Archive
-
Date
The moment of truth for Swan Hunter
SWAN Hunter will find out in weeks whether work on the Royal Navy's £4bn aircraft carrier programme will be coming to the North-East. The Tyneside shipbuilder is attending a meeting with the alliance behind the CVF project, which includes the Ministry
-
Date
My, Mr Darcy, what a big house you've got!
It was a world which revolved around impeccable manners and pure reputations, when fortunes were lost and made at the altar. As the lastest remake of Pride and Prejudice hits the big screen, women's editor Lindsay Jennings looks at what life was really
-
Date
Overhaul of school kitchens could cost £300m - report
BRINGING school kitchens up to scratch so they can provide healthy lunches could cost almost £300m, according to a report. The findings by the School Meals Review Panel, commissioned by the Government in May, suggests a radical overhaul of food provision
-
Date
Park wins a gold award for eco work
A NORTH-EAST beauty spot has been singled out for its conservation work. Castle Dene Holiday Park, in County Durham, has been graded Gold standard in the David Bellamy Awards 2005/06 for its commitment to enhancing and preserving the natural environment
-
Date
04/10/05
NUCLEAR NAIVETY: I was shocked by the naivety shown by Tony Blair in his conference speech, (Echo, Sept 28), in which he said nuclear power must be considered as a means of securing our energy supply. Clearly he is showing yet again that he has not learnt
-
Date
Knocking at the gates of Europe
In the face of fierce opposition, the EU has finally agreed to open membership talks with Turkey. Nick Morrison looks at the controversy surounding the negotiations, and what the addition of Turkey would mean for the EU. IT was the high point of Turkish
-
Date
Mike Hartley
THE Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (Cels) has appointed MIKE HARTLEY as projects director. Regional development agency One NorthEast has given Cels the task of expanding the region's life science and healthcare sector. Mr Hartley has 19 years
-
Date
Collapse of the stout party
Over the weekend I stumbled into a secret political meeting where shadowy figures were preparing a document titled Conservative Re-election Attempt Programme (CRAP). It was all highly confidential, but I'm going to give readers of this column a sneaky
-
Date
Big Ben sounding time on tax nightmare
BUSINESSES are struggling to compete due to the phenomenal increase in UK tax legislation, say chartered accountants. Research by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) reveals that the number of pages in successive Finance
-
Date
Regiment visits school to keep airman's memory alive
AN RAF regiment is keeping the memory of one of its comrades alive by strengthening its links with his former primary school. Members of 34 Squadron, based at RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire, visited youngsters at St Helen Auckland Primary School, near
-
Date
Husband smothered wife to death after taunts over sex
A husband smothered his wife to death after she taunted him about his lack of sexual prowess. Kevin McNally, 48, was still holding a cushion over 42-year-old Alison McNally's face when paramedics arrived at their Gateshead home on November 27 last year
-
Date
Mark Doherty
MARK DOHERTY has joined Tees Valley Housing Group on a year's secondment as business development executive for TVHG's subsidiary company Partnering Plus. Mr Doherty is an associate director at Neilson Binnie McKenzie. Partnering Plus is a company that
-
Date
Scholarships strike the right note with top musical students
A SCHOOL will be filled with the sound of music this term as a number of talented students hone their skills on an array of instruments. Durham School has maintained its reputation for high-quality music provision, after awarding 11 scholarships to aspiring
-
Date
Schools join safety scheme
TEN schools in Darlington are in talks with council bosses, in the hope of further improving children's safety. Travel plans have already been drawn up by 11 schools in the area, aiming to encourage more youngsters to walk and cycle, as well as reducing
-
Date
Businesses chip in for charity
CHARITY bosses have thanked businesses for swinging into action to help raise more than £10,000 at an annual golf tournament. The fourth Landteam charity golf day was held at the Blackwell Grange course, in Darlington, earlier this month. And organisers
-
Date
Cyclist recovers after being dragged off bike in 'prank'
A CYCLIST is recovering at home after being dragged off his bike in what police have branded a senseless prank. The 50-year-old was badly injured after the male passenger of a passing van grabbed hold of him and pulled him off his cycle and on to the
-
Date
Growing opportunities provided by nurseries
The Government is driving forward the biggest changes ever seen in the care of pre-school children and it is opening up new business opportunities. John Dean reports. THE nursery is filled with the sounds of children playing. In a corner, three youngsters
-
Date
Initiative helps pregnant women to quit smoking
HUNDREDS of pregnant women are being helped to quit smoking in an initiative that has attracted national recognition. A specialist smoking advisor has been working with Darlington, Sedgefield and Durham Dales Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to tackle the problem
-
Date
Community partnership has high hopes for extension
A COMMUNITY partnership that has helped turn around a deprived village hopes to expand with a £200,000 extension of its base. The Cornforth Partnership was formed in the mid-1990s to help regenerate the West Cornforth area and provide opportunities for
-
Date
National praise for education authority
THE positive relationship between schools and a Teesside Local Education Authority (LEA) has been hailed as a model of good practice at a national conference. Two of Hartlepool's headteachers, Lana Totty, from St Helen's Primary School, and Andrew Bayston
-
Date
Safety programme celebrates ten years
AN initiative to make schoolchildren safer is celebrating a major milestone. Crucial Crew, a multi-agency project in Hartlepool that uses practical workshops to highlight a range of personal safety issues, is ten years old. This year's two-week event
-
Date
Movie buff sold counterfeit DVDs to earn free films
A FILM fan involved in a £1.5m counterfeit DVD and CD scam was jailed yesterday. Timothy Strangeway sold the goods at car boot sales in Seaham and Sedgefield, County Durham, for a year before he was caught. Teesside Crown Court heard he was working for
-
Date
Raising profile of arts
A NEW council officer has been appointed to help raise the profile of the arts. Yvette Turnbull, 38, is the community projects officer in arts and heritage for Ryedale District Council. The new post will involve working with local people and groups to
-
Date
Teenager arrested over tent arson
A 13-year-old boy was arrested yesterday in connection with an arson attack on a tent in which a homeless couple were living. He was questioned and released on bail pending further inquiries into last week's blaze beside the River Tees at Barnard Castle
-
Date
Police object to switching show date
PLANS to switch the date of an agricultural show have been criticised by police. Bosses of Malton Show have suggested changing the traditional show day of Thursday to a Sunday with the aim of increasing the attendance. But Ryedale police commander, Inspector
-
Date
Concert aids student's gap year trip
A CONCERT is being organised to raise money for a student's gap year trip to Borneo. Robin Bisson, who has just left St Aidan's School, in Harrogate, is raising funds to pay for a four-month visit to Borneo before he takes up his place to study maths
-
Date
New agency for fisheries
AN agency has been created to help deliver services to the fishing industry. UK Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw has welcomed the launch of the Marine Fisheries Agency (MFA). It will carry out fisheries inspection and enforcement work previously done by
-
Date
Contentious town council issue focus of public forum
A PUBLIC meeting about whether a Derwentside town should have its own council is being held on Friday. People are being invited to discuss the prospect of forming Stanley Town Council, at the Louisa Centre, Front Street, Stanley. The meeting has been
-
Date
Firm jumps at chance to sponsor Ross
A PROMISING young cricketer has been given new sponsorship to help see him through his sporting development. North-East construction recruitment specialist Protech Human Resourcing is backing Ross Kirtley. Fourteen-year-old Ross is a rising bowling star
-
Date
Arts day to be fun - and free
A FUN day with a host of activities featuring the arts will be held in a children's centre tomorrow. Chester-le-Street District Council's arts development team, Buttercup Nurseries and SureStart are putting on an Arts Family Learning Fun Day at Bullion
-
Date
Thirty cars damaged in vandals' spree
DOZENS of cars have been vandalised in an early morning wrecking spree. Residents were woken by the noise as more than 30 cars were damaged by vandals in the centre of Durham City. The incident happened at about 3am, on Sunday, with damage to cars parked
-
Date
It's raining cash, thanks to Met fundraisers
SIX intrepid bikers put their pedal power to the test cycling from Stockton to RAF Leeming in memory of their colleague and friend Dave Lincoln. The team from the Meteorological (Met) Office at Leeming, which advises the RAF on the weather conditions
-
Date
Fines issued for illegal windows
A COUNCIL has warned homeowners and developers not to flout planning laws after a building company was fined £1,000. Magistrates in Northallerton also fined the owners of a house in the town's conservation area after hearing that plastic windows had been
-
Date
Major cash boost to protect history of railway station
LOTTERY bosses have approved a £690,000 grant to restore Richmond Station. The Heritage Lottery Fund money will help volunteers transform the building into a community and business centre. The cash was set aside for the Richmondshire Building Preservation
-
Date
Scholarships are wound up
THREE long-established scholarship funds - one dating back 130 years - are to be wound up and the proceeds of £21,600 given to 11 Scarborough schools. The Alderman J W Butler Scholarship was set up in 1948, the Lancastrian Prize in 1876 and the Rowntree
-
Date
Ffrench's local knowledge will help Fayr Sky
FAYR SKY'S improving form profile fits the bill to perfection as far as Catterick's Fillies Nursery Handicap is concerned. John Quinn's juvenile already has a five-furlong course victory to her name, a rather surprising success as the evidence of her
-
Date
Ron Carr
NEWCASTLE Mortgage Services Limited (NMSL) has appointed RON CARR as head of intermediary services to help oversee the company's expansion. NMSL, a subsidiary of Newcastle Building Society, provides mortgage processing services for other financial service
-
Date
Knife-wielding robber jailed for life
A knife-wielding robber who subjected students to terrifying daylight attacks has been jailed for life for the protection of the public. Gary Moody, 20, robbed three Sunderland University students in just seven days during the first week of May this year
-
Date
Funeral director backs expansion
A funeral director has been recruited to help a firm expand across the region. After 17 years in the business, working all over the North-East and North Yorkshire, Bryan Shepherd has been recruited by Darlington-based Whitehouse Funeral Service. The business
-
Date
'US-style primaries for N-E revival'
NON-Conservatives should help pick Tory candidates in US-style primaries to end the party's demise in the North-East, Liam Fox said yesterday. The right-wing candidate for the Tory leadership said opening up the selection process to non-members was the
-
Date
Story of Jarrow Crusade is told in new book
THE complete story of the Jarrow Crusade is revealed in a new book on one of the most famous marches in British history. Author Matt Perry spent five years researching The Jarrow Crusade: Protest and Legend. The result is hailed as a "fuller and richer
-
Date
Soldier ran down squaddie friend after drunken row
A SOLDIER who got into an argument with a fellow squaddie and drove into him, knocking him face first into trees, has been spared prison. Benjamin Stratford, of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was twice the drink-drive limit when he mounted the pavement
-
Date
Clear view of plane with no windows
Paper-thin computer screens, wallpaper that changes at the touch of a button, and a fuel source with zero emissions. Sounds like science fiction? It's all being developed at the Centre for Process Innovation on Teesside. Business Editor Julia Breen reports
-
Date
Teenager in court on rape charge
RELATIVES of a 65-year-old widow shouted threats and abuse at a teenager who appeared in court yesterday charged with rape. Several police officers entered the public gallery to calm the disturbance as David Humphrey, 19, who is also charged with aggravated
-
Date
Slim pickings for the creditors, warns MG Rover's grim reaper
CREDITORS of collapsed MG Rover are to get back a fraction of the true amount they are owed. Administrator Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) will deliver the grim news when it writes to creditors shortly. It must inform them within two months of October
-
Date
As I got closer to the ground, I saw children playing - I had to rethink
A PILOT who was hailed a hero after risking his life to avoid hitting children on a playing field during a forced landing told last night how he narrowly avoided disaster. David Leeder, 54, was preparing to make an emergency landing on a playing field
-
Date
Shop owner has her feet on the ground
AFTER ten years as an air hostess, budding entrepreneur Clare McBride has set up her own business selling her favourite item - shoes. The 31-year-old has invested about £50,000 to launch her first shoe shop, Rubie Heels, in the region and hopes to open
-
Date
Quakers are confident of landing Stamp
DARLINGTON have opened talks which should see former Middlesbrough midfielder Phil Stamp become a Quakers player within the next 48 hours. Assistant manager Mark Proctor last night confirmed an offer has been made to the 29-year-old, who is a free agent
-
Date
Family holiday ended in tragedy
THE funeral will take place today of a mother-of-four who died from a fatal blood clot while returning home from holiday. Julia Kirton, of Seymour Drive, Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, collapsed as she prepared to board a ferry at the French port of Calais
-
Date
Record-breaking leeks
A record was set in one of the North-East's foremost leek and onion shows at the weekend. An onion weighing 16lb 8oz not only scooped the top prize in Newcastle Federation Breweries' World's Heaviest Leek and Onion show, but it was the biggest in its
-
Date
Paragon is a model of excellence in prototype industry
A PROTOTYPE company has seen sales increase by 350 per cent in the past year. Phil Adamson and Peter Humphrey set up Paragon Rapid Technologies two years ago on the Durham Tees Valley Airport industrial estate. As well as massive sales growth, the workforce
-
Date
Middlesbrough stars happy to play with lone striker
MIDDLESBROUGH duo George Boateng and Gareth Southgate have hailed Steve McClaren's 4-5-1 formation, despite the system leaving three strikers kicking their heels. The Teessiders have enjoyed success this term playing with a lone frontman and packing the
-
Date
Firm assesses impact of wind farms on air safety
A NORTH-EAST company is to play a vital role in ensuring that wind farms sited close to airports do not spark safety fears. Flight Precision Limited, a specialist air safety company, is taking part in tests to determine how well airports can distinguish
-
Date
Dr Jon Helliwell and Mark Nailis
The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), on Teesside, has welcomed two additions to its fuel cells team. DR JON HELLIWELL is project manager for the CPI's fuel cell applications operations and MARK NAILIS has joined the team as business development manager
-
Date
Thieves take cannabis plants from Alnwick Gardens
Burglars have broken into a world-famous garden designed to warn against the misuse of drugs and stolen its collection of cannabis plants. Thieves have stolen seven plants and propagating equipment from Alnwick Gardens, the only poison garden in the UK
-
Date
Team conquers adversity
THE Northern Echo's Making a Difference environmental competition has been won by the people of an area that battled back in the face of great adversity. Furness, Cameron and Belk (FCB) Residents' Association, in the Hartlepool streets of the same name
-
Date
Man killed in A1 smash
A man has died in a pile-up which has closed the A1 for most of this morning. Several vehicles were involved in the accident on the northbound carriageway of the A1(M) just north of Wetherby on Monday night. The northbound lanes has been closed from junction
-
Date
Butter maker recovers from profit warnings
Lurpak butter maker Arla left forecasts untouched today as it looked to recover from its warning that profits would be hurt by higher oil prices. The UK's largest supplier of milk said in August that it had not been able to protect margins from the pressures
-
Date
Paintings saved for the North
A CHANGE of heart by the Church of England has saved its most valuable collection of religious paintings for the North-East. Campaigners who fought to keep Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbaran's portraits of Jacob and his 12 sons in the region, yesterday
-
Date
Don't get caught by the phishing industry - reel in the fraudsters
What is this "phishing" all about - and why is it in the news almost every day? Apparently, the UK already has an Anti-Phishing Working Group, which is an industry body that provides information on phishing and e-mail fraud. In July alone this body reported
-
Date
Why are women still denied cancer drug?
A CANCER victim's partner attacked the NHS last night for failing to fund a lifesaving drug after a landmark victory for patient power. Barry Ogleby, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, said it was a disgrace that women with breast cancer were still being denied
-
Date
Putting nutrition back on the menu
Yesterday, as widely expected, a Government-commissioned report suggested banning sweets, soft drinks, too much fried food, salt and the "meat slurry" used to make processed foods, in an attempt to make school meals healthier and put nutrition back on
-
Date
In times of crisis, help is at hand
PROBLEMS getting a plumber or electrician could be in the past after an entrepreneur launched his new business venture - I Need A Tradesman. Daniel Taylor is launching his business just in time for winter, when burst water pipes, cracked windows and other
-
Date
The world keeps turning as UK growth stalls
Britain's economy grew at its slowest annual rate for 12 years in the second quarter of the year, according to figures published last week. The figures from the Office for National Statistics coincided with more bad news from the high street and the release
-
Date
Hamish is a safe choice for Databanx
Business security company Databanx has appointed a senior engineer. Databanx, part of the Onyx Group, which is based on Teesside, has recruited HAMISH WOOD. The 32-year old comes to Databanx with experience at other IT companies in the North-East. Originally
-
Date
How 'unknown' set about making a name for itself
The region's top law firm, Dickinson Dees, opened an office in the Tees Valley five years ago this week. Business Editor Julia Breen looks at the progress it has made. FIVE years ago, when solicitors Robin Bloom and Nigel Williams were asked to open Dickinson
-
Date
Floods disrupt traffic
Emergency services worked throughout the night to contain flooding after water mains burst in two different areas in the region. On Monday night a pipe ruptured in Thompson Street East, in Darlington, flooding houses. But fire crews and the police were
-
Date
We've got the vibe
THE achievements of scores of courageous and high-performing youngsters were recognised at a glittering awards ceremony last night. They picked up a host of accolades in the Vibe Awards presentations, which were made at Darlington Civic Theatre. Former
-
Date
Kathryn Bell
KATHRYN BELL has secured a graduate engineering position at Komatsu UK in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street. The 23-year-old completed a degree in manufacturing, engineering and management at Loughbrough University, before returning to the North-East to
-
Date
How 'unknown' set about making a name for itself
FIVE years ago, when solicitors Robin Bloom and Nigel Williams were asked to open Dickinson Dees' Teesside office, they were surprised to discover that not many people in the Tees Valley had heard of the Newcastle firm. Despite the fact that Dickinson
-
Date
Choice for Haslam
Pat Haslam is in the enviable position of choosing between three Group One races around the world for Kinnaird following her victory at Longchamp. The filly ended Haslam's 33-year wait for a first success at the highest level in the Prix de l'Opera and
-
Date
Modernisation moves are to be welcomed
The UK has long enjoyed a reputation as a favoured country in which to incorporate a company. However, in recent years company law has come in for criticism because it has been seen as failing to reflect the commercial realities of running a business
-
Date
Offspring born of thriving market
A construction group has launched a development company to take advantage of a thriving property sector in the region. Castle Vale Properties is being set up with a £20m fund to be invested in projects in its first year of operation, with the backing
-
Date
Bassila doubt for derby
SUNDERLAND'S mini-revival has been rocked by the news Christian Bassila will be out of action for up to six weeks, meaning he is likely to miss the first Tyne-Wear derby for more than two years. After extensive assessment on the hamstring injury he sustained
-
Date
Teenager in court on rape charge
RELATIVES of a 65-year-old widow shouted threats and abuse at a teenager who appeared in court yesterday charged with rape. Several police officers entered the public gallery to calm the disturbance as David Humphrey, 19, who is also charged with aggravated
-
Date
Reseach facility showcases work in fuel-cell technology
A research facility in the North-East has been showcasing its pioneering work in fuel-cell technology at an international conference. The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), based at the Wilton Centre in Teesside, has a stand at the International Grove
-
Date
Lender remains Rock solid
MORTGAGE lender Northern Rock brushed aside concerns about the tougher housing market yesterday as it forecast profits in line with expectations and said credit quality remained healthy. The Newcastle bank told investors that the strong lending performance
-
Date
'What's love got to do with it?'
SPIRALLING property prices and rising personal debt are spawning a new breed of "money over love" couples who stay together to protect their lifestyles. Darlington law firm Latimer Hinks says more couples are staying together solely to protect their standard
-
Date
Hell's Kitchen champion punched after trying to end fight
Hell's Kitchen champion Terry Miller was left nursing cuts and bruises after charity bash at a top hotel. The Geordie caterer turned reality TV celebrity chef came off worst when he stepped in to stop to a fight. Terry, 46, had attended the breast cancer
-
Date
On TV last night
Sexology: Armed Robbery Orgasm (C4) Real Life: My Death Row Lover (ITV1) RON Keyes found it as hard as anyone to believe what he'd done. Reading the book written about his exploits, he declared: "You mean to tell me I actually did this stuff?" The first
-
Date
Cloud eclipses fun as it hides the sun
ASTRONOMERS were left disappointed yesterday when thick cloud hid a partial eclipse of the sun. Enthusiasts gathered all over the North-East and North Yorkshire to view the eclipse, but were unable to see it. In York, two re-enactment Vikings visited
-
Date
Cable operators get spliced for £3.4bn
CABLE operators Telewest and ntl have joined forces to take on rivals BSkyB and BT. The long-anticipated merger, which involves the takeover of Telewest for £3.4bn, will create the largest provider of residential broadband services in the UK. It will
-
Date
Report on repair requests
COUNCIL officials are analysing the results of a survey aimed at tackling the problems of Darlington's crumbling roads and pavements. The borough council has pledged an extra £2.5m to deal with the issue and had been asking for residents' opinions on
-
Date
Story of Jarrow Crusade is told in new book
THE complete story of the Jarrow Crusade is revealed in a new book on one of the most famous marches in British history. Author Matt Perry spent five years researching The Jarrow Crusade: Protest and Legend. The result is hailed as a "fuller and richer
-
Date
Link-up for community safety day
A CHARITY and a community hospital are teaming up to run an event as part of World Mental Healthy Day. The Community Safety and Lifestyles Day will be held at Sedgefield Community Hospital, in Sedgefield village, next Wednesday, from 10.30am to 2.15pm
-
Date
Initiative helps pregnant women to quit smoking
HUNDREDS of pregnant women are being helped to quit smoking in an initiative that has attracted national recognition. A specialist smoking advisor has been working with Darlington, Sedgefield and Durham Dales Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to tackle the problem
-
Date
Tyres of 12 vehicles slashed
Twelve cars had their tyres slashed while parked overnight in a village, with the total damage estimated at nearly £1,000. Most of the vehicles had one tyre each cut by penknives during the vandalism at Butterknowle near Barnard Castle, but two tyres
-
Date
£1m sports centre opens
A £1m sports facility has been opened in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside. Local MP Fraser Kemp officiated at the opening of the centre, at Houghton Kepier School, on Friday. The building, which features PE teaching rooms, changing rooms, a community meeting
-
Date
Tributes to Peel
A THRIVING music venue is to join national celebrations of the life of renowned DJ John Peel. BBC Radio 1 will be celebrating Peel's life and work on Thursday, October 13 - the anniversary of his last broadcast. Venues across the UK will be staging gigs
-
Date
Tributes to Peel
A THRIVING music venue is to join national celebrations of the life of renowned DJ John Peel. BBC Radio 1 will be celebrating Peel's life and work on Thursday, October 13 - the anniversary of his last broadcast. Venues across the UK will be staging gigs
-
Date
Fencing Pupils aim for success
YOUNG fencers at an independent school are being tipped to provide some sharp competition. Pupils from Barnard Castle School have taken up fencing as one of the five disciplines in the modern pentathlon. The youngsters also practise swimming, shooting
-
Date
Fencing Pupils aim for success
YOUNG fencers at an independent school are being tipped to provide some sharp competition. Pupils from Barnard Castle School have taken up fencing as one of the five disciplines in the modern pentathlon. The youngsters also practise swimming, shooting
-
Date
Teenager arrested over tent arson
A 13-year-old boy was arrested yesterday in connection with an arson attack on a tent in which a homeless couple were living. He was questioned and released on bail pending further inquiries into last week's blaze beside the River Tees at Barnard Castle
-
Date
Chance to go behind scenes at theatre
CURIOUS audience members will get a chance to glimpse behind the scenes at a North-East theatre this week. Sunderland's Royalty Theatre is opening to anyone who wants a guided tour, or would like to test themselves on the sound or lighting system or help
-
Date
Treasure Box to encourage reading
YOUNGSTERS will soon be dipping into their own treasure chest to explore the magic of reading. Over the next year, all three-year-olds in Hartlepool will receive a free Treasure Box at nursery, as Hartlepool Borough Council extends its successful Bookstart
-
Date
Health for the family workshops
THERE'S an opportunity for all the family to learn more about healthy living thanks to free events this month. As part of national Family Learning Week, there will be workshops and displays at Hartlepool Central Library aimed at helping people boost their
-
Date
Recruits must be confident - and bark
CLEVELAND Police have launched a major hunt - for four-legged recruits to fill a vacancy in the dog section. The search is on for German shepherds, between one and two years old, and are "bold, outgoing and confident". PC Colin Skelton said: "It is very
-
Date
Public invited to plan a park
PEOPLE are to be given the opportunity to decide how they would like a local park to be improved. Residents in Billingham are invited to a public meeting tonight to discuss future ideas for John Whitehead Park. Establishing a friends group will be discussed
-
Date
Vicki Weston
VICKI WESTON has been appointed as indirect tax consultant at the Newcastle office of professional services company Deloitte. She previously worked for HM Revenue and Customs as a VAT advisor, after graduating from Northumbria University with a BA in
-
Date
From art to skateboards
YOUNG artists have been giving up their evenings to create large-scale graffiti art. Nineteen people have taken part in the project, called Urban Art, which has produced a diverse range of artwork, inspired by Hartlepool Museum and Art Gallery. The students
-
Date
Trio admit roles in supply of drugs
THREE men yesterday admitted various roles in the supply of drugs. Ross Taylor, 27, Mathew George Arthurs, 24, and 22-year-old Alexander John Clarke were warned by a judge at Durham Crown Court that all options "remain open" when they return to be sentenced
-
Date
Tenants can have say in housing issues
RESIDENTS are being invited to have their say on issues affecting their homes and communities. Easington district's second annual tenants' conference has been organised to give more people the chance to get involved in housing matters. This year there
-
Date
Pyers offered as alternative burial method
Funeral pyres used to be the burial of choice for Vikings but they could be making an unlikely comeback. One company is offering the chance to get cremated outdoors for people who are uncomfortable with traditional church settings. The company already
-
Date
Community centre planned for area facing bulldozers
RESIDENTS at the centre of a regeneration row are to gain a multi-use community centre. An £886,000 regeneration of the Meath Street Community Centre, in the Gresham area of Middlesbrough, is on the cards after the council handed over its running to the
-
Date
Church and pupils help city's needy
CHURCHGOERS and schoolchildren have collected a quarter of a ton of groceries to help homeless people. The congregation at St Oswald's Church in Sowerby, near Thirsk, and pupils of Sowerby Community Primary School also donated clothing and toiletries.
-
Date
Concern for man who left hospital
POLICE are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of a mental health hospital patient who has not been seen for ten days. Michael Gales, 34, was being treated at the Pine unit of Middleton St George Hospital, near Darlington. Following an assessment
-
Date
Wilks powers Swift to class win in Japan
GUY Wilks' stock is continuing to rise after the Suzuki driver roared to a class win in the Japanese manufacturer's homeland. The Darlington driver won class A6 on the all-gravel Rally Japan at the weekend - the latest chapter in a stunning success story
-
Date
Link helps expanding specialist to clean up
AN industrial cleaning firm is working with Business Link consultants as it gears up for expansion. Paul Rider runs Rider Industrial and Specialist Cleaning, of Richmondshire, North Yorkshire. The company provides cleaning services to local councils,
-
Date
Making the most of Chinese trade links
AN initiative has been launched to help North-East firms make the most of business opportunities in China. In the past two decades, China has become the fastest growing economy in the world and offers potential for North-East businesses in a range of
-
Date
Couple in court accused of stealing from social club
A married couple accused of stealing over £12,000 from a social club appeared before court today. Alyson Lock, 35, and Anthony Lock, 37, worked at the Hepworth and Grandage Social Club on North Hylton Road, Sunderland from November 2002. Mr Lock was a
-
Date
Park will redress housing balance
Once completed, Newcastle Great Park will be the largest mixed development in the North-East, costing more than £1bn, creating thousands of jobs and becoming home to about 2,500 people. Project director Peter Jordan talks to Deputy Business Editor Kate
-
Date
Eating Owt...at The Bridge Inn
THE Good Pub Guide, which on at least two interpretations could be renamed the Excellent Pub Guide, has made its annual appearance. If it has a fault, and it has precious few, it's a certain sameness year-on-year. Sometimes it seems easier to get over
-
Date
Teen who set fire to boy's home has sentence cut
A TEENAGER who set fire to a house in which a ten-year-old boy was sleeping had his sentence cut by appeal judges yesterday. David Michael Hewitson, 18, caused £10,000 worth of damage when he set fire to the three-bedroom Middlesbrough home of Charlotte
-
Date
Fruitful advice for entrepreneurs
AN organisation that helps get new businesses off the ground is taking a fruity approach to encouraging entrepreneurs. To promote the group, which is made up of private sector specialists offering entrepreneurs help at the start-up stage, it is taking
-
Date
Polluted waterway receives Clemancy
The red river's discolouration brings back memories of an industry long gone. But now the ochre staining Skinningrove Beck, in east Cleveland, is helping preserve precious natural resources thanks to a University of Teesside project. A team from the university's
-
Date
Quantity as well as quality
A QUANTITY surveying consultancy has opened a seciond office in County Durham. David White Associates has opened the office in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street. Director David White said: "We are already involved in a variety of schemes in both Teesside
-
Date
Merger triggers job fears
ABOUT 1,000 jobs are to be lost at Boots and Alliance Unichem after the two companies announced a merger. The new company - to be called Alliance Boots - will become the largest drugs retailer and wholesaler in the UK, as well as having a network across
-
Date
Public inquiry into soldiers' deaths 'could take too long'
A SENIOR Government minister says a public inquiry into the deaths of soldiers at Britain's biggest Army base could take too long. Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram made the comment during a visit to Catterick, in North Yorkshire. Mr Ingram inspected
-
Date
Investment will allow Polymeric to expand
A MANUFACTURER on Teesside expects to increase its turnover ten fold and create jobs following an investment of more than £1m from fund management firm NEL. Abstract Polymeric, on the Durham Lane Industrial Park, in Eaglescliffe, supplies specialist chemical
-
Date
Comment from The Northern Echo: End this lottery of life
WE are delighted for ex-nurse Barbara Clark who has won her battle to get vital breast cancer drugs on the NHS. It's disgraceful that Barbara faced the prospect of having to sell her home to pay privately for the drug Herceptin - which can cost up to
-
Date
Employers should do more to tackle stress
A recent report produced on behalf of the British Occupational Health Research Foundation has concluded that employers do not do enough to support workers who develop mental health problems. The study also recommended that employers need to put in place
-
Date
Murray leaps to 72nd in world
Mark Petchey, Andy Murray's coach, has some good news for British tennis fans but bad news for the world's elite players - the Scot is getting better all the time. The 18-year-old has shot up the world rankings this year, moving from outside the top 400
-
Date
MMP reaches building shortlist
CONSTRUCTION group MMP has been shortlisted for the final of a Government competition to build a house for £60,000. Metek, the housing operation of the MMP Group, is part of two consortiums that have been shortlisted. Only nine organisations out of 130
-
Date
Plunging sales cost more jobs at factory
THE number of jobs lost at a furniture retailer in the region has increased after sales plummeted. MFI announced another sharp deterioration in sales yesterday, with orders 31 per cent lower than a year ago. Unions confirmed that 87 staff had taken voluntary
-
Date
Rider repays air service that saved her life
A KEEN horsewoman whose life was saved by an air ambulance will show her gratitude this weekend by handing over more than £1,500 to keep the helicopters flying. A year ago this month, Marian Coutts, from Wearside, suffered serious injuries when she was
-
Date
Boyes hit by slowdown
GENERAL store Boyes has become the latest retailer to lay workers off as part of a cost-cutting programme after a slump in consumer spending. The family firm, which is based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, and employs more than 1,000 staff at 29 outlets
-
Date
Legal changes may see end of sex jibes
CHANGES to the law will make it easier for women workers to fight back against lewd remarks at work. The new legislation, under the European Equal Treatment Directive, which came into effect on Saturday, would strengthen laws against harassment, says
-
Date
Cyclist recovers after being dragged off bike in 'prank'
A CYCLIST is recovering at home after being dragged off his bike in what police have branded a senseless prank. The 50-year-old was badly injured after the male passenger of a passing van grabbed hold of him and pulled him off his cycle and on to the
-
Date
Grayson bows out with dinner at the Commons
Paul Grayson, one of the Backtrack column's tips for the top as long ago as 1989, has retired from first-class cricket and is making the most of a benefit year with Essex. One of a well-known Bedale sporting family - his elder brother Simon, 36 in December
-
Date
Owen insists England men all behind Sven
MICHAEL Owen last night dismissed any suggestion of a rift in the England camp ahead of Saturday's crucial World Cup qualifier with Austria and insisted Sven-Goran Eriksson retained the support of each and every member of his squad. The Swede's position
-
Date
Ministers urged to protect wildlife
GOVERNMENT ministers have been urged to do more to protect important species and habitats from development. The Wildlife Trusts, the umbrella organisation for trusts around the country, hailed a new Government policy as an important step forward but said
