Archive
-
Date
Plans for take-away refused
COUNCILLORS refused planning permission for a new food take-away after listening to the pleas of a family who live above the proposed site. Members of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee refused an application to change a former
-
Date
Comment from The Northern Echo: More business, less beautiful
THERE was a time when the descriptions attached to footballers were straightforward. Jackie Milburn was a great goal scorer. Wilf Mannion a wonderful dribbler. George Hardwick a tough tackler. No more, no less. How times have changed. Yesterday, footballers
-
Date
Disabled man badly injured
A DISABLED man said he was dragged naked from his house before being beaten with his own crutches. Peter Owens, from Hartlepool, who weighs 30 stones, suffered two broken ribs and bruising to his face and body, in the early-morning attack. Mr Owens, 35
-
Date
Campaigners celebrate pool reopening
CHILDREN in Weardale made a big splash as they celebrated the opening of their community swimming pool at the weekend. More than 30 swimmers turned out in the first hour as the doors opened at Wolsingham Community Swimming Pool on Saturday. It was a heartwarming
-
Date
Sin City slicker
He won't say whether he fancies being the next James Bond, but everything else appears to be falling into place for British actor Clive Owen. He talks to Steve Pratt about his rising fame in the US, which led to a part in star-filled movie Sin City, and
-
Date
Volunteer reveals hard work behind scenes of major equestrian event
For most of us we cruise the papers, see an advert for an event, send away for the schedule, enter and pitch up on the morning after receiving our start time. Easy? Yes for the rider. Northern Equestrian, based at Richmond Equestrian Centre (REC), held
-
Date
Kilcline backs Souness to have Magpies flying high
FORMER Newcastle United captain Brian Kilcline has backed Magpies' boss Graeme Souness to be a success at St James' Park. Despite widespread discontentment among the Tyneside faithful after yet another disappointing season in the Premiership, Kilcline
-
Date
Entrepreneur centre opens for graduate companies
MORE than 100 people from across the region attended the opening of a centre to help graduate entrepreneurs at the University of Teesside. Margaret Fay, chairman of regional development agency One NorthEast, opened the refurbished Victoria Building. The
-
Date
Youngsters bowled over as England cricket star pays a visit
JUNIOR players at a rural cricket club were knocked for six when two international Test match cricketers paid them a visit. England stars Marcus Trescothick and Simon Jones visited Barnard Castle Cricket Club, in County Durham, yesterday to help coach
-
Date
Croft warms up for another thrilling Superbike showdown
BRITAIN'S premier motorsport series makes a welcome return to the race-starved North-East when round six of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship rolls into Croft Circuit this weekend. Last year, Croft was the best attended out of all 13 rounds
-
Date
Minister urges workers to care for their backs
Health and Safety Minister Lord Hunt has urged accident-prone North-East workers to take better care of their backs. Latest figures show that North-East workers top the national list for bad backs, with one in every 50 employees reporting a back injury
-
Date
Learning the art of listening
At just ten years of age a blonde, blue eyed Australian-born girl ventured to the UK tucked tightly under the wings of her mother. Taken away from her childhood of horses, riding, competing and their family ranch, a young Sarah Kreutzer landed on the
-
Date
High drama over decision to axe theatre committee
OPPOSITION councillors have expressed anger after a body set up to oversee the running of a controversial arts centre was disbanded. Durham City Council's scrutiny committee has voted to scrap a sub-committee which examines the financing of the city's
-
Date
Children enjoy taste of proposed park
EAST Durham residents living near to a proposed play park were yesterday given a first-hand chance to voice their views on the venture. The brainchild of local councillor Albert Nugent, the park for under-fives had been identified for a small piece of
-
Date
Bus lane plan brings fears of traffic misery
COMMUTERS fear a proposed bus lane will only add to daily rush-hour misery on a busy dual carriageway. Durham County Council plans to introduce a bus priority lane between Belmont slip road and Gilesgate roundabout, on the A690 near Durham City. The A690
-
Date
Students honoured for their dedication and enthusiasm
COLLEGE students have had their achievements recognised in an end-of-year ceremony. Joe Robinson and Lizzie Woods became the 95th recipients of the silver St Cuthbert's Cross, an award presented annually at Northallerton College. Principal Michael Hill
-
Date
Environment Day walkabout
PEOPLE who like the outdoors and nature are being invited to mark World Environment Day by visiting a new wildlife haven. Spion Kop Cemetery, on the Central Estate in Hartlepool, will be the location for a walk-about on Sunday, between 11am and 12.30pm
-
Date
Top Ten To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (1) Meet The Fockers 2 (2) White Noise 3 (3) Ocean's 12 4 (4) Team America - World Police 5 (5) National Treasure 6 (6) Sideways 7 (7) Without A Paddle 8 (8) Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events 9 (9) Elektra 10 (10)
-
Date
For crying out loud...
A TOWN crier made a welcome visit to a Teesside high street to promote a travelling museum. Common bellman John Stevens donned his uniform and called out to shoppers in Stockton yesterday to promote the Curiosity Shop. Packed with weird and wonderful
-
Date
Welcome taste of summer
HOSPICE staff did not allow a downpour to dampen summery thoughts of strawberries and cream, yesterday. Nurses at Teesside Hospice, Middlesbrough, which needs £2,600 a day to stay fully functional, are banking on the temptation of traditional strawberry
-
Date
Hotel opposes re-opening of club for fear of noise levels
A HOTEL is opposing plans to re-open a Teesside nightclub once plagued by violence and underage drinkers. The Wesley, in Hartlepool, which received the most police call-outs for drink-fuelled violence in the town last year, closed in January but is hoping
-
Date
Inspectors praise quality of school
A POPULAR primary school has been praised by Government inspectors. Ofsted said there was a high quality of teaching and learning at Delves Lane Infant and Nursery School, near Consett. The report said: "It is a good inclusive school, where each individual
-
Date
Town could receive £500,000 from housing estate builder
A TOWN could receive almost £500,000 to fight flooding and extend a primary school if plans for 218 homes are given the go-ahead. Redrow Homes wants to build the houses on a 5.6-hectare piece of land between Scarborough Road and Norton Grove Industrial
-
Date
Award for school's grounds design
A HEADTEACHER and a mother of three of her pupils have proved they are in a class of their own. A project by mum Nicola Harrison and Jean Yendell, headteacher of Kirby and Great Broughton Primary School, to redesign the school grounds has won an award
-
Date
Home may be pulled down
A RUNDOWN former residential home, which has become a vandalism hot-spot since it closed, looks set to be demolished. Albion House, in the centre of Willington, closed about 18 months ago as part of a countywide shake-up of care provision for elderly
-
Date
Ex-residential home may be pulled down due to vandals
A RUNDOWN former residential home, which has become a vandalism hot-spot since it closed, looks set to be demolished. Albion House, in the centre of Willington, closed about 18 months ago as part of a countywide shake-up of care provision for elderly
-
Date
Doctor's appeal gets cash boost
A DOCTOR'S campaign to buy insulin pumps to help improve the lives of young diabetic patients has been given a cash boost. Bishop Auckland Rotary Club has donated £2,500 raised at a charity sports dinner to the Run 500 Miles Appeal, launched by paediatric
-
Date
'Come clean on schools' future'
THE leader of Darlington's Conservative Group is calling on the council to "come clean" about the future of the town's schools. Councillor Tony Richmond was voicing his concerns about the potential closure of one of the town's secondary schools at a full
-
Date
Support for disabled
ADVICE sessions are being held to explain how parents of disabled children can get all the benefits they are entitled to. Darlington Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) is offering the help so families can deal with the complex financial issues. The sessions
-
Date
Council to tackle anti-social behaviour
PLANS to help combat youths causing mayhem in a village have taken a step forward. Middleton St George Parish Council had recently been considering locking the gates to the Water Park in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour. "Boy racers" have been a
-
Date
The Lifeblood Appeal
As part of The Norther Echo's Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region: MONDAY * Church Of The Ascension, Penrith Road, Middlesbrough, 2.30pm-6.45pm * Red Lion, 10 Front
-
Date
Stop wasting our time over harmless kids, say police
RESIDENTS of a housing estate in Darlington who report gangs of youths congregating on street corners are being warned they could be wasting police time. In the past four weeks, 22 incidents of youths causing annoyance in the Eastbourne area have been
-
Date
Businesses offered grant for shop facelifts
BUSINESSES in Darlington town centre could soon be given grants to help improve their premises. The funding is being made available to encourage investment and regeneration, as part of the borough council's controversial "pedestrian heart" scheme. Preliminary
-
Date
Developer plans to demolish offices
A DEVELOPER is planning to demolish its headquarters and build new homes on the site. Yuill Homes has applied for permission to build 19 detached houses in Loyalty Road, Hartlepool. The development will consist of 13 four-bedroomed houses and six three-bedroomed
-
Date
Council seeking support for recycling
RESIDENTS are being offered a chance to find out more about a recycling service that is about to be launched in Teesside. The pilot scheme, taking in 7,000 homes in Hartlepool, is aimed at improving the town's recycling of household waste. Details will
-
Date
Girls ready for final of tournament
FOOTBALL-MAD girls are hoping to win silverware when they take part in a gala tournament this month. The young players are honing their football skills in preparation for the County Durham Primary Girls Football final, which will be held at Roseberry
-
Date
Tories to vote against land sell-off
SENIOR councillors have announced they will oppose the sale of a car park to fund a council's new £4.5m headquarters. The announcement by the majority Conservative group on Richmondshire District Council marks another twist in the saga surrounding the
-
Date
Croft warms up for another thrilling Superbike showdown
BRITAIN'S premier motorsport series makes a welcome return to the race-starved North-East when round six of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship rolls into Croft Circuit this weekend. Last year, Croft was the best attended out of all 13 rounds
-
Date
Campaign launched to raise £30,000 for surgery
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to get a doctor's surgery in Catchgate, near Stanley. Derwentside District Councillor Bill Proud is backing community groups who want a GP service in Catchgate Communal Rooms. He has vowed to raise the £30,000 he estimates
-
Date
Retiring nurse aiming for bench
A NURSE who has specialised in the effects of alcohol on the liver, may soon sit in judgement on drink drivers. For after 40 years in the health service, clinical matron of gastroenterology Sheelagh Whittaker has applied to become a magistrate, in her
-
Date
Tributes to farmer who aided others
TRIBUTES have been paid to a retired North-East farmer who would always help a friend or a stranger in need. Ralph Morton Gibson, of Roker, Sunderland, died aged 80, on Saturday, after heart and kidney failure. Mr Gibson lived at North Farm, Summerhouse
-
Date
Daughter's plea to help find rogue motorcyclist
A DISTRAUGHT daughter made a plea for help yesterday in tracking down the motorcyclist whose outrageous riding led to the death of her father. Police are so appalled at the death of 67-year-old Ralph Snowdon that an inquiry has been launched. Officers
-
Date
Romanians take tour of breeding stock
FIVE representatives of the Romanian sheep industry are touring North Yorkshire to look at breeding stock and technology. The group, accompanied by a representative from the British Embassy in Bucharest, is visiting four farms with a view to opening new
-
Date
Police team to hold regular surgeries for residents
REGULAR police surgeries will be held for people in the Great Ayton and Stokesley areas. The neighbourhood policing team has joined forces with the library and information centre at Great Ayton to launch the initiative. Sessions will be held every month
-
Date
Carrianne clinches beauty title
DARLINGTON insurance worker Carrianne Green is the new Miss Durham. Miss Green, 20, triumphed in the competition at Sedgefield Racecourse last week. She was first voted favourite in a text vote, then finished strongly to impress the eight judges on the
-
Date
Sri Lankans lined up for Riverside date
WITH 24 hours still to go before Riverside hosts its second Test match, Durham cricket chiefs are already preparing to welcome the Sri Lankans to the Riverside in 12 months time. The county is expected to confirm later this month they have secured a one-day
-
Date
Jazz duo are stars of the show
TALENTED singers Jenny Griffin and Sophie Hawksby delivered a show-stopping performance at a cabaret night to raise money for the St Cuthbert's appeal. The pair gave a sultry rendition of All That Jazz at the concert earlier this month at Durham School
-
Date
Go granny go
THE future of Soapland's children has long been a cause for concern. Tugged this way and that by arguing parents, they're prime candidates to become unhappy teenagers. Take Rebecca, the soap child formerly known as Chloe in EastEnders (BBC1). You might
-
Date
Massive operation launched
POLICE from four forces will unite for a massive operation at this weekend's British Superbike meeting at the Croft race circuit. They plan to saturate routes to the circuit with marked and unmarked cars, as well as carrying out patrols and roadside speed
-
Date
Grieving son attacked security man
THE day before the funeral of his mother, a man attacked a security guard in a shopping mall. Gary Richard Hughes, 21, punched shopping centre guard Craig Thompson when he tried to evict him from a mall for being abusive. Hughes was warned yesterday he
-
Date
Boys hunted for train attack
Police are hunting a group of boys who attacked a train by dropping a concrete slab from a bridge. The 39-year-old driver had a miraculous escape after being struck in his cab. He was treated in hospital for neck and head injuries after the attack as
-
Date
Coast-to-coast bike rider raises £3,000
A PROLIFIC fundraiser is celebrating after cycling the width of England to raise £3,000 for the annual Poppy Appeal. Colin Northridge, and his wife, June, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, spent three days pedalling the 140 miles from Workington, in Cumbria
-
Date
For top results remember preparation is key to competition success
With summer competitions just around the corner how can you maximise your chances of heading the line? Remember that preparation is the key to being placed. From schooling and correct feeding to plenty of grooming, what goes on behind the scenes is vital
-
Date
Saint's shrine to be given eternal flame
AN eternal flame will be lit at the shrine of a saint next week. A brass lamp will be dedicated and placed over the tomb of The Venerable Bede at Durham Cathedral at 2pm on Saturday, June 11, in a service to celebrate the centenary of Rotary International
-
Date
French veterans hail Mynarski memorial
FRENCH war veterans who set up a memorial in their country to once-forgotten hero Andrew Mynarski have praised a campaign to see him commemorated in the North-East. An 8ft bronze statue of the Canadian Second World War air gunner, who died trying to save
-
Date
McCarthy snubbed in double striker swoop
SUNDERLAND'S attempts to add some much-needed firepower to their attack for their return to the Premiership hit the buffers yesterday with £1m bids turned down for two Championship strikers. The Black Cats had a seven-figure sum for Wolves' Kenny Miller
-
Date
Bowles of ire
Peter Bowles has been in demand as a leading man since he starred in TV's To The Manor Born. He talks to Viv Hardwick about his decision to tour to Darlington's Civic Theatre and the joys of playing a baddie for television. IN many ways Peter Bowles is
-
Date
Thorpe convinced timing is right over quit decision
CENTURION in waiting Graham Thorpe insists he went through the 'right channels' in revealing his winter plans to play and coach in Australia, despite coming under fire from chairman of selectors David Graveney for its timing. The Surrey left-hander's
-
Date
British mountaineer enters record books
British mountaineer Alan Hinkes has become the first Briton to climb the world's 14 highest peaks. From Northallerton, Hinkes successfully reached the summit of Kangchenjunga. This marks the completion of Hinkes' Challenge 8000, his attempt to be the
-
Date
Children arrested over 'boy's hanging'
A five-year-old boy found with "horrific" ligature marks around his neck had been taken from his mother's garden. Anthony Brown was taken to nearby woods, where he suffered the injuries in what police are treating as attempted murder. Detectives have
-
Date
Honest John
Making cassette tapes to amuse friends with the adventures of middle-aged John Shuttleworth has developed into an incredible career for Graham Fellows. He talks to Viv Hardwick about his all-conquering comic creation. SINGER, musician, actor, comic, radio
-
Date
Monkey comes ashore again
THE monkey legend of Hartlepool has resurfaced after two centuries - and the police have finally got involved. Detectives were called in to investigate after a leg bone was found on the beach at Seaton Carew by a family who were out looking for seashells
-
Date
From porn film to Greek tragedy
After 30 years of silence, the man who helped bring down a president has been unmasked. Nick Morrison looks at how shockwaves from the scandal are still reverberating around Washington. IT seemed a fairly minor enough event at first. In the early hours
-
Date
Move to pull down home
A RUNDOWN former residential home that has become a vandalism hot-spot since it closed looks set to be demolished. Albion House, in the centre of Willington, closed about 18 months ago as part of a countywide shake-up of care provision for the elderly
-
Date
Sure Start party bus celebration
CHILDREN are invited to hop on board a party bus next week. The North Yorkshire County Council children's information services double- decker will be packed with toys, activities and give-aways when in stops in Richmond Market Place next Thursday. The
-
Date
02/06/05
LET'S GO FORWARD: THE idea was that France would go first in the EU constitution referendum programme as the leading power behind the new Europe and vote yes. Everybody else would feel obliged to follow because they would not want to be the one to obstruct
-
Date
News from the WIs
East Stanley WI: Members were welcomed by our president Anne Stayman. Jenny Keeler was thanked for the flowers which were sent to Hilda Burnett. Birthday greetings were given to Elsie Marshall. After secretary Audrey Wallace dealt with the business, executive
-
Date
It's Russ the Wilde man
Viv Hardwick talks to drummer and comedian turned actor Russ Abbot about taking on the words of Wilde as a palmist with a gift for predicting murder. LAYING a professional palmist doing interviews on Friday the 13th creates few problems for ex-TV comedy
-
Date
People have chance to volunteer their time
LOCAL people are being urged to get into the volunteering habit next week by getting on a big red bus. An adapted double-decker bus will be in the Thirsk area to promote the benefits of becoming a volunteer. To celebrate the Year of the Volunteer, Thirsk
-
Date
Sexual frustration at the station
Born And Bred (BBC1): "IT'S a good thing Tom's coming back tomorrow," they kept saying in the small Lancashire village of Ormiston throughout the first episode of the new series. Those familiar with dramas like Born And Bred will have recognised that
-
Date
Support for cancer patients
A GROUP set up to help cancer patients offers holistic therapy as well as medical treatment by doctors. Helping Hands meets on the first Thursday of every month in the outpatients department of the Chester-le-Street Community Hospital. Members share experiences
-
Date
Young carers in need of support
A CHARITY is seeking volunteers from County Durham to help give support to young carers. The Barnardo's Young Carers project works with youngsters who are looking after sick or disabled relatives in the Derwentside and Easington areas. Currently the project
-
Date
Smoke-free pub forced into u-turn
THE first pub in the Darlington area to go completely non-smoking has been forced to scrap the policy after a drop in trade. The Spotted Dog, at High Coniscliffe, introduced an indoor smoking section after it found larger groups were put off by the ban
-
Date
Sir Alf wins again at South Durham meet
THE South Durham Hunt held the last point to point on the Yorkshire circuit for 2005 on Saturday, May 14. Held at Mordon by kind permission of Mr John Wade, it attracted a good crowd and the weather kept bright. With 20 fences to jump, the Members race
-
Date
315 staff told 'your jobs are at risk'
MORE than 300 jobs are threatened by a supermarket chain's decision to scale down a North-East depot. A total of 315 staff at Asda's ambient foods warehouse, in Washington, Wearside, have received "at risk of redundancy" letters. Michael Hopper, regional
-
Date
Looking on bright side
DURHAM will be hoping for some favourable decisions from Trevor Jesty and Alan Whitehead when play gets under way on the second day of their match at Worcester. Although the rain stopped shortly afterwards, the umpires abandoned any hope of play on the
-
Date
ASBO breaker admits killing dad of two
A hoodie-wearing yob has admitted killing a dad of two in the street - just eight days after he was made the subject of an ASBO. Gary Prescott, 16, attacked victim Thomas Noble, 53, when he tried to break up a fight between a gang of teenagers. The married
-
Date
The joys of the ideas gardener
They were ahead of us at the checkout in B&Q: two small children, a boy and a girl, each clutching a tray of plants whose green shoots were too newly grown to be recognisable as any familiar flower or vegetable. But, whatever they were, the children
-
Date
Dad At Large: Another little star is born
A SERIOUS conversation in a pub between two dads recently underlines the agonisingly difficult decisions us men have to make. The first dad was explaining that he was facing a real dilemma: his wife had indicated that she was interested in having sex
-
Date
Air ambulance appeal in television spotlight
THE first television advertising campaign to encourage people to support the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAAS) was launched yesterday. Advertisements showing clips of the crew urges people to give 50p a week to maintain the life-saving service. During
-
Date
Town could receive £500,000 from house estate builder
A TOWN could receive almost £500,000 to fight flooding and extend a primary school if plans for 218 homes are given the go-ahead. Redrow Homes wants to build the houses on a 5.6-hectare piece of land between Scarborough Road and Norton Grove Industrial
-
Date
Top brass helps create newspaper edition at rail museum
VISITORS to a tourist attraction celebrating the region's rich railway heritage have been producing their own special editions of The Northern Echo. Young and old are enjoying Darlington Railway Museum's "read all about it" initiative, which has seen
-
Date
Another little star is born
A SERIOUS conversation in a pub between two dads recently underlines the agonisingly difficult decisions us men have to make. The first dad was explaining that he was facing a real dilemma: his wife had indicated that she was interested in having sex
-
Date
VIEWERS TO SEE VILLAGE'S SLEEPY ATMOspHERE SHATTERED
THE moment when ten ladettes descended on a sleepy country village will be aired on television tonight. Eggleston Hall, in Teesdale, County Durham, is the location for a new reality TV show being screened on ITV at 9pm. Ladette to Lady has taken ten hard-drinking
-
Date
Flexible sport needs many skills
No matter how much politicians try to foster the 'entente cordiale' the British still regard the French with a good deal of suspicion - and I suspect that the sometimes scratchy feelings between the two countries will always be present despite any amount
-
Date
Builders invited to underpin IT skills
FREE workshops to help construction businesses get the most out of their IT systems take place later this month. Technology Services Group is holding software workshops at TSG Newcastle, at Team Valley, Gateshead, on Tuesday, June 14, 10am to noon, and
-
Date
Dutch follow French to vote 'no'
FIRST, France said no -and Dutch voters followed suit last night. Exit polls showed that nearly 63 per cent of Dutch voters rejected the proposed EU constitution -deepening the crisis over the future of the European Union sparked by France's rejection
-
Date
Helping elderly thwart conmen
PENSIONERS are to be given lessons in how to avoid falling prey to bogus callers and dodgy tradesmen. Sessions are planned on Teesside and in a County Durham market town to show the elderly the techniques needed to keep thieves and conmen at bay. In Chester-le-Street
-
Date
Minister backs link-up between schools
A PROPOSED link-up between two North-East schools has received ministerial approval. Lord Andrew Adonis, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools, has cleared the way for a federation between Middlesbrough's troubled Unity City Academy and
-
Date
Shake-up eats profits at Northern Foods
NORTHERN Foods was yesterday counting the cost of a restructuring programme that wiped out annual profits. The group, which employs 300 workers in a frozen food plant near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, revealed profits for the year ending April 2 collapsed
-
Date
Computer hackers likely to be jailed
TWO hackers who helped to launch a virus that caused computer chaos across the globe have been warned they are facing jail. Andrew Harvey, 22, and Jordan Bradley, 20, were arrested following a joint swoop by Durham Police and US secret service and FBI
-
Date
Tributes to farmer who aided others
TRIBUTES have been paid to a retired North-East farmer who would always help a friend or a stranger in need. Ralph Morton Gibson, of Roker, Sunderland, died aged 80, on Saturday, after heart and kidney failure. Mr Gibson lived at North Farm, Summerhouse
-
Date
Opportunity to buy TV presenter's artwork
SOME of the canvasses painted by pioneering children's television presenter Muriel Young, from County Durham, are on sale on the Internet. Lotsurf.com, Middlesbrough online auctioneers, are offering pictures, painted by Mrs Young - ITV's Aunty Mu - from
-
Date
Man charged with murder
A MAN was due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court this Friday charged with the murder of an unemployed father-of-two in Burnopfield. Robin Jacques, 41, of Park View, Burnopfield, is accused of killing Barry Thompson, 44, of no fixed address, who was found
-
Date
Bus-only lane - commuters fear tailbacks will worsen
COMMUTERS fear a proposed bus lane will only add to daily rush-hour misery on a busy dual carriageway approaching a city centre. Durham County Council plans to introduce a bus priority lane between Belmont slip road and Gilesgate roundabout, on the A690
-
Date
Guided rides help celebrate bike week
THREE guided bike rides along some of the region's best off-road routes have been organised to help celebrate National Bike Week in County Durham. The rides, starting from Consett, Lanchester and Bishop Auckland, follow former railway tracks to Broompark
-
Date
Group to take part in Pensioners' Parliament
A GROUP of older people from north Durham is going to Blackpool to take part in the Pensioners' Parliament next week. Nineteen members of Derwentside Pensioners' Association are heading for the North-West on Monday and will stay until Friday. They will
-
Date
Decline in output may lead to rate cut
THE manufacturing sector is continuing to deteriorate, experts have warned, after it emerged that factory output had fallen for the first time in more than two years. Economists said the figures for last month from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing
-
Date
Sin City slicker
He won't say whether he fancies being the next James Bond, but everything else appears to be falling into place for British actor Clive Owen. He talks to Steve Pratt about his rising fame in the US, which led to a part in star-filled movie Sin City, and
-
Date
A fun day on the green
A FORMER mining community is gearing up for a day of fun on its Millennium Green and in its village hall later this month. The event will be held at Craghead, near Stanley, on Saturday, June 11, between noon and 4pm and will feature a range of activities
-
Date
School team looking great
A SCHOOL football team has been kitted out with a strip worth £400. St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, in Stanley, received the Nike kits from the Football Foundation. The foundation is the UK's largest sports charity and provides equipment to
-
Date
Alzheimer's charity shop marks 10 years of service
A CHARITY shop in Derwentside celebrated its tenth birthday yesterday. It is a decade since the Alzheimer's Society opened its charity shop in Newmarket Street, Consett. Staff celebrated with customers and enjoyed a buffet lunch. The shop was opened in
-
Date
Spring cleaning time for estate
A TEESSIDE housing estate is getting a spring clean - and some advice. A multi-agency taskforce is going into the Bankfields estate at Eston, near Middlesbrough, for a week of tidy-up activities, backed by a series of family fun events and advice sessions
-
Date
Children look to stars indoors
PUPILS at a school near Darlington enjoyed learning about outer space when a mobile inflatable planetarium was set up in their gym. On the last day of the school term, the year eight children at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College were able to
-
Date
Beauty spot fall
A WOMAN needed hospital yesterday treatment after she fell at a popular beauty spot. The walker, in her 50s, fell and injured her ankle at Hardraw Force, near Hawes, North Yorkshire. Paramedics were called at about 4.20pm. Firefighters carried the woman
-
Date
Quit smoking healthy figures
SMOKERS are quitting the habit in their droves in Darlington - beating national targets by 25 per cent. Darlington Primary Care Trust helped 670 people give up smoking and stay off cigarettes for at least four weeks last year, far exceeding a Government-set
-
Date
Club proposal may go ahead
PLANS for a workingmen's club to be reduced in size are likely to be approved by councillors next week. Haughton Workingmen's Club, on Haughton Green, Darlington, is hoping to reduce its size to help cope with a decline in membership. Proposals have been
-
Date
Urban Green Day sees alternative transport
CHILDREN and their parents enjoyed an environmentally-friendly themed day during their half-term holidays. The urban green day in Darlington Market Place saw a stilt-walker and face-painter alongside the environmentally friendly cars that were on show
-
Date
Pupils jump into school record book
YOUNG sports stars at a County Durham school have leapt and jumped their way into the record books in their annual sports day. Two records were broken at the sports day at Barnard Castle School. Preparatory school pupil. Hetti Harper, broke the under-nines
-
Date
Ex-girlfriend left in fear of violence
A MAN has admitted putting his ex-girlfriend in fear of violence by harassing her and a further charge of threatening to destroy or damage property. Martin Saunders, 23, of Pasture Field, Sedgefield, pleaded guilty to the two charges following an appearance
-
Date
Weekend of success for northern riders
A STRONG northern contingent headed to Lincolnshire to take part in one of the season's two-day endurance competitions at the superb setting of RAF Cranwell. The competition, April 30 and May 1, was held by kind permission of the Air Officer Commanding
-
Date
Show by design students
GRADUATING design students from Cleveland College of Art and Design, in Hartlepool, will be showcasing their textile and craft work from Thursday, June 9, to Thursday, June 16. Exhibits, from fashion textiles to interior furnishings, gifts and cards,
-
Date
Wings looking for a flying start in Grouse hunt
TOP-WEIGHT may not be sufficient to stop Qualitair Wings (4.10) romping to victory in Hamilton's Famous Grouse Handicap. A habitual visitor to the popular Scottish track during the past four years, Qualitair Wings generally goes well when sent north of
-
Date
Vandals targeting former club site
VANDALS targeting the derelict former home of Darlington Football Club have been warned they could be putting themselves in danger. Feethams has been unused since the Quakers played their last game there in May 2003. Darlington Feethams Cricket Field
-
Date
Derby delight as Murtagh's ban is reduced
The penultimate chapter in the fairytale story of Vodafone Derby favourite Motivator was given a happy ending in London yesterday when Johnny Murtagh was cleared to take the ride on Saturday. The Irishman is free to bid for his third success in the world's
-
Date
Magpies join the plot
Tickets have just gone on sale for the Royal Shakespeare Company's Tyneside season. And at least one North-East theatre company is likely to be invited to Stratford next year to take part in the Shakespeare Festival. Viv Hardwick reports. THE Royal Shakespeare
-
Date
Cash cuts hit college jobs and courses
DARLINGTON College of Technology's annual budget has been reduced by about £600,000, forcing it to cut up to 40 jobs and hundreds of student places. The principal has warned the cut - part of a national redistribution of funding from the Learning and
-
Date
Project will help region's fishermen develop new business
A project to help the region's fishermen net new business is being launched along the North East coast. The skipper training scheme aims to help fishermen explore other opportunities such as taking tourists on their boats, as the fishing industry slows
-
Date
Centre shops to get grants
BUSINESSES in Darlington town centre could soon be given grants to help improve their premises. The new funding is being made available to encourage investment and regeneration, as part of the borough council's controversial 'pedestrian heart' scheme.
-
Date
John North: Incredible rise if the iron-willed professor
The ironworks of Witton Park were the unlikely backdrop for an impoverished labourer who rose to become one of the country's top academics. THE extraordinary story of the ironworks labourer who became one of Britain's foremost academics - yet who so greatly
-
Date
Job fears as BAT looks East
FEARS for the jobs of more than 80 North-East workers increased last night after a tobacco company announced it is moving production overseas. Cigarette giant British American Tobacco (BAT) is to switch production from its main UK factory in Southampton
-
Date
Call for GP's surgery
A CAMPAIGN has been launched calling for a doctor's surgery at Catchgate, near Stanley. Derwentside District councillor Bill Proud is backing community groups who want a GP service to be set up in Catchgate communal rooms. He has vowed to raise the £30,000
-
Date
Atlantic rowers in high spirits, despite the aches
THE aches and pains are already in evidence for the intrepid crew aiming to set a new Atlantic rowing record. Nigel Morris, 40, and George Rock, 41, both from Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, and fellow crew members Steve Dawson, 43, from Boston, Lincolnshire
-
Date
Birthday nightmare as woman is attacked after celebration
A WOMAN was attacked on her birthday as she got off a bus on her way home from celebrating with friends. The victim, who has not been named but is from Darlington, had been in the town centre with friends to celebrate her 54th birthday. Her friends had
-
Date
Hunt on for local lads
DAVID HODGSON may be renowned for his globe-trotting exploits in search of new talent but the Darlington manager would prefer to cast his net closer to home. While Hodgson will continue to scour the overseas market for potential signings, the Quakers'
-
Date
Come to my city, says MP
THE newly-elected MP for Durham City has used her maiden speech in the House of Commons to invite her new colleagues to see for themselves the progress being made in her constituency. Quoting Bill Bryson, the new chancellor of Durham University, Roberta
-
Date
Croft warms up for another thrilling Superbike showdown
BRITAIN'S premier motorsport series makes a welcome return to the race-starved North-East when round six of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship rolls into Croft Circuit this weekend. Last year, Croft was the best attended out of all 13 rounds
-
Date
Dinner ladies facing the sack
TELEVISION chef Jamie Oliver's campaign against poor school food threatens to cost dinner ladies their jobs, one North-East authority has warned. Canteen sales have dropped across North Yorkshire as parents refuse to let their children eat school dinners
-
Date
Fatal road accident claims its third victim
THE death toll of a fatal road traffic accident in Consett has risen to three. Margaret Murray, 53, of Castleside, near Consett, died in Newcastle General Hospital on Sunday. Her husband Michael Murray, also 53, and taxi driver Michael Joseph Stewart,
-
Date
The Lifeblood Appeal
As part of The Norther Echo's Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region: MONDAY * Church Of The Ascension, Penrith Road, Middlesbrough, 2.30pm-6.45pm * Red Lion, 10 Front
-
Date
Councils asked to back bid for roads cash
COUNCILS are being asked to back a £2m scheme to make up all the unmade streets in a former mining community. Dene Valley Parish Council has written to Durham County Council and Wear Valley District Council urging the authorities to back a bid for European
-
Date
On TV last night
Born And Bred (BBC1) IT'S a good thing Tom's coming back tomorrow," they kept saying in the small Lancashire village of Ormiston throughout the first episode of the new series. Those familiar with dramas like Born And Bred will have recognised that words
-
Date
That's our boy!
FAMILY and friends of a Consett dancer have been glued to their TV sets for the last week as he makes his bid for fame in the reality TV show Big Brother. Despite being booed by the audience as he danced his way into the house, Anthony Hutton has immediately
-
Date
Church packed to the rafters
A THRIVING church hopes to move into new premises because its existing site is filled to the rafters during worship services and youth activities. The Christian Life Centre regularly attracts 600 people to services and events at its main church building
-
Date
Decline in output may lead to rate cut
THE manufacturing sector is continuing to deteriorate, experts have warned, after it emerged that factory output had fallen for the first time in more than two years. Economists said the figures for last month from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing
-
Date
Kilimanjaro feat reaised £5,000 for charity
TWO adventurers have raised more than £5,000 for charity by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Geography teacher Michael Malone and quantity surveyor Jason Dixon climbed the 50-mile Rongai route up the African mountain. They took six days to reach the 19,265ft
-
Date
Medieval display
VISITORS to Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, tomorrow and on Saturday can see a historical encampment, with costumed interpreters demonstrating domestic medieval life. From 10am to 5pm, visitors can talk to craftspeople, listen to medieval music and watch
-
Date
Villagers set £40,000 renovation target
VILLAGERS have embarked on a £40,000 fundraising campaign to restore medieval stained glass windows in their church. Lead work around the 600-year-old glass in eight windows at St Michael's Church in Coxwold, near Easingwold, has deteriorated, leaving
-
Date
WI news
Witton Gilbert WI: THERE are still places left for the summer outing on June 25. Rhoda Clark gave a delightful Golden Thread to the May meeting, a song from her childhood in the Church of Wales. Doreen Bilton gave a report from the county AGM. Cynthia
-
Date
Pasture management to protect against parasites
Pasture management is an essential part of any worm control programme, and plays a vital role in ensuring the health and well being of your horse. Most life cycles of equine parasites involve a period of development outside the horse and on the pasture
