Archive
-
Date
Fly-away mother is arrested on return
A MOTHER who went on holiday to Turkey and left her three children at home was arrested on suspicion of neglect when she arrived back in the North-East yesterday. Kelly Ann Piggford, 23, was met by police after her plane landed at Durham Tees Valley Airport
-
Date
Ringing in a new style of life
"I wouldn't have done it if I'd still been bellringing," said my mother. Pulling the fitted sheet over the mattress on the top bunk bed (for visiting great-grandchildren) she'd pulled a muscle in her shoulder. At 89 it takes a long time for aches to go
-
Date
Graduates given words of advice from Chancellor Bill
AUTHOR Bill Bryson was on official duty yesterday in the building that captured his imagination on first sight. The American travel writer, who was appointed Chancellor of Durham University after the death of Sir Peter Ustinov last year, sang the praises
-
Date
Work is in pipeline
A FIRM producing specialist pigging equipment to travel down oil and gas pipes has started work on a £2.5m factory. Pipeline Engineering's 40,000 sq ft unit will be built at the firm's Gatherley Road Industrial Estate site, at Brompton-on-Swale, near
-
Date
United - but Pools apart
Tomorrow, the Pool head for Cardiff for the biggest game in their 97-year history. No. That's not right. "Tomorrow, Pool head for Cardiff. . .". No, no. Still not right. Add an 's'. "Tomorrow, the Pools head for Cardiff. . .". No, no, no. Lose the definite
-
Date
Harvey cements his reputation as the undisputed king of the Twenty20 game
Ian Harvey proved once again that he is the undisputed king of Twenty-20 cricket by thrashing a sizzling century in Yorkshire's six wicket win over previously unbeaten Derbyshire at Headingley. The Australian all-rounder has now plundered three of the
-
Date
29/06/05
DR ROBIN WADE: I WAS very saddened to read about the events leading up to Dr Robin Wade's appearance in court last week (Echo, June 21 and 22). My family and I have been patients at Moorlands surgery in Darlington for many years and I remember when Dr
-
Date
Is this what we want for our kids?
HAS there ever been any recorded case of a paedophile getting a video of a school sports day and using it to track down children? Or are we getting things utterly out of perspective? The National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations has called
-
Date
Doris Karloff does dilemmas
Ann Widdecombe to the Rescue (BBC2); Columbus: Man or Myth (five): SOMEONE at The Guardian has got a lot of explaining to do. Whoever thought it would be a wheeze to hire Ann Widdecombe as an agony aunt obviously had a warped sense of humour. This is
-
Date
Tackling an awesome record
Even as we speak, rushing towards us across the Atlantic Ocean are two sets of awesome oarsmen, straining every muscle to beat a record set in 1896. The Dutch foursome are four days in front of the English crew, which includes two rowers from Ingleby
-
Date
Graeme Storm's European Tour Diary
IRELAND is a haven for golfers - and here at the K Club it's easy to see why. I'm in Dublin for the Smurfit European Open, which starts on Thursday and feel very comfortable and confident. After missing out on qualifying for The Open on Monday - more
-
Date
Is this what we want for our kids?
The way we're going with our paranoia, the chilling image of Michael Jackson's veiled children may come to be the norm. HAS there ever been any recorded case of a paedophile getting a video of a school sports day and using it to track down children? Or
-
Date
Poverty battle brings out the best in region's youngsters
THE fight to eradicate world poverty has brought out a creative, campaigning streak in children at a North-East primary school. Youngsters from St Mary's RC in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, decided to make a graphic statement in an attempt to help rid
-
Date
Gadfly: A banner ban and Welsh wails
IT'S one of the region's most cherished, most memorable and most stirring traditions: bands and banners marching proudly through former pit communities on their way to Durham Big Meeting. Now, however, the coalfield tradition is being seriously undermined
-
Date
Comment from The Northern Echo: No blind eyes in history
LET'S tub-thump. Let's be proud. Just for a moment, let's not run ourselves down. The build-up to yesterday's celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar has all been about the politically correct nonsense of having a re-enactment
-
Date
Archaeologists uncover naked rambler on moor
A RAMBLER has been spotted exposing himself to the elements in the Durham Dales. The naked walker has been seen walking along isolated footpaths in Teesdale, making the most of the this week's good weather. The naturist surprised a group of archaeologists
-
Date
Blocking out the sound of the truth
"I'm going to get tickets for us all, " my husband said, full of enthusiasm. "They're really good. You'll enjoy it." Our son and daughter - and their respective other halves - were very doubtful. They gave in, but only under protest and once they'd exhausted
-
Date
For all the write reasons
"Why do people read these columns?", my husband pondered. "What makes them bother?" It's a good question. I'd not given much thought to it until then. Of course, a lot of people never read columnists. They buy a paper for the sport or the news and that's
-
Date
Time zone stickers to encourage walking
POSTERS and stickers telling people the walking distance to a town centre are being put up as part of a council campaign. North Yorkshire County Council is running WalkWise, the first of its kind in Britain. It aims to provide people with information
-
Date
University's taste of student life
A NORTH-EAST university will hold a popular open day today. Staff and students at the University of Sunderland will give visitors an idea of what it is like to study at the university. Prospective students will also be able to discuss student finance
-
Date
Small ideas at big conference
THE region's first nano-medicine conference will start next week. The two-day event in Newcastle will bring together more than 70 specialists in healthcare and small-scale technology. Whether it is miniaturised cameras in surgery or nano-scale tissue
-
Date
Employers in struggle to find skilled workers
FIGURES produced by Darlington businesses for May are in complete contrast to the previous four weeks. Whereas in April, turnover and employee levels had increased and business confidence had fallen, in May the indices for turnover and employees were
-
Date
M-way crash witness appeal
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a white Seat Toledo and blue Vauxhall Cavalier collided southbound on the A1(M) near junction 60 at Bradbury, near Sedgefield, on Monday afternoon. Witnesses are asked to call (0845) 606 0365.
-
Date
Town by bike
CYCLISTS from Darlington joined a series of events to explore the town. Darlington's Town On The Move team organised a variety of events and bike rides for all ages to coincide with National Bike Week last week. All bike week participants were entered
-
Date
Delight at £500 grant
A COMMUNITY centre has been awarded a grant to replace its floor as part of a major refurbishment. Croxdale Community Centre has received £500 from Durham City Council's Flourishing Community Fund to complete the work. Centre secretary Louise Sheldon
-
Date
Police warning after men con £500 out of householder
CONMEN claiming to be builders targeted a 61-year-old man. Police are warning other people to be on their guard after three men called at the man's home in Grassholme Place, Newton Aycliffe, last week, and told him he needed work doing on his roof. One
-
Date
Dogs Trust seeks loving owners
STAFF at Dogs Trust Darlington are trying to find people who want to provide a home for a dog, after being inundated with two particular breeds - lurchers and greyhounds. The trust cares for about 120 dogs at the rehoming centre at any one time. It is
-
Date
Poster appeal to find 11-year-old's murderer
POLICE investigating the murder of 11-year-old Dean Pike in an arson attack have been putting up posters appealing for information as they face a wall of silence from a community. Detective Superintendent Barbara Franklin, who is leading the investigation
-
Date
Putting feet first
CHILDREN at a Darlington school will learn about looking after their feet today. The Feet for Life event is taking place at Abbey Infants School, and involves pupils aged four and five. The day has been organised by Louise Nelson, foot health advisor
-
Date
Glowing report of college by inspectors
STAFF and students at a college are celebrating a glowing report from Government inspectors as they come towards the end of their first year at a new site. Last year, New College Durham moved from its cramped split-site home into its £35m campus at Framwellgate
-
Date
Fears over impact if school is converted into homes
PLANS to convert a former school into 26 flats and houses would cause traffic chaos and overstretch amenities, according to people living nearby. Kirkdale Developments Limited has applied for permission to turn St Martin's School, at Nawton, between Helmsley
-
Date
Residents criticise council over flats approval
RESIDENTS say a council's decision to approve plans for a block of flats in their street was undemocratic and unfair. Richmondshire District Council planning officers used their delegated powers to pass plans for four flats in Gallowfields Road, Richmond
-
Date
Fibres from jumper led
A CAREER criminal who burgled a student's flat has been jailed for two years and five months. A judge at Newcastle Crown Court heard that repeat offender Steven Lamb, 23, was arrested after forensic scientists found fibres from his jumper on the window
-
Date
Strategy to protect drinking water from mine pollution
THE COAL Authority (CA) has come up with a long-term solution to halt the danger of rising minewater contaminating drinking water supplies The authority announced yesterday that it is now ready to put its proposals to public consultation Minewater has
-
Date
Wilks has a dramatic day
GUY Wilks was forced to play second fiddle to Suzuki team-mate P-G Andersson in Greece at the weekend, but still managed to consolidate his second place in the Junior World Rally Championship. Wilks had a dramatic start to the rally when he hit a rock
-
Date
Councillor to leap 13,000ft for charity
A COUNCILLOR turns daredevil today to raise funds for a charity. Barbara Harpham will make a leap from an aeroplane at 13,000ft with the world famous Red Devils. The Redcar and Cleveland Borough councillor signed up to do a tandem parachute jump in aid
-
Date
Rebels fail to derail Identity Card Bill
MPs last night backed multi-billion pound plans for identity cards despite a revolt by 20 Labour backbenchers in the first test of Tony Blair's shrunken Commons majority. The Government's majority of 66 was slashed to 31, but the controversial legislation
-
Date
Struggling social club damaged in suspicious fire
A STRUGGLING social club has been badly damaged by fire just weeks after being sold at auction. Firefighters battled the blaze for more than six hours after a member of the public made an emergency call during the early hours of yesterday. It was revealed
-
Date
Long-running sports day 'could be the last'
A CHILDREN'S sports day which started 55 years ago could be held for the last time this weekend. Lack of helpers, less support from parents and growing problems of insuring against accidents are combining to spell a bleak future for Ripon Children's Sports
-
Date
Sculptures grace restored incinerator site
A SET of sculptures were unveiled yesterday at a former incinerator site turned nature reserve. The outdoor works, designed by artist Andrew McKeown with the help of local children, have been installed at the Portrack meadows site, Stockton. The ceremony
-
Date
David voted craft group's champion
STUDENT David Rushmere has been voted a craft group's champion volunteer after he made dozens of lengthy trips to help its members. He has made the many trips in the past eight years to help men and women in the Craft Works project at Barnard Castle,
-
Date
Teens await sentencing
TWO teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced later after being found guilty of a string of offences. One of them breached an anti-social behaviour order four times. Magistrates in Darlington yesterday found him guilty of swearing
-
Date
Food parcels lift community
FOOD parcels are being delivered on a Teesside housing estate. The scheme is operating not because of hard times, but is down to community spirit, with residents making life easier for some of their less-able neighbours. The food distribution also forms
-
Date
Aregal twist to a Real mystery
A week of many wonderments. For instance, I learn that the dot over the top of an i is called a tittle - therefore tiny, inconsequential small talk is tattle that is tittle. I learn that because so many people now dine al-desko, the average desktop contains
-
Date
Pupils brushing up on their panto skills - and hygiene
YOUNGSTERS in Durham are getting a lesson in hygiene, thanks to the dramatic efforts of sixth-formers. Students at Durham High School for Girls are taking their production, Germerella, to 12 primary schools across the district. For the third year running
-
Date
Teenage terror locked up again
A NOTORIOUS teenage offender, dubbed Lambton Worm Boy by police, has received a 12-month custodial sentence for his latest misdemeanours. The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was nicknamed after the legendary beast of medieval
-
Date
Mad Alice taking Shakespeare into the the park
ONE of Shakespeare's most popular plays is to be performed in a Derwentside park. The outdoor production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is being held at Blackhill and Consett Park. It is the result of Derwentside Leisure Services collaborating with Consett-based
-
Date
Stolen funds sent to Russia
A LAW undergraduate transferred thousands of pounds stolen from British bank accounts to an unknown company in Russia, a court heard yesterday. Kevin Fuller received about £30,000 in his Barclays and Lloyds TSB bank accounts which he then transferred
-
Date
Supporters' disgust after loan refused
SUPPORTERS of a much-loved hospice offering vital care for terminally ill patients have reacted with disbelief after they were refused Government help. St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham, found its application for money under the Government-funded Futurebuilders
-
Date
Fitzpatrick's career back on track
ROBBIE FITZPATRICK'S career is firmly back on track partnering the likes of Catterick-bound Strensall (3.00). Having enjoyed tremendous success towards the end of the nineties, Fitzpatrick's star then gradually faded, a fate that sadly befalls so many
-
Date
MS sufferer's fears for cannabis supply
A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer who relies on illegal cannabis-laced chocolate to ease her pain fears her supply will be cut off after a series of police raids. For the past six months, ex-nurse Pauline Taylor, 53, from Durham, has tempered her pain by
-
Date
Is loss of freedom on the cards?
The Government's proposals to bring in legislation concerning identity cards has caused quite a stir. The arguments in favour of the Bill are straightforward at a time when terrorism remains on the agenda - knowing who people are helps with tracking down
-
Date
'God gave me wings'
He provided one of the biggest upsets of the General Election, and earned himself a host of new fans when he went on to give US senators a grilling, so why is George Galloway so touchy? Nick Morrison feels the lash of his tongue. IT'S hard to pinpoint
-
Date
IT scheme is short listed for top award
A PIONEERING IT system developed by social care, health and housing teams in County Durham is in line for an award. The electronic system has been short listed in the technology category of the regional Health and Social Care Awards 2005. Social workers
-
Date
Lasers revealing rock art secrets
NEW technology is being used to unearth the secrets of ancient stone carvings. It is hoped the high-precision laser technology will allow archaeologists to examine in detail the methods used to create the carvings. Five rocks with Stone Age engravings
-
Date
Fly-away mother is arrested on return
A MOTHER who went on holiday to Turkey and left her three children at home was arrested on suspicion of neglect when she arrived back in the North-East yesterday. Kelly Ann Piggford, 23, was met by police after her plane landed at Durham Tees Valley Airport
-
Date
Exhibitors angry at lack of insurance
ORGANISERS of a family fun weekend have come under fire for failing to ensure valuable exhibitions were insured and secure. Thieves stole £3,000 worth of model vintage vehicles from Preston Park in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, overnight on Saturday-Sunday
-
Date
Busy Ape children about to debut
A GROUP of youngsters will make their acting debut in the first production of a new theatre group based in Catchgate, near Stanley. Busy Ape Arts Youth Theatre is staging a performance of one group piece and several monologues by young people aged eight
-
Date
Lighter fluid linked to arson attack
Police investigating the murder of an 11-year-old boy in an arson attack on Wearside are examining a tin of lighter fluid found at the scene. Dean Pike died in the blaze at his home in Mordey Close in the Hendon area of Sunderland, early on Friday. His
-
Date
Harkers to lose more than half employees in lay-offs
MORE than half the workforce at a North-East engineering company has been laid off in the third round of redundancies in two years. Harkers Engineering Ltd yesterday confirmed that 54 employees at its Stockton site have been affected. At its peak in 2003
-
Date
On TV
Ann Widdecombe to the Rescue (BBC2) Columbus: Man or Myth (five) SOMEONE at The Guardian has got a lot of explaining to do. Whoever thought it would be a wheeze to hire Ann Widdecombe as an agony aunt obviously had a warped sense of humour. This is the
-
Date
Wages not enough to keep top executives
COMPANIES across the region are struggling to hold on to executives, despite a rise in bonus payments. A survey by the Chartered Management Institute and Remuneration Economics found that 79.9 per cent of North-East executives received a bonus in 2004
-
Date
Online guide to planning rules
A GUIDE to help steer property professionals through the UK planning process has been launched. The Design Statement Tool, commissioned by One NorthEast, is an online service that aims to make it easier for people investing in the region to comply with
-
Date
Workers expected to vote for strike
WORKERS at a chilled food factory are expected to vote to continue strike action today. The Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) has balloted about 150 staff at Country Style Foods, in Stockton, as a row over new contracts intensifies. Alan Milne
-
Date
What if . . . how communities could be lost to rising seas
THE region's coastal communities and huge swathes of North Yorkshire could be wiped out by rising sea levels triggered by global warming. Scientists are warning that the sweltering heat of the past few weeks and the flash floods experienced in Carlisle
-
Date
Teacher jailed for sex abuse of pupils
A teacher who carried out a string of sexual assaults on teenage boys in his care has started a three-year jail sentence. Paul McCann was working at Eastbourne Comprehensive School, in Darlington, and ran one of the football teams when he was arrested
-
Date
Living in fear of the news
When I get up in the morning, the first thing I often do is switch on the radio to catch up with the news. It's part of my morning routine, something to listen to with half an ear while I get the breakfast. But these days, as my hand touches that switch
-
Date
Cold start to centres' profit
POOR weather was yesterday blamed for a dip in profits for Dobbies Garden Centres. The plc, which has outlets near Chester-le-Street, at Birtley, and in Ponteland, near Newcastle, announced its interim results for the six months to April 30. It revealed
-
Date
Fraser pays £69m for rival
DEPARTMENT stores group House of Fraser yesterday announced a £69.4m deal for a smaller rival. The company, which has a store at the MetroCentre and owns Binns in Middlesbrough and Darlington, has bought Wolverhampton-based Beatties, which has 12 outlets
-
Date
Bid to expand knowledge
TECHNOLOGY experts from across the world will gather in Newcastle today to discuss how to boost the region's knowledge economy. Delegates from 30 nations, including Finland, South Korea, Greece and Sweden are taking part in the seminar. It was arranged
-
Date
Cloud lifted as Lions restore pride
Lions coach Ian McGeechan last night saluted his players for helping to ''lift a dark cloud'' following their 109-6 demolition of Manawatu. Three days after an abject first Test display against the All Blacks, a midweek line-up showing 13 changes came
-
Date
The joy 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
Athletics stadium to host big screen
GATESHEAD International Stadium has been chosen as one of the BBC's eight venues for big screens to view the Live8 concert, it has been revealed. Three-thousand free tickets are available to watch Live8 on a big screen on Saturday, with artists including
-
Date
Deadly new bug in N-E hospitals
A DEADLY new superbug that has killed at least 26 patients this year has been discovered at hospitals across the North-East. Patients have been infected with the more virulent strain of clostridium difficile at South Tees, Sunderland, South Tyneside and
-
Date
A banner ban and Welsh wails
IT'S one of the region's most cherished, most memorable and most stirring traditions: bands and banners marching proudly through former pit communities on their way to Durham Big Meeting. Now, however, the coalfield tradition is being seriously undermined
-
Date
Fitzpatrick's career back on track
ROBBIE FITZPATRICK'S career is firmly back on track partnering the likes of Catterick-bound Strensall (3.00). Having enjoyed tremendous success towards the end of the nineties, Fitzpatrick's star then gradually faded, a fate that sadly befalls so many
-
Date
Courses from horses
It has been a bad week for horses in Trimdon, but an excellent week for a horse called Trimdon. The Northern Echo has been reporting the horrific discovery at stables in the County Durham village where the remains of 16 horses have been found. But down
-
Date
Airport strike called off
A strike at Newcastle Airport, due to begin on Thursday, has been called off pending the results of a ballot. Following talks at Acas, managers tabled a revised pay offer and workers will now vote on the deal. Details of the new offer are not being disclosed
-
Date
Councils seek £149m funds share
AN extra £149m would be available to spend on local services if North-East councils were funded the same way as their London counterparts. The claim, by the Association of North-East Councils (ANEC) forms part of its formal submission to an inquiry by
-
Date
School Closure Debate: PM slammed over 'hands-off' approach
CAMPAIGNERS hoping to save a top-performing school in their village have criticised Prime Minister Tony Blair and one of his strongest allies. An action group is being set up to wage a battle against Darlington Borough Council's plans to relocate Hurworth
-
Date
Congestion will be top of the list in transport plan
PLANS to cut traffic congestion, increase the number of parking spaces and encourage "greener" forms of transport are being considered by council bosses. The issues have come under the spotlight as Darlington Borough Council draws up proposals to develop
-
Date
Byker Grove stars to open festival
A COMMUNITY group in north Durham is launching its own music and dance festival at the weekend. The festival in Chester-le-Street has been developed by a whole range of partners of the Chester West and Central Community Project over the past seven months
-
Date
Traders are urged to join the smoking ban
BUSINESSES in Darlington have been urged to back a town-wide ban on smoking. On Monday, Darlington Borough Council banned smoking in its leisure venues. And at a ceremony at the Civic Theatre, council leader John Williams accepted four clean air awards
-
Date
Grand Master of novels
A BOOK explaining one of the most recognised forms of martial arts in the world has been launched in Darlington. All About Tae Kwon Do has been written by Grand Master Kim Yong Ho, president of the Kim Chung Do Kwan club, based in the town. The 1,000-
-
Date
Safety alert on waterways
BRITISH Waterways has launched a drive to make sure people enjoy North Yorkshire's rivers and reservoirs safely during the summer. The organisation is working with schools to teach children to be aware of hazards. General manager Laurence Morgan said:
-
Date
Be safe, be seen and most of all be careful
CHILDREN and parents have been putting safety first, thanks to an initiative in Darlington. Health and social care staff were joined by police, fire and St John Ambulance representatives for a safety day in the town. The event, organised by the SureStart
-
Date
The brilliant police officers saved my house, says mum
QUICK-WITTED police officers braved smoke and flames to save a family home from fire. Police had been called to Westbourne Street, Stockton, at about 5pm on Monday following a disturbance at a property. Alerted to a fire in a house across the road, brave
-
Date
Teams get tough at the athletics track
PUPILS from 16 primary schools in the Bishop Auckland area took part in an athletics festival at one of County Durham's top tracks yesterday. The event gave children a chance to test their skills in track and field sports at Shildon Stadium. Activities
-
Date
£700,000 investment in children's rights to play
HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds is likely to be pumped into upgrading recreation sites across Sedgefield borough. Councillors are expected to approve a spending plan this week that will pave the way to the biggest single investment in play areas in the
-
Date
Preview screening to support school
A PRIMARY school is hoping to raise cash for its classrooms with a private viewing of a potential Hollywood blockbuster. Vue Cinema in Hartlepool aims to help the town's West View Primary School raise thousands of pounds with the unique showing today
-
Date
MP Skinner plans gala speech
VETERAN left-wing MP Dennis Skinner will return to the Durham Miners' Gala speakers' platform at the 121st Big Meeting on Saturday, July 9. Dubbed the "Beast of Bolsover'', the former miner, who has represented his Derbyshire constituency since 1970,
-
Date
Town gets first taste of twinning
A market square will be filled with the smells of continental cuisine this weekend when a French market comes to town. More than 25 stalls will sell produce including cheese, bread and charcuterie in Richmond on Sunday. Jewellery, leather goods and gifts
-
Date
Generosity seen, but not heard
SCHOOLCHILDREN have been busy raising funds for two charities. The youngsters, from class 9FW at the Allertonshire School, in Northallerton, took part in a sponsored silence, which raised £124, and held a sweet sale. They also had a collection box for
-
Date
Top marks for RAF base school
A PRIMARY school on an RAF base has won top praise from Government inspectors. Leeming RAF Primary School has been labelled by inspectors from Ofsted as a happy, highly effective school where all pupils achieve well. Nearly all of the school's 210 children
-
Date
New caf has opened on business park
A NEW caf on a Darlington business park has opened. The Point Break Caf, at Darlington's Lingfield Point business park, kept diners up to date with events in Wimbledon with a television. The caf also served free samples from its menu and organised quizzes
-
Date
Police re-assure parents on abductions threat
Police today moved to re-assure parents after investigating a spate of reported child abductions. Detective Inspector Paul Harker of Darlington Police has reviewed upto 30 calls made by the public regarding suspicious activity involving youngsters in
-
Date
M-way crash witness appeal
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a white Seat Toledo and blue Vauxhall Cavalier collided southbound on the A1(M) near junction 60 at Bradbury, near Sedgefield, on Monday afternoon. Witnesses, in particular the driver of silver Mercedes convertible
-
Date
Hunt for knife man continues
DETECTIVES are appealing for information after a man was stabbed in the chest while he was in his front garden. Police believe three men confronted the man at his home in Rockingham Road, Sunnybrow, near Crook, yesterday, and a fight broke out. During
-
Date
Village gears up to celebrate carnival
CROOK residents will round off a busy festival week on Saturday with a carnival at the town's cricket club. Sarah Akers is queen for the carnival celebrations, which start at 10.30am. She was chosen, along with attendants Alexandra Wright and Rebecca
-
Date
Investment brings jobs
INWARD investment in the region has created 3,946 jobs in the past financial year, according to figures out today. A report by UK Trade & Investment showed a rise of 106 per cent on the number created in 2003-04. The 58 inward investment projects
-
Date
Free Japanese art workshops
JAPANESE printmaking will be explored during two workshops at a North-East museum this weekend. Artist Nana Shiomi will hold two sessions at the Oriental Museum in Durham City on Saturday, aimed at children aged from eight to 14. There are ten places
-
Date
Pool meet Quakers in Carling Cup
THE North-East's first derby of the new season will come on August 23 when Hartlepool United and Darlington meet at Victoria Park. The teams were paired together in yesterday's draw for the first round of the Carling Cup and will meet at Pool's home for
-
Date
Green soap and the meaning of life
Conversation overheard the other day in the Ladies at Sainsbury's: Small boy (washing his hands): "Green soap!" Mother: "Yes, the soap's green." Small boy: "Why?" Oh, don't we know that eternal 'why', we parents and grandparents of three-and-a-bit-year-olds
-
Date
City attempts to remove 'boring' tag
Efforts by a North-East city to shed its "beautiful but boring" tag moved a step forward today with the launch of a massive public consultation exercise. Over the next eight weeks, thousands of visitors, students, commuters and traders will be asked their
-
Date
Rise in child abduction bids caused by heatwave - expert
A CRIME expert has said the current heatwave may be contributing to a sharp rise in the number of attempted child abductions, after three further incidents involving teenage girls. Police are investigating reports of a man who twice tried to snatch teenage
-
Date
Magician Daniels to perform at prison
MAGICIAN Paul Daniels is to teach tricks to inmates at a young offenders' institution. He will speak to 25 inmates at Deerbolt, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, on Saturday. Mr Daniels, who is on a tour of Teesdale village halls, was invited to speak
-
Date
Searching for the 'missing mum'
THEY sought her here. They sought her there. Was she on the ground or still in the air? They sought Kelly Ann Piggford pretty much everywhere. Their task was simple -grab the first picture and interview with the woman whose "home alone" tale has seemingly
-
Date
The greatest optical illusion on earth
Wednesday night. 11.30pm. A wonderful evening, shirtsleeve warm. The river splashes by; a mouse squeaks and rushes in the long grass, and the profanities of three youths returning from the pub drift abrasively through the gentle stillness. Behind, the
-
Date
Poster appeal to find 11-year-old's murderer
POLICE investigating the murder of 11-year-old Dean Pike in an arson attack have been putting up posters appealing for information as they face a wall of silence from a community. Detective Superintendent Barbara Franklin, who is leading the investigation
-
Date
Couple confronted alleged attacker
THE parents of a six-year-old girl who told them she was sexually assaulted confronted her alleged attacker, a court was told. Michael Hauxwell admitted having a pornographic magazine, but denied touching the youngster when her parents visited his Darlington
-
Date
Is this what we want for our kids?
The way we're going with our paranoia, the chilling image of Michael Jackson's veiled children may come to be the norm. HAS there ever been any recorded case of a paedophile getting a video of a school sports day and using it to track down children? Or
-
Date
The trouble with children today...
When I was young I always swore I'd never, ever start a sentence with "In my young days. . .". I couldn't imagine myself ever becoming the sort of person who would think like that. Well, I was wrong. There's a London bus that goes all the way from just
-
Date
Ealham's run-glut can't halt Dynamos
DURHAM stormed to their first Twenty20 Cup win of the season last night, despite Mark Ealham blasting 34 runs off one over from Neil Killeen. Nottinghamshire's 179 for nine was 19 more then Durham have managed before in this event, but they won by six
-
Date
Cricket legend tells schoolboys his tales
A CRICKETING legend has been sharing the secrets of his success with pupils at a County Durham school. Sir Garfield Sobers visited Barnard Castle School and told pupils why he believed West Indian cricket was in the doldrums. He said that he learned his
-
Date
Rivals in Carling Cup
FIERCE football rivals Hartlepool United and Darlington will meet for the first time in more than two years after the teams were paired together in the draw for the first round of the Carling Cup. Pool were promoted to League One in 2003 and the teams
-
Date
'Draw the line and let's get on with it'
A KEY figure in the fight to reopen a tourist railway is urging critics to draw a line under the past. Regional development agency One NorthEast was criticised yesterday for giving the Weardale Railway, in County Durham, £940,000 on the back of an "overly-optimistic
-
Date
Farewell, me ol' cockchafer
The day was done. Wednesday was over. The glass was drained. The television was off. The sudoku put aside - two nines in the last 3x3 grid. Dismal failure. Time for bed. As I wearily brushed my teeth, there was a loud crash at the bathroom window. Nothing
