Archive
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The announcement that turned into a career
WHAT playwright John Godber asked young actress Gilly Tompkins to do was simple enough. He needed her to go on stage and tell the Edinburgh Festival audience that the play they were going to see didn't have an interval. Tompkins, a student at Bretton
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Can there be life after Death Row?
After watching her client die on Death Row, lawyer and journalist Joan Cheever set out to answer a question: what if, instead of being executed, he'd been given a second chance? She tells Women's Editor Sarah Foster about her quest to find the 'Class
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Takeaway is ordered to hire bouncers
POLICE have applied successully to have licence restrictions imposed on a fast-food takeaway linked to crime and disorder. Chilinos, in Albion Place, Sunderland, is close to three nightclubs and regularly attracts large late-night crowds. Police were
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Arrests made as controversial music festival given go-ahead
POLICE arrested 53 people for drug offences at a controversial music festival at the weekend. Music fans were searched on entry to the Hi:Fi Festival, near Matfen, in Northumberland, on Saturday, and sniffer dogs were used to help uncover cocaine, amphetamines
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Inclusion for special needs children hailed by councillor
A COUNCILLOR has hailed Darlington's £37.3m Education Village as one of the best facilities in the county for special needs children. It comes in response to questions raised by Conservative councillors about teaching special needs children in a mainstream
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A year of success as school's sports stars of the future shine
PUPILS at a Darlington school are celebrating a year of sporting achievement. Since September, pupils from Polam Hall School have won a total of six town tournaments and have been selected to attend specialist Tees Valley academies to receive expert coaching
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Cut-price composters for residents
CUT-PRICE composters are being offered to Darlington residents. The compost bins are used to process organic waste - which accounts for 30 per cent of total household waste - including leaves, dead flowers, grass-cuttings, and raw fruit and vegetables
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Holiday delay in collections
RUBBISH and recycling collections throughout Darlington will be delayed for one day because of the Bank Holiday. All collections will take place a day late because of today's holiday. Residents are asked to leave their rubbish and recycling at their usual
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Travellers catch the eye on their trip through time
A VICTORIAN time machine materialised on the streets of Darlington on Satureday. Street artists Karen Bell and Dave Bullock posed as time travellers from 1888 to get visitors in the mood for Darlington Borough Council's summer street art programme. The
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Drop-in centre bid to clean up town
A DROP-IN centre is to be made available as part of an ongoing initiative to clean up a town's streets. Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership has joined forces with Sunnydale School, Shildon, to offer the service for those in need of advice. The initiative
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Details of estate eco park unveiled
THOUSANDS of homes are to targeted by two businessmen behind proposals for a £6m eco park. Ian Howlett and Paul Nelson say that "ill-informed" opposition has led to a public outcry to their plans to create offices and business units, together with community
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Swapping text books for lifeguard duties
A GROUP of students swapped their text books for lifeguard duties as the service returned to Redcar and Saltburn beaches over the bank holiday weekend. All seven lifeguards, who are studying for degrees at universities, started the summer safety campaign
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Fire zones to help cut crime
FIRE safety areas are to be introduced by Cleveland Fire Brigade in an attempt to cut anti-social behaviour. The Fire Safety Zone scheme, which works with police and councils in Redcar, has already proved successful in Billingham and Hartlepool
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Authorities surprised by closure of police Asbo unit
A POLICE anti-social behaviour (Asbo) unit which has proved an outstanding success has been unexpectedly disbanded. The unit was first launched by the Northern Area Command of Durham Constabulary, in Peterlee, in November 2004 and was given the full go
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Squadron reunited with missing piece of history
THE real story behind a little piece of military history has finally been revealed after a wartime relic was reunited with details of its past - after a 16-year wait. XXV(F) Squadron was presented with a broken propeller from a Heinkel 177 when it was
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Controversial homes plan at former depot set for approval
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 14 homes in a town centre look set to be approved. The proposals would see the houses built on the former Alfa-Laval depot, in Quaker Lane, Northallerton. Residents park their cars on the site and say the loss of space would
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Hostel is UK's first winner of eco-award
A YOUTH hostel refurbished at a cost of £300,000 a year ago has become one of the first UK winners of a leading European green award. The hostel, at Lockton, near Pickering, has been awarded the European Ecolabel by Defra, which runs the green scheme
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Don't be a dummy when it comes to a healthy lifestyle
SHOPPERS were treated to a travel awareness roadshow complete with puppets and a modified car. The car, which contains a laptop computer, a television and a number of moving dummies, was outside Northallerton Town Hall on Saturday. It aims to make people
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Families handed keys to a fresh beginning
TWO families have received the keys to their new homes after their old houses were pulled down last year. Patsy Metcalf and Tracy Marchant, from Topcliffe, near Thirsk, saw their old homes in East Lea bulldozed last year. Four new affordable homes were
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Students might be housed in riverside development
HUNDREDS of students could be housed in accommodation along the River Tees in plans which have raised a debate. A block of student accommodation, capable of taking up to 300 residents, has been recommended for approval by Stockton planning officers
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Black Cats honour young citizens
STUDENTS who won Sunderland Football Club's award for being good citizens for the second consecutive year were honoured at a ceremony. The Black Cats' mascot, Samson, visited Wolsingham School and Community College, in Weardale, County Durham, with Katrina
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Rotarians offer first gift of many to special needs school
PUPILS at a special needs school stand to benefit from a link-up with a charitable organisation. The Spennymoor Rotary Club has adopted The Oaks School, in Spennymoor, as one of its charitable causes. During a recent assembly, Rotarians Ian McLaren and
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Mini-market raises £1,000 for research
A CHARITY mini-market set up in a factory reception area has raised £1,000 for the Alzheimer's Society. The market at the 3M plant, on Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate, traded during shift changes and break times. Items were donated by employees and
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Former cattle mart to become homes
HOMES will rise from the ashes of an auction mart forced out of business by the foot-and-mouth crisis. Full planning permission has been given to Bellway Homes (NE) Limited to build 14 detached houses and nine flats on land once occupied by Bishop Auckland
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Young artists swap brushstroke for computing keystrokes
ARTISTIC children at a Teesside primary school are swapping brushstrokes for keystrokes thanks to computer technology. A few years ago, art lessons at Nunthorpe Primary School would probably have meant crayons or paintbrushes. Now year six children are
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May 29, 2006
SEX SLAVES: Some of your correspondents (Echo, May 19) are much exercised by the Kaotian sex slave cult. I can't take the issue that seriously, although I would be concerned at the prospect of children being raised in such an environment. But the
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Meet the guv'nor
For the first time in its 34 year history, a woman has been appointed governor of Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, which last year, was the scene of riots. Women's Editor Sarah Foster meets Debra Baldwin. AS a prison governor, Debra Baldwin hardly
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That joke isn't funny anymore
LET'S face it, John Prescott has always been a bit of a joke. Always likely to cause a chuckle in the Commons with his tendency to get tongue-tied, and capable of throwing a punch at a protestor, he has been an accident waiting to happen for the Government
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Who knows what TV can do
Doctor Who (BBC1) The Triangle (BBC1) : Excuse me while I put cotton wool in my ears to prevent my brains oozing like gazpacho from those orifices. The dangers of watching too much TV have always been hinted at. It's well-known viewing can induce feelings
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Bile from the green brigade
THE "green ink brigade" is well-known to editors. It consists of people who send in copies of the paper, covered in scribblings and rantings. Every mistake, every contentious point, is ringed or underlined, more often than not in green ink. Their letters
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Sacriston fall short of Swalwell
Sacriston just failed to meet the target set by Swalwell who edged a narrow victory and moved into second position behind new leaders Newcastle City. The Dumigham brothers, Paul and Jason, together with Ian Pattison scored most of the runs when Swalwell
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Shields extend lead
South Shields stretched their lead at the top when they won their fifth successive game. Nearest rivals Burnmoor had to be content with a draw when they were unable to remove the last Boldon batsmen. Burnmoor made all the running after hitting 211
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Champions reinstated at top
Murton conceded the championship last season, but are back in pole position following victory over Bill Quay. The Quay briefly flirted with the top earlier in the campaign, but found the home attack of Calvin Stephenson and Joe Dodd just too hot to
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Bishops stay top, but only just after Marske scare
Bishop Auckland held onto the leadership by the skin of their teeth when they were taken to the wire by Marton at Kingsway on Saturday. The home side's total of 179 for eight achieved from the maximum 50 overs looked useful if not impregnable. When
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It's a stroll in the Park for Norton
Norton, written off in some quarters before the start of the season, are fourth top and one of only three sides still unbeaten. Despite the efforts of the Symington brothers, who made the move up the A19 during the close season, Norton had plenty to
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Vine work marked by Cotton trophy
NEARLY 70 years after the great Henry Cotton played Durham City golf course, veteran member Mary Vine has won a top national trophy dedicated to his memory. Sir Henry is long dead, of course. Mary - "just put turned 80, " she says, though nineteenth
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Iqbal the difference in Blackhall's low-scoring win
Blackhall enjoy a sizeable lead at the top of the table, but they only just edged Billingham Synthonia following a nail-biting finish. The Colliers tumbled to the meagre total of 87 all out which took almost 48 overs to compile but in reply, Synners
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Evenwood hit pole position
Evenwood went to the top of the table with a ten-wicket blast at Brandon whose modest total of 125 quickly evaporated as the openers got to grips with the task. Billy Teasdale, who shared six wickets with John Maughan, dominated at the crease ending
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May 29, 2006
DURHAM'S defeat by Sussex last week was the shortest completed match in their first-class history, other than when Kent forfeited their second innings at Riverside in 1995. At 145.2 overs, the Sussex game constituted less than a day and a half's play
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Lehmann takes Tykes to thrilling Roses win
Yorkshire v Lancashire (C & G Trophy) Yorkshire's season suddenly burst into life at Headingley yesterday when they beat Lancashire by six wickets with eight balls remaining in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy. The victory ended their Red Rose
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Durham need victory to stay in the frame
VICTORY is imperative for Durham today in the fifth of their nine C & G Trophy northern group matches against Leicestershire at Riverside. With only the top side in each group going through to the final, the weakness of this format was in danger of
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Best Prospect is one for Piggott to watch
LESTER PIGGOTT provides a Bank Holiday bonus for Redcar's race-goers this afternoon when he visits the course for one of its most prestigious contests of the year, the totesport Zetland Gold Cup. The 11-times champion jockey, who won the Derby on a
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That joke isn't funny anymore
LET'S face it, John Prescott has always been a bit of a joke. Always likely to cause a chuckle in the Commons with his tendency to get tongue-tied, and capable of throwing a punch at a protestor, he has been an accident waiting to happen for the Government
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Letters: May 29, 2006
SEX SLAVES: Some of your correspondents (Echo, May 19) are much exercised by the Kaotian sex slave cult. I can't take the issue that seriously, although I would be concerned at the prospect of children being raised in such an environment. But the shock
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LAST NIGHT'S TV: Who knows what TV can do
Doctor Who (BBC1) The Triangle (BBC1) : Excuse me while I put cotton wool in my ears to prevent my brains oozing like gazpacho from those orifices. The dangers of watching too much TV have always been hinted at. It's well-known viewing can induce feelings
-
Date
Meet the guv'nor
For the first time in its 34 year history, a woman has been appointed governor of Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, which last year, was the scene of riots. Women's Editor Sarah Foster meets Debra Baldwin. AS a prison governor, Debra Baldwin hardly
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Date
Bile from the green brigade
THE "green ink brigade" is well-known to editors. It consists of people who send in copies of the paper, covered in scribblings and rantings. Every mistake, every contentious point, is ringed or underlined, more often than not in green ink. Their letters
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Cummins impressed by boss
Michael Cummins has revealed the ambition of Darlington manager David Hodgson was one of the reasons behind his decision to quit Port Vale. The 27-year-old signed a two-year deal at the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena on Friday after rejecting a new contract
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Lehmann takes Tykes to thrilling Roses win
Yorkshire's season suddenly burst into life at Headingley yesterday when they beat Lancashire by six wickets with eight balls remaining in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy. The victory ended their Red Rose rivals' 100 per cent record in the competition
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Best Prospect is one for Piggott to watch
LESTER PIGGOTT provides a Bank Holiday bonus for Redcar's race-goers this afternoon when he visits the course for one of its most prestigious contests of the year, the totesport Zetland Gold Cup. The 11-times champion jockey, who won the Derby on a record
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Durham need victory to stay in the frame
VICTORY is imperative for Durham today in the fifth of their nine C & G Trophy northern group matches against Leicestershire at Riverside. With only the top side in each group going through to the final, the weakness of this format was in danger of being
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Durham Diary
DURHAM'S defeat by Sussex last week was the shortest completed match in their first-class history, other than when Kent forfeited their second innings at Riverside in 1995. At 145.2 overs, the Sussex game constituted less than a day and a half's play,
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Sacriston fall short of Swalwell
Sacriston just failed to meet the target set by Swalwell who edged a narrow victory and moved into second position behind new leaders Newcastle City. The Dumigham brothers, Paul and Jason, together with Ian Pattison scored most of the runs when Swalwell
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Champions reinstated at top
Murton conceded the championship last season, but are back in pole position following victory over Bill Quay. The Quay briefly flirted with the top earlier in the campaign, but found the home attack of Calvin Stephenson and Joe Dodd just too hot to handle
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Shields extend lead
South Shields stretched their lead at the top when they won their fifth successive game. Nearest rivals Burnmoor had to be content with a draw when they were unable to remove the last Boldon batsmen. Burnmoor made all the running after hitting 211 against
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It's a stroll in the Park for Norton
Norton, written off in some quarters before the start of the season, are fourth top and one of only three sides still unbeaten. Despite the efforts of the Symington brothers, who made the move up the A19 during the close season, Norton had plenty to spare
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Bishops stay top, but only just after Marske scare
Bishop Auckland held onto the leadership by the skin of their teeth when they were taken to the wire by Marton at Kingsway on Saturday. The home side's total of 179 for eight achieved from the maximum 50 overs looked useful if not impregnable. When Marton
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Date
Evenwood hit pole position
Evenwood went to the top of the table with a ten-wicket blast at Brandon whose modest total of 125 quickly evaporated as the openers got to grips with the task. Billy Teasdale, who shared six wickets with John Maughan, dominated at the crease ending unbeaten
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Date
Iqbal the difference in Blackhall's low-scoring win
Blackhall enjoy a sizeable lead at the top of the table, but they only just edged Billingham Synthonia following a nail-biting finish. The Colliers tumbled to the meagre total of 87 all out which took almost 48 overs to compile but in reply, Synners managed
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Boro set deadline for O'Neill over boss role
MIDDLESBROUGH will offer Martin O'Neill a £2.5m-a-year contract to become the club's next manager later today, but warn the in-demand Ulsterman they expect a decision within 48 hours.Boro chairman Steve Gibson met O'Neill on Friday to discuss the vacant
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After 2,000 miles, pensioner is back to square one
A PENSIONER who spent 48 hours travelling more than 2,000 miles ended up back where she started - at a North-East airport. Flights between Durham Tees Valley Airport and Jersey were cancelled over the bank holiday weekend because of thick fog on the island
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Downing reveals heartache behind World Cup call-up
MIDDLESBROUGH footballer Stewart Downing has revealed his sadness about the young sister who did not live to see him play in the World Cup. The 21-year-old left-winger is one of the young talents selected as part of the England squad to compete in next
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Everest rescue two weeks after tragedy of N-E man
AN Australian climber given up for dead after spending a night in Mount Everest's "death zone" has been rescued. Lincoln Hall, 50, collapsed 150m below the summit - 200m higher than Guisborough climber David Sharp, who died on the mountain two weeks ago
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Carnival is a winner against all the odds
A TOWN'S annual carnival, which almost folded due to financial irregularities, looks likely to be one of the best ever. Organisers of the Barnard Castle Meet, in Teesdale, County Durham, have been thrilled by the turnout of locals and visitors over the
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Daniel's transplant gift saves 3 children
TRAGIC youngster Daniel Curtin has saved the lives of three children. The eight-year-old died at the James Cook University Hospital, in Midlesbrough, on Thursday night, after he sustained head injuries when he was hit by a stolen car in the town. His
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Manager's anger over thefts from cancer charity store
SHOPLIFTERS are stealing more than £5,000 worth of goods donated by the public from a charity shop every year, it has been revealed. The Cancer Research shop, in Post House Wynd, Darlington, is losing up to £100 of stock a week because of thieves who
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Popular rally steams into successful eighth year
THOUSANDS of steam enthusiasts flocked to the region at the weekend to visit one of the area's most popular annual events. The Streatlam Steam Rally has established itself as one of the highlights on the calendar for enthusiasts and families alike since
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Twist of fate that spared a boy, but killed his father
IT could have been the last journey Barry Robson-Cross ever made. More than 50 years ago, he narrowly avoided boarding the troop ship on which his father died in one of the Second World War's worst maritime tragedies.An article in The Northern Echo earlier
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Sales of cold sore remedy soaring
WOULD-BE holidaymakers desperate to avoid an unsightly cold sore are helping to send sales of a new gadget soaring. Gordon Dougal, a GP in Easington, east Durham, and Darlington surgeon Jim Haslam have sold more than 16,000 of their Virulite treatment
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Sooty will not be swept from roofs
A CAT has taken a liking to living the high life - by spending a month on the roof of a terraced house.It has foiled rescue attempts by running from RSPCA officers and daring neighbours who have ventured up to bring it down.Now residents of George Street
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Arrests made as controversial music festival given go-ahead
POLICE arrested 53 people for drug offences at a controversial music festival at the weekend.Music fans were searched on entry to the Hi:Fi Festival, near Matfen, in Northumberland, on Saturday, and sniffer dogs were used to help uncover cocaine, amphetamines
