Archive
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Police inquiry after ladies' football match abandoned
A POLICE inquiry is under way after a ladies' football match turned ugly when a spectator disagreed with a referee's decision. Cleveland Police were called in after allegations that the match, held at the Eston Sports Academy, turned into a brawl. They
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Zero tolerance of lazy dog owners
STOCKTON Borough Council has launched a zero tolerance initiative against dog owners who let their pets foul the streets. From this week, monitors will patrol the Portrack and Tilery, Parkfield and Newtown areas from dawn until dusk in a new crackdown
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Town on way to hitting target over nature sites
DARLINGTON is well on the way to hitting a "green lungs" quota target. Four nature reserve sites are now on the map, more areas are earmarked for the future and two new community woodlands are already under way. The council's local nature reserves officer
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Appeal to solve land mystery
RESIDENTS of a former mining community could hold the key to a land ownership mystery, which goes back more than 50 years. Dene Valley Parish Council wants to use money, made available by developers, to build a children's playground in the expanding village
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'Give us more options' plea on school merger
TOWN councillors in Guisborough are to spearhead community action over a planned merger of two local schools. They are to organise a major public meeting to open up debate on the issue. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council wants to amalgamate the Park
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Arcalis heads for Kempton after easy Newcastle win
ARCALIS, at a prohibitive 1-5, made it two wins from two outings over hurdles at Newcastle last Saturday and is now aimed at the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. Graham and Andrea Wylie's hurdler won by no less than 14 lengths and trainer Howard
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Survival (in brackets)
THE officers, men and families of the Green Howards will hardly see it as a Christmas present, but last Friday's Army restructuring announcement was the best that could be hoped for. Geoff Hoon is one of the most unpopular and poorly-rated ministers in
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Special sales
DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 1,638 sheep. Christmas show & sale of prime sheep. Judge: R Machin, Brandsby. Champion: S Blythman, Texels 43kg £89 to Castlebank Butchers, Barnard Castle & Corbridge. Prizes. - Suff lambs 44kg or less: 1
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Detecting fun
Steve Pratt chats with Amanda Holden about moving on to costume drama from contemporary series Cutting It. She talks frankly about her future on TV and in the US... and the unfortunate episode in her private life of marriage to Les Dennis. AMANDA Holden
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Remarkable story of wartime courage is told in new book
THE former owner of a book shop has become a story teller. Philip Turner has just had a book published about one of "Bomber" Harris' famous bomber command squadron. The book, One of Butch's Boys tells the story of rear gunner Allen Clifford 81, a Darlingtonian
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Don't derail the dale
IT has been a highly promising year for Weardale. After the anguish and uncertainty brought by the closure of Lafarge Cement's Eastgate works, ingenuity and hard work have helped the dale to look to the future. First came the re-opening of the magnificent
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Drugs gang 'well-oiled machine'
MEMBERS of a criminal gang who ran a major drugs racket like a "well-oiled machine" have been jailed for a total of 33 years. The gang, operating out of Middlesbrough, supplied heroin to street dealers in the North-East and other parts of the country.
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Pit pay lie-detector row
PLANS were drawn up for secret lie detector tests to catch out former miners making false compensation claims. Civil servants in the Department for Trade and Industry recommended the use of FBI-style polygraph machines amid fears that pit injuries were
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Internet access just got faster
INTERNET service provider Onyx Internet is to launch a high-speed broadband service in the region. The service will provide high-speed Internet connections from exchanges in Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough. The connection will be provided through
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Grass is greener at Scarborough
Yorkshire should find themselves on a much more level playing field at Scarborough next season following the current renovation of the outfield at North Marine Road, writes David Warner. The cost of the work is expected to be around £20,000 but Scarborough
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Sculptures on seaside theme
AN appeal has been launched to raise £40,000 for two sculptures in a North-East town. Craig Knowles, a member of the Strarta, a group of North-East sculptors, was selected by Scarborough Civic Society to create the works of art, which will feature a diving
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Monastery hosts exhibition of animal prints
A 14th century monastery has become a haven for wildlife in more ways than one. Mount Grace Priory, near Northallerton, is renowned for the creatures that live around it, including families of stoats that appeared on TV. But now it is playing host to
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Euro expansion
TRANSPORT group Arriva said it planned to double its operations in mainland Europe in the next five years. The rail and bus operator, which is based in Sunderland, said it wanted to double sales on the Continent from £500m to £1bn. Arriva operates businesses
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Gallery duo may hit council in pocket over fines
A ROW over a parking ticket could trigger the loss of site sponsorship for Darlington Borough Council. The owners of an art gallery are so angry about a customer's £60 penalty fine they say they will think hard about renewing contracts for sponsoring
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Full house is heart-warming
AS Sunderland prepare to attract their biggest league crowd in 20 months, manager Mick McCarthy believes his team have worked wonders to 'win the hearts and minds' of the stay-away fans. For the Boxing Day battle with Leeds United, the Black Cats are
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Bouncers given period of grace over licensing
THE deadline by which door supervisors must obtain a new licence to work has been extended so that a backlog of applications can be dealt with. The new Security Industry Authority licensing scheme has been introduced in an attempt to rid the industry
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The Albany Northern League
First Division strugglers Consett have appointed Tony Harrison as their new manager, writes Ray Simpson. Harrison has had previous managerial spells at Durham City and Ashington, and after watching Consett in action at the weekend, accepted the post after
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Cilling tales of terrible teens
Teenagers From Hell (ITV2): HERE was a nice Christmas present for parents - a catalogue of teenage misdemeanors to make your blood freeze. The antics - some silly, some dangerous, all reprehensible - were a far more effective advertisement for birth control
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Fears lifted as shops hit by rush for gifts
SHOPPERS yesterday finally brought festive cheer to traders fearing a slump in sales this Christmas. The number of visitors to shopping centres and department stores across the region has been down across the board on previous years. With only three days
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Company to recruit staff
A SPECIALIST North-East firm is to hire more staff in the New Year. Site investigation company Hymas Site Services Limited has announced that it is moving to a 4,000 sq ft unit on the Teesside Industrial Estate, in Thornaby. The new premises are five
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Traffic gridlock prompts concerns
BUSINESS leaders have warned that traffic congestion and the threat of gridlock in city centres is emerging as one of the worst burdens on the North-East economy. Regular nose-to-tail traffic problems on the A1 Western Bypass around Newcastle and increasingly
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Year of quirks and characters
Thursday's child but Mike Amos's baby, the John North column reaches the end of another year. The roving writer reviews it. January Down to Oxfordshire to see former television weatherman Jack Scott, to Stanley Hill Top to witness the provisional monastic
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Toddlers help to raise charity funds
TODDLERS, staff and friends of a Newton Aycliffe nursery raised money for a team of lifesavers with a Christmas open evening. The Playdays Nursery, in Simpasture Gate, held stalls selling souvenirs, Christmas gifts and decorations and Great North Air
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Battle over responsibility for town's Christmas lights
COMPLAINTS over the dim state of a market town's Christmas lights has led to a wrangle over who is responsible for their repair. Sixteen of the 42 festive motifs hung from lampposts in Barnard Castle have already gone out and town councillor John Yarker
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Fears lifted as shops hit by rush for gifts
SHOPPERS yesterday finally brought festive cheer to traders who had feared a slump in sales this Christmas. The number of visitors to shopping centres and department stores throughout the region has been down on previous years. But with only three days
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Toddlers help to raise charity funds
TODDLERS, staff and friends of a Newton Aycliffe nursery raised money for a team of lifesavers with a Christmas open evening. The Playdays Nursery, in Simpasture Gate, held stalls selling souvenirs, Christmas gifts and decorations and Great North Air
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Women warned about conduct
POLICE are warning they will take a tough line on drunken behaviour this Christmas. On Boxing Day, women in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, traditionally celebrate Ladies' Day. Chief Inspector Ken Gill said: "Each year in Scarborough, we see the Ladies'
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Let there be light - again
A NORTH-EAST landmark has been illuminated for the second successive Christmas. The spire of Byker Parish Church, in Newcastle, can now be seen from the city's Quayside. Parishioners were able to deck the church out with lights again thanks to a grant
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MP backs villagers' bid for speed limit to be reduced
AN MP joined residents campaigning for a lower speed limit through their village and accused a council of ignoring their views. People at Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street, are fighting Durham County Council's decision to keep the 70 mph maximum on
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Out-of-hours GP firm in administration
THE company responsible for providing out-of-hours GP cover in the county has gone into administration. An independent administrator has been brought in to manage North Yorkshire Emergency Doctors (NYED), two weeks after the company revealed it was facing
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Help to trace family history
Courses to help people trace their family history start next month. Durham County Council's Clayport Library, in Claypath, Durham, is offering ten-week family history courses. The programme, organised in partnership with New College Durham, will be led
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Man jailed for snatching teenager's bag
A MAN who snatched a bag containing dvds and computer games from a teenager was yesterday jailed. But the eight-month sentence, plus 133 days unexpired part of a previous jail term, means Paul Ramshaw will be released almost immediately on licence, because
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Mother's sacrifice to help elections
A DEDICATED mother-of-five has given up a family Christmas to travel to the Ukraine to monitor the country's Boxing Day election. Zohrah Zancudi, who is head of democracy and civil registration with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, is one of 90 UK
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Girl used mobile to catch flasher
A flasher was caught after his schoolgirl victim used her mobile phone to note his van registration. Driver Paul Stansfield, from Harbottle Court, Byker, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to indecent exposure in front of the 13-year-old on November 4. Magistrates
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Volunteers rewarded with activity day
A COUNCIL has thanked its tourist information centre and guided walk volunteers with a day of activities. Following a visit to the Georgian Theatre Royal and Richmond Castle, the contingent of 50 from Richmondshire District Council went on the Wensleydale
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Sunbeds warning aimed at revellers
HEALTH experts have issued a warning about the dangers of irresponsible tanning in the run up to Christmas. Traditionally, the region's tanning booths have one of their busiest periods during the festive season. With many women desperate for a tan for
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Building society fined for mis-selling bonds
BUILDING society Bradford and Bingley yesterday agreed to pay £6m in compensation to nearly 7,000 customers who were misled over bond sales. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) fined the company £650,000 for mis-selling precipice and with-profit bonds
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Death of starving pup who
A ten-week-old puppy died after eating stones because he was so hungry. The collie was found scavenging around the streets of Ryhope, Sunderland, by police officers after being dumped by his owners. Police took the animal to an emergency vet, where x-rays
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Stopping shoppers getting a raw deal
A CAMPAIGN is being launched to make sure consumers in east Durham do not get a raw deal this Christmas. Durham County Council is running a series of workshops across the district of Easington, looking at consumers' rights. The workshops aim to explain
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Fear that shooting will be ended 'by back door'
CAMPAIGNERS fear the future of commercial shoots, which pour tens of thousands of pounds into the North-East each year, could be threatened by Government plans to update animal welfare legislation. The Countryside Alliance has criticised the "Labour dominated
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Heavy fines written off
MAGISTRATES have wiped £400 of court fines off a man's debts. Christopher Fothergill, 21, of Chatsworth Terrace, Darlington, owed the courts £915, but after appearing at Darlington Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, for breaching his community rehabilitation
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Appeal to stop people parking dangerously
VILLAGERS are appealing to motorists to think about where they park before leaving their vehicles in dangerous or inconvenient places. Sedgefield Residents Forum Disability Group says indiscriminate parking in the village is posing problems for disabled
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Nursing team to boost care
A NEW nursing team has been appointed at one of Darlington's GP surgeries to boost health care among its 12,000 patients. The Clifton Court nurses will be getting to grips with a variety of ailments daily from 8am to 6pm. Caseloads will include chronic
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Alcoholic's robbery bid with fake gun
A woman has admitted trying to hold up her local off-licence with an imitation gun while wearing nothing but a dressing gown. Claire Withers raided the Talbot Road off-licence and general dealers in South Shields, South Tyneside, on September 3. The 30
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Temporary classrooms will all be replaced - eventually
CONCERNS have been raised about the number of temporary prefabricated class-rooms used by the county's schools. A total of 298 single classrooms, 77 doubles, two trebles, one quadruple and two temporary halls are used by 392 schools. Seventeen of the
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Christmas tree recycling points set up
MORE Christmas tree recycling collection points are being set up in the Hambleton district than ever before. Forty-four collection points are being created and there will also be recycling bins for cards in all branches of WH Smiths and Tesco from early
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Conference speakers named
THE line-up of speakers has been announced for a building conference in the region next month. The North-East branch of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has invited leading figures from the UK construction industry to speak alongside Newcastle
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Campaigners' work pays off
A CHARITY is celebrating after it raised £760,000 for cancer care - far more than its original target of £600,000. Officials from the Macmillan Cancer Relief charity have paid tribute to the response from the people of County Durham and acknowledged the
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Parish council determined to build car park
A PARISH council is to press ahead with a controversial sports field development despite objections from villagers. Heighington Parish Council is determined to build a car park in a sports area off Hall Lane, because cars park on the field, ruining the
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New Year dip for owners and pets
ANIMAL lovers and their dogs will brave the North Sea on New Year's Day in an annual sponsored splash. Members of Saltburn Animal Rescue Association (Sara) will make the dip at Saltburn beach. The fundraising event has grown more popular over the years
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Christmas treat for young patients
CHRISTMAS came early for young hospital patients thanks to the efforts of nursery school children. The Kidzone nursery, in Crook, took Father Christmas along to brighten up the children's ward at Bishop Auckland General Hospital this week. Nursery youngsters
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Job losses 'not connected' to Ofsted report
JOBS are to be lost at a Tees Valley school due to falling pupil numbers. Education managers have declined to say how many jobs will go at Jesmond Road Primary School, in Hartlepool, until negotiations have been completed. However, an LEA spokesman said
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Animal lover appeals to expert for help with a prickly problem
AN animal lover has appealed to conservationist Dr David Bellamy to help with her fight to save injured hedgehogs. Owner of Hog Haven Lynne Appleby has been campaigning for fast food company McDonald's to redesign McFlurry containers, which she says cause
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Affordable homes plan for locations across county
HAMBLETON and Richmondshire will be among the districts to benefit from an affordable housing programme using cash generated by the reduction in council tax discounts on second homes. Four schemes in each of the two districts are included in the first
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Pit pay lie-detector row
PLANS were drawn up for secret lie detector tests to catch out former miners making false compensation claims. Civil servants in the Department for Trade and Industry recommended the use of FBI-style polygraph machines amid fears that pit injuries were
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Tate seals vital win for Rountons in relegation scrap
Streetlam Farmers 2 Rountons 4 THE bottom two in division one met in an entertaining relegation battle at Streetlam last Sunday. With only one win between them so far this season, both teams were desperate to end the year on a high and keep alive their
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Hundreds attend cathedral service
A SIX-YEAR-OLD girl performed the important task of lighting one of County Durham's biggest Christmas trees, on Sunday. Esther Bancroft performed the symbolic lighting of a candle which triggered the illumination of all 1,500 lights on the 26ft Norwegian
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Opinion divided on big plans for hotel
THE unveiling of detailed plans for an £80m hotel and flats complex at Tall Trees, Yarm, has provoked a mixed reaction from two leading local figures. Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South, hailed the scheme as exciting and visionary. But Coun Marjorie Simpson
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News from The Guilds and WIs
Shincliffe WI: THE institute celebrated the opening of a new path following the cutting of the ribbon by Zoe and Natalie, daughters of Trevor Cartner. Mr Cartner and his firm Helios plc was a major sponsor for this huge effort to improve the access to
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HMV to launch download service
RETAILER HMV yesterday announced plans for a downloading service. The group is teaming up with US company Microsoft to develop software and hardware enabling people to download their favourite songs direct to their computers. About £10m will be invested
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Postal deliveries back to normal
RELIEVED residents in a street that wasn't getting its post until tea time are enjoying picking their Christmas cards off the doormat in the morning once again. Householders in Cookson Place, South Stanley, complained for months that their mail was not
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Check tagging rules before EU inspection
SHEEP producers have been urged to make sure they are fully aware of the rules on tagging sheep. The plea came from the National Sheep Association and Livestock Auctioneers' Association ahead of an EU inspection of the UK tagging system in the new year
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TV host blasts plans to charge for parking
TELEVISION'S Countdown host Richard Whiteley has launched a scathing attack on potential traffic changes in Leyburn. One idea under consideration is that free parking could be axed on the Market Square and replaced by pay-and-display or a disc system.
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Bogus caller is facing prison
A BOGUS caller targeted residents in sheltered accommodation and assaulted a member of staff who confronted him, a court heard. Gavin Frank Cummings was yesterday warned he faced a custodial sentence of at least three years, after admitting his latest
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Is A1 upgrade decision Mr Prescott's revenge?
THE news last week of the shelving, once again, of any upgrading of the A1 through much of North Yorkshire brought no Christmas cheer to those who have to use the road regularly. Spectator's colleague, who, almost four decades ago, was the reporter assigned
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Drink drivers ignore warnings
A HARD-core of drivers are still ignoring the drink-drive message - despite a get-tough policy by police. Over the space of nine days, between December 13 and 22 a total of 491 drivers and riders were breath-tested by police, either at static checks,
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Concern over disability law
DISABILITYcampaigners have issued a fresh warning to business owners in Darlington that they must take heed of new legislation. The Disability Discrimination Act came into effect on October 1, with major implications for traders providing services to
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Force finds itself in bottom four on crime recording
CLEVLAND Constabulary was this week named as one of four forces giving cause for concern over the way it records crime. A report published by the Audit Commission on Tuesday put Cleveland in the bottom four - along with Cumbria, South Yorkshire and the
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Panto and football stars cheer up young patients
CHILDREN at one of the region's hospitals received a double helping of Christmas cheer yesterday. In the morning, stars of Durham Gala Theatre's panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, dropped by to meet the children in Treetops Children's Unit of the
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All aboard for Boxing Day run
PASSENGER trains will run in Wensleydale on Boxing Day for the first time since the re-opening of the railway last year. Ruth Annison, marketing director for Wensleydale Railway, said trains would run throughout the Christmas holidays, except Christmas
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Is it a map or graffiti? Ancient stone is a real mystery
THE devastation caused by fires on the North York Moors had an unexpected redeeming feature with the uncovering an ancient stone and other extraordinary features. Last September, a fire broke out on Fylingdales Moor, above Ravenscar. By the time the flames
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Time to keep friendships in good repair
SOMETIMES I think the weeks leading up to Christmas bring surprises as enjoyable as any we'll unwrap tomorrow. It's a time when the world still seems to take to heart Dr Johnson's advice, given in the eighteenth century: "A man, Sir, should keep his friendship
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Allotments are closed for chemical tests
ALLOTMENT holders have been asked to down tools and stop using produce from their plots because of contamination fears. Plot holders on the Thrislington Allotments in West Cornforth have been urged to leave crops in the ground because traces of potentially
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Budget cut opens up funding shortfall
THEATRE bosses hope to meet Richmond Town Council in the new year to iron out a "misunderstanding" over funding. The town's Georgian Theatre Royal was anticipating a total of £3,500 from the authority in the current financial year and, after it received
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Pupils design festive cards
CREATIVE young artists have brightened up Christmas for shoppers in the Cockton Hill area of Bishop Auckland. Cards designed and painted by pupils from Cockton Hill Infants School have filled the windows of newsagents Chribec, where owner Gillian Jones
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Police caution soccer player
SUNDERLAND footballer John Oster spent a night in police cells following an incident in Durham's North Road. The 26-year-old Welsh International right midfielder, currently on loan to fellow Championship club Leeds United, was arrested with another man
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It's a role to treasure
Nicholas Cage doesn't mind being compared to Harrison Ford as he tackles his latest action movie which has already dominated screenings in the US. Steve Pratt reports. NICOLAS Cage has won a best actor Oscar, eaten a cockroach on camera and played twin
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Talks to solve rail line cash crisis
CRUNCH talks will continue today to find a way out of the cash crisis facing Britain's newest railway heritage line. Leading funders involved in the Weardale Railway project are trying to find a solution to undisclosed cash flow problems that have led
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RAF Leeming club is flying high
THE RAF Leeming Saddle Club, whose membership has grown dramatically in the past 18 months, have enjoyed a successful year. The club, which initially had eight members in March 2003, now boasts 20, with riders competing at both station and RAF championship
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Force celebrates improved arrest and detection rates
POLICE in North Yorkshire have seen a dramatic improvement in standards of crime recording, a report from the Audit Commission has shown. The force covering England's largest county has seen results improve from a red grading, meaning that recording is
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Relief as Yorkshire's three regiments merge but keep their identities as battalions
RELIEF and optimism greeted news that the Green Howards regiment had escaped relatively unscathed from one of the biggest defence shake-ups in decades. The regiment is to merge with the Duke of Wellington's and the Prince of Wales's Own regiments later
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Travel agent and mum set for TV ad stardom
A MOTHER and daughter are looking forward to a taste of fame when they star in a television commercial. Travel agent Laura Bryson will appear in an advertisement for Hays Travel which will be broadcast for the first time on Christmas Day. Laura, 21, assistant
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Dream deal for settled Bridges
MICHAEL BRIDGES feels he can finally settle and concentrate on football after having his future at Sunderland secured, writes Paul Fraser. The 26-year-old striker has penned a deal that keeps him at the club for the rest of the season, with the option
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Souness joins the race for Morientes
NEWCASTLE UNITED have joined the race to sign Spanish striker Fernando Morientes but have blocked an attempt from Southampton to take Shola Ameobi on loan. It has emerged the Magpies have made their interest in Morientes known to Real Madrid and there
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Gran At Large: Seeing life through a toddler's eyes
"I WISH Jonah was here now," said my husband, coming in from the garden one day last spring. "We could show him the pea plants and tell him that's where he gets peas from." In fact, if he'd lived nearby, Jonah would have been able to help plant the peas
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Refuge brings cheer
KIND hearted residents are helping to make Christmas special for a group of women and children seeking sanctuary from violent homes. Some of the seven women and six children spending the festive season at the Wear Valley Women's Aid centre in Bishop Auckland
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'Six-week' job takes nine months as blacksmith helps refurbish park
BLACKSMITH Will Willson never thought the job would take so long. The 48-year-old who has operated from a forge at Aiskew for the past seven years has just completed his biggest commission so far, playing a leading part in the first phase of an ambitious
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Ground-breaking education village starts to take shape
WORK is progressing well on Darlington's £23m education village. The roofs and walls are all now complete, ensuring work can continue, whatever the weather. The village - the first of its kind in the country - will see three schools share the existing
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Nurse practitioners could be answer for better Dales care
THE Durham Dales Patient and Public Involvement Forum is investigating the potential impact that nurse practitioners could make on the area. Nurse practitioners are experienced registered nurses who have undertaken a first degree at honours level following
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Hundreds attend cathedral service
A SIX-YEAR-OLD girl performed the important task of lighting one of County Durham's biggest Christmas trees on Sunday. Esther Bancroft performed the symbolic lighting of a candle which triggered the illumination of all 1,500 lights on the 26ft Norwegian
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Can band count on your vote in national title bid?
ONE of the region's leading brass bands is making a last-minute appeal to music lovers to help it win the title of Band of the Year. Brass band website, www.4barsrest.com, has nominated the Reg Vardy Band, formerly the Ever Ready Band for Band of the
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Welcome cash boost for learning library
A CHARITY that lends specialist equipment and toys to people with disabilities and special needs is celebrating a cash windfall from Gannett, The Northern Echo's parent company. The Learning Library, in Spennymoor, County Durham, was launched in 1986
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You face driving ban, kerb crawlers warned
KERB crawlers in Cleveland face being banned from driving, under a new crackdown announced by the courts. New, local guidelines say magistrates on Teesside should consider disqualification of at least 14 days - with a longer ban if there are aggravating
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Speed limit fight continues
VILLAGERS are keeping up the pressure to have speed restrictions introduced on a road which splits their community. Chester Moor Campaign Group wants the speed limits on the stretch of the A167, south of Chester-le-Street, lowered. Durham County Council's
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Revenge high on Pool's agenda
HARTLEPOOL United return to the scene of their biggest disappointment next week, with Tony Sweeney desperate for revenge, writes Nick Loughlin. Pool travel to Bristol city next Tuesday, 48 hours after taking on Oldham at Victoria Park. It was at Ashton
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Dawn of festive cheer
The Vicar of Dibley has ben voted one of Britain's all-time favourite sitcoms. As a result Dawn French returns for not one, but three more episodes, Steve Pratt reports. RETURNING for the Christmas editions of The Vicar Of Dibley was "like putting a nice
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Cowboy's bid to save Wild West centre
A HUNGARIAN cowboy is facing High Noon in his efforts to open a Wild West riding school. Members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority rejected Django's plans to open the trekking centre near Thwaite, in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. In August,
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WI news
South Moor: THE annual meeting took place on December 9, at Park Road Methodistschool room. The president gave a warm welcome to all, not forgetting sick members and also to the WI advisor, Audrey Dinning and friend. Two humorous poems were read by Joyce
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A mutton-less (alas) meal fit for a king
Well, if it's good enough for royalty... Intrigued by tales of Prince Charles's Mutton Renaissance campaign, we set off for the upper reaches of Teesdale, peripatetic chef Debra Bainbridge and a taste of something that apparently had feared to raise its
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The Christmas custom rooted in Norse legend and our pagan past
MISTLETOE has long been associated with Christmas, especially where parties are concerned, because its presence provided an excuse for strangers to kiss one another. Party organisers would hang sprigs above doorways or in other strategic places where
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Northern Sinfonia and Chorus, The Sage Gateshead
HALL One of the Sage Gateshead was given its first full baptism with a glorious account of Haydn's oratorio, The Creation, from the Northern Sinfonia and Chorus. It was an appropriate choice of score. The performance not only showcased the acoustic excellence
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'Slowdown won't hit profits'
HOUSEBUILDER George Wimpey said yesterday it was still on course for record profits, despite a slowdown in the housing market. The company, which also runs Laing Homes, said five interest rate rises and media speculation about prices had affected its
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Leaders would welcome rate fall
BUSINESS leaders in the region welcomed the news yesterday that the Bank of England had begun considering the case for a cut in the cost of borrowing. Minutes from this month's meeting of the bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) showed that some members
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Building society fined for mis-selling bonds
BUILDING society Bradford and Bingley yesterday agreed to pay £6m in compensation to nearly 7,000 customers who were misled over bond sales. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) fined the company £650,000 for mis-selling precipice and with-profit bonds
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 150 years ago. - Middlesbrough and Guisborough Railway: At an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held at the town hall Guisborough on Thursday, December 21, Henry Pease Esq. in the chair, the following resolutions were agreed
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Narrow defeat pushes Priorymen back into trouble
West Auckland 1 Guisborough Town 0 GUISBOROUGH slipped back into the relegation dogfight after they lost 1-0 at West Auckland last Saturday. The defeat was hard to swallow after a run of three straight wins had lifted them off the bottom of the table.
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23/12/04
TERRORISM: IT appears to be Tony Blair's intention to put security at the centre of the political debate, exploiting people's anxieties over terrorism and creating a platform of fear in order to win the next General Election. He is using all these fears
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Campaign to save species put on ice
THE region's endangered species will be recreated in giant ice sculptures for New Year's Eve celebrations. Water voles and red squirrels, both facing extinction in the North-East, will be among the subjects crafted from blocks of ice to form an avenue
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Festive snow as crowds seek sun
WEATHER forecasters say the chances of a white Christmas are very good and bookmakers are bracing themselves for a beating. A spokesman for the Met Office said heavy rain and strong winds tonight and tomorrow will pave the way for snow from the north
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Who's stolen Santa's helicopter, ask family
A FAMILY is appealing for the return of the missing piece in its Christmas lights show. Mean thieves left the Montague family feeling unfestive after taking the centrepiece of the display adorning their home in Witton Gilbert, near Durham City. The Santa
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Woe, woe, woe
TAXI firms in Walford and Weatherfield can look forward to a bumper Christmas. Residents of Soapland are queuing up for a cab to take them to pastures new. At least Karen McDonald should have no trouble getting one - husband (but for how much longer?)
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Children's show helps homeless
The stars of a Nativity play hand over a cheque for £250 which will help the homeless this Christmas. The play and carols concert by pupils of St Teresa's RC Primary School in Harris Street, Darlington, was performed at their local church. Parents contributed
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Tesco bosses go back to
ABOUT 2,500 workers at supermarket chain Tesco head offices swapped their desks for the shop floor yesterday to help out in the run-up to Christmas. Sir Terry Leahy, the chain's chief executive, was among those stacking shelves and manning the tills.
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Reynolds gets police warning over conduct
FORMER Darlington FC chairman George Reynolds has been warned by police after he allegedly made nuisance phone calls to his wife. He was visited by officers at his Durham home after his wife, Susan, made a complaint against him. It is understood the couple
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On TV
Teenagers From Hell (ITV2) HERE was a nice Christmas present for parents - a catalogue of teenage misdemeanors to make your blood freeze. The antics - some silly, some dangerous, all reprehensible - were a far more effective advertisement for birth control
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Tall Trees unveils ambitious £80m development plans
DETAILED plans for an £80m scheme including a five-star hotel, apartments and a leisure complex at Yarm's Tall Trees were unveiled this week. Maher Entertainments, owned by Javid Majid, has submitted proposals to redevelop the site to Stockton Borough
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Prices at the auction marts
DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 565 cattle. Steers med to 117.5p/£646.58 av 102.15p/ £537.18; heavy to 137.5p/£797.50 av 100.71p/£622.04; overall steer av 100.92p; hfrs lt to 105.5p/ £374.53 av 90.78p/£342.14; med to 126.5p/£589.85 av 101.49p/
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Report considers way forward for housing
WHILE the North has thriving housing markets, there are still too many deeply unpopular areas, says a new report. Market failures, however, are said to offer unprecedented opportunities to create sustainable communities fit for the twenty-first century
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Drinkers advised to be sensible
REVELLERS in Darlington are being warned by police to drink sensibly this Christmas. There will be a third more police officers out and about in the town on Christmas Eve and throughout the holiday period. The police will be undertaking high visibility
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Strauss is prepared for falling off 'cloud nine'
Andrew Strauss is bracing himself for an inevitable slump at some stage of his life as an England batsman, despite having made one of the best starts to any career in Test history. The Middlesex batsman hit the winning runs in England's record eighth
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Partnership is on cue to combat anti-social behaviour
Children from across Darlington were brought together yesterday for a pool contest designed to prevent anti-social behaviour. The youngsters, from various estates in the town were divided into teams, which under the direction of professional players battled
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Employers form alliance to tackle domestic violence
TWO of the biggest employers in Darlington have joined forces to combat domestic violence in the town. Every month there are between 160 and 180 domestic violence incidents in the town and nationally two women are killed by their partners every day. Domestic
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Ginnie and Jack search
TWO unlucky children could be going without Christmas presents after they were delivered to the wrong address in Middlesbrough. A taxi pulled up outside a house in the Easterside area of the town and delivered nine parcels that were wrapped in Winnie
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Teenager told to stop yobbish behaviour
A YOUTH branded a persistent drunken nuisance has been banned from behaving offensively by the courts. Dean Laing, 15, of Briardale, Delves Lane, near Consett, has been made the subject of a conviction-related Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo). PC Jonathan
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Can you offer Holly the Collie a home?
IT will be a brighter Christmas for dogs rescued from the streets and spending the festive season in kennels. Deerness Kennels, in Langley Moor, near Durham City, is home to about 30 dogs either abandoned or found wandering on the streets. There is only
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Safe sex message
A campaign has been launched to promote the safe sex message over the festive period. The campaign aims to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies and improve sexual health by providing free and confidential advice. North Yorkshire Teenage Pregnancy
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Trust appoints new director
SOUTH Tees Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed a new medical director, consultant gastroenterologist Professor Mike Bramble. Prof Bramble, pictured, who is chief of service for the division of medicine, will take up his post in April next year when present
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Tenants share ideas to improve areas
HOUSING tenants are taking part in an exchange scheme with residents on South Tyneside to look at ways of improving communities. The scheme is part of an ongoing commitment by Coast and Country Housing to increase tenant participation. Tenants visited
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Getaway driver who helped convict robbers spared jail
A GETAWAY driver who helped to convict two armed robbers has been spared jail by a judge. Jonathan Caley was thanked by Judge Peter Bowers for his services to the community in giving evidence for the prosecution and given a two-year suspended prison sentence
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Refuge project sparks protest
PLANS to build a women's refuge on the outskirts of Durham City have sparked opposition from residents. Three Rivers Housing has applied to Durham City Council for permission to construct eight self-contained flats for women and children. Phillip Nixon
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Central Station work complete
THE final phase of an improvement programme at a North-East railway station has been completed. Four new customer information screens have been erected at Newcastle Central Station by train operator GNER. The screens will provide passengers with up-to-the-minute
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Teenagers design cards
TEENAGERS have drawn on their artistic talents to help wish a charity's supporters a Merry Christmas. Fairbridge Teesside, a charity that works with disadvantaged young people, has sent hundreds of Christmas cards designed by some of those it works with
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Bin days revised
REDCAR and Cleveland Borough Council has announced plans for the refuse collection catch-up after the Christmas and New Year holidays. The service has been suspended for two weeks, starting December 20 until Tuesday, January 4. The Community Household
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Youngsters sign up for military career
A DOZEN youngsters have taken their first steps to a military career after enlisting at the Army Careers Information Centre, in Durham City. The 12 soldiers were presented with their attestation oaths of allegiance certificates by Major Mike Sherlock,
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Recycle Christmas rubbish, says firm
A COUNTY Durham waste firm is urging people to recycle their Christmas rubbish. Premier Waste Management, at Aykley Heads in Durham, runs the 'Kerb-it' kerbside recycling scheme for 410,000 households including the Durham, Sedgefield, Chester-le-Street
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Tree marks completion of garden project
THE PLANTING of a tree yesterday marked the completion of a community garden. The project at The Grove Neighbourhood House Garden in Priestman Road, The Grove, near Consett, has been run by Groundwork West Durham. The children who attend the breakfast
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Gran At Large
I WISH Jonah was here now," said my husband, coming in from the garden one day last spring. "We could show him the pea plants and tell him that's where he gets peas from." In fact, if he'd lived nearby, Jonah would have been able to help plant the peas
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Nursing team to boost care
A NEW nursing team has been appointed at one of Darlington's GP surgeries to boost health care among its 12,000 patients. The Clifton Court nurses will be getting to grips with a variety of ailments daily from 8am to 6pm. Caseloads will include chronic
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Housing service moves to new site
A COUNCIL will pull its team of housing officers out of a town centre office from tomorrow. Wear Valley District Council has decided to withdraw its housing service from the Old Bank, in Bishop Auckland market place. A council spokesperson said the move
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Withdrawal donated
THE first withdrawal of cash from a much-needed cashpoint has been donated to a Teesdale charity. Joanne Gill, the branch manager for Barclays Bank in Middleton-in-Teesdale handed over £300 cash to local MP Derek Foster when he unveiled the cashpoint.
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£500 gift for hospice
A HOSPICE has benefited from a council's success in a controversial scheme to get residents to pay their council tax bills through their banks. Derwentside District Council presented £500 to Willow Burn Hospice after the authority got an award from BACS
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I'm not a tearaway - it's just my PMT
A teenage tearaway has blamed her crime sprees on pre-menstrual tension (PMT) in a bid to avoid receiving an anti-social behaviour order. Magistrates placed a two-year order on Catherine Waggott, after hearing tales of the 16-year-old's bad behaviour
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Dad delivers baby - with gran's help
A FATHER and grandmother sprang into action to deliver the perfect Christmas present - a bouncing baby boy. When his wife, Helen, went into labour at their home in Hendon, Sunderland, Kristofer Heskett kept calm, while his mother, Jeanette, passed on
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Pit pay lie-detector row
PLANS were drawn up for secret lie detector tests to catch out former miners making false compensation claims. Civil servants in the Department for Trade and Industry recommended the use of FBI-style polygraph machines amid fears that pit injuries were
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Problem teenagers can make amends
YOUNGSTERS blamed for growing anti-social behaviour problems are being asked to make amends by getting involved in a charity event. Police are trying to organise the project to benefit the community following growing public anger over continuing vandalism
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Help at hand for smokers ready to kick the habit
SMOKERS making a New Year's resolution to kick the habit are being offered some expert help. The North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service is running a series of group and one-to-one clinics starting next month. Those who sign-up will get expert help and support
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Santa opens railway station
SANTA has brought a village in the Yorkshire Dales the best Christmas present local people could wish for - the re-opening of the railway station. Finghall has become the fifth station to re-open on the 17-mile Wensleydale Railway line, which was relaunched
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A reminder of Christmas present
I HADN'T allowed for rushing a sick child to hospital on my Christmas "To Do" list. The children's ward is hardly the ideal place to be spending the night shortly before the big day. At this stage, according to the women's magazines' helpful countdown
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Fresh Start scheme caters for farmers old and new
AN INITIATIVE to attract new people into farming was launched at the Royal Smithfield Show. Fresh Start was formally announced by Sir Don Curry, the Government's chief independent farming adviser, and Lord Whitty, Food and Farming Minister. Sir Don, who
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Castle is closed for Christmas
Jackdaws Castle is closed for business. That's the message from Jonjo O'Neill, who is shutting up shop for the foreseeable future as a bug has laid low some of his top jumping stars. He is likely to have just one runner over the busy three-day Christmas
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Villagers' long-lasting love affair with abbey's picturesque neighbour
A FORMER prime minister took his title from it, pilgrims flock from all parts of Europe to admire its ruined abbey - and it's a place where love blossoms. That's the tiny village of Rievaulx which, despite its size - it has only 15 homes yet five councillors
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Bomb scare at butcher's turned out to be vegetables
BOMB disposal experts descended on a butcher's shop after being alerted to a package which turned out to contain nothing more dangerous than vegetables. Police and disposal officers were called to Fred Simpson and Son in Cockfield on Monday morning after
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Warning for Scrooge bosses who ignore minimum wage
MORE than £250,000 has been recovered from Scrooge bosses in the region who have not been paying the national minimum wage to their staff. Figures released last night by Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt revealed details of cases identified
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Wheater is the hero
MIDDLESBROUGH'S blossoming youth academy last night added another its ever-growing reputation when defender David Wheater secured victory for England under-18s over their Scottish counterparts. In front of almost 5,000 fans at Hartlepool United's Victoria
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Hot rocks set to save the dale
WEARDALE could become Britain's first truly sustainable community following the discovery of 'hot rocks' deep underground. Experts believe that the eyes of the world will turn to the dale, where a redundant cement works site has now proved to be a unique
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Common land 'legally complex area' says Lord Whitty
DEFRA has announced more details on how the single farm payment scheme will affect some commoners and owners of common land in England. All applicants will have to be "farmers" as defined by EU legislation - either engaged in production and/or keeping
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Bag of coins robber falls into pub cellar
A HAPLESS thief was left trapped in a pub cellar after falling through an open trapdoor at the conclusion of a comical attempt to rob a security guard. Bungling Stanley Bell held up the guard at gunpoint - but missed thousands of pounds in notes to flee
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London bus is just the ticket
IT'S as much an icon of London as Big Ben or Buckingham Palace, but the days of the eye-catching Routemaster double-decker are numbered. After decades of trundling through the streets of the capital filled with commuters and tourists, the unmistakable
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'Drunken violence will soar with additional hours'
DRUNKEN violence will soar in town and city centres when pubs are allowed to open round-the-clock, a Durham professor warned MPs. Dick Hobbs, a professor in the university's law department, told the Commons home affairs committee that the Government's
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Dancing with joy as Jill wins TV contest
NORTH-EAST actress Jill Halfpenny was crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion of champions last night. Jill, from Gateshead, and her dancing partner, Darren Bennett, received a standing ovation after their performance in the live edition of the popular
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Ryan's reasons to be cheerful
UPBEAT Ryan Valentine believes Darlington have every reason to be full of festive cheer. Despite last week's defeat at Boston United, Valentine insists squad morale remains high ahead of Quakers' Boxing Day clash with Rochdale at the Williamson Motors
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More job losses confirmed at strike-torn Fed Brewery
BOSSES at the Federation Brewery have confirmed the total number of job losses will reach 170 by May, after it was revealed 68 white collar roles will also be lost. Owner Scottish Courage is to close its Tyne Brewery in the spring and transfer production
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Pupils in panto
Children from a dance school are working with professional actors in a production of Cinderella at the Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond. Theatre bosses say the children from Stockton's Heritage Dance School beat off tough competition to perform in
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Hundreds attend cathedral service
A SIX-YEAR-OLD girl performed the important task of lighting one of County Durham's biggest Christmas trees, on Sunday. Esther Bancroft performed the symbolic lighting of a candle which triggered the illumination of all 1,500 lights on the 26ft Norwegian
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Theives ruin Christmas for Hospice
A HOSPICE suffered festive heartache yesterday when it was burgled just 48 hours before Christmas. Staff at St Cuthbert's Hospice in Durham City arrived at work to find thieves had broken into a garage, vandalised the minibus used to provide transport
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Journalist dies after long illness
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former journalist and magistrate who has died after a long illness. Dave Willey, who was in his 60s, died last Tuesday at his home in Durham surrounded by his family. His journalistic career spanned more than 40 years, about
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Surveyor given international role
A COUNTY Durham surveyor with more than 30 year's experience has been given an international role with his professional organisation. David Coulson, senior partner at Broadley and Couldon, in Crook, has been appointed vice-chairman of the Royal Institution
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Action to be considered over Croft noise breach
COUNCILLORS are to consider taking formal action after Croft Circuit admitted a breach of agreed noise levels. The operators of the motor racing track admitted a breach occurred on April 10, prompting complaints from residents, who also alleged flouting
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Road safety campaign is in the bag
ROAD safety experts are trying to reduce the number of serious accidents involving pensioners out shopping. High visibility bags have been given out on Teesside to make drivers more aware of elderly pedestrians. Middlesbrough Council's road safety team
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Bring on the decanter: tales of hte British in their cups
FOR A very expensive book on small objects, you could look at Wine Labels 1730-2003, edited and co-authored by John Slater (Antique Collectors' Club £85). Prof Slater is a past president of the Wine Label Circle, which I think must be a cover for some
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WI goes independent after 50 years
FOR 50 years, a thriving Women's Institute has run in Coxwold and Oulston. But, after celebrating the 50th anniversary with a party in Coxwold Village Hall, it was announced that members have, "with sadness", unanimously agreed to leave the national federation
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Seeing life through a toddler's eyes
" I WISH Jonah was here now," said my husband, coming in from the garden one day last spring. "We could show him the pea plants and tell him that's where he gets peas from." In fact, if he'd lived nearby, Jonah would have been able to help plant the peas
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Kirkby Malzeard find range to hit Harlow Hill for six
THE performance of the day in the premier division last Saturday saw Kirkby Malzeard hit visitors Harlow Hill for six. Kirkby continued their recent good form with a dominant display. The first half followed the pattern of recent performances, with the
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Stores take cancer scare Brazil nuts off shelves
ONE of the staple festive treats has been dropped by the major supermarket chains over health fears. The European Commission has branded Brazil nuts in their shells a health risk, after traces of a toxin linked to liver cancer was found on the shells.
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Memorial fund reaches target
AFTER nearly three years, a campaign to raise money to mark the mass graves of the victims of the region's worst pit disaster has reached its target. The £5,600 needed to mark the trenches in Stanley, where many of the 168 victims of the West Stanley
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WI news
Chester Moor : ELSIE Haddick welcomed members and the guest speaker. Mrs A Ward was presented with a basket of flowers in celebration of her 90th birthday. Brenda Kristiansen gave a talk wearing one of Norway's colourful national costumes. Her slides
