Archive
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Why cricket is cool again
As the fourth Test begins at Trent Bridge today, Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson looks at the revival in the popularity of cricket and how it's outstripping the beautiful game. IT might not be the most auspicious of venues, but Darlington's South Park
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Mint in perfect condition for Stewards Turf Nursery
MINT (3.30) might well prove to be a license to print money if she maintains her current level of improvement. David Barker's filly won narrowly at Thirsk despite veering violently left-handed and giving away several lengths in the process. On the evidence
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Now watch Proctor go, says Scott after striker's double haul
MARTIN SCOTT believes Hartlepool United will now start to see the real Michael Proctor after the striker scored his first goals for the club. Proctor, signed from Rotherham during the summer, netted twice as Pool secured a spot in round two of the Carling
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John North: Right on view
BENEATH the headline "Gloom with a view", we'd last written about the Heather Lad 30 years ago - 30 years gone February - yet still Clive Lawson pulled the cutting from his desk drawer. "One of yours wasn't it?" said Clive. Tomorrow's fish and chip wrapping
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Hussey hits the jackpot in final game before tour
ON A DAY when it seemed the only amusement would be in the packed seafront arcades, Durham's departing captain Mike Hussey hit the jackpot under Scarborough's blue evening skies yesterday. In his final four-day game before leaving for the Australia A
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Tight security as EU leaders meet
TIGHT security arrangements are under way in preparation for a meeting of European Union ministers in the region next month. And while there is no specific intelligence to suggest the event will be targeted by terrorists, a spokesman for Northumbria police
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The comfort of 'normal' troubles
Whenever we eat out - whether it's tea and scones in a cafe, a snack lunch or an evening meal - my husband always likes to chat to the people who serve our food. We tease him about it, tell him he does it just to get that extra large helping of pudding
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Window of opportunity opens at CBS
A WINDOW manufacturer is weeks away from securing two lucrative council contracts and plans to increase its workforce five-fold. Contract Building Solutions (CBS), of Eaglescliffe, Teesside, is expecting to agree six figure deals with Newcastle City Council
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On TV last night
Rick Stein's French Odyssey (BBC2) After The War: Churchill's Defeat (BBC2) I FEEL sorry for Chalkie. Chef Rick Stein has left his dog behind at home in Cornwall because he's too old to travel and gone off to enjoy himself in France. A bit of travelling
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'Cost-cutting over lunch breaks puts lives at risk'
PARAMEDICS have said cost-cutting over payments for crews' lunch breaks is endangering lives. Since July 1, paramedics for the North East Ambulance Service have received an unpaid and undisturbed meal break, meaning they will not be called out even if
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Sale of disused school land may raise up to £9m - report
SEVERAL former schools may be demolished and the land on which they stood sold to developers, raising millions of pounds. Darlington Borough Council could make as much as £9m from the sale of eight school plots. At present, only land that has already
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Double victory for Adrian at Transplant Olympics
A FORMER PE teacher has brought home gold and bronze medals from the World Transplant Olympics in Canada. Adrian Woodcock, of Chester-le-Street, struck gold in badminton and won a bronze in the men's singles tennis. Mr Woodcock, who underwent a heart
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Swoop by police uncovers £40,000 marijuana farm
A CANNABIS farm with plants worth up to £40,000 was raided by police in Derwentside yesterday afternoon. They recovered 40 plants and hydroponic growing equipment from the empty house on Edward Terrace, New Kyo, Stanley. Officers swooped to execute a
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Tyrone lines up for match
SOAP stars have pledged their support for a celebrity match taking place at next month's Northern Echo Soccer Six competition. Coronation Street favourites Alan Halsall, Andrew Whyment and Ryan Thomas - alias Tyrone, Kirk and Jason - are the latest names
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Youngsters making music from scratch
YOUNG musicians have started writing music that they will take to the streets of Durham at the weekend. A three-day school began yesterday in Durham Town Hall for players aged eight to 18. They will form the Free Range Music Carnival Scratch Band that
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Local DJs at Buckingham Palace garden party
A PAIR of DJs who have been teaching youngsters how to spin the decks enjoyed a sedate afternoon with the Queen. Karl Frampton and Pete Smith, from Safe in Tees Valley, took tea at a Royal garden party at Buckingham Palace last month. They were accompanied
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£1.8m scanner a step closer
WORK has started on a building that will house the region's first super scanner. The £1.8m magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner will operate from Newcastle University Centre for Magnetic Resonance Studies, which opens next year. A two-storey building
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£1.8m scanner a step closer
WORK has started on a building that will house the region's first super scanner. The £1.8m magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner will operate from Newcastle University Centre for Magnetic Resonance Studies, which opens next year. A two-storey building
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Falconry display
BIRDS of prey will be in flight at a free fun day on Bank Holiday Monday. Durham County Council's countryside rangers are staging an environmental family day at Waldridge Fell Country Park, near Chester-le-Street, from noon to 3pm. As well as birds of
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Game of shame that led to 20 hooligans being banned
Shocking pictures that shame British football have led to 20 thugs being banned from stadiums across Europe. Newcastle United supporters ran amok in a Dutch town before a Uefa cup tie, hurling stones, bar stools and even bicycles. The pictures have just
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Medieval hall to feature on US television
DURHAM'S medieval manor house and gardens are to feature in a travel programme on American television. A film crew has visited Crook Hall, in Sidegate, which attracts 10,000 visitors during the three months it is open. Its footage for The Seasoned Traveller
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Region's quality of health similar to Eastern Europe
People living in parts of the North-East have the same poor quality of health as ex-Communist countries like Bulgaria and Hungary, according to researchers. Experts from the North-East Public Health Observatory (PHO) discovered just how far the region
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No empty promises about jobs, vows Wynyard boss
WYNYARD Limited was remaining silent last night about exactly how many jobs might be created following the acquisition of Sir John Hall's Wynyard Business Park. Managing director Chris Musgrave said too many empty promises had been made concerning the
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Hussey hits the jackpot in final game before tour
ON A DAY when it seemed the only amusement would be in the packed seafront arcades, Durham's departing captain Mike Hussey hit the jackpot under Scarborough's blue evening skies yesterday. In his final four-day game before leaving for the Australia A
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Man turned himself into human fireball
A MAN is fighting for his life after suffering horrific injuries when he set himself alight and turned himself into a human fireball. Police said the 36-year-old man poured petrol on himself and struck a light in a "fit of rage" after a row with his wife
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Nuclear power workers get go-ahead for holiday flings
Bosses at a nuclear power station have given workers the go-ahead for holiday romances, despite staff at other plants being warned not to fall prey to sexy spy traps. Management at Hartlepool Power Station say staff are free to enjoy all the fun on offer
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£4,000 fine for forklift truck firm
A WORKER at a North-East forklift truck company survived a 230 volt electric shock after wrongly wiring a battery charger, a court heard yesterday. Workshop engineer David Bayles was injured when he completed a live circuit by plugging in a battery charger
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Action plan to save district's wildlife
AN action plan has been drawn up to conserve threatened wildlife and their habitats in Ryedale. It focuses on protecting the district's landscapes and enviornmental quality, in particular sites of special scientific interest or important for nature conservation
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Newlywed's mercy mission
JUST days after her wedding, a bride has headed off to become a foster mother to 20 poverty-stricken street children in Mozambique. Angela Burns, 29, is working a ten-minute drive from her new husband, Ben Nunn, who is involved in a construction project
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National divide is expected to widen
THE North-South divide will widen as the South experiences some of the strongest economic growth in Western Europe, it was predicted last night. One in every thousand workers in the Tees Valley and county Durham will lose their jobs each year if the situation
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Children dig in to create sensory garden at abbey
GREEN-FINGERED children are paving the way for a sensory garden at one of North Yorkshire's ancient monuments. English Heritage is working with more than 50 youngsters, aged between 11 and 16, from Welburn Hall School, near Kirkbymoorside, on a project
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Snap from the past on show
A PHOTOGRAPH of Darlington railway station can now be seen on hoardings in the town's Trinity Road. The image can be seen on hoardings around the development of Claremont, formerly the art, fashion and music department of Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
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Athlete leaps to Olympic board
ONE of the region's greatest sportsmen has been appointed to the body that will organise the London Olympics in 2012. Triple jump gold medallist Jonathan Edwards has been appointed to the board of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.
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A better living off the land
MORE than 100 farmers learned how to earn more from their land at an event in Bishop Auckland. Greenwell Farm held an open day allowing farmers to find out about changes in farming methods being encouraged under the government's Environmental Stewardship
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A taste of the great outdoors
A GROUP of youngsters from Shildon took part in a five-day summer camp at the Lake District. The Pilgrim Summer Camp saw 23 youngsters aged 14 and over visit the Park Foot campsite, Pooley Bridge, Ullswater, in the Lake District, as guests of the 120
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Consumer downturn leads to eighty redundancies
RETAILER MFI is axeing one in ten jobs at its Teesside factory as the consumer slowdown continues to bite, The Northern Echo has learned. The Stockton factory, which employs about 700 people making kitchens for the Hygena range, is making 80 workers redundant
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Music-making for the family
FAMILIES in Darlington are being encouraged to take part in a music-making event next week. The event has been organised by the Central Ward Community Partnership and is designed to introduce adults and children to new forms of music. Three music, singing
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Sew, what did you do at the weekend?
CHURCH embroidery will be on show in Richmond next month. The three-day exhibition of embroidery, dating from 1850 to 2000, will be held in St Mary's Church, from September 16 to 18. All of the needlework comes from within 30 miles of Richmond. More than
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Vaughan has faith England development will continue
Michael Vaughan has challenged his exciting young England side to overcome another major hurdle in their development by delivering their third vibrant display in a row in this summer's Ashes. The England captain has been delighted by his team's response
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I'm no Abramovich, says non-league millionaire
A NON-LEAGUE football club in the North-East has landed its very own tycoon and has big plans to move up the soccer heirarchy. Consett AFC, languishing in the second division of the Arngrove Northern League and sponsored by the local YMCA, hopes the good
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Tait quickest and best of Australia's up-and-coming pacemen
Shaun Tait makes his Ashes debut today, a year after Tim Wellock watched his Durham nightmare unfold last summer. WHEN Durham finally abandoned their desperate efforts to sort out Shaun Tait's run-up problems last season I wrote that he would doubtless
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Quakers must rely on Bossu as Russell struggles for fitness
Despite a mixed debut on Tuesday, Bert Bossu is likely to keep his place in the Darlington team for this weekend's Bank Holiday double-header. Sam Russell missed the Carling Cup defeat at Hartlepool with a calf injury and he remains a doubt for Saturday's
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Beaten up for protest over sex on doorstep
A DISABLED pensioner was beaten up after he confronted people having sex outside his front door. George Ibister was so badly injured by the gang that his relatives thought he had been stabbed. Doctors said the former soldier, who had been trying to protect
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Drink-fuelled disorder on railways rises by a third
BOOZED-up yobs have contributed to a huge rise in drink fuelled disorder on the region's railways. The British Transport Police's annual report shows that public disorder offences - largely caused by alcohol - have shot up by 36 per cent year-on-year,
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Chipping away at women's logic
THE differences between men and women run deep - all the way to the fish and chip shop in fact. I discovered this state of affairs on one of those battleship grey, windswept summer days that can make British seaside resorts so utterly depressing. We should
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Water firm takes a tip from Del Boy
IT sounds like a Del Boy scam direct from the script of Only Fools And Horses - but a North-East company has begun bottling ordinary tap water for distribution around the region. But unlike Derek Trotter's famous Peckham Spring, no one is hoping to become
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Eyeful as Orange staff peel off
MOTORISTS were treated to an eyeful when a group of call centre staff posed for fruity pictures outside their office. Drivers had a clear view of the nude photo shoot on grass outside the Orange call centre, off Yarm Road, in Darlington. Plucky volunteers
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25/08/05
BOOKING OFFICE: DO the people of Darlington know that a notice in the window of the booking office and information centre at the Arriva bus station states that, as from August 14, these offices were closed? In Darlington we have no bus or coach garage
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Vet overcomes hurdles to pursue Paralympic dream
A former TV vet's dream of competing in the British Paralympic riding squad has moved closer after she overcame a planning hurdle. Sally Kingsley, who starred in the hit BBC series Vets in Practice, had her riding career cut short by a serious illness
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Support for animal testing
PEOPLE employed in animal testing were last night urged "to hang in there" until laws introduced last month to tackle campaigns of intimidation and harassment take effect. More than 500 leading UK scientists and doctors signed a declaration published
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'Car boot sale regulations will not work' - organisers
ORGANISERS of car boot sales in the region say new proposals designed to curb the boom in criminal gangs selling fake goods are unworkable. The reaction comes after details emerged of a proposed Occasional Sales Bill, aimed at regulating the industry.
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Crisis talks over shipbuilder
THE GMB union is holding crisis talks with the Government next month over the future of Swan Hunter. Tom Brennan, regional secretary of the union, said a meeting with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was "the last roll of the dice" in efforts
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Moving on the drunks
THERE'S nothing worse when travelling on public transport than coming face-to-face with drunken yobs. The encounter can be a frightening and sometimes dangerous experience, particularly for the elderly and the vulnerable. Only recently, in our region,
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Toothless Newcastle sunk without a fight
FOR Newcastle United's sake, let's hope a tape of last night's game wasn't being express delivered to Michael Owen's Madrid home. If it was then the England striker must be re-writing the statement he released yesterday morning replacing '12-month loan
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Care home death probe
STAFF at a care home where a pensioner died had been given no special training with rails used to stop patients falling from their beds, a court heard yesterday. The staff were giving evidence on the opening day of a Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
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Ten-month-old girl attacked by yob
At just 10-months-old little Sarah Ali has become Britain's youngest victim of yob culture. She was left battered and bruised by a teenage drunk who tried to snatch her from her pushchair. When he failed to free her straps he launched an attack that left
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Rooting around the family tree
FAMILY historians hoping to trace their roots are invited to three new courses to start next month. The Clayport Library, in Durham City, is running the courses with New College, Durham. Family History for Beginners goes through the first stages of using
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Owen deal must be permanent
A DEFIANT Graeme Souness last night revealed he was hopeful Michael Owen would be joining Newcastle - but insisted there was 'no chance' of the England striker signing for the Magpies on loan. Despite Owen stating yesterday that he would only join Newcastle
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More than 100 youngsters sign up for Bobbies Hobbies
POLICE officers have teamed up with a group of organisations to lay on a series of events for bored students during school holidays. More than 100 young residents from South Bank have signed up to Bobbies Hobbies. The scheme aims to reduce anti-social
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Boro ace pays a visit
A GROUP of youngsters were lost for words when Middlesbrough Football Club's Franck Queudrue dropped by to meet them at a youth and community centre. The Boro ace visited 18 young people at St Cuthbert's Youth and Community Centre in West Lane to talk
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MP passes the test at rugby summer school
AN MP has taken time out from the political scrum to join a summer rugby class in her constituency. Roberta Blackman-Woods visited Durham School for the class, organised by mobile phone company O2, sponsor of the England team. The company is staging summer
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School Closure Debate: Parents step-up schools protest
THE debate over the future of two schools was reignited at a public meeting last night. Parents of children at the Hurworth and Eastbourne comprehensive schools, in Darlington, gathered to discuss controversial borough council plans. Town hall officials
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Car boot sale regulations 'unworkable'
ORGANISERS of car boot sales in the region say new proposals designed to curb the boom in criminal gangs selling fake goods are unworkable. The reaction comes after details emerged of a proposed Occasional Sales Bill, aimed at regulating the industry.
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Davis learning about Premiership hard way
KELVIN DAVIS admits he is learning what a Premiership goalkeeper is about, the hard way - by conceding goals. Despite being regarded as one of the Football League's top talents between the posts, Davis is embarking on his first campaign as a No 1 at a
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Brother cleared of threats claim
A MAN accused of a campaign of harassment against a witness in his brother's murder trial has been cleared of all charges. Gary Weldon was accused of making death threats to Lisa Conlin after a statement she gave to police was used in Christopher Weldon's
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Warning over bogus fire safety checks
OFFICERS at Cleveland Fire Brigade are urging people to be careful of bogus callers pretending to be from the fire service. The warning comes after members of the public in a neighbouring brigade area claimed bogus callers had been contacting them by
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Go-ahead - again - for village houses
A HOUSING development in Masham has been given the final go-ahead after a planning chief said providing affordable housing outweighed other policy considerations. In March, Harrogate Borough Council refused the plan for five detached houses and four affordable
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Rock guitarist helps young musicians add new strings
A GROUP of talented young musicians have had their first taste of fame - thanks to a rock guitarist from the US. Thirty-six youngsters took part in mentoring sessions with Elliott Randall, who studied at the famous New York School for Performing Arts
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Abandoned cat seeks new home
A woman is hoping to find a loving home for a cat after it turned up on her doorstep more than a week ago. Louise Hardy, of Harrowgate Hill, is appealing for an animal lover to take in the friendly ginger and white tom. Mrs Hardy has placed adverts in
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Growing concern as village allotments offered for sale
GARDENERS at a village allotment face an uncertain future after their site was put up for sale by the council. Nearly 50 gardeners from Shildon, Newton Aycliffe and Middridge are concerned that when Durham County Council sells Middridge Farm Allotments
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£1m invested to keep the town moving
NEARLY £1m-worth of work has been carried out to improve roads and footpaths across Darlington. The money has been spent this year by the borough council on maintenance, road safety and bridges. Among the schemes completed are £150,000 of road and footpath
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Security camera system given gold accreditation
DARLINGTON'S security camera system has received gold accreditation from a national organisation. The CCTV (closed-circuit television camera) User Group is made up of organisations involved in the management and operation of security camera systems in
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Architects hand over school keys
ARCHITECTS who designed two schools for children with special needs have handed over the keys to education officials. The hand-over marks the final stage of Durham County Council's £11.3m development of Evergreen Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, and
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Jobs hope after deal with Sir John Hall
THOUSANDS of jobs could come to the region after Sir John Hall agreed to sell a business park. The millionaire's company Cameron Hall Developments has sold its virtually empty Wynyard Business Park to the owners of rival development Wynyard One, on the
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Game of shame that led to 20 hooligans being banned
Shocking pictures that shame British football have led to 20 thugs being banned from stadiums across Europe. Newcastle United supporters ran amok in a Dutch town before a Uefa cup tie, hurling stones, bar stools and even bicycles. The pictures have just
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20 great days out in the North
With the Bank Holiday looming, John Dean takes a look at 20 locations around the North-East ideal for a day out - whether you're looking for a walk in a forest, a day at a museum or a chance to explore the great buildings of the region. Beamish Museum
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£1m to improve school dinners
NORTH-EAST education authorities are to receive their first portion of a £220m Government payout devised as a recipe for better school dinners. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) said last night that the region's local education authorities
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I'm here for good, says Viduka
MARK Viduka last night reaffirmed his commitment to the Middlesbrough cause and assured fans that the weight of summer speculation surrounding his future has not affected his preparations for the new campaign. The Australian international has been the
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Book signing
Local historian Roger Darnton will be signing copies of his new book, East Cleveland Photographic Memories, on September 3, at 11am, at the Guisborough Bookshop, 4 Chaloner Street. The book is available exclusively through the shop and includes archive
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Store worker in charity race
A SUPERMARKET worker is hoping to check out in decent time when she takes part in her 18th Great North Run. Eileen Leonard, 56, a supervisor at Morrison's, at Morton Park, Darlington, will be running for St Theresa's Hospice in the race on Sunday, September
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Cyclists aid 999 helicopter
SUPPORTERS have used pedal power to help keep a helicopter in operation. Eight Teesside power workers cycled 135 miles coast-to- coast to raise more than £2,000 for the North Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Cleveland Child Development Unit. Bosses at
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Plea for witnesses to crash
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a two-car collision. The drivers of a Vauxhall Astra and a Nissan Micra were taken to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, after the head-on crash, outside Stewart Park at 10.30am on Monday. Officers
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MS group stages first show of silk paintings
PEOPLE with multiple sclerosis (MS) have discovered creative talents they never knew they had. Members of the Stockton MS Group put their disabilities to one side to create a variety of silk paintings, which are going on show in Billingham. From floral
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20 great days out in the North
With the Bank Holiday looming, John Dean takes a look at 20 locations around the North-East ideal for a day out - whether you're looking for a walk in a forest, a day at a museum or a chance to explore the great buildings of the region. Beamish Museum
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Athlete leaps to Olympic board
ONE of the region's greatest sportsmen has been appointed to the body that will organise the London Olympics in 2012. Triple jump gold medallist Jonathan Edwards has been appointed to the board of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.
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Ballerina poised for success after £2,000 handout
A TALENTED dancer has received funding to help pay her fees at one of the country's best theatre arts schools. Shannon Wright, from Peterlee, County Durham, has fulfilled one of her lifetime ambitions by being accepted at the Betty Laine College for Performing
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Old bones give clues about life in medieval age
A group of 900-year-old bones are helping to shed new light on the struggle for life in medieval England. Twelfth-century attitudes to death have been revealed with evidence of the struggle to save an unborn infant. Experts from English Heritage have
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Fundraising in memory of footballer goes into extra time
THE widow of footballer Willie Maddren has added the heart-rending final chapter to her husband's life story. Extra Time - The Final Chapter has been published to continue the fundraising efforts to find a cure for motor neurone disease, which has so
