Archive
-
Date
Online tributes to Wolsingham blast victim
Tributes were today paid to the dad-to-be who died when his van exploded in a quiet County Durham town. Thirty-three-year-old Andy Herd was killed instantly when gas cylinders in his Ford Transit van exploded as he drove through Wolsingham on Saturday
-
Date
Neighbours drag family to safety from fire
RESIDENTS of a Darlington house, including children, were dragged to safety by friends and neighbours after a kitchen fire. The fire gutted the terraced house and left it unsafe, according to the fire brigade. The family are now staying with neighbours
-
Date
Patterson tees up County glory
SEAHAM has a new hero this morning after David Patterson became the new Durham County Champion, writes PAUL FRASER. For the first time in 43 years Seaham Harbour Golf Club boasts the county champion and it is only the sixth time in the competition's
-
Date
Alternative energy
TONY Blair and his power-hungry successor, Gordon Brown, keep claiming that environmentally friendly sources of power must be found to replace the present methods of power production which they claim damage the atmosphere. Wind farms and nuclear
-
Date
Darlingtonians
DARLINGTON has a list of famous residents. Famous Darlingtonians include the former premiership football player Neil Maddison, the ex-Arsenal manager George Allison, film director Maurice Elvey and, of course, the industrialist, Joseph Pease.
-
Date
Labour's hit-list
THE newly-elected Labour leader of Redcar and Cleveland council, George Dunning, says that his administration will keep open all of the swimming pools in the borough (Echo, May 18). Yet Labour closed Redcar swimming pool. Labour closed Guisborough
-
Date
Terror
TERRORISTS come in many different forms. Their armour is cunning and deceitful, but the consequences for those who are their victims is devastating. But it is not just in the streets of Baghdad, Basra and Gaza that the terrorist lurks. It would
-
Date
Information Act
IT WOULD appear some correspondents (HAS, May 22) are surprised that MPs have exempted themselves from legislation they have passed (Freedom of Information). This is not that unusual. They are also exempt from congestion charges in London, having
-
Date
Party politics
MARTIN Birtle is right to bemoan the state of British politics (HAS, May 22), but the concept of an "Independent Party" is a contradiction in terms. A quicker way to cure the evils of party politics would be to adopt the following rules: 1. Candidates
-
Date
Rain holds up England again
ENGLAND's attempts to polish off the West Indies at Headingley have been thwarted by rain for the second morning in succession. Only four overs were possible before the heavens opened and, while Liam Plunkett struck to have opener Chris Gayle caught
-
Date
Conspiracy theory?
DURING Prime Minister's Questions on June 21, 2006, Tony Blair said about the Home Information Packs: "I am proud to be introducing these measures, especially as we (the Government) are doing so a year before the EU directive requires us to do
-
Date
Safety campaign to tackle bad behaviour
RESIDENTS in three east Durham villages are being offered advice on staying safe as part of a campaign against crime and anti-social behaviour. Police teams will be stepping up patrols in Horden, Hesleden and Blackhall to offer reassurance and tackle
-
Date
Market's facelift unveiled
CHESTER-le-Street's new-look market place opened for business at the weekend, attracting hundreds of shoppers to the Saturday flea market. The market place has undergone a £1.7m facelift and, since October, the market has been held behind the Queen's
-
Date
Concern at plans to repair old building
A VANDALISED former old people's home is to be saved from the bulldozer despite calls for it to be demolished. Glenroyd House, in Consett, had been earmarked for use as a centre for local community groups since it ceased being a home. But, while standing
-
Date
Quiz raises cash for CAB
A RECENT quiz raised more than £400 for charity. About 50 people took part in a team quiz held in Thirsk's Masonic Hall in aid of the Hambleton Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). It was hosted by Soroptimists International Thirsk and District. CAB manager
-
Date
Council work is top grade
EASINGTON District Council has achieved top marks for its work in tackling fly-tipping. It reached Level 1 in its Best Value Performance Indicator for the reduction of incidents and an increase in the number of enforcement actions it took. Incidents of
-
Date
Sparkling reopening for park
THE opening of a revamped park went with a bang at the weekend. A firework display on Saturday night rounded off a day of events at Oakey Park, on the outskirts of Tanfield. The site has had a major facelift. From being largely undeveloped, with only
-
Date
Track sessions bid to keep mini-motos off the streets
YOUNGSTERS using mini-motorbikes are being put on the right track by their local council. Regular fortnightly practice sessions are being held on a race track in east Cleveland, where youngsters can learn how to handle the new craze for mini-motos in
-
Date
Heritage course for theatre volunteers
SEVEN theatre volunteers are studying hard for a qualification. The volunteers from the Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond, are working towards an NVQ in heritage. The course is run by York College and funded by the European Social Fund. Vaughn Curtis
-
Date
Church celebrates centenary
A CHURCH is celebrating 100 years since its first stone was laid. Great Broughton Methodist Church is marking the centenary of the ceremonial laying of its foundation stone, on May 20, 1907, in Great Broughton High Street. The celebration began on May
-
Date
Flat could hold key to tackling the yobs
RESIDENTS have been given frontline help in combating yob rule. A one-bedroom flat has been made available as a drop-in centre and mini-police office in Hartlepool's Dyke House area, which is plagued by anti-social behaviour problems. A closed circuit
-
Date
Operation Anvil hailed success in crime battle
POLICE have said they are making strides in clamping down on yobbish behaviour in an area of a North-East town. Only two weeks into a crackdown on crime, complaints of criminal damage have halved and nuisance behaviour has dropped by 11 per cent in the
-
Date
James flying towards his aircraft ambition
IT'S up, up and away from now on for Teesside teenager James Hooton. The 17-year-old, who wants to be a pilot, will soon be flying high after winning a national air cadet scholarship. With the prize comes 12 hours of flight training. The air cadet, from
-
Date
Leah's qualification delight
THE principal of a Spennymoor day nursery is one of only fourteen people in the country to achieve a leadership childcare qualification. Leah Hornsby, principal of Pixley Dell Day Nursery, Spennymoor, reached level five in effective leadership and management
-
Date
Primary care trust appoints new director
NORTH Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) has a new director of public health. Peter Brambleby has been appointed to the role and will take up his post on July1. Dr Brambleby was previously director of public health in Norwich. He held an honorary
-
Date
Father's fairytale stories brought to life in ballet
BEDTIME stories made up by a father for his young children have been brought to life by dancers. Mirabel and the Wand is a new fairytale ballet which will be performed at the Swaledale Festival on June 6. It was written by David Dixon, of Healaugh, near
-
Date
Ruth driving ahead with Army career
While it takes some drivers all their time manoeuvring their own cars in traffic and into parking spaces, Ruth Wilson from Teesside drives 104 tonne juggernauts for a living. The 20-year-old Billingham soldier, who could not drive a car when she enlisted
-
Date
Hospice needs more helpers to expand
A POPULAR day hospice in Teesdale is hoping more volunteers will allow it to expand. The Butterwick Day Hospice has been running in Barnard Castle's Richardson Hospital for two years and recently moved into a newly-opened section on the site. The hospice
-
Date
Time called on pub with roots in football history
A PUB named after one of the country's most famous amateur football clubs will be demolished to make way for ten homes. The Two Blues pub, in Douthwaite Road, Woodhouse Close, is the subject of a planning application lodged with Wear Valley District Council
-
Date
This is how it's done, mum ... parents go back to class
PARENTS were given the chance to come into school during the last day of term on Friday to learn with their children. St Helen Auckland Primary School opened its doors for a special assembly, before inviting parents into lessons. In the school hall,
-
Date
Pyjama day helps hospice
CHILDCARE students from Bishop Auckland College donned their pyjamas for a day at college and raised £470 for a local baby hospice. Ten BTEC early years diploma students and two of their tutors wore pyjamas to and from college earlier this month to raise
-
Date
Learning about compost can really be heaps of fun
YOUNGSTERS are being invited to take part in a contest to grow their own pumpkins and sunflowers this summer. The fun competition is being run by Durham County Council to introduce children to gardening and plant biology, as well as raising awareness
-
Date
Free will service to help charity
TWO solicitor firms in Darlington are offering a free will writing service for the Free Wills initiative. People aged 55 and over are being offered the service by Hewitts, in Bondgate, and Blackett, Hart and Pratt, in Faverdale, until Friday. Anyone who
-
Date
We'll fight Asda's petrol station plan say residents
WORRIED residents have vowed to challenge a supermarket's appeal after plans to move a petrol station near to a Darlington school were rejected. Asda's proposal to move its petrol station in Whinbush Way to the opposite side of the store's car park were
-
Date
Fliers' legs broken in glider crashes
TWO fliers suffered broken legs after crashing only a half a mile and two hours apart. A hang glider crashed into the hillside at Howgate Edge, Hawes, in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, on Saturday, followed by a paraglider in the same area. The accidents
-
Date
Not quite Lord's, but it's my home of cricket
EVEN "Big Time'' Lee Hodgson could not save his side from a crushing defeat. Playing his first match since he caught out West Indies batsman Jerome Taylor in the Test match at Lord's, the 20-year-old scored 40 runs for Salturn Cricket Club against Hartlepool
-
Date
Hamilton obeys orders
McLaren boss Ron Dennis is adamant Lewis Hamilton is free to race for the Formula One world title after the British rookie suggested he is playing second fiddle to Fernando Alonso. For the first time in his fledgling career Hamilton wore the look of a
-
Date
Hansen's 20-foot putt sinks Rose in PGA play-off drama
Justin Rose's hopes of a triumphant return to Europe were dashed in dramatic fashion by Dane Anders Hansen at Wentworth. With a 20-foot birdie putt at the first hole of a play-off 36-year-old Hansen won the European Tour's flagship BMW PGA Championship
-
Date
Youngsters have fun celebrating 100 Scouting years
THE centenary of the Scouting movement is being celebrated by thousands of youngsters. The County Durham Association is holding a camp at Herrington Country Park, on the outskirts of Sunderland, that started on Friday night and is due to finish today
-
Date
May 28, 2007
DURHAM begin a big week of Friends Provident Trophy cricket today with a home match against Scotland, followed by the visit of Worcestershire on Friday and a trip to Headingley next Sunday. With three wins from four games, Durham lie third in the northern
-
Date
Moore boots Durham to victory
DURHAM president Jim Ainslie saw his personal cloud produce a silver lining on Saturday, when Durham beat Eastern Counties 30-20 in the final of the County Championship Plate at Hartlepool Rovers. Ainslie, the Durham team manager before he ascended to
-
Date
Will it be 'arise, Sir Beefy'?
CRICKETING legend Ian Botham, who has raised more than £10m for charity, is in line for a knighthood. Newspaper reports over the weekend claimed the cricketing hero - known as Beefy to his fans - would be made a knight in the Queen's Birthday Honours
-
Date
Burnmoor get better of high-scoring draw
The top-of-the-table encounter between heavyweights Burnmoor and Whitburn ended in stalemate, but not without highlighting the wealth of talent in both teams. Leaders Burnmoor extended their advantage slightly with three extra points from the drawn finish
-
Date
Shields lose top spot
The dream start to the season by South Shields after being promoted from the Durham Senior League came to an abrupt end when they were pushed off the top by new leaders Sunderland. Having won their first three games, Shields suffered their second successive
-
Date
Guisborough ease to their target of 310
One of the most remarkable games in the recent history of the league became a statisticians' dream as it produced 619 runs and three centuries and finished with a sensational victory. Officials are checking to discover if there is anything to compare
-
Date
Seaham miss chance to topple Bill Quay
Bill Quay remain leaders, but it's desperately close with eight clubs separated by 22 points. The Quay have a two-point advantage over Seaham Park, but it could have been more if rain had not ended their clash with Easington. Set 197 to win, unbeaten
-
Date
Kimblesworth thrash Shildon to move clear
Champions Kimblesworth are back in pole position after leapfrogging Esh Winning, who have been among the early pacemakers. The defeat of Esh at home by Evenwood and a massive win for Kimblesworth against Shildon produced the new leaders. The only team
-
Date
US experts show how to cut risk of wildfires
OFFICIALS who run one of the most successful public awareness campaigns in the US will be in the region next month to help cut the threat of wildfires. The Smokey Bear character was created in the US in the Forties to spread the message that forest fires
-
Date
U-turn in row over 'too early' bin bags
THE man at the centre of a rubbish dispute has been told he will not be fined or face court action for putting his bins out six hours early. Darlington Borough Council has made the U-turn following an internal investigation into the case of Chris Grainge
-
Date
Rail boss outlines hopes for route as bid deadline looms
THE boss of East Coast rail bidder National Express has spelt out his vision for the future of the railway. Chief executive Richard Bowker said the franchise operated by GNER was not perfect and said his company would put performance and reliability top
-
Date
Stark tale has you hanging on every word
THE crimes of a ruthless woman who poisoned a string of love rivals and an Indian sailor who strangled a 78-year-old prostitute are among those detailed in a gruesome new book. Hanged at Durham chronicles the dark deeds of 75 convicted killers executed
-
Date
Much ado about Ripley
LIAM Evans-Ford reflects that he left drama school as a vegetarian with ambitions to act in classical theatre and yet his latest role is in a commercial for McDonalds, the burger people. Yet he's no out-of-work actor doing ads for lack of proper stage
-
Date
A letter to Gordon Brown...
Dear Gordon, YOU probably don't remember me, but we met recently when you hosted regional editors at 11 Downing Street. You didn't chat for long once you realised I was from Tony's local paper, but it was very nice to meet you and I hope all goes well
-
Date
Police to meet pair on aid trip return
POLICE will question two teenagers on their return from a charity aid trip to Romania.Stephen Baker, 17, and Liam Shone, 16, both from Teesside, are expected to be met by police on their arrival at London's Victoria Coach Station on Saturday, following
-
Date
Police keep watching brief as rebel rowers make splash
A BOAT race went ahead at the weekend as part of a North-East town's summer festivities - despite safety warnings from local authorities.The river race was one of the traditional highlights of the annual Meet weekend in Barnard Castle, County Durham,
-
Date
Tykes top, Durham second fine by Moxon
Durham v Yorkshire (County Championship) : Day Four YORKSHIRE'S ex-Durham coach, Martyn Moxon, admitted he would be happy for the County Championship table to remain exactly as it stands after Durham moved into second place, 4.5 points behind the Tykes
-
Date
Nigeria to quiz Newcastle about Martins' absence
OBAFEMI MARTINS has gone AWOL again and this time the Nigerian Football Association are on the verge of demanding action from Newcastle United.Martins was issued with an ultimatum from Super Eagles coach Berti Vogts last week. He was ordered to turn up
-
Date
Student who was left for dead by thugs
A STUDENT has told how he spent six days on a life support machine after thugs left him for dead.John Lawson released pictures of himself lying critically ill at South Tyneside District Hospital following the attack on Saturday, May 5.The 27-year-old
-
Date
With heartfelt thanks
AN 18-month-old is back home after undergoing a heart transplant that saved her life.Four months ago, Martha Andersen's family were told she had just a few hours to live.But after an eleventh hour transplant, she has been released from hospital and has
-
Date
Damage that left town at a standstill
THE explosion could be heard for miles around, it shattered windows and sprayed debris across the road, yet what was more striking was the eerie silence that followed. For a few seconds, all that could be heard was the tinkle of broken glass and the wail
-
Date
Create links, not new laws
POLICE don't need greater powers to stop and question. They don't require a new anti-terror legislation that gives them the power to charge with obstruction anyone who refuses to divulge their name when asked. Where is the justice in fining an individual
-
Date
Cats pair praised by Irish
SUNDERLAND strikers Anthony Stokes and Daryl Murphy have been given glowing endorsements by their international bosses after taking their chance to shine for the Republic of Ireland. With the likes of Robbie Keane and Damien Duff at home, the Irish used
-
Date
Consequences could have been much worse
MANY more people could have been killed if the explosion had happened a few minutes earlier, emergency workers said last night. It emerged that a group of pensioners had been standing in the market place only ten minutes before the incident, waiting to
-
Date
'Divorce cost me my son'
THE woman sitting in the cafe looks very elegant and poised. She's slowly drinking pale brown tea just like the average person there, and yet her dark, exotic looks mean she'd stand out in any crowd. While this may prompt the odd quick glance, perhaps
-
Date
Downing aims to cap Wembley bow in style
STEWART Downing achieved one lifetime ambition by scoring a match-winning double for England's B team last Friday - now the Middlesbrough winger wants to realise another by scoring his first senior goal at Wembley in four days time.Downing was England's
-
Date
'It was like walking around a film set a ghost town
THE only witness to Saturday's tragedy in Wolsingham has told how he saw the van explode before his eyes.At 6.45am, Philip Barnes stood only 100 yards from the red Ford Transit van when it exploded, killing its driver, 33-year-old welder Andy Herd.Father-to-be
