAL fundraisers have launched an investigation after a dead woman was sent a letter asking her to change her will to bequest money to church funds. The letter, from the Right Reverend John Packer, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, was addressed to
-
Date
Jail for man who assaulted 14-year-old
A MAN who indecently assaulted a 14-year-old girl after plying her with drink has been jailed for two years by a judge. Father-of-three Peter Graveling was told by Judge Peter Bowers that his seduction of the teenager was one of the worst cases he had
